Absolute Lymphocyte Count Tips

Cancer occurs when there is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. Blood cancer affects three major components of the blood, namely white blood cells and marrow, the lymphocytes, and plasma. These are respectively known as leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The most commonly affected are the white blood cells.

Symptoms for each of these types differ; the same have been listed below:

Leukemia: Leukemia can be acute or chronic. In acute cases, the symptoms are more pronounced than the chronic ones. If the white blood cells are affected, then it causes the following:

1. Shortness of breath
2. Anemia
3. Extreme tiredness and lack of energy
4. Profuse sweating
5. Increased susceptibility to infections
6. Profuse bleeding during menstruation in women
7. Swollen lymph nodes
8. Headache and blurring of vision
9. Bones and joint pain
10. Chills and night sweats

The acronym TEST helps remember the symptoms of leukemia – tiredness, excessive sweating, sore joints, and terrible cases of bleeding. As white blood cells are involved in fighting infections, these individuals are also prone to easily develop infections.

Lymphoma: A type of white blood cells, lymphocytes help in fighting infections. Excessive growth of these leads to enlarged lymph nodes, which is often painless. However, other typical symptoms include:

1. Severe coughing
2. Swollen lymph nodes which are often generalized
3. Severe weight loss, which is often unexplained
4. Fever
5. Sudden chills and night sweats
6. Extreme/severe fatigue, even with minimal activity
7. Abdominal fullness
8. Itching of the skin (again unexplained)

Myeloma: This form of cancer affects the plasma, which are responsible for carrying the blood cells throughout the body. Multiple myeloma is the most common cancer in this group, and this is generally a chronic condition. Symptoms are atypical and include:

1. Generalized weakness and fatigue
2. Increased incidence of infections
3. Shortness of breath
4. Chest pain
5. Pain in the back region
6. Kidney issues, which can be indicative to look for myeloma

When a patient presents with a combination of the above symptoms, a detailed history is very helpful to come to a sort of conclusion. The clinical findings are then corroborated with blood screening and tests which will help pin down the diagnosis.

There are about 130+ varieties of blood cancer, but the above three are the most common ones. Once suspected, it is very easy to diagnose blood cancer with blood tests. If a person has a family history, then they should watch out for early symptoms of blood cancer, and should immediately seek medical attention when in doubt. The most common form of therapy is chemotherapy as it is a generalized condition, and radiotherapy is more suitable for localized cancers.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Procrastination affects all of us at some point of time in our lives. For most of us, that time comes as soon as the New Year begins. We make a resolution at the end of almost every year to introduce a healthy change or leave a bad habit. However, our commitment to stick to our resolution starts falling flat as we come out of the festive mood and get caught in the hustle and bustle of life. Most of us decide to bring the change to our lifestyles from the coming Monday of the new year. However, for most of us, that Monday never comes. We keep postponing our plan of action to the next Monday and the next month. By the time we realize that we really need to stick to our plan, the year already comes to an end.

Procrastination can make us miss on some of the most amazing things that we can do in life and the things that we really enjoy doing. However, we can make a resolution to overcome our procrastination this year as 2017 ends with one good reason - this time, the beginning of the new year 2018 falls on the new week, the new day i.e. Monday. This very reason is a good enough for all of us to stick to our resolutions from the first day itself and not to delay it until the end of 2018 or until any other Monday.

As you prepare your plans for the New Year’s Eve, start thinking about your resolution for the year 2018 and your plans to follow from the very first day. The following are some of the healthy resolutions that each one of us needs to make right away:

Resolution #1: I won’t eat out for more than one day in a month

Eating home-made meals is absolutely essential to maintain a good health. Processed food and meals ordered from restaurants often lack nutrition and they contain higher amounts of sugar, salt, and refined flour. Half of our concerns related to health will fade away when we start eating right and at the right time.

Resolution #2: I will engage in one physical activity at least once a day

People, especially working professionals, are often too busy to hit the gym and go for a walk. The only physical activity they carry out is to commute to their offices and that too using a transportation system. They spend hours sitting in front of the computer and getting burdened with immense stress. This takes a severe toll on the physical health. 

Such people can make a resolution to engage themselves in at least one physical activity every day. Be it walking to a nearby shop to purchase grocery, washing their car, doing the dishes standing, cooking meals at home or mopping the floor. 

Resolution #3: I will eat at least one fruit every day

Fruits are absolutely wonderful when it comes to intake of micronutrients and other important vitamins and minerals. Colored fruits such as berries, grapes, and oranges are a rich source of antioxidants that prevent the accumulation of free radicals that cause oxidative damage. 

Resolution #4: I will sleep on time or for at least 7 hours every night

Make a commitment to sleep for at least 7, if not 8, hours a day. Sound sleep is absolutely essential to maintain proper mental health and keep the functioning of the hormonal system in the body optimum. It also helps keep a number of health conditions at bay. Sleeping at the same time every day is also essential.

Resolution #5: I will not use any gadget at least an hour before hitting the bed

The light emitted from gadgets such as smartphones and tablets can disrupt sleep and keep you awake at night for a longer duration. Therefore, it is best not to use them at least an hour before you plan to sleep.

So make your list of resolutions and dream up for the New Year. Procrastinating is easy but keeping ourselves away from it is even easier if we have a strong will and are motivated to do something to make our lives better. Not today, not tomorrow, but we can incorporate these little changes in our routine every single day to experience the big change!

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Infertility vs subfertility!

What is difference between infertility and subfertility and what are the deciding factors?

A common query all patients with fertility issues have. True infertility is when there is any of below mentioned conditions -

1. Blocked tubes/absent tubes

2. Absent follicles/eggs (menopause or premature ovarian failure-pof)

3. Absent uterus (agenesis)

4. Absent sperms (azoospermia)

In these situations, successful conception can occur only with refined art techniques and even with third party reproduction

Subfertility- 

When absolute conditions excluded as mentioned above and where there is chance (even small) of conception even without assistance

Diagnostic work up will unviel the problem and fertility specialist can help couple guide through and to the best what fits the situation.

1) High Dietary Salt/Sodium intake - >5gms salt/>2.3 gms of salt per day increases the risk of developing BP at early age. 

2) Smoking or consuming tobacco products like khaini etc (even occasional consumption can be harmful).

3) Stressful lifestyle, anxiety and decrease sleep - Meditation, decreasing daily stress and sleeping 8 hrs a day can help control BP. 

4) Lack of exercise and physical activity - Daily 30-40 mins of exercise or brisk walking is absolutely essential to remain healthy and avoid BP and heart problems. 

5) High Cholesterol can lead to blockages in arteries of various organs, which in-turn leads to high BP. Hence getting cholesterol checked annually can help in diagnosing it timely.

All of us agree that healthy habits are absolutely necessary for a high quality of life. It is another story that whether we put them into practice or not. These healthy habits have to be cultivated since childhood for keeping vital organs like eyes in a perfect condition. One's quality of life is closely linked to how well one see and one can take steps now to take care of one's eyes and preserve vision well into old age.

Keep Your Eyesight Sharp and protect your eyesight with the five tips listed below:

1. Maintain a balanced and healthy diet - It has been scientifically proven that some foods can boost eye health and delay age-related eye changes. One must include eye-boosting vitamins and minerals in diet, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E; zinc and omega-3 fatty acids to keep one's eyes in best shape. Broccoli, corn, squash, peppers, spinach and kale are the best source for zeaxanthin and lutein whereas citrus fruits, melons, tomatoes and broccoli are great source of Vitamin C. Vitamin E can be found in legumes, wheat germ, nuts and seeds while one can get zinc in found in whole grains, salmon are a great source of omega-3.
2. Reduce Exposure in The Sun - Sun's ultraviolet rays can increase the risk of developing cataracts, which is most common cause of age-related vision loss in adults. It is very essential to take precautions to shield one's eyes from the sun. One should wear UV protective eyewear or wide brimmed floppy hat for protection from sun.
3. Quit Smoking - Smoking is not only bad for heart and lungs, it can also damage eyesight. Cigarette smokers are at greater risk of developing both macular degeneration and Glaucoma. 
4. Regular Exercise - Regular exercise keeps waistline trim and eyes sharp. Latest studies have shown that those who led an active lifestyle were seventy percent less likely to develop macular degeneration. 
5. Go for Annual Eye Examination - Regular examination of eyes can give a surprising number of clues about ones overall health. Ophthalmologist can detect a broad set of problems ranging from hypertension to diabetes by doing a thorough examination of ones eye.

One only have one pair of eyes, so it is absolutely necessary to take the proper steps to care for them. By nourishing one's body with the right foods, getting regular exercise and going in for regular eye exams, one can keep vision sharp at any age. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult an ophthalmologist.

Homeopathy is a system of alternative medicines which is readily gaining popularity nowadays. The system being relatively uncommon, people did not generally opt for this medicine system earlier, but here are reasons why you should opt for homeopathy.

Natural

The medicines are completely gentle on your body because of being natural. Homeopathy works by strengthening the natural defense mechanism of your body, which keeps you protected from infections and creates a long lasting and powerful healing impact.

No side effects

Homeopathic medicine is absolutely harmless and it does not react with other bodily elements to cause harmful side effects that can harm your body in the short or long run.

Permanent cure

Homeopathic medicines are powerful and long lasting. The medicines tend to uproot your problem in such a way that it has a minimal chance of reoccurrence.

Cost effective

Homeopathic medicines are mostly inexpensive and readily available. These medicines are mostly available in powder, liquid or small spherical sugar pill form and are easy to manufacture and transport.

Efficient relief

In case of your day to day medical problems like cold, cough, mild fever, cuts or bruises, insect bites, gastric problems, etc. you can readily depend upon homeopathic medicine for a quick, cheap and long lasting relief.

Complementary medicine

Homeopathic medicines, if taken in combination with some other conventional form of therapy can help you to alleviate the side effects of that conventional medicine. These medicines act as excellent complements in some cases like chemotherapy to treat cancer.

Environment friendly

These medicines are totally environment friendly in nature and they do not degrade or pollute the environment in any manner. The manufacturing of homeopathic medicines does not release any toxins into the environment and the medicines themselves are totally biodegradable in nature.

Absolutely safe

Unlike conventional forms of medications, homeopathic medicines are tested on healthy human beings rather than dummy animals. In this way it is ensured that the medicines that you consume are 100% safe.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

STDs or sexually transmitted diseases are infections whose transmission to a healthy person from an infected person happens through sexual contact. However, with modern medicine and diagnostic techniques, there are ways to prevent, detect and cure them effectively and quickly.
Not all diseases are curable though and it is best to follow preventive measures. Also, for sexually active adults it is an absolute necessity to get tested regularly for their health as well as the well-being of their partners.
Why do people tend to avoid getting tested for STIs or sexually transmitted infections?
One of the major factors that avert people from regular tests is the social stigma attached with sexually transmitted diseases. It is absolutely imperative for sexually active adults to go for regular checkups so that if they have any infections or diseases, it can be diagnosed quickly and remedial measure can be taken appropriately.
The benefits of regular checkups:
Some of the benefits of regular checkups are mentioned here:-

• Regular checkups can detect problems at a stage when the conditions may not have progressed too much and this will make it easily treatable.
• With HIV positive patients, the quicker the testing gets done the quicker the treatment can be started. Thus, can prevent the onset of AIDS.
• Regular checkups can control the progression of the diseases such as Chlamydia, which if left untreated can cause permanent infertility.
• Getting a prospective partner tested is also a good idea as this can enable one to protect themselves from STIs.
• Symptoms for certain STIs can be similar to many other non-sexual or non-venereal diseases. Thus getting tests done is the only way to get to know if there is an STI or if it is some other nonsexual disease.
• HPV or Human Papilloma Virus can be detected easily with regular STI checkups and thus appropriate treatment can be started. If HPV isn't detected early, it can manifest much later in the form of cancer, which makes it more important to get yourself checked early on. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Sexologist.