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.
Leaky Gut Syndrome Symptoms
Leaky gut syndrome, also known as intestinal permeability, is a condition in which bacteria or toxins leak from the small intestine into the bloodstream. In this article, we are going to take a look at leaky gut syndrome symptoms so you can know if you are at risk.
Microbiota is bacteria found in the intestines that help with digestion, protect the intestinal wall, and contribute to immune function. Research shows that a microbiota imbalance in the intestine may trigger the body’s immune response resulting in gut inflammation and intestinal permeability.
The science behind leaky gut syndrome is still developing. And the infancy of it is the reason for tensions between proponents of natural health who diagnose and treat leaky gut and some mainstream medical practitioners who dismiss it.
Because of this, there are no definitive tests to find out whether an individual has leaky gut syndrome, and many people go their whole lives without a diagnosis and proper treatment. If you suspect you may have any of its symptoms, it is advisable to consult with a doctor who will take your concerns seriously.
However, it is widely accepted that leaky gut is a common syndrome among people with autoimmune diseases, such as celiac and Crohn's disease. Still, the evidence that it is an underlying cause of such conditions is not sufficient.
Causes of Leaky Gut Syndrome
The defined causes of the leaky gut syndrome include:
- Chronic stress, which weakens your immunity and undermines your ability to fight off bacteria and viruses
- Preservatives and other chemicals found in foods often causing damage to the intestine's lining, undermining the digestion of gluten
- Excessive consumption of alcohol
- Medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aspirin causing damage to the intestine's lining
- Dysbiosis, the imbalance between the other species in the gut; good and bad bacteria (antibiotics are a leading cause of the imbalance because it kills the good bacteria in the stomach)
- A poor diet that’s heavy on processed foods leading to an overgrowth of yeasts in the intestine
People with the following conditions are also likely to experience leaky gut. - Acnes
- Allergies
- Arthritis
- Autoimmune diseases
- Brain fog
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Chronic liver disease
- Diabetes
- Unexplained rashes
- Food allergies
- Giardiasis
- Hives
- Intestinal infections
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), including ulcerative colitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Pancreatic insufficiency
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Sinus infections
It is best not to think of the leaky gut as a disease by itself but a means through which toxins invade the body through the gastrointestinal tract and cause other diseases.
Common symptoms of leaky gut syndrome include:
- Chronic diarrhea, constipation, or bloating
- Depression, anxiety, or ADHD
- Fatigue
- Nutritional deficiencies
- Malaise
- Skin problems including eczema and rashes
- Inflammation
- Joint pain
Treatment Options
The most effective treatment for leaky gut syndrome is a diet that supports gut health and eliminates stressors such as:
- Gluten and wheat-based products
- Dairy products, including milk and cheese
- Refined oils including canola, sunflower, safflower, and soybean oil
- Highly refined foods and snacks such as crackers, potato chips, sugary cereals, among others
- Artificial sweeteners
- Salad dressings and sauces such as soy, teriyaki, and hoisin sauce
- Drinks with soy, caffeine, refined sugar, carbonated beverages, and alcohol
Foods that support gut health include: - Greens such as arugula, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, kale, spinach, ginger, mushrooms, and zucchini
- Fruit fiber from bananas, berries, pineapple, lemon, passion fruit, and papaya
- Roots and tubers including potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, turnips, and yams
- Nuts and seeds, including almonds, peanuts, nut-based milk, and chia, flax, and sunflower seeds
- Healthy fats such as omega-3, avocado oil, extra virgin oil, and coconut oil that support brain function
- Meat and eggs — chicken, turkey, and eggs, fish, lean beef, and lamb
- Cultured dairy products such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut are known to support brain activity
- Healthy beverages including bone broth and coconut milk
Lifestyle adjustments that may prove helpful besides a good diet include:
- Regular exercise
- Measures that ensure you get enough sleep, such as observing a regular bedtime schedule and avoiding blue light around your bedtime
- Avoid antibiotics if necessary
- Quit alcohol and smoking
You could opt to visit a gastroenterologist to help you navigate nutritional choices. Notably, treating Crohn's or celiac disease after a diagnosis will also address leaky gut symptoms. Avoiding stress either by medication or meditation is also effective in addressing intestinal permeability.