What Is AIDS-Related Lymphoma?

The lymph system is made up of thin tubes that branch, like blood vessels, into all parts of the body. Lymph vessels carry lymph, a colorless, watery fluid that contains white blood cells called lymphocytes. Along the network of vessels are groups of small, bean-shaped organs called lymph nodes. Clusters of lymph nodes make and store infection-fighting cells.

The spleen (an organ in the upper abdomen that makes lymphocytes and filters old blood cells from the blood), the thymus (a small organ beneath the breastbone), and the tonsils (an organ in the throat), are also part of the lymph system.

Because there is lymph tissue in many parts of the body, the cancer can spread to almost any of the body’s organs or tissues including the liver, bone marrow (the spongy tissue inside the large bones of the body that makes blood cells), spleen, or brain.

More: What Is AIDS-Related Lymphoma?
...................................................

What is Adrenocortical Carcinoma?

There are two adrenal glands, one above each kidney in the back of the upper abdomen. Each adrenal gland is composed of two layers:

• The adrenal cortex, or outer layer of the adrenal gland, which produces a variety of steroid hormones;
• The adrenal medulla, or inner layer of the adrenal gland, which produces the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Cancer of the adrenal cortex, also called adrenocortical carcinoma, is discussed below. (Cancer of the adrenal medulla, also called pheochromocytoma, is discussed separately.)

The cells in the adrenal cortex make important hormones that help the body function properly. When cells in the adrenal cortex become cancerous, they may make too much of one or more hormones, which can cause symptoms such as high blood pressure, weakening of the bones, or diabetes. Cancers that make hormones are called functioning tumors. However, many cancers of the adrenal cortex do not make extra hormones and are called nonfunctioning tumors.

Read more about 'What is Adrenocortical Carcinoma?'

...................................................

Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a disease in which cancerous cells develop in the blood and bone marrow. AML is also called acute nonlymphocytic leukemia.

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside the large bones in the body. Bone marrow cells are produced by immature immortal stem cells. These stem cells produce slightly more mature cells called blasts that develop (mature) into the following types of blood cells that have specific jobs to do in the body:

• Red blood cells carry oxygen and other materials to all tissues of the body.
• White blood cells fight infection.
• Platelets make the blood clot.

Adult acute myeloid leukemia affects the blasts that are developing into white blood cells called granulocytes. In adult acute myeloid leukemia, the blasts do not mature and become too numerous. These immature blast cells are then found in the blood and the bone marrow.

The disease progresses quickly, and treatment is different for adults than for children.

Source: Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia
...................................................

Stress Reduction

We all have stress just getting up in the morning. In the past we’ve written about the importance of taking the edge off of yours. This month we’re going to tell you why and how because exercise and relaxation are an integral part of the program to relieve stress. Just meditating can help you to clear your mind for problem solving. In people with diabetes, the fight-flight reaction does not work well. Insulin is not always able to let extra energy into the cells, so glucose builds up in the blood. In people with diabetes, stress can alter the blood glucose levels in two ways. First, people under stress may not take are of themselves. They may drink more and exercise less. They may forget or feel they do not have time to check blood glucose levels or plan for healthy meals. Second, stress can change blood glucose levels directly.

Scientists have studied the effects of stress on glucose levels in both animals and people. Diabetic mice have elevated glucose levels when under physical or mental stress. The effects in people with type 1 diabetes indicate that glucose levels may go up as they do in the majority of people, but they can also go down in some. In type 2 diabetes, stress often raises blood glucose levels.

Relaxation is not a substitute for exercise; it is an adjunct which will allow you to feel better all day long. In fact relaxation includes brief or quick relaxation, a stress walk and then the longer relaxation techniques as well as deep breathing. Try the ones that appeal to you. You won’t be unhappy. The best thing about learning to relax is that you can take these techniques with you wherever you go. Some are quick and some take a bit more time. Let’s look at some of these.

Read more about Stress Reduction
Related website: Askmeditation.com
...................................................

Exercise: Test for Body Fitness

These standard tests are routinely given by the YMCA around the country and the American College of Sports Medicine to measure fitness. They are then used with the results of other tests to determine where to start a physical fitness program. Now remember, this is not a test you can study for. It is not a high school gym class with a teacher who holds your future in her hands and who could destroy or make your day with a word about how you look. As a diabetic, though, you will need to be honest with yourself before you start. If you have not been exercising and if you have medical conditions that may impede your ability to exercise, do not try some of this. Also, please contact your health care team about wanting to take this test. Make sure you are in control of your diabetes before any exercise , especially if your blood glucose levels are very high. If you have concerns, take the test at a health club with professionals present to help you if you need medical intervention.

Cardiovascular Health
Aerobic exercise, such as running, walking, swimming and cycling are important because they improve the efficiency of pumping blood to the heart, picking up oxygen in the lungs, and the unloading of oxygen into body tissue. These systems allow your working muscles to get oxygen more quickly and efficiently. Studies have shown that regular cardiovascular exercise can significantly reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

More about : Exercise: Test for Body Fitness
...................................................

Traditional Treatments for Back Pain

When Dorothy followed the yellow brick road, she was told to do so by those who wanted her to get where she wanted go. Well as humans when we blindly follow recommendations even by individuals who have good intentions, it may not always be your best option. So I’m preparing this article to compare and contrast what are known as traditional treatments vs. complementary or alternative treatments for back pain. Remember there is rarely only one reason for your back pain and almost never one silver bullet fix… you may need to try several approaches till you find what works for you.

So when reading this article and thinking back on your visits to medical professionals, did you have the big picture or were you just following that yellow brick road? If you have been down that road, or if you are just starting to suffer from back pain it’s never too late to seek out new and more encompassing information about your condition when trying to find a solution that works for you. Don’t say you’ve tried everything because you haven’t… your solution is out there and you just have to find it!....

More about Traditional Treatments for Back Pain
...................................................

Calcium and Health

A popular mineral today, coral calcium , is mainly calcium, but is also abundant in many trace sea minerals. Some people consider coral calcium to be nature’s purest calcium supplement. Harvested from sea marine coral in Okinawa, Japan, coral calcium has been consumed by Okinawan’s for many, many years.

As with many mineral products, coral calcium is not without its ardent admirers, who make all kinds of fantastic claims regarding the benefits of taking coral calcium. Keep in mind that calcium is a mineral that our bodies need for muscle movement and to keep the heart and bones healthy. While coral calcium is a good source for mineral calcium, it should not be considered as a panacea for all illnesses..

Click here to read more about Calcium and Health
...................................................