Lower Your Blood Pressure Using These 9 Effective Methods

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in the U.S. besides skin cancers. Each year, about 30% of new cancer diagnoses in women are breast cancer. No one wants to hear the word cancer or spend time researching their diagnosis online. Cancer of any type is a scary thing.But there isnt just one type of breast cancer. It can develop in different types of breast tissue and spread throughout the breast and beyond. Like other cancers, your diagnosis is labeled with a stage of cancer, usually levels one through four, with four being most severe. Regular breast cancer screenings allow your doctor to catch a tumor in its earliest stage, increasing your chances for successful treatment.This guide provides information on breast cancer from early symptoms to types of treatment to help you feel more prepared and informed as you take on this battle against cancer.What Is Breast Cancer?This might seem like a very basic question, but there is more to it than you think. Breast cancer means there is a malignant tumor somewhere in your breast, and the details will determine the type and severity of cancer.A malignant tumor means that cells have clustered together, forming a mass that grows out of control. These can move or metastasize to surrounding tissues or other body parts. Breast cancer can form in any of your three breast tissues, which are:Lobules (milk-producing glands)Ducts (what milk travels through)Connective tissue (surrounds lobules and ducts)Cancer most often begins in the lobules or ducts but can start in the surrounding connective tissue. Its categorized as either invasive or noninvasive. Invasive breast cancer spreads or invades other tissues, while the noninvasive type remains in the breast lobule or duct.Symptoms and Signs of Breast CancerWhen you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible:A lump in or near your breast or armpit areaWarm or tender breastA hard or swollen area in your breastUnexplained changes in the texture, size, color, or shape of your breast or nippleSkin dimples or enlarged pores on your breastRedness, swelling, scaliness or pain in your breast or nipplesNipples turn inward for no apparent reasonIrritated or itchy breastA rash on your breast (a sign of inflammatory breast cancer) tendernessIf you notice a lump, dont assume the worst. Almost 80% of all breast lumps are non-cancerous or benign. Common causes of benign lumps include:CystsChanges in the fibrous tissue due to hormonesFatty tissue due to breast traumaIntraductal "papilloma" or wart-like growthsFibroadenomas or solid breast lumpRegardless of the type of lump you feel, you should see your doctor for a thorough evaluation to rule out a malignant breast tumor.Breast Cancer Risk FactorsNaturally, being a woman increases your risk of breast cancer. Other risk factors include:Over 50 years of ageA family history of breast cancerGeneticsPrevious radiation exposureWomen can develop breast cancer before age 50, but its less common. If youre concerned about your breast cancer risk, your doctor can help you assess your specific risk and guide you through extra precautions or screening if necessary.Diagnosing Breast CancerThe most common type of breast cancer screening is a mammogram, which is an x-ray that uses low-dose radiation. This allows your doctor to see abnormalities in your breast tissue.If your mammogram reveals something suspicious, your doctor will likely order an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), ultrasound, or a 3D mammography to get a better look at the abnormality. This type of imaging allows doctors to see breast tissue in greater detail.Stages of Breast CancerStages describe how the cancer has grown or spread, making them stages that describe the advancement of the cancer. Stages are typically indicated by Roman numerals and have subcategories of A, B, C or D.Stage 0: Noninvasive cancer with no evidence of leaving the area of breast it started in.Stage 1: Cancer cells are actively spreading to breast tissue surrounding the origin of the cancer. But the tumor (group of cancer cells) is still very small and easily treated.Stage 2: The cancer is invasive and growing but is confined to the breast or close lymph nodes. It is usually still treatable.Stage 3: The cancer is no longer confined to the breast and nearby lymph nodes. It has begun invading other lymph nodes, muscles, or other tissues surrounding the breast.Stage 4: The cancer is advanced and has spread to several organs or body parts. Stage 4 breast cancer is usually incurable, but you can live for several more years with treatments.Types of Breast CancerNon-Invasive Breast Cancer: DCIS and LCISThese are non-invasive cancers that remain contained within the tissue where it began and are therefore called carcinoma in situ. There are two types: ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS). These breast cancers are usually discovered after imaging and often dont cause symptoms.DCIS is found in the lining of your milk ducts and has not yet spread to other tissues. But if not treated, it can invade other tissues and become more serious. Likewise, LCIS is non-invasive and is found in the lobules of your breast where milk is produced. This is usually considered pre-cancer and is less common than DCIS but is more likely to become invasive if it develops into cancer.Invasive Breast Cancer: IDCThe most common type of breast cancer is invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). It accounts for 80% of all new breast cancer diagnoses and is the type of breast cancer most likely to develop in men.IDC begins in your milk ducts, like DCIS, but it doesnt remain contained and spreads outside the duct and into surrounding tissues, even invading your bloodstream and lymph nodes.Treatment usually involves a combination of radiation, surgery, chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. But the approach will depend on the specific type of breast cancer you have and its characteristics like the degree of aggressiveness. Some breast cancers lack receptors that will respond to the usual medications. This is called triple negative or HER-2 negative breast cancer. Your doctor will work to create a specialized treatment tailored to the weakness of your tumor type.Breast Cancer OutlookYour prognosis will depend upon how healthy you are and the stage of breast cancer youre in. However, its encouraging that the death rate from breast cancer has been dropping. Most women survive this type of cancer, and 90% of women will live at least five years after their diagnosis.Breast cancer can be recurrent, meaning that it returns after your initial treatment. This recurrence can happen months or years after seemingly successful treatment. The highest risk for recurrence is within the first two years after completing your treatment. However, most breast cancer survivors wont have a recurrence.Metastatic or stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to other parts of your body is not currently curable. But with the right treatments to control its growth and spread, you can continue living a fulfilling life for years to come.Breast Cancer Treatment OptionsYour doctors will evaluate the stage and aggressiveness of your tumors. Most often, surgery is the prescribed treatment, along with secondary treatments to ensure that post-surgery cancer cells dont survive.Surgical options include a lumpectomy or mastectomy.A lumpectomy means that a small portion of the breast encasing the tumor is removed. If your surgeon must remove more of the surrounding tissue, it is considered a partial mastectomy.A mastectomy means that one or both breasts are removed. Sometimes lymph nodes and armpit tissue are removed also.Radiation and chemotherapy are accompanying treatments that are often used post-surgery to kill any possible cancer cells that are left behind. Your doctor will recommend which treatment is best for you based on your tumor and the likelihood of cancer cells spreading.Other treatments include medications like hormone therapy and biologic targeted therapy.How to Prevent Breast CancerOf course, you cant change all your risk factors like age and family history. But you can adjust some aspects of your lifestyle to stay healthy overall and decrease your risk of breast cancer.Try making these lifestyle modifications:Dont drink more than one alcoholic beverage per day.Dont smoke.Maintain a healthy weight.Breastfeed your baby for at least several months.Choose non-hormonal treatments for menopause symptoms.Avoid radiation exposure (get medical imaging only when necessary)The Battle with Breast CancerBreast cancer can be complex, especially if not diagnosed in its earliest stages. Regular preventative screenings like self-exams and mammograms are necessary for early detection. Most breast cancer will spread if not treated in a timely fashion. Surgery is the most common treatment method and may be accompanied by radiation or chemotherapy. If you notice and change the appearance or feel of your breasts, contact be sure to get in touch with your physician. You can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer when you limit alcohol, radiation exposure, and maintain a healthy weight.

Hormones become a focal point for women in mid-life as they move women into the transitory phase of menopause. These chemical messengers influence numerous processes of your body, which means theyre necessary to keep your systems functioning properly. This is why you may feel physically unwell or mentally off during this time of life. But you can find ways to bring your hormone levels into balance, helping your body to maintain wellbeing and proper function. Your diet can play a key role in achieving this goal.Diet Affects Estrogen LevelsSince foods dont contain estrogen, your diet has more of an indirect influence on your hormones, affecting fluctuations in your hormones. Youll notice these fluctuations most during the earliest stage of menopause, known as perimenopause. Dips and spikes in estrogen are frequent during perimenopause but tend to even out as they move closer to the final phase of menopause and the cessation of your cycle. When estrogen levels drop, you may experience night sweats, hot flashes, and changes in mood. However, eating foods containing phytoestrogens (estrogen-like compounds) may help regulate menopause symptoms. They mimic estrogen in the body. Found in plant foods, phytoestrogens are consumed when you eat seeds and soybeans. But the effects on estrogen are mild, and they may only slightly raise estrogen levels, specifically when you consume isoflavones.The research on phytoestrogens and their impact on estrogen is mixed and more studies are required. More research is necessary to determine whether certain foods or nutrients may help raise estrogen levels during menopause. Foods that May Lower Estrogen If your menopause symptoms are due to lower estrogen levels, then eating a diet rich in fiber may help to bring your body into balance. High fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice. Eating more of these may reduce estrogen levels, but this doesnt mean you should avoid these foods if your estrogen is too low. They have too many other health benefits to eliminate them from your diet. The better option is to seek other ways to raise your estrogen levels.Diet and Estrogen TakeawaysIts generally good for your health to eat foods rich in phytoestrogens, especially isoflavones. You can positively impact blood cholesterol levels and reduce your heart disease risk when you include more soy and flaxseed in your diet. You might also experience other benefits like improved menopause symptomsA higher fiber diet also improves blood sugar levels and digestion and can have the added benefit of regulating hormones during menopause.Diet Affects InsulinIts not only female hormones that affect menopause. Insulin and glucagon also play a notable role in hormone regulation during this period of life. Diet has a more direct impact on insulin hormone. In other words, what you eat more directly impacts insulin than estrogen.However, its also true that hormone changes during menopause affect your glucose levels. These hormone fluctuations make women more insulin resistant, which means that your body is not as able to process sugars efficiently and sugar in the bloodstream is not used effectively. This leads to high levels of blood sugar that over time leads to diabetes that if left unchecked, will damage organs and body parts.Menopause and InsulinIf you eat too much sugar or two many simple carbohydrates that quickly break down into sugar during digestion, you will experience spikes in blood sugar as your system is overwhelmed and not able to process the incoming sugars quickly enough.Since hormonal changes in women during menopause already make them less equipped to properly process carbohydrates and sugars, its best to make some adjustments.Diet and Insulin TakeawaysDuring menopause choose foods that release sugar into your bloodstream more slowly. Good helpful choices include:VegetablesBeansLentilsOatsBranWhole grain breads Avoid or limit simple or refined carbohydrates which will spike your blood sugar. These consist of anything made with white flour or sugars (white or brown).Diet Affects Cortisol LevelsCortisol, known as the major stress hormone and is secreted by your adrenal glands. Due to hormonal changes during menopause, your body is already susceptible to weight gain, anxiety, and hot flashes, symptoms which high cortisol levels can worsen. During this time, its best to avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can boost cortisol levels and make menopause symptoms worse.While cortisol is an essential hormone responsible for the flight-or-fight response, when it remains chronically high, it causes a number of health concerns, such as:High blood pressureCognitive declineBone lossSleep disruptionsHeart diseaseIncreased body fatDiet and Cortisol TakeawaysAvoid alcohol and caffeine during menopause to help keep your hormones balanced and minimize menopause symptoms. You may find that nixing alcohol and caffeine reduces hot flashes and weight gain.Diet and Menopause: What to RememberA healthy diet that includes soy, flaxseed, and plenty of fiber can go a long way toward keeping your hormones balanced during menopause. While adding these foods to your diet can be helpful, its also important to avoid simple carbs, alcohol, and caffeine which can knock your hormones out of balance, not only increasing menopause symptoms but also negatively impacting your health. TYE Medical offers premium incontinence products in a variety of styles and absorbency levels. Shop our online store for free and discreet shipping on all orders.

Struggling to lower your cholesterol? High cholesterol remains one of the most common conditions among middle-aged and older adults. In the United States about 2 out of 5 adults have high cholesterol. If you count yourself among these millions, no doubt your doctor has urged you to follow specific lifestyle habits that involve optimal exercise and a healthy, nutrient-rich diet. Adhering to this approach can knock your LDL cholesterol down to a healthier level. Making key lifestyle changes can also drop your triglycerides, a type of fat that collects in your blood, and raise your healthy HDL cholesterol. Here are the critical lifestyle factors that can positively impact your cholesterol:DietExerciseMaintaining a healthy weightNot SmokingBut following doctors orders and making these lifestyle changes might not be enough to manage your high cholesterol. You might even find that there are other factors covertly sabotaging your efforts to improve cholesterol levels. Here are 12 surprising reasons for high cholesterol, even if youre working to bring it down.1. Youre Battling GeneticsIf youre  maintaining a relatively healthy lifestyle, and your cholesterol levels are still too high, its possible that some genetic component is the roadblock. Sometimes high cholesterol is an inherited condition that lifestyle changes cant completely reverse, although following these healthy guidelines can slow progression and help with management.If genetics underpins your elevated cholesterol, you will need to rely on prescription medication such as a statin to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Statin medications block your bodys cholesterol production. Stains help keep your LDL levels lower, reducing your risk of stroke and death from heart disease and heart attack. In fact, when genetics drives high cholesterol, statins can decrease your risk of dying from heart disease by 76%. 2. Youre on a Fad DietLow-carb, high protein diets like the keto diet are extremely trendy, and people see weight loss results. If you follow one of these diets, you might not realize that even if youre dropping pounds on the outside, youre building cholesterol on the inside. High protein diets are often high in fat, specifically saturated fat, which is a major contributor to rising cholesterol. Low-carb diets often highlight meat and dairy to build protein and maintain satiety.However, experts agree that a plant-based or vegan diet which naturally decreases consumption of saturated fats and dietary cholesterol are the most effective diets for lowering cholesterol. You can lower your bad cholesterol by 20% if you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, according to the European Heart Journal. If you dont want to go completely meatless, include some lean protein like fish, turkey, and chicken.3. Youre Eating Hidden FatsIf youre only looking at labels to scan for dietary cholesterol content, then youre missing a major link. Saturated and trans fats also play a critical role in cholesterol levels, both increasing LDL. Some experts argue that saturated fats negatively impact cholesterol more than the dietary cholesterol printed on the nutrition label. You can avoid or limit these fats by including less red meat and processed meat, butter, and full-fat dairy. Cutting fat can make you feel less full and satisfied, but you can compensate by eating more food with good fats like nuts, seeds, fish, and vegetable oils (olive, avocado, canola).4. Youre Relying Only on Diet to Lower CholesterolDietary changes alone are expected to lower your cholesterol 5 to 10 percent, although this varies. This might not be enough to drop your cholesterol to a healthy level, especially if youre less than perfect at sticking to a more restricted diet.  This means that youll need to incorporate regular exercise and possibly medication into your daily routine. If dietary changes arent getting the results you need, try adopting an exercise routine to see if that helps you to effectively manage your cholesterol. It might be that diet and exercise combined arent producing adequate results, which means your doctor might prescribe medication as the final piece of the puzzle. But even if youre on medication, its critical that you continue eating healthy and exercising regularly to avoid needing high doses of medication or even multiple medications.5. Youre Not Cooking at Home EnoughWhen it comes to eating out, you never know what youre getting. Youre not in control of the quality of the ingredients or how theyre prepared. Even if you order healthier menu selections, you could be eating more fat or cholesterol than you realize. Often restaurants prepare food with a focus on taste with little regard for the health impacts. Eating out regularly can drive your cholesterol surprisingly high, even if you're eating a generally low fat diet.  Portion size is also a factor at restaurants as they tend to provide larger amounts of food, which makes self-control more challenging. Youre more likely to overeat and consume even more saturated fat and cholesterol than you would with a home-cooked meal. If you want to drop your cholesterol levels, limit eating out and spend more time cooking at home.6. Youre Not Choosing the Right Kind of ExerciseAny kind of regular movement is a good thing, but if you want to see those cholesterol numbers fall, you need to choose the right type of exercise. Research supports cardiovascular or aerobic exercise as the best option for lowering LDL cholesterol and raising HDL. This type of physical activity works your heart consistently and helps your body burn more saturated fat instead of turning it into cholesterol.  If you want to establish a cardio workout routine, try activities like walking, biking, dancing, and swimming at a moderate pace. High-intensity interval training is also an option.7. Your Medication Is Raising Your CholesterolYou may be surprised that its another medication that is pushing your cholesterol numbers higher. Some drugs have side effects that can negatively impact cholesterol levels. Examples include retinoids, steroids, and progestin. Be sure that the doctor monitoring your cholesterol is aware of all the medications you are taking. If youre taking an offending medication, your doctor might suggest an alternative that wont have undesirable effects on your cholesterol.8. Youre Consuming Too Much AlcoholAlcohol has a number of negative effects on the body, one of them being the raising of triglycerides and cholesterol. You can also gain weight when you over consume. Its best to avoid or limit alcohol to no more than two drinks per day for men and one drink for women. Alcohol is processed in the liver where it is broken down into triglycerides and cholesterol, which is exactly what you dont want when youre trying to better manage your health as you age.9. Youre Not Taking Cholesterol Medications as PrescribedStatin drugs for managing cholesterol are a modern medical marvel, helping millions manage cholesterol, preventing serious health consequences. But for these medications to be most effective, they must be taken as a doctor prescribes. You might find your cholesterol levels arent improving because youre not taking them at the right time or with the right consistency.  Be sure to follow up with your doctor regularly to monitor readings and ensure your medication dosage is adjusted as needed.10. Youre Not Taking an Effective MedicationMedications work and act differently from one body to the next. Statin drugs arent effective for everyone. Its possible that your body doesnt react well to statin drugs, making them an inefficient means for lowering cholesterol. And if the side effects are too harsh or bothersome, they may keep you from maintaining a regular medication schedule. Talk to your doctor about other options if it seems statins arent right for you. You might try fibrates, resins, or niacin if you cant take a statin.11. You Need to Be More PatientIts also possible that you're expecting too much too soon, especially if you recently started making changes to your diet and exercise habits. Just as cholesterol tends to creep up slowly, it tends to drop slowly also. It can take months of healthier habits or a new medication before you begin to see progress. Continue to keep your follow up appointments so your doctor can monitor progress and adjust your treatment as needed.12. You Need to Add Lifestyle Changes to Your MedicationMost people dont successfully lower cholesterol through medication alone. If youre only taking medication without adjusting your diet or adding regular exercise to your schedule, then this could be slowing or even halting your progress. If you quit monitoring your diet and exercising after you started medication, then its time to return to those healthier habits. Statins are designed to be part of the solution, not the entire solution.The Battle for Lower Cholesterol Is Worth ItYes, sometimes it feels like a battle as you try to get those numbers to move in the right direction. But remember that high cholesterol, although common, is a very serious condition that can lead to a host of other chronic conditions and even premature death. Its worth it to take the necessary steps and make the changes needed to improve your health and well being. When diet and exercise arent enough, and youve pinpointed those sneaky reasons for high cholesterol, then it might be time to consider adding medication to your healthier living approach.TYE Medical offers premium incontinence products in a variety of sizes and absorbency levels. Shop our online store for free and discreet shipping.