High sugar levels can harm your body and impact the quality of life. However, you can manage your ;sugar levels by keeping a check on your nutritional intake.

Manage Your Diabetes By Keeping A Check On Your Nutritional Levels

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

Headaches are extremely common   we all are familiar with mild or persistent throbbing ;pain. A number of conditions can result in headaches. Some of these include  


	
	Fatigue
	
	
	Lack of sleep
	
	
	Stress/tension
	
	
	An underlying condition, like migraine ;or sinusitis
	


Recent studies have revealed a lesser-known cause for headaches   ;hypertension, or what is commonly referred to as high blood pressure.

The connection between hypertension and headaches

Hypertension occurs when the force of the blood circulation in the arteries is elevated   this particular condition can lead to steady pain throughout the head, particularly at the back of the head or in forehead.

Hypertension-induced headaches usually affect both sides of the head, particularly the temple regions. However, a person may not even realize that the headaches he/she is experiencing are induced by high blood pressure.

Since hypertension is an asymptotic condition, it is often referred to as  the silent killer . When blood pressure rises above 180/110, the condition is known as  hypertensive emergency .

Different types of hypertension leading to headaches

There are three types of hypertension conditions that are followed by mild to severe headaches:


	
	Malignant hypertension- this refers to a sudden, rapid increase in blood pressure that calls for medical attention. This is more common among young adults and women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.
	
	
	Idiopathic ;intracranial hypertension- it is characterized by elevated blood pressure around the brain. Symptoms include vision problems, nausea, ;shoulder pain, thumping noise in the ears, and severe headaches.
	
	
	Hypertensive encephalopathy- this is an extreme condition of high blood pressure, which leads to swelling in the brain. A person with this condition experiences severe headache that becomes worse.
	


Uncontrolled hypertension can be dangerous   headaches induced by such a condition could also become frequent or worsen over time. However, with proper medications and certain lifestyle changes, high blood pressure can be kept under the normal measure. Once your blood pressure normalizes, the headaches will disappear in no time.

How Are Hypertension And Headaches Related?

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

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!

Your body needs some cholesterol to produce hormones and vitamins that help in digestion. Two types of lipoproteins   ldl cholesterol and hdl cholesterol   are responsible for carrying cholesterol to and from the cells in your body.

Hdl or high-density cholesterol is good cholesterol. It carries bad cholesterol away from the arteries and other body parts back to the liver to be processed by the liver.

Ldl or low-density cholesterol, also known as the bad cholesterol, contributes to fatty build-ups within the arteries. This results in narrowing of the arteries and increases your risk of cardiovascular diseases like pad, heart attack, or even stroke.

Although there are medications to bring down ldl cholesterol levels, your doctor may recommend using therapeutic lifestyle changes to see how well your cholesterol levels can be managed without medications.

How to reduce  bad  cholesterol naturally

You can lower ldl cholesterol levels naturally with the following measures  

Diet and weight loss

Being obese or overweight not only increases the odds of developing high ldl levels but also contributes to cardiac diseases and chronic conditions. Studies suggest that losing even a little weight may help reduce ldl levels.

Your diet plays an important role in losing excess fat and maintaining ideal body weight. Eating the right kind of food   such as those that contain a good amount of monosaturated fats, phytosterols and soluble fibre   can help lower harmful ldl cholesterol and increase the levels of hdl cholesterol in the blood. Focus on eating whole grains, fruits and leafy vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and fatty fish.

Exercise more often

Exercising regularly, in moderate amounts, can bring down your cholesterol levels and promote weight loss. Any form of cardiovascular activity, such as cycling, running, swimming and jogging benefits your heart health. You may also turn to other forms of exercise   weight training or yoga   as they also work to decrease the levels of bad cholesterol.

Quit smoking

Smoking causes a number of chemical changes in your body. Cigarette smoke increases bad cholesterol (ldl) and triglycerides levels. This leads to the accumulation of waxy plaque, which clogs the arteries. At the same time, smoking reduces the level of good cholesterol   the one that prevents the formation of plaque in your blood. Quit smoking and turn to a healthier lifestyle to see a difference in the levels of your ldl cholesterol.

Limit alcohol consumption

According to studies, heavy alcohol consumption or drinking more than what is considered moderate significantly increases bad cholesterol, which again raises triglyceride levels and ldl cholesterol.

Lifestyle changes are the natural and first line of treatment for people with high cholesterol levels. However, if your doctor suspects these levels could put you at risk of other medical conditions, he/she might recommend medications to manage bad cholesterol.

Reduce LDL Cholesterol With These Easy Steps

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