Dr. Rekha Thomas, one of the well known Gynaecologist &Obstetric Specialist in Kuwait and a part of Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Center says that the cervical cancer is a form of cancer effecting Cervix (the lower part of uterus also known as ‘neck’ of womb) which is having two parts, endocervix and ectocervix / exocervix, and functioning as a connecting agent of uterus to the vagina and makes mucus which facilitates sperm entry. Also during pregnancy it serves to keep infection outside the uterus, protecting the fetus , helping to keep the baby inside the uterus. During child birth it opens to allow the baby pass through the vagina. The endocervix or the endocervical canal is lined by glandular cells and the exocervix is lined by squamous cells.The junction where the two cell types cells meet is called the Transformation Zone (TZ) where the two types of cervical cancers,Squamous cell Carcinoma (in the surface lining of the cervix) and Adenocarcinoma (from the glandular cells / columnar cells lining the endocervical canal) begins which is the second most common type of cancer deaths in women, worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer in women after breast and lung cancer.Malignancy or Cancer – normal cells of the body start to divide uncontrollably and form a tumour- of the cervix begins in the cells of the surface of the cervix and then invade deeply into the cervix-she added.

Dr. Revathi – a reputed name in Gynaecology / Obstetrics & Infertility, working with Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Centre mentioned that the cause of cervical cancer is infection by the Human Papilloma Virus HPV, a group of more than hundred related viruses by which most adults have been infected in their lives and most infection clearup on their own.She also explained about HPV types which cause warts on skin, genital (HPV 6 and 11of Low risk types), anus, mouth & throat and are rarely linked to cancer.Major cases of cervical cancers are caused by infections with oncogenic or high risk types of HPV that is 16 & 18 because of risky sexual practices like having sex at an early age or having multiple sex partners, weakened immune system, poor socio economic status, smoking. She preferred screening test / Pap smear test (an outpatient procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix and looked at under a microscope) and HPV vaccine before becoming sexually active as protective factors because most of the time, early cancer has no symptoms and cervical cancer has a long precancerous phase. She pointed out some symptoms like abnormal vaginal bleeding, post contact bleeding, continuous vaginal discharge and increased bleeding at periods about which we have to be cautious. Cervical cancer, in its precancerous stage which could be detected by a Pap smear is 100% treatable as it can take years for precancerous lesion to change to cancer.After doing a Pap smear, test like colposcopy & cervical biopsy could be advised as necessary. Liquid based Pap cytology tests are nowadays available too.PAP smear is repeated every 3 to 5 years from the age of 21 for sexually active women. It is better to be combined with HPV Testing.

Also she explained the Pap smear results which could be reported as Inflammation, ASCUS (Atypical Squamous Cells of Undetermined Significance), LSIL (Low grade Squamous Intra epithelial Lesion-CIN-1- most common and benign usually resolves spontaneously), HSIL (High Grade Squamous Intra epithelial Lesion- CIN 2 or CIN 3-Moderate or severe dysplasia which can lead to cancer of cervix which could be treated by LEEP-Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, Cryotherapy, Conisation, Laser Ablation), Squamous cell carcinoma and Adenocarcinoma. Treatments for cervical cancer are surgical removal of uterus, ovary tube and lymph nodes apart from radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Developed countries which implemented similar programs have experienced dramatically reduced rates of cervical cancer due to well organized screening and treatment programs where as in developing countries in the cases cervical cancer occur, it remains a leading cause of death among women. A recent situation analysis documented that screening women with an accurate test and positive test results managed properly increased the count of cured.Best possible protection against cervical cancer is Vaccination (Cervarix- Women Only Vaccine against HPV 16 & 18 & Gardasil- against HPV 6, 11,16,18) other than Screening.Shifa Al Jazeera Medical Center Management  also informed that the detailed brochure of the campaign for the public awareness could be obtained from  their Farwaniya Branch located opposite Farwaniya Police Station and all were requested to utilize this opportunity to safeguard their health.

DR. RAJESH CHOWDARI

Consultant orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr. Rajesh Chowdari received his MBBS and MS orthopaedic surgery degree from well reputed universities and worked as a orthopaedic Surgeon at Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, India. Specializing in Trauma, Sports medicine, Arthroscopic and joint replacement surgeries. Shifa al Jajeera Orthopaedic Care and rehabilitation Center diagnose and treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions from minor injuries to complex disorders Fractures, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Disc herniation, Entrapment syndromes, Ligament injuries, Frozen shoulder, Rotator cuff injuries, Shoulder impingement, Tendinitis, Tenosynovitis, Heel pain, Neck pain, Back pain, Multiple joint pain,

When the body is starved of food, it starts to burn fat so that it can make energy. This can lead to weight loss. However, if you fast for too long your body will eventually start breaking down muscle protein for energy, which is unhealthy.

Dr Razeen Mahroof, an anaesthetist from Oxford, says there’s a strong relationship between diet and health.

“Ramadan isn’t always thought of as being an opportunity to lose weight because the spiritual aspect is emphasised more generally than the health aspect,” he says. “However, it’s a great chance to get the physical benefits as well.”

Source of energy

The changes that happen in the body during a fast depend on the length of the continuous fast. The body enters into a fasting state eight hours or so after the last meal, when the gut finishes absorbing nutrients from the food.

In the normal state, body glucose, which is stored in the liver and muscles, is the body’s main source of energy. During a fast, this store of glucose is used up first to provide energy. Later in the fast, once the glucose runs out, fat becomes the next source of energy for the body.

With a prolonged fast of many days or weeks, the body starts using protein for energy.

This is the technical description of what is commonly known as ‘starvation’. It is clearly unhealthy. It involves protein being released from the breakdown of muscle, which is why people who starve look very thin and become very weak.

However, you are unlikely to reach the starvation stage during Ramadan because the fast is broken daily.

Gentle transition

As the Ramadan fast only lasts from dawn till dusk, the body’s energy can be replaced in the pre-dawn and dusk meals.

This provides a gentle transition from using glucose to fat as the main source of energy, and prevents the breakdown of muscle for protein.

Dr Mahroof says the use of fat for energy helps weight loss. It preserves the muscles and eventually reduces your cholesterol level. In addition, weight loss results in better control of diabetes and reduces blood pressure.

“A detoxification process also occurs, because any toxins stored in the body’s fat are dissolved and removed from the body,” says Dr Mahroof.

After a few days of the fast, higher levels of endorphins appear in the blood, making you more alert and giving an overall feeling of general mental wellbeing.

A balanced food and fluid intake is important between fasts. The kidneys are very efficient at maintaining the body’s water and salts, such as sodium and potassium. However, these can be lost through perspiration.

To prevent muscle breakdown, meals must contain enough energy food, such as carbohydrates and some fat.

“The way to approach your diet during fasting is similar to the way you should be eating outside Ramadan,” says Dr Mahroof. “You should have a balanced diet with the right proportion of carbs, fat and protein.”

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Do you want to lose weight for good in the new year? Try increasing your daily fiber intake in the form of nutrient-rich high-fiber foods. Why fiber? Recent research in the Journal of Nutrition suggests eating more fiber as a way to prevent weight gain or even encourage weight loss. Over the course of the two-year study, the researchers found that boosting fiber by 8 grams for every 1,000 calories resulted in about 4 1/2 pounds of weight lost.

Try it for yourself. If you’re consuming 2,000 calories per day, aim to increase your fiber by 16 grams.

Here are 7 fiber-rich foods that help do the weight-loss work for you.

1. Apples:

A medium apple (3-inch diameter) contains 4 grams of fiber; a large apple (3 1/4-inch diameter) has 5. Apples also offer a bit of vitamin C and potassium.

2. Green Beans:

One cup boasts 4 grams of fiber, plus a healthy dose (30% daily value) or skin-helping vitamin C.

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3. Sweet Potatoes:

A medium-size baked sweet potato (2 inches wide, 5 inches long…a little larger than your computer mouse), skin included, offers 5 grams of fiber-for just 103 calories. It’s also a nutrition powerhouse: providing 438% daily value of eye-healthy vitamin A (eat these foods to help you see more clearly), 37% daily value of vitamin C, plus some potassium, vitamin E, iron, magnesium and phytochemicals like beta carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin.

4. Raspberries:

Raspberries are a great source of fiber-some of it soluble in the form of pectin, which helps lower cholesterol. One cup of raspberries has 8 grams of fiber. Raspberries are also an excellent source of vitamin C.

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5. Strawberries:

One cup of strawberries has a respectable 3 grams of fiber and more than a full day’s recommended dose of vitamin C-an antioxidant that helps keep skin healthy.

6. Chickpeas: Just 3/4 cup of chickpeas has a whopping 8 grams of fiber! You also get a good amount of vitamin B6 and folate, both of which play a role in forming healthy new cells.

7. Pumpkin: A cup of cooked pumpkin contains 3 grams of fiber. You also get vitamin A (245% daily value), vitamins C, E and potassium.

Need healthy recipes to help you slim down?

Try EatingWell’s Top 50 Healthy Recipes of 2011

What are your tips and tricks for losing weight and keeping it off?

As a registered dietitian and associate nutrition editor at EatingWell Magazine, I know that herbs and spices do more than simply add flavor to food. They let you cut down on some less-healthy ingredients, such as salt, added sugars and saturated fat, and some have inherent health benefits, many of which Joyce Hendley reported on for EatingWell Magazine.

Modern science is beginning to uncover the ultimate power of spices and herbs, as weapons against illnesses from cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. “We’re now starting to see a scientific basis for why people have been using spices medicinally for thousands of years,” says Bharat Aggarwal, Ph.D., professor at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and author of Healing Spices (Sterling, 2011).

Aggarwal notes that in his native India, where spices tend to be used by the handful, incidence of diet-related diseases like heart disease and cancer have long been low. But when Indians move away and adopt more Westernized eating patterns, their rates of those diseases rise. While researchers usually blame the meatier, fattier nature of Western diets, Aggarwal and other experts believe that herbs and spices-or more precisely, the lack of them-are also an important piece of the dietary puzzle. “When Indians eat more Westernized foods, they’re getting much fewer spices than their traditional diet contains,” he explains. “They lose the protection those spices are conveying.”

While science has yet to show that any spice cures disease, there’s compelling evidence that several may help manage some chronic conditions (though it’s always smart to talk with your doctor). What’s not to love? Here we’ve gathered eight of the healthiest spices and herbs enjoyed around the world.

Chile Peppers
May help: Boost metabolism.
Chile peppers add a much-appreciated heat to chilly-weather dishes, and they can also give a boost to your metabolism. Thank capsaicin, the compound that gives fresh chiles, and spices including cayenne and chipotle, their kick. Studies show that capsaicin can increase the body’s metabolic rate (causing one to burn more calories) and may stimulate brain chemicals that help us feel less hungry. In fact, one study found that people ate 16 percent fewer calories at a meal if they’d sipped a hot-pepper-spiked tomato juice (vs. plain tomato juice) half an hour earlier. Recent research found that capsinoids, similar but gentler chemicals found in milder chile hybrids, have the same effects-so even tamer sweet paprika packs a healthy punch. Capsaicin may also lower risk of ulcers by boosting the ability of stomach cells to resist infection by ulcer-causing bacteria and help the heart by keeping “bad” LDL cholesterol from turning into a more lethal, artery-clogging form.
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Ginger
May help: Soothe an upset stomach, fight arthritis pain.
Ginger has a well-deserved reputation for relieving an unsettled stomach. Studies show ginger extracts can help reduce nausea caused by morning sickness or following surgery or chemotherapy, though it’s less effective for motion sickness. But ginger is also packed with inflammation-fighting compounds, such as gingerols, which some experts believe may hold promise in fighting some cancers and may reduce the aches of osteoarthritis and soothe sore muscles. In a recent study, people who took ginger capsules daily for 11 days reported 25 percent less muscle pain when they performed exercises designed to strain their muscles (compared with a similar group taking placebo capsules). Another study found that ginger-extract injections helped relieve osteoarthritis pain of the knee.
Must-Read: 5 Foods That Fight Pain Naturally

Cinnamon
May help: Stabilize blood sugar.
A few studies suggest that adding cinnamon to food-up to a teaspoon a day, usually given in capsule form-might help people with type 2 diabetes better control their blood sugar, by lowering post-meal blood-sugar spikes. Other studies suggest the effects are limited at best.

Turmeric
May help: Quell inflammation, inhibit tumors.
Turmeric, the goldenrod-colored spice, is used in India to help wounds heal (it’s applied as a paste); it’s also made into a tea to relieve colds and respiratory problems. Modern medicine confirms some solid-gold health benefits as well; most are associated with curcumin, a compound in turmeric that has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin has been shown to help relieve pain of arthritis, injuries and dental procedures; it’s also being studied for its potential in managing heart disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Researcher Bharat Aggarwal is bullish on curcumin’s potential as a cancer treatment, particularly in colon, prostate and breast cancers; preliminary studies have found that curcumin can inhibit tumor cell growth and suppress enzymes that activate carcinogens.

Saffron
May help: Lift your mood.
Saffron has long been used in traditional Persian medicine as a mood lifter, usually steeped into a medicinal tea or used to prepare rice. Research from Iran’s Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital at Tehran University of Medical Sciences has found that saffron may help to relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and depression. In one study, 75% of women with PMS who were given saffron capsules daily reported that their PMS symptoms (such as mood swings and depression) declined by at least half, compared with only 8 percent of women who didn’t take saffron.
Must-Read: 4 Foods to Boost Your Mood

Parsley
May help: Inhibit breast cancer-cell growth.
University of Missouri scientists found that this herb can actually inhibit breast cancer-cell growth, reported Holly Pevzner in the September/October 2011 issue of EatingWell Magazine. In the study, animals that were given apigenin, a compound abundant in parsley (and in celery), boosted their resistance to developing cancerous tumors. Experts recommend adding a couple pinches of minced fresh parsley to your dishes daily.

Sage
May help: Preserve memory, soothe sore throats.
Herbalists recommend sipping sage tea for upset stomachs and sore throats, a remedy supported by one study that found spraying sore throats with a sage solution gave effective pain relief. And preliminary research suggests the herb may improve some symptoms of early Alzheimer’s disease by preventing a key enzyme from destroying acetylcholine, a brain chemical involved in memory and learning. In another study, college students who took sage extracts in capsule form performed significantly better on memory tests, and their moods improved.
Related: 5 Foods to Help Ward Off Colds

Rosemary
May help: Enhance mental focus, fight foodborne bacteria.
One recent study found that people performed better on memory and alertness tests when mists of aromatic rosemary oil were piped into their study cubicles. Rosemary is often used in marinades for meats and poultry, and there’s scientific wisdom behind that tradition: rosmarinic acid and other antioxidant compounds in the herb fight bacteria and prevent meat from spoiling, and may even make cooked meats healthier. In March 2010, Kansas State University researchers reported that adding rosemary extracts to ground beef helped prevent the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs)-cancer-causing compounds produced when meats are grilled, broiled or fried.
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What are your favorite herbs and spices?

By Kerri-Ann Jennings – Yahoo Health

The study, published in The Lancet, used computer modeling to see if sending patients home with a mobile blood pressure monitor, usually worn for 24 hours while it takes blood pressure readings every 15 to 30 minutes, would be a better way to get a truly accurate reading for a lower cost. Their findings indicate patients could save as much as $500 if they relied on mobile blood pressure monitoring after a high blood pressure reading. And the savings were higher for younger patients and for women. Home blood pressure monitoring was also a cost saver, but the cost savings were lower overall and were the same for all ages and genders.

Things Your Skin Says About Your Health For Both Men and Women

Wheezing or Shortness of Breath

One of the first signs lung cancer patients remember noticing when they look back is the inability to catch their breath. “I couldn’t even walk across the yard without wheezing. I thought I had asthma, but how come I didn’t have it before?” is how one woman described it. Thyroid cancer can also cause breathing problems if a nodule or tumor begins to press on the trachea, or windpipe. Any breathing difficulties that persist are reason to visit the doctor.

Swallowing Problems or Hoarseness

Most commonly associated with esophageal or throat cancer, difficulty swallowing is sometimes one of the first signs of lung cancer, too. A hoarse or low, husky voice or the feeling of something pressing on the throat can be an early indicator of thyroid cancer or a precancerous thyroid nodule, as can the feeling of having something stuck in your windpipe.

Frequent Fevers or Infections

These can be signs of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that starts in the bone marrow. Leukemia causes the marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells, which crowd out healthy white cells, sapping the body’s infection-fighting capabilities. Often, doctors diagnose leukemia only after the patient has been in a number of times complaining of fever, achiness, and flu-like symptoms over an extended period of time.

Upset Stomach

As simple as it sounds, a good old-fashioned bellyache is what tipped off a number of lucky folks, whose doctors ordered ultrasounds and discovered early that they had tumors on their livers. Stomach cramps or frequent upset stomachs may indicate colorectal cancer; many cancer patients say their doctors thought they had ulcers.

Weakness and Fatigue

“I kept having to sit down at work, and one night I was too tired to drive home,” said one woman in describing the fatigue that led her to discover she had leukemia. Generalized fatigue and weakness is a symptom of so many different kinds of cancer that you’ll need to look at it in combination with other symptoms. But any time you feel exhausted without explanation and it doesn’t respond to getting more sleep, talk to your doctor.

Unexplained Weight Loss

If you notice the pounds coming off and you haven’t made changes to your diet or exercise regime, you need to ask why. Weight loss is an early sign of colon and other digestive cancers; it’s also a sign of cancer that’s spread to the liver, affecting your appetite and the ability of your body to rid itself of wastes.

Changes in Fingernails

Unexplained changes to the fingernails can be a sign of several types of cancer. A brown or black streak or dot under the nail can indicate skin cancer, while newly discovered “clubbing” — enlargement of the ends of the fingers, with nails that curve down over the tips — can be a sign of lung cancer. Pale or white nails can be an indication that your liver is not functioning properly, sometimes a sign of liver cancer.

Chronic “Acid Stomach” or Feeling Full After a Small Meal

The most common early sign of stomach cancer is pain in the upper or middle abdomen that feels like gas or heartburn. It may be aggravated by eating, so that you feel full when you haven’t actually eaten much. What’s particularly confusing is that the pain can be relieved by antacids, falsely confirming your conclusion that it was caused by acid in the stomach, when it’s more than that. If you have frequent bouts of acid stomach, an unexplained abdominal ache, or a full feeling after meals even when you’re eating less than normal, call your doctor.

Chronic Heartburn

If you just ate half a pizza, heartburn is expected. But if you have frequent episodes of heartburn or a constant low-level feeling of pain in the chest after eating, call your doctor and ask about screening for esophageal cancer. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) — a condition in which stomach acid rises into the esophagus, causing heartburn and an acidic taste in the throat — can trigger a condition called Barrett’s esophagus, which can be a precursor of esophageal cancer.

Bowel Problems

Constipation, diarrhea, and changes in stools can all be signs of cancer. As with many other cancer symptoms, the way to tell if this is cause for concern is if it goes on for more than a few days without a clear cause, such as flu or food poisoning. People diagnosed with colon cancer say they noticed more frequent stools, as well as a feeling that their bowels weren’t emptying completely. One of the early signs of pancreatic cancer is fatty stools, which can be recognized as frequent, large stools that are paler than normal and smelly. This is a sign that your body’s not absorbing your food normally, and it should be brought to your doctor’s attention.

source :yahoo health