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.
The journey of pregnancy is one many couples look forward to. Unfortunately, an event that is supposed to be joyous and exciting is often filled with frustration and complications. Struggling to get pregnant is perfectly normal. However, when problems persist after a long time of trying, it may be time to start considering the possibility of infertility. Here we will take a look at infertility symptoms and the risk factors.
What is Infertility?
Infertility refers to when individuals struggle with getting pregnant. Your case is considered an event of infertility when you’ve failed to become pregnant after a year of frequent, unprotected sex. Although it is often portrayed as an issue involving deficits in the female reproductive system, both males and females can experience infertility symptoms when a couple is trying to conceive.
Struggling with infertility symptoms does not mean that a couple can’t become pregnant. Learning more about what infertility means and what to do about it is a great first step towards overcoming your obstacles.
Male vs Female Infertility
Anyone can suffer from infertility problems. While a doctor’s examination is necessary to pinpoint the reason behind it, there are a few common reasons why a couple struggles getting pregnant.
Common reasons for male infertility:
Sperm Production Dysfunction
Abnormalities in sperm production are a leading cause of male fertility problems. These issues may arise from physiological problems, such as undescended testicles, developmental defects, or diseases. Infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, or mumps, sometimes compromise sperm quality. Other general health problems, such as diabetes, may hinder your ability to produce enough sperm.
Sperm Delivery Abnormalities
Having enough sperm won’t get a partner pregnant if the sperm cannot be delivered. Several different physiological phenomena may impede one’s ability to ejaculate properly. Structural abnormalities, such as blockage to the testicle, may cause this. Premature ejaculation may also be a contributing factor if it impedes an individual’s ability to impregnate their partner.
Reproductive Damage
While structural blocks may be due to genetic defects, disease and injury may cause these problems. Physical trauma or injury to the reproductive system may impede one’s infertility. Several environmental factors may contribute to this damage. Undergoing radiation or chemotherapy treatments may cause these issues. Other issues may come from smoking cigarettes, alcohol, steroids, and medication. Exposure to high heat, such as frequent hot tub use, may also impact sperm production.
Common reasons for female infertility:
Ovulation Disorders
Ovulation refers to the time in a woman’s reproductive cycle when her ovary releases an egg for fertilization. If she is unable to release an egg, she won’t be able to get pregnant. Problems can be due to hormonal disorders (such as polycystic ovary syndrome) or other hormonal imbalances that mess up a healthy menstrual cycle.
Uterine or Cervical Problems
If there are structural abnormalities (such as in the shape of the uterus) or polyp development, it may impede one’s ability to get pregnant.
Fallopian Tube Abnormalities
If the fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked, it may be more difficult for an individual to conceive.
Health Conditions
Different diseases and health conditions may cause damage to the reproductive system. Conditions like endometriosis are often linked with infertility problems. Primary ovarian insufficiency, also known as early menopause, causes women to cease menstruation earlier than average. Early menopause is often correlated with genetic diseases, immune system abnormalities, and previous cancer treatment.
Pelvic Dysfunction
Following injury or surgery, scar tissue in the pelvic region may make it difficult for some men and women to get pregnant.
Infertility Treatments
There are several different treatments a fertility specialist may recommend to encourage pregnancy. These treatments may be simple things such as lifestyle changes or tracking one’s cycle in order to enhance the chances of conception.
For more complicated situations, individuals may need to seek hormonal interventions or undergo further procedures to facilitate pregnancy. These involve medical supervision.
How to Receive Help for Infertility Problems
If you and your partner are struggling to get pregnant, it’s a good idea to reach out to a fertility clinic. A thorough physical examination is necessary to determine the exact cause and how it can be treated. Trained physicians can help you determine the underlying causes of your infertility and find the treatments that work best for you.