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.
Symptoms of Cellulitis
Your skin is your body’s biggest organ. If there is anything wrong with your body, you can ensure that your skin will start showing some red flags right away. One way it shows signs of a problem is through infection. Cellulitis is one such infection that can become serious if it is not tended to right away. But what is it and what are the symptoms of cellulitis? Let’s find out.
What is Cellulitis?
Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that is typically caused by bacteria penetrating the skin’s deeper layers through the top layer that is broken. It is usually due to an insect bite or a cut. This infection spreads quickly and causes a slew of inconvenient and harmful symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Cellulitis?
1. Swelling
As the area becomes infected, the skin starts swelling and becomes warm to the touch, and the swelling also becomes painful and red. You may also experience some tenderness, even if the swelling isn’t significant.
2. Blisters and Pitting
Alongside the swelling, cellulitis also causes blisters to form around the affected skin. The skin also becomes pitted, like an orange peel, leading to further skin sensitivity.
3. Fever and Chills
As with any infection, if you get cellulitis, your body reacts by triggering your immune system, thus causing fever and chills. This is a sign of concern. If you do develop a fever, you must seek medical attention immediately.
What Causes Cellulitis?
As stated above, when bacteria penetrate the inner layers of the skin, this causes cellulitis to break out. However, it is not only mosquito bites that lead to skin breakage, and even something like a paper cut can be the cause.
Other risk factors include chickenpox, shingles, skin conditions such as eczema and athlete’s foot, puncture wounds, bites, piercings and even tattoos.
Cellulitis also occurs due to bad hygiene or being overweight. It’s also common among people with chronic edema, so their limbs may stay swollen. Additionally, if you have longer nails, work outside, or even garden, these factors increase your chances of getting cellulitis since it is easier to get bacteria on yourself without really noticing.
How Cellulitis is Diagnosed
Please don’t waste time assuming that you will be fine when it comes to cellulitis. Cellulitis spreads on your skin, so your cellulitis will worsen if the swelling or redness spreads.
If you have an outdoor job that sometimes causes you to get nicks and cuts, or if you experience cuts and nicks because of sensitive skin, be careful of any bruise or cut you see on yourself. If you see a spot on your skin swelling and looking pitted, go to a doctor. You may be tempted to ignore it because the cut is small but swelling and inflammation are your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.
It will only take a basic physical exam by a doctor to determine whether you have cellulitis. If they see any marks in and around the swelling, they will diagnose cellulitis.
How to Medically Treat Cellulitis
Cellulitis does not go away with over-the-counter medication. Only antibiotics can eliminate the bacteria strain that is festering in the wound. Although most doctors prescribe oral antibiotics, they may also treat your infection with an intravenous (IV) antibiotic, especially if you become feverish or faint or if the swelling becomes out of control and painful. Your doctor may also advise keeping your affected limb elevated to decrease swelling.
Is Cellulitis Serious?
It is uncommon to get complications from cellulitis because most patients get treated quickly. However, if you ignore the symptoms, the condition can cause deterioration and can become severe over time.
Aside from the swelling, cellulitis can sometimes cause vein swelling if the bacteria spread too close to the skin. It can also lead to blood infections, joint infections, bone infections and infections that affect the lining of the heart valves.
The condition can also lead to necrotizing fasciitis in severe cases, which requires immediate care.
How to Prevent Cellulitis
The best tip for preventing cellulitis is to maintain good wound care.
Clean every injury, even minor injuries, with soap and water. Clean and cover the wound with a dry bandage, and do not attempt to bandage any open, gaping wounds yourself. Instead, seek medical help if the wound is severe or deep.
If you have any skin infections that cause blisters or wounds, get them treated and regularly watch your skin for any signs of infection or injury. Cellulitis can be sneaky, so it is best to stay cautious.
In Conclusion
Cellulitis isn’t severe if you take good care of your body. Keep your skin clean, and always seek medical assistance if you feel like your skin isn’t looking well. Your body will thank you for staying healthy and happy.