Sniffer Dogs

Question: I've read that dogs can sniff out Cancer. Is that really true?
Answer: Yes, believe it or not. I've been hearing about dogs' ability to detect cancer since 1989, when doctors published a case history about a woman who went for a check-up because her dog kept sniffing at a mole on her leg. As it turned out, the mole was a malignant melanoma. And in research from 2004, scientists at Amersham Hospital in the United Kingdom reported that six dogs, trained for seven months, could detect bladder cancer by sniffing urine samples of people with and without the disease.


Sniffer Dogs Cancer More recently, a study published in March 2006 described how specially trained dogs can detect breast and lung cancers by smelling people's breath. Scientists from a cancer research and educational organization in the US worked with a dog trainer to teach five dogs to distinguish the breath samples of people with lung or breast cancer from those of healthy people. Then they tested the dogs with new, unidentified breath samples. The canines were able to detect cancer accurately between 88 and 97% of the time-even when the cancers were in very early stages.

The idea that dogs can smell cancer in breath isn't so far-fetched: Using expensive scans known as gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, researchers have been able to identify chemicals in the exhalations of cancer patients that aren't present in healthy people's breath. Dogs' noses may be even more sensitive than the scans. Although I don't think that dogs are likely to replace MRIs, this concept of 'pet scans' is a fascinating one. I believe that learning more about how dogs are able to sniff out tumors will help us come up with new, non-invasive tests that can detect cancer earlier.

Question: I often get terrible leg cramps, especially when I am in bed. What causes them and are there any natural treatments?
Answer: Most people experience leg cramps at night every now and then. These sudden, painful knots are caused by muscle spasms that usually affect the calves or the thighs-specifically, the hamstrings (at the back) or the quadriceps (in front). The cramps can last anywhere from a few seconds to 15 minutes or more. No one has been able to pinpoint the cause with certainty. The likeliest culprit is a combination of exercise and hot weather, which can lead to dehydration and imbalances of salt and minerals such as potassium, magnesium and calcium-all of which help regulate muscle contraction. Not surprisingly, athletes like marathon runners are prone to leg cramps. But those at greatest risk include people who are above the age of 65 and those who are ill or overweight.


Sniffer Dog See your doctor if you frequently get painful cramps. On rare occasions, they can signal medical problems involving circulation, nerves, metabolism, hormones, medication or nutrition. Once you get a clean bill of health, you might consider acupuncture or massage therapy; both can help relieve persistent cramping. Take these immediate steps to ease a leg cramp:
* Gently Stretch: and massage the painful muscle, holding it in a stretched position until the cramping stops.
* Apply: moist heat such as a wet hot towel to the area to help ease tense and tight muscles.