Melanoma Awareness and Prevention.

The month of May is considered the National Melanoma Skin Cancer Prevention Month. The main objective of this is to raise awareness about skin cancer, and increasing the probabilities of early detection so treatments can be given early.  

The month-long awareness program commences on a Melanoma Monday, an annual awareness day, which is the first Monday in the month of May every year. The Melanocytes (cells that produce the pigment- melanin) are generally where the Melanoma begins. It is one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer. But if detected early, it is highly treatable.

Preventive Measures of Melanoma

It is mostly caused by exposure to the sun’s UV light. Although nowadays man-made tanning beds and sun lamps have also been the major cause of melanoma. There are a number of things we can do to prevent ourselves and our families from skin cancer.

Every time you step outside or use a tanning bed your skin is exposed to harmful UV light. This can not only cause premature skin aging but also increases the risk of getting skin cancer.

Wear sunscreen with a high SPF (15-50). Preferably use a sunscreen that has a broader spectrum (against UV-A rays and UV-B rays). Apply enough quantity (1 ounce), every 2 hours. Stay in shade during the afternoon (11 am – 4 pm), to avoid the high intensity of UV exposure.

Use clothing, a broad-brimmed hat, and UV-blocking sunglasses to cover up your skin. Do not use indoor tanning beds. They cause sixty-five percent of melanomas amongst the youth. Protect children especially from the sun; a small amount of sunburn in childhood can cause melanoma in the future. Make children aware of sun safety.

 Anomalous Moles

It is easy to detect. The ABCDE method suggested by the American Academy of Dermatology (ADA) can be used to pinpoint melanoma signs:

A: Asymmetry (one half is not like the other)

B: Border (rough and poorly defined boundaries)

C: Color (different from one area to another; shades of tan, brown and black; sometimes red, white or blue)

D: Diameter (usually about the diameter of a pencil (6mm), or smaller)

E: Evolving (a mole or skin gash that is changing in size, shape, and color)

Strengthen the Immune System

The risk of getting skin cancer increases a lot by having a weakened immune system. Uses of Intravenous drugs, HIV-AIDS are some factors that weaken the immune system.

The above precautions and safety measures can reduce the risk of Melanoma to a great extent. Since early detection of Melanoma is very beneficial and durable, it is important to be on the lookout for any suspicious mole. Increasing awareness is the only way this can be done.

Watch what you eat

When the skin is exposed to UV exposure high quantities of free radicles are generated, which are unstable which damages the DNA and skin cells causing inflammation. This damage can lead to mutations which eventually lead to cancer.

Various studies have shown that substances called antioxidants, including vitamins. So, it makes sense that replenishing these protective substances by adding them to your diet could boost weakened defenses. Taking food supplements to enrich your diet might be effective to some extent, but nothing works better than those fresh foods which are rich in these compounds. Given below are some selected compounds that could help and foods that provide them.

Beta Carotene: This nutrient gives you certain health benefits by converting to vitamin A in the body. Studies have shown that diets high in beta carotene-rich fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some cancers. Beta carotene also enhances the immune system’s capability to combat disease. 

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New Possibilities for Parkinson’s Cure Through Marijuana

Over the last few decades, Parkinson’s disease has seen a rise in recognition, thanks to a section of media and various events that promote Parkinson’s disease awareness. However, we still have to go a long way to aware more people about the disease.

Way back in 1000 BC, traditional Indian records described the symptoms of the disease. Since then, till date around 10 million people worldwide now live with Parkinson’s disease. While the exact reason of the disease is yet to be known, most of the researchers believe that abnormalities in some genes elevate the chance of the disease, and the most common genes that are related to the disease are PARK2, LRRK2, Glucocerebrosidase. But, till date, no one knows how to prevent the disease or how to get rid of it. While age is a very big factor of Parkinson’s, head injury and many chemicals such as insecticides, pesticides, Agent Orange (famous for Vietnam War), MPTP also trigger the chance of the deadly disease.

People with Parkinson’s have a higher risk of developing few complications, and they are,

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer, that has been found to develop often in people who are already diagnosed with Parkinson’s. However, knowing how to spot melanoma can help to take preventive measures. Additionally, early detection melanoma can result in nearly 100 percent cure rate.

Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension is another deadly complication that can be observed in patients with Parkinson’s. In this complication, blood pressure drops within three minutes of standing. Few medications, heart diseases, and dehydration increase the risk of the Orthostatic Hypotension. Parkinson’s is one such disease which damages the nervous system and can result to non-releasing of norepinephrine, a chemical which helps the blood to reach brain. Without this chemical brain doesn’t get the necessary blood supply that eventually results to dizziness.

Pseudobulbar Affect is uncontrollable outbursts of crying or laughing. These outbursts can be quite intense and most of the times do not match the situation and this lasts from seconds to few minutes or even may occur several times a day. What is more worrying that people often mistake PBA with depression or bipolar disorder. This effect can also develop in people with brain injury, and up to 25pecent of Parkinson’s patient develop PBA.

However, recently a great enthusiasm can be seen from the research community to study medical marijuana’s effect on this disease. Though most of the researchers and experts believe that there might be some positive effects of marijuana on few patients, has not yet been proven that it can help patients directly.

Some researchers think that cannabis is neuroprotective, and saves neurons from damages caused by Parkinson’s. Various molecules of cannabis help to treat slowness and excess movement caused by the disease. However, till date, researchers haven’t got any solid evidence that cannabis can benefit those who are affected by Parkinson’s. . Despite some positive results, the marijuana effects are not completely understood, that’s why more studies are needed.

According to various surveys most of the neurologists have been asked to prescribe medical marijuana, but as its health benefits are proven till date, most of the physicians hesitate to prescribe medical marijuana. Read more..

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New Possibilities for Parkinson’s Cure Through Marijuana