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.
What is IPF?
What is IPF? IPF (idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis) is a lung disease that causes the tissue in your lungs to become stiff. This makes it harder for you to take air in and breathe naturally. According to research, about 30,000 to 40,000 new cases of IPF are diagnosed each year in the U.S.
When lung function becomes severely limited, severe complications such as heart failure, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs), or pulmonary hypertension can be triggered. Existing symptoms of the disease are also known to get more severe after an infection, heart failure, or a pulmonary embolism.
What Causes IPF?
The causes of IPF are mostly unknown, but in some cases, it is said to have resulted from infections, medications, environmental exposures, and even other diseases. Doctors may look at several potential causes when diagnosing pulmonary fibrosis, including:
- Pollution and toxins
- Existing conditions, such as acid reflux disease
- Medications
- Radiation therapy
- Genetic factors
Certain risk factors associated with IPF include:
- Age — it is more prevalent in people over 50 years of age
- Breathing in wood or metal dust at work or home
- Gender — about 75% of people diagnosed with IPF are men
- Smoking cigarettes
Common Symptoms Associated With IPF
Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis causes scarring and stiffness in the lungs. The scarring usually worsens over time, while the stiffness makes it more difficult to breathe. The following are common symptoms that have been associated with the condition:
- Shortness of breath
- Chronic cough
- Weakness
- Leg swelling
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplainable fatigue
- Joint and muscle aches
- Weight loss
- Chest pain or tightness
Over time, the lungs may not be able to take in enough oxygen to supply the body with the required amount. This can ultimately lead to respiratory failure, heart failure, and other health issues.
How is IPF Diagnosed?
It's usually difficult to diagnose immediately because its signs and symptoms develop slowly over time. It might also be tricky to differentiate it from other lung diseases because the scarring caused by IPF looks similar to scarring caused by other lung diseases. However, several tests can be used to diagnose IPF, including:
- Chest x-ray
- Lung function tests
- Arterial blood gas test
- Exercise testing
- Lung biopsy
- Pulse oximetry
- High-resolution computer tomography (HRCT) scan
Treatment Options for IPF
There is currently no cure, but treatment options are available to manage and reduce your symptoms. The medical treatment given for IPF aims to reduce lung inflammation, protect lung tissue, and slow down the loss of lung function.
Common treatment options include medications that help control inflammation and reduce lung tissue scarring and oxygen therapy to help with breathing. There might be a need for a lung transplant in some cases, but this is often seen as a final treatment step.
Although there is currently no cure for IPF, certain treatments may help slow the progression of IPF and improve quality of life.
Treatment options are usually based on the stage and may include:
- Kinase inhibitors. This type of medication can help slow down the loss of lung function and may prevent IPF from getting worse.
- Antacids. These help treat GERD if people also have this condition.
- Oxygen therapy. Initially, a person may need this therapy after exertion. In the later stages of IPF, they may need it continually.
- Ventilator support. A person may need this support if their breathing problems become severe.
- Lung transplant. This surgery may be necessary for people with advanced IPF.
Other forms of treatment depend on the person’s symptoms and will vary between patients. For example, if a person has developed a lung infection, they may require antibiotics. For chronic cough, they may take oral codeine.
Pulmonary rehabilitation may also be a part of their treatment plan. This program may involve:
- Breathing exercises
- Physical activity to strengthen the body
- Counseling
- Nutritional advice
- Education on IPF and how to manage the condition
Lifestyle Changes to Help Manage IPF
To help manage this, it is important you learn to adopt healthy lifestyle practices that can reduce symptoms and improve your outlook. The following lifestyle changes can help you manage symptoms:
- Stopping smoking and vaping, if you currently do
- Taking necessary vaccines, medications, and vitamins or supplements
- Attending regular check-ups
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating healthy to support heart and lung health
- Avoiding substances that can irritate the lungs, such as chemicals and dust
- Staying physically active and keeping up regular, moderate exercise
- Joining support groups for counseling
- Avoiding environments that may make breathing more difficult
- Using an oxygen monitor to keep your oxygen saturation in an optimal range
- Keeping track of symptoms and letting your doctor know if they worsen