Leukemia Chemotherapy - Benefits And Side Effects

Do you or anyone you know have leukemia?

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses powerful drugs to destroy cancel cells. These drugs can be given:

• Intravenously, through a vein


• Orally, by mouth


• Through a catheter


• Subcutaneously, injected under the skin


• Intramuscularly, injected into muscle


• Intrathecally, injected into cerebrospinal fluid
  

Chemotherapy for treating leukemia varies greatly because leukemia is of several types. Generally, leukemia treatment combines chemotherapy with various anticancer drugs that destroy cancer cells by preventing them from growing and dividing rapidly.

Catheter: When leukemia chemotherapy treatment is administered in this fashion, a thin, flexible tube is placed in a large vein, most often in the upper chest. Catheter that remains in place is useful for patients who require many IV treatments.

Your practitioner injects drugs into the catheter instead of directly into the vein. This type of drug administration avoids the need for various injections, which can make you feel discomfort and also injure the vein and skin.

Injecting into cerebrospinal fluid: If your doctor discovers cancer cells in the fluid that block the spaces in and around the spinal cord and brain, then your doctor considers intrathecal chemotherapy.

Then your doctor injects this drug directly into the spinal fluid. This method is considered because the drugs by mouth or IV injection don’t reach the cells in spinal cord and brain.

You will receive chemotherapy treatment in the form of cycle i.e. treatment period, recovery period and then another treatment period.

Leukemia chemotherapy can lead to various side effects based on the drug you are taking and the dose. Usually, chemotherapy drugs affect the cancer cells and divide them rapidly, but it can also affect other cells, which include:

Cells in hair root: Chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss. Though your hair will grow back, the new hair may look different in color and texture.

Blood cells: Blood cells fight against infections, supply oxygen to all parts of the body and help the blood to clot. When the blood cells are affected, you are more susceptible to infections, bruise or bleed easily and feel weak and tired.

Cells at the lining of digestive tract: Chemotherapy causes lip and mouth sores, vomiting, nausea, poor appetite and diarrhea.

Some other side effects of chemotherapy:

• You may have irregular menstrual periods or periods that may stop altogether.


• You may experience menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

What Your Ovarian Cyst Type Is?

Ovarian cyst is one of the most common conditions that occur in women.

First you should know what an ovarian cyst means. Ovarian cysts are small fluid-filled sacs or cysts, which are found to occur either on the walls of the ovaries or inside them.

Usually, ovarian cysts won’t pose any health problem, but rarely they can cause serious concerns.

These cysts usually disappear on their own. As they are asymptomatic, most of you can not notice their presence.

Ovarian cysts can not remain completely harmless and sometimes these cysts can lead to more serious and dangerous complications. Some cysts can be stubborn, instead of disappearing on their own, they continue to grow.

They increase in the size, become more complex in nature and cause very serious problems such as cancer.

Till now it is not clearly known what leads to ovarian cyst. Various factors can lead to the growth of ovarian cysts.

Disturbance in your normal menstrual cycle is the most common problem for the formation of ovarian cysts. Menstrual cycle is a regular psychological process in which an egg is formed, developed and released. During this process, ovaries produce follicles or certain cyst like structures to aid the complete process.

These follicles are responsible for the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones, which are important to control the process and to bring on a release of unfertilized egg.

Sometimes, this whole process can be triggered by certain conditions such as hormonal imbalance, side effects of certain medications or prolonged sickness. This can cause the follicles to function abnormally and finally becomes into a functional ovarian cyst.

Basically there are two types of ovarian cysts. One is functional ovarian cysts and the other is complex ovarian cysts.

Functional ovarian cysts:

Again these cysts are of two types.

1. Follicular cyst: During the menstrual period, the production of luteinizing hormone is high and also there is increased functioning of this hormone. This hormone is essential for the release of egg. If the production of luteinizing hormone is less than normal, it affects the usual functioning of ovarian follicles. They won’t rupture and turn into follicular cysts.

Follicular cysts are most common and they are not serious. Usually, they cause little discomfort or pain and disappear on their own.

2. Ovarian cysts: These types of ovarian cysts develop after the production of luteinizing hormone and after the release of egg. These ovarian cysts are more serious. After the release of egg, ruptured follicles start producing abnormal quantities of hormones estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to corpus luteum or white body.

Sometimes, the mouth of the opening that is left behind by the egg becomes sealed off thus leading to fluid buildup inside the white body and finally becoming cysts.

These cysts can also disappear on their own, but sometimes they continue and grow larger. In some conditions, the ovary can twist and causing strong pain around the pelvis and abdomen.

Complex ovarian cysts:

These are the most serious form of ovarian cysts and are more dangerous. These cysts occur in very rare conditions. These types of cysts contain both liquid and solid components. They are of three types.

Dermoid cysts: These cysts are made from the same cells from which the egg grows

Cystadenomas: They are made of ovarian tissue and are filled with mucus

Endometrioma: These cysts develop due to endometriosis and made of uterine tissue

You can detect these ovarian cysts on your own or with the help of regular test procedures. Consult your doctor if you notice any of its symptoms.

17 Abortion Complications You Should Aware Of!

Side effects after an abortion will vary from woman to woman. There are both side effects to expect and also risks that you need to know exist.

It is essential to talk with your doctor who will perform abortion regarding the possible side effects.

After undergoing the abortion, your period should return within 4-6 weeks and you can get pregnant again soon after the abortion.

If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, you need to take them as directed as this will help you to prevent the infections.

Here are some of the possible side effects that you will experience after undergoing an abortion:

1. Bladder infection

Perforation of your uterus can also cause perforation of your urinary bladder. This condition can lead to peritonitis, which is an infected and inflamed lining of your abdomen. It can cause severe pain and sometimes it needs reparative surgery.

2. Breast cancer

Women who undergo abortions have greater risk of developing breast cancer in their later life.

3. Bowel injury

Perforation of your uterus can also cause perforation of your intestines. This can result in vomiting, nausea, peritonitis, abdominal pain, blood in stools, fever and also death if the condition is not treated quickly.

A part of your intestines needs to be removed and a temporary or permanent colostomy is inserted in your abdomen.

4. Tubal pregnancy

This kind of pregnancy happens outside of your uterus. After undergoing an abortion, you are at 8-20 times at a risk of having tubal or ectopic pregnancy. If the condition is not discovered soon, tubal pregnancy ruptures and severe bleeding can sometimes lead to death.

5. Failed abortion

Failure of an abortion in aborting the unborn baby younger than 6 weeks is very common. Sometimes, an abortionist fails to successfully evacuate the placenta from your uterus. Your pregnancy will continue even though you have endured the dangers and abortion cost.

6. Effects on your future pregnancy

• Undergoing an abortion can cause:


• Bleeding during the first trimester of your pregnancy


• Your future baby is twice as likely to die during the first few months


• There is a chance to give a low birth weight baby in the future pregnancy


• There is less chance for you to have normal delivery


• Your baby will be four times at a risk of dying in the last months of her first year of life


• There is a chance to give premature birth
  

7. Infection

Infections that occur from abortion can cause mild fever and sometimes death. This can happen in 1 out of 4 women to 1 out of 50 women.

8. Hemorrhage

1-14% of women need blood transfusion due to heavy bleeding from an abortion.

9. Hepatitis

Women who undergo blood transfusion are at greater risk of developing hepatitis.

10. Cervical laceration

Every 1 out of 20 women can suffer from this condition during an abortion. If this condition is not treated properly in your next pregnancy, this can lead to 50/50 chances of having miscarriage.

If you have severe cervical damage from the abortion procedure, then there is 30-40% chance of having miscarriage in the future pregnancy.

11. More later miscarriages

The more times you undergo abortions the greater you can experience first trimester miscarriages. Undergoing vaginal abortion can keep you at ten times an increased risk of having second trimester abortions in future pregnancy.

12. Uterine perforation

Perforated uterus can be seen in 1 among 40 and 1 among 400 abortions. Almost, this can also cause peritonitis, which is similar to having a ruptured appendix.

13. Post-abortion syndrome

After undergoing an abortion, you are more likely to suffer from psychological and mental conditions, such as repeated dreams of the abortion experience, relationship problems, memory impairment, sleep disturbances, avoidance of emotional attachment, guilt about surviving, hostile outbursts, depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse.

14. Placenta previa

After undergoing an abortion, you are 6-15 times more likely to have placenta previa in your next pregnancy. This condition causes heavy bleeding.

15. Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC)

Abortion can cause DIC, which means that your blood doesn’t clot and you will continuously bleed. This condition is extremely life threatening and it is difficult for treating. This condition occurs in 2 out of 1,000 2^nd trimester abortions.

16. RH incompatibility

If the mother is RH negative, your doctor should confirm about your baby’s Rh blood type. This ensures your baby to be protected against Rh incompatibility.

The Rh incompatibility needs your future baby should receive blood transfusion immediately after birth, causes birth of the dead baby, and causes baby to die immediately after birth.

17. Sterility

Abortion can also make you sterile. This condition can happen in 1 out of 20 to 1 out of 50 women.

5 Arthritis Types Most Commonly Affect Women!

Nowadays, arthritis is the most common condition that affects every one out of six women in United States.

About 50 million people have some form of arthritis.

Arthritis simply refers to an inflammation of joints. There are about 100 types of arthritis.

Among those, five affect nine out of ten arthritic cases, such as: fibromyalgia, gout, osteoarthritis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Among those, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are most common in women.

Arthritis can affect anyone, no matter what your age, gender, or race.

But, it is especially important for women to know about these conditions because arthritis affects women at much higher rate when compared to men.

60% of people who have arthritis are women only. Here are the most common forms that affect women.

Fibromyalgia: This syndrome is characterized by musculoskeletal pain. Usually, this condition is associated with muscular pain, stiffness, fatigue, depression, anxiety and loss of sleep.

Fibromyalgia is a kind of soft tissue or muscular rheumatism. This means, there is no joint deformity when you affect with this condition. Currently 3.7 million Americans are suffering from fibromyalgia.

Sometimes, people confuse with chronic fatigue syndrome as a sign of some other conditions.

Gout: Also called as metabolic arthritis, is a crystal deposition disease hallmarked by elevated levels of uric acid in your bloodstream. About 5 million people in United States have gout. Gout affects women after entering into the menopause stage.

Factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, high alcohol consumption, excessive weight gain and certain drugs can increase the levels of uric acid in your blood thus leading to gout.

Osteoarthritis: Also called as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. Among the 27 million people who have osteoarthritis, 16 million are women.

Usually, women can affect with this condition after the age of 40 years. This degenerative joint disease causes damage to your bones and cartilage thus causing joint pain, stiffness, loss of function and swelling.

Rheumatoid arthritis: This condition affects women between 25-50 years of age. However, children can also be affected with this condition. It is a systemic disease that can affect your whole body.

Abnormalities in your body’s immune system make it to work improperly thus leading inflammation in lining of the joints and various internal organs. Sometimes, chronic inflammation can cause pain, deterioration and restricted movement.

Lupus: Also called as systemic lupus erythematosus, is an inflammatory condition, which affects your joints, kidneys, skin and various other body parts. Lupus usually affects women during their childbearing age. African American women are more susceptible to this condition when compared to Caucasian women. Also, Asian and Latino populations can get this condition.

Osteoporosis is also a form of arthritis that causes loss of bone mass and makes them brittle. This condition can lead to painful fractures, rounded shoulders and loss of height.

About 28 million Americans have osteoporosis among those every four out of five affected people are women. Postmenopausal women are more prone to this condition.

Women with rheumatoid arthritis and who take glucocorticoid medications are at high risk of osteoporosis.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Irregular periods!

Are your periods irregular or missed? Almost all women have between 11 and 13 menstrual cycles each year.

Usually, periods are irregular in some women for few years after menstruation starts.

It takes few years for the hormones that control menstruation to reach balance.

Sometimes, periods are irregular when you are near to menopause stage.

The most common causes for irregular periods are pregnancy, miscarriage or recent child birth. If you are not pregnant, the other causes for irregular periods include:

Breast feeding: After pregnancy, breast feeding is the most common cause for irregular periods. Most women can not have their periods regular until they stop breastfeeding.

Hormonal problems: Changes in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for menstruation can lead to irregular periods.

Health issues: Problems with your pelvic organs such as PCOS, imperforate hymen or Asherman’s syndrome.

Eating disorders: Bulimia or anorexia can cause irregular periods.

Usage of medications: Medicines such as hormonal birth control methods can cause lighter, more frequent, less frequent, skipped or no periods at all.

Increased physical activity: Doing strenuous exercises can cause irregular periods. Athletes most commonly experience irregular periods.

Excess weight gain or loss: Usually obesity is the most common cause for irregular periods and low body weight can also be cause.

Stress: This is also the most common cause of irregular periods. If you are worried, fatigued or anxious, hormones become unbalanced.

Diet: Poor diet can greatly affect your hormones and thus resulting in missed periods.

Other causes, which can lead to irregular periods include: irregular usage of drugs, travel, break in usual routine, and illness like thyroid conditions.

Usually, irregular periods are of two types. One is long-term irregularity and the other is sudden or short-term irregularity.

Long-term irregularity: Sometimes menstrual bleeding can last for several days. You can experience excessive bleeding for the entire month. If you have severe pain and prolonged periods, it is better to consult your gynecologist.

Sudden or short-term irregularity: This is due to various causes that are listed above. These irregularities are generally one off or sporadic occurrence. Usually, this is not cause of concern unless you experience any pain.

For most women, irregular periods are not a concern. If you experience irregular periods for a year, have severe cramping, heavy menstrual bleeding, nausea, dizziness, you should visit your doctor. Other risk factors that can cause irregular periods include:

Inflammatory bowel syndrome: Bowel disorders can cause inflammation of lower intestines, which again lead to period irregularity. Sometimes, it is accompanied by abdominal pain, weight loss, or diarrhea.

PCOS: 10% of women have PCOS in their lifetime. PCOS leads to the growth of cysts on your ovaries and disturbs ovulation. If PCOS left untreated, it can lead to severe complications like ovarian cancer, heart disease and endometriosis.

You will find few treatments that help in regulating your menstrual periods. They include:

Hormonal supplements: If you have high levels of testosterone hormone, usage of hormonal supplements can regulate your periods.

Hormonal contraceptives: You will find hormonal contraceptives in various forms such as oral, ring, patch, or injectable forms.