What is multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma is the cancer that occurs in the plasma cells. As you know, plasma cells are a type of white blood cells which is responsible for maintaining the immune system of the body. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and produces antibodies to protect your body from catching infections. In multiple myeloma, a group of plasma cells behaves abnormally, multiplies, and gets accumulated in the bone marrow. Instead of antibodies, the cancerous cells produce harmful proteins. The condition will lead to damage of kidney, immune system, bones etc.
What are the symptoms of multiple myeloma?
In some patients, multiple myeloma produces no symptoms, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease. Commonly found symptoms in patients with multiple myeloma are:
â Fatigue, weakness and tiredness
â Pain in the bones especially spine, skull, hips etc. It can occur in any bone. Sudden back pain may also occur.
â Bone weakness leading to frequent injuries or fractures
â Low blood count leading to dizziness, anemia
â High calcium levels
â Muscle weakness
â Numbness in the legs
â Extreme thirst and drowsy feeling
â Confusion and lack of clarity in thoughts
â Loss of appetite
â Constipation
â Frequent urination
â Kidney problems
How is it multiple myeloma treated?
Advancement in medical research has given effective options in treatment multiple myeloma. Often the treatment is based on the stage and type of multiple myeloma. The major treatment methods include:
â Chemotherapy: Drugs in the form of pills or injection are given to kill the myeloma cells.
â Corticosteroids: This, injection or pill, will help to regulate the immune system of the body.
â Stem-cell transplantation: This is the most effective treatment option for people suffering from the severe symptoms of multiple myeloma. In the process, the unhealthy bone marrow is replaced with healthy cells.
â Immunotherapy: This process uses antibodies to fight against the cancer cells.
â Radiation therapy: High energy electron beams are used to kill the plasma cells.
What are the complications of multiple myeloma?
Multiple myeloma may continue in the body without showing any symptoms for a long time, and some people have a normal life although they show up a few symptoms. But for a few others, the condition may cause severe complications and worsen within a short span of time. The condition will limit the ability of the body to fight against infection. It can also create weakness in the bone leading to fractures and thinning of the bones. Higher calcium levels can sometimes lead to damage in the kidney function.
Is multiple myeloma curable?
Finding a complete cure from multiple myeloma is still under research. However, different treatment options are available for limiting the symptoms and complications caused by the disease. It is mostly seen in people after 40 years of age. The life expectancy of multiple myeloma patients has gone higher, and is between 5 to 25 years, according to latest research.
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Risk factors of alpha lipoic acid supplements
Read moreAlpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant made naturally in the body. It is supposed to work best for never damage. In fact, this anti-oxidant has been used widely all over Europe for more than 50 years. Diabetes is one of the other conditions that can be treated with alpha lipoic acid, especially type 2 diabetes. Alpha lipoic acid is highly consumed through supplements. It can also be consumed through various fruits and vegetables. Along with the number of benefits that it has, alpha lipoic acid also has a few risk factors. Let us look at some of the risk factors below:
- Side effects: Side effects aren’t very easy to find around alpha lipoic acid supplement. There are very few cases that have been recorded for side effects. The common side effects include nausea, dizziness, or a rash. Irritation of the skin is another side effect that can be caused by topical alpha lipoic acid.
- Risks: If you are facing any condition related to diabetes, you should consult a doctor before intaking alpha lipoic acid. This is needed as alpha lipoic acid is known to lower the blood sugar to a large extent. Your doctor will suggest checking your glucose levels regularly when you are on the supplements. A thiamine deficiency, found in alcoholics and people suffering from anorexia, or thyroid problems can also be risk factors for alpha lipoic acid supplements. Apart from these, if you have any medical issue, you must consult your doctor before taking up alpha lipoic acid supplements.
- Interactions: If you are already taking supplements and medications provided by the doctor, you must consult them before you start taking alpha lipoic acid supplements, interaction with other supplements can be fatal to your health. Chemotherapy drugs can also lose their effect if you take alpha lipoic acid supplements along with them. Like mentioned before, it can also cause trouble to your health if you take them along with diabetes medication. IT could also be troublesome if you take them with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, tranquilizers, vasodilators used for heart disease or high blood pressure). Drugs for osteoarthritis are another pattern of medication that can cause trouble if paired with alpha lipoic acid supplements.
- Safety: There is no clear evidence of the safety of alpha lipoic acid supplements. Thereby making it a dangerous supplement for women and children. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant and lactating mothers.
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Benefits of ingredients used in a slow cooker recipe
Read moreSlow cooking tends to bring out the flavor in most meat cuts and even vegetables. Often the subtle benefits of slow cooking go unnoticed and people only see it as a cheap and easy alternative to traditional methods, like baking and frying. Slow cooker recipes do not require a lot of supervision, wherein all the ingredients simmer over low heat to be ready in four or five hours. This also reduces the risk of burning or overcooking the ingredients. But there are more benefits of slow cooking, which can be divided across the various ingredient that go in the recipe. Be it your pot roast or chicken stew, the traditional recipes can be easily modified for slow cooking.
Health benefits of slow cooking pot roast: One of the main advantages of cooking over a low flame is that the ingredients used in the recipe, retain their nutritional value which might be otherwise lost in traditional roast, oven or grill recipe. Slow cooked beef or meat not only retains the flavor, but also manages to absorb all the nutrients from the other ingredients and vegetables that complement the recipe in the broth. Vital minerals, vitamins, nutrients, amino acids which are all beneficial for maintain the overall body heath are preserved this way. Tough cuts of meat used in the recipe are also low in fats, which help cut down the overall fat and calorie content. These tough meats can be prepared only in a slow cooker to yield the best possible results.
Health benefits of slow cooking chicken: Slow cooking chicken over time prevents cancer causing toxins to develop which are a high chance in other traditional methods. Grilling and other methods produces glycation from burnt meats, which is the toxic reaction. Slow cooking does not allow the toxins to develop since the meat is cooked over a low flame and chances of overcooking or burning the meat, is the least of your concerns. Slow cooked recipes are beneficial for overall heart health as the main amino acid taurine, which is responsible for cardio vascular health is preserved this way.
The other advantages include minimum use of processed ingredients and foods which can be beneficial for the overall health. Processed foods contained considerable amounts of sodium, fat, calories which will only add to the overall carbohydrate and calorie count in the recipe. Using all natural ingredients or organic ingredients, which can be easily substituted in a slow cooked recipe for readily available ingredients and canned foods ensures a healthy recipe.