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.
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.