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.
Top 3 Pink Eye Natural Remedies
There are many notorious diseases that spread easily and quickly. While they are not all life-threatening, many of these illnesses cause pain or discomfort people want to avoid. Luckily, common diseases, like pink eye, are very treatable and don’t pose much risk. There are many effective remedies you can even try right in your own home.
What Is Pink Eye?
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, refers to the infection or swelling of the tissue that frames your eyelids. This area of the eye, the conjunctiva, is full of tiny blood vessels that are barely noticeable most of the time. However, when inflammation occurs, it exaggerates the vessels and makes the eyes have a reddish or pink appearance.
Redness is a trademark symptom of pink eye, but it is not the only sign of the disease. In addition to discoloration in the whites of one’s eyes, individuals may also experience other symptoms in their eyes, including:
- Itchiness
- Grittiness
- Tearing
- Discharge
Some of these symptoms may result in a crust forming on the eye that can make it challenging to open them.
What Causes Pink Eye?
Many different events can cause pink eye. To better understand this, consider that “pink eye” is a broad term that classifies several different phenomena. For the most part, pink eye is the result of bacterial or viral infections. It can also be caused by allergens, blocked tear ducts, or deformities (especially in newborns and infants).
It’s important to note that depending on the cause of pink eye, the disease may be highly contagious. While pink eye from things such as allergens or incomplete tear ducts are not contagious, individuals may spread infections through contact.
A physician’s evaluation is needed to determine the exact cause of pink eye. If there is concern about a contagious state of the disease, consider disinfecting contaminated articles to reduce the spread.
Reducing the Spread of Pink Eye
Reducing the spread of pink eye is crucial to keep your household clean. Practicing regular personal hygiene goes a long way. Even if you are not in direct contact with someone suffering from pink eye, you should wash your hands often and avoid touching your face.
You should also regularly wash your clothes, towels, and pillowcases. Avoid sharing cosmetics, washcloths, and any other personal hygiene products. If you contracted pink eye, immediately wash any items you’ve been in contact with. Dispose of any products used directly on your eye (e.g., mascara or eyeliner) and refrain from using contacts until the infection cleared. You can still wear glasses but disinfect them.
Are There Natural Remedies for Pink Eye?
Although there are pharmaceutical interventions to address severe cases of pink eye, there are many natural remedies one may try. In many cases, you just need to wait for pink eye to “run its course.” Treatments involve reducing symptoms for comfort. Top home remedies doctors often recommend include:
- Artificial tears — these can be purchased over the counter and help alleviate the irritation
- Regular rinsing — washing out eyes and keeping them clean reduces build-up that prohibits you from opening your eyes
- Warm compresses — apply several times a day to help break up the build-up and reduce swelling
Most cases do not require further treatment; however, if symptoms persist, you may need antibiotic drops available only through prescription.
When Should I Visit a Doctor?
It is a wise idea to visit a doctor whenever you or your loved one experience any troubling symptoms. Trained medical care physicians are educated to help keep their patients safe and direct you towards the most effective treatment options available.
Pink eye shares many symptoms with other, more severe diseases, so it is important that you have a doctor examine you to make sure that your distress is not a sign of another illness. It’s especially important to keep this in mind if your symptoms are accompanied by light sensitivity, vision disturbances, pain, or feeling like something is lodged in your eye.
It’s highly recommended that you should make an appointment with your doctor if symptoms do not disappear on their own after 12 hours.
Remember that just because something is natural or homeopathic does not mean the treatment is for everyone. Even some holistic interventions have side effects or interactions you should discuss with your doctor. Your doctor can recommend some natural treatments that are safe and effective for you or your loved one.