The Categories at Risk of Developing Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. While colorectal cancer is highly treatable in its incipient stage, when it is diagnosed late, the disease becomes life-threatening. Statistics indicate that there are more than 150.000 new annual cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the United States. Although this type of cancer can be effectively prevented, it accounts for more than 50.000 deaths among the American population each year.

Colorectal cancer has the highest incidence in people with ages over 50 and it is more commonly seen in obese, smokers and physically inactive people. Although it can occur in all ethnical groups, this type of cancer is very common in African Americans. Statistics indicate that in the last few years, both the incidence and the mortality rate of colorectal cancer have known a pronounced increase among African American people. Research results reveal the fact that African American women are exposed to a very high risk of developing colorectal cancer due to obesity, unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle.

Doctors claim that colorectal cancer can be effectively treated if the disease is timely diagnosed. They state that modern medicine holds new, reliable means of preventing the progression of colorectal cancer and that people should be screened for potential malignancies more often. Regular colorectal cancer screening is recommended to anyone at risk of developing this type of cancer. The categories at risk of developing colorectal cancer are: people with ages over 50, overweight people, people with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, smokers, people who have a family history of adenomatous polyposis, non-polyposis colon cancer, Gardner?s syndrome or Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and people who have suffered colon cancer surgery.

Colorectal cancer screening can be performed through multiple methods. In present, the procedures used in cancer screening are quick, safe and reliable. Furthermore, the costs of a complete annual examination for colorectal cancer are very low. A complete examination should include fecal occult blood testing, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium enema. These tests can easily reveal the presence of malignant colonic polyps, tumors and carcinomas in the early stages of colorectal cancer.

Nowadays, there are three basic programs used in colorectal cancer screening. The first program involves fecal occult blood testing and sigmoidoscopy. Fecal occult blood testing should be repeated annually, while sigmoidoscopy should be repeated every five years. The second program involves an initial total colon examination, followed by distal colon barium enema every five years. The last program recommended by oncologists involves an initial total colon exam, followed by colorectal examination every ten years. As the methods of colorectal screening provide similar results, patients are allowed to choose anyone of these three programs, with the condition to respect the schedule recommended by their doctor.

For more resource on different colon cancer subjects please click this link http://www.colon-cancer-center.com. You can also find valuable information about colon cancer treatment or even about metastatic colon cancer

Doctor Help Me How Do I Find Arthritis Pain Relief?

The first and most important activity a doctor must do when the patient comes in is to make an accurate diagnosis. This is done with a careful history, physical exam, laboratory tests, and imaging procedures.

In the history, we ask questions such as:

?How long have you had the symptoms?
?What joints are involved?
?Is it symmetrical? One side like the other
?Is there a family history?
?Are there other symptoms?

On physical exam, we examine a patient from the top of the head to the bottoms of the feet! We look at the skin, eyes, ears, nose, throat, internal organs, and finally the joints

The goals of treatment are straightforward. They are:

?Relieve pain/inflammation
?Enhance quality of life
?Slow disease progression
?Control co-morbidity (associated diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.)
?Minimize risks of therapy

We first start with non-medicine treatment:

?Social support: make sure the patient?s family and friends understand the problem
?Education: make sure the patient understands all the things they must do themselves to get better
?Weight-loss: many patients with low back pain, knee pain, and hip pain are overweight. All the medicines in the world aren?t going to help until weight is corrected.
?Assistive devices: splints, braces, walkers, canes, etc. all may help.
?Thermal modalities: ice or moist heat depending on the situation
?Exercise: non impact as well as stretching and strengthening play a role.
?Modification of lifestyle: sometimes habits need to change and routines need to be altered.

Medicines:
?Analgesics: These help reduce pain. They don?t block inflammation. Analgesics may be habit-forming or addictive. They offer the potential for side effects as well. Examples: Tylenol, Ultram, Darvocet, Percodan.
?Anti-inflammatory medicines: These block inflammation and help with pain. There is the potential for side-effects including the liver, kidneys, and cardiovascular systems. Examples: Naprosyn, Motrin, Celebrex.
?Disease-modifying drugs: these drugs slow down the progression of arthritis. They are used in conjunction with analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines. Wxamples: hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), methotrexate, azathioprine (Imuran).
?Biologic therapies: these are lasers that target the immune abnormalities found in many forms of arthritis. Examples: Enbrel, Humira, Remicade.

Specifically for arthritis related pain we also use medicines such as GABA stimulators such as gabapentin (neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica).

Lidoderm patches also help as do topical agents such as Myorx.

Sometimes injections of different types will be needed. These injections may be combinations of local anesthetics and glucocorticoid or they may consist of materials such as Botox. We have used the latter quite successfully in patients with neck and low back problems.

Dr. Wei (pronounced ?way?) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: http://www.arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com

Does Spot Reduction Work for Abs or Doesn?t?

Burning fat from the abdomen through exercises specially destined to the abdominal muscles was, is and will always be one of the most resistant myths.

Almost all the people with a big belly take up, with a lot of determination, sit-ups, crunches, side-bends, twists, etc., hoping that every new series or set of exercises, every session of repeating them, will help them get rid of the 'ring' of adipose tissue around their waist, also called 'the ring of death'.

Besides the fact that it is probably the most anesthetic 'deposit' of adipose tissue, abdominal fat involves many risks for the health of the person which possesses it (related to diabetes, high blood pressure, cardio-vascular diseases, cancer, impotence, etc.).

We must keep in mind, once and for all, that when we refer to the melting of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, there is no spot reduction. No matter how much we strive to locate effort in the areas we are focused on, we will only fortify the muscles under the fat, but the reduction of the fat itself will be insignificant. The explanation is simple and is connected to the energetic support of the anaerobic effort, which uses, for the exercises, muscular and hepatic glycogen, and not fat acids from the adipose tissue. For getting to the deposits of fat, what we need is cardio training (running, biking, fast walking, swimming, etc.).This type of exercises must be maintained for a long time (45-60 minutes) and they must be intense (60-70% from the maximum of heart rhythm).

An alternative is cardio training with periods when intensity varies, although the total volume is not smaller than in the case of uniformly cardio training.

A very important role in burning fat is held by the diet. It is said that the most effective of training can be sabotaged in the kitchen.

The nutritionists say that a diet which maintains caloric deficit, but keeps a balanced proportion of the basic principles (proteins, lipids, blood sugar), with a slight increase of the protein part, will always have as a consequence losing weight. Physical exercises like sit-ups, crunches, etc., without other exercises meant to involve bigger groups of muscles (thighs, chest, back) and to fortify the abdominal muscles, do not increase very much the basic metabolic rate.

As a consequence, indirect burning of calories (during breaks, post-training) is very small in comparison with the burning due to aerobic effort (especially the ones with alternative periods) ? in their case, during effort taking more than 20 minutes, the energetic support is exactly the adipose tissue.

The magic formula for burning abdominal fat is a combination of hypo caloric diet and exercise ? especially aerobic, but also anaerobic (focused on all the body, not only the abdominal muscles).

Isabel Curini is a fitness trainer and editor at http://www.healthfitnessworld.com. HealthFitnessWorld.com - Health, Fitness, Body Building, Weight Loss, Nutrition - Articles and Resources.

HealthFitnessWorld.com is dedicated to providing high-quality, free advices, tips and resources on health, fitness, body building, supplements, nutrition, weight loss, beauty, massage, acne, medicine, depression, massage.

This article may be reprinted or published without the author's consent as long as the About and weblinks are kept intact and active.

Recognize and Release Energy Vampires

Sometimes you meet someone and you feel very energized and connected with life. You feel joyous energy all around you in their presence. You want to spend more time with such people. And sometimes it also happens that you meet someone and immediately you feel drained, exhausted and confused. These are vampires who suck your life force because they are not connected with their inner light. They have to survive on other people?s light. This could be very draining on energy for you.

You cannot satisfy a vampire

The interesting thing to notice is ? You cannot satisfy a vampire. No matter how good you behave, how much you give of yourself, there is a black hole that is never satisfied, never happy, always hungry for more.

Vampire?s agenda

Vampires come in many packages. Some have their own body and others do not. One common thread you may notice is ? they cannot connect with the source of light within themselves. Their basic agenda is to consume your life force. Another name of this game is ? Psychic warfare.

The two energy centers they use to do their tricks

The two chakras that vampires commonly attack are solar plexus chakra and the third eye chakra. Solar plexus chakra is used for draining the life force and third eye chakra is used for draining the will force.

Signs felt in the body

1. Feelings of something just not being right.
2. Your gut feelings tells you that the feelings you get from it are not normal, or come from an external source.
3. Physical fatigue that cannot be explained by other means
4. Unexplained lack of concentration
5. Lately people tend to stay away from you
6. Things constantly going wrong

And there could be many more versions and variations of these signs of possible psychic energy interference.

Protect yourself from energy vampires

Your body has all the intelligence to guide you, protect you and tell you the difference between what?s right and what?s not right. Your gut, your stomach is the most accurate psychic on this planet. The challenge is to connect with this accuracy within. Just a little practice of this skill and you will be empowered for the rest of your life. Just be a little aware of your body. Where are you?

May be your feet touches the ground. Be aware of it.
May be your hand is holding the phone. Be aware of it.
May be you are sitting on a chair. Be aware of your butt.
And so on?simply being aware of your body, where are you?is the first step and a very powerful one to protect yourself from energy vampires.

May you be free from all energy vampires.

Love and Blessings, Satish Dholakia

http://www.chakramagic.com/
http://www.innercosmos.com/

Meet Master Healer Satish Dholakia

Healings are offered by Satish Dholakia, a dedicated spiritual healer - teacher and Master NLP practitioner from Mumbai, India. Not bound to any traditions or philosophies, he prefers to heal and teach from the spontaneous flow through him. Clairvoyant and Clairaudient since a child, he spent years in communion with the divine, sharing his psychic gifts with an open heart. Satish founded Inner Cosmos in Mumbai, India in 1991 currently offers energy healing classes and private sessions in Los Angeles, California. Group classes are offered internationally upon request.

The Disturbing Trend of Bulimia

You leaf through the pages of glossy magazines, and you?re treated to images of women who are just plain thin. The latest trends in fashion revolve around ladies with what we describe to have the ?perfect figure?. Teenagers, still developing and growing, pore over these magazines, wanting to emulate the celebrities. For a young girl with a less than ideal figure, the quest for fast weight loss is a one that sometimes takes a dangerous turn.

In a world where fad diets are abundant, the idea of fast weight loss isn?t a novel one. Lately, more and more people are turning to more drastic measures to accomplish their fast weight loss goals. Bulimia is one example of this, a tragic disorder that doesn?t affect just teenagers. It affects men, women, and young people from all walks of life.

Bulimia is the common name for bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder suffered primarily by those on a quest for rapid weight loss. It is characterized by overindulgence in food called ?binge eating? followed by some sort of ?purging? to get rid of the unwanted food. The most common means is by vomiting. Other methods include exercising to the point of exhaustion, abuse of laxatives, or fasting.

People who haven?t suffered from this disorder may have trouble understanding how someone could overeat then induce vomiting. It is a disorder that is looked down upon, and most bulimia sufferers are ashamed and embarrassed to seek help. They often wish they could just ?stop? purging, but the fast weight loss they?re experiencing is something they just can?t let go of.

What makes things worse is that they are usually praised for this fast weight loss. Since most of their loved ones are unaware of their problem, friends and family members compliment them on how great they look. This response makes it harder to stop. Once a person has developed bulimia, the problem is as much psychological as physical. In fact, in many cases it?s about loss of control.

It?s important to remember that fast weight loss isn?t usually the safest route to lose weight. Sure, we all want immediate results, but disorders like bulimia can have devastating effects. In your quest for fast weight loss, you could destroy your teeth, become unfertile, suffer heart problems, and even lose your life.

If you suffer from bulimia, it?s important to seek help. Simply vowing to ?stop? is not always something that you can follow through with. A trained professional can help you make lifestyle choices that allow you to conquer this disease.

If you?ve recovered from bulimia and feel frustrated by the fact that you no longer experience fast weight loss, your primary problem is probably your lack of willpower. While you?re used to being able to overeat, now you feel deprived. The good news is now you can feel full and satisfied. You can have that willpower to say ?no? to extra servings, and you can still achieve fast weight loss in a healthy, natural way.

If you haven?t heard of Hoodia Gordonii, this could be an answer to prayer. This product is not a drug, so there are no dangerous side effects. Classified as a vegetable, this cactus-like plant has been used for centuries by Bushmen who used it to ward off hunger while on long journeys through the desert. It curbs the appetite by up to 2000 calories per day. The fact that you feel full and satisfied will give you the willpower to cut calories and achieve the rapid weight loss you desire. You owe it to yourself to lose weight the safe and healthy way.

The world of weight loss is changing with the addition of Hoodia Gordonii. To learn more about the reasons, methods and effects, visit http://www.hoodia.info.ms recommended by weight loss expert Martin Stanwyck.

Child Obesity An American Tragedy!

As a people group, we Americans are over weight - plan and simple. As bad as that statistic is, even worse is that the rate of child obesity is on the increase. Look around and you will see it. This topic hit home for me when I took a look at my 10 year son at the pool this summer. The little guy has love handles. He is be no means fat or obese, but 10 is a little young for love handles and a belly pudge don't you think? It is obvious that society is aware of this as they have successfully targeted the major soda companies to take soda out of schools and only offer water and fruit drinks. This seems to stop a short as they can still get snack cakes and greasy chips with ease. It is the school's or the beverage industry's responsibility to keep our kids healthy? No, but they need to support what we are teaching at home so I applaud the removal of soda and look for programs that teach the kids what is healthy so they make good choices, not limit what is available and not really tell them why. I also read something recently that suggested that the increases stress level of some children causes them to use food as an escape. Stress from school, sports, parents, and friends.

At the heart of the matter, I believe, is the changes in the types of activities our kids are involved. Thanks to cable/satellite TV and video games, most kids have stronger thumb muscles and greater hand to eye coordination than I remember having as a kid. Again not completely the kid's fault. Parents and guardians need to encourage, no force, the kids to get outside and play when the weather permits. As a kid it seems like we were always outside playing games, climbing trees, riding bikes, swimming, etc. Now it seems like it has to be an extreme adventure or involve loading the car before they ride their bikes. Plus we didn't have cell phones, so if you wanted to talk to your friend you usually just walked or rode over to their house, even if it was across town. The adults in the home need to exhibit this as well, who of us couldn't do with a little exercise ourselves? Get on your bike and ride with the kids, take the dog for a walk, or actually get in the pool with your kids and play.

Finally the food choices that are offered outside of school are a contributing factor. The breakdown of the family and the internet paced lifestyles we lead leave little time for healthy food choices, fast food rules the day! Although most, if not all, fast food restaurants offer health choices very often this is not what the kids are eating. Again, the family needs to be the place where healthy living and eating are taught, with the rest of the world playing a supporting role.

Obesity in children is a real problem and as adults we are responsible. It up to us to make health alternatives available and the normal obvious choice. It is up to us to lead the way in getting more physical activity. Get active and make them join you. A final reminder, before starting any diet or exercise program or new physical activity consult with your physician to determine what is appropriate for you. Good luck and good health.

Simon Volk has been a contributing author for websites and is an acknowledged expert in the field of health and fitness. He can be found on the internet at the website:
http://www.healthfitnessarticle.com

Obesity What's The 'Big' Deal Part 3

Previously we have discussed the obesity epidemic, the Surgeon General?s warning, associated risks of this condition, the definition of obesity and overweight, as well as some of the excuses and lifestyle factors associated with obesity.

In this issue we will discuss some methods of fat calculation, and cut off levels associated with increased risk.

Methods of Fat Calculation

There are numerous ways in which to calculate the approximate fat content of an individual?s body. Some of the more commonly known methods are: BMI (Body Mass Index), DEXA (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), bioelectrical impedance analysis, skin caliper pinch tests, and underwater weighing. The most direct measures of body fat, such as underwater weighing or DEXA scanning, are impractical for use. Indirect estimates of body fat are more practical. (1)

Body Mass Index

One of the most commonly used methods is BMI due its ease of use. The calculation for this is BMI = weight (in Kg)/height (m)?. The values for different ages show relative health risks.

Although BMI has been used to evaluate overweight and obesity in adults for many years, it has recently been recommended for the screening of children and adolescents. With this change you can use it from the age of 2 years through to adulthood. However, BMI is used differently to define overweight in children and adolescents than it is in adults. (2)

Overweight in children and adolescents is defined as a BMI-for-age at or above the 95th percentile on the CDC growth charts. The risk of overweight for ages 2-20 years is defined as a BMI-for-age between the 85th and the 95th percentiles. (2)

a BMI of 27.3 or more for women and a BMI of 27.8 or more for men.

The World Health Organization assigns an increasing risk for developing other conditions including hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease for people with higher BMI?s as compared to persons of normal weight.

Normal is defined as having a BMI between 18.5 and 25 for those of European descent and for those of Asian descent, a BMI of 18.5 to 23 is normal.(1)

Fat Distribution

In addition to an increase in total body fat, a proportionally greater amount of fat in the abdomen or trunk, compared with fat in the lower extremities or hips, has been associated with increased risk for diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease for both men and women. For people of Asian descent, abdominal (central) obesity is recognized to be a better indicator of future difficulties than BMI. (1)

This abdominal obesity is commonly reported as a waist-to-hip ratio, but it is most easily quantified by a single measurement done at approximately the belly button. Men are considered to have an increased relative risk for coronary artery disease, diabetes, and hypertension if they have a waist circumference of 40 inches (102 cm) or more; whereas women are at increased risk if their waist circumference is 35 inches (88 cm) or more. (1)

Waist: hip ratios are plotted on a graph according to age and sex. The relative risk associated with the ratio is calculated based on the values plotted.

Thus, an overweight person with abnormal fat patterning may be at high risk for these diseases even if that person is not obese by BMI criteria. (1)

Another thing to consider is that if an individual is heavily muscled, their BMI will not be an adequate predictor of health risk. This is why using a variety of measures will give you a better idea of whether or not you are at an increased risk.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis

There are a number of bioelectrical impedance analysis meters on the market. They work on the principle that electrical currents will travel through different tissues at different rates. By sending a small electrical current through your body and measuring the return speed, an approximate measure of body fat is attained.

As electricity will follow the shortest route, if you use a scale bioelectrical impedance analysis instrument, you will have an idea of your lower body fat content. If you use a hand held device, it will give you an idea of upper body fat. Both of these tend to miss measuring core body fat. An instrument that passes current through the core will give you a better idea of core body fat. Typical normal values are in the range of 10-20% body fat for men and 15-25% body fat for women. (3)

In the next issue, we will review some information about exercise and how much should be done, different types of exercises that you might want to try, and strategies to implement exercise into your life.

In future issues we will look at diet, caloric restriction, supplementation, and more.

Until next time...
Yours in Health,
Dr. M. Montgomery @ www.healthyunderstanding.com

References
1. Obesity, Jonathan Q. Purnell, M.D., Medscape.com

2. Overweight Children and Adolescents: Recommendations for Screening, Assessment and Management, Barbara Polhamus, PhD, MPH, RD; Diane Thompson, MPH, RD; Sandra L. Benton-Davis, BS; Christopher M. Reinold, MPH, RD, LD; Comm. Laurence M. Grummer-Strawn, PhD; William Dietz, MD, PhD., Medscape.com

3. University of Michigan Health System (online)

Disclaimer: As always, check with your health care provider to see if this information applies to you. Due diligence is your responsibility. This information is meant to supplement your knowledge, not to replace your own decision making process or take the place of your health care provider.

This is a commercial newsletter provided free by HealthyUnderstanding.com. For weight loss and other health care products go to http://www.road2health.net and http://www.road2health1.net for a quick BMI calculation.

This newsletter may be distributed in its entirety without alteration. If you wish to use it in your publication, a copy of your publication would be appreciated. Please send it to DrM@healthyunderstanding.com.

Dr. M. Montgomery is the creator of http://www.healthyunderstanding.com and is a practicing Chiropractor in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - 371 Kenderdine Rd, Saskatoon, SK, S7N 3S5.