City life causing you stress? Watch out for prostate cancer risk
The incidence of prostate cancer has increased in India over the past decade.
By ET CONTRIBUTORS |
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City life
By Dr Uday Bhaskar
Prostate is part of the male reproductive system which contributes to the volume of semen.
The incidence of prostate cancer has increased in India over the past decade and it accounts for about 7-8% of all newly detected cancers. It is the second most common cancer in males.
As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and various state cancer registries, the incidence rate in India is 9-10/1,00,000 population, which is higher than in other parts of Asia and Africa but lower than in the USA and Europe.
Why urban lifestyle is a culprit In India, migration to cities in search of better livelihood has been an ongoing phenomenon. With increased career building opportunities, cities have always attracted people from the rural areas offering hope of an improved standard of living. This phenomenon has given way to a shift in lifestyle as well as in physical and mental balance. Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle have an important role to play in the increased incidence of prostate cancer. Also, modern-day lifestyle factors have a lot of bearing on the increased incidence in the urban population compared to the rural populace — they include raised stress levels, consumption of fast foods (high in trans fats) and faulty food habits. Due to raised stress levels, there is decreased sexual activity among the urban population.
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Air Pollution Causing Acne And Dull Skin? Quick Beauty Hacks To Get The Glow Back
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The air pollution index has reached the 'severe' mark in Delhi and neighbouring cities are enveloped in a blanket of smog. It is not easy to avoid skin problems like acne when surrounded by poor air quality.
Uma Singh, medical consultant at Ozone Organic Advantage, and The Body Shop's Head Trainer Shikhee Agrawal, share some simple, precautionary tips that will let your skin breathe.
(Image: ThinkStock Photos)
The air pollution index has reached the 'severe' mark in Delhi and neighbouring cities are enveloped in a blanket of smog. It is not easy to avoid skin problems like acne when surrounded by poor air ..
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For glowing skin, drinking a glass of water every hour is key. Try to consume eight to 10 glasses of water a day. This will remove toxins from your body, accelerating a healthy blood flow. This also helps in boosting metabolism.
For glowing skin, drinking a glass of water every hour is key. Try to consume eight to 10 glasses of water a day. This will remove toxins from your body, accelerating a healthy blood flow. This also ..
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Keeping your skin healthy is as simple as eating right. Avoid oily snacks and trans-fat food. Adding fresh fruits, green vegetables, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids to your diet will help detoxify skin.
Keeping your skin healthy is as simple as eating right. Avoid oily snacks and trans-fat food. Adding fresh fruits, green vegetables, nuts and omega-3 fatty acids to your diet will help detoxify skin.
Don't take fitness lightly. Regular exercise can help reduce stress and delivers the right amount of oxygen to the skin cells. Perspiring during workout will keep toxins away, and make your skin healthy and acne-free.
Don't take fitness lightly. Regular exercise can help reduce stress and delivers the right amount of oxygen to the skin cells. Perspiring during workout will keep toxins away, and make your skin heal..
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Avoid touching your pimples and breakouts as it triggers infection. Popping a pimple will cause skin irritated or inflamed resulting in swelling, scarring and redness. Wash hands regularly with anti-bacterial soap/hand wash before touching your face.
Apart from that, keep your face clean with facial scrubs, moisturisers and masks. Opt for an acne medication that has a potent pimple/acne reduction activity or the ability to prevent occurrence of pimples/acne.
Also, always use a sunscreen.
Avoid touching your pimples and breakouts as it triggers infection. Popping a pimple will cause skin irritated or inflamed resulting in swelling, scarring and redness. Wash hands regularly with anti-..
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Make sure you thoroughly clean your razors, blade and electric shaver. Before shaving, always soften skin with lukewarm, soapy water.
Make sure you thoroughly clean your razors, blade and electric shaver. Before shaving, always soften skin with lukewarm, soapy water.
It is extremely important to keep your hair clean and dandruff-free. Negligence can result in acne.
To protect your hair against pollution, always wear washed caps, headbands and scarves. When visiting a salon, avoid using another person's towel as it may carry infections resulting in risk of acne, redness and skin inflammation.
It is extremely important to keep your hair clean and dandruff-free. Negligence can result in acne.
To protect your hair against pollution, always wear washed caps, headbands and scarves. When visit..
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Remove make-up before going to bed as this lowers the risk of breakouts. Also, go for the minimal make-up as it lets the skin breathe and look natural.
Essential oils help in treating skin inflammations and acne. A combination of various essential oils like tea tree oil, moringa oil, lemon oil, chamomile oil and lavender oil will treat the acne effectively.
(Inputs from IANS)
Remove make-up before going to bed as this lowers the risk of breakouts. Also, go for the minimal make-up as it lets the skin breathe and look natural.
Essential oils help in treating skin inflammat..
On the other hand, the rural population, in general, practises a healthy lifestyle with regular physical activity and lesser stress levels, resulting in steady work-life balance.
Symptoms Most of the early prostate cancers are asymptomatic; patients may have urinary complaints like burning and decreased stream. When the prostate cancer spreads to the bones, they usually complain of back pain.
Treatment These days, with the advancements in technology, there is an array of treatment options available to cure prostate cancer such as hormone therapy, chemotherapy, vaccines, radiation therapy and targeted therapy. The most advanced of them all is robotic surgery.
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Lowering the risk Physical activity or any form of exercise helps in the production of endorphins and enkephalins, also anti-inflammatory substances, which minimises the chances of prostate cancer.
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A check on diet combined with exercise, maintaining sexual health and lessening stress can help in the prevention of prostate cancer. Studies have shown that close to 21 ejaculations per month indicate a healthy body and hormonal levels.
Invest In The Right Masks, Consumer Immunity-Boosting Foods: Tips To Stay Healthy As Delhi Chokes
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The past week has seen hazardous air quality levels in India's National Capital. Delhi has been covered in a thick layer of haze and dust, compromising the health of its residents.
As air quality worsens, a health emergency has been declared in Delhi - schools are closed, cars on the roads have been reduced with the 'odd-even' scheme, and construction has been halted.
The current crisis, that led Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to describe the National Capital as a 'gas chamber', has turned into the worst in three years. Smog levels have exceeded those of Beijing by more than three times, according to a report in news agency AFP.
Fourteen Indian cities including the capital are among the world's top 15 most polluted cities, according to the World Health Organization.
Even as environmentalists and residents call for measures to fight the pollution, there are some precautions that you need to take to stay safe during such severe conditions.
The past week has seen hazardous air quality levels in India's National Capital. Delhi has been covered in a thick layer of haze and dust, compromising the health of its residents. As air quality w..
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Small dust particles can lead to moderate to severe respiratory conditions like hay fever, common cold, cough, eyes and throat irritation, asthma, dust pneumonia chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD) and emphysema. It is advisable to spend more time indoors, rather than venturing out unnecessarily. Do keep the doors and windows closed as much as possible.
Small dust particles can lead to moderate to severe respiratory conditions like hay fever, common cold, cough, eyes and throat irritation, asthma, dust pneumonia chronic obstructive airways disease..
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The quality of air takes a deep dip during and after the dust storms. The miniscule dust particles that include pollens, heavy metals, arsenic, fertilizers, virus, bacteria, salts, sulphur and pesticides can easily enter the lungs. People with respiratory problems and allergies face a lot of difficulty during this time. Health experts suggest wearing a mask both indoors and outdoors. Avoid the basic surgical and comfort masks. Opt for N95/N99/FFP3 or 'NIOSH Approved' that filter out more than 95% of particles (larger than 0.3 microns).
The quality of air takes a deep dip during and after the dust storms. The miniscule dust particles that include pollens, heavy metals, arsenic, fertilizers, virus, bacteria, salts, sulphur and pest..
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Sticking to the right dietary plan is one of the most crucial things to do during dust storms. The weather can lead to various illnesses like common cold, tiredness, sore throat, irritation in eyes and nose, ceaseless cough, wheezing and other respiratory problems.
To keep yourself safe and boost immunity in the changing season, plan your diet properly and include gooseberries, flaxseed oil, hot soups, olive oil, vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables, vitamin E-rich diet, omega-3 diet, honey, garlic, neem, oatmeal, green tea, carrot juice, and pineapple extract.
Stay hydrated, opt to drink lukewarm water, and working out regularly to stay healthy.
Sticking to the right dietary plan is one of the most crucial things to do during dust storms. The weather can lead to various illnesses like common cold, tiredness, sore throat, irritation in eyes a..
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No matter how many precautions you take, the indoor air quality is bound to get impacted by the outside air. If it becomes too oppressive, it makes sense to invest in an air purifier that helps remove up to 99.99% pollutants.
When deciding to buy an air purifier (starting from Rs 10,000), avoid ionizers and UV light-based air purifiers as they produce ozone. Always look for high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. The size of the room, the device placement, air changes per hour (ACH), and clean air delivery rate (CADR) are few factors that determine the efficiency of the air purifier.
No matter how many precautions you take, the indoor air quality is bound to get impacted by the outside air. If it becomes too oppressive, it makes sense to invest in an air purifier that helps rem..
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Ensure that children, elders and ill people stay at home, and are well hydrated. Keep a constant check on their health and look for flu-like symptoms. If the condition persists for long or gets severe, visit a doctor immediately.
Ensure that children, elders and ill people stay at home, and are well hydrated. Keep a constant check on their health and look for flu-like symptoms. If the condition persists for long or gets sev..
Many studies have looked at the possible benefits of specific nutrients, often as supplements, to help prevent prostate cancer. Some compounds being studied include extracts from pomegranate, green tea, broccoli, turmeric, flax seeds and soya.
Being aware matters Adequate awareness has to be created for early diagnosis, which can result in improved outcomes and survival rates. All men after the age of 45 years are advised to get a base PSA test (a blood test) done so that prostate cancer can be detected early and treated appropriately.
—The writer is Consultant-Uro Oncology at HCG Cancer Centre, Bengaluru
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
