Radiation after an operation is often recommended when it is either suspected or definitely known that cancer cells have been left behind. You will remember from the chapter on surgery that the chances of not being able to completely remove the cancer can be reduced by careful assessment before the operation. Postoperative radiation is more [...]
Radiation treatment is often recommended before or after surgical removal of a primary cancer. It is important that you understand what can be gained by doing this. Firstly, as I mentioned in the previous section, the addition of radiation to surgical removal of a primary cancer very rarely makes any difference to the chance of [...]
Biting is a distressing manifestation of aggressive behaviour in young children. More common in boys than girls, it is most common in the toddler and preschool age groups. The behaviour can be directed against parents, siblings or peers. Cause The immediate cause of biting is often the child being angry or frustrated, usually at not [...]
THREATENING OPPOSITE-SEX CHILDHOOD FOE It may be difficult to recall, but try to think of that one girl or boy of the opposite gender who seemed to clash with you. This most likely would have taken place around later elementary school, when the genders are trying to mix in a society that blocks that mixture [...]
A proper diet and enough sleep are also very important in helping raise our threshold to stress. If we have eating problems it is important we seek advice to help re-establish normal eating patterns. Returning to healthier sleep patterns can be difficult, and this is where the meditation technique can play an important role. Although [...]
As with any treatment, you need to weigh the likely ‘benefit’ against the likely ‘cost’. These are some of the questions to which you will need answers: -What is the aim of the surgery? -What is the chance of achieving that aim? -Would there be a better chance of achieving that aim if I had [...]
Close monitoring will show any dangerously abnormal heart rhythms before they go on to develop fibrillation. The abnormal rhythm can then be reversed by the injection of drugs. Should ventricular fibrillation occur, it can be reversed by using a defibrillator machine to give an electric shock directly over the heart. Mobile intensive care units (MICA) [...]
In the late sixties, it appeared that the Pill was the answer for the contraceptive needs of most women. Although some women cannot use the Pill without undue side effects, most can take it, especially the newer low-dose ones with minimum side effects and almost 100 per cent success in preventing conception. Unfortunately, reports about [...]
The amount of care your skin requires is dependent on its type. If your skin is oily, such as might be the case if you are an adolescent, it will require different attention from that required for a dry elderly skin. Similarly, if you are fortunate enough to have inherited an olive or pigmented skin, [...]
The aim of treating reactive hypoglycaemia is to prevent sudden large increases in blood sugar levels. If the blood sugar level can be prevented from increasing quickly, then excessive unnecessary amounts of insulin will not be produced and the blood sugar levels will not plunge to abnormally low levels. Smooth steady blood sugar levels can [...]