Monday, May 4, 2015
Friday, May 1, 2015
10 Common Symptoms That Could Be Cancer
Most of people who experienced these symptoms blew them off. Don’t be like them!
If you found a lump on your body where there wasn’t one before, you might proceed to freak out. Doctors call this an “alarm symptom,” or a sign that should put patients on high alert for cancer.
Yet when British researchers recently surveyed people who had experienced 10 of these types of signs, about half of the participants didn’t see their docs. Some people brushed the symptoms off as inconsequential, while others feared what they might find out.
This doesn’t mean you should think “tumor” the second you feel something new. But there are certainly situations that require action, like if you have any symptom that’s completely different than what you’ve had before; if it’s more severe than anything you’ve experienced; or if it persists longer than you’d expect.
If a symptom lasts 3 to 6 months or significantly grows in severity, it’s time to call your doc—though you’ll probably want to get some signs, like bleeding, checked out sooner. Act even faster if you have a family history of cancer, if you smoke, or if you drink heavily. All factors raise your cancer risk.
Here are 10 red-alert signs and what they might mean for your health.
1. Change in the way a mole looks
The deadly skin cancer melanoma can strike at any age and often appears first in the form of unusual moles. View any alterations to your skin with extra suspicion if you’re outside a lot, and see a doctor if you spot a new mole or one that’s growing or changing color.
2. Persistent cough or hoarseness
Coughs that don’t go away could signal lung cancer, especially if you’re a heavy smoker. And a scratchy voice may serve as a sign of head and neck cancers. That’s because malignancies can directly affect your voice box or damage the nerves that control it, paralyzing your vocal cords.
Head and neck cancers are on the rise in young men due to increased rates of infection with the HPV virus, which can cause the cancers,
3. Unexplained lump
You’ve probably felt the lymph nodes in your neck swell when you have a cold. That just means your body’s fighting a bug. But swollen lymph nodes in your armpit, neck, and groin that don’t go away after a few months and aren’t accompanied by signs of infection could be lymphoma, which tends to occur at a young age, And of course, lumps in your testicles—which may signal testicular cancer—should prompt an immediate call to your doc.
4. Changes in bladder habits
Having to pee more often or more urgently than usual could be a sign of prostate cancer, which tends to appear at younger ages in some ethnic groups.
5. New bowel routines
Watch your number two, too. Colon cancer can cause long-term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the way your poop looks. (It often appears narrower.) Some Cancers Have Genetic Links, like prostate and colon cancers, so stay more alert for new bathroom patterns if you have a family history,
6. Unexplained weight loss
Shedding pounds when you’re not eating less or exercising more could point to colon or liver cancer due to a phenomenon called cachexia. That’s when tumors release compounds that change your metabolism in complex ways, reducing your body’s ability to use protein and calories and wasting away muscles and fat. You’ll want to pay extra attention to this symptom if colon cancer runs in your family or you’re a big boozer.
7. Lingering, unexplained pain
In most cases, you can pinpoint a reason your back or chest might ache, Dr. Daly says—like running through the first round of golf this season or a particularly killer CrossFit workout. Cut back on your activity and see if the pain goes away. If it lingers for 3 months or longer, it’s time to schedule an appointment.
That’s because tumors pressing on nerves, organs, or bones can cause aches. Also, if you have severe abdominal pain that doesn’t let up, “that’s something that definitely should not be ignored,” Dr. Iheme says. Though there are many potential causes, several common and serious cancers—like those of the stomach and pancreas—produce this symptom.
8. Unexplained bleeding
Blood in your phlegm could mean lung cancer, while spotting it in the toilet could signal kidney, bladder, or colon cancer. And a skin tag that bleeds could be skin cancer. Tumors can bleed themselves, or damage the blood vessels or lining of the lungs. Don’t wait before getting this checked out. If it’s severe, sudden, or you have symptoms of shock—such as a rapid pulse or a drop in blood pressure—head to the ER.
9. Sores that don’t heal
Some skin cancers show up this way. Sores in your mouth could be linked to oral cancer, especially if you smoke, drink, or have HPV—all factors that raise your risk. Ask your doctor to check your sores if they don’t go away within that 3- to 6-month window.
10. Trouble swallowing
If you can’t gulp, it may signal head and neck cancer—a tumor may be blocking your throat. As with oral cancer, smoking, drinking, and HPV can all increase your risk. Failure to swallow is also linked with cancers of the stomach or esophagus. Though these diseases aren’t common in young men, people with reflux have a higher risk of esophageal cancer, and those with ulcers may be prone to stomach cancers.
If you found a lump on your body where there wasn’t one before, you might proceed to freak out. Doctors call this an “alarm symptom,” or a sign that should put patients on high alert for cancer.
Yet when British researchers recently surveyed people who had experienced 10 of these types of signs, about half of the participants didn’t see their docs. Some people brushed the symptoms off as inconsequential, while others feared what they might find out. This doesn’t mean you should think “tumor” the second you feel something new. But there are certainly situations that require action, like if you have any symptom that’s completely different than what you’ve had before; if it’s more severe than anything you’ve experienced; or if it persists longer than you’d expect.
If a symptom lasts 3 to 6 months or significantly grows in severity, it’s time to call your doc—though you’ll probably want to get some signs, like bleeding, checked out sooner. Act even faster if you have a family history of cancer, if you smoke, or if you drink heavily. All factors raise your cancer risk.
Here are 10 red-alert signs and what they might mean for your health.
1. Change in the way a mole looks
The deadly skin cancer melanoma can strike at any age and often appears first in the form of unusual moles. View any alterations to your skin with extra suspicion if you’re outside a lot, and see a doctor if you spot a new mole or one that’s growing or changing color.
2. Persistent cough or hoarseness
Coughs that don’t go away could signal lung cancer, especially if you’re a heavy smoker. And a scratchy voice may serve as a sign of head and neck cancers. That’s because malignancies can directly affect your voice box or damage the nerves that control it, paralyzing your vocal cords.
Head and neck cancers are on the rise in young men due to increased rates of infection with the HPV virus, which can cause the cancers,
3. Unexplained lump
You’ve probably felt the lymph nodes in your neck swell when you have a cold. That just means your body’s fighting a bug. But swollen lymph nodes in your armpit, neck, and groin that don’t go away after a few months and aren’t accompanied by signs of infection could be lymphoma, which tends to occur at a young age, And of course, lumps in your testicles—which may signal testicular cancer—should prompt an immediate call to your doc.
4. Changes in bladder habits
Having to pee more often or more urgently than usual could be a sign of prostate cancer, which tends to appear at younger ages in some ethnic groups.
5. New bowel routines
Watch your number two, too. Colon cancer can cause long-term constipation, diarrhea, or a change in the way your poop looks. (It often appears narrower.) Some Cancers Have Genetic Links, like prostate and colon cancers, so stay more alert for new bathroom patterns if you have a family history,
6. Unexplained weight loss
Shedding pounds when you’re not eating less or exercising more could point to colon or liver cancer due to a phenomenon called cachexia. That’s when tumors release compounds that change your metabolism in complex ways, reducing your body’s ability to use protein and calories and wasting away muscles and fat. You’ll want to pay extra attention to this symptom if colon cancer runs in your family or you’re a big boozer.
7. Lingering, unexplained pain
In most cases, you can pinpoint a reason your back or chest might ache, Dr. Daly says—like running through the first round of golf this season or a particularly killer CrossFit workout. Cut back on your activity and see if the pain goes away. If it lingers for 3 months or longer, it’s time to schedule an appointment.
That’s because tumors pressing on nerves, organs, or bones can cause aches. Also, if you have severe abdominal pain that doesn’t let up, “that’s something that definitely should not be ignored,” Dr. Iheme says. Though there are many potential causes, several common and serious cancers—like those of the stomach and pancreas—produce this symptom.
8. Unexplained bleeding
Blood in your phlegm could mean lung cancer, while spotting it in the toilet could signal kidney, bladder, or colon cancer. And a skin tag that bleeds could be skin cancer. Tumors can bleed themselves, or damage the blood vessels or lining of the lungs. Don’t wait before getting this checked out. If it’s severe, sudden, or you have symptoms of shock—such as a rapid pulse or a drop in blood pressure—head to the ER.
9. Sores that don’t heal
Some skin cancers show up this way. Sores in your mouth could be linked to oral cancer, especially if you smoke, drink, or have HPV—all factors that raise your risk. Ask your doctor to check your sores if they don’t go away within that 3- to 6-month window.
10. Trouble swallowing
If you can’t gulp, it may signal head and neck cancer—a tumor may be blocking your throat. As with oral cancer, smoking, drinking, and HPV can all increase your risk. Failure to swallow is also linked with cancers of the stomach or esophagus. Though these diseases aren’t common in young men, people with reflux have a higher risk of esophageal cancer, and those with ulcers may be prone to stomach cancers.
Thursday, April 30, 2015
Things That Will Make You Wish You Were Sitting In School even now !!!
couldn't wait to grow up, get rid of those uniforms and flaunt our clothes in college. And then, we couldn't wait to grow up, go to office to earn money and eat unlimited ice-creams and chocolates without asking our parents. But now that we're all grown up, we only desire to go back to those crazy, happy and carefree days. While we can't give you your childhood back, we can help you relive those nostalgic moments once more.
Smiles guaranteed!
Credits: Pinimal Posters Facebook Page
Friday, August 15, 2014
Friday, May 30, 2014
How to Unlock Creativity
I have always wanted to be an artist.
I deeply admired the lives of the painters, the writers, the firestarters, the life wranglers. I longed to be one of them.
I longed to fiercely create, to share my voice boldly, just like they did.
However, for most of my life, I never felt creative.
Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.~Brené Brown
Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are.~Brené Brown
I remained behind the scenes, insecure in my voice and expression, disempowered. I looked longingly at the ones who shared themselves freely — the ones that created art, who were improvisational, messily graceful and who loved wildly.
Over the years, I dabbled in painting, fashion design, culinary arts, sculpture, collage and writing.
Yet, I never felt like I had what others had. I never felt like I was living a creative life; I often felt like an imposter.
I studied; I took classes, watched webinars and read books. But no matter what I did, the light and energy that comes from being in the creative zone never seemed to come through as I saw it come out of others.
Being creative felt like work.
Identifying as a Creator
However, for me, the one thing that didn’t feel like work was journaling.
It was the outlet I turned to in both my most joyful and darkest hours. One night when I had my journal out, I was reflecting on the longing for an artistic form that was my own — I realized I had one.
I was creating with words, even though I struggled to see it.
Yet I fought owning writing as my creative practice because all the other mediums seemed shinier.
There was part of me that knew if I did own being a writer, I would more concretely touch into the creative process.
This was exciting and scary. It felt vulnerable and alive.
Living a Creative Life
I kept writing more consciously. I made it a practice.
Through writing, I began to address what it meant to live a creative life.
For me it meant to see beauty, pattern, life-force, connectivity and spirit in the world around me.
It meant to live with an open heart — at our core we are love and abundantly creative.
The creative life is not about the art we physically create but about perspective.
I began to feel deeply that finding my creative voice and power was about shifting my energy and perspective.
The Power Within
It meant going inward and feeling the creative, alive energy that makes art shine, that makes the artist feel empowered and alive.
This was the piece I was originally missing — I had been looking externally to tap into a creative life. When in reality, it was inside me all along.
To live a creative life we have to recognize the power within.
I realize now the more we look inward, the more we see our innate beauty and creativity. When we see ourselves with love, curiosity and wonder, the more we begin to express that love and expression outwards.
We shine brighter.
We express ourselves authentically and vibrantly.
The more we find love in ourselves, the more we can bring art, beauty and inspiration to the world.
How to Express Yourself with Authenticity
- See yourself for what you are. Notice where you are creative in your life. Maybe you notice the amazing images that come spontaneously from your depths while you sleep. Or a doodle that you scribbled on a napkin. Or maybe it is a flowing letter that gives style to a simple to-do list.
- Honor your creative self. When you notice it, spend a little time in this witnessing place. Honor it with your attention, your love and allow it to be nurtured and grow.
- Improvise. Speak your truth, your beauty and light through whatever movement comes to you. Connect to your creative energy and allow that to direct how it should be expressed. Maybe you hum a song, maybe you write in your journal, maybe you create a beautiful meal or poem. Allow it to come to form with ease.
- Find your constant. What is the form that you keep going back to and that feels natural to you? For me it was journaling. Maybe it is something you just know in your gut or something that you imagine doing but haven’t dabbled in it yet. I believe we are all given creative gifts. Love the one that is yours. Allow it to lovingly hold your voice.
The more we go inward and express ourselves from that internal, in the depth , the more we shine with confidence, creativity and light. Honor your innate creativity. It is already in you; the world needs exactly who you are.
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