Asbestos cancer or mesothelioma is a rare cancer which may affect the lining of the lungs and the abdominal cavity. Most mesotheliomas are caused by exposure to asbestos. It can take up to thirty years or more after the first exposure to asbestos for mesothelioma to be diagnosed. The disease occurs more often in men than women, probably due to an increased likelihood of exposure to asbestos and the risk also increases with age.
Asbestos is made up of a group of six fibrous minerals. These are amosite, chrysolite, crocidolite, treemolite, actinolite and anthophyllite. They occur naturally in soil and rocks in some areas and are resistant to heat and many chemicals. Asbestos is used for a wide range of goods including roofing material, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products and friction products in cars such as clutch and brake components. The new use of asbestos has been banned in many countries for a number of years.
Symptoms of the disease are shortness of breath, a persistent cough, chest pain and a loss of appetite coupled with weight loss. Treatment for mesothelioma varies, dependant on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the age and general health of the patient. Likely treatments can include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments can be used in combination.
Although the small asbestos fibres cannot be detected by x-rays, the early signs of lung disease can. Other tests including lung and CAT scans can also be applied in detecting changes in the lungs. People exposed to lower levels of asbestos may also have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, but the risks are much smaller and can be difficult to measure.
Asbestosis is a non-cancerous, but chronic lung illness caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is a natural material made up of tiny fibres which can lodge in the lungs and lead to a number of diseases. A significant exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, mesothelioma and other non-malignant lung and pleural disorders. The risk involved depends on the duration, frequency, concentration and type of asbestos fibres. Exposure to asbestos often occurs by breathing contaminated air in workplaces that make or use asbestos or in the air of buildings containing asbestos that are being demolished or renovated.
Diseases caused by asbestos exposure take a long time to develop. Many cases of asbestosis in asbestos workers can take 15 years or longer after the initial exposure to asbestos. Smoking also greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer occuring in workers exposed to asbestos. The interaction between cigarette smoke and asbestos has been found to accelerate the chances of getting lung cancer. Studies have also suggested that breathing asbestos can increase the chances of cancers in other parts of the body - stomach, intestines, kidneys - but this is not certain.
Everyone's entitled to feel a little stressed out or down in the dumps in the winter months, but a major mood change is cause for concern. It could be a symptom of a debilitating type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD for short.
While the exact mechanism of SAD isn't fully understood, it's thought to be related to the shorter days and weaker sunshine of winter. In susceptible individuals, shorter, darker days can cause biochemical imbalances in the brain that lead to depression.
Women in their twenties and thirties are most likely to develop seasonal affective disorder. Symptoms often begin in late November or December, and may not let up until April or May.
People who live along northern latitudes, or in areas that are perpetually cloudy and overcast, are most commonly affected. Poor lighting conditions at home and at work also can contribute to seasonal affective disorder. If you live in a dark basement dwelling,or if you work in a gloomy, windowless building, you're at greater risk of developing SAD.
Signs and symptoms of the disorder range in severity, but they typically include feelings of sadness and social withdrawal. SAD sufferers frequently lose interest in their normal activities, and often avoid interacting with friends and family. Fatigue and excessive sleepiness are two of the most common symptoms. Some SAD sufferers are tempted to crawl into bed and stay there for the remainder of winter.
While seasonal affective disorder robs its victims of energy and enthusiasm, it can have the opposite effect on appetite. People with SAD often experience an overwhelming desire to eat, and they often crave starches and sweets. Eating cakes, biscuits, and other comfort foods may be a natural response to depression, since carbohydrate-rich foods can boost levelsof a mood-enhancing brain chemical called serotonin. Manyantidepressant drugs, including those used to treat seasonal affective disorder, work by increasing serotonin levels in the brain.
In addition to prescription medicines, exposure to bright light can help alleviate symptoms of SAD. Light intensity, measured in units of lux, is typically greatest outdoors in the sunshine. In fair weather, sunlight may be in the range of 5,000 to 20,000 lux, but it can reach a dazzling 100,000 lux on a sunny beach or snow-covered ski slope. Indoor light is far dimmer, ranging from 100 to 300 lux. Sitting in a sunbeam or taking a walk outdoors during the sunniest part of the day can help dissipate mild symptoms of the winter doldrums, but more light is necessary for the treatment of SAD.
Doctors often recommend phototherapy, or bright light therapy, for patients with seasonal affective disorder. When used as directed, phototherapy significantly reduces physical and emotional symptoms in approximately 80 percent of treated patients.
Phototherapy is a straightforward treatment .The patient simply sits in front of a specially designed lamp that emits bright light, ranging from 2,500 to 10,000 lux. Many SAD sufferers begin to feel better after their first treatment.For patients who are sensitive to phototherapy, symptoms can be resolved with a course that includes a single, 20-minute session each day. Patients whose symptoms are more resistant to treatment may require two 45-minute sessions daily.
Recent studies have suggested that in addition to bright light therapy, low doses of the dietary supplement melatonin may help alleviate SAD symptoms. While the preliminary findings are promising, more research is needed to determine the optimal dose and timing of the supplement.
Whether treatment includes prescription antidepressant medications, phototherapy, or both, exercise is an important part of the program. As a proven mood-booster, physical activity can reduce the severity of depressive symptoms. People with severe or debilitating symptoms of SAD should work with their doctor to design an effective treatment plan. If you've just got a mild case of the winter blues, on the other hand, a brisk walk in the sunshine might be all it takes to get you back on course.
As we age, we experience a gradual loss of brain cells which can affect the way we store and retrieve information. Difficulty in remembering details of recent events as well as a diminished ability to learn can be common as we get older. While memory loss from aging does not typically affect normal functioning, it can be bothersome. To help keep your memory strong as you get older, consider changing your diet and supplement routine.
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Both help neutralize the damaging effects of free-radicals. Vegetables and fruits are the best sources of antioxidants, although tea and dark chocolate contribute as well. Cold-water fish, freshly ground flaxseed and walnuts provide omega-3s. Avoid alcohol. The damaging effects of alcohol on the central nervous system is well known. Take a multivitamin that contains B vitamins. The B vitamins folic acid, B6 and B12 are related to healthy cognitive function.
