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.
What Are the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?
Knowing that you have a yeast infection may sound a little gross, but it’s not as bad or concerning as you may think.
Yeast infections are relatively common in men and women, although women bear the brunt of it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that three in every four women get a yeast infection at least once in their life.
However, most only realize they have it once it is diagnosed. If you are worried you might have a yeast infection, you must learn the causes and symptoms. That way, you can find a way to mitigate your chances of ever having yeast infection again.
It’s a common fact that every vagina has bacteria and yeast cells. While these cells and bacteria do remain balanced, an increase in the yeast cells leads to the vagina experiencing a yeast infection.
The bacteria present in the vagina is known as lactobacillus, whereas the fungus or yeast cells are called candida. The bacteria typically keep the yeast cells in check, but an imbalance in a person’s system leads to the bacteria working ineffectively. That, in turn, leads to an increase of yeast, which causes the symptoms to develop.
The Causes of a Yeast Infection
Unfortunately, multiple reasons can lead to a yeast infection, such as:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Hormonal imbalance, especially if you are near your menstrual cycle date
- Bad eating habits, such as eating sugary drinks
- Uncontrolled diabetes
- Weak immune system
- Pregnancy
- Antibiotics (some can decrease the number of good bacteria in your vagina)
The most common type of yeast infections that occur are Candidiasis and Candida albicans. Thankfully, both are easily treatable and require essential medication. However, for women with recurring yeast infections, these may not be the specific infections causing problems. You will need a doctor’s appointment and a lab test to determine which infection you have.
What are the Symptoms of a Yeast Infection?
Vaginal yeast infections share a common selection of symptoms. These include:
- Swelling around the vagina
- Itchiness in the vulva folds
- Burning sensation during sex or urination
- Painful sex
- Redness
- Soreness
- Rash-like patches on the vulva folds
- White, whitish-grey, or creamy, clumpy vaginal discharge
For the last symptom, the consistency could be watery, but the discharge may also be hard and sticky, so much that it may not be easy to remove. In that case, it’s best to leave the discharge as is and wash the area. You must be sure it is clean.
In some situations, you may also experience a complicated yeast infection. However, that occurs if you do not address the main problem early on.
You might experience symptoms such as itchiness, swelling, redness, and sores on the skin. But keep in mind that there are several types of yeast infections, and the symptoms may vary.
Yeast Infections in Men
Yeast infections among men are not as common as they are for women. But they do experience similar symptoms, including irritation, itching, redness, and discharge. For them, the infection will affect the head of their penis.
Please note that yeast infections are more common among men who are not circumcised, and those who have an overgrowth of yeast on their skin. But, men can also get yeast infections if their partner has a yeast infection as well.
Is a Yeast Infection an STI?
Considering that one can transmit a yeast infection through sex, you may wonder whether that marks it as an STI or sexually transmitted infection.
But, the chances of one person getting it from an infected person are slim. And since yeast infections are not typically caused through sexual activity, they do not count as STIs.
When Should I See a Doctor?
If the symptoms mentioned above are similar to what you’re experiencing, you may have a yeast infection. To get it treated, you will need to visit the doctor.
And while you will be tempted to try any at-home remedies, don’t. Home remedies such as applying yogurt to the infected area and others have had no scientific backing. If you want to be treated correctly, you will need a doctor’s prescription.
After a pelvic exam and lab test, your doctor will know whether to diagnose a yeast infection. If they do, they will prescribe a topical antifungal medication and prescribe medicine like fluconazole, which you’ll need to take by mouth.
The infection should go away within a week, but if it doesn’t, you will need to follow up with regular doses of your antifungal medication until the doctor is satisfied.
How to Prevent a Yeast Infection
There is no concrete solution to preventing a yeast infection, but there are certain things you can do to reduce the risk of getting one, such as:
- Avoid tight pantyhose or underwear
- Wear loose-fitting skirts and clothes
- Wear cotton underwear and clothes made from natural fibers
- Do not use fragranced tampons, deodorant pads, or feminine deodorants
- Eat a healthy diet
- Avoid using hot baths or hot tubs
- Change out of wet clothing such as swimsuits promptly once you’ve been in the water
- Do not douche
Closing Thoughts
In general, yeast infections are not dangerous, but they can make life uncomfortable for a while. Avoid the problem by taking good care of your body and getting medical help if you think you have an infection.
With any luck, this will be the only time you’ll have to worry about getting a yeast infection in your whole life.