Why Stress

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* Stress can be physical or mental.

* It can complicate diabetes by distracting you from proper care or affecting blood glucose levels directly.

* Learning to relax and making lifestyle changes can help reduce mental stress.

Stress results when something causes your body to behave as if it were under attack. Sources of stress can be physical, like injury or illness. Or they can be mental, like problems in your marriage, job, health, or finances.

When stress occurs, the body prepares to take action. This preparation is called the fight-or-flight response. In the fight-or-flight response, levels of many hormones shoot up. Their net effect is to make a lot of stored energy — glucose and fat — available to cells. These cells are then primed to help the body get away from danger.

In people who have diabetes, the fight-or-flight response does not work well. Insulin is not always able to let the extra energy into the cells, so glucose piles up in the blood.

How Stress Affects Diabetes

Many sources of stress are long-term threats. For example, it can take many months to recover from surgery. Stress hormones that are designed to deal with short-term danger stay turned on for a long time. As a result, long-term stress can cause long-term high blood glucose levels.

Many long-term sources of stress are mental. Your mind sometimes reacts to a harmless event as if it were a real threat. Like physical stress, mental stress can be short term: from taking a test to getting stuck in a traffic jam. It can also be long term: from working for a demanding boss to taking care of an aging parent. With mental stress, the body pumps out hormones to no avail. Neither fighting nor fleeing is any help when the "enemy" is your own mind.

In people with diabetes, stress can alter blood glucose levels in two ways:

* People under stress may not take good care of themselves. They may drink more alcohol or exercise less. They may forget, or not have time, to check their glucose levels or plan good meals.

* Stress hormones may also alter blood glucose levels directly.

Scientists have studied the effects of stress on glucose levels in animals and people. Diabetic mice under physical or mental stress have elevated glucose levels. The effects in people with type 1 diabetes are more mixed. While most people's glucose levels go up with mental stress, others' glucose levels can go down. In people with type 2 diabetes, mental stress often raises blood glucose levels. Physical stress, such as illness or injury, causes higher blood glucose levels in people with either type of diabetes.

It's easy to find out whether mental stress affects your glucose control. Before checking your glucose levels, write down a number rating your mental stress level on a scale of 1 to 10. Then write down your glucose level next to it. After a week or two, look for a pattern. Drawing a graph may help you see trends better. Do high stress levels often occur with high glucose levels, and low stress levels with low glucose levels? If so, stress may affect your glucose control.

Reducing Mental Stress

Making changes

You may be able to get rid of some stresses of life. If traffic upsets you, for example, maybe you can find a new route to work or leave home early enough to miss the traffic jams. If your job drives you crazy, apply for a transfer if you can, or possibly discuss with your boss how to improve things. As a last resort, you can look for another job. If you are at odds with a friend or relative, you can make the first move to patch things up. For such problems, stress may be a sign that something needs to change.

There are other ways to fight stress as well:

* Start an exercise program or join a sports team.

* Take dance lessons or join a dancing club.

* Start a new hobby or learn a new craft.

* Volunteer at a hospital or charity.

Coping Style

Something else that affects people's responses to stress is coping style. Coping style is how a person deals with stress. For example, some people have a problem-solving attitude. They say to themselves, "What can I do about this problem?" They try to change their situation to get rid of the stress.

Other people talk themselves into accepting the problem as okay. They say to themselves, "This problem really isn't so bad after all."

These two methods of coping are usually helpful. People who use them tend to have less blood glucose elevation in response to mental stress.

Learning to Relax

For some people with diabetes, controlling stress with relaxation therapy seems to help, though it is more likely to help people with type 2 diabetes than people with type 1 diabetes. This difference makes sense. Stress blocks the body from releasing insulin in people with type 2 diabetes, so cutting stress may be more helpful for these people. People with type 1 diabetes don't make insulin, so stress reduction doesn't have this effect. Some people with type 2 diabetes may also be more sensitive to some of the stress hormones. Relaxing can help by blunting this sensitivity.

There are many ways to help yourself relax:

* Breathing exercises

Sit or lie down and uncross your legs and arms. Take in a deep breath. Then push out as much air as you can. Breathe in and out again, this time relaxing your muscles on purpose while breathing out. Keep breathing and relaxing for 5 to 20 minutes at a time. Do the breathing exercises at least once a day.

* Progressive relaxation therapy

In this technique, which you can learn in a clinic or from an audio tape, you tense muscles, then relax them.

* Exercise

Another way to relax your body is by moving it through a wide range of motion. Three ways to loosen up through movement are circling, stretching, and shaking parts of your body. To make this exercise more fun, move with music.

* Replace bad thoughts with good ones

Each time you notice a bad thought, purposefully think of something that makes you happy or proud. Or memorize a poem, prayer, or quote and use it to replace a bad thought.

Whatever method you choose to relax, practice it. Just as it takes weeks or months of practice to learn a new sport, it takes practice to learn relaxation.

Dealing with Diabetes-Related Stress

Some sources of stress are never going to go away, no matter what you do. Having diabetes is one of those. Still, there are ways to reduce the stresses of living with diabetes. Support groups can help. Knowing other people in the same situation helps you feel less alone. You can also learn other people's hints for coping with problems. Making friends in a support group can lighten the burden of diabetes-related stresses.

Dealing directly with diabetes care issues can also help. Think about the aspects of life with diabetes that are the most stressful for you. It might be taking your medication, or checking your blood glucose levels regularly, or exercising, or eating as you should.

If you need help with any of these issues, ask a member of your diabetes team for a referral. Sometimes stress can be so severe that you feel overwhelmed. Then, counseling or psychotherapy might help. Talking with a therapist may help you come to grips with your problems. You may learn new ways of coping or new ways of changing your behavior.

What is a Pinched Nerve?

Many people think of a pinched nerve as that sharp discomfort in the neck or back that sometimes comes after a long day stooped in front of a computer screen, or after a long night sleeping with the head at an awkward angle on a less-than-supportive pillow. In most cases, though, this sharp pain – which can feel like someone is poking you with a meat thermometer – is nothing more than tight or strained muscles. Sometimes, the pain might be caused by a sprained ligament, as when the neck or back is jolted during a hard collision. While a muscle strain or ligament sprain might feel like a pinched nerve, the condition itself actually is much more complicated.

The Anatomy Of The Spine

An actual pinched nerve in the neck or back is exactly what it sounds like – compression, or impingement, of a spinal nerve by surrounding tissues. This can occur at any level of the spine and can cause localized pain, radiating pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness, cramping, and spasms.

How does a pinched nerve happen? There are a number of potential causes, most of which involve the effect of the aging process on the spinal anatomy. Before delving into the potential causes of nerve compression, it’s important to have a basic knowledge of the spinal anatomy:

• Vertebrae – These are the bony building blocks of the spine, stacked from the neck (cervical region) to the lower back (lumbosacral region). There are a total of 33 vertebrae in the spine (seven cervical, 12 thoracic, five lumbar, five fused sacral, and four fused coccygeal). The vertebrae help keep the body upright and flexible while protecting spinal cord.

• Facet joints – Jutting off the sides of the vertebrae are joints where the vertebrae meet and move.

• Intervertebral discs – These sponge-like wedges provide cushioning between the vertebrae and serve as “springs” to allow for spinal flexibility. They are composed of a gel-like middle (nucleus pulposus) and a tough, cartilaginous outer wall (annulus fibrosus).

• Ligaments and muscles – These are connective tissues that hold everything together and support range of motion.

• The spinal cord – This long bundle of nerve tissue is part of the central nervous system and serves as a conduit between the brain and the peripheral nervous system.

• Nerve roots – At every level of the spine, nerve roots branch off the spinal cord and pass through openings in the vertebrae called foramina. These roots conduct sensory and motor signals between the peripheral nervous system and the spinal cord.

As the body ages, all of these anatomical components are subject to wear and tear. Discs lose water content and become brittle. The cartilage that lines the joints begins to deteriorate. Ligaments begin to thicken and ossify. As this happens, the structural integrity of the spine begins to break down. This places the spinal cord and nerve roots at risk for compression.

Why Does Spinal Degeneration Cause A Pinched Nerve?

Because the spinal column is such a tight fit for the spinal cord and nerve roots, any change in physical structure can produce nerve compression. Any number of age-related degenerative spine conditions could be the culprit – spinal stenosis, bulging or herniated intervertebral discs, osteoarthritis, bone spurs, and more. Nerve compression also can be caused by injury (such as a back or neck injury caused by a fall or car accident), although it is more frequently related to the natural aging process.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that occurs when a person's breathing is interrupted during sleep. People with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times. This means the brain -- and the rest of the body -- may not get enough oxygen.  

There are two types of sleep apnea:

• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA): The more common of the two forms of apnea, it is caused by a blockage of the airway, usually when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep.
• Central sleep apnea: Unlike OSA, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe due to instability in the respiratory control center.

Am I at Risk for Sleep Apnea?

Sleep apnea can affect anyone at any age, even children. Risk factors for sleep apnea include:

• Male gender
• Being overweight
• Being over the age of forty
• Having a large neck size (17 inches or greater in men and 16 inches or greater in women)
• Having large tonsils, a large tongue, or a small jaw bone
• Having a family history of sleep apnea
• Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
• Nasal obstruction due to a deviated septum, allergies, or sinus problems
  

 What Are the Effects of Sleep Apnea?
If left untreated, sleep apnea can result in a growing number of health problems including:

• High blood pressure
• Stroke
• Heart failure, irregular heart beats, and heart attacks
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Worsening of ADHD 

In addition, untreated sleep apnea may be responsible for poor performance in everyday activities, such as at work and school, motor vehicle crashes, as well as academic underachievement in children and adolescents.

How common is lung cancer?

Lung cancer is the most common cause of death due to cancer in both men and women throughout the world. The American Cancer Society estimates that 219,440 new cases of lung cancer in the U.S. will be diagnosed and 159,390 deaths due to lung cancer will occur in 2009. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, approximately one out of every 14 men and women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer of the lung at some point in their lifetime.

Lung cancer is predominantly a disease of the elderly; almost 70% of people diagnosed with lung cancer are over 65 years of age, while less than 3% of lung cancers occur in people under 45 years of age.

Lung cancer was not common prior to the 1930s but increased dramatically over the following decades as tobacco smoking increased. In many developing countries, the incidence of lung cancer is beginning to fall following public education about the dangers of cigarette smoking and the introduction of effective smoking-cessation programs. Nevertheless, lung cancer remains among the most common types of cancers in both men and women worldwide. In the U.S., lung cancer has surpassed breast cancer as the most common cause of cancer-related deaths in women.

What causes lung cancer?

Smoking

The incidence of lung cancer is strongly correlated with cigarette smoking, with about 90% of lung cancers arising as a result of tobacco use. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and the time over which smoking has occurred; doctors refer to this risk in terms of pack-years of smoking history (the number of packs of cigarettes smoked per day multiplied by the number of years smoked). For example, a person who has smoked two packs of cigarettes per day for 10 years has a 20 pack-year smoking history. While the risk of lung cancer is increased with even a 10-pack-year smoking history, those with 30-pack-year histories or more are considered to have the greatest risk for the development of lung cancer. Among those who smoke two or more packs of cigarettes per day, one in seven will die of lung cancer.

Pipe and cigar smoking also can cause lung cancer, although the risk is not as high as with cigarette smoking. Thus, while someone who smokes one pack of cigarettes per day has a risk for the development of lung cancer that is 25 times higher than a nonsmoker, pipe and cigar smokers have a risk of lung cancer that is about five times that of a nonsmoker.

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemical compounds, many of which have been shown to be cancer-causing or carcinogenic. The two primary carcinogens in tobacco smoke are chemicals known as nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The risk of developing lung cancer decreases each year following smoking cessation as normal cells grow and replace damaged cells in the lung. In former smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer begins to approach that of a nonsmoker about 15 years after cessation of smoking.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking or the inhalation of tobacco smoke by nonsmokers who share living or working quarters with smokers, also is an established risk factor for the development of lung cancer. Research has shown that nonsmokers who reside with a smoker have a 24% increase in risk for developing lung cancer when compared with nonsmokers who do not reside with a smoker. An estimated 3,000 lung cancer deaths that occur each year in the U.S. are attributable to passive smoking.

Asbestos fibers

Asbestos fibers are silicate fibers that can persist for a lifetime in lung tissue following exposure to asbestos. The workplace is a common source of exposure to asbestos fibers, as asbestos was widely used in the past as both thermal and acoustic insulation. Today, asbestos use is limited or banned in many countries, including the U.S. Both lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the pleura of the lung as well as of the lining of the abdominal cavity called the peritoneum) are associated with exposure to asbestos. Cigarette smoking drastically increases the chance of developing an asbestos-related lung cancer in workers exposed to asbestos. Asbestos workers who do not smoke have a fivefold greater risk of developing lung cancer than nonsmokers, but asbestos workers who smoke have a risk that is 50- to 90-fold greater than nonsmokers.

Radon gas

Radon gas is a natural, chemically inert gas that is a natural decay product of uranium. Uranium decays to form products, including radon, that emit a type of ionizing radiation. Radon gas is a known cause of lung cancer, with an estimated 12% of lung-cancer deaths attributable to radon gas, or about 20,000 lung-cancer-related deaths annually in the U.S., making radon the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. As with asbestos exposure, concomitant smoking greatly increases the risk of lung cancer with radon exposure. Radon gas can travel up through soil and enter homes through gaps in the foundation, pipes, drains, or other openings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. contains dangerous levels of radon gas. Radon gas is invisible and odorless, but it can be detected with simple test kits.

Familial predisposition

While the majority of lung cancers are associated with tobacco smoking, the fact that not all smokers eventually develop lung cancer suggests that other factors, such as individual genetic susceptibility, may play a role in the causation of lung cancer. Numerous studies have shown that lung cancer is more likely to occur in both smoking and non-smoking relatives of those who have had lung cancer than in the general population. Recently, the largest genetic study of lung cancer ever conducted, involving over 10,000 people from 18 countries and led by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), identified a small region in the genome (DNA) that contains genes that appear to confer an increased susceptibility to lung cancer in smokers. The specific genes, located the q arm of chromosome 15, code for proteins that interact with nicotine and other tobacco toxins (nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes).

Lung diseases

The presence of certain diseases of the lung, notably chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is associated with an increased risk (four- to sixfold the risk of a nonsmoker) for the development of lung cancer even after the effects of concomitant cigarette smoking are excluded.

Prior history of lung cancer

Survivors of lung cancer have a greater risk of developing a second lung cancer than the general population has of developing a first lung cancer. Survivors of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs, see below) have an additive risk of 1%-2% per year for developing a second lung cancer. In survivors of small cell lung cancers (SCLCs, see below), the risk for development of second lung cancers approaches 6% per year.

Air pollution

Air pollution from vehicles, industry, and power plants can raise the likelihood of developing lung cancer in exposed individuals. Up to 1% of lung cancer deaths are attributable to breathing polluted air, and experts believe that prolonged exposure to highly polluted air can carry a risk for the development of lung cancer similar to that of passive smoking.

What Is Stroke?

What is a stroke?

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain is blocked or bursts. Without blood and the oxygen it carries, part of the brain starts to die. The part of the body controlled by the damaged area of the brain can't work properly.

Brain damage can begin within minutes, so it is important to know the symptoms of stroke and act fast. Quick treatment can help limit damage to the brain and increase the chance of a full recovery.
What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of a stroke happen quickly. A stroke may cause:

    * Sudden numbness, tingling, weakness, or paralysis in your face, arm, or leg, especially on only one side of your body.
    * Sudden vision changes.
    * Sudden trouble speaking.
    * Sudden confusion or trouble understanding simple statements.
    * Sudden problems with walking or balance.
    * A sudden, severe headache that is different from past headaches.

If you have any of these symptoms, call911or other emergency services right away.

See your doctor if you have symptoms that seem like a stroke, even if they go away quickly. You may have had a transient ischemic attack (TIA), sometimes called a mini-stroke. A TIA is a warning that a stroke may happen soon. Getting early treatment for a TIA can help prevent a stroke.
What causes a stroke?

There are two types of stroke:

    * An ischemic stroke develops when a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain. The clot may form in the blood vessel or travel from somewhere else in the blood system. About 8 out of 10 strokes are ischemic (say "iss-KEE-mick") strokes. They are the most common type of stroke in older adults.
    * A hemorrhagic stroke develops when an artery in the brain leaks or bursts. This causes bleeding inside the brain or near the surface of the brain. Hemorrhagic (say "heh-muh-RAH-jick") strokes are less common but more deadly than ischemic strokes.

How is a stroke diagnosed?

You need to see a doctor right away. If a stroke is diagnosed quickly-right after symptoms start-doctors may be able to use medicines that can help you recover better.

The first thing the doctor needs to find out is what kind of stroke it is: ischemic or hemorrhagic. This is important because the medicine given to treat a stroke caused by a blood clot could be deadly if used for a stroke caused by bleeding in the brain.

To find out what kind of stroke it is, the doctor will do a type of X-ray called a CT scan of the brain, which can show if there is bleeding. The doctor may order other tests to find the location of the clot or bleeding, check for the amount of brain damage, and check for other conditions that can cause symptoms similar to a stroke.

What Increases Your Risk

Risk factors for stroke include those you can change and those you can't change.

Certain diseases or conditions increase your risk of stroke. These include:

* High blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure is the second most important stroke risk factor after age. It is a risk factor you can change.

* Diabetes. Having diabetes doubles your risk of stroke because of the circulation problems associated with the disease.

* High cholesterol. High cholesterol can lead to hardening of your arteries (atherosclerosis). Hardening of the arteries can cause coronary artery disease and heart attack, which can damage the heart muscle and increase your risk for stroke.

* Coronary artery disease, which can lead to heart attack and stroke.

* Other heart conditions, such as atrial fibrillation, endocarditis, heart valve conditions, patent foramen ovale, or heart failure.

* Peripheral arterial disease, for example narrowing of the carotid artery (carotid artery stenosis).

Certain behaviors can increase your risk of stroke. These include:

* Smoking, including secondhand smoke.

* Physical inactivity.

* Being overweight.

* Diet with few fruits and vegetables. Research suggests that people who eat more fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains (for example, brown rice) may have a lower risk of stroke than people who eat lots of red meat, processed foods such as lunch meat, and refined grains (for example, white flour).2

* Diet with too much salt. A healthy diet includes less than 2,300 mg of sodium a day (about one teaspoon).

* Use of some medicines, such as birth control pills-especially by women who smoke or have a history of blood-clotting problems. In postmenopausal women, hormone replacement therapy has been shown to slightly increase the risk of stroke.3

* Heavy use of alcohol. People who drink alcohol excessively, especially people who binge drink, are more likely to have a stroke. Binge drinking is defined as drinking more than 5 drinks in a short period of time.

* Illegal drug use (such as a stimulant, like cocaine).

Risk factors you cannot change include:

* Age. The risk of stroke increases with age.

* Race. African Americans, Native Americans, and Alaskan Natives have a higher risk than those of other races. Compared with whites, African Americans have about 2 times the risk of a first ischemic stroke. And African-American men and women are more likely to die from stroke.4

* Gender. Stroke is more common in men than women until age 75, when more women than men have strokes. Because women live longer than men, more women than men die of stroke.4

* Family history. The risk for stroke is greater if a parent, brother, or sister has had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). For more information, see the topic Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).

* History of stroke or TIA.

Diagnosing menopause

Diagnosis & Tests


Diagnosing menopause isn't always easy. Learn about how menopause is sometimes diagnosed, and about tests you'll want to take as your body changes.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing Menopause

How do you know you're entering menopause? Are there tests that diagnose menopause? Find out here.
Tests
Home Menopause Testing Kits: Are They Worth It?

Home menopause test kits help you measure your body's follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, with the goal of helping you check for symptoms of perimenopause and menopause. Do they work? One expert tells why she doesn't think so.
Related Guide: Menopause and FSH Tests

A follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) test measures the amount of FSH in a woman's blood and may help determine whether she has gone through menopause. Learn more in this in-depth article.
Related Web Site: Evaluation of Premature Ovarian Failure

See what needs to be looked at and why if you have early menopause. This link will take you to another site.
Bone Mineral Density Testing During Menopause

Your osteoporosis risks increase after menopause. A bone mineral density test, or bone densitometry, can quickly measure the amount of calcium in your bones. Find out why you need this test, how to prepare for it, and the several ways it can be performed.
Breast Self-exam and Menopause

Age increases our breast cancer risks. The most effective way to fight breast cancer is to detect it early, through breast self-exams and mammograms. This article offers easy-to-follow tips on performing a breast self-exam.
Menopause and Mammogram Testing

Breast cancer risks increase as we age, so the best way to fight back is through early detection via mammograms and breast self-exams. Mammography uses special X-ray images to detect changes in breast tissue. Learn how to prepare for a mammogram, how often to get one, and what happens after the test.
Why Do You Need a Pelvic Exam?

The risk of cancer increases with age, so regular pelvic exams may help in early detection of certain cancers like ovarian cancer. Find out how often you need a pelvic exam, how the test is performed, and what other tests may be taken at the same time.
Menopause and Pap Tests

A pap smear is your best tool to detect precancerous conditions and hidden tumors that may lead to cervical cancer. How often should you have a pap smear after menopause? What symptoms should you watch for between tests? Learn here.

Study Suggests Exposure to Chemicals Called PFCs May Be Associated With Earlier Menopause

Women exposed to high levels of chemicals called perfluorocarbons (PFCs) may enter menopause earlier, new research suggests.

PFCs are man-made chemicals found in many household products such as food containers and stain-resistant clothing as well as in water, soil, and plants.

''Before this study, there was strong evidence from animal research that PFCs were endocrine disruptors," says researcher Sarah Knox, PhD, professor of epidemiology at the West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown.

For the study, she evaluated the levels of two PFCs, called PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoate) in nearly 26,000 women, ages 18 to 65.

Overall, she found, ''the higher the perfluorocarbons, the earlier the menopause." Women between ages 42 and 64 with the highest blood levels of the PFCs were more likely to have experienced menopause than those with the lowest levels.

One of the chemicals, PFOS, affected levels of the hormone estradiol, a form of estrogen. "The higher the levels of PFOS, the lower the levels of estradiol," she says. As estradiol declines, menopause approaches.

The research is published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

PFCs and Menopause

The 26,000 women were participants in the C8 Health Project. It collected information on more than 69,000 people from six public water districts contaminated by PFOAs from the DuPont Washington Works Plant near Parkersburg, W. Va., between August 2005 and August 2006. (C8 is another name for PFOA).

The work was funded by the settlement agreement arising from the water contamination case, Leach vs. E.I.Dupont de Nemours & Co.

Knox asked each woman about her menopausal status and then looked at blood levels of the PFCs. She found an association between high blood levels and menopause onset, she says, but not cause and effect.

For instance, women in the over 42 to 51 age group with the highest levels of PFCs were 40% more likely to have experienced menopause compared to those women in the same age group with the lowest levels of PFCs.

She also compared their blood levels of PFCs with those in the general population, using data from the NHANES survey (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey), which reflects the U.S. population.

While PFOA levels were higher in her research participants, their PFOS levels were similar to those in the general population.

The median age of menopause is 51 (half of women go through earlier, half later), Knox says. Early menopause before the age of 40 is linked with increased risks of heart disease and with bone loss, which can raise the risk of osteoporosis.

A reverse association is possible, Knox says. Monthly menstruation eliminates some of the PFCs from the body. Early menopause may cause PFC levels in the blood to rise, she says, as monthly menstruation stops.

However, she says, even if the association is reversed, the levels are a concern, she says.

Among the study limitations is its ''snapshot in time'' factor, as it looked only at exposure at one point.

PFCs have been a concern of environmentalists for years, says Olga Naidenko, PhD, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group, Washington. She reviewed the study findings for WebMD.

''This is the first study to our knowledge that looks specifically at menopause timing. It really demonstrates that these kinds of chemical are very toxic."

One strength of the study is its size, says Jennifer Sass, PhD, senior scientist for the Natural Resources Defense Council, who also reviewed the findings.

"This study raises some red flags regarding a common chemical pollutant that is found in the bodies of most Americans," says Sass. "I hope that more research can be done to understand the effect better."

Industry Perspective

A spokeswoman for DuPont took exception with using the term PFCs. The term PFCs ''is not well defined and is overly broad," says Janet E. Smith of DuPont. "There are many chemicals that could potentially fall under that umbrella and they have very different properties and health profiles."

DuPont does not make PFOS or use it in its processes or product, she says. She points out that Knox found no link between PFOA and hormone levels. The company does make products with PFOA, she says.

3M decided in May 2000 to phase out production of PFOA, PFOS and PFOS-related products after research found PFOS was widely dispersed in wildlife and found in low levels in people, according to the company’s web site.

To avoid exposure, Knox suggests avoiding stain-resistant, water-resistant, and fire-retardant products. Some food containers may also have PFCs.

"Eventually we are going to have to have a policy about reducing these," she says.  However, ''we need more data before setting policy.

Why Screening Tests Are Important

 

Why Screening Tests Are Important

Getting the right screening test at the right time is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Screenings find diseases like cancer or diabetes early, before you have symptoms, and when they’re easier to treat. Which test you should have depends on your age and your risk factors. Learn more about the screenings your doctor may recommend for you.

http://abel-madona.blogspot.com/search/label/Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma lawyer in Kansas

Kansas is a primarily agricultural state. Generally, the mortality rate of asbestos victims is lower in Kansas than that of the nation at large; in the two decades preceding the 2000 U.S. census during which the population of the state increased slightly from 2.36 to 2.68 million people, 360 patients died from asbestos disease. mesothelioma victims outnumbered those suffering from asbestosis by a margin of approximately two to one.


The Environmental Working Group reports that Farmland Industries, Frontier Oil, and the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Company were three job sites at which employees were commonly exposed to asbestos.


In 2004, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment supervised an asbestos abatement project at the Farmland Industries ammonia plant located in Lawrence. Over the course of several months, about 16,600 linear feet was removed from pipe surfaces and an additional 8,500 square feet was taken out of tanks, vessels and exchangers that were used in the production of ammonia.


Asbestos was also a concern at the cooperative’s Coffeeville facility.


A recent study in Puerto Rico indicated that asbestos exposure is a serious risk for power plant workers; 13% of workers who were x-rayed showed some degree of asbestos scarring. Therefore, it should come as little surprise that the Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Company should be listed as a major asbestos exposuresite. The plant itself is located in Burlington, a small town of fewer than 3,000 people.


Despite the plant’s listing as an asbestos exposuresite, however, there do not yet appear to have been any fatalities among the company’s employees; the reactor has only been online since 1985. The use of asbestos-containing materials was legal at the time (and still is), but there has probably not been enough time for mesothelioma symptoms to have developed. In addition, mesothelioma is a rare condition; not all who are exposed to asbestos fibers will develop this form of asbestos cancer.


The most asbestos-related deaths between 1979 and 1999 were recorded in Shawnee County, in which the state capitol and most populous city Topeka is located. Thirty-five patients succumbed to mesothelioma, versus 17 for asbestosis. Sedgwick County, where Wichita is located, was second with a total of 45 asbestos-related deaths. Of these, 35 were from mesothelioma, continuing the pattern in which deaths from mesothelioma substantially outnumber those from asbestosis.


The only counties in which this trend was reversed were Butler, Leavenworth and Riley Counties.


Although more people who are exposed to asbestos develop asbestosis than malignant mesothelioma, the death rate from asbestosis is usually substantially lower. The reason is that asbestosis, while serious and incurable, is not malignant. If caught early enough and if the patient is removed from the asbestos environment, the progression of asbestosis can be arrested with the patient able to live a reasonably normal life.


This is not true of mesothelioma, which is aggressive and invariably fatal; most who are diagnosed with this particular form of asbestos cancerdie within 18 months, on the average.


Although located in the center of the Great Plains, far from the geologically more active Rockies or complex geology of the Appalachian Range, there are three places in the eastern part of the state in which natural deposits of asbestos
(chrysotis) occur. Two of these sites are located approximately 35 miles northwest of Topeka amidst a cluster of small farming communities between U.S. Highways 77 and 75. The third is in the area of the town of Parsons in southeastern Kansas, about 20 miles north of the Oklahoma state line.


Today, between 25 and 30% of all Americans will get some form of cancer during their lifetimes. There are many reasons for this, including the modern lifestyle and the poisons that have been put into the environment – of which asbestos is a prime example. The number of clinics and hospitals that specialize in oncology have increased in response to the growing number of patients.


There does not seem to be many significant Kansas mesothelioma lawsuit in the high courts of the state of Kansas. A search through the Kansas Federal District Court records for any asbestos personal injury litigation or a Kansas mesothelioma lawsuit turns up no results. This might mean that Kansas mesothelioma settlements out of court or in lower court cases which are not appealed may be more prevalent in the state. There is known to be some related litigation in the state, including several lawsuits filed in 2007.


For example, in February, 2007, a Kansas mesothelioma lawyer working on behalf of the estate of Robert Briggs filed an asbestos-related wrongful death lawsuit in Madison County Circuit Court. Briggs died from mesothelioma in March, 2005, after working for Owens Corning and Jay Wolfe Pontiac in Kansas City for many years. The complaint named 94 defendant corporations as responsible parties, claiming that many of them knowingly exposed Briggs unnecessarily to asbestos fibers and products containing asbestos. Briggs’ family is seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages.


One of the most recent mesothelioma lawsuits in Kanasas was filed in late May, 2007, by Kansas mesothelioma lawyers working for a man named Hubert Johnston. Johnston had worked as a service station attendant and insulator in various locations for over forty years (from 1946 to 1990) and was exposed to asbestos during that time. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March, 2007, and promptly filed suit against over 90 defendants, alleging that his condition was foreseeable by them since the products he was working with should have been known to contain asbestos. The lawsuit claimed that the defendants included asbestos in their products even when adequate substitutes were available. Johnston also alleged that the defendant’s provided no or inadequate instructions regarding safe methods for working with and around asbestos. His lawsuit asked for at least $250,000 in damages for negligence, conspiracy, willful and wanton acts, and negligent spoliation of evidence.


Some of the similarities in these two 2007 cases point to trends in mesothelioma lawsuits in Kanasas: For example, because there are over 90 defendants in each lawsuit, it can be assumed that in Kansas it is possible to sue multiple parties in for their part in asbestos exposure. This is unlike many other states in which only the last party to cause exposure is held responsible. Furthermore, both parties are seeking punitive damages as well as compensatory damages. After the results of these cases are determined by the courts, it will be easier to see the Kansas courts’ stance on awarding damages; however, it currently appears that it is at least possible to obtain both punitive and compensatory damages.


Those interested in seeking a Kansas mesothelioma settlement or hiring a Kansas mesothelioma attorneys should know that the statute of limitations for personal injury law in Kansas is two years with a discovery rule that states that this amount of time begins when the problem (in this case the mesothelioma) either was discovered or should have been discovered. However, even with the discovery rule, there is a clause saying that the statute of limitations runs out once ten years from the cause of injury has passed. This means that individuals who contract mesothelioma must be able to prove that substantial injury occurred due to asbestos-exposure within the prior ten years. Wrongful death cases fall under the same statute of limitations and follow the same discovery rule. There is no specific statute about asbestos in Kansas.

Mesothelioma Lawyers

Groundbreaking Mesothelioma Lawyers and Defendants
With dedicated attorneys and staff, lawyers have worked hard to ensure that clients receive high quality representation. The following are profiles of some well known mesothelioma lawyers that were instrumental in shaping mesothelioma litigation.

Fred Baron
Fred Baron, represented his first toxic tort client in the early 1970s. Then, he has built one of the largest toxic tort firms in the United States. Widely recognized as a trailblazer in the area of toxic tort law, one reporter noted,"[i]f the field of toxic torts were the frontier of the American West, Baron would have been driving the first wagon onto the plains." G. Taylor, "Outspoken Texan, Baron Establishes Toxic Tort Domain," Legal Times, Vol. VI, No. 25, at p. 10 (Nov. 21, 1983).

As a result of his work to protect the rights of victims of toxic substances, The National Law Journal has listed Fred as one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in the U.S." (The National Law Journal, June 8, 2000). He has been honored as a lawyer who helped shape Texas law during the 20th century in "Legal Legends: A Century of Texas Law and Lawyering" (Texas Lawyer commemorative publication, June 2000) and has been named one of Dallas' top lawyers by D Magazine (May 2001 and May 2005). The University of Texas School of Law has honored him by establishing the Frederick M. Baron Chair in Law, which is held by a senior professor of the law school engaged in original research on lawyering and the civil justice system.

A life-long advocate of the environment, the consumer, and working people, Fred Baron has served as lead attorney in complex tort cases involving MTBE and TCE water contamination, radiation contamination, community lead contamination, toxic waste, and pesticide exposure.

Fred Baron has also been credited for his efforts in defeating class action settlements whereby defendant corporations attempted to settle mass tort claims for a fraction of what individuals would otherwise be entitled to recover through the legal system. Fred has twice led successful battles to convince the United States Supreme Court to de-certify nationwide class action settlements involving the "future claims" of asbestos-related injuries, or claims that might someday be brought by people who develop asbestos-related illnesses in the future. As a result of the United States Supreme Court's opinions in Amchem Products v. Windsor, 521 U.S. 591 (1997) and Ortiz v. Fibreboard Corp., 527 U.S. 815, 119 S.Ct. 2295, 144 L.Ed.2d 715 (1999), future victims of toxic injuries can no longer have their rights compromised by class action settlements in which they have no voice.

Mesothelioma: Facts about Mesothelioma

I have found a lot of article related with mesothelioma Cancer.
I hope this Article useful


Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that affects the mesothelial cells of the body. These are the cells that make up the outer lining for the body’s major organs, such as the heart, lungs and stomach. These linings are referred to as the mesothelium and this is how the cancer got its name.

Pleural Mesothelioma

The pleura are the tissue that covers and lines the lungs. These are referred to by the medical community as pleural membranes. The pleura are fibrous membranes and the space between them is the pleural space. The pleural protect the lungs by producing a lubricant that fills the pleural space. This lubricant also allows the lungs to move easily within the chest cavity as we inhale and exhale.

Pleural mesothelioma is the most common type of the disease. Since the lungs are so close to the heart, it is almost always affected. The pericardium is the lining found on the outside of the heart and allows it to move freely within the heart cavity.

The Peritoneum

The peritoneum is the tissue lining the abdomen. Its job is to protect the abdomen’s contents. It produces a fluid that acts as a lubricant so organs within the abdomen may move freely. Peritoneal mesothelioma is cancer of the tissue that lines the abdominal cavity. This form of mesothelioma is rarer than pleural mesothelioma.

Causes of Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is caused by unprotected exposure to asbestos and affects those who were put at risk for the last 50 years.

Who Gets Mesothelioma

The disease is most common in males who are between the ages of 60 and 70 years old. These men were constantly exposed to asbestos dust and fiber, which caused the mutation of the mesothelioma cells. Mesothelioma takes years to develop, which means early diagnosis is almost impossible.

Others at risk for mesothelioma are those who lived in the same household with someone who was constantly exposed to asbestos. Men carried asbestos dust and fibers into their homes on clothing. It was then breathed in by family members. This put them at risk of contacting mesothelioma and other diseases related to asbestos years after the fact.

Treatment

The success of treatment for mesothelioma isn”t high. The final stages of the disease are fatal. The earlier mesothelioma is diagnosed, the better the prognosis. If you or a member of your immediate family has ever been constantly exposed to asbestos in the workplace, be sure to contact your health care professional to find out exactly what your options are. You may be tested for the disease and get a clear bill of health.

mesothelioma

What is the mesothelium?

Mesothelioma: Questions and Answers

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found in the mesothelium, a protective sac that covers most of the body's internal organs. Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked on jobs where they inhaled asbestos particles.

   1. What is the mesothelium?

The mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. It is composed of two layers of cells: One layer immediately surrounds the organ; the other forms a sac around it. The mesothelium produces a lubricating fluid that is released between these layers, allowing moving organs (such as the beating heart and the expanding and contracting lungs) to glide easily against adjacent structures.

 The mesothelium has different names, depending on its location in the body. The peritoneum is the mesothelial tissue that covers most of the organs in the abdominal cavity. The pleura is the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the wall of the chest cavity. The pericardium covers and protects the heart. The mesothelial tissue surrounding the male internal reproductive organs is called the tunica vaginalis testis. The tunica serosa uteri covers the internal reproductive organs in women.

   2. What is mesothelioma?

Mesothelioma (cancer of the mesothelium) is a disease in which cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also metastasize (spread) from their original site to other parts of the body. Most cases of mesothelioma begin in the pleura or peritoneum.

   3. How common is mesothelioma?

Although reported incidence rates have increased in the past 20 years, mesothelioma is still a relatively rare cancer. About 2,000 new cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed in the United States each year. Mesothelioma occurs more often in men than in women and risk increases with age, but this disease can appear in either men or women at any age.

   4. What are the risk factors for mesothelioma?

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. However, mesothelioma has been reported in some individuals without any known exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos is the name of a group of minerals that occur naturally as masses of strong, flexible fibers that can be separated into thin threads and woven. Asbestos has been widely used in many industrial products, including cement, brake linings, roof shingles, flooring products, textiles, and insulation. If tiny asbestos particles float in the air, especially during the manufacturing process, they may be inhaled or swallowed, and can cause serious health problems. In addition to mesothelioma, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancer, asbestosis (a noncancerous, chronic lung ailment), and other cancers, such as those of the larynx and kidney.

Smoking does not appear to increase the risk of mesothelioma. However, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure significantly increases a person's risk of developing cancer of the air passageways in the lung.

   5. Who is at increased risk for developing mesothelioma?

Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Initially, the risks associated with asbestos exposure were not known. However, an increased risk of developing mesothelioma was later found among shipyard workers, people who work in asbestos mines and mills, producers of asbestos products, workers in the heating and construction industries, and other tradespeople. Today, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets limits for acceptable levels of asbestos exposure in the workplace. People who work with asbestos wear personal protective equipment to lower their risk of exposure.

The risk of asbestos-related disease increases with heavier exposure to asbestos and longer exposure time. However, some individuals with only brief exposures have developed mesothelioma. On the other hand, not all workers who are heavily exposed develop asbestos-related diseases.

There is some evidence that family members and others living with asbestos workers have an increased risk of developing mesothelioma, and possibly other asbestos-related diseases. This risk may be the result of exposure to asbestos dust brought home on the clothing and hair of asbestos workers. To reduce the chance of exposing family members to asbestos fibers, asbestos workers are usually required to shower and change their clothing before leaving the workplace.

   6. What are the symptoms of mesothelioma?

Symptoms of mesothelioma may not appear until 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos. Shortness of breath and pain in the chest due to an accumulation of fluid in the pleura are often symptoms of pleural mesothelioma. Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and abdominal pain and swelling due to a buildup of fluid in the abdomen. Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, blood clotting abnormalities, anemia, and fever. If the cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, symptoms may include pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face.

 These symptoms may be caused by mesothelioma or by other, less serious conditions. It is important to see a doctor about any of these symptoms. Only a doctor can make a diagnosis.

   7. How is mesothelioma diagnosed?

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often difficult, because the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis begins with a review of the patient's medical history, including any history of asbestos exposure. A complete physical examination may be performed, including x-rays of the chest or abdomen and lung function tests. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI may also be useful. A CT scan is a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body created by a computer linked to an x-ray machine. In an MRI, a powerful magnet linked to a computer is used to make detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures are viewed on a monitor and can also be printed.

 A biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. In a biopsy, a surgeon or a medical oncologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating cancer) removes a sample of tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist. A biopsy may be done in different ways, depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the cancer is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. In this procedure, the doctor makes a small cut through the chest wall and puts a thin, lighted tube called a thoracoscope into the chest between two ribs. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples. If the cancer is in the abdomen, the doctor may perform a peritoneoscopy. To obtain tissue for examination, the doctor makes a small opening in the abdomen and inserts a special instrument called a peritoneoscope into the abdominal cavity. If these procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

 If the diagnosis is mesothelioma, the doctor will want to learn the stage (or extent) of the disease. Staging involves more tests in a careful attempt to find out whether the cancer has spread and, if so, to which parts of the body. Knowing the stage of the disease helps the doctor plan treatment.

 Mesothelioma is described as localized if the cancer is found only on the membrane surface where it originated. It is classified as advanced if it has spread beyond the original membrane surface to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes, lungs, chest wall, or abdominal organs.

   8. How is mesothelioma treated?

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health. Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined.

          * Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.

          * Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).

          * Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).

      To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.

   9. Are new treatments for mesothelioma being studied?

      Yes. Because mesothelioma is very hard to control, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) is sponsoring clinical trials (research studies with people) that are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma.

      People interested in taking part in a clinical trial should talk with their doctor. Information about clinical trials is available from the Cancer Information Service (CIS) (see below) at 1–800–4–CANCER. Information specialists at the CIS use PDQ®, NCI's cancer information database, to identify and provide detailed information about specific ongoing clinical trials. Patients also have the option of searching for clinical trials on their own. The clinical trials page on the NCI's Cancer.gov Web site, located at http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials on the Internet, provides general information about clinical trials and links to PDQ.

      People considering clinical trials may be interested in the NCI booklet Taking Part in Cancer Treatment Research Studies. This booklet describes how research studies are carried out and explains their possible benefits and risks. The booklet is available by calling the CIS, or from the NCI Publications Locator Web site at http://www.cancer.gov/publications on the Internet.

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are common, noncancerous, teardrop-shaped growths that form in the nose or sinuses, usually around the area where the sinuses open into the nasal cavity. Mature nasal polyps look like seedless, peeled grapes.

Often associated with allergies or asthma, nasal polyps may cause no symptoms, especially if they're small, and require no treatment. But larger nasal polyps can block normal drainage from the sinuses. When too much mucus accumulates in the sinuses, it can become infected, which accounts for the thick, discolored drainage in the nose and down the throat that affects many people with nasal polyps.

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