Early Detection Saves Lives Before you can fully understand early symptoms of colon cancer, it is important to understand where exactly it occurs within your body. A colon refers to the final part of the digestive system; specifically, it is part of the large intestine. The purpose of a colon is to help prepare your digested foods for excretion. It stores your waste as it waits to vacate your body and plays a very minor part in extracting nutrients in the final stages of digestion. What is Colon Cancer? As the name suggests, colon cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon. Cancer occurs when cells, instead of replicating at a regular rate, begin to divide rapidly, causing tumors to form, and disrupting healthy bodily functions. As cancers progress, the growing cells can travel to other regions of the body. [youmaylike] What are Polyps? Polyps are growths that can grow within the colon. Having polyp growth does not mean you will get colon cancer. While not all polyps are cancerous, almost all malignant tumors in the colon start as polyps. Upon examination, your doctor will be able to give you more information on what your options are. Generally, a physician will perform a colonoscopy to remove it. Once removed, a pathologist can examine the tissue to determine whether or not the sample is dangerous and if further actions need to be taken. Symptoms of Polyps Polyps are not something you can see. To know something is not quite right, you will have to monitor your regular bodily functions. The most commonly reported symptoms related to polyp formation are: Rectal bleeding: If you notice that your rectum is bleeding, this could be due to polyp formation. It is important to recognize that this is also a common symptom of other problems such as hemorrhoids or anal tears. If it happens persistently, you should consider visiting your doctor for an internal examination. Abdominal pain: When polyps are rather big, they can obstruct the bowel. In doing so, it can cause problems that manifest as cramps or other abdominal pain. Irregular-colored stools: Even if you cannot notice it directly, rectal bleeding can influence the color of the stool. You may notice some small red stripes in mild cases. In more serious cases, heavy bleeding may cause your poop to appear black. Before you start to worry, make sure these color changes are not simply due to a change in diet, medication, or supplement use. Anemia: If polyps continue to bleed for a prolonged time, they may cause the development of an iron deficiency. Anemia can manifest in several ways, including fatigue, shortness of breath, feeling dizzy, fainting, or having abnormally pale skin. Common Early Symptoms of Colon Cancer Polyps themselves are, again, not a direct indication of colon cancer. While cancer can develop from a polyp, there are other symptoms which separate the benign and malignant development. Symptoms of colon cancer are different for everyone, but the most commonly reported signs are: Changes in bowel movements: Particularly, you want to pay attention to the consistency of your stools. If it looks different or you develop constipation or diarrhea for an extended time, talk to your doctor. Rectal bleeding: You might pass bloody stools. Abdominal pain: Any type of discomfort, such as cramps or gas, should be monitored. Fatigue: Feeling weak or consistently tired despite adequate rest can be a sign of many medical problems. Weight loss: Unexplained weight loss may be a sign of a lack of nutrition due to a malfunctioning digestive tract. Essentially, if your intestines are not able to properly absorb nutrients from food, you will not get enough nutrition from the food you eat. The “feeling” of a full bowel: Sometimes, even after passing a bowel movement to the highest extent possible, some patients report feeling like their bowel is not “empty”. While this is a normal sensation to experience from time to time, it can be a sign of an underlying colon problem. When to See a Doctor If you notice any of these symptoms mentioned above consistently, you should schedule an appointment with a licensed physician. Even if your abnormalities are not cancerous, they can be a sign of another serious medical condition that should be addressed. The earlier you recognize a problem, the better chance you have of getting access to effective medical intervention.
Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Treatment Plans
Cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a rare disorder that usually starts in childhood. It typically affects children aged 3 to 7, but it can also affect adults. It is characterized by repeated episodes of severe vomiting and nausea that often persist for a long time. Although the condition can be quite disturbing, it is manageable with healthy lifestyle changes and medication. So, what are the best cyclic vomiting syndrome treatment options? Let's take a look.
What Causes Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome?
The exact cause of CVS is not known. Still, experts have linked the condition with digestive issues, genetics, and hormone imbalances.
Many people diagnosed with CVS have abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system. The autonomic nervous system is responsible for controlling blood pressure, digestion, and other involuntary functions in the body. Vomiting episodes that characterize CVS may be triggered by:
- Emotional stress
- Physical stress, such as inadequate sleep, exhaustion, or an infection
- Some foods and drinks, such as chocolate, cheese, and things that contain caffeine or alcohol
- Extreme weather conditions
- Menstrual periods
- Allergies
- Overeating, not eating for long periods, or eating just before going to bed
What Are the Symptoms of Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome?
In addition to the severe, recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting, the following have also been found to be associated with CVS:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Dry heaving
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Increased sensitivity to light (photophobia)
- Increased sensitivity to sound (phonophobia)
- Loss of appetite
- Pale skin
- Stomach pain
- Weight loss
Lifestyle and Home Remedies to Manage Symptoms
Lifestyle changes can help control the signs and symptoms of cyclic vomiting syndrome. If you have CVS, it is advisable that you try to get adequate sleep, and once you start vomiting, staying in bed in a dark, quiet room will help.
When the vomiting phase has stopped, it is important that you take in fluids such as sports or energy drinks (like Gatorade, Powerade, and others) diluted with 1 ounce of water or an oral electrolyte solution (Pedialyte).
Some people, after vomiting episodes, may soon feel strong enough to begin eating a regular diet. However, where there is no appetite to eat, you should start with clear liquids and gradually add solid food.
In cases where the vomiting episodes are triggered by stress or excitement, try your best to reduce stress. Also, reducing your portion sizes by eating small meals and low-fat snacks daily, instead of three large meals, may help.
How is Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Diagnosed?
CVS can be difficult to diagnose because there is no specific test to confirm the diagnosis, and vomiting is a sign of many other health conditions. Since it is common mostly with kids, your doctor may first want to find out about your child's or your medical history and conduct a physical exam. The doctor will also want to find out the pattern of symptoms that you or your child experiences.
After that, the doctor may further recommend the following:
- Imaging studies: these could include an endoscopy, ultrasound, or a CT scan to check for blockages in the digestive system or signs of other digestive conditions.
- Motility tests: these are carried out to monitor food movement through the digestive system and check for other digestive disorders.
- Laboratory tests: these check for thyroid problems and other metabolic conditions.
Are There Treatment Options for Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome?
There is no cure for CVS; however, in most cases, the vomiting episodes stop when a child reaches adulthood. For those experiencing a cyclic vomiting episode, treatment focuses on controlling the signs and symptoms by prescribing the following medications:
- Anti-nausea drugs
- Pain-relieving medications
- Medications that suppress stomach acid
- Antidepressants
- Anti-seizure medications
Sometimes, the same types of medications used for checking migraines can also help prevent cyclic vomiting episodes. These medications may be recommended for people whose episodes are frequent and long-lasting or for people with a family history of migraines. IV fluids may also be given to prevent dehydration. However, in general, treatment is usually administered based on the severity and duration of symptoms as well as the presence of complications.
Can Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome Be Prevented?
It is not possible to prevent the onset of CVS, but the following steps can be taken to reduce the frequency and severity of episodes:
- Identify specific triggers and avoid them.
- Do not stop taking your prescribed medication, even when feeling well.
- Make sure that you get quality sleep regularly.
- Treat any allergies, sinus problems, or other illnesses or infections immediately.
- Ensure you find effective ways of managing stress and anxiety.
- Have regular meals.
- Stay in touch with your doctor. Discuss any changes in symptoms and methods of prevention.