Jul 29
Prostate brachytherapy (pronounced bray-kee-ther-uh-pee), the implantation of radioactive seeds into the prostate gland, is one of the standard methods of successfully treating prostate cancer. The tiny radioactive seeds are smaller than grains of rice.
A prostate seed implant may be the only type of radiation therapy needed by a man with low-risk prostate cancer or it may be prescribed in addition to external beam radiation therapy in men with intermediate- and high- risk prostate cancer. The goal is to eradicate cancer cells while preserving healthy, surrounding tissue, such as the bladder, the urethra (the tube that connects the bladder to the penis), and the rectum.
The advantages of prostate seed implants are significant. Fist, the procedure requires only minor surgery, usually causing fewer side effects than other treatments. Also, it is generally a same day, outpatient procedure. Men usually are able to return to work within several days, as long as they feel well enough. In addition, recent reports suggest that the procedure, when performed on properly selected men, is at least as effective as surgery to cure prostate cancer. Radiation exposure to other people is minimal, so restrictions do not apply unless the man is returning to a setting where a young child or pregnant woman is present.
Treatment Planning
Men undergo a pre-implant ultrasound study to determine where the radioactive seeds (and the needles to implant them) should be placed. A transrectal ultrasound, wherein an ultrasound probe is carefully positioned in the rectum to view the entire prostate, is performed. Images of the prostate are taken and are transferred to a special treatment planning computer, which evaluates the position of the prostate and generates a three-dimensional plan that dictates the precise placement of the seeds.
Preparation for the Procedure
Most candidates for prostate brachytherapy undergo blood tests, a chest x-ray and an EKG several days prior to the implant, in order to be approved for anesthesia. On the morning of the procedure, men receive an enema to help optimize the quality of the transrectal ultrasound images. In addition, blood thinners are discontinued several days prior to the procedure to help diminish the risk of bleeding.
Day of the Procedure
Typically, men who are scheduled to undergo seed placement arrive early in the morning. Next, the man is taken to the operating room for the procedure, where he undergoes either general or spinal anesthesia. Then, the radiation oncologist and the urologist work as a team to implant the seeds into the prostate, using transrectal ultrasound to guide the placement.
The Implant Process
Using the treatment plan and fluoroscopy (real-time x-ray), the radiation oncologist places the seeds within the prostate. The entire procedure usually takes less than one hour. After the seed placement, the urologist performs a cystoscopy (a procedure in which a slender, flexible, fiber optic scope is inserted from the penis into the bladder), to look for and remove any seeds that dislodged in the bladder or the urethra. Within the few next days, a CT scan is obtained to verify the placement of the seeds.
Prostate Seed Implants: Recovery
Because prostate implants do not involve major surgery, side effects are rarely severe. The most common side effects reported by men after prostate seed implants are:
o Urinary frequency (60-70%)
o Urinary burning (50%)
o Urinary urgency (50%)
o Erectile dysfunction (30%)
o Blood in the urine (20-30%)
o Increased bowel movements and bowel urgency (5%)
o Fatigue (20%)
o Pelvic pain (20%)
o The need for temporary catheter placement (10-15%)
o Urinary incontinence (less than 1%)
In addition, up to 20 percent of men are found to have seed migration into their lungs. However, no detrimental effects have been reported. Infrequently, men have required trans-urethral resection, the “scraping” of the prostate gland via the penis, to relieve urinary obstruction after the seed placement.
Follow-Up
Men who undergo prostate brachytherapy report for follow-up visits four weeks after the procedure and every three months thereafter. A PSA blood test and a physical exam are performed to assess the status of the prostate.
The good news is that prostate seed implants are usually successful at controlling prostate cancer within the gland. Such local control of disease correlates with rendering men free from prostate cancer.
Jul 28
Try all-natural material that adds interest while at the same time helps to clean the teeth and gums of your Shih Tzu. Experiment with different fun shapes in different sizes to help keep your dog healthy. It is easy to fight plaque when you do it in a fun way!
Hard Rubber Toys
Hard rubber toys are great for an aggressive chewer. I have not found this to be a great problem with the Shih Tzu, however, it has occurred. If you find that your dog is destroying his or her chew toys, try replacing them with the hard rubber toys. There are many colors, sizes and styles available. All of these toys will help to stimulate the dog’s gums for improved oral hygiene and the variety of shapes and colors are appealing to the Shih Tzu as well as to the owners. Dogs in general love the different shapes. You will need to experiment with these toys to see which your dog prefers. A few shapes are:
o Star Explosion shapes
o Space Station shapes
o Cosmic Cone shapes
o And Rubber bones
The star explosions and space stations shapes feature protruding mounds and grooves to help entice appropriate chewing (while discouraging chewing on your furniture) and while cleaning the teeth of your Shih Tzu. The Cosmic cone has a fun cone shape and is easy to grab. They also feature a hollow center that you can fill with the dog’s favorite treats. Rubber bones are usually made from high-quality brightly colored material that resists even the toughest chewing performances. Most of these toys are available in sizes of small, medium and large. For the Shih Tzu, you should start out with small and medium sizes. The price is usually minimal.
Bouncers Ruff Chews
A hard rubber bouncer is a delightful toy that can entertain your Shih Tzu for hours, that is, if this toy is one he or she prefers. The bouncing toys bounce unpredictably when thrown; this makes playtime between the pet and owner extra enjoyable. The high-quality, hard rubber material these toys are made of makes them ideal for aggressive chewers as well as “teething” puppies.
The ricochet roller version is a toy and a rope tug combined. The ricochet roller version is perfect for the smaller Shih Tzu. The bouncible version is a ball with six attached cone shapes that creates a bounce this way or that when thrown. The ends of cones can be stuffed with peanut butter for an additional treat.
To help exercise jaws, clean teeth and provide entertainment to the Shih Tzu, try the Rrruff chew toys available. These are usually flexible, natural rubber toys that feature classic shapes pets just love. The grooved designs provide an invigorating chewing experience and promote better dental health. Raised nubs and ridges help to remove plaque buildup and will also massage the Shih Tzu’s gums. These toys are usually available in fun shapes that simulate a fire hydrant, bones or tug pulls.
Disclaimer: The toys mentioned in this article are manufactured by “Zanies.” The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with the Zanies Company or any of its employees.
Jul 25
Those who are interested in learning the art of massage will find many opportunities in Massachusetts Massage Therapy Schools to prepare for various massage therapy professions. Aspiring massage therapists can study for certificates or diplomas, or advance their studies to obtain two-year Associate of Science (AS) degrees or four-year Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees.
The courses taught at all massage schools are geared toward helping students prepare to successfully pass national certification exams. They offer courses designed to develop skills in sports massage, prenatal massage, neuromuscular therapy, lymph massage, therapeutic massage, reflexology, acupressure, and kinesiology. Many of the various massage therapy schools in Massachusetts will even provide courses to facilitate smooth client relations, as well as client assessment and communications.
All massage therapy schools, in every state, have the option of becoming accredited, and students should consider only those schools that are accredited by state and national organizations. Affiliation with various massage and bodywork organizations can also give massage therapy programs and massage therapy institutions credence. Accredited massage schools assure that students will receive a quality education leading to a successful employment path. The basic training received in massage school can also be a stepping stone to advanced natural healing studies, such as acupuncture or chiropractics, to name just two exciting possibilities.
Massachusetts massage therapy schools (and others, for that matter) provide students with classroom and hands-on training to qualify for positions at the entry level. Courses in anatomy, physiology, pathology, nutrition, health, and hygiene provide students with basic knowledge to help manage pain and prevent physical incapacity due to injury or disease. Later, students will take courses in theory and practice of massage, hydrotherapy, and reflexology to provide additional skills. Hands-on massage experience in a clinical setting will round out the students’ preparation for serving clients in athletic organizations, spas, and medical facilities. Some massage therapy schools even provide courses in management, marketing, accounting, and business ethics that give students the complete set of business skills for operating their own massage therapy practice.
Demands for the services of qualified massage therapists will continue to escalate in the U.S. as well as Canada. Graduates of massage therapy schools in Massachusetts should find numerous employment opportunities, as the industry is expected to grow steadily for the next several years. Massage practices in Massachusetts may be regulated by state statutes, and individual towns and municipalities may also regulate massage practices; however, many areas have no licensing requirements. The savvy massage therapist will carefully check with state and local governing bodies before beginning a practice.
Would you like to learn more? You can get more in-depth information about Massachusetts Massage Therapy Schools and other Massage Schools and Massage Therapy Schools by visiting our website today!
DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.
Copyright 2007 – All rights reserved by SchoolsGalore.com, in association with Media Positive Communications, Inc.
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Jul 23
The treatment of prostate cancer varies depending on what stage the cancer is at. The Gleason score is a scale given to the tumor which helps decide the best course of action. Other factors involved in the decision of treatment include age of the patient and their physical and mental health condition.
The Gleason scale is a number given to the tumor, where the lower the score the less likely the cancer will spread to other part of the body.
A Gleason scale score or 6 or less means that the cancer is not likely to spread around the body.
A Gleason scale score of 7 means there is a reasonable chance of the cancer spreading around the body.
A Gleason score of 8 or more means there is a good chance that the cancer will spread around the body.
Once a Gleason number has been assigned, then the doctor or specialist will recommend the best course of action, although the final decision for treatment always lies with the patient. Treatments range from “passive watching “, to “active watching” and then onto actual treatment such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy and Brachytherapy.
The cause of prostate cancer is still not known at this time, although treatment has been getting more and more successful over the last twenty years. If the cancer has not spread to the bones, then it can often be treated successfully. However if it has spread to the bone then it may not be curable, and treatment will revolve around prolonging life. the prostate cancer scale known as the Gleason scale provides a method to determining the correct treatment for the patient.
Jul 22
Are Genital Warts Contagious? Over 20 Million Americans Can Attest To Just How Contagious Genital Warts Are!
Are Genital Warts Contagious? The short answer to that question is a resounding Yes, however it would be more correct to say that the virus which causes genital warts is contagious. This virus, HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), is contagious at all stages including the incubation stage before any symptoms make this virus’ presence known. This is probably one of the main factors which make this virus which causes genital warts contagious to a seemingly larger effect than most – the symptoms can show up within days, or may never show up for years. This very elusive quality is certainly a very good reason for regular medical checkups in order to detect this virus in its early stages.
Is Sexual Contact What Makes Genital Warts Contagious
When the symptoms of this sexually transmitted disease show up in their own time, it can be very surprising if not previously detected. Many may worry that this could be something much more serious (although in truth, this is quite serious enough) or even fatal upon first noticing these symptoms. This of course can cause feelings of anxiety, fear, anger and states of deep emotional stress for the sufferer and his or her partner and family.
Genital Warts, Contagious As It Is, Doesn’t Mean Life’s Over
Once it is known that the condition is HPV, we can begin to take the proper steps to keep the genital warts contagious property under control by not spreading the disease. Abstaining from sexual activity until proper treatment has been undertaken is very much recommended. But what would be the proper treatment for genital warts? Contagious diseases such as this need to be completely eradicated in order to maintain a level of safety between you and you partner, so what is to be done? There are many methods of treatment, but the success rates of each tend to vary.
Are Genital Warts Still Contagious After Medical Removal?
Over the counter creams and other medications for shrinking warts prove very ineffective, as well as most topical prescription medicines. Ridding ourselves of genital warts can be very frustrating as it seems they simply will not go away, so many turn to more drastic measures. Some of these may include cryotherapy which involves the direct application of liquid nitrogen to freeze these off of the skin, CO2 laser surgery to burn them away, or having the doctor use a sharp medical instrument to simply carve them off of the body. While these methods seem rather harsh, can take time over a course of a series of medical visits, be expensive and even painful, complete wart removal is the result. But in the complete removal of genital warts, contagious capabilities have not ceased. What’s more is that new warts inevitably take the place of those which have been removed.
Is The Use Of Herbal Remedies, Homeopathic And Naturopathic Medicine The Secret To Controlling The Contagious Properties of Genital Warts?
Since the virus is the cause of your Genital Warts, removal is merely taking away the appearance of the symptom and not curing the cause nor is it ridding the genital wart contagious proprieties. In order to combat the cause at its source, sufferers have the best success with the use of natural herbal medicines such as medicinal plant extracts and essential oils. Being completely natural, these are readily absorbed into the body and directly into the bloodstream where these medicines can control the virus. The use of this therapy actually works, eventually causing the warts to flake up and fall away from the body.
Jul 22
If you suffer from IBS, you have probably heard about fiber and its effects on Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Eating a sufficient amount of fiber is one of the major ways to help prevent IBS. By being aware of both the health benefits of fiber and how it affects your symptoms, you can use fiber effectively to ease the discomforts of IBS. There are different types of fiber, each with their own characteristics to help with your symptoms.
Fiber is primarily found in whole grains. Bread, spaghetti and other whole-wheat products are high in fiber to help your digestive system. In addition, most fruits and vegetables will help to increase the fiber in your diet. High fiber foods are known have a direct impact on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and the digestive tract. Sometimes, IBS is an indicator that your diet is not high enough in fiber.
One type of fiber is soluble fiber. Soluble fiber soothes the digestive tract, and helps to prevent both diarrhea and constipation–the two faces of IBS. Soluble fiber is typically found in starchy foods such as:
rice pasta oatmeal potatoes sweet potatoes mushrooms bananas applesauce
Soluble fiber is able to dissolve in liquid, including the water you drink with your meal. This water absorption allows the fiber to move easily and quickly through the digestive tract. Drinking plenty of water with your meals will help soluble fiber to be most effective.
The other type of fiber is insoluble fibers. Insoluble fiber is typically found in the cellulose of certain foods. Seeds, root vegetables, cabbage, wheat bran and corn bran also contain high amounts of insoluble fibers. While insoluble fiber is a key part of a healthy diet, those with IBS should be careful to avoid insoluble fiber on an empty stomach as this can exacerbate your symptoms.
During an IBS attack, you may find that consuming additional fiber will help to relax your digestive system, and return you to normal. You may want to consider a fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or Fibercon, to relieve your symptoms.
As you begin to increase your fiber intake, be aware that your body has its limitations. If you are not accustomed to a high-fiber diet, be sure to introduce fiber slowly. This will give your body a chance to get used to processing the fiber. Over time, your body will adjust, and you will be able to increase your daily fiber intake.
Fiber is part of a healthy, balanced diet, and it is even more important for those suffering from IBS. It can help to reduce the symptoms, and even prevent them. The recommended minimum fiber intake is 25-33 grams per day-more is certainly better.
Jul 20
If you suffer from external hemorrhoids, there are many ways to treat them. Hemorrhoids make everyday actions like walking and even sitting painful, and relief from the pain that they cause is very important. Home treatments have proven to be effective, safe, and inexpensive. Petroleum jelly is one of the most frequent home treatments.
External hemorrhoids are generally caused by undue stress or pressure on the veins in the anus area. These hemorrhoids are highly sensitive, and cause burning and itching in the anal area. Petroleum jelly can help to relieve the symptoms, applied as needed.
A calculated change in lifestyle is another external hemorrhoid treatment option you can take and is perhaps the most important. Your choice of undergarments is a big factor as cotton will relieve some of the swelling and irritation of the anus area by allowing the effect area to “breath”. Also fabric made from cotton will help keep the area free from excess moister. Though this may seem like a small or even insignificant change you can make it is important to do all that you can to combat this problem.
The types of physical activates you partake in also play a part. Picking up heavy items, coughing constantly, extended time of standing and sitting and constipation all can cause hemorrhoids. By just changing your lifestyle using some these ways can help you manage your hemorrhoids and perhaps destroy them for good.
Phenylephrine, also known as Preparation H, is the other method. The irritating and swelling near the area of concern is neutralized by the applying the phenylephrine, the active ingredient found in Preparation H. The hemorrhoids should be taken care of if the irritation and swelling is reduced. This procedure needs to be constantly repeated in order to confirm that your ailment is gone. The amount of time and application needed to cure the condition is dependent on how severe of the case.
These forms of treatment are preferred because they are effective and not as expensive as conventional treatment methods. While surgical procedures are sometimes considered, they are mostly reserved for the most serve causes. Other means of home treatment should be explored first, before considering surgery, because there is always an alternative without having to spend money, time and effort to surgery.
If you are suffering from hemorrhoids there are no doubts that you have to properly address this problem and fast. Though they may help alleviate some of the symptoms it is important to remember that topical solutions such as petroleum jelly and Preparation H do not get the root cause of the problem. Because no definitive treatment exists, the adoption of lifestyle changes in diet, including incorporating supplements and natural food that aid in digestion and circulatory health are important along with positive changes in one’s physical activates may eliminate your external hemorrhoids and reduces your chances for developing them again.
Jul 20
“Everything is possible and everything is relative”. Indeed, in the field of medicine, everything is a case-to-case basis and unpredicted things may ensue at any given time. Everything keeps changing, including external hemorrhoid surgery which shows exactly what this discussion is all about.
As the medical community is excited about new hemorrhoid treatment options, a lot of hemorrhoid sufferers likewise consider external piles operation as their last resort to finding relief in treating a more serious hemorrhoid condition.
What is external hemorrhoid surgery?
This is a kind of procedure that mainly cuts the area where the hemorrhoid tissue is located. The inflamed and inflated vein is then tied off as a way of discouraging continuous bleeding of the piles. After that, the area that is being cut may be left exposed until such time that the surface dries up and heals itself or it can also be sewn reliant on the size of the opening or the incision. The external hemorrhoid procedure is done with the use of a laser, scalpel or a surgical knife with sharp blades or a cautery pencil.
What happens after the surgery?
Since handling is minimal, the patient experiences very little pain after the surgery. According to medical professionals, in this minimally invasive operation, recuperation period is definitely much shorter and fleeting. Most patients are sent home after the surgical procedure. However, elderly patients, those with other physical conditions and pregnant women are asked to be hospitalized for a day or two.
What are the other surgical procedures for external hemorrhoids?
While others opt for natural therapy, there are those patients who choose surgery over topical remedies and the like for faster and most efficient way of treating hemorrhoids. Other surgical treatments include hemorrhoidectomy, laser surgery, rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy and hemorrhoidopexy. The above-mentioned procedures may cost you a big sum of money, but the relief it provides is more than the hefty price.
To put it briefly, the less invasive surgical techniques and methods promises to improve major recovery rate. The advancements in technology and these new modalities definitely proved that there is cure for hemorrhoids apart from traditional treatments and older modalities.
Jul 19
Prostate cancer is often treated successfully if it is caught early, but in its very early stages there may not be any visible symptoms. Prostate cancer early symptoms often don’t become apparent until the cancer has progressed enough to put pressure on the urethra. When this happens it may cause symptoms such as pain when urinating and pains in the pelvic area, although these may be caused by something completely different so do not mean you have cancer.
Some of the early prostate cancer symptoms are:
Sudden need to urinate, often at night Painful urination and/or ejaculation Irregular urine flow Blood in urine (in some rare cases) Pain in hip or pelvic area
Again, these symptoms do not mean you have cancer, as they can be caused by many other conditions. However if you do start to have these prostate cancer early symptoms occurring, then you should contact your GP who will be able to advice you whether a test or scan is required. This will be able to determine whether you have cancerous cells in the prostate gland.
If cancerous cells are detected, then depending on your age, health and progression of the tumour (which is rated using the Gleason scale) a treatment program will be recommended by your doctor. The final say in what treatment is performed is always down to the patient however. As prostate cancer is a relatively slow growing cancer that affect predominantly older men, in many cases the man dies of other causes before the prostate cancer takes effect.
Jul 17
I don’t know about you but I don’t like to take medications if I don’t have to. Sadly there are a lot people out there taking prescription sleep medication for their sleep problem with no relief in sight. It needn’t be that way after all sleeping pills don’t cure a sleep problem they just mask them. There is however, a natural way to regain the ability to fall asleep and stay asleep all night long. It’s called brain entrainment.
Brain entrainment is a natural approach to re-teaching your brain the skill of falling asleep and staying asleep for a complete night’s rest. Through this ground breaking process you no longer have to wonder as your bedtime approaches whether or not you are actually going to be able to fall asleep. Or if you do fall asleep will you be able to stay asleep. And there are even more variations on the lack of sleep theme including sleeping for a few hours only to find that when you wake up you are awake for the rest of night. Talk to anyone who is sleep deprived and they will share their own war stories when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep.
When did sleep become something that millions of people had to work at rather than just do naturally? You know, when we are born we are natural sleepers. Our brains instinctively know how to sleep. But something happens along the way. We start becoming anxious or stressed or worry worts or we develop monkey mind. You know what monkey mind is don’t you? That’s when you lay in bed trying to unwind only to find that your mind is wound up tighter than top. All of these things can slowly erode our brain’s innate skill when it comes to being able to go into sleep mode when our body’s require it. In fact our brain’s end up working against us when it comes to sleep – not for us.
It doesn’t take much at all to master brain entrainment. In fact it’s as easy as turning on your MP3 player or inserting a disk in your CD player and kicking back. Natural simple soundtracks (at least on the surface) start rewiring your brain synapses easily and naturally. No hocus pocus involved, just pure scientific research presented to your brain in the most natural ways. It doesn’t take much brain entraining at all for you to kick your own particular chronic sleep problem.
