Chemotherapy for malignant mesothelioma

Chemotherapy (chemo) is treatment with anti-cancer drugs. There are 2 main ways that chemotherapy can be given to treat mesothelioma. 

In systemic therapy, chemotherapy is injected into a vein. The drug enters the bloodstream and travels throughout the body to reach and destroy the cancer cells wherever they may be.

Chemo drugs can also be placed directly into the body cavity where the cancer is – either intrapleurally (directly into the chest) or intraperitoneally (into the abdomen) – with a small catheter (tube) placed through a small cut in the chest or abdominal wall. Chemo drugs given this way are still absorbed into the bloodstream, but the highest concentration of the drug goes directly to where the cancer cells are. 

Chemo drugs are sometimes heated before they are placed directly into a body cavity (called hyperthermic chemotherapy), which may help them work better. Sometimes this treatment is given as a single dose in the operating room, right after surgery to remove the cancer. This approach is called heated intraoperative chemotherapy or HIPEC. It is more often used to treat peritoneal cancers, in which case it may be called heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy.

Radiation therapy for malignant mesothelioma

Radiation therapy uses high-energy x-rays or particles to kill cancer cells. Mesotheliomas are often hard to treat with radiation therapy. They are not usually contained as single, discrete tumors, so aiming radiation at them while avoiding nearby normal tissues is difficult. But new radiation therapy techniques may make this form of treatment more useful.

Uses of radiation therapy

Radiation therapy may be used in different ways to treat mesothelioma:

• It can be used after surgery to try to kill any small areas of cancer that could not be seen and removed during surgery. This is called adjuvant radiation therapy.
• It can be used as a palliative procedure to ease symptoms of mesothelioma such as shortness of breath, pain, bleeding, and trouble swallowing.

Types of radiation therapy

Two main types of radiation therapy can be used to treat mesothelioma:

External beam radiation therapy (EBRT): This type of radiation therapy uses x-rays from a machine outside the patient’s body to kill cancer cells. It is the most common form of radiation therapy for mesothelioma. 

Palliative procedures used for malignant mesothelioma

Surgery to remove the cancer is not always an option for patients with malignant mesothelioma. In that case, less invasive procedures can be used to control some of the symptoms caused by mesothelioma, especially those due to built up fluid.

Removal of fluid

Procedures such as thoracentesis, paracentesis, and pericardiocentesis can be used to remove fluid that has built up and is causing symptoms. In these procedures, a doctor uses a long, hollow needle to remove the fluid. These procedures are described in the section, “How is malignant mesothelioma diagnosed?” The major drawback to these techniques is that the fluid often builds up again, so they may need to be repeated.

Pleurodesis

This procedure may be done to try to prevent fluid from building up in the chest. A small cut is made in the skin of the chest wall, and a hollow tube (called a chest tube) is placed into the chest so that the fluid can drain out. Then the doctor uses the tube to put a substance into the chest, such as talc mixed in a fluid (talc slurry), the antibiotic doxycycline, or the chemotherapy drug bleomycin. This inflames the linings of the lung (visceral pleura) and chest wall (parietal pleural) so that they stick together, sealing the space and preventing further fluid buildup. The tube is generally left in for a day or two to drain any new fluid that might accumulate. Pleurodesis can also be done at the time of thoracoscopy, either using the drugs doxycycline or bleomycin, or by blowing talc powder into the chest cavity. 

Surgery for malignant mesothelioma

Surgery for mesothelioma may be done for 1 of 2 reasons:

• To try to cure the cancer
• To relieve (palliate) pain and other symptoms caused by the tumor

Surgery to try to cure the cancer is known as potentially curative surgery. This type of surgery may be an option if you are in otherwise good health and the cancer has not spread too far to be removed completely. Unfortunately, even when the surgeon can remove all of the cancer that can be seen, some cancer cells are often left behind. These cells can grow and divide, causing the cancer to come back after surgery. Because of this, not all doctors agree on the exact role of surgery. In most cases it is not likely to cure you but may extend your life. Still, potentially curative surgery is being done in some major cancer centers, and a small number of patients who have had the surgery have had long remissions of their disease.

Palliative surgery may be an option if the tumor has already spread beyond where it started and is difficult to remove completely, or if you are too ill for a more extensive operation. The goal of this surgery is to relieve or prevent symptoms, as opposed to trying to cure the cancer.

How is malignant mesothelioma treated?

This information represents the views of the doctors and nurses serving on the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Information Database Editorial Board. These views are based on their interpretation of studies published in medical journals, as well as their own professional experience.

 

The treatment information in this document is not official policy of the Society and is not intended as medical advice to replace the expertise and judgment of your cancer care team. It is intended to help you and your family make informed decisions, together with your doctor.

 

Your doctor may have reasons for suggesting a treatment plan different from these general treatment options. Don’t hesitate to ask him or her questions about your treatment options. If you have mesothelioma, your cancer care team will recommend one or more treatment options for you to consider. This is an important decision and you should take time to think about all of your choices. 

Survival statistics for mesothelioma

Survival rates are often used by doctors as a standard way of discussing a person's prognosis (outlook). Some patients want to know the survival statistics for people in similar situations, while others may not find the numbers helpful, or even don’t want to know them. If you don’t want to read about the survival statistics for mesothelioma, stop here and skip to the next section.

To get survival rates, doctors have to look at people who were treated at least several years ago. Although the numbers below are among the most current we have available, improvements in treatment since then could result in a more favorable outcome for people now being diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Survival rates are often based on previous outcomes of large numbers of people who had the disease, but they cannot be used to predict what will happen in any particular person’s case. Knowing the type and the stage of a person’s cancer is important in estimating their outcome. But many other factors can affect survival, such as a person’s age and overall health, the treatment received, and how well the cancer responds to treatment. Even taking these other factors into account, survival rates are at best rough estimates. Your doctor can tell you if the numbers below apply, as he or she is familiar with your situation.

How is malignant mesothelioma staged?

Staging is the process of finding out how far a cancer has spread. Your treatment and prognosis (outlook) depend, to a large extent, on the cancer’s stage. 

Staging is based on the results of physical exams, biopsies, and imaging tests (CT scan, PET scan, etc.), which are described in the section, “How is malignant mesothelioma diagnosed?”

A staging system is a formal way for doctors and nurses to sum up the extent of a cancer. Pleural mesothelioma, the most common type, is the only mesothelioma for which a formal staging system exists.

The TNM staging system

The system most often used to describe the growth and spread of pleural mesothelioma is the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) TNM staging system. The TNM system is based on 3 key pieces of information:

• T sums up the extent of spread of the main (primary) tumor.
• N describes how much the cancer has spread to nearby (regional) lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small bean-shaped collections of immune system cells to which cancers often spread first.
• M indicates whether the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other organs of the body. (The most common sites are the pleura on the other side of the body, the lungs, and the peritoneum.

How is malignant mesothelioma diagnosed?

Mesothelioma is most often diagnosed after a person goes to a doctor because of symptoms. If there is a reason to suspect you might have mesothelioma, your doctor will use one or more tests to find out. Symptoms might suggest that the problem could be mesothelioma, but tests will be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

Medical history and physical exam

If you have any signs or symptoms that suggest you might have mesothelioma, your doctor will want to take a complete medical history to learn about your symptoms and possible risk factors, especially asbestos exposure. You will also be asked about your general health.

A physical exam can provide information about possible signs of mesothelioma and other health problems. Pleural mesothelioma can cause fluid to build up around the lungs in the chest (called a pleural effusion). In cases of peritoneal mesothelioma, fluid can build up in the abdomen (called ascites). In pericardial mesothelioma, fluid builds up in the sac around the heart (called a pericardial effusion). Rarely, mesothelioma can develop in the groin and look like a hernia. All of these might be found during a physical exam, such as when the doctor listens to these areas with a stethoscope.

Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma

Early symptoms of mesothelioma are more often caused by other things, so at first people may ignore them or mistake them for common, minor ailments. Most people with mesothelioma have symptoms for at least a few months before they are diagnosed. 

Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma (mesothelioma of the chest) can include:

• Pain in the lower back or at the side of the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Fluid in the area around the lung
• Cough
• Fever
• Excessive sweating
• Fatigue
• Weight loss (without trying)
• Trouble swallowing (feeling like food gets stuck)
• Hoarseness
• Swelling of the face and arms

Symptoms of peritoneal mesothelioma can include:

• Abdominal (belly) pain
• Swelling or fluid in the abdomen
• Weight loss (without trying)
• Nausea and vomiting

The symptoms and signs above may be caused by mesothelioma, but more often they are caused by other conditions. Still, if you have any of these problems (especially if you have been exposed to asbestos), it's important to see your doctor right away so the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

Can malignant mesothelioma be found early?

Mesothelioma is uncommon, and there are no widely recommended screening tests for this cancer in people who are not at increased risk. (Screening is testing for cancer in people who don't have any symptoms.) 

For people with known exposure to asbestos, some doctors recommend imaging tests such as chest x-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans to look for changes in the lungs that might be signs of mesothelioma or lung cancer. But it is not clear how useful these tests are in finding mesotheliomas early.

In recent years, doctors have found that people with mesothelioma often have high levels of certain substances in their blood, including osteopontin and soluble mesothelin-related peptides (SMRPs). Blood tests for these substances may one day be useful in finding mesotheliomas early, and in monitoring the course of the disease in people who have mesothelioma.

Most mesotheliomas are found when a person goes to a doctor because of symptoms. People who have been exposed to asbestos should know the possible signs and symptoms of mesothelioma (discussed in the next section). Many of these symptoms are more likely to be caused by something other than mesothelioma, but it's important to report any new symptoms to your doctor right away so that the cause can be found and treated, if needed.

Can malignant mesothelioma be prevented?

Being exposed to asbestos is by far the biggest risk factor for mesothelioma, so the best way to reduce your risk is to limit your exposure to asbestos in homes, in public buildings, and at work. 

People who might be exposed to high levels of asbestos at work include some miners, factory workers, insulation manufacturers and installers, railroad and automotive workers, ship builders, gas mask manufacturers, and construction workers. If there is a chance of on-the-job exposure, such as during the renovation of old buildings, then you should use all protective equipment and safety procedures designed for working around asbestos. 

Older homes may have insulation containing asbestos or other materials. A knowledgeable expert can check your home to find out if there is any asbestos and whether it poses any risk of exposure. This may mean testing the air for asbestos levels. Just because asbestos exists in a home does not necessarily mean that it needs to be removed. As long as the material is not damaged or disturbed, for example by drilling or remodeling, the fibers will not be released into the air. If asbestos needs to be removed from your home, you should hire a qualified contractor to do this to avoid contaminating your home or causing any exposure to your family or to the workers. You should not attempt to remove asbestos-containing material yourself.

Do we know what causes malignant mesothelioma?

Cancers, including mesotheliomas, occur when cells in the body suffer damage to their DNA. DNA is the chemical in each of our cells that makes up our genes - the instructions for how our cells function. We usually look like our parents because they are the source of our DNA. But DNA affects more than how we look. Some genes control when cells in the body grow and divide into new cells. Changes in these genes may cause cells to grow out of control, which can lead to cancer.

Asbestos exposure is the main cause of mesothelioma. After these fibers are breathed in, they travel to the ends of small air passages and reach the pleura, where they can damage mesothelial cells. This leads to inflammation and scarring. This may damage cells’ DNA and cause changes that result in uncontrolled cell growth. If swallowed, these fibers can reach the abdominal cavity where they have a role in causing peritoneal mesothelioma.

But most people exposed to asbestos, even in large amounts, do not get mesothelioma. Other factors, such as a person’s genes, may make them more likely to develop mesothelioma when exposed to asbestos. For example, researchers have found that some people who seem to be at high risk have changes in BAP1, a gene that normally helps keep cell growth under control. Other genes are probably important as well.

What are the risk factors for malignant mesothelioma?

A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease such as cancer. Different cancers have different risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be changed. Others, like a person’s age or family history, can't be changed.

But risk factors don’t tell us everything. Having a known risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not mean that you will get the disease. And some people who get the disease may have few or no known risk factors.

Researchers have found some factors that increase a person's risk of mesothelioma.

Asbestos

The main risk factor for developing mesothelioma is exposure to asbestos. In fact, up to 3 of every 4 cases of mesothelioma have been linked to asbestos exposure. Most often, people are exposed in the workplace.

Asbestos is a group of minerals that occur naturally as bundles of fibers. These fibers, found in soil and rocks in many parts of the world, are made of silicon, oxygen, and other elements.

What is malignant mesothelioma?

Malignant mesothelioma is a cancer that starts in cells in the linings of certain parts of the body, especially the chest cavity or abdominal cavity..

A layer of specialized cells called mesothelial cells lines the inside of the chest, the abdomen, and the space around your heart. These cells also cover the outer surface of most of your internal organs. The lining formed by these cells is called the mesothelium.

The mesothelium helps protect your organs by making a special lubricating fluid that allows organs to move. For example, this fluid makes it easier for your lungs to move (expand and contract) inside the chest when you breathe. The mesothelium has different names in different parts of the body:

• The pleura coats the lungs and the cavity containing the lungs in the chest.
• The peritoneum coats the abdominal cavity and many of the organs within that cavity.
• The tunica vaginalis coats the testicles.
• The pericardium coats the heart and creates the cavity that holds the heart in the chest.

Mesothelial tumors can be non-cancerous (benign) or cancerous (malignant). 

Mesothelioma Staging

There are four primary stages of mesothelioma doctors use to identify the seriousness of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Mesothelioma staging is labeled I, II, III or IV. The lower the number, the more treatment options you have, and the better your chances are for long-term survival.

Staging is an accepted way for cancer doctors to describe to patients – and to one another – how advanced the disease is, how prevalent tumors are and how far the cancer has spread. Given the aggressive nature of the cancer, mesothelioma staging is a key part of proper diagnosis and treatment.

Why? Because knowing where a cancer is in its development sets the table for treatment, what's possible and what's not. Doctors determine if someone can have surgery and, if so, what kind.

Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Cancer specialists utilize a number of diagnostic tools to accurately confirm mesothelioma, including blood tests such as MESOMARK and SOMAmer panel, imaging tests such as MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, X-rays and biopsies to investigate cancerous growth in tissue samples.

There is no clear path to a mesothelioma diagnosis for every patient. Because the disease is so rare and has such common symptoms, doctors sometimes confuse it for a less-serious illness or a different type of cancer.

Pinpointing the disease involves several procedures, including X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, biopsies and PET scans. Each of these tests is performed by a different medical professional, and most people get their diagnosis within two or three months from the time they notice their symptoms.

Diagnosing the cancer in its earliest stages supports a wider range of treatment possibilities that could extend your life expectancy. So it's important you start looking for a mesothelioma expert.

Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma, otherwise known as mesothelioma cancer, commonly develops in the lungs of people exposed to asbestos. Effective treatments are available to ease symptoms and improve your prognosis.

The cancer usually affects the thin, protective membrane surrounding the lungs, heart or abdominal cavity. Doctors diagnose an estimated 3,000 cases a year in the United States, and the majority of those are traced to job-related asbestos exposure.

Although asbestos use declined dramatically in recent decades in this country, the incidence of malignant mesothelioma remains steady. That difference can be traced to the distinct latency period linked to the cancer. The disease can take anywhere from 20 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before it shows obvious symptoms and an oncologist can make a definitive diagnosis. While no cure for the disease exists and the prognosis is typically poor, researchers made significant progress in recent years in understanding the cancer and developing new treatment options and alternative therapies.

Dandruff: Symptoms and Treatment

What is dandruff?

Dandruff is a condition of the scalp that makes flakes of dead skin appear in the hair, and on the collar and shoulders.

Dandruff is common, affecting around half of all people at some stage.

You cannot catch dandruff and while it isn’t usually serious, it can be embarrassing or itchy.

What are the symptoms of dandruff?

Why Your Dandruff Treatment Isn’t Working

There’s a much discussed natural treatment for dandruff that’s all over the Internet.

But is it legit?

That’s the question that one recent graduate of St. Louis University School of Medicine in Missouri, Erica Glenn, MD, asked herself while she was working with a pediatric dermatologist and encountered many parents asking about natural remedies for their babies’ dandruff. So she searched the scientific literature on the topic and made an interesting discovery.

She found that not only does this popular natural treatment not cure dandruff—it actually may make dandruff worse.

To set the record straight, she cowrote a letter that was recently published in a major medical journal, and then I spoke with her to get the lowdown on which dandruff remedies actually work…

How to Eliminate Vaginal Odor - Feminine Hygiene

It is normal and healthy for you to have some vaginal odor. However, strong vaginal odor can be the result of douching, excessive washing, wearing clothes that are too tight and certain chemicals in your soaps, among other things. This strong odor can be embarrassing. If you personally feel that the smell is too strong, here are some tips on how to eliminate vaginal odor.

Method 1 of 3: Identifying the Cause

1. 
   1
   

Stay Clean and Smelling Fresh During Your Periods

Did you just get your very first period? Maybe you've had it for years, but you hate the awful stench. Either way, you can smell good on your period.

Steps

1.  

How to Wash Your Vagina - Feminine Hygiene

Many women and girls feel paranoid about how they smell "down there" — you are not alone! The truth is, every female has her own signature scent, and if you have a sexual partner, your partner probably doesn't mind it a bit. At the same time, if you're feeling a little insecure, then it won't hurt to make sure that you're covering all of the bases when you wash your vagina. You deserve to feel clean and confident.

34 Little Health Skills For Every Women - Women Health Care

We polled hundreds of experts—from top doctors to restaurant menu planners to sex coaches—for all the essential health tips women need to eat better, feel better, and look better. What we found: fascinating advice and tricks to calm down anywhere pack any meal with antioxidants, outsmart germs in a public bathroom, squeeze in a 10-minute workout, and much, much more.

1. Slash your health Care Bills

Bite back at dental costs. For routine cleanings, go to a dental hygiene clinic, where students supervised by a dentist and hygienist train on patients. The Montgomery County Community College Dental Hygiene Clinic in Blue Bell, PA, for example, charges $15 for a cleaning and exam. Check colleges for clinics, or visit the American Dental Association's website for a national listing of dental schools.

Halve drug co-pays. Ask your doctor if she can prescribe a pill at twice the dose, to be cut in half by you or your pharmacist, reducing the cost by 50%. Also, fill your prescription at chain stores that sponsor savings programs for steep discounts. Walmart offers hundreds of $4 prescriptions. The Prescription Savings Club at Walgreens includes over 400 generics for less than $1 a week.

3 Ways To Prevent AGEs And Wrinkles Naturally - Tips To Prevent Wrinkles

Doesn’t that first wrinkle line on your face trouble you day and night? Yes, it does. Growing old is inevitable. Ageing is the process that occurs when the body cells fall prey to external elements and wither off. So, don’t just sit and wait, rather indulge yourself in some implausible ways that help you regain that vigor and vitality.

Stay away from sun rays: Since it is winter time and most of us enjoy sitting out and soaking that sun, but sun rays are beneficial only in moderate amounts. The UV rays from the sun are a major cause of wrinkles. 

10 Reasons Why You Should Have Sex Often - Sexual Health Tips

Thinking of making love? Good. Go ahead, as sex not only gives you the pleasure but also helps you relieve stress, sleep well and burn calories.

Let us take you through some of the great health reasons...

Improves cardiovascular health

Having sex more than twice a week decreases heart attack risk among men.

Relieves pain

Yes, sex is a great pain-reliever.  Having a headache, just jump on to the bed as when you are  about to orgasm, the level of oxytocin, increases by five times. The body also releases endorphins which help reduce aches and pains.

Increases immunity

Regular intercourse increases the level of immune-boosting antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA), which makes your body stronger against illnesses.

Adopt Healthy Pregnancy Habits To Avoid Preterm Birth - Pregnancy Health Care

Being pregnant is one of the happiest moments in life. Despite the excitement that comes with it, it could be hard for you as you need to take extra care of your body and the foetus inside you during this time.

What is preterm birth?

According to World Health Organization (WHO), preterm is defined as babies born alive before 37 weeks of pregnancy are completed. There are sub-categories of preterm birth, based on gestational age:

• Extremely preterm (born at less than 28 weeks of pregnancy).
• Very preterm (born between 28 to 32 weeks of pregnancy).
• Moderate to late preterm (born between 32 to 37 weeks of pregnancy).

Sometimes, even a healthy pregnancy may make you go into preterm labor because it is usually not anticipated. Preterm birth also happens because the causes are not completely understood.

Five Easy Ways To Kick Up Your Metabolism - Health Tips

Metabolism is the set of chemical transformations within the cells that is necessary for the maintenance of life. Putting it simple, right from breaking down the food to transforming it into energy, metabolism is the sum total of the entire internal biological processes.

Some people have great metabolism, as what they eat is never seen on their bodies, whereas some have it real slow. Though you can’t blame yourself for the slow metabolic rate you can definitely notch it up by following the simple tips:

Don’t skip your breakfast: ‘Eat breakfast like a king’ goes the adage. Your metabolism slows down during the night and if you skip your breakfast it further goes for a toss to conserve energy. This in turn can lead to unhealthy food choices in the day leading to weight problems. Having a healthy breakfast only, helps improve metabolism.

Lips Care: Tips To Prevent Chapped Lips - Winter Specials

Chapped lips? Yes? That means winters are here in all its glory.

Dry winter air, the sudden blasts of wind, and the low humidity indoors can dehydrate your lips. We take extra precaution and cover our self from top to toe but our poor lips get exposed to the harsh winds. Continuous exposure to such winds makes them very fragile that tiny splits and cracks start to appear. That is quite a miserable thing and your skin peels off constantly leaving you in pain. Well, if you follow some tips, you can help ward off this misery:

Drink lots of fluids:  Just because it is winter, doesn’t mean you should limit your fluid intake. Summer or winter, have 8-10 glasses of water per day. When our body gets dehydrated, the first sign appears in your lips. So have enough water and other fluids and keep your body hydrated.

Five Natural Ways To Prevent Hair Fall - Hair Fall Prevention

It’s normal to lose up to 100 strands a day, but anything more than that could be due to unhealthy diet, stress or even genetic. Instead of going in for the expensive chemical treatments that promise healthier hair, here are some best and natural ways to prevent your strands from falling.

Massage: Try massaging your scalp for a few minutes daily. This will help stimulate circulation and keep your follicles active and healthy. Massage your scalp by using few drops of mustard, sesame or almond oil which will help improve your circulation. Lavender or other essential oils also help.

Natural juices: You can rub your scalp with juices of garlic, onion or ginger and leave it for a few hours or overnight and wash it thoroughly in the morning.

Four Tips To Stay Warm This Winter - Winter Care

The chill of winters has set in and staying warm has become a priority. We have some pointers here to beat the cold and enjoy this season:

Dress smart

Wear multiple layers of light and warm clothes as it will keep your body heat insulated. Choose clothes made of wool, cotton or fleeced synthetic fibers.

Keep your extremities covered as they are the first parts of your body to lose circulation in cold temperatures. Wear a scarf, mitten and woolen cap when you are heading out.

Eat right

Eat at regular intervals as the burning of food will keep your body warm. Include lots of food items which are rich in protein.

Five Worst Celebrity Diets: Must Avoid In 2014 - Healthy Food

Keeping in mind the coming festive season, and the onslaught of excessive eating and drinking at parties, the British Dietetic Association (BDA) has come out with five worst celebrity diets to avoid, if you decide to act upon your New Year’s resolution to lose weight.

Breatharian Diet

Dieters following this regime do not eat food or drink any liquids because they believe that they can achieve sustenance through meditation from air and/or sunlight alone.

“There is nothing good we could ever say about the Breatharian Diet. You can be sure of weight loss if anyone attempted to ‘exist’ on this diet but this would also be accompanied by, dehydration, malnutrition and risk of death!,” said BDA.

Actress Michelle Pfeiffer revealed in an interview that she was once part of a cult that followed this diet.

10 Easy Steps To A Perfect Do-It-Yourself Pedicure

 

Our feet are often the most neglected parts of the body when it comes to our beauty regime. A pedicure would not only improve the appearance of your feet and toenails it can help prevent nail diseases and disorders. You can get a pedicure at a beauty salon or simply learn the right steps to take care of your feet at home.

Step 1

Remove any existing nail polish with a mild remover.

Step 2

Put some bubble bath or Epsom salts in a tub filled with warm water and soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also put marbles or smooth pebbles in the tub and run your feet over them for relaxation.

For New Moms: Top 5 Ways To Lose Weight - Post Pregnancy Health Tips

Most new moms are eager to hang up their maternity clothes as soon as their newborns arrive. But remember, slow and steady is the best way as losing baby fat in hurry may be harmful in the long run. So, new moms should take their time to get rid of the baby fat gained during pregnancy.

And shedding those unwanted kilos is not just about getting in to fit into those favorite jeans; it will also help promote good health in lifetime.

So, focus on eating a healthy diet including some physical activity every day to shed those extra kilos effectively. Here are a few tips to help new moms lose post pregnancy weight:

Want to live longer? Tips to Live a Long And Healthy Life

 

I’m sure we all want to live a longer and healthier life. While it’s a tough game to get there, we can follow these simple steps to help us live a longer and healthier life.

Exercise: Physical activity and exercise, which is the key to healthy living, prevents the building up of visceral adipose tissue (the dangerous tummy fat that causes arterial inflammation and hypertension). Research has shown that exercising for just 20 minutes a day can add around two years to your life.

Water: Remember our bodies are 80% of water. So drink plenty of water - the elixir of life. It also helps remove toxins and wastes from your body. Drink at least 2 – 3 liters of water if you want to live longer.

Hydration, A Regular Breakfast Gives a Sound Sleep

The festive season can be fun but also bring a lot of stress and sleeplessness. Don't skip breakfast and drink as much water as possible to sleep well.

You may start worrying about finding the perfect gift for your loved ones or over too many Christmas party invitations and such thoughts can have a negative impact on one's sleep pattern.

Sleep expert Nerina Ramlakhan has shared advice on getting a good sleep this festive season, ensuring you wake up refreshed and energized when the big day arrives, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

She said: “Organizing and preparing for any big day or important event, such as Christmas, can be a daunting task. With a never ending list of things to do and a head swirling with information and thoughts it can prove difficult for anyone to switch off at the end of the day.

Winterise Your Hair This Season - Hair Care Tips

 

The harsh winter winds can wreak havoc on your hair. Learn from veteran beauty expert Bharti Taneja on how to keep your locks nourished and protected through the cold months.

Update with the cold weather

The dry, cold air saps the moisture out of your strands, which can make your hair look dry, frizzy, lacklustre, and weak. Plus, the hot and dry air of blowers indoors also adds to the problem. Amp up your regular conditioning routine with moisture-rich hair treatments that deeply nourish the hair. Moreover, do not overlook the importance of conditioner after shampooing your hair. It is a vital part of hair care as it helps nourish and replenish hair. You can also use live-in conditioners or serums.