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Super bowl Recipes for 2012

2012-01-31T15:38:00.000-08:00

Super bowl Recipes for 2012

Super Bowl 2012

Unless you are playing the Sunday’s game you will be gaining a lot of calories while watching it. The super bowl Sunday is not only about football but also about eating and that’s why you are here in Super bowl Recipes for 2012. This is one of the biggest calorie fest of the year for Americans. We are anxiously awaiting Super Bowl XLVI and you are not sure what recipes to make while watching it, here are some ideas with some Super bowl Recipes for 2012 that can be cooked in a very less time and with low calories.

Chicken Wings with Lemon dip

Here is something for the non-vegetarians who love to munch some meat during a wonderful Super Bowl match. This is the most loved recipe among Super bowl Recipes for 2012.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Chicken Wings with Lime dip

Ingredients:-

½ cup Vodka
3 tsps. Of Sugar
1 tsp. of olive oil
¼ cup lemon juice
Salt
Black pepper
Chicken Wings

Making:-

Mix vodka, lemon juice, sugar, olive oil, salt and black pepper and stir nicely to dissolve sugar and salt. Then add the chicken wings and coat it well with the previous mixture and marinate it for about 4 hrs in refrigerator. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees and pour the marinade on the neatly arranged chicken wings placed on a baking pan. Bake it until the meat is brown in color for about 1 ½ hrs and serve hot.

Pizza Rollers

This is well known for its taste which is exactly like pizza but in the form of rolls and gets its score from non-vegetarians for Super bowl recipes for 2012.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Pizza Roll

Ingredients:-

6 ounces chopped pepperoni
½ cup cooked sausage
½ cup parmesan grated cheese
4 chopped scallions
2 tsps. pizza seasoning
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 ½ cup marinara sauce
2 pounds of pizza dough
3 tsps. Of olive oil

Making:-

Mix pepperoni, sausage, parmesan cheese, scallions and pizza seasonings in a bowl and keep aside. Place the meat mixture in a large bowl and mix the marinara sauce. Now take the dough and roll it into a ball and gently roll the ball into a rectangle and place the meat mixture that was set and sprinkle some mozzarella cheese over it. Roll it up to get a log and then slice it into small pieces of 4 inches each and place it in a cup of a muffin tin which has to be greased beforehand. Brush the top with olive oil and sprinkle the remaining parmesan cheese and seasoning. Then place in in the over that was preheated to 350 degrees and bake until golden brown.

Honeyed Chicken Wings

This is perfect among Super bowl Recipes for 2012 for its spiciness, sweetness and the taste of bacon. These are soaked with smoked paprika spice blend, glazed with honey and habanero sauce and done with cooked bacon.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Honeyed chicken wings

Ingredients:-

25 chicken wings
2 cups flour
Salt
Black pepper
Olive oil
Honey
Smoked paprika
Cedar vinegar
Habanero sauce
1lb Bacon

Making:-

Mix flour, salt, black pepper and smoked paprika and shake well for proper mixing. Place the chicken wings into mixture and coat it well then fry the wings in hot oil for 15-20 min until golden brown and drain the oil from the wings using paper towels. In another bowl mix honey, cider vinegar, habanero sauce and dip the fried chicken wing in it and place it in a baking sheet and bake for 5-10 min in a 350 degree preheated oven. Sprinkle some crumbled bacon and extra sauce at last on top of it to add more flavor.

Zucchini Fries

Fries are one of the most adored snacks for time passing and that too with low calories unlike French fries is best among the Super bowl Recipes for 2012.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Zucchini Fries

Ingredients:-

2 Zucchini
1 egg white
¼ cup milk
½ cup parmesan cheese
½ cup breadcrumbs
Veg spray

Making:-

Cut zucchini into small sticks and preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Mix the egg white with milk, parmesan cheese and in a separate bowl mix parmesan cheese and breadcrumbs. Dip the sticks into the egg mixture and then roll it on the breadcrumb mixture. Coat a baking sheet with veg spray and place the zucchini on it and bake it for 30 min until it becomes golden brown.

Brownies

What is enjoyment without a sweet and now here comes the sweetest super bowl recipes for 2012 for sweet lovers.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Brownie

Ingredients:-

5 tsps. Of stick margarine
1 ounce chocolate
2/3 cup cocoa
1 ½ cup sugar
Egg white and 1 egg
½ tsp. baking powder
Cooking spray
1 cup flour

Making:-

Melt margarine and chocolate in a saucepan with medium heat, add cocoa and stir well for 1 minute. Then add sugar and stir well. Allow the mixture to cool slightly and add warm chocolate mixture to egg white and egg. Stir it well until it is well blended. Now mix flour with baking powder and combine it with the well-blended mixture. Batter it well and bake it on a cooking spray coated sheet for 30 min in a oven that was preheated to 350 degrees.

Chicken Dip

A good appetizer that can be made fast and takes minimum time among the Super bowl recipes for 2012 shared here. This is served with crostini or potato chips. The most important point to note is the dip has to be assembled 2 days in advance and refrigerated.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Chicken Dip

Ingredients:-

4 ounces low fat cream cheese
5 ounces soft cheese
14 ounces drained and chopped artichoke hearts
½ cup cream
¼ cup grated Parmigiano cheese
3 cup cooked and shredded chicken
½ cup water chestnuts that are drained and cut
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

Making:-

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix cream cheese and soft cheese in a sauce pan over medium heat and stir until the mixture is smooth and bubbles. Add Parmigiano cheese, chestnuts, artichoke hearts, chicken, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, scallions and garlic. Transfer the mixture to a casserole with cheddar cheese spread and bake for 30 min until the dip bubbles.

Chili Beef

This is for spicy lovers and is the spiciest dish in super bowl recipes for 2012.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Chili Beef

Ingredients:-

10 dried chili peppers
¼ cup vegetable oil
3 pounds beef (stewing meat that is cut into pieces)
1 tsp. cumin seeds
4 cloves and garlic
1 tsp. Tabasco sauce
1 tsp. oregano
2 tsps. Cornmeal
1 canned seeded and minced chipotle
Salt

Making:-

Rinse the dried chili peppers and add 3 cups of hot water to it for 20 min until they become soft. Then remove the peppers from the bowl, seed and stem them. Line a fine mesh strainer with a few layers of cheese cloth and strain the ancho soaking water through the lined strainer into the bowl. Chop the ancho chili peppers. Heat the oil over medium heat and then to high, add half of the meat searing it on all sides. Transfer the contents to a plate and repeat it for the remaining meat. Now add ancho soaking water to the meat and cook for 30 min. Then add finely chopped ancho chili peppers, chipotle pepper, tabasco, dried oregano, salt, cumin seeds and garlic and cook for 45 min. stir the remaining chopped anchos and cornmeal that has to be cooked for 30 min until the meat is tender. At last add remaining ancho soaking water to achieve a stew-like consistency.

Steak with cut Mango

This dish is spicy and cool with a rub of chili powder, smoked paprika and champagne mangoes that is also sweet. It is one among the coolest super bowl recipes for 2012.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Steak with Mango

Ingredients:-

2 tsps. Chili powder
½ tsp. cumin
Salt
¼ tsp. chipotle powder or smoked paprika
1 ½ pounds steak
Olive oil
Ripe mangoes
Scallions
Lime juice
2 tsps. Wine vinegar or champagne vinegar
Cilantro leaves

Making:-

Mix chili powder, cumin, chipotle powder and salt in a bowl. Rub both sides of the steak with the spice mixture and then oil. Wrap it and refrigerate it for 12 hrs or even 1 day. Mix mangoes, scallions line juice, vinegar, honey, cilantro and salt. Refrigerate for 2 hrs. Prepare the grill and reheat it to 450 degrees. Place the steak on the grill, cover and cook for 5 min, uncover and turn the steak to the other side and repeat the process. Slice the steak while hot and serve it with the mango mixture spooned on top.

Salmon with Smoky Roasted Vegetables

Brussels sprouts lend you a little crunch while eating and gives you a different taste with salmon. This is a blend of veg and non-veg that is preferred by eaters who loves change of taste in their food and is one among the Super bowl Recipes for 2012.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Salmon with Roasted Veggies

Ingredients:-

6 ounce salmon
Lime juice
1 tsp. ancho chili powder or smoked paprika
Salt
Roasted veggies
¼ cup drained black beans
1 large wheat flour tortilla
½ cup avocado flesh
Shredded Brussels sprouts
2 tsps. Salsa Verde
Leaves from cilantro sprigs
2 tsps. Sour cream

Making:-

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Mix salmon, lime juice, ancho chili powder and salt. Roast it for 10 min until salmon is opaque but should hold moisture in the middle. Mix black beans and vegetables and heat in high for 1 min in the oven. Wrap the tortilla in a towel and microwave it for 30 sec until soft. First place the tortilla on the plate, then spoon the vegetables and black beans and salmon on top with Brussels sprouts, cilantro, salsa Verde and sour cream. Fold the tortilla and roll it tightly.

Chicken Breast Nachos

What is Super Bowl Sunday without a nacho? These are a staple at any Super Bowl Sunday and most wanted among Super bowl Recipes for 2012.

Super bowl Recipes for 2012 - Chicken Breast Nachos

Ingredients:-

16 corn tortillas
Canola oil
Salt
Sour cream
2 tsps. Cumin
2 tsps. Coriander
2 tsps. Oregano
Chili powder
1 tsp. pepper
Chicken breasts
3 tsps. Diced yellow onion
3 garlic cloves
1 diced red bell pepper
1 diced poblano pepper
1 jalapeno
¼ cup diced tomatoes
Lime juice
½ cup sliced radish
2 tsps. Chopped Cilantro
2 tsps. Chopped mint

Making:-

Heat canola oil in a pan and fry tortillas until crispy, then season with salt after draining. Mix all spice in a bowl and coat the chicken with a drizzle of canola oil and spice mixture. Cook the chicken for 3 min on each side and set aside. Heat canola oil and fry onions over medium heat for 4 min, and then add garlic, peppers, salt. Cook and stir occasionally and after removing from heat add tomatoes and lime juice. For the radish salad, mix radish and herbs in a bowl and serve. Now for serving spread sour cream over fried tortillas and spoon 1 tsp. of hot pepper relish and chicken with radish salad on top of it.

Claw Digital saved me from a scam - My review

2011-12-14T22:33:00.000-08:00

Thanks Mr.Timothy for the Review :) Our pleasure to keep you happy :

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Ovarian Cancer

2011-11-29T12:24:00.000-08:00

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is a disease produced by the rapid growth and division of cells within one or both ovaries-reproductive glands in which the ova, or eggs, and the female sex hormones are made. The ovaries contain cells that, under normal circumstances, reproduce to maintain tissue health. When growth control is lost and cells divide too much and too fast, a cellular mass or tumor is formed. If the tumor is confined to a few cell layers, for example, surface cells, and it does not invade surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered benign. If the tumor spreads to surrounding tissues or organs, it is considered malignant, or cancerous. When cancerous cells break away from the original tumor, travel through the blood or lymphatic vessels, and grow within other parts of the body, the process is known as metastasis.

Types of Ovarian cancer

There are 4 main types of ovarian cancer they are the following;

Ovarian cancer Cells

Epithelial ovarian tumors: These are derived from cells formed on the surface tissues of the ovary which is the most common type of ovarian cancer that occurs in adults.

Germ Cell: Ovarian tumors are formed in the egg producing cells within the body of the ovary. This occurs primarily in children and teens and is rare by comparison to epithelial ovarian tumors. It is also called dysgerminoma.

Sex cord stromal: These ovarian tumors are also rare in comparison to epithelial tumors and this class of tumors often produces steroid hormones.

Low malignant potential ovarian cancer: Precancerous cells are formed in the tissue covering the ovary which seldom spreads beyond the ovary.

Signs of ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer Signs

Ovarian cancer has been called the "silent killer" because symptoms often become apparent only when the cancer has spread and is harder to treat. Early stage ovarian cancer may not cause many symptoms, or they may be vague and overlooked. Symptoms in your pelvis may be due to an enlarging ovary putting pressure on your bladder or bowel. Trouble is, these symptoms are relatively common and associated with a number of different health problems, from irritable bowel syndrome to urinary tract infections. They are more likely to be due to other, less serious problems. But if you have these symptoms almost daily for more than a few weeks, report them to your health care professional right away.

· Abdominal Swelling/Bloating/Clothes Too Tight
· Abdominal/Pelvic Pain or Pressure or Feeling "Full"
· Gastrointestinal Symptoms (such as gas, indigestion, nausea, or changes in bowel movements)
· Vaginal Bleeding or Discharge
· Changes in bowel habits such as constipation
· Urinary Problems - Urgency, Burning, or Spasms
· Fatigue and/or Fever
· Pain During Intercourse
· Loss of appetite
· Back Pain
· Difficulty Breathing

Ovarian cancer causes

Though we may not know exactly the ovarian cancer causes, we may arrive at certain predictable factors;

· Family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer
· If the women is post-menopausal
· Alcohol consumption
· Having endometriosis or ovarian cysts
· Suffer from obesity
· Haven given birth
· smoking
· Has undergone estrogen replacement therapy
· Male hormones such as androgens can cause ovarian cancer
· Inheriting faulty genes such as BRCA1 and BRCA2

Ovarian cancer risk factors

Some of the risk factors for the most common type of ovarian cancer are listed below;

Age: Most ovarian cancers happen after change of life (menopause). Half of all these cancers are found in women over the age of 65.

Obesity: Very overweight women seem to have a higher risk of getting ovarian cancer. The risk went up by 50% in the heaviest women.

Having children: Women having children has very low risk of having ovarian cancer.

Higher number of lifetime ovulations: There is a link between total number of ovulations during a woman’s life and ovarian cancer, the influential factors include;

· Had never been pregnant
· Never had taken contraceptive pills
· Early start of menstruation
· Late start of menopause

Female surgery: Having your "tubes tied" (tubal ligation) may reduce the chance of getting ovarian cancer. Removal of the uterus without removing the ovaries (a hysterectomy) also seems to reduce the risk of getting ovarian cancer.

Fertility drugs: Some studies have found that use of the fertility drug clomiphene citrate for longer than one year, especially if no pregnancy took place, may increase the risk of LMP tumors. But not having children also increases the risk, even without the use of fertility drugs. Research in this area is now going on. If you are taking this drug, you should talk to your doctor about the possible risks.

Male hormones: Androgens are male hormones and women who took androgens were found to have a higher risk of ovarian cancer.

Estrogen therapy and hormone therapy: Some recent studies suggest women using estrogens after menopause have an increased risk of ovarian cancer. The risk seems to be higher in women taking estrogen alone (without progesterone) for many years (at least 5 or 10). The increased risk is less certain for women taking both estrogen and progesterone.

Family history of ovarian cancer, breast cancer, or colorectal cancer: Ovarian cancer can run in families and have higher risk if your mother, sister, or daughter has (or had) ovarian cancer. Increased risk for ovarian cancer does not have to come from your mother's side of the family - it can also come from your father's side.

Genetic changes and syndromes: Certain inherited gene changes (mutations) can increase the risk of ovarian cancer which includes changes in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. The BRCA1 gene is estimated to increase ovarian cancer risk by 35% to 70% and the BRCA2 by 10% to 30%. In some cancers, gene mutations may result from radiation or cancer-causing chemicals. A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that together point to a certain disorder or disease. The following syndromes increase the risk of ovarian cancer:

· Cowden's disease
· Hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer
· Peutz-Jeghers syndrome
· MUTYH-associated polyposis

Talcum powder: Some studies have shown a slight increase in risk of ovarian cancer among women who used talcum powder on the genital area. Asbestos in the powder may explain the link. But these products have been free of asbestos for more than 20 years.

Diet: A study of women who followed a low-fat diet for at least 4 years showed a lower risk of ovarian cancer. Some studies have shown a reduced rate of ovarian cancer in women who ate a diet high in vegetables, but other studies disagree. A healthy diet can help prevent other diseases, too, including some other types of cancer.

Analgesics: Both aspirin and acetaminophen have been shown to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. However who don’t take these medicines already should not start taking this regularly as to prevent ovarian cancer.

Smoking and Alcohol: These increase the risk of ovarian cancer deliberately due to the presence of certain substances in them.

Treatments for lung cancer

2011-11-25T11:01:00.000-08:00

Treatments for lung cancer

Treatments for lung cancer

Lung cancer treatments depend on the category and stage of the cancer. And the other factors that are considered while selecting a treatment are age, health condition, and additional personal characteristics. Usually a combination of therapies and palliative care is given as part of the treatment. The main lung cancer treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation. Now let us see the treatments for lung cancer,

Surgery

It is the removal of the entire lobe in which the tumor is located, is the primary treatment for patients with early-stage cancer who are in good general health. The goal of surgery is to totally eliminate all the tumor cells and thereby provide a cure. This is performed for NSCLC that has not spread beyond the lungs and removal does not always result in a cure, since the tumors may already have spread and can recur at a later time. Unfortunately, lung cancers tend to develop in smokers more than 50 years of age, who very often have other lung disease or serious medical conditions that magnify the risk of surgery. The location and size of a lung tumor dictate how extensive the operation must be. Open thoracotomy is one of the treatments for lung cancer or less invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery, using smaller incisions, may be recommended for appropriately selected patients. Surgery is less often performed with SCLC than with NSCLC because these tumors are less likely to be localized to one area that can be removed.

Lobectomy is the removal of the entire lobe whereas pneumonectomy is the removal of the entire lung. Sometimes lymph nodes of the lungs may be removed which is called as lymphadenectomy. If lung function prohibits lobectomy, a small cancer confined to a limited area can be removed with a small portion of surrounding lung tissue which is one of the treatments for lung cancer. This is called a sublobar resection, and may be either a wedge resection or a segmentectomy. There is a possible higher risk of recurrence with more limited surgery than a lobectomy. Patients lose less lung function as a smaller portion of lung is removed and carries an operative mortality risk of 1.4 percent. The risks of surgery include complications due to bleeding, infection, and complications of general anesthesia.

Radiation Therapy

Treatments for lung cancer - Radiation Therapy

It delivers high energy x-rays that destroys rapidly developing cancer cells and is the most opted treatments for lung cancer for those who don’t prefer surgery,

· As Primary treatment
· Before surgery to shrink tumor
· After surgery to eliminate remaining cancer cells in the treated area

Radiation therapy is one of the best among treatments for lung cancer that may be given as curative therapy, palliative therapy, or as adjuvant therapy in combination with surgery or chemotherapy. The patients may include the elderly, those with chronic heart failure, and those receiving a blood-thinning drug that puts them at risk of surgical bleeding. More recently, a newer technique called Stereotactic Body Radio Therapy (SBRT) which involves a multitude of small, focused radiation beams tracking the lung tumor along with its respiratory movement, in typically three to five treatments that treatment delivers very high doses of radiation therapy to the lung cancer in patients where surgery is not an option. SBRT is primarily used in the setting of early stage, localized disease. The radiation is either delivered externally through machine that directs radiation towards the cancer cells or internally through a radioactive substance. Brachytherapy is a term used to describe the use of a small pellet of radioactive material placed directly into the cancer or into the airway next to the cancer. This is usually done through a bronchoscope.

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy is a fairly new technique based on a 3-D image of the tumor taken with CT scanning. This image serves as the target for a high-dose radiation beam that automatically changes its shape and size to match the tumor. This method minimizes radiation exposure of nearby normal lung tissue. A type of external radiation therapy called the "gamma knife" is sometimes used to treat single brain metastases. In this procedure, multiple beams of radiation coming from different directions are focused on the tumor over a few minutes to hours while the head is held in place by a rigid frame. This reduces the dose of radiation that is received by noncancerous tissues.

The unpleasant side effects of this therapy include fatigue and lack of energy. In addition to it reduced WBC and low blood platelet levels can also occur. This generally irritates the skin since the radiation is passed through the skin to the lungs. This is one of the best treatments for lung cancer.

Chemotherapy

Treatments for lung cancer - Chemotherapy

This is one of the best treatments of lung cancer that involves drugs that are toxic to cancer cells which is usually given by direct injection into a vein or through a catheter placed in a large vein. Often given after surgery to sterilize microscopic disease, chemotherapy also may slow tumor growth and relieve symptoms in patients who cannot have surgery. While a number of chemotherapeutic drugs have been developed, the class of drugs known as the platinum-based drugs has been the most effective in treatment of lung cancers. This is the best choice for most SCLC since they are generally widespread in the body when they are diagnosed. Only half of people who have SCLC survive for four months without chemotherapy. Chemotherapy alone is not particularly effective in treating NSCLC, but when NSCLC has metastasized; it can prolong survival in many cases.

Chemotherapy may cause significant side effects, such as nausea with vomiting and damage to the white blood cells that are needed to combat infection, but there now are ways to counter and treat most of these effects. Unfortunately, the drugs used in chemotherapy also kill normally dividing cells in the body, resulting in unpleasant side effects. Damage to blood cells can result in increased susceptibility to infections and difficulties with blood clotting. Other side effects include fatigue, weight loss, hair loss, diarrhea, and mouth sores.

Treatment for Recurrent Tumors

If it occurs again after the treatments for lung cancer such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy etc., it is called as recurrent tumors. A type of chemotherapy referred to as second-line chemotherapy is used to treat recurrent cancers that have previously been treated with chemotherapy.

Photodynamic Therapy

Treatments for lung cancer - Photodynamic Therapy

This is newer therapy among treatments for lung cancer that involves; a photosynthesizing agent (such as a porphyrin, a naturally occurring substance in the body) is injected into the bloodstream a few hours prior to surgery. This is followed by which the physician applies a certain wavelength of light through a handheld wand directly to the site of the cancer and surrounding tissues. The energy from the light activates the agent causing the production of a toxin that destroys cancer cells. Porfimer Sodium is used as a photosynthesizing agent to ease the symptoms of esophageal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.

Radiofrequency Ablation

Treatments for lung cancer - Radiofrequency Ablation

This is one for the treatments for lung cancer which is alternative to surgery particularly in early stages of lung cancer. Here a needle is inserted through the skin into the cancer and radio frequency energy is passed to the tip of the needle where heat is produced in the tissues killing cancer cells.

Palliative Care

When compared with patients receiving standard care, patients receiving early palliative care had less aggressive care at the end of life but longer survival. Chemotherapy can be combined with palliative care in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. With adequate physical fitness, maintaining chemotherapy during lung cancer palliation offers a 1.5 to 3 months prolongation of survival, symptomatic relief and an improvement in quality of life with better results.

Lung cancer effects

The effects of lung cancer can be devastating both to the individual who has lung cancer and also to his or her family. This causes more deaths in women and men across the world than all other cancers. Lung cancer most often starts with a heavy feeling in the chest or a persistent cough that won't go away no matter what you do for it. Over time, lung cancer can spread rapidly or be a more lethargic form of cancer that grows very slowly. Though lung cancer can be cured if it’s caught early enough, any cancer that goes untreated will eventually cause death. While some patients experience little or no discomfort in the beginning, other lung cancer patients, whether suffering from mesothelioma lung cancer, small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung cancer, may suffer horrendously due to the side effects that lung cancer can cause, as well as from the effects of the treatments. Signs and Effects of Lung Cancer are,

· Shortness of breath
· Persistent cough
· Heaviness or a dull, achy pain in the chest area
· Coughing up bloody sputum
· Wheezing or hoarseness
· Chronic pneumonia or bronchial infections
· Fatigue
· Unexplained weight loss

Lung Cancer

2011-11-25T10:36:00.000-08:00

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer

what is lung cancer

The uncontrolled growth of normal cells in the lungs that become abnormal and grow out of control is known as Lung cancer. These changes can take place anywhere from the windpipe, down to the small air sacs in the periphery of the lungs where oxygen exchange take place. Normal lung tissue is made up of cells that are programmed by nature to create lungs of a certain shape and function, but sometimes to a cell go haywire and that cell and its offspring reproduce wildly, without regard for the shape and function of a lung. That wild reproduction can form tumors that clog up the lung and make it stop functioning as it should. Because of the large size of the lungs, cancer may grow for many years, undetected, without causing suspicion.

Lung cancer Types

Lung cancer

Depending on the size or appearance of the cancer cells under a microscope, there are two main types of lung cancer, they are;

· Non-small cell lung cancer
· Small cell lung cancer

Small cell cancer, at 20% is a rapidly growing, rapidly spreading tumor caused primarily by smoking. SCLC metastasizes rapidly in many sites within the body and are most often discovered after they have spread extensively. Referring to a specific cell appearance often seen when examining samples of SCLC under the microscope, these cancers are sometimes called oat cell carcinomas. There are 3 types of SCLC where the cancer cells of each type grow and spread in different ways. These types of small cell lung cancer are named for the kinds of cells found in the cancer and how the cells look when viewed under a microscope:

· Small cell carcinoma (oat cell cancer).
· Mixed small cell/large cell carcinoma.
· Combined small cell carcinoma.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common accounting for almost 80% of cancers. NSCLC can be further divided into four different types, each with different treatment options:

· Squamous cell carcinoma or epidermoid carcinoma - As the most common type of NSCLC and the most common type of lung cancer in men, squamous cell carcinoma forms in the lining of the bronchial tubes.
· Adenocarcinoma - As the most common type of lung cancer in women and in nonsmokers, adenocarcinoma forms in the mucus-producing glands of the lungs. It also arises in the outer or peripheral areas of the lungs.
· Bronchioalveolar carcinoma - This type of lung cancer is a rare type of adenocarcinoma that forms near the lungs' air sacs. This frequently develops at multiple sites in the lungs and spreads along the preexisting alveolar walls.
· Large-cell undifferentiated carcinoma - A rapidly growing cancer, large-cell undifferentiated carcinomas form near the outer edges or surface of the lungs. This is the least common form of NSCLC responsible for about 10% of cases that is named for the appearance of large round cells when examined under the microscope. This develops in the outer regions of the lungs and tends to grow rapidly.

Diagnosis for lung cancer

Lung cancer is often diagnosed after an abnormal spot is found in the chest x-ray done to evaluate a cough or chest pain. In addition to asking about symptoms and risk factors for cancer development such as smoking, doctors may detect signs of breathing difficulties, airway obstruction, or infections in the lungs. Cyanosis, a bluish color of the skin and the mucous membranes due to insufficient oxygen in the blood, suggests compromised function due to chronic disease of the lung. Likewise, changes in the tissue of the nail beds, known as clubbing, also may indicate chronic lung disease. A complete physical examination will be done with special attention to the lungs, the lymph nodes in your neck, underarms and the abdomen. Sputum, blood, urine and other body fluids will be examined too. Blood tests may help determine whether the cancer has spread to an organ such as the liver, but such tests must be done in conjunction with other studies. The following tests are done in order to diagnose lung cancer,

Chest X-ray:

Lung cancer - X-ray

This is one of the first tests done to diagnose tumors inside lungs. The smallest tumor that can be seen on a chest X-ray is about 1/2-inch in diameter. But even if a tumor is not seen, the chest X-ray may offer other clues to the diagnosis, such as pneumonia in the lung. Other possible clues are enlarged lymph nodes (which may be filled with cancer cells), and pleural effusion, an accumulation of fluid in the space between the lung and the chest wall. In particular, calcified nodules in the lungs or benign tumors called hamartomas may be identified on a chest X-ray and mimic lung cancer.

CT Scans:

Lung cancer - CT Scan

This is frequently the second step either to follow up on an abnormal chest x-ray finding or to evaluate troublesome symptoms in those with a normal chest x-ray. It involves a series of x-rays that create a 3d view of the lungs and the images are taken by a large donut shaped x-ray machine at different angles around the body. This is more sensitive than x-rays in the detection of lung nodules that exposes the patient to minimal radiation. To allow a better picture, dye will probably be injected into a vein in your arm. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have ever had an allergy to X-ray dye or to seafood. The most common side effect is the adverse reaction to intravenous contrast material given prior to the procedure which may result in itching, rash that generally disappear quickly.

A spiral CT scan or a low dose helical CT scan is also used for diagnosing lung cancer. This procedure requires a special type of CT scanner and has not yet been proven whether the use of this technique actually saves lives. Because of the heightened sensitivity of this method it is a drawback which requires further evaluation in 20% of people.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI):

Lung cancer - MRI

This procedure uses magnetism and does not involve radiation which should not be done by people having metal implants and hence no side effects. The image and resolution produced by MRI is quite detailed and can detect tiny changes of structures within the body. It may also be used to evaluate blood vessel or bone involvement of a lung tumor, when this information is not clear on the CAT scan.

Sputum Cytology:

Lung cancer - Sputum Cytology

The sputum sample is examined under the microscope for the presence of cancer cells in the lungs which is a material coughed up from the respiratory tract and this can avoid the need for biopsy. This is the most risk-free and inexpensive tissue diagnostic procedure, but its value is limited since tumor cells will not always be present in sputum even if a cancer is present.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan:

Lung cancer - PET Scan

PET scan uses radioactive material to create colorful 3-dimensional images of a region of the body. This type of scan differs from the others in that it defines tumors that are actively growing. This scan measures metabolic activity and the function of tissues where the injected drug accumulates in certain tissues more than the others which discharge particles known as positrons from whatever tissues take them up. As the positrons encounter electrons within the body, a reaction producing gamma rays occurs. A scanner records these gamma rays and maps the area where the radioactive drug has accumulated.

Bronchoscopy:

Lung cancer - Bronchoscopy

A flexible lighted tube called a fiber optic bronchoscope is used to examine the airways, to see the tumor. This is usually an outpatient procedure that is important in deciding if surgery is needed. It is direct inspection of the inside of the breathing tubes with a thin fiber-optic instrument using local anesthetic and is the best test for tumors in the main bronchi in the centre of the chest. The procedure is uncomfortable and requires sedation but relatively safe where we get accurate results.

Bone Scans:

Lung cancer - Bone Scan

These are used to create images of bones on a computer screen or on film where it determines whether a lung cancer has metastasized to the bones. In a bone scan, a small amount of radioactive material is injected into the bloodstream and collects in the bones, especially in abnormal areas such as those involved by metastatic tumors which is detected by a scanner, and the image of the bones are recorded on a special film for permanent viewing.

Needle Biopsy:

Lung cancer - Needle Biopsy

With this procedure, a hollow needle is inserted through the chest wall, usually guided by CT visualization, to take a sample of the tumor. This can be performed for tumors that cannot be reached by bronchoscopy. Here the skin will be numbed with a local anesthetic then a needle is inserted into the area of disease in the lung through the skin between the ribs where the x-ray guidance ensures that the needle is inside the pulmonary lesion. There is a small chance that air will escape from your lung causing some degree of lung collapse called Pneumothorax.

Thoracentesis:

Lung cancer - Thoracentesis

When lung cancer affects the periphery of the lungs, it can create a fluid buildup between the lungs and the lung lining called pleural effusion. With local anesthesia, a larger needle is inserted into the pleural space from which either a diagnostic amount of fluid or a therapeutic amount of fluid is removed. It can also provide relief of symptoms if you have a large amount of fluid that is causing shortness of breath or chest pain.

Surgical Procedures:

Lung cancer - Surgery

Surgery is performed under general anesthesia in an operating room. Some procedures are discussed below;

Thoracoscopy- It is usually used if you have a nodule at the edge of the lung and has not been diagnosed by previous biopsy. The surgeon makes three small chest incisions for inserting a scope and biopsy instruments where the nodule is removed and examined by the pathologist under the microscope. If cancer is found, the surgeon will remove the lobe with the nodule (thoracotomy), usually at the same time. For thoracoscopy alone, the hospital stay is about 2-3 days.

Thoracotomy- This may be done when the chest X-ray is suspicious for cancer, which is a way to biopsy the suspicious area. The surgeon makes an incision, several inches long, in your chest to allow removal of a tumor and the surrounding lung tissue and the tissue is examined by a pathologist. If cancer is diagnosed and is a type that can be effectively treated by surgery, the surgeon will perform the operation at that time.

Mediastinoscopy-: It is named after the mediastinum, the area of the chest behind the breast bone which is used in evaluating the lymph nodes in the center of the chest to determine if the cancer has spread.

Depression Types - Major Depression

2011-11-17T11:39:00.000-08:00

Depression Types - Major Depression

Major depression

Major depression is also called as clinical depression or unipolar depression makes it difficult for you to work, study, sleep, eat and enjoy life. Depression is a chronic illness that usually requires long-term treatment, like diabetes or high blood pressure. It is a serious medical illness affecting 15 million American adults, or approximately 5-8 percent of the adult population in a given year. Unlike normal emotional experiences of sadness, loss or passing mood states, major depression is persistent and can significantly interfere with an individual’s thoughts, behavior, mood, activity and physical health. Some people may have trouble sleeping, lose weight or feel agitated and irritable. For those who have recurrent episodes of major depression, the course of the illness tends to vary. Some people experience bouts of depression separated by years between episodes in which there are no symptoms. Others may have periods of several episodes. Still others may have more and more occurrences as they age. Some studies have indicated that the more depressive episodes a person experiences, the less time there is between the episodes. Also, the number of episodes a person has had may predict the possibility of having another bout with depression. Of those who have had a single major depressive episode, 50%-60% may develop a second one. About 70% of those who have had two episodes may have a third, and 90% who have had three may have a fourth.

For both genders it is most common in those who are 25-44 years of age, and least common for those over the age of 65. In children, clinical depression affects girls and boys at about the same rate. At any one point in time, 5%-9% of women and 2%-3% of men are likely to be clinically depressed. The development of major depressive disorder may be related to certain medical illnesses. As many as 20%-25% of those who have illnesses such as cancer, stroke, diabetes, and myocardial infarction are likely to develop major depressive disorder sometime during the presence of their medical illness. Managing or treating a medical condition can be more difficulty if a person is also clinically depressed.

Causes of major depression

Many researchers believe it is caused by chemical changes in the brain. This may be due to a problem with your genes, or triggered by certain stressful events. More likely, it's a combination of both. It appears that major depression often requires stress to "get the ball rolling", but after a few episodes, the illness develops its own momentum and no longer needs stress to "keep rolling". This is a familiar pattern seen in many medical illnesses. However, it is generally believed that clinical depression is most often caused by the influence of more than just one or two factors. For instance, a person whose mother had recurrent major depression may have inherited a vulnerability to developing clinical depression (genetic influence). This combined with how the person thinks about him- or herself (psychological influence) in response to the stress of going through a divorce (environmental influence), may put him or her at a greater risk for developing depression than someone else who does not have such influences.

Major depression

As with many mental illnesses, it appears a variety of factors may be involved. These include:

· Biological Factors - People with major depression appear to have physical changes in their brains. The significance of these changes is uncertain but may eventually help pinpoint causes.
· Neurotransmitters - These naturally occurring brain chemicals linked to mood are thought to play a direct role in major depression.
· Stress – Psychological and environmental stressors can contribute to a depressive episode which includes financial responsibilities or worries, family concerns, social isolation, difficulties in relationships with friends and partners, being on one’s own in a new environment, exposure to new ideas and people etc.
· Alcohol - A lot of depressed people, especially young adults and men, have problems with alcohol or other drugs. Sometimes the depression comes first and people try alcohol or other drugs as a way to escape it. Other times, the alcohol/drug use comes first, and the drug itself, or withdrawal from it, or the problems caused by substance use, may lead to depression.
· Hormones - Changes in the body's balance of hormones may be involved in causing or triggering depression that can result from thyroid problems, menopause and a number of other conditions.
· Inherited traits – Major Depression is more common in people whose biological family members also have the condition.
· Life events - Events such as the death or loss of a loved one, financial problems and high stress can trigger depression in some people.
· Early childhood trauma - Traumatic events during childhood, such as abuse or loss of a parent, may cause permanent changes in the brain that make you more susceptible to depression.

Symptoms of major depression disorder

People who have major depression usually see everything with a more negative attitude, unable to imagine that any problem or situation can be solved in a positive way. Symptoms of depression can include:

· Agitation, restlessness, and irritability
· Dramatic change in appetite, often with weight gain or loss
· Very difficult to concentrate
· Frequent thoughts of death, dying or suicide
· Indecisiveness, distractibility and decreased concentration
· Reduced sex drive
· Crying spells for no apparent reason
· Fatigue, tiredness and lack of energy
· Feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
· Feelings of worthlessness, sadness, self-hate, and guilt
· Becoming withdrawn or isolated
· Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyed
· Trouble in concentrating and remembering things
· Physical problems such as back pain or headaches
· Thoughts of death or suicide
· Slow thinking, speaking or body movements
· Trouble sleeping or excessive sleeping or insomnia
· Blaming yourself on past failures
· Depression can appear as anger and discouragement

Major depression affects each person in different ways, so depression symptoms vary from person to person. Inherited traits, age, gender and cultural background all play a role in how depression may affect you.

Major depression treatment

There are number of treatments available but medications and psychotherapy are very effective on most people. Let us see some therapies for major depression;

Self-Initiated actions

Psycho – education - Self - education about depression, the causes, course, mode of treatment and how they work is imperative. Discovering about major depression helps to dispel the mystery, fearfulness and the uncertainty that accompanies the illness.

Reducing stress - Stress can cause depression and exacerbate the existing depression thus inhibiting recovery. Moreover, those who are depressed are often less competent in handling stress, therefore stress reduction becomes pivotal. Most stress can be minimized by identifying the source of the stress, objectively evaluating its significance and embracing the challenge to change.

Don't make major decisions – Major depression can alter your perception about the world, yourself, your thoughts and coping skills. Leave the making of major decisions until recovered.

Eat healthy - As depression is frequently associated with energy loss, a healthy diet is imperative. Avoid junk foods and carbohydrates; these foods temporarily make you feel good but they don't help your recovery. Minimize coffee and other stimulants and maximize fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish intake. Nutritional supplements may also be helpful; a deficiency in the B Vitamins has been identified in depression, particularly B1, B2, B6 and Folic Acid. A check for iron deficiency is also helpful as a deficiency can lead to fatigue and exacerbate depression.

Avoid alcohol and drugs - Although alcohol and drugs can make you feel good, they often exacerbate depression and interfere with the effectiveness of medications.

Exercise - Exercise improves mood and reduces stress; for some, exercise alone is effective in treating depression and preventing relapse. Exercise every day, doing aerobic and anaerobic exercises.

Drug Treatment

Anti-depressants are used to treat major depression such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic anti-depressants, Bupropion, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, norepinephrine and dopamine reuptake inhibitors and atypical anti-depressants etc. these are generally categorized by how they affect the naturally occurring chemicals in your brain to change the mood.

Physical Treatments

This includes electroconvulsive therapy, vagus nerve stimulation, and Trans magnetic stimulation where electric currents are passed to the brain.

Psychological Treatments

The two most utilized therapies in the treatment of major depression are interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavioral therapy where the former involves dealing with interpersonal issues in depression on relationships and the latter involves correcting the negative thoughts in order to overcome the patient’s pessimism and hopelessness.

Depression Types - Postpartum depression

2011-11-16T13:12:00.000-08:00

Depression Types - Postpartum depression

Postpartum depression

The birth of a baby can trigger a jumble of emotions that is highly powerful, from excitement and joy to fear and anxiety. Moms feel upset, alone, afraid or unloving towards their baby where it goes away on their own after some time. This occurs in the first few months after child birth and can also happen after miscarriage. With the baby blues, you may have trouble sleeping and feel moody, teary, and overwhelmed that lasts several weeks and starts 3 days after delivery. You may have these feelings along with being happy about your baby. Postpartum depression is more debilitating than the "blues." Women with this condition suffer despondency, tearfulness, feeling of inadequacy, guilt, anxiety, irritability and fatigue.

A woman with postpartum depression may regard her child with ambivalence, negativity or disinterest. An adverse effect on the bonding between mother and child may result. The severe form of depression is called as postpartum psychosis which is very worse that may put her or others in danger. The symptoms include extreme confusion, fatigue, agitation, alterations in mood, feelings of hopelessness and shame, hallucinations and rapid speech or mania. Studies indicate that it affects only one in 1000 births.

Postpartum depression isn't a character flaw or a weakness. Sometimes postpartum depression is simply a complication of giving birth. If you have postpartum depression, prompt treatment can help you manage your symptom and enjoy your baby. The causes of postpartum depression are;

· Hormone imbalance where levels of the hormones estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol fall dramatically within 48 hours after delivery.
· Women who go on to develop postpartum depression may be more sensitive to these hormonal changes.
· Mental illness before pregnancy and postpartum mental disorder after an earlier pregnancy.
· Conflict in the marriage, loss of employment, or poor social support from friends and family.
· Pregnancy loss such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
· Physical changes after delivery, including changes in muscle tone and difficulty losing weight.
· Tiredness after giving birth
· Soreness and pain in your perianal area makes many women uncomfortable. Physical recovery after cesarean delivery may take even longer than after vaginal delivery.
· Changes in hormones can affect mood.
· Feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities of motherhood.
· Feeling stress from changes in routine.
· Feeling fatigue because of broken sleep patterns.
· Feeling less attractive physically and sexually

Postpartum depression may appear to be the baby blues at first — but the signs and symptoms are more intense and longer lasting, eventually interfering with your ability to care for your baby and handle other daily tasks. The symptoms of postpartum depression includes,

·         Sad feeling, irritability, hopelessness and anxiousness
·         Lose pleasure in things or lack of joy
·         Severe mood swings
·         Loss of appetite and loss of weight
·         Withdrawal from friends and family
·         Sleeping problems or insomnia
·         Difficulty bonding with the baby
·         Headaches, numbness, chest pain and hyperventilation
·         Concentration issues
·         Fatigue

With postpartum psychosis is a rare condition that typically develops within the first two weeks after delivery and the symptoms are even more severe such as confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, delusions and attempts to harm yourself and the baby.

Postpartum depression can develop after the birth of any child and the risk increases if:

· You have a history of depression, either during pregnancy or at other times
· You had postpartum depression after a previous pregnancy
· You've experienced stressful events during the past year, including illness, job loss or pregnancy complications
· You're having problems in your relationship with your spouse or significant other
· You have a weak support system
· You have financial problems
· unplanned or unwanted pregnancy
The risk of postpartum psychosis is higher for women who have bipolar disorder.

Postpartum depression treatment

For postpartum blues, no specific treatment may be necessary because the condition goes away by itself. Treatment and recovery time vary, depending on the severity of your depression and your individual needs.

Baby blues

The baby blues usually fade on their own within a few days to weeks. Accept help from family, friends and connect with other new moms. Avoid alcohol, which can make mood swings worse. If you have an underactive thyroid, your doctor may prescribe thyroid medication.

Psychotherapy Treatment

Postpartum depression Treatment

This is an extremely effective therapy for postpartum depression done by a group or an individual because majority of mothers don’t like to take medication on account of breastfeeding. A good therapist can help you successfully deal with the adjustments of motherhood.

Hormone Therapy Treatment

The hormone oestrogen replacement helps a great deal in treating the postpartum depression that is used with an anti-depressant which helps counteract the rapid drop in oestrogen that accompanies childbirth.

Anti-Depressants

When the mother is suffering from a severe case of postpartum depression where she is not in a position to care for her baby this type of treatment is an option. Studies show that tricyclic depressants reaching the baby through mother’s milk are undetectable or very low. Drugs such as fluoxetine, sertraline or venlafaxine may be given as a year.

Other Medications

While the postpartum depression is rarely united to nutritional problems it is a good idea to continue to take prenatal vitamins and iron after delivery.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Postpartum depression - ECT

During ECT, a small amount of electrical current is applied to your brain to produce brain waves similar to those that occur during a seizure. The chemical changes triggered by the electrical currents can reduce the symptoms of depression, especially when other treatments have failed or when you need immediate results.

Self Help

Getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet daily and finding time to relax is excellent. The best way to help yourself is to find people or someone to whom you can talk about your emotions and feelings. Finding the right people to help you to do your errands, housework and child care will help you to get the rest you need. Some more tips for overcoming postpartum depression are;

· Try not to spend much time alone.
· Spend some time alone with your husband or partner.
· Take a shower and get dressed every day.
· Get out of the house and take a walk, see a friend, do something you enjoy. Get someone to take care of the baby if you can; if you can't, take the baby with you.
· Don't expect too much from yourself. Don't worry too much about the housework.
· Talk to other mothers where you can learn from each other, and their experiences can be reassuring.
· If the depression persists for longer than 2 weeks or is very deep, talk to your health care provider. Self-care alone is not recommended.

Left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with mother-child bonding and cause family problems. Children of mothers who have untreated postpartum depression are more likely to have behavioral problems, such as sleeping and eating difficulties, temper tantrums and hyperactivity. Untreated postpartum depression can last up to a year or longer and sometimes becomes a chronic depressive disorder.

Depression Types - Resistant depression

2011-11-16T11:39:00.000-08:00

Depression Types - Resistant depression

Resistant depression

What is Resistant depression

Many say that it’s a case of depression that doesn’t respond to two different antidepressants from different classes. Other experts say that a person needs to try at least four different treatments before depression can be truly considered treatment-resistant. Treatment resistant depression symptoms can range from mild to severe and may require trying a number of approaches to identify what helps. As many as two-thirds of people with depression aren’t helped by the first antidepressant they try. Up to a third don’t respond to several attempts at treatment. Treatment resistant depression can leave you hopeless. Months or even years can go by without any relief. And after the effort it took to get help, it can be demoralizing when you’re just not getting better. The symptoms as frustration, sadness and lack of interest in activities do not disappear even in case of treatment or come back after short improvement.

Combination of environmental factors and genetic background may cause treatment resistant depression. These factors affect neurotransmitters and upset chemical balance in the brain. Treatment-resistant depression may also be caused by such factors as improper medication taking, emotional stress, and other health problems. Depression is sometimes worsened by such disorders as chronic pain, anxiety disorders, thyroid disorders, heart problems, anemia, and substance abuse.

Depression is highly treatable with treatments such as therapy, medicine, and lifestyle changes. But it may not always be easily treated. For many people, depression may continue despite treatment. They may have treatment resistant depression or TRD. This happens when medicine partly relieves their symptoms or does not help at all. If your depression symptoms continue despite treatment, see a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating mental health conditions (psychiatrist). You may also need to see a psychologist or other mental health professional for psychological counseling.

Treatment Resistant depression

Treatment resistant depression can be hard to diagnose. Sometimes, other conditions or problems can cause similar symptoms. So when you meet with your doctor, he or she will want to:

· Confirm the diagnosis - Some people who apparently have treatment resistant depression were misdiagnosed as they never had depression in the first place. Instead, they have conditions like bipolar disorder and have been getting the wrong treatment. Other people have dysthymia – a low-level, chronic depression – that is distinct from treatment resistant depression.
· Ask about any life situations – which might be contributing to your depression.
· Make sure you’ve been using your medicine correctly - Up to half of all people who get prescribed drugs for depression don’t take them as recommended and they miss doses or stop taking them because of side effects. Some give up too soon as it can take up to 12 weeks for a medicine to take effect.
· Reviewing all medications – Your doctor would review all the prescribed, non-prescribed drugs and herbal supplements.
· Check for other cause - Other issues ranging from thyroid problems to substance abuse – can worsen or cause depression. Sometimes, switching medicines or treating an underlying condition can resolve a hard-to-treat depression.
· Diagnosis of Bipolar disorder – This means another mental health condition that can cause or worsen depression which requires different treatment approach.
· Changing prescriptions – If one medicine doesn’t work your doctor would recommend another. For a number of people the first depressant isn’t that effective so he/she may switch from one anti-depressant to another in the same class or may try altogether a new one.
· Increase the dose – of the medicine already been prescribed.
· Using cytochrome genotyping test – This test checks for specific genes that indicate how well your body can process a medication.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Resistant depression - ECT

In ECT, electrical currents are passed through the brain to trigger a brief seizure. Although many people are leery of ECT and its potential side effects, it can offer immediate relief of even severe depression when other treatments don't work. It is still the most effective treatment for psychotic depression and severe refractory depression along with resistant depression. This is used in people with serious life threatening depression that can’t be resolved by other treatments which uses electrical impulses to trigger controlled seizures in the brain.

Talk Therapy

Resistant depression - Talk Therapy

This focuses on talking to the patient in resolving certain relationship issues that involves family members in counseling. Working out the stress in your relationships can help with resistant depression.

Augmentation Therapy

This involves adding second agent to the therapeutic regimen when there is only a partial response to the antidepressant agent. Four agents frequently used in augmentation therapy are lithium, thyroid hormone, the beta blocker pindolol (Visken) and buspirone (Buspar). It is helpful to review the neurotransmitter serotonin, the 5-HT receptor and the mechanism for antidepressant actions as they relate to the 5-HT1A receptor to understand the rationale for augmentation therapy.

Psychodynamic Treatment

This involves in exploring your feelings and beliefs in depth which may take longer than other treatments by helping to resolve underlying problems linked to your resistant depression.

Vagnus Nerve Stimulation

Resistant depression - VNS

Like ECT, it uses electrical stimulation to relieve the symptoms of depression. The difference is that the device is surgically implanted in your chest that is connected by a wire to a nerve in your neck. Electrical signals from the implant travel along the vagus nerve to the mood centers of the brain, which may improve depression symptoms. The evidence that VNS helps with treatment resistant depression is unclear.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Resistant depression - TMS

It also uses electrical stimulation to treat depression which seems to be less effective than ECT and is safer with very few side effects. With this treatment, magnetic fields are used to alter brain activity. A large electromagnetic coil is held against your scalp near your forehead to produce an electrical current in your brain. This is best for people who have moderate depression.

Psychosurgery

The use of this in treating resistant depression is successful following stereotactic leukotomy. Complications include epilepsy and irreversible personality changes so it remains the last line of somatic treatment for the patients.

Self Help

Resistant depression - No Alcohol

· Stop drinking or using drugs as, many people with depression tend to drink too much alcohol or use drugs which worsens the depression. The treatment may be unsuccessful until you address your substance use
· Manage stress by solving relationship issues, financial problems or unhappy work life and a number of other issues that contribute to stress. Try stress reduction techniques such as yoga, meditation or journaling.
· Sleep well because both the amount of time you sleep and how well you sleep can affect your mood, energy level, ability to concentrate and resilience to stress. If you have trouble sleeping, research ways to improve your sleep habits on your own or ask your doctor or mental health provider how to improve your sleep.
· Regular exercise affects your mood where in addition to it certain gentle physical activity such as gardening, walking can reduce stress and ease resistant depression symptoms.

Experts are researching new techniques to tackle treatment resistant depression, like deep brain stimulation and MST (magnetic seizure therapy.) Although some studies have been promising, more research needs to be done. But if you’re interested in trying them, talk to your doctor about joining a clinical trial. Some doctors may recommend hospitalization for treatment resistant depression which is the best option because if your depression is severe you are at a risk of hurting yourself.

Life with depression is hard, but treatment resistant depression can be especially brutal. When one treatment after another doesn’t help, you can lose hope that you’ll ever feel better. All your efforts the doctor’s visits, the medication trials, the therapy sessions might seem like a waste. But they haven’t been a waste. Arriving at the right treatment for depression can take time. It can take some trial and error. Look at it this way: if you try a particular treatment and it doesn’t help, you’re that much closer to finding the one that will make you feel better.

Depression

2011-11-15T05:34:00.000-08:00

Depression

Depression

Feeling down from time to time is a normal part of life. But when emptiness and despair take hold and won't go away, it may be depression. It is a medical illness that involves the mind and body also called as major depression. More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn't a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply "snap out" of. Depression is a chronic illness that usually requires long-term treatment, like diabetes or high blood pressure. When you have depression it interferes with daily life and causes pain for you and those around you where people never seek treatment.

Physical symptoms of depression

Many people with depression suffer from chronic pain or other physical symptoms which includes:

· Headaches
· Back pain
· Anger or irritability
· Constipation
· Joint pain and muscle aches
· Chest pain
· Loss of energy
· Slow speech
· Dizziness
· Overeating or loss of appetite
· Change in appetite or weight
· Sleeping problems digestive problems or Insomnia
· Fatigue

Physical Symptoms of Depression

Psychological symptoms include:

· continuous low mood or sadness
· feelings of hopelessness and helplessness
· persistent sad or empty feelings
· low self-esteem
· tearfulness
· feelings of guilt
· feeling irritable and intolerant of others
· lack of motivation and little interest in things
· difficulty making decisions
· lack of enjoyment
· difficulty concentrating and making decisions
· suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself
· feeling anxious or worried
· self-loathing
· reduced sex drive

Male depression symptoms

Male Depression Symptoms

According to Australian government statistics, and to a number of US researchers, depression typically affects men in their 40s and 50s, whereas the peak time for depression to show up in women is in their teens and twenties. In men depression and its neurobiological identical twin, anxiety-typically occurs at a time of significant, and largely unrecognized hormonal changes similar to a woman's menopause. The symptoms of depression in men are different from the "blue mood" which typifies it in women. Men typically resist seeking help and male friends and colleagues don't ask in depth questions. Men don't equate sexual problems with depression. Men tend to deny having problems because they are supposed to be strong.

Men often are unwilling to admit to problems with their sexuality. Many mistakenly feel that the problems are related to their manhood, when, in fact, they are caused by a medical problem such as clinical depression. Men are less likely to show more "typical" signs of depression such as sadness. Depression in men may cause them to keep their feelings hidden. Instead of expressing a depressed mood, they may seem more irritable and aggressive. Men are each affected in different ways, but three of the most common signs are pain, risk taking, and anger.

Pain - Depression may show up as physical signs like constant headaches, stomach problems, or pain that doesn’t seem to be from other causes or that doesn’t respond to normal treatments.

Risk Taking - Sometimes depressed men will start taking risks like dangerous sports, compulsive gambling, reckless driving, and casual sex.

Anger - Anger can show itself in different ways like road rage, having a short temper, being easily upset by criticism, and even violence.

Some symptoms of male depression are,

· Men feel the world has set them up in order to fail and that others are to blame
· They have a loss of concentration and interest in their work and social activities.
· Scared of failures and fear that they will fail
· Feeling more anger and annoyed
· Feeling agitated and restlessness
· Have sleeping disorders
· Feel irritated and vent out their frustration
· Starts to blame their marriage rather than facing problems
· Starts using TV, alcohol, sports, drugs and sex to medicate
· Keep their guard at all times and feels suspicious always
· They believe that their worries and issues will be solved if their friends or relatives would help them
· Complain about having physical pains and aches

Diagnose depression

A depression diagnosis is often difficult to make because clinical depression can manifest in so many different ways. For example, some clinically depressed individuals seem to withdraw into a state of apathy. Others may become irritable or even agitated. Eating and sleeping patterns can be exaggerated. A depressed person may either sleep or eat to excess or almost eliminate those activities. Your GP may give you a physical examination and do some blood or urine tests to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms, such as underactive thyroid. Many different questionnaires are used to measure depression. However, two classifications of mental illness are most widely used:

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - This is a classification system based on all the known recorded symptoms associated with a particular mental condition. Your GP will ask you if you have certain symptoms and, depending on your answers, will be able to use the system to identify the condition.

International Classification of Diseases - This is a similar system of classifications, based on the known symptoms associated with particular diseases. Developed by the World Health Organization, it is a much wider system, covering all diseases (not just mental health). Your GP will ask you about your symptoms in order to classify your condition.

Solutions to depression

Depressed people often seem to have good reasons for feeling down, and from the outside looking in, those reasons may appear perfectly valid. The solution is to withdraw your attention from what depresses you and place it on what makes you feel really, really good. If you’re chronically depressed, however, it’s possible that virtually nothing in your life makes you feel good. Then spend more of your time focusing your attention on your imaginary creations and less of your time observing external reality.

Medications are given to depressed people to help alleviate it. Usually only this will not help still physicians prescribe anti-depressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, tricyclic medications and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Since certain emotions are associated with specific organs the imbalance in these can cause the build-up of negative emotions that must be released. Acupuncture seeks to release these emotions and restore balance. Exercise stimulates the production of neurochemicals that can elevate the mood which is good for mental and physical health. Yoga can help release the feelings of anger, frustration and irritability that can develop as a result of depression. Combining breathing exercises with physical movement and concentration, yoga calms the mind and fosters a new perspective on the current situation.

Psychotherapy: Psychotherapy, or “talk” therapy, means speaking with a trained mental health professional to learn techniques to cope with problems like Depression. There are different types of mental health professionals including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and licensed counselors, and there are different types of psychotherapy as well. Everyone is different, and finding the right person to talk to is important.

Interpersonal therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, and Psychodynamic therapy are some of the therapies that are regularly used to deal with Depression.
· Interpersonal therapy focuses on the patient’s disturbed personal relationships and how these relate to their depression.
· Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, or CBT, helps the depressed patient change negative thinking patterns and the behavior associated with Depression.
· Psychodynamic therapy seeks to resolve any conflicting feelings experienced by the patient. This last type of therapy is generally reserved until the patient’s Depressive symptoms have improved.

Osteoporosis

2011-11-13T09:30:00.000-08:00

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis

Definition for osteoporosis

It occurs when bones lose an excessive amount of their protein, mineral content and calcium. The word literally means ‘porous bones’ where over a time the bone mass and strength decreases that becomes fragile and break easily. So osteoporosis increases the risk for fractures giving stress to the bones.

Symptoms for osteoporosis

Osteoporosis Symptoms

The symptoms related to osteoporosis are weakened bones combined with back pain, stooped posture, curved upper back, broken bones, and loss of height. Initially it causes no symptoms but later it may cause dull pain and then sharp pains in bones or muscles particularly low back pain or neck pain. Hormones play a great part in developing the disease, and a decrease in hormone production either in men or women could usually lead to developing osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can also be hereditary since women who belong to mothers with osteoporosis will most likely develop symptoms of osteoporosis. If calcium is not absorbed efficiently by the body osteoporosis will result as bones will be fragile due to lack of calcium, vitamin D is very essential in the absorption of Calcium that is why Vitamin D and Calcium will go together as a supplement for people that have osteoporosis.

When the bones are significantly weakened, breakages of the wrist, hip or spinal bones are most common. Spinal compression fractures may result in loss of height with a stooped posture called as Dowager’s hump. A cough or a sneeze may cause the fracture of a rib or the partial collapse of one of the bones of the spine. A fractured bone in an older person can be serious, depending on where it occurs. It may lead to long-term disability. For example, a hip fracture may lead to long-term problems with mobility. One visible sign of osteoporosis is the characteristic stooping (bent forward) position that occurs in older people. It happens when the bones in the spine are fractured, making it difficult to support the weight of the body. As the bones shrink from osteoporosis, teeth may begin to loosen and fall out. Many times it is the dentist who sees the problem and urges a patient to seek medical attention.

Risk factor of osteoporosis

A number of risk factors that are modifiable can increase the likelihood that you will develop osteoporosis, they are the following;

Risk Factor of Osteoporosis

Less calcium and Vitamin D – Low calcium and vitamin D intake contributes to diminished bone density, early bone loss and an increased risk of fractures.

Cigarette or tobacco usage – Tobacco use contributes to weak bones.

Physical exercise – when there is no physical exercise for the body, it might lead to brittle bones.

Medications – Long term use of glucocorticoids and some anticonvulsants can lead to loss of bone density, which can ultimately result in fractures. Long-term use of corticosteroid medications, such as prednisone, cortisone, prednisolone and dexamethasone, is damaging to bone. These medications are common treatments for chronic conditions, such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and you may not be able to stop taking them to lessen your risk of osteoporosis.

Low body mass index – when the weight is very low and the ratio of height proportional to the weight of the body is very less, then it leads to weakness of the bones.

Eating disorders – Women and men with anorexia nervosa or bulimia are at higher risk of lower bone density.

Alcohol Intake – Excessive consumption of alcohol increases your risk of osteoporosis, possible it can interfere with the body’s ability to absorb calcium.

Lifestyle – People who spend a lot of time sitting have higher risk of osteoporosis where any weight bearing exercise is beneficial to your bones like walking, running, jumping, dancing and doing exercises are helpful in creating healthy bones.

Let us see some fixed risk factors;

Osteoporosis Fixed Risk Factors

Gender – Women have less bone tissue and lose bone faster than men because of the changes that happen with menopause.

Age – The older you are the greater is the risk of osteoporosis where the bones become thinner and weaker.

Ethnicity -African-American and Hispanic women have a lower risk. Caucasian and Asian women are at a highest risk of developing the disease.

Family history - People whose parents have a history of fractures also seem to have reduced bone mass and may be at risk for fractures themselves.

Hormonal deficiencies - Abnormal absence of menstrual periods, low estrogen levels, and low testosterone levels in men can bring on osteoporosis.

Body size - Small, thin-boned women are at greater risk for developing osteoporosis than larger women.

Effect of osteoporosis

Bone has a complex structure that achieves the maximum amount of strength for the least amount of weight. It can increase its thickness in areas subjected to repeated heavy loads, repairs itself when broken and is the site of manufacture of most of the components of blood. The most common effect is a bone fracture after a relatively minor accident.

Fracture of bones – Depending on where in the body the fracture occurs, the severity varies like in wrist fractures, which are less severe because they only affect the way the arm moves. The hip fractures usually need a surgery and in severe cases they may require the replacement of the hip joint altogether. If this is highly serious it may result in loss of mobility and independent living. In case of vertebral or spinal fractures it can lead to serious deformity in the spine’s curvature, height loss, back pain and mobility loss. It eats away at the spongy interior of bone called the trabecular bone mass.

Bone Deterioration – The deterioration of bone mass is one effect that is caused by osteoporosis. At a younger age, the rate of producing new bone exceeds that of breaking down old bone which leaves you with an increase in bone mass. When you turn about 30 years of age, this process peaks and then reverses slightly. When you have osteoporosis, there is a disruption in the bone producing mechanism and more bone is broken down then is replaced.

Spinal Curvature - Even if a fracture does not occur, the spinal bones (vertebrae) may become weak and crush together. As this happens, the spine curves which can result in back pain, height loss, and difficulty breathing since there is less space under the ribs. Back pain is another effect that can be caused by an advanced progression of osteoporosis. Osteoporosis can cause your vertebrae to simply become so weak that they begin to cave in or compress. Compression fractures can cause extreme pain and require an extended amount of recovery time. If you experience many of these kinds of fractures, you can lose inches off your height as your posture becomes stooped. The spinal column that bends forward is called Dowager’s bump.

Compression of Internal organs – As the spine develops abnormal curves, some individuals experiencing severe curvature of the spine may also suffer from difficulty breathing and pain in the abdomen as internal organs are also compressed. Lack of back support caused by curvature of the spine result in rib cage sinking, into the soft tissues of the abdomen and cramping internal organs such as the lungs, stomach and intestines.

Chronic pain - Another common effect of osteoporosis on the body is chronic pain, sometimes so severe it's disabling. Pain is often caused by compression on the vertebrae, pressing bone against bones against other bones, as well as nerves and surrounding tissue. These effects may also be felt in the hip, knee, shoulder and wrist joints.

Loss of mobility - Although bones heal in around two months, recovering from a fracture may require help from a physiotherapist in order to help regain mobility. A physiotherapist will typically provide exercises for osteoporosis patients that focus on rebuilding bone strength.

Treatment for osteoporosis

As it is difficult to reverse, prevention is the key to treatment where calcium is the cornerstone of it. To help with the absorption of the calcium, vitamin D is needed. A regular exercise program including muscle-strengthening exercises and weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, aerobics can help keep your bones stay strong and free of fractures. The goals of osteoporosis treatment are to:

· Control pain from the disease
· Slow down or stop bone loss
· Prevent bone fractures with medicines that strengthen bone
· Minimize the risk of falls that might cause fractures

Bisphosphonates

Bisphosphonates are the primary drugs used to both prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women that is taken by mouth include alendronate (Fosamax), ibandronate (Boniva), and risedronate (Actonel), usually once a week or once a month. They are given through a vein are taken less often.

Strontium Ranelate

This appears to have an effect on both the cells that breakdown bone and the cells that create new bone. It is taken as a powder dissolved in water and the main side effects are nausea and diarrhea.

Selective Oestrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)

These are drugs that have a similar effect on bone as the hormone oestrogen which helps maintain bone density and reduce the risk of fracture at the spine. It is available as raloxifene that has to be taken daily. Side effects include hot flushes, leg cramps and risk of blood clots.

Calcitonin

Calcitonin is a medicine that slows the rate of bone loss and relieves bone pain that comes as a nasal spray or injection. The main side effects are nasal irritation from the spray form and nausea from the injectable form. This appears to be less effective than bisphosphonates.

Parathyroid Hormone

Teriparatide (Forteo) is approved for the treatment of postmenopausal women who have severe osteoporosis and are considered at high risk for fractures. The medicine is given through daily shots underneath the skin. You can give yourself the shots at home.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

Oestrogen protects bone strength so the drop occurs following menopause is mirrored by an increased loss of bone for a few years thereafter. The loss continues, but less steeply, in older women. This therapy replaces oestrogen and reduces the rate of loss. Here there is a risk of developing certain conditions such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer and stroke.

Calcium and Vitamin D supplements

This can benefit older men and women and reduce the risk of hip fracture. You should always aim to eat atleast 700mg of calcium and 800 IU of vitamin D every day to have a balanced diet.

Testosterone treatment

This treatment is useful for men when osteoporosis is due to an insufficient production of male sex hormones.

Exercise

Regular exercise can reduce the likelihood of bone fractures in people with osteoporosis like weight bearing exercises like walking, jogging, dancing and tennis. Resistance exercises life free weights, weight machines and stretch bands. Riding a bicycle, rowing machines and balance exercises such as tai chi and yoga are also recommended.