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By Greg. Gardner, September 2, 2010 7:33 am

What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma is cancer of the mesothelium. Like most cancers, mesothelioma involves the abnormal dividing of cells of a particular part of the body — in this case, the mesothelium. Mesothelioma is so deadly because it remains dormant for many years and then begins to rapidly expand. The cancer then begins to invade and damage nearby tissue, including the vital organs.

What is the mesothelium?

Many of the internal organs of the body are protected by a membrane called the mesothelium. This membrane in fact consists of two layers of cells. The inner layer surrounds the organs, and the second is a sac surrounding the inner layer. When organs within this membrane must move, expand or contract — like the heart, lungs, bladder, and so on, they are able to do so mainly because the mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid between the two layers.

Mesothelioma most of the time begins within the pleura or peritoneum. The pleura surrounds the lungs and covers the chest cavity. The peritoneum covers most of the organs within the abdominal cavity. Other mesothelium tissue is as well vulnerable to mesothelioma. These include the pericardium that surrounds and protects the heart; the tunica vaginalis testic which surrounds the internal male reproductive organs; and the tunica serosa uteri which is the membrane covering the internal reproductive organs in ladies.

Who is at greatest risk to develop mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma has a quite specific cause – exposure to asbestos. During the first half of the previous century, right up until the mid 1970s asbestos was an crucial material used to insulate buildings, machines, heavy equipment, and a broad range of commercial applications. Simply because it was plentiful and low-cost to mine, asbestos was used in many building products such as home insulation, floor, ceiling and roof tiles. It was at the same time used in commonly found commercial products like brake linings and pipe insulation.

This meant that millions of people were coming in contact with asbestos on a daily basis. And since the effects of exposure to asbestos fibre often don’t become apparent for 30 or 40 years after prolonged exposure, companies and health officials were slow to recognize the dangers of asbestos. As a result, shipyard workers, men and ladies working in asbestos mines and mills, workers producing asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and virtually all other tradespeople were exposed to asbestos fibres for extended periods of time.

Today it’s understood that anyone working with or near asbestos has an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, so there are strictly controlled limits of exposure within the work place. However since the dormancy period of mesothelioma can often be 30 or 40 years, you’ll find millions of workers who are at risk due to their exposure in the decades before the safety controls were put in place.

What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Pleural mesothelioma – cancer of the pleura or lung lining – causes shortness of breath or chronic coughing. Other symptoms of pleural mesothelioma can include chest pain, chronic coughing, shortness of breath, fatigue, wheezing, hoarseness, weight loss, or blood within the phlegm from the lungs when coughing.

Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the lining around the stomach and intestines and is usually just as harmful. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include pain or swelling in the abdomen, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia, and fever.

Many of the symptoms of mesothelioma can quickly be mistaken for allergies or a common cold. Mesothelioma is often discovered when patients think they have one of these other common illnesses.

How Serious is Mesothelioma?

By the time most infected people become aware they have mesothelioma, it is no longer dormant and becomes extremely aggressive. In its active phase, mesothelioma can travel quickly, and is almost impossible to stop. You’ll find treatments used to keep the patient comfortable, however there’s currently no cure for mesothelioma. As many as 75% of those who develop the disease will lose their life within one year. The remainder could last for up to an additional six months.

This makes it extremely crucial to detect the disease before it enters its active phase.

How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Mesothelioma is often not diagnosed until it reaches an advanced stage. This is because of its long dormancy period, and due to the fact that once it becomes active the initial symptoms are similar to so much more common and less dangerous sicknesses like colds or the flu. If a patient has a history of exposure to asbestos, subsequently a complete physical examination is recommended. This would normally include x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. It might at the same time include a CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI. Both of these tests give detailed pictures of areas inside the body.

If these tests indicate the probability of mesothelioma, then it is necessary to perform a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. Doing a biopsy involves an oncology specialist taking a small sample of affected tissue and examining it under a microscope for signs of malignancy. Depending on the location of the affected tissue, doing a biopsy can be a relatively straightforward procedure. It normally involves the insertion of a small instrument into the suspect cavity. These surgical devices have both viewing and sample taking capabilities. So the oncologist or surgeon can analyze the cavity from the inside, and in that case take tissue samples from different areas.

If mesothelioma is discovered, the initial tests are followed up with what is called “staging”. This involves more tests to determine how far the disease has spread.

How is mesothelioma treated?

Standard treatments include the normal options available to cancer patients: surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. At times, these treatments are combined. Should the mesothelioma is discovered at an early enough stage these treatments can at times be effective.

Among the treatments which are used in order to reduce the effects of the disease are oxygen, postural drainage and pain killers. Many alternative treatment methods are also being tested, including attempts to strengthen the body’s immune system. Gene therapy is also being tested in an attempt to attack the problem at the DNA level. Other treatments being tried and tested include homeopathy, herbs and acupuncture. Unfortunately none of these have been found to be really effective once the disease reaches its aggressive stage.

As with all cancers, early detection is the best defense towards mesothelioma. Anybody who has been exposed to asbestos need to be alert for symptoms and contact a doctor immediately. Detecting mesothelioma at the earliest stage possible greatly increases the possibilities of beating the disease.

I’m Greg. Gardner, I’m surviving from Abestos Mesothelioma Cancer, and still defeating it everyday! You can read more about my write-up about Mesothelioma here! Also visit my site to learn more about Abestos Settlement.

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By Bentley Loveday,

Losing weight seems to be the most important thing to anyone who is paying attention to the media. Obesity is at an all time high, and hyperbole aside, there is correlation between what you eat and how your body looks. To be blunt, the foods of today are not real food and are more an amalgamation of chemicals and preservatives. The greatest threat to your health lies in all of the hidden sugars making up more than a few ingredients in many foods. Sugar is no longer sugar – it can be called corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and fructose. A diet for real weight loss looks to wean you off of an unconscious dependency to sugar.

Lecturing you on how much sugar you eat will never accomplish anything because you most likely had no idea. Your consumption is the result of ignorance. To beat this subliminal addiction, detoxifying your body is the best place to start.

The best thing for you to do in terms of your diet is to start rethinking the way that you shop for food. Staying to the outer peripheries of a store will put you in contact with the healthiest and most whole foods. Whole foods only mean that they are natural and untainted by processing.

Does that mean that everything in the middle of the store is bad for you? No! However, you will need to change your diet to one of detoxification for two weeks to restart your system and that means bypassing these middle aisles. When you are ready to venture in there are many good foods that do not contain many ingredients. A good rule to follow when buying premade items is to see how many ingredients there are and if you can identify them.

These rules and incorporating more made foods will only come after a two week detox. Throw out any juices and sodas you have in your house and this includes diet soda. While it does not contain any calories, the fake sugar has been found to stimulate appetite. It also acts as a crutch to your system to never really get off of sugar.

With just water for your main source of liquid, increase your protein consumption in terms of eggs, chicken breasts, and lean beef. Eat as many vegetables as you like. There are no limits to something so natural, but don’t ruin it by boiling them into sogginess or adding ranch dressing. Olive oil, salt, pepper, and lemon juice can go a long way in terms of flavor.

Eating flavorful foods means playing with spices, learning how to bring new dimensions to your food through how you cook them. You can be surprised how well olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper can be in making your food taste delicious. This is not a veggie only week, you are allowed to eat proteins in the form of fish, eggs, poultry, and some lean meats. Just don’t deep fry anything!

Keep your carbohydrates whole grain. These will contain more fiber and keep your fuller longer. After one week you can incorporate fruits which contain natural sugars. Once your two weeks are over, you can ingest sugar but you will notice a difference in how much you can take. This is the best diet for real weight loss.

Searching all over the net for a diet for weight loss that really works? We’ve got the low down on the best in our complete Struggerling Dieters guide.

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By Miley Queen,

Hardening of the arteries will definitely cause symptoms of angina. How do these plaques develop? And how will you get rid of them?

Hardening or accumulation of plaques in the arteries of the heart is called arthrosclerosis in medical term. The plaques develop due to the accumulation of fats in the arterial walls. They are later calcified and the artery narrows thus affecting the blood supply to the organs especially the heart.

In severe cases, the plaque may completely block the artery and complications may arise. The oxygen carried in the blood cannot go to the organs like the heart and the brain. It may result in tissue death which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Hardening of the arteries is a continuous process that may begin when you were young. People with a family history of arthrosclerosis have a high risk in having this disease. Smoking and use of cocaine also contributes as a factor for having arthrosclerosis. The condition can rapidly worsen in ages 20-30 and is becoming more severe when you reach 40 or 50.

Symptoms of angina include chest pain and body malaise. It is usually felt as heaviness, tightening or squeezing of the chest radiating to the left shoulders. Angina occurs in periods of overexertion, emotional stress or depression, or after taking a heavy meal.

Nitroglycerin is the usual drug of choice for angina pain. It comes in sublingual tablets or patches. It works by lowering the blood pressure and decreases the oxygen demand of the heart muscles. It also works as a pain reliever because it relaxes the heart tissues as well.

Types of angina include stable and unstable angina. Stable angina has symptoms which are predictable. It lasts for just 5 minutes or less. It is relieve by rest or taking a nitroglycerin.

Unstable angina is a more serious condition. The angina attack can’t be predicted and it lasts for a longer time. It is a sign that you must immediately call your doctor or go a hospital. It is often a sign of a pending heart attack.

There are several managements available for symptoms of angina aside from nitroglycerin. Medical and surgical treatments are the common interventions for this disease. There are also herbal supplements and alternative medicine in the market. You just have to choose right.

Having chest pains doesn’t necessarily mean you have a heart problem. Other conditions which are confused as angina symptoms include anxiety, heart burn and indigestion. It is better that you know your true condition, that’s why consulting your doctor is the best prevention.

If you are reading this article, you might have a heart problem. Or you are just seeking for some information. Whether yes or no, it is important that you should know this disease. Being familiar with the warning signs is like saving your own life. Don’t let the symptoms of angina snatch your happiness and adventures. Preventing the hardening of the arteries is your primary goal.

Learn more about hardening of the arteries . Stop by Miley Queen’s site where you can find out all about symptoms of angina and what it can do for you.

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By Health & Fitness,

Question by moving on up: I want to start “mindfulness meditation”,have you got any tips for me?
I want to include the walking aspect of mindfulness as well!

Best answer:

Answer by wing4raven
Roll a fattie and get stoned

Add your own answer in the comments!

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By Greg. Gardner, September 1, 2010 7:30 am

Are you at risk of Mesothelioma?

If you’re above 40 and have ever been exposed to asbestos continuously for more than 2 months in last 15-40 years, in that case you’re at risk of Mesothelioma. It’s a rare nevertheless deadly cancer of membrane cells, which covers quite a few vital parts of our body like lungs, abdominal cavity and heart, called mesothelium. Like in other cancers, in mesothelioma the membrane cells divide ruthlessly causing abnormal expansion, which ultimately damage the lining of vital organ like lungs and abdomen.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Asbestos a mineral, used in different processes including building, shipyard and manufacturing in the days of World War II and for a few more decades, is the main cause of Mesothelioma.

Researches have proved that those who have worked in asbestos related industries are mostly at risk of Mesothelioma. The minute asbestos particles go into human body through nose or mouth during inhalation, talking or all other reason. They reach lungs or abdomen and damage the lining, causing Mesothelioma. Due to its long latency period, mesothelioma can attack you even 15 – 40 years after the inhalation of asbestos particles. Even the family members of person working in asbestos related industries could be vulnerable to mesothelioma.

Treatments for Mesothelioma

Simply because Mesothelioma is a newly found disease, many doctors may not be able to diagnose it. However, if you have a known history of asbestos exposure you should ask your doctor to look for the symptoms of this disease.

The good news is that there’s a treatment for mesothelioma during the early stages. Many treatment options for mesothelioma cancers are surgical removal of the effected tissues; chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Nonetheless, the prognosis of later stage mesothelioma patients is bleak and the average survival time after diagnosis is 12-24 months.

Mesothelioma Compensations

The owners of Asbestos related industries were somewhat aware of the health hazards of asbestos. Nevertheless, they persisted with its use without issuing any warnings or taking steps for avoiding the health hazards. This is the reason why US courts have awarded huge sums as compensations to the Mesothelioma patients/families by the companies/persons responsible for causing asbestos exposure.

I’m Greg. Gardner, I’m surviving from Abestos Mesothelioma Cancer, and still defeating it everyday! You can read more about my write-up about Mesothelioma here! Also visit my site to learn more about Mesothelioma Lawsuits.