Monday, 14 July 2014

treatment patterns of brain tumor

ARE HEADACHE AND BRAIN TUMORS RELATED?


Headache is a common symptom that may occur in otherwise healthy individuals. Typically, physicians are not concerned if the headache is occasional, mild, of short duration, and caused by identifiable factors (e.g., flu-like illness, sinus infection, fasting, sleep deprivation, or alcohol-induced "hangover"). However, patients who experience frequent or severe headache often worry about the possibility of a more serious underlying condition such as a life-threatening brain tumor.

Though very rare in the total population of patients with recurring headaches, approximately 50% of patients who do have brain tumors have a headache as a presenting complaint, and up to 60% of patients develop headaches as the disease progresses. Unfortunately, it is often impossible to diagnose a brain tumor based upon the description of the headache itself. Some patients do provide clues when presenting withseizures or persistent neurological symptoms.

WHAT SYMPTOMS DIFFERENTIATE A BRAIN TUMOR FROM OTHER HEADACHES?

Typical brain tumor headaches are "tension-like," aching in nature, and can occur intermittently with a gradual onset and resolution over a few hours. The headache can also be throbbing, resembling common migraine. There have been reports in the literature.

 of patients whose brain tumors presented with classical migraine-like headache with aura which progressively worsened over a few months. Tumors can also obstruct cerebrospinal fluid flow which can cause headaches. These events can even be accompanied by loss of consciousness or loss of muscle tone.

In a patient with a normal neurological exam and no other complaints, the sole symptom of headache is rarely related to a brain tumor. Certain specific features of headache have been identified as "red flags," which may suggest the presence of a structural abnormality (lesion), such as a brain tumor.

These red flags may include: a change in previous headache pattern; headache unresponsive to therapy; any new motor (weakness), sensory, or visual symptoms or signs; a change in memory, personality, or thinking; prolonged/repetitious vomiting; or a headache getting worse when bending over, coughing, sneezing, or Valsalva maneuver. These symptoms can frequently occur in benign headaches as well.
Smokers or patients with a history of cancer, including lung, breast, prostate, or neck cancer, are at increased risk of metastatic spread of the tumor to the brain. Since pediatric tumors are typically located in the brainstem (lower portion) of the brain, they commonly induce specific symptoms, which physicians identify with careful history taking and examinations. Adults as well as children must undergo proper evaluation by an experienced physician, often a neurologist, and testing, usually with an MRI, is necessary.

HOW ARE BRAIN TUMORS DIAGNOSED?

Quite often it is not a headache that leads to the diagnosis of a brain tumor. Depending on the location of the tumor, it may take months or even years for the lesion to increase in size sufficiently to produce symptoms. Some tumors are discovered accidentally, such as during routine screening for migraines or following a minor head trauma, though this is very uncommon.
Frequently patients with brain tumors seek evaluation by a physician because of other symptoms. For example, they may suddenly or gradually develop visual disturbances, weakness on one side of theirbody, slurred speech, hearing loss, ringing in the ears, imbalance,dizziness, memory and/or cognitive problems, seizures, or even incontinence. An abnormal neurological examination is the most worrisome predictor of structural brain lesion.

WHAT STEPS DOES THE PHYSICIAN TAKE WHEN A BRAIN TUMOR IS DIAGNOSED?

It is the role of the physician to determine which patients require further testing for potential serious illness. Usually an MRI scan of the head with contrast is the most sensitive and preferable. In some cases additional studies should be ordered, such as a CT scan to look for bony infiltration, or imaging of other parts of the body to determine if a primary tumor may be present. Some patients may require a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to evaluate the spinal fluid, which can provide a clue to thecause of headaches.

If a tumor is present, the patient will be evaluated by both a neurosurgeon and often an oncologist. The neurologist is frequently involved in management of the patient with brain cancer in terms of monitoring the neurological status and treating complications, such as brain edema, epilepsy, strokes, pain, etc.

SUMMARY

As stated earlier, the occurrence of brain tumors in the headache population is extremely rare. At MHNI it is particularly rare, since by the time most patients reach the Institute, they have been evaluated by many physicians, and the most common headaches treated at MHNI are the primary headaches, such as migraine and related disorders.

Brain tumor - children

A brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain.
This article focuses on primary brain tumors in children.

Causes

The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. Primary brain tumors may be:
  • Not cancerous (benign)
  • Invasive (spread to nearby areas)
  • Cancerous (malignant)
Brain tumors are classified based on:
  • The exact site of the tumor
  • The type of tissue involved
  • Whether it is cancerous
Brain tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also indirectly damage cells by pushing on other parts of the brain. This leads to swelling and increased pressure inside the skull.
Tumors can occur at any age. Many tumors are more common at a certain age. In general, brain tumors in children are very rare.
COMMON TUMOR TYPES
Astrocytomas are usually noncancerous, slow-growing tumors. They commonly develop in children ages 5 through 8. Also called low-grade gliomas, these are the most common brain tumors in children.
Medulloblastomas are the most common type of childhood brain cancer. Most medulloblastomas occur before age 10.
Ependymomas are a type of childhood brain tumor that can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The location and type of ependymoma determine the type of therapy needed to control the tumor.
Brainstem gliomas are very rare tumors that occur almost only in children. The average age at which they develop is about 6. The tumor may grow very large before causing symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms may be subtle and only gradually become worse. Or they may occur very quickly.
Headaches are often the most common symptom. But only very rarely do children with headaches have a tumor. Headache patterns that may occur with brain tumors include:
  • Headaches that are worse when waking up in the morning and go away within a few hours
  • Headaches that get worse with coughing or exercise, or with a change in body position
  • Headaches that occur while sleeping and with at least one other symptom such as vomiting or confusion
Sometimes the only symptoms of brain tumors are mental changes, which may include:
  • Changes in personality and behavior
  • Unable to concentrate
  • Increased sleep
  • Memory loss
  • Problems with reasoning
Other possible symptoms are:

  • Gradual loss of movement or feeling in an arm or leg
  • Hearing loss with or without dizziness
  • Speech difficulty
  • Unexpected vision problem (especially if it occurs with a headache), including vision loss (usually of peripheral vision) in one or both eyes, or double vision
  • Problems with balance
  • Weakness or numbness

treatment patterns! How to Treat a Cough with Traditional Chinese Medicine


Traditional Chinese medicine is especially effective in the treatment ofcoughs because of its careful differentiation of the various types. For example, a cough due to heat produces sticky phlegm that is difficult to expectorate; it is treated with cooling, moistening herbs andacupuncture points that clear heat from the lungs. On the other hand, a cough due to cold is accompanied by chills and copious mucus; it is treated with warming, drying herbs.

Without this differentiation, it is easy to see how an unfocused treatment might be ineffective or even cause the cough to get worse. Descriptions of a few of the more commonly diagnosed types ofcoughs in Chinese medicine follow.

Treating a Hot Phlegm Cough with Traditional Chinese Medicine

In this syndrome, the accumulated phlegm becomes thick and sticky due to heat. The cough can have a loud, barking sound. The phlegm is quite difficult to expectorate and the heat gives it a darker color, ranging from yellow to brown or dark green. This type of cough requires aggressive treatment as the green indicates that the trapped mucus has become infected. Mucus in the lungs is an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, so it is important to clear the mucus as quickly as possible with herbs that moisten the lungs to dislodge the mucus and stimulate expectoration.
A highly effective formula for this condition is Pinellia Expectorant Pills. This patent medicine is available under several names, including Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan or Pinellia Root Teapills, but they are all the same formula. To maximize the effect, it is best to take it along with Gan Mao Ling or Yin Qiao Jie Du Pian. As in all syndromes involving phlegm, diet is extremely important. It is best to avoid cold foods, dairy products, and sweets, as these all create mucus. Therapeutic foods include hot soups, cooked vegetables and whole grains, and small amounts of raw juices at room temperature to assist in moistening the lungs in order to promote expectoration.

Treating a Damp or Cold Phlegm Cough with Traditional Chinese Medicine

This pattern is characterized by frequent coughing with expectoration of copious amounts of clear or sticky white phlegm that is typically more plentiful in the morning or after meals. There can also be nausea, a sensation of fullness in the chest or abdomen, poor appetite, fatigue, and a sensation of heaviness. The principle treatment in this syndrome is to clear the phlegm from the lungs and strengthen the digestion, since an underlying deficiency in spleen qi creates an inclination toward excessive mucus production.
The classic formula for this condition is Er Chen Tang, or "Two Old Things Decoction," with the addition of herbs to repel the pathogen and warm the lungs. The patent version of Er Chen Tang is Er Chen Wan. If there are accompanying wind-cold symptoms of headache, stiff neck, and nasal congestion, the patent medicine Chuan Xiong Cha Tiao Wan can also be taken.
Dietary therapy is similar to that for hot phlegm cough, except the avoidance of cold foods is especially important. A person with this condition should consume lots of hot liquids, especially ginger tea, get plenty of rest, and stay warm. Hot soup made mostly from vegetables is a tasty treatment as well.

Treating a Wind Dryness Cough with Traditional Chinese Medicine

This type of cough is typically contracted after exposure to a dry environment. Different from a chronic dry cough caused by a deficiency of lung yin (often from smoking), in this case the dryness of the air allows the dryness external pernicious influence to attack the lungs. The symptoms are a dry cough and a sore throatwith a ticklish sensation, dry lips and mouth, and, possibly, a headache.
The treatment principle is to repel the dryness pernicious influence, moisten the lungs, and stop the cough. A classic formula for this condition is Sang Xing Tang (pronounced sahng shing tahng), translated as "Mulberry Leaf and Apricot Seed Decoction." This formula doesn't come in a patent medicine, but an effective replacement is Chuan Bei Pi Pa Gao.
The diet should consist of soups and plenty of liquids. When the condition is gone, it would be wise to begin taking American ginseng (xi yang shen) on a daily basis for a few weeks. This will strengthen the qi and yin of the lungs and make a future attack less likely.

Treatment Planning for a Cough

Most acute coughs respond to the above treatments within a week, unless the person fails to improve theirdiet and get some rest. In that case, the cough can linger for weeks, often leading to a series of colds due to weakened immunity. Acupuncture therapy is very helpful in treating coughs due to any cause. Needling a point on the Conception Vessel meridian (an extra meridian) just above the sternum can quickly calm a cough and assist breathing. Moxa therapy is used typically in the cold, damp type of cough, since there is a need for warmth in that pattern.

How to Treat Common Ailments with Traditional Chinese Medicine



Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medical practice often used to treat common ailments.
Traditional Chinese medical treatment for common ailments is quite different from Western medical treatments. While you might be used to taking prescription drugs and drinkingchicken noodle soup when you're sick, a typical traditional Chinese medical treatment plan might include a combination ofmoxibustionqi gong, andmassage therapy -- depending on the ailment.
The most common treatment plan is a combination of acupunctureand herbal medicine. Find sample treatment plans in the articles below.
Whether you suffer from constant allergic reactions, insomnia, or merely the common cold, check out these articles to get a peek into the extraordinary treatment plans of traditional Chinese medicine. The information is not meant to replace qualified medical care, nor is it in any way intended to be a complete discussion of the given ailments. If you suffer from any of these ailments and would like to be treated with traditional Chinese medicine, seek the help of a qualified health care 
practitioner
 after consulting these articles.
A person can be allergic to nearly anything -- from animal dander to peanuts. Learn possible causes of allergies and how to treat them with traditional Chinese medicine.
Popular Western treatments for arthritis often do nothing to cure the disease. Find out how traditional Chinese medicine works to eliminate the cause of arthritis and the disease itself.
Instead of chicken noodle soup to help cure the common cold, try miso soup with spring onions and fresh ginger. Read about more ways to treat the common cold with traditional Chinese medicine.
Constipation might be an embarrassing common ailment, but it can be quite serious -- possibly relating to depression, hyperthyroidism, and colon cancer. Get details on how to treat constipation with traditional Chinese medicine.
Traditional Chinese medicine can be extremely effective in treating coughs. Check out this article to learn various types of coughs and how these different types determine an accurate treatment plan.
If you suffer from diarrhea, some traditional Chinese treatments include hot peppermint tea, vegetable broth, and plain white rice. Find out more in this article.
The first step to treating fatigue with traditional Chinese medicine is an examination of the person's lifestyle. Learn how herbal remedies and acupuncture can help reduce fatigue.
We've all suffered from headaches, both mild and extreme, and sometimes popping some Advil just doesn't do the trick. Get details on the various ways to treat headaches with traditional Chinese medicine.
Symptoms of indigestion include nausea, vomiting, bad breath, and lack of appetite. Learn how strong ginger tea taken with traditional Chinese formulas can help treat indigestion.
Tossing and turning during sleepless nights can have major effects on a person's life and health. Read about traditional Chinese treatment plans that can get rid of insomnia.
Some women suffer from such extreme cases of menstrual pain that they can't find the strength to get out of bed. Relieve menstrual pain with these traditional Chinese medical treatments.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is often joked about and rarely taken seriously. Learn how to treat premenstrual syndrome with traditional Chinese medicine.
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland; sciatica involves pain traveling from the buttocks down the back of the leg. See how traditional Chinese medicine can treat both ailments.
If you are suffering from sinusitis, try avoiding cold, greasy, and excessively spicy foods. Get more details on how traditional Chinese medicine can treat pain and discomfort of the sinuses.
sore throat and constant stress are two very common ailments easily treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Find out more in this article.
urinary tract infection (UTI), commonly known as a bladder infection, can be very painful and can cause serious kidney damage. Check out this article for traditional Chinese medical treatments for a urinary tract infection.

For more information on traditional Chinese medicine and other natural remedies, see:

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:Bill Schoenbart has been practicing traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) since 1991, when he earned a Masters degree in TCM. He teaches TCM medical theory and herbalism at anacupuncture school in California, and also maintains a clinical practice.
Ellen Shefi is a licensed massage technician, licensed acupuncturist, and registered dietician. She is a member of the American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, the American Herb Association, and the Oregon Acupuncture Association

Traditional Chinese Medicine for the Digestive System


Traditional Chinese medicine has a number of herbal formulations that treat disorders of the digestive system. In this article, we’ll describe Chinese patent medicines that relieve common digestive problems likenauseavomitingdiarrheaconstipation, and abdominal discomfort. We’ll give the Chinese name for eachmedicine, and describe its indications and functions in detail.
Most of these medicines come in the form of easy-to-swallow, tiny round pills (wan) or tablets (pian). Some of these highly effective remedies for stomach ailments have been made by the same family for generations and many are based on traditional formulas that have been in use for more than two thousand years.
First, let’s look at a medicine that treats a common travelers’ illness: diarrhea. Continue to the next page to learn how Chinese medicine can relieve this uncomfortable condition.
For more about traditional Chinese medicine, treatments, cures, beliefs, and other interesting topics, see:

Archive for the ‘Cough’ Category

Different type of cough and how to get rid of it

In medical terminology cough is a reflex which is stimulated by irritation of the respiratory mucosa in the lungs, trachea (windpipe) or the pharynx (throat region). In fact it’s a body’s mechanism to clear the airways of contaminants, so we can’t stop this this mechanism. This term looks very simple but it can cause a lot of problems as it may leads to chronic and they cause one so much harm if not dealt with as required. Moreover there are millions of reasons for people to develop cough and the symptoms are also different depending on the people.
Categories: 
Mainly cough is categorized into two categories, productive or non-productive commonly described as dry or chesty respectively. Also the type of cough has a directly impacts on the type of medication your child will need.

Dry Coughs (Non-Productive): 
The name itself is self-explanatory however it is described as “irritating” or, as mentioned earlier, “dry”. The main reason of this cough is not due to an infection, although this must be considered along with other symptoms.  If this condition persists for a long time then it will be considered as chesty (productive) cough.

Treatment patterns for cancer in Western Australia: does being Indigenous make a difference?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To examine whether hospital patients with cancer who were identified as Indigenous were as likely to receive surgery for the cancer as non-Indigenous patients.

DESIGN, SETTING AND PATIENTS:

Epidemiological survey of all Western Australian (WA) patients who had a cancer registration in the state-based WA Record Linkage Project that mentioned cancer of the breast (1982-2000) or cancer of the lung or prostate (1982-2001).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

The likelihoods of receiving breast-conserving surgery or mastectomy for breast cancer, lung surgery for lung cancer, or radical or non-radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer were compared between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations using adjusted logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS:

Indigenous people were less likely to receive surgery for their lung cancer (odds ratio [OR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41-0.98). Indigenous men were as likely as non-Indigenous men to receive non-radical prostatectomy (OR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.40-1.17); only one Indigenous man out of 64 received radical prostatectomy. Indigenous women were as likely as non-Indigenous women to undergo breast-conserving surgery (OR, 0.86; 95% CI, 0.60-1.21).

CONCLUSIONS:

These results indicate a different pattern of surgical care for Indigenous patients in relation to lung and prostate, but not breast, cancer. Reasons for these disparities, such as treatment choice and barriers to care, require further investigation.
Diagnosed With Cancer?

diagnosis of cancer, or even a suspicion of cancer is darn fearful. You reflect on friends or family who died of cancer. Of all the celebrities who got cancer, gradually deteriorated and died. (Other than Suzanne Somers who went alternative, thrived, survived, and wrote a book about it.) Even every TV show or movie featuring someone with cancer has them dying at the end.
So it’s no wonder research shows that cancer is the most feared disease in the world along with being the most feared word too. How could it not be - given these circumstances?
It may not be so fearful to you if you've been told to come here to read this information by someone who beat a stage 4 cancer by using the cancer fighting strategies covered on this website. Otherwise, it’s no wonder that you’re afraid and skeptical. How could you not be?
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In fact, the knowledge in this report is at such odds with what your doctor tells you about cancer, most people reading this page will not go on to read this entire report. It sounds too good to be true.
So one of the biggest issues that you have to wrap your mind around is the obvious thought, “If the information in this report, and the supplements recommended, are so good, why isn’t everyone using them.”
It’s a good question. The answer at its most fundamental level is money and secondarily, that it takes a great deal of time for new ways to fight disease to be
accepted
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It doesn’t have to be this way. One reason we make this report as long as we do is that the more you understand, the more ways you learn to beat cancer, the more testimonials you read, the more this will sink into you.
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Many readers have told us this report is the best information they have found on cancer. It is written in an easy-to-read style a lay-person can understand.
Much of this is information your doctor can't tell you, or doesn't know. For example, you'll learn about a 14-month informal study of one type of supplement where 51 out of 65 patients with stage 4 cancer became cancer-free when they added it on to their regime.
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This information applies to all types of cancer—because the fundamental causes of cancers are the same. It is not that all cancers have the same cause. They don't. But your cancer is caused by at least a few of the 11 causes we cover in this report. Click on the Protocols link and you'll be able get to a specific protocol for your particular cancer. You will learn which are the best supplements to use for that cancer. The top supplements are usually the same, but we optimize them for you.
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