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.
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.