Monday, April 25, 2011

Cervical Cancer treatment

Cervical cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the cervix.

The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus (the hollow, pear-shaped organ where a fetus grows). The cervix leads from the uterus to the vagina (birth canal).

Cervical cancer usually develops slowly over time. Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which cells that are not normal begin to appear in the cervical tissue. Later, cancer cells start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.

Cervical cancer in children is rare. For more information, see the PDQ summary on Unusual Cancers of Childhood.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the major risk factor for development of cervical cancer.

Anything that increases your risk of getting a disease is called a risk factor. Having a risk factor does not mean that you will get cancer; not having risk factors doesn't mean that you will not get cancer. People who think they may be at risk should discuss this with their doctor.

Infection of the cervix with human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common cause of cervical cancer. Not all women with HPV infection, however, will develop cervical cancer. Women who do not regularly have a Pap smear to detect HPV or abnormal cells in the cervix are at increased risk of cervical cancer.

Other possible risk factors include the following:

* Giving birth to many children.
* Having many sexual partners.
* Having first sexual intercourse at a young age.
* Smoking cigarettes.
* Oral contraceptive use ("the Pill").
* Weakened immune system.

There are usually no noticeable signs of early cervical cancer but it can be detected early with yearly check-ups.

Early cervical cancer may not cause noticeable signs or symptoms. Women should have yearly check-ups, including a Pap smear to check for abnormal cells in the cervix. The prognosis (chance of recovery) is better when the cancer is found early.

Possible signs of cervical cancer include vaginal bleeding and pelvic pain.

These and other symptoms may be caused by cervical cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:

* Vaginal bleeding.
* Unusual vaginal discharge.
* Pelvic pain.
* Pain during sexual intercourse.

Tests that examine the cervix are used to detect (find) and diagnose cervical cancer.

The following procedures may be used:

* Pap smear: A procedure to collect cells from the surface of the cervix and vagina. A piece of cotton, a brush, or a small wooden stick is used to gently scrape cells from the cervix and vagina. The cells are viewed under a microscope to find out if they are abnormal. This procedure is also called a Pap test.



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Pap smear. A speculum is inserted into the vagina to widen it. Then, a brush is inserted into the vagina to collect cells from the cervix. The cells are checked under a microscope for signs of disease.
# Human papillomavirus (HPV) test: A laboratory test used to check DNA (genetic material) for certain types of HPV infection. Cells are collected from the cervix and checked to find out if an infection is caused by a type of human papillomavirus that is linked to cervical cancer. This test may be done if the results of a Pap smear show certain abnormal cervical cells. This test is also called the HPV DNA test.
# Colposcopy: A procedure in which a colposcope (a lighted, magnifying instrument) is used to check the vagina and cervix for abnormal areas. Tissue samples may be taken using a curette (spoon-shaped instrument) and checked under a microscope for signs of disease.
# Biopsy: If abnormal cells are found in a Pap smear, the doctor may do a biopsy. A sample of tissue is cut from the cervix and viewed under a microscope by a pathologist to check for signs of cancer. A biopsy that removes only a small amount of tissue is usually done in the doctor’s office. A woman may need to go to a hospital for a cervical cone biopsy (removal of a larger, cone-shaped sample of cervical tissue).
# Pelvic exam: An exam of the vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and rectum. The doctor or nurse inserts one or two lubricated, gloved fingers of one hand into the vagina and places the other hand over the lower abdomen to feel the size, shape, and position of the uterus and ovaries. A speculum is also inserted into the vagina and the doctor or nurse looks at the vagina and cervix for signs of disease. A Pap test of the cervix is usually done. The doctor or nurse also inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum to feel for lumps or abnormal areas.



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Pelvic exam. A doctor or nurse inserts one or two lubricated, gloved fingers of one hand into the vagina and presses on the lower abdomen with the other hand. This is done to feel the size, shape, and position of the uterus and ovaries. The vagina, cervix, fallopian tubes, and rectum are also checked.
* Endocervical curettage: A procedure to collect cells or tissue from the cervical canal using a curette (spoon-shaped instrument). Tissue samples may be taken and checked under a microscope for signs of cancer. This procedure is sometimes done at the same time as a colposcopy.

Certain factors affect prognosis (chance of recovery) and treatment options.

The prognosis (chance of recovery) depends on the following:

* The patient's age and general health.
* Whether or not the patient has a certain type of human papillomavirus.
* The stage of the cancer (whether it affects part of the cervix, involves the whole cervix, or has spread to the lymph nodes or other places in the body).
* The type of cervical cancer.
* The size of the tumor.

Treatment options depend on the following:

* The stage of the cancer.
* The size of the tumor.
* The patient's desire to have children.
* The patient’s age.

Treatment of cervical cancer during pregnancy depends on the stage of the cancer and the stage of the pregnancy. For cervical cancer found early or for cancer found during the last trimester of pregnancy, treatment may be delayed until after the baby is born.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Skin Fungus Treatment

It is very important to treat the infected area as it may spread on the entire body and cause other complications. There are various types of skin infections such as athlete's foot, ringworm, jock itch and many more. The general symptoms of these skin infections include itching, rashes, redness, skin shedding and sometimes bleeding. Sometimes fungus is easily visible but most of the times, the fungus is present in the first layer of the skin. Skin infections are common in the feet area and its main cause is moistness. Due to sweat, germs and bacteria are accumulated on the skin. Sweat is usually accumulated because of shoes worn for long period of time. On a usual basis, the healing process for skin fungus take about two weeks after the treatment has started. If the skin shows no improvement, it is highly recommended to consult a dermatologist as it might be a serious problem. Home remedies are the best methods of treating skin fungus.


Best Methods and Remedies to Treat Skin Fungus Infection

First and foremost, wash your skin with an antiseptic soap before starting the treatment. This will eliminate the dirt and germs that are accumulated on it. After cleansing the skin, dry it with either a dry cloth or a hair dryer. It is very important to keep the skin clean and dry at all times so that the fungus does not spread. This treatment should be conducted every time you remove your footwear as feet are the main breeding ground for skin fungus. This is considered to be the first step to skin fungus home remedies.


Another skin fungus home remedy would be to get rid of the dead skin as soon as you see it. Dead skin is also another reason for the spread of fungus. In case of ringworm, apply apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and gently massage on the infected area. Practice this method three to four times in a day and you will see the ringworm reducing in a week. Another skin fungus remedy is to use a small amount of nail polish on the infected area. The nail polish will dry the area immediately and healing will be much faster. These are some of the best known skin fungus remedies.

Precautions to Prevent Skin Fungus Infection

Apart from the remedies, there are a few precautions you need to keep in mind so that the skin fungus does not appear again. It is highly advisable to remove your footwear whenever you get a chance. Because of sweat, the feet remain moist which becomes a breeding ground for fungi. Apply baby powder before putting on your socks and shoes. Dry the feet immediately after washing it properly with soap. Use an antiperspirant to keep your feet dry at all times. It is also recommended not to use the same footwear two days in a row. Use alternate pairs so that the previous pair has enough time to dry itself.



Skin fungus treatment should be started as soon as possible in order to avoid severe problems.




Skin fungus is a very common condition, but unfortunately, it is very hard to recognize. There are many skin fungus remedies that can help treat skin fungus. However, the biggest hurdle to treatment is the fact that the condition is very hard to diagnose. Unlike bacterial infections and allergies, skin fungus does not leave a lot of telltale signs. For instance, skin fungus does not cause blisters and boils. Instead, it can cause slight discoloration of the skin or small itchy rashes, which may go completely unnoticed. Fortunately, even though fungal infections cannot be so easily diagnosed, they can be treated using a broad spectrum antifungal medication.

There are several types of skin fungus, based on which the symptoms can appear. Symptoms are usually different for different fungal infections, but the treatment for all is usually the same. Skin fungus that causes white spots on the face, for instance, could be caused by a fungal infection known as tinea versicolor. Athlete’s foot and jock itch are some of the other types of skin fungus infections that can cause discomfort. Athlete’s foot is a very common condition and one that affects 75% of the world population at some point in their lives. This fungal infection occurs between the toes, causing rashes and itching in the skin between them. This condition is usually seen in on the skin between the third, fourth, and the fifth toes. Sometimes, the infection may even spread further, causing the heels of the feet to have itchy rashes.



The skin between the toes often becomes white and moist due to this condition. The skin may also rub off rather easily. Jock itch is another kind of skin fungal infection in which the fungus begins to grow in the groin area. This fungal infection is usually caused when the skin remains damp due to sweat. Tight fitting clothes, which cut off the air supply to the skin, may aggravate the condition. This fungal infection may not have skin fungus’ white spots, which are characteristic of tinea versicolor.

Ringworm is another skin fungal infection. Fortunately, this kind of skin infection is very easy to identify and can be immediately recognized due to the round rash that it forms on the skin. The name ringworm is actually a misnomer, and many people think that the ring shaped rash is caused due to a worm, when it is actually due to a fungal strain. Skin fungus treatment is usually the same no matter which type of fungus you are dealing with. A skin fungus rash may be treated only after a few days of medication. The doctor may give you a medicated cream or ointment to use on the affected area. The same medication may be used for other skin fungus symptoms as well. You can also use selsun blue for skin fungus along with other remedies. However, the best skin fungus home remedy is to keep the skin clean and dry so that the fungus does not spread to other parts of the skin.

How to Get Rid of Skin Fungus

If you are wondering how to cure skin fungus, the answer is rather simple.



Skin fungus is the easiest of all ailments to cure. Before you start any treatment or skin fungus remedies, you must ensure that your skin is clean and dry. There may be dirt and germs accumulated on your skin that should be eliminated by washing thoroughly first. The fungus will not spread if you have cleansed the skin thoroughly. For feet, toes and the groin region, it is important to wash thoroughly and keep the skin dry. A lot of people what to know how to get rid of skin fungus fast. However, like all other treatments, the treatment of skin fungus also takes its time, though the prognosis is usually very good in all cases. Exfoliating regularly and allowing dead skin to slough off can help contain the spread of fungus.

For skin fungus’ white spots, treatment can be performed using apple cider vinegar. In case you have ringworm, simply apply some apple cider vinegar on the affected skin and allow it to heal. You can use a ball of cotton to gently massage the apple cider vinegar into the skin. This method can be practiced several times a day, and you can see favorable results in a matter of a week. Skin fungus on the back or on the feet can also be cured using this method. Skin fungus’ white spots treatment can also be done using the same method. The white spots on the face or other parts of the body are caused by a condition known as tinea versicolor.



In tinea versicolor, the fungus causes the melanocytes of the skin to stop producing melanin. This condition can be very difficult to manage, if not treated right away. For skin fungus cure in this condition, antifungal ointments, or a tea tree oil ointment can help. Tea tree oil, which is known to be one of the most effective solutions for fungal infections, can be effectively used mixed with some carrier oil. Skin fungus on the back may be due to sweaty clothes. Maintaining good hygiene and wearing loose fitting cotton clothes, which allow air to pass through, can really help prevent any skin fungus conditions.

Hydrogen peroxide is also considered a good treatment for fungal infections. Soak yourself twice a day in a solution of water and hydrogen peroxide. The peroxide solution kills off the fungal strains. Your skin may be sensitive to peroxide at first. Therefore, it is best to use a very dilute solution of peroxide when you first use it. If you can’t find hydrogen peroxide, you can also use facial or skin bleach to kill off the microbes. If your skin gets irritated to bleach, try an herbal bleach formulation on the sensitive skin. You can also use essential oils such as garlic oil, tea tree oil, and oregano essential oil to kill off the fungus that is growing on your skin. However, do get the instructions to use these oils from a certified aroma therapist before you begin using them.