Environmental factors play a quintessential role in affecting our health. Fresh air, fresh food and fresh water, not only strengthen our body and mind but also make our life worth living. Contrary to this bad environment hampers the quality of life. This is the main reason why people from hill stations or the countryside seem to be healthier than those living in polluted urban cities. Following are the environmental factors that affect your health:

Polluted air

The health effects of polluted air are several. Not many people know that one-third of the deaths are caused because of strokes, lung cancer and heart failure. Air pollution is the chief reason behind these chronic ailments. The other life-threatening diseases caused by polluted air is- asthma or bronchitis. Smoke from machines, vehicles outside, and stoves, the burning of fuels inside can cause breathing problems and wheezing. 

Dirty environment

A dirty environment often leads to the breeding of insects and bacteria that become carriers of life-threatening diseases such as dengue, typhoid, diphtheria, malaria, and so on. Most of the diseases mentioned here are caused by mosquitoes that thrive on stagnant water.

Toxic food ;

The environmental quality of a region has a direct impact on the food produced in that area. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food faces the danger of becoming toxic if the environment it is being grown in is polluted. For eg- chemical wastes that are often dumped in water bodies cause the seafood in that area to become highly toxic.

Chemical pollutants

Cancer nowadays is becoming a household disease. The major reason behind this is that technological development has brought new categories of pollutants. Many of these contain chemicals and compounds that are carcinogenic in nature. This ultimately leads to the development of cancer in most people. 

Climate change and natural calamities

Change in climate disrupts the functioning of nature in many ways that further impact the health of humans. These changes include- the natural temperature of the planet, heavy rainfalls and sandstorms. The numerous impacts of climate may result in a high risk of nervous and respiratory diseases. ;

Hence protecting the environment is extremely important for the life of a human being. The change will come after taking small steps. Numerous small steps can really make a difference. 

 ;

 

 ;

Environmental Factors That Affect Health

When abnormal cells grow inside the brain and are in the form of a mass the condition is called a brain tumour. There are various types of brain tumours that exist. Some of the brain tumours which exist are malignant or cancerous while other may be non-cancerous. A brain tumour can begin in any part of the brain and spread to other parts of the body or vice-versa. The growth rate of brain tumours is different for each individual suffering from it. As per studies, every 2 in 1, 00, 000 people are said to be affected by a brain tumour in india. However, it may come as a relief to some as not all brain tumours are cancerous or life-threatening. Some are benign tumours and seldom pose any threat to the affected individual.

 

Types of brain tumor

Brain tumours may be primary or secondary.

Primary brain tumour

In this type of brain tumour, the abnormal mass of cells that originated in the brain does not metastasize to the other organs. Based on their location in the brain, the primary brain tumours may be of the following types.


	
	Gliomas: one of the most common types of primary brain tumours, gliomas can have their origin in the spinal cord or the brain. Some of the common types of gliomas include astrocytomas (originates in the cerebrum of the brain), glioblastomas (these tumours form from the astrocytes which form the supportive tissues of the brain), ependymoma (these develop from the ependymal cells which are present within the cns), oligodendrogliomas (these tumours are found to arise from the oligodendrocytes).
	
	
	Schwannomas: also called acoustic neuromas, these primary brain tumours form on the nerves that play an important role in regulating the balance and hearing from the inner ear to the brain.
	
	
	Meningiomas: these types of tumours are usually benign and have their origin in the meninges (membranes surrounding the spinal cord and the brain).
	
	
	Primitive neuroectodermal tumours (pnets): primitive neuroectodermal tumours (pnets) are rare malignant tumours that originate from the fetal (embryonic) cells in the brain.
	
	
	Pituitary adenomas: as the name suggests, these tumours arise from the pituitary gland located at the base of the brain.
	
	
	Medulloblastomas: common among children, these malignant primary tumours develop in the brain (lower back) and gradually spread via the spinal fluid.
	


Other types of primary brain tumours include craniopharyngiomas and germ cell tumours.

Secondary brain tumours ;

Unlike the primary brain tumours, these tumours have their origin in the other body parts and organs (mostly in the lungs, skin, colon, breast, and kidney) and then gradually metastasize to the brain. Secondary brain tumours are found to be more common.

 

What Are The Different Types Of Brain Tumours?

Blood donation is a process that is carried out when a person voluntarily offers for blood to be extracted from his body. There are countless myths about blood donation that need to be squashed and awareness is the only way of doing it.

While blood donation brings multiple health benefits to both the donor and recipient, some facts are known to only a few. These facts will not only open doors to endless possibilities, but will make people feel confident about it.

Facts

Here are some lesser-known facts about blood donation- every person should know-

 


	
	Approximately 112.5 million units of blood are collected from blood donation globally.
	
	
	Around 30 million units are transfused annually.
	
	
	Any person in sound health, at least 18 years old, and weighing at least 45 kilograms can donate blood every 56 days.
	
	
	Your one unit of donated blood can save up to 3 lives.
	
	
	A, b, ab, and o are the primary blood groups. While ab is a universal recipient, o negative is a universal donor.
	
	
	The blood donation process normally takes less than 10-12 minutes.
	
	
	Donating blood does not make you physically weak or decrease your strength.
	
	
	Only 1% of india's population donates blood each year, leading to an annual deficit of two million units.
	
	
	All donated blood units are tested for diseases like hepatitis b, hepatitis c, hiv, and syphilis before transfusion.
	
	
	Red cells, plasma, cryoprecipitate, and platelets are the various types of transfusable elements derived from the blood. The procedure takes place using a method called apheresis.
	
	
	Red blood cells carry oxygen to the organs.
	
	
	Red blood cells survive for about four months in the system of circulation.
	
	
	Platelets encourage blood clotting and provide leukemia patients and other cancer patients with better treatment.
	
	
	Plasma is a pale yellow combination of proteins, salts, and water.
	
	
	Plasma is 55 percent of the volume of blood and 90 percent water.
	
	
	White cells are the chief defense of the body against infections.
	
	
	There is no alternative for blood donation as blood cannot be manufactured.
	
	
	You cannot contract aids or other infectious diseases due to blood donation.
	


Lesser Known Facts About Blood Donation

Type 1 diabetes occurs when your pancreas is unable to produce enough insulin to keep the blood sugar ;levels under control. The condition, if not managed properly, can lead to related health disorders and complications, both long-term and short-term.

Health problems arising from type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes can have severe effects on your eyes, kidney, nervous system, and heart health. The most common ailments associated with type 1 diabetes may include the following-

1. Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the eyes, which occurs when the blood vessels in the retina (tissue present at the back of your eyes) are damaged. The walls of the retina gradually weaken from increasing blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and this leads to leakage of blood or fluid into the nearby tissues.

Early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include-


	
	Blurred vision
	
	
	Floaters
	
	
	Difficulty perceiving colors
	


2. ;Diabetic neuropathy

Diabetic neuropathy unfolds when the nerves are damaged due to type 1 diabetes. The condition mostly affects your feet and legs. Reduced blood circulation due to high blood glucose impedes normal wound healing in the extremities, hence, even a minor bruise ;can develop into a permanent injury.

Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy are-


	
	Numbness
	
	
	Reduced sensation
	
	
	Severe, debilitating pain in the extremities
	


3. Diabetic nephropathy

Also known as ;diabetic kidney disease, the condition is a slow deterioration of the kidney and its ability to function properly. In severe cases, where the levels of blood glucose are extremely high due to type 1 diabetes, diabetic nephropathy can ultimately result in kidney failure ;or end-stage renal disease (esrd).

The following are the symptoms of diabetic nephropathy-


	
	Dark urine
	
	
	Swollen ankles, feet, eyes, or hands
	
	
	Shortness of breath
	


4. Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases refer to a range of heart conditions including blood clots and diseased blood vessels. High blood glucose levels resulting from type 1 diabetes can contribute to the deposition of fat in the walls of the blood vessel. Over time, this may restrict the flow of blood and put you at risk of cardiovascular disorders such as coronary artery disease, stroke, or even ;heart attack.

Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases widely vary, ranging from palpitations ;to chest pain. Sometimes, such a condition may not exhibit any symptoms at all.

Type 1 diabetes complications are related to poor management of blood glucose. The best way to monitor the condition and control the symptoms is to get in touch with your doctor. A specialist in this field can prescribe the correct treatment and help prevent the onset the related health disorders.

Complications Associated With Type 1 Diabetes

The moment you are diagnosed with a tumour, the first thing your doctor will do is find out whether the tumour is benign or malignant   this will determine the course of your treatment. In simple words, benign means non-cancerous while malignant means cancerous.

Benign cancer

When tumour cells grow at a normal pace, it is known as benign or non-cancerous growth. In the case of benign cancer, the cells grow slowly and do not spread to other parts of the body or invade the adjacent tissues. Most often, these do not exhibit serious symptoms or pose a threat to your health. So, they are not a cause of concern. However, sometimes a benign tumour can press against nerves, tissues or the blood vessels, causing pain and discomfort.

Some common types of benign cancer are  


	
	Adenomas
	
	
	Fibromas or fibroids
	
	
	Hemangiomas
	
	
	Lipomas
	


Benign tumours, although tend to be harmless, may need to be operated. This is true for tumours that have grown to become large and weigh heavy. When these develop in the brain and cluster around to press against block channels or vital organs, the condition can be potentially dangerous. Moreover, certain types of non-cancerous tumours like intestinal polyps are precancerous   meaning they have the potential to turn cancerous. ;Surgery to remove this type of tumour can help prevent it from becoming malignant.

Malignant cancer

Malignant cancer refers to cancerous tumours that can potentially be fatal. Unlike benign cancer, malignant cancer progresses quickly and metastasizes to invade other organs, tissues or parts of the body.

Here are a few examples of tumours that are cancerous in nature  


	
	Carcinoma
	
	
	Sarcoma
	
	
	Germ cell tumour
	
	
	Blastoma
	


A tumour that has turned malignant, or has spread through the lymphatic system or bloodstream, may require aggressive treatment. Based on the stage of cancer, your ;oncologist will devise a treatment plan that might include immunotherapy, ;radiation therapy, chemotherapy ;or surgery.

Being diagnosed with a tumour can be hard to deal with. To find out if the tumour is benign or malignant, consult a specialist and discuss your concerns.

Benign Cancer Vs Malignant Cancer: Know The Difference!

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

Don't wait any longer, manage your Maruthuvam Specialist online with a Lybrate doctor today

Consult for Maruthuvam Specialist - Online and Easy!

FilterClear All

COMMON SPECIALITIES

COMMON ISSUES