Diagnostics and treatment of brain astrocytoma in the best hospitals

Astroglia is present in all parts of the spinal cord and brain as it maintains vital functions and nutrition of the nervous cells. Thus, astrocytoma can arise in diverse parts of the central nervous system. Depending on the grade and localization of the tumor, brain astrocytoma can be aggressive or slow-growing. These factors determine preferable treatment options and the overall prognosis. Hospitals of the developed countries offer precise histological diagnostic and full range of the sparing, approved and novel therapeutic options.

Complaints suggestive of astrocytoma

Symptoms that are most typical for the brain astrocytoma include the following ones:

• Nausea accompanied by vomiting or without it.
• Seizures that do not respond to the anticonvulsants intake.
• Headache that does not respond to the painkillers intake.
• Vision abnormalities (blurred or double vision).
• Changes in the personality or mood for no reason.
• Hampered thinking, concentration and learning new information.

Nevertheless, these complaints can arise in few neurological pathologies. Consultation with a general practitioner, neurosurgeon, or neurologist will make the situation clearer.

For example, a Neurosurgeon Specialist can provide an accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive plan of treatment. They can help to choose the most suitable hospital and coordinate the process of care.

Diagnostics: is physical examination enough?

Astrocytoma treatment in Germany is planned according to the results of the laboratory, histological and instrumental tests:

• MRI or CT scan are visualizing studies that reveal tumor localization, its relation to the surrounding organs, spreading to the nearby tissues, etc. In order to achieve better visualization, a doctor may additionally make an injection of the contrasts dye. This increases sensitivity and specificity of the study.
• Biopsy is the most informative procedure in terms of determining cancer types. For better safety and lower risks, it is performed as the neurosurgical stereotactic manipulation. 3D coordinates of the brain astrocytoma are predetermined and the procedure is constantly guided by MRI. The received tissue sample is further investigated in the laboratory conditions.
• Laboratory tests, including the complete blood count, kidney and liver function tests, blood coagulation test, etc.

Based on the results, astrocytoma may be diffuse (low-grade), pilocytic, anaplastic, or glioblastoma.

Invasive and systemic therapeutic measures

When it concerns therapeutic programs in the best hospitals of the developed countries, patients may use benefits of the local medical developments or participate in clinical trials. Beyond all doubt, internationally approved conventional protocols are used there as well:

1. Surgery is aimed at sparing removal of the atypical tissue. The task may be challenging, as the neoplasm is often located in the vital cerebral zones. For the purpose of maximal safety, neurosurgeons perform functional mapping of the brain, apply robotic systems (e.g. ROSA system) and carry out MRI-guided catheter ablation procedures (e.g. with Visualase™ system).
2. Radiation therapy includes radiosurgery with Gamma knife and Cyberknife systems, as well as the fractionated whole brain irradiation. The second one is performed after the surgery and serves for the result consolidation and relapse prevention.
3. Chemotherapy is added in patients with the aggressive cancer. First-line drug in this case is temozolomide. Temozolomide affects tumor cells’ DNA and blocks their multiplication.

Typically, medical programs are followed by the rehabilitation ones. Rehabilitation is aimed at improving life quality and ability to fulfill basic activities of daily living.

Choosing therapy for the brain astrocytoma abroad with Booking Health

Planning treatment of brain astrocytoma abroad, one should consider countries with developed medical technologies, notably Germany. Treatment in Germany may seem complicated for people without previous relevant experience. Booking Health, that is certified medical tourism provider, will facilitate the process in this case.

During the planning treatment of brain astrocytoma in Germany specialists of Booking Health:

• Assist in selection of the best hospitals.
• Elaborate and explain the preliminary medical program.
• Establish communication with an oncologist and neurosurgeon; make an appointment.
• Exclude additional fees; reduce cost of the medical services.
• Control the final calculation, return the unspent funds.
• Assist in medicines purchasing and forwarding.
• Arrange follow-up tests and rehabilitation.
• Take care about accommodation, tickets, and transfer.
• Translate medical reports.
• Offer services of medical interpreter and personal coordinator.

How do yoga and Ayurveda complement each other? What lights do these practices shine on each other? Find out by reading this guide.

More than 20 million Americans practice yoga on a regular basis.

The ancient Indian practice has become mainstream in the United States over the past few decades.

And yet, yoga isn’t simply a workout routine. There are many complementary traditions and practices that relate to yoga.

Yoga and Ayurveda are actually part of a bigger lifestyle choice. Ayurveda is a set of practices that include everything from natural medicine to meditation. 

But, these two “sister” practices are strongly connected. Do you want to know more? Discover the relationship between yoga and Ayurveda below.

1. Always the Same Goal in Mind 

People are drawn to the practice of yoga for a variety of reasons. The desire to lose weight and the need to fight depression and anxiety.

However, yoga is essentially about learning to become mindfully aware of your body and mind. Even as you practice each pose, you’re reminded to experience how your body feels throughout the exercise.

Likewise, Ayurveda has the same objective. By improving your mental and physical health through meditation, a healthy and natural diet and more, you can achieve better awareness. 

2. Shared History and Tradition

Yoga and Ayurveda haven’t developed independently of each other. Both of the practices can be traced back to ancient India in 1500 BC.

They both belong to the Hindu writings called the Vedic knowledge. 

In the old Indian Sanskirt documents, both yoga and Ayurveda are mentioned. Even Ancient Ayurvedic texts, such as the Charaka Samhita, deals with yoga.

Therefore, you shouldn’t think about yoga and Ayurveda as totally separate. They complement each other because they evolved and developed alongside one another.

3. Improve Digestion and Health

Ayurveda is usually concerned with the food and medicine that we consume. It promotes healthy and natural foods.

And yet, yoga is deeply connected to the tradition of eating plant-based and healthy foods. The practice even improves digestion and eliminates toxins from the body.

Therefore, by practicing both yoga and Ayurveda you can improve both. They work together to give you even more benefits.  

Do you want to explore more about Ayurveda? Check out the Ayurveda Clinic!

4. Healing the Soul, Mind, and Body

There is also an understanding that human beings suffer. This is shared by teachers of yoga and Ayurveda. 

However, the practices believe that through the healing methods that they teach, suffering can be dealt with better.

In yoga, this is achieved through breathing and movements. While in Ayurveda this is via food and medicine.

Explore More About Both Yoga and Ayurveda

Now you know that yoga and Ayurveda are not totally separate and distinct practices. But, actually, they are deeply connected to each other.

Whether you’re a yogi enthusiast or a believer in the Ayurveda traditions, you can deepen the benefits of them by practicing both.

Do you want to explore more about Ayurveda? Check out our blog to learn everything you need to know about the ancient tradition. 

It’s cool to understand how the brain works, and the different technologies that measure it. Here are five technologies that measure brain activity.

Did you know that most memories that adults have come from when we were between 15 and 25 years old?

The human brain is a very complex matter, it can store memories, control our thoughts and speech, provide the ability to move limbs and controls the function of our organs.

Keep reading to learn more about five cool technologies used to measure brain activity within humans.

What is Brain Activity?

Brain activity is basically how the brain functions. Everything you do, feel, smell, or see is processed through your brain. For example, if you have an itchy arm, your brain will process signals from your body and this will make you take action and scratch it. 

In most recent years, neuroscientists, physicians, and psychologists are making the most of the technology available and beginning to understand more and more about how the human brain works. 

Measuring brain activity can be done by neuroimaging, also known as brain scanning. Neuroimaging uses direct or indirect techniques to gain images of the brain structure, function, or pharmacology. There are two main categories of neuroimaging. 

Structural Imaging

Structural imaging looks at the structure of the brain and can be used to diagnose diseases in the brain, such as tumors. It can also is also used to diagnose injuries inflicted on the brain.

Functional Imaging

Functional imaging is used to diagnose metabolic diseases and to find lesions in the brain such as Alzheimer’s disease. This type of monitoring brain activity is also used for neurological and cognitive psychology research. Brain activity can light up on a scan, so functional imaging can help to show experts how the brain’s information is processed visually.

5 Ways to Measure Brain Activity

The four main types of brain scans include EEG, PET, MRI, and fMRI. However, with new technologies emerging all the time, there are other ways in which experts can monitor brain activity. For example, they are using magnetoencephalography (MEG) scanners. 

Another new technology that scientists are using is fiber photometry. It is currently being used to track changes of calcium in animals. Discover more about fiber photometry, including what is fiber photometry? and how it is used.

1. Electroencephalography (EEG)

EEG scans can show brain activity in different psychological states, including drowsiness and alertness. EEG is mainly used to diagnose seizures and other medical conditions that either have too much or too little activity in parts of the brain. 

Electrodes are placed on the face and scalp to measure brain activity. Depending on the psychological state of a person, the scan can show differing brain frequencies and EEG signals. Unfortunately, EEG scans aren’t 100% effective because due to the nature of the electric conductivity it can be difficult to work out where the signal in the brain is being emitted. 

2. Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

PET scans can monitor and measure the levels of sugar glucose in the brain. This can help physicians to see where neural firing is happening. PET scans can be used for diagnosing medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s. However, PET scans are costly to operate and invasive on the patient.

To measure the sugar glucose, PET scans use a tracer substance which is attached to radioactive isotopes and then injected into the blood. Blood that contains the tracer is sent via the brain to deliver oxygen. This shows visible spots that show up on a video image of the brain.

3. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

MRI and fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) scans are mainly used in relation to psychology. This is because these scans measure neural imaging. MRI scans are non-invasive and pose little health risks. However, the machinery used for the scan means that the patient needs to stay still for a long period of time in a cramped and noisy space.

MRI scans work by using magnetic fields to align atomic nuclei in a patient’s body tissue. It does this by spinning around, then the machine disturbs the axis of rotation of the nuclei. This allows physicians and psychologists to examine the radio frequency signals and observe an image of the brain structure.

4. Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

fMRI scans use a series of MRIs to measure the structure and the functional activity of the brain. Physicians and psychologists use a computer adaption of different images to study what happens inside patient’s heads when they dream and what happens neurologically when a patient tells a lie.

fMRI scans are used to measure changing signals in the brain. Patients are set tasks to perform mental activities and the fMRI looks into a certain area of the brain to see how the blood flows through it. Then the fMRI takes pictures less than a second apart to see how the brain activity changes during the task. This helps experts learn more about how our brains work and which areas of the brain work together during different activities.

5. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) 

MEG scans are similar to EEG scans, only a MEG scan can show the magnetic fields that are generated by neural activity. Current MEG scanners need to be kept cold and the sensors need liquid helium, so they are very big and are expensive. However, new research is being conducted in a way to make MEG scanners more efficient and effective.

During a MEG scan, the patient needs to lay flat and remain still. After the scan, physicians can get a detailed picture of the time a signal is sent. This allows experts to understand which parts of the brain are active at the exact time. MEG scans are particularly useful for detecting the area where seizures happen in the brain.

Understand How Brain Activity Works

Understanding brain activity plays a big part in how we can treat different medical conditions. As you can see there are already various ways in which experts can monitor and measure activity in the brain. However, as technologies advance, it seems that there’ll be newer and more up-to-date ways in which experts can understand how the brain works. 

If you enjoyed learning more about how to measure brain activity, then make sure you check out some of our other articles about psychology, life, and love. 

Because opiate abuse can destroy lives, families, and friendships, it must be stopped immediately. Find out five signs of opiate use that can’t be ignored here.

Every day, 130 people die from Opioid-related drug overdoses.

Because opiate abuse can destroy lives, families, and friendships, it must be stopped immediately. Opioid abuse rapidly takes hold, and is far more common than many people realize. That is why it is important that you notice it early, but knowing what to look out for isn’t always easy.

Read on for five signs of opiate use that shouldn’t be ignored.

1. Misusing Medication

One effect of opioids is the way it affects judgment and thinking clearly. You can find yourself making decisions without thinking it through. And it’s hard to recognize – you might think you’re making good choices when you aren’t.

You could see yourself risk-taking, putting others and yourself in danger. Other signs include:

• Taking more than your prescription tells you
• Taking it “just in case” even if you aren’t in pain at the time
• Borrowing or stealing medication prescribed to someone else

If you find any of the above happening to you or a loved one, tell your doctor immediately.

2. Personality Changes

You’ll start seeing changes in behavior and personality. They might not happen often at first, but you want to look out for:

• Lack of interest in activities and hobbies
• Showing negative reactions to and neglecting family and friends
• Missing events and obligations like work or appointments
• Having no regard for the consequences of their actions
• Lying, secrecy, and defensiveness, especially about their substances used or the time they spend using them.

You could also see an increase in isolation and alienation as the addition wears on. They will also gravitate towards the people that encourage their addiction.

3. Health Changes

Pay attention to any mental and physical health changes. In most cases, overall health will always begin to decline. Check out for:

• Glazed, bloodshot eyes
• Always ill
• Unexplainable injuries and sores
• Rapid changes to weight
• Poor condition to skin, teeth, nails, and hair
• Poor memory and recall ability
• Slurred speech or rapid rambles

4. Withdrawal

When you can’t get access to the drug you’ve become addicted to, your body goes into withdrawal. Signs to look for include:

• Nausea
• Cramps
• Headaches/migraines
• Insomnia
• Paranoia
• Irritability

These symptoms are often severe and will cause the person to desperately seek a hit of that drug to get rid of them. This is how addiction maintains its hold on you.

5. They Have Tried to Quit Before

Addiction is a chronic condition and it comes with its recoveries and relapses. If a relapse occurs, the approach to abstinence will need to change to recover again.

Each day people try different methods to recover from their use. They try outpatient treatments, self-help groups and many more. But often they can lack what you need based on your individual case.

You may want to consider a medication-assisted treatment program, such as the Dr. Starsiak opioid addiction treatment, or entering rehab. 

Watch for These Signs of Opiate Use

Opiate addiction can destroy lives, so it is important that you don’t ignore these signs of opiate use. Be sure to watch for signs of overuse of prescription drugs, as well as changes to personality and health. The earlier you can help someone get help, the easier it will be.

If you found this article useful, be sure to check out our other blog posts.

It seems like just about everyone wants to cut calories. It’s one of the most-suggested methods for weight loss. And no matter which diet you look at, their first goal seems to be cutting down on your calories.

But that isn’t always what you want. And it might even be the exact opposite of what you need.

In these cases, the usual advice obviously won’t work. As if that weren’t frustrating enough, most people resort to “just eat or drink whatever you want” as an alternate suggestion.

Of course, in a world where calorie reduction is the typical focus, eating “anything you want” sounds like a dream come true. But most of the time, it isn’t very healthy.

People who want or need to increase their caloric intake are usually among those most focused on health, for one reason or another. For people suffering from cancer or anorexia, they medically need to improve the amount of calories gained each day. And, for that reason, they need healthy ways to increase their calorie count.

The following tips will help you increase your calorie count while keeping your overall health in mind. And, best of all, most of the suggestions are absolutely delicious. From fermented foods that help keep your stomach running smooth to the healthiest fats the natural world can offer, there’s something for everyone.

Focus on Healthy Fats

Fats are calorie-dense. This means that, ounce for ounce, you’re going to get more calories from fats than you will from starches or proteins.

While this is great for people who want to increase their daily caloric intake, there’s a catch. Most fats aren’t exactly good for you.

For a long time now, most people have treated all fat the same. It became a sort of modern bogeyman.

But we now know that some fats are actually good for you. In fact, the entire premise of the keto diet—which started as a medical diet—is that your body uses fat as fuel. For some people, this makes your body run better than burning carbohydrates for fuel.

If you choose to focus on fats for your caloric needs, make sure you’re reaching for healthier options. Butter, cheese, and red meat all offer a lot of delicious flavor with their fat. However, they can also lead to clogged arteries and serious health problems if they make up the bulk of your diet for too long.

Instead, reach for olives or avocados. Both foods pair well with nearly anything and are easy to toss on top of salads, pizzas, or sandwiches.

Fish is another great source of healthy fats. Salmon is the most popular fatty fish, and for good reason. It is packed with omega fatty acids and so easy to prepare.

This baked lemon salmon is a particular family favorite at my house. Paired with rice and some steamed veggies, it is the perfect meal for a busy weeknight.

Consider More Dairy

While dairy doesn’t offer the healthiest fats around, it’s still something you will want to consider when you’re increasing your calorie count. While low-fat options may not pack the same punch, they will still give you an added calorie boost and a wider range of flavors to work with.

Dairy also offers the added bonus of bringing in a lot of options for probiotic foods. Foods like kefir and yogurt are great ways to get the probiotics you’ll need to make sure your gut is functioning as well as it can.

You might be skeptical about probiotics. After all, there’s been a lot of hype around them that simply isn’t true.

But probiotics are incredibly helpful, especially if you tend to have trouble with digestion. They boost your body’s ability to get nutrients from the food you eat, which means that you use your food more effectively.

And if you’re focused on calories, there’s a good chance you want your food to do as much as possible for you! So, check out these “live” foods that burn fat and keep your digestive system running smoothly.

Remember to Snack

Another common health tip you’ll want to ditch is the idea that you shouldn’t snack. “Snacking” and “grazing” are both terms that people use when they talk about eating every few hours.

Although some people try to break this habit so they don’t accidentally overeat, you might want to make it part of your routine in order to increase your caloric intake.

Your stomach can only handle so much food at once. So, when you limit your calorie intake to big meals, your own body is going to limit exactly how much you can eat.

Snacking or grazing works around this issue. You’re still going to eat a full meal when you sit down, but you get a little extra calorie boost between meals as well.

Of course, it’s all about which snacks you choose. Nuts are a great option, since they’re high in protein and healthy fats. You can eat them whole or opt for a natural nut butter on some fruit or crackers.

If you’re allergic to nuts—or just don’t like them—you can reach for some cut cheese and veggies. Dairy might not be the healthiest of fats, but it makes for a good treat. And when you pair it with fiber-dense veggies, you’re going to get a lot of nutritional bang for your snacking buck.

The Takeaway

Trying to add calories to your diet might not be the most common practice right now. But, for some people, it is what works best for their bodies.

As long as you’re not opting for chips and ice cream at every meal, there is no reason that increasing your calories can’t be a healthy experience.

If you focus on healthy fats and whole, natural foods, you’re going to get better results than you will from a stroll down the candy aisle. Fish, nuts, and olives are all delicious and versatile foods just waiting to find their way into your kitchen.

And with probiotics like yogurt and kefir, you’ll have a whole spectrum of foods to choose from. With a little experimentation, you’ll soon be hitting your calorie goals in flavorful style!

We hear a lot about saving money at Sell Toner. Everyone seems to have hints and tips on how to save money and many of them just don’t work. However, there is a way that you can save money on your printer ink. If you buy ink regularly then you will see savings in no time and can possibly save hundreds! Sounds too good to be true but it’s actually very simple. If you want to learn how to save more money on printers, read this cost guide.

Saving Money Doesn’t Have to be Difficult

Changing which ink you buy for your printer has the potential to save you money. You might think that to save money you have to go out of your way to find alternatives but this is simply not true with Smart Ink. The process they have set up is quick, easy and once you try it you won’t look anywhere else for your printer ink.

You will notice that your printer will still achieve the vivid colours and the sharp lines that you would expect from high quality ink. This is because it’s not just the well known brands that can achieve this quality. Many of the replacement ink companies have been making ink that is excellent for a long time and Smart Ink cartridges is one that will wow you with their professional quality. As ink is what they do best it’s no shock that you get a product that is of such high quality. What is shocking is how much cheaper you find the products.

Saving Money with Replacement Ink

If you find a replacement ink website then you will see instantly that the prices are cheaper than if you choose to get your printer ink from the original company. But that isn’t the only way you save money by buying compatible ink. Smart Ink is a company that also offers free shipping on all orders. So, whether you are buying in bulk to get stocked up on your ink for printers, or you’re just replacing one ink cartridge that has run out, you don’t have to add the price of having your products delivered to your total costs. Buying online also means you don’t have to out and purchase the printer ink which again saves you money, but also saves you the time as well.

How Simple is it to Buy Compatible Inks?

The answer is – really simple! If you know what original ink you would usually buy then you can search easily on the website. If you aren’t sure what you need the online staff will be available online to help make sure you select the right cartridges for your printer. Once you know the right ink to buy it’s as simple as paying for it and waiting for it to arrive. The cartridges are usually expertly made there is no delay in getting on with your printing. With easy installation and cartridges that will be instantly recognised by your printer, it’s as simple as using the original inks!