A brain tumor is a common scenario these days. With around 40, 000 to 50, 000 cases per year, india has seen exponential growth in the numbers. However, understanding that brain tumors can be prevented or treated in various ways is important. Early detection of the tumor makes treatment and surgery easier and more effective. Signs usually include headaches, nausea, vomiting, facial paralysis, and sleep disturbance.

There are numerous myths and misconceptions among the general public about brain tumors. This leads to delays in seeking treatment. Some popular myths and facts about brain tumors are-

Myth: everyone has the same type of brain tumor

Fact: over 120 types of brain tumors are detected to date. They are differentiated based on the size, cell of origin, location, and grade of tumors.

Myth: everyone with a brain tumor has similar symptoms

Fact: not all persons show the same symptoms. They can have diverse signs depending on the condition. Some may even have seizures.

Myth: all tumors are cancerous in nature.

Fact: while not all tumors are cancerous in nature, brain tumors can be cancerous or benign depending on the condition.

Myth: only old people are susceptible to brain tumors

Fact: brain tumors can happen to people of any age. Moreover, some tumors are relatively more common in young adults. Brain tumors like medulloblastoma can also appear in children. Most lethal brain tumors like  glioblastoma mutiformae  can develop in adolescents and old people.

Myth: lifestyle modification can keep brain tumors away.

Fact: lifestyle changes have no role in preventing brain tumors. However, a workout, a nutrient-rich diet with high fiber content, and no smoking, no tobacco or alcohol consumption are good for overall health.

Myth: brain tumors are genetic.

Fact: it is not true that if no one in the family had a tumor, even you can t. Genetic mutations are too few to cause cancer. 90- 95% of cancer is by mutations that develop during an individual s life.

Myth: life gets back to normal as soon as the treatment is done in a patient.

Fact: benign tumors rarely recur. However, the cancerous tumors may recur posing a challenge to the doctor and the patient.

 

Myths And Facts Associated With Brain Tumour

Air pollution affects the overall health of a human being. Whether it comes out of exhaust fumes from cars and factories or smoke from burning stubble air pollution, it is a cause of major concern. The effects of this can be seen in the growing number of asthma and other respiratory diseases. These diseases affect adults and children alike, however, it is the younger generation and elderly people who are more susceptible. Hence, it is extremely important to care about the quality of the air you breathe in. 


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What is the significance of the air quality index (aqi)?

The air quality index is a visual representation of pollutant levels in the air around you. A quick glance at this colour coded map can tell you if the air outside your home is likely to harm you or not. The code is broken down into 6 levels ranging from green which signifies minimal impact to red which marks pollution levels that can harm a healthy person and seriously impact those who are already ill. The higher the aqi, the higher the level of air pollution.

 

What are the steps to reduce air pollution?

Simply talking about how there need to be stricter laws about car emissions and the burning of waste will not help you. Here are a few things you can do to protect yourself and your family from the ill-effects of air pollution.


	
	Carpool: exhausts from cars and other vehicles are one of the biggest causes of air pollution. Do your part to reduce air pollution by restricting the amount you use your car. Try taking public transport to work or carpooling with colleagues. Similarly, avoid making individual trips every time you need something from the market. Make a list and when it s long enough, then step out.
	
	
	Limit indoor pollution: do not smoke indoors. When cooking, keep the exhaust fan on so that the smoke produced does not collect indoors. Avoid spraying air fresheners etc. While they may temporarily make the air smell fresh, in the long run, they contribute to air pollution.
	
	
	Use public transport try to use public transport and avoid the use of personal vehicles.
	


How to protect yourself from air pollution


	
	Refrain from morning walks routines to later hours.
	
	
	Use n95/99 face masks whenever you step out.
	
	
	Use air-purifying plants to purify the air around your surroundings.
	
	
	Ventilate your kitchen, and bathroom to keep yourself away from air pollution.
	
	
	Restrict outdoor activities for kids if there is a high level of air pollution
	
	
	Use air-purifiers in your surroundings.
	
	
	Try to take steam with a few drops of eucalyptus oil every day.
	
	
	Keep your car s environment fresh.
	
	
	Ventilate your home, open your windows and doors and allow the air to circulate during mid hours.
	
	
	Eat jaggery (aka gurr) to flush out pollutants from your lungs.
	
	
	Consume a diet rich in vitamin c, omega fatty acids
	


Hence, the other way to cut down this pollution is by bringing significant lifestyle changes in our daily living. Cutting down the number of diesel and petrol vehicles can also prove helpful. People should shift to cng and electric vehicles for daily commuting. These efforts, if practiced on a regular basis, can bring a huge decrease in pollution.

Air purifiers can also be a healthy option for indoor purposes.

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Why Should You Care About Air Quality?

Preeclampsia is a condition that affects women during pregnancy. It is characterized by increased blood pressure and high levels of protein in the urine. Women with preeclampsia also experience swelling in the feet, legs, and arms.

Researchers suspect that excessive body fat or poor nutrition are the primary contributors to preeclampsia and eclampsia.

If left undetected, preeclampsia can lead to a more severe complication, known as eclampsia. Eclampsia can put you and your baby at risk, and can even lead to death (in rare cases).

How do preeclampsia and eclampsia affect the mother?

Preeclampsia and eclampsia can cause a host of complications for the mother, such as the following  

Hellp syndrome   hellp syndrome refers to three different conditions   low platelet count, elevated liver enzymes, and haemolysis. This generally occurs late in pregnancy and affects the processing of rbc, functioning of the liver, and blood clotting.

Seizures

Heart and renal failure

Water in the lungs

Bleeding from the liver

Reversible blindness

Effects of preeclampsia and eclampsia on the baby

Preeclampsia can lead to problems with the placenta in the initial stage of pregnancy. This may pose risks, including the following to the baby  

Lack of nutrients and oxygen, which may prevent the foetus to grow properly

Preterm birth

Stillbirth   this happens when the placenta is separated from the uterine wall

Infant death

Stillbirths are more common when the mother has suffered from a severe form of preeclampsia, like hellp syndrome.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia are linked to a myriad of health issues and life-long challenges for prematurely born babies. These may include cerebral palsy, learning disorders, epilepsy, deafness and blindness.

There is no particular cure for preeclampsia and eclampsia. Treatment, however, depends on how close you are to your due date, and how much the foetus has developed. In the case of mild preeclampsia, your doctor may recommend resting, healthy eating   that limits salt intake   and regular prenatal checkups.

Effects Of Preeclampsia And Eclampsia On You And The Baby

As the name suggests, kidney cancer, also known as renal cancer, starts in the kidneys. It occurs when the healthy kidney cells grow out of control and become malignant to form cancerous tumours. ;Renal cell carcinoma is the most common type of cancer affecting the kidneys  here cancer begins in the lining of the tubes of your kidney.

Risk factors of kidney cancer

The exact cause of kidney cancer is not known. However, studies suggest that certain factors can make you susceptible to renal cancer. These include  


	
	Smoking
	
	
	Overuse of certain medications
	
	
	Excessive body weight
	
	
	Genes/heredity
	
	
	Gender   men rather than women are prone to kidney cancer
	
	
	An underlying health condition, such as ;high blood pressure
	


Early signs of kidney cancer

The symptoms of renal or kidney cancer depend on its types. In most cases, the disease does not exhibit noticeable symptoms in its early stages. This makes the diagnosis of cancer difficult. However, the signs become more apparent and observable as cancer starts to metastasize. You should watch out for these signs of kidney cancer -


	
	Bouts of blood in the urine   a condition commonly known as haematuria
	
	
	Pain on one side of the lower back (near the kidneys)
	
	
	A lump or mass on the lower back or side, where your kidneys are located
	
	
	Loss of appetite
	
	
	Tiredness or ;fatigue
	
	
	Unintentional weight loss
	
	
	Fever ;that does not cure in days
	
	
	Anaemia   low count of the red blood cells
	
	
	In men, a cluster of enlarged veins called varicocele may develop around the testicles (particularly around the right testicle), indicating the presence of a large tumour
	


Often, these symptoms are mistaken for those of other conditions or diseases. Therefore, it is important to consult a specialist.

If you encounter the above symptoms, or if you are concerned about any changes that you have been experiencing lately, talk to your healthcare provider. A doctor will enquire about the symptoms and might ask you questions related to these signs   how long have you been experiencing them, or how severe is the pain etc. This is crucial for early diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer.

Know How To Detect Kidney Cancer Early

World brain tumor day is observed on the 8th of june every year. The german brain tumor association initially took this initiative and it is celebrated worldwide to educate people about the brain tumor. 

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What is brain tumor? 

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When abnormal cells grow inside the brain and are in the form of a mass the condition is called a brain tumor. There are various types of brain tumors that exist. Some of the existing brain tumors are malignant or cancerous while others may be non-cancerous.

 

A brain tumor can begin in any part of the brain and spread to other parts of the body or vice-versa. The growth rate of brain tumors is different for each individual suffering from it.

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What are the symptoms of a brain tumor? 

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If a person is suffering from a brain tumor he/she may be exhibiting the following symptoms: 


	
	Headaches in the morning after waking up, while sleeping
	
	
	The headaches will get worse after coughing and sneezing
	
	
	Vomiting
	
	
	Change in the mental functioning
	
	
	Confusion
	
	
	Clumsiness
	
	
	Effect on the memory
	
	
	Loss of balance
	
	
	Numbness or tingling sensation on one side of the body
	
	
	Trouble in speaking
	
	
	Blurred vision
	
	
	A person might have seizures without any previous history of neurological disease
	


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Risk factors of a brain tumor 

There are some risk factors that increase the risk of brain tumors in individuals


	
	The risk of brain tumors increases with age.
	
	
	This condition can also be inherited from the family however, the chances are only 5 to 10 percent.
	
	
	The risk of brain tumors increases in people who have been exposed to ionizing radiation.
	
	
	If a person is exposed to certain chemicals then they have an increased risk of suffering from a brain tumor.
	



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Treatment of brain tumor

 

The treatment of brain tumors depends on the location, size, and type of the tumor. The general health of the patient is also taken into consideration. The treatment which is common for brain tumor is surgery. The objective of the surgery is to remove as much of the tumor as possible without damaging the other parts of the brain. For surgery to take place the tumors must be located within the area of limits of the surgery.

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Doctors may suggest the following treatments according to the type, grade, and position of tumor and the general health of the patient.

 


	
	Surgery
	
	
	Radiation therapy
	
	
	Chemotherapy
	
	
	Anti-seizure medicines
	
	
	Steroids
	
	
	Ventricular peritoneal shunt
	
	
	Combination of treatments
	


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World Brain Tumour Day: All About Brain Tumour- Risk Factors, Symptoms And Treatments

All types of viral hepatitis diseases are contagious and they can be transmitted from one person to another easily. Although, the modes of transmission may vary.

 

Experts recommend some preventive steps for every type of infection to lower your risk of acquiring or spreading hepatitis infection.

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Here are some preventive measures that may help in preventing the infection:

 

Vaccines

Vaccines for hepatitis a and hepatitis b are the best ways to prevent these viruses. Vaccines are not for all types of hepatitis infections. However, hepatitis a vaccination can help prevent the infection caused by the hepatitis a virus. The hepatitis a vaccine is generally administered in 2 doses. Similarly, there are vaccines available for hepatitis b as well. It is administered within 6 months duration. The same vaccine is helpful to prevent hepatitis d as well. There are no vaccines for hepatitis c and hepatitis e currently.

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Reducing exposure

Hepatitis diseases can be transmitted through bodily fluids, water, and food containing the infection. One can lower the risk of contamination by minimizing contact with these agents. Practicing proper and good hygiene is a way to avoid getting hepatitis through these mediums.

 

You can decrease your risk of coming in touch with fluids containing these viruses by avoiding:

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	Sharing used needles and razors
	
	
	Using someone else s toothbrush
	
	
	Touching spilled blood
	
	
	Not using condoms and dental dams during sexual contact
	


 

Handwashing

One must trust in personal hygiene to lower the risk of spreading or acquiring the hepatitis virus. Here are some preventive steps you can follow by washing hands:

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	Washing your hands thoroughly after accessing the restroom
	
	
	When you get in touch with an infected person's blood, or stool
	
	
	After daycare routine for caretakers
	
	
	After a diaper change, and before serving food.
	


 

Avoiding contaminated consumption:

Contaminated or infected food and water may become the primary causes of hepatitis infection. One should take these precautions to avoid any contaminated consumption of food or water:

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	Avoid eating raw shellfish
	
	
	Beware of fruits that have been washed in contaminated water
	
	
	Avoiding unhygienic street vendors
	
	
	Use bottled water for brushing or oral cleaning in areas where clean water is not available
	
	
	Bringing the water to a 1-minute boil is a must in doubtful areas
	
	
	Heated food to be eaten right away
	


Hepatitis: Some Ways To Prevent Yourself

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