bacterial vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis

What is Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)?
It is a change in the normal bacteria of the vagina.
What causes BV?
The exact cause of BV is unknown. There are many bacteria that live in a normal vagina. When you have BV, there are not enough “good” bacteria. This causes harmful bacteria to grow in the vagina, causing the vaginal environment to be out of balance.
What are the symptoms?
Most women with BV have no symptoms at all. Sometimes a woman has more vaginal discharge than usual. The discharge might be milky with a “fishy” odor. The odor can be worse after sex. Other symptoms women may experience include itching or burning in or near the vagina.
How serious is BV?
BV is usually not serious. In some cases, however, it can cause infections in the uterus and fallopian tubes. It is important to treat BV, especially before having an IUD inserted, an abortion, or tests done on the uterine lining. BV during pregnancy may cause the baby to be born too soon.
How can I find out if I have BV?
The clinician will do a few simple tests in the clinic. Looking at the vaginal discharge under the microscope for bacteria and checking the acid level of the vagina are two tests that help the clinician decide if a woman has BV.
How is BV treated?
The clinician can prescribe an antibiotic, taken by mouth, called metronidazole or Flagyl®. There is also a vaginal cream. This medicine can cause nausea or a metal aftertaste in the mouth for some people. Take it with food. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL ANY TIME WHILE TAKING THIS MEDICINE. This medicine can cause severe nausea and vomiting when combined with alcohol. Either use a condom or do not have sex until you have finished taking the antibiotic. The clinician can order antibiotic vaginal creams or gels which work just as well, but the cost is higher. The side effects are less with vaginal antibiotics.
What about my partner?
Your partner does not need to be treated because BV has not been proven to be a sexually transmitted infection.
How can I prevent BV?
Some women get BV again and again. It is not clear why or how this happens. These suggestions for good vaginal health may help:
* Wipe from front to back (away from the vagina) after bowel movements to avoid spreading bacteria from the rectum to the vagina.
* Keep the vulva (outside of the vagina) dry and clean.
* DO NOT DOUCHE. Douching is never a good idea, especially with BV.
* Avoid feminine hygiene sprays, harsh soaps, or soaps with lots of perfume.
* Avoid clothing that can trap moisture: pantyhose (wear pantyhose with cotton crotch) or latex exercise clothing.
* Using condoms may decrease BV recurrence for some women.

birth control method

Birth control method

Some birth control methods work better than others. The chart on the following page compares how well different birth control methods work.
The most effective way to prevent pregnancy is abstinence. However, within the first year of committing to abstinence, many couples become pregnant because they have sex anyway but don't use protection. So it's a good idea even for people who don't plan to have sex to be informed about birth control.
Couples who do have sex need to use birth control properly and every time to prevent pregnancy. For example, the chart below shows that the birth control pill can be effective in preventing pregnancy. But if a girl forgets to take her birth control pills, then this is not an effective method for her. Condoms can be an effective way to prevent pregnancy, too. But if a guy forgets to use a condom or doesn't use it correctly, then it's not an effective way for him to prevent pregnancy.
For every 100 couples using each type of birth control, the chart shows how many of these couples will get pregnant within a year. The information shown is for all couples, not just teenage couples. Some birth control methods may be less effective for teen users. For example, teenage girls who use fertility awareness (also called the rhythm method) may have an even greater chance of getting pregnant than adult women because their bodies have not yet settled into a regular menstrual cycle.
We list the effectiveness of different birth control methods based on their typical use rates. Typical use refers to how the average person uses that method of birth control (compared to "perfect" use, which means no mistakes are made in using that method).
For us to consider a birth control method completely effective, no couples will become pregnant while using that method. Very effective means that between 1 and 2 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method. Effective means that 2 to 12 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method. Moderately effective means that 13 to 20 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method. Less effective means that 21 to 40 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method. And not effective means that more than 40 out of 100 couples become pregnant while using that method.
In addition to preventing pregnancy, abstinence and condoms provide some protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, most birth control methods do not provide much protection against STDs.

lung cancer treatment

lung cancer treatment

Treatment for lung cancer depends upon a variety of factors. The most important factors are the histopathologic (diseased tissue) type of lung cancer and the stage of the cancer.
Once the stage of the lung cancer has been determined, the oncology team and the patient work together to develop a treatment plan. It is important for lung cancer patients to discuss the value of different forms of therapy with their oncologist. Other factors that affect lung cancer treatment include the patient's general health, medical conditions that can affect treatment (such as chemotherapy), and tumor characteristics.
Characteristics of the lung tumor are used to help separate patients into two groups: patients who are at low risk for cancer recurrence and patients who are at high risk for cancer recurrence. Specific prognostic disease-forecasting factors are used to place patients in either of these groups. In particular, the histopathologic groupings of small cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) versus non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) may be used to better predict a patient's prognosis and expected response to therapy.
Surgical resection (cutting away) of the tumor generally is indicated for cancer that has not spread beyond the lung. Surgery for lung cancer may be conducted using a variety of techniques. Thoracotomy, which is performed throught the chest wall, and median sternotomy, which is performed by cutting through the breastbone, are standard methods used for lung cancer surgery.
Alternative approaches include anterior limited thoractomy (ALT), which is performed on the frontal chest using a small incision; anterioraxillary thoracotomy (AAT), which is performed on the frontal chest near the underarm; and posterolateral thoracotomy (PLT), which is performed on the back/side region of the trunk.
ALT, in particular, is less invasive than standard thoractomy—that is, this procedure involves less disturbance of the body than large incisions or other intrusive measures. ALT may result in less blood loss during and after surgery, less postoperative drainage, and less postoperative pain than standard thoracotomy.
Recently, surgeons have developed other less invasive procedures for the removal of cancerous lung tissue. For example, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VAT), also known as video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), involves using a video camera to help visualize and operate on the lung within the chest cavity. The surgical incisions made during VAT are much smaller than those required for thoracotomy or sternotomy.
However, some physicians caution that VAT does not allow complete lung examination to identify and remove metastases that are not detected by preoperative chest x-ray. VAT is perhaps most appropriate for Stage 1 and Stage 2 cancers that require lobectomy (surgical removal of a lung lobule) with lymphadenectomy (removal of one or more lymph nodes) and for peripheral (outer edge) lung tumors that can be removed by wedge resection. In such cases, follow-up is required to establish a long-term prognosis.
Computed tomography (CT) scans also have been added to VAT technology to improve lung cancer surgery. Experts have found that percutaneous (through the skin) CT-guided localization wires can help to identify tumorous lung nodules. In this way, wires are used to assist VAT in cases that require sublobectomy resection (partial removal of a lung lobe).
Unfortunately, surgical procedures can cause a condition called lymphocytopenia—low number of lymphocytes (white blood cells) in the blood—which is linked to shorter survival times among patients with advanced lung cancer. Lymphocytopenia may be related to a deficiency in interleukin-2 (IL-2), a hormone that controls the activity of T lymphocytes (thymus-dependent lymphocytes). Preoperative treatment with recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2) may help to prevent the decrease in lymphocytes that occurs after surgery for operable lung cancer.
If the tumor is aggressive and/or widespread, chemotherapy, radiotherapy (radiation therapy), and other therapies may be used in addition to or instead of surgery to treat lung cancer.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) often is used to treat inoperable lung cancer. Photodynamic therapy involves the injection of a light-activated drug (e.g., photofrin/polyhaematoporphyrin, lumin). Then, during bronchoscopy (examination of the airways using a flexible scope), the lung tumor is illuminated by a laser fiber that transmits light of a specific wavelength. At that time, the laser light is used to destroy the sensitized tumor tissue. Skin photosensitivity (light sensitivity) is a side effect of PDT.
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The curative potential of PDT is the most exciting aspect of this therapy in lung cancer patients whose tumors are occult (hidden, unseen) on chest x-ray. The tissue-sparing effects of PDT may be particularly important for patients who have limited lung function.
Electrosurgery is surgery performed using a needle, bulb, or disk electrode. Nd-YAG laser therapy (neodymium-yttrium/argon laser that concentrates high-energy electromagnetic radiation to destroy tissue), cryotherapy (destruction of tissue using extreme cold), and brachytherapy (treatment with ionizing radiation) are additional tumor debulking, or size-reducing, techniques that may be performed during bronchoscopy. These methods are especially useful for obstructive, inner cavity (intraluminal) lung tumors.
Radiotherapy, also known as radiation therapy, is a treatment method that uses high-energy, ionizing radiation (e.g., gamma rays) to kill cancer cells. Ionizing radiation is produced by a number of radioactive substances, such as cobalt (60Co), radium (228Ra), iodine (131I), radon (221Rn), cesium (137Cs), phosphorus (32P), gold (198Au), iridium (192Ir), and yttrium (90Y). Radiotherapy may be applied to shrink a tumor that is later removed by surgery, to relieve symptoms, or to destroy malignant cells in a tumor that cannot be removed surgically.
Because cancer cells usually multiply faster than most normal body tissues, they are especially affected by radiation, which prevents cell division and the formation of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid; human genetic material). Other bodily tissues that divide rapidly, such as hair and skin, are also particularly vulnerable to radiotherapy.
Side effects of radiotherapy include hair loss and skin disorders, such as erythema (skin redness due to blood vessel congestion), itching (puritis), desquamation (sloughing-off of outer skin layers), pain, shrinking (atrophy), increased pigmentation, and swelling (edema).

lung cancers

lung cancers

More than one in four of all diagnosed cancers involve the lung, and lung cancer remains the most common cancer-related cause of death among American men and women. In 2008, more than 161,000 lung cancer deaths are expected, outnumbering deaths from breast, prostate and colon cancers combined.
At the same time, it may well be that a great many lung cancers are preventable. Inhaling cancer causing substances such as tobacco smoke may lead to changes in the lung tissue shortly after exposure so called precancerous changes. Nevertheless, cancer itself typically develops over a period of many years, and if detected at an early enough stage can be eliminated by a variety of treatments.

yoga tips

yoga tips

* The time most suitable for Yoga is in the morning before breakfast when the mind is calm and fresh and the movements can be done with ease and vitality.
* The most important things you'll need to get started - as they say - are a big heart and a small ego.
* A person must seek a place of quietude, which is well ventilated, free from dust, insects, unpleasant smell, draught, and moisture. There should be no distraction whatsoever.
* You must empty your bowels and bladder, clean your nostrils and throat of all mucus, consume a glass of lukewarm water and then begin the exercises after 15 minutes.
* Always remember that you should begin with the easy postures and then proceed to the difficult ones. One must follow the graded steps of Yoga.
* In the beginning, all movements should be practiced lightly and you must cease to go further if fatigue shows.
* Yoga must pep up and not impart weariness and despondency.
* Periods of relaxation are advisable if a particular exercise proves to be tiring.
* Yoga trainers recommend a balanced diet (sattwik). There should be an interval of 4 hours between meals.
* The ratio for the composition of meals should be:
+ grains and cereals 30% of the calorific value
+ dairy products 20%
+ vegetables and roots 25%
+ fruits and honey 20%
+ nuts remaining 5%
* Regarding the quantity of food, it should be moderate (mitahara), only that which satisfies one's appetite.
* One should avoid overeating, fasting or eating once a day. Stale or non-nutritious food, you know, is harmful.
* The clothing should be loose and as scanty as possible, because maximum amount of the skin should be exposed to air.
* Form-fitting cotton/Lycra pants and shirts are the best.
* The breathing should be long and deep. The mouth should be closed and inhale and exhale only through the nose.
* Always take a mat of kusa or any other grass or hay for sitting postures.
* For lying postures use a woolen carpet, and spread a clean sheet over it.
* You can check out some other commercial Yoga accessories, like Yoga belt, foam blocks, Yoga pillows and rubber mats.

eat yourself slim

eat yourself slim

Is it possible to eat your self slim? Well! 30 years ago if you mentioned the idea of a fat burning diet many nutritionists and so called experts in the diet and weight loss industry would laugh of their socks of and called you a "nut"
But now in the year of 2009 mainly due to new scientific discoveries and advance food diagnostics. It's now official and those old school professors can hang their heads in shame "fat burnings diets" are for real. Not only have the experts proclaimed these diets as genuine but they have even called them by quite a hypermodern name "thermogenic diets"
The word "Thermogenic" without the word "diet" being added is not new it simply means creating heat in a living organism in layman's terms this means burning energy and it's this burning energy that is the basic principle behind fat burning diets.
Thermogenic diets are based on simply eating foods that make the digestive system burn more energy digesting the food than the food will provide (a negative calorie diet). A great analogy for fat burning diets would be a game whereby for every step you took going backwards you then had to take two equal steps forwards. So it wouldn't matter how many steps you took going backwards your will always end up travelling forwards, which is great news for dieters who just cant seem to get rid of that unwanted flab.
Now here is another real cool part about fat burning diets, because the food takes more energy to digest than the food will provide our natural metabolic rate is forced to speed up which in turn helps you burn even more body fat it's almost like a two pronged attack on those love handles, belly fat, fat thighs etc.
Themogenic diets can come in two forms the best of which consists of consuming a larger than normal quantity every day fat burning foods however if this is not possible for some reason then one can enhance a normal diet pan with fat burning supplements.