Warning Signs of Kidney Disease

Even though kidney disease affects millions of Americans, there are only a few signs or symptoms that can indicate a problem. Kidney disease is often called a “QUIET DISEASE” as most people do not feel any different until the disease is very advanced. Also, many people don’t recognize the early warning signs or ignore them completely. Recognition and awareness of the warning signs can mean the difference between early detection and treatment or kidney failure which becomes dialysis, a transplant, or even death.

The important job of regulating the body’s potassium, salt, and acid content is performed by the kidneys. Kidneys are also in charge of removing waste products from the body, balancing the body’s fluids, and producing active vitamin D to promote healthy bones. They also produce hormones that affect the function of other organs such as stimulating red blood cell production. Other hormones produced by the kidneys regulate blood pressure and control the metabolization of calcium.

The first, and most obvious, symptom is a change in urination or urination habits. Kidney function is responsible for urine production. Thus, any abnormalities such as urinating less or more often; a decrease in the amount of urine; having oddly-colored, cloudy, foamy, or bloody urine; even pain or burning can be a big indicator that something is amiss.

Protein or blood in the urine would probably only be detected during an annual physical, preoperative evaluation, or any other kind of physical that involves a urine test. Many kinds of kidney damage result in leaking of the glomerular fibers (which filter the blood for impurities), resulting in red blood cells and protein being leaked into the urine.

Somewhat oddly, lower back pain can also be an indicator of kidney disease. Kidney pain is felt in the back, sometimes on the sides, usually just below the rib cage. Other symptoms that may seem unrelated are a loss in appetite or a change in how food tastes, dizziness or difficulty thinking clearly, headache, severe itchiness not related to a bug bite or rash, metallic taste in the mouth, or even fatigue. As the kidneys also help make red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body, a decrease in those cells causes anemia. Anemia causes tiredness, the aforementioned dizziness and thinking difficulty, as well as decreased stamina and, sometimes, memory problems.

There can also be symptoms that are similar to that of a UTI (urinary tract infection) and though UTIS don’t typically cause permanent or progressive kidney damage if treated promptly, if left untreated it can cause a whole slew of problems.

Why Is My Skin Peeling?

Peeling skin can occur due to sunburn, dry skin or a host of health conditions.

The Mayo Clinic explains these possible causes:

• Having an allergic reaction to things such as latex, detergent or food.
• Developing a bacterial infection, such as a staph; or fungal infection, such as ringworm, athlete's foot or jock itch.
• Having an immune system disorder, such as toxic shock syndrome.
• Having some types of cancer, such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Don't Mix Meds and Alcohol

 

The effects of alcohol can change as you age, causing problems when combined with some medications.

The Cleveland Clinic mentions these examples:

• Combining alcohol with aspirin can increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
• Antihistamines taken for allergies can make you quite drowsy if combined with alcohol.
• Drinking alcohol while taking acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol) can damage the liver.
• Drinking alcohol while taking medications that already contain alcohol, such as laxatives or cough syrups, increases the alcohol in your system.
• Alcohol should never be taken with anxiety/depression drugs or sleep medication. The consequences could be deadly.

Kitchen Towels Can Make You Sick

Hand towels are the top contamination hazard in the kitchen, according to a new study.

Cellphones are another potential source of kitchen cross-contamination, the researchers found. 

Cross-contamination refers to the accidental transfer of potentially hazardous germs from one surface to another.

Kansas State University researchers asked 123 people to prepare a recipe using either raw ground beef or chicken, along with a ready-to-eat fruit salad. The participants did the food preparation in a kitchen set up on the campus.

A harmless type of bacteria was placed in the raw beef and chicken in order to trace levels of meat-associated contamination spread during meal preparation.

"First, participants were observed frequently handling towels, including paper towels, even when not using them for drying. Towels were determined to be the most contaminated of all the contact surfaces tested," lead researcher and food safety specialist Jeannie Sneed said in a university news release.

Many participants touched towels before washing their hands or used them after inadequate washing of their hands, she said. Even after they washed their hands properly, the participants reused the towels and re-contaminated their hands, according to the study in the journal Food Protection Trends.

Cloth towels can easily become contaminated with germs that can cause foodborne illnesses, the researchers said. They added that previous studies found that bacteria commonly found in raw meat and poultry grows on cloth towels stored overnight, even when they are washed and rinsed in the sink.

Wash cloth towels after using them while preparing a meal, or use paper towels and throw them away after each use, Sneed advised.

Her team found that more than 90 percent of the fruit salads prepared by the participants were contaminated with the tracer bacteria. This shows that if the tracer had been a harmful germ such as salmonella, there was a high risk of foodborne illness.

Four out of five participants also left raw meat contamination on the sink faucet, refrigerator, oven and trash container, the study found.

Moreover, many participants used cellphones during meal preparation and didn't clean them properly.

"We often take our cellphones and tablets into the kitchen," Sneed said, "but what about all the other places we take them? Think of how many times you see someone talking on their cellphone in places like the bathroom, where microorganisms such as norovirus and E. coli are commonly found."

If these devices are used in the kitchen, Sneed recommended wiping their surfaces with a disinfectant.

Alcoholics Face Greater Death Risk When Hospitalized

Hospital patients who are alcoholics have an increased risk of dying in the hospital, a new study finds.

Researchers looked at about 12 years of data from more than 23,000 hospital patients with alcoholism and a "control group" of more than 233,000 hospital patients without the disorder.

All of the patients were in various general hospitals in Manchester, England.

One in five of the patients with alcoholism died while in the hospital, compared with one in 12 patients in the control group, according to the study.

Additionally, the researchers found that, on average, those with alcoholism were likely to be about eight years younger when they died than people without a drinking problem.

The study was published online recently in the journal European Psychiatry.

The researchers pointed out that alcoholics are more likely to have liver, respiratory, nervous system, gastrointestinal and pancreatic illnesses than other patients.

"Patients with addiction problems are often admitted to hospitals as emergency cases. At the time of diagnosis, priority is then given to the acute symptoms -- this may contribute to the fact that not all physical illnesses are recorded," study author Dieter Schoepf, of the department of psychiatry and psychotherapy at the University of Bonn Hospital in Germany, said in a university news release.

The findings show the need for earlier and more intensive treatment for patients with alcoholism, the researchers concluded.

Be Careful With That Eyeliner

Applying pencil eyeliner to the inner eyelid increases the risk that particles will get into the eye and cause vision problems, a new study warns.

Volunteers first applied glitter eyeliner outside the lash line and then on the inner lid closer to the eye. Within five minutes, 15 percent to 30 percent more eyeliner particles moved into the eye's tear film -- the thin coating protecting the eye -- when eyeliner was applied to the inner eyelid, compared to outside the lash line.

Particles also moved more quickly into the eye itself when eyeliner was applied inside the lash line, according to study leader Alison Ng, of the Center for Contact Lens Research at the University of Waterloo in Canada.

Eyeliner particles in the tear film may cause discomfort for people with sensitive or dry eyes, and can also adhere to contact lenses and accumulate if used for more than one day, Ng explained. That can lead to complications such as irritation and redness, the presence of harmful bacteria, and even eye infections or blurred vision.

The study was published recently in the journal Eye and Contact Lens Science and Clinical Practice.

Previous research has also shown that old eye makeup can harbor bacteria, Ng noted.

"If you thoroughly sharpen your pencil eyeliner before each application and get rid of the stuff that's stuck to the end, you'll have a fresh tip which can help prevent infection," Ng said in a university news release.

"With twist-up eyeliner, cut some off the end before each use," Ng added. "And always make sure to fully remove eye makeup before bed."

Should I Worry About My Child's Weight?

Maintaining a healthy weight and establishing healthy habits are essential, even in childhood.

The Weight-control Information Network says childhood obesity can:

• Foster breathing issues and joint pain.
• Make it difficult to keep up with active friends.
• Lead to chronic conditions, such as diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
• Increase the risk of growing up to be an obese adult.

Wash Your Face Correctly

 
Washing your face correctly can lead to healthier, more radiant skin.

The American Academy of Dermatology suggests:

• Washing the face with an alcohol-free, non-abrasive cleanser.
• Using lukewarm water to dampen the face, then using fingertips to gently cleanse. Do not use sponges, washcloths or any product that could irritate skin.
• Avoiding scrubbing your skin while or after washing. Gently pat the skin dry with a clean towel.
• Applying moisturizer, using extra care around the eyes.
• Avoiding washing your face more than twice daily. But do wash after you've been sweating.

Satisfying thirst and the kidneys: the importance of drinking water

Many people may take drinking water for granted, but keeping hydrated can have a huge impact on overall health. Despite how crucial it is that people drink enough water, a significant amount of people may be failing to drink recommended levels of fluids each day.

The Institute of Medicine recommend that men achieve a daily fluid intake of around 3 liters and that women take in 2.2 liters.

 

Around of 70% of the body is comprised of water, and around of 71% of the planet's surface is covered by water. Perhaps it is the ubiquitous nature of water that means that drinking enough of it each day is not at the top of many people's lists of healthy priorities? 

One part of the body that relies on adequate water intake is the kidneys. The kidneys are organs that might not get as much attention as the heart or lungs, but they are responsible for many functions that help keep the body as healthy as possible. 

But what happens to the kidneys when we do not drink enough water? And what can be done to improve our levels of hydration? On World Kidney Day, we take a look at the role of drinking enough water for two of the most important organs in the body.

Why do we need to drink water?

Water is needed by all the cells and organs in the body in order for them to function properly. It is also used to lubricate the joints, protect the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, regulate body temperature and assist the passage of food through the intestines. 

Although some of the water required by the body is obtained through foods with a high water content - soups, tomatoes, oranges - the majority is gained through drinking water and other beverages. 

During normal everyday functioning, water is lost by the body, and this needs to be replaced. It is noticeable that we lose water through activities such as sweating and urination, but water is even lost when breathing. 

Drinking water, be it from the tap or a bottle, is the best source of fluid for the body. Beverages such as milk and juices are also decent sources of water, but beverages containing alcohol and caffeine, such as soft drinks, coffee and beer, are less than ideal due to having diuretic properties, meaning that they cause the body to release water. 

The recommended amount of water that should be drunk per day varies from person to person depending on factors such as how active they are and how much they sweat. There is no universally agreed upon threshold of water consumption that must be reached, but there is a general level of consensus as to what a healthy amount is. 

According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), an adequate intake for men is approximately 13 cups (3 liters) a day. For women, an adequate intake is around 9 cups (2.2 liters).

 

Many people may have heard the phrase, "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day," which works out at around 1.9 liters and is close to the IOM's recommendation for women. Drinking "8 by 8" is an easy-to-remember amount that can put people on the right track in terms of water consumption. 

Water also helps dissolve minerals and nutrients so that they are more accessible to the body, as well as helping transport waste products out of the body. It is these two functions that make water so vital to the kidneys.

What do the kidneys do?

The kidneys are two small fist-sized organs that are shaped like beans. They are located in the middle of the back, on either side of the spine and situated just below the rib cage. 

Despite their importance, the kidneys can sometimes receive less attention than other organs in the body. "The role of the kidneys is often underrated when we think about our health," state Kidney Health Australia.

The role of the kidneys in keeping the body healthy may be underrated in relation to the heart and the lungs.

"In fact, the kidneys play an important role in the daily workings of our body. They are so important to health that nature gave us two kidneys to cover the possibility that one might be lost to an injury. They are so important that with no kidney function, death occurs within a few days." 

A crucial function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body via urine. The kidneys also regulate the levels of salt, potassium and acid in the body and produce hormones that influence the performance of other organs. 

When we eat and drink, nutrients and minerals enter the bloodstream in order to be transported around the body and used for energy, growth, maintenance or repair. The blood also passes through the kidneys where it is filtered, and any waste products and excess nutrients and water are removed and sent to the bladder for expulsion. 

Every day, the kidneys filter around 200 quarts of fluid. Of these, approximately 2 quarts are removed from the body in the form of urine, and 198 are recovered by the bloodstream. 

If the kidneys do not function properly through kidney disease, waste products and excess fluid can build up inside the body. Untreated, chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, whereby the organs stop working, and either dialysis or kidney transplantation is required. 

Water is important for the workings of the kidneys, not only for helping to initially dissolve the nutrients, but for ensuring that waste products, bacteria and proteins do not build up in the kidneys and the bladder. These can lead to dangerous infections and painful kidney stones.

How does not drinking enough affect the kidneys?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the body and account for around 8.1 million visits to health care providers in the US every year. If infections spread to the upper urinary tract, including the kidneys, permanent damage can be caused. Sudden kidney infections (acute) can be life-threatening, particularly if septicemia occurs. 

Drinking plenty of water is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of developing a UTI and is also advised for people that have developed an infection. 

The presence of kidney stones can complicate UTIs as they can compromise how the kidneys work. Complicated UTIs tend to require longer periods of antibiotics to treat them, typically lasting between 7 and 14 days. 

The leading cause of kidney stones is a lack of water, and they are commonly reported in people that have been found not drinking the recommended daily amount of water. As well as complicating UTIs, research has suggested that kidney stones also increase the risk of chronic kidney disease developing. 

In November 2014, the American College of Physicians issued new guidelines for people who have previously developed kidney stones, stating that increasing fluid intake to enable 2 liters of urination a day could decrease the risk of stone recurrence by at least half with no side effects. 

Dehydration - using and losing more water than the body takes in - can also lead to an imbalance in the body's electrolytes. Electrolytes, such as potassium, phosphate and sodium, help carry electrical signals between cells. The levels of electrolytes in the body are kept stable by properly functioning kidneys. 

When the kidneys are unable to maintain a balance in the levels of electrolytes, these electrical signals become mixed up, which can lead to seizures, involving involuntary muscle movements and loss of consciousness. 

In severe cases, dehydration can also lead to kidney failure, a potentially life-threatening outcome. Possible complications of chronic kidney failure include anemia, damage to the central nervous system, heart failure and a compromised immune system. 

There are a considerable number of health problems that can occur simply through not drinking enough water, and yet researchers have found that a significant number of Americans may be failing to obtain the recommended levels of fluid intake every day.

Does the US not drink enough water?

A study carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2013 analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's 2007 Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey, in order to assess the characteristics of people who have a low intake of drinking water.

A recent study conducted by the CDC suggested that many people in the US may not be drinking enough water.

Out of a sample of 3,397 adults, the researchers found the following:

• 7% of adults reported no daily consumption of drinking water
• 36% of adults reported drinking 1-3 cups of drinking water a day
• 35% of adults reported drinking 4-7 cups of drinking water a day
• 22% of adults reported drinking 8 cups or more a day.

People were more likely to drink less than 4 cups of drinking water daily if they consumed 1 cup or less of fruits or vegetables a day. The study indicates that among this sample, a large number of people may well have not been drinking the suggested 8 cups of fluid a day. 

Although the study only measured the intake of drinking water and fluid can be gained from other beverages, water is the ideal source of fluid due to it being readily available, calorie-free, caffeine-free and alcohol-free. 

The fact that 7% of respondents reported drinking no water at all daily, and that respondents who drank low volumes of water were associated with low levels of fruit and vegetable consumption, would suggest there is a certain number of people who are risking their health by not getting enough fluid.

 

Even if the respondents reporting low levels of water intake were obtaining enough fluid, it is likely that they would be obtaining it from sources that could potentially compromise their health in other ways. 

"The biologic requirement for water may be met with plain water or via foods and other beverages," write the study authors. "Results from previous epidemiologic studies indicate that water intake may be inversely related to volume of calorically sweetened beverages and other fluid intake."

Thirst-quenching tips

The CDC make a number of suggestions that could help people increase the amount of water they normally drink:

• Carrying a water bottle with you means that fluid can be accessed when out and about, at work or running errands
• This water can be frozen in freezer-safe water bottles to provide a supply of ice-cold water all day long, which can be more satisfying than other beverages in certain situations
• Adding a wedge of lime or lemon to water can give it a different edge that may improve its taste without affecting its nutritional value.

Drinking enough should be an easily achievable health goal. "Under normal conditions, most people can drink enough fluids to meet their water needs," state the CDC. Although it is a relatively simple step to take, it can easily get overlooked as part of increasingly hectic lifestyles. 

On National Kidney Day, it is worth remembering the risks that can come from not getting enough fluids, and to raise a glass - ideally filled with water - to those underrated organs that do so much for the health of the body.

Women think as rationally as men - but also use more gut feeling

Men are governed by lines of intellect - women, by curves of emotion. That is the 20th century novelist James Joyce quoted in a study from psychologists who have examined whether "the old stereotype" is true or not - "that men engage in more cognitive activity." 

 

Does greater emotional empathy in women affect their level of rational thinking?

This new meta-analysis of psychology research concludes that, when it comes to moral decisions, women are no less cognitive than men in weighing up dilemmas that involve harm, but that women do have stronger gut feelings in the process. 

"Women are more likely to have a gut-level negative reaction to causing harm to an individual, while men experience less emotional [response] to doing harm," says Rebecca Friesdorf, lead author of the study published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 

Friesdorf found, however, that her analysis ran "contrary" to the idea that because women are more emotional, they must, therefore, be less rational - she found that they are not. 

 

Various decisions were studied, including those about murder, torture, lying, abortion and animal research. In response to moral dilemmas such as whether to kill one person for the benefit of numerous more staying alive, the findings suggest that women have a "stronger emotional aversion to causing harm than men" - but that men and women engage in "similar levels of rational thinking about the outcomes of harmful action." 

The authors set out to disentangle recent research suggesting there were systematic gender differences in moral dilemmas about "causing some degree of harm for a greater well-being overall." 

They say the evidence remained "ambiguous" about whether these gender differences were driven by one or other of the following - or whether in fact there can be a combination of the two:

• Cognitive evaluations of action outcomes (rational thoughts)
• Affective responses to harmful actions (emotional feelings).

Rather than assume that the two moral inclinations "are at opposite ends of a bipolar continuum" - or that greater leaning towards one necessarily means less towards the other - the authors looked into the factors independently of each other. 

In the psychology-speak of the authors' field of research, deontology is the principle of a decision being dependent on its "consistency with moral norms," whereas utilitarianism says that the morality of an action "depends on its consequences." 

Previous studies had suggested that "deontological judgments are shaped by affective processes, whereas utilitarian judgments are guided by cognitive processes." 

The analysis used a special type of statistical assessment known as the process dissociation procedure to separate out and quantify the strength of these deontological and utilitarian inclinations within individuals.

Empathy versus cognitive ability

The results were that no gender differences in utilitarian reasoning were found in the analysis - men and women engaged in similar levels of rational thinking about the outcomes of harmful actions. 

But the findings do suggest that women have a "stronger emotional aversion" to causing harm than men. 

 

Friesdorf sums up by saying the findings are in line with previous research showing that "women are more empathetic to the feelings of other people than men, whereas gender differences in cognitive abilities tend to be small or nonexistent." 

The findings are the result of a large re-analysis of data from 6,100 participants asked 20 questions about various moral dilemmas. Friesdorf is a social psychology researcher at the Wilfrid Laurier University in Ontario, Canada, and she worked on the data alongside Paul Conway, PhD, a psychology fellow at the University of Cologne in Germany, and Bertram Gawronski, PhD, a psychology professor at the University of Texas in Austin. 

These examples illustrate the type of moral decision analyzed:

• "If a time machine was available, would it be right to kill Adolf Hitler when he was still a young Austrian artist to prevent World War II and save millions of lives?"
• "Should a police officer torture an alleged bomber to find hidden explosives that could kill many people at a local café?"

Whether men and women are more or less able to rationalize moral decisions, a brain imaging study in 2012 found that the brain could not empathize and analyze at the same time.

HIV progression like Internet malware

New findings by HIV specialists and network security experts at the University College London, UK suggest that the method that HIV spreads through the body mimics that of how computer worms spread to infect multiple computers and that ultimately HIV should be treated earlier to stave off AIDS. 

 

The way HIV spreads is similar to how computer worms spread through both the Internet and local networks to infect as many computers as possible.

 

The experts at University College London (UCL) have created a new model for HIV progression. From this model they noticed that HIV spreads through the body using two methods:

1. Via the bloodstream
2. Directly between cells.

This method is similar to how computer worms spread through both the Internet and local networks to infect as many computers as possible. 

The new HIV progression model for this "hybrid spreading" accurately predicts patients' progression from HIV to AIDS in a major clinical trial. 

Detailed sample data from 17 London-based patients were used to verify the model, indicating that "hybrid spreading" provides the most suitable explanation for HIV progression and highlights the benefits of early treatment. 

HIV infects CD4+ T cells - the cells that play a vital role in the immune system and protect us from diseases. As HIV advances, the number of active T cells in the body reduces until the immune system can no longer function properly - a state known as "acquired immune deficiency syndrome" or AIDS.

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommend that HIV treatment should only commence once the number of T cells in the bloodstream fall below a certain level. However, UCL's model forecasts that treatment should begin as soon as possible after infection to prevent AIDS from developing in the long term. 

"The number of HIV cells in the bloodstream is always relatively low, and our model shows that HIV spread through the bloodstream alone would not be enough to cause AIDS," explains co-senior author Prof. Benny Chain, UCL Infection and Immunity. "It is likely that when HIV gains a foothold somewhere with a high T cell population, such as the gut, it uses a cell-to-cell transfer mechanism to efficiently spread directly between them." He continues:

"As such, if HIV has already spread to an area rich in T cells by the time treatment begins, preventing its spread through the bloodstream will not stop AIDS. Our model suggests that completely blocking cell-to-cell transfer would prevent progression to AIDS, highlighting the need to develop new treatments."

HIV model inspired by 2008 damaging Conficker computer worm

The inspiration for the HIV progression model came from similarities between HIV and computer worms such as the highly destructive 'Conficker' worm. The Conficker worm was first detected in 2008, which infected military and police computer networks across Europe and is still active today. 

Lead author Changwang Zhang, UCL Computer Science, says: 

"HIV and Conficker have a lot in common. They both use hybrid-spreading mechanisms, persist for a very long time and are incredibly difficult to eradicate. Our model enables us to explain these important properties and to predict the infection process."

 

Changwang's supervisor, co-author Dr. Shi Zhou, UCL Computer Science, comments, "Although the cybersecurity community organized an unprecedented collaboration to tackle Conficker, they still failed to eliminate Conficker from the Internet. HIV researchers face a similar problem. We hope that our new understanding of hybrid epidemics will help us to fight against Conficker and HIV." 

Previous laboratory research led by co-senior author Dr. Clare Jolly, UCL Infection and Immunity has shown that shown that some drugs are better than others at stopping HIV from spreading directly between cells. However, as the spread occurs inside internal organs, it is unfeasible to measure cell-to-cell spread in patients directly. 

"With this new model, we should be able to assess the effectiveness of drugs against different modes of HIV spread in real patients," explains Dr. Jolly. She concludes: 

"This could prove invaluable when interpreting the results of drug trials to understand what works and why. Using computer models to understand processes that we cannot directly observe is common in the physical sciences and supports many fundamental theories. Our model provides strong evidence that cell-to-cell spread is an important part of HIV spread, and we hope to show this directly in future animal studies."

Deadly skin cancer much more common in today's seniors

New figures released this week show that seniors in Britain today are about seven times more likely to develop malignant melanoma - a potentially deadly form of skin cancer - than they were 40 years ago.

 Reddening of the skin from exposure to the sun is a sign of damage by UV rays.

The statistics, from the charity Cancer Research UK, show that currently, about 5,700 people aged 65 and over are diagnosed with melanoma compared with just 700 in the 1970s.

Compared with their parents' generation, older men in Great Britain are about 10 times more likely to get melanoma, and older women are about five times more likely to develop the condition.

While age is the biggest risk factor for melanoma, the charity suggests the massive rise in numbers of UK seniors developing the cancer is likely a result of the cheap all-inclusive "package holiday" boom that started in the 1960s - coupled with the desire to get a good tan - even if it meant getting sunburnt.

Prof. Richard Marais, a skin cancer expert with Cancer Research UK, says:

"It's worrying to see melanoma rates increasing at such a fast pace, and across all age groups."

In the UK, malignant melanoma is the fifth most common cancer and the second most common in young adults. Every year, 13,300 people are diagnosed with it and 2,100 people die from the disease.

In the US, estimates suggest there will be more than 73,000 cases of invasive skin cancer in 2015, which accounts for around 9,900 deaths each year.

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes - the cells the produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Melanin helps to protect the deep layers of the skin from the harmful effects of the sun.

Package holiday generation was less aware of the risks posed by overexposure to sun

Fast facts about melanoma

• When found in the early stages, melanoma is almost always curable
• Although melanoma accounts only for a small percentage of skin cancers, it causes the most skin cancer deaths
• While melanoma most often starts in the skin (including under the nails), it can also start in the eyes, mouth, genital and anal areas.

Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays - such as from the sun, sunlamps and tanning beds - is a major risk factor for most melanomas. The UV rays damage DNA in the skin cells. When the damage occurs to the part of DNA that controls cell growth, there is a high risk that cancer will develop.

Reddening of the skin from exposure to the sun is a sign of damage by UV rays. Even if you only burn once every 2 years, you can triple your risk of developing malignant melanoma, say Cancer Research UK.

Sue Deans, a 69-year-old retired teacher and grandmother, knows from personal experience how too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer.

Deans was first diagnosed with malignant melanoma in 2000 when she had a mole removed. Then, in 2007, she was re-diagnosed after she found a lump under her armpit.

She says she was part of the generation where package holidays were so cheap you could afford to holiday in the sun every year. There was less awareness then of the risks of getting skin cancer, and she often got sunburnt, she adds.

Because her cancer was spotted early her surgery was successful and she has been healthy since. However, Deans told Cancer Research UK she remains vigilant and constantly checks for anything unusual, and:

"Now I make sure my grandson knows the dangers of getting caught out in the sun."

Sun damage accumulates over time

Dr. Julie Sharp, head of health information at Cancer Research UK, says many cases of malignant melanoma are preventable if people take precautions in the sun and make sure they do not burn.

She says sun damage accumulates over time, so it is important to avoid sunburn and sunbeds. Also, get to know your skin type so you do not overdo it on the beach - or even in the garden.

It is not just on holiday that you need to be careful - people can get burned just as easily at home, says Dr. Sharp, who recommends you "remember to spend time in the shade, wear a T-shirt and a hat to protect your skin and regularly apply sunscreen that is at least Factor 15 and has four stars," and adds:

"Swapping bad sun habits for good ones could save your life."

 

Regulators in the UK use a star system to rate the effectiveness of sunscreens. In the US, the American Cancer Society recommends people use a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) rating of 30 or higher.

Prof. Marais says it is also important for people to keep an eye on their skin and seek medical advice if they notice any changes to moles, or even to normal areas of skin:

"Melanoma is often detected on men's backs and women's legs but can appear on any part of the body."

Top 7 teas and their health benefits

If you've been wondering about all the new teas in the supermarket, then it's high time you expand your tea knowledge. Learn more about the different types of teas and their health benefits.

#1: Green tea

This tea is considered the best tea, if you want to lose weight. It is made from steamed tea leaves. Green tea contains a high dose of EGCG. This compound has powerful properties, which prevent various diseases like cancer of the bladder, breast, lung, stomach etc. It is also helpful in preventing Alzheimer's disease, and is a great fat burning and stress killing tool.

#2: Black tea

This tea is very popular, and is widely consumed. It is made from fermented tea leaves. Black tea contains high levels of caffeine. According to various studies, black tea is very effective in controlling the damage to the lungs caused by smoking. Besides, it also lowers the risk of stroke.

#3: Oolong tea

This tea is more or less similar to black tea, but the only difference is, this tea is fermented for a longer duration, which gives it a stronger taste. Due to a certain enzyme present in this tea, it helps in melting triglycerides, and hence aids in weight loss.

#4: White tea

White tea is one such tea, which undergoes minimum processing, so it has a high level of antioxidants. These antioxidants, which are present in white tea, help in preventing damage by free radicals. Besides, regular consumption also helps in lowering the risk of cancer, blood pressure and cholesterol problems.

#5: Pu-erh tea

Pu-erh tea is made from the leaves and stems of the Camellia sinensis plant. During its preparation, it goes through both fermentation and then prolonged storage. This tea is useful for improving overall mental health and helps in reducing high cholesterol in the body.

#6: Flavoured tea

Flavoured tea is nothing other than your normal black, white or green tea, which is paired with various flavours like cinnamon, lavender etc. They have the same level of antioxidants like their counterparts, but the addition is you will also be getting the health benefits of those flavours, which are added to your tea. Choose the sugar-free variants, to keep your blood sugar levels in check.

#7: Herbal tea

Herbal teas are a combination of dried fruits, flowers and herbs. There are various herbal tea in the market like chamomile tea, peppermint tea etc. All of them have specific benefits, ranging from providing sound sleep to lowering hypertension.

Health symptoms you can’t ignore

While a few aches and pains are common, some symptoms might not just be what they seem like. Make sure you don't ignore certain health symptoms...

Recurring bloating

While women tend to get bloated more often than men due to their menstrual cycle, if you discover that you're bloated more often than not, it's worth getting it investigated. Keep an eye out for gas, pain in the abdomen or difficulty while eating. It could be due to an underlying gynaecological problem, which may need to be checked. What to do: Visit your gynaecologist soon.

Excruciating headaches

A burst blood vessel in your brain could trigger sudden and extremely painful headaches. Called a ruptured aneurysm, this requires urgent attention. Additional symptoms include chest pain, exhaustion and deteriorating vision, which could indicate cardiac cephalgia or meningitis.

What to do: Ask your GP whether you need to do any tests to diagnose the reason for the agonising headaches.

Painful toothache

A little bit of a sting or pain while having an ice-cream or a chilled drink is okay, shooting pain is not. If you feel like your teeth are feeling extra sensitive, it's time you make a trip to the dentist. A bad toothache could mean that a nerve in the tooth has been damaged — a sign of rotting teeth. The more you keep postponing a visit to the dentist, the more the bacteria will spread in your mouth, leading to severe pain.

What to do: Book an appointment with your dentist asap.

Pain in the chest 

Certain foods cause heartburn or indigestion. You need to identify the difference between that and something that could be potentially more dangerous. Don't let the thought of a heart problem deter you from visiting the doctor. When you feel like there is a load on your chest — quite literally — or pain, it may just be one of the many signs of a heart attack.

What to do: Don't wait — get yourself checked immediately to find out how serious the problem is.

Unnatural hair growth

While all of us have hair on our bodies, if you notice thick, dark hair on your face, chest, stomach or near your breasts, it could indicate a gynaecological problem Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This occurs when there is an imbalance of female hormones in the body. Other symptoms include irregular periods and trouble conceiving.

What to do: Your gynaecologist may ask you to do tests to detemine the cause.

Sudden weight loss

Whether you're dieting and exercising or not, losing a lot more weight than you should or losing weight suddenly for no apparent reason, is a cause for concern. Unexplained weight loss could be pointing out towards an underlying illness, a sign of diabetes or several other health problems.

What to do: Don't procrastinate. Get a check-up done immediately.

Problem in the bedroom

One of the most common problems, erectile dysfunction happens to all men at some point in their lives. But if it is a recurring problem, you need to get it checked.

What to do: Visit a sexpert or a urologist who will ask you to do some tests.

Fact or Myth: Can Eating Chicken Cause Cancer?

This is a FACT.

Would you like your chicken traditional, crispy, or extra-cancerous?

It sounds like a bad dream at KFC, but unfortunately, it’s true: Consuming conventional, nonorganic chicken meat can increase your risk for cancer.

This is due to the way factory-farmed chickens are raised and fed, including with arsenic, a known carcinogen. The arsenic is part of a growth-promoting ingredient called roxarsone, produced by a subsidiary of Pfizer. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, roxarsone helped prevent a parasitic disease in chickens known as coccidiosis.

After years of claiming that roxarsone posed no threats to humans, a recent FDA study finally proved conclusively that chickens fed roxarsone contained higher levels of carcinogenic arsenic in their meat than those not fed the chemical.

Based on the FDA study, Pfizer voluntarily pulled roxarsone from shelves in the U.S. – but it’s still being sold and fed to chickens elsewhere.

The Chicken Cancer

John Robbins, author of the bestseller, Diet for a New America, says that 90% of factory-farmed chickens are infected with leukosis aka chicken cancer.

Robbins attributes this rampant chicken cancer to the fact that the chickens’ raw skin rubs against their cages, creating a disease-ridden environment. “When I first saw these birds, I was startled by the sight,” said Robbins, “and didn’t even recognize they were chickens. Their skins are raw and sore and bright red. They look more like a walking wound than a bird.”

Due in part to the filthy conditions, the Bureau of Labor has listed poultry processing as one of the most hazardous of all occupations.

Bacteria: Another Killer Lurking in Your Chicken

Mansour Samadpour, a leading bacterial microbiologist, also conducted a study recently to analyze the harmful substances in grocery-store chicken.

“The analysis of these samples found that 65% of the birds tested had campylobacter, 19% had salmonella, and 2% had E. coli or listeria,” said Samadpour.

The FDA requires inspectors to test for these contaminants in slaughterhouses—but the FDA does not, however, look for Staphylococcus aureus, a toxin found in an alarming number of Samadpour’s samples.

Staphylococcus aureus is a fast-acting toxin that often causes gastrointestinal symptoms within 30 minutes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this bug sickens at least 240,000 people a year.

A Better Chicken Choice

If chicken is a favorite staple in your diet, a safer and healthier alternative would be to opt for chicken raised organically in free-range conditions.