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!

Yoga is the answer for a lot of aspects which everyone desires, such as a peaceful mind, a strong and flexible body and healthy, glowing skin. Yoga is not simply a set of exercises but a lifestyle. Yoga is a complete workout for the body and mind and is a combination of stretching along with deep breathing and meditation. It is a way of keeping yourself fit without doing strenuous workouts and lifting heavyweights. When practising yoga, asanas and nutrition go hand in hand to improve your quality of life. Your digestive system, immunity and energy levels are directly linked to the food you intake. If there is a problem with any of these, yoga asanas can help resolve it.

 

Yoga helps in maintaining overall fitness

 ;

Yoga ensures that you are healthy in the true sense. Health is like a dynamic expression of life based on how happy, loving and enthusiastic you are in life. The various postures of yoga help in maintaining overall fitness, and balance both your mind and body in an ideal way.

 

Yoga boosts immunity

 ;

A combination of asanas and yogic breathing techniques can help boost your immunity. Some asanas to try include viparita karani, bhujangasana, matsyasana and adho mukha svanasana. These poses help lower stress and boost immunity by pumping rich oxygenated blood to all the parts of the body.

 

Yoga always keeps you energetic

 ;

Yoga asanas help increase blood flow and increase the heart's capacity to pump blood through the body. A few yoga poses that can boost energy are the camel pose, tree pose and warrior asana.

 

Yoga relieves stress

 ;

Doing yoga every day is a good way of eliminating the stress that you experience in daily life. It refers to both physical and mental stress. Certain yoga postures, meditation, and pranayama are ideal practices for getting rid of stress.

 

Yoga keeps you calm

 ;

Yoga is very essential for calming your disturbed and troubled mind.

Moreover, yoga poses massage your organs and help in strengthening your muscles. The various breathing exercises and meditation forms associated with yoga are great for releasing unwanted, undesirable stress from your system. 

 ;

Yoga keeps the digestive system strong

 

Yogic asanas such as the spinal twist, apanasana and paschimottanasana can help smoothen the digestive process.

Why Yoga Is Important For Everyone?

Atherosclerosis refers to a medical condition in which the arteries become hardened and narrowed due to the accumulation of cholesterol plaque in the walls of the artery, obstructing the flow of blood.

What are the causes?

Atherosclerosis is a slow but progressive disorder that starts with the damage of endothelium   cells lining the interior surface of lymphatic and blood vessels. This allows bad ldl cholesterol to build up in the artery walls. Over time, a plaque made of calcium, macrophages, and cholesterol grows to a certain size to clog up arteries, disrupting blood flow around the body.

Other factors leading to atherosclerosis to include  

High blood pressure

High levels of triglyceride in the blood

High cholesterol levels

Certain medical conditions   diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance

Smoking/use of tobacco

Inflammatory conditions like lupus and arthritis

Symptoms of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis may develop in childhood or during adolescence. Mild conditions may not reveal observable symptoms unless the arteries are clogged, and blood supply to the tissues and organs are restricted.

Signs of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on the affected arteries   it could be the arteries leading to your brain, your heart, legs and arms, or the kidney. The symptoms of atherosclerosis include  

Weakness and fatigue

Difficulty breathing/concentrating

Headaches

Facial numbness

Paralysis

Vomiting

Chest pain

Anxiety

Loss of appetite

Swelling in the feet and hands

If any of the above symptoms seem familiar to you, consult a doctor right away for treatment.

Can atherosclerosis be prevented?

The best way to avoid cholesterol plaque from building up in the artery walls is to prevent the onset of atherosclerosis with these preventive measures.

Eat healthy   avoid eating foods that are rich in saturated fats   red meat, butter and cheese. These increase your cholesterol levels drastically. Instead, include foods that contain unsaturated fats, like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, nuts and seeds because these help to keep ldl or bad cholesterol levels down.

Stay active   exercising and staying active can help regulate your cholesterol levels and prevent certain conditions that might put you at risk for atherosclerosis.

Quit smoking   people who smoke should quit smoking because it is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis   it increases blood pressure, which in turn, affects your cholesterol levels.

Atherosclerosis can lead to complications. With precautionary measures and proper treatment, the condition can be avoided.

Know All About Atherosclerosis Here

Urinary tract infections (uti) can occur anywhere in the urinary system   the bladder, kidneys, urethra, and ureter. Most of these infections affect the lower part of the urinary system   urethra and the bladder.

An infection ;confined to the bladder can be frustrating and painful. You may experience pain during urination, and pus or blood in the urine. However, the condition becomes worse if the infection spreads to the upper part of the urinary system, particularly to the kidneys, triggering nausea, ;vomiting, and severe pain in the back.

If uti is left untreated, it can potentially lead to kidney damage   a condition known as pyelonephritis.

How does untreated uti affect the kidneys?

Untreated urinary tract infections can cause the kidneys to swell up and damage them permanently. The infections initially begin in the lower tract of your urinary system. Then the bacteria slowly enter your body through the urethra and begin multiplying and spreading up to the bladder. The bacteria eventually travel to your kidneys through the ureters.

Some people are at higher risk for kidney damage due to urinary tract infections. This includes  


	
	Pregnant women
	
	
	Elderly people
	
	
	People with kidney problems
	
	
	Someone with a weak immune system
	


Signs to watch out for

An untreated infection in the bladder that has spread to the kidneys is associated with symptoms, such as the following  


	
	Chills and ;fever
	
	
	Vomiting and nausea
	
	
	Pain in either side of your lower back
	


You should visit a doctor right away if you notice the above uti symptoms. The condition requires immediate medical intervention in order to prevent damage to your kidneys.

Symptoms of painful utis can be managed by combining medications and lifestyle remedies. Consult a specialist to diagnose the condition early and seek appropriate treatment to avoid complications.

Untreated Urinary Tract Infections And Kidney Damage: Know The Connection

The world celebrates world blood donor day on the 14th of june to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary and unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gift of blood. 

Importance of blood donation

The importance of donating blood is not only to save the lives of thousands of people who are deprived of life but also to save the lives of many more who are affected by the various diseases. ;

 

It has also been seen that when people; e have donated their blood, they have gained many health benefits as it helps in weight loss, helps maintain healthy liver and iron levels, it helps reduce the risk of heart attack and cancer. ;

 

A blood donation can save a life of- ;


	
	Victims of natural disasters, including earthquakes
	
	
	Patients with hemophilia, sickle cell disease, or cancer
	
	
	People who suffer traumatic injuries from being in a car accident
	
	
	Surgery patients
	
	
	Shooting or stabbing victims
	
	
	Women who suffer complications during childbirth
	


 

Blood types that are needed most

It s good to donate if you re healthy. However, there s always a need for specific blood and plasma which are universal and can be used when a patient blood type is unknown. For newborn infants or if a patient's particular blood type is unavailable.

 ;


	
	Type o negative blood is always needed because it can be used in patients regardless of their blood type.
	
	
	Type ab positive plasma can also be transfused to patients with other blood types. 
	


 ;

Donations are constantly needed

Because of their short shelf life of 5 days after being collected, platelet donations are constantly by the blood blank. Red blood cells also have a short shelf life and needed to be used within 42 days after the collection. Cryoprecipitate and plasma can be frozen and stored for up to a year after donation.


 

Some misconceptions about blood donations


	
	The donor will not experience any kind of pain while donating. ;
	
	
	There will be no scarcity of blood in the body after donating the blood as even after the donation the body will have a surplus quantity of blood. 
	
	
	The common misconception everyone has is that they will faint after donating their blood. ;
	
	
	You will be able to resume your everyday activity immediately after donating the blood. 
	
	
	You will not get infected with aids if you donate your blood. ;
	


 

Donating blood is a great way to give back to your community and potentially save a life by only giving up an hour of your time.

World Blood Donor Day: How Can We Save Life By Donating Blood?

Potassium is one of the seven essential macrominerals found in a variety of foods, including legumes, fish, and leafy vegetables. The mineral plays a vital role in various body functions, such as regulating water balance, heart functioning, and muscle contractions.

Potassium deficiency can lead to weakness, ;fatigue, and constipation. It is therefore important that you include potassium-rich foods in your daily ;diet.

However, keep in mind that taking in more than the required amount of potassium can do more harm than good to your body.

How much should you take in and why?

As per the world health organization, the recommended daily intake of potassium for adults is between 3500mg and 4700mg, as it is safe to consume. When taken in recommended measures, a potassium-rich diet can have some impressive benefits on your overall health. It may reduce or prevent a host of health problems.


	
	Lower high blood pressure
	
	
	Helps eliminate salt insensitivity
	
	
	Reduces your chances of getting a ;stroke by 7%
	
	
	Helps prevent osteoporosis and minimizes the risk of bone fractures
	
	
	Alleviates the risk of ;kidney stones
	


Natural foods are the best source of this mineral. However, you may also turn to supplements, as per your healthcare provider s recommendation.

How much is too much?

Despite its health benefits, potassium should be consumed within the prescribed limit. Going overboard can cause excess potassium to be stored in your blood, and your kidneys may not be able to filter the excess amount   this condition could possibly lead to hyperkalemia. If your potassium levels are between 5.1mmol/l and 6.0mmol/l, you might be at risk of hyperkalemia. Higher than 6.0mmol/l level is considered dangerous   you will need to monitor and manage the condition in order to avoid the risk.

Potassium is essential for bodily functions. A healthy diet and overall eating patterns are important for maintaining good health and keeping illnesses at bay. Be sure to meet your recommended daily intake and avoid exceeding 4700mg of potassium daily. If you are looking to include supplements, talk to your doctor and make sure you stick to the prescribed dosage.

How Safe Is Potassium For Your Health?

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