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Lung Cancer Symptoms, Causes, and Remedies

Lung cancer is caused by the development of malignant cells in a person’s lungs. The cancerous cells can also spread to the lymph nodes and other parts of the body. The condition is common across the country, and results in approximately 130,180 fatalities every year. There are two primary types of lung cancer, known as small cell cancer and non-small cell cancer. Here are some more key details about the condition:

Lung cancer symptoms
Lung cancer can be addressed more efficiently if it is diagnosed in its early stages. Various symptoms may indicate the presence of this condition in patients, such as:

Chronic cough
If a person has a cough that does not reduce or go away after 2 to 3 weeks and just keeps getting worse, it may be a sign of lung cancer. However, apart from chronic cough, people with this condition can also develop recurrent pneumonia, bronchitis, and similar other lung conditions.

Chest pain
The aggressive growth of cells in and around the lungs results in a series of blockages in that area. As the tumor develops, it causes tightness in a person’s chest and puts pressure on their nerves. This results in prolonged chest pain, especially during coughing, breathing deeply, or laughing.

Constant fatigue
Lung cancer prevents a person from breathing normally. Normally, people living with this condition find it hard to inhale and exhale long breaths. Due to the malignant blockages in their lungs, they can only take short breaths every now and then. Thus, such persons do not have the energy to do the simplest of tasks, such as sprinting a few paces, without getting fatigued.

Wheezing
The shortness of breath is accompanied by frequent wheezing, as the tumor in the lungs leads to a strain in the passage of fresh air.

Loss of appetite
Lung cancer brings about symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing food, feeling depressed, being breathless, feeling fatigued, and experiencing chest pain. As a result of these physical and mental factors, a person with lung cancer shows a drastic reduction in appetite.

Coughing up blood
Lung cancer causes bleeding in the airways of an individual. As a result, people with this condition may frequently cough up blood (a condition known as hemoptysis).

Lung cancer causes
Although there are a plethora of causes of lung cancer, certain things have been found to trigger the condition more frequently than others. Some such factors include:

Heredity
Researchers have frequently found the genetic makeup of an individual to be one of the major causes of lung cancer. If a person has a family history of lung cancer, they have a higher chance of developing the condition. So, if an individual’s father or other relatives have had lung cancer (or any other type of cancer), then they will need to screen themselves on a regular basis for the condition.

Exposure to particle pollution
Particle pollution, or the pollution caused by small solid and liquid particles in the air, is a major risk factor for lung cancer and other respiratory ailments. These particles are present in the fumes coming out from a vehicle’s exhaust pipes, household chimneys, emissions from factories, and other similar sources. If a person breathes in such particles on a regular basis, then they are likely to become vulnerable to lung cancer.

Radon inhalation
Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas. Due to its commonly occurring nature (about 1 in 15 homes in the country are exposed to the gas), radon is a known cause of lung cancer. This gas exists naturally in soil and enters homes and buildings through small cracks and gaps.

Exposure to hazardous chemicals
Hazardous chemicals include uranium, asbestos, chromium, cadmium, arsenic, nickel, and some petroleum products. These chemicals are heavily used in various industrial operations. So, people who are frequently exposed to such chemicals due to their occupation, residential location, or other reasons, are likelier than others to develop lung cancer over the long term.

Lung cancer remedies
Treating lung cancer once it advances past its early stages is nearly impossible. In various stages, healthcare professionals can use the following treatment alternatives to address lung cancer in people:

Surgery
This is one of the most common treatment avenues to treat lung cancer. In this option, doctors surgically cut out the tumor, and several cells and tissue in the vicinity of the tumor are removed too. While this is an effective remedy for lung cancer, it does not eliminate the chance of a relapse. Patients can face the recurrence of cancer cells in the lungs or other body parts.

Chemotherapy
In chemotherapy, doctors use specific remedies and treatment combinations to treat early-stage lung cancer. They seek to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells in a person’s lungs and eliminate existing cancerous cells.

Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy, also commonly known as radiotherapy, is a powerful and effective way to aggressively destroy cancer cells in a person’s lungs. Powerful radiation pulses are used to destroy cancer cells and tissues. However, it is not ideal for every patient. Therefore, an intensive course of radiotherapy (called radical radiotherapy), is used against non-small-cell lung cancer if a person is not strong or healthy enough for a full-blown radiotherapy session.

Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy, also called precision therapy or personalized therapy, involves doctors identifying specific molecular targets that respond to this treatment. Upon identification, such targets are exposed to specific treatment options to thwart the growth of cancerous cells.

Immunotherapy
The procedure involves using the patient’s immunity to destroy lung cancer cells. In immunotherapy, doctors use specific treatment combinations to activate a person’s immune system and responses and, by extension, destroy their lung cancer cells.

Known Signs of Hemophilia and Anemia

Bleeding disorders refer to a group of conditions like hemophilia or anemia that interfere with normal blood functions in the body. Hemophilia affects the ability of the blood cells to clot naturally, while anemia lowers hemoglobin count in the red blood cells. These conditions exhibit a unique set of symptoms that can be identified. Early diagnosis helps doctors form a viable healthcare plan. So, it pays to know and identify the following symptoms. Hemophilia and Anemia: Understanding the difference Both conditions are common bleeding disorders. However, anemia & hemophilia signs are distinctly different from each other when it comes to the disease progression. The latter is a genetic disorder that affects the red blood cellâs ability to clot and close wounds. Certain clotting factors in the blood bind with the red blood cells to prevent uncontrolled bleeding. Anemia is a condition where the body lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells in the first place. Also, a low hemoglobin count affects the red blood cellâs ability to carry oxygen to vital organs and extremities via the circulatory system. Genetic mutation triggers most known types of hemophilia, while certain nutritional deficiencies in the body trigger common forms of anemia. Symptoms of hemophilia The absence of essential clotting factors in the blood can trigger a variety of noticeable and unusual symptoms. Uncontrolled bleeding Bleeding is one of the primary symptoms of hemophilia. It can happen under the skin or in the joints. As the red blood cells are unable to bind and clot, this pool of blood can trigger swelling, pain, and tightness in the joints. This symptom is most commonly noticeable in the knees, elbows, and ankles. Blood collecting under the skin can lead to buildups under the muscle and soft tissue to cause more painful bruising. This symptom is called hematoma in medical terminology. Frequent nosebleeds When the bleeding is triggered externally, it can result in frequent nosebleeds that can be difficult to stop. Note that external environmental factors and physical injuries generally cause nosebleeds. So, any unexplained bleeding could indicate a developing condition. Bleeding caused due to cuts, bruises, and vaccinations Lack of essential clotting factor VIII can trigger bleeding from the lightest of impacts, cuts, bruises, or even after losing a tooth. Some people experience sudden bleeding after taking a vaccination. This could be the bodyâs reaction to producing antibodies, but the strain could be too much to bear, resulting in bleeding from the extremities. Blood in urine or stool Excess blood in the urine or stool is a clear sign of disease progression. The urine and stools appear dark red or even blackish due to the presence of red blood cells mixed with the excreta. Immediate medical assistance is advisable for visual symptoms. Bleeding in infants Complicated pregnancies can be physically taxing for both the mother and the child leading to possible symptoms of hemophilia at birth. But in some rare cases, infants may experience internal bleeding in the head. Symptoms of anemia The most common types of anemia, including iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia, develop due to the lack of nutrients in the body. Therefore, anemia exhibits more physically taxing symptoms as the condition worsens. Tiredness Increased fatigue and weakness for no apparent reason is one of the main indicators of nutritional deficiencies. An unexplained decrease in overall stamina with no physical exertion or any activity during the day could mean low iron in the blood. Without iron, the body cannot produce enough red blood cells. And low hemoglobin means not enough oxygen is being circulated around vital organs in the body, thus resulting in fatigue induced by low energy levels. Respiratory symptoms Experiencing shortness of breath, chest pains, and even noticing an irregular heartbeat could indicate a possible anemic condition. An iron deficiency lowers hemoglobin count, and this means not enough oxygen is being circulated by the blood. Low hemoglobin affects the breathing rate as the body struggles to extract more oxygen resulting in shortness of breath. The heart must also put in extra efforts to pump the low hemoglobin blood forcefully, thus resulting in irregular heartbeats. Doctors refer to this condition as heart palpitations. These symptoms can also induce chest pains due to the sheer stress being put on the organ. Pale skin and damaged hair Skin and hair symptoms are visible indicators of a developing anemia condition. An iron deficiency results in low red blood cell production and indirectly affects the shade of the skin. Pale skin is noticeably visible around the face, gums, lower lips, lower eyelids, and even on the nails. This symptom is more visually obvious among people who flaunt a lighter skin tone. Also, hair thinning, hair fall, and a damaged scalp is a clear sign of iron deficiency. Treatment options Note that anemia & hemophilia signs never overlap. Once the primary indicators are confirmed, doctors quickly suggest blood tests to identify the leading causes or triggers. Knowing the differences can help with prompt diagnosis even though both the conditions are bleeding disorders. It is even possible to recover from common forms of anemia within 2 to 3 months. Hemophilia is a more serious bleeding disorder that is treated by introducing the missing clotting factors. Doctors also suggest prescriptions that help stimulate the body to release more clotting factors. However, a transfusion offers more promising results for moderate to severe progression. Effective preventive measures and home remedies can help lower the risk of bleeding. These conditions cannot be completely cured. But it is possible to improve the quality of life by incorporating healthy lifestyle habits. Prescriptions and treatments only help slow down the disease progression.

9 Simple Headache Relief Hacks to Try at Home

Experiencing headaches is a common phenomenon for everyone. Some headaches develop gradually and fade out without needing intervention, prescription, or otherwise. Other headaches are triggered due to poor nutrition and lifestyle choices that affect the bodyâs regular functions. The severity of headaches also varies drastically from mild discomfort to severe pain that disrupts oneâs daily routine. So, here are some simple relief ideas to better manage the pain and discomfort caused by headaches. Sip a cup of tea Sounds a little basic but tea is rich in antioxidants and pain-relieving nutrients that can definitely curb mild to moderate headache pain. Tea also naturally helps lower inflammation, hydrate the body, provides stress relief, relaxes the muscles, blocks certain pain signals, and boasts aromatherapy benefits as well for long-term relief. Chamomile, peppermint, ginger, willow bark, feverfew, lime tree, and Sichuan lovage are some of the best ingredients used to make teas for tension headaches relief. Each herb boasts medicinal properties that improve blood circulation, fight inflammation, eliminate toxins from the bloodstream, and induce better sleep for rest and recuperation. Explore these flavors and see the one that works best for daily consumption. Changes in daily nutrition Certain foods and beverages that contain caffeine, monosodium glutamate, nitrates, and tyramine can trigger a variety of headaches. While these foods may be really tasty for consumption, they donât necessarily add any value to boost daily nutrition. Chocolates, coffee, colas, instant noodles, deli meats like hot dogs, sausages, and pepperoni toppings on pizzas are at the top of the list. Several other baked foods or confectionaries contain these preservatives and additives. Many foods bought from the supermarket are also laced with ingredients that only improve shelf life but can directly trigger headaches. Eliminating these foods can help overcome any pain or discomfort. Deep breathing and mindfulness training Breathing control is one of the few proven techniques for relaxing the body and among the first exercises recommended in mindfulness training or therapy. Tension headaches can be eased with deep breathing focusing on the point of stress to overcome the pain and discomfort. Rhythmic breathing with slow inhales and exhale breaths will help the body relax better within a short duration. Daily breathing exercises relax the body and lower the risk of stress-induced headaches. Alternatively, deep breathing exercises use the strength of the abdomen to inhale and exhale air allowing maximum oxygen saturation slowly. Acupressure Certain points on the body can automatically provide relief when massaged firmly and using the correct technique. Acupressure is an ancient relaxation therapy that works wonders by relieving symptoms like nausea or vomiting triggered by headaches. A dedicated point on the palm of the hand, just three fingers up from the base of the wrist, is the accurate pressure point to massage. Many studies are conclusive that acupressure can provide the same relief that one would get by consuming prescription muscle relaxers. Stick to a routine Headaches can also be triggered due to an erratic schedule that disrupts optimum sleep and rest cycles. Doctors recommend sticking to a routine and not making drastic changes to sleeping hours, waking hours, and meal planning. Simply set the alarm and wake up at the same time every day. Also, one must never skip important meals as prolonged hunger is one of the primary triggers of a bad headache. Eat healthily and exercise a couple of times every week to help the body remove toxins affecting metabolic functions. Lead a healthy lifestyle to ensure a healthy mindset as well. Try a compress A hot or cold compression pack can provide immediate relief from muscle tension headaches that can be triggered due to stress. Hot compression packs can be purchased from the local pharmacy to be heated for use as and when necessary. Alternatively, cold compression packs can provide soothing relief for persistent pressure headaches. Cold compression packs can be kept in the freezer for a couple of hours before use. For those who donât have a pack handy, simply use a clean washcloth or face towel and fill it up with ice cubes. Apply it over the pain areas allowing the cold to soothe the aching muscles. Take a short nap Most headaches are fatigue or stress-induced, as the mind is not getting rest at frequent intervals to cool down. Disturbances in daily sleep routines are also one of the main triggers of these headaches. The simple solution here is to manage a short nap, even if itâs a busy day, to allow the mind and body some much-needed rest. Research studies conclude a short 20-minute power nap works wonders, especially when taken in the afternoon. Get a massage A steady massage can help release all that built up tension to provide much-needed relief from tension headaches. Massages have a therapeutic effect and provide deep tissue relief from bad posture, mainly affecting the upper body and neck region. It is also possible to develop chronic pain due to bad sitting or working posture. Deep tissue and shiatsu are among the recommended massages done by a professional massage therapist. Alternatively, there are self-massage therapies that one can explore to provide quick and soothing relief from a bad headache. Drink plenty of water Studies show that dehydration can also be one of the major triggers of headaches. Water is essential for blood circulation and is part of major functions that flush out toxins from the body. Inadequate water consumption will also affect the electrolyte balance in the body leading to stress headaches. A full-grown adult must consume at least 8â10 glasses of water each day. Therefore, it is advisable to limit the consumption of caffeinated and flavored beverages. Too much caffeine in the bloodstream is also one of the subtle triggers of headaches.