GCB Health

Archive for June, 2009

By the time you read this article you might already know what is colon cancer. Colon cancer is cancer in the inner lining of the colon, or the part of the large intestine that serves to remove water from digested food and let the remaining material, or stool, move through it to leave the body. Bowel detoxification with liquid clay and ground fax seeds are particularly helpful for improving body conditions and preventing the growth of colon polyps and tumors because the clay absorbs toxins while the seeds expand in water and brush the intestine clean. Also bowel detoxification with ground dandelion leaves and apple juice help the liver and intestine to cleanse toxins rapidly.

Chemicals found in charred or charred-boiled meats and cigarettes are 2 major factors causing the growth of colon polyps and tumors.

Here are some natural remedies that may help prevent colon cancer:

1. Fatty acids of cold water fishes such as salmon and tuna

Cold water contains healthy Omega 3 fatty acids that reduces levels of prosta-glandins and chemicals that promote cancer growth.

2. Fiber

A diet rich in fiber foods, such as broccoli, whole grain products, and fruits decrease cancer risk by 30 percent.

3. Calcium

Calcium rich foods such as low fat dairy products and orange juice help to lowering the risk of the formation of polyps inside the colon.

4. Folate

Folate rich foods such as leaf green vegetables reduce the risk of colon cancer as well as decreasing the risk of DNA damage in the body.

5. Aspirin

A small dose daily will reduce colon malignancies by inhibiting cancer-fighting prostaglandins.

If you need more information, please visit: http://colon-cancer-prevention.blogspot.com/

Today there are thousands of organizations or they could be simply called as Non-Profit Organizations who work to help someone in need and not for money/profit. These non-profit organizations or charities depend on funds which they pull in from their members or supporters. They also end up having fund raising events where they raise funds, but when they use attractive wristbands or key chains or key bands, the organization ends up raising some money as well as get the message across to the people. Lot of groups, especially activists groups see that their campaigns or programmers or any kind of events are targeted at the young generations or the youths.

For instance the Lance Armstrong Foundation who fights cancer came up with their famous yellow color wristbands which were sold in millions across the globe raising money for their charity and it made people stand up for the cause and fight the disease. Coming to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, the world’s largest animal rights group gives away and also sells wristbands for their activists and members, this helps them to bring awareness for the cause and raise some money. As both these organizations have targeted their silicone wristbands at youths it has become really famous. The designs were also made to attract them for the cause, and it slowly turned to be a fashion statement!

Do you remember Tsunami relief wristbands from the American Red Cross? These Tsunami relief wristbands were sold to get funds for the American Red Cross society to support the reconstruction efforts in Southeast Asians who were affected by the disastrous waves. So thanks to these silicone bracelets for helping those who are in need! Here are some tips that will help organizations to raise some funds via wristbands. Firstly see that you target the young adults; the color and message on the wristbands has to be definitely attractive and catchy. Try to design your wristbands differently, and see that it has something unique. For example it can be ‘glow in dark’ bands or key chains. Or the band can be broader, which is again not a common design when it is compared to the ordinary bracelets.

Mostly all wristbands have the words or slogan embossed into it but if you want to make the bands unique see that you fill up the words with attractive or contrasting colors. You may even simply change make the words Debossed. Adding your organization’s logo will again make the band unique and attractive. Finally coming to the price of the bands, you should be fixing up a price that has to be affordable so that everyone can buy them. You can even spread the message about your wristband sale on your website or via e-news or ask your activists to post some fliers about the fund raise.

Malaria and travel

Malaria is a major international public health problem. There are enough statistics to prove the same and in order to protect ourselves against it , all it requires is common sense and an understanding of how the disease is spread.

To summarize, malaria is caused by a parasitic micro-organism called Plasmodium. Since there are four different types of Plasmodium that infect humans it stands to reason that there are four different types of malaria. There are a few other less common species but of limited health significance to us.

These parasites are transmitted by the female Anopheles mosquito. It is important to understand that only Anopheles can transmit malaria. If visiting an area endemic for or rampant with dengue , it would be useless and not to mention toxic , to binge on anti malarials since dengue is transmitted by a totally different mosquito – the Aedes species. Of course , standard mosquito repelling measures must be taken as usual since other mosquitoes transmit a fair number of other diseases as well.

The standard approach to dealing with this is traditionally described as ABCD

A – awareness

B – bite protection

C – chemoprophylaxis

D – diagnosis and treatment in case of infection

Awareness

This means to familiarize ourself with the area about to be visited … whether mosquitoes are present, what type of mosquitoes, what diseases are endemic , drug resistance patterns. Such information is constantly updated and hence it needs to be reviewed often.

Unnecessary panic is also unwarranted – in many cases mosquitoes are present but there might not be active malaria. Its good to follow local news and health reports to ascertain this.

Though many might be of the opinion that its safer to take the medicines before hand , sometimes it could be overkill.

Medicines – and in many cases high end ones, have to be started a week before and have to be continued for 2 weeks after returning from the area. It is an individual decision and there will always be arguments for and against it.

Bite protection

Anopheles mosquitoes generally have nocturnal feeding habits. Hence it is prudent to take maximum precautions during the evening and night. However , it must be kept in mind that other mosquitoes which are involved in spread of diseases like Dengue are daytime biters as well

Wearing clothes that cover arms and legs adequately as well as applying repellent on exposed areas usually works well – and in many cases obviates the need for taking medication. While sleeping its wise to use mosquito nets – those impregnated with repellents work even better.

A variety of insect repellents work , but the most effective one is DEET. Various formulations of varying concentrations are available and how often reapplication is required depends on the manufacturer.

Using electronic repellents which vaporize liquid formulations of insecticide is reliable .

They might be fancy pieces of equipment but most ultrasonic frequency emitters have been shown to be ineffective in repelling mosquitoes.

Often, the local practices for keeping the marauding insects at bay are most effective.

 

 

Chemoprophylaxis

This refers to the widespread practice of taking antimalarial drugs before , during and after the expected period of exposure to the mosquitoes. The idea being that it takes care of any parasites that might be in the blood as a result of a bite.

For the most part , all the routinely prescribed drugs are well tolerated , but side effects can occur. Mostly they are more inconvenient rather than outright debilitating , however in case of serious reactions , it goes without saying that medical attention is needed.

Drug regimes broadly fall into 2 types :-

Chloroquine resistant areas – where the parasite is no longer susceptible to chloroquine. This is the case with most areas. If not full blown – there is at least a moderate level of resistance. In such cases drugs such as Mefloquine, Doxycycline and Malarone ( Atovaquone + Proguanil) are the standard choices.

Chloroquine responsive areas – these are fairly rare in number . Chloroquine is rarely prescribed alone , its mostly given along with Proguanil.

A detailed review of dosages and side effects of anti malarial drugs, as well as special circumstances like pregnancy, is beyond the scope of this article.

Diagnosis and Treatment

In spite of all precautions , sometimes mosquitoes could find a chink in the repellent armor. If nothing else, they have sheer numbers on their side.

The good news is , malaria is very much treatable. In case there are no healthcare facilities nearby, it is wise to keep emergency medication ready. Consulting a doctor beforehand to understand symptoms of malaria and what to do in case you end up having it is a good idea.