What You Can Do to Prevent Cancer and Why It Works

Ditch the Smokes

Every puff of tobacco is packed with 250 harmful chemicals. Nearly 70 of them cause cancer. And it's more than just lung cancer. Cigarettes are linked to 12 other kinds, including stomach, bladder, kidney, mouth, and throat. The sooner you stop, the better. Ask your doctor for advice on quit-smoking methods.

Get Vaccinated

When it comes to vaccines, think beyond your annual flu shot. Some can protect against cancer, too. Certain HPV vaccines prevent cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina, and anus. The time to get vaccinated is between ages 9 and 26. The hepatitis B vaccine wards off the virus that causes liver cancer. It's part of the childhood vaccination schedule.

Practice Safer Sex

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) aren't your only worry during unprotected sex. Some of these infections also increase your odds of having cancer. About 70% of cervical cancers start with human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18. Some types of hepatitis can cause liver cancer. To stay safe, use a latex condom every time you have sex.

Eat More Broccoli

Fruits and veggies pack an anti-cancer punch because they're high in nutrients and fiber, and low in fat. Try broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, kale, watercress, or other cruciferous vegetables. They protect against DNA damage that can turn cells cancerous. Or eat colorful berries. Studies show they have cancer-fighting chemicals that ward off damage to cells.

Go Easy on Alcohol

Tip back too many martinis each day, and your odds of cancer go up. Alcohol is linked to cancers of the mouth, breast, liver, esophagus, and others. The more you drink, the higher your risk. If you drink, do it in moderation. Women should stick to one drink a day, men up to two.

Trim a Few Pounds

Extra weight around your middle could add up to a greater chance of having cancer, especially of the breast, colon, uterus, pancreas, esophagus, and gallbladder. Researchers say one reason may be that fat cells release substances that encourage cancer cells to grow.

 Cut Back on Hot Dogs

Think twice before you throw some on the grill. Studies show that processed meats, like hot dogs, bacon, and sausage, have chemicals called nitrites and nitrates that may be linked to cancer. And research suggests too much red meat like steak and burgers could be a long-term risk for colorectal cancer. Choose safer alternatives for your backyard cookout, like chicken breast or fish.

Get Off the Couch

Do you spend too much time lounging around? Cancer prevention is one more reason to get moving. Exercise fights obesity and lowers levels of hormones like estrogen and insulin, which have been linked to cancer. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise -- the kind that gets your heart pumping -- on most days of the week.

Avoid Toxic Chemicals

Chemicals called carcinogens damage DNA in your cells and raise your chance of having cancer if you touch, eat, or breathe them in. Asbestos, radon, and benzene are a few that some people come into contact with at work or home. Chemicals in weedkillers, plastics, and some home products may also be risky. You can't avoid every chemical, but know which ones are in products you use and switch to safer options if you can.

Know Your Family History

You inherited more than your mother's eyes or your father's grin. They may also have shared their chances for having diseases like cancer. Some genes that parents pass down to their kids have flaws. They don't repair damaged DNA the way they should, which lets cells turn into cancer. Learn about your family's medical history and ask your doctor if a genetic test is a good idea for you.

Stay Up to Date With Screenings

Screening tests catch cancer early -- sometimes even before it starts. A colonoscopy often finds polyps in the colon and rectum before they turn into cancer. The Pap test locates pre-cancerous and cancerous cells in a woman's cervix. Mammograms and low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) look for early breast and lung cancers. Ask your doctor when to start getting these tests, and how often you need them.

Take Meds if You Need Them

Some drugs lower your odds of getting certain cancers. Tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Soltamox) and raloxifene (Evista) can reduce breast cancer risk but may have serious side effects. Aspirin may protect against colorectal and prostate cancers. Be wary, though, of supplements that promise to keep you cancer-free. Many haven't been proven, and some have side effects.

Put on Sunscreen

Baking in the sun might give you a healthy-looking glow, but under the surface, UV rays cause skin damage that could lead to cancer. Because you can burn in just 15 minutes, rub on sunscreen before you go outside. Pick a broad-spectrum product with an SPF of 30 or higher. Reapply whenever you sweat or swim. And when you're out in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat and wraparound sunglasses.

Be Cautious About Hormone Therapy

It can ease menopause symptoms like hot flashes and fatigue, and protect your bones. But hormone therapy may raise your chances of breast cancer and make cancer harder to detect. Ask your doctor about your risks before you try this treatment.

BenHyatt

Food Poisoning: What to Know

Getting sick from eating food that has germs, viruses, or parasites is more common than you might think. Most get better on their own without medical treatment.

You may have symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea within hours of eating. But sometimes the symptoms can take days or more than a week to show up. That can make it hard to know if it's food poisoning or something else. The delay also makes it tricky to trace the illness back to the specific food or drink.

The same food can affect people differently. Some may feel unwell after just a few bites. Others can eat a lot and have no reaction at all.

How Do You Get Sick?

Food poisoning can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. They can exist in foods at any stage, such as when they're growing, packaged, shipped, stored, or cooked.

Certain foods are more likely to harbor harmful agents. These include raw eggs, unpasteurized milk and juice, soft cheeses, and raw or undercooked meat or seafood. Fresh produce is another risk. Foods made in bulk are problematic, too. A single bad egg could affect the whole batch of omelets in a buffet. You could make trouble for yourself by not washing the cutting board or your hands as you prepare different foods.

Your chances of getting food poisoning are higher in the summer. In 90-degree heat, food can start to spoil within an hour. At a picnic or during a camping trip, you are more likely to eat undercook grilled meats or to handle raw meat without access to soap and water. Bacteria can grow quickly inside tepid coolers. So if you're picnicking on a hot day, put leftovers back in with fresh ice.

Common Causes

In 4 out of 5 cases of food poisoning, you never find out exactly what caused it. That's OK because you most likely will get better on your own. But in cases where the culprit is found, it's usually one of the following:

• Norovirus, often called stomach flu, is behind more than half of the foodborne illnesses in the U.S. where the cause is known. Norovirus can sicken you not only through eating contaminated foods, but also through touching doorknobs and other surfaces or having contact with an infected person. You should wipe down the kitchen if someone in your house has it. It typically takes 12-48 hours before you feel sick. Your symptoms may last 1-3 days. 
• Salmonella is the name of a group of bacteria. They grow in undercooked eggs and meat. But you can also get salmonella from unpasteurized milk or cheese. Some fruits and vegetables, such as melons or sprouts, can also cause it. Symptoms start within 1-3 days and can last up to a week.
• Clostridium perfringens are bacteria that are more likely to show up when foods are prepared in bulk, such as in cafeterias or nursing homes or for catered events. Cooking kills the bacteria but not its spores. So food left warming can grow new germs. You can get it from beef, chicken, or gravy. You may have cramps and diarrhea but no other symptoms. You get sick within 6-24 hours and are usually feeling better in a couple of days.
• Campylobacter comes from undercooked poultry, unpasteurized milk, and sometimes water. It may take 2-5 days to develop symptoms you can notice. But you should feel better in another 2-10 days. You can't pass it to anyone. But if it's serious, you might have bloody diarrhea.

More Serious Causes

Some bacteria cause fewer cases of food poisoning but can make you very sick. They can even cause death.

They include:

• E. coli. This is the name of a type of bacteria found in the intestines of animals. You can get this from undercooked ground beef, unpasteurized milk, sprouts, or any food or liquid that has had contact with animal feces or sewage. Some strains are harmless. Others can make you very sick.
• Listeria is an unusual bacterium that can grow in cold temperatures such as in the refrigerator. It's found in smoked fish, raw (unpasteurized) cheeses, ice cream, pates, hot dogs, and deli meats. Pregnant women and others with weakened immune systems, can feel sick from milder infections from listeria within a day. Other people with a more serious listeria infection called listeriosis may not show symptoms for a week or even a couple of months. In addition to diarrhea and vomiting, listeria can cause unusual symptoms, including weakness, confusion, and a stiff neck. It can also be deadly. If you have a stiff neck with a fever, you may need antibiotics.

BenHyatt

Snakebites: What You Need to Know

Rare, But Serious
Snakebites aren’t very common in the Cambodia, even for people who spend a lot of time outdoors. And most snakes in Cambodia are venomous, meaning you don’t get poison from them if they do bite. You’re much more likely to get struck by lightning than die from one. Still, it’s best to avoid them and to treat any bite as a medical emergency.

 Treatment: First Aid If you’ve been bitten by a snake, get medical help right away. To help someone with a snakebite:
 -Take off all jewelry and tight clothing to avoid problems with swelling.
-Keep the area of the bite below the heart to keep venom from spreading.
-Keep the person as still as possible to keep venom from spreading.
-Cover the bite loosely with a clean, dry bandage.
-Help the person stay calm to prevent shock.




 What Not to Do
 When treating a snakebite:
 -Don’t try to pick up or kill the snake. Even dead snakes have been known to bite.
-Don’t tightly wrap the bite area. Use only a loose bandage.
-Don’t cut across the area of the bite or try to suck the venom out.
-Don’t drink alcohol or anything with caffeine. They make your body take in the venom faster.
-Don’t use any ointments, chemicals, heat, cold, or ice.
-Don’t take aspirin. it can make bleeding worse.

Treatment: Antivenom This is the only way to treat venomous snakebites. It’s best to get antivenom within 4 hours of the bite, but it can still help if you get it within 24 hours. You get it through an IV  the medicine goes into a vein through a needle. It drips in slowly to make sure you don’t have a reaction.

Why Snakes Bite Usually, they only attack when it’s dinnertime or when they need to defend themselves. They’re typically more interested in getting away from people than attacking them. The danger is when the snake is startled or threatened. Venomous snakes can control how much venom they give you. Sometimes, they bite but don’t put out any venom at all.

 How to Prevent Snakebites You can do things to try to avoid them:
 -Wear shoes outside.
 -Don’t camp near swamps, streams, or other places snakes live.
 -Don’t stick your hands into places you can’t see, like in between rocks.
 -If you see a snake, slowly back away.
 -Keep the grass around your house cut low.
 -Never try to catch or pick up a snake.
 -Keep piles of wood, rocks, or other debris away from your house  snakes, and the animals they eat, can hide there.












BenHyatt

គួរយល់ដឹងពីការកាត់បន្ថយស្រ្តេសនៅកន្លែងធ្វើការ

 វិធីគ្រប់គ្រង​​​ស្ត្រេស នៅកន្លែងធ្វើការ

ខាងក្រោមនេះ គឺជាវិធីសាស្ត្រ​​​មួយចំនួន ដើម្បីជួយ​​​លោកអ្នក អាចគ្រប់គ្រង​​​អារម្មណ៍ធុញថប់ (ស្ត្រេស) របស់ខ្លួន នៅពេលជួយ​​​បញ្ហាស្មុគស្មាញ នៅកន្លែងធ្វើការ។

១. ចេះគ្រប់គ្រង​​​​​​ពេលវេលា

ប្រសិនបើការងាររបស់អ្នក ផ្តល់ឲ្យអ្នកនូវពេលវេលាដ៏សែនអាក្រក់ នោះវាប្រហែលជាដល់ពេល ដែលអ្នក ត្រូវស្វែងរកជម្រើសថ្មីទៀត ដោយសារតែ អ្នកអាចជំនួសការងាររបស់អ្នក ជាមួយនឹងអ្វីទៀត ផ្សេង ប៉ុន្តែ អ្នកនឹងមិនអាចជំនួស នូវសន្តិភាពក្នុងចិត្តរបស់អ្នកបាននោះទេ។

២. ផ្លាស់ប្តូរការងារ

ប្រសិនបើការងាររបស់អ្នក ផ្តល់ឲ្យអ្នកនូវពេលវេលាដ៏សែនអាក្រក់ នោះវាប្រហែលជាដល់ពេល ដែលអ្នក ត្រូវស្វែងរកជម្រើសថ្មីទៀត ដោយសារតែ អ្នកអាចជំនួសការងាររបស់អ្នក ជាមួយនឹងអ្វីទៀត ផ្សេង ប៉ុន្តែ អ្នកនឹងមិនអាចជំនួស នូវសន្តិភាពក្នុងចិត្តរបស់អ្នកបាននោះទេ។

៣. ធ្វើការហាត់ប្រាណ

ទៅក្លឹបហាត់ប្រាណ ឬ ហាត់ក្បាច់យូហ្គា ឬ ធ្វើការហាត់ប្រាណបែបរាំកំសាន្ត ។ ការហាត់ប្រាណ គឺអាចជួយបញ្ចេញនូវ សារជាតិគីមីពីធម្មជាតិ ដែលត្រូវបានគេហៅថា អង់ដូហ្វីន ដែលវាជាអរម៉ូនម្យ៉ាង នឹងជួយអ្នក ធ្វើឲ្យមានអារម្មណ៍ល្អបាន។ ធ្វើការអនុវត្តន៍ លំហាត់ប្រាណនៃការដកដង្ហើម ឲ្យបាន ទៀងទាត់ តាមដែលពួកវានឹងជួយ ធ្វើឲ្យអ្នកកាន់តែមានអារម្មណ៍ស្ងប់សុខ និង ស្រស់ថ្លា។

៤. ញញឹមឲ្យបានច្រើន

កាលបើអ្នកកាន់តែញញឹម នោះអ្នកនឹងកាន់តែមានអាម្មណ៍ថា ស្រស់ស្រាយជាងមុន តែចូរប្រាកដថា វាចេញពីក្នុងចិត្តរបស់អ្នក។ ស្នាមញញឹម បំពេញឲ្យអ្នកនូវ ស្ថានភាពអារម្មណ៍ជាវិជ្ជមាន និង អាច កាត់បន្ថយស្ត្រេស នៅពេលដែលអ្នកចង់បំបាត់វា ។

៥. ស្វែងយល់នូវអ្វីដែលថ្មីៗ

នៅពេលដែលអ្នកនៅក្មេង តើអ្នកមានធ្លាប់ចង់រៀនលេងហ្គីតា ប៉ុន្តែអ្នកមិនអាចសម្រេចវាបានមែនទេ ? គ្មានបញ្ហានោះទេ អ្នកអាចចាប់ផ្តើមបំណងប្រាថ្នានេះ ជាថ្មីម្តងទៀត ដោយការចាប់ផ្តើម ចូលរៀនក្នុង ថ្នាក់តន្ត្រីនៅក្នុងពេលនេះ ។ ការភ្ជាប់ខ្លួន ទៅនឹងសកម្មភាពកំសាន្តអ្វីមួយ គឺអាចជួយអ្នក បំបាត់នូវ ស្ត្រេសចេញពីក្នុងចិត្ត របស់អ្នកបាន។ វានឹងជួយឲ្យអ្នក ដកដង្ហើមចេញចូលដោយខ្យល់បរិសុទ្ធ និង ធ្វើឲ្យអ្នកមានអារម្មណ៍ស្រស់ស្រាយនៅនឹងកន្លែងធ្វើការបាន។

៦. រៀនធ្វើការបន្ធូរអារម្មណ៍

ជារឿយៗ នៅពេលដែលអ្នកសាកសមនឹងធ្វើការសម្រាក អ្នកបែរជាមិនបានទទួលនូវការសម្រាកមួយ ពិតប្រាកដទៅវិញ។ ជាលទ្ធផល អ្នកហាក់នឹង ចំណាយពេលឥតប្រយោជន៍ ក្នុងការសម្រាកបែបនេះ ។ នៅពេលដែលអ្នក មិនបានទទួលនូវអារម្មណ៍ធូរស្រាល និង មានថាមពលជាថ្មី នោះអ្នកនឹង មានអារម្មណ៍ ថាអ្នកមានស្ត្រេសកាន់តែខ្លាំងឡើងៗ ពីមួយថ្ងៃ ទៅ មួយថ្ងៃ។ ដូច្នេះ អ្វីដែលអ្នកត្រូវធ្វើ នៅពេលត្រលប់ទៅផ្ទះវិញនោះគឺ អ្នកត្រូវតែសម្រាកនៅពេល ដែលពេលវេលាគឺសាកសមសម្រាប់អ្នក។ ត្រូវគេងឲ្យបានគ្រប់គ្រាន់ និង ទៀងពេល។ រៀនបន្ធូរអារម្មណ៍ដោយការ ជជែកកំសាន្តជាមួយ នឹងសមាជិកគ្រូសារ ឬ ស្តាប់តន្ត្រីលំហែអារម្មណ៍ជាដើម។


BenHyatt

Top 10 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

1. Measles

What it is: A highly contagious lung infection.

How you get it: The measles virus gets into the air when someone who has it coughs or sneezes. It can also last for up to 2 hours on something they touched. Most people who aren't immune -- 90% -- will get it if they are near an infected person.

Why it’s serious: Measles can cause pneumonia, brain swelling, and death. Before the vaccine, 3 million to 4 million people in the U.S. got measles each year, 48,000 were hospitalized, and 400-500 died. 

2. Whooping Cough (Pertussis)

What it is: A lung infection that makes it hard to breathe due to severe coughing.

How you get it: People can breathe in the pertussis bacteria when someone who has whooping cough coughs or sneezes.   

Why it’s serious: It can be life-threatening, especially in babies less than 1 year old. Whooping cough can lead to pneumonia, seizures, and slowed or stopped breathing.

3. Flu

What it is: A viral infection of the nose, lungs, and throat.

How you get it: When someone with the flu coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets can spread up to 6 feet away. People get the virus from the air or by touching something the sick person touched and then touching their own nose or mouth.

Why it’s serious: Up to 49,000 Americans die from the flu each year. The flu can worsen asthma and diabetes.

4. Polio

What it is: A viral disease

How you get it: The polio virus lives in the intestines. You can get infected by coming into contact with a sick person’s feces.

Why it’s serious: Most people get no symptoms or flu-like symptoms that last a few days, but polio can cause brain infection, paralysis, and death. It was one of the most feared and devastating diseases of the 20th century. Polio cases are down sharply thanks to vaccination, but the disease is not gone from the world.

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5. Pneumococcal Disease

What it is: A bacterial disease that can cause many types of illness, including pneumonia, ear and blood infections, and meningitis (which affects the brain and spinal cord). 

How you get it: By coming into contact with an infected person’s mucus or saliva. 

Why it’s serious: Complications can be serious and fatal. As pneumonia, it's especially deadly in people older than 65. If it causes meningitis or infects the blood, these can be life-threatening.

6. Tetanus

What it is: A bacterial disease that causes lockjaw, breathing problems, muscle spasms, paralysis, and death.

How you get it: The bacteria that causes tetanus is found in soil, dust, and manure. It can get in your body through a cut or open sore.

Why it’s serious: 10% to 20% of tetanus cases are fatal. Deaths are more common in people who are older than 60 or who have diabetes.

7. Meningococcal Disease

What it is: A bacterial disease that can cause meningitis, an infection and swelling of the brain and spinal cord. It can also infect the blood.  

How you get it: It's caused by bacteria that live in the back of an infected person' nose and throat. It can spread through kissing or just living with someone who is infected. Symptoms are usually fever that starts suddenly, headache, and stiff neck. Getting diagnosed and treated ASAP is key.

Why it’s serious:  Between 1,000-1,200 people in the U.S. get meningococcal disease each year. Even with antibiotics, as many as 15% die.

8. Hepatitis B

What it is: A liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus.

How you get it: People with hepatitis B have the virus in their blood and other bodily fluids. Adults usually spread it through sex or sharing needles. A pregnant woman can pass it to her baby. Hepatitis B is 100 times more infectious than HIV, the disease that causes AIDS.

Why it’s serious: It can lead to liver cancer and other long-lasting liver diseases, which can be deadly. 

9. Mumps

What it is: A disease caused by a virus that gives people swollen salivary glands, a fever, headache, and muscle aches. It also makes you feel tired and curbs your appetite.

How you get it: When someone with mumps coughs or sneezes, the virus gets into the air, and other people can breathe it in.

Why it’s serious: It can cause long-lasting health problems, including meningitis and deafness. Mumps is now rare in the U.S., thanks to the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine. But outbreaks still happen, usually among people spending time close together, like living in a dorm.

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10. Hib (Haemophilus Influenzae Type B)

What it is: A bacterial disease that infects the lungs (pneumonia), brain or spinal cord (meningitis), blood, bone, or joints.

How you get it: Some people have Hib bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill.  When they cough or sneeze, the bacteria go airborne. Babies and young children are especially at risk because their immune systems are weak.

Why it’s serious: Before the Hib vaccine, about 20,000 U.S. children younger than 5 got Hib each year. About 3% to 6% of them died.