ReadOns.com | Discover New Blogs Daily

Common early signs of lung cancer

A type of cancer that starts in the lungs is known as lung cancer. Here, abnormal growth of cells results in a tumor or cancerous mass in the lungs. The treatment for the condition is determined by the stage of cancer. Some of the initial signs of the condition can overlap with common infections. So, it is important to be vigilant and get examined upon noticing the following signs for an early diagnosis.

Common signs
While symptoms can differ based on the stage of cancer, here are some of the common signs associated with the onset of lung cancer:

A persistent cough that does not go away for weeks on end and continues to get worse
Sudden loss of appetite
Coughing up blood or rust-colored spit or phlegm (also called sputum)
Chest pain that gets worse with deep breathing, coughing, or even laughing
Shortness of breath
Hoarse voice
Feeling tired or weak
Onset of wheezing
Infections that do not go away or come back often, like bronchitis and pneumonia

On the other hand, if lung cancer spreads to different regions of the body, it may cause the following symptoms:

Bone pain: The pain here is usually observed in the hips or the back.

Yellowing of the skin and the eyes: Also known as jaundice, yellowing can be observed when the cancer has spread to the liver

Nervous system symptoms: Lung cancer can cause nervous system problems like weakness or numbness in the arms and legs, seizures, loss of balance, dizziness, and headaches. These issues develop when the cancer spreads to the brain.

Swollen lymph nodes : When the lymph nodes are swollen in the neck or above the collarbone, it could be a sign that the cancer has started to affect the immune system cells.

Apart from these common symptoms, lung cancer can lead to certain syndromes, which have their own set of symptoms.

Horner syndrome: This refers to a set of symptoms that develop when the cancer affects the upper part of the lungs (known as pancoast tumors). These tumors are more likely to be non-small cell lung cancer. They usually affect the nerves near the eyes and the face, leading to symptoms like:

Weakness or drooping in one upper eyelid
Little or no sweating on the affected side of the face
A smaller pupil in the affected eye
Severe shoulder pain

Superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome: SVC is a large vein responsible for carrying blood from the head and arms to the heart. This vein passes through the upper right side of the lung and the lymph nodes in the chest. With the onset of cancer, the tumor can create a blockage and press on the SVC vein, causing symptoms like:

Swelling in the face, neck, and arms
Swelling in the upper chest at times, leaving a blue-red color on the skin
Headaches and dizziness
Changes in consciousness

These symptoms can quickly turn serious if left untreated, so they need immediate medical attention.

Paraneoplastic syndromes: Some types of lung cancers make hormone-like substances in the body. These substances can affect distant organs and tissues, even if the cancerous cells have not yet reached the parts. The issues in such organs are collectively called paraneoplastic syndromes. In some cases, these issues could be the first symptoms indicating lung cancer. However, because these hormone-like substances affect other organs, lung cancer may not be confirmed initially. Here is what to expect with paraneoplastic syndromes:

When the hormone-like substances affect the kidneys, the symptoms to notice include lowered salt levels in the blood, fatigue, muscle weakness or cramps, loss of appetite, vomiting, restlessness, confusion, and nausea. This type is called the syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone. If left unchecked, the syndrome can lead to seizures.
At times, the hormone-like substances make the adrenal glands produce cortisol in the body. This syndrome is called Cushing syndrome. This imbalance in the body can lead to symptoms like weakness, easy bruising, fluid retention, drowsiness, increased blood pressure, and elevated levels of blood sugar that can increase the risk of diabetes.
When these hormone-like substances created by cancer cells start to attack the nervous system, a possible complication is Lambert-Eaton syndrome, which weakens the muscles around the hips. Those affected by this syndrome experience trouble getting up once after sitting down. Further, the muscles around the shoulder may weaken over time. Here, loss of balance, unsteady movements of the arms and legs, and speaking and swallowing issues are common signs one may experience. These sets of symptoms can be attributed to a phenomenon called paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. Here, vision problems, sensation changes, and muscle weakness are a few other common signs.
Sometimes, paraneoplastic syndromes can cause changes like high levels of calcium in the blood—a condition called hypercalcemia. This can lead to symptoms like excessive thirst, frequent urination, vomiting, constipation, belly pain, weakness, confusion, dizziness, and fatigue.
Another common symptom of paraneoplastic syndromes is developing blood clots frequently.

As some of the early signs of lung cancer can overlap with generic illnesses like viral or bacterial infections, it is important to consult a doctor to conduct a thorough examination and get a diagnosis. Further, one should also make note of such signs and share the health history with the doctor during the examination. Based on the results of the examination, the doctor may recommend one or more treatment options. These options can be either surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of two or more treatments. Often, a team of doctors may be brought on board to come up with a suitable treatment plan for completely eliminating cancer cells in the body. The team may consist of surgeons, pulmonologists, thoracic surgeons, radiation oncologists, and general oncologists.

Popular Reads

Top 6 foods that may reduce dementia risk

Many individuals mistakenly believe that dementia is a disease, but it’s a term used to describe symptoms related to memory, social abilities, and thinking. These symptoms can be challenging to manage and can impact daily activities. However, healthcare professionals often recommend implementing a healthy meal plan as a way to improve management. If you’re interested in learning about how your food intake can reduce the risk of developing dementia, read on. What is dementia? As previously mentioned, dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease are among its most frequent causes in older adults. Other known causes of dementia include damage to the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the brain, the formation of balloon-like proteins in the brain, and the breakdown of connections and nerve cells in the brain. While memory loss is one of its most recognizable signs, this symptom alone does not mean one has dementia. Most symptoms of this group of health issues can vary depending on the cause. Hence, here are some of the most common signs to look out for. Memory loss Difficulties while communicating Reasoning and problem-solving issues Poor control of movements and coordination Disorientation Confusion What are the foods that can help reduce the risk of dementia? Typically, dementia and Alzheimer’s are known to be caused by a combination of several factors, such as environmental, lifestyle, and genetic. Furthermore, developing issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease can contribute to cognitive decline in patients. Therefore, healthcare professionals suggest the consumption of nutrient-rich foods to reduce dementia risk as one grows older. Some of the foods that can be added to one’s meal plan are: Avocados Avocados are one of the most commonly known superfoods, which can provide the brain with the needed energy without a spike in blood sugar levels.

Avoid these 15 common shower mistakes

There is nothing a warm shower cannot resolve. Showering after a long day can be a stress reliever and enhance one’s mood instantly. It also has several other health benefits besides cleansing the body, including facilitating cold relief, boosting immunity, and relieving muscle pain. However, not bathing the right way can give rise to skin conditions such as rashes and eczema. Here are some common mistakes one should avoid while bathing and showering: Not moisturizing after a shower Wiping after a bath can reduce the body’s moisture, causing dry skin, which can lead to rashes and itching. Dermatologists recommend applying body lotion and moisturizer immediately after a shower to retain skin texture and prevent dryness. One should look for hypoallergenic moisturizers that do not have any added fragrances. Bathing in scorching hot water Scorching hot water can damage keratin cells in the skin’s outer layer. Consequently, the skin becomes dry and dehydrated. It is important to balance the water temperature before stepping into the shower. Ideally, the temperature of the water should be lukewarm. Using the wrong towel An absorbent towel that does not feel rough is ideal for wiping oneself after a shower. The most effective way to select the right towel is to check its density, measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Towels with GSMs between 400 and 550 are considered ideal for use after bathing. One should avoid towels below a GSM of 400, as these towels can be thin and rough, causing skin dryness. Moreover, towels made of superior-quality Egyptian or Turkish cotton are extremely soft and perfect for the skin. Soaping the arms and legs excessively While it is important to wash and clean one’s arms and legs, these areas typically do not collect much oil and dust. Hence, scrubbing them excessively can dry out these areas and hamper their natural texture.

15 signs of a weak immune system

The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells, and proteins that act as the body’s defense mechanism against diseases and infections. The system —the innate immune system that people are born with and the adaptive immune system, which develops due to exposure to toxins and microbes. Both parts work together to keep infection-causing germs and toxins. So, weak immunity can make the body susceptible to diseases and other health issues. High stress levels The American Psychological Association suggests that chronic stress weakens the immune system. This is because stress lowers the number of white blood cells (i.e., lymphocytes) in the body that fight infections, increasing the risk of infections such as the common cold. Persistent cold Most adults develop two to three colds per year, which usually last from 7 to 10 days. During this period, the immune system forms antibodies to fight the virus. However, if one keeps catching a cold or is dealing with common cold symptoms for a long time, it could be a sign of weak immunity. Slow-healing wounds When one develops a cut or a wound, the body immediately goes into damage control mode to stop any bleeding and regenerate skin. Immune cells in the body guide this process. However, when dealing with a weakened immune system, wounds take longer to heal. This can make one more susceptible to infections as well. Frequent infections Those with a lowered immunity are at a higher risk of contracting infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, bronchitis, and skin infections. They are also more likely to experience autoimmune disorders, organ inflammation, blood disorders such as anemia, and growth and developmental delays. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, some signs of weak immunity include: – Having more than four ear infections in a year – Developing pneumonia twice within a year – Dealing with chronic sinusitis or more than three episodes of bacterial sinusitis in a year Fatigue If one constantly feels tired despite getting enough sleep, it may be a sign of weak immunity.