Pathways to Healing Lung cancer starts in the lungs but can spread to other regions of the body. While there is no single cure, there are different treatment options that can be used. In this article, we will look at treatment options, as well as symptoms of lung cancer Roughly 1 in 16 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer. While smoking can increase the likelihood of getting a diagnosis, non-smokers are not exempt from this condition. There are many different causes of lung cancer, and people of all ages can be diagnosed. Unfortunately, there is no specific cure for lung cancer. Beating cancer is a little more complicated than taking a few pills or going to a doctor’s office. The disease is more serious and requires more intense intervention techniques. Different Lung Cancer Treatment Options Depending on the progression of the cancer and the patient's general health, a physician may recommend several treatment options. Know that with all treatment options, there is a risk of harsh side effects and a chance that the treatment does not work. Still, these are the best options when it comes to defeating lung cancer, with increased chances of success in cases of early detection. Treatments can be used in combination with one another, or as a standalone option depending on the particular case. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy has been one of the most common treatment options for a long time. It works by using strong chemicals that target rapidly dividing cells. When introduced into your body, chemotherapy drugs will attack all rapidly dividing cells. Unfortunately, these drugs cannot differentiate between cancer cells and healthy cells that just happen to be dividing. The side effects of such treatments can be unpleasant, but most reverse when the treatment ends or can be reduced during the treatment. Common side effects include: Nausea/vomiting. Hair loss. Mouth sores. Pain. Bowel disturbances (diarrhea/ constipation). Loss of appetite. Bruising easily. [youmaylike] Harsher and potentially permanent side effects include: Organ damage (heart, lung, kidneys). Nerve damage. Infertility. Heightened risk of a second cancer. Side effects will also vary depending on the type of drug that is used in your treatment and the way you “take in” the drug. The most common chemotherapy drugs for lung cancer include the following: Afatinib. Bevacizumab. Ceritinib. Crizotinib. Erlotinib. Chemotherapy for lung cancer can be done in the following ways: Injected: Most often this is administered through infusions (IV) but can be given through shots. Implanted: Thin wafers containing the drug can be inserted directly into the site of a tumor or surgery. Pills: Pills and capsules containing the drug are sometimes available. Radiation Radiation is another treatment method. Radiation therapy uses beams of energy to damage cells in targeted regions of the body. The intense energy beams aim at precise locations in the body and damage the cells in that region. While this, unfortunately, means that healthy cells will also be attacked, they are often able to “bounce back” from the damage where cancer cells will be killed. As it is a targeted treatment, side effects are often limited to the region in which the treatment was applied. This means that patients can expect skin problems in the area of application as well as fatigue; these are mostly short-term side effects. Specific side effects characterized by treatments aimed at the chest include: Breast soreness. Stiff shoulders. Difficulties swallowing. Respiratory problems. Radiation fibrosis (permanent lung scarring). There is a low chance of developing long-term side effects, such as the development of a second cancer, as an effect of radiation exposure. Surgery If the cancer is caught early enough, then it can be treated by removing the cancerous tissue at the initial site. The operation can only be successful if the cancer has not yet spread to other regions of the body. The side effects of this treatment will depend on the depth of the removal, the nature of the removed tissue, and its size. For example, removing a tiny bit of the lung will not be as hard to recover from as removing a large piece. Other Lung Cancer Treatment Options Other treatments are being developed that aim to keep the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation treatments without the harsh side effects. While some remain experimental, recently emerging treatments, such as immunotherapy, offer the potential to battle lung cancer. Talk to a licensed care physician to get the most valuable recommendations on which cancer treatment is right for you. Everybody has a different experience and treatments are decided on a case-by-case basis.
Gingivitis Symptoms to Be Aware Of
A happy, healthy smile is not just about keeping your teeth white, shiny and straight; overall gum health is incredibly important in terms of oral hygiene. In order to keep your teeth and gums strong and healthy, you should schedule regular dental check-ups, and brush and floss daily.
There are a few different diseases that attack the gums. Arguably, the most common form of gum disease is gingivitis. We have all seen this term referenced in commercials and by our doctors and dentists, but what actually is this condition? Learning more about gingivitis symptoms will help you take charge of your oral health and prevent uncomfortable conditions.
What is Gingivitis?
Gingivitis is a frequently occurring type of gum disease. The disease manifests as redness and inflammation of the area of gums closest to your teeth.
The disease progresses over time, starting with mild symptoms but slowly worsening to more severe problems. While everyone experiences the disease a little differently, there are some key symptoms associated with gingivitis
In addition to discolored and inflamed gums, gingivitis also leads to bad breath and bleeding when flossing or brushing your teeth. If left untreated, gingivitis may turn into something much more serious, and can even lead to tooth loss.
Luckily, paying attention to the symptoms of gingivitis and addressing them as soon as you can helps prevent the disease from ever getting too serious.
The main cause of this disease is poor dental care. When people have a lot of plaque, it eventually turns into tartar which irritates the gums and acts as a breeding ground for bacteria.
What Are the Warning Signs of Gingivitis?
The early stages of gingivitis are mild pain and redness on your teeth. You may notice that your gums are sore to the touch or are a little puffy when you try to apply pressure to them.
When you brush your teeth normally with early gingivitis, you may notice some blood when you spit into the sink. Bad breath may also be an early sign of the disease.
It’s also a good idea to keep an eye out if you fall into any of the risk populations more likely to succumb to this condition. Such vulnerable groups include smokers, people over 40, immunocompromised patients (such as those with HIV/ AIDS, leukemia, or are undergoing chemotherapy treatment) drug use, hormonal changes, or a family history of gum issues.
How to Diagnose Gingivitis
Formally diagnosing gingivitis is a task you should leave up to your dentist. Make an appointment with your dentist as soon as you notice any of the symptoms. Treating the condition early is key to getting the best recovery possible.
A dentist can detect signs of gingivitis by a simple oral examination.
How to Treat Gingivitis
One of the most effective methods to treat gingivitis includes making some lifestyle changes. Cutting out a lot of sugar or acidic foods from your diet helps keep your teeth intact. Additionally, making sure you properly bush your teeth is vital for beating and avoiding a lot of oral health problems.
Going to the dentist and having them professionally clean and remove plaque from teeth is also recommended. Your bi-yearly professional cleanings are helpful, but not enough to keep your gums healthy. You need to do some work at home and take time out of your daily schedule to prevent gingivitis from occuring in the first place.
Can You Prevent Gingivitis?
Preventing gingivitis is the best way to avoid any gum issues. Luckily, leading a healthy lifestyle is often enough to help keep your gums in tip-top shape.
Practicing good oral hygiene is one of the most crucial things you can do. Everyone should brush their teeth at least twice a day (in the morning and right before they go to bed). You should brush your teeth for at least two minutes each session and be sure to effectively hold and maneuver your brush. Flossing once a day is also a great way of keeping your mouth happy and healthy.
In fact, practicing general good health, in general, is beneficial. Managing your blood sugar and having a healthy diet is great when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
Finally, visiting a dentist is incredibly important. You should visit your dentist at least once every 12 months, every six months if you can manage it. They can help monitor your gum health so you can track any changes and notice if anything is out of sorts.