Health GlareEvery human being is the author of his own health or disease

Have you been wondering what an article on “Top 10 Health Tips” doing on a website dedicated to Beauty?

Are you one of those individuals who think “Top 10 Health Tips” and “Top 10 beauty Tips” are two separate concepts and need to be dealt individually? Have you been splurging an aweful lot of money trying to look “good” by getting Spa treatments, visiting Beauty Salons, Buying Designer Labels, Eating Health Foods, and yet every time you look into the mirror, you feel there’s something “lacking?”

If you think that way, you’re not the only one. Whereas most of us spend a whole lot of time, money and effort to make our skin, hair, face, hands and feet look beautiful, we often miss out on the critical role our health and wellness plays in making us look physically and mentally beautiful.

Follow these Top 10 Health Tips in your daily life to stay beautiful on the inside and outside:

1.Follow A Healthy, Balanced Diet: A balanced diet is the first step towards a beautiful, healthy body. Follow a healthy balanced diet that complements your lifestyle. An ideal diet should be high on fiber, low on fat, and must be supplemented with adequate amounts of fresh fruits and vegetables. Besides knowing what to eat, it is equally important to know the right proportions, meaning how much or how little to eat. Talk to a fitness expert and find out what’s your daily calorie intake. Make food choices that have high nutritional value but are low in calories.

2.Eat Different Types Of Foods: According to Ayurveda, the Ancient Indian science of healing, rotating your food habits not only strengthens your immune system, it can also protect you from most illnesses. Try to eat vegetables and fruits of different colors each day. Try eating a different food at least thrice a month. Begin your day with an apple a day as the apple pectin cleanses the body’s digestive system by removing toxins and therefore preventing degenerative health problems such as cancer.

3.Don’t Skip Your Breakfast: Are you surprised to see how some people manage to stay so fit, energetic and active the whole time and are able to stabilize their weight while you continue to put on weight and feel exhausted most of the time? Well, chances are, they eat a good breakfast and you don’t! According to nutritionists and health experts, breakfast is the most important meal of the day and skipping your breakfast can lead to serious health problems besides adding those extra pounds as a result of binging on unhealthy snacks later in the day. Besides re-charging your energy levels, eating regular breakfast has several long-term benefits like:

• It results in faster weight loss
• Your body get more nutrients everyday
• Breakfast rich in fiber foods and wholegrain helps keep the heart healthy especially if you suffer from metabolic disorders like fluctuating blood pressure, obesity and cholesterol. It also helps stabilize blood sugar levels
• A good breakfast early in the morning sets your mood right and enables you to handle stress better
• You stay overall healthy! So begin your day with fresh fruits, fruit juices, hard-boiled eggs, wholegrain cereals and breads and stay healthy all day!

4. Drink Lots Of Water: Drinking a minimum of 7 to 8 glasses of water everyday cleanses all the impurities and toxins from your body and helps to get healthy, flawless skin.

In addition, the fluid in your body is responsible for the functioning of your internal organs including the metabolic processes.  So if you’re dehydrated, this whole process gets affected and your body tends to slow down leaving you feeling low and lethargic.

5. Exercise Regularly: Who does not dream of getting those six-pack abs? Besides making you look sexy and popular, regular exercising is also the best natural “anti-aging” recipe because it helps you stay and feel young by raising your energy levels, stabilizing your body weight, and enhancing flexibility, which reduces the wear and tear in your body.

You don’t need to exercise for hours everyday, just take 15-20 minutes off your busy schedule everyday to sweat out that pot-belly or burn those extra-pounds that have been making it difficult for you to get into your favorite outfit! If you can’t, make one of these a part of your routine: take the stairs instead of elevators and escalators to climb; Make it a habit to walk about 15 minutes everyday. If holistic healing is your thing, enroll yourself for yoga classes. If not, go swimming, take aerobics lessons or start shaking a leg or two at the local dance academy-whatever keeps you going, juts do it! If you’re into sports, you can make it part of your fitness routine.

Remember, your external fitness is only a reflection of your inner fitness and a beautiful, healthy body reflects a fit, healthy mind.

6. Quit Smoking: Okay, so you’ve heard this countless times from your doctor, but here it comes again as one of our most important health tip-Quit Smoking! If you’re one of those people who smoke to lose or gain weight, we’d stay think again! While smoking may have been related to an increase in metabolism, it is certainly not a good enough reason to substitute it with the huge risk of dying from lung cancer!

If that doesn’t make you change your mind, this will. Recent studies have proved that smoking is also one of the leading factors that stimulate the process of aging in both men and women. So say no to cigarettes and stay young and healthy for the rest of your life!

7. Say No To Stress: We know what you’re thinking-easier said than done! Agreed, but leading a stressful life can only make matters worse. On the other hand, leading a relaxed, stress-free life will not only reduce the risks of health related disorders, it will also calm you down and let you enjoy your life better.

While planning your day, strike a balance between home and work. If you have trouble remembering things-make a list of all the “things-to-do” before going to bed each night or simply set a “reminder” in your cell phone so you don’t have to run around at the last minute. Staying positive and thinking happy thoughts is one of the most effective stress buster technique you can easily follow in your daily life.

Spend atleast 15 minutes doing something you love and enjoy each day. It could be a simple activity, like cuddling up in bed by yourself and watching a funny movie, enjoying a glass of your favorite wine, socializing with friends, reading, sweating it out at the gym, pampering yourself with a stress-releasing body massage, soaking in a hot tub, taking a stroll on the beach, playing with your dog, listening to your favorite music or simply lazing around and doing nothing!

8. Take Care Of Your Teeth: Remember the phrase “million dollar smile?” Well, your teeth have a lot to do with your smile and they can make or break your looks depending on how much or how little you’ve cared for them over the years! Dental health is an important aspect of your overall heath. One of the best ways to have healthy teeth, prevent gum-related infections and protect your heart is by flossing your teeth every day. Few of us know that gum infections if left untreated can cause inflammatory reactions in the body, which can lead to stroke and heart ailments.

9. Sleep Well: A good 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep is a must for our body to reboot itself and feel energetic next day. Lack of sleep affects our hormone levels and slows down metabolism often resulting in weight gain. Studies have shown that deep, uninterrupted sleep helps cell growth and cell repair, which can increase the metabolism and help in burning calories. If you suffer from sleeplessness, try some of these simple remedies:

• Avoid alcohol before going to bed
• Stay away from stimulants like coffee, tea and chocolates before going to sleep
• Regularize your sleeping habit
• Keep your bedroom clean and uncluttered; Use decors and furnishing with peaceful and soothing colors
• Avoid taking longer daytime naps
• Follow relaxation techniques (for ex-meditation) to reduce stress

Keep Your Brain Active: Keeping your mind in “good shape” is just as vital as taking care of your physical health, so be sure to indulge your brain on a daily basis. An idle mind is not only the devil’s workshop, often the feeling of “aimlessness” or “nothingness” can cause boredom and can lead to depression and anxiety-related disorders.

One way to keep your brain engaged and busy is to constantly challenge yourself with new ideas and by learning new skills. Studies have shown than an active brain makes new connections between nerve cells that help cells communicate with one another. This allows our brain to store and access information easily, regardless of our age. Try some of these activities to keep your mind active and free from boredom:

• Learn to play a new musical instrument
• Learn a new language
• Indulge in crossword puzzles
• Play scrabble with a friend
• Participate in discussions and forums
• Maintain a blog and update it daily
• Switch careers or make a new beginning
• Read books on unfamiliar topics
• Pursue a new hobby
• Stay aware about what’s going on in the world

Follow these “Top 10 Health Tips” to stay physically and mentally beautiful for the rest of your life. Remember-”Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away!”

Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

testicular

Testicular cancer is a rare disease in men caused by abnormal growth of cells in the tissues of one or both testicles. The male sex gland, testicles (testes or gonads) are the body’s main source of male hormones which is involved in the production of sperm. The testicles, two in number, which look round and a little smaller than golf balls, are located behind the penis in a pouch of skin called the scrotum.

Testicular cancer usually arises between the ages of 15 and 49, more likely between 20-35. Testicular cancer or malignant tumour (also called germ cell tumour) begins when cells within the testicle become cancerous and begin to grow out of control. Seminoma and Nonseminoma are the two types of testicular cancer. Nonseminomas include four sub-types namely Choriocarcinoma, Embryonal Carcinoma, Teratoma, and Yolk sac tumors. Seminomas, made up of immature germ, are slow growing and tend to stay localized in the testicle for long periods. Nonseminomas arise from more mature, specialized germ cells and tend to be more aggressive than Seminomas. Tumors can also arise in the supportive and hormone-producing tissues of the testicles and are called Gonadal Stromal tumors. Leydig cell tumors and Sertoli cell tumors are two types. Secondary testicular tumors are those that start in another organ and then spread to the testicle. The most common secondary testicular cancer lymphoma, arise from lymphatic tissue (tissue that forms part of the immune system) within the testicle. These are very rare. Read the rest of this entry »

Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

Prostate cancer is an abnormal, uncontrolled growth of cells that results in the formation of a tumor in the prostate gland. Prostate, the walnut sized gland, is a part of the reproductive system which lies deep in the pelvis.  It is located in front of the rectum and underneath the urinary bladder and surrounds the urethra, (the urine tube running from the bladder, through the prostate and the penis). It contains gland cells that produce some of the seminal fluid, which protects and nourishes sperm cells in semen and supports the ejaculatory ducts, or sperm tubes. The prostate continues to grow till a man reaches adulthood and is maintained after it reaches normal size as long as male hormones are produced.

Prostate cancer begins most often in the outer part of the prostate. It is the most common cancer in men older than age 50. In most men, the cancer grows very slowly. In fact, many men with the disease will never know they have the condition. Early prostate cancer is confined to the prostate gland itself, and the majority of patients with this type of cancer can live for years with no problems. In some cases, it may spread from the prostate to nearby lymph nodes, bones or other organs. This spread is called metastasis. Most Prostate cancers originate in the posterior prostate gland, the rest originate near the urethra. Read the rest of this entry »

Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

Cancer of the penis or penile cancer is a rare disease in which cancer cells or malignant cells are found on the external skin and in the tissues of the penis. It is generally an aggressive form of cancer that has a tendency to spread.

Penile cancer is relatively rare in Western countries; In some South Asian countries, Africa and South America, however it ranks first among malignancies. Although this type of cancer is rare, it is estimated that more than 75% of people older that 60 years are affected by penile cancer. It usually responds well to treatment, and many patients can be cured.

The penis is the external male organ that contains many types of tissue, like skin, nerves, and blood vessels
. Penile cancer evolves from a disruption in one or more genes in a cell’s DNA. Genes control cell activities including division and growth. When cells die, they are replaced by new cells as the body needs them. However, when the genes that orchestrate this natural replacement process are disrupted by chemicals, illness, or other unknown factors, control over cell division and growth is lost. The resultant uncontrolled mass of tissue is a tumor. The tumor spreads gradually becoming larger in the area of the skin where it first develops. Ultimately, it spreads to deep tissues inside the body of the penis and to lymph nodes in the groin (inguinal area) or pelvis. Different types of penile cancer can develop in each kind of cell. Read the rest of this entry »

Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer in which malignant cells are found in the mesothelium. When it occurs, the cells of the mesothelium become abnormal and divide without control or order. They can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body.

Mesothelium is a membrane that covers and protects most of the internal organs of the body. A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, and the cavity around the heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most internal organs. The tissue formed by these cells is called mesothelium. The mesothelium of chest is called pleura, of the abdomen is peritoneum and of the pericardial cavity, i.e the sac-like space around the heart, is called pericardium. Read the rest of this entry »

Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

Melanoma is the least common but most dangerous and serious type of skin cancer. It can develop anywhere on the body. Most melanomas develop in your skin. But it can also form in the eye and in rare cases in internal organs such as intestine. The skin is the body’s largest organ which protects us against sunlight, injury, and infection. It helps regulate body temperature, stores water and fat, and produces vitamin D. Skin is divided into two main layers namely, epidermis and dermis. Epidermis is the layer nearest the surface of the skin and is mostly made up of flat, scalelike cells called squamous cells. Round cells called basal cells lie under the squamous cells in the epidermis. The lower part of the epidermis also contains melanocytes. Dermis is the layer underneath epidermis and itcontains blood vessels, lymph vessels, hair follicles and glands. Read the rest of this entry »

Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

Lung Cancer or bronchogenic arcinoma, a life threatening disease, is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of the lungs. While normal lung tissue cells reproduce and develop into healthy lung tissue, these abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and never grow into normal lung tissue. As a result, lump mass known as a tumor are formed, disrupting the lungs and making it difficult to function properly. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Benign tumors may grow causing discomfort and bleeding, but they do not spread to other parts of the body and can be removed. Malignant tumors grow aggressively, spread into other areas of the body and destroy normal tissue. The process of spreading the tumor is called metastasis (secondary tumors) and the areas of tumor growth at these distant sites are called metastases. Read the rest of this entry »

Types | Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

Leukemia also known as blood cancer is a malignant disease (cancer) of blood-forming cells in the bone marrow. These deranged, immature cells accumulate within the blood and organs of the body and are unable to carry out the normal functions of blood cells.

The blood is made up of a fluid called plasma and three types of cells, namely white blood cells (WBCs or leukocytes), red blood cells (RBCs or erythrocytes), and platelets (thrombocytes). WBCs helps the body to fight infections and other diseases. RBCs which gives blood its color, carry oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and take carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs. Platelets helps to form blood clots that control bleeding. These blood cells are formed in the bone marrow, the soft, spongy center of bones. Read the rest of this entry »

Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment

Colorectal cancer is the cancer in the large intestine and rectum. It occurs when some of the cells that line the colon or the rectum become abnormal and grow out of control. The abnormal growing cells create a tumor, which is the cancer. Cancer that begins in the colon is called colon cancer and in the rectum is called rectal cancer. It is common in both men and women .The risk of developing colorectal cancer rises after age 50.

The colon, the longest part of the large intestine or large bowel, is a long muscular tube shaped organ connecting the small intestine to the rectum. It extends from the end of the small bowel to the anus, twisting and turning through the abdomen (belly). It is divided into four sections namely, the ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. The colon removes water and some nutrients and electrolytes from partially digested food. The remaining material, solid waste called stool, moves through the colon to the rectum and leaves the body through the anus. The rectum is lower part of the colon that connects the large bowel to the anus. The rectum’s primary function is to store formed stool in preparation for evacuation.

Colon along with the rectum is called the large intestine. Cancers affecting either of these organs also may be called colorectal cancer. Most colorectal cancers arise in the sigmoid colon which is the portion just above the rectum. They usually start in the innermost layer and can grow through some or all of the several tissue layers that make up the colon and rectum. Most colorectal cancers grow slowly over a period of several years, often beginning as small benign growths called polyps. Removing these polyps early, before they become malignant, is an effective means of preventing colorectal cancer. Read the rest of this entry »

Types

There are two main types. The most common type of cervical cancer is called squamous cell carcinoma This develops from the flat cells which cover the outer surface of the cervix at the top of the vagina. They begin in the ectocervix, the part of the cervix next to the vagina. About 85% of cervical cancers are squamous cell cancers and this is unique because there is a well established progression through premalignant changes before a cancer develops.

The other type is called adenocarcinoma and is less common. This develops mucus-producing glandular cells of the endocervix, the part of the cervix next to the body.

About 3% to 5% of cervical cancers have characteristics of both squamous and adenocarcinomas and are called adenosquamous carcinomas.

There are a few other very rare types like small cell and neuroendocrine carcinoma. Read the rest of this entry »