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Learning how to express anger assertively and constructively can improve your personal interaction and your health.
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Women experience symptoms of stress 30 percent more often than men, research has shown.
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Whether you've already gained a few extra pounds or have yet to reach perimenopause, here are strategies to help you maintain a healthy weight in midlife and beyond.
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Pregnant women with asthma are just as likely to have healthy, normal babies as women without asthma -- as long as their disease is kept under control.
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As a woman, your body is much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and more easily damaged than a man's body. Because women have less water in their body than men, alcohol doesn't dilute as much and more of it gets absorbed into the blood. That's why women suffer greater physical damage and often become more intoxicated than men when they drink identical amounts of alcohol.
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A correction to the November 2005 Women's Health Watch.Correction Our article about the Kronos Early Estrogen Prevention Study ("New trial to test hormone therapy in younger women,” HWHW, November 2005) should have included Salt Lake City in the list of locations of participating centers (the others are Boston; New Haven; New York; Rochester, Minn.; San Francisco; and Seattle). To learn more about the trial, call 866-878-1221 toll free) or visit www.keepstudy.org on the Web.
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Can a tubal banding be reversed?
Joan Bengtson, M.D., is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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How is mammography done after a breast augmentation?
Joan Bengtson, M.D., is assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive biology at Harvard Medical School and a member of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproduction at Brigham and Women's Hospital.
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I am currently dating someone with HIV. He and I have never been sexually active, but are considering marriage. My question is in regards to sperm washing to possibly have children. How effective is this procedure? Is it done often, and does it work?
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How long do I have to wait after a diagnosis of pelvic inflammatory disease to have sexual intercourse?
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If a Pap smear result came back with "high risk HPV," what does that mean?
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I'm 51 and in menopause. What degree of protection from ovarian cancer would a prophylactic oophorectomy provide? My mother contracted ovarian cancer at 62, already in stage IIIc, and died one year later. Is there still a risk of developing ovarian cancer?
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Can vaginoplasty assist with bladder incontinence and sexual satisfaction for a 33-year-old woman with three children?
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Older women are less likely to exercise. A supplement containing bitter orange caused chest pain. A healthy heart may help protect mental health as well.
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Two studies evaluate supportive underwear meant to ease pain and speed recovery after bypass surgery.
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A study found that women who had off-pump bypass surgery had much lower rates of heart attack, stroke, or death during the operation or shortly after, more so than for men.
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A brief look at state-by-state rankings in health-related categories, with a link to the government report.
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Research into the long-term effects of hormone therapy found that women who were more physically active were less likely to suffer cognitive decline than those who exercised less often.
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Personality changes in adults are most likely to happen during the earlier adult years, up to around age 40.
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A survey of women who had recently been diagnosed with depression found that at least half of them had opted for an alternative form of treatment, such as massage or yoga, in addition to conventional forms of treatment such as medication and therapy.
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A Harvard Medical School physician answers your question about women's loss of interest in sex after menopause.
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Researchers found that women who did not express their feelings during marital arguments were at higher risk of dying prematurely.
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Women with advanced ovarian cancer may benefit from a treatment that sends anticancer drugs directly into the abdomen.
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I'm a healthy 65-year-old woman and just had my first bone density test. How often do I need to have it repeated?
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A new technology called oscillating plate therapy may increase bone muscle mass in humans via barely perceptible vibrations.
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Women with a higher body mass index, even those with a normal BMI who are not in the overweight portion of the scale, face an increased risk of gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD).
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This year I've had four urinary tract infections. Each cleared up with antibiotic treatment. Now, my doctor is prescribing a prophylactic antibiotic, Bactrim 400/80, that I'm supposed to take every day. Are there long-term risks in this?
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When you exercise, you gain more strength and flexibility. Your mood will improve, and you'll be able to think better.
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In elderly patients, symptoms of depression can be mistaken for symptoms of another medical problem, so it is important for clinicians to consider all physical problems and medications of elderly patients before making a diagnosis.
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Learn how to put together a caregiving plan, draw on useful services, and address legal, medical, and financial planning issues. Also, find advice on involving family members, handling daily tasks, and maintaining your well being.
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Aimed at older adults, this report provides practical advice on how to avoid common and often deadly accidents at home.
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A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the:.Bladder Kidneys Ureters-- the tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder Urethra-- the tube that emptie...
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Detailed information on urinary tract infections, including causes, symptom, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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Women can get different kinds of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Knowing which kind of infection you have may help you prevent future UTIs.
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Men can get different kinds of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Knowing which kind of infection you have may help you prevent future UTIs.
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New research shows cranberry juice might help prevent urinary tract infections, but taking cranberry juice extract pills may be better in the long run.
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If a woman has a UTI, should her partner be evaluated as well?
James S. Winshall, M.D., is an associate physician at Brigham and Women's Hospital. In addition to his role as senior editor at Harvard Health Publications, Dr. Winshall practices general internal medicine and is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.
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Detailed information on urinary tract infections, including causes, symptom, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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Detailed information on urinary tract infections, including causes, symptom, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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Detailed information on the most common types of neurological disorders, including acute spinal cord injury, alzheimers disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Bell's palsy, brain tumors, epilepsy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, headaches, muscular contraction
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Detailed information on the most common types of neurological disorders, including acute spinal cord injury, alzheimers disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Bell's palsy, brain tumors, epilepsy, Guillain-Barr‚ syndrome, headaches, muscular contraction
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Detailed information on neurological disorders in children, including headaches, head injury and seizures/epilepsy
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Detailed information on the most common disorders of the brain and nervous system in high-risk newborns
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Glossary of terms relating to nervous system [back to top] acute spinal cord injury (SCI) - due to a traumatic injury that either results in a bruise (also called a contusion), a partial tear, or a complete tear in the spinal cord. SCI is a common cause of permanent disability and death in children.
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Detailed information on neurological disorders in children Topic Index Overview of the Nervous System
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Detailed information on neurology, the branch of medicine that is concerned with the study and treatment of disorders of the nervous system
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Detailed information on nervous system disorders in children The nervous system is a complex, sophisticated system that regulates and coordinates body activities. It is made up of two major divisions:
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Detailed information on nervous system disorders, including symptoms and physicians who treat nervous system disorders
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Detailed information on the most common diagnostic procedures for neurological disorders
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Detailed information on the most common types of neurological exams, including mental status exams, motor function and balance exams, sensory exams, and reflex exams
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Detailed information on neurological surgery Neurological surgery, also called neurosurgery, is the branch of medicine that provides both operative and non-operative management of disorders that affect the central and peripheral nervous systems, including their supportive structures and vascular supply, and the operative and non-operative management of pain.
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Detailed information on the most common diagnostic tests for neurological disorders in children
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Detailed information on the most common diagnostic tests for neurological disorders in children
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Detailed information on the neurological examination of a child A neurological examination, also called a neuro exam, is an evaluation of your child's nervous system that can be performed in the physician's office. It may be performed with instruments, such as lights and reflex hammers, and usually does not cause any pain to the child. The nervous system consists of the brain, the spinal cord, and the nerves from these areas. There are many aspects of this examination, including an assessment of motor and sensory skills, balance and coordination, mental status (the child's level of awareness and interaction with the environment), reflexes, and functioning of the nerves. The extent of the examination depends on many factors, including the initial problem that the child is experiencing, the age of the child, and the condition of the child.
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Detailed information on neurologic conditions in pregnancy There are many neurological conditions that affect a pregnancy and require clinical care by a physician or other healthcare professional. Listed in the directory below are some, for which we have provided a brief overview.
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Detailed information on neurological disorders in children Neurological Disorders Home
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Detailed information on neurological rehabilitation, including the treatment team and rehabilitation program
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List of online resources to find additional information on nervous system disorders
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List of online resources to find additional information on nervous system disorders
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Detailed information on the most common types of neurological disorders, including acute spinal cord injury, alzheimers disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Bell's palsy, brain tumors, epilepsy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, headaches, muscular contraction
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The prostate is a male reproductive gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. It surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.An enlarged prostate means the gland has grown bigger.
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Detailed information on benign prostatic hyperplasia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on benign prostatic hyperplasia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on the most common types of prostate disease, including prostatism, prostatitis, prostatalgia, benign prostatic hyperplasia, impotence (erectile dysfunction), and urinary incontinence
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Detailed information on benign prostatic hyperplasia, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Botulinum toxin (Botox) is deadly when found in contaminated food, but in miniscule doses, it's useful in treating a variety of medical problems, including skin conditions and, possibly, benign prostatic hyperplasia.
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TURP is a type of surgery used to treat a benign enlargement of the prostate, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This surgical treatment removes prostate tissue to relieve pressure on the urethra. This helps relieve symptoms. TURP is the most common BPH procedure. But certain other procedures also help relieve BPH symptoms. Your doctor may do one of these instead of TURP. They include TUIP, TUNA, or laser ablation. If you will have one of these procedures, your doctor can tell you more about it. Your preparation and experience during surgery will be similar to TURP.
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Discussion of various herbal and alternative treatments for enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
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Men who are on medication for BPH (enlarged prostate gland) may want to consider switching to a different class of medication, depending on general health and other medications they may be taking.
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Comparing new and older treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition that affects millions of older men.
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An examination of new drugs used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. Includes a medication comparison chart.
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Experts discuss which patients need medication for BPH, the various types of medication available, their known side effects, whether or not one medication is more effective, and possible interactions with other medications.
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Experts discuss the various types of surgical treatments available for benign prostatic hyperplasia, the benefits and risks of each type, and when surgery should be considered, if at all.
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Two studies of men with benign prostatic hyperplasia who took NSAIDs found conflicting results: one group were more likely to suffer from acute urinary retention, while another showed a reduced risk of BPH symptoms.
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The best weapon against prostate cancer is catching it early.
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It affects about 230,000 men each year. It is the number two killer, with 29,200 deaths annually. It makes up more than 30 percent of all new cancer cases in men.
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Perspectives conducts a discussion with medical experts about the various types of complementary therapy, such as certain foods, herbs, and supplements, used by men with prostate disease.
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Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord( central nervous system).Multiple sclerosis(MS) affects woman more than men. The disorder most commonly begins between ages 20 and 40, but can be seen at any age.MS...
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Detailed information on multiple sclerosis, including causes, symptoms, evaluation procedures, treatment, and rehabilitation
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Detailed information on multiple sclerosis, including causes, symptoms, evaluation procedures, treatment, and rehabilitation
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A description of multiple sclerosis, its causes, symptoms, and treatment. Includes information about treatments on the horizon.
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Detailed information on multiple sclerosis in pregnancy Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease of the central nervous system. It is an unpredictable condition that can be relatively benign, disabling, or devastating. Some individuals with MS may be mildly affected, while others may lose their ability to write, speak, or walk when communication between the brain and other parts of the body becomes disrupted.
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Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting movement, sensation, and bodily functions. It is caused by destruction of the myelin insulation covering nerve fibers(neurons) in the central nervous system(brain and spinal cord).M...
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Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a chronic, degenerative disorder affecting the central nervous system(CNS), which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves. A fatty tissue called myelin coats and protects the nerve fibers in the CNS.
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Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a disorder that affects primarily the myelinated white matter of the central nervous system(CNS), the brain, optic nerves, and spinal cord. There is no known cause.
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Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. The disease results in injury to the myelin sheath(the fatty matter that covers the axons of the nerve cells), the oligodendrocytes(the cells that produce m...
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Multiple sclerosis(MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting movement, sensation, and bodily functions. It is caused by destruction of the myelin sheath(insulation) covering nerve fibers( neurons) in the central nervous system( brain and spin...
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Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, degenerative disease of the central nervous system(CNS). The CNS is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord.
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The effects of multiple sclerosis (MS) can be unpredictable. MS can cause symptoms that range from minor problems in mild cases to paralysis in the most severe cases.
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I have MS and recently was diagnosed with breast cancer. Are there any concerns about breast reconstruction in people with autoimmune diseases?
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Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Casual smoking is the act of smoking only occasionally, usually in a social situation or to relieve stress.
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Question: What are the negative effects of smoking?Answer: Smokers have an increased risk of the following:Lung cancerLung diseaseHeart attackHeart diseaseHypertensionStrokeOral cancerBladder cancerPancreatic cancerCervical cancerPregnancy complic...
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When you smoke, toxins are carried by your blood to every organ in your body. At the same time, the carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke keeps red blood cells from carrying as much oxygen as normal.
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Adolescent smoking has risen steadily throughout the 1990s, following a sharp decline in the 1970s that leveled off in the 1980s. A 1994 report by the office of the U.S.
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Right away, you may cough, wheeze, and have a sore throat—that's the tar clogging up your lungs. You may also have a headache, feel dizzy, and be nauseated—that's the nicotine in your brain. Over time, you risk lung and throat cancer, and lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis.
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Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Casual smoking is the act of smoking only occasionally, usually in a social situation or to relieve stress.
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Smoking during pregnancy reduces oxygen and blood flow to your baby. This may cause bleeding problems that can put your pregnancy at risk.
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Hear the facts about smoking from those who have been doing it for a few years. Find a smoker or two. Ask a few questions. See if their answers sound something like these.
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Ex-smokers' risk of heart disease may eventually approach that of a lifetime nonsmoker, but their risk of lung cancer is less likely to fade, even after long periods of time.
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Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco that is used mostly in three forms: cigarettes, pipes, and cigars.Casual smoking is the act of smoking only occasionally, usually in a social situation or to relieve stress. A smoking habit...
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One of the major triggers for asthma attacks is cigarette smoke. Cigarette, pipe, or cigar smoke is especially harmful to people with asthma because it damages the cells in the lungs that make the protective coating lining the bronchial tubes.
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Life may seem out of control, but you're really making progress. You're going through withdrawal, which is how your body recovers from smoking.
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Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to keep your heart disease from getting worse. Smoking reduces oxygen flow to your heart, speeds plaque buildup, and increases your risk for heart attack.
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When you are trying to quit, the support of friends, coworkers and family members can make a big difference.
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Detailed information on respiratory diseases and smoking, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer
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Everybody knows smoking is bad for your health. Now here's something you may not know: Smoking is bad for your looks. It's true.
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The most common reasons include: "Smoking gives me more energy. I smoke to keep from slowing down. I reach for a cigarette when I need a lift. When I'm tired, smoking perks me up."
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Do you have healthy gums? You may kiss them goodbye if you're a smoker.
Do you have healthy gums? You may kiss them goodbye if you're a smoker, the American Dental Association (ADA) says.
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Detailed information on teens and smoking Diseases caused by smoking kill more than 437,900 people in the United States each year; around 35 percent of these deaths were cardiovascular related. Even with anti-smoking campaigns and medical disclaimers in place, many people continue to smoke or start smoking every year. According to the American Cancer Society, 90 percent of new smokers are children and teenagers, in many cases, replacing the smokers who quit or died prematurely from a smoking-related disease.
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Smoking damages your arteries, and it's thought that the damaged arteries in the discs and joints in your back may lead to pain and injury.
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For most people, the best way to quit smoking is some combination of medicine, a method to change personal habits and emotional support.
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Teens who smoke are more likely to quit if they can be convinced to participate in a cessation program that emphasizes the health risks of smoking, provides motivational encouragement and coping skills, and encourages a healthy overall lifestyle.
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Smoking is an important and preventable cause of death and illness. However, as more money has been spent on smoking cessation programs, the incidence of cigarette smoking has risen.
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Every day, nearly 6,000 teens and pre-teens try cigarettes for the first time, according to the American Lung Association. A third of these first-timers will end up becoming smokers.
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When people consider the cost of smoking, they usually focus on the cost of the cigarettes alone. But that's only the first step.
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Among other things, keep a personal benefits log. Write down the benefits you experience from being smoke-free (for example, I can smell flowers again!) Write the specific occurrence, the date it first happened, and your reaction.
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A smoker's recovery plan includes listing those activities that you have chosen to help reduce the pressures of nicotine withdrawal and staying smoke-free.
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The personal motivation list will help you identify the benefits of quitting, for you, for your family, and for your friends.
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I know that smoking is very bad for me. I've cut down to one cigarette after lunch and another after dinner each day, with two or three more on most weekend nights when I socialize. I really enjoy smoking, but I want to know if I'm harming myself.
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Bladder cancer is a disease in which the cells lining the urinary bladder lose the ability to regulate their growth and start dividing uncontrollably. This abnormal growth results in a mass of cells that form a tumor.The urinary bladder is a hollo...
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Bladder cancer is a cancerous tumor in the bladder-- the organ that holds urine.In the United States, bladder cancers usually start from the cells lining the bladder(transitional cells).These tumors may be classified based on the way they grow:.Pa...
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Expert-reviewed information summary about the treatment of bladder cancer. The bladder is a hollow organ in the lower part of the abdomen. It is shaped like a small balloon and has a muscular wall that allows it to get larger or smaller. The bladder stores urine until it is passed out of the body. Urine is the liquid waste that is made by the kidneys when they clean the blood. The urine passes from the two kidneys into the bladder through two tubes called ureters. When the bladder is emptied during urination, the urine goes from the bladder to the outside of the body through another tube called the urethra.
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Bladder cancer is a disease in which the cells lining the urinary bladder lose the ability to regulate their.
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The bladder is part of your urinary tract. The urinary tract rids your body of liquid waste. Bladder cancer means that certain cells in the urinary tract have changed in ways that aren't normal.
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Detailed information on bladder cancer, including symptoms, types, causes, risk factors, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
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There are very few things scarier than being told you have cancer. You may feel like you're in shock. You may not even want to believe what the doctor has told you. And there are probably so many questions you want to ask but think you can't because you don't know where to start.
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Bladder cancer is a disease in which the cells lining the urinary bladder lose the ability to regulate their growth and start dividing uncontrollably. This abnormal growth results in a mass of cells that form a tumor.Bladder cancer is the fifth mo...
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One way to talk about bladder cancer is what kind of cells it starts from. The bladder is made up of many layers of cells. Bladder cancer can affect any one or all of these cells. These are the 3 types of cells that most commonly affected.
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Cells in the bladder normally grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old and die, new cells take their place. But sometimes bladder cells don't die when they should, and new cells are formed even when the body doesn't need them. These extra cells can form a growth or tumor.
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Some people use statistics to try to figure out their chance of getting cancer or of being cured. However, statistics only show what happens to large groups of people. But because no 2 people are alike, you cannot use them to predict what might happen to you.
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The best way to protect yourself from bladder cancer is to know what makes you more likely to get it. These are called your risk factors. Knowing what puts you at risk for bladder cancer can help you make healthy choices in your life to help prevent it. You'll learn about your risk factors in this section.
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Screening tests check for signs of cancer in people who don't have any symptoms. Early detection of bladder cancer improves the chance of successful treatment. However, screening for bladder cancer is not usually recommended for people who do not show symptoms or do not have strong risk factors for the disease. Your doctor may recommend screening tests if any of the following is true for you.
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Early attention to symptoms is the best way to find and treat bladder cancer. The earlier bladder cancer is found, the easier it is to treat--and the better your chance of being cured.
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If you are at risk for bladder cancer, what can you do? The best thing you can do is try to avoid as many of the risks as possible.
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The type of treatment your doctor recommends for you depends on the type of cancer you have and its stage--that is, how invasive it is.
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There's no way to know for sure if you're going to get bladder cancer. Certain factors can make one person more likely to get bladder cancer than another person. These are called risk factors. However, just because you have one or more risk factors does not mean that you will get bladder cancer. In fact, you can have all the risk factors and not get bladder cancer. Or you can have no risk factors and still get it.
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If you're having bladder-cancer-like symptoms, your doctor will want to know why. Your doctor is likely to ask you questions about these things.
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Bladder cancer acts differently in each person. The way a cancer grows is called its pathophysiology. Cancer has different phases of development. The grade of your cancer describes how the cancer cells look. Knowing how the cells look will help your doctor predict how fast the cancer may grow and spread. The stage of your cancer describes the size of a tumor and where and how deeply it has spread.
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A prognosis is a statement about the prospect of surviving and recovering from a disease. It may sound harsh to ask the question, "Can I survive this?” But it's a question most people have when they learn they have cancer. Unfortunately, there isn't an easy answer.
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Screening for cancer is examination (or testing) of people for early signs of a certain type of cancer even though they have no symptoms. Scientists have studied patterns of cancer in the population to learn which people are more likely to get certain types of cancer. They have also studied what things around us and what things we do in our lives may cause cancer. This information helps doctors recommend who should be screened for certain types of cancer, what types of screening tests people should have, and how often these tests should be done. Not all screening tests are helpful, and most have risks such as tearing of the inner lining of the bladder during a biopsy for an abnormal screening test. For this reason, scientists at the National Cancer Institute are studying many screening tests to find out how useful they are.
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Researchers are always finding new treatments for bladder cancer. People with cancer now have more hope for survival than ever before. In this section we will cover the details of different treatments.
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Radiation is a way of treating cancer. Radiation uses beams of energy to destroy cancer cells. With each dose, the tumor gets smaller. The cancer cells die and healthy cells take their place. Radiation may be used alone or with chemotherapy, and may be done before or after surgery.
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The most common way to give immunotherapy for bladder cancer is intravesically. That means the drugs are placed directly into your bladder instead of injected into your blood or taken as pills. Early-stage bladder cancer can often be successfully treated with the drug BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guerin). The doctor puts BCG directly into your bladder by inserting it through a catheter in your urethra. Your body's immune system responds to the presence of BCG, and the bladder cancer cells are destroyed.
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External radiation therapy is usually given on an outpatient basis in a hospital or a clinic. This type of radiation usually comes from a machine called a linear accelerator.
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Chemotherapy is given in cycles. A person with bladder cancer will get chemotherapy treatment for a certain length of time and then get a rest period. Then treatment will begin again. Each treatment and rest period makes up one cycle. Most people have chemotherapy in an outpatient clinic in their local hospital, at their doctor's office, or in their home. Sometimes, they may go to a special chemotherapy-only clinic.
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A biopsy is a small sample of cells and tissue. A bladder biopsy is usually taken during cystoscopy. This procedure lets your doctor examine the inside of your bladder. Your doctor slides a thin tube with an attached tiny camera lens and light, called a cystoscope, through your urethra into your bladder. If your doctor sees something that looks like cancer, he or she will remove a small sample of the tissue.
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Your doctor took a sample of cells and tissue from your bladder in a process called a biopsy in order to know that you have cancer. Your doctor may request more tests to learn more about your cancer and its specific location to help decide on the best treatment for you. Here are some of the tests you may need.
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When you are being treated for bladder cancer, it's likely that you will have side effects from that treatment, and perhaps symptoms of the disease itself. The cancer may cause symptoms if the tumor puts pressure on an organ or body part and causes pain. Or the tumor may interfere with that organ's or body part's function.
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Treating your cancer to get the best results is important. But your quality of life also matters. Let your doctor and nurse know if you are experiencing any side effects or discomfort. Make sure to tell your doctor or nurse how these problems affect your day-to-day life. Your healthcare team is there to help you manage your symptoms as well as to treat your cancer.
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Dealing with your feelings is often easier as you learn more about your disease and get support from other people. Doctors, nurses, and other members of your healthcare team can answer questions about your concerns. Talking with friends and relatives or getting in touch with others who have had cancer can be helpful. Meeting with a social worker, counselor, or member of the clergy may also be helpful. Many people with cancer attend support groups where they share what they have learned about cancer and its treatments. Here are some options for finding support.
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You will most likely have physical concerns since your cancer may cause symptoms and you may have side effects from your treatment. In this section, you'll learn more about how to respond to some of the most common ones. Your reaction depends on the treatment you get. We've listed symptoms and side effects alphabetically so that you can easily find tips to ease the problems you are having.
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According to the American Cancer Society, these are facts about bladder cancer.
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Here are some of the side effects that are common with immunotherapy for bladder cancer.
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Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells. The drugs used in chemotherapy are designed to attack and kill cells that divide quickly. Cancer cells divide more quickly than most cells in the body. This means that the drugs used in chemotherapy mainly affect cancer cells. However, they can also affect fast-growing normal cells, such as cells in the digestive tract or cells in the hair roots. This is why chemotherapy causes some side effects.
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For this treatment, chemotherapy drugs are placed directly into your bladder. The doctor does this with a catheter inserted through your urethra. When you get chemotherapy in this manner, the drugs affect only the cancer cells in your bladder. The drugs do not do anything to cancerous cells outside the bladder. For this reason, this kind of chemotherapy is only used for stage 0 or stage I bladder cancer. These are stages where the cancer hasn't spread past the bladder lining. These are the most common intravesical chemotherapy drugs.
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For systemic chemotherapy, your doctor or nurse injects anticancer drugs into your vein. The benefit of systemic treatment is that the drugs can attack cancer cells throughout your body, not just in your bladder. It's used to treat cancers that may have spread.
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Ask your oncologist and chemotherapy nurse for the details on each drug's side effects. Side effects of chemotherapy are different for everyone and vary based on the types of drugs you receive.
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Radiation therapy is also called radiotherapy. It is one way to treat bladder cancer. Radiation uses high-energy X-ray beams to kill cancer cells. Radiation that comes from a machine outside the body is called external beam radiation therapy (EBRT).
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Because radiation affects normal cells as well as cancer cells, you may have some side effects from this treatment. Usually, the risk of side effects is far less than the benefit of killing cancer cells. Many people have no side effects at all. If you do have them, they relate to the dose of radiation you get and the area of your cancer, and they are generally limited to the area that's been treated.
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Surgery is the most common treatment for bladder cancer. Its goal is to remove the tumor, while preserving as much of the bladder as possible. Several types of surgery can be used. Your doctor will help you understand the risks and benefits of each type. You may have surgery alone or with another type of treatment.
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This treatment is sometimes called biological therapy. Immunotherapy is when drugs are used to make the body's own immune system fight cancer. Its goal is to kill cancer cells without having to remove the bladder. It can also help keep the bladder cancer from coming back.
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You may feel overwhelmed at first with all the information about treatment options. Give yourself time to gather as much information as you can. Learn about your disease and the treatments. Discuss the issues with your doctors, nurses, and loved ones.
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You have to be healthy for surgery to be a good choice. Before surgery, you'll meet with your surgeon, who is a urologist, which is a doctor who specializes in problems with the urinary tract, including the bladder. In this meeting, you will talk about the procedure. You'll also be able to ask questions and address concerns you may have. You may want to ask about the possible side effects of the surgery and talk about its risks. You may also want to ask your doctor when you can expect to return to your normal activities. You may want to ask where the scars will be and what they will look like.
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Your doctor may recommend immunotherapy if you have early-stage, superficial bladder cancer. This means the cancer has not spread beyond the lining of your bladder. Immunotherapy may be used alone to treat bladder cancer.
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Your doctor may recommend chemotherapy to treat bladder cancer if any of these cases apply to you.
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Your doctor may recommend radiation for you in any of the following situations.
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Listed below are some frequently asked questions about bladder cancer. Q: What is bladder cancer?
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Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual''s ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness, disability, and death.The branch of medicine that deals with the study and treatment...
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Obesity is a term used to describe body weight that is much greater than what is considered healthy. If you are obese, you have a much higher amount of body fat than lean muscle mass.Adults with a body mass index(BMI) greater than 25 but less than...
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Detailed information on obesity, including obesity causes, obesity health effects, obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, maintaining weight loss, and obesity prevention
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Obesity is the condition of having an excessive accumulation of fat in the body, resulting in a body weight more than 20% above the average for height, age, sex, and body type, and in elevated risk of disability, illness, and death.The human body ...
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We've all heard warnings, yet many of us keep gaining weight. More than half of American adults are overweight or obese, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Weighing too much is harmful, but the location of those extra pounds can worsen the risk.
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Detailed information on obesity, including obesity facts, obesity causes, and obesity health effects
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Detailed information on obesity, including obesity facts, obesity causes, and obesity health effects
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Detailed information on obesity, including obesity facts, obesity causes, and obesity health effects
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Detailed information on obesity, including cause, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
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Obesity, defined as a body mass index of 30 or greater, is an epidemic in the United States and other industrialized nations, and it is rapidly becoming one in developing nations. As countries transition to westernized lifestyles, obesity tends to...
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obesity increases the risk for illness from 30 serious medical conditions, including diabetes, heart disease and several types of cancer.
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With childhood obesity on the rise, should parents worry about the weight of their babies?
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Detailed information on obesity, including obesity facts, obesity causes, and obesity health effects
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Detailed information on obesity prevention strategies during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
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Detailed information on obesity, including obesity causes, obesity health effects, obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, maintaining weight loss, and obesity prevention
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Detailed information on obesity prevention strategies during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
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Detailed information on obesity, including obesity causes, obesity health effects, obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, maintaining weight loss, and obesity prevention
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Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual''s ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness, disability, and death.Obesity is defined by both the U.S.
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As your body mass index goes up, so does your risk for health problems. Your blood pressure goes up and so do your cholesterol levels.
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Detailed information on obesity prevention strategies during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
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Detailed information on obesity prevention strategies during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood
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Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an individual''s ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness, disability, and death.Obesity traditionally has been defined as a weight at least 20...
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There is growing evidence that obesity increases a man's risk of developing prostate cancer. The reasons are still unclear, but obesity affects hormone production, which could in turn be influencing cancer growth.
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, obesity gastric bypass (malabsorptive) surgery, and obesity gastric stapling (restrictive) surgery
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, and obesity surgical treatment
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Detailed information on obesity, including obesity causes, obesity health effects, obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, maintaining weight loss, and obesity prevention
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, obesity gastric bypass (malabsorptive) surgery, and obesity gastric stapling (restrictive) surgery
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, and obesity surgical treatment
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, obesity gastric bypass (malabsorptive) surgery, and obesity gastric stapling (restrictive) surgery
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, and obesity surgical treatment
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, obesity surgical treatment, obesity gastric bypass (malabsorptive) surgery, and obesity gastric stapling (restrictive) surgery
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Detailed information on obesity treatment, including obesity medical treatment, and obesity surgical treatment
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The analysis of more than 15,000 young people in the United States found about a third of the cases of depression and obesity among those teens could be attributed to being from families with low incomes.
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Term describing a condition where the ratio of body fat to total body mass is higher than accepted norms.The percent of U.S. children who are overweight is estimated to be between 20-30%, but there is no firm definition of obesity for children and...
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Extreme obesity plagues more than a million teens and young adults, experts estimate. What's a parent to do?
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Detailed information on weight and weight control, including healthy tips for maintaining your weight
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Detailed information on obesity medical treatment, including obesity prescription medications and supplements, obesity behavioral strategies, and psychotherapy for eating disorders
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Detailed information on obesity medical treatment, including obesity prescription medications and supplements, obesity behavioral strategies, and psychotherapy for eating disorders
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Detailed information on obesity medical treatment, including obesity prescription medications and supplements, obesity behavioral strategies, and psychotherapy for eating disorders
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Detailed information on obesity medical treatment, including obesity prescription medications and supplements, obesity behavioral strategies, and psychotherapy for eating disorders
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Obesity is an abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20 percent or more over an individual''s ideal body weight. Obesity is associated with increased risk of illness, disability, and death.The branch of medicine that deals with the study and tr...
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Bariatric surgery, which helps extremely obese people lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach and intestines, carries a higher risk of death than previously believed, new research shows. Three studies, published October 19 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found death rates of 3% to 5% for middle-aged adults and more than twice that high for patients 65 to 74, the Associated Press (AP) reported. Among patients 75 or older, 40% of the women and half of the men died, the AP story said.
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Exploring the causes and consequences of America's growing epidemic of obesity.Obesity is not a new problem. Forty years ago, 4 of every 10 Americans were overweight or obese. But obesity is a growing problem, and it's growing quickly; today, two of every three Americans need to lose weight. In the 1960s, obesity was an epidemic; today, it's a pandemic.
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Detailed information on obesity surgical treatment, including gastric bypass surgery, and gastric stapling surgery
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Detailed information on obesity surgical treatment, including gastric bypass surgery, and gastric stapling surgery
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Detailed information on obesity surgical treatment, including gastric bypass surgery, and gastric stapling surgery
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Detailed information on obesity surgical treatment, including gastric bypass surgery, and gastric stapling surgery
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More than 19 million Americans have type 2 diabetes, and millions more have a condition that puts them at high risk for developing it.
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The American Diabetes Association estimates at least 20.1 million people in the United States have pre-diabetes. Pre-diabetes means having a blood sugar level that is higher than normal, but not yet persistently high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes. By taking steps to control your blood sugar, you can delay or prevent type 2 diabetes from developing.
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What is responsible for obesity, how to treat it.At one time it was commonly believed that overweight and obese people were compulsive eaters, anxious, depressed, under stress, or trying to compensate for inadequate upbringing, family conflict, or other deficiencies in their lives. But since then, when almost everyone seems to be getting heavier and obesity has become a national political issue, both experts and the public are turning away from the idea that weight gain is a personal emotional problem. Instead the trend toward obesity has become a subject for biologists and sociologists, regarded as the physical consequence of a general social condition. It's become less clear what role psychotherapists and other mental health professionals should play in managing the problem.
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America is more overweight and out of shape than ever. The result? Soaring medical costs and lost productivity. The U.S. government is working to change that with "Healthy People 2010," its latest effort to show us that national health demands personal health. The drive includes 10 "leading health indicators," modeled after our leading economic indicators.
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A study claims that obese people are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression, but the findings do not prove that the conditions are causally related to each other.
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The prevalence and consequences of obesity and how to treat it; explanation of BMI and waist-to-hip ratio.
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Detailed information on maintaining weight loss, including weight loss benefits, weight loss maintenance strategies, and weight cycling
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Detailed information on maintaining weight loss, including weight loss benefits, weight loss maintenance strategies, and weight cycling
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Detailed information on maintaining weight loss, including weight loss benefits, weight loss maintenance strategies, and weight cycling
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Detailed information on maintaining weight loss, including weight loss benefits, weight loss maintenance strategies, and weight cycling
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Portion sizes are bigger today, and that increase has contributed to the growing numbers of overweight or obese Americans.
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The fact is, you might not care as much about looks as your wife does, but that fat around your abdomen is no laughing matter. A man's potbelly often warns of later problems ranging from heart disease to cancer, diabetes, arthritis, back pain and sleep apnea.
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Each overweight or obese American spends $700 more a year on medical bills than trim neighbors, one expert says.
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With two out of three Americans overweight or obese, it's become a community problem. The solution requires cooperation from public and private institutions.
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Obesity has become a public health crisis in the United States, in part, because Americans are consuming more calories than they did 30 years ago. A large part of that increase in consumption can be pinned on a greater use of foods prepared away from home -- those ready-to-eat items available at restaurants, grocery store food counters and fast-food eateries.
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Children whose parents are overweight or obese are at higher risk for becoming obese themselves, studies have shown.
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Obesity is the most common health problem facing children, child health experts say. More than 30 percent of children and teens are overweight, and 15 percent are obese.
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True or false? Most overweight people got that way because they're self-indulgent weaklings without the will power to say no to super-sized french fries and fudge-slathered ice cream.
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We've all heard warnings, yet many of us keep gaining weight. More than half of American adults are overweight or obese, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Many obese adults don't believe they are obese. A small survey (104 adults ages 45 to 64 were polled) found that 71% of normal-weight people placed themselves in the correct weight category, as did 73% of overweight people. However, only 15% of obese people identified themselves as obese. The Associated Press reported April 9 on the survey, done by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, an adult who is 5 feet 10 inches tall is overweight at 174 pounds and obese at 209 pounds.
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Experts in one study say the study shows the limitations of the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of obesity, especially because it doesn't account for weight that is muscle rather than fat. A study of 90,000 U.S. women, described in the second article, says the risk of death jumps sharply for extremely obese women -- those at least 90 pounds overweight.
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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) is warning that obesity during pregnancy increases the risk of several complications, including high blood pressure, a serious condition called preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The ACOG opinion, published in the September issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology, says obese women also are more likely to miscarry, to need a Caesarean section, and to have excessive bleeding and infection after a Caesarean section. Babies of obese women are more likely to be stillborn, be born prematurely and have spinal cord abnormalities called neural tube defects. The risks affect women with a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 30, and are even higher for women with a BMI of more than 30.
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Experts are challenging a recent, widely reported study that suggested being overweight is not associated with early mortality.
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I am 19 years old and weigh 300 pounds. I have tried diets and they don't work. I have had a physical and am healthy except for my weight. I would like to have stomach banding surgery done. Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
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Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control.Approximately 11,000 new spinal cord injuries(SCIs) occur each year in the United States. About 200,000 people are currently affected.
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Spinal cord trauma is damage to the spinal cord. It may result from direct injury to the cord itself or indirectly from damage to surrounding bones, tissues, or blood vessels.Spinal cord trauma can be caused by any number of injuries to the spine.
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Do not move a person with a spinal injury unless it is necessary to save his or her life. Call 911 and wait for help.
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Detailed information on acute spinal cord injury, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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Detailed information on acute spinal cord injury, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
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When Dr. Wise Young began his studies, spinal injuries were considered untreatable. But his dogged efforts to find cures have brought hope to thousands of people with debilitating spinal injuries.
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Spinal cord injury(SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function such as mobility or feeling. The spinal cord does not have to be severed in order for a loss of function to occur.
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Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control.Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries(SCIs) occur each year in the United States. About 250,000 people are currently affected.
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Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord that causes loss of sensation and motor control.Approximately 10,000 new spinal cord injuries(SCIs) occur each year in the United States. About 250,000 people are currently affected.
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After emergency treatment in the ER, a person with a spinal cord injury is likely to be admitted to the hospital. Or, he or she may be transferred to a special spinal cord injury center.
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Researchers examining patients with spinal cord injuries found that those with the most severe physical impairments also had better overall states of mental health.
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Detailed information on acute spinal cord injury, including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and spinal cord injury rehabilitation
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Bladder outlet obstruction(BOO) is a blockage at the base of the bladder that reduces or prevents the flow of urine into the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body.Bladder outlet obstruction can have many different causes, inclu...
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A urologist diagnosed prostate cancer, and I decided to have my prostate removed. I've done fine, except that I have to urinate two or three times every night, just as before. I thought prostate operations were supposed to help this. What went wrong?
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A brief look at the difference between carcinoma and sarcoma of the prostate.
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