Cervical Cancer:
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer found in the cervix of women. This cancer can be particularly dangerous, as it generally shows no symptoms in the early onset stages. Due to this factor it is extremely important for women to get yearly pap smears. Most cervical cancer is detected through pap smears. As with any cancer, the earlier the cancer is detected, the better the prognosis for treatment.
The cervix is the organ that connects the uterus to the vagina. Cervical cancer happens when cells mutate. In later stages of cervical cancer, the cancer can spread throughout the vagina into other areas of the body including the bladder, rectum, lungs and more.
Pap smears are recommended for women who are sexually active.
If women are not sexually active, a gynecologist can advise the appropriate age to have a first pap smear.
Most cases of cervical cancer are caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). HPV is more commonly known as genital warts. HPV is a virus that stays in the body even when there are no physical symptoms. HPV cannot be cured. Some people may carry HPV without ever experiencing symptoms, while others may have warts appear in or around the genital area. HPV can show up years after contraction. Most adults have been infected with HPV at some time in their life. Most outbreaks will clear up on their own.
The Cancer Institute estimates there will be 12,200 cases of cervical cancer in 2010 with 4,210 deaths as a result.
There are several factors that may increase the odds of developing cervical cancer. These factors include smoking, a weak immune system caused by an illness such as HIV or AIDS, birth control taken in excess of five years (risk decreases when birth control is discontinued). The more children a woman has may increase the risk of developing cervical cancer.
In later stages of cervical cancer, unexplained vaginal bleeding may occur. This bleeding may happen between periods, during or after sex, or after menopause. A woman may also experience pain in her pelvis and pain during sexual intercourse.
If a pap smear shows irregular cells, then more thorough testing may be required. This can include a colposcopy or biopsy. There are several means for taking a biopsy, so consult with a gynecologist to find out which method will be the best for you. The biopsy removes a portion of the growth to test for cancer.
There are several stages of cervical cancer. The increase in number reflects the increase in severity of the condition. Stage One reflects cancer that is limited to the cervix. In Stage Two, the cancer has moved to the upper portion of the vagina. In Stage Three the cancer has moved to the lower portion of the vagina and possibly the pelvic wall. In Stage Four, the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Treatments for cervical cancer include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy. It is important to get more than one opinion before undergoing surgery. Pap smears are not 100% effective. If your pap smear is irregular you may ask for another one to be done. If you do have cervical cancer, you may want to consult with more than one gynecologist to best determine your course of treatment.
Post treatment, be sure to visit a gynecologist regularly to ensure the cancer doesn’t return.
With Faith and Love I Have Beaten Bulimia
Article by Debra Marlow
Body Image and Bulimia
I am a healthy and thriving 26 year old. However, this has not been without serious challenges and complications. Ten years ago at the age of 16, I became bulimic. I had always worried about my weight and how I looked. I was often pressured by society and the weight of making sure I had a good shidduch, or match for marriage. I am a religious orthodox Jewish woman. As a younger girl I always thought I looked fat, out-of-shape, and unattractive. It did not matter what the scale read or even the compliments and encouragement of my parents, friends, family, and teachers. I felt for some reason that I had to keep my weight in strict control or my life would spin out of control. I suppose, in retrospect, when one feels that they cannot control many factors of life, this made me feel more secure.
Origins In Depression
The feeling of lack of control, even though I know, and knew at the time that G-d controls everything came from losing a dear friend when I was almost 16. This person was a friend and mentor and guide and support in my life and the loss, rather unexpected and sudden, left me grasping for control and structure where this relationship had provided such previously. Lacking strength and will and battling uncertainty and doubt I was vulnerable and depressed and began using my weight and image as one element of my life I could control with precision through bulimia. I even remember distinctly the first time I made myself throw up, on Shabbos, in order not to gain the weight from a rather large meal. These challenges, physical and spiritual, made the ensuing years an extremely hard time for me and eventually my family. My turn to food to feel more in control of my life was detrimental to my physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Thank G-d with the support of my family I have overcome bulimia.
Bulimia: The Danger, The Pain
At the times I would eat a lot of food, and usually not in extreme excess, and throw it up, it seemed like the only way I could cope. My body image and my lack of understanding what seemed like an uncontrollable life were being assuaged by bulimia. The physical pain to my body from the bulimia and the emotional pain from knowing I was involved in the practice of bulimia which is against G-d’s will caused me extreme internal strife and conflict. I learned, once my condition was diagnosed, the massive danger to my short-term and long-term health. I learned I could potentially compromise my ability to bear children if my bulimia continued due to long-term damage to my reproductive systems. Wit this knowledge, medical intervention, and family support I am now healthy and married with two beautiful daughters.
The Signs and Symptoms
My bulimia was triggered by a low self-esteem and a traumatic loss in my life at a vulnerable age. My tendencies began to show themselves when I began my obsession with weight(though I was not considered obese or overweight by anyone in my life and likewise according to the BMI, or body mass index). I did begin to exercise more, though not excessive. Once I began to induce vomiting and as well resorted to using laxatives, I knew my problem has become more serious. I just had no idea where to turn.
My appearance and strength also changed. Due to the bulimia I noticed my teeth were becoming almsot translucent, my entire body, especially my hands, were swollen, my stomach was painfully constipated and swollen, and my period was irregular or absent. After many, many months of enduring such frightening symptoms I sought intervention and assistance via a close friend.
With Support and Love
With the help from my family and closest of friends I was able to better understand my problem and gain the professional counseling and medical diagnosis and assistance necessary to help me overcome bulimia. Thank G-d bulimia did not cause any serious long-term damage to my emotional or physical states and I have and continue to be able to bear children. Should anyone reading this recognize, through my story, their own challenges are bulimia please seek help immediately as the danger is real and the pain can end with the correct support and alot of love.
Anxiety
We should be able to take most worries in our stride without becoming unduly anxious but if we get to the point where we feel physically wretched, where problems loom terrifyingly in our minds by day and pursue us relentlessly into our dreams by night, it is time to take stock of the situation. Irrational anxiety may have a purely physical cause such as a poor diet leading to a deficiency of minerals and vitamins. Low blood sugar level or too many stimulants in the form of coffee, tea and cigarettes can also contribute to a feeling of impending doom. Inevitably the worse we feel the worse we become. Holding our selves taut and strung out with tension can create difficulties in breathing, it makes muscles ache, the jaw stiff, the neck rigid and we may suffer from stomach pains. We slump into a depressed posture which causes indigestion and constipation.
Nervous tensions, stress and strain not only upset the digestive system but may also interfere with the hormonal balance of the body. We become tired, out faces become drawn and indented with anxious lines and we look and therefore feel doubly dreadful.
All the unpalatable platitudes which were meant to stop us feeling sorry for ourselves can be crystallized into several very commonsensical suggestions.
Take some regular exercise in which the mink has to become totally absorbed in what you are doing and thoughts cannot wander – a quick and unaccustomed jog around the block whilst your mind is busy beavering unhappily away will not do.
When an anxious, aggressive, fearful or negative thought burrows randomly into your consciousness briskly disperse it with a pleasant picture of your own choosing and work hard elaborating on that. Refuse to allow yourself to dwell upon beastly thoughts, especially those inflicted upon you, willy nilly, by the media. The days are gone when we might have collected the leaves of heliotrope in which we could wrap bay leaves and a wolf’s tooth to protect ourselves against cruel thoughts and unkind words. Relaxation or learning to relax, taking long controlled breaths, practicing yoga or meditation, swimming or walking with a purpose (bird watching, admiring other folks gardens) will all help to dispel anxiety. So will a long chat into a friendly ear. One of the best methods of relaxing is to have a massage or to visit a reflexologies and have your feet massaged – this is something that you can do for yourself at home and it will having your back, shoulders and neck massaged, especially if, with practice, you can manage to induce in yourself a trance – like state. I have heard it said that in order to achieve this one must turn one’s third eye inwards.
Essential oils are some of the best home remedies for anxiety or reducing tension. Use them in a carrier oil to massage the body or throw a few drops into a warm bath. The following are those most frequently recommended to relieve tension and stress; basil, marjoram, fennel, hyssop, rosemary, thyme, tarragon and sage. If the hormonal balance is affected both drinking sage tea and massaging with essential oil of sage are particularly effective. All of these herbs should be taken in tea and used lavishly in cooking too. Bergamot, chamomile, juniper, lavender, vervain and orange can also be used as essential oils in bath and massage and the herbs used in tea as a mild sedative and digestive. Coriander, geranium, neroli, cedarwood and frankincense are spicy healing oils which are particularly calming when used in the bath.
There are very few old – fashioned remedies to relieve anxiety beyond suggesting that one eats plenty of brown bread, wheat germ, molasses, honey, milk and oats. Self – help is by far the best home remedy for anxiety. Although not initially an easy answer, once you have learned the lesson it is always there for you to fall back on in a crisis and although habit – forming it is not detrimental to the health.
Home Remedies for Anxiety
Soothing drinks
* Warm milk and honey with a dash of cinnamon This is the best drink to take at night both to help you relax and to stave off insomnia.
* Honey Take by the spoonful or in hot water whenever tired and low.
* Hop tea Three hop cones or heads in 1 cup of boiling water taken the moment you begin to feel excessively tense is a marvelous remedy for anxiety and insomnia.
A Tea to Soothe and Heal the Troubled Spirit
25g (1 oz) each dried chamomile flowers,
linden blossom (lime flowers), hibiscus
blossoms and marigold flowers
15g (1/2 oz) each dried peppermint leaves and vervain
1 teaspoon whole fenugreek seeds
100 g (4 oz) Lapsang Souchong tea
Mix all the ingredients together and store in a dark airtight container. Use 1 teaspoon to 300 ml (1/2 pint) of boiling water in a tea pot and leave to stand for five minutes before straining and serving with a slice of lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey if liked. This tea calms turmoil and anxiety and also helps to clear a fuzzy head and upset tummy. One cup morning and night will sustain a feeling of well – being.
A Tea to Soothe the Nerves
1 teaspoon each grated dried valerian root and dried mint ½ teaspoon each dried chamomile and lavender flowers
600ml (1 pint) boiling water
Infuse the dry ingredients in the water for 15 minutes then strain and take 1 glass three times a day for one week only.
* Two tonic tea to take when feeling low Sip either 2 teaspoons of dandelion and 1 of basil infused in 600ml (1 pint) of boiling water or 2 teaspoons each of nettle, basil and Melissa infused in 600 ml (1 pint) of boiling water.
A Tonic Tea to Relieve Stress, home remedy for anxiety
Anxiety and Debility
1 tablespoon each fresh dandelion and nettle tops
1 teaspoon each fresh blackcurrant and borage leaves
600ml (1 pint) of boiling water
Steep the greenery in the water for five minutes. Strain and drink with lemon and honey.
* A good healthy breakfast Oats are particularly strengthening and calm the nerves, making them a very good breakfast for youngsters who are taking exams. Take 1 tablespoon of cold water and leave to stand for 12 hours. Blend with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 3 tablespoons of plain live yoghurt, 1 teaspoon of honey, 1 well-washed grated apple and a few chopped nuts. Oats can also of course be eaten as porridge. If you cannot get your offspring to eat breakfast get them to take a handful or bar of oat health food with them to school. Muesli is another excellent breakfast and snack food.
The Nice Breakfast Food
450g (11b) porridge oats
450g (11b) fat juicy raisins
225g (8oz) wheatflakes
100g (4oz) wheatgerm
100 g (4 oz) mixed chopped nuts (not peanuts)
100g (4oz) crushed dried banana chips
100g (4oz) sesame seeds
50g (2 oz0 pumpkin seeds
50g (2 oz) sunflower seeds
Mix all the ingredients together and serve with chopped fresh fruit, stewed dried fruit, yoghurt or milk. This makes enough to last a family several weeks.
* Flapjack There are many really good recipes using oats, honey, dates, walnuts and so on. Not only and in every possible way is flapjack preferable to jam doughnuts but it is also an easily carried form of pure goodness – nourishing, sustaining and one of the few snacks to be recommended for eating before bed. Flapjack helps insomniacs and reduces the chance of nightmares, especially in children.
May be you’ve invited forty guests for a pot luck dinner and all of a sudden you’re beginning to wonder what you’ve gotten into. Your internal dialogue may sound something like this: “What was I thinking? I can’t handle this big a crowd! Besides, no one’s going to show up anyway. If they do, they’ll probably leave early because they’re bored. Have I bought enough wine. Is the house really clean enough?”.
Sound familiar? Nearly everyone experiences periodic bouts of anxiety and panic. It’s normal to feel frightened by life’s stresses-an upcoming job interview, meeting your in laws for the first time, or having a dinner party. But sometimes these emotions spiral out of control, causing your heart to pound and your mind to go blank. Panic makes you feel as though the worst is about to happen and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.
There will always be times when you feel like you’re in over your head. But doctors have found that it’s not stress itself but how you react to stress that determines whether you’ll experience a little anxiety or a full-blown panic attack. Here are a few ways to give you a moment’s peace and put the brakes on panic and fear.
Take a deep breath . It sounds like a cliché, but taking deep, regular breaths is one of the best ways to keep panic and anxiety under control. People breathe very rapidly when they’re anxious – a symptom called hyperventilation. Rapid breathing actually reduces the amount of oxygen in the body, which makes you feel nervous and out of control. Slow, deep breaths, on the other hand, flood your body with oxygen, making you feel calmer. In addition, taking a few minutes to breathe deeply is like counting to ten; it gives you time to think and to put things in perspective, instead of merely reacting to emotions.
The next time you feel panic coming on, stop what you’re doing and take a deep breath. Breathe in slowly while counting to five. Hold the breath for one second, then slowly breathe out. Continue doing this for a minute or two. The surge of oxygen will help you feel calmer and more in control – and better able to handle the stress that’s bothering you.
Get a whiff of relaxation . Your nose is one of your most powerful weapons for countering anxiety and panic. Evidence suggests that certain scents can stimulate feelings of calm and relaxation. A whiff of lavender (dharu) or sandalwood incense, for example, can help take the edge off stress. So can the smell of a scented candle. Or you can simply sprinkle some cinnamon (dalchini) into a pot of boiling water. It will fill the air with a delicate, lovely smell that reminds many people of simpler, calmer times.
“B” calm. The B vitamins are nature’s stress relievers. Studies have shown the people who don’t get enough B vitamins in their diets may experience confusion, anxiety, or irritation. You can get a lot of B vitamins by eating a healthful diet. But when stress and anxiety are riding high, you may want to take a B-complex multivitamin, which will help fortify your emotional defenses.
Take some herbal relief. For thousands of years, people around the world have been finding emotional strength in their gardens, herbs such as chamomile (babunah), ginkgo, kava, valerian (jalakan), and St. John’s Wort may be as effective as some prescription drugs for imparting feelings of calm and well being. You can buy these healing herbs at natural food stores or from natural apothecaries. Many people prefer to buy dried herbs and make a tea. Some take herbs in capsule form. They can be as effective When taking herbal supplements, be sure to read the label carefully to ensure taking the proper amount.
Put water to work. When your emotions are running high and you feel as though you’re about to collapse, nothing is more soothing than taking a long, relaxing bath. Many people prefer their baths hot, but before you fill that tub full of steaming hot water, keep this in mind: Some experts believe that a lukewarm or slightly cool bath does a better job of relieving tension and anxiety. Fill the bath with water until it feels comfortable and soak for about twenty minutes, adding hot or cool water to keep the temperature constant.
Rub yourself the right way . Massage is one of the quickest ways to take the edge off panic and anxiety. There’s good reason for this. Massage improves the circulation, removes waste products like lactic acid from the muscles, and helps take your mind off stress. And, it just plain feels good. Even if you don’t feel like having a professional massage, it’s easy to take ten to fifteen minutes a day to indulge yourself in a little self-massage. Take a few moments to rub your neck. Rub your fingers across your scalp. Squeeze your shoulders, your thighs, and your calves. You can even try rolling a tennis ball along your arms to relieve tension, or roll a rolling pin on the long muscles of your upper legs. Doing this regularly helps lower stress and ease anxiety.
Walk off your stress . Many people, when they first start feeling anxious, put on their sneakers and head outside. Taking a long walk – or, if you’re athletically inclined, a jog or a bike ride – is one of the best ways to put the brakes on panic attacks. Research has shown that exercise can increase your tolerance to stress and make you more optimistic and upbeat. Walking, swimming, or even dancing several times a week will help you feel more confident and in control – and less vulnerable to anxiety.
Be careful what you eat . Just as some foods, like carbohydrates, can help you feel calm and relaxed, others can put your nerves on edge. When you’re feeling stressed, it’s good idea to avoid caffeine and alcohol, which can boost your anxiety levels. During high-stress times, you may want to drink soothing, non-caffeinated herbal teas or simple some ice water flavored with lemon or lime. You should also avoid sweets and eat more filling “comfort” foods, such as potatoes, pasta, or whole-grain breads.
Turn off the internal chatter . Many doctors believe that negative thinking can have a profound impact on how we feel. Unfortunately, negative thoughts are hard to avoid. We all get panicky from time to time. But many of us have the equivalent of little tape machines in our heads that are constantly playing irrational and negative messages: “I am losing control,” or “I’m so stupid, what was I thinking?” Sound familiar? If so, you can turn things around by changing what’s on the tape. Start “playing” positive messages: “I’m strong. I’m in control. I’m nervous, but that’s OK,” If you constantly replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll still experience stress and anxiety, but you’ll feel better able to handle them and this is the key to keeping panic under control.
Ulcerative Colitis Diet Recommendations
Article by Patsy Hamilton
If you are searching for information about an effective ulcerative colitis diet, you may find yourself very confused. There is no diet for ulcerative colitis that is agreed upon by all healthcare professionals. Most eating plans that are advertised as an ulcerative colitis diet were designed by those who suffer from the disease or those who love them. One man who sells a cookbook for his ulcerative colitis diet plan says that he was told by a doctor of “oriental medicine” (his words, not mine) that he should eat no meat, no fish, no egg yolks, no fruits and no nuts. While another diet for ulcerative colitis control, developed by a doctor and a biochemist recommends meat, fish, eggs, fruits and nuts. It may be wise and most effective to design your own ulcerative colitis diet, taking into account any known food allergies or sensitivities.
A symptoms and food diary may be helpful to use as you are designing your diet for ulcerative colitis control. Try to note not only what you ate, but what you drank. While there is little agreement about what foods should be included in an ulcerative colitis diet, there are certain products (like caffeine, alcohol, high fiber cereals, some fruits and some fruit juices) that are known to have a laxative effect, cause cramping and diarrhea, even in people who do not have an inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis. Diet is important. A healthy diet is important for overall good health and sense of well being. For those who suffer from ulcerative colitis, diet is particularly important.
Chronic diarrhea may lead to malnutrition, weight loss, weakness and dehydration. For these reasons a diet for ulcerative colitis control should be well-balanced, with adequate amounts of protein, carbohydrates and good fats. Including vitamin supplements, particularly D, B12 and iron is recommended.
Simple sugars and artificial sweeteners cause flare ups in some people. No matter what your food preferences, it is important when designing your ulcerative colitis diet to be honest with yourself. It may be hard to give up sodas, coffee, candy and muffins, but your goal should be to control your symptoms. Ulcerative colitis is considered a chronic disease that has a tendency to go into remission and then flare up again over time. Mild to moderate symptoms may be controlled with an ulcerative colitis diet, supplements, herbs and medications, but severe ulcerative colitis can only be cured with surgery. Since cases rarely begin as severe, keeping your symptoms under control decreases the likelihood that surgery will be necessary.
One thing to consider when designing your ulcerative colitis diet is stress and anxiety. While stress and anxiety are not believed to cause ulcerative colitis, it is believed that they can aggravate the condition. Many people who suffer from ulcerative colitis also suffer from anxiety. It may be that the condition causes people to be more anxious, never knowing when they may have to find a bathroom, always worrying about a flare up, etc. Symptoms of anxiety include rapid pulse, trembling, shaking, sweating and nausea or abdominal distress. If you experience symptoms of anxiety, in addition to symptoms of ulcerative colitis, diet considerations are similar, but there are other suggestions. These include eating smaller meals more frequently, chewing thoroughly and eating slowly.
Salt and preservatives are known to put additional stress on the body. These should be excluded or at least restricted from a healthy ulcerative colitis diet, particularly when symptoms of stress and anxiety are present. When designing your diet for ulcerative colitis control, try to include less pre-packaged foods which are full of salt and preservatives.
One more consideration for an ulcerative colitis diet is meat selection. Most companies that raise poultry, cattle and pigs for human consumption include hormones in the animal’s diets. While there is no conclusive evidence that these hormones are harmful to humans, many people believe that they can put additional stress on the human body, because they increase stress on the animal’s bodies. When you are selecting meat and fish for your ulcerative colitis diet, try to select products that do not contain hormones. For example, wild salmon, free range chicken and other organic products are better choices for a diet for ulcerative colitis control than pork and beef.
The lack of agreement about an effective ulcerative colitis diet probably stems from the fact that people have different food sensitivities and allergies. For example, a person who is lactose intolerant can not follow a diet that contains numerous milk products. One who is allergic to legumes can not follow a diet that relies heavily on legumes for protein. If you do not know if you are allergic to any foods, it may be wise to visit an allergy specialist. Sometimes food allergies develop over time, so foods that you were able to eat at one time with no adverse reactions may, at a later date, cause symptoms to flare up.
All of this may seem overwhelming and even depressing, but you may be encouraged to know that many people have found an ulcerative colitis diet that works well for them. For other suggestions about diet for ulcerative colitis control, from people just like you, you may want to visit a colitis support group. There are several on the web and your doctor may be able to recommend groups in your area. For more information about ulcerative colitis and other digestive problems, visit www.digestive-disorders-guide.com.