Chronic Asthma Information

Not everyone with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease suffers from chronic asthma, but many individuals who experience emphysema or chronic bronchitis have asthma-like symptoms. Medical experts continue to debate whether chronic asthma should be classified as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, since asthma can be reversed.

Chronic asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways; the term asthma is derived from an ancient Greek word which means panting. With chronic asthma, the inflammation leads to the narrowing of the airways, which can cause wheezing, breathlessness, and gasping for air.

Studies indicate that chronic asthma involves two stages: the hyper-reactive response and the inflammatory response. The hyper-reactive response in chronic asthma refers to the constriction of the airways in response to inhaled irritants, while the inflammatory stage involves the production of white blood cells in the airways.

During a chronic asthma attack, the muscle tissue in the walls of the bronchi experiences spasms, causing labored breathing. With chronic asthma, coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing occur almost everyday. In order to combat chronic asthma, several medications may be needed.

Some medical experts speculate that the persistent symptoms of chronic asthma indicate a food allergy. As a result, some doctors encourage those suffering from chronic asthma to revise their diets in order to reduce the incidence of flare-ups.

There are some other simple strategies one can follow in order to alleviate symptoms of chronic asthma. These include removing the cause of chronic asthma, treating the symptoms, or altering the host to be more tolerant of the causes.

If you've been diagnosed with chronic asthma, medical experts suggest stopping all smoking and banning cigarette smoke from the house. Chronic asthma patients should also stop the use of volatile chemicals, which may exacerbate one's symptoms. Ending contact with pets can also alleviate chronic asthma.

The aims of any treatment program for chronic asthma should include: avoiding the trigger factors for chronic asthma, eliminating symptoms, restoring normal lung function, reducing the incidence of severe attacks, and minimizing the side-effects of drugs.

Drug therapy for chronic asthma can fall into three categories. Chronic asthma can be attacked with preventors or anti-inflammatories; relievers, which provide acute relief of symptoms; and controllers, which provide a sustained bronchodilator action with a mild anti-inflammatory action.

It should be noted that there are some misconceptions about the treatment of chronic asthma. For instance, antihistamines do not appear to be an effective chronic asthma treatment strategy. Immunosuppressives such as methotrexate are rarely beneficial for chronic asthma, and acupuncture has a negligible effect.

The basic goals of educating those with chronic asthma include an ability to understand the nature of asthma, an understanding of different types of asthma medication, an understanding of prevention strategies, knowing the correct use of inhalers, and recognizing signs of worsening asthma.

Interestingly enough, chronic asthma is often misdiagnosed in the elderly. Also, older people are more susceptible to the side-effects of drugs used to treat chronic asthma. As a result, senior citizens need special prevention strategies for chronic asthma.

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Asthma Treatment and Diagnosis

If you ever met anyone with asthma, an attack usually encompass a shortness of breath that soon passes without treatment. But it can also be a very life threatning event that can end up putting the sufferer in an emergency room. An average of 5,000 asthma deaths are reported in the United States each year. Most of the deaths occurred in patients who misjudged the severity of their symptoms or failed to reach a hospital or clinic in time to prevent death.

Diagnosing Asthma

Asthma diagnosis is based on repeated, careful measurements of how efficiently the patient can force air out of the lungs and on a thorough medical history and laboratory tests to find out what triggers the patient's acute attacks.

People with asthma react to external irritants in a way that non-asthmatics don't. Many, but not all, sufferers have allergies that cause their bodies to produce an abnormal array of chemicals in response to environmental allergens. In that sense, asthma is like pollen allergies, hives, and eczema. But in asthma, the allergic reaction contributes to inflammation of the airways rather than of skin, eyes, or nose and throat. An acute asthma attack may come on rapidly after exposure to an irritant or develop slowly over several days or weeks, which can complicate the job of identifying a patient's asthma triggers.

Which drugs asthma patients need, when to use them, and how much to use depend largely on the character of their illness, as shown by the degree of breathing impairment and the frequency and severity of acute attacks. Many docotors and researchers agree that the first line of defense is avoidance of whatever brings on an acute asthma episode. In some asthmatics, attacks can be brought on by strenuous exercise, exposure to cold outdoor air, industrial or household chemicals and food additives such as sulfites. Influenza or even cold viruses can also trigger asthma episodes. There are many cases where triggers cannot be identified, even after a thorough investigation.

Asthma Treatment

Knowing what provokes an asthma attack is critically important in prevention, but it's often difficult or impractical to avoid contact with triggering irritants. Today, however, doctors can prescribe drugs to lessen the risk of acute attacks after exposure to an offending irritant, as well as halt attacks that can't be prevented.

The drugs used to treat asthma fall into two broad categories: controllers to prevent acute attacks and relievers that check acute symptoms when they occur. Some drugs do both.

In light of mounting evidence that asthma is fundamentally an inflammatory disease, asthma authorities today regard inhaled corticosteroids--marketed under numerous brand names as the most effective agents for controlling airway inflammation and thus preventing acute asthma attacks. Corticosteroids in pill or tablet form and in liquid form for children are prescribed long-term for some patients with severe asthma, or short-term for patients with a serious asthma episode.

Bronchodilators work to help open the breathing tubes (bronchi), but do not treat the underlying inflammation. There are both short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators. Long-acting inhaled bronchodilators, and long-acting oral bronchodilators, are often used in conjunction with anti-inflammatory agents to control symptoms. They don't provide immediate relief of symptoms, but their preventive action persists for many hours, which makes them useful in controlling attacks that might occur during hours of sleep.

Drugs to bring quick relief in acute asthma attacks are chiefly short-acting inhaled bronchodilators that act rapidly but for a relatively brief time to relax bronchial constriction. Although these drugs are effective in treating asthma, there is some controversy about their safety, especially when they are overused. Scientific debate makes it clear, however, that an increasing need for inhaled bronchodilators, or a decreasing response to each dose, is a signal that the patient's asthma is not being adequately controlled. Patients who have an increasing need for short-acting inhaled bronchodilators should be reevaluated promptly by their physicians.

Both prescription and over-the-counter short-acting bronchodilators are available. Like the prescription drugs, the OTC drugs act only to provide symptom and relief, and they are generally effective for a shorter period. They may be useful, therefore, as temporary treatment for mild asthma attacks. Ready availability in drugstores makes the OTC products potentially helpful as a "stopgap" for patients who do not have their prescription medication at hand when an asthma attack occurs. More importantly, patients who use OTC inhalers should still seek advice from a health professional about the long-term treatment of their asthma.

The key to effective, long-term treatment of asthma is finding the drugs and dosage plan most effective in dealing with or preventing acute episodes. But effective treatment depends as well on the patient and the care-giver knowing what the various anti-asthma drugs do, when and in what amount each drug should be used, when a change in symptoms or in the response to a particular drug requires a call or visit to the physician, and when to get emergency help. Physicians who specialize in treating asthmatics go over these points in detail as part of an overall treatment plan designed and, as necessary, adjusted to meet the needs of each individual patient.

A cure for asthma is judged by experts to be still a far-off possibility. But the majority of asthma sufferers can lead essentially normal, symptom-free lives by understanding and sticking to a well-planned strategy to keep clear of asthma triggers and to use the right drugs in the right way.

Asthma Friendly Gardens

Recent studies have shown that babies born to mothers who were exposed to high levels of pollen in their last trimester of pregnancy have a much greater chance of developing asthma. One of the main keys with asthma prevention is avoidance. When you have asthma the typical garden is not a very friendly place at all. There are mold spores to contend with and worst of all is the pollen. Typical gardens have pollen producing male trees and male shrubs and other plants that can provoke asthma attacks. Almost anyone with asthma will tell you that their asthma can be triggered by a good number of things, but pollen is often number one for causing an attack. Garden allergies are common, but they need not be. Allergies from gardening could be largely a thing of the past if we’re willing to make some simple changes.

In fall of 1999 in Richmond, Virginia the American Lung Association of Virginia (ALAV) built a new Breathe EasyÔ office and headquarters. They had this entire large building constructed with the latest innovations in green construction and sustainable design. No construction materials were used that would off gas any harmful or toxic chemicals, no materials were used that would trigger asthma or allergies. Every attempt was made to build something that would be pleasant and healthy to work in. The people who work in this office now will tell you too, that they all notice what a great improvement it is. Their office is a healthy building.

The ALA decided it would make perfect sense to landscape their new healthy building (in some states these are now called Health Houses) with an allergy free landscape. OPALSÔ (the plant/allergy 1-10 numerical ranking system) was used to select only those plant materials that were either very low pollen, low allergy, or that were totally pollen free, allergy free. In effect they created the first true asthma friendly garden in the US.

Health Houses in other states are now also adding pollen free landscapes to their green construction, green buildings. A new Health House is about to be built in Pennsylvania, an

Schools too are getting into the clean air act, and in the city of Visalia, California, the Tulare County Asthma Coalition recently directed the asthma friendly landscaping of a newly built elementary school.

Twelve keys to building your own asthma friendly garden:

1.Plant lots of female trees and female shrubs. Not only will these not shed any pollen, they will also trap a good deal of pollen that may stay in from somewhere else. Think of these female plants as nature’s air cleaners.

2.Use only low pollen or no pollen lawns. There are types of lawns now that are pretty well pollen free and these are a big improvement over some of the older lawn varieties. In southern states, if you have a common Bermuda grass lawn, consider replacing it with a newer, more asthma friendly hybrid Bermuda grass. ‘Princess 77’ is a new Bermuda grass hybrid that can be planted from seed. It is next to pollen free, grows very low and tight, and is especially good looking.

3.With OPALSÔ 1 is best, 10 is worst. Use only plants with rankings of 1-5. The more plants in your gardens that have rankings ranging from 1-3, the friendlier your place will be for anyone with allergies or asthma.

4.Remove any trees or shrubs with rankings over OPALSÔ #7. The woody landscape plants with rankings of 8-10 are all sure-fire allergy triggering plants and you can live without them.

5.Replace any removed high pollen, asthma triggering plants with their opposite, female trees or female shrubs. Also good as replacements are perfect flowered plants that are known to be very low pollen producers. These will all have good (low) OPALSÔ rankings.

6.Use only plants that are well adapted to your own area. If you can find natives that have low allergy rankings, consider using them. Look around your own neighborhood, and see for yourself, which kinds of plants seem to be flourishing there already. For almost every kind of plant used in landscaping, there is now a no or low pollen version of it, if you know what to look for.

7.Use a wide variety of plant materials; diversity is good. Biodiversity always makes sense. The more diverse our gardens are the fewer problems we’ll have with insects and molds.

8.Avoid plants with strong fragrances or odors, as they can cause asthma. Don’t plant jasmines or similar vines next to entrances or exits and certainly don’t use them underneath bedroom windows.

9.For mulch, use rock or gravel instead of bark to cut down on toxic mold spores in the garden. Flat stones or pavers also make good, mold free mulching materials.

10.To further eliminate mold spores, encourage wild birds in your garden. Virtually all wild birds eat insects, and insect damage triggers outbreaks of mold. Even the tiny hummingbirds actually eat a large number of insects. Put up a hummingbird feeder!

11.Keep your plants healthy. This too will cut down on both pollen and mold. When it is hot and windy, do some irrigating. Fertilize everything in the garden spring and fall. If plants are crowding each other too much, thin them out. If tree branches overhead are putting your whole yard in deep shade, consider having the tree thinned to let in more light. Fresh air and light are the enemies of molds.

12.If a tree, shrub, vine or any other plant always looks sickly, looks dirty, or always attracts bugs, then shovel prune it. Dig it up and get rid of it. Replace it with something easier to grow. Don’t get caught up in having to spray insecticides all the time, as they too can easily cause asthma and allergies.

Make your garden a fun, stress free zone. Be sure to have a few comfortable garden chairs to sit in, and a little table of some sort is always good too. Wind chimes, bird feeders, and birdbaths can add greatly to your enjoyment and cost little. A beautiful, pollen free, allergy free, asthma friendly garden can be just the place for healthy children, and a great place for anyone to relax and enjoy the great outdoors. For more advice on low allergen gardening, look up allergy free gardening on the Internet, or go to your local library and read some books on this new important subject.

Tom Ogren is the author of five published books, including: Allergy-free Gardening, Safe Sex in the Garden (Ten Speed Press), and What the Experts May NOT Tell You About: Growing the Perfect Lawn (AOL Time Warner Books). Tom has an MS degree in Agriculture-Horticulture, taught landscape gardening for twenty years, owned and operated two wholesale-retail nurseries, and in northern Minnesota was host of the popular Public Radio call-in gardening show,

Tom Ogren’s Wild World of Plants!

Tom (Thomas Leo Ogren) has published hundreds of articles on health and gardening. His work has appeared in diverse publications such as South Africa’s Veldt and Field, in Women’s Day, Alternative Medicine, the Burpee Seed Catalog, Sunset Magazine, Landscape Architecture, Der Spiegel, The London Times, The Seattle Times, The Washington Post, and even the Jerusalem Post. He has also made numerous appearances on HGTV and his work was the focus of two made for TV documentaries, one by the Canadian Discovery Channel.

Tom has been interviewed on National Public Radio’s Weekend Edition and his groundbreaking research was featured on The CBS Evening News. He is a frequent lecturer for garden clubs, arboretums, civic groups, hospitals, medical groups, Master Gardeners, and professional associations of landscapers, landscape designers, writers, nursery people, arborists, and urban foresters. He has become well known for his fun, high energy, highly informative, unusual and provocative talks. Tom is a member of the Professional Landscape Designers Association, and the GWA, the Garden Writers of America. Unlike many well-published authors, he still tries to answer all of his own email. You can contact Tom through his website, at: www.allergyfree-gardening.com

Notice of Copyright: Copyright Thomas Leo Ogren

About the Author

Thomas Ogren is the author of Allergy-Free Gardening, Ten Speed Press. Tom does consulting work on for the USDA, county asthma coalitions, and the American Lung Associations. He has appeared on CBS, HGTV and The Discovery Channel. His book, Safe Sex in the Garden, was published 2003. In 2004 Time Warner Books published his latest: What the Experts May NOT Tell You About: Growing the Perfect Lawn. His website: www.allergyfree-gardening.com

Natural remedies for high blood pressure

Natural remedies for high blood pressure consist of many items that are easily available. In fact, many of these “items” might be readily available in your own kitchen!

Most of the natural remedies for high blood pressure have very negligible or often no side effects at all and hence, many persons suffering from high blood pressure due to multifaceted causes seek natural remedies and obtain recovery in a faster way. It is to be remembered many people prefer natural remedies that have been proved to have some concrete impact in the reduction of blood pressure.

Garlic is one such food product that not only offers help in the lowering of blood pressure but also reduces cholesterol level. A lot of research has been carried out on this and as a result garlic has been found to function as one of the natural remedies for high blood pressure.

Coriander leaves in a cup of water may be taken to reduce the blood pressure. This should be taken on an empty stomach and preferably in the early morning. This will help to reduce the blood pressure more effectively if coupled with the combination of curry leaves in a fresh condition.

Cumin seeds are said to have an effect in reducing high blood pressure in an individual and they are considered one of the major natural remedies for high blood pressure. Ginger is also considered an excellent natural remedy for high blood pressure.

Onions are also natural remedies for high blood pressure. The onion juice should be taken along with honey daily. All these remedies should also be taken on an empty stomach. This helps in the absorption and assimilation of the concerned natural remedy in the gastro intestinal tract. Finally consuming plenty of greens and vegetables also help to reduce blood pressure.

Natural remedies for high blood pressure are relatively effective, since side effects noticed in many of the medicines which are normally administered (such as angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or diuretics like Frusemide) are reduced or even absent.

Whatever natural remedies for high blood pressure are chosen, the person should also adapt their life style to ensure they reduce anything causing their high blood pressure. This includes losing weight, avoiding alcoholic beverages, and beginning some exercise.

Many pharmaceutical companies are exploring ways to identify natural remedies for high blood pressure and determine the active principles in those particular remedies to see if they can be duplicated. This would be an excellent step forward in reducing unwelcome side effects inherent in many medications available today.

Go with the Flow – the low down on low blood pressure

The systolic pressure or the top number of your blood pressure represents pressure of blood in the arteries which is forced through when the muscles of the heart contract. The diastolic blood pressure which is the bottom number represents pressure in the arteries when the muscle of the heart relaxes after contraction.

Slow Flow

If your blood pressure is below 90/60 mmHg then you're said to have low blood pressure, however this does not necessarily indicate an unhealthy blood pressure, as a low blood pressure is often seen to be desirable. esearch as found that people who have a low blood pressure tend to live longer than those whose blood pressure is on the high side. It's only when a person becomes ill or feels dizzy, that their blood pressure becomes a problem to them.

How can you tell when your blood pressure is too low?

Low blood pressure by itself does not necessarily cause symptoms. If you have low blood pressure but don't present with any symptoms such as dizziness or fainting, then you will not require any medical intervention. However on occasion for some people low blood pressure sometimes causes faintness or dizziness. If this applies to you, then you need to visit your doctor to rule out any underlying problems.

Symptoms of low blood pressure can include feeling faint or dizzy when changing posture suddenly such as standing from sitting. This is known as postural hypotension and is quite common in older people. A person with low blood pressure may also complain of lethargy or weakness, they may feel faint on occasion especially when standing.

Why does it happen?

There have been many thoughts on whether chronically low blood pressure may be linked to illnesses such as depression or anxiety which basically affect a person's quality of life; however these ideas are now usually discarded. It is known for definite though that low blood pressure can be a side effect of medications especially cardiac drugs such as betablockers

As we get older and slow down, our arteries tend to become stiffer with age; this can have an adverse effect on the blood pressure and cause it to drip when standing. There has also been shown to be a strong link between diabetes and low blood pressure probably caused by damage to nerves supplying the blood vessels.

Another major factor in the cause of low blood pressure is the issue of flawed nutrition. This causes tissues making up the walls of the blood vessels to become flabby and stretched. This in turn results in a smaller supply than that needed of essentials such as oxygen and nutrients to tissues in the body.

Obviously blood loss can be a major factor in the problem with low blood pressure, and if it is major blood loss then the blood pressure can fall to low which would ultimately have fatal consequences. Many of the organs in the body can develop slow bleeding which would not be noticeable at first but would result in a low blood pressure.

Taking control

Its simple to take control of problems such as low blood pressure. Wearing supports stockings has been found to help some people, and other measures can include sleeping with lots of pillows to keep your head raised, or even reducing the amount of medication you're taking if this is found to be the cause.

Drugs for low blood pressure are rarely given. It is usually advice on changing your lifestyle etc which is usually more effective.

Exercise and High Blood Pressure

Many people nowadays get nowhere near as much exercise as they should do, and unfortunately it can and often does have a disastrous effect on our health. The prospect of actually getting up and starting an exercise regime can seem daunting to some people and they often refused to see the value that regular exercise can have on reducing raised blood pressure.

For many people exercise can be a depressing thought especially at the end of a day which has been tiring and busy, and the very thought of actual exercise can be a daunting thought.

The fact is though, exercise plays a key part in reducing raised blood pressure (hypertension), and cardiovascular disease, and many people who have had problems with their blood pressure have discovered that commencing an exercise regime coupled with a sensible diet, is often enough to ensure the blood pressure is kept within normal limits with either a reduced amount of prescribed medication or none at all.

The problem with exercise is a person’s actual perception of it. Many people are of the opinion that to start exercising correctly, they should join a gym or start lifting weights. Nothing could be further from the truth!

Exercise doesn’t have to be strenuous, and indeed if very unfit, a person should never commence a strenuous health workout especially if they have accompanying health problems such as raised blood pressure.

The first thing to do when deciding to start an exercise regime is to consult your doctor to ensure he is happy for you to exercise. Once you have his permission, then it is time to start thinking about the type of exercise you should start taking.

If you want to join a gym, that’s excellent. But it is imperative that you are given an exercise plan to work to from a qualified fitness coach. You should never just start using the equipment by yourself as there is a real risk you can cause yourself some injury.

Another method of taking some exercise which lies much closer to home is to walk. Walking is an excellent method of exercise, and if you can manage to go for a brisk half hour walk at least three times a week, then you are making an excellent start. Owning a dog is an excellent excuse for going for long walks.

Other methods of increasing your exercise output are small but quite effective. These include such methods as getting off your bus a stop earlier (or missing the bus and walking).At work if you get into the habit of walking up the stairs instead of using the elevator, park your car further away from the office so you have to walk that bit further, or even better if not too far away, leave the car in the garage and walk to work.

You’ll soon find you start to feel healthier (and slimmer), and hopefully your blood pressure will soon drop to more normal limits.

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Lung Cancer

Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Lung Cancer

When you’re facing a frightening diagnosis, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the things that you don’t know or understand. These questions can help open or continue the dialog with your doctor and get you information that you’ll need to make informed choices about your treatment.

1. What kind of cancer do I have?
There are two main types of lung cancer – small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The treatment and prognosis for each is different from the other. Knowing which type of cancer you have can help you learn about the treatment options that will be best in your situation.

2. How far advanced is the cancer?
Cancer is defined in stages. SCLC has two stages – Limited and Extended. NSCLC has four – stages I through IV. The stage of the cancer is determined by the size of the tumor(s), and whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the lungs. Lung cancer is most treatable in the earliest stages, but even if it has advanced, there are treatment options available.

3. What is my prognosis?
The prognosis is the most likely outcome of the disease in your particular case. Your doctor will take into account the stage of your cancer, as well as your general overall health and the treatment options available. This is a question you should ask again and again, since your prognosis is subject to change. For instance, the likely outcome of your condition may improve substantially if you undergo successful thoracic surgery.

4. Can my cancer be surgically removed?
Removing the cancerous tumor surgically is often an option in the early stages of lung cancer. In most cases, it offers the best chance for long-term recovery.

5. What are my treatment options?
Your most likely treatment options with be chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Photodynamic light therapy has recently been approved by the FDA for treatment of both SCLC and NSCLC, and may be useful in cases where surgery is impossible because of the location of the tumor(s).

6. What can I do to improve my chances of recovery and decrease the risks of recurrence?
There may be changes you can make to your lifestyle and diet that can significantly improve your chances of recovery from lung cancer. Research strongly suggests that including more cruciferous vegetables in your diet may help prevent recurrence of lung cancer in some people, for instance, and the preliminary results of clinical trials suggest that selenium supplements may confer some protection against recurrence as well. In addition, maintaining some physical activity, giving up smoking and losing weight may all provide some benefit.

7. Are there any clinical trials that may be appropriate for me?
Participating in a clinical trial may give you the chance for treatments that aren’t generally available. Your doctor may be able to recommend you for a clinical trial of a new medication or treatment.

Remember that you can and should take an active part in your own treatment. The more you know, the more able you will be to make important decisions about your treatments. Asking questions of your doctor is one of the best ways to learn information that you need.

Experimental Treatments for Lung Cancer

Because there is no standard treatment for lung cancer that is 100% effective, patients diagnosed with lung cancer may be offered the option of taking part in experimental trials of new treatments. There are several new therapies that are being seriously explored with medical trials in various studies, and the list of those therapies is a fluid one. The American Cancer Society official web site (www.cancer.org) has a tool to help you find experimental trials in which you may be able to participate, and the National Cancer Institute also maintains a listing of open and beginning clinical trials on their web site at www.cancer.gov.

There are several types of experimental treatments that may be open to new participants. They may involve testing new drugs or new combinations of drugs that may be more effective than treatments that are currently in use. They may involve immunotherapy, a type of treatment that attempts to stimulate the body’s own immune system to fight the cancer through the use of vaccines. There are some therapies that test new theories arising from research into the causes and effects of lung cancer.

One experimental treatment for lung cancer is attracting a good deal of attention. Photodynamic therapy – PDT – is approved by the FDA for treatment of both early and late stage lung cancer, both small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. PDT may be an option for those patients who are not candidates for traditional surgery because of the location of the cancerous cells. Essentially, PDT uses light – in the form of a laser – to destroy the cancerous cells in a tumor. The advantages to PDT include the fact that it works quickly – patients may feel the difference in as little as a few days – and that it can be used repeatedly to control the growth of small tumors that can’t be completely removed by any other method. The side effects of PDT seem to be few. The major side effect is a sensitivity to strong light after the treatment which may last four to six weeks. PDT shows promise in treating a number of different types of cancer, but only an oncologist can determine if it is the best course of treatment for any particular patient.

At any time, there are literally hundreds of medical trials ongoing to research new possible treatments for lung cancer. Some focus on eradicating existing cancer, some on preventing recurrence after surgery or chemotherapy. Some are only focusing on one particular type of cancer cell, while others are being tested for their effectiveness in treating all types of lung cancer. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with lung cancer, then you owe it to yourself and to them to be as conversant as possible with the newest treatments and possibilities. Becoming familiar with the tools to find clinical research trials and discussing the possibilities with your doctor may be one of the most important things that you do.

Smoking And Lung Cancer

Smoking increases your risk of developing lung cancer. Twist the statistics any way you like – there’s no getting away from it. 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and 80% of lung cancer deaths in women are linked to smoking. Lung cancer is not the only cancer linked to smoking, either. Research has shown a strong link between smoking and cancer of the mouth, the larynx, the pharynx, the esophagus, the bladder, the stomach and the kidneys. Cancer was the first disease to be linked to smoking, and lung cancer is still the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

Some other statistics related to lung cancer include:

· Men who smoke are 23 times more likely to develop cancer than men who don’t.
· Women who smoke are 13 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers
· Smoking low tar, low nicotine or ‘light’ cigarettes does not decrease the risk of developing lung cancer. People tend to adjust their smoking style to increase the amount of tar and nicotine taken in through the lungs.
· There are over 4000 chemicals in burning cigarette smoke. At least 60 of those are known carcinogens.
· Carcinogens in cigarette smoke damage the DNA in cells that controls their growth. Unrestrained growth and replication of cells is the hallmark of malignant cancer cells.
· Cigarette smoking is responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths annually.
· Cigarette smoking causes 87% of lung cancer deaths.
· About 5% of all newly diagnosed cases of lung cancer are caused by secondhand smoke.
· Exposure to secondhand smoke, or passive smoking causes about 3000 lung cancer deaths per year.
· People who quit smoking before the age of 35 can reduce their risks of developing lung cancer by 90%/
· People who quit smoking before the age of 50 substantially reduce their risk of developing lung cancer.
· 7 of 8 people diagnosed with lung cancer will not be alive at five years after diagnosis.
· Lung cancer is the #9 cause of death in the United States.
· The more cigarettes you smoke, the more you increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
· As the number of smokers has decreased in the United States, the incidence of lung cancer has also decreased.

There are those that will try to tell you that the medical establishment is lying to you. They will quibble that it is not proven that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer, that the statistics have been twisted to make the case against cigarette smoking stronger and worse than it actually is.

To some extent, those things are true. Lung cancer is caused by a variety of things, including a genetic predisposition. There are a lot of things that doctors and researchers don’t yet understand – why some people can smoke for years and NOT develop lung cancer, while others who have never smoked do, for instance. There is one thing that is certain – smoking DOES increase your risk of developing lung cancer. And giving it up WILL decrease your risk of developing lung cancer by several percentage points per year.

Lung Cancer Screening With Chest X-rays

The medical establishment is in total agreement about one thing when it comes to lung cancer – the earlier the detection, the greater the chances of survival. While the overall five year survival rate for those diagnosed with lung cancer is about 15%, the five year survival rate for those diagnosed with early stage lung cancer approaches 80% if that cancer is treatable with surgery.

In addition, once the lung cancer has begun to spread, within or without the lungs, surgery – which offers the best chance for survival in early stage lung cancer – is often no longer possible as a treatment option. Because the earliest symptoms of lung cancer are often masked by ‘normal’ symptoms – a persistent cough, a tendency to respiratory infections, general fatigue – most people who have lung cancer aren’t diagnosed until it’s too late to use the most effective treatments for lung cancer.

It only makes sense that regular screening of those most likely to develop lung cancer would be prudent and in the best interests of health care in general. The problem is that there is no efficient screening test for lung cancer as there is for many other illnesses – including many other types of cancer. Instead, diagnoses are often made in the course of testing for other problems – usually through chest x-rays. Generally, though, doctors don’t recommend routine screening x-rays for patients to look for lung cancer. Until recently, most doctors believed that screening for lung cancer with chest x-rays was inefficient and misleading.

A new study that is still in its early stages may change that. Until recently, doctors used studies that were done in the 1970s to justify not recommending regular screening with chest x-rays. Those studies concluded that regular x-rays did not save lives. They did not catch the deadliest tumors at early stages, said researchers. And they put those with slow-growing tumors through needless surgery and other treatments. A lot has changed since the 1970s – x-rays are more sensitive, and there are further, more refined tests that can follow up on those x-rays.

In the new study, sponsored by the U.S. government, 75,000 healthy adults between the ages of fifty-five and seventy-four were given annual screening x-rays. Another 75,000 in a control group received no screening. The preliminary results were released in early December 2005. Of those x-rayed regularly, doctors found ‘something suspicious’ in nearly 6,000 people. Those people were sent back to the doctors for follow-up x-rays, CAT scans and other diagnostic tests. Of the 6,000 abnormal chest x-rays, 206 eventually had biopsies, and 126 were diagnosed with chest cancer – just 2% of the original ‘suspicious’ results.

That’s an awful lot of initial false positives, cautions a doctor at the National Cancer Institute, which sponsored the study. Those false positives can cause anxiety, and needless x-rays, CAT scans and biopsies. On the other hand, says the lead researcher for the project, 44% of the cancers diagnosed were in the earliest, most treatable stages of the disease. It will be years before the study is finished – and tells us whether those early diagnoses actually save lives. Until then, regular chest x-rays for high-risk patients may be the best way to find early lung cancer while it’s still treatable.

Allergy Induced Asthma

One of the more common forms of asthma is allergy induced asthma. When someone is exposed to an allergen – a substance to which their body is sensitive – they may produce ‘histamines’, which cause inflammation and irritation as they work to rid the body of the allergen. In the case of allergy induced asthma, the histamines go to work on the bronchial passages and lungs, making it difficult for the allergic person to breathe.

The incidence of allergy induced asthma has grown almost geometrically in recent years, and scientists aren’t quite sure why. They suspect that part of the reason may be the increased exposure of children to some common allergens. This seems to be borne out by population based studies – African-American and Hispanic children living in the inner city are far more likely to develop allergy induced asthma than Caucasian children in the same cities, and even those children are more likely to develop allergy induced asthma than suburban and rural children of the same socioeconomic level.

A number of reasons have been advanced for the disparity, but the most likely is simply that Black and Hispanic children are far more likely to live in the most crowded old neighborhoods of the city. Crowding is the biggest risk factor for the presence of common household pests like cockroaches and rodents, and cockroach parts and rodent droppings are two of the most common allergens in children with allergy induced asthma.

Diagnosing Allergy Induced Asthma
Doctors will diagnose asthma differently depending on the age of the patient. Children under five, for instance, may find it difficult to follow instructions for breathing capacity tests. Doctors will often use history, both the child’s and the family medical history, to help determine the possibility of asthma. Often, if asthma is suspected, the doctor will prescribe a bronchodilator. If it helps, the diagnosis is confirmed.

In older children and adults, doctors may perform a series of breathing capacity tests with a peak flow meter and a spirometer to help determine the extent of an asthma problem.

Generally, doctors don’t use allergy tests to diagnose asthma, but if there’s a reason to believe that a specific allergen is a problem, allergic dermatitis tests may be used to confirm or rule out possible allergens. Knowing that a specific substance or food is a problem can help you avoid it and reduce your risk of asthma attacks.

Treating Allergy Induced Asthma
The good news is that interventions to reduce exposure to allergens seems to be as effective a treatment for allergy induced asthma as corticosteroid inhalers. If your child has been diagnosed with allergy induced asthma, there are ways that you can help control your child’s symptoms. Besides using inhalers and nebulizers as directed by your doctor, you can also keep your home – and especially your child’s bedroom – as close to allergen free as possible. Mattress covers, pillow cases, air filters and pest control measures can reduce your child’s exposure to allergens that cause allergy induced asthma to worsen into acute stages.

Traditional Treatments for Lung Cancer

The treatment that is recommended for lung cancer will depend on a number of factors, including how far advanced the cancer is, how large the tumors are, whether or not they are localized, the overall health of the patient and the desires of the patient. The traditional treatments for lung cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and combinations of the three. In addition, treatment for lung cancer may include both curative treatments – intended to remove or destroy the cancer – and palliative treatments, intended to reduce the pain and discomfort, though they can not cure the cancer. Finally, a therapy may be a primary therapy, or it may be used to supplement or complement the primary therapy, in which case it is referred to as ‘adjuvant’ therapy. An example of adjuvant therapy is radiation therapy following surgery to remove a tumor. The primary therapy is the surgery. Radiation therapy is a follow-up to be certain that all cancerous cells have been destroyed.

Surgery for Lung Cancer
In early stage lung cancer, particularly stage I non-large cell lung cancer (NLCLC), the preferred treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. Because the cancer is still confined to the lungs, often as one tumor, it is possible to surgically remove most or all of it with surgery. The further advanced lung cancer is, the less likely it is that surgery can be effective. Once the lung cancer spreads beyond the chest and metastasizes into other organs, surgery is seldom a viable option.

Medical experts estimate that between 10 and 35% of all lung cancers can be removed surgically. Surgical removal is not a guarantee of a cure, though, as the cancerous cells may already have started to spread, and may recur later. Surgery may not be an option if the cancer is too close to the trachea, or if a person is in poor health otherwise.

The surgery chosen is also dependent on what the exact stage and condition of the lungs is at the time of the surgery. It ranges from the removal of a part of one lobe, to the removal of an entire lung. Up to 40% of patients who undergo surgery to remove a cancerous tumor from their lungs are still alive five years after the surgery.

Radiation Therapy for Lung Cancer
Radiation therapy can kill off dividing cancer cells and stop the spread of cancer. It is most often used in conjunction with either surgery, chemotherapy or both. Occasionally, it is recommended as the sole treatment option for lung cancer – most often when the patient is too ill to undergo surgery or withstand chemotherapy. When radiation therapy is used as the sole treatment for lung cancer, it results in the shrinking of tumors and complete remission from cancer symptoms approximately 10-15% of the time.

Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer
Chemotherapy is the use of medicines to kill or slow the growth of cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used with both NSCLC and SCLC, though it is most often recommended for patients with SCLC, whose tumors have spread beyond the chest area. Chemotherapy can prolong the survival rate of patients with cancer as much as twenty times. A great deal depends on the particular drugs that are used and how well they’re tolerated by the patient.

Symptoms Of Asthma In Kids

Each year, nearly half a million kids end up in the emergency room because of asthma. Of those, about 300,000 children are hospitalized for one or more days because of their asthma symptoms. Asthma accounts for more childhood hospitalizations and emergency room visits than any other chronic childhood illness. It also accounts for more school absences than any other chronic childhood illness. When you add in the days that parents lose to work, the restrictions of activities due to asthma and the many related illnesses and conditions, asthma is one of the most emotionally and financially expensive childhood illnesses.

That figure doesn’t include all the children who suffer from what is referred to as “hidden asthma” – asthma that shows atypical symptoms, or symptoms that are misdiagnosed as colds, pneumonia or bronchitis. Because the common symptoms of asthma in kids can seem to be other things, kids with asthma often do not receive the treatment that they need. A child with mild asthma symptoms may be the child that ‘never met a cold he didn’t like’. He may be the child that wakes up night after night with coughing spasms, long after a cold is gone. The child who seems a little pale and pinched in the middle of a game of tag, or has to take a break to catch his breath may actually be having a mild asthma attack. Knowing the symptoms of asthma in kids, from mild to severe, can help you treat it appropriately and manage an asthma condition so that it doesn’t manage your child’s life.

Common Symptoms of Asthma In Kids

Wheezing
Wheezing is not the most common symptom of asthma, but it is the most telling. If you hear a high-pitched whistling sound when your child breathes in or out, then chances are that something is constricting or blocking the airway. Wheezing may occur in other disorders and illnesses too, but it’s a definite warning signal that something is wrong. A doctor can administer breathing tests to figure out how much oxygen is getting into the lungs, and decide if your child has asthma or another condition that will need longterm treatment.

Coughing
Possibly the most common symptom of asthma in kids is coughing. In fact, may times, coughing is the ONLY obvious symptom of asthma in kids. In particular, if your child

. frequently has a cough long after other cold symptoms are gone
. often coughs after or during physical exercise
. coughs at night, usually in the early morning hours, without cold symptoms
. has a frequent, non-productive cough
. has a ‘rattly’ cough but produces no mucus
. has a cough accompanied by a wheeze

the cough may be a symptom of asthma.

Chest Tightness
The child may complain that their chest hurts, or that they can’t get enough air into their chest. Some children can’t put the feeling into words, though. Watch for visible signs of difficult breathing like flared nostrils, pursed lips, bent or hunched over posture. If the symptoms are severe enough, you may even notice the hollow of the throat moving in and out as they try to suck in enough air.

Other symptoms of asthma in kids include frequent bouts with upper respiratory infections, especially bronchitis.

Chronic Respiratory Illnesses

- Chronic bouts with pneumonia and bronchitis are often a signal that there is some underlying problem – and that problem often turns out to be asthma.

If you or your child shows the above signs and symptoms of asthma, it’s important to have them evaluated by a doctor. If they DO have asthma, a few simple changes in your life and daily medication can make a world of difference in your lives.

Natural Preventative Asthma Treatments

Nutritional supplements as a treatment for asthma? As the medical community has come to understand what triggers an acute asthma attack, more and more doctors are saying that natural preventative asthma treatments can be one part of managing asthma in their patients.

Nutrition and supplements are completely useless in a rescue situation, caution nutritionists. If you are having an asthma attack, or if your doctor has prescribed daily medication, nutritional supplements aren’t a substitute. There are some natural preventative asthma treatments that you can try, though, say doctors, that may help your body deal with irritants and allergens more efficiently and ultimately reduce your dependence on medication.

Research shows that people who have asthma usually have mild deficiencies of several nutrients. By making sure that you get plenty of these nutrients and vitamins in your diet or through supplements, you may be bolstering your immune system or helping your body deal with asthma by providing it with nutrients that it needs.

Vitamin C may help reduce the severity of allergic reactions. 500 to 1000 mgs per day is the usual recommended dose to help control asthma symptoms.

Vitamin B6 is a surprise natural preventative asthma treatment. Scientists were studying the effects of vitamin B6 on sickle cell anemia, which often occurs in the same risk groups as asthma. Coincidentally, while evaluating the effect of B6 on anemia, researchers noticed that many of those who also had asthma reported fewer asthma attacks and milder symptoms. Follow-up research confirmed the original finding. Doctors generally recommend 50 mg of vitamin B6 twice a day as a natural asthma preventative treatment in conjunction with regular medication.

Quercetin is found in apples, onions and back tea. Quercetin is on the list of natural preventative asthma treatments because it helps prevent the release of histamines (which cause inflammation of the airways in asthma) and reduce inflammation in the airways. It’s especially helpful in cases where asthma is triggered by pollen.

Magnesium is a trace mineral that is often in low supply in asthma patients. Magnesium is one of the keys in regulating muscle contraction in the body. By helping to regulate contraction of the bronchial muscles, magnesium may help encourage the bronchial muscles to relax. On a side note, some studies have shown that intravenous injection of magnesium can stop some severe asthma attacks. By taking magnesium supplements – or eating high magnesium foods – to build up your body’s supplies of magnesium, you may be helping your body to resist the mechanisms that trigger asthma attacks.

Again, it’s important to remember that natural preventative asthma treatments are not a substitute for medical care or for your prescribed medication. Making sure that your body has all the nutrients it needs to do its job right never hurts, though. And by providing your body with all the right ingredients, you’re helping to manage your asthma and reduce your dependence on other medications.

Asthma Research

With asthma becoming more prevalent – and more likely to be deadly – the National Institute of Environmental Health and Safety is focusing a great deal of its energy on asthma research. With 16 different projects and studies underway, the NIEHS may be the largest funder of asthma research currently working.

NIEHS has chosen to fund a broad spectrum of asthma studies. Because so much of the asthma research lately has pointed to environmental allergens as one of the major triggers of asthma symptoms, much of the asthma research sponsored by the agency targets ways to measure, reduce and study the effects of common household allergens like dust mites, cockroach parts, dust, rodent droppings and mold. In a number of the asthma research studies that have been completed, the results show that controlling the amount of allergens in the environment can be as effective a treatment for children who have asthma as providing them with asthma inhalers and nebulizers.

What does this asthma research mean for the future of asthma care? Forward thinking researchers are proposing that asthma intervention for families provide more than just medication. In one NIEHS study, the program provided specific items for the families of children diagnosed with allergen specific asthma. For some families, that meant giving them mattress covers and pillowcase covers. For others, the program provided HEPA filters for the bedrooms and other areas of the family home to remove dust and other particles from the air. The results? Children who had been part of the intervention group had substantially fewer acute asthma incidents and significantly more symptom free days. In practical rather than human terms, each symptom free day for each child saves the health care system $25, and children in the intervention group averaged 38 more symptom free days over the course of the two year study. Multiply those savings in health care costs by the millions of children with allergy induced asthma, and the reduction in health care costs for those children is staggering.

Other avenues of asthma research being explored include studies into the effects of genetics on asthma and participatory community studies to monitor the effects of community education on reducing the incidence of asthma community wide. This last is a particularly exciting avenue of research for those involved in population health. Education, in conjunction with reducing allergens in public buildings like schools and day cares, as well as providing the necessary equipment to manage the environments of affected children community wide can result in lowering the incidence of asthma hospitalizations for the entire community.

There are also others involved in asthma research to discover new drugs and interventions for acute asthma care and long term management, though the current options for medical care are generally seen as safe and effective.

Methods for Alleviating Agitation in Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s and Agitation

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating illness that slowly robs its sufferers of their ability to function in the everyday world. Caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients must deal with not only the cognitive decline of their loved ones but also the behavioral and psychiatric problems that arise as a result of the disease, such as agitation, aggression and psychosis. It is important to remember, however, that while Alzheimer’s and Agitation are often linked, disturbing behavioral symptoms can often be alleviated without medication or institutionalization.

First, caregivers should determine whether or not patients have an underlying health problem, such as a urinary tract infection or skin irritation. Expressions of agitation, such as pacing, fidgeting, or acting aggressive, can be nonverbal clues that an Alzheimer’s patient is feeling pain, so a physician should always be consulted to determine if the behavior is a physical manifestation of illness. Dangerous drug interactions are also common in patients with Alzheimer’s, and Agitation can be one symptom of medication problems. A physician should always be consulted if difficulties with medications are suspected.

Sometimes, however, physicians and caregivers determine that there is no physical reason for agitation in a patient with Alzheimer’s. In those cases, the link between Alzheimer’s and Agitation may be environmental, and a number of therapies and techniques can be implemented to correct the behavior. Changes in environment are one cause of agitation in Alzheimer’s patients. A new primary caregiver, visitors from out of town, or a change of residence can frighten or disorient an Alzheimer’s patient. Encouraging a patient to rest between triggers, eliminating certain triggers, such as a poorly lit hallway, and maintaining a simple, daily routine are ways of easing environmental stress. When a patient is agitated, caregivers can also use simple conflict resolution tools to keep the incident from escalating. Reassurance, statements of understanding, and a calm demeanor are all necessary for dealing with agitation. If caregivers themselves become agitated or aggressive, the conflict could easily escalate. In all cases, it is best if the environment is prepped for safety, including the removal of weapons and the installation of safety locks on doors and windows.

Other methods of environmental intervention focus on the strengths and abilities of the Alzheimer’s patient while avoiding increasing their frustration and agitation. Music therapy involves the incorporation of pleasing music or sounds into the patient’s daily routine. Personal attention by caregivers and physical contact, such as massages or hugs, also ease loneliness and its associated problem behaviors. Exercise is not only beneficial to health but also good for controlling problems in patients with Alzheimer’s, and Agitation can be eased by the both physically and mentally therapeutic act of working in a secure garden. Even sitting in a garden provides a pleasant sensory experience that helps patients feel connected, while allowing them to be outdoors in the fresh air with sunlight. Pet therapy with therapy dogs can also be beneficial for patients living at home or in a nursing home. Pets offer physical affection, distraction from unpleasant emotions, and a means of connecting with caregivers. In the end, a variety of options exist for easing agitation in Alzheimer’s patients without medication or institutionalization.

Tips for Dealing with Behavior Problems in Alzheimer’s Patients

Alzheimer’s behavior problems

Alzheimer’s patients exhibit a wide array of behavioral and psychiatric problems separate from the memory loss and thinking difficulties commonly associated with Alzheimer’s. These problems are not only very distressing for caregivers but also may compel caregivers to seek nursing home care for their loved ones. When patients begin to exhibit Alzheimer’s behavior problems, there are a few steps caregivers can take to both alleviate and control the disturbing behaviors, which may run the gamut from emotional distress and psychosis to acting out and aggression.

First, caregivers must seek alternative explanations for the Alzheimer’s behavior problems. The disease process taking place in the brain of an Alzheimer’s patient offers only one explanation for the disturbing behaviors. Other preventable or controllable reasons include unrelated health difficulties, medication complications, or environmental disturbances. For example, problems may arise from physical pain that patients are unable to verbalize. A thorough medical examination with a physician who can assess pain using nonverbal clues can determine whether an Alzheimer’s patient has unrelated health problems, such as a urinary tract infection or skin irritation. Also, any time an Alzheimer’s patient is taking multiple medications, there exists the possibility that the drugs could interact with each other, causing physical or mental symptoms, such as psychosis. A physician can assess the possibility of medication complications. Finally, changes in environment, such as being moved to a nursing home, having relatives drop by for a visit, or becoming accustomed to a new primary caregiver, can be disorienting or frightening to a patient, leading to preventable or controllable behavior problems.

Once physicians and caregivers decide on an explanation for the Alzheimer’s behavior problems, they can take two different routes toward alleviating the problem. The first route, which should always be taken first, if possible, involves modifying the environment to eliminate or control the behavior. When Alzheimer’s patients are acting out, caregivers can try to distract them, talk to them calmly, offer assistance or encouragement, or allow them to make decisions about what they may need to do or change in their environment. Caregivers should not become agitated themselves, act aggressive or defensive, or try to argue with the patients. In addition to these common sense conflict resolution tools, caregivers can also try to identify and eliminate environmental triggers, such as a poorly lit hallway or loud noise from a television. The environment should be free of weapons or other dangers with safety locks on doors and windows to prevent patients from wandering. If triggers can not be eliminated, patients can still be encouraged to rest and follow a comforting daily routine.

If altering the environment does not work, medication may be a viable option. A physician can prescribe drugs that alleviate depression, anxiety, or psychosis. When taking new medications, however, there is always the danger of drug interactions or side effects, which could cause more Alzheimer’s behavior problems, so patients should always be carefully monitored when beginning a new medication. In the end, it is important for caregivers to remember that behavioral and psychiatric problems are not always caused by Alzheimer’s disease itself, and alternative explanations should be sought to improve the quality of life for both patients and caregivers.

Alzheimer’s disease: Communication Tools for Caregivers

Communicating with Alzheimer’s patients

As Alzheimer’s disease progresses, patients often lose the ability to express themselves, increasing their feelings of isolation and frustration. Communication difficulties can contribute to the aggressive or inappropriate behaviors often associated with the disease. Similarly, caregivers may feel anxious and depressed over their inability to communicate with their loved ones. Learning simple strategies for communicating with Alzheimer’s patients can make the process less difficult and thereby improve the relationship between caregivers and patients.

In order to better communicate with Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers must first understand some of challenges their loved ones face. Because of their diminishing attention spans, it is easy for Alzheimer’s patients to become distracted and lose their train of thought; therefore, a long-winded conversation partner or a noisy environment, such as a restaurant, may severely impede their ability to have a conversation. Poor short term memory often causes them to repeat what they already said or forget what they were already told, frustrating their conversation partner. It also takes much longer for them to verbalize what they are thinking, and they may be unable to grasp certain words. Finally, patients who are hard of hearing or legally blind, which are communication roadblocks in their own right, may find communication doubly frustrating. When communicating with Alzheimer’s patients, it is helpful for caregivers to keep these limitations in mind so that they can communicate with their loved one from a place of compassion rather than impatience or anxiety.

While the limitations that Alzheimer’s patients face in communicating are great, using some simple creative listening techniques can knock down many of the barriers between patient and caregiver. First, when communicating with Alzheimer’s patients, it is important to keep in mind that they want to express themselves and may do so with their nonverbal expressions of emotion and behaviors as much as with their words. These modes of communication should not be overlooked. Similarly, caregivers must listen nonverbally as well, with eye contact, a smile or a hug. Interrupting or arguing, which are impediments to conversation in normal circumstances, can be particularly frustrating for an Alzheimer’s patient, leading to disruptive behaviors. Caregivers must be patient and allow their loved ones extra time to speak. Finally, it is important to interpret statements made by Alzheimer’s patients as both literal expressions and expressions of emotion.

Caregivers can also employ various techniques to improve their chances of being understood by Alzheimer’s patients. They should establish rapport first by introducing themselves and using the patient’s name. They should focus on fundamentals, such as speaking slowly and clearly for short periods of time. If they have instructions to deliver, they should break them down into manageable chunks that won’t stress the patient’s attention span or memory. Rather than using questions that require further explanation from patients, such as “How do you feel?,” they should ask yes or no questions, such as “Do you feel tired?” This advice runs counter to typical communication techniques, but nonverbal communication, such as a nod of the head, and verbal responses requiring simple vocabulary speed communication with Alzheimer’s patients. Most importantly, caregivers should express themselves with an attitude of love and concern rather than frustration or impatience when communicating with Alzheimer’s patients.

Alzheimer's and Drugs: Exploring Treatment Options

Drugs for a person with Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a devastating brain disease that scientists find difficult not only to understand but also to treat. By studying the effects of the disease process in Alzheimer’s patients’ brains—a combination of plaques between neurons and tangles within neurons—scientists are able to experiment with a variety of drugs to slow the damage to the brain and to improve the quality and duration of patients’ lives. The effectiveness of drugs for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, however, is debatable, and a cure remains as elusive as the cause.

The most widely used and the only FDA-approved group of drugs for a person with Alzheimer’s disease involve a chemical compound called acetylcholine, which is important for the functioning of neurons in the brain. Persons with Alzheimer’s disease are found to have low levels of acetylcholine, so drugs such as Aricept, Exelon, and Reminyl attempt to inhibit the production of the enzyme Acetylcholinesterase, which eats away at healthy acetylcholine. Debate rages about just how effective the drugs are at improving cognitive functioning and slowing impairment because some patients with other serious health problems were not included in the studies on the drugs. Also, the drugs can have some unpleasant gastrointestinal side effects, such as nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, so they have to be administered to patients in slowly increasing amounts over a period of time. Studies have found, though, that, in as many as twenty percent of Alzheimer’s patients taking acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, cognitive impairment is slowed by as much as a year, offering patients and their families precious time.

Several other types of drugs for a person with Alzheimer’s disease are being researched, but their effectiveness, by and large, has not been supported by studies. For example, vitamin E and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen, have been thought to combat the damaging effects of inflammation associated with plaque in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. While not enough evidence exists for either one being an effective treatment for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, NSAIDs have been found to offer some protection. Another potential preventative drug is estrogen, a hormone often taken by postmenopausal women, which has been found to keep the brain healthier and younger by increasing cerebral metabolism. While studies show that estrogen can decrease the chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease, the hormone, when combined with the hormone progestin, has been linked to a greater incidence of cardiovascular problems, such as strokes; therefore, estrogen is not recommended as a treatment for Alzheimer’s. Ginkgo biloba, a popular plant extract associated with improving brain function, has also been found to have dangerous side effects, so, despite studies which show it as a mildly effective treatment for Alzheimer’s, it is not recommended for patients. Finally, selegiline, which is a type of antidepressant, has been studied as a potential treatment for some of the effects of Alzheimer’s, such as certain behaviors and moods, but research is not supportive enough for scientists to endorse it. In the end, while researchers have found some drugs to be more effective that other drugs for a person with Alzheimer’s disease, patients and their families must make their own decisions regarding treatment options.

Nutrition and Lung Cancer

Over the past decade, traditional science and Western medical researchers have begun to take a far more serious look at complementary and alternative medicine. Nutrition and nutritional therapies are coming under close scrutiny as research scientists uncover close links between diet and particular medical conditions, as well as overall health. While no one suggests that you walk away from all the traditional medical treatments for lung cancer, many cancer treatment centers also offer complementary medical treatment and consultation on nutrition, and nearly every doctor will agree that a healthy diet during treatment is important. A healthy diet will not only improve your quality of life during treatment; by keeping your strength up and providing your body with the nutrients it needs for all of its demands, you’re improving the outcome of the treatments you’re receiving.

That said, there are specific recommendations made by nutritionists in reference to lung cancer.

· your broccoli.
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale and turnips contain a phytochemical that seems to provide protection against lung cancer. According to a research letter published in Lancet in October 2005, eating a serving of cruciferous vegetables at least twice a week has a preventive effect on lung cancer. Other scientists who are studying the chemical are finding that it inhibits cell replication in several lung cancer strains and induces cell death in cancer cells. Since the major difference between normal cells and cancerous cells is that cancerous cells do not die and keep replicating themselves, this could be major news for those with lung cancer. Until those findings are confirmed or denied, there’s certainly no reason NOT to acquire a taste for broccoli and cabbage.

· Eat plenty of veggies.
The American Cancer Society recommends eating at least five servings of fruit and vegetables per day to help reduce the risk of lung cancer.

· Drink green tea.
Several population based studies have shown that men who drink 5 or more cups of green tea daily not only have a lower risk of developing lung cancer, those that do develop it, tend to develop it several years later than men who don’t drink green tea. The effect may be due to the antioxidant properties of green tea.

· Do the berries.
Blueberries and other dark berries contain phytochemicals that have shown an inhibitory effect on lung cancer strains. They also contain lots of antioxidants that can help prevent damage to cells. Add blueberries, blackberries and raspberries to your diet by sprinkling them on cereal, or drinking them in juice along with pomegranate.

· Eat whole grains instead of processed foods.
There are more antioxidants and nutritional value in whole grains than in foods that have been processed. Switch out your refined bread and pasta products for whole grain bread with nuts and seeds to add vital nutrients – particularly coenzymes and fatty acids – to your diet.

In addition to eating a healthier diet, try to ensure adequate rest and physical activity. People who maintain their physical activity and eat a healthy diet have a much better chance of successfully completing treatment for lung cancer.

Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Early diagnosis of lung cancer is one of the key factors in improving the survival rate for those who are diagnosed. When lung cancer is caught in the first stages, the five year survival rate is 49%. The overall survival rate for those diagnosed with lung cancer is less than 15%. Knowing the signs and symptoms of lung cancer can prompt you to consult a doctor before lung cancer moves to later stages and becomes far more difficult to treat.

Up to 25% of those diagnosed with lung cancer report that they had no symptoms. The cancer is first discovered during a routine chest x-ray or CT scan. Most often, these cases involved a single small tumor called a coin lesion. This is the most treatable stage of lung cancer, and makes a powerful case for routine chest x-rays with your physical.

Symptoms related to the cancer
The symptoms of lung cancer are often related to the site of the cancerous lesions. Invasion of the lung tissues most often cause difficulty breathing, which may lead to shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, wheezing and coughing up blood. If the cancer has spread beyond the bronchia, there may be other related symptoms. For instance, if the cancer has invaded the esophagus, it may cause difficult swallowing. Cancer that has invaded the nerve tissues may cause paralysis of the vocal chords, or hoarseness. It may also cause shoulder pain that travels down the outside of the arm as the nerves are affected by the growth of the cancerous cells. If large areas of the bronchia are affected, it may cause a collapse of the lung, pneumonia, abscesses or other opportunistic infections.

There are also a number of non-specific symptoms that are often seen in all types of cancer. Those include weight loss, fatigue and weakness. There may be mood changes, including depression and irritability. Since the immune system is busy fighting an invader, opportunistic infections may set in and be difficult to shake.

When Should You Call a Doctor?
If you have any of the symptoms related to cancer, particularly if you smoke or have obstructive pulmonary disease, you should contact your health care provider and schedule an appointment. Especially call your doctor if you have any of the following:

· New, persistent cough or worsening of a chronic cough
· Persistent bronchitis
· Repeated respiratory infections
· Chest pain
· Blood in your sputum
· Unexplained weight loss
· Fatigue that is unrelated to exertion
· Shortness of breath
· Wheezing

Your doctor can order chest x-rays and CT scans to determine what’s causing the problem. Because some cancers can cause elevated hormone levels, he may also order diagnostic tests to check the levels of cortisol and calcium in your blood.
While the medical community is still debating the usefulness of annual chest x-rays and CT scans in detecting cancer in its earliest stages, being vigilant can pay off. Dismissing a persistent cough or frequent bouts with bronchitis as ‘no big deal’ may give lung cancer a chance to take hold and start to spread. The best indicator, say many health professionals, is instinct. If something feels ‘not right’, have it checked out. Far better to be safe than sorry.

Power of Positive Thinking Questioned

For many years, people diagnosed with various illnesses have been told that their attitude can help combat their disease. Putting on a happy face, the wisdom went, helps defeat cancer and other grim diagnoses. Now a study from Australia disputes the power of positive thinking, at least when it comes to lung cancer.

Researchers at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Center in Melbourne, Australia followed a group of 179 people who had been diagnosed with small cell lung cancer for five years. SCLC has an overall 15% five year survival rate – a grim statistic. However, researchers have noted that the length of survival varies widely within that five years. Lead researcher Dr. Penelope Schofield and her colleagues decided to study the effects of a positive, optimistic outlook on the length of survival of lung cancer patients.

The 179 people in the study answered questionnaires both before and after their treatment for lung cancer. The questionnaires were designed to measure optimism, and outlook on life. The final results – Schofield and colleagues found no correlation between positive outlook and length of survival in the study patients. Those with positive outlooks on life lived no longer than those who were pessimistic about their chances of survival.

Does this mean that people should abandon maintaining a positive, optimistic outlook? Not at all, Schofield says. A positive outlook most certainly affects the quality of life, if not the quantity of life. Still, she says, she is concerned about the advice to those diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses to ‘put on a happy face’.

There is a heavy social pressure to maintain a positive outlook when faced with a diagnosis of lung cancer or another life-affecting disease. The idea that your outlook and optimism affects the chances of survival carries with it an ‘unintentional implication’ that people who have cancer are responsible for he outcome of their disease. What Schofield fears is that the pressure to remain positive and upbeat in the face of a lung cancer diagnosis may put unintentional stress and pressure on the patient and prevent them from going through the normal grieving stages.

On the other hand, a fatalistic attitude may be just as harmful. There ARE things that a person can do to improve their chances of survival. Those include adopting healthy eating habits, giving up smoking and avoiding contact with cigarette smoke, and getting regular physical activity. A pessimistic belief that nothing will help anyway may keep people from adopting new habits and taking the steps that could very well contribute to their longevity and certainly to their happiness.

What’s the answer? As in most other things, the best solution may lie in balance. Schofield suggests that a supportive atmosphere that allows the patient to express their fears and pessimism without blame may be the best way to go. Jimmie Holland, MD, author of The Human Side of Cancer, agrees. In his article “The Tyranny of Positive Thinking”, Holland says, “If you are surrounded by the "positive attitude police," tell them to get off your case and be realistic.” Holland advocates finding a way of coping that is comfortable for you, and not allowing the beliefs of others to make an already difficult situation even more difficult by burdening you with guilt.

Eat Your Cabbage?

Can eating your broccoli and cabbage help protect you against lung cancer? According to a study published in the October 29, 2005 issue of the British medical journal, Lancet, the answer is yes.

This isn’t the first time that its been suggested that cruciferous vegetables may have a preventive effect against lung cancer, but it is the largest scale study to date. There have been a number of smaller observational studies that reported a possible link between the vegetables and lung cancer prevention, but they were considered to be too small to be definitive. This study, conducted by a group of researchers at the Genetic Epidemiology Group at the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France, compared 2,141 people diagnosed with lung cancer with a group of healthy people in the Czech Republic, Romania, Russia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. They chose countries where the consumption of vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and Brussels sprouts has been traditionally high.

“We found protective effects with at least weekly consumption of cruciferous vegetables,” the research letter in the Lancet stated.

Researchers believe that the beneficial effects of cruciferous vegetables are due to the high content of isothiocyanates, phytonutrients that seem to have a strong anti-cancer effect. They are a more bioavailable form of glucosinolates, which also have been shown to have anti-cancer effects. The research conducted at Lyons takes the knowledge a step further.

Studies have shown that isothiocyanates neutralize cancerous cells by inhibiting cell proliferation. The cycle of a normal cell in the body proceeds from cell division, through specialization, and eventually, when the cell has either become damaged or has finished doing its job, to apoptosis – or cell death. The problem with cancer cells is that they don’t go through apoptosis. For some reason, their mutations make them resistant to the message that it’s time to die. Isothiocyanates appear to be a catalyst that triggers apoptosis. In laboratory experiments, they’ve induced apoptosis in a number of cell lines. They also seem to slow proliferation of a number of types of cancer cells, including lung cancer lines.

The researchers at Lyons found that there is also a correlation between genetics and the preventive effect of cruciferous vegetables. There are two genes that produce an enzyme that remove isothiocyanates from the body. The Lyons study correlated the results from a diet questionnaire with blood tests to determine whether those studied had inactive or active forms of those genes. They found that in people who had an inactive form of one of the two genes had a 37% lower risk of developing lung cancer. Those with an inactive form of the other had a 33% lower risk of developing lung cancer. In those with both genes inactive, there was a 72% reduction in lung cancer risk. In those who had two active gene types, there was no difference in risk at all.

Said Paul Brennan, lead author of the research letter, “…this indicates that there is a specific protective effect against lung cancer from cruciferous vegetables.”

Random trials to absolutely confirm the findings would be expensive and time consuming, Brennan notes. In the meantime, though, including cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli or turnips in your diet at least once a week may help reduce your risk of developing lung cancer.

Signs And Symptoms Of Asthma

Asthma is one of the most rapidly growing health problems – not only in the United States, but in the world. Between 2002 and 2004, the incidence of reported asthma rose over 4% - a startling statistic, and even more startling when you consider that many people don’t even recognize the signs and symptoms of asthma, and go undiagnosed.

These people, suffering from what’s often called ‘hidden asthma’, are more prone to respiratory illnesses, get more severe colds, are more likely to get pneumonia and chronic bronchitis. In addition, their health may suffer from poor sleep (one of the signs and symptoms of asthma is nighttime coughing and restlessness), depressed immunities and general fatigue.

Knowing the signs and symptoms of asthma can alert you to a possible problem with undiagnosed asthma. A doctor can evaluate lung function using a peak flow meter or other method, and prescribe a treatment plan that will reduce the chances of ever having an acute episode of asthma – and reduce the number of days you miss because of symptoms related to hidden asthma.

Signs and symptoms of asthma include:

Wheezing
– Wheezing is the telltale sign of an asthma attack, but may not be present in chronic mild asthma.
- Wheezing at the end of an exhale is a symptom of mild asthma
- Wheezing throughout an exhale is a symptom of more severe asthma
- Wheezing on both inhalation and exhalation is a symptom of acute asthma attack. Medical attention should be sought if medication doesn’t relieve the symptoms within five to ten minutes.

Coughing
- Chronic nighttime coughing, especially in the absence of another illness is one of the most common signs and symptoms of asthma in children.
- The cough may sound ‘rattly’, but is seldom productive because the asthma cough is not triggered by a need to move mucus. Instead, it’s triggered by irritated and inflamed airways
- Of all the signs and symptoms of asthma, coughing is the one most likely to appear alone. Cough-variant asthma should be diagnosed by a doctor using a special kind of test to ‘provoke’ a reaction using histamines.
- Cough-variant asthma is very responsive to a combination of bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids to relieve inflammation.

Shortness of Breath
- Being out of breath after minimal exertion can be a symptom of asthma
Exercise induced shortness of breath is most often diagnosed as asthma, but needs to be carefully evaluated by a medical professional. In one study conducted at the University of Iowa, researchers found that over 60% of the children who were diagnosed as having exercise induced asthma actually had nothing wrong with them at all except their own perceptions of how much they should be able to do without getting out of breath.