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.
Sprained Ankle Treatment
An ankle sprain occurs when there is an eversion or inversion of your foot (a twist of your ankle) that causes your ligaments to stretch or tear. The eversion or inversion can be caused by either a fall, an accident involving someone stepping on your foot, or walking on an uneven surface.
The ankle has three ligaments that prevent excessive movement and stabilize your joints. Most sprains are inversions that injure the ligaments on the outer side of your ankle. The severity of the damage caused by an eversion/inversion determines if the injury is a twist, sprain, or fracture.
After you twist your ankle, you should be able to walk it off immediately, or your ankle should be back to normal after a day of home treatment. Ideally, a twisted ankle may not require medical intervention.
A sprain means you have an excessive stretch or tear of the ligaments. Your ankle may be bruised or swollen after the incident. On the other hand, a fractured ankle can only be diagnosed with an x-ray and occurs when the ankle bone is cracked or broken.
A good indication of a fractured ankle is that you would have probably heard a cracking sound at the time of the injury. If you have excessive pain, your ankle is numb, or it looks crooked and cannot bear weight, it is probably fractured.
Treatment Options for Sprained Ankle
A sprained ankle treatment protocol is indicated by the abbreviation RICE, which means:
1. Rest
Rest may mean you’ll be restricted from activities that will put undue weight on your injured ankle. A doctor may put you on bed rest for the first two days after sustaining an injury. The unnecessary movement will strain your ankle further and may delay the healing process.
2. Ice
Ice will reduce pain and inflammation. You should apply an ice pack immediately after sustaining the injury to minimize swelling. After that, subject the ankle to the ice for 15 minutes three or more times a day for the first three days.
If you’re in pain after the three days of ice therapy, apply heat to soothe the pain. Heat treatment relaxes tissue and stimulates the flow of blood to the affected area. Use moderate heat for a limited time, and never leave the heat pad or towel on yourself for extended periods or while sleeping. Whether applying heat or ice, do not apply directly to the skin but place a towel over the ankle and then apply the necessary treatment.
3. Compression
Compression means wrapping the ankle with an elastic wrap or bandage. The wrapping compresses the area, reduces swelling, and helps stabilize and minimize the ankle’s movement.
It is advisable to have a sports injury medic wrap the ankle for you or watch this video on how to wrap an injured ankle.
4. Elevate
Anytime you’re sitting or lying down, elevate the injured foot to a level above your heart. Elevation also minimizes swelling.
5. Medication and Therapy
Depending on the severity of the injury and pain level, you may purchase over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or acetaminophen to help manage the painful inflammation.
To give the ligaments enough time to heal, and if the injured foot cannot bear weight, you may need to walk with crutches. Your doctor may also recommend the use of an ankle brace for immobilization of the joint. Ankle braces also provide compression and heat, which are essential for healing.
Once the swelling eases, your doctor may recommend physiotherapy to restore the ankle's strength and stability. Your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or reconstruct a ligament that isn't healing in rare situations.
Final Remarks
Sprains almost always heal quickly, especially if the RICE. protocol is followed keenly within the first 72 hours of injury. Restraining from activities could mean a faster healing process, especially if you're young. Sprains can be avoided by wearing the right gear and using equipment correctly.