Breast Cancer Signs - Subtle Evidence to Help in Pinpointing Breast Cancer

One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime and early detection is critical for survival - which is why it's critical that all women be aware of possible breast cancer signs and symptoms.

Read on to learn more about associated symptoms and breast cancer signs, along with information on how to watch out for them.

Lump

The majority of breast cancer cases (80%) are diagnosed after a person finds a lump in her own breast and makes an appointment with her doctor. Identifying a lump is usually the easiest and most direct way of detecting the disease.

Most women find lumps during a routine Breast Self Exam (BSE). To learn how to give yourself a breast examination, the Komen website (an organization dedicated to supporting women with breast cancer) offers instructions online, komen.org.

Changing Breast Shape, Skin Texture or Size

A drastic change in a breast's skin texture, shape or overall size can be a clear indicator of breast cancer. Many breast cancer victims also see a dimpling or wrinkling of the skin.

Soreness and Skin Irritation

Women diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) typically experience redness, swelling, heat and pain throughout the breast and nipple. The symptom basically resembles a skin inflammation, like an allergic reaction to a product or fabric.

Paget's Disease of the Breast

Paget's disease is what is considered a secondary or complex symptom of breast cancer. Essentially, the skin of the breast and/or nipple feels and appears as though it's afflicted by eczema. The skin is flaking, itchy, irritated and red.

Loss of Appetite

Like many cancers, breast cancer patients often experience a decrease in their appetite alongside subsequent weight loss. This symptom doesn't affect all patients, but is common.

Anxiety, Stress and Depression

Unfortunately, mental and emotional symptoms aren't as documented or researched as physical indicators. However, many women who are diagnosed with breast cancer report symptoms of depression and anxiety even before their diagnosis.

Genealogy

If any of your immediate family members or several members of your extended family have been diagnosed with breast cancer, then you need to let your doctor know. You should also commit to monthly self breast exams and annual mammograms.

Diagnosing Symptoms

If you're experiencing any or all the above symptoms, then you may want to consult with your doctor. Remember, the sooner breast cancer is detected, the better your long-term prognosis. 

The American Cancer Society recommends conducting a monthly self breast exam and an annual mammogram to detect breast cancer signs like a lump or skin changes.

Protein Needs and Senile Dementia

In addition to Alzheimer's disease, the most serious and the most common of the progressive dementias, there are a number of other diseases that may cause senile dementia, or in layman's terms, confusion that is beyond the normal for aging adults. While it is common for some minor confusion or memory problems to develop in older adults, senile dementia goes beyond what is considered to be normal. Four to five percent of Americans of both genders, over the age of 65 have some degree of mental and intellectual impairment (Source: MacLean, ed. 1993).

Besides Alzheimer's disease which is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, (behind heart disease, cancer and stroke) there are a number of curable or treatable causes for senile dementia including over medication, often seen in patients in long term care facilities, malnutrition and dehydration. Other causes that can cause the symptoms that mimic the dementia related to Alzheimer's disease include: depression, chronic alcoholism, infections, heart disease, kidney failure, thyroid disease, head injury and anemia.

Another cause can be stroke which affects at least two million American adults. Twice as many women as men are at risk or have had a stroke. Stroke is yet another common cause of confusion or mental impairment in the elderly. Another disease, Parkinson's disease may also cause some senile dementia as well. Parkinson's is thought to affect one person out of forty in the over sixty age group. It is recognized most often by tremor, rigidity and a bent posture.

No matter what the reason for the dementia, there are generally three steps to getting the person back to their best mental health: address the cause, increase the nutrition and increase the mental stimulation for the patient.

Addressing the Cause

While there are a number of conditions that can be treatable, even curable, nothing can happen if the cause is not discovered. Because there is no definitive test for Alzheimer's disease, it is most often found in the process of ruling out other diseases and conditions. Depression is one of the major causes for senile dementia and should be ruled out first. There are many causes of depression in this age group including declining physical health, loss of family members, lack of money and the need for more assistance than they are comfortable with.

Another common cause for dementia is the incidence of blood clots in the brain which may cause a condition that is sometimes called "pseudo dementia" because the symptoms tend to diminish once surgery or other treatments are started.

Improper nutrition and fluid intake, however is one of the most common causes of senile dementia and is often seen in those who are living in nursing homes or other long term care facilities. The longer that the patient is living in the nursing home, the higher the risk of developing nutrition and dehydration related impairment. Dehydration plays a role in senile dementia because it affects the electrolyte balance. Without proper nutrition, the electrolyte imbalance is likely to become even more affected and the confusion can progress even further. In addition to symptoms of confusion, an electrolyte imbalance can lead to more serious problems including irregular heart rhythms which can in turn cause heart attack.

High blood pressure, especially when it is not monitored and not controlled can also cause senile dementia and puts the person at a much higher risk for stroke. Kidney disease, which may also be affected by high blood pressure, can cause some dementia as the kidneys start failing to sufficiently filter the blood and fluid levels in the body becomes affected. Kidney disease affects the blood pressure, but blood pressure also affects the kidneys: it is important to monitor the blood pressure, especially in elderly patients who are deemed to have pre-hypertension.

It is important to remember that while some memory lapses may be normal, serious mental impairment or signs of dementia are not just the course of nature and a normal sign of aging. Any signs of deteriorating mental status should be investigated immediately.

Increasing the Nutrition

Many senior citizens live alone, on very tight budgets. They are often lonely, depressed and have a physical limitation that can prevent them from getting the food that they need. When they do have food, they are often uninterested in eating not only because of depression or illness but because of a slowing in the metabolism that may leave them with little appetite to speak of. For these people, it may become more and more difficult to find the desire to eat, just as much as finding the actual food to eat.

Tastes change as we age and foods that once were favorites may hold little appeal. The sheer act of cooking a meal may be exhausting physically as well as a reminder of the crushing loneliness that the person feels. They stop eating or in other cases may opt to only eat unhealthy snack foods once or twice a day.

A protein supplement is a perfect way for the older adult to get good nutrition into their diet so that they can stay strong and healthy both mentally and physically. The life expectancy for the average American has increased steadily in recent years, not only because of advances in medicine but in increased knowledge about the importance of good nutrition as well as physical and mental activity. There are many different types of protein supplements, however, liquid supplements might be far easier for the senior to manage and can be a faster way to get the most nutrition, including increased protein into their diet.

The best of the liquid supplements are: protein shakes, powders and the liquid protein supplement shots. Protein shakes are ready to drink and come in the common flavors that the senior will be familiar with. They boost protein intake as well as a number of additional nutrients and can get the senior at least close to a healthy calorie intake for the day.

Protein Supplement Powders

Whey protein powder is one of the best of the four types (soy, rice and egg are the other three) and comes in two types, the concentrate (30-85% protein) and the isolate (90% protein). Both are derivatives of milk, a byproduct of the making of cheese with the isolate having far less lactose and therefore better for those who might be mildly lactose intolerant.

Whey protein powder has a number of benefits for the aging adult including the ability to slow both muscle and bone loss overall. It also has a number of protective anti-oxidant and anti-microbial properties that may improve the immune system and plays a role in the care of heart disease and blood pressure regulation (Source: Whey Protein Institute).

Soy protein powder also has a number of heart related benefits and has been shown to reduce the blood cholesterol that is a major risk factor in developing heart disease including heart attack and stroke.

Supplement Shots

The liquid protein supplement shot might be appealing to the senior citizen because they are small. Profect from Protica is only 2.9 fluid ounces, but has a major nutritional punch: it is 100 calories, 25 grams of protein, zero carbs, zero fats, 100% of the day's Vitamin C, 10% of the daily supply of the Vitamin B complex.

B12 Is For Baby - Why We Need Vitamin B12 During Pregnancy

While you are pregnant, your baby is absorbing vitamins and minerals, not just to grow within the womb, but also to stock up for those first six months after the birth. But you also need extra supplies of these nutrients for yourself, to cope with the physical changes of pregnancy and then the exhausting early months of motherhood.

Vitamin B12 is one of the most essential vitamins for mother and baby, not only helping the baby develop physically, but also protecting the mother from feelings of depression.

Who is at risk?

As Vitamin B12 can only be sourced from animal products, such as meat, eggs and dairy food, it is common for vegetarians or vegans to become deficient. People with gastro-intestinal disorders such as Crohns Disease can also have difficulty processing Vitamin B12. So if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and your diet is low in animal-sourced food, make sure you take B12 supplements such as tablets or injections.

Why Babies Need B12

If you are B12-deficient during pregnancy, your baby is at greater risk of developing neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Another major risk may remain invisible for the first few months after birth. Babies are born with a supply of Vitamin B12 to help them grow and develop during their first months of life, although they will also ingest extra B12 from breast milk or formula. However, if the mother is deficient during pregnancy, the baby will be born without sufficient B12. There is no way of recognising a newborn baby is B12-deficient without a blood test, but unless the deficiency is corrected, the baby will become "failure to thrive".

A "Failure to Thrive" baby will seem lethargic and unresponsive, and will not grow or gain weight at the correct rate. If the baby's head circumference does not increase, this can be a good indication that Failure to Thrive is caused by a lack of Vitamin B12.

Breast milk and B12

A B12 deficiency is a rare example of when breast milk is not best. If the mother is still deficient after the birth, her breast milk will be low in Vitamin B12, so a breast-fed baby won't receive extra supplies. As an added complication, deficient babies who start out on breast milk will have an aversion to drinking from bottles. This is probably because a B12 deficiency causes tenderness around the tongue and throat, so babies don't want unfamiliar objects in their mouth. B12-deficient babies often also develop a gag reflex, vomiting when offered a bottle teat or spoon. This can set up a highly distressing cycle for mothers, who are chained to feeding a Failure to Thrive baby who refuses everything except breast milk.

After a series of B12 injections, your lethargic, non-responsive infant will transform into a cheerful, wriggling baby, although it might take longer to teach the baby not to gag at bottles.

B12 and the Black Dog

A Vitamin B12 deficiency in adults has been associated with depression. Studies have shown that between 10 and 30% of patients with depression will have a Vitamin B12 deficiency, while other patients find their depressive symptoms are relieved by extra B12. This is important to remember if you are vegetarian or vegan, particularly while you are pregnant or breastfeeding. You don't want those precious early months with your beautiful baby clouded by a B12 deficiency!

Puppy Training How To Prevent Parvo In Your Puppy

Parvo is a very, very deadly virus. In young puppies it will often kill 90% of the puppies that develop this nasty disease. As a breeder who has experienced Parvo I can assure you that this is a heart wrenching disease. You will lose a lot of sleep and spend a lot of money only to have most of your puppies die. And there is not much you can do-once they have it. But you can in most cases prevent it.

The parvo virus tends to grow in quickly dividing cells. The highest concentrations of these cells in a puppy are located in the intestinal lining. When the virus occurs it kills those cells, and the puppy will start having bloody, foul-smelling diarrhea. Depression will set in. There will be a lack of energy and the puppy will need to lie down. The virus will suppress the white blood cell count. Vomiting will begin and the puppy will be unable to keep food and water down. Dehydration will set in because of the lack of drinking and eating. In very young puppies, this virus can infect the heart muscles and cause "sudden" death. Even with veterinarian care, after this virus sets in, the mortality rate is very high, killing 80% to 90% of those puppies stricken.

Oftentimes a puppy will catch this virus when they go to a vet's office for their wellness checkup. When taking your puppy into the vet's office it is very similar to taking your newborn baby to your local hospital's ICU. It is not exactly what you would want to do. In the event that you absolutely must take an English bulldog puppy to the vet's office, it is important that you make sure that you hold your puppy on your lap the entire time. Do not let your puppy get down unless it is absolutely necessary.

Vaccinating your puppy is a MUST! Even though the breeder you purchased your puppy from vaccinated the puppy does not necessarily mean a tolerance has been built up for the parvo virus. Neopar is an excellent vaccine. This can be purchased through several different sources. An online search can assist in finding it. Neopar contains an adapted live virus, so therefore, has more potency to it. It has been successfully administered to puppies that are only 3 to 4 weeks old. There is a titer level of over 3 million for each dose compared to 15,000 to 150,000 in other brand name vaccines available on the market.

With that said. I am a breeder and not in any way affiliated with Neopar. But I can tell you that we have experienced Parvo in our kennel. But since we started using the Neopar vaccine to vaccinate our puppies we have never since had a puppy come down with Parvo. This is a nasty virus. But it is preventable. We recommend Neopar followed by 4 puppy shots that contain a Parvo booster. If you keep your puppy on track with a good vaccination schedule your puppy should be able to live side by side with a sick puppy that has Parvo without getting sick itself. The vaccine is very affordable and only costs several dollars to administer. Don't shortchange your puppy by skipping its Parvo vaccinations.

Treating Depression The Natural Way - Four Simple Things You Can Do to Help Yourself Recover

The black blanket. The dark cloud. The monster. Darkness visible. No matter how you describe depression, it can be one of the most debilitating illnesses a person ever experiences-and one that's often very difficult to treat.

While antidepressants such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil play an integral part in helping thousands of people overcome serious depression, there are many natural treatments that can help lift the cloud of darkness and promote a healthier, balanced lifestyle. Whether used alone (for those suffering from mild forms of the illness) or in conjunction with a prescribed drug therapy plan, these natural remedies can play an important role in helping you to manage and overcome this challenging illness.

Change Your Language of Depression

Depression is a physical illness that affects the way we see ourselves and the world around us. Everything seems wrong, pointless, or beyond hope-and the messages we tell ourselves and others can reinforce the chemical imbalance in our bodies that are making us see the world in this way. Negative thoughts and feelings, as "truthful" as they seem to those suffering from depression, compound the effects of the illness. And once they are allowed to take hold, they can quickly take over a person's life.

It's very easy to become tangled in a net of questions for which there are no answers, such as What's wrong with me? and What's the point of living?, without realizing that these negative thoughts and questions have been manufactured by a depressed brain and should not be taken as "reality." By identifying negative talk (including self-talk) as a sign that depression is starting, you can then focus on treating the depression instead of getting trapped into examining your life to find what's wrong when something wrong doesn't actually exist.

How can you know when negative language is the result of depression? There are two answers. First, recognize the patterns of depression. Depression is episodic. Those who suffer from repeated episodes of the illness find that the same questions, worries, feelings, and actions resurface over and over again. Identifying your particular language of depression is the first step to recognizing the illness. Only then can you move forward in treating the depression instead of getting stuck in trying to fix a life that isn't even broken.

The second way to identify the language of depression is to compare your perceptions of events and circumstances in the moment to the way you thought about your life situations in the past. It's all too easy to lose insight into the reality of your situation when depression takes over. People can point out all that is going well, but you just can't see it. Once you lose the ability to reason yourself out of the mood, it's a sign that it's an illness, not an event that is causing your suffering. 
 
Take a Walk
 
One of the best natural ways to treat depression is exercise. Much like many of the antidepressant medications, such as Celexa or Zoloft, physical movement, especially repetitive movement, has been associated with stimulation of the production and release of mood improving chemicals including the neurotransmitter serotonin, a naturally-occurring substance that has been shown to have beneficial effects for some people experiencing clinical depression. Many people find that they can help to elevate their serotonin levels naturally, simply by taking regular, moderate walks. While medication may still be required, exercise is one more way that people can help to take charge of their recovery.
 
Unfortunately, even going for a walk can seem like an overwhelming prospect to people who are depressed. In fact, one of the hallmarks of this illness is a lack of motivation to do anything. Fortunately, it's not necessary to be motivated to do something when you're depressed. You do have the ability to do things, even if you don't feel like doing them. Don't wait for the urge to exercise-let yourself know that it's okay to not want to do it, but that you are going move your body anyway. You may find it helpful to enlist the help of a partner who will exercise with you, or you can plan to use the time you walk to listen to a motivational tape. Remember that, by putting one foot in front of the other, you are working to change your brain chemistry, and that every step you take is a step toward recovering from depression.
 
Try Bright Light Therapy

Like exercise, daily exposure (especially in the morning) to bright light helps to regulate certain neurochemicals that affect mood, and it's critical to managing depression. By entering the eye and striking the retina, the light activates a nerve pathway to the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that significantly influences mood, sleep cycles, appetite, and sex drive. The combination of exercise with exposure to bright light acts as a double whammy against depression and greatly increases your chances of reducing your symptoms. If you live in an area that doesn't receive a lot of sunlight, consider asking your doctor whether you might benefit from using a light box.
 
Ask for Help

Depression is not an illness you should try to deal with alone. Unfortunately, many who suffer from depression feel that no one could possibly understand or help them. Others become very needy, and caring friends and family members may become exasperated by a depressed person's apparent lack of progress. Still others may find themselves irritable, easy to anger, and combative when someone tries to help. All of these symptoms add pressure to existing relationships and can make it difficult to know how, or whom, to ask for assistance. For many people, the best solution is to consult a professional counselor, psychologist, or therapist who is trained in treating people with depression. Support groups and individuals who have clearly shown a desire and an ability to help are also options. You might find it helpful to enlist the help of several friends and explain that you have an illness and you need help with the illness, not your life. That way you can "spread your needs around" and avoid placing too overwhelming a burden on any one person.

Depression is a serious illness, and recovery takes time. Be patient and loving toward yourself, and give your body and mind the attention, care, and time they need to heal. The natural path of healing from depression is not usually a straight line, but one of good and bad days, small advances, and occasional setbacks. You may learn to manage some symptoms easily, while others may take more time or effort to control. By following a comprehensive treatment plan that includes these natural remedies, however, you can empower yourself to actively combat depression, renew your vitality, and regain your love of life.

Should You Take a Bipolar Test?

Bipolar disorder, also known as manic-depressive disorder, is a serious long-term form of depression that cannot be self treated. If you suspect you have bipolar disorder, full evaluation with a bipolar test administered by a medical specialist is recommended. As medical management of this disorder is required, it is not recommended that you attempt to test yourself.

But when is it appropriate to see a physician for a bipolar test? If you know you suffer from symptoms of depression, knowing the symptoms and signs of manic-depressive disorder is the first step in determining whether or not you need full evaluation.

Manic-depressive disorder is characterized by swings between depression and mania. Both ends of the spectrum may be very mild, or they may be very severe. The mood swings can occur as infrequently as a couple times a year, or as frequently as a couple times a day. In some cases, they may occur simultaneously. The swings are called cycles; an individual may cycle slowly, with each phase lasting months, or even years. Others cycle rapidly, with multiple mood swings in one day. Unfortunately, this varies in each individual, making it more difficult for even professionals to recognize the symptoms.

During the manic phase, a person may experience euphoria, extreme optimism, an inflated sense of self esteem, increased physical activity, inability to concentrate and the need for less sleep than normal. In extreme cases, there may be rapid speech patterns, racing thoughts, poor judgment, use of alcohol or other drugs and controlled substances, and a break from reality, or psychosis. In this extreme condition, a person may have hallucinations, hear voices talking and experience paranoia.

During the depression phase, symptoms are typical of depression; i.e., sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, guilt, sleep problems, changes in eating patterns or appetite, loss of interest in participating in usual activities and inability to concentrate. In extreme cases, as with other types of depression, there may be suicidal thoughts, gestures or behavior.

In most cases, symptoms of bipolar disorder are noted by family members and friends, but not recognized. The person with bipolar disorder doesn't recognize how their emotional instability impacts their work, school and daily activities. As a result, the disorder often goes unrecognized and untreated until the symptoms and their consequences become so severe they can no longer be ignored.

Some people who suffer from this disorder enjoy the feeling of euphoria they get during the manic phase. Many of the symptoms give them positive reinforcement for not wanting treatment; for example, increased sex drive and an increase in their drive to perform or achieve goals. The swing back to depression is not very pleasant, however, and there is always a swing back. Some people also engage in risk-taking behavior when they are in the manic phase, resulting in health, legal and financial issues and their consequences.

In summary, the best bipolar test is to know the symptoms and to educate family and friends to recognize them. And remember that bipolar disorder does not get better by itself, so do not try and self treat. If you suspect you have bipolar disorder, or if you suspect someone in your life does, get help from a mental health specialist.

Health and Happiness Through Smile Therapy

When we smile, endorphins, serotonin and natural pain killers are released through our bodies. Studies have shown that people with manic depression can be completely cured with daily 20 minute sessions where the patient just sits and smiles! When we smile our body actually produces the physiology of happiness and health. Smiling lowers blood pressure and boosts immunity as well as reducing stress. this helps us to maintain health and energy throughout our day and hold a better mental perspective, which helps us with all the tasks we must accomplish each day.

So smiling...

• Produces more happiness hormones than chocolate


• Improves your appearance


• Cures depression


• Boosts immunity


• Greatly reduces stress


• Lowers blood pressure


• Greatly improves overall health

How to utilize the benefits of Smile Therapy

Pick a time during the day when you have some space. Maybe when you first wake up, or when you go to sleep or meditate. And smile and smile and smile. Smile until it becomes deeply real for you. Feel every cell of your body smiling. Do it for any time between 5 and 20 minutes. Try it out every day for 10 days. If it works for you, you'll have a wonderful new tool.

Spiritual Development

Smile Therapy is an incredible way to participate in the spiritual development of your being. When we elevate our moods and the vibration of our bodies and energy fields we affect everyone around us with this positivity. We are able to see the solutions to problems with ease, we promote harmony and grace in our relationships and in our lives.