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.
Cyclothymic Disorder: A Mood Disorder
The cyclothymic disorder, also known as cyclothymia, is a mood disorder milder than bipolar I or II. It is characterized by a successive series of hypomania and depressive lows. The highs and lows are mild, with the depressive lows never reaching major depression and the hypomania never culminating in actual mania.
However, since all mental illnesses are on a continuum, cyclothymia may also range from normal mood variations to severe functional impairment because of the disorder. Individuals with cyclothymia are at risk of developing bipolar or other severe mood disorders if they cannot manage the condition properly with the help of a doctor.
The high and low periods are irregular and unpredictable. The low periods may last several days or weeks, but the person may experience normal moods for more than a month between the high and low.
Symptoms of Cyclothymic Disorder
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) categorizes cyclothymia’s symptoms into depressive and manic symptoms.
Depressive related symptoms may include:
- Aggressiveness
- Changes in appetite
- Chronic fatigue or low energy
- Feelings of worthlessness and guilt
- Inattentiveness and forgetfulness
- Irritability
- Insomnia or hypersomnia without fatigue
- Weight changes
- Low libido
- Tearfulness, sadness, or feeling empty
- Loss of interests in things that were once enjoyed
- Poor concentration
- Suicidal thoughts
The manic symptoms of cyclothymia may include:
- Extremely combative
- Extreme optimism
- When talking, they speak fast and excessively
- Having little or no sleep for days (without feeling tired)
- Hypersexuality
- Increased anxiety
- Inflated self-esteem
- Irregular sleep cycle
- Lack of focus
- Racing thoughts
- Poor judgment and risky behavior
- High drive and a strong desire to achieve goals
- Restlessness and hyperactivity
Causes of Cyclothymic Disorder
The underlying causes of the cyclothymic disorder are unknown. However, there is a heredity aspect of it since it may run in families. Cyclothymia may also result from negative neurological changes of the brain caused by:
- Alcohol use disorder
- Stroke
- PTSD
- Alzheimer disease
- Migraines
- Brain aneurysm
- Concussion
- Multiple sclerosis
Cyclothymic Diagnosis
In the diagnosis of a cyclothymic disorder, your doctor may:
- Perform a physical exam which may include a lab test to find an explanation of your symptoms.
- Undertake a psychological evaluation, which entails talking about your thoughts and how they affect your feelings and behavior. The doctor may engage your family members and close friends to discuss your behavior but only with your express consent. Your doctor may also ask you to fill out a self-assessment questionnaire.
- Your doctor may require that you keep a journal recording your mood and sleep patterns.
According to the DSM-5, you may have cyclothymia if your doctor discovers that you have:
- Periods of elevated mood and depressive episodes lasting two years for adults and one for children and teens.
- You’ve not had a stable mood for periods not exceeding two months.
- Your symptoms significantly affect your social life, work, or school.
- There is no other explanation for your symptoms (such as substance abuse).
- Your symptoms do not meet the criteria for bipolar, depression, or other mental disorders.
Cyclothymic Disorder Treatment Options
People with cyclothymia need full-time medication to manage their condition, primarily because of the risk that the disease may progress into bipolar disorder if not treated. Whereas there is no medication specifically to treat cyclothymia, your doctor may rely on treatments used to treat other conductions such as:
- Anti-anxiety medication
- Antidepressants such as Prozac, Paxil, or Zoloft
- Anti-epileptic medication
- Anti-seizure meds
- Avoid alcohol and substance use or abuse
- Mood stabilizers such as lithium or lamotrigine
- Atypical antipsychotic medication
These medications can help manage the symptoms of the disorder and prevent the hypomanic and depressive cycles.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is another treatment option. Your doctor may recommend CBT combined with medication. It focuses on identifying negative thought patterns that lead to behavioral problems. CBT also imparts mechanisms to cope with stress. CBT is an effective form of psychotherapy that allows the patient to identify, avoid, or cope with triggers.
The other psychotherapeutic option is interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT). IPSRT supports the patient to achieve a daily rhythm of activities such as sleeping, waking up, and mealtimes. A predetermined and consistent routine is one way of guaranteeing a better mood. Your therapies may also recommend physical exercises and diet or connect you to a professional.