Cancer is a group of diseases that develop when cells grow and divide uncontrollably. The disease can damage tissues and organs in the body and prevent them from working properly. Cancer cells also spread to other parts of the body, where they can continue to grow and cause symptoms. Doctors use a variety of treatments to treat cancer and help patients feel better. These include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and biological therapies. Until recently, scientists knew very little about how cancer happens. They knew that cells that have mutated in some way can become cancerous and that these mutations can be caused by a number of things, including exposure to sunlight, chemicals, certain viruses, and some drugs. However, they could not explain how one mutation led to another or how certain characteristics-called risk factors-can increase a person’s chance of developing cancer. The earliest known reference to cancer dates back 2,300 years to Hippocrates, who described the long, distended veins that appear in some breast tumors and resemble the limbs of a crab. However, until the 1600s and 1800s, when Hooke and Virchow discovered that living tissue consists of cells, doctors could not explain how tumors form or how they are caused. Scientists now know that mutations in genes can cause cancer. These mutations usually affect three types of genes-proto-oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and DNA repair genes. When these genes are mutated, they allow cells to grow and divide when they shouldn’t or fail to stop growing and dividing when they should. The resulting abnormal cells can become tumors, which can then break apart and spread to other tissues and organs. In some cases, the cancer cells cannot be stopped and may kill the patient. Other times, the cells are able to stop growing and can be removed with surgery. But in many cases, the cancer will return and recur. This is why it’s important for everyone to learn the warning signs of cancer. They can help people seek treatment early, when the cancer is smaller and less likely to spread. Although the number of new cases of cancer is slowly decreasing, the disease still kills many people every year. It is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Experts are working hard to understand how to prevent and treat cancer. The most common treatment for cancer is surgery, which removes the tumor or the part of the body where it grew. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used to kill cancer cells or keep them from spreading. They are often given together in a combination, but they can also be given separately. Some types of cancer need hormone treatment, which blocks the body’s natural hormones or uses drugs that mimic them. Some kinds of cancer are treated with targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and lasers. Each type of cancer treatment has its own benefits and side effects. Your doctor will recommend the best treatment for your case.
Read MoreMedical is the art and science of preventing, diagnosing, treating, and curing disease and injury; as well as promoting physical and mental health. A wide range of subfields are included under the umbrella term medicine, including pharmacology (the study of drugs and their effects), physiology (the study of the body’s normal functions), pathology (the study of disease), medical imaging, and radiology. Many of these fields require specialized training that may include a residency in internal medicine. The first step in the medical decision-making process is obtaining a patient’s medical history. This history will typically include details about the patient’s symptoms, family history, previous illnesses, and treatments (such as surgeries or medications). The next steps are conducting a physical exam and performing lab or imaging tests to help diagnose the issue. These findings are then reviewed by the patient’s doctor and discussed with the patient. Finally, the doctor recommends a treatment plan. This information is documented in the patient’s medical record, which is a legal document in many jurisdictions. It is also used for reporting and billing purposes. Depending on the complexity of the case, a patient might need to undergo further tests and consultations before receiving a diagnosis and treatment. A patient’s medical record can be accessed by healthcare providers, researchers, insurance companies, employers, and other third parties. In addition, some medical records may be part of a clinical trial that is sponsored by pharmaceutical or device manufacturers. Patients are generally advised to read privacy policies before granting access to their medical records. The medical field is full of specialized terms that are unfamiliar to most non-healthcare professionals. The good news is that there are some tried-and-true methods for memorizing medical terminology so you can understand the context in which these words are used. One method is to focus on learning the common root words, prefixes, and suffixes that are found in most medical terminology. These word parts are found in all the specialized terminology as well, so it is important to familiarize yourself with them. Some of the more common root words are intuitive simply based on your experiences: cardio/vascular (relating to the heart and blood vessels), emphysema (a condition that causes difficulty breathing), and hematology (the study of blood). Other useful vocabulary words for students of medical terminology include adi/o/nal (relating to the abdomen), en/cephal/o/logy/ic (pertaining to the brain), and melan/o/logy/ic (relating to the skin). These are just some examples of the ways in which you can build a basic foundation of medical terminology. You’ll also want to review the rules for how prefixes and suffixes form together. The rules for building medical terms are similar to those for other languages. The important thing is to be literal at the beginning while you’re building your vocabulary, and then learn to interpret these forms as you gain proficiency.
Read MoreHealth is the state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of any kind, irrespective of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. The right to health is a matter of public policy, as recognized by numerous nation states, and it is the responsibility of all nations to promote and protect it. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in 1948 as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” This is an important concept to consider because it suggests that good health involves more than simply being free of illness. It encompasses an individual’s ability to adapt and function in the face of change, uncertainty or adversity. People’s health depends on many factors — genetics, their environment, and their behaviours. These factors may be risk or protective and interact with each other. They are often called ‘health determinants’. Examples of these are income, employment, education and housing. In addition, lifestyles such as smoking and diet also have an impact on health. The physical environment can affect health, for example, the quality of air and water and the presence of germs. Various definitions of health have been proposed throughout the years, but none has been universally accepted. Some define health as the absence of disease; others define it as a state of physical, psychological and social well-being, while still others believe that health is a combination of all of these. The way people perceive and define health has a profound effect on how they live their lives, how they treat themselves and how they are cared for. These perspectives are influenced by culture, values, beliefs, family and community. It is important to understand these influences in order to develop interventions that promote health and prevent diseases. There is an increasing recognition that the healthcare landscape is complex and needs to be redesigned in order to provide high-quality, accessible services that meet the health needs of the people. Many different organisations are involved in the delivery of healthcare, including physician offices, hospitals, laboratories, radiology centers, physical therapy and pharmaceutical companies. The complexities of the healthcare landscape can lead to confusion and frustration for patients. A patient’s individual health profile over the course of a lifetime must be considered when developing interventions. This can be achieved by developing a model of healthcare that integrates an individual’s changing needs and priorities with their current health status. There is a direct relationship between a person’s health and the environment in which they grow, work, play, live, and age. This includes the natural environment, the built environment and a person’s personal circumstances such as their financial situation, work conditions, social connections, quality of life and personal behaviours. The Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2008) describes how these are interconnected and call for a holistic approach to health.
Read MorePharmacy is the science and practice of discovering, producing, preparing, dispensing and monitoring medicines for health care. It is an interdisciplinary science linking health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and the natural sciences. It is an important component of the healthcare system and plays a vital role in maintaining public health. Pharmacists are highly qualified health professionals who can answer questions about medications, including side effects and dosage. They can also help you make smart decisions about buying, using, and storing medicines. In addition to dispensing medicine, pharmacies provide advice on drugs and their interactions with other medication, vitamins, minerals, herbs, diet, and exercise. They are also experts in drug safety and security. Pharmacists can also assess the suitability of alternative medicine treatments, such as homeopathy or herbal remedies. They are also responsible for ensuring the quality of medicines and dispensing them in accordance with doctors’ prescriptions. In some countries, pharmacists can also issue medical certificates confirming that certain medicines are suitable for people with specific health conditions. They are also responsible for educating patients and other health care professionals on the use of medications and can provide information on how to reduce risk factors for diseases. The practice of pharmacy is a regulated profession and the basic five-year curriculum in colleges of pharmacy in the United States includes courses in general education, chemistry, biology, physics, bacteriology, and physiology, as well as pharmacy-specific subjects such as pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmaceutics, and pharmacokinetics. Students may also choose to take graduate-level courses leading to the degrees of Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy in pharmacy or pharmacology. After graduating from pharmacy school, pharmacists can work in many different settings. Most often, they work in hospitals and clinics. But some are self-employed or own their own independent pharmacies. Others choose to work in research or clinical trials. Some even opt to teach or go into administration. A pharmacist can also get involved in public health, government regulation, and drug industry lobbying. Traditionally, the pharmacist has been the main conduit between the drug industry and the patient. However, since the development of modern pharmacology and the emergence of newer more effective drug substances, the scope for extemporaneous compounding of medicinal preparations has diminished greatly. This has been offset by an increasing emphasis on professional development and a greater involvement of pharmacists in the healthcare team. Regardless of the type of pharmacy, it is essential that all pharmacists have a good understanding of the medications they are dispenseing. This knowledge is not only necessary for their own safety, but also for the protection of their patients. This is especially important for those who are working in unlicensed online pharmacies. In these cases, it is extremely important for them to set up a business structure that protects their assets from liability. For example, they should hire one of the best LLC services to establish a legal business entity that will shield them from lawsuits. In this way, they can avoid the risk of losing their hard-earned money and continue to work in their field.
Read MoreCancer is a name for many different diseases that start in cells, the body’s building blocks. Cells normally grow and divide to make more cells as the body needs them. But when cancer starts, the normal process breaks down and the cells grow and divide without control or order. Then the cancer cells may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body. Cancers often develop because of changes in the genes that control how cells work. Many things can damage genes, such as radiation, chemicals, tobacco, and some foods. Genes can also be damaged by the natural aging process. Over time, these changes can build up and help cancers grow. When cancer starts, it’s usually in just one or a few cells. But more than 100 types of cancer can occur when cells change and grow in a harmful way. These changes are called mutations (say: meh-TUL-is). They can happen in any type of cell in the body. Each cancer is unique. It’s caused by many different mutated genes that lead to abnormal growth and spreading. These mutations can come from here or there in your DNA, or they can be passed on by a parent to a child. Sometimes cancer cells break away from the original tumor and travel to other parts of the body. They can grow and form new tumors in these other places, too. This is how cancer spreads. Some types of cancer can be treated with medicines or other treatments. These can include chemotherapy (say: kee-moh-THER-uh-pee), surgery, radiation therapy, and stem-cell transplant. But cancer is still a serious disease, and it’s hard to predict who will get it or when it will happen. Most people who get cancer have a family history of the disease. But you don’t need to have a family history of cancer to get it. Your risk of cancer depends on how much your genes change and how many other changes are needed for cancer to grow. Like real crabs, Cancers retreat into their shells when they feel threatened or overwhelmed. They’re most comfortable in close, intimate relationships with a few friends and loved ones. They prefer a deep connection with those few people over small talk or socializing in large groups, which can easily overwhelm them. They are incredibly loyal and protective of their loved ones, sometimes to a fault. But if someone crosses a Crab, they can be petty and vindictive. That’s because they want to protect their loved ones and get their revenge.
Read MoreMedical is the area of science that studies diseases and illnesses and seeks ways to treat, cure, and prevent them. It is a broad field that includes many different kinds of jobs, from research to clinical care. People who work in medicine use their education, training, and experience to help patients deal with illness and injury. Medical professionals often use drugs to treat illness and disease. They also may perform surgery to repair or replace damaged parts of the body. Medical research is a vital part of this field. It involves biologists, chemists, doctors, and pharmacologists. A doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer is called a medical oncologist. He or she is trained to administer chemotherapy and other types of treatments for cancer. Medical oncologists also give supportive care, such as blood transfusions, to people with cancer. Research in the field of medicine is important for determining which diseases exist and what can be done to treat them. It includes laboratory tests to diagnose diseases, as well as large-scale clinical trials that compare the results of different treatments. Scientists in the field of medicine often write articles for medical journals. The articles are peer-reviewed and contain information about new developments in the field. Journal articles are a major source of medical knowledge. The American Journal of Medicine is one of the most respected publications in internal medicine. It contains original scientific research that has direct clinical relevance to the practice of medicine. It also features useful reviews and position papers. Some of the most recent developments in the field of medicine include research into stem cells, nanotechnology and regenerative medicine. Other topics of interest include genetics, endocrinology, epidemiology, immunology, virology, and neurobiology. Psychiatry, counseling, and rehabilitation are important areas in the field of mental health. These areas of study can be used to treat disorders such as depression and stress, and to help people with chronic pain or disabilities. Counseling, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other forms of “talking cure” can be very helpful in treating conditions that affect a person’s mood. Physical therapy can improve strength and flexibility for people with chronic pain or disabilities. Occupational therapy can teach people who have lost the ability to walk new ways to do things. Expenses for attending a medical conference are usually deductible. However, the conference must concern a chronic illness of you, your spouse, or a dependent. The expenses can’t be for entertainment or recreation. You also can’t include expenses for certain controlled substances that aren’t legal under federal law, such as marijuana or laetrile. You can, however, include in medical expenses the cost of equipment that lets a deaf or hard-of-hearing person communicate over a regular telephone, such as teletypewriter (TTY) and telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) equipment.
Read MoreHealth is a state of physical, mental and social well-being and not just the absence of disease or infirmity. It is influenced by many factors, which include lifestyle choices, genetics, and environment. These factors may be both risk and protective, with an individual’s overall level of health being a balance between these. The term health has been defined in various ways by different organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), which defined it in 1948 as “the enjoyment of a standard of living that is not only physically and mentally good but also socially and psychologically sound”. In 2009, researchers published in The Lancet argued for a change to this definition, describing health as “an ability to adapt and self-manage in the face of stressors” rather than as an absence of disease or infirmity. When writing about medical signs and symptoms, authors should try to avoid excessive technical jargon. This may be achieved by omitting sections that are not relevant to the article’s topic, combining sections where possible, and providing a short plain-English explanation of technical terms (e.g., a glossary or Wiktionary entry for “virology”). When deciding whether to introduce a new technical term, authors should consider the following: Does the reader need this information to understand the main idea of the article? Is the term likely to be used again in the article? Is the term used by doctors in conversation with patients? If the answer to both questions is no, the term should be omitted. There are many measures of health, ranging from how fit an individual is, to the average lifespan of a population. Some of these measures involve complex statistics, such as life expectancy or the incidence, prevalence and comorbidity of diseases. Other measures involve more subjective concepts, such as quality of life or happiness. In order to maintain health, individuals should strive for a balanced diet, regular exercise, sleep and relaxation. In addition, it is important to avoid smoking and drinking alcohol in excess. It is also a good idea to maintain emotional well-being by engaging in social activities and avoiding stress. Despite the fact that healthcare is one of the most expensive services in the world, there are many organizations which provide free or low-cost services to those who cannot afford them. These organizations may be government-run, non-profit, or religious in nature. Some examples of these organizations are the Salvation Army, Red Cross, and the Free Clinics. Despite the fact that most individuals would probably agree that personal lifestyle has an enormous impact on their health, there are very few individuals who would say that luck or family history plays a significant role in their own health. Instead, most people will point to a variety of internal and external factors that affect their health, known as health determinants. These factors include income, employment, education, housing, nutrition, the environment, and social connections and support. These health determinants are all inter-related, and each person’s level of health is dependent on how they prioritize these aspects in their lives.
Read MorePharmacy is a science and profession concerned with the discovery, production, preparation, dispensing, review and monitoring of medicines in order to ensure their safe use. It is a miscellaneous science, linking health sciences with pharmaceutical sciences and natural sciences. Its scope is broad, ranging from the manufacture of biological products to the dispensing of medicinal drugs and vaccines. In addition to providing medicines, pharmacists are also expected to offer advice and information. They are often required to prepare complicated drugs, such as long-term treatments or injections. The main function of pharmacy is to provide patients with the correct dosage and quantity of medicine prescribed by their doctor. This involves preparing the medication according to a prescription, ensuring that it is stored correctly and providing advice to patients on how to take the medication. It also includes reducing the risk of side effects, particularly in elderly patients, and monitoring the effectiveness of medicines. In many countries, pharmacies are open to the public and most have extended opening hours. Pharmacists are also a vital source of information on health-related matters, such as the Yellow Card Scheme, which allows the public to report suspected side effects of medicines and vaccines. As well as advising patients on their medications, pharmacists are also involved in developing and testing new drugs. This requires a wide range of scientific knowledge, including the chemical and physical properties of drugs, as well as an understanding of how they are absorbed and metabolised by the body. Pharmacists also need to be able to explain complex medical and drug-related issues in a way that is easy for non-scientists to understand. A career in pharmacy can be challenging and rewarding, as it offers a wide variety of opportunities. It can lead to work in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as healthcare and other fields such as education and childcare. The vast majority of pharmacy graduates become health professionals, but some opt to pursue careers in business, sales and finance or enter the world of entrepreneurship. Students considering a degree in pharmacy should be aware of the requirements for entry, which vary from country to country. The most common is a bachelor’s degree in a subject such as biology or chemistry, followed by a four-year PharmD course, which includes practical training at hospitals and universities. Some students may choose to do a master’s degree in pharmacy, or complete a postgraduate fellowship program in order to gain laboratory experience. Choosing the right university for your degree in pharmacy is an important step in your journey to becoming a pharmacist. Consider the size of the school, its student-to-faculty ratio and faculty credentials when making your decision. This will help you to find the right place for you, and give you the best chance of success in your chosen field.
Read MoreCancer is a disease that starts when cells grow and divide out of control. Cells are the basic units that make up all the tissues in your body, such as skin, bones and organs. Normally, your cells die when they become old or damaged and are replaced by new cells. But sometimes, abnormal genetic changes interfere with this process. Then, the cancerous (malignant) cells can spread to other parts of your body and form new tumors. There are many different types of cancer, and each type develops in a different part of the body. For example, sarcomas grow in bones or soft tissue; carcinomas develop in the skin and other smooth tissue; and adenocarcinomas develop in the digestive tract. Cancer can also spread from one part of the body to another through your bloodstream, a process called metastasis. The first step in fighting cancer is to remove the tumor if it has not spread. That may be done with surgery, a procedure that involves cutting away the tumor and the surrounding tissue. It can also be done with radiation, chemotherapy or both. Radiation therapy uses high-energy X-rays to destroy cancer cells. The X-rays do not harm normal cells but can damage the tissue around the tumor. Chemotherapy is a treatment that kills cancer cells with drugs. It can be given by mouth or by injection into a vein (IV). It can be used alone, in combination with other treatments, to reduce the chances of cancer coming back after surgery or radiotherapy, and to relieve symptoms. Several types of chemotherapy drugs are available, and each type works differently. Some types of chemotherapy cause side effects, such as vomiting and diarrhea. Other types of chemotherapy use targeted drugs that attack specific types of cancer cells without damaging other cells in your body. Scientists now know more about how cancers begin and grow than ever before. They understand that a cancer typically results from a series of genetic changes (mutations) that accumulate over time in precancerous cells. These mutations allow cancerous cells to ignore signals that normally stop cells from dividing or from dying. They can also evade the body’s defense systems and get into neighboring tissues where they can continue growing. As scientists learn more about how cancers develop and grow, they are developing ways to prevent or treat them. These advances, together with improvements in screening and a reduction in tobacco use, are helping to reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer each year.
Read MoreMedical is a highly specialized field in which doctors and other health care professionals study the body and its many functions. This information is gathered for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and injuries to people of all ages. It’s a field that requires a mastery of the highly specialized language used to communicate the latest developments in the scientific understanding of the human body and its ailments. StraighterLine’s online Medical Terminology course can help students develop a fluency in the unique jargon of this specialization, which will be invaluable when seeking employment in the field. A medical journal is a periodical publication that contains articles on the practice of medicine and the research into disease and illness. Most medical journals have specific guidelines for the content and format of their articles. The editorial and peer review processes for a medical journal are designed to ensure the accuracy, appropriateness, and quality of information contained in each issue. The primary goal of most medical journals is to improve patient care through publishing sound scientific research and focusing on subjects of relevance to the readership. Journal editors also have journalistic goals, which include increasing the journal’s impact factor and breaking hot medical news. Articles in a medical journal can take a variety of forms, including research papers, review articles, case reports, clinical updates, and clinical practice guidelines. The best articles are written clearly and concisely, and they provide comprehensive coverage of the subject matter. They should be structured in a way that makes it easy for other scientists and medical practitioners to understand the results of the research and apply them to their practices. Some of the most widely read medical articles are research papers, which report the results of original investigations into a topic. These may be studies of the genetic basis of a disease or clinical trials that compare the effectiveness of different treatments for a condition. The scientific community depends on medical journals to publish these important research results. Medical terms are often created using prefixes and suffixes that combine to create new words, much like the word quadriplegia, which combines the Greek roots ster(root) – cleid(root) – o (apheresis) to form a new word that means “paralysis of the four limbs.” Another common type of medical article is a case report, which presents a single patient case and analyzes the patient’s presentation, diagnosis, and treatment. Case reports should also explain the typical hospital course and ultimate patient outcome for that type of disease or disorder, so that readers can recognize patterns of behavior and treatment. These articles can be very useful for improving general medical knowledge and helping doctors to diagnose similar cases in the future.
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