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.
What is Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?
Eating is a vital activity for all living things, including humans. Everything we ingest breaks down into important nutrients and energy to keep us active and healthy. Unfortunately, behaviors as instinctual as eating do not come easy to everyone. So, what is exocrine pancreatic insufficiency? Let's find out.
There are some individuals that suffer from conditions that interfere with their ability to properly digest food. While these diseases are rather rare, there are individuals who have exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).
What is EPI?
EPI is a medical condition that causes digestive problems. EPI disrupts an individual’s natural ability to obtain nutrition from the food they eat. While the disease is not uncommon in dogs and cats, it is rather rare in humans.
What Causes Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?
EPI is the result of pancreas malfunction. The pancreas is the organ responsible for producing chemicals, called enzymes, which are responsible for helping the body break down food. If your body produces too little of these chemicals, it cannot properly extract nutrients from the food you eat.
There are several different ways in which your pancreas can incur damage that results in EPI. Some more common explanations include the following:
- Chronic pancreatitis: When those enzymes start activating while they are still inside the pancreas, it can cause inflammation. When this happens too often, your pancreas is vulnerable to permanent damage. Some risk factors for chronic pancreatitis include having an immune system disorder or being a heavy drinker.
- Surgery: Some individuals experience EPI following surgical procedures on their pancreas, stomach, or intestines.
- Cystic Fibrosis: This condition forces the body to create large amounts of sticky mucus. Sometimes, this unusually thick substance can trap the enzymes in the pancreas, resulting in the enzymes activating inside of the pancreas.
- Schwachman-diamond syndrome: Those who suffer from Schwachman-diamond syndrome may not have the appropriate cells in their pancreas. Missing these vital cells means your pancreas simply can’t produce the enzymes at all.
- Diseases of the digestive system: Other diseases that may cause EPI are those which directly impact the digestive system. Although not everyone suffering from celiac disease or Crohn’s disease has EPI, these diseases may lead to EPI.
What are the Symptoms of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency?
Initially, individuals suffering from EPI may not notice anything out of the ordinary. It is only when the pancreas damage advances to a certain level that individuals may start exhibiting symptoms. These may be a direct result of pancreas damage or indirect effects of the inability to absorb certain vitamins.
Symptoms may include (but are not limited to):
- Stomach pain
- Foul-smelling stools
- Diarrhea
- Constant gas
- Feeling full
- Bone pain
- Weight loss
- Bleeding disorders
Treatment for Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency
A major component of EPI treatment includes lifestyle changes. Everyone can stand to benefit from a balanced diet and an overall healthy lifestyle. Avoiding substances, like alcohol, is a must. Alcohol adds extra stress on your body and can further damage the pancreas.
Changes in eating behavior are also recommended. Try to replace the “tradition” three large meals with six smaller ones. Those with EPI may struggle with having large meals.
Another main treatment includes pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). The goal of PERT is to replenish missing enzymes that your own pancreas no longer makes. These products are ingested orally, often in combination with an antacid, to prevent your stomach acid from breaking them down too early. Additional vitamins are also recommended to supplement vitamin deficiencies.
The FDA approved six prescription drugs for PERT treatment: Creon, Pancreaze, Pertzye, Ultresa, Viokace, and Zenpep.
Doctors may prescribe additional medications to treat pain. Often, over-the-counter pain killers are effective.
When to See a Doctor
Try to remember that exocrine pancreatic insufficiency is a very rare disease and troubling symptoms are likely due to another underlying condition. There are several tests that are conducted to diagnose an individual with EPI:
- Blood tests are performed to measure the levels of vitamins and enzymes in your body. These tests can also test for other diseases that put you at risk for EPI.
- Fecal tests are used to calculate levels of fat in bowel movements as well as the concentration of enzymes your pancreas is producing.
- Imaging tests, such as CT scans, MRIs, and endoscopic ultrasounds, may be performed to determine whether or not the pancreas is inflamed.
If diagnosed, your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan which works best for you.
It’s important that you discuss any worry symptoms with your primary care physician. Only they can offer the expert observation and testing needed to receive a concrete diagnosis.