What is the connection between malignant neoplasms and crabs?

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The more common term for malignant neoplasms, cancer, is Latin for crab, and the word "carcinogen," meaning a cancer-causing agent, comes from the Greek word for crab, "karkinos." What is the connection between these two seemingly unrelated things?
Cancer, both the disease and the astronomical constellation, derive from the Latin cancer or cancrum, meaning crab. The astrological sign, of course, is said to resemble a crab and the disease was so named by the ancient Greek physician Galen (129-200 A.D.) who noted the similarity between a certain type of tumor with a crab as well—the swollen veins around the tumor resembling the legs of a crab.

Old English adopted cancer directly from Latin and used it for a variety of spreading sores and ulcers. This early sense survives in the modern word canker. From c.1000 in a manuscript called Læce Boc (Leech Book), collected in Oswald Cockayne’s Leechdoms, Wortcunning, and Starcraft of Early England, Vol. II, 1865:

Gemeng wið þam dustum, clæm on ðone cancer.
(Mix with the dust, smear on the cancer.)

And from Wyclif’s 2 Timothy, 1382:

The word of hem crepith as a kankir

The word was being applied specifically to the disease we today call cancer by the beginning of the 17th century. From Philemon Holland’s translation of Pliny’s Historie of the World:

Cancer is a swelling or sore comming of melancholy bloud, about which the veins appeare of a blacke or swert colour, spread in manner of a Creifish clees.

The astronomical sense of cancer is from the Latin name for the constellation of the crab. The name was known to the Anglo-Saxons, but only as a Latin name and was not assimilated into English until the Middle English period. It appears in Ælfric’s De Temporibus Anni, written c.993, in a list of the constellations of the Zodiac:

Feorða • Cancer • þæt is Crabba
(Fourth, Cancer, that is the crab.)

The Anglicized name appears c.1391 in Chaucer’s Treatise on the Astrolabe:

In this heved of cancer is the grettist declinacioun northward of the sonne...this signe of cancre is clepid the tropik of Somer.
(At this first point (head) of cancer is the greatest declination northward of the sun…this sign of cancer is named the tropic of summer.)

(Source: Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd Edition)  (+ info)

What can you do for Galbladder biliary sludge pain?

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I'm a 24 year old female in relatively good shape and health. I recently lost my insurance and was told by my doctor that I have Biliary sludge in my galbladder that causes these amazingly painful attacks. I can't afford to have my Galbladder removed right now. What should i eat or not eat? What can i take (vitamins etc...) to ward off these attacks or ease the pain until I can take care of this?
You can eat BEETS, several times a day, about a tablespoon. Good to grate over a salad. OR, you can get to the health food store for something that has beets in it-the employees can help you. The product I deal with is called Beta-TCP but Biotics is not sold at most health food stores.

Your gall bladder bile is thick, there are many things to try before surgery, unless a Doctor is telling you it is necessary. You need to thin your bile.

It would help to avoid fats, especially trans fats, for a week or two. A nutritional therapist in your area can help you. Let me know your city and I can try to find someone.

Does your back hurt about mid-way? Do you get headaches between your eyes?

Massage, warmth, chiropractic and maybe foot reflexology...bottom of right foot, middle on right side-circular motion til you find a painful spot-then massage in circles, gently...then deeper. good luck. Best to find a Nutritional Therapist Practitioner.   (+ info)

How do doctors diagnose a urinary tract infection?

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I've researched that it's a painful burning sensation. But for urinary tract infections, is the burning only when you pee, or does the burning occur constantly?

Also, at the doctors, how do they check for urinary tract infections? Do they actually check the vagina?
It is a burning feeling while you are urinating, and you feel like you need to go constantly. You simply go to the lab at your doctors office, give them a urine sample,{pee in a cup} and the technician will check it for bacteria. Depending on the type of bacteria, your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic for you. When I get one, which is often, I don't even see my doctor, he just calls in my prescription. Don't be scared and good luck.  (+ info)

How do I prevent urinary tract infection in a quadriplegic with a suprapubic catheter?

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I am a high level quadriplegic. I have a suprapubic catheter and I constantly get urinary tract infections. I use cranberry pills to help keep the acid levels higher to help stop infections but it does not seem to work. Anybody have a better idea on how to deal with this problem?
Hi Ya, Want a pic.

My heart goes out to you. These reaccurances must be very frustrating to you, complicate your life tremendously. and sap your energy and resistance to other stresses. Of course. with the S/P, it is not a matter of IF, but how often.

As with most battles, a multi front approach is usually more successfull, so your answer may reside in many possibilities.
Bare with me.

1.It is great that you are acidifying your urine. The large fluid load of juices(physiologic irrigation)is also positive but is the large sugar load good for you and cause other problems? Certainly, the water intake is good but sugars may cause problems. I know that many people swear by cranberry extracts BUT could you accomplish the same ends (and more economically)with "mega dosing" of Vitamin C(ascorbic acid)? IE 1000mg 2-4 times a day. This huge sugar load may influence your body flora (bacterial colonization). Then, have your urine tested for pH: See if it is ACTUALLY acidifying your urine !!!!!
2. Back to physiologic irrigation : Of course, a sluggish flow of urine, through you"collecting system", is going to permit a heavier growth and cause "precipitates" to settle in your bladder: These "sediments" and stones act as a continual "Nidus" or home for continued bacterial growth. It is often beneficial to "manually irrigate" your bladder( a sterile procedure) to elliminate them.
3. Re; Irrigation:It is very common treatment to irrigate, periodically( 2-3 X/week)with an antibacterial solution(Renacidin). After "dwelling" this solution, in your bladder, you could followwith a several 100 ml. irrigation of steril water or salt water (normal saline):Kill 2 birds with one stone, as it were.
4.Site care: Very important here, that your tube and site are as clean as possible and that your tube does not move a great deal( is it achored?). Of course, what is on your skin, will ultimately end up in your bladder. Many people routinely apply and antibiotic preparation to the site: This may lead to a highly resistant bug: Alternate your skin treatments IE betadine and dilute white vinegar(1: 30 parts sterile water) Avoid ointments and hydrogen peroxide; You may even elect to place a small "steril drape" material, over your site to both anchor(it's sticky) and keep it as clean as possible (Tegaderm[many products like it])
4.Prophilaxis: Not uncommon for routine dosing of Sulfa(Bactrim) twice a day: Ongoing.( this requires adequate fluids to prevent crystal formation, in your bladder.
5. Change your tube frequently (every 2-3 days) have your doctor justify this to your insurance to avoid additional cost.
6.Resistance: Keep your self as constitutionaly and nutritionaly as healthy as possible( have little info about you, here). This is always our best defence against infection/disease.
7. Join a "support group" and keep updated on new products and info(medlineplus).
8. Don't give up: Ask your Urologist to consult an "infection control practioner" (Epidemiologist) to evaluate the organsim/organisms that are problematic.
Be well, Want a pic; I hope this rambling might be helpfull.

P.S I know a great gal in north western WI, that is on Yahoo..Intersted? Look or e-mail me  (+ info)

Can garlic help a budding urinary tract infection?

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I've heard that garlic tablets/eating raw garlic can help a urinary tract infection? Has anybody else heard this/found out that it was true? Thanks.
Cranberry juice is the surest way to stop it without a prescription for antibiotics. But yes, garlic will also help. So will vitamin C and Zinc.  (+ info)

Can a urinary tract infection cause someone to lose their ability to speak and use their vocal chords?

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Can a urinary tract infection cause someone to lose their ability to speak and use their vocal chords for three days?
Are people put into the ICU for a urinary tract infection and inability to swallow? And if so, would they begin feeding the person that milkshake stuff or just sugar water in the ICU?
I prefer someone from the medical community answer this. Thank you!
UTI's can cause confusion and increased instability in elderly patients, but I haven't heard of it causing swallowing difficulties. It would be possible that the person suffering from the UTI had a stroke (CVA which is what most of us just call a stroke, or a TIA which is a mini stroke, it mimics a CVA but is only temporary, usually a precursor to a CVA) while the infection was occurring and that can cause the difficulty in swallow. The milkshake stuff you are talking about sounds like tube feeding or Thicken added to food (both are used to help a person get nourishment while suffering from difficulty or inability to swallow). Also the patient would be receiving NaCl (normal saline) which is mostly water with 0.9% sodium added (it is the same salt to water balance that the body has) to keep the person from dehydration.  (+ info)

What is the difference between a bladder infection and a urinary tract infection?

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I have had both both but I never really understood the difference. A bladder infection obviously affects your bladder opposed to your urinary tract and the UTI affects the urinary tract. How do the symptoms differ? Are they both treated the same way? Thanks
The symptoms of both are about the same, with the exception of pain / discomfort in the pelvic area (for bladder infection) and the kind of urine you pass (cloudy / strong smelling for cystitis and bacteria in the urine for a UTI.

Bladder infection (cystitis) symptoms

■A strong, persistent urge to urinate
■A burning sensation when urinating
■Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
■Blood in the urine (hematuria)
■Passing cloudy or strong-smelling urine
■Discomfort in the pelvic area
■A feeling of pressure in the lower abdomen
■Low-grade fever

UTI symptoms
■A strong, persistent urge to urinate
■A burning sensation when urinating
■Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
■Blood in the urine (hematuria) or cloudy, strong-smelling urine
■Bacteria in the urine (bacteriuria)  (+ info)

What would happen if a person left a urinary tract infection untreated?

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I was just told by a doctor that I have a urinary tract infection, but I haven't noticed any symptoms.
What are the symptoms by the way anyway..........?? And why don't I have them?
Symptoms are burning while urinating, frequently urinating or feeling like you have to urinate and being unable to.
I would say that it is very common for people to have urinary infections and not realize it. And it is also probably very common that they heal on their own.
However, if left untreated they can lead to urinary blockage which would result in your body not being able to eliminate waste properly. This is very serious.
So it is hard to say what will happen if you leave it untreated. Best thing you can do is to drink lots of water to keep things flowing.  (+ info)

Can a urinary tract infection resolve on its own or do I have to take antibiotics?

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Based on my symptoms I think I have a UTI (urinary tract infection). I had one 2 months ago for the 1st time so the symptoms are still fresh in my head. Can I call and get a prescription or do I have to go in and get all the lab work done again? Better yet, can it resolve on its own? I don't have the money to go to another drs appointment and get labs done.
call your Dr. and explain your situation. alot of them will be willing to give you a prescription based on your symptoms as long as you are a patient. mine has done this for me when money was very tight.
you can also try taking huge doses of cranberry concentrate pills. (you can get them at walmart or a drugstore for about $7 a bottle.) take about 15 when you first get them, then 4 every few hours until the bottle is gone. it's safe because it is not a drug.
within about an hour after taking the first, large dose you should feel immense relief. but make sure to keep taking the smaller doses or the infection will come back. i use the whole bottle just to be safe. i've recommended this to friends also, and it only failed once, when my friend also had a kidney infection as well.
the cranberry works because there is a substance in cranberries that prevents the bacteria from adhering to the bladder walls, so your body can flush out the infection much easier.you have to take the concentrate though. drinking cranberry juice won't work. it is far too weak and also, the added sugar actually feeds the infection. good luck.  (+ info)

My mom got a urinary tract infection in the hospital?

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My mom went through a procedure and got a urinary tract infection from the hospital. They used a catheter. Can she sue?
She could, but she would be wasting her time and money. UTI's are common with catheter placement. Your bladder is basically sterile and when you introduce foriegn objects into it you tend to get infections. It is NOT because the nurse did not clean her well or anything, it is because the catheter has to pass through the urethra which is the tube between the bladder and the outside and there is no way for the nurse to clean it.  (+ info)

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