Cancer is a disease that starts in cells and can spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. It can also continue to grow even after treatment. When this happens, it’s considered advanced cancer and it is less likely to be cured. It’s important for everyone to know the signs and symptoms of cancer so that they can see their doctor right away. Early detection can help doctors find cancer before it causes any symptoms and start treatment right away. Some cancers have warning signs, such as a change in bowel habits, a lump or new bump, unexplained bleeding or tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest. Other cancers don’t have any warning signs and can be hard to recognize. When cancer does cause symptoms, they usually show up in the part of the body where the cancer is growing. But, there are lots of things that can make you feel tired or sick, so these symptoms don’t always mean you have cancer. Some of the most common symptoms include: For certain types of cancer, doctors use a system called staging to figure out how much the cancer has grown and whether it has spread. For example, with lung and breast cancers, doctors often use a CT scan or PET scan to stage the cancer based on how big it is and how far it has spread. Blood cancers have their own staging systems that look at different things. Your doctor will explain what your specific cancer’s staging means for you. Cancer research is going at a fast pace and scientists are learning more and more about how cancer develops. They now understand that most cancers develop over time as a result of many genetic changes. These genetic changes may affect proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes or DNA repair genes. Some of the most effective treatments for cancer are surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. But there are also newer drugs being developed and tested all the time. These include drugs that block the blood supply to cancer cells, correct the genetic defects that cause cancer or help your immune system fight cancer. When cancer is diagnosed and treated, relieving symptoms remains an important part of your care. This is sometimes called palliative care or supportive care and it may be started right after your diagnosis and continued throughout your treatment. It’s important to talk with your care team about what your goals are for treatment. You might decide that a goal is to cure you of cancer or, if that’s not possible, to keep the cancer from spreading or coming back. You and your care team will weigh how any particular treatment might affect your quality of life against its potential to control the cancer. You can always ask your care team for a second opinion or a different treatment. They will be with you every step of the way.
Read MoreThe medical field is the study of human health and disease. Practitioners of medicine are called doctors or physicians and have the highest level of training in the healing arts. Generally, doctors are licensed or registered, in order to limit their practice to those cases for which they have the best chance of success. This licensing is a safety measure for the public and also to prevent charlatans from entering the profession. Most developed industrial countries provide universal health care, in which all citizens are guaranteed access to medical services by a government-owned or privately operated public system that is based on taxation and insurance contributions from the general population. Developing nations are moving toward universal health care as well, but many people still cannot afford the cost of such care. In addition to doctors, there are a wide variety of highly trained and skilled health care workers who form part of the medical profession. Nurses, emergency medical technicians and paramedics, laboratory scientists, pharmacists, dietitians, physician assistants and a range of other healthcare professionals all contribute to the delivery of modern medicine. Medicine has been around for millennia, with most early practices being a mixture of art (creativity and skill) and religion or philosophy (herbalism, bloodletting and the Greek theory of the four humours). With the development of modern scientific biomedical research in the 1800s and 1900s, such pre-modern notions were gradually replaced by the evidence-based approach. Modern medicine has three main areas: tertiary care, secondary care and primary care. The majority of tertiary care in the developed world is provided by specialist hospitals, often in large cities. These facilities have advanced diagnostic and treatment capabilities that are not available in smaller regional hospitals. Primary care is the first point of contact for most patients, usually through a family doctor or general practitioner. Increasingly, however, primary care is being delivered through community-based practices, where patients can be seen by a health professional at regular intervals. The linguistic foundation for the entire healthcare system is medical terminology. This language provides a common ground for communication between different healthcare providers, as well as patients. Most medical terminology is derived from the Latin and ancient Greek languages and consists of roots, suffixes and morphemes, which are similar to those used in other fields such as biology and chemistry. The outcomes that matter to patients for a given condition are typically described as a hierarchy, with Tier 1 involving a patient’s mortality rate and Tier 2 describing functional outcome measures such as a patient’s ability to perform everyday tasks. The measurement and tracking of these outcomes relies on a common language, which is achieved through medical coding and allows data to be aggregated across services, sites and time. The standardized language of medical coding also enables records to be easily transferred between healthcare providers. This is especially important in the current era of electronic medical records.
Read MoreThe concept of health is a fundamentally important one for the functioning of human societies and the human experience. Health is the condition of the whole person, including body and mind. It includes not only the absence of disease and infirmity but also a positive sense of well-being and a capacity to live life to its fullest. Health is a complex concept and its understanding can vary greatly among people, depending on individual perceptions, values, and cultural contexts. In general, however, it can be defined as a dynamic state that depends on a person’s ability to function in society. This definition is based on the concept of “Health as a resource for living”, introduced by Zagreb Andrija Stampar School of Public Health’s founder and internationally recognized scholar in social medicine, Dr. Andrija Stampar in 1948. Different approaches to health have evolved over the centuries. In antiquity, the perception of health was influenced by religious concepts and by medical traditions. After the fall of the Roman Empire, a new understanding was developed, intertwined with the Darwinian concept of survival of the fittest. In the industrialized world, the notion of health was defined primarily in economic terms, as it was perceived to increase working capability and reduce missed work days due to illness. In the 20th century, there was a shift toward a more holistic concept of health that included not only the absence of disease but also a positive feeling of well-being and the capacity to deal with life’s challenges. The biopsychosocial model of health was a major step in this direction. Today, the concept of health is still a highly contested topic. There are many ways to define it, and these perspectives are reflected in the different interpretations of health-related concepts in the digital environment. This variety of views on health and its definition should not be underestimated. Having the ability to recognize and appreciate these perspectives can help professionals in the field of public health understand how they can best approach individual people in their efforts to improve their health. The lay perspective on the concept of health is characterized by three qualities: wholeness, pragmatism and individualism. The quality of wholeness means that health is viewed as a phenomenon that encompasses all aspects of an individual’s life: physical and mental well-being, family functioning, and community involvement. Pragmatism refers to the view that health is a relative phenomenon and that it is not possible to eliminate all diseases or loss of functional abilities. However, it is possible to compensate for these losses by achieving other positive values in life. Finally, individualism refers to the fact that health is a personal phenomenon. It is experienced and evaluated in the light of an individual’s personal values, desires, goals, and priorities. It is therefore essential that any strategy for improving health be tailored to the uniqueness of every person. In this way, strategies for improving health are able to be used effectively by individuals and communities.
Read MorePharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing, reviewing and monitoring medications. It is a multidisciplinary field that links health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences. Pharmacy is the third largest profession in the world and plays a key role in the delivery of healthcare. It is a highly respected and rewarding career. Pharmacists are regulated professionals who help patients understand their medical conditions and the treatment they are receiving. They are also involved in educating medical staff and promoting medication adherence. A pharmacist can answer questions about your medicines and advise you on general health issues, such as how to quit smoking or how to improve your diet. A pharmacist can tell you what a particular medicine is for, how to take it and whether there are any side effects. They can also make sure your new medications will not interact with any other medicines you are taking. They can also provide you with vaccinations such as the flu vaccine and give advice on leading a healthy lifestyle. Some pharmacies specialise in certain types of drugs, for example antibiotics or painkillers. Other pharmacies provide services to patients with specific conditions, for example those with heart disease or diabetes. Some pharmacies specialise in compounding, which involves preparing drugs for people who can’t take the drug in its standard form such as those with a swallowing problem. The pharmacist may make a liquid preparation or put the drug into another form such as a medicated lollipop. In hospitals, a pharmacy is a vital part of the healthcare team and plays an important role in patient safety. It ensures that medications are stored, dispensed and supplied to the right patient in the correct dosage and at the right time. It also helps to monitor and improve patient outcomes such as the rate of adverse events and length of stay in hospital. Pharmacy has a long history with some of the oldest pharmacies in Europe still in operation today. For instance, the Santa Maria Novella pharmacy in Florence, Italy was built in 1221 and is the oldest in continuous operation in Europe. There is also a pharmacy in the town of Trier, Germany that has been open since 1241. Hospital staff have reported that a virtual pharmacist can reduce their workload by performing medication reviews and providing a patient friendly medication list before discharge. However, the ad hoc nature of the service can create challenges with scheduling and ensuring that local staff are available to facilitate consultations. This has been mitigated by a number of strategies including leveraging administrative staff, prioritising urgent referrals and setting clear escalation pathways. Despite these challenges, staff viewed the virtual pharmacist as an additional team member and valued the double checking, reminders and back up provided. Staff also identified efficiencies in prescribing practices and patient safety improvements. They particularly valued the ability to quickly escalate issues and act upon recommendations. Moreover, they felt the telehealth consultations improved their understanding of patient medications.
Read MoreCancer is a disease that begins when cells in the body develop abnormally and grow out of control. This growth causes tumors, which are masses of cells that can affect the body’s normal function. Cancers can also spread to other parts of the body through microscopic processes, causing more cancers and affecting how the body works. Normally, healthy cells grow and divide to make more cells as the body needs them. Cells that no longer need to grow are either destroyed or stop dividing and die. If the genes that control this process become damaged, cells may start growing and dividing without control and form tumors. Cancers can start in any type of cell, and they grow and spread in different ways. Many types of cancer can be prevented by making healthy choices and getting regular screening tests. Screening tests can find some cancers early, when they are smaller and easier to treat. Vaccines can also help lower your risk of cancer. For example, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine can prevent most cervical cancers and the hepatitis B vaccine can reduce liver cancer risk. All cancers begin in cells and most of the time, those cells do not cause any symptoms until they are very large. If cancer is found at a very early stage, it is easier to treat and more likely to cure the patient. Some cancers can grow fast and spread to other parts of the body, causing pain, fatigue and other health problems. Some cancers can be treated by removing the tumor, but more often than not, treatment involves radiation, chemotherapy and/or surgery combined with other drugs or medicines to reduce side effects or help the body fight the cancer. It takes years for cells to develop into cancer, and it is not the same in every person. This is because a number of different things can damage the genes that control cells, causing them to change and develop into precancerous cells or cancers. These changes are called mutations. A person’s chances of developing cancer increase as they get older because the effects of these changes on the genes can build up over time. But there are many things people can do to help keep their risks low, such as not smoking, eating a balanced diet and getting regular screening tests for colon and lung cancer. Symptoms of cancer can be different for everyone and can include many kinds of symptoms, from mild to severe. Some cancers can be found with routine physical exams, while others can only be diagnosed by lab tests or by imaging tests like X-rays and ultrasounds. Some cancers have general warning signs, such as a lump or mass or feeling tired a lot of the time. Other symptoms are more specific and can help doctors narrow down what kind of cancer is causing the signs and symptoms. For example, cancers that start in the blood can cause fever and swollen lymph nodes (lymph glands located near the spleen and thymus). The cells of these cancers also secrete enzymes that break down the barriers that surround and protect tissues, allowing the cells to move more easily through the surrounding tissue.
Read MoreMedical is the field of science and practice concerned with human health and disease. The medical sciences are broadly divided into the subfields of anatomy, biochemistry, physiology and pathology. Medicine also encompasses the medical specialty fields of pharmacology and toxicology, as well as a range of public health disciplines. The study of medicine requires an understanding of human anatomy, chemistry, physics and biology as well as the application of mathematics and statistics. The discipline of medicine is an essential component of modern scientific knowledge and forms the basis of evidence-based medical practice. In addition to its clinical aspects, the practice of medicine is governed by a variety of regulatory bodies and ethical codes. Physicians must be trained in these codes and regulations before being able to practice independently. Moreover, most modern health care systems are organized under the broader discipline of medical science and have their own credentialing, licensing and funding structures. Historically, medical practices and beliefs have varied widely from culture to culture. Prehistoric medicine often incorporated plants (herbalism) or animal parts and minerals, often used ritually as magical substances by priests or shamans to achieve specific healing effects. The field of medical anthropology explores the ways in which culture and society are structured around, or impacted by, issues of health and health care. The scientific approach to medicine arose in the 14th century with the rejection, by scientists such as Galen and Vesalius, of what might be termed the “traditional authority” approach to science – that is, believing that something was true simply because someone famous claimed it or because it had been said in the past. This change in thinking was accompanied by the development of Materia Medica and a move away from magic and superstition to a more scientific methodology. Modern medical specialties include internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, pediatrics, gastroenterology, endocrinology, neurology, pulmonology and oncology. In addition, there are the many allied health care professions such as radiology, laboratory medicine and nursing. A patient’s medical history, symptoms, physical examination and diagnostic tests are the starting point for a diagnosis. In general, medical decision-making involves the analysis and synthesis of this data to arrive at a list of possible diagnoses that best explain the patient’s condition. The process may require specialist consultations, lab or imaging tests and/or additional information such as family history. Patients with serious and complex medical conditions frequently require multidisciplinary interventions to manage their condition, resolve acute exacerbations and sustain improvements in their quality of life. This typically requires a system of care that provides for coordinating and delivering medical, social and other services. This approach differs from the purely medical model of illness management described above in that the focus is on improving the individual’s functioning ability rather than eliminating their symptoms or curing them. This is often referred to as the “patient-centered” or “individualised” model of health care.
Read MoreHealth is about living a life of meaning and purpose, in a way that allows you to function and cope well in your environment and social relationships. It is also about maintaining a balanced lifestyle, not only physically but emotionally and mentally as well. In 1948, at the time of its founding, the World Health Organization defined health as ‘a state of complete physical mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’. This approach was one of many that sought to move the definition beyond a narrow view of health as only the absence of disease or illness. Most people would probably agree that their level of health is partly a matter of luck or family history, but most would also argue that they themselves play a significant part in determining how healthy they will be. Their eating habits, their exercise levels and their use of medications are all likely to impact their personal health. However, the majority of people will also point to the environmental factors that influence their overall health – things like access to clean air and water, education, employment opportunities and housing. These factors are sometimes known as the ‘health determinants’, and they interact with the genes that an individual inherits from their parents. As scientists and medical professionals have made great strides in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, the definition of health has expanded to take a more holistic view. While the laboratory tests that are used to declare an individual healthy may still be important, they are no longer sufficient. This is because the definition of health needs to include how an individual feels about their condition, what it means for them to live with it and how they plan to fight it or manage it. The most important thing to remember when writing about health is that readers expect a practical and pragmatic approach. Most of them are looking for information and knowledge that will help them live a healthier life. They want to understand a particular illness, learn how to take a new medication or simply know when something they are experiencing is normal vs. worrying. A lot of them are not in the mood for overly sentimental, preachy or magical articles that promise the impossible. Keeping these three points in mind will allow you to write an article that your audience will find interesting and helpful. Whether you are writing for a general health or wellness magazine, an academic journal or an employer’s employee newsletter, there is always a need for good quality health articles that will be read by a broad range of individuals. So if you have the right mix of ingredients, your next article could be the one that changes someone’s life for the better. Good luck!
Read MorePharmacy is a profession concerned with the preparation and dispensing of drugs. It also includes the cultivation of plants that are used as drugs and the synthesis of chemical compounds of medicinal value. Pharmacists are also concerned with the mode of action of drugs and their pharmacodynamic properties. Although pharmacists have extensive knowledge about the physiological and biochemical effects of medications on the body, they also rely heavily on their practical skills in their daily work. Although these skills can be analyzed and distinguished from the formal knowledge that pharmacists have, it is not possible to separate them completely. It is argued that a good pharmacist is not just a person who knows about a particular drug and its mechanisms of action but is someone who can apply this knowledge to the real world in a meaningful way. Traditionally, pharmacy has been regarded as an art and a science. The art part of the pharmacy is reflected in the apothecary’s tools of the trade, such as the mortar and pestle (used in North America), the syringe and bottle used in France, Argentina, Belgium, and the Netherlands; and the bowl of hygieia, or water jug, as used in Germany. This aspect of the profession is still very much in evidence today, with many a modern pharmacy being housed in an old building that was formerly an apothecary. The scientific part of pharmacy is reflected in the chemistry labs and the sophisticated equipment that is utilized by professional pharmacists. It is the underlying knowledge that enables pharmacists to prepare and dispense prescriptions in a manner that is consistent with the physician’s intention. It is this knowledge that gives the pharmacist a unique position in the healthcare system and enables them to contribute to the overall health of the community. Pharmacists are also trained to assess a patient’s needs and can prescribe or recommend certain products and services, such as vitamins and supplements. They can even help patients with basic healthcare procedures like taking blood pressure and assessing temperature, cholesterol and glucose levels. In addition, they can advise on the best way to dispose of unused or expired medicine so it does not end up in the wrong hands. In some countries, the role of the pharmacist is further defined through specialization and accreditation. This can include the certification of a specific therapeutic area such as geriatrics, critical care, compounded sterile preparations or vaccines. This allows the pharmacist to provide more specialized services and to be considered an expert in their chosen field of pharmacy. These specializations are important in creating a more cohesive and streamlined approach to the delivery of patient care in the healthcare system. It is hoped that these changes will also lead to a better quality of life for the general population as they are more educated about their health and how to care for themselves and their families. The more that pharmacists are able to improve the healthcare system, the better it will be for everyone.
Read MoreCancer is a group of more than 100 diseases that begin in cells, the basic building blocks of your body. Cancer causes cells to grow out of control and spread to other parts of the body. If left untreated, cancer can kill you. Cancer researchers are studying ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer. Their work helps people live longer and healthier lives. Their work also explains how cancer starts and spreads. Scientists often publish their research findings in medical journals. These studies may be done in a laboratory or with volunteers in clinics. The studies that involve volunteers are called clinical trials. Sometimes, scientists write a review article that summarizes all of the published research on a particular topic. Cancer starts when certain genes in your body begin to change. The changes are called mutations. Normally, when cells grow or divide, they are controlled by other genes that stop them from growing too fast or spreading to other areas of the body. If a gene mutation makes these control genes stop working properly, cells can grow and spread without control. Some types of cancer start in cells that line the inside surface of organs. These types of cancer are usually easier to treat than cancer that begins in other cells. Other types of cancer start in blood cells or in bone marrow, where blood cells are made. These types of cancer are more likely to spread to other parts of the body. There are four stages of cancer: Stage 0 is the earliest stage. It’s like a pre-cancerous condition called dysplasia. In dysplasia, there isn’t a buildup of extra cells, but there are abnormal changes in the way your tissues look. Some types of dysplasia (such as an abnormal mole on your skin) can turn into melanoma, but most don’t. Doctors haven’t yet found all the reasons that cancer develops. Some types of cancer are linked to lifestyle choices, such as smoking and sun exposure. Other types of cancer are caused by inherited gene mutations. Inherited gene mutations contribute to 5-10 percent of all cancers. Some types of cancer are more common in specific groups of people. Race, age, and gender all affect a person’s chance of getting cancer. But these factors don’t explain why a person gets cancer. Some cancers are more likely to happen if a parent has had the disease.
Read MoreAs a field of study and as a profession, medical is vast, and there are many branches within it. Some of these include endocrinology (the study of hormones), epidemiology (the study of diseases in populations), genetics, histology (the study of tissue under a microscope), and microbiology (the study of organisms too small to see with the naked eye). There are also medical research fields such as computational modeling and psychophysics, as well as clinical specialties like neurology and gastroenterology. For those entering the field, or even those who work in healthcare but don’t deal directly with patients, it can be daunting to navigate the plethora of medical terms and jargon. However, a basic understanding of the language can make a big difference when it comes to communicating with your doctor or other healthcare providers. Many of these terms are intuitive based on your everyday experiences, or just common sense. For instance, cardiovascular exercise is any activity that gets your heart rate up and increases your blood flow. However, some of these words are quite technical and require a more in-depth knowledge of the body and its functions. The most common medical terms are ones related to medicine, surgery and disease. These are used in patient consultations, in diagnostic tests, and in the operating room. Some of these terms include abscess (a tender, fluid-filled pocket that develops in tissue as a result of an infection) and bronchitis (a persistent cough caused by inflammation of the lungs). Some medical terms are specific to certain organs or areas of the body. These include arthritic (abnormal or painful) joints, arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeats), and blood vessels. Others are used in medical imaging technology, such as computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Medical terms can be confusing, but they’re also important for people in the healthcare field. A standardized vocabulary will help physicians and other health care providers communicate more effectively, as well as improve the efficiency of hospital operations. A specialized knowledge of medical terminology is especially helpful for those who perform clinical trials and analyze health data. Standardized medical vocabulary will also enable medical researchers to compare data from studies conducted in different hospitals and regions, as well as across languages. This will help them identify best practices and develop new technologies. These benefits could be significant, as healthcare systems are increasingly being driven by data and analytics. This is a major reason why it’s important for all healthcare workers to understand medical terminology.
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