Radiation therapy treatment, also known as radiotherapy, is used in the treatment of cancer. Usually used to shrink tumors or to kill the cancer cells, high doses of radiation are used in the medical field. In order to see inside the body, this radiation is used in the X-rays. Also, it is used with the X-rays for the treatment of broken bones or teeth. In some special cases, radiotherapy is used in the treatment of blood disorders, noncancerous growths, and thyroid disease as well. Here is a guide to the different types of radiation therapies.
Different types of radiation therapy
This therapy is mainly of two types:
External beam radiation therapy
It is referred to as a local treatment that is used mostly to treat a specific part of the body. The radiation beams that are used in this type of radiation therapy treatment are made of three key particles—protons, electrons, and photons. The external beams come out of a large machine that may be a bit noisy and aim the radiation only at the cancer-affected body part. This means that if you are suffering from the lung cancer, the radiation beam will be aimed at only to the chest, not to the whole body.
This radiation therapy treatment includes several types like 3-D conformal radiation therapy, IGRT (Image-guided radiation therapy), Stereotactic radiosurgery, Tomotherapy, IMRT (Intensity-modulated radiation therapy), and Stereotactic body radiation therapy.
Internal radiation therapy
The radiation source is put inside the body in this radiation therapy. When the radiation source is liquid, the therapy is referred to as the systemic therapy that is used mostly to treat different types of thyroid cancer. Also, this therapy is used to treat the GEP-NET or advanced types of prostate cancer.
When the source is solid, it is known as brachytherapy. In order to treat any cancer in the body parts like the neck, breast, head, prostate, eye, and cervix, this type of radiation therapy treatment is used.
How to decide which treatment to be used?
Depending on the following aspects, healthcare professionals decide which radiation therapy has to be used:
- Tumor size
- Cancer type
- Location of the tumor in the body
- Normal tissues are very sensitive to the radiation. Hence, checking the distance between the tumor and the normal tissue is crucial.
- Patient’s medical history and general health condition
- Patient’s other medical conditions and age, etc.
Such types of radiotherapy have several side effects as well. Hence, it is advisable to undergo these therapies only under the medical guidance of your doctor.
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Top Home Alarm Security System Options to Buy
Read moreThe safety of your home is of great importance. It lets you sleep peacefully at night or travel with ease of mind knowing your belongings are safe. One of the best ways to ensure the safety of your home is by the use of a home alarm security system.
If you are planning to install a home alarm security system, here are some of the top options to consider.
- Frontpoint
Frontpoint is a leader when it comes to home security systems. To begin with, the installation is super simple, something that you can take care of on your own. Next, even the basic package offers alerts for smoke and carbon monoxide detection, which adds value to the basic package. Frontpoint is also known to work with Google Home and Alexa. Plus, they also have a mobile app to access their system.The best part is that Frontpoint does not require customers to take sign a contract. This means that you are not stuck with them in case you decide to move on. The company is known for its excellent customer support; plus, you can use the trial period for 30-days, post which you get your money back if you are not happy.
- ADT
ADT is a leading name when it comes to home alarm security system options. If you opt for ADT, you get the best in video surveillance along with control of lighting and thermostat settings through the system. You can also remotely turn the security system on or off. One of the biggest advantages of ADT is that it has more home monitoring offices than other security companies. It also has other really fabulous features like Theft Protection Guarantee, which means that you can reimburse up to USD 500 if you get robbed with your ADT system working.ADT does work with Alexa and Google Assistant. It also is known for its excellent customer support.
- Ring Alarm
If your budget is tight, then Ring Alarm is the perfect choice for you. This security system can work on a basic level and sense motion. If a door or window is pulled open, an alarm is sounded to alert the home occupants. The installation is pretty simple and you can upgrade your systems if you want help from the monitoring center.Ring Alarm is also known for its features such as cameras and security lights that come at an added cost.
- Frontpoint
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6 common foods that trigger eosinophilic esophagitis
Read moreEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the esophagus. This condition can make it difficult to swallow and easier for food to get stuck in the food pipe. People with EoE develop allergic reactions to certain foods, causing their esophagi to swell up and become narrow. Doctors may recommend an elimination method to understand which foods trigger EoE in patients. The most common foods that trigger Eosinophilic Esophagitis are:
Eggs: Apart from whole eggs, also avoid any foods that contain eggs, such as eggnog, mayonnaise, meringue, surimi, and egg substitutes. Beware of egg content in baked goods and puddings. Ingredients to watch out for in packaged goods include albumin, lysozyme, ovalbumin, lecithin, globulin, and ovovitellin.
Wheat: Avoid foods rich in wheat, such as bread, couscous, crackers, most flours, pasta, and pizza crusts. Wheat ingredients to look out for are bulgar, durum, einkorn, emmer, farina, Kamut, matzoh, semolina, spelt, and triticale. Instead, opt for gluten-free foods made from potato, rice, or tapioca.
Soy: Soy-rich foods to avoid include edamame, miso, natto, shoyu, soy sauce, soybean, tamari, tempeh, tofu, and Quorn. Soy ingredients can be found on packaged goods under the name of soy, soy flour, soy fiber, soy protein, and textured vegetable protein.
Peanuts and tree nuts: Avoid all nuts and lychees. Watch out for ingredients like nut meal, nut meat, nut milk, nut extracts, nut paste, and peanut oil in packaged/pre-cooked foods.
Fish: Avoid all fish and shellfish like krill, barnacle, crab, crayfish, lobster, shrimp, and prawns. Ingredients to avoid include imitation fish, fish stock, fish sauce, seafood flavoring, surimi, and bouillabaisse.
Dairy: Milk and milk products to avoid include cheese, butter, cream, custard, cow’s milk, half-and-half, pudding, sour cream, and yogurt. It is also advisable to avoid ingredients like casein, diacetyl, lactalbumin, lactose, lactulose, recaldent, rennet casein, tagatose, and whey.
In line with their doctor’s consultations and guidance plans, many people with EoE experiment with the elimination method, where they stop eating these six items daily and slowly reintroduce them one at a time. A few weeks after introducing a food item back into the system, an endoscopy is performed to determine the underlying cause of inflammation and check for improvements. Common foods that are advisable to eat when dealing with EoE include meats (chicken, turkey, pork, and beef), rice (white, brown, or wild), potatoes, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, fruits, vegetables, and olive oil.