How To Effectively Reduce Belly Fat

Jelly Belly. Love Handles. Dunlap Disease. Whatever you want to call it, the excess fat around your midsection that wiggles and jiggles in all the wrong places just isn't pretty. Not only is belly fat unattractive, it can be downright dangerous to your health. Extra fat carried around your abdomen can increase your risk of heart disease. With so many pills, potions and programs flooding the weight loss industry today, many people are left feeling just plain confused about how to effectively reduce belly fat.

The first thing you must know about how to effectively reduce belly fat is that there is no magic bullet when it comes to weight loss. Reducing body fat levels requires a three pronged approach that doesn't come from popping diet pills or gulping down foul tasting drinks. Belly fat also won't come off by trying to spot reduce only doing sit-ups or crunches. It's just not possible to spot reduce, so don't waste your time.

So, the question remains, how do you effectively reduce belly fat? Here is a safe, practical three pronged approach to get rid of belly fat.

1. Healthy Meals. Notice the word diet isn't part of the equation. That's because the word diet conjures up visions of carrots and celery and not much else. The word diet gives us nightmares of deprivation and hunger, and that's not the image we're looking for with permanent weight loss. Just because the word diet isn't used does not mean you're free to gorge on junk food at will. Healthy meals consist of lean protein, lots of vegetables, whole grains and some fruit. Your should consistantly choose foods that are as close as possible to their natural state.

2. Cardiovascular Exercise. Regular cardiovascular exercise will reduce body fat levels. Where should you start? Wallking is great cardio! Put your shoes on and get moving for at least 30 minutes per day. It doesn't matter how fast or how far you walk in the beginning, the most important point is that you're moving your body aerobically on a regular basis. If you don't enjoy walking then ride a bike, rollerskate, jog, run. Participate in whatever aerobic activity you enjoy.

3. Lift Weights. Yes, you did read that correctly! If you're wondering what lifting weights has to do with effectively reducing belly fat, then read on. Regular weight lifting has several beneficial effects for those folks trying to reduce their body fat levels. Muscles burn extra calories. The more muscle you carry on your frame, the more calories you burn in a 24 hour period which translates into extra fat burning power. Muscles take up about one third less space than fat. Muscles give you the power to carry on your daily activities more effectively and with energy to spare.

Learning how to effectively reduce belly fat isn't a difficult task. The three principle keys to getting rid of your gut rely on diet, cardiovascular exercise and weight lifting on a regular basis. Remember, you didn't sprout belly fat overnight and you can't get rid of belly fat in a day, but you can reduce belly fat if you're willing to put forth a bit of
effort.

How To Get Rid Of Pimples Overnight ,For That Flawless Skin

It is true treating pimples needs both patience and persistence, but sometimes time is the thing you are short of. You desperately need them off your face at any cost; the world seems almost cruel otherwise. You almost feel like tearing your hair out thinking of how to get rid of pimples overnight and it is for situations like these that there are over the counter drugs and ointments.

However, just using medicines will not relieve you of the pimples, there are rules you have to follow to make it work out right. There are Dos and Do nots and always remember some things are better left alone, messing with them is not advisable. For example, if you think the easiest way out of your ordeal would be to pop your zits, you are definitely wrong.

Most of the time, overnight pimple cures are just an overblown phrase because an overnight cure for pimples is almost impossible to devise without a change in your lifestyle. Especially if you are used to having a stressful life and you have a biased diet. Try to make it a balanced one including food that would also make it into a cleansing diet. Talking of cleansing, there is no substitute for water, thus make drinking 8-10 glasses of water each day a part of your daily routine.

Tips for overnight cure

Some home remedies however can rid you of pimples sometimes overnight and even if not overnight by not more than half a day.

You could use the white of an egg to dab on your pimple. Once left on for around 20 minutes it usually helps and dries up the pimple. Another unique method would be to apply toothpaste; preferably not the gel type on the pimple and it has the same effect.

Cleaning the skin is an essential part of curing pimples and the cleaning needs special care when you need to cure pimples overnight. If you wash your face with a soap enriched with aloe vera it can help you immensely. You could also try cleaning your skin with apple cider vinegar, or a more simple remedy would be to clean it with lemon juice.

Before you start any pimple remedy, you must be sure that the acne is not caused due to an allergic reaction to any food or cosmetics. The cure could otherwise have an adverse effect on the acne.

Your skin is unique and different from everyone else's and therefore you should remember that what works for someone else might not work for you and vice versa. Therefore, it would be advisable if you try out the different methods beforehand to know which one suits you.

You could also pay your family physician a visit, who might just as well recommend you to a dermatologist. Both the doctor and the dermatologist might have ideas that would truly rid you of that pimple overnight.



Robert Sheehan -Author:

Sebaceous Cysts Treatment Tips

A sebaceous cyst is a closed sac under the skin filled with a cheese-like or oily material. Sebaceous cysts are commonly seen on the scalp, labia, scrotum, chest, and back, but can be found anywhere on the body. A foul odor is also often present in the substance called keratin which fills sebaceous cysts. Keratin is a protein that creates the sac of cells called sebaceous cysts. The bumps or lumps you can feel under your skin are actually the sac of cells. Sebaceous cysts are often the result of swollen hair follicles, or skin trauma. The scalp, ears, back, face, and upper arm, are common sites for sebaceous cysts, though they may occur anywhere on the body except the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. In males a common place for them to develop is the scrotum and chest.

They are more common in hairier areas, where in cases of long duration they could result in hair loss on the skin surface immediately above the cyst. The main symptom is usually a small, non-painful lump beneath the skin. Small lumps or bumps that occur just under the skin of the genitalia, breast, abdomen, face, neck, or elsewhere on the body are the most common symptom of sebaceous cysts. Sebaceous cysts may occasionally become infected and form into painful abscesses. It is important when sebaceous cysts are surgically removed that the entire sac is excised to help prevent a recurrence. large cysts may reappear and may have to be surgically removed. If a cyst becomes infected, treatment may include administering antibiotics and then surgically removing the cyst.

Surgical excision of a sebaceous cyst is a simple procedure to completely remove the sac and its contents. Total excision surgical technique removes the entire cyst and so prevents recurrence. Home treatment of sebaceous (epidermal) cyst, may relieve symptoms but may not make the cyst go away. Apply warm, wet washcloths to the lump for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day. Inject an inflamed but uninfected epidermoid cyst with a corticosteroid to help reduce the inflammation. To minimize scarring use a carbon dioxide laser to vaporize an epidermoid cyst on your face or other sensitive area. Avoiding excessive sun exposure and using oil-free skin care products can help prevent milia. To prevent scarring and infection, don't try to squeeze cysts yourself.

Sebaceous Cysts Treatmen and Prevention Tips

1. Do not squeeze, scratch, drain, open (lance), or puncture the lump.

2. Keep the area clean by washing the lump and surrounding skin well with an antibacterial soap.

3. Apply warm, wet washcloths to the lump for 20 to 30 minutes, 3 to 4 times a day.

4. Avoiding excessive sun exposure and using oil-free skin care products can help prevent milia.

5. Prophylactic tetracycline or erythromycin ointment is applied once, 1 hour after delivery.

Vitamin B: A Key to Energy

B vitamins are often called the energy vitamins, but they are more like keys that unlock it. Fatigue, irritability, poor concentration, anxiety and depression—all can be signs of a B vitamin deficiency. That's because compounds in the B complex are needed for everything from the healthy maintenance of brain cells to the metabolism of carbohydrates, the brain's source of fuel. Bs are also necessary for production of neurotransmitters, which regulate mood and conduct messages through the brain.

The B complex includes B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B6, pantothenic acid, biotin, B12 and folate, also known as folic acid on vitamin bottles. It also includes choline, a nutrient found in eggs that is needed to produce cell membranes and may slow age-related memory loss.

Which B is most important? It's impossible to say.

"They all have important roles," says Roxanne Moore, a registered dietitian at the Maryland Department of Education and a spokeswoman for the American Dietetic Association. A varied, healthy diet of lean meats, colorful vegetables and whole grains will usually cover the bases.

The subgroup of B6, B12 and folate is the subject of much research. Sufficient intake lowers rates of birth defects, cardiovascular disease, depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The three work together and even marginal deficiencies have large effects.

B6 and B12 contribute to the myelin sheath around nerve cells, which speeds signals through the brain. B12 and folic acid together are needed for making normal cells, including blood cells. Inadequate B12 or folic acid can yield blood cells unable to carry vital oxygen to the brain.

These three Bs aid in the manufacture of the excitatory neurotransmitter GABA, as well as serotonin and dopamine, neurotransmitters that regulate mood. All three neurotransmitters interregulate each other, but the ways they work in concert or against each other are only beginning to be understood.

Only rarely are the effects of a B vitamin deficiency clear-cut. The Centers for Disease Control reported that two children had severe motor and language skill delays because of a deficiency in vitamin B12. They had both been breastfed by vegan mothers who were also deficient in B12.

The vitamin occurs naturally only in animal products, although many cereal and soy products are fortified with B12, among others. Both children quickly improved after eating a new diet, but both also had lingering language and motor problems a year after treatment.

"The problem doesn't affect just vegetarians," says Maria Elena Jefferds, Ph.D., a CDC epidemiologist. "There are plenty of non-vegan Americans who don't pay enough attention to what they eat and lack basic nutrients."

The key is a varied diet. The importance of some nutrients is only now emerging.

Choline is one that shows promise. Found in protein-rich food such as eggs, it is needed by everyone for the production of cell membranes and for making the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which affects memory. Pregnant women must also consume choline to support the rapid production of fetal brain cells.

Pregnancy may prove to be the most decisive period for many nutrients. Animal studies by Duke University neuroscientist Christina Williams, Ph.D., have shown that a diet with four times the normal amount of choline during pregnancy can actually prevent memory decline in offspring as they reach old age. Supplemented animals also have superior memory throughout their own lives.

"Early choline supplementation actually changes the brain, altering the structure and the functioning," says Williams. "We were astounded by such a big affect."

Choline was added to the government list of essential nutrients in 1998. Data from the Human Genome Project may show that we all have a "nutrient genotype." "It may all come down to sluggish enzymes," says Williams. "It may be that most people eat enough choline, but some people can't use it."

Your Shampoo may be Caused of Cancer

Your shampoo may seem harmless, but it could be contributing to the formation of a mysterious, cancer-causing substance, a new study says.

New research reveals that common household products such as shampoo can interact with disinfectants at U.S. waste water treatment plants to form a little-studied class of cancer-causing substances. These substances, called nitrosamines, can end up in drinking water, experts say.

Several nitrosamines, including the chemical NDMA, a focus of the new Yale study, are classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as probable human carcinogens.

Nitrosamines form in small amounts when exposed to chloramine, the disinfectant of choice at the nation's waste water treatment plants. The chemical—a combination of chlorine and ammonia—has been used increasingly in drinking water disinfection since the EPA set limits for better-known toxic substances that can arise from the use of chlorine, the traditional disinfectant.

Though inconclusive, the study suggests "it's entirely possible that we're producing more problems—and maybe even worse problems—with chloramines," said David Reckhow, an environmental engineer at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst who was not involved in the new study.

Thigh Exercises For Women

For women, shaping the muscles of the thighs is an important fitness goal. A shapely lower body is considered very feminine, and the right proportion of the waist to the hips is part of the equation. It's surprising, but true, thigh toning exercises can be done at home, without equipment and results can be seen in 4-6 weeks. Also, did you know that thigh and hip toning gadgets are not required if you know which exercises work, and how to do them. Most importantly, thigh exercises are most effective when combined with aerobic exercise and a healthy diet.

This means that women must not only do the right thigh exercises, but also include aerobic exercise and sound nutrition to get best results. The following exercises are the most effective front thigh exercises for women. The routine also includes inner thigh and rear thigh exercises.

For best results, start with 15-20 repetitions and one set. Increase gradually to 2 sets. Complete the routine at least 2 times a week for best results. This is an effective beginner to intermediate toning program. Please remember that these numbers are general guidelines only. For an optimum program tailored to your needs, please consult a certified personal trainer. If you have any injuries or medical ailments, please obtain a physicians clearance before starting any exercise program.

Wall Squat: Front Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: – Place your upper back against a smooth wall. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed slightly outward. Distribute your body weight equally between both feet and lean back against the wall. Movement: – Inhale, keeping your heels in contact with the floor at all times, slowly lower into a squat position while sliding down the wall. Exhale as you slowly straighten your legs, keeping your head and chest up, returning to the starting position. Repeat as required.

Standing Dumbbell Squats: Front Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position:- Hold a dumbbell in each hand and allow them to hang down at your sides. Stand with your feet shoulder width apart, toes pointed slightly outward. Distribute your body weight equally between both feet. Movement:- Inhale, keeping your heels in contact with the floor at all times, slowly lower into a squat position. Exhale as you slowly straighten your legs, keeping your head and chest up, returning to the starting position. Repeat as required. 5 lb dumbbells work well, but you can start with 2 lbs and then work your way up to 5 lbs within 3-5 weeks.

Lunges: Front Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: – Assume a standing position with your feet slightly less than shoulder width apart. Grasp a barbell with a wider than shoulder width grip and place it across your shoulders. Movement: – Inhale, keeping your back vertical and slightly arched, slowly step forward with one leg making a long stride, lowering your body down slowly until your rear knee lightly touches the floor (if you cannot go as low as this, then work your way up to it over 2-3 weeks). Exhale and shift your weight backwards, taking one step (or 2-3 small steps if that sounds difficult) to return to the starting position. Repeat on the other side. Remember to consult your doctor before this or any other knee exercises if you have had any knee trouble!

Lying Face Down: Front Thigh Stretch.
Starting Position: Lie on your stomach on a matt with your legs together. Movement: Reach behind you and grasp your right ankle with your left hand. Pull your right heel up as far as you can. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side. Please remember to hold for 10 seconds for this stretch.

Seated Split Stretch: Inner Thigh Stretch.
Starting Position: Sit on an exercise matt and spread your legs as far as you can. Movement: Lean to your right side and reach for your toes. Rest your hands on your toes or at your ankle. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side.

Seated Butterfly: Inner Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: Sit on an exercise matt with your back straight. Movement: Bring the soles of your feet together and pull them in as close to your body as you can. Allow your hands to rest on your feet or to apply light pressure to your thighs. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Hold this position for 10 seconds. You will find this most effective if you gently push your knees down using your hands, be careful not to push too much.

Seated Hip Twist: Outer Thigh And Rear Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: Sit on an exercise matt with your legs straight out in front of you. Movement: Bend your right knee and place your right foot over your left leg. Wrap your arms around your right knee and gently pull it in towards your left shoulder. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side. Remember to hold for 10 seconds.

Lying Leg Pull: Total Thigh Exercise.
Starting Position: Lie on your back on an exercise matt with your knees in the air and feet flat on the floor. Movement: Bring your right heel to rest on your left thigh. Loop your hands around your left thigh and pull it towards your chest. Hold this position for thirty seconds. Repeat as required on other side. Remember to hold for 10 seconds in each set.

Calories and Weight Gain

Body needs vary within individuals for maintaining a stable metabolic function. Metabolic function is defined as how quickly a body uses energy - in this case how many calories it uses per day to maintain function. Between 2000-2500 calories per day is considered an average amount of calories needed to keep your metabolic rate in constant and consistent activity.

Adding 1000 extra calories per day is gaining weight at 2 pounds per week. Some caloric needs may exceed 2500 calories per day; the key is to increase the needed calories by at least 1000 calories per day, since you need calories to gain weight.

Burning Calories with Working Out

Exercise does burn calories so to gain weight while exercising requires having more calories in your diet when working out. Calorie supplements can give you the extra boost you need. The best weight gain supplements will provide the most calories and the most extra nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, fiber, vitamins and minerals.

Calorie Supplements and Weight Gain

If you are a patient fighting a disease like cancer or AIDS, there may be times when, despite your best efforts, you don't want to eat. Even if you have the option of high calorie, nutritious and tasty meals, you may be too tired, nauseous or just not in the mood. In times like these, calorie supplements can come in handy. Nutritional and calorie supplements should not be a staple in your diet, but they can be a real help in a pinch. These calorie supplements, especially when they are nutrient, vitamins and minerals can help you maintain a weight, or add calories when you are trying to gain weight.

High Calorie Foods

Packaged foods have the nutritional value and calorie count on the label. Chose the brand of product with the higher calories if you have a choice. Look in dietary and nutrition books for a list of high calorie foods for weight gain. Try to avoid packaged foods packed with salt and preservatives. Salt will help you retain water, which makes your weight appear higher then it really is. Focus on highly nutritious foods with natural fat content like eggs and avocados.

Calories

Calorie usage depends on activity levels, the more active, the more calories are used. It takes 1.5 calories a minute to keep the body operating smoothly, without additional activity. When the activity level increases the rate of calorie usage goes up. If you are exercising regularly and find that you are not putting on weight, in the form of muscle, you may want to look at introducing a calorie supplement into your diet. This will give you the extra calories you need for weight gain and should offer extra nutrients and vitamins to maintain your health and well being.

Extra Calories

Gaining weight requires finding extra calories when you have meals or snacks. Add sugar to your coffee, put sugar on your cereal, add dressing to your salads, choose high calorie brands of a product, choose the higher calorie canned fruit, choose raisins over grapes, cook oat meal with milk, put butter and sour cream on your potato, put cheese on sandwiches, use mayonnaise with tuna. All can add extra calories for gaining weight.

Gaining Weight and Calories

Gaining weight requires more calories than your body needs. The body needs1.5 calories each minute just keeping the body functioning. With additional movements, that amount can more than double to over 180 calories per hour. High calorie foods and calorie supplements provide the extra caloric intake needed to exceed the functional amount of calories. Every extra calorie is needed to gain weight

The Effect of High Calories on the Body

Gaining weight is a challenge and requires a dedication to add those extra pounds. It need not be a long term activity. A weight gain diet is rich but is not a permanent process. Reach your goal and then maintain with less rich foods. Proper dental hygiene will neutralize the effect of sugar, a six month plan to gain weight is not a lifetime of rich eating, and proper exercise will tone the body and exercise the muscles, including the heart. The objective is to gain only the wanted extra pounds not continue to add excessive weight with higher calorie foods.

Protein Shakes and Weight Gain

Protein shakes alone are not effective for weight gain. Protein has been found to speed up metabolism in the body, so the body utilizes more calories more quickly. The more calories you use, the more you lose weight, not gain weight. Protein alone is a spiral away from weight gain. A combination of protein, fats and carbohydrates gain weight. .

Getting Extra Calories

Become a high calorie detective by reading food labels and nutritional books. Not all ice cream or canned fruit is alike for offering high calories. Choose the high calorie brands. Avoid the diet sodas and add salad dressings. Butter the toast and add jams and jellies. Add sugar to your tea and coffee. All calories add up. A high calorie supplement is also ideal for adding extra calories for gaining weight. Remember though, its better to add a lot of healthy extra food into your diet, than to gain weight eating a bunch of junk food.

Caloric Content

You need to choose high calorie foods for weight gain. A few examples of high calorie foods are: English muffin with butter: 345 calories, 1 cup mashed potatoes: 200 calories, apple pie slice: 400 calories, 4 slices of bacon: 700 calories, 2 fried eggs: 215 calories, 2 pork chops: 500 calories, coconut cream pie slice: 450 calories, 8oz chocolate milk: 290 calories, 1 cup chili and beans: 300 calories, avocado salad with dressing: 350 calories, ¼ pound T-bone steak with melted butter: 600 calories, 8 oz cheese ravioli: 625 calories.

Weight Gain Supplements

Weight gain supplements can help in gaining weight when they provide a combination of high calories, high protein, high carbohydrates, high fats and sugars with ample vitamins and minerals. High calorie supplements need to taste great or else they will not be used regularly.

Alternate Uses

In some cases, a weight gain supplement can be invaluable as an energy resource for the outdoor enthusiast. Just as a power bars are a great idea, you can bring a powdered calorie supplement in your pack to mix with water on the trail. You get the calories you need, and the hydration, without having to carry a ton of food around with you. Calorie supplements can also be great for your teenage athlete who can't seem to stop eating you out of house and home! Get them a powdered weight gain supplement and make sure they are getting the nutrients they need, as well as the calories.

Weight Gain Shake

The weight gain shake will work when it is high calorie and high protein, high carbohydrate, and high fats. Some weight gain shakes are primarily protein and protein only shakes are not adequate for weight gain if the high calories are missing. Pick a shake with protein, carbohydrates and fats with the highest calories.

Weight Gain: Pills

Pills do not supply the body with the amount of weight gain nutrients and high calories the body needs to gain weight. To gain weight, the body needs a combination of high calories and nutrients. A pill is too small to contain all the needed weight gain nutrients. That is why effective high calorie weight gain supplements are in powder form, not a pill.

How Weight Gain Supplements Work

A proper weight gain powder can provide the extra high calories and special nutrients the body needs to gain weight that are not being provided with regular foods. When a weight gain supplement offers the combination of high calories and high nutrition, the body stores this extra nutrition as needed weight gain. .

Dietary Supplements Vs. Weight Gain Supplement

A dietary supplement is a product, usually taken by mouth, that contains an ingredient that might otherwise be missing from your normal food diet. The dietary ingredients typically contained in a supplement are herbal supplements, vitamins, minerals and calories. The FDA does regulate dietary supplements, as foods, rather than as drugs. Dietary supplements should not make claims that they can cure any diseases or conditions. According to the FDA: "...(A) product sold as a dietary supplement and promoted on its label or in labeling as a treatment, prevention or cure for a specific disease or condition would be considered an unapproved--and thus illegal--drug. To maintain the product's status as a dietary supplement, the label and labeling must be consistent with the provisions in the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994."

Weight Gain Shakes

To gain weight, 1-3 weight gain shakes are recommended each day, depending on the calories and nutrients. A proper high calorie supplement shake can provide over 650 extra calories per shake, more high calories when fruit and ice cream is added.

High Calorie Weight Gain Shakes

To gain weight, high calorie shakes should also accompany regular food. You don't want to just substitute the weight gain shake calories for the diet calories. You need to add more calories to your diet with the weight gain shake. In combination, a high calorie weight gain shake and regular diet add more weight.

What to Look For

Your weight gain supplement should be one that can be mixed with water or another liquid depending on your taste and preference. The supplement should have a balanced equation of vitamins, protein, carbohydrates and sugars and should give you the exact number of calories and grams of all ingredients so you can integrate the supplement into your weight gain diet appropriately.

Helping You Absorb Necessary Nutrients

Your weight gain supplements should contain ingredients that aid the absorption of nutrients. Aspartate is one such ingredient. It is a protein that helps the body to absorb necessary nutrients. In the case of someone with an illness these ingredients can mean the difference between weight maintenance and healthy weight gain. Be careful no to confuse aspartate with Aspartame, which is an artificial sweetener.

Green Tea and 25 Health Benefits

25 Reasons Why u should Drink Green Tea.



Green tea has increasingly become a very popular drink worldwide
because of its immensely powerful health benefits.

It is extraordinarily amazing what green tea can do for your health.
And if you're not drinking 3 to 4 cups of green tea today,
you're definitely NOT doing your health a big favor.

Here Are The 25 Reasons Why You Should Start Drinking Green Tea
Right Now:

1. Green Tea and Cancer

Green tea helps reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidant in green tea is 100 times
more effective than vitamin C and 25 times better than vitamin E.
This helps your body at protecting cells from damage believed
to be linked to cancer.

2. Green Tea and Heart Disease

Green tea helps prevent heart disease and stroke by lowering
the level of cholesterol. Even after the heart attack,
it prevents cell deaths and speeds up the recovery of heart cells.

3. Green Tea and Anti-Aging

Green tea contains antioxidant known as polyphenols which fight
against free radicals.
What this means it helps you fight against aging and promotes longevity.

4. Green Tea and Weight Loss

Green tea helps with your body weight loss. Green tea burns fat
and boosts your metabolism rate naturally.
It can help you burn up to 70 calories in just one day. That
translates to 7 pounds in one year.

5. Green Tea and Skin:

Antioxidant in green tea protects the skin from the harmful effects
of free radicals, which cause wrinkling and skin aging.
Green tea also helps fight against skin cancer.

6. Green Tea and Arthritis

Green tea can help prevent and reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
Green tea has benefit for your health as it protects the cartilage
by blocking the enzyme that destroys cartilage.

7. Green Tea and Bones

The very key to this is high fluoride content found in green tea.
It helps keep your bones strong. If you drink green tea every day,
this will help you preserve your bone density.

8. Green Tea and Cholesterol

Green tea can help lower cholesterol level.
It also improves the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol,
by reducing bad cholesterol level.

9. Green Tea and Obesity

Green tea prevents obesity by stopping the movement of glucose
in fat cells. If you are on a healthy diet, exercise regularly
and drink green tea, it is unlikely you'll be obese.

10. Green Tea and Diabetes

Green tea improves lipid and glucose metabolisms, prevents sharp
increases in blood sugar level, and balances your metabolism rate.

11. Green Tea and Alzheimer's

Green tea helps boost your memory. And although there's no cure for Alzheimer's,
it helps slow the process of reduced acetylcholine in the brain,
which leads to Alzheimer's.

12. Green Tea and Parkinson's

Antioxidants in green tea helps prevent against cell damage
in the brain, which could cause Parkinson's. People drinking green tea
also are less likely to progress with Parkinson's.

13. Green Tea and Liver Disease

Green tea helps prevent transplant failure in people with liver failure.
Researches showed that green tea destroys harmful free radicals
in fatty livers.

14. Green Tea and High Blood Pressure

Green tea helps prevent high blood pressure.
Drinking green tea helps keep your blood pressure down by
repressing angiotensin, which leads to high blood pressure.



15. Green Tea and Food Poisoning

Catechin found in green tea can kill bacteria which causes food poisoning
and kills the toxins produced by those bacteria.

16. Green Tea and Blood Sugar Blood sugar tends to increase with age, but polyphenols and
polysaccharides in green tea help lower your blood sugar level.

17. Green Tea and Immunity

Polyphenols and flavenoids found in green tea help boost your
immune system, making your health stronger in fighting against infections.

18. Green Tea and Cold and Flu

Green tea prevents you from getting a cold or flu.
Vitamin C in green tea helps you treat the flu and the common cold.

19. Green Tea and Asthma

Theophylline in green tea relaxes the muscles which support the
bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma.

20. Green Tea and Ear Infection

Green tea helps with ear infection problem.
For natural ear cleaning, soak a cotton ball in green tea
and clean the infected ear.

21. Green Tea and Herpes

Green tea increases the effectiveness of topical interferon treatment
of herpes. First green tea compress is applied,
and then let the skin dry before the interferon treatment.

22. Green Tea and Tooth Decay

Green tea destroys bacteria and viruses that cause many dental diseases.
It also slows the growth of bacteria which leads to bad breath.

23. Green Tea and Stress

L-theanine, which is a kind of amino acids in green tea,
can help relieve stress and anxiety.

24. Green Tea and Allergies

EGCG found in green tea relieves allergies. So,
if you have allergies, you should really consider drinking green tea.

25. Green Tea and HIV

Scientists in Japan have found that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate)
in green tea can stop HIV from binding to healthy immune cells.
What this means is that green tea can help stop the HIV virus
from spreading.

Backaches

Most backaches come from strained muscles in the lower back. Other causes include back injuries such as a slipped or herniated disc, arthritis, osteoporosis and urinary tract infection. The goals of treatment are to treat the cause of the backache, relieve the pain, promote healing and avoid re-injury.

How to Avoid Back Pain:
Lifting causes a lot of backaches. Here are some lifting Do's and Don'ts to help you avoid straining your back.

Do's:

* Wear good shoes with low heels, not sandals or high heels.
* Stand close to the thing you want to lift.
* Plant your feet squarely, shoulder width apart.
* Bend at the knees, not at the waist. Keep your knees bent as you lift.
* Pull in your stomach and buttocks.
* Keep your back as straight as you can.
* Hold the object close to your body.
* Lift slowly.
* Let your legs carry the weight.
* Get help or use a dolly to move something very heavy.

Don'ts:

* Don't lift if your back hurts.
* Don't lift if you have a history of back trouble.
* Don't lift something that's too heavy.
* Don't lift heavy things over your head.
* Don't lift anything heavy if you're not steady on your feet.
* Don't bend at the waist to pick something up.
* Don't arch your back when you lift or carry.
* Don't lift too fast or with a jerk.
* Don't twist your back when you are holding something. Turn your whole body, from head to toe.
* Don't lift something heavy with one hand and something light with the other. Balance the load.
* Don't try to lift one thing while you hold something else. For example, don't try to pick up a child while you are holding a grocery bag. Put the bag down, or lift the bag and the child at the same time.



Resting the back can help treat the pain and avoid re-injury. Resting doesn't have to be in bed, but lying down takes pressure off your back so it can heal faster. Up to three days of bed rest is usually recommended. Your back muscles can get weak if you stay in bed longer than that.

* When you need to get up from bed, move slowly, roll on your side and swing your legs to the floor. Push off the bed with your arms.
* Get comfortable when you are lying, standing and sitting. For example, when you lie on your back, keep your upper back flat but your hips and knees bent. Keep your feet flat on the bed. Tip your hips down and up until you find the best spot.
* Take pressure off your lower back. Put a pillow under your knees or lie on your side with your knees bent.

Cold treatment:
Cold helps with bruises and swelling. You can make a cold pack by wrapping ice in a towel. Use the cold pack for 20 minutes, then take it off for 20 minutes. Do this over and over for two to three hours a day. Lie on your back with your knees bent and put the ice pack under your lower back. Start as soon as you hurt your back. Keep doing it for three to four days.

Heat treatment:
Heat makes blood flow, which helps healing. But don't use heat on a back strain until three to four days after you get hurt. If you use heat sooner, it can make the pain and swelling worse. Use a moist heating pad, a hot-water bottle, hot compresses, a heat lamp, a hot tub, hot baths or hot showers. Use heat for 20 minutes, then take the heat off for 20 minutes. Do this up to three hours a day. Be careful not to burn yourself.

Massage:
Massage won't cure a backache, but it can loosen tight muscles.

Braces or Corsets:
Braces and corsets support your back and keep you from moving it too much. They do what strong back muscles do, but they won't make your back stronger.

Pain Relief:
Take aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium for pain. Note: Do not give aspirin or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless directed by a physician, due to its association with Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. Acetaminophen will help the pain but not the swelling. Don't overdo it after taking a painkiller. You can hurt your back more and then it will take longer to heal.

More Tips:

* After two to three days of resting your back, try some mild stretching exercises to make stomach and back muscles stronger. Exercise in the morning and afternoon. (Always ask your doctor before starting an exercise program.)
* Don't sit in one place longer than you need to. It strains your lower back.
* Sleep on a firm mattress.
* Never sleep on your stomach. Sleep on your back or side, with your knees bent.
* If your back pain is chronic or doesn't get better on its own, see your doctor. He or she can evaluate your needs. A referral may be given to a physical therapist, a physiatrist (a doctor schooled in physical therapy) or a chiropractor.

51 Ways To Perfect Health

1. Drink eight glasses of water a day.

2. Include two vegetables and one fruit in every meal.

3. Begin each meal with a raw vegetable salad.

4. Make a light snack of assorted sprouts.

5. Start the day with a glass of warm water and a dash of lime.

6. Use only fresh vegetables.

7. Once a week have only fresh fruits until noon, make lunch the first meal of the day.

8. Eat only freshly cooked meals, not refrigerated leftovers.

9. Include one green vegetable and one yellow vegetable in every meal.

10. Go on a juice fasta for a day. Start with vegetable juice, and sip fruit for lunch and dinner.

11. Kick the old coffee habit. Have a glass of fresh fruit juice instead.

12. Cut out all deep-fried foods from your diet.

13. Cut down on high sugar products like soft drinks, ice-cream, candy and cookies in your diet.

14. Never skip a meal, even if you are on a diet. Eat a fresh fruit or have vegetable juice instead.

15. Avoid beverages like soda, coffee, colas and so on.

16. Include high fibre foods plenty of fruits, vegetables and grains in planning your diet.

17. Use salt in moderation

18. Wash vegetables throughly in clean water before chopping.

19. Stream or boil vegetables (rather than fry or saute.

20. Retain peels of potato, cucumber, carrot and tomato while cooking.

21. Do take a moment off to mentally list out the nutritional value of the food you are about to eat.

22. Dont rush through your meals. Set aside enough time to appreciate, enjoy and digest your food.

23. Make every meal an enjoyable experience. Set dishes out attractively and chew slowly to appreciate the full flavour of the foods you eat.

24. Choose to be radiantly healthy. Keep yourself informed about the nutritive value of every food you buy.

25. Shop for groceries yourself. Notice the look, feel and smell of fresh fruit and vegetables and enjoy their intrinsic goodness.

26. Watch out for eating habits paired with emotional states, like reaching for a chocolate when you’re depressed. Resist the urge and eat fruit instead.

27. Eat popcorn (rather than chips) while watching a movie.

28. Sit at the table at meal times. Dont read the paper or review bills while eating.

29. Make it a point to have dinner with the entire family at the table, and not in front of the TV.

30. Eat just to the point of the fullness. Dont stuff yourself!

31. Stop smoking.

32. Restrict alcohol consumption.

33. Get a good night sleep, every night.

34. Enrol today in an exercise programme.

35. Take a brisk, 20 minute invigorating walk each morning.

36. Spend 10 minutes every morning and evening doing basic stretches.

37. Do not use elevators when you can climb the stairs.

38. Enrol in a TM programme today.

39. Focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath, then exhale slowly. Repeat a couple of times a day.

40. Learn to relax. Spend 20 minutes consciously relaxing each muscle of your body.

41. Spend 20 minutes a day in silent meditation, prayer or contemplation.

42. Learn the healing power of laughter. Watch a crazy movie, recall a joke or read a funny book and laugh out loud.

43. Tap the powers of your sub-conscious. Relax your body for 20 minutes and project the Perfect You on your mind screen.

44. Balance your lifestyle. Devote equal time each week to work and fun.

45. Join kids in a sports activity and rediscover the joys of childhood.

46. Do keep in touch with friends. Call up or visit them and be at peace with the world.

47. Enrol in an activity (like dancing, swimming or roller skating…) you never indulged in because you were afraid of “what people might say.

48. Forgive someone who you think has done you wrong and cleanse your spirit of rancour.

49. Do a nice turn to someone you dont know too well, but who could do with a friend.

50. Spend a quiet half-hour chatting with your family.

51. Read a great book once a week.

25 Health Benefits of Lemons

,Lemon is one of those super foods with a myriad health and cosmetic benefits. There are a few persons for whom it is an allergen, so make sure you are not allergic to this natural product, before you start enjoying the many benefits.

1. Lemon being a citrus fruit , fights against infection. It helps in production of WBC's and antibodies in blood which attacks the invading microorganism and prevents infection.

2. Lemon is an antioxidant which deactivates the free radicals preventing many dangerous diseases like stroke, cardiovascular diseases and cancers.

3. Lemon lowers blood pressure and increases the levels of HDL (good cholesterol) .

4. Lemon is found to be anti-carcinogenic which lower the rates of colon, prostate, and breast cancer. They prevent faulty metabolism in the cell, which can predispose a cell to becoming carcinogenic. Also blocks the formation of nitrosamines in the gut.

5. Lemon juice is said to give a glow to the skin.

6. A few drops of lemon juice in hot water are believed to clear the digestive system and purify liver as well.

7. The skin of lemon dried under the sun and then ground to make powder can be applied to the hair for a few minutes before bath which relieves head ache and cools the body.

8. Applying lemon juice to acne dries the existing ones and prevents from getting more.

9. Lemon juice acts as a natural hair lightner and skin bleach which reduces the pigment melanin and prevents the risk of chemical allergic reactions which is common with hair dyes and bleaches.

10. Lemon juice is given to relieve gingivitis, stomatitis, and inflammation of the tongue.

11. Lemon juice is given to prevent common cold.

12. Lemon juice is given to prevent or treat urinary tract infection and gonorrhea.

13. Lemon juice is applied to the sites of bites and stings of certain insects to relieve its poison and pain.

14. Lemon juice relieves colic pain and gastric problems .

15. Lemon juice soothes the dry skin when applied with little glycerin .

16. Lemon juice used for marinating seafood or meat kills bacteria and other organisms present in them, thereby prevents many gastro-intestinal tract infections.

17. Lemon juice with a pinch of salt (warm) every morning lowers cholesterol levels and brings down your weight.

18. Lemon juice is the best drink to prevent dehydration and shock in case of diarrhea.

19. Lemon juice can also be used as a mouthwash. It removes plaque, whitens the teeth and strengthens the enamel.

20. A table spoon on thick lemon syrup everyday relieves asthma.

21. Lemon juice relieves chilblains and itchy skin.

22. Gargling lemon juice relieves throat infection and also used as a treatment for diphtheria .

23. Lemon juice is an excellent treatment for dandruff and greasy hair .

24. Lemon applied over the face removes wrinkles and keeps you young.

25. Lemon juice helps to prevent and cure osteoarthritis.

Brain Tumors Prevention Tips

What is a brain tumor?

A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which the cells grow and multiply without restraint, apparently unregulated by the mechanisms that control normal cells. One factor that distinguishes brain tumors from other tumors is that they arise in the skull, an organ encased by bone, and there is very little room for expansion with the skull. They are also among the few types of tumors that generally do not tend to metastasize or spread to other parts of the body.

Whereas certain brain tumors occur almost exclusively during childhood and adolescence, others are predominantly tumors of adult life. The patient's age appears to correlate with the site where some tumors develop in the brain. Although most primary tumors attack member of both sexes with equal frequency, some, such as meningiomas, occur more frequently in women, while others, such as medulloblastomas, more commonly afflict boys and young men.

The prognosis for patients with a brain tumor is as individual as the patients themselves. Your doctors will help you understand the possible consequences of your specific tumor.


Tumor Types



There are several different types of brain tumors and this section describes most except the ones that are quite rare. We will help you locate the structures of the brain mentioned in these descriptions and will tell you in general terms the functional roles of each structure.



Gliomas
Astrocytoma and Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM)

Other Gliomas
Brain Stem Glioma, Epdendymoma, Ganglioneuroma, Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytoma, Mixed Glioma, Oligodendroglioma, and Optic Nerve Glioma

Non-gliomas
Chordoma, Craniopharyngioma, Medulloblastoma, Meningioma, Pineal Tumors, Pituitary Adenoma, Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET), Schwannoma or Acoustic Neuroma, and Vascular Tumors

Other brain-related conditions
CNS Lymphoma, Meningeal Carcinomatosis, Neurofibromatosis, Pseudotumor Cerebri, and Tuberous Sclerosis

Metastatic brain tumors
Any tumors that spread to the brain from other parts of the body.




Facts about Brain Tumors

o Each year approximately 190,000 people in the United States and 10,000 people in Canada will be diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor.

o Brain tumors are the leading cause of SOLID TUMOR death in children under age 20 now surpassing acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and are the third leading cause of cancer death in young adults ages 20-39.*

o Brain tumor patients, including those with certain "benign" brain tumors, have poorer survival rates than breast cancer patients.

o Metastatic brain tumors (cancer that spreads from other parts of the body to the brain) occur at some point in 10 to 15% of persons with cancer and are the most common type of brain tumor. The incidence of brain tumors has been increasing as cancer patients live longer.**

o In the United States, the overall incidence of all primary brain tumors is more than 14 per 100,000 people.

o There are over 120 different types of brain tumors, making effective treatment very complicated.

o Because brain tumors are located at the control center for thought, emotion and movement, their effects on an individual's physical and cognitive abilities can be devastating.

o At present, brain tumors are treated by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy used either individually or in combination.

o Only 31 percent of males and 30percent of females survive five years following the diagnosis of a primary or malignant brain tumor.

o Brain tumors in children are different from those in adults and are often treated differently. Although as many as 69 percent of children with brain tumors will survive, they are often left with long-term side effects.

o Enhancing the quality of life of people with brain tumors requires access to quality specialty care, clinical trials, follow-up care and rehabilitative services. Improving the outlook for adults and children with brain tumors requires research into the causes of and better treatments of brain tumors.

o Complete and accurate data on all primary brain tumors are needed to provide the foundation for research leading to improved diagnosis and treatment and to investigations of its causes.

o The National Cancer Institute and the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke are working together to implement the brain tumor research priorities set by the research, clinical and advocacy community, as summarized in the Brain Tumor Progress Review Group Report.

o Symptoms of a brain tumor can include headaches (headaches that wake you up in the morning), seizures in a person who does not have a history of seizures, cognitive or personality changes, eye weakness, nausea or vomiting, speech disturbances, or memory loss. While these are the most common symptoms of a brain tumor, they can also indicate other medical problems.




Treatment of Brain Tumor

1. Which therapies are used to treat brain tumors?

2. Which medications are used for brain tumor patients?

3. What is radiation therapy?

4. What is stereotactic radiosurgery?

5. What is chemotherapy?

6. What are the newest chemotherapy drugs?

7. What is gene therapy?

1. Which therapies are used to treat brain tumors?



Surgery is the chief form of treatment for brain tumors that lie within the membranes covering the brain or in parts of the brain that can be removed without damaging critical neurological functions. Because a tumor will recur if any tumor cells are left behind, the surgeon's goal is to remove the entire tumor whenever possible. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy, in general, are used as secondary or adjuvant treatment for tumors that cannot be cured by surgery alone.

2. Which medications are used for brain tumor patients?

Steroids and anti-convulsants (to stop seizures) are the most common medications used for brain tumor patients. Steroids are given to reduce inflammation of tissues and control swelling of the brain, particularly before and after surgery. They do not kill tumor cells, but used alone or combined with other forms of treatment, can cause remarkable improvement in a patients condition. If used for only a few days, steroids generally cause no side effects, but used over a long time or withdrawn without monitoring, steroids may produce several side effects. You should discuss monitoring of the steroid and all possible side effects with you doctor.

Other drugs commonly used with brain tumor patients are anti-convulsants. Some are used to keep seizures from happening (prophylactic) while others cut short (abort) seizures that have already started. Some of the more common drugs now used to prevent seizures are Dilantin, Tegratol, Depakote, and Phenobarbital. It is important to remember that side effects of these drugs vary greatly from person to person. But if side effects are a serious problem, there are plenty of newer drugs that can be used, either alone or in combination with others. Newer drugs include Neurontin (gabapentin), Topomax (toiramate), Lamictal (lamotrigine) and Gabitril (tiagabine).

3. What is radiation therapy?

Radiation therapy is mainly used after surgery for tumors that cannot be removed completely, as well as for cases in which surgery would involve too great a risk to the patient. It may be given in a single dose each day, usually for 30 days with weekends off, or it may be "hyper fractionated" into two or more doses daily for the recommended course of treatment.

Standard radiation therapy delivers an external beam of radiation aimed at an entire region, such as the portion of the brain containing the tumor and typically delivers a daily dose of 1.8-2.0 Gy (Gray) to a total dose of 50-60 Gy over 5-7 weeks.

4. What is stereotactic radiosurgery?

Stereotactic radiosurgery is a non-invasive therapeutic alternative for treating brain disorders. Instead of a scalpel, clinicians using stereotactic radiosurgery technology aim multiple"pencil-thin" beams or arced beams of high energy particles directly at the tumor site while sparing healthy tissue as much as possible. With stereotactic radiosurgery techniques, a higher dose of radiation is delivered to the specific site (or tumor) of 15-20 Gy and is usually given in one day. Both Gamma Knife and LINAC X Knife are types of stereotactic radiosurgery.

5. What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy works to destroy tumor cells with drugs that may be given either alone or in combination with other treatments. A key problem with chemotherapy has been the difficulty in delivering sufficient amounts of drug directly to the tumor while sparing normal brain cells. Another problem is the blood-brain barrier mechanism that normally serve to keep harmful substances out of the brain - unfortunately, this same blood-brain barrier can also work to keep potentially helpful drugs out of the brain. Although chemotherapy is usually given by mouth or injected in the vein, some new techniques of intratumoral chemotherapy use either small pumps or biodegradable wafers to place the drug inside the tumor.

6. What are the newest chemotherapy drugs?

There is currently a great deal of scientific activity focused on the area of the discovery of new chemotherapy drugs, many with novel or alternative mechanisms of action (how drugs work). Following is a brief list of the various categories of chemotherapies being used to treat brain tumors: Cytotoxic Agents, Anti-angiogenic drugs, Differentiating agents, Anti-invasion agents, Cell signal transduction modulators and Growth factor inhibitors.

7. What is gene therapy?

Currently for patients with malignant brain tumors who have a recurrence after surgery, radiation therapy or chemotherapy, gene therapy may provide an experimental option for treatment. Using gene therapy, researchers inject a substance into the brain tumor that changes the genetic makeup of the tumor cells.




Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a brain tumor?

2. What is the difference between a primary brain tumor and a metastatic (secondary) brain tumor?

3. What is the difference between a benign brain tumor and a malignant (cancerous) brain tumor?

4. What does it mean when a brain tumor is in remission?

5. What are recurrent tumors?

6. Is a brain tumor cancer?

7. How is a brain tumor diagnosed?

8. How is a brain tumor treated?

9. What will happen to a patient with a brain tumor?

10. What are the parts of the brain?

1. What is a brain tumor?

A brain tumor is an abnormal mass of tissue in which the cells grow and multiply without restraint, apparently unregulated by the mechanisms that control normal cells. One factor that distinguishes brain tumors from other tumors is that they arise in the skull, an organ encased by bone, and there is very little room for expansion with the skull. They are also among the few types of tumors that generally do not tend to metastasize or spread to other parts of the body.

Whereas certain brain tumors occur almost exclusively during childhood and adolescence, others are predominantly tumors of adult life. The patient's age appears to correlate with the site where some tumors develop in the brain. Although most primary tumors attack member of both sexes with equal frequency, some, such as meningiomas, occur more frequently in women, while others, such as medulloblastomas, more commonly afflict boys and young men.

The prognosis for patients with a brain tumor is as individual as the patients themselves. Your doctors will help you understand the possible consequences of your specific tumor.

2. What is the difference between a primary brain tumor and a metastatic (secondary) brain tumor?

Primary brain tumors originate in the brain. The tumor cells do not travel to the brain from other parts of the body and, in most cases, primary brain tumor cells do not travel to other parts of the body either. The most common exception to this rule is the primary brain tumor of childhood called medulloblastoma, which can spread to the lymph nodes, bone marrow, lungs or other parts of the body. But even in this case, it is unusual for medulloblastoma to spread outside the nervous system. Pathologists classify primary brain tumors into two groups: the gliomas, composed of "glial" cells that invade the neural tissue surrounding them; and the nonglial tumors, which are not composed of glial cells and compress, rather than invade, the neighboring brain tissue as they grow.

Metastatic (secondary) brain tumors have spread to the brain from another part of the body. They most often metastasize from tumors of the lung or breast, but almost any tumor can spread to the brain. They arise when abnormal cells that developed elsewhere in the body are carried to the brain by the blood flow. Metastatic tumors are the most common form of brain tumor, affecting 20-40% of all cancer patients.

3. What is the difference between a benign brain tumor and a malignant (cancerous) brain tumor?

Benign brain tumors do exist, and often can be cured with surgery alone. Some primary brain tumors are called benign because their rate of growth is so slow that many years may pass before the tumor grows large enough to compress functional areas of the brain, causing symptoms that require treatment. Others are considered benign because - once the tumor is diagnosed and treated - in many cases, the patient will be cured and live a normal life span and in many others, the tumor will not grow back for many years or even decades.

We use the term benign with caution, however. Even a benign brain tumor may cause intolerable symptoms or may not be controllable because of its particular location in the brain. A tumor in the brain stem or the spinal cord, for example, is often impossible to remove with surgery. In those particular locations even a small amount of tumor growth can compress and cause very serious damage to brain or spinal structures that control functions critical to life. While such a tumor may be called "benign" because of its slow growth, the situation is far from benign.

No one is certain why, but some benign brain tumors may change over time to become malignant. The meningioma, for instance, is one type of primary brain tumor that can be cured, either with surgery alone or sometimes with surgery and radiation therapy. In such cases, meningioma is considered a benign tumor. But in rare cases, even a meningioma may have invasive features, which the pathologist can see in the tumor's cells under the microscope and which suggest that the tumor may behave more aggressively than usual. In such a case, the meningioma may not be curable. It may continue to grow despite surgery, irradiation and chemotherapy and might cause death by its uncontrolled growth. It is because of this potential for aggressive and uncontrolled growth that a tumor is considered malignant.

Malignant brain tumors behave in an aggressive manner and require aggressive treatments. They grow much more quickly than benign tumors and tend to invade normal brain tissue. The goal of treatment in some cases is to control the growth of the tumor as long as possible with the least possible side effects. But just because a tumor is considered malignant does not always mean that it cannot be cured. Many malignant tumors, including malignant primary brain tumors, are curable. Medulloblastoma, for example, is considered a malignant tumor, yet many patients are cured of medulloblastoma by surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

4. What does it mean when a brain tumor is in remission?

When a brain tumor is in remission, the tumor cells have entered a phase in which they generally have stopped growing or multiplying. This may or may not mean that these tumor cells will never grow again. After treatment, in some cases, the tumor has actually been destroyed and the area it occupied in the brain is composed only of dead tissue. In other circumstances, tumor cells remain alive, or viable, and retain the capacity to grow actively again, meaning that the tumor may recur at a later date.

5. What are recurrent tumors?

Tumor recurrence is a term that describes any of three conditions.

1. A recurrent tumor may be a tumor that still persists after primary treatment - a tumor that does not respond to surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy or a combination of these therapies.

2. Alternatively, it may be a tumor that grows back some time after therapy has seemed to destroy it.

3. A new tumor that grows in the same place as the original one is also called a "recurrent" tumor because it is difficult, often impossible, to distinguish its cells from the cells of the original tumor.

Once treated, a brain tumor may remain in remission for many years, or may never recur. Unfortunately, it is not yet possible to predict whether, or when, any particular tumor may recur, which is why lifelong medical monitoring is essential for people treated for a brain tumor, even for a benign lesion.

6. Is a brain tumor cancer?

Some brain tumors are a form of cancer and some are not. The word cancer suggests a tumor that behaves aggressively and in fact, the word malignancy generally means cancer. According to this definition, most anaplastic astrocytomas as well as medulloblastomas are considered cancer, whereas meningiomas and pituitary tumors are not. In practical terms, these working definitions become blurred, however, because a benign tumor growing in the brain stem or spinal cord may cause severe injury or death whereas frequently, medulloblastoma, a form of cancer, can be cured.

7. How is a brain tumor diagnosed?

The most accurate diagnosis of a brain tumor is made with surgery, which permits the neurosurgeon to see the tumor and obtain a specimen for a pathological examination. Diagnostic surgery is not without its risks, however and there are several diagnostic procedures available today that have considerably improved the chances of detecting brain tumors without resorting to surgery. If a patient's symptoms lead the doctor to suspect a tumor, then a neurological examination, computerized tomography (CT) scans, and magnetic resonance (MR) imagings are the first diagnostic tools most often used to determine if more definitive procedures are needed. Other studies, such as X-ray films of the head and skull, an electroencephalogram (EEG) or radioisotopic brain scans, may also be done.

8. How is a brain tumor treated?

Surgery is the chief form of treatment for brain tumors that lie within the membranes covering the brain or in parts of the brain that can be removed without damaging critical neurological functions. Because a tumor will recur if any tumor cells are left behind, the surgeon's goal is to remove the entire tumor whenever possible. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy, in general, are used as secondary or adjuvant treatment for tumors that cannot be cured by surgery alone. Radiosurgery is used as both a primary and an adjunctive therapy for many brain disorders.

9. What will happen to a patient with a brain tumor?

To a large extent, what happens to you from this point forward depends on the type of tumor you have, its location, the area of the brain involved and the forms of therapy you'll have. But each patient is different, and these are not the only factors to be considered. The more you and your family know and understand each aspect of your treatment, the less uncertainty remains about what will happen. The confidence you place in yourself and your medical caretakers makes a tremendous difference. Perhaps most important of all is your outlook toward your condition and treatment and your willingness to believe in the power of healing - to be a survivor.

10. What are the parts of the brain?

The BRAINSTEM acts as the pathway for motor and sensory messages to the body and face. Tumors located in the brainstem cause cranial nerve symptoms such as inversion of the eyes and motor and sensory changes. In addition, the brainstem contains vital cardiac, respiratory and vasomotor functions.

The CEREBELLUM is one of many parts of the brain that controls motor coordination. A tumor located in this area can cause nausea and vomiting, loss of balance, double vision, difficulty walking and difficulty with fine motor skills.

The FRONTAL LOBE controls the higher cognitive functions such as judgement and emotions, and motor ability. A tumor located in this area can cause marked mood elevation or loss of initiative. Other symptoms may include hemiplegia, difficulty talking and slowing of movements.

The OPTICAL LOBE is the area of the brain that perceives vision. Tumors in this area can cause loss of vision partially or completely in one eye.

The PARIETAL LOBE is the part of the brain that controls the sensory, perceptual and speech functions. Tumors in this area can produce a decrease in perception of light touch and pressurre. Other symptoms may include impairment of right-left discrimination and visual-spacial orientation of the body.

The TEMPORAL LOBE is the area that contains speech, hearing and emotional changes. Tumors in this area can produce aggresive behavior, difficulty processing or expressing words, and memory disorders.

Mood and the Heart

Mind and Mood can adversely affect the cardiovascular system..

Heart disease can be depressing literally. About 50 percent of hospitalised heart patients have some depressive symptoms, and upto 20 per cent develop major depression, and depression affects heart health.

Patients who are depressed at the time of hospitalisation for heart conditions are two to five times more likely than average to die or to suffer further cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or severe chest pain in the following year.

Mind and mood can affect the cardiovascular system directly by creating a state of emergency readiness, in which stress harmone levels rise, blood vessels constrict and heartbeat speeds up. If a person is seriously depressed or anxious, the emergency response becomes constant, damaging the blood vessels and making the heart less sensitive to signals telling it to slow down or speed up as the body’s demands change, reports the Harvard Mental Health Letter.

Research suggests that the type of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) may benefit depressed heart patients and possibly reduce their risk for future heart problems.. Cardiac rehabilitation programs that sustain patients’ morale and urge them to take better care of themselves may also help reduce the damage depression done to the heart.

Its hard to determine the precise cause and effect in the relationship between depression and heart disease. Symptoms may be similar, and the damage depression does to the cardiovascular system may trigger further depression. Still, the connection is real.. Cardiologists should ask their patients about stress and depression, and patients should not hesitate to bring up these subjects.

So… take care…keep your Mind & Mood cool always