What is Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps out of the ground, your apartment building or house rests upon. Radon is released from decaying uranium that has been in the ground since the time the earth was formed. Radon flows from the soil into outdoor air and also into office buildings, houses and schools. There is no building safe from the output of Radon. Radon can also be found in groundwater and can eventually end up in your tap. Typically, radon gets into buildings by moving up through the ground and then through the cracks of and other holes found in building foundations. As a result, a building such as a childcare center, can trap radon inside and cause the gas to build up and reach a dangerous level of concentration when trapped inside a building and unable to disperse.

Radon Awareness and Health

The highest level of radon, which is an average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/l is predominantly found in the northwest, from Main to Maryland, and in the upper Midwest and central plains region.

Radon causes lung cancer

All major health organizations in the U.S. have confirmed that over exposure to radon leads to lung cancer. Although radon is chemically inert and electrically uncharged, it is still radioactive. Since you can not see, smell or even taste radon, one does not know when being exposed to the harmful gas.

Radon accounts for more than half of our total exposure to radiation, about 200 out of 360 millirem per year. Radon ranks highly among other preventable causes of death, including drunk driving, drowning and fires. The death risk to the average person from radon gas in a home is 1,000 times higher than the risk of from other carcinogen or toxin regulated by the FDA or EPA.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency , radon is listed as one of the most serious environmental health problems in the United States. Radon is responsible for 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and about 2900 fatalities non-smokers die from lung cancer caused by radon exposure each year.

Indoor radon gas is a serious health problem in our nation that can be addressed by individual action. Unless people become aware of the danger radon poses, they will not act. Millions of homes as estimated to have elevated radon levels.

Radon – Dangerous for Children

Radon poses a serious threat to children because of the long period between exposure and the development of cancer. Children have smaller lungs and higher breathing rates. Children’s biological systems are still in development  during their first few years of life making them more susceptible to harm. Doctors say that, by the age of 10, a child receives twice the lung does of an adult who has been exposed to radon for the same length of time.

Being that radon is naturally occurring , it can not be entirely eliminated from our homes and buildings. Radon testing must be done in homes and any other facility where children spend most of their time, to prevent severe health effects in children. For those people who work in offices, you have to follow guidelines to test your office to ensure there are not dangerous levels of radon in the building.

Originally posted 2009-02-28 17:51:53.

Marjolin’s Ulcer

A Marjolin’s Ulcer  is defined as the malignant  degeneration of a chronic wound or scar. This condition was first described in 1828 by Jean Marjolin, a French surgeon, in a patient with burn scars which would not heal.

Marjolin’s Ulcer more common in Women

These malignant transformations can be seen in burn scars, pressure ulcers,  and venous stasis ulcers.
On biopsy these ulcers have been most commonly identified as squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas.
Marjolin ulcers are more common in women than in men and occur at the average age of 53 to 59 years. The most common site of Marjolin’s Ulcer formation is in the lower extremities followed by the head and face with upper extremities.

Causes of Marjolin’s Ulcer

The cause of this malignant transformation in chronic wounds is not well understood, but there are numerous plausible theories for this phenomenon.

Marjolin’s Ulcer

Toxic substances released from the disordered wound healing can result in cell malignant changes. Chronic irritation at the site of injury may be responsible for some of the cellular changes. Altered immune response may play a role in malignant tissue.
Early diagnosis of these lesions is critical. Biopsy of recalcitrant wounds is very important.
Surgical intervention is necessary for the treatment of these lesions, many recommend amputation of the extremity and lymph node.
However rare this condition, it is still a real possibility in patients with chronic wounds to avoid amputation of the affected limb with persistent diagnosis early and the awareness that Marjolin’s Ulcer exists.

Originally posted 2010-12-02 17:41:47.

Why it is important to know about Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

Genital infection with humans is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States today! More than half the sexually active women and men are infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) at some point in their lives. In most cases this is not a serious disease. Most cases are asymptomatic , transient and resolve without treatment. However, in some cases, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can result in genital warts, Pap test abnormalities, or even cervical cancer.

What is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

Papillomaviruses are DNA tumor viruses that are widely distributed throughout animal species. These viruses commonly cause epithelial proliferations at cutaneous and mucosal surfaces.

Types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

There are more than 100 different types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV). They differ in terms of the types of epithelium they infect. Some infect cutaneous sites, where others infect mucosal surfaces, including the anogental epithelium. ( e.g., cervix, vagina, vulva, rectum, urethra, penis and anus). Most of these types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) are considered high risk associated with cancer.

How common is Human Papillomavirus (HPV)?

Approximately 20 million Americans aged between 15 to 49 are currently infected with HPV. That’s about 15% of the population. About half of those who are infected are sexually active adolescents and young adults 15 to 24 years of age. Between 5% and 30% of individuals infected with HPV are infected with multiple types of HPV. Each year about 6.2 million people in the US become newly infected.

How is Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Transmitted?

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is usually transmitted through direct shin to skin contact, most commonly through sexual contacts vaginal  or anal. Other but less common ways to become infected are oral and genital to genital contact but are much less common.
Sexual behavior is the most constant predictor of acquiring infection. Most important is the number of sexual partners one has to increase the risk of becoming infected. The more partners you have the more you increase your risk of being infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV)P.
For women, the sexual activity of their partner creates a much higher risk of her becoming infected. The highest risk category for women is college students.
HPV is also common in men who have sex with other men, and women who have sex with other women.

Prevention of Genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection

Prevention of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is important in reducing genital warts, abnormal Pap tests, and cancer.
A new vaccine, Gardasil, protects against several types of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which are responsible for 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.
This vaccine is made from non-infectious Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-like particles. The vaccine is given in three injections over a six month period.
On June 29, 2006, this drug was licensed by the Food and Drug Administration, becoming the first drug developed to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females caused by genital Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections. It is advised to start giving the drug in females, ages 9 to 29 years of age.
Ideally, the vaccine should be administered before the onset of sexual activity. However, females who are sexual active can still benefit from the drug.
Reducing the number of sex partners will decrease the risk of getting Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Abstaining from any genital contact is the surest way, including non-penetrative  intimate of the genital area. Another method in preventing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is to use condoms. Consistent condom use will reduce risk by 70% however, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can occur in areas that are not covered or protected by a condom.

Originally posted 2011-03-13 09:52:45.