Prostate Cancer Risks and How to Avoid Them

The incidences of prostate cancer risks have shown significant variation across the globe. Though the prevalence and characteristics of prostate cancer risks have been extensively studied in many countries, data regarding the actual incidence of prostate cancer in India is limited.

Prostate cancer is primarily a disease of the elderly with more than three-quarter of the cases occurring in men above 65 years of age. This disease has become a major health problem globally during the last few decades. Studies have shown that prostate cancer is the second most frequently diagnosed cancer in men worldwide and the fifth most common cancer overall. It is disheartening to note that approximately 4.04 million years of healthy life are lost globally due to prostate cancer alone. It is also the sixth leading cause of cancer deaths in men. Worldwide, prostate cancer is projected to have the most substantial proportionate increase in cancer cases in men by 2020.

A risk factor is anything that increases a person’s chance of developing cancer. Although risk factors often influence the chance to develop cancer, most do not directly or by themselves cause cancer. Some people with several known risk factors never develop cancer, while others with no known risk factors do. Knowing your risk factors and talking about them with your doctor may help you make more informed lifestyle and health care choices.

The following factors may raise prostate cancer risks:
● Age: The prostate cancer risks increase with age, especially after age 50. More than 80% of prostate cancers are diagnosed in men who are 65 or older. Older patients who are diagnosed with prostate cancer can face unique challenges, specifically concerning cancer treatment.
● Family History: Prostate cancer that runs in the family, called familial prostate cancer, occurs about 20% of the time. This type of prostate cancer develops because of a combination of shared genes and shared environmental or lifestyle factors. Hereditary prostate cancer, meaning the cancer is inherited from a relative, is rare and accounts for about 5% of all cases. Hereditary prostate cancer occurs when changes in genes, or mutations, are passed down within a family from 1 generation to the next.

Prostate Cancer risks may be suspected if a man’s family history includes any of the following characteristics:
● 3 or more first-degree relatives with prostate cancer
● Prostate cancer in 3 generations on the same side of the family
● 2 or more close relatives, such as a father, brother, son, grandfather, uncle, or nephew, on the same side of the family, diagnosed with prostate cancer before age 55.

If a man has a first-degree relative—meaning a father, brother, or son—with prostate cancer, his prostate cancer risks are 2 to 3 times higher than the average risk. The prostate cancer risks increase even further with the number of relatives diagnosed with prostate cancer.

● Other genetic changes: Other genes that may carry increased prostate cancer risks include HPC1, HPC2, HPCX, CAPB, ATM, and FANCA. However, none of them has been directly shown to cause prostate cancer or be specific to this disease. Research to identify genes associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer is ongoing, and researchers are continually learning more about how specific genetic changes can influence the development of prostate cancer. At present, there are no genetic tests available to determine a man’s chance of developing prostate cancer.
● Eating habits: No study has proven that diet and nutrition can directly cause or prevent the development of prostate cancer. However, many studies that look at links between certain eating behaviors and cancer suggest there may be a connection. For example, obesity is associated with many cancers, including prostate cancer, and a healthy diet to avoid weight gain is recommended.

Factors that can lead to avoidance of Prostate Cancer risks are –
● Regularly eating foods high in fat, especially animal fat, may increase prostate cancer risk. However, no prospective studies, meaning studies that look at men who follow either high-fat or low-fat diets and then measure the total number of men in each group diagnosed with prostate cancer, have yet shown that diets high in animal fat raise prostate cancer risks.
● A diet high in vegetables, fruits, and legumes, such as beans and peas, may decrease the risk of prostate cancer. It is unclear which nutrients are directly responsible. Although lycopene, the nutrient found in tomatoes and other vegetables, has been shown to be associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer, the data so far have not proven a relationship.
● Currently, no specific vitamins, minerals, or other supplements have been conclusively shown in clinical trials to prevent prostate cancer. Men should talk with their doctors before taking any supplements to avoid prostate cancer risks.
● Specific changes to eating behaviors may not stop or slow the development of prostate cancer. It is possible such changes would need to be made early in life to have an effect.

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Food Poisoning Symptoms and Causes

Foodborne illness, more commonly referred to as food poisoning, is the result of eating contaminated, spoiled, or toxic food. The most common symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you have food poisoning, chances are it won’t go undetected. Symptoms can vary depending on the source of the infection. The length of time it takes for symptoms to appear also depends on the source of the infection, but it can range from as little as 1 hour to as long as 28 days.

Common causes of food poisoning will typically include at least three of the following symptoms:
• Abdominal cramps
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• loss of appetite
• Mild fever
• Weakness
• Nausea
• Headaches

Most food poisoning can be traced to one of the following three major causes:
1. Bacteria that cause food poisoning Bacteria is by far the most prevalent cause of food poisoning. When thinking of dangerous bacteria, names like E. coli, Listeria, and Salmonella come to mind for a good reason.
Salmonella is by far the biggest culprit of severe food poisoning cases in the United States. According to the CDC, an estimated 1,000,000 cases of food poisoning, including nearly 20,000 hospitalizations, can be traced to salmonella infection annually. Campylobacter and C. botulinum ( botulism) are two lesser-known and potentially lethal bacteria that can lurk in our food.

2. Parasites that cause food poisoning
Food poisoning caused by parasites is not as common as food poisoning caused by bacteria, but parasites spread through food are still very dangerous. Toxoplasma is the parasite seen most often in cases of food poisoning. It’s typically found in cat litter boxes. Parasites can live in your digestive tract undetected for years. However, people with weakened immune systems and
pregnant women risk serious side effects if parasites take up residence in their intestines.

3. Viruses that cause food poisoning
A virus can also cause food poisoning. The norovirus, also known as the Norwalk virus, causes over 19 million cases of food poisoning each year. In rare cases, it can be fatal. sapovirus, rotavirus, and astrovirus bring on similar symptoms, but they’re less common. Hepatitis A virus is a serious condition that can be transmitted through food.

What’s good to eat when you have food poisoning?
It’s best to gradually hold off on solid foods until vomiting and diarrhea have passed and instead ease back to your regular diet by eating simple-to-digest foods that are bland and low in fat,
such as:
● Saltine crackers
● Gelatin
● Bananas
● Rice
● Oatmeal
● Chicken Broth
● Bland Potatoes
● Boiled Vegetables
● Toast
● Soda without caffeine (ginger ale, root beer)
● Diluted fruit juices
● Sport drinks

What’s bad to eat when you have food poisoning?
To prevent your stomach from getting more upset, try to avoid the following harder-to-digest foods, even if you think you feel better:
● Dairy products, especially milk and Cheese.
● Fatty foods
● Highly seasoned foods
● Food with high sugar content
● Spicy foods
● Fried foods

You should also avoid:
● Caffeine (soda, energy drinks, coffee)
● Alcohol
● Nicotine

Medulance is a user-friendly way to request and track ambulances close to you. Medulance, India’s first, GPS based technology platform for fast and reliable first point medical attention.

Animal Bites and Relevant First Aid for Them

Even seemingly minor animal bites can be dangerous. The threat of animal bites is posed not only by feral but also domesticated animals. It is imperative for everyone to have basic first aid knowledge in cases of animal bites. First Aid in the case of animal bites can prove to be imperative in preventing the situation from worsening.

All animals carry germs in their mouths, and these germs can enter your body through even the smallest bite mark. The risk of infection and disease is a top concern when dealing with an animal bite, and it is beneficial to learn as much as possible about the animal that bit you.
● If the animal is domestic, ask the owner of the pet is current with its vaccinations.
● If it is a wild animal, trapping it may be beneficial so that it can be tested for rabies and other illnesses.

Clean the Injury.
Because bacteria can enter the body through even the smallest wound, cleaning the wound promptly is essential.
Cleansing the Affected Area Washing the area with soap and water is beneficial, but using an antibacterial cleaning agent may be better. Ideally, this should be done as soon as possible to minimize the risk of infection after being bitten.

Seek Medical Attention If Necessary Many animal bites are relatively minor and would not require medical attention. However, there are a few instances when medical attention is needed. In some cases, getting medical treatment quickly is highly beneficial.

For example:
● Deep wounds or wounds that will not stop bleeding after pressure is applied may require stitches or sutures.
● If the animal that bit you is wild and there is a concern about rabies, medical treatment is a wise idea.
● If the animal that bit you is potentially poisonous, such as with a snake, you may also need immediate medical attention.
● Other Things to Consider With an Animal Bite
With your visible inspection of the wound, you may be able to learn more about the wound.

Some animal bites, for example, may result in a broken animal tooth getting embedded in your skin, and this may need to be removed by a medical professional.
In addition to teeth, other foreign objects may also get embedded in the wound, and you can typically see or feel these with your inspection.
If the wound is deep, a medical professional may need to look for these.
With deeper wounds, there is also a potential for nerve damage or blood vessel damage.

It may not be possible for you to diagnose these so that any deep wound may dictate the need for medical treatment.
● Watch the Wound As It Heals.
● Whether you have a minor or deep wound, pay attention to the wound as it heals to identify signs of infection.
● Some of the common signs of infection are warm skin around the wound, redness or streaking around the wound, fever, swelling, pain, and pus. These are all signs that the wound is potentially infected.
● A doctor can diagnose an infection for you and may prescribe an antibiotic or another treatment option for you.

Whether an animal bite appears to be minor or severe, it is important to take proper steps to care for the wound. Because even a small bite that appears to be superficial can lead to a major infection, it is best to take such incidents seriously and treat all animal bites with care.

Medulance is a user-friendly way to request and track ambulances close to you. Medulance, is India’s first, GPS-based technology platform for fast and reliable first point medical attention.

Parasites: How to Tell if You Got Them and Get Rid of Them

Parasites are the cause of many morbidities and even mortalities in India. The scenario of food-borne parasites and related illnesses in India differs from the rest of the world due to varied food habits across the country. Other factors, however, such as unhygienic living conditions, lack of education, poor personal hygiene, poverty, and occupation, also contribute to the dissemination of infections by parasites. It is imperative for everyone to know how to look out for signs of being infected by parasites and how to cleanse one of the parasites.

How to Tell if You Have Parasites
● Lowered immune system and constant illness
● Rectal itching, especially at night
● More than one vaginal yeast infection
● Sores on the mouth or lips or white spots inside the mouth
● Toe fungus or athlete’s foot
● Rashes or itching around genitals in men or women
● Intestinal cramps
● Psoriasis or eczema
● Menstrual irregularities including irregular periods, heavy bleeding, cramps
● Constipation or diarrhea

Potential Damage that can be caused due to Parasites
● Infertility or permanent fertility damage
● Multiple Sclerosis
● Osteoporosis
● Malnutrition
● Vitamin Deficiencies
● Chronic Fatigue
● Kidney Stones
● Crohn’s Disease
● Skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis
● Insomnia and sleep disturbances
● Digestive problems of all kinds

How to Deal With Parasites?

Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies are a great tool to start with right away. Cloves, wormwood, and black walnut are what you want to look for. Cloves work because they kill the eggs, not just the adults. Along with cloves, the herbs wormwood and black walnut husk are excellent as they kill the parasites in general.

Cleansing
Colon cleansing is how to start when doing a parasite cleanse because it’s the buildup of plaque in the colon that the parasites feed on and one of the big reasons the parasites are there in the first place. Plaque can be the result of a bad diet or just a slow build-up that’s formed over time and distance. Often plaque is also partly a physical manifestation of past experience or pattern
that we are holding onto. You may need to do some emotional or energetic work to help release that. After a colon cleanses commences, the juice fasting for 10-14 days. By this point, you should start to see the parasites being ejected out.

Hospitalization
In extreme cases, it is best to hospitalize the patient as fast as possible. Medulance is a user-friendly way to request and track ambulances close to you. Medulance, is India’s first, GPS-based technology platform for fast and reliable first point medical attention.

Cancer signs that can help in Early Detection

Cancer is one of the biggest causes of death in India. Early Detection can drastically reduce the mortality due to cancer, which is particularly prevalent in India. Cancer cases, as well as mortality, are increasing rapidly among Indian women especially, with India now having the third-highest number of cancer cases among women. Cancer in the lungs and the liver were the most common cases among men, while for women the most common type of cancer was breast and cervical cancer.

Number of cancer patients by region

Lung Cancer is prevalent in the male population of India, with an estimated 40 percent of cases among men having been diagnosed with the lungs as the site. Excessive consumption of tobacco and excessive smoking can be blamed for this. Similarly, Liver Cancer, to which 30 percent of deaths due to cancer were attributed, can be blamed on excessive alcohol consumption. In rural areas, consumption of hootch of suspect quality has resulted in a rise in the number of lung cancer fatalities. Breast Cancer accounts for 27 percent of all cancers in women in India, with incidents rising in the early thirties and peaking at 50-64 ages. Cervical cancer accounts for nearly 20 percent of all cancer-related deaths among women in India.

Early detection can drastically boost the odds of beating cancer. Self-detection is possible if general public awareness about early signs and symptoms is increased. The following are some early signs of cancer types prevalent in India that you should be on the lookout for to enable early detection and subsequent treatment –

Lung Cancer :

  1. Continuous and painful bouts of cough (dry or mucus-producing)
  2. Chronic shortness of breath
  3. Sharp and constant chest pain, along with dull and intermittent pain in the shoulders and back
  4. A wheezing or whistling noise being produced during breathing
  5. Hoarsening of voice
  6. Inexplicable and drastic weight loss

Liver Cancer :

  1. Inexplicable and drastic weight loss
  2. Feeling very full after a small meal
  3. Nausea or vomiting
  4. An enlarged liver felt as a mass under the ribs on the right side
  5. An enlarged spleen felt as a mass under the ribs on the left side
  6. Pain in the abdomen or near the right shoulder blade
  7. Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Breast Cancer :

  1. Change in size or shape
  2. A lump or area that feels thicker than the rest of the breast
  3. A change in skin texture such as puckering or dimpling (like the skin of an orange)
  4. Redness or rash on the skin and/or around the nipple
  5. The liquid that comes from the nipple without squeezing
  6. Pain in your breast or your armpit that’s there all or almost all of the time
  7. Swelling in your armpit or around your collarbone

Cervical Cancer :

  1. Weight loss and fatigue
  2. Back pain, pain in the legs, or swelling
  3. Leakage of urine or feces from the vagina
  4. Bone fractures
  5. Vaginal bleeding or unusual vaginal discharge
  6. Pelvic pain

Being on the lookout for these signs is of vital importance. Treatment becomes more complicated as the stages advance. More than 90% of women diagnosed with breast cancer at the earliest stage survive their disease for at least 5 years compared to around 15% for women diagnosed with the most advanced stage of the disease. More than 75% of women diagnosed with the earliest stage cervical cancer survive their disease for at least 5 years compared to around 5% for women diagnosed with the most advanced stage of the disease.

Around 70% and 64% of lung and liver cancer patients respectively will survive for at least a year if diagnosed at the earliest stage compared to around 14% and 17% for people diagnosed with the most advanced stage of the disease.