Medical Clinic

Different types of Cancers Cancer is a very broad topic. It involves numerous types all of which have extremely diverse causes, signs and symptoms, pathological features & require specific investigations and treatment. We will discuss about the 10 most common types of cancers based on their prevalence worldwide. Along with it, the important subtypes that form the vast majority of cases. Cancer involves almost all organs and tissues, hence cancer typing is based on the specific organ it affects. ex. Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Skin Cancer, etc. Further subtyping is done according to the cell line which is defective. ex Small cell cancer, B cell Lymphoma, Granulosa cell tumor, Germ cell tumor, etc.

Early diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus and its treatment is very important. Typically the course of diabetes is chronic but without early treatment, chances of developing complications early is significant. Diabetes treatment is a lifetime affair but if managed and followed well, there is little or no deterioration in the quality of life for a long period. Principles of treatment of Diabetes Mellitus :- 1) Control of hyperglycemia and related symptoms. 2) Reduce or eliminate the complications 3) Allow the patient to achieve a normal lifestyle.

Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus is based on testing of Glucose tolerance . Degree of glucose tolerance is determined by a fixed criteria. Based upon the degree of tolerance, results are grouped as normal glucose homeostasis, impaired glucose homeostasis or Diabetes Mellitus . Impaired glucose hemostasis is a condition also popularly known as Pre-Diabetes , Impaired Fasting Glucose IFG , Intermediate Hyperglycemia (WHO). The tests have to be often repeated once or twice to confirm the diagnosis as the disease has profound implications on future lifestyle of the patient.   Who should be be tested? Screening is recommended in following conditions.

After knowing the basics about cancer , lets move on to the main causes of cancer . What are the main reasons behind such uncontrolled proliferation of cells? Normally division of cells is under control of  various genes which are known as tumor suppressor genes. There are also other counterparts which promote cell proliferation known as Proto-oncogenes . But both those processes are well regulated and there are multiple checks which prevent or repair the damage. Hence for cancer to occur there has to be some defect in either Tumor Suppressor Genes or Proto-Oncogenes .

     Skin Cancer (credit :about-child.com) What is Cancer? Cancer is like a modern day pandemic. Pandemic is a type of epidemic which transcends continents. There are innumerable types of cancers. Lack of knowledge about cancer is a major problem.  Early diagnosis and treatment is of paramount importance and can make a difference between life and death. Through this series of posts about cancer, we intend to provide our users with all the information they need to understand prevent cancer.

We discussed in our previous post about  what exactly is Diabetes? So now lets discuss what are the main signs and symptoms of  Diabetes Mellitus . How does it manifest? We know it causes derangement in sugar levels of the body. Sugar, principally  Glucose  is the main source of energy for our body. But both increased glucose ( Hyperglycemia ) and decreased glucose ( Hypoglycemia ) levels in blood are harmful to many organs.  In Diabetes, lack of insulin causes hyperglycemia responsible for most of the signs and symptoms. Hypoglycemia occurs in Diabetics due to medications and inappropriate dietary habits.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a long standing disease affecting middle aged to elderly people. It  doubles the risk of having other Heart Diseases , Renal Failure  and  Peripheral Arterial Disease . Large proportion of people suffering from high blood pressure remain untreated. About 1 billion people today suffer from hypertension & by 2025, it is estimated every 1 in 4 people will be suffering from it. Approximately 8 million people die annually due to hypertension. According to Pubmed , " Blood pressure (BP) is a measurement of the force against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood through your body ." It  varies according to the state of heart, contracting or relaxing, hence it is recorded in form of 2 measurements known as systolic, when the heart is contracting and diastolic when its relaxing. Normal blood pressure is 120 systolic, 80 diastolic written as 120/80.

Sugar and Diabetes Diabetes  is the one of the most common diseases worldwide. It has a long course and stays with the patient almost all through his/her life, although many diabetic patients have prolonged symptom free periods but complete cure in most cases remains elusive. One good thing about it is if kept in control, symptom free periods can be long &  patients life remains absolutely normal. To begin with diabetes, few terms need to be understood. Diabetes - When we say Diabetes, we intend to say  Diabetes Mellitus . There's another disease called  Diabetes Insipidus  which has a different cause and a different pathology. Diabetes Mellitus  is disease where your body (blood and urine) sugar levels get deranged (hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia) due to lack of an hormone named Insulin. Insulin also has other functions hence diabetes can present with a variety of  symptoms and signs .