Natural Way Health Blog

Prostate Cancer and Stress

Although more men may be saved from dying of prostate cancer due to advances in screening and treatment, a new study suggests that emotional stress (which causes an increase of metabolic acid in the blood and then tissues) from being diagnosed with the disease carries deadly risks. A study of more than four million Swedish men over the age of 30 found that the diagnosis of prostate cancer, which occurred in more than 168,000 of them during the study period, amplified the risk of fatal heart problems and suicide.

In men who were diagnosed before 1987, the risk of a fatal heart attack during the week following diagnosis increased 11-fold, and the risk of suicide increased 800 percent. After 1987, the risks of suffering a non-fatal heart attack during the first week of diagnosis fell to 300 percent. But the risk of suicide, although small, held steady. During the year following diagnosis, the risk of both heart attacks and suicide diminished but did not disappear.

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Headaches-Migraines

Although medical science has not yet found the exact cause of headaches, some of the most common causes can typically be blamed in the majority of cases. Headaches are broken down into three basic categories. A primary headache occurs to millions on a daily basis. Primary headaches are what the majority of headaches can be diagnosed as, and are almost never life threatening. Despite this frequency of occurrence and a lack of life threatening danger, the primary headache can be very uncomfortable. Cluster headaches are a much rarer and far more painful variety, that although not life threatening, can bring about serious pain. Secondary headaches are sometimes a sign of a deeper neurological issue.

Most primary headaches are related to tension. The muscles that surround the skull are triggered to contract, causing a painful amount of cranial pressure. This can cause a severe amount of pain. Although the reasons for skull muscle contraction are difficult to ascertain, it is commonly seen as a result of emotional or physical stress. Significant emotional stress typically results in a contraction of the muscles, and therefore a tension related headache. Prolonged physical stress, such as extended manual labour, is also known to cause tension headaches. Migrane could be considered a primary headache, severe for many and with differing symptoms. There is no one cause for a migrane as it effects different people in different ways with different levels of pain. However, tension, tightening of neck and shoulder muscles causing cranial pain are a symptom.

Cluster headaches are a far rare occurrence, and typically only occur in a small portion of the population. Sufferers usually experience cluster headaches only for a small window of time, thus the name “cluster” headache. This can make prevention and treatment difficult. When a cluster headache occurs, it can be accompanied by severe pain that focuses behind the eyes. Water running from the eyes and nose are common with cluster headaches. Treatment should be undertaken as soon as possible to bring the pain under control.

Secondary headaches usually represent a more serious issue. This is much rarer than primary headaches. A secondary headache can signify a deeper neurological issue at work. Headaches that occur on a chronic basis should be cause for a check with the doctor. Secondary headaches can be quite painful, and may also be accompanied by other symptoms, such as sensory phenomenon.