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.
What Are the Physical Symptoms of Stress?
Every person has experienced different forms of stress in their lives. Is it normal to feel stressed? Can we prevent it or make it go away? This article will explain what it is, the different types, causes, and physical symptoms of stress. We also look at how we can identify and manage it, and when to see a doctor.
What is Stress?
Stress is an emotional or mental reaction of the body, characterized as tension or apprehension coming from changes or circumstances. It is a normal reaction, and usually occurs when a person is pushed beyond their limits.
According to the American Psychological Association, around 75% of Americans experience physical or emotional stress. On one hand, stress can be a good motivator for a person to be more productive and get things done. However, it can also be overwhelming when not controlled, affecting your daily life and interfering with daily activities.
What Causes Stress?
There is usually a triggering factor for stress. It can be mild, such as a slight change in schedule, routine, or lifestyle. An example of this is travel, pregnancy, childbirth, or a fight.
Other times, circumstances that are unfavorable or challenging cause stress. These include problems relating to work, money, family, relationships, or health. Examples of this include financial problems, debt, loss of a job, marriage, or illness.
It is important to note that although stress is associated with negative events, not all causes of stress are bad. Sometimes it also comes from good events such as being pregnant and having a baby, or getting a promotion and having more responsibility at work.
Different Types of Stress
There are different types of stress, each of which has its presentation and triggers. The American Psychological Association identifies different types of stress based on the time it occurs. Stress is classified as acute (short-term), acute episodic stress, or chronic (long-term).
Acute and Chronic
Acute stress is a type of stress that lasts for a limited period because of certain changes in the environment. It is usually incidental and disappears after the trigger is removed. Episodic acute stress is characterized as acute stress that occurs more frequently or regularly. These episodes are usually more intense than acute stress. Chronic stress is a type of stress that is lasting and can be present for years or decades.
Physical
Stress can also be classified by type. Physical stress is a type of stress that affects the body. Examples of triggers of physical stress are travel, changes in temperature or environment, and changes such as pregnancy, childbirth, menstruation, or menopause. Traveling can cause physical stress by changing your sleeping and waking hours. Changes in the environment can affect your sleep and wakefulness and also affects your body.
Trauma
A type of stress similar to physical stress is traumatic stress. Traumatic stress is when there is an insult or injury to the body which can lead to physical changes and complications, such as pain, changes in sensorium, or even death. An example of traumatic stress is when a person gets in an accident, gets sick, or undergoes an operation.
Emotional
Another type of stress is emotional stress, which affects the feelings of a person. Triggers of emotional stress include death or losing a loved one, a divorce or breakup, or a fight with a loved one or family member. People with emotional stress may experience symptoms of depression and physical changes, such as weight loss and sleep problems.
Symptoms of Stress
Stressed individuals experience various symptoms. It will display differently in each individual, but there are some common symptoms to look for. These include:
- Feeling fatigued or tired
- Digestive issues, such as an upset stomach, stomach ache, or nausea
- Headaches
- Muscle pain
- Chest pan
- Increased blood pressure
- Difficultly sleeping
- Decreased libido
- Feeling restless or lethargic
How to Identify Stress
Sometimes it may be difficult for adults to identify their stress. It can be hard for children and teenagers, too, especially if they do not know what stress is.
How will a person know that they are already experiencing stress? It usually becomes apparent through certain behavioral cues.
Aside from the physical symptoms, people who have stress experience changes in behavior. These include being moody or easily irritated. They may complain and not enjoy activities that they used to. Their sleeping and eating habits are unusual enough to be noticed by people around them.
Socially, they may isolate themselves, have angry outbursts, and become hostile towards family members or friends.
While there are many physical symptoms of stress, it can show itself in other ways, too.
Stress Management Tips
Stress can occur at different points in every person’s life, so it is important to know how to manage it. First, you need to identify the triggers so you can mentally prepare and anticipate ways to control the stress.
Implement a Positive Outlook
Having a good mindset and positive outlook is a good start to keep stress at bay. To build resilience, it can be helpful to practice meditation techniques and breathing exercises. This centers the body and refocuses the mind, providing clarity. Having calming or soothing activities can also help manage stress.
This can be different for every person. Examples include listening to music, taking a warm bath, or practicing breathing exercises. Focusing on a hobby or interest can also help.
Maintain a Health Diet
Having a balanced diet will also help manage stress. It will help provide energy, and the nutrients from healthy meals can lead to a strong mind and body.
Exercise will also help in reducing stress. It releases hormones that boost happiness and improve a person’s mood. According to the American Psychological Association, almost half of Americans walk or exercise to manage stress.
Do What You Enjoy
Having activities for fun and leisure is also helpful for stress. It is important to rest and take a break once in a while. This is also good to help reset your mind and recharge your body.
Being with a good support group can alleviate stress as well. Connecting with people not only boosts your mood, but also allows people to learn from each other.
Seeing a Doctor
Seeing a doctor for stress is helpful if the person is already feeling overwhelmed, and stress is being experienced persistently or for a long time.
Professional help may also be needed when non-medical techniques to relieve the stress mentioned above do not work. A trained professional is important for giving emotional support, as well as providing guided stress management strategies with expected outcomes.
Stress does not simply go away. It’s important to know when stress should be evaluated by a doctor for treatment and management. This way, stress is less likely to affect a person’s physical and mental health and become destructive to their life.