Before discussing pancreatic cancer, you need to know what organ is the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ shaped like a sponge tube / sponge with kirakira six inches long located behind the stomach. The pancreas produces enzymes and hormones, including insulin.

Pancreatic enzymes help digest food in the small intestine, whereas insulin to control blood sugar levels. Both enzymes and hormones necessary to maintain the body in order to work properly. The most frightening disorders that occur in this organ is a cancer of the pancreas.

Pancreatic cancer occurs when malignant cells (malignant) grow, develop, and spread in pancreatic tissue. Pancreatic cancer is known as the silent disease because in the early stages of this disease have almost no symptoms. However, if cancer cells have flourished and spread, the pain usually will occur in the upper abdomen and sometimes spreads to the back. Other symptoms include sudden weight loss, depression, and decreased appetite.

Although the exact causes of pancreatic cancer is unknown, but smoking is a major risk factor. Smokers have 2-3 times the risk of higher pancreatic cancer than nonsmokers. Age also affects the existence of this disease, pancreatic cancer usually tend to occur at the age above 45 years.
Other risk factors include diabetes, pancreatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver. There was also missed a family history of the disease also has a role. Pancreatic cancer can be very fierce indeed. Many sufferers die within a year after diagnosis. Only a few, less than 4 percent that will survive five years after diagnosis.

No wonder when the National Cancer Institute says pancreatic cancer is rarely curable. If the cancer is still in the pancreas (localized), the level of recovery would be greater. Even so, this is usually a good hope in all cases only slightly, less than 20 percent.

For patients with cancer who are still measuring less than 2 cm, with no spread to lymph nodes, surgical removal of cancer patients could save at least five years. This possibility could reach 18-24 percent.

Cancer treatment, depending on a number of factors, such as cancer type, size and spread of cancer is also the overall condition of the patient and his age. Therefore, each patient can not be treated the same. Although somewhat difficult to cure, doctors still will try as hard as possible to care for patients in order to increase the quality of life, such as by surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy.

Usually treatment for pancreatic cancer is very unusual that the body affects the cancer cells die. Therefore, the doctor will give another drug as a combination. Treatment will give the effect of nausea, flushed skin, hair loss, loss of appetite, weakness, and decreased weight.

Intake of nutritious food is needed at the time of healing. Treatment that serves to replace the insulin the pancreas is also necessary because as the plant is disturbed insulin function. Then, how to prevent this deadly cancer? Of course the only way is to avoid factors that cause and factors of this disease.

Cases of hypertension and stress a lot happening, and potentially life threatening. Although no direct connection, they put you at risk of health problems, such as heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke.

According to the American Heart Association, approximately 1 in 3 adults has hypertension. Mayo Clinic health site notes, the researchers found no evidence that long-term stress causes hypertension. The cause of hypertension could actually other factors associated with stress, such as drinking alcohol or overeating. As the quotation from the Modern Mom.

Sports proven to reduce stress and improve self-confidence and endhorpins-chemicals in the brain to reduce anxiety and depression. All make an impact on lowering blood pressure. Exercise can lower systolic blood pressure of 5-10 mm Hg.

Aerobic

Aerobic or physical activity that increases breathing and heart rate can be controlled hypertension, including walking, jogging, swimming, or cycling. Even mowing the lawn or washing the floors were considered aerobic exercise during the activity can improve breathing and heartbeat. To control blood pressure, do 30-60 minutes of aerobics four times or more a week.

Heart

Exercise helps your heart in several ways. First, strengthen the heart muscle so it can pump more blood with less effort. Second, increase blood flow to the heart and makes the heart work more efficiently, thus reducing the force on the arteries and reduce blood pressure. And third, helping to reduce levels of insulin, a hormone that contributes to high blood pressure.

Weight Loss

Fatty tissue needs oxygen and nutrients just like every tissue in your body. Increasing the amount of fat in the body means the heart must pump more blood in the larger volume. As a result, more pressure on your artery walls.

Sports help you keep your weight down to healthy levels, also reduces blood pressure. In fact, the Mayo Clinic noted that weight loss is only approximately 10 pounds can lower blood pressure significantly.

Obesity and depression were closely linked. One study revealed that obesity increases the risk of depression. In contrast, depressed people are also at increased risk to obesity.

Research conducted by the Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands,found that depression increased the risk of obese people who were not initially depressed by 55 per cent and depression increase the risk of obesity is initially normal weight by 58 percent.

“There is reciprocal relationship over time between depression and obesity,” says lead researcher Dr S Floriana Luppino from Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands, told by Reuters Health. Luppino said, this analysis was not designed to determine what type of person is prone to the risk of depression, but only to find out how much obesity increases risk.

But as a comparison, a recent study was funded by National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that nearly one in four cases of obesity associated with mood or anxiety disorders.

These findings, said the researchers at the NIMH as listed on the site, appears to support what other studies have found that obesity in which case the rise in the United States is associated with increased levels of depression citizens and the problems other mental health.

Meanwhile, recent research conducted Leiden University Medical Center also has the same result. The study was collected from approximately 15 studies have been published to see whether being overweight or obese is associated with depression, and vice versa.

Studies collectively involving more than 58,000 people, using a measure of body mass index (body mass index / BMI) to measure how fat or thin a person. For reference, the United States adults with a BMI 25 or more is considered overweight, but some were calling the size of BMI over 30 had declared obesity.

Being fat, said Luppino, not only increases the risk of depression, but depression may trigger a more violent, which is no longer centered around the symptoms of depression. In contrast to obesity, the relationship between depression and being overweight (but not obese) is not related reciprocity, but only one direction. He said, being overweight only increases the risk of depression in people who were not initially depressed. However, depression did not increase the risk of being overweight from time to time.

This finding itself was reported in a recent issue of Archives of General Psychiatry, which also showed that the relationship between obesity and depression are more likely evident in Americans than Europeans.

Why? ‘An association response, which means the higher the BMI the more people suffering from depression may explain the association, “said Luppino. The average weight of Americans are heavier than ratarata European citizens.

However, the researchers say, the effects of psychological stress in overweight people should not be ignored. Overweight and obesity can lead to low self-esteem, and dissatisfaction with body shape. “Especially in Western countries where thin is often regarded as an ideal of beauty. Both the low self and body shape dissatisfaction known to increase risk of depression, “said Luppino.

Because depression and obesity carry a greater health implication, it is important to prevent and treat both. The team of Dutch researchers are encouraging doctors and other health professionals, who work in various fields, to collaborate and exchange their expertise.

Luppino suggested, doctors who treat patients who are overweight or obese can also treat depression related problems. While psychiatrists or general practitioners who treat depressed people can advise patients who are obese are also to meet with dietitians.

While other studies mentioned, good habits at home as often eat with the family at home may prevent children are obese. Research published in March issue of the journal Pediatrics stated that children who are toddlers could decrease the risk of obesity by 40 percent if often have dinner with the family, limiting hours of watching TV, and enough sleep.

“Doing one or all three are proven to reduce the risk of obesity of children under five,” said Sarah Anderson PhD, lead researcher and assistant professor of epidemiology at Ohio State University, United States, as quoted by webmd.com.

Children under five who live at home and followed the three lifestyle restrictions such routines can reduce almost 40 percent lower risk of obesity than those who did not do all three. These findings also take into account risk factors, such as maternal obesity and household income.

Human longevity is not just affected by how well your genes are, but also how well you live your life. Researchers have found a way to eat, move and manage stress that determines how long people live.

A new study conducted on 20,000 people in the UK and has been published in the British Medical Journal, shows that one can reduce the risk of stroke by 50 percent. Just by doing four things, which is active for 30 minutes a day, eating fruits and vegetables, and avoiding excessive smoking and alcohol.

People can reach the age of 100 with a healthy lifestyle. However, Thomas Perls of Boston University School of Medicine, believes that with the assumption that puts genes aside, there’s nothing stopping you living up to the age of 90 years.

Here are 10 habits Perls used to calculate how long a person can survive, as reported by USNews, Tuesday (9/3/2010).

1. Do not retire.
Although already in the retirement age does not mean you can no longer work. “Evidence shows that in a society where people suddenly stopped working, the incidence of obesity and chronic disease increases after retirement,” says Luigi Ferrucci, director of the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

2. Floss Teeth Every day
This can keep the arteries (blood vessels) remain healthy. Studies from New York University in 2008 showed that flossing every day can reduce the number of bacteria that cause gum disease in the mouth. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream and trigger inflammation in the arteries, and increases the risk of heart disease.

3. Always move
“Sports is the only way to stay young,” said Jay Olshansky, a professor of medicine and aging researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Study after study has recommended that the benefits of exercise to improve mood, mental acuity, balance, muscle mass, and bone. No need to exercise at the gym, just by simply walking around the neighborhood for 30 minutes a day.

4. Eat high-fiber cereal for breakfast
Whole wheat benefited especially in the morning can help maintain stable blood sugar levels throughout the day. According to a study conducted recently by Ferrucci and colleagues, people who do this can prevent  diabetes, which could accelerate aging.

5. Sleep at least 6 hours a day
“Sleeping is one of the most important functions for our bodies, our body regulates and heal cells when we are asleep,” Ferrucci said.

6. Consumption of whole foods, not supplements
Evidence strongly indicates that people who have blood that is rich in nutrients, like selenium, beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, has a longer life. But there is nothing to prove that taking supplements can provide anti-aging benefits.

“There are more than 200 different carotenoids and the 200 different flavonoids contained in a tomato,” Ferrucci said. This chemical is beneficial to the body other than known nutrients such as lycopene or vitamin C. Avoid white foods (nutrient-lacking white food) such as bread, flour and sugar. And switch to fruits, vegetables, and whole wheat bread.

7. Reduce the neurotic (nerve pressure)
A better way to cope with stress is yoga, exercise, meditation, tai chi (take a deep breath in for a while). While in the other hand daydreaming, eating chips in front of the TV, partying and drinking to much alcoholic is bad for the body.

8. Live like Seventh Day Adventist
Americans who define themselves as the Seventh Day Adventists, have a life expectancy average of 89 years, about a decade longer than the average American.

They appreciate the body by not smoking, consume alcohol or pamper your body with sweet foods. They are usually vegetarian and eat fruits, vegetables, nuts, and do many sports. They are also very focused on families and communities.

9. Being a creature that used to it
According to Olshansky, people tend to live the old days with a strict routine, eating the same food and doing the same types of activities throughout their lives. Sleep and wake at the same time each day is one good habit to keep the body in a stable equilibrium.

10. Stay socially connected
Have social relationships with friends or loved ones is key to avoiding depression, which can lead to early death, particularly common to a widow and an elderly widower.

Some psychologists even think that one of the greatest benefits to be obtained from the parents exercise a strong social interaction, a walk with friends or join a training class.

Obviously, we are aware on how important sleep is. Whether we understand or not the full concept of what sleep can do to our bodies, we knew that having a day without sleep is terrible. Your eyes and body are heavy, your head hurts, you feel exhausted and you cannot concentrate. Your work and everyday function is greatly affected.

So, what is sleep anyway and why do we need it?

Sleep is a state wherein one is relatively suspended from sensory and motor activities. You can be totally or partially unconscious and while majority of your voluntary muscles are inactive. Before, it was thought that sleep is just a constant and regular block of time when you are not awake. With the advancement of science, scientists had determined that sleep plays a critical role in our body’s immune system, our learning, memory, metabolism and other vital organ functions.

As we age, the time we are spending for sleep lessen. From 16 to 18 hours a day for newborns, adults on the average sleep for 7 to 8 hours daily. And because we are all aware to this fact, many older people ignore their sleeping problems, thinking that it is normal. Adults still need 8 hours of sleep. How well you function for the day’s tasks and works greatly depends on the quantity and the quality of sleep you had.

Sleep is beneficial for us to react quickly, think clearly, improve our concentration and enable us to create memories. As a matter of fact, the learning pathway in the brain is very active during sleep. Losing even 1 hour of sleep has its price. Your ability to do focus and do physical tasks is greatly decreased resulting to lower performance in school or at work. Also, you tend to make wrong decisions when you are sleepy placing you at more risk.

Sleep also affects our mood. Lack of sleep is often linked to irritability, troubled relationships and poor behavior. Moreover, those who are chronically deprived of sleep are prone to depression.

Most importantly, it is good to our health. Sufficient sleep decreases our risk in having high blood pressure, heart problems and other medical conditions. It is also during sleep that certain hormones that enhances our immune system are at its peak. This might be one reason why a good night’s sleep helps you from getting sick.