Susan Brink
HealthMark Multimedia develops award-winning health-related content solutions for patients and healthcare organizations. HealthMark content is used by patients in making treatment and self-care decisions.
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Displaying Results 1 - 115 (of 115) for Yahoo! Voices
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Healthy Eating After Breast CancerMany breast cancer survivors want to improve their diets and their chances for a healthy future.
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Protect Your Skin and Eyes from the Winter SunIf you are an winter outdoor person, you need to protect your skin and eyes from excessive sun exposure.
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Combating Chemobrain & Fatigue as a Cancer SurvivorMany aspects of cancer can contribute to fatigue and "chemobrain." Learn what you can do about to help in your specific situation.
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Routine Health Care and Check-ups After Breast CancerRoutine health care after breast cancer follows recommendations for frequent visits that gradually taper to once a year over 5 years.
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Concerns About Symptoms After Breast Cancer TreatmentAs a post treatment survivor, you will be performing a mental balancing act, keeping an eye on your health without every twinge causing panic.
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Personal Pros & Cons of Genetic Testing for CancerThink about the reasons why you would have a genetic test and why you may say not at this time.
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A Framework for Making a Treatment Decision for a Life Threatening DiseaseWhen faced with a life threatening disease, you certainly need to know about the treatment and possible side effects. You also need to look at your life needs, values and your personal preferences.
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Cisplatin and Carboplatin Chemotherapy Treatments for Lung CancerCisplatin and Carboplatin chemotherapy treatments share some side effects but do differ in important ways.
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Gemcitabine Chemotherapy for Lung Cancer: Side EffectsThe common side effect from Gemcitabine that needs monitoring is the drop in white blood cells. The most unpleasant side effect is nausea
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Let's Change Informed Consent and Make it WorkMedical progress depends upon research. But, subjects may not understand that they are involved in a research study. Current consent documents rely on text and paper, why not have web based interactive approach?
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Five Wines from Alsace, FranceThe Alsace region of France gives birth to some of the finest, and under apppreciated, wines of France. They are worth seeking out and trying.
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Finding the Right Doctor After a Cancer DiagnosisWhen you are diagnosed with a serious illness, working effectively with the health care system along with communicating with your doctor is critical to effectively managing your care.
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Communication Tips for Head and Neck Cancer SurvivorsPeople who have been treated for cancer of the mouth, tongue, or neck experience changes in very important activities. Speaking, breathing, swallowing,and eating can be affected and eating can all be affected.
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After Treatment for Head and Neck CancerPeople who have been treated for cancer of the mouth, tongue, or neck experience changes in very important activities
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Your Head and Neck Cancer and Your FriendsYour friend's reactions may surprise both you and them. You can help them by being candid and forthright. Here are ideas about what you might say.
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10 Heart Healthy Foods for FallAt home and eating out, fall food selections make it easy to eat healthy.
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Ten Great Historic Hotels: A Trip Along the U.S. East CoastSpend a night enjoying the ambiance of a grand hotel or country in or take several days and make your way along the East Coast. Each of these hotels and inns offer something special both in the hotel and the surrounding area.
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Organizing a Group Pilgrimage on the Camino De SantiagoWhen planning any trip use a variety of web sites to get the most informaiton about your trip and destinations.
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Surgery for ArthritisIf you are diagnosed with osteoarthritis it is important to find out what type of medical or surgical treatment is best for you. This may change over time.
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Stress and ArthritisPeople with arthritis experience the same kinds of stress as everyone else; however, having a chronic disease can present new challenges.
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A Primer on Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the immune system begins to attack and destroy the lining of joints. When this takes place, joints become inflamed, which can lead to cartilage and bone damage.
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An Osteoarthritis PrimerOsteoarthritis or, for short, arthritis is usually a condition of aging, with those over 45 more likely to have symptoms.
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Arthritis, Exercise and Physical ActivityAs someone with arthritis your may have to work harder to find ways to incorporate range of motion, strength training and aerobic activities in your life.
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Stay Active with Arthritis by Using Supportive DevicesUsing supportive aids is an important self-care strategy for people with osteoarthritis. Supportive devices can alleviate pain, give support, relieve stress to joints and help maintain autonomy.
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Arthritis: Make Your Kitchen Your AllyYour kitchen can be an important ally in the management of your arthritis. By preparing good foods that don't trigger reactions, you can improve your health and lessen your symptoms.
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Exercise and Arthritis: Is it Possible and Wise?An important goal in living with osteoarthritis is to be able to self-manage your daily activities with little intervention from medications, therapy or surgery.
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Help for Staying Active when You Have OsteoarthritisUsing supportive aids is an important self-care strategy for people with osteoarthritis. Supportive devices can alleviate pain, give support, relieve stress to joints and help maintain autonomy.
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Sun Poisoning: Not Just a Bad BurnSun poisoning takes a sunburn to a whole new level. It represents a reaction of your body to the sun and can be caused by a number of factors.
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Sunburn Relief for KidsPrevention is best, but if sunburn occurs here are actions to take to help relieve the pain.
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Steps to a Great Cheese and Wine Tasting PartyWhile a focus on wine tasting is common. A focus on cheese tasting along with the wine will give your party a different spin.
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Enjoying Your Sexuality and Intimacy After Breast CancerAfter breast cancer treatment, revisiting the pleasure of sex can be fun and life affirming. For many women, it can also be tricky. Use the suggestions here to regain or jump start your intimate relationship.
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Living with the Fear of Breast Cancer RecurrenceWhen you were first diagnosed with breast cancer, your fear began. How can you learn to live with this fear? Explore the issues you face and actions that survivors have taken to address their fear.
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Follow-Up Care After Treatment for Breast CancerOne of the balancing acts of breast cancer survivorship is keeping an eye on your health without every twinge causing panic.
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Side Effects of Mastectomy for Breast CancerSide effects from breast surgery will vary depending on the type of surgery and lymph node dissection you have and on your general health. Knowing the possible side effects will help you prepare for breast surgery.
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Tips for Managing Lymphedema After Breast SurgeryLymphedema is an uncomfortable condition that can have a huge impact on quality of life Preventing and managing the risk of lymphedema after breast and lymph node surgery requires attention to the details of living.
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Overview of Hormonal Therapy for Breast CancerHormonal therapies can prevent further growth of the tumor, and in some cases the tumor disappears. If no tumor is present after surgery, hormonal therapy can prevent recurrence of breast cancer.
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Why You Should Know Your Family Medical History and Breast CancerA pattern of cancer in your family is important to know about, especially if it developed at an earlier than usual age for that kind of cancer. Knowledge can lead to earlier cancer screening for everyone and improved health outcomes for your family.
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Stress Management for COPD PatientsStress is a fact of life. You cannot avoid it, but as a COPD patient you need to manage your reaction to stress. You can learn to recognize the signs of stress and to take steps to reduce the impact of stress on your health and COPD symptoms.
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Dealing with the Emotions as a COPD PatientLiving with an illness, such as COPD, unleashes all sorts of emotions. You may feel like you're on a rollercoaster-hopeful one minute, furious the next, and then ready to cry.
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Bronchodilators for the COPD PatientBronchodilators are medications that relax and open the airways of the lung. Bronchodilators are the first treatment that COPD patients receive. Bronchodilators help reduce many of the troublesome symptoms of COPD.
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The Alternate Provence, France: 5 Great Days that Introduce You to Provence, Franceis filled with wonderful sites and experiences - be creative, get beyond the cities and towns and into the countryside. A selection of drives, hikes, and festivals will introduce to the history, food and landscape of Provence, France.
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Guide to Changing Your Colostomy Pouch for Colorectal and Anal Cancer PatientsAs a new colostomy patient, learning to change your pouch will take practice. This short guide gives you some easy steps in order.
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A Guide to Wearing a Colostomy Pouch for Colorectal and Anal Cancer PatientsHow long a colostomy pouch and wafer are worn depends on your body, how active you are, the weather, the nature of your stool, and the type of colostomy pouch you use.
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An Overview of Rectal Cancer SurgeryThe goal of rectal surgery is to cut out all of the cancer. This begins with the removal of the tumor in the rectum and may include the removal of surrounding lymph nodes.
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Introduction to Pouching Systems for Colorectal and Anal Cancer PatientsA pouching system, also called an appliance, collects fecal output from your colon. The pouch fits over your stoma and must fit properly. There are several options from which to choose.
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Colostomy Care for Colorectal and Anal Cancer PatientsIt takes time to adjust to a colostomy. Farrah Fawcett elected not to have a colostomy for her treatment for anal cancer. Most people find that after a brief period their life returns to "a new normal" with minor modifications to their lifestyle.
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Stages of Colorectal CancerStaging systems categorize the progression of colorectal cancer. Cancer stage can be estimated but cannot be confirmed until after surgery, when the pathologist examines the excised polyp, tumor, or lymph nodes under a microscope
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Introduction to Colostomies for Colorectal Cancer PatientsIn some cases, colorectal cancer patients will need either a temporary or a permanent colostomy.
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Total Mesorectal Excision Surgery for Rectal CancerIf you or a loved one is battling colorectal cancer, surgery may be in your future. It helps to know what to expect as you talk to your surgeon or oncologist.
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A Short Guide to How the Colon and Rectum WorkWhile watching Farrah Fawcett's television documentary about her cancer battle and hearing about her final days, many of us wonder, how does the colon and rectal area come work to move food through the body?
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Create a Vermont Appetizer Cheese PlateVermont has always been a dairy state. However, the creation of artisanal cheese is a relatively recent venture that is currently attracting creative cheese makers who are giving traditional cheese a Vermont sensibility.
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Considering a Mastectomy: Here is What to ExpectTo help you make a decision on the type of surgery you will have, you and your surgeon will discus your options and the specifics of your breast cancer and any medical issues that need to be taken into consideration in the decision.
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Physical Side Effects of a MastectomySide effects from breast surgery will vary depending on the type of surgery and lymph node dissection you have and on your general health.
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The Aging in Place MovementThe Aging in Place Movement is gaining momentum, with communities and organizations helping seniors remain vital members of their community. -
Breast Cancer and MenopauseBecause of the link between estrogen and breast cancer, it is important for all women, and especially women who have breast cancer, to talk to your doctor about any remedy they may wish to try.
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What to Consider when Facing a Breast Surgery Choice: MastectomyYou and your surgeon will consider many aspects of your health when deciding if a mastectomy is appropriate for you. Here are some of the factors that you and your surgeon will consider.
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A Brief Guide to Breast Cancer Hormonal TherapyHormonal therapies can prevent further growth of the tumor, and in some cases the tumor disappears. If no tumor is present after surgery, hormonal therapy can prevent recurrence of breast cancer.
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Using a Breast Prosthesis After Surgery.Many women opt for a Breast Prothesis after a mastectomy. Others go without either a prosthesis or reconstruction.
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Guide to a Breast Cancer Pathology ReportYou may have 2 or 3 pathology reports during the process of diagnosing and assessing your breast cancer - one for each biopsy or surgical procedure. You should obtain your pathology reports from your doctor.
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Fertility After Breast CancerFactors other than age that affect fertility are the extent of the cancer and the type of cancer treatment. If you're finished with treatment, you may want to inform yourself about options for conceiving a child.
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Your Family Medical History and Breast CancerKnowledge of a family cancer pattern can lead to earlier cancer screening for everyone and improved health outcomes for you and your family
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Preventing Lymphedema After Breast and Lymph Node SurgeryThere are certain risks that can be anticipated and addressed so that you can prevent lymphedema. Even if you carefully follow these guidelines, you still may develop lymphedema. Notify your doctor as soon as you notice swelling.
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Upper Valley Coffee: From White River Junction, Vermont to Lyme, New HampshireFrom farms and farmers markets to the King Arthur Flour Company and Lou's, a traditional college town eatery, the Upper Valley region of Vermont and New Hampshire offers coffee in picturesque settings. -
Tips for Dealing with a Laryngectomy for Head & Neck Cancer PatientsThere are common communications issues that come up for head and neck cancer patients as they adjust to communication after a Laryngectomy. Here are some possible solutions that may help you get through difficult situation
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Staying Connected with Your Friends as a COPD PatientHaving COPD may change your activities and the way you engage with your friends. Be pro-active and think about how to keep contact with your friends.
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Eating Well with COPDThinking about when you eat, how you eat and what you eat and making small changes can increase your comfort level as a COPD patient.
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Steps to Managing Outdoor Triggers for COPD PatientsWeather conditions, especially dry, biting cold in the winter, and pollutants in the outside air can trigger breathing difficulties for people living with COPD. However, there are things you can do to manage these conditions.
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Tips for Managing Indoor Triggers for COPD PatientsThere are many environmental causes of coughing episodes and breathing difficulties for COPD patients. Decreasing your exposure to these will make you more comfortable.
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Understanding the Stages of Lung CancerUnderstanding lung cancer staging starts with knowing the type of lung cancer being treated: Small Cell Carcinoma or Non-small Cell Carcinoma.
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Lung Cancer Statistics ExplainedLung Cancer is a dreaded diagnosis for over 200,000 Americans each year. It strikes smokers at a far greater rate than non-smokers.
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Medications for the COPD PatientPatients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may use one or more drugs in addition to their maintenance drugs, steroids and bronchodilators, to help prevent or control their symptoms.
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Oxygen Therapy for Managing COPDAn arterial blood gas test will inform your doctor about your need for oxygen therapy. Oxygen therapy can problems and increase your quality of life.
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Coping with COPD as a Family Requires Talk and ActionHave frank discussions about the limitations of the illness and concerns of each family member.
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Medical Tests for Diagnosing and Monitoring COPDThere are tests that your doctor may order to help with a diagnosis of COPD and to monitor your progress after treatment begins.
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Diagnosing, Treating and Living with COPDSeveral conditions can cause symptoms like a chronic cough or mucus build up. If the doctor suspects COPD, you will have do a lung function test, called spirometry, to confirm the COPD diagnosis.
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COPD Tips: Overcoming Common Fears About Leisure Time Activities with COPDEngaging in activities outside the home, may seem daunting to a COPD patient. However, if you think through your concerns and plan, you can enjoy many activities.
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COPD Tips: Conserving Energy While Working with COPDWhen you have COPD your energy is low, everyday tasks may appear daunting. Use these tips to think about how you can organize your home core and work environment to save energy.
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Traveling Well by Air with COPDAre you traveling this summer? Use the checklist at the end of this article to make sure you have made the necessary preparations, especially if your travel involved air.
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Find Online Support After a StrokeFeeling isolated as stroke survivor or caregiver is natural. You can find helpful groups online.
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Actions You Can Take to Prevent and Reduce the Risk of StrokeTaking these stroke prevention actions will help you lower your stroke risk, and provide you with general better health.
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Causes and Risk Factors of StrokeThe Internet Stroke Center at Washington University estimates that each year in the US approximately 795,000 people have a stroke. Can you do anything to prevent a stoke?
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Ten Foods for Osteoporosis PreventionSummertime with its picnics, barbeques, and cold meals is a wonderful season to experiment with your daily meals to take into account your needs for calcium and vitamin D. Make sure you include these 10 power foods.
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Summer Travel Healthy Tips and ToDos for SeniorsThe key to healthful traveling is planning. Gather the information you need first and then act. Take the time to pack supplies that will help you avoid sun problems, insect bites and falls.
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Breathing Exercises for COPDLearn to use pursed lipped breathing and belly breathing techniques will help you relax and get through situations where you need to exert yourself, such as climbing stairs.
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The Effects of Sun ExposureOutdoor activity is good for both children and adults. Teach yourself and your children to enjoy the sun's benefits, while avoiding its dangers.
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Skin Cancer Types and Risk FactorsThere are three types of skin cancer: Basal cell carcinoma,Squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma. Lots of exposure to the sun's UV rays is an important cause of skin cancer. If you are spending lots of time outdoors watch for signs of skin cancer.
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: What is This?More than 16 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with a condition called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD.
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Keep Your Children Sun Safe: Stay in the ShadeAn easy method for limiting sun exposure is to limit the amount of time in the sun, especially in the middle of the day, when the sun's rays are the strongest.
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What is UV Radiation?Understanding UV radiation will help you make the most of your sun protection. UV radiation is broken down further into UVA, UVB, and UVC rays.
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Summer is Coming - Know Your Sunscreen IngredientsSunscreens work in two ways. Some physically block the suns rays. Others use chemicals to block the sun. When properly applied, each type of sunscreen offers protection from the damaging effects of UV rays.
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Correct Application of Sunscreen for ChildrenHelp your young child use sunscrees by following these simple guidelines to protect your children from overexposure to the sun.
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Dressing Your Child for Sun ProtectionThe National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention advises wearing hats and sun safe clothing as one way to reduce the negative effects of the sun.
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Reduce Nausea from Chemotherapy with GingerA recent clinical trial confirms that ginger taken in capsule form can help reduce chemotherapy-induced nausea.
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Exericse Can Help with Cancer Treatment RecoveryFor cancer patients, low to moderate exercise is generally safe. It is important to adjust the exercise plan based on current or chronic treatment effects.
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The Health Benefits of Tai ChiThe combination of slow movement, breathing and mental focus in Tai Chi practice promotes a calm, alert mind and body.
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Managing Your Feelings as a Family Caregiver? Part 4Over time, as you care for someone with a life-threatening illness. You will go through a range of feelings. Because that person may be getting worse you can feel discouraged although you know the decline is not related to your care.
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Managing Your Feelings as a Family Caregiver: Part 3Every day you deal with someone you care who has a life-threatening illness. Given this, you may experience a wide variety of feelings over time, sometimes all within the same day or even at the same time!
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Managing Your Feelings as a Family Caregiver: Part 2The types of feelings you have when caregiving change over time. After a while you may just feel numb and begin to withdraw, just focusing on getting through the day. Use the ideas here to be okay with yourself and move to doing the best you can.
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What is in an Advance DirectiveAn advance directive usually includes a living will, a health care power of attorney and a health information release form.
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Music Therapy for the Cancer PatientThe music you choose may not always be the same as what you usually listen to. Music can help patients with pain, depression, anxiety and stress.
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Reiki and the Cancer PatientDuring a Reiki session, the trained practitioner works with the patient's energy field by moving their hands on or slightly above the patient. Patients report a feeling of relaxation and some report symptom relief.
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Meditation for the Cancer PatientThe practice of meditation can help a cancer patient cope with her physical and mental challenges during treatment and recovery.
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Your Health Care Proxy Speaks for You when You CannotWhen you complete an Advance Directive, you will be asked to name one or more health care proxies. A health care proxy is a friend or family member who can speak for you and make health care decisions when you can not.
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Denial and Caring for a Cancer PatientBoth you and the person you are caring for may be in denial. And it may be a problem.
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Taking Glutamine for Cancer Treatment Side EffectsStudies of glutamine's effect on mucositis or diarrhea, while promising, are inconclusive. Other conventional treatment options are available for these conditions. Work with the health care team to find out what will work best.
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Coenzyme Q10 and Your CancerCoenzyme Q10, also called CoQ10, helps cells use energy and stimulates the immune system.There is hope that CoQ10 can be used to treat cancer by stimulating the immune system, but there is currently no scientific proof that this works.
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Spirituality and the Cancer PatientSpirituality may help cancer survivors feel the challenge of facing cancer is "shared" and that God or a Higher Power provides strength needed to get through the experience, to put cancer into perspective and reorder their priorities.
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Massage and the Cancer PatientFor cancer patients, massage can reduce symptoms of disease and side effects of treatment like anxiety and pain.
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Finding Support when You Are a CaregiverSupport groups offer caregivers and patients a way to learn about illness, the health care system, what to expect, and how to cope.
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Biofeeback and Cancer TreatmentBiofeedback is a method to teach people how to have conscious control over bodily functions that are usually automatic and unconscious. It is non-invasive and painless.
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Acupuncture and Cancer: Obtain Relief from Cancer Treatment Side Effects with AcupunctureAcupuncture is a often used by cancer patients to find relief from the side effects of treatment. However, there is no evidence that it can cure the cancer.
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The Importance of Counseling After a Cancer DiagnosisCounseling helps cancer patients cope better and feel more effective as they navigate the health system
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Take Charge of Your Life: Create Your Personal Advance DirectiveAn Advance Directive will help when you can not speak for yourself.
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When Dealing with a Cancer Diagnosis, Denial is Common"Denial" is one of those words you hear in the cancer world. As in, "Well, she's just in denial." You have a very important person in your life who has cancer. Are you in denial about the cancer? Is this person you care about in denial? How can you tell?
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Managing Your Feelings as a Family CaregiverSomeone you care about has a life threatening illness. You may experience a wide variety of feelings over time, sometimes all within the same day or even at the same time! People say this experience is like being on an "emotional rollercoaster."