crochet sweater

ps- for recipes view my blog

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

crochet vest

this crochet vest was designed by me. Throughout made with two strands, so it is nice & thick.

ps- for recipes, you may view my blog

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

Brain tumor

Brain Tumor

Author: Dr. Paramesh Banerji

Brain Tumor: Our Unique Perspective on the Disease

We take a view that the disease lies in the fact that there is an abnormal growth taking place inside the brain - but that on its own is not the disease and is only a manifestation of the disease which is causing the growth in the first place. Removing the Brain Tumour surgically only temporarily alleviates the problems at the huge risk of a surgical operaiton, but does not address the disease at all - which is not the tumor but the reason why the tumor is growing.

And hence even after surgery there is a very high degree of instances when there is a new tumor growth seen in the same patient - which may be growing faster than the earlier one. It is because of this problem that all Brain Tumor patients who have undergone surgical treatment are advised to go for routine MRI scans at intervals of 4 to 6 months depending on the case. So that as soon as a new tumor is detected a repeat of the surgery is suggested. However, brain surgery is amongst the most risk prone of all surgeries.

It is important to point out that our patients of Brain Tumor come afflicted with all kinds of Brain Tumors - Astrocytoma - Low Grade and High Grade, Meningioma, Schwannonma, Lymphoma, Pituitary Adenoma, Glioblastoma and cover all the Grades I to IV

We treat them exclusively using the Advanced Homeopathic treatments created by Dr. Parimal Banerji. These are specific repeatable procedures created for different types of Brain Tumor. Our treatment does not involve any kind of surgery as patients come to us to avoid surgery considering the risks and short comings associated with the surgical intervention of the brain.

It is also important to point out - that since our clinics, that have been operating since 1918 and in a more organised manner since the late 1950's under Dr. Parimal Banerji - do not have listings anywhere and all the patients who find us because they are aware of someone who has been relieved by our treatment in the past of a similar or more severe form of the disease they have come to seek our attention for.

As can be seen from the list of cases mentioned below the prognosis with our treatment has been very encouraging for patients of all age groups and almost the entire spectrum of Brain Tumours. Our treatment strategy aims to achieve the following:

1)Take care of any kind of pains the patient may be suffering from

2)Provide treatment for the Brain Tumor with an objective to immediately redress the most pressing symptoms being suffered by the patient. This may inlcude:

Seizures

Convulsions

Loss of function leading to paralytic condition of the patient that prevents him to continue the normal life functions that allows the patient to carry on an independant life.

Loss of vision or ability to eat

Dementia - or loss of memory or ability to perform some specific mental functions

3) In majority of the cases - as sited in the list below - the patient is able to see these acute symptoms of Brain Tumor improving in a matter of weeks. However, this is dependent on each individual case.

4) Gradually we are seeing that the patient's condition keeps on improving and after a few months when subsequent CT or MRI scans are performed it is seen that the size of the tumor is diminishing steadily. However, even without the scans it is quite obvious that the Brain Tumor is improving because the blatant symptoms that were being exhibited like loss of vision, lack of control of limbs and muscles, siezures, etc.

5) For patients who have already gone for an operation for Brain Tumour it is observed that our medication re3duces the chances of growth of new tumours.

Headache triggers, solutions for it

Headache Trigger: Your Boss

Yes, your boss really can give you a headache. Anything that boosts your stress level can make you more vulnerable to tension headaches or migraines. Tension headaches are thought to be caused by a heightened sensitivity of nerve pathways in the brain that relay pain. Migraines come from changes within the brain itself. During a migraine, brain signals trigger the release of chemicals that alter blood vessel dilation. These signals also activate inflammation in the brain, which can lead to a migraine headache.

Headache Trigger: Warm Weather

When the temperature climbs, so does the likelihood of developing a migraine or other severe headache. In one recent study, researchers found a 7.5% increase in headache risk for every 9 degrees Fahrenheit. Low barometric pressure, which often precedes rain, was linked to a small bump in non-migraine headaches.

Headache Trigger: Strong Scents

Strong smells -- even nice ones -- trigger migraines in many people. Why this happens is unclear, but the odors may stimulate the nervous system. The most common culprits are paint, dust, perfume, and certain types of flowers.

Headache Trigger: Hair Accessories

How you wear your hair can take a toll on your head. A tight ponytail may strain the connective tissue in the scalp, leading to a hairdo headache. Headbands, braids, and tight-fitting hats can create the same effect. If this is the cause of your headache, letting your hair down usually brings fast relief.

Headache Trigger: Exercise

Strenuous exercise, including sex, can lead to exertion headaches. Physical exertion causes blood vessels in the head, neck, and scalp to swell, producing a build-up in pressure. Examples include jogger’s headache and sex headache. These types of headaches are most common in people who are susceptible to migraines.

Headache Trigger: Poor Posture

You don’t have to work up a sweat to build pressure in the head and neck muscles. Slouching at your desk will do the job, too. Common forms of poor posture include hunching your shoulders, using a chair with no lower-back support, staring at a monitor that is too low or too high, and cradling a phone between your ear and shoulder. If you have frequent tension headaches, take a good look at your workspace.

Headache Trigger: Cheese

One of the most common migraine triggers is aged cheese, including blue cheese, brie, cheddar, feta, mozzarella, parmesan, and Swiss. The culprit is a substance called tyramine, which forms when certain types of protein break down. The longer a food ages, the more tyramine it contains.

Headache Trigger: Red Wine

Tyramine is also found in red wine and some liquors. Because alcohol increases blood flow to the brain, the effects may be even more intense. If red wine is a trigger for you, but you’d like to enjoy a glass on special occasions, ask your doctor about taking a preventive dose of medication.

Headache Trigger: Cold Cuts

Processed meats, such as cold cuts, have two strikes against them. They often contain tyramine, as well as food additives called nitrates or nitrites. These additives appear to increase blood flow to the brain in some people. Headaches caused by food additives are usually felt on both sides of the head (in contrast to a classic migraine, which strikes one side at a time.)

Headache Trigger: Skipping Meals

Hunger headaches aren’t always obvious. If you skip a meal, your head could start to ache before you realize you’re hungry. The trouble is a dip in blood sugar. But don’t try to cure a hunger headache with a candy bar. Sweets cause blood sugar to spike and then drop even lower.

Headache Trigger: Smoking

Smoking is known to trigger headaches -- and not just in the person holding the cigarette. Secondhand smoke contains nicotine, which causes blood vessels in the brain to narrow. Giving up cigarettes or reducing exposure to secondhand smoke appears especially helpful to patients with cluster headaches. These are extremely painful one-sided headaches that occur in groups.

Headache Trigger: Caffeine

For the headache-prone, caffeine fits firmly into the category of “can’t live with it, can’t live without it.” In moderation, caffeine is often beneficial -- in fact, it’s found in many headache medications. But chain-chugging coffee can be a cause of headaches. And, if you’re hooked on caffeine, cutting back abruptly may only make things worse. Caffeine withdrawal is another headache trigger.

Headache Solution: Identify Triggers

If you can identify your most common triggers, you may be able to cut off headaches before they start. The best way to accomplish this is through a headache diary Keep a daily log of foods you eat, stressful events, weather changes, and physical activity. Whenever you have a headache, record the time it starts and stops. This will help you find patterns, so you can try to avoid your personal triggers.

Headache Solution: Manage Stress

Many people are able to manage migraines or tension headaches through stress-busting strategies. Although you can’t control the stressful events that come your way, you can alter your response to those events. You may need to experiment with techniques such as meditation, massage, and acupuncture to find what works for you.

Headache Solution: Stretch Your Legs

Moderate exercise is a powerful stress reliever. Walking is a great choice because it delivers an extra defense against tension headaches. When you walk, the swinging motion of your arms tends to relax the muscles in your neck and shoulders. Breaking up those knots diminishes the very root of tension headaches.

Headache Solution: Eat Regular Meals

Eating balanced meals throughout the day will help keep your blood sugar on an even keel. That means no more hunger headaches. Aim for meals and snacks that pair a protein with a complex carbohydrate, such as peanut butter on whole-grain bread or chicken breast with brown rice. And be sure to drink enough fluids -- dehydration is another common headache trigger.

Headache Solution: Physical Therapy

Physical therapy combines exercise and education to reduce pain and improve range of motion. In people with tension headaches, physical therapy can help strengthen the neck muscles and establish new habits that lead to better posture.

Headache Solution: Medication

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, are effective against many types of headaches. But avoid taking these drugs continuously, as this can result in medication overuse headaches or rebound headaches -- headache pain that returns as soon as the analgesic pills have worn off. For frequent headaches, especially migraines, talk to your doctor about prescription medications that help prevent them.

Arhtiritis home remedy

For arthritic pain here is some tested remedy, as I've read that these ingredients used are known for their anti-inflammatory properties & have other good uses too, written earlier in the article uses of spices.

1 tsp of dry ginger powder ( saunt)        1 tsp of turmeric powder     1tsp of roasted methi seeds powdered
all these mixed together & taken with water early morning on empty stomach is known to give relief to arthritic pain.

ps- methi seeds are also known to reduce blood sugar when consumed regularly, so if one is a diabetic then you've double benefit !

Asparagus for cancer

Someone's Mom had been taking the full-stalk canned style     asparagus that she pureed and she took 4 tablespoons in      the morning and 4 tablespoons later in the day. She did      this for over a month. She is on chemo pills for Stage 3      lung cancer in the pleural area and her cancer cell      count went from 386 down to 125 as of this past week.      Her oncologist said she does not need to see him for 3      months.                     THE ARTICLE:                  Several years ago, I had a man seeking asparagus for a                  friend who had cancer. He gave me a photocopied copy                    of an article, entitled, Asparagus for cancer 'printed in                  Cancer News Journal, December 1979. I will share it                  here, just as it was shared with me: I am a                  biochemist, and have specialized in the relation of diet                  to health or over 50 years. Several years ago, I learned                  of the discovery of Richard R. Vensal, D.D.S. that                  asparagus  might cure cancer. Since then, I have worked                  with him on his project We have accumulated a number                  of favorable case histories. Here are a few examples:   Case No. 1, A man with an almost hopeless case                  of Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph glands) who                  was completely incapacitated. Within 1 year of starting                  the asparagus therapy, his doctors were unable to                  detect any signs of cancer, and he was back on a                  schedule of strenuous exercise. Case No. 2 , a successful businessman 68 years old                   who suffered from cancer of the bladder for 16 years.                  After years of medical treatments, including radiation                  without improvement, he went on asparagus. Within 3                  months, examinations revealed that his bladder tumor                  had disappeared and that his kidneys were normal.   Case No. 3, a man who had lung cancer. On March 5th 1971, he                  was put on the operating table where they found                  lung cancer so widely spread that it was inoperable.                  The surgeon sewed him up and declared his case                  hopeless. On April 5th he heard about the Asparagus                  therapy and immediately started taking it By August,                  x-ray pictures revealed that all signs of the cancer had                  disappeared..                  He is back at his regular business routine.   Case No. 4, a woman who was troubled for a number of                  years with skin cancer. She finally developed different                  skin cancers which were diagnosed by the acting                  specialist as advanced. Within 3 months after starting                  on asparagus, her skin specialist said that her skin                  looked fine and no more skin lesions. This woman                  reported that the asparagus therapy also cured her                  kidney disease, which started in 1949. She had over 10                  operations for kidney stones, and was receiving                  government disability payments for an inoperable,                  terminal, kidney condition. She attributes the cure of                  this kidney trouble entirely to the asparagus.                    I was not surprised at this result, as `The elements of                  materia medica', edited in 1854 by a Professor at the                   University of Pennsylvania , stated that asparagus was                  used as a popular remedy for kidney stones. He even                  referred to experiments, in 1739, on the power of                  asparagus in dissolving stones. Note the dates!                  We would have other case histories but the medical                  establishment has interfered with our obtaining some                  of the records. I am therefore appealing to readers to                  spread this good news and help us to gather a large                  number of case histories that will overwhelm the                  medical skeptics about this unbelievably simple and                  natural remedy.   For the treatment , asparagus should be cooked                   before using, and therefore canned asparagus is just                  as good as fresh. I have corresponded with the two                  leading canners of asparagus, Giant and Stokely, and I                  am satisfied that these brands contain no pesticides or                  preservatives.                  Place the cooked asparagus in a blender and liquefy to                  make a puree, and store in the refrigerator. Give the                  patient 4 full tablespoons twice daily, morning and                  evening. Patients usually show some improvement in                  2-4 weeks. It can be diluted with water and used as a                  cold or hot drink. This suggested dosage is based on                  present experience, but certainly larger amounts can do                  no harm and may be needed in some cases. As a                  biochemist I am convinced of the old saying that `what                  cures can prevent.' Based on this theory, my wife and I                  have been using asparagus puree as a beverage with                  our meals. We take 2 tablespoons diluted in water to                  suit our taste with breakfast and with dinner. I take                  mine hot and my wife prefers hers cold. For years we                  have made it a practice to have blood surveys taken as                  part of our regular checkups. The last blood survey,                  taken by a medical doctor who specializes in the                  nutritional approach to health, showed substantial                  improvements in all categories over the last one, and                  we can attribute these improvements to nothing but                  the asparagus drink.                   As a biochemist, I have made an extensive study of all                  aspects of cancer, and all of the proposed cures. As a                  result, I am convinced that asparagus fits in better                  with the latest theories about cancer.                    Asparagus contains a good supply of protein called                   histones , which are believed to be active in controlling                  cell growth.. For that reason, I believe asparagus can                  be said to contain a substance that I call cell growth                   normalizer . That accounts for its action on cancer and                  in acting as a general body tonic. In any event,                  regardless of theory, asparagus used as we suggest, is                  a harmless substance. The FDA cannot prevent you                  from using it and it may do you much good. It has                  been reported by the US National Cancer Institute, that                  asparagus is the highest tested food containing                   glutathione , which is considered one of the body's                  most potent anticarcinogens and antioxidants.

 ps- I'm not a Dr., so you may use your discretion, discuss with your Dr. & try it, after all a vegetable wouldn't cause any harm, unless you're allergic to it.

For recipes you may view my recipe blog too.

http://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/

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Crochet Bag

I made this bag with wool, it has round base, it is roughly 13" long & 26" round, with a handle of 24". As, I'm not too found of zips, as if it gets spoiled, then it becomes a problem, so, I threaded round & pulled it, as you can see in the top picture, to secure my things inside !
Any comments? anyone wants this design?

Uses of herbs

Herbs that have anti-cancer properties are also turmeric, basil, rosemary, mint & lemon grass.

What makes herbs so special is their therapeutic benefits & for their high anti-oxidant concentrations. It isn’t still very clear how they work, however, they possess other than anti-oxidant, cholesterol lowering, anti-clotting, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, decongesting, hypoglycemic & even immune boosting properties.

Turmeric/ haldi has been used for jaundice

Basil to protect the heart

Mace for stomach infections

Cinnamon to stimulate circulation

Ginger for relieving nausea & indigestion.

Cinnamon, ginger, chili /capsaicin & turmeric ( curcumin) have also been associated with a decrease in LDL cholesterol & an increase in HDL cholesterol levels.

Natural anti-inflammatory herbs include turmeric, milk thistle herb, ginger & chili. A study showed that turmeric worked in relieving pain & stiffness in arthritis patients as a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication.

For diabetes,  the herbs which help are- fenugreek seeds, cinnamon, cloves, bay leaves & turmeric. Fenugreek seeds should not be consumed raw, they’re better taken soaked or powdered.

Liquorices (mulathi) possesses anti-inflammatory properties & provides protection against asthma, chest problems && mouth ulcers.

 ps- herbs & spices usually do not cause side effects but in sensitive people, they may cause allergic symptoms. herbs do not always show the same health benefits when the active substance is isolated from food & ingested as a pure compound. so, spice up your life & boost your health with spices !

Uses of Garlic- heart, cancer

Garlic- heart, cancer

Garlic is loaded with almost 100 active compounds. The most important of these is ‘ Allicin’, a sulfur-containing compound. Research has shown that garlic exhibits cardio-protective role by helping to lower blood cholesterol, especially the undesirable fraction of serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) & serum fat.

Eating ½ a clove of garlic a day may lower blood cholesterol by 9%, provided it taken regularly. The anti-clotting & antihypertensive properties have attributed predominantly to Allicin.

Sulfur compound in garlic increases the production of detoxification enzymes that help break down cancer causing compounds & toxins & enhance their removal from the body.

Garlic has also been shown to protect against liver, lung & breast cancer. Research has shown that consuming on an average 6 or more cloves a week lowers the risk of colorectal cancer by 30 % & stomach cancer by 50 %.

Garlic also reduces inflammation by blocking the formation of agents ( prostaglandins ) the induce it.

Ps-See also uses of herbs

Myths & facts of lung cancer

1)Myth: If You've Smoked for Years, the Damage Is Done

Fact: It's never too late to stop smoking. Quitting has almost immediate benefits, including improved circulation and lung function. Risk of lung cancer begins to decline over time. Ten years after quitting, former smokers cut their risk of developing lung cancer by half.

2) Myth: Low-Tar or "Light" Cigarettes Are Safer Than Regular

Fact: Light, ultra-light, or low-tar are just as dangerous as regular cigarettes. And beware of menthol: Some research suggests that menthol cigarettes may be more dangerous and harder to quit. Their cooling sensation can allow smokers to inhale more deeply.

3) Myth: Smoking Marijuana Doesn't Increase Lung Cancer Risk

Fact: Marijuana smoking may increase lung cancer risk, but more research is needed. Many people who use marijuana also smoke cigarettes, and marijuana smoking exposes a person to more tar and other cancer-causing substances that you would find in cigarettes.

4) Myth: Antioxidant Supplements Protect You From Cancer

Fact: Based on population studies, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with antioxidants may help protect against cancer. But when researchers tested antioxidant supplements, they unexpectedly found an increased risk of lung cancer among smokers who took beta-carotene supplements. Talk to your doctor before taking any supplements.

5) Myth: Pipes and Cigars Don't Cause Lung Cancer

Fact: Smoking pipes or cigars increases not only lung cancer risk but also the risk for cancers of the mouth, throat, and esophagus. Cigar smoking puts you at much greater risk of both heart disease and lung disease. Cigars are just as toxic, maybe more so, than cigarettes.

6) Myth: Smoking Is Your Only Lung Cancer Risk Factor

Fact: The second leading cause of lung cancer, after tobacco smoke, is an odorless radioactive gas called radon. Emitted from rock and soil, it can seep up into homes and other buildings. The only way to know if you're living with dangerous levels is to test your house or office for it. Call your state or county health department for information.

7) Myth: Talcum Powder Causes Lung Cancer

Fact: Researchers have found no association between lung cancer and breathing in talcum powder. However, occupational exposure to asbestos, vinyl chloride, and other substances do increase lung cancer risk.

8) Myth: If Diagnosed With Lung Cancer, Quitting is Pointless

Fact: Continued smoking decreases the effectiveness of cancer treatment and may make side effects worse. Smokers undergoing surgery, for example, have more trouble healing than ex-smokers. Those who smoke while undergoing radiation for cancer of the larynx are less likely to regain normal voice quality. In some cases, quitting can cut the risk of a second cancer forming.

9) Myth: Exercise Doesn’t Affect Lung Cancer Risk

Fact: Regular physical activity may reduce the risk of lung cancer by up to 20%, studies show. In addition, exercise improves lung function and reduces the danger of other diseases, including heart disease and stroke.

10) Myth: Air Pollution Is a Leading Cause of Lung Cancer

Fact: Outdoor air pollution is responsible for only about 5% of lung cancer cases. Tobacco smoke remains by far the biggest killer.

causes of lung cancer

What causes lung cancer?

Smoking

The incidence of lung cancer is strongly correlated with cigarette smoking, with about 90% of lung cancers arising as a result of tobacco use. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked over time; doctors refer to this risk in terms of pack-years of smoking history (the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked). For example, a person who has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 10 years has a 20 pack-year smoking history. While the risk of lung cancer is increased with even a 10 pack-year smoking history, those with 30 pack-year histories or more are considered to have the greatest risk for the development of lung cancer. Among those who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes per day, one in seven will die of lung cancer.

Pipe and cigar smoking can also cause lung cancer, although the risk is not as high as with cigarette smoking. While someone who smokes one pack of cigarettes per day has a risk for the development of lung cancer that is 25 times higher than a nonsmoker, pipe and cigar smokers have a risk of lung cancer that is about five times that of a nonsmoker.


Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, many of which have been shown to be cancer-causing, or carcinogenic. The two primary carcinogens in tobacco smoke are chemicals known as nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The risk of developing lung cancer decreases each year following smoking cessation as normal cells grow and replace damaged cells in the lung. In former smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer begins to approach that of a nonsmoker about 15 years after cessation of smoking. For more, please read the Smoking and Quitting Smoking article.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking, or the inhalation of tobacco smoke from other smokers sharing living or working quarters, is also an established risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Research has shown that non-smokers who reside with a smoker have a 24% increase in risk for developing lung cancer when compared with other non-smokers. An estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths occur each year in the U.S. that are attributable to passive smoking.

Asbestos fibers

Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. The workplace is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers, as asbestos was widely used in the past for both thermal and acoustic insulation materials. Today, asbestos use is limited or banned in many countries including the Unites States. Both lung cancer and mesothelioma (a type of cancer of the pleura or of the lining of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum) are associated with exposure to asbestos. Cigarette smoking drastically increases the chance of developing an asbestos-related lung cancer in exposed workers. Asbestos workers who do not smoke have a fivefold greater risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers, and those asbestos workers who smoke have a risk that is 50 to 90 times greater than non-smokers.

Radon gas

Radon gas is a natural, chemically inert gas that is a natural decay product of uranium. It decays to form products that emit a type of ionizing radiation. Radon gas is a known cause of lung cancer, with an estimated 12% of lung cancer deaths attributable to radon gas, or 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer-related deaths annually in the U.S. As with asbestos exposure, concomitant smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer with radon exposure. Radon gas can travel up through soil and enter homes through gaps in the foundation, pipes, drains, or other openings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. contains dangerous levels of radon gas. Radon gas is invisible and odorless, but can be detected with simple test kits.

Familial predisposition

While the majority of lung cancers are associated with tobacco smoking, the fact that not all smokers eventually develop lung cancer suggests that other factors, such as individual genetic susceptibility, may play a role in the causation of lung cancer. Numerous studies have shown that lung cancer is more likely to occur in both smoking and non-smoking relatives of those who have had lung cancer than in the general population. Recent research has localized a region on the long (q) arm of the human chromosome number 6 that is likely to contain a gene that confers an increased susceptibility to the development of lung cancer in smokers.

mesothelioma

The presence of certain diseases of the lung, notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is associated with a slightly increased risk (four to six times the risk of a nonsmoker) for the development of lung cancer even after the effects of concomitant cigarette smoking are excluded.

Prior history of lung cancer

Survivors of lung cancer have a greater risk than the general population of developing a second lung cancer. Survivors of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs, see below) have an additive risk of 1-2% per year for developing a second lung cancer. In survivors of small cell lung cancers (SCLCs) the risk for development of second cancers approaches 6% per year.

Air pollution

Air pollution, from vehicles, industry, and power plants, can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals. Up to 1% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to breathing polluted air, and experts believe that prolonged exposure to highly polluted air can carry a risk similar to that of passive smoking for the development of lung cancer.

6 types of therapies for lung cancer

6 types of therapies for lung cancer
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy is the use of high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation may come from a machine outside the body (external radiation therapy) or from putting materials that produce radiation (radioisotopes) through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy, also called brachytherapy). Radiation therapy is often used in combination with surgery or chemotherapy or both.

Radiation following surgery for stages II or III non-small cell lung cancer may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in the chest, but long-term survival rates are not significantly improved because cancer may have already spread to other areas of the body.3

Photodynamic therapy
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses laser light and a special light-activated substance (Photofrin) to kill cancer cells. It is approved for palliative treatment to destroy tumors that block the airway but it does not cure the lung cancer. Few lung cancers are treated with this therapy. Surgery is still the standard treatment for early-stage lung cancer.

In clinical trials, PDT appears to help relieve coughing, shortness of breath, and coughing up bloody mucus. Additional research is being done.

What to think about
Radiation may cause side effects.

Radiation therapy may be used to prevent small cell lung cancer from growing in your brain. This is called prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI). PCI can improve survival for people with limited-stage small cell lung cancer whose cancer is in remission from treatment with chemotherapy and with or without radiation to the chest.23

Occasionally, radiation therapy may be given during your surgery. In this procedure, radiation is focused directly on the tumor during surgery and affects as little healthy tissue as possible.

Radiation therapy also may be used as palliative care to:

Shrink tumors that make it hard for you to swallow.
Reduce tumors that block your airway and make it hard for you to breathe.
Relieve pain from cancer that has spread to your bones or spinal cord.
Other Treatment Choices
Oxygen therapy
Oxygen therapy may relieve your shortness of breath. It is usually used at the end stage of the disease. Some people who have pulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), may use oxygen as regular therapy.

Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis is used to remove fluid from around your lungs (pleural effusion). A large amount of fluid may cause pain and shortness of breath.

Pleurodesis
Pleurodesis is used to prevent fluid buildup around your lungs. Pleurodesis is a procedure that is intended to cause inflammation of the lining around your lungs. The irritated tissue reacts by producing scar tissue, which causes the two layers of the lung lining to stick together. This removes the space where fluid can build up around your lungs. Pleurodesis is commonly used to treat fluid buildup around your lung that returns after repeated thoracentesis.

Complementary therapies
In addition to conventional medical treatment, you may wish to try complementary therapies, such as:

Acupuncture.
Biofeedback.
Herbs.
Meditation.
Visualization.
Vitamins and nutritional supplements.
Yoga.
Before you try any of these therapies, discuss their possible benefits and side effects with your doctor. Let him or her know if you are already using any such therapies. For more information, see the topic Complementary Medicine.

What To Think About
The combination of conventional medical treatment and complementary medicine is an approach that is sometimes called integrative medicine, in which conventional and complementary therapies are used together for the best outcome.

ps- always take your Dr.'s advice & follow it.

14 ways to quit smoking

14 ways to quit smoking

1)Sip Cold Water and Eat Small Meals

Sipping cold water can help replace the act of sucking on a cigarette. New research shows that sipping cold water through a straw releases dopamine, a feel-good brain chemical that can help ease negative moods.

Eating small meals can also help you get past the urge the smoke. Choose lean, healthy foods to avoid any possible weight gain.

2)Recognize Instant Rewards

You don't have to wait long to begin enjoying the benefits of a smoke-free life. Keep a written list of the benefits as you begin to experience them. These may include feeling in control, saving money, smelling better, tasting food more vividly, and feeling more energetic. When the urge to smoke strikes, look at the benefits you're already experiencing.

3)Brush Your Teeth Frequently

One of the immediate benefits of quitting is that your mouth tastes better and your breath smells better. Brush your teeth frequently. That way, you’ll be less inclined to light up a cigarette and foul that clean, fresh mouth.

4) Avoid Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is one of the most common reasons people go back to smoking. There are several reasons why. By breaking down inhibitions, the effect of alcohol can erode your commitment to quitting. The act of drinking alcohol is also associated with smoking for many people, so it may serve as a trigger.

5) Find Your Own No-Smoking Zones

When the urge to smoke strikes, go somewhere where you can't light up -- a movie, the library, or a store for example. The more distracting the location is, the easier it will be to ride out cravings.

6)Remember Your Reasons for Quitting

Write down a list of all your reasons for quitting. Make copies and post them wherever you spend time -- in the kitchen, at the office, beside the bathroom mirror. Be sure they are prominently displayed so that you are reminded wherever you go. Some ex-smokers say they found it useful to put photographs of family and loved ones alongside their reasons.

7) Be Active Every Day

Physical activity offers a powerful distraction from cravings. When your body is active, it sends out natural chemicals that help your mood and reduce your stress. Walking is one of the easiest exercises for most people, but choosing a variety of activities may help you stay motivated. Especially during the first few weeks after quitting, set aside time to be physically active every day.

8)Fill Your Calendar

During the first few weeks of quitting, make sure your days are filled with things you want or need to do. Make plans to eat meals with family or friends. Try to steer clear of smoking temptations. Also include activities that you enjoy. The busier you are, the more distracted you’ll be from the urge to smoke.

9) Put Something Else in Your Mouth

Part of the urge to smoke is having something in your mouth. In place of a cigarette, pop chewing gum, hard candy, or a healthy snack in your mouth when the urge strikes. Be sure to have something with you at all times. If you’re concerned about gaining weight, stick with sugar-free alternatives.

10) Secure a Lifeline

Ask someone to be there for you when you need support. The best choice is a friend who is also a former smoker who has kicked the habit. But anyone who cares for you and wants you to quit smoking can help when times get tough.

11) Limit Caffeine

Caffeine helps some people get going in the morning and stay alert when they're tired. But caffeine can make some people feel tense, jittery, and stressed. These effects can be amplified when you’re in the process of breaking nicotine addiction. If caffeine negatively affects you, try cutting back to see if it helps reduce your anxiety.

12) Be Alert to Bad Moods

Negative emotions -- depression, anger, frustration -- are another common reason people go back to smoking. Bad moods happen to everyone. And chances are you'll experience more than your fair share of negative emotions during the first few weeks of quitting. Find ways to distract yourself. Useful strategies include getting together with friends or doing something you really enjoy.

13) Avoid Troublemakers

Although friends and family should be supportive, they aren't always. Some people may be threatened by your decision to quit. They may even try to undermine your best efforts. If you sense that there are people like this in your life, avoid them. If that isn't possible, sit down and explain to them why quitting is so important to you. Ask for their support

14)Be Patient and Stay on Track

Once you make it through the first two weeks, you're on your way to a lifetime free of nicotine addiction. But be prepared in case you falter. Remember: one lapse does not signal a collapse. Analyze what went wrong. Then brainstorm strategies to prevent the same problem from happening again.

Home remedy foods to fight Flu

 Ice Popsicles
An icy popsicle can soothe a sore, prickly, swollen, or dry throat. It can also help keep you hydrated, which is key when battling the flu. Getting enough fluids can keep mucus thin and help lessen congestion. Look for popsicles made from 100% fruit juice to make sure you’re getting vital nutrients and not sugar water. Some flavors to try: apple, grape, or strawberry.

Turkey Sandwich
Turkey is a good, lean protein, essential to solid nutrition. And although you may not feel like it, eating can help give your body energy to fight illness. Try adding cranberry sauce for a spike of flavor and comfort-food taste.

Vegetable Juice
Making and eating a salad is probably one of the last things you'll feel up to while recovering from the flu. Down a glass of low-sodium vegetable juice instead. You'll load up on immune-boosting antioxidants and keep yourself hydrated. Craving a sweet taste? Go with 100% fruit juice.

Chicken Soup
Nourishing and hydrating, there's also some scientific evidence that chicken soup may help with healing and have mild anti-inflammatory effects. Studies have found that hot chicken soup can improve the ability of cilia, the tiny hair-like parts of the nasal passages, to protect the body from bacteria and viruses.

Garlic
If you feel up to it, garlic can be a good choice to spice up foods like soup. It appears to have antimicrobial and immune-stimulating properties and may give you slight relief from congestion.

Ginger
Stomachache? Nausea? Diarrhea? Ginger is a home remedy often used to soothe these symptoms. Some studies suggest it may help fight inflammation. Try adding it freshly grated or in powdered form to other foods, or drinking flat ginger ale.

Hot Tea
Green and black tea offer disease-fighting antioxidants. And breathing in the steam can help relieve congestion. Add a spoonful of honey and a squeeze of lemon to help soothe a sore throat. If caffeine bothers you, opt for decaf or herbal versions.

Banana
Sliced, mashed, or whole, bananas are easy on the stomach. They can be a go-to food if you've been hit with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, which often occur in kids with the flu. Bananas, along with rice, applesauce, and toast, (BRAT) make up the BRAT diet -- often the first foods doctors encourage people to try when they’re recovering from stomach flu and ready for solid foods.

Toast
Although it brings up the rear of the BRAT diet, toast is nothing to ignore. If you can manage food, try toast or crackers. They can be convenient foods when you're fighting illness. Plus, they pair well with chicken noodle soup and their satisfying crunch can take the edge off hunger when your stomach can’t handle much.

Meal Replacement Drinks
If your appetite has returned, try one of these to make sure you're getting proper nutrients and calories. Look for drinks with at least 6 grams of protein and that are low in sugar. Flavors like strawberry and chocolate may make getting essential vitamins, nutrients, and calories more attractive.

Causes of Fatigue & its fixes

Fatigue Cause No. 1: Not Enough Sleep


It may seem obvious but you could be getting too little sleep. That can negatively affect your concentration and health. Adults should get seven to eight hours every night.

Fix: Make sleep a priority and keep a regular schedule. Ban laptops, cell phones, and PDAs from your bedroom. Still having trouble? Seek help from a doctor. You may have a sleep disorder.

Fatigue Cause No. 2: Sleep Apnea
Some people think they’re sleeping enough, but sleep apnea gets in the way. It briefly stops your breathing throughout the night. Each interruption wakes you for a moment, but you may not be aware of it. The result: you’re sleep-deprived despite spending eight hours in bed.

Fix: Lose weight if you’re overweight, quit smoking, and sleep with a CPAP device to help keep airway passages open at night.

Fatigue Cause No. 3: Not Enough Fuel
Eating too little causes fatigue, but eating the wrong foods can also be a problem. Eating a balanced diet helps keep your blood sugar in a normal range and prevents that sluggish feeling when your blood sugar drops.

Fix: Always eat breakfast and try to include protein and complex carbs in every meal. For example, eat eggs with whole-grain toast. Also eat meals and snacks throughout the day for sustained energy.

Fatigue Cause No. 4: Anemia
Anemia is a leading cause of fatigue in women. Menstrual blood loss can cause an iron deficiency, putting women at risk. Red blood cells (shown here) are needed because they carry oxygen to your tissues and organs.

Fix: For anemia caused by an iron deficiency, taking iron supplements and eating iron-rich foods, such as lean meat, liver, shellfish, beans, and enriched cereal, can help.

Fatigue Cause No. 5: Depression
You may think of depression as an emotional disorder, but it contributes to many physical symptoms as well. Fatigue, headaches, and loss of appetite are among the most common symptoms. If you feel tired and “down” for more than a couple of weeks, see your doctor.

Fix: Depression responds well to psychotherapy and/or medication.

Fatigue Cause No. 7: Caffeine Overload
Caffeine can improve alertness and concentration in moderate doses. But too much can increase heart rate, blood pressure, and jitteriness. And research indicates too much actually causes fatigue in some people.

Fix: Gradually cut back on coffee, tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and any medications that contain caffeine. Stopping suddenly can cause caffeine withdrawal and more fatigue.


Fatigue Cause No. 8: Hidden UTI
If you’ve ever had a urinary tract infection (UTI), you’re probably familiar with the burning pain and sense of urgency. But the infection does not always announce itself with such obvious symptoms. In some cases, fatigue may be the only sign. A urine test can quickly confirm a UTI.

Fix: Antibiotics are the cure for UTIs, and the fatigue will usually vanish within a week.

Fatigue Cause No. 9: Diabetes
In people with diabetes, abnormally high levels of sugar remain in the bloodstream instead of entering the body’s cells, where it would be converted into energy. The result is a body that runs out of steam despite having enough to eat. If you have persistent, unexplained fatigue, ask your doctor about being tested for diabetes.

Fix: Treatments for diabetes may include lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise, insulin therapy, and medications to help the body process sugar.

Fatigue Cause No. 10: Dehydration
Your fatigue can be a sign of dehydration. Whether you’re working out or working a desk job, your body needs water to work well and keep cool. If you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated.

Fix: Drink water throughout the day so your urine is light colored. Have at least two cups of water an hour or more before a planned physical activity. Then, sip throughout your workout and afterwards drink another two cups.


Fatigue Cause No. 11: Heart Disease
When fatigue strikes during everyday activities, such as cleaning the house or weeding the yard, it can be a sign that your heart is no longer up to the job. If you notice it’s becoming increasingly difficult to finish tasks that were once easy, talk to your doctor about heart disease.

Fix: Lifestyle changes, medication, and therapeutic procedures can get heart disease under control and restore your energy.

Fatigue Cause No. 12: Shift Work Sleep Disorder
Working nights or rotating shifts can disrupt your internal clock. You may feel tired when you need to be awake. And you may have trouble sleeping during the day.

Fix: Limit your exposure to daylight when you need to rest. Make your room dark, quiet, and cool. Still having sleep issues? Talk with your doctor. Supplements and medications may help.

Fatigue Cause No. 13: Food Allergies
Some doctors believe hidden food allergies can make you sleepy. If your fatigue intensifies after meals, you could have a mild intolerance to something you’re eating -- not enough to cause itching or hives, just enough to make you tired.

Fix: Try eliminating foods one at a time to see if your fatigue improves. You can also ask your doctor about a food allergy test.

Fatigue Cause No. 14: CFS and Fibromyalgia
If your fatigue lasts more than six months and is so severe that you can’t manage your daily activities, chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia are a possibility. Both can have various symptoms, but persistent, unexplained exhaustion is a main one.

Fix: While there’s no quick fix for CFS or fibromyalgia, patients often benefit from changing their daily schedule, learning better sleep habits, and starting a gentle exercise program.

Fast Fix for Mild Fatigue
If you have mild fatigue that isn’t linked to any medical condition, the solution may be exercise. Research suggests healthy but tired adults can get a significant energy boost from a modest workout program. In one study, participants rode a stationary bike for 20 minutes at a mild pace. Doing this just three times a week was enough to fight fatigue.