Awareness Saves Lives Lung cancer occurs when cancerous cells form in the lungs. Like other cancers, as the disease develops, tumors are formed. As the disease progresses, it has the potential to spread to other regions of the body. Lung cancer is an umbrella term referring to several different cancers in the lung, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). NSCLCs start in lung tissue. It is comprised of three specific diseases: adenocarcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and large cell carcinomas. SCLCs are a rarer form, originating in the bronchi. They are similar in symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and risk factors. SCLCs tend to be more aggressive than NSCLCs. When cancer is more “aggressive”, it means that the growth of the cancer cells is more rapid. Rapid progression of cancer means that tumors grow faster and spread to other parts of the body more quickly, meaning the time window for “effective” treatment is smaller and the prognosis is poorer than non-aggressive cancers. Getting a Diagnosis Anyone can get lung cancer. This is no population of people that have absolute immunity from the disease. That being said, certain groups of people are more likely to contract lung cancer than others. [youmaylike] Generally, lung cancer is found in older people over the age of 65. Some lifestyle choices, such as smoking tobacco, can increase the risk of getting a diagnosis. Remember, just are there are no populations that are immune to developing cancer, but there are plenty of “at-risk” individuals who will never develop it. This does not mean you should ignore warnings over certain activities, such as smoking, just because you can think of someone who was an exception to the rule. Early Signs of Lung Cancer When it comes to cancer, one of the most important things you can do is get an early diagnosis. Early detection will put you in a better position in terms of treatment. Catching the disease before it gets the chance to travel to other parts of the body will make it easier to treat. If it does not spread, physicians can concentrate treatment techniques on specific areas, which can drastically increase your chances of beating it. The main problem that makes cancer so deadly is that you often do not notice until it is too late. Oftentimes, the early signs of disease are easy to overlook. Unfortunately, lung cancer normally does not cause any noticeable symptoms until later on. If you are demographically vulnerable to developing lung cancer, consider paying special attention to these early warning signs: Chronic cough, with no apparent cause. Coughing up blood; you may notice spotting on tissues. Chest, back, or shoulder pain, especially when you take deep breaths or laugh. Inappropriate shortness of breath, which may happen when doing non-strenuous, daily activities that should not cause any breathing problems. Weight and appetite loss, with no apparent cause. Fatigue or feelings of weakness with no known cause. Hoarseness, or having a raspy voice, can be a sign of respiratory problems. Wheezing, even during regular breathing. Chronic bronchitis or pneumonia. Any persistent respiratory infection should be brought to the attention of your physician. As lung cancer advances, the severity of symptoms will worsen for most patients. Advanced Symptoms of Lung Cancer In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, other signs of cancer may manifest after the disease has had time to progress. These symptoms will arise in response to the fact that the disease has entered other parts of the body. How you experience these symptoms will depend heavily on where the cancer spreads to. Bone pain: Can occur anywhere in the body but likely in the hip or the back. Jaundice: The yellowing of skin and eyes is a sign the liver has been disrupted by something. Disturbances to the nervous system: When cancer spreads to the brain, it can cause many different symptoms. These symptoms can include things such as persistent headaches, fatigue, numbness, lightheadedness, seizures, and sudden problems with balancing. When to See a Doctor You should always discuss any major changes in your bodily functions with your doctor. It is impossible to know whether or not something is cancerous until you undergo a medical examination. More than likely, these symptoms are not cancer. This does not mean that you should ignore them. Even if a collection of symptoms is not cancer, it can be a sign of another medical condition. As early intervention is essential for dealing with any cancer, it is important to talk to your doctor as soon as you notice these problems when they become persistent and occur with no explanation.
What Are Dry Cough Remedies?
If your dry cough wakes you up in the middle of the night one more time, you’ll scream, then probably cough some more! Due to this, you may be wondering what some dry cough remedies are.
A rare, occasional dry cough is a natural reflex that clears your lungs or throat of any irritant. But, if you have a persistent dry cough that doesn’t go away, it can indicate something more serious.
So, what causes it? And how do you get rid of dry cough? In this article we will look at how to diagnose your cough, and some home remedies you can try to soothe the pain.
Diagnosing Your Cough
Before we begin, do you know exactly what a dry cough is?
A dry cough is like a tickle in the back of your throat. It does not bring up mucus or phlegm and is typically caused by an irritant in your throat.
Unlike a wet cough, which brings up mucus that cleans the irritant away, dry coughs are more annoying than anything, since it does nothing to expel the irritant.
Dry coughs usually occur at the tail-end of an infection. It could be a cold, or the flu, or the result of a sinus infection. Moreover, a dry cough could also occur if you are exposed to an irritant, such as dust, chemical fumes from cars, smoke, or cigarette smoke. Asthma and allergies can also trigger a dry cough.
Some serious health issues can also result in you experiencing constant dry coughing, such as:
- Sinusitis
- Chronic bronchitis or emphysema (Also known as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Lung infections (acute bronchitis or pneumonia)
Nevertheless, if you get yourself tested and don’t find any such cause, there are unfortunately dozens of more conditions that can cause chronic dry cough.
5 Natural Home Remedies for a Dry Cough
Luckily, there are some things you can try at home to help soothe your dry cough. However, if your symptoms do not go away, or get worse, be sure to make an appointment with your doctor.
Honey
A teaspoon of honey in warm water or tea is the best remedy for a temporary dry cough. Additionally, you could have a teaspoon of honey and sprinkle some black pepper flakes on top. This reduces the nagging tickle in your throat and works more effectively than your average cough medication.
Drink Turmeric
Turmeric is a classic cough remedy and has been used to treat bronchitis and other upper respiratory conditions in Ayurvedic medicine for a long time. Turmeric in warm milk serves as an antiviral and anti-inflammatory remedy. And to top it off, it tastes good too and warms you from the inside.
Chew on Peppermint
Peppermint is widely used to obtain a chemical compound known as menthol naturally. So, when you chew on a peppermint leaf, that menthol component goes to the nerve endings in your throat, numbing them. This reduces pain and provides relief from coughing. Peppermint also reduces congestion and has other antiviral properties.
If possible, use peppermint oil for an aromatherapy treatment, or chew on a peppermint leaf if you have a bundle in the fridge.
Use a Humidifier
If you live in a dry region, that may be to blame for the dry cough you’re experiencing. Dry air leeches away all the moisture in the air. But, if you keep a humidifier handy, that puts moisture molecules back. That moisture then makes its way to your sinuses, thus opening them up and allowing your throat to feel less dry.
Buy an Air Purifier
If you live in the city, near traffic, or have dust or smoke allergies, an air purifier is exactly what you need.
As the name suggests, this device purifies the air and gets rid of any airborne irritants. Your throat doesn’t experience as many triggers as it normally would, which lessens your need to cough by reducing allergens.
When to See a Doctor
If you’ve used all the above tips, have taken all types of cough drops and syrups, and still experience a bad dry cough, then only a doctor can help you fight the problem.
As stated above, dry coughing is a symptom that can indicate some other health issue. Going to a professional physician will ensure you that you’ve taken all steps necessary to prevent your dry cough. With the right medical help and a complete physical, you’ll be able to get a proper diagnosis, address any underlying health issues, and be given a treatment plan.