TENS Therapy For Mesothelioma Sufferers

Any cancer can cause a sufferer a huge amount of pain while the diseases ravages his or her body. While some cancer cures leave a patient cancer- and pain-free, other types of malignant tumor growth is practically incurable. In these cases, one of the best ways to ease a person's suffering is to lessen the pain that he or she is suffering. One way to decrease pain for mesothelioma patients is through TENS therapy.

TENS stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. It is an alternative therapy that is often combined with traditional methods of treatment to help stop the pain as well as hopefully the spread of the cancer. Traditional methods of treatment include surgery, as well as chemotherapy and radiation. Patients might undergo several different types of these traditional methods in an effort to combat their cancer.

Mesothelioma is known to be a very painful type of cancer, as well as deadly. It attacks the various linings of the body, such as pleural (lungs), pericardial (heart), peritoneal (abdomen), and even testicular. Since these linings are typically in close contact with the various organs of the body, such as the heart and lungs, it is easy for the cancer to spread to these vital organs. Thus, the survival rate for mesothelioma is not very high, on average.

Because mesothelioma is so painful, TENS therapy is a good way that you can try to combat the suffering. With TENS, electrodes are inserted underneath the skin. They send pulses of electricity to your nerves, which stimulates them and causes them to stop sending pain signals. This works for a shorter period of time and is not used for continuous treatment. Additionally, because you must have the electrodes inserted underneath your skin, this is usually for spot treatment rather than allover pain lessening.

Once the electrodes are placed, the TENS machine is turned on for five to fifteen minutes. During this time, patients describe a warm or tingling sensation which eventually eliminates the pain. Because this is only temporary, you may have to go in to a TENS therapy specialist regularly, or you may even be able to rent the machinery for yourself.

TENS is not meant to be a primary treatment for mesothelioma. It supplements the actual treatment of the tumors. Additionally, as this relies on electrical impulses, it is not good for people who have heart abnormalities or palpitations.

If you have developed the painful cancer of mesothelioma, you may need financial help to get you the treatment you need. One primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos. If you have been exposed to asbestos and developed mesothelioma, you should talk to an asbestos attorney about your rights. For more information, talk to a Williams Kherkher mesothelioma lawyer today.

Joseph Devine

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What Is The Function Of Mesothelium In The Body?

Mesothelium cells serve the function of producing the lubricating fluid that enables the
body organs contained within their cavities to move and slide freely. The lungs will move
freely during the process of breathing. The mesothelium in the chest cavity covers the inner lining of the chest wall and is called parietal pleura. The lungs are also covered almost completely by mesothelium. This portion of the mesothelium covering the lungs proper is called parietal pleura. By their secretions the lungs move freely during inspiration and expiration.

The abdominal cavity has a similar configuration. The inner lining of the abdominal cavity is invested by mesothelium called the parietal peritoneum. The visceral peritoneum covers the surfaces of the intestines and other organs in the abdomen including liver and spleen. Some portions of the intestine are freely mobile and dangle on tissue pedicle called mesentery which is sandwiched on both surfaces by visceral peritoneum. Examples of these include most of the small intestine, transverse large intestine, sigmoid large intestine, and portions of the underbelly of the liver.

The intestines will move freely during digestion, the heart will move freely during its contracting functions, and the testicles will also freely
slide in the testicular cavity. The development of mesothelioma will therefore either destroy
the organs contained within these cavities by directly invading them or encase them restricting
their movements like a "boar constrictor" only very slowly. As you can imagine, when these
scenarios occur, the functions of the lungs, heart, and organs of the abdominal cavity will
be severely compromised leading to a variety of unpleasant and life threatnening effects or
symptoms of the disease and death.

Ike Uzoaru, M.D. [http://www.nojargonmesothelioma.com]

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Pleural Mesothelioma Cancer Symptoms

In most cases patients suffering from mesothelioma cancer rarely manifest symptoms at the early stage. However, the symptoms surfaces from 10 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos particles. This is what makes it extremely hard to detect the problem before it get late, which is one reason why cancer patient has such an unfortunate high fatality rate.

There are many types of these cancer that are associated with exposure to asbestos fibers such as pleural, peritoneal, pericardial and testicular. Pleural is the most common type of mesothelioma cancer, is a condition that affects the lungs, specifically the pleura, which is a protective membrane. This particular cancer is responsible for about 75% of all mesothelioma cancer cases.

In the United States, about 2,300 patients are diagnosed with some form of mesothelioma cancer. Unfortunately most of these patients were not even aware that anything was wrong with them until it was too late.

The symptoms vary depending on a particular type of cancer. The cancer that affects the pleura named as pleural mesothelioma cancer can cause these symptoms: Chest wall pain, Pleural effusion, or fluid surrounding the lung, Shortness of breath, Fatigue or anemia, Wheezing, hoarseness, or cough.

Do not hesitate to consult your doctor as soon as possible when you have been expose to asbestos fibers, care for your health because health is wealth. It may be less expensive to treat it at its early stage. So do the right thing at the right time. Filing a lawsuit is a thing you must not fail to do, then find more information on good lawyers.

Williams Smith
http://mesothelioma-attorneysla.blogspot.com/

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Asbestos and Reproductive Cancers

While asbestos was once thought to be an incredibly beneficial material, we now know that it causes cancer. Although the primary cancer associated with asbestos is mesothelioma, it can also cause lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, kidney, and colorectal cancers. Additionally, doctors are now finding links between ovarian cancer and a form of mesothelioma that affects the testes.

Despite evidence pointing to a link between deteriorating health and asbestos from the ancient Greeks and Romans, we continued to use asbestos, with it gaining mass popularity during the Industrial Revolution. Finally, in the late 1950s, doctors and researchers from a hospital in South Africa presented evidence that exposure to asbestos is the main cause of mesothelioma. However, it wasn't until the late 1980s that the U.S. government outlawed asbestos.

Sadly, asbestos had a widespread presence before it was banned. Asbestos was recognized as a wonderful insulating material because it is resistant to heat, flame, chemicals, electricity, and biodegradation. Thus, it was utilized in the construction, automotive, and shipping industry, which helps to explain its occurrence in ceiling tiles, vinyl flooring, insulation, counter tops, brake pads, and gaskets.

However, now we know that asbestos is a carcinogen because it remains lodged in our bodies since we cannot degrade the material. While most cancers associated with asbestos affect the lungs or gastrointestinal system, it can also turn into ovarian cancer or a specific type of mesothelioma that attacks the lining of the testes.

Although there is no definite link yet, studies have shown that women who use talc powder laced with asbestos are three times more likely to develop ovarian cancer than those that do not. The powder must come into contact with the genital region, and the talc must contain the amphibole type of asbestos. Additionally, women who did not use the talc powder but whose husbands did were also 50% more likely to develop ovarian cancer.

Asbestos doesn't just affect women's reproductive systems. A rare form of mesothelioma attacks the lining of the testes. Mesothelioma cancer, as a whole, hurts the different linings of the body, including lungs, abdominal, heart, and even testes. The membrane lining that surrounds the testes is called the tunica vaginalis. When mesothelioma infests this membrane, it can harm the testes to the extent that part of a testicle or even an entire testicle must be removed.

These types of cancer can damage someone's chances to have children, as well as spread and affect other parts of the body. If you or someone you know has suffered from asbestos-related cancers and diseases, you should speak to a lawyer about your rights.

For more information, contact a Williams Kherkher asbestos attorney today.

Joseph Devine

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Mesotheolima Facts

Mesothelioma can be categorized generally into two types according to the type of cancerous cells. These are malignant mesothelioma and benign mesothelioma. The former is the more dangerous one as it spreads to other body parts while the latter one is a non cancerous condition.

Malignant mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is further classified into four types on the basis of the site of cancer. As the major cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, once asbestos enters the body it can affect different organs including the throat, lungs, stomach, heart and testicles. Thus the main types of malignant mesothelioma are:
• Pleural
• Peritoneal
• Pericardial
• Testicular

1) Pleural mesothelioma
This type of mesothelioma arises in the lung pleura, where the mesothelial lining of the lungs are affected. It is the most common type of mesothelioma that people suffer from. It comprises of up to 75 per cent cases that are diagnosed as mesothelioma.

2) Peritoneal mesothelioma
It is the second most common type of mesothelioma which totals 20 per cent of the mesothelioma cases. The asbestos affects the mesothelial lining of the peritoneal or the abdominal cavity and causes cancer cells to develop here.

3) Pericardial mesothelioma
This type of mesothelioma affects 5% of all the mesothelioma patients. The pericardial lining of the heart called the pericardium is affected by the asbestos and develops cancer.

4) Testicular mesothelioma
The site of cancer is the tunica vaginalis of the testicles and is the least common type of mesothelioma. This is a rare mesothelioma which only affects the male population.

The types of malignant tumor or cancer cells involved in the development of mesothelioma are of three main types namely Epithelioid, Sarcomatoid and Mixed or biphasic cells.

The epitheliod is the most common one accounting for 50 to 70 percent cases but have the best possibility of survival. The affected areas include the covering surrounding the internal organs and internal surfaces in the body.

The other type is Sarcomatoid which is much more serious than the epitheliod, and it affects the secondary tissues including the bone, muscles, cartilage or fat. This type of cancer cell is a much more rare type that occurs in 7-20% of the cases.

Mixed/biphasic refers to both types of cancers that occurs simultaneously, and making up the rest of the 20-35% of the mesothelioma cases that are reported.

Benign mesothelioma
This type of mesothelioma is the non cancerous form of the mesothelioma and is rare. Recently it was referred to as the "solitary fibrous tumor." It is not a cancer itself but can develop into cancerous forms.

The benign mesothelioma can occur in the pleura or the peritoneum. This usually starts in the sub mesothelium layer that lies beneath the mesothelium of either the pleura or the peritoneum.

This form of mesothelioma also affects the males more than the female population.

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How Asbestos And Cancer Are Related

Asbestos, a much used construction material for its heat and fire resistant properties is now looked at with shame because it is the main cause for cancer called as mesothelioma. Exposure to asbestos dust particles and fibers has caused cancer in millions of people in the past century. Asbestos cancer is exclusively caused due to exposure to asbestos. It is because of this reason that asbestos is banned for usage in construction and mining industry in various countries.

It has been found that asbestos causes mesothelioma cancer which is an aggressive type of cancer that affects mesothelial cells in the body. These mesothelial cells spread across the entire body forming a protective layer for organs and body cavities. Asbestos fibers, dust and particles rupture these mesothelial cells which aggravates to cancer. The exact way asbestos affects mesothelial cells resulting in asbestos cancer is still unknown, but the researches have uncovered dangers caused by asbestos.

Irritation and inflammation of mesothelial cells results in irreversible damage and scarring. This eventually leads to asbestos cancer. Asbestos fibers affect normal cell division resulting in cellular changes. Moreover, these fibers encourage growth of cancer causing free radicals in the body. These free radicals affect DNA resulting in abnormal cell mutation. Asbestos also causes over production of oncoproteins which overrule normal cellular division restrains.

Types Of Mesothelioma

As mesothelial cells are spread across all body organs, cancer is categorized based on where cancer cells are found. Pleural mesothelioma is the most widespread asbestos cancer affecting pleura layer of the lungs. About 75% of mesothelioma patients suffer from pleural mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is also found in the abdominal region and it is named as peritoneal mesothelioma. Abdominal cavity and abdominal organs are affected by this kind of asbestos cancer.

Heart is also affected by asbestos particles and it results in pericardial mesothelioma which affects membrane surrounding the heart. A rare form of mesothelioma is found in lining protecting testicles. It is called as testicular mesothelioma.

Presence of asbestos fibers in the body can affect any organ. Gastrointestinal cancer and colorectal cancer is also found to be caused due to asbestos exposure. This cancer is also found in several patients in kidney, esophagus, throat and gallbladder. Breast cancer, prostrate cancer and leukemia are also caused by asbestos exposure. It has been found that asbestos affects ovarian lining resulting in ovarian cancer.

Diagnosis Of Asbestos Cancer

Mesothelioma, commonly called as cancer doesn't show symptoms until later stage. The disease has a long latency period and more than one diagnostic test is conducted to confirm cancer. X rays, CT and MRT scans and biopsy tests are conducted to diagnose cancerous growth.

Pay a visit to the asbestos compensation combined with asbestos cancer websites for additional info.

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Mesothelioma Victims: Did You Know Over 30% of Current Victims Served In The Armed Forces?

Close to 80% of all mesothelioma victims have been exposed to asbestos in their daily lives. And of them, over 30% of those people were members of the armed forces. Malignant mesothelioma is a relatively rare form of cancer that develops in the mesothelium as a result of inhaling or imbibing small particles of asbestos. This can affect the genitals, the heart, the stomach, the throat, and, most often, the lungs.

There are actually five different types of mesothelioma, and only one of them, benign mesothelioma, does not become cancerous. Below are descriptions of the other four in the order of their prominence:

• Pleural mesothelioma affects about 75% of all mesothelioma victims. It develops in the pleura (lining of the lungs). Symptoms are chest pain, cough, lumps under the skin of the chest, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
• Peritoneal mesothelioma counts for about 20% of the cases, and forms in the peritoneal membrane, which is the lining of the abdominal cavity. The symptoms of this are abdominal swelling and pain, bowel obstruction, nausea, and loss of weight.
• Pericardial mesothelioma is less common, and affects maybe 5% of the victims of mesothelioma. It develops in the lining of the heart...that sac that surrounds it (the pericardium). Look for difficulty breathing, heart palpitation, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and night sweating.
• Testicular mesothelioma is very rare. It has its start in the lining of the testicles (tunica vaginalis). Symptoms are lumps in the testicles that may or may not be painful.

To beat any cancer it must be discovered in the early stages. Mesothelioma victims do not have that advantage. Often the symptoms don't even show up until two to five decades AFTER the exposure to asbestos. You need to see a doctor as soon as any of these symptoms occur, especially if you have, at an time in your life, been exposed to asbestos. However, you should not panic, as so many other medical problems share similar symptoms. It is far better to be safe than sorry.

If the doctor suspects a problem, he will recommend several different tests. Most of them are scans, such as MRI, CT, and PET scans. X-rays most likely would come first. If lumps or fluid build-ups are found, a biopsy will come next to test the tissue, or the liquid for malignant cells.

Should it come to that, it would be wise to not try to go it alone. In addition to your doctors, there are wonderful support groups, mesothelioma victim centers, charities, and other groups to help with financial aid.

I can't go into all of the information that's available about mesothelioma victims in this article; it would be too long. However, if you want to learn more about how to deal with this disease, you can check out the mesothelioma victims [http://www.mesotheliomaresourceguide.com] information available on my site. I had a friend with mesothelioma, and I put together this resource for him and others looking to get good, up-to-date information about all facets of mesothelioma help that's available. Feel free to visit it at: www.mesotheliomaresourceguide.com [http://www.mesotheliomaresourceguide.com].

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