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.
How to Treat a Headache
Headaches are very common, and you’ve likely had them at some point in your life. A headache refers to pain in your head, face, or the upper part of your neck that feels like either a dull ache, sharp pain, continuous pain, or throbbing pain. Some headaches can be severe enough to disrupt your daily activities and interfere with work. Don't worry though, we are here to talk about how to treat a headache. Thankfully, they can be managed through the use of medications and lifestyle adjustments.
Although there are over a hundred types, headaches can be broadly classified into two categories: primary and secondary. Primary headaches are headaches that do not arise as a result of an underlying medical condition. Examples include:
- Tension headaches
- Migraines
- Cluster headaches
- New daily persistent headaches (NDPH)
Secondary headaches, on the other hand, occur as a side effect of an underlying medical issue, including but not limited to:
- High blood pressure
- Trauma to the head
- Infections
- Tumors involving the head and neck
- Sinusitis
How Are Headaches Different From Migraines?
Migraines are a type of primary headache which are more intense and accompanied by symptoms. They are usually one-sided, involving the ear or eye on the affected side. Before the onset of the migraine, some symptoms, often referred to as “auras,” may occur. They include:
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Vomiting
- Seeing flashes or spots
- Altered sensations of smell or touch
- Reduced mental alertness
These auras can occur from ten minutes to two days before the migraine sets in. Although auras are common, not all migraines are accompanied by them. The throbbing one-sided pain in the head that can be severe enough to disturb daily activity characterizes the pain as a migraine.
What Causes Headaches?
Headaches occur in response to your body’s nerves, sending pain input to your brain. These nerves can be triggered by several factors, which then send signals to the pain centers in your brain. Some of these factors include:
- Emotional and physical stress
- Strong scents from perfumes and other chemicals
- Alcohol use
- Alterations in sleeping or eating patterns
- Foods such as chocolate, cheese, and coffee
- Inhalation of smoke
- Bright lights or noise
- Poor head positioning or posture
- Exposure to allergens
Some headaches, especially migraines, have been said to be hereditary. Children of people who have migraines are up to four times more likely to have them than someone without a genetic link.
Headache Treatments
To treat headaches, you must first determine what your trigger is. The easiest way to know what your trigger could be is by recording when and where you typically get headaches, frequency durations, and any symptoms that present before it. Your doctor may request an MRI or CT scan to rule out tumors or other abnormalities within your brain in the case of a secondary headache.
The treatment of headaches can vary according to the type and trigger. Some may require simple behavior modification, while others may respond to only medication. There are a variety of treatment options available for the treatment of headaches.
Home Remedies
Not all headaches require the use of medication. Some can be managed by therapy and lifestyle modification. This is particularly true for headaches which are mild and often caused by stress. Employing stress management techniques, relaxation exercises, and breathing exercises can be of benefit in relieving headaches. Applying hot or cold head compresses, meditating in a serene environment, getting a massage, avoiding noisy environments, and switching off the lights could significantly improve your health.
Natural Remedies
Several natural remedies can help to treat and decrease headaches. Increasing your daily intake of water, limiting alcohol, and avoiding foods like fish, cheese, and beer, which are high in histamines, are just some of the natural ways to get rid of headaches. Peppermint and lavender essential oils and herbal remedies such as butterbur and feverfew are said to relieve headaches in children and adults.
Medical Treatment
Sometimes, medications are used to treat headaches. Some of them include triptans, which are typically used to treat migraines and can be taken when you begin to feel an aura. Others are given to treat symptoms linked to the headache, including NSAIDs (e.g., aspirin, ibuprofen), acetaminophen, and antiemetics.
You can get most of these medications without a prescription. However, some of them may require one. These medications are most effective when used in conjunction with other non-medication recommendations.
When to See a Doctor?
In most cases, headaches are not life-threatening, and with knowing how to treat a headache, you can handle it at home. But, should you begin to experience any of the following symptoms, they may be an indication of a more serious underlying condition:
- Drowsiness
- Slurring of speech
- A sudden, persistent headache
- Eye or ear pain and neck stiffness
- Headache that occurs after trauma to the head
- Seizures