When the news of Martina Navratilova suffering from breast cancer was broken, it shocked everyone and all her fans expressed their concern for this tennis star. She herself admitted that she was broken down emotionally when she first came to know about the disease. However, she kept up a brave front and decided to fight the disease. After long term treatment of this disease, Martina Navratilova got completely cured of breast cancer and has become a success story of breast cancer for all the females suffering from this disease.

Martina Navratilova has also helped to create awareness about the disease so that women understand the signs and symptoms of the disease and early diagnosis of the disease is possible. The risk factors of breast cancer are given below –

• Gender – breast cancer is most commonly found in females. Its occurrence in males is very rare.
• Age: risk of this disease increases as the age progresses.
• Race: it is more commonly found in white women than in African-American women in America
• History of Breast cancer: women having a history of breast cancer in one breast are at more risk of developing the same in the other breast. Also, females having a family history of breast cancer are more prone to it.
• Women who have never given birth to a child or never breast fed a child are at higher risk of developing breast cancer.
• Menstrual history: women who had an early start of menses and a delayed menopause are more prone to this disease.

Symptoms of breast cancer

Breast cancer may not show any signs and symptoms at the initial stage. The lump of breast cancer is too small to be felt in the early stage. Usually the lump at this stage is found only in a routine mammography. A lump may enlarge and be felt at a later stage. A lump, which is a hard, painless mass with uneven edges, points to breast cancer. Following changes in the breast can be expected in case of breast cancer:

• Dimpling of the skin over the breast
• Irritation of the skin.
• Swelling of a part or whole of the breast
• Pain in the breast
• Pain in the nipple and inward turning of the nipple
• Abnormal discharge from the nipple
• Lump in armpits

Women are advised to consult a gynecologist at once if they notice any of the above symptoms. These symptoms can also be a result of a less severe disease like breast cyst, but it is important to rule out breast cancer, anyway.

Treatment of breast cancer

Martina Navratilova has set an example for all those who are suffering from breast cancer. It should be borne in mind that there are various forms of treatment available to fight this disease. The modes of treatment for breast cancer are radiation treatment, hormonal therapy, surgical intervention and chemotherapy. Radiation and surgery are forms of local therapy, where the cancerous part of the breast is destroyed or removed. Hormonal therapy and chemotherapy are forms of systemic therapy. In this, the drug is administered via systemic ways through the blood stream and the cancer cells are destroyed or controlled throughout the body of the patient. The choice of treatment depends upon the stage of breast cancer, the expected outcomes and the probable side effects. These issues can be discussed with the physician before making a choice of treatment. In whichever case, the treatment goes on for a long period of time and the patient and her family should fight it bravely and be determined to come out of the illness, like the Wimbledon Champion, Martina Navratilova.

There are various kinds of parasites that infect living beings. Parasites are living beings that need other living beings (hosts) for their survival. They take nutrition from the host and cannot complete their entire life cycle without the host’s help. Many of these parasites can cause severe diseases in humans. There are a large amount of parasites that need human beings for survival, either during a certain stage of their life or throughout. Most of these dreaded cases are found in developing countries especially in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of Asian and African continents, yet their impact can be felt anywhere, for e.g. the U.S. has more than seven million cases of trichomoniasis every year. Almost one and a half million cases of toxoplasma and another two million of giardia can affect Americans every year thus making parasitic infections a considerably serious threat albeit on a smaller scale. So lets understand what kind of parasites affect humans.

Parasites

Parasites that affect humans can be classified into three main categories: helminthes, protozoa and ectoparasites.

• Helminths are wormlike living things that can be seen without the need of external aids. Helminths can survive without their host for certain stages of their life, especially when these multi-cellular beings in their adult form need to reproduce. They are unable to reproduce inside the host and will seek to move out for completing their lifecycle. Helminths are further classified in three main categories: flatworms, thorny-headed worms and roundworms.
• Protozoa are unicellular organisms that thrive within the human body. The internal environment of a human body is ideal for their reproductive activities, although they can survive outside as well. There are two major types of human-detrimental protozoa that are classified on the basis of their transmission from one host to another.

1. One is the infected feces to mouth of new host type in which the protozoa exist in the human intestine. This type of protozoa moves out of the host body through the fecal matter excreted from the intestines. When the infected feces comes in contact with water, food or other humans the protozoa get transferred to it. When this contaminated water, food or the unhygienic items with the protozoa come in contact with the mouth of a suitable host; these protozoa infect the new person.
2. The other mode of transmission is through carriers like mosquitoes, flies, etc. In this mode the parasite is present in the host’s blood. When the carrier bites an infected person, the parasites from the blood get transferred to the carrier. When this infected carrier bites another host, the parasites get transferred, infecting this new host. Malarial parasites are the most prominent parasites in this category.

• The third category of parasites is ectoparasites, which are not always easily visible to the naked eye, but need human hosts for their survival. These organisms survive on human blood by sucking it, usually on the outside or just below the human skin. In most cases they act as germ carriers, increasing the sphere of infection by moving from one infected host to another. Ticks, lice, fleas, etc. are examples of ectoparasites.

Various ways in which parasites reach human hosts

Animals – Animals especially pets are highly conducive grounds for development and spread of parasites that can harm humans. Diseases caused by such sources are termed as zoonotic diseases. Meat of infected animals, when not cooked properly may contain various parasites that can be transferred to the human host eating it. Cows with cryptosporidiosis can transfer the parasite if they contaminate drinking water or fruits watered by the contaminated water that are consumed by humans without washing properly. Household pets too spread quite a few parasites such as hookworms and ascarids.

Insects – Just like animals, insects too play a major part in the spread of parasites. Due to the huge population density and variety of insects in a comparatively small area, the possibility of spreading parasites increases proportionately. Parasite carrying insects are known as vectors. Vectors usually form a very important part of parasite development, usually getting affected by it as well. Malarial and dengue related parasites enter mosquito blood stream through the saliva as the mosquito feeds. The parasites develop within the mosquito and are then transmitted to another host when it feeds again.

Blood – This happens when normal blood comes in contact with blood infected by parasites. There are two most likely conditions in which blood to blood transmission of parasites can occur. One is when users share needles, syringes etc. When a person having parasite infection in the blood shares a syringe with a normal person, the parasite may transfer to the normal person. The other most likely way is blood transfusion in which the blood donor has parasites in their blood and this blood is used for a normal patient. Parasites like toxoplasmosis, malaria, babesiosis, African trypanosomiasis, chagas disease etc. can be spread in this manner. Yet, due to the increasing control in blood donor screening as well as the menace of diseases like HIV being spread through sharing of needles; the likelihood of parasites being passed in this manner has reduced.

Food – This is another primary source of parasite infiltration. Parasites that survive through undercooked meat, fish and vegetables can enter human body system and start their lifecycles. Unhygienic eating conditions, dietary habits, contamination due to unclean food service, etc. can easily contribute to the parasite’s human body entry. Cyclospora cayetanensis, giardia intestinalis, and Cryptosporidium spp. are some of the most common parasites likely to infect hosts through food.

Water – Due to its abundance in the world and its overall importance in human life, human beings cannot resist water. Not only is it used for normal essential activities like drinking, cleaning, bathing, etc. it is also a major factor in human leisure activities. This increases human contact with water. Proportionately possibility of parasites that use water, as method of spreading in humans, is also quite high. Especially untreated water or water in leisure activities or water in natural conditions is the main source of parasitic infiltration in humans.

Precaution for Travelers

One of the most susceptible demographic amongst the U.S. population, most likely to encounter parasitic infiltration, are travelers that visit developing countries. Due to various social, political, economical reasons; developing countries are unable to maintain the required amount of sanitation and public health conditions that will control parasite infections in their citizens. Hence it is essential that travelers visiting these countries understand the overall situation and take as many precautions as possible to avoid contracting the parasites. Apart from the information given above about how parasite infection occurs, travelers should observe the following general precautions (this list is not comprehensive and may need additional precautions based on the travel destination):

1. Travelers should learn about their travel destination and understand all advisories issued against their place of visit.
2. If there are any vaccines or prophylactic treatments, available for possible local infections, then the travelers should take them and learn about their availability at the travel destination.
3. Travelers should discuss with their personal physician for any precautions to be observed to prevent parasite infections that are specific to the travel destination.
4. Travelers should maintain hygienic conditions and consume food & water from trusted sources like municipal water supplies. They should drink water boiled for at least a minute only or else use only bottled water.
5. Travelers should avoid water sports, swimming and other recreational water based activities.
6. Travelers should follow good habits such as cleaning and washing hands regularly.
7. Travelers should use insect repellants even in places where vector borne infection is less likely.
8. Travelers should only use pasteurized milk or dairy products.
9. Travelers should use proper protective clothing and take all care to avoid exposing skin as much as possible.
10. Travelers shouldn’t eat uncooked, raw food or unpeeled, unwashed vegetables and fruits. Users should avoid roadside food.

In today’s hectic and dynamic world we have no time to even think about our heart. How can we survive without the heart? We need to take special efforts and care to make our heart strong so that we would be able to see this beautiful world for a longer time. If you want to take care of your heart the first thing you need to do is keep your blood pressure under control. Hypertension causes damage to your heart so to avoid this here are a few tips which are easy to follow.
•    Take a healthy diet
If you truly love your heart, think about your heart while eating. You need to keep in mind a few things while eating – balanced diet, less salt and sodium and diet to maintain your weight. Eating without need will lead to increasing your weight which is harmful for your heart. Take a balanced diet with vegetables and fruits. Make sure to have food which is low in salt and sodium. These things will help in preventing hypertension.

•    Regular exercise
Exercise plays a vital role in making your heart strong and healthy. Make an effort to plan out your exercise schedule and follow it diligently. Physical activities increase blood circulation and help you to have a healthy heart. Those who need to sit in the office for hours together need to take this seriously. Do not let your job take over your heart. Take some time to think about it and do work for your heart. You can plan for at least half an hour schedule of exercise.

•    Take proper rest
Proper rest and relaxation of body, heart and mind is very essential in preventing high blood pressure; that is hypertension. You should not stress yourself at work and should not be stressed out on a regular basis. Spend time with your family, go for holidays with family or friends, go shopping, play your favorite sport and do things in which you find pleasure. Reading good books will also be helpful in relaxing your mind. You can also watch some comedy movies. Avoid anything that would be negative, or will impact your thinking, such as horror movies or books. You can also get involved in prayer and meditation.

Do not let your health go far down that you would need to take help of medicines. It is easier to follow the tips rather than taking medicines for the rest of your life time. Make little efforts today to stay healthy. Make your heart so strong that blood pressure will have no impact on it. Take care of your heart.

is a problem whereby the cartilage of one more joints under performs and ultimately gives way, leaving a void between two joints. Normally, joints function smoothly because there is a cushion between them in the form of the cartilage, which supports the pressure of movement of the joints. When this important part of the joint gives way, it leads to the bones of the joints grinding against each other during movement and this causes the excessive pain and eventual wear and tear of the bone itself.

Osteoarthritis usually affects the hands, spine, feet and the heavy weight supporting joints, such as the hips and knees.

What are the causes of Osteoarthritis?

Primary Osteoarthritis is usually related to the aging process. Advancing age leads to increase in water content of the cartilage and at the same time the protein content of the cartilage deteriorates. This leads to cracking of the cartilage and its eventual loss.

Recurring use of worn out joints can also inflame and irritate the joints, leading to swelling and pain in the joints.

The absence of cartilage from in between the joints leads to friction between the joint bones, resulting in pain and consequently limiting mobility. This happens because the affected person avoids mobility to ensure less pain.

Secondary Osteoarthritis is a result of some disease or condition which includes excessive weight, surgery, repeated trauma to the joints, abnormal joint condition at birth, diabetes, gout and other hormone disorders.

Excessive weight is also one of the major causes of osteoarthritis of the knees as the excess weight increases the stress and strain on the cartilage, resulting in its early deterioration.

Similar is the case with weight lifters, a sport which requires high body weight.

Soccer players also have the condition of early osteoarthritis of the knees as the sport involves repeated trauma to the ligaments, bones and cartilage.

Osteoarthritis and cartilage deterioration can also be caused due crystal deposits in the cartilage.

Abnormally formed joints at birth are also more prone to mechanical wear which may lead to early deterioration and loss of cartilage.

Hip joint osteoarthritis may also be the result of improper joint formation since birth.

Diabetes and growth hormone disorders may also cause early cartilage deterioration and osteoarthritis.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

•    Pain in the affected joints after continual use

•    Gradual increase in pain during later part of the day

•    There may be warmth, swelling and creaking of the affected joints

•    Mobility becoming limited

•    Long periods of immobility can also lead to stiffness and pain in the joints

•    Advanced stage of osteoarthritis, where there is complete absence of cartilage, can cause pain even with no movement, due to friction between bones.

•    Over a period of time, osteoarthritis can also lead to malformation of the outward curvature of knees, giving a bow-legged appearance.

•    Osteoarthritis of the knees can also result in limping which may degenerate as more cartilage deteriorates.

•    Pain in the lower back or neck is caused by osteoarthritis of the cervical spine or lumbar spine.

•    Osteoarthritis of the spine can lead to formation of bony spurs along the arthritic spine. These formations can aggravate spinal nerves causing numbness and severe pain.

Treatment for Osteoarthritis:

Exercising helps by strengthening the muscular support around the joints. It also keeps the joints from “freezing up” and at the same time improves mobility. It is also beneficial in weight reduction.

One of the ways to relieve pain and swelling after exercise is to apply local heat before and cold packs after exercise

Swimming is an ideal exercise for those affected with osteoarthritis as there is very less pressure on the joints.

Things You Should Know About Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition where the sugar levels in the blood increases beyond acceptable limits due to various factors. Presence of sugar in the blood is very important for the bodily functions as sugar is one of the prime sources of energy and fuel for the body. That’s why it is said that if you are down and out, have a chocolate, a sweet or some honey to perk you up. The reason being sugar is instantly absorbed into the blood, producing energy to lighten up things.

So then, why do high levels of sugar cause diabetes?

To understand this, we must first look at the causes of sugar levels becoming high in the blood.

Many vital things happen during digestion. Those related to sugar levels being: Sugar (glucose) enters the blood stream. Glucose is one the main energy producing substances of the body. An organ in the abdomen produces a hormone called insulin. The primary role of insulin is to move glucose from the blood to fat, muscles and liver cells, where it is utilized as energy. In moving the glucose from the blood to other parts, insulin is also regulating the levels of glucose in blood. When this process goes on normally, then “all is well”. Trouble starts when sugar (glucose) in the blood is not moved by insulin to other parts and starts accumulating in the blood, causing a steep rise in sugar levels. This situation is called diabetes.

Why insulin does not move sugar from blood to other parts, as it normally should?

• Decreased production of insulin by pancreas.

• Muscles, fat and liver cells, to which the glucose is moved by insulin, do not respond to the insulin.

• It could be a combination of both the above factors

There are three main types of diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes: In this condition the body produces very less or no insulin, making it compulsory for insulin to be given from external sources normally through injections.

Causes: This condition could be prevalent since childhood and could possibly be caused due to viruses, genetics or autoimmune problems.

Type 2 diabetes: This condition constitutes a majority of diabetic cases. It usually occurs during adulthood though young people are also getting increasingly affected by it. In this situation, the production level of insulin decreases, making it difficult to regulate the glucose levels, thereby leading to an increase in the sugar levels.

Causes: The probable causes are excessive weight, lack of exercise and irregular food habits among others.

Gestational diabetes: High blood sugar usually develops in women during pregnancy.

Metabolic syndrome: In this, certain risk factors occur together to increase the possibility of type 2 diabetes along with the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease.

Causes: Increase in weight around the abdominal area and ineffective utilization of insulin by the body, leading to need of insulin from external sources.

Who could be at risk for developing type 2 Diabetes?

• Those above 45 years

• Blood relations are diabetic

• Those with heart complications

• Those with high cholesterol levels

• Those with excessive weight

• Those who do not exercise regularly

• Those with improper glucose tolerance

Type 2 diabetes comes at a snails pace and normally there are no tell tale signs. However, high blood sugar can cause problems like:

• Excessive thirst

• Indistinct vision

• Lethargy

• Increased appetite

• Decrease in weight

• Increased urination

How to manage diabetes?

• Incorporating regular exercise schedule in your daily routine.

• Planning your food and calorie intake.

• Changing to a disciplined lifestyle.

• Taking effective weight control measures.

• Taking the medications prescribed by your health care professional in the proper manner.