Brain Tumor Symptoms

 

A brain tumor is a tumor that either arises in the brain or it can be a tumor that spreads from a different part of your body such as a brain metastasis from breast cancer.

Overall, malignant brain tumors are rare. 

There's less than a one percent chance that an average adult will develop a malignant brain tumor in their lifetime. 

What is Brain Tumor?

It's comprised of abnormal cells that shouldn't be in the brain, and they form a mass. 

Brain tumors can range from:

•  benign, 
• or non-cancerous tumors, to malignant, or cancerous, tumors.

Brain tumors are typically found in imaging studies. Some more aggressive tumors can have a lot of swelling associated with them. Other kinds of tumors may be slower growing or maybe not as obvious. Sometimes we need to follow those patients over time to really distinguish a brain tumor from some other abnormality that can appear in the brain.

The signs and symptoms attributed to the brain tumor can depend on :

• the location 
• and the number of lesions in the brain.

For example, if you have a brain tumor in the speech area of your brain, you might present with difficulty speaking or understanding language. Sometimes patients can present in a non-specific way, meaning they develop symptoms that can be seen even in normal people.

Signs and Symptoms :

For example, you can have

•  A headache that doesn't seem to go away, that wakes you up in the morning
• It can be associated with nausea and vomiting.
• You can also have confusion,
• Other focal neurologic deficits

 It's important to note that because many of the symptoms of brain tumors are non-specific, just because you have one of these symptoms doesn't mean you have a brain tumor. However, if your symptoms are not resolving or are not explained by anything else, it's important to see your doctor for these symptoms.

 

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Weight loss foods! List Of Foods And Fruits That Burn Fat

 

Eating food that burns fat is one of the best ways to get the body you want and deserves a Couple of exercises and nutritional food is a great way to lose weight. But why not take it to the next level and eat foods that actually burn fat. Let's have a look at the best fat-burning foods and how they can help you lose some weight.

Fruits that are rich in Vitamin C:

The first thing is fruits that are rich in vitamin c like

• Lemon 
• Oranges 
• Guava 
• Gapes 
• Tangerines and Lime 

They all have properties of fat-burning character. Vitamin c dilutes the fat making it less potent and helping it to be released from the body faster. Other foods include

• Chilies 
• Bell peppers 
• Cabbages 
• Broccoli 
• Soybeans 
• Apples 
• Blueberries 

The pectins that are present in apples restrict the cells to absorb fat. It also encourages water absorption from the food causing the release of fat deposits.

Whole Grains:

your body burns twice as many calories breaking down. Whole foods than processed foods especially those rich in fiber such as oatmeal and brown rice.

 Lean Meats:

protein has a high thermogenic effect. You burn about 30 percent of the calories the food contains during digestion. So that means a 300-calorie chicken breast requires about 90 calories to break down. Foods rich in fiber play an important role in fighting obesity most Americans consume only 12 grams of fiber a day. However, it is recommended to consume 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day.

Foods that are Rich in Fiber: include 

• Bananas
• Beans 
• Potatoes
• Dried figs 
• Spinach

garlic is yet another very effective fat-burning food. It contains allicin which helps reduce cholesterol as fats now.

How can these foods help you lose weight?

1. Foods that are high in protein take longer to digest and can significantly boost your metabolism resulting in higher caloric burn.

2. Foods that are high in fiber like whole-grain cereal can help you feel full sooner. For longer fiber also helps move fat through the digestive system faster so that less of it is absorbed into the body.

3. Foods like milk that are high in complex carbohydrates can boost your metabolism by helping your insulin levels stay low. After a meal low insulin levels are desirable while high insulin levels are the signal to your body to hang on to fat.

4. foods like green tea that are high in chemical complex egg causes the brain and nervous system to run faster which helps you burn more calories.

5. foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and tuna can alter the levels of a hormone in your body called leptin. Lower leptin levels are associated with a higher caloric burn. Many other foods burn fat or have similar properties to those mentioned but the key secret would be to use them wisely with a proper diet as well as exercise to bring out the best result of weight loss.

 

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What causes panic disorder/anxiety attacks and how can you prevent them?

The body becomes its own corset. Past, present, and future exist as a single force. A swing without gravity soars to a terrifying height. The outlines of people and things dissolve. Countless poets and writers have tried to put words to the experience of a panic attack— a sensation so overwhelming, that many people mistake it for a heart attack, stroke, or other life-threatening crisis.

Though anxiety attacks don’t cause long-term physical harm, afterward, the fear of another attack can limit someone’s daily life—and cause more anxiety attacks.

Studies suggest that almost a third of us will experience at least one anxiety attack in our lives. And whether it’s your first, your hundredth, or you’re witnessing someone else go through one, Even learning about them can be uncomfortable, but it’s necessary—because the first step to preventing panic attacks is understanding them. At its core, a panic disorder is an overreaction to the body’s normal physiological response to the perception of danger. 

 Amygdala:

This response starts with the amygdala, the brain region involved in processing fear. When the amygdala perceives danger, it stimulates the sympathetic nervous system, which triggers the release of adrenaline. Adrenaline prompts an increase in the heart and breathing rate to get blood and oxygen to the muscles of the arms and legs. This also sends oxygen to the brain, making it more alert and responsive.

During a panic disorder, this response is exaggerated well past what would be useful in a dangerous situation, causing a racing heart, heavy breathing, or hyperventilation. The changes in blood flow cause lightheadedness and numbness in the hands and feet. A panic attack usually peaks within 10 minutes. Then, the prefrontal cortex takes over from the amygdala and stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. This triggers the release of a hormone called acetylcholine that decreases the heart rate and gradually winds down the anxiety attack.

In an anxiety attack, the body’s perception of danger is enough to trigger the response we would have to a real threat— and then some. We don't know for sure why this happens, but sometimes cues in the environment that remind us of traumatic past experiences can trigger a anxiety attack. Panic disorder  can be part of anxiety disorders like

• PTSD
• Social anxiety disorder
• OCD
• Generalized anxiety disorder

Recurring anxiety attacks, frequent worry about new attacks, and behavioral changes to avoid anxiety attacks can lead to a diagnosis of a panic disorder.

Treatments:

The two main treatments for panic disorder are 

• Antidepressant medication 
• Cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT

Both have about a 40% response rate—though someone who responds to one may not respond to the other. However, antidepressant medications carry some side effects, and 50% of people relapse when they stop taking them. 

CBT, meanwhile, is more lasting, with only a 20% relapse rate. The goal of CBT treatment for panic disorder is to help people learn and practice concrete tools to exert physical, and in turn mental, control over the sensations and thoughts associated with a panic attack. CBT begins with an explanation of the physiological causes of a panic attack, followed by breath and muscle exercises designed to help people consciously control breathing patterns.

Cognitive Restructuring:

Next comes cognitive restructuring, which involves identifying and changing the thoughts that are common during attacks—such as believing you’ll stop breathing, have a heart attack, or die— and replacing them with more accurate thoughts.

 Exposure to the Bodily Sensations and Situations:

The next stage of treatment is exposure to the bodily sensations and situations that typically trigger anxiety attacks. The goal is to change the belief, through experience, that these sensations and situations are dangerous. Even after CBT, taking these steps isn’t easy in the grip of an attack. But with practice, these tools can both prevent and de-escalate attacks, and ultimately reduce the hold of panic on a person’s life. Outside formal therapy, many panickers find relief from the same beliefs CBT aims to instill: that fear can’t hurt you, but holding on to it will escalate panic. Even if you’ve never had a panic attack, understanding them will help you identify one in yourself or someone else— and recognizing them is the first step in preventing them.

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Basilar Migraine

 

Migraine Headaches : Basilar Artery Migraine Symptoms

Basal artery migraine is a very rare condition and actually recent research from denmark indicates that it may not be a real condition basil and migraine the term comes from the fact that we thought that basal artery constriction causes these neurological symptoms such as 

• Double vision
• Dizziness
• Inability to walk straight um

These used to be thought because of base basal reconstriction. But in fact we find that basal artery migraines just a pure old migraine with aura that is migraine with the neurological symptom that precedes accompanies the headache so basal migraine is not of concern to most people. It's very rare to begin with and now we think it doesn't exist at all

 

 

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Best Time to Sunbathe / How to Safely Get Vitamin D From Sunlight

 

- Did you know it's estimated that more than 40% of American adults have a vitamin D deficiency? This is a vitamin that's made by the body when it's exposed to the sun, and that's why it's so important to get adequate sunlight exposure if you want to maintain optimal vitamin D levels. However, too much sunlight has its own health risks, of course. That's why in this post,we're looking at

How to Safely Get vitamin D from Sunlight.

There's a good reason why vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin. When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it makes vitamin D from cholesterol. The sun's ultraviolet B, or UVB rays hit cholesterol in the skin cells, providing the energy for vitamin D synthesis to occur. So providing energy to create vitamin D.

Now vitamin D has many roles in the body,and is essential for optimal health. For example, it instructs the cells in your gut to absorb calcium and phosphorus,two minerals that are essential for maintaining strong and healthy bones. One the other hand, low vitamin D levels are consistently and strongly associated with some health consequences like osteopetrosis, muscle weakness, cancer, and depression.

Best Time to Sunbathe.

Expose your skin around midday. So midday, especially around summer, is the best time to get sunlight. At noon, the sun is at it's highest point, and it's UVB rays are most intense. That means you need less time in the sun to make sufficient vitamin D. Many studies also show that the body is most efficient at making vitamin D at noon. For example, among Caucasian adults in the U.K., sufficient but suboptimal vitamin D status is attained after a summer's short sunlight exposure to 35% skin surface area. And that was about 13 minutes, in this study.

 Another study found that 30 minutes of midday summer sun exposure in Oslo, in Norway, was equivalent to consuming 10000 to 20000 international units of vitamin D. For the record, the common recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 600 international units, so you can see that supplements don't even come close to comparing to the vitamin D we get from actual sunlight.

Skin Color may Affect Vitamin D Production.

The color of your skin is determined by a pigment called melanin. Now those with dark skin have a lot more melanin than those with light colored skin. Melanin helps protect the skin against damage from excess sunlight. It acts as a natural sunscreen, and absorbs the sun's UV rays to defend against sunburn and skin cancers.

However, that creates a big dilemma because darker-skinned people need to spend longer in the sun than lighter-skinned people to produce the same amount of vitamin D.

 Studies estimate that darker-skinned people may need anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours longer to get sufficient vitamin D, compared to lighter-skinned people. This is a major reason why dark skinned people are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. So if you have dark skin, you may need to spend a little bit of extra time in the sun to get your dose of vitamin D. If you live far north from the equator, in these areas, more of the sun's rays, particularly the UVB rays, they're absorbed by

the earth's ozone layer.

 If You do Live Far North of the Equator.

you probably need to spend a little bit of extra time in the sun to get your vitamin D. For example, people who live at the very top of the USA, and in Canada, in Northern Europe, they struggle to make any vitamin D from sunlight, between the months of November and February. Additionally people in Norway cannot make vitamin D from sunlight between October and March, like they can't make any at all. So during this time of the year, it's important that they get the vitamin D from foods and supplements instead.

Expose more skin to make more vitamin D.

vitamin D is made from cholesterol in the skin, and that means you need to expose more of the skin to make adequate amounts of vitamin D. Some scientist recommend exposing about a third of the area of your skin so it's typically could be just your arms and your legs. And for the record, the UVB rays from the sun don't pass through windows. So if you have a desk, and even though you get sunlight through the window, you won't be making any vitamin D. So according to scientists recommendations,

Wearing a tank top and shorts for 10 to 30 minutes three times per week during the summer should be sufficient for most people with lighter skin. People with darker skin may need a bit longer than this.

 And just make sure to prevent getting sunburned. Instead, try going without sunscreen for just the first maybe 10 or 30 minutes, depending on how sensitive your skin is to sunlight, and apply sunscreen before you start burning of course. Sunscreen is thought to block vitamin D absorption to some extent. They don't actually know how much, and that's why it's recommended to quickly get a little bit of sun before you apply the sunscreen.

So to summarize all that, to make sure you get adequate vitamin D levels, try to get 10 to 30 minutes of sunlight exposure on your arms and legs about three times a week during the summer. People with darker skin, and those very far north of the equator, may need a little bit of extra time than this. But of course consider how sensitive you are to the sun, and make sure that you don't get burnt.

 

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Asthma treatments (causes and inhalers)

Asthma treatments (causes and inhalers)

Asthma is a common lung condition that causes
 Difficulty breathing         Wheezing             Coughing 
Asthma triggers are things such as 
Exercise        Colde air            Allergens o         Infections 

that can irritate sensitive Airways causing them to constrict the exact cause of asthma is unknown and there is currently no cure however there are certain measures you can take to treat your asthma symptoms and manage this condition.

How to Treat Asthma?
 Reliever inhalers:

preventer inhaler Xand combination inhalers the main treatment of asthma
reliever inhalers get the medicine straight to your lungs and quickly relax the muscles surrounding your Airways this allows the Airways to open more widely making it easier to breathe.
GP Prescription:

 If your inhaler alone isn't helping you. Manage your asthma symptoms your GP might prescribe you with tablets that can help. If you suffer from severe asthma there are a number of injections that specialists might recommend to help control your symptoms.
Bronchial Thermoplasty:

 A medical procedure known as bronchial thermoplasty may be offered by a specialist to people suffering from severe asthma this is a fairly new procedure and is carried out under general and anesthetic only a few specialist sensors in the UK will provide this procedure. 
 

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Tonsillitis Symptoms and Treatment

 

Tonsilitis is an inflammation of the tonsils that is typically caused by a viral or bacterial infection.

Symptoms:

Some tonsilitis symptoms include

Swollen tonsils.

Sore throat.

Fever.

Pain whin swallowing.

How to Treat Tonsiles?

In most cases, tonsilitis will go away on its own and will not require the process of tonsil removal, tonsillectomy. However, to get better quickly, there are many tonsilitis home treatments you can try.

Get Plenty of Rest:

You should get plenty of rest to speed up your healing process.

Keep your Humidifier on:

Keeping your humidifier on whilst you sleep can help to prevent dry air from further irritating your throat by adding moisture to the air.

Treat Lozenges:

You can take throat lozenges to soothe your sore throat and ease the discomfort of tonsilitis.

Tea with Honey:

Raw honey has anti-inflammatory properties and drinking tea with honey will relieve your tonsilitis symptoms.

Taking Ginger:

Taking ginger will also help with pain and inflammation and it has been shown to remedy tonsilitis naturally.

Cold or Frozen Drinks and Popsicles:

Cold or frozen drinks and popsicles can help your infection as they are a good way of soothing throat pain.

 

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How to prevent the flu?

 Flu season occurs during the winter months as the flu virus has a chance to pass on quickly from one person to another when we're in closer proximity indoors. Our immune systems may be weakened by the lack of vitamin D and melatonin in the winter months and the virus is spread more easily in 

cold, dry and low humidity weather.

How to Prevent the Flu?

 The flu is highly contagious but there are steps you can take in order to stop yourself from getting ill during the flu season. 

Flu Vaccine

The best way to avoid contracting influenza virus is to get the flu vaccine. You can schedule an appointment with your GP or pharmacist before flu season starts. 

Avoid crowds

Avoid crowds as they allow for the spread of germs and viruses easily due to close proximity. 

Wash your Hands 

Wash your hands regularly and lather with soap and warm water, rinse and wipe them dry with a clean towel. 

Avoid touching or nose, mouth and eyes. 

If you have infected respiratory droplets on your hands then you can infect yourself by touching your face. 

Maintaining a healthy immune system 

Maintaining a healthy immune system is a natural way to prevent the flu. You can do this with regular exercise and a balanced diet. Make sure you consume fruits and vegetables high in vitamins and minerals reduce stress and sleep for seven to nine hours each night. 

No Smoking

Smokers are more susceptible to viral infections and appear to have more exaggerated responses. You should take steps to quit smoking in order to avoid the flu.

 

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7 Gluten Free Grains That Are Super Healthy

7 Gluten Free Grains

 Are you looking for gluten-free grains that are super healthy?Are you one of the 100 million Americans who are actively trying to avoid eating gluten?If your answer to these queries is a big yes, read this post till the end to learn about the seven super healthy gluten-free grains.

7.Oats

Oats are one of the most popular gluten-free grains in the US.

Oats are very healthy, naturally gluten-free, good in taste, and rich in fiber, proteins, minerals, and vitamin B1. Also, oats are one of the best sources of oat beta-glucan, which is a type of soluble fiber that decreases bad cholesterol.

Some studies have also shown that beta-glucan found in oats may slow the absorption of sugar and lower blood sugar and insulin levels.

Well, you might be thinking if oats are so good why it is ranked 7th in our list?

Well, there is a reason for that. Oats are frequently transported and processed with equipment shared with wheat, which contains gluten. This leads to widespread gluten contamination of oats. So, unless a pack is mentioned explicitly as gluten-free, there is a possibility that it is not.

6.Rice

Rice is naturally gluten-free and healthy. It is a good source of fiber and micronutrients. One cup of cooked rice, which is nearly 200 grams, gives you 6 grams of protein. But the significant confusion that comes while choosing rice is whether to eat brown rice or white rice? Well, both are gluten-free, but brown rice has an advantage over white rice. Bran and germ of the brown rice are not removed, which makes brown rice fibrous and richer in micronutrients than white rice. If you have the option to choose, prefer purchasing brown rice.

5.Corn 

Corn or Maize is one of the most widely used gluten-free grains not only in the US but across the globe. Corn is versatile in use and has high nutritional value. Corn can be boiled, grilled, or roasted, and also can be grounded into flour to use as an alternative to wheat flour. If we look at the nutritional profile of corn, it is rich in antioxidants, fiber, proteins, and contains plenty of B vitamins.

4. Amaranth

Amaranth is an excellent grain that has been used for centuries.

It is a highly nutritious grain that can easily meet your 29% of daily iron needs.

It also provides a sufficient amount of magnesium, phosphorus, and manganese. Amaranth is also rich in fiber that helps decrease several heart disease risk factors. It can be used as a substitute for other grains, such as rice or couscous.

3.Buckwheat

Buckwheat is not related to wheat, and absolutely, naturally gluten-free.

Even roasted buckwheat groats are also gluten-free. Buckwheat is rich in antioxidants and a good source of vital micronutrients such as magnesium, copper, and manganese. It can be ground into flour to prepare pancakes, cookies, cakes, and bread. Noodles made from buckwheat are also readily available in the supermarket.

2. Quinoa

Quinoa is one of the few plant-based foods that contain all essential amino acids. That's why it is becoming increasingly popular in the US. It also includes a high amount of antioxidants and packed with micronutrients that help fulfill much of your daily magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus requirements. It is a must-add gluten-free grain in your diet.

1.Sorghum

Sorghum is a highly nutritious grain.Packed with antioxidants and minerals, one cup of sorghum meets your 19% of the daily requirement of iron and provides 20 grams of protein in one serving. Sorghum is also rich in fiber, which helps reduce blood sugar levels.

A 2010 animal study shows that sorghum has anti-inflammatory properties.

Sorghum flour can be used to make gluten-free baked goods that your whole family can enjoy. So this is our list of top 7 gluten-free grains that are super healthy.

 

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THE NEW CURE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE??

 In this post we are going to talk about the amazing beneficial effects of napping on high blood pressure. High blood pressure is a dangerous

condition that affects billions of people around the world also known as

Hypertension. High blood pressure is a very common problem that increases the risk of heart diseases stroke and kidney failure.

In USA alone about 75 million adults have high blood pressure that's about one in every three. Adults high blood pressure was a predominant cause of death for more than four lakh Americans in 2014 alone that's more than 1,100 deaths each day and that figure has been rising and rising. For every ten people who are diagnosed with hypertension a further seven remain undiagnosed and untreated. This is because high blood pressure really

causes symptoms in the early stages and remains as a silent disease for a very long time.

What does the Blood Pressure Numbers Mean? 

Blood pressure is measured using two numbers.

• The first number called systolic blood pressure represents the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats.
• The second number called the diastolic blood pressure represents the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between the beats. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury. Blood pressure less than 120 80 millimeters of mercury is considered normal.

A blood pressure of more than 140 90 millimeter mercury is considered too high or hypertension. Blood pressure levels higher than normal for a long time is a dangerous condition but the good news is that lifestyle changes can significantly reduce your numbers and lower your risk without requiring medications. Now most of you know that good habits like more exercise good diet and less salt are the cornerstone habits to reduce blood

Pressure. However the latest research shows a lifestyle change that decreases blood pressure significantly. 

Midday Naps

 A new study shows that taking a short 20 to 40 minute nap during the day helps in significantly reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Midday sleep appeals to lower blood pressure levels at the same magnitude as the other lifestyle changes” said dr. mannerless Callie Stratis a cardiologist in Greece taking a low blood pressure drug for example can lower your blood pressure level an average of five to seven millimeters of mercury. 

While a 40-minute nap if taken regularly can reduce overall blood pressure levels an average of five millimeter mercury the author study said. In this research 212 people participated with an average age of 62 and systolic blood pressure of 130. 25% of these people also had diabetes or smoking as a risk factor. Then the researchers divided the participants into two groups and asked half of the participants to take midday naps of about 30 to 50 minutes per day. This went on for a couple of months and after that the study groups were called in again for further examination. The observations of the study showed that those who nabbed had an average systolic blood pressure lower than 5 millimeters mercury then those who didn't nap. The findings in the study are significant and promised to introduce a new lifestyle modification which can impact the lives of numerous people in a better way.

•  we obviously don't want to encourage people to sleep for hours on the end during the day but on the other hand they shouldn't feel guilty if they can take a short nap given the potential health benefits. Calais Tatas said in an American College of Cardiology news release. In addition to midday naps your blood pressure readings are what you eat reducing your salt intake. Eating more fruit and vegetables and keeping alcohol to a limit will lower your blood pressure. Also regular exercise meditation and regular medical check-ups are also the things that are essential to have a normal blood pressure.

 

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