Melanoma and early detection

The word cancer strikes fear in most people. Skin cancer or skin neoplasm are named after the type of cells from which they arise. Melanoma which originates from the pigment producing cells (melanocytes) is the least common but the most aggressive and likely to spread leading to fatalities.

Most cases are caused by over-exposure to UV (ultra-violet) light from the sun, sometimes unavoidable, or from sunbeds which is by choice and avoidable. Most of the UV light from the sun are filtered by the ozone layer in the atmosphere but some gets through.

Unfortunately there is such a thing as ozone hole where the concentration of ozone is much reduced. Ozone holes are over the north pole and south pole. Australia is near the south pole and thus Australian residents are more susceptible to over exposure to UV and thus have higher risks of getting skin cancer.

If you are familiar with Australia you probably would have heard of "Slip Slop Slap", the term for that sun protection campaign very prominent in Australia in the 80s.

It is important for early detection of melanoma as then it has a high chance for a cure. Late detection could mean the cancer has already spread to other parts of the body and would be much difficult. It would be wise for Australian to get frequent medical checkup which includes screening for melanoma.

Ear Logic: Natural Remedy for Hearing Loss?

Neurosensorial hearing loss or sensitivity reduction is said to be the result of damages and even death of ear sensory hair cells/receptors in the ear. Ear Logic, a Korean company has claimed that by subjecting the ear to stimulation of sound at frequencies where hearings are affected can rejuvenate the hair cells thus leading to restoration of hearing without medication or surgical intervention.

My hearing in the higher frequency range has been affected. I am currently undergoing trials whereby I listen at the lowest possible sound level to recorded sounds in a MP3 for the left ear for 30 to 40 minutes twice a day everyday.

Seemed simple enough but what present a bit of difficulty was setting the lowest sound level at which I could just hear the sound. The instruction was to adjust the sound to a level whereby the sound is inaudible then gradually increasing the sound level till I was just able to hear it.

I found the above a bit difficult as I could not be sure at what point the sound could just be heard. What I did was some experimenting. I set the sound level at a low level then repeatedly switching the sound off then on as it was easier to distinguish the difference between hearing the sound on being first switched on then to start from a low sound level and slowing increasing it.

What I have determined is I currently can just hear the sound at level 24. How many dB it is, I will try to find out. The trial has just started a few days again and hoping there will be good news to share.

Leg wraps may save stroke victims

Inflatable leg wraps may be the natural remedy for stroke victims as well as for immobile patients (deep vein thrombosis).

Doctors at Western General Hospital and the University of Edinburgh conducted a trial with 2,876 patients and found that patients who uses cheap leg wraps have fewer blood clots. Prof Martin Dennis said: "At last we have a simple, safe and affordable treatment that reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis and even appears to reduce the risk of dying after a stroke.

Deep vein thrombosis refers to a blood clot in the leg and if the clot travels to the brain,can be very dangerous. Deep vein thrombosis is likely to strike airline passengers sitting for long period during a long flight, and also immobile patients.

Prof Martin Dennis said: "At last we have a simple, safe and affordable treatment that reduces the risk of deep vein thrombosis and even appears to reduce the risk of dying after a stroke."

Dr Dale Webb of the Stroke Association charity said the results of this research are extremely encouraging and show that using a compression device on the legs of patients at risk of developing blood clots could be an effective treatment and has potential to save thousands of lives. He would like to see it incorporated into national clinical guidelines.

"This new device has the potential to save thousands of lives and we would like to see it incorporated into national clinical guidelines."

Leg wraps are inflatable devices regularly inflated with air to squeeze the legs, improves blood circulation and forces blood back to the heart. They can easily be bought at Amazon at low prices:



Source: Leg wraps raise hopes of saved lives after stroke

Back (Spine) care guide in pictures.

Right ways on the left of the spine in the picture, wrong ways to avoid on the right:

Sime Darby Medical Centre Back Care Guide

Sime Darby Medical Centre Back Care Guide recommends that you treat your back (spine) with respect. Avoid bad habits and back strain.

Sime Darby Medical Centre Rehabilitative Services Back Care Guide

Back (spine) care guide

Do's

Bend your legs and not your badt Keep your spine as vertical as possib|e. If necessary, bend your knees. Keep loads close to your body. When load is heavy, seek HELP.

Change standing position often. If you must stand for long periods, use a small footrest to shift your weight. Stand upright with head up and baok straight.

Walk with good posture, chin tucked in, head high and toes pointing forward. Wear comfortable, low heeled shoes.

Sit straight and move car seat forward so that the knees are level with the hips. Support your lower back, use a rolled-up towel or lumbar support.

Support your back's 'lumbar curve' to reduce pressure on the spinal disks using a lumbar support or rolled-up towel. Your seat should be at a height that put your thighs parallel to the floor.

Sleep on a bed with a firm spring mattress and base. When sleeping on your side, bend knees so that they touch
the top of each other or if on your back, place a pillow under your knees.

Don't

Don't bend forward at the waist or twist while lifting heavy loads. Avoid holding load at arm's length. Don't lift load above shoulder level. These positions produce tremendous strain on the spine.

Don't stand too long in one position. Avoid bending over with legs straight. Don't walk slouching forward. Don't wear high heels when walking or standing for long periods.

Don't drive sitting too far back from the wheel. Stretching for the pedals and wheels produces strain.

Don't slump. Avoid sitting too far from your work or on a chair that's too high. Don't lean forward and arch your back.

Avoid sleeping on your stomach as it will cause swayback and back strain. Don't sleep or lounge of soft non-supporting mattresses or cushions.

How to make kefir cheese

Kefir is touted to be a health drink. It can also be made into kefir cheese.

To make kefir cheese, culture kefir with the grains a little longer than usual and until it separates. When it separates into curds and whey, stir it up and strain out the grains. Then let it sit on the counter for up to a week. It should separate again fairly quickly if your house is warm. The longer you leave it, the thicker the curds will get. Then you can use cheesecloth (I use a "nut mylk bag") to strain out more whey until you get the consistency you like.

Okra: Natural remedy for constipation, acid reflux and others

Here is a very good example of food as medicine. From an email forward:

A guy has been suffering from constipation for the past 20 years and recently from acid reflux. He didn't realize that the treatment could be so simple -- OKRA! (or Lady's Finger). He started eating okra within the last 2 months and since then have never taken medication again. All he did was consume 6 pieces of OKRA everyday.

He's now regular and his blood sugar has dropped from 135 to 98, with his cholesterol and acid reflux also under control. Here are some facts on okra (from the research of Ms. Sylvia Zook, PH.D nutrition), University of Illinois.

28 days challenge - tummy reduction

Experts says fats around the tummy (visceral fat) are the most dangerous which can increase one's chances of getting cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, inflammatory diseases and other obesity related diseases.

Here is mine as of 10 April 2012:



and my current weight is 60kg which I want to reduce to 55kg, my weight when I was younger.

They also says that the way to cut down on waist circumference is to reduce weight by burning more calories than we eat. So let me try to cut my waistline my own way while I wait for Dr Mike Dow Diet Rehab book to arrive (and finish reading).

Update 19 April 2012: Weight now 59kg, thus lost 1kg so far just by eating less and normal exercise by doing everyday activities

Update: 2 July 2012: Weight now 57.5kg. So lost 1.5kg since last update. Haven't been exercising much, spending most of the time sitting in front of computer and getting only "finger exercises".