Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer: Some Important Information

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer (malignancy) that most frequently arises from the cells lining the sacs of the chest (the pleura) or the abdomen (the peritoneum).

It is extremely easy to make a spelling mistake for mesothelioma. Examples: mezothelioma, mesothelomia, esothelioma, nesothelioma, mesithelioma, mesotheliona

Most people who develop mesothelioma, have worked on jobs where they have inhaled asbestos particles, or have been exposed to asbestos dust and fibre in other ways. Other ways involve washing clothes of a family members who have worked with asbestos. Unlike lung cancer, there has yet to been determination of a link between mesothelioma and smoking.

Mesothelioma is mainly caused by previous exposure to asbestos. In this disease, malignant cells develop in the mesothelium, a protective lining which covers most internal organs.

Causes: Most people who develop mesothelioma have worked in and around jobs containing asbestos. Unlike most other lung cancers, there is no association between mesothelioma and smoking.

Symptoms: Symptoms of mesotheliomamay not appear untill many many years of working with asbestos. Anywhere from 20-50 years is a common cycle. Shortness of breath, cough, and pain the chest area are due to an accumulation of fluids in the pleuralspace which are often symptoms of pleuralmesothelioma.

Peritoneal Mesothelioma Symptoms: Signs and symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma include weight loss and cachexia, which is abdominal swelling and pain due to ascites(Build up of fluids in the abdominal cavity).
Other symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma may include bowel obstruction, anemia, blood clotting abnormalities and fever. If the mesothelioma cancer has spread beyond the mesothelium to other parts of the body, new symptoms such as pain, trouble swallowing, or swelling of the neck or face may occur.

Diagnosing mesothelioma is often a difficult process, this is due to the symptoms being similar to those of a number of other conditions. Diagnosis of mesothelioma usually begins with a review of the patient's medical history. A history of exposure to asbestos may increase the clinical suspicion for mesothelioma.

The next usual step is a physical examination to be performed, this followed by chest X-ray and, usually a lung function test. The X-ray may reveal pleural thickening, commonly seen after asbestos exposure, a main factor in mesothelioma. A CT (or CAT) scan or an MRI is usually performed.

When either procedure is performed, if a large amount of fluid is present, abnormal cells may be detected by cytology if this fluid is aspirated with a syringe. For pleural fluid this is done by a pleural tap or chest drain, in ascites with an paracentesis or ascitic drain and in a pericardialeffusion with pericardiocentesis.

While the absence of malignant cells does not completely exclude mesothelioma, it makes it much more unlikely, especially if alternative diagnosis can be found (e.g. tuberculosis, heart failure).

If cytology is positive or a plaque is regarded as being that of suspicious, a biopsy is needed to confirm a diagnosis of mesothelioma. At this point, a doctor will remove samples of the tissue for examination under a microscope by a pathologist.

At this time, a biopsy may be performed in different ways usually depending on where the abnormal area is located. If the (cancer) is in the chest, the doctor may perform a thoracoscopy. Thoracoscopy allows the doctor to look inside the chest and obtain tissue samples.

If the cancer is found within the abdomen, the doctor may perform a laparoscopy. If any procedures do not yield enough tissue, more extensive diagnostic surgery may be necessary.

Mesothelioma Cancer: Important Information For Sufferers

Mesothelioma cancer is a type of cancer that strikes the tissues of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is the tissue lining that surrounds various organs, such as the abdomen, heart, reproductive organs, and even the lungs. The lining around the organs in the abdomen is the peritoneal membrane and the lining that is around your lungs is known as the pleural member. The pericardium is the the lining around your heart.

These tissue lining perform various functions: they help to protect your organs, producing fluid that keeps them lubricated, and makes it easy for them to easily move around as well. Mesothelioma cancer affects these membranes and the specific names of the cancers are dependent on the specific tissues that the cancer actually affects.

There is pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma, and pericardial mesothelioma. Usually the most common type of this cancer is pleural mesothelioma, and about 70% of the people dealing with this type of cancer have this specific type. About 10-20% of patients with Mesothelioma have peritoneal problems, and the most rare type of this cancer is the type that affects the pericardium.

There are a variety of symptoms that can signify Mesothelioma, the only problem is that these symptoms are often symptoms that are characteristic of other disease as well. This can make it hard to actually diagnose this type of cancer.

A few of the common symptoms include loss of appetite, weakness, pain in the abdomen, abdominal swelling, nausea, and weight loss. For pleural mesothelioma, some other symptoms to look for include chest pain, problems swallowing, coughing, problems breathing, and low back pain.

Believe it or not, the history of this type of cancer goes all the way back to the early 1900's. However, it took many years for information to be gathered on Mesothelioma so that it could be properly diagnosed and treated.

Late in the 1960's, doctors finally figured that it was asbestos exposure that actually lead to the cancer. The first person to actually confirm that this disease was caused by asbestos exposure was J.C. Wagner, who dealt with more than 30 cases of Mesothelioma cancer.

One of the things that can be so scary about this type of cancer is that it can lay dormant for many years. In fact, sometimes it can go for more than 50 years without showing any type of symptoms of this cancer.

Often however, once the cancer is discovered, most people do not live more than about 1-2 years after they have been diagnosed with Mesothelioma. In some cases, if there is an early diagnosis, radiation, chemotherapy, and even surgery can be used to try and treat the cancer. Also, many people who end up dealing with Mesothelioma are able to recover damages from companies that exposed them to the asbestos leading to their cancer.

Common Symptoms of Mesothelioma?

Are you concerned because you or someone you know may have Mesothelioma? Mesothelioma commonly goes overlooked or unrecognized because its symptoms are so similar to many more common less serious illnesses.

A person who has Mesothelioma normally doesn't even start to show symptoms for at least 10 years after being exposed, and can show no symptoms for up to 50 years. Unfortunately there are no early warning signs of the disease, and usually when someone is diagnosed with Mesothelioma they are in a highly progressed stage.

Mesothelioma is a cancer that affects the membranes in your body. It affects the membranes that surround the three main cavities in your body, your thoracic cavity, your pericardium, and also your abdominal cavity. Out of the four different types of Mesothelioma cancers, the most popular is Pleural Mesothelioma, which would be surrounding the thoracic cavity. Even though they are delayed and may not show for some time, there are symptoms for Mesothelioma.

A dry and raspy continuous cough is a common symptom of Mesothelioma, along with minor to severe pain in the chest or rib area and having difficulty breathing on a regular basis or shortness of breath. Some people cough up blood, are often dizzy, faint, have nausea, and have a difficult time swallowing. More noticeable symptoms are rapid or constant weight lots, lumps or bumps on the skin in the stomach area, and irregular or high heart rate.

A person suffering for Mesothelioma will feel tired, restless, and fatigued. Unfortunately most of these symptoms resemble the symptoms of a common cold, sore throat, repertory infection, or flu. The major majority of Mesothelioma cases that are diagnosed are caused from the inhalation of asbestos. If your doctor is unaware of your previous exposure to asbestos than it may difficult for them to diagnose it.

If you or someone you know has been around and exposed to Mesothelioma then you should check with your doctor, and get normal chest x rays to hope for early detection. Early detection would be your best bet for survival and treatment. Many Americans are living with undetected or undiagnosed Mesothelioma.

What is the Best Household Pet for You?

The choosing of your perfect pet is an exciting and engaging experience. Just as each person's temperament varies, so the matching of a great pet to just one person promises to be an individual journey of exploration.

In my personal student of hundreds of satisfied pet owners, many of them would talk for hours about their perfect pet, pouring out their exuberant feelings of love and devotion.

Some will talk about their dog or cat, their pet rabbit, their lizard or snake. Others exclaim the glories of their beautiful canary or talking parrot, their awesome goldfish or a reef tank, and yet others about their horse or pot-bellied pig. There are many pets to choose from and your perfect pet will be unique to you.

When you're thinking of a "pet", the first animals that first come to mind are cats and dogs.

These have been kept as pets for thousands of years and so are well domesticated. Cats and dogs are well known pets and are abundantly available both as mixed and as recognized breeds.

They can fit into many different lifestyles and are easily supported commercially. Every grocery store and mass merchandise store, as well as most pet stores, would provide products for the care of these types of pets.

The varieties of pets you can consider are not just limited to dogs and cats however. Not only are there many other types of pets, keeping some of these have distinct advantages.

One important advantage of keeping other types of companion animals is for those who rent. Most rental properties have some type of pet policy to protect against damage. They will either not allow you to keep pets or they will charge you to keep them.

Rental policies for pets most often apply to keeping dogs and cats. Small caged animals and aquatic animals are often not considered. These other types of pets, because they are contained, are less likely to damage the property. Many varieties of pets are available through regular pet stores, clubs, exotic breeders, and online retailers.

To be the perfect pet for you, the companion animal you choose will need to have a good fit with your particular lifestyle, home, and ability to care for it.

It's also important to determine what your interests and purpose in keeping a pet are. Evaluate these aspects and then take an in-depth look at the people who will be affected by obtaining a pet or companion animal as well.

As you think about yourself and your family, recognize each person's personality and imagine how the perfect pet will fit in.

You may want to conduct a family discussion so each person can express what a companion animal would mean to him or her.

One person may value a snuggly pet while another may want a playmate. Another person may simply be fascinated by the appearance and behavior of an incredibly unique creature. Still others may want to train, show, or breed an animal.

Carefully consider your lifestyle:

• Where do you live and how much space do you have, both inside and outside.
• How active are you?
  Do you spend a good deal of your time in more sedentary activities, like sitting at a desk? Or are your activities more physical in nature, involving walking or exercise. Maybe they are a mixture of both.
• How strong are you?
  This may influence the size of animal you want to consider as larger animals and habitats take more strength to maneuver.
• How much time do you spend at home and how much time away from home.
• How much money do you want to spend?
  Besides the purchase price the costs for food, housing, and maintenance can vary considerably from animal to animal. Then there are ongoing costs such as accessories, special diets, and veterinary care that are also quite varied.

The commitment that you and each member of your family are willing to make to provide a good home for your pet is very important. Every animal requires care and maintenance, and some require socialization.

Discuss what it takes to keep a companion animal to provide a good environment and keep it clean.

Talk about feeding and grooming, as well as the socializing and exercise needs of different animals.

Find out how much time each person is willing to spend both daily and weekly, not only with a pet but also on the pets needs.

Talk about how much money you are willing to spend, some pets cost very little while others can cost thousands of dollars.

There are as many varieties of pets and animals as there are homes for them to live in and activities for them to partake in. Once you have evaluated your lifestyle, space, each person's level of commitment, and what your purpose is, then you are ready to start looking at what type of pet is right for you and your family.

This is where your fun journey begins!

Companion animals come in all types and categories. Animals range in size from very tiny to very large and everything in between. . They serve a variety of purposes, which can sometimes overlap. They can be 'stay at home' types like furry cuddly pets, aquatic animals, birds, and reptiles.

Others are great for energetic outdoor activities like some dogs or horses. There are many beautiful ‘best of breed' animals that are suited for showing or display. Some animals are kept for very specific purposes, like working or guide dogs, herding animals, or birds of prey.

To help you determine the kind of pets you would like to consider, evaluate their needs and requirements.

Evaluate each type of animal carefully:

• What kind of an environment does it need? Indoors, outdoors, or both indoors and outdoors.
• What kind of enclosure does it need, if any? Cage, aquarium, terrarium, hutch, pen, aviary, run, shed, stall, corral, barn, or other
• What kinds of additional accessories will be needed for comfort, enrichment, or training? Control items like collars, harnesses, etc. Things for climbing, chewing, playing and exercising, shelter and hiding, sleeping, breeding, or other.
• What kind of food and how much?
• Does it need supplements or treats?
• What kind of vaccines as well as regular veterinarian attention will it need?
• What age would be best?
• What sex would be best?
• How long will it live?

There are many different kinds of animals people keep and there are many different reasons people keep them. Not all animals may available to you however. When you select an animal, be sure to check with your state and local authorities to find out if there are any restrictions for keeping it in your area. Some localities have animal species that are banned or restricted. Also, to keep some animals can require special training, permits, or licensing.

To help you choose the right pet for you, here are some of the many different (but often more readily available!) types of animals:

Mammals and rodents:

• Rabbits
• Guinea pigs
• Mice
• Hamsters
• Gerbils
• Rats
• Hedgehogs
• Ferrets
• Chinchillas
• Squirrels
• Sugar gliders
• Other exotics

Indoor or indoor/outdoor house pets:

• Dogs
• Cats
• Exotics: Raccoons, etc

Reptiles, Amphibians, Land Invertebrates

• Lizards
• Snakes
• Frogs, salamanders, etc
• Turtles and tortoises
• Tarantulas, scorpions, etc
• Crabs, snails, etc

Aquatic animals:

• Freshwater aquarium
• Saltwater aquarium
• Mini reef

Birds - avian animals:

• Finches or canaries
• Small parrots
• Large parrots
• Doves and pigeons
• Toucans, Mynah Birds
• Pheasants, Quail
• Falcons, hawks, other birds of prey

Outdoor pets:

• Horses - Miniature Horses
• Burros
• Goats
• Pot-bellied pigs
• Aviary Birds, Ducks, Geese, etc
• Other Exotics

Is there a Cure for Progeria?

At present there is no cure for Progeria. The condition is managed symptomatically but with limited success. The Mayo Clinic recommends the following treatments:

• A low dose of aspirin can help prevent heart attacks and stroke

• Physical and occupational therapy can help with mobility and joint stiffness

• High-calorie dietary supplements can ensure good nutrition and prevent weight loss

• Extraction of baby teeth before permanent teeth erupt can reduce dental problems

• Bypass surgery and angioplasty are sometimes used to slow the progression of cardiovascular disease

Progeria or Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria syndrome is extremely rare and causes premature ageing in children. Atherosclerosis is a common result of Progeria and many afflicted children die in their early teens or before. While there is no cure, research is advancing and the condition can be treated symptomatically with limited success.

Premature Aging in Children: The Curse of Progeria

Progeria or Hutchinson-Gilford (Progeria) syndrome (HGPS) is a genetic "disease" characterized by the following signs:

• Accelerated aging of the affected individual starting from around 1-4 years of age

• Growth failure resulting in a short stature

• Gradual loss of hair (balding) and body fat

• Aging skin

• Stiffness of joints

• Hip dislocation

• Atherosclerosis

• Cardiovascular problems and strokes

• Macrocephaly

• Small jaw

• Dental problems

Progeria is an extremely rare condition. There are only an estimated 40 cases worldwide. The word Progeria comes from the Greek word "progeros" meaning "prematurely old".

The cause for this condition has been pinpointed to the mutation of a gene called LMNA (lamin A protein) on chromosome 1. the mutated form of lamin A is commonly known as progerin.

This gene produces a protein by the name of Lamin A which acts as the structural scaffolding that holds the nucleus of a cell together. The mutant form of Lamin A builds up in the nucleus of cells. The nucleus becomes deformed and growth slows and stops. It particularly affects cells in blood vessels.

Strangely enough, Progeria does in some way teach us about the normal processes of aging.

The most common cause of death in children with Progeria is atherosclerosis. This can be defined as a disease where plaque builds up and causes hardening and narrowing in arteries.

The restricted blood flow may lead to death through heart attacks or strokes. Most children with Progeria do not live past their early teens.

Heart attacks and atherosclerosis are also leading causes of death in the elderly and researchers believe that finding a cure for Progeria may benefit millions of other people.

Dr Leslie Gordon, The Progeria Research Foundation's Medical Director was senior author of the study, Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biologym.

In August 2010, he made this comment: "By examining one of the rarest diseases in the world, we are gaining crucial insight into a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Ongoing research has the potential to have a significant impact on our understanding of heart disease and aging."