Women Health Talk

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Ever more people are seeking a natural cure for yeast infection. Why? Mostly, these are sufferers who haven’t had much success with mainstream drug-based medications; leaving them with recurring yeast infections. And more and more people are preferring natural cures over drugs for many illnesses and conditions, wherever possible. Yeast infection is definitely one. Here, you’ll discover just why a natural cure for yeast infection can outperform drug-based treatments.

Before we look at both treatments, it’s necessary to understand what causes your yeast infection. It’s caused by the Candida albicans fungus. We can find this microscopic yeast-like fungus living quite naturally in our bodies. Normally, it causes us no problems, because it’s kept in check by our body’s friendly bacteria.

But under some circumstances, the fungus enjoys conditions that allow it to overgrow out of control. It’s this that causes your yeast infection. The circumstances are things such as; antibiotics, compromised immune system, steroids, diabetes, oral contraceptives, menstruation, pregnancy, poor diet, severe stress, drug habit, etc.

So the first port of call is your doctor, where you’ll probably be prescribed antifungal topical medications in the form of creams, pessaries, oral medications, etc. depending on the location of the symptoms. Or, many women and men get similar treatments over-the-counter.

These drug-based medications only really address the symptoms of the infection and not the root causes. And the fungus can build-up a resistance to them over time. Because of this, many people suffer horrible recurring yeast infections.

A natural cure for yeast infection, on the other hand, doesn’t have the negative aspects of drug-based treatment. And they’re much cheaper! But, a natural cure isn’t just about using a few home remedies like garlic, yogurt, apple cider vinegar. These are important, but a complete natural cure has to consider symptoms, root causes, lifestyle, diet, and more. It needs to be a complete natural treatment program.

You can get the facts on probably the most successful program, at http://how-to-get-rid-of-a-yeast-infection.blogspot.com. It has been used successfully by thousands of ex-victims around the world. This totally natural cure for yeast infection could cure your yeast infection in as little as 12 hours.

The author constantly researches health issues then writes reports on his findings so that you are perhaps more aware of the facts, and then, better able to make an informed decision on your choice of treatment and cure. Remember to always consult your doctor first. http://how-to-get-rid-of-a-yeast-infection.blogspot.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/how-a-natural-cure-for-yeast-infection-can-prevent-recurring-yeast-infections-1107614.html

If you’re wondering how to treat a yeast infection naturally without drugs you need to research as much as possible. There are very many ways to treat a yeast infection naturally. Here, you’ll discover three popular natural treatments for yeast infection to help you get started.

The symptoms of yeast infection — itching, burning, inflammation, discharge, etc. — are caused by Candida Albicans. This is a yeast fungus that we have naturally in our bodies. Our ‘good’ bacteria controls it though. Until, that is, the conditions are right for the fungus to ‘overgrow’ into an infection.

These conditions are things like; antibiotics overuse, high sugar levels through diabetes and diet, compromised immune system through illness, hormonal changes through pregnancy or menstruation, poor nutrition, etc.

Natural treatments don’t have many of the the weaknesses of drug-based treatments. For example, topical creams and pessaries etc., only attack the local symptoms not the root causes. Plus the Candida can build-up a resistance to the drugs. And natural remedies are much cheaper. Here are 3 ways to treat a yeast infection naturally…

1 - Apple cider vinegar is finding favor right now. Add a cupful to a warm bath and soak. Or, you can douche gently using a mixture of 2 tablespoons to 2 quarts of warm water.

2 - Perhaps the most effective natural treatment is garlic. You can apply crushed garlic directly, or, wrap a peeled clove in muslin to form a tampon. Use this nightly until the symptoms go.

3 - Plain yogurt is also very popular. Apply directly to the area, or, cover a tampon with it and use overnight until the symptoms disappear. But it must be plain, unsweetened and with no added preservatives.

These are three effective ways to treat a yeast infection naturally. Remember, though, that a proper long term cure needs to address a range of issues including the symptoms, root causes, diet, lifestyle, etc. Rather than just one or two home remedies, you need to think about a totally natural, end-to-end, treatment program.

You can get the facts on a highly successful program here; http://how-to-get-rid-of-a-yeast-infection.blogspot.com. It’s extremely popular, with thousands of happy ex-sufferers around the world. You could be yeast infection free in a matter of hours.

The author constantly researches health issues then writes reports on his findings so that you are perhaps more aware of the facts, and then, better able to make an informed decision on your choice of treatment and cure. Remember to always consult your doctor first. How to Get Rid of a Yeast Infection Naturally.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/how-to-treat-a-yeast-infection-naturally-without-expensive-drugs-1107624.html

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American women.  In 2009, approximately 194,280 patients are estimated to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 62,280 with carcinoma in situ.  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 79,500 women underwent breast reconstruction surgery post-mastectomy in 2008.  Approximately 70% of these women had their breast(s) reconstructed with expander/implant(s), whereas the other 30% had autologous breast(s) reconstructed by one of the various flap procedures.  

Expander/implant procedures are relatively safe and simpler to perform, and take approximately two hours of operative time per breast.  During the first surgery, often done at the same time as the mastectomy, an expander is inserted underneath the pectoralis (chest) muscle.  Patients usually stay overnight in the hospital for strong pain medications (narcotics) given in the intravenous line.  The next day or the following day, when the pain can be controlled with pain medications by mouth, then the patient may go home.  Over the next few months, the expander is inflated gradually in the plastic/reconstructive surgeon’s office.  Eventually, when the desired size is achieved, the patient returns to the operating room to have the expander(s) removed and replaced with implant(s).  Complications in breast reconstruction are approximately three-fold higher than in breast augmentation (implant done for cosmetic purpose).  Reconstruction patients, especially those undergoing radiation therapy, experience numerous problems, with capsular contracture being the most common.   In 2008, more than 14,000 procedures were performed in reconstruction patients to remove the original implants.  Even in successful cases, implants do need to be replaced (by surgery) periodically. 

In contrast to implants, autologous breast(s) reconstructed by one of the various flap procedures are meant to last “forever”.  Flap procedures generally require lengthy, more complex and costly operations, 4-5 day hospital stays, and 4-6 weeks of outpatient rehabilitation.  The patient’s own tissue from the donor site (abdomen, back or buttock) is brought in to fill the void left by the mastectomy, above the pectoralis chest muscle.  The choices are: 1) free TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous) flaps from the abdomen, 2) pedicled TRAM, 3) free DIEP (deep inferior epigastric perforator) flaps from the abdomen, 4) pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps (from the back), and 5) free gluteal flaps (from the buttock).  “Free” flaps mean that the flap blood vessels have to be re-connected with blood vessels in the chest using microsurgical techniques, and the plastic/reconstructive surgeon needs to have this special training.  “Pedicled” means that the flap tissue retains its original blood supply, and no microsurgical reconnection is needed.   The patient then has one or more permanent large scar(s) at the donor site(s) and depending on the type of procedure performed, some experience physical impairment.  

The decision for reconstruction is complex, and highly individualized.  The patient should be well informed and think carefully about her priorities.  Sometimes, the patient may be better served by dealing with the cancer first, and delaying the reconstruction surgery until all cancer treatments are finished.  Other times, it may be most efficacious to combine mastectomy with immediate reconstruction in one operation.

Dr. Mai Brooks is a surgical oncologist/general surgeon, with expertise in early detection and prevention of cancer. More at www.drbrooksmd.com, thecancerexperience.wordpress.com and progressreportoncancer.wordpress.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/breast-cancer-reconstruction-1107700.html

Breast cancer is divided into five stages.  Stages 0-2 are considered “early”, stage 3 considered “advanced”, and stage 4 “late”.  Staging categories are important for predicting future prognosis, and determine optimal treatment recommendations.

Stage 0 is DCIS, or ductal carcinoma in situ.  Breast cancer arises from the cells that line the milk ducts.  When the cancerous cells are still contained inside the duct, it is diagnosed as DCIS.  This can only be determined by a pathologist doctor looking at the tissue under a microscope.  In general, when the DCIS lesion is small, there is no need to suspect cancer spread outside the breast.

Stage 1 is invasive or infiltrating cancer.  Here, the cancer cells have broken through the duct wall and are found outside the ducts as well.  In this case, doctors need to determine whether the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.  Stage 1 breast cancer must be equal or smaller than 2 cm in its invasive component, AND have no spread to lymph nodes.  Often, the tissue removed at surgery contain DCIS in addition to the invasive cancer.  However, only the dimensions of the invasive cancer count.  If the patient needs to have multiple surgeries and the invasive cancer is found at more than one operation, usually the dimensions are added together to arrive at the final size.

Stage 2 has two subcategories.  In stage 2A, the invasive cancer can be 2 cm or less and has spread to axillary (armpit) lymph node(s), i.e. positive node(s).  Also, the invasive cancer can be as large as 5 cm, but has not spread to lymph nodes, i.e. negative nodes.  In stage 2B, the invasive cancer is between 2cm and up to 5 cm and has spread to nodes.  Here, cancer may measure even larger than 5 cm if it has not spread to nodes.

Stage 3 includes invasive cancer larger than 5 cm that has spread to lymph nodes.  Also, cancer of any size that heavily involves the axillary lymph nodes to the point that these nodes are bulky and stuck together or stuck to other structures in the axilla (armpit) are in this stage.  Tumor spread to lymph nodes either above or below the clavicle bone, or to nodes underneath the sternum (breast bone), also falls into this category.  Furthermore, if the cancer of any size is attached to the chest wall (pectoralis muscle and/or ribs), it qualifies as stage 3.  Inflammatory cancer, where the skin of the breast is red and swollen, is classified in this stage, regardless of size.

Stage 4 is invasive cancer found outside the breast and axillary lymph nodes, or “metastatic” to distant sites.  At this stage, it does not matter how large the primary cancer in the breast is.  Nor does it matter whether axillary/clavicle/breast bone lymph nodes have cancer or not.  The most common sites for metastasis for breast cancer are bone and liver, followed by lungs and brain.  Standard testing include bone scan and CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis.  More recently, PET scan is often done to look for cancer spread.  Sometimes, a brain MRI or CT is also useful.

Dr. Mai Brooks is a surgical oncologist/general surgeon, with expertise in early detection and prevention of cancer. More at www.drbrooksmd.com, thecancerexperience.wordpress.com and progressreportoncancer.wordpress.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/women’s-health-articles/breast-cancer-stages-1107704.html