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The lymphatic system is part of the immune system. It consists of a network of vessels that carry fluid called lymph, similar to the way that the network of blood vessels carries blood throughout the body. Lymph contains white blood cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes attack a variety of infectious agents as well as many cells in the precancerous stages of development.

Lymphocytes recognise infectious organisms and abnormal cells and destroy them. There are two major subtypes of lymphocytes: B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes also referred to as cells and T cells.

Causes The exact caus es of lymphoma are not known. Several factors have been linked to an increased risk of n developing lymphoma, but e it is unclear what role they play in the actual develops ment of lymphoma. These . risk factors include the folf lowing -d y · Age: Generally the risk of d Non-Hodgkins Lymd phoma increases with adh vancing age. Hodgkins s Lymphoma in the elderly is associated with a poorer f prognosis than that obs served in younger patients.

The presence of these risk factors does not mean a person will actually develop lymphoma.

Symptoms Often, the first sign of lymphoma is a pain less swelling in the neck, under an arm, or in the groin. Lymph nodes or tissues elsewhere in the body may also swell. The enlarged lymph node some times causes other symptoms by p r e s s i n g against a vein or lymphati v e s s e (swelling of an arm or leg), erve (pain numbness, or tingling), o the stomach (early feeling o fullness). Enlargement of th spleen may cause abdomi nal pain or discomfort. Man have no other symptoms.

Symptoms may include · Fevers · Chills · Unexplained weight loss · Night sweats · Lack of energy · Itching Diagnosis If a person has swelling o symptoms described in the symptoms section, his/her health-care provider will ask many questions about the symptoms. These questions are followed by a thorough examination.

If, after an initial interview and examination, the health-care provider suspects a patient may have lymphoma, the patient will undergo a series of tests designed to provide further clarification. At some point in this, the patient will likely be referred to a specialist in blood diseases and cancer (haematologist/oncologist).

Blood tests or biopsy are run for the patient. If there is no palpable mass in the presence of persistent symptoms, imaging studies will likely be carried out in order to determine whether a mass is present and, if so, how then to direct a biopsy.

Treatment The vast majority of cancer patients receive ongoing care from oncologists but may in fact be referred to more than one oncologist should there be any question about the disease. Patients are always encouraged to gain second opinions if the situation so warrants this approach. Treatment for lymphoma depends on the type and stage.

Standard first-line therapy (primary therapy) for lymphoma includes radiation therapy for most early-stage lymphomas, or a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. For later-stage lymphomas, chemotherapy is primarily used, with radiation therapy added for control of bulky disease. Biological therapy, or immunotherapy, is being used in addition to or as an alternative to these standard therapies.

Prevention There is no known way to prevent lymphoma. A standard recommendation is to avoid known risk factors.

However, some risk factors for lymphoma are unknown, and therefore impossible to avoid. Infection with viruses such as HIV, EBV, and hepatitis are risk factors that can be avoided.

Monsoon brings with it relief from scorching summer. But monsoons reduce the immunity of our body and make us susceptible to many diseases which are commonly associated with this season. It is time for us to keep our body resistant against diseases by boosting our immunity and taking precautions against these diseases. It is time we get our safeguards ready and gear ourselves up to face monsoon.

Water borne diseases Diseases that spread during monsoon are basically water borne and gastrointestinal infections such as cholera and typhoid. Diarrhoea and jaundice are also common. Accumulation of water on the roads promotes the growth of the mosquitoes causing malaria and dengue. Eye flu and infections of the foot are also observed in this season. Also diseases like dryness, spasmodic pain, high blood pressure, leptospirosis and conjunctivitis, gas formation and gastric disturbances occur frequently. Also one comes across cases of viral attacks and coughs and colds.

Causes: Contaminated surface water sources and large poorly functioning municipal water distribution systems contribute to transmission of waterborne bacterial diseases. Our body's intestinal and digestive system becomes weak during the rainy season, which makes us highly susceptible to all kinds of infections. Contamination of water and unhygienic conditions are very often the cause of many monsoon ailments. Skin conditions, asthma and arthritis also get aggravated because of excess humidity. Infection can result not only from drinking the water but also from swimming in the water where it can enter the body in other ways such as through broken skin. Waterborne disease is a huge health issue worldwide.

Gastro intestinal infections: People are prone to typhoid, diarrhoea and jaundice (hepatitis A and E). Cholera is infectious, and spreads as an epidemic on account of drinking contaminated water or eating unsafe food.

Viral infections: No illnesses are as common and as bothersome as the colds, flu, sore throats and the accompanying fevers. Monsoon witnesses a rapid rise in cases of viral infections as low temperature is ideal for the spread and growth of viruses.

Skin infections: Avoid walking bare feet as they may lead to diseases such as leptospirosis, which is rat urine borne disease. A lot of airborne and waterborne microbe circulate in the monsoon air. Wash your feet thoroughly in clean water, and keep them dry and clean. Shoes, socks and rain coat too need to be dry.

Body immunity: Summer dehydration weakens the stomach, which needs to be strengthened during monsoon.

During this season, the temperature fluctuates between hot and bright sun alternating with an unending rain. A sudden temperature change affects the immune system, and the body becomes easy prey to various maladies.