O.K. back to Velvet Lounge, the garden was packed and no free tables. The bar and club was also packed to the wall. 95% foreigners and 5% Chinese. The music was old school. A little house and a little underground. I wanted to order a pizza but I had no where to eat it. The tables were all taken but no real bottle crowds. No one seemed to want to give me a little space for my pizza.

Then I left and walked down Ju Lu Lu to check out 88 club and have some street food. The street food stall’s were all packed. Shanghai looked like the city was still on a big party. The club 88 was packed and booming 96% Chinese 4% foreigners. The music a miss mash of songs and they had Chinese singers and performers.

The club was a little slow for a Sunday night but the birthday group was drinking as it was going out of style in Shanghai. They were ordering the Perrier Jouet 6 bottles at a time. The flow was strong and fast as we partied on Shanghai style. Party like a rock star in Shanghai.

We started at 11 by the time it rolled to 2 o’clock 18 bottles down and they were going strong. The party slowed at 4 o’clock and 24 bottles of champagne later. Shanghai Muse had turned on the lights and was closing.

The crowd moved to the next club called Shanghai C.D. club, where the party continued till the sun came up. Just goes to show you, Shanghai is still a go go go city. The Sin City of the East that never sleeps, even on a Sunday. It was a 30,000 RMB party. That was for a group of 25 people drinking. Shanghai fish style of drinking.

Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer that typically affects the lining of the lungs, heart and abdomen.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer that can develop in the membrane that lines the lungs, called the mesothelium.
Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the United States, comprising around 3 percent of all cancer diagnoses. This cancer occurs about four times more frequently in men than in women and all forms of mesothelioma, except for benign mesothelioma, are invariably fatal.
The life expectancy for mesothelioma patients is generally reported as less than one year following diagnosis, however a patient’s prognosis is affected by numerous factors including how early the cancer is diagnosed and how aggressively it is treated.
Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that affects the mesothelium causing cells in the membrane to become cancerous and divide rapidly. This causes the thickening of the membrane, fluid buildup and the formation of tumors. This can result in difficulty breathing, nausea, fatigue and a myriad of other concerns.
Mesothelioma Causes
Mesothelioma is caused by asbestos exposure which occurs when fibers are inhaled or ingested into the body and become lodged in body cavities, causing inflammation or infection. Asbestos is a naturally-occurring fibrous substance that was widely used in the 20th century in a number of different industries. When the public became aware of the hazards associated with the mineral, warnings were issued in the mid-1970s and use of the product began to decline.
More than 30 percent of those diagnosed with mesothelioma are veterans. Please visit the page on asbestos for additional information about the mineral.
Mesothelioma Types
There are five known types of mesothelioma. The four listed below are malignant cancers, and benign mesothelioma is a non-cancerous condition.

Once asbestos is inhaled it can effect many of the bodys different organs including the throat, lungs, stomach, heart and testicles.
Pleural Mesothelioma: This type of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the lungs, known as the pleura. It is the most common form of malignant mesothelioma, with around 70 percent of cases being pleural in origin.
Peritoneal Mesothelioma: Comprising approximately 25 percent of mesothelioma cases, this form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the abdominal cavity, known as the peritoneal membrane.

Pericardial Mesothelioma: This form of mesothelioma develops in the lining of the heart, known as the pericardium. Approximately 5 percent of all mesothelioma cases are pericardial.
,: Testicular mesothelioma develops in the tunica vaginalis of the testicles and is the rarest form of the cancer.

Mesothelioma Symptoms
Symptoms of mesothelioma often do not appear for 20 to 50 years after initial exposure to asbestos occurred. Mesothelioma symptoms often resemble less-serious conditions, which can make diagnosis difficult. Below is a list of several common symptoms mesothelioma patients may experience.
Pleural Symptoms: Shortness of breath, chest pain, persistent cough, fatigue, lumps under the skin on the chest
Peritoneal Symptoms: Weight loss, abdominal pain and swelling, bowel obstruction, nausea
Pericardial Symptoms: Heart palpitations, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, difficulty breathing, night sweats
Testicular Symptoms: Painful or painless testicular lumps
Mesothelioma Diagnosis

A medical exam is the first step in diagnosing an asbestos-related illness.
The process of mesothelioma diagnosis usually begins with a review of a patient’s medical history followed by a physical examination.
If a problem is suspected, a doctor may request several diagnostic tests. These typically include medical imaging scans such as:
• X-rays
• CT scans
• PET scans
• MRI scans
A combination of these tests is often used to determine the location, size and type of the cancer. Biopsy procedures are often requested following an imaging scan to test samples of fluid and tissue for the presence of cancerous cells.
Mesothelioma Treatments
After a patient begins to demonstrate mesothelioma symptoms and a diagnosis occurs, the next step is often exploring applicable treatment options to create the best treatment plan possible. Treatment options range from surgery to chemotherapy and Asbestos.com offers mesothelioma patients and their loved ones comprehensive information about current treatment options and new developments in a complimentary informational packet。

There are a variety of treatment options for mesothelioma patients including radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery.
The most common mesothelioma treatments recommended by doctors for patients include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Experimental procedures, including immunotherapy and gene therapy are also utilized by mesothelioma patients. Patients often undergo multiple treatments to combat the disease.
Experimental treatments are also available to patients who participate in a clinical trial, conducted to test up-and-coming procedures and medications.
Mesothelioma Legal Issues
The dangers of asbestos exposure were known long before any efforts were made to protect workers. Thousands of American workers were exposed to asbestos during the 20th century, and were often unaware of the hazards of exposure.
Companies that produced asbestos-containing products or used these products on a daily basis are liable for their negligence in failing to protect their workers. If you or a loved one has developed mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease as a result of asbestos exposure, you may wish to speak with an attorney to seek compensation to help cover medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering. For more information about legal options。

Friday, October 23, 2009

Hawaii is known for many things: surfing, beautiful beaches, pineapples, and now, cancer research. Michele Carbone, MD, PhD (Human Pathology), has recently been named director of the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. He began his three-year term September 1, 2009, having previously served as the Center’s interim director since December 2008.

Prior to joining the Center, Dr. Carbone had been a professor at Loyola University Medical Center’s Cardinal Bernadin Cancer Center in Chicago and has spent most of his career researching thoracic cancers. Deemed an authority on malignant mesothelioma, a rare cancer related to asbestos exposure, Dr. Carbone and his research team have studied the impact of genetics, environmental carcinogens and viral infections on mesothelioma development.

“Our goal is to develop novel preventive and therapeutic approaches and bring them to the community and the patient’s bedside,” Carbone says. “We work in synergy with the major hospitals in the State of Hawai‘i, with their physicians, and with other cancer organizations to prevent and , .”

When Carbone first began studying the disease in 1991, little was known about its causes beyond its link to asbestos. During the course of his career, he has uncovered a link between genetics and a U.S. government-mandated vaccine from the 1950s and ’60s that can greatly increase odds of contracting mesothelioma. “I found… that humans had massively been exposed to SV40 (a DNA tumor virus) in the late ’50s and early ’60s through contaminated polio vaccines,” he says, “and that the enormous increase in the incidence of mesothelioma from about zero in 1950 to 2,000 to 3,000 deaths per year presently had occurred after people were exposed to SV40.” Not every dose contained the virus, but it is estimated that 10 million to 30 million Americans were exposed.

Dr. Carbone has received more than half of all federal funding for mesothelioma and approximately 90 percent of the National Cancer Institute’s funding allocated for mesothelioma research. “Funding from the National Institutes of Health is very low because of the whole economy of the United States, so we have gone from a pay line six years ago of about 26 percent to a pay line of 11 percent. Therefore, it’s a difficult time to do research and you need to find additional sources of funding, specifically philanthropy,” he says. “I think it will help Hawaii if people on Mainland do not think of Hawaii only as a vacation place, but also as a place where normal people live normal lives and have normal jobs, for example, medical research.”

Carbone and his research offer hope for a diagnosis that has been nothing but grim in the past. He and his research team have participated in studies that led to the isolation of a new serum marker, osteopontin, which appears useful to identify patients with early mesothelioma. He explains that, “If we can validate prospectively the usefulness of these serological markers, we will be able to monitor cohorts of workers exposed to asbestos for early sign of mesothelioma and for early treatment that is linked to a better survival. I really believe that we can help people and make a difference.”

To learn more about clinical trials, research and education from the Cancer Center of Hawaii, visit their Web site at http://www.crch.org/.

Often called “asbestos cancer,” mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many current treatments. The medical community has had difficulty comparing the values and benefits of the different options, and patients are often referred to specialists who work with them and their doctors to determine the best treatment for their case. Currently there is no known cure for mesothelioma, and the average survival time varies from 4 – 18 months after diagnosis.

With such a grim prognosis, mesothelioma patients are not only faced with months of overwhelming medical treatments, but their emotional state becomes fragile as they face the realities of death. Looking for ways to live longer than the typical survival time of people with mesothelioma and to improve their quality of life, many patients are turning to alternative treatments. There are many different types of TCM treaments avaibile.

Paul Kraus and James Rhio O’Connor (“Rhio”), both mesothelioma patients, broke new ground by taking control of their treatments and have led the way towards holistic medicine for mesothelioma cancer.

Discipline and Focus Key to Rhio’s Longevity
Mr. O’Connor, who just passed away in July, 2009, lived 7 ½ years beyond his mesothelioma diagnosis. Told by his oncologist that any form of ‘standard’ treatment, i.e., chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery, would make him feel worse, and would not alter his prognosis, Rhio began researching his alternatives.

Following Hippocrates’ wisdom “let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” Rhio discovered that the Eastern philosophy to healing (the holistic approach) made sense to him, and he began eagerly researching the therapies that could best work for him. Rhio changed his diet, began taking close to 100 vitamins and supplements daily, practiced mind-body exercises, and turned inward for his strength and to become self-sufficient. Rhio stayed disciplined and focused with his daily regimen and realized a satisfying life.

Finding his course of therapy successful, Rhio penned “They Said Months. I Chose Years! A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story” to provide other mesothelioma patients with the benefit of his research and philosophy. Rhio took the time to talk to newly diagnosed patients, and he shared his thoughts and experience along with a little humor.

Empowerment Moves Paul Kraus To Survive Mesothelioma
Mr. Kraus, still alive today 12 years after his mesothelioma diagnosis, has also not had any of the standard treatments and is enjoying his life in Australia with his family. Kraus wrote “Surviving Mesothelioma and Other Cancers: A Patient’s Guide,” detailing his journey and holistic approach to healing.

After receiving the shocking news that he had peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma and had less than one year to live, Mr. Kraus was faced with the prospect of major surgery with no cure and with a reduced quality of life. Immediately he began reading everything he could find on the disease as well as researching alternative treatments.

Kraus began making radical lifestyle changes by altering his diet, starting a regimen of intravenous and oral vitamins, herbs, amino acids and other immune boosting therapies and supplements, and focusing on the power of the mind-body connection and positive thinking. After attending a retreat for cancer patients, Kraus embraced the philosophy that one can “accept the diagnosis, but reject the prognosis” to empower himself to take control of the illness and his life.

While stressing that each case of cancer is unique, Kraus is a firm believer that each patient should look for that glimmer of hope and to build on that to reaffirm a focus in life and the reason for wanting to live. Through the process of emotional healing, begins the process of physical healing.

What Is Holistic Medicine?
Holistic medicine is an alternative care approach that treats a patient as a “whole” person as opposed to simply treating the symptoms and illness. Holistic care looks at an individual’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being in an attempt to improve the health and prevent further illness. The concept follows Aristotle’s theory that “the whole is more than the sum of its parts.” As alternitive medicals like Chinese traditional medicine helps.

Holistic practitioners believe that there is no limit to the range of diseases that can be treated, although alternative medicine does not specifically focus on a disease. For example, cancer is not treated; rather the body and immune system are strengthened allowing the body’s defense mechanisms to heal the cancer. The approach works on balancing the body, mind, spirit, and emotions while improving the immune system as the entire being begins functioning smoothly. An illness, disease, or disorder is seen as an imbalance in the body’s systems.

Alternative medicine and holistic practice have been around for centuries, but only relatively recently has the modern medical field begun to accept it and begin to integrate it into the health care system and treatment for patients. Holistic therapies tend to emphasize proper nutrition, avoidance of chemical substances, use of homeopathic remedies, and meditation techniques. Holistic care techniques are non-invasive.

Some of the major holistic therapies include ayurveda, chiropractic, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathy, Unani, stress reduction, and reflexology.

Sloan-Kettering Takes Holistic Approach for Mesothelioma Patients
Located in New York, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is the world’s oldest and largest private cancer center. Sloan-Kettering’s website indicates they have “devoted more than a century to patient care as well as to innovative research, making significant contributions to new and better therapies for the treatment of cancer.”

Following the mind-body connection philosophy, MSKCC has employed a program, introduced by psychiatrist Dr.William Breitbart that focuses on helping men and women with a terminal diagnosis of mesothelioma focus on the spiritual, emotional, and psychological aspects of cancer. Psycho-oncology is an effort to help cancer patients learn to live their lives in the time between their diagnosis and eventual death. Participants are encouraged to develop a legacy project to pass on to their friends and loved ones.

While individual and group therapy sessions are regular components of cancer treatment at most cancer centers throughout the United States and the world, Dr. Breitbart’s program has found that meaning-centered psychotherapy can elevate the emotional well-being and reduce the levels of anxiety for the patients.

Cancer centers and other medical facilities abroad, encouraged by the positive results at MSKCC, have begun similar programs. Medical professionals worldwide are recognizing the role of meaning-centered programs in cancer treatment and in mesothelioma therapy.

The Future of Holistic Care
According to the Health Education Alliance for Life and Longevity alternative approaches to health and medicine are among the fastest growing aspects of health care. By the year 2010 at least two-thirds of the U.S. population will use some form of alternative approach to health care.

The Institute for Alternative Futures projects that patients will soon experience the customizing or personalization of health care, integrating several approaches based on the unique needs of each individual. The Institute believes these trends will utilize health care professionals far more effectively, leading to “self-managed care.” Consumers will seek prevention and wellness services that go far beyond what today we consider health care.

Therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine on coagulation disorder and accompanying intractable jaundice in hepatitis B virus-related liver cirrhosis patients.
World J Gastroenterol. 2008 Oct 21;14(39):6060-4
Authors: Li YM, Yang HZ, Guan WB, Ke QS, Dai M, Xie HP, Zhang SJ
AIM: To observe the therapeutic effects of new traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy on coagulation disorder and accompanying intractable jaundice in HBV-related liver cirrhosis patients.
METHODS: Using stratified random sampling according to fibrinogen (Fib) levels, 145 liver cirrhosis patients due to hepatitis B complicated by coagulation disorder were treated. Of them, 70 in research group were treated with TCM by “nourishing yin, cooling blood and invigorating blood circulation” and Western medicine, 75 in control group were treated with conventional Western medicine. The indexes of liver function, coagulation function and bleeding events were observed and compared.
RESULTS: The prothrombin time (PT) was shorter and the fibrinogen (Fib) level was higher in the research group than in the control group (Fib = 1.6-2.0 g/L, 1.1-1.5 g/L, and < or = 1.0 g/L). The total bilirubin (TBIL) level was significantly lower in the research group than in the control group, except for the subgroup of FIB < or = 1.0 g/L.
CONCLUSION: TCM therapy can improve coagulation fuction and decrease TBIL.

Acupuncture combined with electronic stimulation can lower high blood pressure, US researchers say.
In tests on rats, the treatment lowered raised blood pressure by as much as 50%, the University of California team at Irvine found.
They are now testing to see whether the technique will have the same effect in people with high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
Their early findings in animals appear in the Journal of Applied Physiology.
Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese practice that involves inserting needles at specific points on the body to help treat diseases and symptoms such as pain.
Dr John Longhurst and his team applied the acupuncture to specific points on the forelimbs of rats with artificially elevated blood pressure.
The equivalent sites on humans are on the inside of the forearm, slightly above the wrist.
When the acupuncture was applied on its own, it had no effect on blood pressure.
However, when small, low frequency electrical currents were passed through the needles, the blood pressure went down by between 40 and 50%.
A 30-minute session reduced blood pressure in the test rats by 25mmHg, with the effect lasting for almost two hours.
Fruit and vegetables
Dr Longhurst said: “This suggests that acupuncture can be an excellent complement to other medical treatments, especially for those treating the cardiac system.”
But he added: “This type of electro acupuncture is only effective on elevated blood pressure levels, such as those present in hypertension, and the treatment has no impact on standing blood pressure rates.”
He said that acupuncture triggered the release of chemicals in the brain that in turn dampened the response of the cardiovascular system.
This decreased the heart’s activity and its need for oxygen, which in turn could lower blood pressure, and promoted healing for a number of heart conditions including heart attacks and hypertension.
Belinda Linden, of the British Heart Foundation, said the research would need to be supported by controlled clinical trials before being applied as an accepted form of blood pressure control for humans.
“So our message remains the same – high blood pressure is best controlled by keeping your weight down, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, cutting your salt intake, increasing physical activity and if needed, taking appropriate medications.”
Dr Mike Cummings, medical director of the British Medical Acupuncture Society, said the study was interesting, but he would not recommend patients sought acupuncture treatment for high blood pressure “at this stage”.

High blood pressure can be treated with different treatment options. Hypertension medications used to treat high blood pressure can give rise to certain side effects in the long run. Therefore, one may opt for some alternative medicines for high blood pressure. There are some natural remedies and various therapies such as aromatherapy and relaxation techniques, which can help to lower blood pressure naturally. Acupuncture is also one of the effective alternative methods for treating high blood pressure. Read on to understand the details about acupuncture treatment for high blood pressure.

Acupuncture for High Blood Pressure

Before you go into details of acupuncture treatment for high blood pressure, you need to know more about acupuncture and its benefits. Originated from China thousands years back, acupuncture is one of the oldest treatment methods used worldwide. There are about 2,000 acupuncture points in the human body, which are associated with various healing attributes. In acupuncture technique, hair-thin needles are inserted through skin to various depths at certain strategic points. Acupuncture is an effective alternative treatment option in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which can be used to treat a wide range of disorders such as insomnia, headaches, stress, joint pain, osteoarthritis, diabetes, migraine, asthma and hypertension.

Acupuncture is one of the most effective alternative treatments for lowering high blood pressure. According to the reports of latest studies, acupuncture lowers high blood pressure by blocking beta-acceptor of sympathetic nerve and by stimulating adrenaline-angiotensin system. Acupuncture, along with electric stimulation, can also be applied to treat high blood pressure. Acupuncture treatment combined with electric stimulation, known as electro-acupuncture, can effectively lower high blood pressure. During this treatment, sharp, fine needles are inserted into the trigger points or key points, including legs, forearms and wrists. In electro-acupuncture method, low-frequency currents are passed through normal acupuncture needles. The needles are connected to a device that continuously generates small electric pulses. The electrical impulses are maintained at low frequency levels. In electro-acupuncture, two needles are applied at once, so that the electric impulses are passed from one needle to another. Several pairs of needles are applied, which will cause stimulation of certain chemicals in the brain, which can help in reducing excitatory responses of the cardiovascular system. This helps in reducing the heart activity and requirement for oxygen, which can significantly lower high blood pressure. The acupuncture needles should be applied maximum up to 30 minutes at a time. Acupuncture should be done only by the experienced professional. Pressing the skin between index finger and thumb on the back of your hand is a natural acupuncture treatment for hypertension.

While treating high blood pressure, a combination of acupuncture and certain herbs is usually recommended. The use of herbs such as Shan Zha, Tian Ma (Gastrodia Rhizome) and Xia Ku Cao (Prunellla) along with acupuncture treatment are found to be effective in treating high blood pressure. Tian Ma is useful in relieving hypertension symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and numbness of extremities. Another herb Ye Ju Hua or chrysanthemum flower can help in reducing high blood pressure through peripheral vessel dilation. These herbs can be taken in the form of powders, herbal teas or supplements.

Acupuncture helps in regulating the overall functioning of the body, which results in lowering of blood pressure to a healthy level. Acupuncture is also helpful in reducing stress and offers a calming, relaxing effect that in turn is helpful for lowering high blood pressure. Thus, acupuncture treatment is a safe and effective method to reduce serious symptoms of hypertension and prevent its life-threatening complications.

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Since times immemorial, Acupuncture is a unique treatment for reducing high blood pressure in human beings. High blood pressure refers to a situation where blood starts exerting pressure against the walls of arteries, veins and also the chambers of the heart. Over a specified time period, this heavy rush of blood starts damaging the lining of the blood vessels. It can also lead to arteriosclerosis, meaning hardening of the arteries.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

High blood pressure symptoms are often acute in human beings. They include sudden dizziness, flushed faces, nervousness, severe headaches, restlessness, difficult breathing, nose bleeding, insomnia, intestinal complaints, depression, short temper and emotional instability. The diagnosis of high blood pressure is done when the normal pressure tends to repeatedly rise. The other physical symptoms of high blood pressure includes constant tendency to urinate, decrease in eye vision and muscle weakness.

Electro-acupuncture treatments

Acupuncture combined with electric stimulation or electro-acupuncture can lower elevations of blood pressure in human beings. When the research was conducted for the first time, acupuncture needles were inserted on the inside of the forearm just above the wrist, but to no avail. Researchers then started adding electric stimulation to the needles, which means that electric, would start flowing from the needles to the body. While high frequency of stimulation had no effect, low frequencies of electro stimulation reduced blood pressure effectively.

A thorough research on acupuncture shows that the inserted needles excite brain cells, causing them to release neurotransmitters that always heighten the heart’s activities. To cure high blood pressure, acupuncture inserts needles on certain points on the wrist, forearm or leg, to excite the opioid chemicals in the brain and reduce excitatory responses of the cardiovascular systems. This eventual decrease in heart activity and need for oxygen can lower blood pressure to a great extent. It also promotes in the healing of other heart-related conditions like myocardial ischemia and hypertensions.

Other acupuncture treatments to reduce high blood pressure

While you are undergoing acupuncture treatments for curing high blood pressure, you can also use herbs like Tian Ma [Gastrodia Rhizome], Xia Ku Cao [Prunella] and Shan Zha to reduce high blood pressure. You should inject the juices of these herbs into your blood to achieve better results.

A unique and natural acupuncture treatment for high blood pressure also include pressing of the skin on the back of your hand in between the thumb and index finger.

Find all about acupuncture and high blood pressure only on acupuncture for high blood pressure and much more. All about acupuncture on LeanderNet – http://www.leandernet.com