Radiation therapy is one treatment used to kill cancerous cells. Physicians use radiation therapy to damage cancer cells so they die and can no longer cause harm. There are precise ways to deliver radiation therapy, and metallic balls can be used to ensure that the patient receives only the dose recommended, and in the safest way possible. Metallic balls can be used when developing a radiation therapy plan, as well as during the radiation process.

Radiation Therapy

The National Cancer Institute reports that about half of all cancer patients receive some type of radiation therapy as part of their treatment. Radiation therapy can be an effective treatment for cancer because it kills cancerous cells and may help to shrink tumors. There are two ways to deliver radiation to the cancer patient. The radiation can be administered via a machine or through radioactive material placed near the tumor or cancerous cells through injection or by swallowing radioactive substances. Radiation therapy can be used alone or in combination with chemotherapy or surgery.

Metallic Balls

When a physician administers radiation therapy, it is essential to target as close to the cancerous cells or tumor as possible to prevent damage to healthy parts of the body. When a machine is used to deliver the radiation, markers are used to ensure that the radiation only goes to areas the doctor intends for it to go. Metallic balls may be used as markers. Robert D. Timmerman and Lei Xing, authors of "Image-Guided and Adaptive Radiation Therapy," note that localization of radiation therapy is done using an axis and lasers to precisely line up the radiation. Metallic balls are used as markers on the horizontal and vertical axes to help line up the lasers in one area so the radiation is only given to that specific part of the body.

Effectiveness

The International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics reports that even with careful lining up of the radiation equipment, treatment errors were 1 millimeter. This error may be corrected or reduced with the use of metallic balls. The journal notes that the use of two tiny metallic balls as horizontal and vertical marks may help line the radiation equipment up more precisely. This can help reduce treatment errors and make radiation therapy more exact and less damaging to healthy tissue. Metallic balls may also help with precise positioning of the patient so radiation is targeted to only the cancerous cells or tumor.

Considerations

There are certain risks to receiving radiation therapy even if your physician uses metallic balls to help localize the radiation and minimize damage to other areas of your body. The National Cancer Institute reports that radiation therapy may also damage healthy cells, which can lead to negative side effects including skin irritation, fatigue and nausea. Long-term side effects may include scar tissue, damage to the bowels, infertility and memory loss. If your doctor has recommended radiation therapy, speak with him about whether he makes use of metallic balls. Be proactive in asking for the use of techniques that localize the radiation and you may increase the odds that your healthy cells and tissues will be protected.

From the warm tropics, the tender night-blooming jasmine — Cestrum nocturnum — thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 8 to 11. The spreading plant blooms multiple times when the weather is warm. In the evening, the yellow flowers release a strong perfume that causes respiratory allergies in some individuals. The jasmine’s pollen can also provoke an adverse reaction.

Respiratory Allergies

An allergic reaction occurs when your immune system perceives a substance you’ve been exposed to as bad for your health. To fight this enemy, your cells release a chemical called histamine, which causes an allergic reaction. That reaction manifests in different ways depending on what part of your body is affected. In general, a respiratory allergy causes rhinitis, or nose inflammation. A runny, itchy or stuffed nose, sneezing, and itchy ears and mouth are among its general symptoms. Allergy-induced asthma is also possible from inhaling a substance such as night-blooming jasmine pollen.

Jasmine Allergy Symptoms

The perfume and pollen of night-blooming jasmine provokes several reactions as it goes through a sensitive person’s respiratory system. If you are allergic to the plant, in addition to developing nasal inflammation, you may feel dizzy and your throat might become irritated. The allergic reaction can also manifest as nausea and headaches.

Jasmine and Chlorogenic Acid

According to coauthors of Toxicity of Houseplants David G. Spoerke and Susan C. Smolinske, night-blooming jasmine’s allergenic substances remain somewhat of a mystery. The writers point out that other Cestrum species, however, contain chlorogenic acid, a chemical that causes respiratory allergies. It is possible the same compound is present in this type of plant and that it triggers a respiratory allergic reaction in some people.

Jasmine and Pollen

Pollen is another of night-blooming jasmine’s triggers of respiratory problems. Male flowers release the powdery substance and as it floats in the air, you inhale its particles through the normal process of breathing. If you are sensitive, your nose and lungs become irritated. Pollen also usually inflames the eyes.

Eggs can be a problem from a food safety perspective because they provide a nearly ideal growth medium for microorganisms. Eggs have a high level of liquid in them, and are rich in nutrients, especially proteins, that allow for rapid bacterial growth. These characteristics, however troublesome for cooks and chefs, make eggs an excellent medium for the controlled growth of bacteria for vaccine purposes. This also means that anyone with an egg allergy must be cautious about receiving injections.

Egg Allergy

Eggs are one of the eight allergens that account for an estimated 90 percent of all known food allergies in the United States, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Their widespread use in baked goods and processed foods makes them an unusually difficult food to avoid. The potential presence of eggs in some vaccines is also a concern.

Growth Medium

A number of growth media are used for producing virus populations under controlled circumstances for vaccines. Two common choices are serum albumen derived from beef blood and human blood cells. A third is egg-derived media, such as chick embryo fibroblasts. Flu vaccines, for example, are commonly grown on an egg-derived medium. Vaccines vary in the degree of risk they represent for an egg-allergic person, so it’s best to discuss this with your doctor before getting any injections.

Meruvax and MMR

Meruvax is grown on either human or bovine serum albumen, rather than egg-derived fibroblasts. Therefore, it’s not a concern for anyone with an egg allergy. However, most Meruvax is not delivered on its own, but rather as part of a combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, known collectively as MMR. The MMR is administered twice during childhood, once at 12 to 15 months and once at 4 to 6 years. Both the measles and mumps portions of the combined vaccine are grown on an egg-derived medium.

Meruvax Safety

The chick fibroblasts that are used as a growth medium for mumps and measles vaccines contain no protein from the albumen, and therefore no egg antigens. This means they can be safely administered even to children who are at risk of anaphylactic shock from eggs, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Other vaccines are grown differently, and should be discussed individually with your doctor.
Although egg content is not an issue, there are other safety considerations with Meruvax. Allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock, are not unknown. Pregnant and nursing women, those with depressed immune systems and those allergic to neomycin should avoid Meruvax.

Store-bought cleaning wipes can be a time saver when wiping down a bathroom, disinfecting a playroom or cleaning a kitchen after a big meal. Clorox manufactures one of many such brands on the market. If you or a family member develops an allergy to Clorox wipes, it’s essential to know the triggers and what to do when there is a reaction.

Read the Label

If you have chemical sensitivities or a known allergen, it’s imperative to read the label on any cleaning product. The ingredients are typically listed in the order from most prevalent to least prevalent. Clorox wipes are saturated in a solution that includes isopropyl alcohol, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl polyglucoside, fragrance, preservative and propylene glycol propyl ether. The alkyl ingredients are cleaning surfactants.

Reactions

Allergic reactions to Clorox wipes can range from mild to severe, so you should familiarize yourself with the range of potential reactions. On the less-severe end of the spectrum, your hands or skin may turn red, become itchy or the skin may begin to peel, particularly if you used a wipe with your bare hands. Hives may also appear on your skin, especially where it came into contact with the wipe. Watery eyes, congestion, itchy nasal passages and mouth, or sneezing can erupt if you have a stronger reaction. Severe reactions may include coughing, nausea and vomiting, labored breathing, throat or facial swelling, or anaphylaxis. MayoClinic.com defines anaphylaxis as a life-threatening allergic reaction that can lead to death if medical treatment isn’t administered expeditiously.

Treatment

If you were unaware that you or a family member had an allergy to Clorox wipes before contact, and your airways remain clear, treat the contact site topically. Over-the-counter ointments, decongestants and eye drops may relieve and ultimately abate the reaction. If you have a known allergy to Clorox wipes, or any of the ingredients in the wipes, your doctor may recommend that you carry an epinephrine pen or medication that will quickly counteract an allergic reaction. When allergic reactions are severe, call 911 or your local emergency provider.

Precautions and Prevention

If contact with Clorox wipes is unavoidable, and you are aware that the potential reaction is usually mild, wear protective gloves and eye wear before touching a wipe. An allergy-protection mask may provide some protection from fumes or chemicals that become airborne. It’s easy to control contact with Clorox wipes at home; however, you may need to inform a school or workplace about a known allergy to the wipes. Many cleaning products do not contain chemicals that cause sensitivities or reactions, and you can always create your own wipes by layering sheets of paper towels in a recycled baby-wipes box and soaking them in a safe or homemade cleaning solution.

Tendons in the body attach muscles to bones, stretching across joints to allow you to bend them. One of the most important tendons that support your feet is the posterior tibial. If this tendon becomes torn, you must allow it to heal on its own or seek surgery to repair it. Exercise will worsen this condition and is not recommended, according to MayoClinic.com.

Posterior Tibial

The posterior tibial tendon runs from your calf down to the back of the inside of your ankle, attaching to the navicular bone located in the middle of your foot. Damage to this fibrous cord is the most common source of foot problems, according to the MayoClinic.com. A torn posterior tibial causes inflammation, foot pain, swelling and the loss of your arch, because this tendon supports the arch of the foot. Playing some sports, including tennis, basketball or hockey, can cause a tear in the posterior tibial tendon. This condition worsens when you continually exercise and put excessive force on the foot, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Diagnosis

If you experience weakness in your foot and are unable to stand on your toes, you might have a torn posterior tibial. When the posterior tibial is torn, it does not properly hold up the navicular bone, leading to a decreased arch and a flat foot. Your doctor will examine your bare foot for signs of a torn posterior tibial and order an MRI to visually inspect the tendon itself. Certain medical conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, obesity and rheumatoid arthritis can lead to the degeneration of the posterior tibial, making it likely to tear through injury or excessive exercise, according to The Center for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine.

Treatment

Once you are diagnosed with a torn posterior tibial, you must avoid putting weight on the foot. Depending on the severity of the damage to the posterior tibial, you doctor will either recommend immobilizing the leg or surgery. The physician may recommend a below-knee cast or boot on the foot for six to 12 weeks with crutches to allow the tendon to heal. In severe cases, the cast is followed by a custom-made ankle brace, which you wear for one year, according to the Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center. You will have to restrict your exercise, and the doctor might prescribe physical therapy to assist in your recovery.

Exercise

During treatment, you can perform light exercise while seated that does not put pressure on your foot, especially while it is in a cast. To prevent worsening the condition after the tendon heals, avoid repetitious weight-bearing exercise. Wear a custom-made ankle-foot orthosis or arch supports while exercising to prevent aggravating the posterior tibial tendon, recommends the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Lose weight to reduce the strain on the tendon. Perform nonimpact exercises, such as stationary cycling, swimming and running in the pool, instead of exercises that put a load on your foot, recommends the Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center. Check with your physician about any exercises you plan to do to ensure that they will not worsen your condition.

A loss of muscle tone and energy in a child is a clear warning sign that something’s terribly wrong. A number of serious conditions may lead to weakness and muscle loss. Some of these conditions are easily treatable, while others represent a life-long battle. Consult your doctor anytime you notice lethargy or weakness in your child.

Malnutrition

In the developing world, malnutrition continues to be epidemic. Even in the United States, children living in poverty often suffer the effects of malnutrition. Malnourishment doesn’t just mean not getting enough food. It can also mean receiving an insufficient amount of one or more essential vitamins or minerals. Severe malnutrition often causes permanent damage and impairs overall growth and development. Nutrient deficiencies also make children more vulnerable to infections because the immune system is deficient.

Muscular Dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy, or MD, is a general term that describes a whole host of conditions with similar symptoms. The most severe forms of MD typically occur in childhood. Symptoms include loss of muscle tone that worsens with time. Drooling, difficulty walking and droopy eyelids are also indications of MD. When the heart muscle loses size and strength, a cardiac arrhythmia may develop. Physical therapy is essential in helping young patients maintain strength and mobility.

Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy occurs when there is a communication breakdown between the brain and certain muscle groups in the body. The causes for this breakdown include trauma, premature birth or low birth weight. Some forms of cerebral palsy affect only the legs or just one side of the body. Symptoms of the disease range from jerky, uncontrolled movements to a steady loss of muscle tone. Doctors can’t yet cure cerebral palsy, but symptoms can be managed such that sufferers do enjoy some quality of life.

Polio

In the Western world, polio has been all but eradicated, thanks to routine vaccinations and improved medical practices. Polio attacks the central nervous system and was once a terrifying, worldwide epidemic. If your child has been to certain regions of Africa or Asia, she may have been exposed to the virus. Fever, loss of muscle strength and even paralysis are among the worst symptoms of polio. Physical therapy, surgery and corrective orthopedic devices can all aid in the recovery of musculature.