Once diagnosed with cancer, what a patient needs is morale support from friends and family to cope with their overwhelming grief, fear and confusion.

ILLUSTRATION: CHOOPONG EAMORAPHAN

“But what they need most is self morale. It’s very unfortunate that many of us died because they gave up too early,” said cancer patient Somsak (not his real name).

After learning that he had advanced liver cancer, Somsak said he broke down, cried and cried.

Somsak knew he had the hepatitis B virus 10 years ago. After that, he noticed he began to experience chronic fatigue and unexplained weight loss. his dark orange-coloured urine also worried him.

In addition, he suffered acute abdominal pain. An ultrasound screening detected an abdominal mass in the upper right area of his body. A CT scan and biopsy later confirmed the diagnosis of liver cancer.

“I was shocked when my doctor told me that the cancer was in advanced stage. And that I might only be able to live six more months.”

Never saying die, Somsak decided to join “the Advanced Liver Cancer Patient Assistance Programme” following his doctor’s suggestion. The programme gives patients cancer oral medicine support.

“I’m lucky because I have responded relatively well to the medication.” he said.

After two years of medication, Somsak continues to fight bravely against the deadly disease despite some adverse side effects from the medication.

“It is as good as it gets,” he said. “Apart from medication, I believe that positive thinking and good emotional health is equally important to fight cancer. we need to be strong and brave if we want to live longer.”

The liver cancer that Somsak has is called hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), explained Dr Thiravud Khuhaprema, chairman of the National Cancer Institute Foundation. this form of liver cancer is closely linked to chronic hepatitis B and C. it is the most common type of liver cancer that begins in the cells of the liver itself.

“These patients are often found to have a history of viral hepatitis B or C infection. HCC is one of the main cancers that causes death in Thailand and chronic hepatitis B is found in 80% of these cases,” said Dr Thiravud. “The infection can cause continual damage to the liver and develop into cirrhosis and cancer.”

He said the frequency of liver cancer is highest in developing countries and quite rare in developed countries. Each year, it is estimated that there are about 350,000 new cases of liver cancer. And two-thirds of the cases are found in countries in Asia. Mongolia is ranked first and Thailand fifth.

In Thailand, liver cancer is the most common cancer in males. it is the third most frequent cancer in females, but it’s the number one cause of death among female patients. The incidence rate and the mortality rate of liver cancer in Thailand are steadily rising.

Assoc Prof Narin Voravud, an expert in medical oncology from Chulalongkorn University Hospital pointed out that the relative high rates of HCC in Thailand is reflected in the high frequency of hepatitis B infection.

“One person in every 12 people suffers from hepatitis B infection in Thailand,” he said. Meanwhile, the number of people with viral hepatitis C infection has been on the increase.

Heavy drinking is also another important cause of liver cancer in Thailand, he noted. The chance for liver cancer is even higher if the drinkers have snacks that contain alfatoxin, a dangerous mould in foodstuffs commonly found in peanuts, wheat and corns that are stored in a wet or humid environment. It’s odourless, colourless and tasteless.

“Most Thai people drink alcohol paired with peanuts. These combined factors may trigger the development of HCC,” said Dr Narin. 

HCC liver cancer often does not show any symptoms in its early stage. like Somsak, patients with advanced stage may experience fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin and the eyes, abdominal pain (particularly in the upper right area where the liver is present).

Primary liver cancer that affects just a small part of the liver is often treated with surgery to remove the cancerous tumour and the surrounding liver tissues to preserve the important areas of the liver for normal body function. it is possible for patients to suffer from the recurrence of the disease, however.

“Only 10-20% of HCC can be completely removed using surgery. And the recurrent rate is about 50-60%,” Dr Narin said.

Another treatment option involves inserting particles into the liver artery to block the flow of blood to the tumour. Liver transplants to replace the diseased liver can cure the disease but a living donor graft and matching of organ donors is not easy to find.

It is unfortunate that patients with HCC often suffer from liver cancer, viral hepatitis B infection and cirrhosis of the liver at the same time, he said.

It is not uncommon that patients with liver cancer die shortly after the diagnosis. if the cancer cannot be completely removed, the decline is rapid. Patients may usually continue to live only three to six months.

“Treating patients with liver cancer can be very challenging as we have to deal with three conditions simultaneously,” Dr Narin said.

Most chemotherapy drugs are not effective to liver cancer. And chemotherapy has not been shown to help patients live longer, he said. The liver often cannot tolerate radiation which harms healthy liver tissues.

“The good news is that the patients who cannot be treated with surgery can now resort to new liver cancer drugs,” he said. this new medication tackles the cancerous cells and tumour blood vessels directly.

A liver tumour needs new blood vessels for it to grow. since this medication blocks the growth of new blood vessels, the growth of the tumour is then stopped. The possible side effects include diarrhoea, skin rash and high blood pressure.

In clinical trials overseas, the drug succeeded in extending the lives of patients who cannot be treated with surgery and injection by 44 % one year when compared to 33% of those who received a placebo, said Dr Narin.

In Thailand, a clinical trial involving 140 Thai patients with advanced liver cancer showed that the patients continued to live up to 14 months.

“An improvement of survival probability of four months in Thai patients means that the drug is effective with Thai patients,” said Dr Narin.

The bad news is that this new medication is extremely expensive. it costs about 250,000 baht a month for the drugs.

“This is why the patients with advanced liver cancer may consider joining the Advanced Liver Cancer Patient Assistance Programme,” said Dr Thiravud.

The programme which requires participants to pay for the medicine for the first three months before they are accepted, is a collaboration between the National Cancer Institute Foundation and the country’s leading pharmaceutical company. since its inception in 2009, more than 170 patients have participated in the programme.

“But prevention is better than cure,” stressed Dr Thiravut. to keep liver cancer at bay, people should be vaccinated for hepatitis B. Meanwhile, patients with viral hepatitis B should also be periodically monitored for HCC.”

For more on the Advanced Liver Cancer Patient Assistance Programme, call the National Cancer Institute Foundation at 02 354 7025 ext.1221.

Latest stories in this category:

Ordinary flu vaccine has always worked out for Carolyn Hendrickson, so the 77-year-old was perplexed on a recent Monday when her clinic gave her a high-dose version without asking first.

Confusion turned to anger that night as she lay in bed at home in Brooklyn Park. Her muscles ached, her head pounded and her stomach churned.

“I’ve had the flu shot before and never had a problem,” she said. “Why was this different?”

Hendrickson had learned the hard way that a new influenza vaccine, Fluzone High-Dose, is available. the vaccine is loaded with four times the usual virus-fighting antigen, so public health experts believe it will better protect seniors whose immune systems have weakened with age.

but it also causes a slightly higher rate of side effects, mostly short-term aches and flu-like symptoms.

Hendrickson was back to full strength the following Friday. but in hindsight, she wonders if she would have taken the high-dose version if her clinic had offered her a choice.

Fluzone High-Dose was first offered midway through last flu season. Manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur estimates that 10 percent of seniors who were vaccinated last season received the high-dose version.

Studies have shown that the larger dose stimulates the immune system to respond more aggressively against influenza. but research hasn’t yet proven that the vaccine is more effective for seniors. Answers to that question are expected in 2014 or 2015, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. the federal agency has taken no position yet on whether seniors should opt for this type of vaccine.

for now, it is “between the provider and patient” to decide when to use Fluzone High-Dose – assuming a clinic has any in stock, said Kristen Ehres¬mann, who directs immunization programs for the Minnesota Department of Health. Hendrickson complained to her as well. Ehresmann replied that it wasn’t unethical or illegal for her clinic to provide the high-dose version without offering a choice.

“Some clinics may have decided to offer high-dose flu vaccine to their senior population,” she said. “That would be reasonable. when physicians prescribe a medication, they don’t necessarily say, ‘There are six antidepressants on the market; which one would you like to take?’ the providers use their judgment and prescribe a medication. the same could be said for flu vaccine.”

the need for better vaccines is evident from the fact that influenza contributes to 3,000 to 49,000 U.S. deaths each year, according to the CDC. Most victims are 65 or older.

further proof came this fall from the University of Minnesota’s Dr. Michael Osterholm and colleagues. A national expert on infectious diseases, Osterholm reviewed existing studies and concluded that the standard flu vaccine was only 59 percent effective in healthy adults younger than 65. That is lower than the 70 to 90 percent estimates offered in the past by public health officials.

there is little reliable data on the effectiveness of traditional flu vaccine in seniors, and nothing on Fluzone High-Dose. Osterholm still recommends it to seniors.

“Would I take it? yes,” he said. “At the same time, we have to be honest with the public about what we know and don’t know.”

Sanofi Pasteur has produced more of the vaccine this year than last and expects more interest. Whether individual clinics have the high-dose version depends on whether their distributors order vaccine from Sanofi Pasteur or other makers.

Hendrickson admitted some responsibility for taking the high-dose vaccine. She received paperwork at her Fairview clinic in New Brighton about Fluzone, but didn’t read it before receiving the shot. She believes a discussion should have taken place.

“They ought to give patients the opportunity to say whether or not they want the high dose,” she said.

Allyson Schlichte of Fairview Pharmacy Services said Fairview “generally recommends” that seniors get the high-dose vaccine and that they discuss the option with their providers.

(c)2011 the Star Tribune (Minneapolis) Distributed by MCT Information Services

When you think about your family pet, what comes to mind? Sloppy kisses, playtime, outdoor walks … and rabies? probably not. most of us think of rabies as something only carried by wild animals, but in reality, any animal can be infected, including people. the best way to protect your family and pets from contracting rabies is to be informed, so let’s get familiar with the facts.

What is rabies?Rabies is a disease caused by the rabies virus. it may take several weeks or even a few years for people to show symptoms after getting infected with rabies, but usually people start to show signs of the disease 1 to 3 months after the virus infects them. the early signs of rabies can be fever or headache, but this changes quickly to nervous system signs, such as confusion, sleepiness, or agitation.

What most people don’t know is that rabies isn’t something you can cure. Once someone with rabies infection starts having these symptoms, it’s usually fatal. this is why it is very important to talk to your doctor or health care provider right away if any animal bites you, especially a wild animal.

Can animals transmit rabies to me?Yes, many kinds of animal can pass rabies to people. Wild animals are much more likely to carry rabies, especially raccoons, skunks, bats, foxes, and coyotes. However, any warm-blooded animal can pass rabies to people, including dogs and cats.

People usually get rabies from the bite of an infected animal. Many animals, such as dogs, cats, and horses are vaccinated against rabies, but you should always wash any bite thoroughly and check with your doctor about what to do if any animal bites you.

And remember, if you allow your dog or cat to roam freely outside while unattended, you don’t know what potentially infected wild animals it’s had contact with. If your pet is bitten without your knowledge, you could both be in trouble.

How can I protect myself from getting rabies?Be a responsible pet owner:

• Keep vaccinations up-to-date for all dogs, cats, and ferrets. Vaccinating once will not protect your pet for life. Regular vaccinations are important not only to keep your pets from getting rabies, but also to provide a barrier of protection for you if your pet is bitten by an infected animal.
• Keep your pets under direct supervision so they do not come in contact with wild animals. If your pet is bitten by a wild animal, seek veterinary assistance for the animal immediately.
• Call your local animal control agency to remove any stray animals from your neighborhood. do not try to nurse sick animals back to health in your home. They may be unvaccinated and could be infected by the disease.
• Enjoy wild animals (raccoons, skunks, foxes, etc.) from afar. do not handle, feed, or unintentionally attract wild animals with open garbage cans or litter, and teach children not to handle them, even if they appear friendly. 

Where can I get more information about rabies? Learn more about rabies at the Center for Disease Control (CDC) rabies website at cdc.gov/rabies or the CDC rabies kids page at cdc.gov/rabiesandkids which includes questions and answers, prevention and control information, and more.

Hi. I'm 21 and for the last year or so I have been getting incredibly exhausted the week before my period. I feel weak and flakey and find it difficult to get moving. A couple of times this has gone to an extreme. back in October I came over ill and thought I had flu. I was working as an editor on a film at the time but felt so bad I had to phone the director and say I wasn't sure I could make it in. as I walked to the phone I suddenly lost all my energy and colapsed. I couldn't even hold my head up. my boyfriend and his housemates (I was staying at his) tried to talk to me and they picked me up and carried me to a bed but I couldn't speak back. They thought I was unconcious but I was completely aware of everything happening around me. since then it's happened twice more. The symptoms are as follows: feel on verge of blacking out for about half an hour, extreme weakness, confusion (inc. difficulty forming sentences, lack of concentration and sense of unreality).

endometriosis?…Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) grows in other areas of the body, causing pain, irregular bleeding, and possible infertility.
it can also effect the brain and other parts of the body

womenshealth.about.com/cs/endomet…

A woman who has a mother or sister with endometriosis has a 6 times greater risk of developing endometriosis than the general population

nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/…

There is much confusion over indigestion and heartburn. however, avoiding this confusion will help to successfully treat the condition.

Indigestion refers to an upset stomach with gastric complaints such as belching, nausea, discomfort or stomach pain that spreads across the chest, giving a feeling of food trapped in the stomach and, occasionally, vomiting. This condition is generally caused by too little stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).

Heartburn is a burning sensation in the stomach caused by too much stomach acid (hyperchlorhydria), inflammation of the stomach lining (gastritis), stomach infection due to Helicobacter pylori, or an ulcer in the stomach (peptic ulcer).

As we can see, the two conditions are opposites. one with too much stomach acid and one with too little. Treatment can be complicated as there is a tendency to confuse the two.

Indigestion is helped by taking a stomach acid supplement, which if taken for heartburn could make the condition worse. Heartburn is usually relieved by taking antacids or alkalizers, but this approach to indigestion will reduce the already inadequate amount of stomach acid.

Dr Jonathan Wright, an internationally acknowledged expert on this subject, says that “encouraged by the legal drug industry, medical students are not taught that hypochlorhydria (inadequate stomach acid production) is treatable only with unpatentable, natural replacement therapies. instead their education concentrates on hyperchlorhydria (excess stomach acid production) and its treatments with patentable acid blocker drugs and highly profitable over the counter antacids.”

It seems there has been a great deal of research carried out on the acid-alkali balance over the past 150 years. it was believed acidosis was so important that it was the primary cause of all illness and disease. The great Louis Pasteur was included in this debate, along with a contemporary of his, Claude Bernard.

This debate was taking place in the mid-1800s. Dr Bernard had a theory that the “internal environment”, as he called it, was the key to any disease of the body. Therefore if we were okay internally then we were less likely to catch anything.

Bernard’s work related more to the state of the body; one important factor was the alkalinity rather than the immune system. He believed the avoidance of toxins, good nutrition and a state of alkalinity was the answer. by contrast, Pasteur believed disease was caused by invading microbes and felt the immune system was the important factor which fought off all disease.

If there is insufficient or no stomach acid, the symptoms are caused in the following way:

The stomach is connected to the small intestine by the pylorus, which is controlled by a valve. This is programmed to open only when the stomach contents are well and truly acidic. The right level of acidity is necessary for it to be successfully neutralised by bile and pancreatic juice, which have a fixed alkalinity. So the valve stays shut till the right level of acidity is reached.

Drinking water, fruit juice or alcohol reduces the degree of acidity in the stomach. Therefore, the food may become trapped in the stomach for hours – sometimes even until the next day (hence the symptoms often occurring the following day after a rather hefty meal).

Consuming more food does not help. as the stomach expands, only burping can relieve the symptoms. If you are drunk or lying down, serious symptoms can cause choking.

In addition, expansion of the stomach causes pressure on the cardiovascular system, provoking palpitations and sweats. If it continues the stomach may send a message, in the form of nausea, to say that if all the food doesn’t move into the gut, it will have to go back out – and we know what that means!

To avoid serious indigestion, it is advisable to drink moderately when eating, eat food in small portions and chew well so that the stomach has less work to do. Wheat, rye, oats and barley require a lot of acid to prepare them for digestion in the small intestine, so consider that when looking at your diet.

Also, stomach acid secretion tends to decline with age. There are natural ways to improve your stomach acid production, gentian being one of them. however it is also said that gentian increases the appetite.

Homeopathic remedies such as carominthe may be taken alongside stomach acid supplements to stimulate stomach acid secretion.

In some cases, indigestion can be a sign of a more serious underlying health problem, such as stomach cancer.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have recurring indigestion and you are 55 years old or over; have lost a lot of weight without meaning to; find it increasingly difficult to swallow; persistently vomit; have iron-deficiency anaemia; have a lump in your stomach; or have gastrointestinal bleeding (which is bleeding in your stomach and intestines – you may see blood in your vomit or stools and you may feel tired, breathless and dizzy).

Heat exhaustion is something that usually occurs in people who have spent several days with high temperatures and dehydration have been developed through perspiration. Excessive sweating causes the loss of electrolytes, which then depletes the body of fluids. to combat this, they are exposed to extreme temperatures, be sure to hydrate themselves to help ensure they do not enter a state of heat exhaustion.

There are actually two different types of heat exhaustion. he is the depletion of water, which can cause weakness, headache, excessive thirst, and possibly even loss of consciousness. salt depletion is another way to cause heat exhaustion and muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

Heat exhaustion is not nearly as serious as heat stroke is but still it is something that requires intervention to help less the chances of it becoming more serious. When assessing if someone is suffering from heat exhaustion you will want to note if they have any of the symptoms associated with it such as confusion, pale skin, muscle cramps, headache, fatigue, profuse sweating, rapid heartbeat, fainting, dizziness, or dark urine (which is a sign of dehydration as well).

If you notice any of the above symptoms then you want the person to take a cold shower or bath, use fans and ice to help reduce the temperature of your body, and remove any tight clothing or unnecessary. he also wants to help moisturize with non-alcoholic fluids and no caffeine.

Taking these measures should begin to show an improvement within about hour and if they don’t then you will need to contact a physician immediately because there is the potential for this problem to escalate quickly and without further warning. most of the time self treatments will work but immediately following a bout with heat exhaustion a person will be more sensitive to high temperatures and therefore it is important to make sure that the person stays in a moderate environment for quite a few days following an experience like this.

Heat exhaustion is something that directly correlates to the heat index and an increase in humidity which can interfere with the body’s ability to cool off. When the heat index is at 90 degrees or more the chance of suffering from heat exhaustion increases dramatically and therefore it is especially important to take care to hydrate more as the heat index rises and to take this matter seriously.

Are you searching for Ppo insurance? Maybe you want some information on Golden rule health insurance. whatever you insurance needs or questions are you can find the answer when you go to gohealthinsurance.com.

the American Red Cross Midway-Kansas Chapter is urging residents to take steps to guard against hypothermia and other emergencies common during severely cold weather.  

“Winter can be a beautiful time of year in Wichita, but it also brings quiet dangers such as brutally cold temperatures,” said Bev Morlan, regional executive director in a statement. “everyone, especially senior citizens and children, should take precautions to guard against hypothermia this winter, and the Red Cross can help.”

Severely cold weather may cause hypothermia, a serious condition that predominantly affects young children and people over the age of 60. Symptoms of hypothermia include: confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering. Seek medical attention immediately if you have these symptoms.

Protect Yourself

•    Dress in several layers of lightweight clothing, which will keep you warmer than a single heavy coat.

•    Mittens provide more warmth to your hands than gloves.

•    most of your body heat is lost through your head. Wear a hat, preferably one that covers your ears.

•    Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of hypothermia including:  confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and severe shivering.

•    Seek medical attention immediately if you have symptoms of frostbite including: numbness, flushed gray, white, blue or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or skin that appears waxy feeling skin.

•    Wear waterproof, insulated boots to keep your feet warm and dry and to maintain your footing in ice and snow.

•    Remove wet clothes immediately and help warm your core body temperature by wrapping yourself in a  blanket or drinking warm fluids like hot cider or soup.

•    take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.

•    Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol if you think you might have hypothermia or frostbite.

Protect Yourself at Home

•    Be careful with candles – Do not use candles for lighting if the power goes out. Use flashlights only.

•    Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves yearly – Use a sturdy fire screen with lit fires. Burn only wood – never burn paper or pine boughs.

•    Use generators correctly –Never operate a generator inside your home, including the basement or garage. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring. the safest thing to do is to connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not hook up a generator directly to your home's wiring.

•    Prevent frozen pipes – When the weather is very cold outside, open cabinet doors to let warm air circulate around water pipes. let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the water running through it is above freezing. keep the thermostat set to a consistent temperature.

•    Check smoke alarms – make sure alarms are working properly and replace batteries as necessary.

•    Be aware of overuse of electrical outlets – Don't overload your electrical outlets. Be careful that extension cords don’t create hazardous walkways.

forgetfulness=losing control of body functions=unaware of how they put pressure on another one ,like grasping their hand=poor co-ordination=lost thoughts=confusion as what to do= for a few

Heat stroke symptoms

Unconscious or has a markedly abnormal mental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, or coma)

Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although it may be moist initially from previous sweating or from attempts to cool the person with water)

May have slightly elevated blood pressure at first that falls later

May be hyperventilating

Rectal (core) temperature of 105°F or more

Heat stroke symptoms

Unconscious or has a markedly abnormal mental status (dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, or coma)

Flushed, hot, and dry skin (although it may be moist initially from previous sweating or from attempts to cool the person with water)

May have slightly elevated blood pressure at first that falls later

May be hyperventilating

Rectal (core) temperature of 105°F or more

heat exhaustion

heavy sweating

paleness

muscle cramps

tiredness

weakness

dizziness

headache

nausea or vomiting

fainting

10 pts?

Generalized anxiety disorder is a medical condition that is affecting lots of people. As every medical condition, it has specific symptoms. keep on reading in order to be able to tell if you experience some of the generalized anxiety disorder symptoms, so that you can receive treatment as early as possible.

A person suffering of generalized anxiety disorder is constantly worrying, develops obsessions, and is experiencing a large amount of stress and a feeling of uncertainty. A sufferer might feel that he or she is the only one in this world facing such problems and that he or she has no way to escape this situation.

There are some symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder that are usually known by everybody. They are the most common symptoms and include physical reactions such as shallow breathing, muscular tension and pains, a constant state of fatigue, and trembling. Besides these symptoms, the sufferers also experience sleeping problems like insomnia or frequent nightmares, have an increased level of irritability and might even accuse memory loss, difficulty to concentrate or periods of confusion.

Suffering of generalized anxiety disorder may affect one’s social life in a very negative manner. Before even realizing it, the sufferer will start to avoid going out and socializing, because of the constant worry he or she is experiencing. the overwhelming feeling that something bad is going to happen will stop the sufferer from doing his or hers normal activities, this including meeting people. In time, he or she will become a shy and withdrawn person.

Sometimes a person affected by this disorder is impaired to correctly complete his or hers job requirements. sometimes the job can become extremely stressful for the one affected by this disorder, even if it is just a normal job. if the job is indeed a very solicitant one and implies a high level of stress, this might even be a cause for generalized anxiety disorder. This disorder might lead to other mental conditions such as different phobias or depression.

You can tell that something is wrong with someone suffering of generalized anxiety disorder, as it is visible that he or she is tensed and irritable and overreacts when it’s not the case.

Some sufferers might also experience more severe physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, shortness of breathing, fainting, shacking or abdominal pains and vomiting.

In order to get rid of the generalized anxiety disorder symptoms you should first find and suppress its cause. Once you know the cause, a variety of treatments is available: therapy, medication or natural remedies. make a doctor’s appointment if you think you might be affected of this disorder.

And, a natural technique to stop anxiety and panic attacks can be found on my site. Click here to find out the most powerful method for eliminating panic attacks and general anxiety without the use of medication.