Common Stresses & Cures

What is stress?

Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure.

Pressure turns into stress when you feel unable to cope. People have different ways of reacting to stress, so a situation that feels stressful to one person may be motivating to someone else.

Many of life’s demands can cause stress, particularly work, relationships and money problems. And, when you feel stressed, it can get in the way of sorting out these demands, or can even affect everything you do.

Stress can affect how you feel, think, behave and how your body works. In fact, common signs of stress include sleeping problems, sweating, loss of appetite and difficulty concentrating.

You may feel anxious, irritable or low in self esteem, and you may have racing thoughts, worry constantly or go over things in your head. You may notice that you lose your temper more easily, drink more or act unreasonably.

You may also experience headaches, muscle tension or pain, or dizziness.

Stress causes a surge of hormones in your body. These stress hormones are released to enable you to deal with pressures or threats – the so-called "fight or flight" response. 

Once the pressure or threat has passed, your stress hormone levels will usually return to normal. However, if you're constantly under stress, these hormones will remain in your body, leading to the symptoms of stress.

Managing stress in daily life

Stress is not an illness itself, but it can cause serious illness if it isn't addressed. It's important to recognise the symptoms of stress early. Recognising the signs and symptoms of stress will help you figure out ways of coping and save you from adopting unhealthy coping methods, such as drinking or smoking.

Spotting the early signs of stress will also help prevent it getting worse and potentially causing serious complications, such as high blood pressure.

There is little you can do to prevent stress, but there are many things you can do to manage stress more effectively, such as learning how to relax, taking regular exercise and adopting goodtime-management techniques.

Studies have found that mindfulness courses, where participants are taught simple meditations across a series of weeks, can also help to reduce stress and improve mood.

Read more about mindfulness.

When to see your GP about your stress levels

If you've tried self-help techniques and they aren't working, you should go to see your GP. They may suggest other coping techniques for you to try or recommend some form of counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy.

If your stress is causing serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, you may need to take medication or further tests.

Mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and depression, are the reason for one-in-five visits to a GP.

Recognising your stress triggers

If you're not sure what's causing your stress, keep a diary and make a note of stressful episodes for two-to-four weeks. Then review it to spot the triggers.

Things you might want to write down include:

• the date, time and place of a stressful episode
• what you were doing 
• who you were with
• how you felt emotionally 
• what you were thinking 
• what you started doing 
• how you felt physically 
• a stress rating (0-10 where 10 is the most stressed you could ever feel)

You can use the diary to:

• work out what triggers your stress 
• work out how you operate under pressure 
• develop better coping mechanisms

Doctors sometimes recommend keeping a stress diary to help them diagnose stress.

Take action to tackle stress

There's no quick-fix cure for stress, and no single method will work for everyone. However, there are simple things you can do to change the common life problems that can cause stress or make stress a problem. These include relaxation techniques, exercise and talking the issues through.

Get stress support

Because talking through the issues is one of the key ways to tackle stress, you may find it useful to attend a stress management group or class. These are sometimes run in doctors’ surgeries or community centres. The classes help people identify the cause of their stress and develop effective coping techniques.

Ask your GP for more information if you're interested in attending a stress support group. You can also use the search directory to find emotional support services in your area.

Read how 'workaholic' Arvind learned to deal with stress.

What is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can develop following a traumatic event that threatens your safety or makes you feel helpless.
Most people associate PTSD with battle-scarred soldiers—and military combat is the most common cause in men—but any overwhelming life experience can trigger PTSD, especially if the event feels unpredictable and uncontrollable.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can affect those who personally experience the catastrophe, those who witness it, and those who pick up the pieces afterwards, including emergency workers and law enforcement officers. It can even occur in the friends or family members of those who went through the actual trauma.
PTSD develops differently from person to person. While the symptoms of PTSD most commonly develop in the hours or days following the traumatic event, it can sometimes take weeks, months, or even years before they appear.

Traumatic events that can lead to PTSD include:

War Natural disasters Car or plane crashes Terrorist attacks Sudden death of a loved one	Rape Kidnapping Assault Sexual or physical abuse Childhood neglect
Or any shattering event that leaves you stuck and feeling helpless and hopeless

The difference between PTSD and a normal response to trauma

The traumatic events that lead to post-traumatic stress disorder are usually so overwhelming and frightening that they would upset anyone. Following a traumatic event, almost everyone experiences at least some of the symptoms of PTSD. When your sense of safety and trust are shattered, it’s normal to feel crazy, disconnected, or numb. It’s very common to have bad dreams, feel fearful, and find it difficult to stop thinking about what happened. These are normal reactions to abnormal events.
For most people, however, these symptoms are short-lived. They may last for several days or even weeks, but they gradually lift. But if you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the symptoms don’t decrease. You don’t feel a little better each day. In fact, you may start to feel worse.

A normal response to trauma becomes PTSD when you become stuck

After a traumatic experience, the mind and the body are in shock. But as you make sense of what happened and process your emotions, you come out of it. With post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), however, you remain in psychological shock. Your memory of what happened and your feelings about it are disconnected. In order to move on, it’s important to face and feel your memories and emotions.

Signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can arise suddenly, gradually, or come and go over time. Sometimes symptoms appear seemingly out of the blue. At other times, they are triggered by something that reminds you of the original traumatic event, such as a noise, an image, certain words, or a smell.
While everyone experiences PTSD differently, there are three main types of symptoms:

1. Re-experiencing the traumatic event
2. Avoiding reminders of the trauma
3. Increased anxiety and emotional arousal

Symptoms of PTSD: Re-experiencing the traumatic event

• Intrusive, upsetting memories of the event
• Flashbacks (acting or feeling like the event is happening again)
• Nightmares (either of the event or of other frightening things)
• Feelings of intense distress when reminded of the trauma
• Intense physical reactions to reminders of the event (e.g. pounding heart, rapid breathing, nausea, muscle tension, sweating)

Symptoms of PTSD: Avoidance and numbing

• Avoiding activities, places, thoughts, or feelings that remind you of the trauma
• Inability to remember important aspects of the trauma
• Loss of interest in activities and life in general
• Feeling detached from others and emotionally numb
• Sense of a limited future (you don’t expect to live a normal life span, get married, have a career)

Symptoms of PTSD: Increased anxiety and emotional arousal

• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hypervigilance (on constant “red alert”)
• Feeling jumpy and easily startled

Other common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Anger and irritability Guilt, shame, or self-blame Substance abuse Feelings of mistrust and betrayal

Depression and hopelessness Suicidal thoughts and feelings Feeling alienated and alone Physical aches and pains

Symptoms of PTSD in children and adolescents

In children—especially those who are very young—the symptoms of PTSD can be different than the symptoms in adults. Symptoms in children include:

• Fear of being separated from parent
• Losing previously-acquired skills (such as toilet training)
• Sleep problems and nightmares without recognizable content
• Somber, compulsive play in which themes or aspects of the trauma are repeated
• New phobias and anxieties that seem unrelated to the trauma (such as a fear of monsters)
• Acting out the trauma through play, stories, or drawings
• Aches and pains with no apparent cause
• Irritability and aggression

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) causes and risk factors

While it’s impossible to predict who will develop PTSD in response to trauma, there are certain risk factors that increase your vulnerability.
Many risk factors revolve around the nature of the traumatic event itself. Traumatic events are more likely to cause PTSD when they involve a severe threat to your life or personal safety: the more extreme and prolonged the threat, the greater the risk of developing PTSD in response. Intentional, human-inflicted harm—such as rape, assault, and torture— also tends to be more traumatic than “acts of God” or more impersonal accidents and disasters. The extent to which the traumatic event was unexpected, uncontrollable, and inescapable also plays a role.

Other risk factors for PTSD include:

Previous traumatic experiences, especially in early life Family history of PTSD or depression History of physical or sexual abuse History of substance abuse

History of depression, anxiety, or another mental illness High level of stress in everyday life Lack of support after the trauma Lack of coping skills

Getting help for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

If you suspect that you or a loved one has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it’s important to seek help right away. The sooner PTSD is confronted, the easier it is to overcome. If you’re reluctant to seek help, keep in mind that PTSD is not a sign of weakness, and the only way to overcome it is to confront what happened to you and learn to accept it as a part of your past. This process is much easier with the guidance and support of an experienced therapist or doctor.
It’s only natural to want to avoid painful memories and feelings. But if you try to numb yourself and push your memories away, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) will only get worse. You can’t escape your emotions completely—they emerge under stress or whenever you let down your guard—and trying to do so is exhausting. The avoidance will ultimately harm your relationships, your ability to function, and the quality of your life.

Why Should I Seek Help for PTSD?

• Early treatment is better. Symptoms of PTSD may get worse. Dealing with them now might help stop them from getting worse in the future. Finding out more about what treatments work, where to look for help, and what kind of questions to ask can make it easier to get help and lead to better outcomes.
• PTSD symptoms can change family life. PTSD symptoms can get in the way of your family life. You may find that you pull away from loved ones, are not able to get along with people, or that you are angry or even violent. Getting help for your PTSD can help improve your family life.
• PTSD can be related to other health problems. PTSD symptoms can make physical health problems worse. For example, studies have shown a relationship between PTSD and heart trouble. By getting help for your PTSD you could also improve your physical health.

Source: National Center for PTSD

Treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Treatment for PTSD relieves symptoms by helping you deal with the trauma you’ve experienced. Rather than avoiding the trauma and any reminder of it, treatment will encourage you to recall and process the emotions and sensations you felt during the original event. In addition to offering an outlet for emotions you’ve been bottling up, treatment for PTSD will also help restore your sense of control and reduce the powerful hold the memory of the trauma has on your life.
In treatment for PTSD, you’ll:

• Explore your thoughts and feelings about the trauma
• Work through feelings of guilt, self-blame, and mistrust
• Learn how to cope with and control intrusive memories
• Address problems PTSD has caused in your life and relationships

Types of treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for PTSD and trauma involves carefully and gradually “exposing” yourself to thoughts, feelings, and situations that remind you of the trauma. Therapy also involves identifying upsetting thoughts about the traumatic event–particularly thoughts that are distorted and irrational—and replacing them with more balanced picture.
• Family therapy. Since PTSD affects both you and those close to you, family therapy can be especially productive. Family therapy can help your loved ones understand what you’re going through. It can also help everyone in the family communicate better and work through relationship problems caused by PTSD symptoms.
• Medication is sometimes prescribed to people with PTSD to relieve secondary symptoms of depression or anxiety. Antidepressants such as Prozac and Zoloft are the medications most commonly used for PTSD. While antidepressants may help you feel less sad, worried, or on edge, they do not treat the causes of PTSD.
• EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) incorporates elements of cognitive-behavioral therapy with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation, such as hand taps or sounds. Eye movements and other bilateral forms of stimulation are thought to work by “unfreezing” the brain’s information processing system, which is interrupted in times of extreme stress.

Finding a therapist for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

When looking for a therapist for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seek out mental health professionals who specialize in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. You can start by asking your doctor if he or she can provide a referral to therapists with experience treating trauma. You may also want to ask other trauma survivors for recommendations, or call a local mental health clinic, psychiatric hospital, or counseling center.
Beyond credentials and experience, it’s important to find a PTSD therapist who makes you feel comfortable and safe, so there is no additional fear or anxiety about the treatment itself. Trust your gut; if a therapist doesn’t feel right, look for someone else. For therapy to work, you need to feel respected and understood. To find a trauma therapist, see the Resources and References section below.

Help for veterans with PTSD

If you’re a veteran suffering from PTSD, combat stress, or trauma, there are steps you can take to begin the recovery process and deal with your symptoms. To learn more, see PTSD in Military Veterans.

Self-help treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Recovery from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a gradual, ongoing process. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, nor do the memories of the trauma ever disappear completely. This can make life seem difficult at times. But there are many things you can do to cope with residual symptoms and reduce your anxiety and fear.

PTSD self-help tip 1: Reach out to others for support

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can make you feel disconnected from others. You may be tempted to withdraw from social activities and your loved ones. But it’s important to stay connected to life and the people who care about you. Support from other people is vital to your recovery from PTSD, so ask your close friends and family members for their help during this tough time.
Also consider joining a support group for survivors of the same type of trauma you experienced. Support groups for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can help you feel less isolated and alone. They also provide invaluable information on how to cope with symptoms and work towards recovery. If you can’t find a support group in your area, look for an online group.

PTSD self-help tip 2: Avoid alcohol and drugs

When you’re struggling with difficult emotions and traumatic memories, you may be tempted to self-medicate with alcohol or drugs. But while alcohol or drugs may temporarily make you feel better, they make post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) worse in the long run. Substance use worsens many symptoms of PTSD, including emotional numbing, social isolation, anger, and depression. It also interferes with treatment and can add to problems at home and in your relationships.

PTSD self-help tip 3: Challenge your sense of helplessness

Overcoming your sense of helplessness is key to overcoming post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Trauma leaves you feeling powerless and vulnerable. It’s important to remind yourself that you have strengths and coping skills that can get you through tough times.
One of the best ways to reclaim your sense of power is by helping others: volunteer your time, give blood, reach out to a friend in need, or donate to your favorite charity. Taking positive action directly challenges the sense of helplessness that is a common symptom of PTSD.

Positive ways of coping with PTSD:

Learn about trauma and PTSD Join a PTSD support group Practice relaxation techniques Pursue outdoor activities

Confide in a person you trust Spend time with positive people Avoid alcohol and drugs Enjoy the peace of nature

PTSD self-help tip 4: Spend time in nature

The Sierra Club in the United States offers wilderness expeditions for veterans who have served in recent wars such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Anecdotal evidence suggests that pursuing outdoor activities like hiking, camping, mountain biking, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and skiing may help veterans cope with PTSD symptoms and transition back into civilian life.
It’s not just veterans who can benefit from spending time outdoors. Anyone with post-traumatic stress disorder can benefit from the relaxation, seclusion, and peace that come with being in the natural world. Focusing on strenuous outdoor activities can also help challenge your sense of helplessness and help your nervous system become “unstuck” and move on from the traumatic event. Seek out local organizations that offer outdoor recreation or teambuilding opportunities.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the family

If a loved one has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it’s essential that you take care of yourself and get extra support. PTSD can take a heavy toll on the family if you let it. It can be hard to understand why your loved one won’t open up to you—why he or she is less affectionate and more volatile. The symptoms of PTSD can also result in job loss, substance abuse, and other stressful problems.
Letting your family member’s PTSD dominate your life while ignoring your own needs is a surefire recipe for burnout. In order to take care of your loved one, you first need to take care of yourself. It’s also helpful to learn all you can about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The more you know about the symptoms and treatment options, the better equipped you'll be to help your loved one and keep things in perspective.

Helping a loved one with PTSD

• Be patient and understanding. Getting better takes time, even when a person is committed to treatment for PTSD. Be patient with the pace of recovery and offer a sympathetic ear. A person with PTSD may need to talk about the traumatic event over and over again. This is part of the healing process, so avoid the temptation to tell your loved one to stop rehashing the past and move on.
• Try to anticipate and prepare for PTSD triggers. Common triggers include anniversary dates; people or places associated with the trauma; and certain sights, sounds, or smells. If you are aware of what triggers may cause an upsetting reaction, you’ll be in a better position to offer your support and help your loved one calm down.
• Don’t take the symptoms of PTSD personally. Common symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) include emotional numbness, anger, and withdrawal. If your loved one seems distant, irritable, or closed off, remember that this may not have anything to do with you or your relationship.
• Don’t pressure your loved one into talking. It is very difficult for people with PTSD to talk about their traumatic experiences. For some, it can even make things worse. Never try to force your loved one to open up. Let the person know, however, that you’re there when and if he or she wants to talk.

More help for PTSD

PTSD & trauma

• Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery
• PTSD in Veterans: Helping Yourself Recover from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• PTSD in the Family: Helping a Loved One or Family Member with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Traumatic Stress: How to Recover From Disasters and Other Traumatic Events
• Relaxation Techniques for Stress Relief: Finding the Relaxation Exercises That Work for You
• Suicide Prevention: How to Help Someone who is Suicidal
• Coping with a Breakup or Divorce: Moving on After a Relationship Ends

Related issues

• Depression Symptoms and Warning Signs: How to Recognize Depression Symptoms and Get Effective Help
• Anger Management: Tips and Techniques for Getting Anger Under Control
• Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse: Signs, Symptoms, and Help for Drinking Problems
• Overcoming Drug Addiction: Drug or Substance Abuse Treatment, Recovery, and Help

Resources and references

General information about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder News & Research – Overview of the latest research on PTSD, including its causes, risk factors, and promising new treatments. (National Institute of Mental Health)
Myths and Facts About PTSD – Learn the truth behind common misconceptions about PTSD. (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Alliance)

Signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Self-Test – Online self-test for PTSD to help you evaluate your symptoms. (Anxiety Disorders Association of America)
The Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: Chronic and/or Delayed – Description of PTSD’s many symptoms, including withdrawal, avoidance, isolation, and flashbacks. (PTSD Support Services)
Common Reactions – Find information on some common reactions to trauma, including anger, nightmares, sleep problems, avoidance, and depression. (National Center for PTSD)

Treatment and self-help for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Treatment of PTSD – Guide to the treatments for PTSD, including cognitive therapy, exposure therapy, and EMDR. (National Center for PTSD)
Self-Help and Coping – Series of articles on how to cope with PTSD in healthy ways that promote healing and recovery. (National Center for PTSD)

Helping a loved one with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Returning from the War Zone: A Guide – Advice for service members and their families on what to expect and how to adapt after returning home from war. (National Center for PTSD)
Partners with PTSD – Article for the friends and family members of people with PTSD. Includes an explanation of symptoms and what you can do to help. (Gift from Within)

Finding help and support for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Finding a Therapist – Advice on how to find a therapist for PTSD treatment. Includes questions to ask a potential therapist. (National Center for PTSD)
How to Choose a Therapist for Post-Traumatic Stress and Dissociative Conditions – Tips on choosing a therapist and treatments for PTSD. Includes a phone number for referrals. (The Sidran Institute)

Help for U.S. veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Vet Centers offer free counseling to combat veterans and their families. To find out more about the resources and benefits available to you, you can also call the VA Health Benefits Service Center at 1-877-222-VETS.
 for a nationwide directory of facilities for veterans, including VA hospitals and Vet Centers, provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
VVA’s Guide on PTSD – Advice for combat veterans on how to get help and claim military benefits. (Vietnam Veterans of America)
VA Aid & Attendance Pension – Often overlooked benefits for veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing and undressing or taking care of the needs of nature.

Help for other nations’ veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Canadian veterans: visit Operational Stress Injury Social Support (OSISS) or call 1-800-883-6094 to talk to a peer who has been through similar experiences.
UK veterans: visit Combat Stress or call the 24-hour helpline 0800 138 1619.
Australian veterans: visit Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) or call 1800 011 046.

Trauma therapist referral

For help locating a trauma therapist in the U.S., treatment center, or support group in your area, contact the Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute at (410) 825-8888.

• In Canada, visit Canadian Mental Health Association.
• In the UK, visit UK Trauma Group.
• In Australia, contact Australian Centre for Posttraumatic Mental Health.
• In other countries, visit International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies for more resources.

Authors: Melinda Smith, M.A., and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D. Last updated: December 2014.

Sewage sludge contains millions of dollars worth of gold

Engineers have analysed the contents of sewage sludge to discover that in a city of a million people, there’s as much as $13 million worth of valuable metals, including gold and silver.

A new study has estimated that if you take all the sewage sludge produced by a population of 1 million - so, what’s left behind when all the toilet water, storm run-off, and industrial waste that ends up in our drains is treated - you’ll find over $2.5 million worth of gold and silver, plus other metals worth millions more.

It’s been known for years that sewage sludge contains a bunch of metal. In fact, it’s considered a nuisance because if any of these metals have reached toxic levels, this sludge can’t be deposited into streams or used as industrial fertiliser (60 percent of sludge produced in America ends up feeding its farms), and has to be deposited as landfill, which can be pricey. But until now, no one had really considered that this metal could actually be worth something.

A team at Arizona State University (ASU) in the US decided to investigate, gathering sludge samples from all over the country, and identifying all the different kinds of rare-earth elements and minor metals within, using a mass spectrometer. 

"For a community of 1 million people, metals in biosolids were valued at up to US$13 million annually,” they conclude in a paper published in Environmental Science & Technology. "A model incorporating a parameter to capture the relative potential for economic value from biosolids revealed the identity of the 13 most lucrative elements with a combined value of US $280/ton [907 kg] of sludge.” That equates to about $8 million in a hypothetical city of 1 million people.

Those 13 most lucrative elements are silver, copper, gold, prosperous, iron, palladium, manganese, zinc, Lawrencium, aluminium, cadmium, titanium, gallium, and chromium. Warren Cornwall reports at Science Magazine that, rather than anyone pooping them out like a grotesque spin on Aesop’s famous goose, these metals wind up in our sewers thanks to "mining, electroplating, electronics and jewellery manufacturing, or industrial and automotive catalysts”.

Now, before anyone gets too excited - seriously, contain yourselves! - there’s likely never going to be a practical method for extracting every last speck of those valuable metals, but engineer Jordan Peccia from Yale University in the US, who was not involved in the study, told Cornwall the results could convince the waste treatment industry to adjust their disposal methods to reap some of the benefits from the runoff of society. “We’re not going to get rid of this sewage sludge. We need to make this push where we stop thinking about it as a liability and instead we think about it as a resource. And anything we can find in sewage sludge that’s valuable, it’s good.”

How to extract more value out of a city’s waste is something that scientists around the world have been increasingly interested in. Earlier this month, it was announced that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has financed the development of technology that turns untreated human waste into electricity, drinking water and ash. And a Kenyan teenager has also recently figured out how to derive value out of his school's waste - turning it into energy to fuel his school kitchen.

Cornwall reports at Science Magazine that in Suwa, a city in central Japan, a treatment plant that receives a lot of industrial runoff has already figured out that if they burn the sludge, they can extract nearly 2 kilograms of gold in every metric tonne of the resulting ash. That makes this ash "more gold-rich than the ore in many mines", he says.

Whether treatment plants around the world will find this process, or ones yet to be developed, economically viable it the question, but “We think it is,” Peccia says. 

Source: Science Magazine

Thanks http://www.sciencealert.com/

Drinking coffee may reducing type 2 diabetes risk and improving your liver health and protect against certain types of skin cancer

Coffee drinking has been associated with a raft of health benefits in recent years - such as reducing type 2 diabetes risk and improving your liver health - and just generally making us feel more alert and awake.

But now scientists from US National Cancer Institute have found that people who drink four cups of coffee day are 20 percent less likely to develop malignant melanoma than non-coffee drinkers.

The study looked at 447,357 retirees over a period of roughly 10 years, and analysed the coffee consumption of all participants, and their diet.

During the study period, 2,904 people developed malignant melanoma (the deadly kind that’s spread beyond the top layer of the skin) and 1,874 people had developed early-stage melanoma, which hasn’t yet spread.

They then assessed how much UV each participant would have bee exposed to, based on NASA data on the amount of sun each person’s hometown had received over the study period.

They also looked into how much they exercised, how much alcohol they drank, whether they smoked and also their body-mass index. 

When controlling for all those factors, as well as a family history of cancer, the researchers found that drinking at least four cups of caffeinated coffee a day still turned out to be significantly linked to a 20 percent reduction in malignant melanoma risk.

"Our study is the largest to date to evaluate this relationship," one of the researchers involved in the study, Erikka Loftfield, told Stephanie Pappas from Live Science.

The results have been published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

 This risk reduction was only significant for caffeinated coffee, not decaff, which suggests that the benefit may be coming from caffeine, but further research needs to be done on the different compounds in coffee and how they relate to skin cancer risk.

As Alice Park reports for Time: 

The roasting process of coffee beans also releases vitamin derivatives that protect against UV damage in mice. There’s also intriguing evidence that caffeine may act as a molecular sunscreen, absorbing UV rays and therefore protecting DNA from damage.

The team explains that their results now need to be repeated and verified. And, of course, the best way to avoid skin cancer is still to avoid UV exposure, Loftfield told Pappas. 

“Our results, and some from other recent studies, should provide reassurance to coffee consumers that drinking coffee is not a risky thing to do," she told LiveScience via email. "However, our results do not indicate that individuals should alter their coffee intake."

But this isn’t the first time that coffee has been shown to have a protective effect against a type of skin cancer. Back in 2012, research found that women who drank more than three cups of coffee a day had a 21 percent reduction in basal cell carcinoma risk, compared to women who only drank one cup of coffee a month. For men, the risk reduction was 10 percent.

"Most likely, the protective effect is due to caffeine," the lead author Jiali Han, from Harvard Medical School in the US, told Anna Azvolinksy over at Scientific Americanat the time.

So bottom line? Keep being sunsmart, but don’t feel bad about enjoying an iced latte while you do so.

நாம் எந்த கீரை சாப்பிட்டால் என்ன பலன் கிடைக்கும்...??

கொத்தமல்லி கீரை-----------மூளை, மூக்கு சம்பந்தமான சகல வியாதிகளும் குணமாகும். பசியைத் தூண்டும்.
அரைக்கீரை------------ நரம்பு தளர்ச்சியை போக்கும். தாய்ப்பால் பெருகும்.
வல்ளாரை---------- நினைவாற்றலை அதிகமாகும். யானைக்கால் நோய் குணமாகும்.
அகத்திக்கீரை------------- மலச்சிக்கலைப் போக்கும்.
முளைக்கீரை------------ பல் சம்பந்தமான வியாதிகளை குணமாக்கும்.
பொன்னாங்கன்னி-----------இரத்தம் விருத்தியாகும்.
தர்ப்பைப் புல்: ---------இரத்தம் சுத்தமாகும். கஷாயம் வைத்து பருகவும்.
தூதுவளை:----------- மூச்சு வாங்குதல் குணமாகும்.
முருங்கை கீரை: -------பொறியல் செய்து நெய்விட்டு 48 நாட்கள் சாட்பபிட தாது விருத்தியாகும்.
சிறுகீரை: ----------நீர்கோவை குணமாகும்.
வெந்தியக்கீரை--------: இருமல் குணமாகும்
புதினா கீரை:------ மசக்கை மயக்கம், வாந்தி குணமாகும்.
அறுகீரை:------- சளிக்காய்ச்சல், டைபாய்டு குணமாகும்.

COMMON BRAIN TUMORS IN CHILDREN AND THEIR COMMON LOCATIONS

Most childhood tumors (more than 60%) are located in the posterior fossa (the back compartment of the brain). This area is separated from the cerebral hemispheres by a tough membrane called the tentorium. The posterior fossa includes the cerebellum, the brainstem, and the fourth ventricle. Tumors in this area include medulloblastomas (also called primitive neuroectodermal tumors, or PNETs), cerebellar astrocytomas, brainstem gliomas, andependymomas. Although less common, other rare types of tumors have also been observed in this area, such as rhabdoid tumors and ganglioglioma; these are not discussed in detail below.

The remaining 30% to 40% of brain tumors occur within one of the two cerebral hemispheres or in the spinal cord. Tumors of the hemispheres include astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, craniopharyngiomas, choroid plexus carcinomas, ependymomas, supratentorial PNETs, pineoblastomas, and germ cell tumors. The most common tumors of the spinal cord are astrocytomas and ependymomas.

Names of tumors can be confusing. One large family of tumors—comprising half of all pediatric tumors—are gliomas, meaning they arise from glial cells or the supporting cells of the nervous system. Glial cells consist of astrocytes, ependymal cells, and oligodendrocytes (myelin-forming cells). Some tumors take their names from these cells. For example, an astrocyte is a type of glial cell from which astrocytomas arise, so doctors may refer to the tumor as a glioma or as an astrocytoma. One term is simply more specific than the other. Tumors may also take their names from their location, such as the brainstem glioma.

The sudden influx of medical terminology into your life can be intimidating. Health care professionals are familiar with such terminology through years of training and experience. But these terms are new to you, so ask your child’s doctor to explain them. There are many types of brain tumors and many names for them—often even more than one name for the same tumor. The descriptions that follow include only the most common types of brain tumors found in children, divided into two broad groups according to their location.

Tumors of the Posterior Fossa

Medulloblastomas: Medulloblastomas (PNETs) are the most common malignant brain tumor in children (20% of all pediatric tumors) and usually occur in children between the ages of 4 and 10 years. Medulloblastomas occur more often in boys than in girls. These tumors typically arise in the middle of the cerebellum, interfering with the flow of CSF and causing hydrocephalus. A child may have headaches, vomit, or walk unsteadily. Sometimes there is pain at the back of the head. Medulloblastomas can spread to other parts of the brain through the CSF. Treatment is usually surgical removal, followed by radiation therapy of the entire head and spinal cord and/or chemotherapy.

Cerebellar Astrocytomas: Cerebellar astrocytomas are benign glial tumors of the cerebellum. They are the second most common childhood tumor (15% to 20% of all pediatric tumors). They can occur at any time in childhood or adolescence and have the same symptoms as medulloblastomas. Treatment is surgical removal, which is the cure in most cases if the tumor is totally removed. If the tumor has grown into the brainstem, radiation therapy or chemotherapy (depending on the child’s age) is sometimes needed.

Brainstem Gliomas: Approximately 10% to 15% of childhood brain tumors are brainstem gliomas, which most commonly affect children between the ages of 5 and 10 years. Because of their location, brainstem gliomas may cause sudden dramatic symptoms, such as double vision, clumsiness, difficulty swallowing, and weakness. These are often referred to as diffuse pontine gliomas. In these cases, surgery is not usually an option. Radiation therapy, with or without chemotherapy, is the preferred option. A small percentage of slow-growing tumors that cause slowly progressive symptoms can be treated surgically or with chemotherapy.

Ependymomas: Ependymomas make up 8% to 10% of pediatric tumors and occur at any time during childhood. They are a type of glioma involving cells lining the cerebral ventricles. Seventy percent of ependymomas develop in the posterior fossa. These tumors are not always distinguishable, on scans, from medulloblastomas. They cause similar symptoms, and hydrocephalus is often involved. Surgical removal of the tumor is the usual treatment of choice, followed by radiation therapy to the site of the resection.

Tumors of the Cerebral Hemispheres

Supratentorial Gliomas: About 30% of pediatric brain tumors are gliomas that grow in regions of the cerebral hemispheres. Treatment and prognosis depend on their exact location and how quickly they are growing. Some of the names for tumors in these areas are juvenile pilocytic astrocytoma, optic glioma or hypothalamic glioma (see below), oligodendroglioma, hemispheric astrocytoma, and ganglioglioma. Many of these tumors cause seizures. Surgical removal is the treatment of choice, unless the tumor is in an area that controls speech, movement, vision, or cognition. The tumor may be partially removed, with radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy as additional therapy.

Optic Pathway Gliomas: A small percentage (5%) of pediatric tumors are gliomas involving the optic nerves and the hypothalamus. These are usually slow-growing and can be treated successfully with surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy. Because visual pathways and/or the hypothalamus are affected, children with these tumors often have vision and hormone problems.

Craniopharyngiomas: Craniopharyngiomas, which are nonglial growths, account for 5% of childhood brain tumors, usually causing growth failure because of their location near the pituitary gland. They often affect vision. Treatment is often controversial because complete surgical removal may be curative but can also cause memory, vision, behavioral, and hormonal problems. Partial surgical removal plus radiation therapy is an alternative. Children treated for these tumors usually need long-term follow-up care for visual and/or hormonal problems.

Germ Cell Tumors: A small percentage of childhood brain tumors arise in the pineal or suprasellar regions, above the pituitary gland. They are most often diagnosed around the time of puberty and are more likely to affect boys than girls. These tumors often respond favorably to chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy, following surgery.

Choroid Plexus Papillomas: The choroid plexus is located within the ventricles in the brain and produces CSF.Choroid plexus papillomas (benign) and choroid plexus carcinomas (malignant) account for 1% to 3% of pediatric brain tumors. These types of tumors usually arise in infants and often cause hydrocephalus. The treatment of choice is surgery and, if the tumor is malignant, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy.

Supratentorial PNETs/Pineoblastomas:Supratentorial PNETs and pineoblastomas account for approximately 5% of pediatric brain tumors. Their symptoms depend on location and proximity to the CSF spaces. Treatment involves maximal surgical resection, radiation therapy to the brain and spine, and chemotherapy

A brain tumor is a group (mass) of abnormal cells that start in the brain.

This article focuses on primary brain tumors in children.

Causes

The cause of primary brain tumors is unknown. Primary brain tumors may be:

• Not cancerous (benign)
• Invasive (spread to nearby areas)
• Cancerous (malignant)

Brain tumors are classified based on:

• The exact site of the tumor
• The type of tissue involved
• Whether it is cancerous

Brain tumors can directly destroy brain cells. They can also indirectly damage cells by pushing on other parts of the brain. This leads to swelling and increased pressure inside the skull.

Tumors can occur at any age. Many tumors are more common at a certain age. In general, brain tumors in children are very rare.

COMMON TUMOR TYPES

Astrocytomas are usually noncancerous, slow-growing tumors. They commonly develop in children ages 5 through 8. Also called low-grade gliomas, these are the most common brain tumors in children.

Medulloblastomas are the most common type of childhood brain cancer. Most medulloblastomas occur before age 10.

Ependymomas are a type of childhood brain tumor that can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). The location and type of ependymoma determine the type of therapy needed to control the tumor.

Brainstem gliomas are very rare tumors that occur almost only in children. The average age at which they develop is about 6. The tumor may grow very large before causing symptoms.

Symptoms

Symptoms may be subtle and only gradually become worse. Or they may occur very quickly.

Headaches are often the most common symptom. But only very rarely do children with headaches have a tumor. Headache patterns that may occur with brain tumors include:

• Headaches that are worse when waking up in the morning and go away within a few hours
• Headaches that get worse with coughing or exercise, or with a change in body position
• Headaches that occur while sleeping and with at least one other symptom such as vomiting or confusion

Sometimes the only symptoms of brain tumors are mental changes, which may include:

• Changes in personality and behavior
• Unable to concentrate
• Increased sleep
• Memory loss
• Problems with reasoning

Other possible symptoms are:

• Gradual loss of movement or feeling in an arm or leg
• Hearing loss with or without dizziness
• Speech difficulty
• Unexpected vision problem (especially if it occurs with a headache), including vision loss (usually of peripheral vision) in one or both eyes, or double vision
• Problems with balance
• Weakness or numbness

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Infants may have the following physical signs:

• Bulging fontanelles
• Enlarged eyes
• No red reflex in the eye
• Positive Babinski reflex
• Separated sutures

The following tests may be used to detect a brain tumor and identify its location:

• CT scan of the head
• MRI of the brain 
• Examination of the cerebral spinal fluid (CSF)

Treatment

Treatment depends on the size and type of tumor and the child's general health. The goals of treatment may be to cure the tumor, relieve symptoms, and improve brain function or the child's comfort.

Surgery is needed for most primary brain tumors. Some tumors may be completely removed. In cases where the tumor cannot be removed, surgery may help reduce pressure and relieve symptoms. Chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be used for certain tumors.

The following are treatments for specific types of tumors:

• Astrocytoma -- Surgery to remove the tumor is the main treatment. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy may also be necessary.
• Brainstem gliomas -- Surgery is usually not possible because of the tumor's location in the brain. Radiation is used to shrink the tumor and prolong life.
• Ependymomas -- Treatment includes surgery. Radiation and chemotherapy may be necessary.
• Medulloblastomas -- Surgery alone does not cure this type of tumor. Chemotherapy with or without radiation is often used in combination with surgery.

Medicines used to treat primary brain tumors in children include:

• Corticosteroids to reduce brain swelling
• Diuretics (water pills) to reduce brain swelling and pressure
• Anticonvulsants to reduce or prevent seizures
• Pain medicines

Comfort measures, safety measures, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other such steps may be required to improve quality of life.

Support Groups

You can ease the stress of illness by joining a cancer support group. Sharing with others who have common experiences and problems can help you and your child not feel alone.

Outlook (Prognosis)

How well the child does depends on many things, including the exact type of tumor. In general, about 3 of 4 children survive at least 5 years after being diagnosed.

Long-term brain and nervous system problems may result from the tumor itself or from treatment. Children may have problems with attention, concentration, or memory. They may also have problems processing information, planning, insight, or initiative or desire to do things.

Children younger than age 7, especially younger than age 3, seem to be at greatest risk of these complications.

Parents need to make sure that children receive support services at home and at school.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call a health care provider if a child develops headaches that do not go away or other symptoms of a brain tumor.

Go to the emergency room if a child develops any of the following:

• Physical weakness
• Change in behavior
• Severe headache of unknown cause
• Seizure of unknown cause
• Vision changes
• Speech changes

Alternative Names

Glioblastoma multiforme - children; Ependymoma - children; Glioma - children; Astrocytoma - children; Medulloblastoma - children; Neuroglioma - children; Oligodendroglioma - children; Meningioma - children; Cancer - brain tumor (children)

References

Kuttesch JF Jr, Rush SA, Ater JL. Brain tumors in childhood. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW III, et al., eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 491.

National Cancer Institute: PDQ Childhood Brain and Spinal Cord Tumors Treatment Overview. Bethesda, Md: National Cancer Institute. Date last modified 05/29/2013. Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/childbrain/healthprofessional. Accessed October 18, 2013.

Wilne S, Koller K, Collier J, Kennedy C, Grundy R, Walker D. The diagnosis of brain tumours in children: a guideline to assist healthcare professionals in the assessment of children who may have a brain tumour. Arch Dis Child. 2010;95:534-539.

பகவத்கீதை பதினெட்டு அத்தியாயங்களின் தாத்பரியம் என்ன?

1. விஷாத யோகம். பிறப்பு நிலையற்றது. நாம் செய்யும் நல்லவையும் கெட்டவையுமே நம் புண்ணிய, பாவங்களை நிர்ணயிக்கும் என்று உணர வேண்டும். இறைவன் அருளால் முக்தியடைய வேண்டும் என்ற ஆத்மத் துடிப்பே விஷாத யோகம்.
2. சாங்கிய யோகம். பரமாத்மாவே என் குரு என்பதை உணர்ந்து அவரிடம் ஆத்ம உபதேசம் பெறுவது.
3. கர்மயோகம். உபதேசம் பெற்றால் போதுமா? மனம் பக்குவம் அடைய வேண்டாமா? பலனை எதிர்பார்க்காமல் கடமையைச் செய்யும் பக்குவம்.
4.ஞான கர்ம சன்னியாச யோகம். பாவம், புண்ணியங்கள் பற்றிக்கூட கவலைப்படாமல் எதன்மீதும் பற்று இல்லாமல், பரமனை அடையும் வழியில் முன்னேறுவது.
5. சன்னியாச யோகம். நான் உயர்ந்தவன் என்ற கர்வம் இல்லாமல் தான, தர்மங்கள் செய்வது.
6.தியான யோகம். கடவுளை அடைய புலனடக்கம் முக்கியம். மெய், வாய், கண், மூக்கு, செவி இந்த புலன்கள் நம் கட்டுப்பாட்டில் இருக்க வேண்டுமே தவிர அவை இழுத்த இழுப்புக்கு நாம் போய்விடக்கூடாது.
7. ஞானம். இந்த உலகில் காண்பவை எல்லாமே பிரம்மம்தான்.. எல்லாமே கடவுள்தான் என உணர்வது.
8. அட்சர பிரம்ம யோகம். எந்நேரமும் இறைவனைப்பற்றிய நினைப்புடன் வேறு சிந்தனைகளே இல்லாமல் இருப்பது.
9. ராஜவித்ய, ராஜ குஹ்ய யோகம். கடவுள் பக்தி மட்டுமே இருந்தால் பயனில்லை. சமூகத்தொண்டாற்றி, ஏழையின் சிரிப்பில் இறைவனைக் காண்பதுதான் உண்மையான பக்தி. உண்மையான ஆன்மிகம் என்று உணர்வது.ஒன்பதாம் படி.
10. விபூதி யோகம். அழகு, அறிவு, ஆற்றல் என எத்தகைய தெய்வீக குணத்தைக் கண்டாலும் அதை இறைவனாகவே காண்பது.பத்தாம் படி.
11.விஸ்வரூப தரிசன யோகம். ஆண்டவனில் உலகத்தையும் உலகில் ஆண்டவனையும் பார்க்கும் மனப்பக்குவத்தை வளர்த்துக்கொள்வது.
12. பக்தி யோகம். இன்பம் - துன்பம், விருப்பு-வெறுப்பு, ஏழை - பணக்காரன் என்பன போன்ற வேறுபாடுகளைக் களைந்து எல்லாவற்றிலும் சமத்துவத்தை விரும்புவது.
13. ஷேத்ரக்ஞ விபாக யோகம். எல்லா உயிர்களிலும் வீற்றிருந்து ஆண்டவனே அவர்களை இயக்குகிறார் என்பதை உணர்தல்.
14. குணத்ர விபாக யோகம். பிறப்பு, இறப்பு, மூப்பு ஆகியவற்றால் ஏற்படும் துன்பங்களை அகற்றி, இறைவனின் முழு அருளுக்கு பாத்திரமாவதே.
15. தெய்வாசுர விபாக யோகம். தீய குணங்களை ஒழித்து, நல்ல குணங்களை மட்டும் வளர்த்துக்கொண்டு, நம்மிடம் தெய்வாம்சத்தை அதிகரிப்பது.
16. சம்பத் விபாக யோகம். இறைவன் படைப்பில் எல்லோரும் சமம் என்று உணர்ந்து, அகங்காரம் வராமல் கவனமுடன் இருப்பது.
17. சிரித்தாத்ரய விபாக யோகம். சர்வம் பிரம்ம மயம் என்று உணர்ந்து பரப்பிரம்ம ஞானத்தை பெறுவது.
18.மோட்ச சன்யாச யோகம். யாரிடமும் எந்த உயிர்களிடமும் பேதம் பார்க்காமல், உன்னையே சரணாகதி அடைகிறேன் என்று இறைவன் சன்னதியில் வீழ்ந்தால் அவன் அருள் செய்வான் என்று ஆண்டவனையே சரணடைவது.
சத்தியம் நிறைந்த இந்தப் பதினெட்டு அத்தியாயங்களையும் முழு மனதுடன் படித்து, அதன் படி வாழ்ந்து வந்தால், நமக்கு பகவான் தரிசனம் தருவார். நம் வாழ்வுக்கு வளம் சேர்ப்பார் என்பதே பதினெட்டு அத்தியாயங்கள் நமக்கு உணர்த்தும் தத்துவமாகும்.

ஸ்ரீ மந்த்ர புஷ்பம்

யோபாம் புஷ்பம் வேதா புஷ்பவான் ப்ரஜாவான் பஸுமான் பவதி
சந்த்ரமாவாம பாம் புஷ்பம் புஷ்பவான் ப்ரஜாவான் பஸுமான் பவதி
ய ஏவம் வேதா யோபாமாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி (1)

அக்னிர்வா அபாமாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
யோக்னேராயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ஆபோவா அக்னேராயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ய ஏவம் வேதா யோபாமாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி (2)

வாயுர்வா அபாமாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
யோ வாயோராயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ஆபோவை வாயோராயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ய ஏவம் வேதா யோபாமாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி (3)

அசௌவை தபன்னபாமாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
யோமுஷ்யதபத ஆயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ஆபோவா அமுஷ்யதபத ஆயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ய ஏவம் வேதா யோபாமாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி (4)

சந்த்ரமாவா அபாமாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
யஃ சந்த்ரமச ஆயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ஆபோவை சந்த்ரமச ஆயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ய ஏவம் வேதா யோபாமாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி (5)

நக்ஷ்த்ரத்ராணிவா அபாமாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
யோ நக்ஷ்த்ரத்ராணாமாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ஆபோவை நக்ஷ்த்தத்ராணாமாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ய ஏவம் வேதா யோபாமாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி (6)

பர்ஜன்யோவாம் அபாமாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
யஃ பர்ஜன்யச்யாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ஆபோவை பர்ஜன்யச்யாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ய ஏவம் வேதா யோபாமாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி (7)

சம்வத்சரோவா அபாமாயதனம் ஆயதனவான் பவதி
யஃ சம்வத்சரச்யாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ஆபோவை சம்வத்சரச்யாயதனம் வேதா ஆயதனவான் பவதி
ய ஏவம் வேதா யோத்சுனாபம் ப்ரதிஷ்டிதாம் வேதா ப்ரத்யேவ திஷ்டதி (8)

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