Before seeking the services of a hair replacement center, it is important to understand some basic information about hair loss and what can do about it.
Hair Loss Background
Approximately 95% of the estimated 60 million men and women in the United States who experience abnormal hair loss suffer from a hereditary condition called androgentic alopecia. This is the gradual loss of hair that usually begins somewhere between 30 to 40 years of age in men and is essentially a cosmetic disorder, which is relevant because most health insurance plans will not pay for cosmetic care. In women, the onset of hereditary hair loss usually does not occur until after menopause.
The incidence of androgentic alopecia is highest in white males but can also be found women, Asians, and African Americans. Usually, the thinning hair begins in the frontal area and progresses back over the head. In general, the growth transition begins with large, thick healthy hair, then progresses to thinner, shorter, indeterminate hairs, and finally, short, nonpigmented vellus hairs cover the area sporadically. During this transition, the patient may notice more shedding than normal. Some shedding is natural, as up to 10% of a person’s hair so prone to shedding at any given time. Lab studies can be done to determine whether the hair loss is genetic or caused by other sources.
What can be done about it?
Once the cause of thinning hair is determined, a hair replacement center can offer several viable solutions for hair restoration . If the cause is not genetic, changes in medication, diet, or hairstyle products may take care of the problem without any significant out-of-pocket cost to the patient. In the event the patient is loosing hair due to genetic reasons or the changes mentioned above do not create a regrowth of hair, other options are still available.
Surgery offers a couple of solutions. One is a scalp reduction. This is where a portion of the bald scalp is removed, and then the skin is stretch to cover the area of the scalp where the skin was removed. The other option is probably the most commonly considered option. Hair follicles can be transplanted from a donor or from thickly haired sections of the head. The main problem with hair plugs is covering the bald area with enough plugs to provide satisfactory results.
The last option is hair weaving. Hairpieces are weaved into the patient’s natural hair to create a prosthetic method of covering the baldness. While the hairpieces of the past were often horrendous failures, many of the modern prosthetics are indistinguishable from the patient’s own hair.
Conclusion for modern hair restoration technologies
Now that you have a general idea what to expect from a hair replacement center, you can more effectively prepare a list of questions for the doctor. You can also go prepared to ask questions about your family history, medical history, current medications, diet, and general hair care regime.
While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it is also an integral part of self-image. As such, concern over hair loss is a normal reaction and should not be taken lightly.
Jerry Blackburn distributed a lot of articles for <a href="http://www.hair-loss-tips.com" target="_blank">http://www.hair-loss-tips.com</a> an online source of information. Jerry is publishing from hair loss to hair restoration <a href="http://www.hair-loss-tips.com/news/medical-hair-restoration-techniques/" target="_blank">http://www.hair-loss-tips.com/news/medical-hair-restoration-techniques/</a> and other areas in this field.
October 25, 2005 | Posted in
Hair Loss |
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Did you know that you can be ‘just a little bit diabetic’? The condition is technically called ‘pre-diabetes’, and it is characterized by persistent high blood sugar levels. Pre-diabetes is a serious condition, though its symptoms may be so subtle that you don’t notice them affecting your life. More importantly, it’s an indicator that there is something seriously wrong with your body. Left untreated, over 50% of those diagnosed with pre-diabetes will develop Type 2 diabetes within ten years.
If your doctor has told you that you are one of the more than 16 million Americans who has pre-diabetes, the American Diabetes Association has some very good news for you. In March 2005, the ADA released the results of the multi-year Diabetes Prevention Project. In a study that followed thousands of patients across the nation who had been diagnosed with pre-diabetes, the Diabetes Prevention Project found that patients who lost a ‘moderate’ amount of weight reduced their risk of developing full-blown diabetes by over 58%. Even more encouraging, many of those patients had managed to reverse their condition, and their blood sugar levels were well within normal ranges.
This was a result that the researchers had not expected. Diabetes (and pre-diabetes) is the result of changes to cells in the pancreas that reduce the amount of insulin that they can produce. Doctors have always believed that those changes are irreversible. Now however, the research seems to suggest that losing weight with a healthy balance of exercise and diet can actually heal those early damages caused by diabetes.
Here’s the even better news. Those results were achieved by people who lost ‘moderate’ amounts of weight – from 5-7% of their total body mass. In other words, if you weigh 200 pounds and have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, losing just 10-15 pounds can more than halve the risk of developing full-blown diabetes, and may reverse your condition entirely.
Here are some healthy weight loss tips from the American Diabetes Association:
1. Keep your diet balanced. Eat a variety of foods in all food groups, with an emphasis on grains, starches and fresh vegetables and fruit.
2. Learn to eyeball portions. Portion control is far more important than restricting what foods you eat. A ‘portion’ of raw vegetables may be considerably larger than a portion of the same vegetables cooked. There are some handy reference guides on their web site at http://www.diabetes.org
3. Add one half hour daily of moderate exercise to your daily routine five days a week. This one single lifestyle change seemed to be the key to both weight loss and the beneficial effects derived from it. It was the single significant difference between the two groups in the study.
The results of the Diabetes Prevention Project only confirm what has been the best advice in dieting circles for years – losing weight with a balanced diet and exercise is the healthiest way there is. For more information on the diet recommended by the American Diabetes Association, visit their web site at http://www.diabetes.org
Kirsten Hawkins is a nutrition and health expert from Nashville, TN.Visit <a href="http://www.popular-diets.com/" target="_blank">http://www.popular-diets.com/</a> for more great nutrition, well-being, and vitamin tips as well as reviews and comments on popular diets.
October 25, 2005 | Posted in
General Articles |
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Hair is fairly strong and can generally withstand normal grooming techniques. However, there can be thinning or breakage of hair due to poor grooming habits, and following several tips can prevent these bouts of thinning and breakage. Avoid combing hair with fine-toothed combs when wet, as this is a common cause of breakage. Although this is a tempting practice because hair straightens and detangles much better if combed when wet, the stress on the hair shaft is immense when the hair is wet because it is weakened.
This goes for brushing the hair when wet also. Brushing the hair in general can be stimulating to the scalp, encouraging blood flow to the hair follicles and maintaining their health. Brushing the hair before washing it can loosen up flakes of sebum and dead skin buildup and make it easier to thoroughly clean the scalp during shampooing. Remember, over combing or over brushing generally will cause damage to the hair, which is quite contrary to the old 100-stroke brushing rule.
Although clean hair is desirable and even necessary for the maintenance of healthy hair, excessive shampooing can strip vital minerals like calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen and iron from the hair. This is particularly true when using commercial shampoos. Most commercial shampoos contain formaldehyde as a preservative. To disguise the presence of formaldehyde it is listed in the ingredients as Quanternium-15. This substance can be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and poisonous to the entire system.
Unfortunately for those who suffer with dandruff, anti-dandruff shampoos are some of the most dangerous shampoos on the market. Selenium sulfide is the main ingredient in most dandruff shampoos, a substance that has shown to cause degeneration of the liver. Other toxic chemicals such as polyvinyl pyrrlidone plastic (PVP), which is a proven carcinogenic, and creosol which has been proven to be highly toxic are commonly found in dandruff shampoos. This is why it is very important to correct this condition as quickly as possible through natural means.
Natural shampoos normally found in health food stores are a much better choice. Even with natural shampoos, be careful of the ingredient Sodium Lauryl Sulfate can strip away too much oil from the hair, causing shampoo residue to be left behind. Ingredients that have proven useful in shampoos are cocamides, Panthenol Pro-B, of course the previously discussed vitamins, aloe vera, sage, nettle, burdock, chamomile, chaparral, horsetail and rosemary. Also look for shampoos that contain keratin, the protein substance that hair is made of, or amino acids. This will help seal breakages in the cuticle.
Choose a shampoo with a proper pH balance; a level of 5.5 is ideal. The pH scale runs from 0 to 6.9 for acids and 7.1 to 14 for alkaline, with 7 being neutral. Although generally conditioners are good for hair provided that they do not contain the previously mentioned harmful chemicals, shampoos with conditioners included should be avoided. Shampooing and conditioning serve two different functions and the effectiveness of both are diminished by combining the process.
When shampooing, pour the shampoo into the hands and rub the shampoo in with your hands rather than pouring it on your head. By pouring shampoo directly into the hair you may promote buildup in one particular spot. Massage gently with your fingertips to loosen flakes and buildup and to stimulate circulation, but avoid using the fingernails as this may scratch the scalp and cause scarring over time. Shampoo with warm water to open the pores and rinse with cool water to promote shrinking the pores back to their normal size. After washing hair, dry it by blotting the hair with a towel. Avoid rubbing, especially with terrycloth towels, as this will pull hair when it is in a weakened state due to the wetness.
Be sure to follow directions on all perms and relaxers, as misuse can cause serious damage to the hair shaft. Excessive coloring, styling or heat treatments, and chemical treatments can damage hair and cause breakage even when directions are followed. Always keep in mind that these perms and relaxers have harsh chemicals in them that chemically alter hair, and long-term use of these chemicals can cause harm to hair shafts and follicles causing some hair loss. If you can avoid the use of these chemicals, by all means do. The result could be the increased life of your hair.
If you decide to use perms or relaxers to process hair, be sure to use semi-permanent hair color or henna. This will avoid harsh reactions between the relaxer or perm and the ammonia and peroxide amounts in permanent dyes. It is always best to allow the hair to rest untreated as much as possible, and avoid mixing chemical processes. Another styling caution is against the overuse of hairstyles that pull the hair too tight, such as ponytails and braids, which will cause hair loss especially along the sides of the scalp. This syndrome is called traction alopecia. Keep in mind when styling hair that hair is living and growing, and is susceptible to the stress of constant pulling continuous abuse causes scarring, which will lead to permanent hair loss in the areas affected. Along with leaving the hair chemically untreated for a time, leaving it in a loose style without over-manipulation for as long as possible will ensure optimum results.
Warning: This report may be helpful to your hair! <a href="http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/hairlossprevention" target="_blank">http://www.daveshealthbuzz.com/hairlossprevention</a>
October 23, 2005 | Posted in
Hair Loss |
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“Mesothelioma” is the term used to describe a cancerous tumor that involves the mesothelial cells of an organ. Mesothelial cells are cells that form a protective lining over the lungs, heart and abdominal organs. The most common type of mesothelioma is pleural mesothelioma. The pleura is a thin membrane found between the lungs and the chest cavity. It provides a lubricated surface so that the lungs do not rub and chafe against the chest walls. What causes it? Virtually all cases of mesothelioma are related to inhaling of asbestos fibers. There are about 3,000 cases per year (mostly men over the age of 40) and there will be about 300,000 cases before 2030. Mesothelioma usually spreads rapidly through the mesothelial cells to the heart and abdominal organs. The life span is typically 24 months after diagnosis, but it depends on what stage the cancer is detected, the health of the patient and other factors. Although asbestos exposure causes mesothelioma, it has a latency period after exposure that could last 15 to 50 years. This means that someone who worked in a factory with asbestos 40 years ago could be developing mesothelioma now. Anyone who knows they were exposed to loose asbestos fibers should be tested regularly for mesothelioma. Diagnosis The onset of mesothelioma is usually very slow. The first symptom is a constant pain in the chest. This pain is later accompanies by difficulty breathing due to an accumulation of fluid in the chest. Other symptoms include coughing, fever and weight loss. Mesothelioma can be diagnosed by your doctor with a chest CT-scan. Prognosis (the outcome) Mesothelioma advances in 4 stages: Stage I – the tumor is limited to the area of the lining of the lung and usually limited to only one side of the chest. Stage II – the tumor extends to other organs within the chest cavity, such as the heart or lymph nodes in the chest. Stage III – the tumor expands to the other side of the chest or it spreads into the abdominal organs. The lymph nodes outside the chest are affected. Stage IV -the cancer spreads to different parts of the body far outside the chest area (liver, brain, bone, etc…). Mesothelioma is an extremely deadly disease. The average survival time is about one year from date of diagnosis. About 20% of patients who find their cancer early and treat it aggressively will reach the five-year mark. for more information and articles about mesothelioma go to http://www.mesothelioma-health.net All Rights Reserved. 2004-2005. http://www.Mesothelioma-health.net
Webmaster of http://www.mesothelioma-health.net and http://www.doggies.ca also http://www.doggypost.com and have been creating web content for over 5 years.
October 20, 2005 | Posted in
Cancer |
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HEAL YOUR BODY, EASE YOUR MIND AT THE MYRTLE BEACH CANCER CARE RETREAT The medical community has long touted the importance of remaining positive and reducing stress while undergoing a cancer treatment program. Factors that make patients feel more positive include good relationships with their specialists, the people around them being positive and supportive, and having a pleasant environment. With this in mind, Carolina Regional Cancer Center (CRCC), of Myrtle Beach, S.C., has joined with Burroughs & Chapin Co., Inc. to offer the Myrtle Beach Cancer Care Retreat. The retreat, which is tailored to each patient’s individual needs, includes quality cancer care at CRCC, accommodations at Burroughs & Chapin’s Myrtlewood Villas, and special rates at selected golf, entertainment and dining venues along the Grand Strand. “The Myrtle Beach Cancer Care Retreat is the first of its kind and is unique in what it provides to cancer patients,” Dr. Bass, CRCC clinical director, said. “Resorts often offer vacation packages that include physicals and spa treatments. The Myrtle Beach Cancer Care Retreat pioneers the concept of offering radiotherapeutic treatment within a resort atmosphere.” The Myrtle Beach Cancer Care Retreat is the first along the East Coast to combine top-notch radiotherapeutic treatment with a tranquil resort setting. This package is perfect for people living outside of the Myrtle Beach area who must undergo a radiation program and wish to do so in a safe, relaxing, and friendly environment. Everything a patient may need, from state-of-the-art medical treatment and quality cancer care to dining, shopping, entertainment, or just a relaxing walk on the beach, is mere minutes away. CRCC also has coordinated with a number of area physicians, physical therapists, nutritionists, and spas to meet additional needs patients may have while undergoing radiation treatment. Some of the area’s other top medical facilities are located close to CRCC, including the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, which has been named one of the top 100 hospitals in the country for cardiovascular care. CRCC is centrally located to provide easy access from almost anywhere along the Grand Strand. Myrtle Beach is a perfect winter get-away destination, as well as a wonderful place to summer. Sunny days, mild nights, and miles of golf courses and pristine beaches make Myrtle Beach an attractive location anytime. It is an easy drive from most East Coast cities and several airlines serve the area as well. CRCC ’s Cutting-Edge Cancer Treatment Offers New Hope CRCC is a health care facility that has been providing comprehensive radiotherapeutic services and treatments in Myrtle Beach for 24 years. CRCC is one of the few health care facilities in South Carolina that currently provides Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), recognized by radiation oncologists as the best technological advancement in radiation therapy in the past 30 years. IMRT is a high-precision form of radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation to cancer cells, while minimizing the exposure of nearby healthy tissue, thus offering hope in previously hopeless cases. Because IMRT treatments are delivered with extreme precision, the exposure of healthy tissue is cut to a minimum and the side effects of the radiation are reduced; tumors are targeted and normal tissues are spared. IMRT is responsible for dramatic improvements in the ability to treat tumors that previously may be been untreatable due to their size, shape or location. Using three-dimensional imaging and complex computer treatment planning, IMRT enables oncologists to shape the radiation beam, and modulate the radiation dose intensity within a given field. Actual treatment time for IMRT is generally less than five minutes, after which the patient is free to spend the rest of the day as he chooses. Rather than staying cooped up in a hospital or pacing around the house, patients with the retreat package have seemingly limitless low-stress ways to enjoy the day ? golf, shopping, strolling on the beach, enjoying fresh seafood, taking in live entertainment, and more! In addition, the Myrtle Beach area is home to various cancer support groups that welcome participation, should the patient wish to talk with others who have undergone cancer treatment. Just two blocks away from CRCC, the spacious Myrtlewood Villas offer guests a serene setting along the golf courses of Myrtlewood Golf Club. The villas feature numerous amenities to provide guests with the comforts of home and the luxury of Myrtlewood. “We hope that the retreat’s participants will find their stay along the Grand Strand as therapeutic as the treatments they undergo while they’re here,” Archie Lemon, golf operations director of Burroughs & Chapin Golf Management, said. Accommodations are available on a monthly or two-week basis. Monthly rates begin at $750 for a one-bedroom villa and $850 for two bedrooms. Two-week rates begin at $500 for a one-bedroom villa and $650 for two bedrooms. Rates may vary depending on the time of year reservations are made. Family members who travel to be with a cancer patient during the term of treatment also can use the retreat’s benefits and accommodations rates. CRCC boasts three board-certified radiation oncologists ? Steven Bass, Todd Williams, and Paul Goetowski ? in addition to medical physicists, dosimetrists, as well as treatment and planning and treatment delivery specialists. Dr. Bass is a former chief resident at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and has special interest in prostate and gastrointestinal tract cancers. Dr. Williams has done extensive research in radiation therapy. He completed his residency in radiation oncology at MUSC and remains an assistant professor of radiation oncology at the school. He is an invited reviewer for many peer-reviewed journals, a lecturer, and has published nine articles and five abstracts. He has special interest in lung, head, neck and esophageal cancers. Dr. Goetowski received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and completed his residency in Radiation Oncology at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He takes a special interest in lung and breast cancer cases. CRCC’s 30 full-time staff members exceed the national guidelines for staff per task to be performed and staff per number of patients. The size and quality of the staff ensures that treatments are carried out with the greatest precision, which is the primary key to success in radiation therapy. The Myrtle Beach Cancer Care Retreat can ease patients’ minds while also healing their bodies. More information about CRCC and the Myrtle Beach Cancer Care Retreat is available at www.CRCCmd.com or by calling (843) 449-9415. More information about Myrtlewood Villas is available at www.myrtlewoodvillas.com.
Based in Myrtle Beach, th author covers a variety of topics in here writing including health issues, travel and real estate.
October 19, 2005 | Posted in
Cancer |
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As a female, if you are facing thinning and losing hair, you are probably pretty stressed by it. However, you will not be worrying and causing more hair to drop once you understand some facts about female hair loss.
You see, in many cases, female hair loss is just a temporary occurance and hence, finding a hair loss solution to it is relatively easy.
Androgenetic alopecia is the hereditary form of baldness that affects 50 percent of men, and some women after 40. Female hair loss usually starts after menopause although it can begin earlier. The main reason for this is that estrogen levels decline. Hormonal changes cause hair to thin.
It is comforting to note that other than androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of hair loss in women, is a result of metabolic and hormonal changes. Thus, the hair loss is usually temporary. Also, unlike men, women rarely become totally bald. However, what females generally experience is the thinning of their hair.
For example, in the case of pregnancy, hair loss is temporary and should stop about 6 months after birth. When a woman is pregnant, a large amount of oestrogen is produced causing the hair follicles to go into their growth phase. Once the baby is born, the woman’s hormonal balance is restored. The reverse now happens with the hair follicles going into a hair loss phase.
While nothing much can be done to prevent hair loss during this period, applying hair tonic to hasten hair re-growth can be a helpful solution.
Crash diets leading to rapid weight loss over a short period of time prompts excessive hair loss.
Physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss but this usually only occurs after a prolonged period of time and in extreme cases. Once stress levels are restored to normal levels, hair loss should stop. Thus, a good hair loss solution is to find ways to reduce stress!
Certain drugs can also cause hair to shed. The most common medical treatment that causes hair loss is chemotherapy. The drug medication attacks the hair cells, causing hair loss from the scalp. Certain prescription drugs (for thyroid hormone deficiency, diabetes and lupus) and dieting supplements are also causes of hair loss. Once these drug medications are stopped, the hair loss problem should disappear.
Other stresses to the hair may include frequent dyeing and chemicals eg. perming solutions applied to the hair. Generally, healthy hair can undergo these treatments without showing signs of stress, if they are not done too often. But if hair is not allowed a chance to recover from the constant application of hair chemicals, then it becomes brittle and starts to break off. Hair loss treatment products to help strengthen the follicles should help when applied to the scalp.
Once you understand what is happening to your hair, then seek out the right hair loss solution. In most cases, if the cause is temporary, then you can be assured that your problem will pass with the right remedy actions. However, for the more serious cases, do seek the professional help of a licensed dermatologist for a complete diagnosis and treatment plan.
Kathlene Capelle is a writer for beauty tips and advice. She believes in helping people regain their confidence through a beautiful crop of hair. For more articles, tips and resources, please visit her site at <a href="http://www.hair-loss-remedy-central.com" target="_blank">http://www.hair-loss-remedy-central.com</a>.
October 18, 2005 | Posted in
Hair Loss |
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Noticed more fallen hair collecting on the drain stopper in your shower room?
Or do you suspect that more hair has been left in your brush than is normally the case?
Been sweeping up more strands of hair all over your house?
Getting worried? Although hair is not essential for survival, the lack of hair can affect one?s self confidence in today?s environment. And no wonder! We are bombarded with a constant stream of advertisements sponsored by beauty salons, hair care products and hair loss treatments on looking good through a crop of beautiful hair. So if we start to lose hair, we can become really self conscious about our looks.
Our hair become stressed with over exposure to the sun, frequent hair blow drying and repeated perming, rebonding and hair colour treatments. The hair becomes dry and brittle and break off very easily. Tying hair too tightly can also cause hair breakage. Illnesses like low thyroid hormones are additional factors resulting in hair loss.
Hair loss is also known as alopecia. About 100 strands of hair out of a normal scalp of 100,000 hairs are lost daily. Any hair loss of more than 100 strands of hair per day warrants a case for concern.
The lifespan of a single hair strand is about 5 years. Genetic baldness is caused when the body fails to replace hair that has fallen off. Familial history may determine if hair loss is going to occur and women?s hair does thin with age as well. Temporary hair loss in post-pregnancy cases and lifestyle changes are additional explanations for hair loss.
A hair loss remedy can be through taking oral pills or through hair loss products applied directly to the hair. Other hair loss solutions include vitamin supplements, herbal cures, scalp treatments and hair transplants. A good understanding of what causes the hair loss in the first place can help us decide what best solution to take.
In the meantime, if you have a family history of balding genes, take preventive hair loss measures. Simple procedures like using a mild shampoo and conditioner, and gentle brushing or combing would really help for good hair structure and a healthier crop!
Kathlene Capelle is a writer for beauty tips and advice. She believes in helping people regain their confidence through a beautiful crop of hair. For more articles, tips and resources, please visit her site at <a href="http://www.hair-loss-remedy-central.com" target="_blank">http://www.hair-loss-remedy-central.com</a>.
October 18, 2005 | Posted in
Hair Loss |
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An understanding of asbestos is necessary before we try to understand mesothelioma lung cancer. Asbestos, a natural fibrous mineral, used commonly in construction process and manufacturing industries is detrimental to human health. Continuous inhalation of its fibers enhances the susceptibility to respiratory disorders and can lead to many dangerous diseases. A leading example of such dangerous disease is Mesothelioma lung cancer. Actually, mesothelioma lung cancer is misnomer because mesothelioma cancers affect the lining of lungs (pleura) and abdomen and not the lungs. Since mesothelioma cancers mostly affect the lining of the lungs, it is generally called mesothelioma lung cancer. The workers who had worked in industries such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and asbestos production are vulnerable to mesothelioma cancers.
Mesothelioma and the Role of Carcinogens:
What is mesothelioma cancer and how does the lining of the lung become cancerous? Cancer is a tumor that is malignant in nature. Tumor is formed when there is abnormal cell division and cell multiplication in the cancerous cells. Exposure to carcinogens or cancer-causing material like cigarette smoke, asbestos and silica dust is instrumental in this abnormal cell division and formation of tumor.
Mesothelioma cancer is directly linked to asbestos exposure. However, those already exposed to asbestos have a greater chance of developing lung cancer if they are exposed to other carcinogens such as cigarette smoke. A study reports that the workers with a history of asbestos exposure and cigarette smoke are more prone to lung cancer than the non-smokers and those with no history of asbestos exposure.
Complications Associated with Mesothelioma Cancer:
Normally, the latency stage for asbestos-related diseases in general and mesothelioma cancers of the lining of lung in particular, 20-50 years, which makes detection of Mesothelioma a complicated issue. This situation is further aggravated particularly where the worker is also addicted to cigarette smoking. By the time, the disease shows its symptoms, a considerable exposure to additional carcinogens linked to cigarette smoking has already taken place. This makes a worker more vulnerable to lung cancer besides the vulnerability to mesothelioma cancers.
Mesothelioma Cancers and Legal Redress:
The Government is conscious of the ill effects of asbestos exposure and the seriousness of mesothelioma cancer. The employees working in factories with significant risk of asbestos exposure are eligible for Mesothelioma compensation, if the exposure is the cause of Mesothelioma. There has been a spate of lawsuits for seeking compensation for mesothelioma and lung cancers. In many cases, the courts have awarded heavy sums as compensation against the asbestos manufacturing companies.
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit <a href="http://www.asbestosblog.org/" target="_blank">http://www.asbestosblog.org/</a> for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.
October 16, 2005 | Posted in
Cancer |
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Asbestos Testing ? Why?
Asbestos testing seeks to detect the presence of asbestos in any given material. When any asbestos containing material is disturbed, it releases very thin invisible fibers that may remain suspended in the air for many hours, and have a causative association with a plethora of disease manifestations involving the epithelial lining of human visceral cavities, including the deadly mesothelioma. Much asbestos containing material is being unearthed nowadays due to intense remodeling and renovation of old structures, dating back to days when asbestos was extensively used in construction.
Asbestos Testing- When?
EPA’s Sample List of Suspect Asbestos-Containing Materials Exit Ecology lists the possible candidates for asbestos testing. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Any surfacing agent or thermal insulation material used in buildings constructed earlier than 1980 is presumed as containing asbestos (WISHA Interim Interpretive Memorandum #99-1-C, January 19, 1999), until proved otherwise by laboratory analysis.
Asbestos Sampling
Precautions
Before collection:
- By either specialized laboratory personnel or under guidance.
During collection:
- Minimize dispersal of fibers
- Avoid heating/cooling draughts
- Minimize the handling time and amount
- Spray the sample with fine water and/or detergent droplets
- Use a sharp knife to cut neatly through the whole depth
- Place a plastic spread below the collection area
- Minimize exposure to self/those in the vicinity
- Handle the sample alone
- Wear gloves and mask
- Drop neatly into an appropriate container
After collection:
- Minimize dispersal
- Proper sealing of the container
- Patching of the sampled area
- Proper disposal of the plastic spread
- Cleaning of the area
- Label the sample meticulously
Asbestos Testing
Asbestos testing is carried out by a certified laboratory using polarized light microscopy (PLM) as per the EPA recommendations.
Asbestos Testing- Results and Interpretation
This form of asbestos testing is qualitative as well as quantitative .The results are given as the percentage (1 to 100) and type of asbestos (chrysotile or white asbestos, Amosite or brown asbestos, and Crocidolite or blue asbestos).
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit <a href="http://www.asbestosblog.org/" target="_blank">http://www.asbestosblog.org/</a> for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.
October 14, 2005 | Posted in
Cancer |
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Mesothelioma and asbestos are so much linked that many people call it by the name of mesothelioma asbestos. While mesothelioma is a serious cancer, asbestos is its main cause. While one may approve of things that remain of use for a long time, their effect on the surroundings decides the worthiness of that product in the end. The same holds true with asbestos. The 1940s and 1950s saw a surge of ?asbestos? as the next best thing to happen after cement in the construction industry. Due to it?s high degree of stability and resistance to very high temperatures, asbestos was applied greatly in insulators and ceiling tiles in homes, schools and factories.
However, this product is a harmful contaminant. Asbestos has the tendency to break into small particles and remain suspended in the air for longer durations. Any individual that comes in contact or inhales it becomes vulnerable to serious diseases such as asbestosis, lung cancer or the mesothelioma lung cancers.
Types of Mesothelioma:
Mesothelioma, asbestos related cancer, acquires it?s name from the mesothelium cells that are responsible for protecting and enabling easy movement of our vital organs such as lungs, heart and the abdomen in the body. Mesothelioma is generally of three types, pleural mesothelioma, peritoneal mesothelioma and pericardial mesothelioma.
If a person is suffering from hoarseness, difficulty in breathing, loss in weight, coughing, blood in sputum, chest pain, weak muscles, reduced tactile sensitivity, he may be suffering from Pleural mesothelioma or the cancer of lining of the lungs. This is the most common type of mesothelioma and almost two-thirds of the mesothelioma patients suffer from pleural mesothelioma. The Peritoneal mesothelioma or cancer of the lining of the abdomen causes impaired bowel motion, bloating, swelling in feet, and nausea. This is less common among mesothelioma patients and it affects one-third of the mesothelioma patients. Pericardial mesothelioma is of the cancer of lining of the heart. It is also caused because of asbestos exposure. However, its prevalence is rare. Pericardial mesothelioma manifests in the form of chest pain, palpitations, cough and dyspnea.
Lawsuits Related to Mesothelioma and Asbestos:
The hazardous consequences of long term contact with asbestos and its linkage to mesothelioma cancers has led to several lawsuits against its manufacturers. The mesothelioma or asbestos attorneys claim that the asbestos manufacturers were aware of the harmful affects of asbestos exposure and yet persisted with its use for profit motives. This is the reason why juries have ordered stringent awards in many mesothelioma and asbestos related lawsuits.
Kirsten Hawkins is a asbestos and mesothelioma specialist from Nashville, TN. Visit <a href="http://www.asbestosblog.org/" target="_blank">http://www.asbestosblog.org/</a> for information on asbestos reform, mesothelioma lawsuit news, and more.
October 14, 2005 | Posted in
Cancer |
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