8 Signs of Pancreatic Cancer You Should Be Aware of!

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth deadliest cancer in the world. Since this cancer is hard to detect and treat, the survival rate is extremely low, hovering somewhere between 7-25%. 

 

The pancreas is part of the digestive system and is buried within the abdominal cavity (behind the stomach and in the upper part of your abdomen). Because of its location, it can be difficult to feel tumors before they’ve grown out of control. Furthermore, there’s no screening test for this type of cancer. 

 

 Looking for clues to pancreatic cancer is vital for early detection and treatment. Though some of the signs and symptoms of this cancer resemble other health conditions such as cirrhosis, diabetes, or liver disease, it’s important to visit your doctor if you notice any abnormalities. 

 

Below are 8 warning signs of pancreatic cancer: 

 

1. Sudden Onset of Diabetes

Research has shown that 40% of pancreatic cancer patients had been diagnosed with diabetes one or two years before discovering that they had a pancreatic tumor. Researchers believe that the diabetes is caused by tumors that simply haven’t been detected yet. The problem though, is that diabetes is very common, and the majority of diabetes cases will not be related to pancreatic cancer, and so doctors are trying to come up with screening tools to tell the difference. Right now, they say that family history is an important clue. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes that has come out of the blue, and you have no history of diabetes in your family, bring this to your doctor’s attention and ask for further screening for pancreatic cancer.

2. Itchy Hands and Feet 

Even a small pancreatic tumor can block the bile duct, and if this occurs, bile starts to build up in the body. When there is too much bile in the blood, it starts to turn into compounds that cannot be broken down by the body. These compounds accumulate in the hands and feet, causing persistent itching sensations. 

 

3. Yellowing Eyes and Skin 

The buildup of bile mentioned above is known as jaundice, and it causes other symptoms beyond itchy palms and feet. One such symptom is yellow eyes and skin. Bile has a bright yellow pigment, and when too much of it is present in the body, it will start to show up in the whites of the eyes and through the skin. 

 

 

4. Lack of Appetite and/or Changes in Taste

An Italian study found that 6-8 months before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, patients reported a sudden decrease in their appetite, and a tendency to feel full after eating very little. This is because the lack of digestive enzymes can shut down your whole system and confuse your stomach. 

 

The same study also found that patients suffering from a pancreatic tumor also suddenly lost their taste for coffee, alcohol, and smoking. In fact, some even declared that they felt disgusted by the smell and taste of coffee and alcohol. 

 

 

5. Pale, Floating, Smelly Stools 

If a pancreatic tumor prevents digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines, the result is an inability to digest fatty foods. Therefore, as a result of this excess fat, you end up with loose, smelly floating stools. Doctors say that this symptom, in particular, is an early clue of pancreatic cancer, but it is too often overlooked.

6. An Enlarged Gallbladder  

The same blockage of the bile duct that causes jaundice can also cause the gallbladder to enlarge, as the bile builds up behind the duct. The good news though is that an enlarged gallbladder can be seen on imaging tests, and it is sometimes possible for a doctor to feel it during a physical exam. 

 

 

 

7. Abdominal Pain

Those suffering from pancreatic cancer typically experience some form of abdominal pain. This is more of a gnawing pain, rather than a sharp cramp or ache, and it usually radiates towards the back. A characteristic clue of abdominal pain possibly being caused by a pancreatic tumor is the pain disappearing when you lean forward, or getting worse after you eat or lie down. 

 

 

8. Unexplained Weight Loss 

This symptom is common to most cancers, especially in more advanced stages. However, if a pancreatic tumor is developing, it may prevent your body from digesting food thoroughly. This means that fat and sugar might pass right through your system undigested. 

 

 

What to Do If You’re Worried About Any of These Symptoms  

Document all your symptoms and report them to your doctor in as much detail as possible. If your doctor believes that you have legitimate concerns, tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan, and an endoscopy followed by a biopsy can be used to search for a pancreatic tumor. A blood test is also available that looks for a biomarker called CA 19-9 that’s released by pancreatic cancer cells. Unfortunately, though, by the time CA 19-9 reaches a detectable level, the cancer is no longer in its early stages.

 

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for infor on cancer and health related topics
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

 

8 Signs of Pancreatic Cancer You Should Be Aware of!

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth deadliest cancer in the world. Since this cancer is hard to detect and treat, the survival rate is extremely low, hovering somewhere between 7-25%.

 

 The pancreas is part of the digestive system and is buried within the abdominal cavity (behind the stomach and in the upper part of your abdomen). Because of its location, it can be difficult to feel tumors before they’ve grown out of control. Furthermore, there’s no screening test for this type of cancer. 

 

Looking for clues to pancreatic cancer is vital for early detection and treatment. Though some of the signs and symptoms of this cancer resemble other health conditions such as cirrhosis, diabetes, or liver disease, it’s important to visit your doctor if you notice any abnormalities. 

 

Below are 8 warning signs of pancreatic cancer: 

 

1. Sudden Onset of Diabetes

Research has shown that 40% of pancreatic cancer patients had been diagnosed with diabetes one or two years before discovering that they had a pancreatic tumor. Researchers believe that the diabetes is caused by tumors that simply haven’t been detected yet. The problem though, is that diabetes is very common, and the majority of diabetes cases will not be related to pancreatic cancer, and so doctors are trying to come up with screening tools to tell the difference. Right now, they say that family history is an important clue. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes that has come out of the blue, and you have no history of diabetes in your family, bring this to your doctor’s attention and ask for further screening for pancreatic cancer

2. Itchy Hands and Feet  

Even a small pancreatic tumor can block the bile duct, and if this occurs, bile starts to build up in the body. When there is too much bile in the blood, it starts to turn into compounds that cannot be broken down by the body. These compounds accumulate in the hands and feet, causing persistent itching sensations. 

 

 

3. Yellowing Eyes and Skin 

The buildup of bile mentioned above is known as jaundice, and it causes other symptoms beyond itchy palms and feet. One such symptom is yellow eyes and skin. Bile has a bright yellow pigment, and when too much of it is present in the body, it will start to show up in the whites of the eyes and through the skin.  

 

4. Lack of Appetite and/or Changes in Taste

An Italian study found that 6-8 months before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, patients reported a sudden decrease in their appetite, and a tendency to feel full after eating very little. This is because the lack of digestive enzymes can shut down your whole system and confuse your stomach. 

 

The same study also found that patients suffering from a pancreatic tumor also suddenly lost their taste for coffee, alcohol, and smoking. In fact, some even declared that they felt disgusted by the smell and taste of coffee and alcohol. 

 

 

5. Pale, Floating, Smelly Stools 

If a pancreatic tumor prevents digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines, the result is an inability to digest fatty foods. Therefore, as a result of this excess fat, you end up with loose, smelly floating stools. Doctors say that this symptom, in particular, is an early clue of pancreatic cancer, but it is too often overlooked.

 

 

6. An Enlarged Gallbladder  

The same blockage of the bile duct that causes jaundice can also cause the gallbladder to enlarge, as the bile builds up behind the duct. The good news though is that an enlarged gallbladder can be seen on imaging tests, and it is sometimes possible for a doctor to feel it during a physical exam. 

 

 

7. Abdominal Pain

Those suffering from pancreatic cancer typically experience some form of abdominal pain. This is more of a gnawing pain, rather than a sharp cramp or ache, and it usually radiates towards the back. A characteristic clue of abdominal pain possibly being caused by a pancreatic tumor is the pain disappearing when you lean forward, or getting worse after you eat or lie down. 

 

 

8. Unexplained Weight Loss

This symptom is common to most cancers, especially in more advanced stages. However, if a pancreatic tumor is developing, it may prevent your body from digesting food thoroughly. This means that fat and sugar might pass right through your system undigested. 

 

 

What to Do If You’re Worried About Any of These Symptoms 

Document all your symptoms and report them to your doctor in as much detail as possible. If your doctor believes that you have legitimate concerns, tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan, and an endoscopy followed by a biopsy can be used to search for a pancreatic tumor. A blood test is also available that looks for a biomarker called CA 19-9 that’s released by pancreatic cancer cells. Unfortunately, though, by the time CA 19-9 reaches a detectable level, the cancer is no longer in its early stages.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement
https://cancersupportindia.blogspot.com  for infor on cancer and health related topics
https://GSiyers home remedies.blogspot.com   is the latest addition to my blogs. I'm going to add posts there, do give me your valuable feed back on my blogs. Thanks a lot, take care, be healthy and be happy.

The Early Warning Signs of Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth deadliest cancer in the world. Since this cancer is hard to detect and treat, the survival rate is extremely low, hovering somewhere between 7-25%.

The pancreas is part of the digestive system and is buried within the abdominal cavity (behind the stomach and in the upper part of your abdomen). Because of its location, it can be difficult to feel tumors before they’ve grown out of control. Furthermore, there’s no screening test for this type of cancer. 

 

Looking for clues to pancreatic cancer is vital for early detection and treatment. Though some of the signs and symptoms of this cancer resemble other health conditions such as cirrhosis, diabetes, or liver disease, it’s important to visit your doctor if you notice any abnormalities. 

 

Below are 8 warning signs of pancreatic cancer: 

 

1. Sudden Onset of Diabetes

Research has shown that 40% of pancreatic cancer patients had been diagnosed with diabetes one or two years before discovering that they had a pancreatic tumor. Researchers believe that the diabetes is caused by tumors that simply haven’t been detected yet. The problem though, is that diabetes is very common, and the majority of diabetes cases will not be related to pancreatic cancer, and so doctors are trying to come up with screening tools to tell the difference. Right now, they say that family history is an important clue. If you’re diagnosed with diabetes that has come out of the blue, and you have no history of diabetes in your family, bring this to your doctor’s attention and ask for further screening for pancreatic cancer.

2. Itchy Hands and Feet  

Even a small pancreatic tumor can block the bile duct, and if this occurs, bile starts to build up in the body. When there is too much bile in the blood, it starts to turn into compounds that cannot be broken down by the body. These compounds accumulate in the hands and feet, causing persistent itching sensations. 

 

3. Yellowing Eyes and Skin 

The buildup of bile mentioned above is known as jaundice, and it causes other symptoms beyond itchy palms and feet. One such symptom is yellow eyes and skin. Bile has a bright yellow pigment, and when too much of it is present in the body, it will start to show up in the whites of the eyes and through the skin. 

 

4. Lack of Appetite and/or Changes in Taste

An Italian study found that 6-8 months before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, patients reported a sudden decrease in their appetite, and a tendency to feel full after eating very little. This is because the lack of digestive enzymes can shut down your whole system and confuse your stomach. The same study also found that patients suffering from a pancreatic tumor also suddenly lost their taste for coffee, alcohol, and smoking. In fact, some even declared that they felt disgusted by the smell and taste of coffee and alcohol. 

 

5. Pale, Floating, Smelly Stools 

If a pancreatic tumor prevents digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines, the result is an inability to digest fatty foods. Therefore, as a result of this excess fat, you end up with loose, smelly floating stools. Doctors say that this symptom, in particular, is an early clue of pancreatic cancer, but it is too often overlooked. 

 

6. An Enlarged Gallbladder 

The same blockage of the bile duct that causes jaundice can also cause the gallbladder to enlarge, as the bile builds up behind the duct. The good news though is that an enlarged gallbladder can be seen on imaging tests, and it is sometimes possible for a doctor to feel it during a physical exam.  

 

7. Abdominal Pain

Those suffering from pancreatic cancer typically experience some form of abdominal pain. This is more of a gnawing pain, rather than a sharp cramp or ache, and it usually radiates towards the back. A characteristic clue of abdominal pain possibly being caused by a pancreatic tumor is the pain disappearing when you lean forward, or getting worse after you eat or lie down. 

 

8. Unexplained Weight Loss 

This symptom is common to most cancers, especially in more advanced stages. However, if a pancreatic tumor is developing, it may prevent your body from digesting food thoroughly. This means that fat and sugar might pass right through your system undigested. 

 

What to Do If You’re Worried About Any of These Symptoms 

Document all your symptoms and report them to your doctor in as much detail as possible. If your doctor believes that you have legitimate concerns, tests such as an ultrasound, CT scan, and an endoscopy followed by a biopsy can be used to search for a pancreatic tumor. A blood test is also available that looks for a biomarker called CA 19-9 that’s released by pancreatic cancer cells. Unfortunately, though, by the time CA 19-9 reaches a detectable level, the cancer is no longer in its early stages.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

10 Signs of Heart Failure You Should Never Ignore, According to Doctors

There are two major heart attack symptoms that everyone is aware of: sudden and severe chest pain that feels like a clenched fist and pain radiating down the arm. But it’s possible other warning signs may have cropped up on the way to that cardiovascular event, and not been recognized as heart failure.

“Unlike an actual heart attack, heart failure can happen gradually, and that’s why people often mistake the symptoms for something else, like indigestion or being out of shape,” says a cardiologist and medical director of non-invasive cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation. “But the longer you go without seeing these as signs of heart trouble, the more damage you may have over time.”

Sometimes called congestive heart failure, this condition occurs when there are problems associated with how the heart is pumping blood. That doesn’t mean your heart has suddenly stopped working. In some cases, the heart may not pump with enough force to deliver the blood into your circulatory system, and in other cases, not enough blood is getting into your heart so the amount pumped out is reduced. As symptoms worsen, emergency treatment may be required.

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, about 5.7 million people in the U.S. have heart failure, and it can affect both children and adults. Currently, there’s no cure, but treatments like lifestyle changes and medications can make a huge difference in terms of longevity and quality of life.

Like many conditions, the earlier you catch it, the better your outlook. Here are 10 signs that your ticker may not be operating the way it should.

You can’t seem to catch your breath.

Quick anatomy refresher: The heart and lungs are best pals when it comes to functionality, working together to make sure your body has oxygen-rich blood. The right side of the heart takes in blood that’s been depleted of oxygen and pumps it over to the lungs so it can get an oxygen refresh. Since heart failure affects how well this elegant system operates, shortness of breath is a major sign of trouble, says a cardiologist. People will feel “air hunger,” meaning no matter how deeply you inhale, you don't feel like you're getting enough oxygen.

Exercise seems much harder than it should be.

The feeling of air hunger can happen at rest but it’s especially acute with exertion—even walking across a room can feel like too much effort. If you’re trying to get in an actual workout, increased activity raises your heart rate, which means it’s trying to pump faster and you could find yourself really gasping for air then. “People often think they’re just out of shape when they can’t catch their breath,” a Dr.  says. “They think they need to get to the gym. But what they need is to get to the doctor.”

Lying down flat is a major problem.

When you lie down, some of the blood in your legs goes back into your bloodstream, and that creates an increased amount returning to the heart. Usually, the heart can compensate through its pumping mechanism. But with heart failure, it can’t keep up and that can cause more shortness of breath, says a cardiologist.  You can often find some relief through propping your head up, relieving the pressure on your lungs, which is why a cardiologist might ask how many pillows you use to avoid feeling winded.

Legs and feet swell up.

When your heart isn’t operating properly, it pumps less blood to your kidneys, and as a result, that organ compensates by retaining fluid. Most often, this shows up first in your lower extremities, according to a cardiologist in New York. Also called edema, this puffiness in your legs, arms and feet tends to affect both sides, and causes stretched, shiny skin. It’s also a telltale sign of edema if you press a finger into the swelling and that indentation stays for several seconds.

You’re suddenly gaining weight.

The fluid buildup that may be in your legs can “back up” higher into the abdomen and arms. This rapid weight gain is often mistaken for fat accumulation, but it’s actually “water weight” from fluid retention, says a Dr.  This can happen suddenly, she adds, like seeing an additional five pounds over a few days, particularly in the belly.

…or having to pee much more often.

All that fluid you’re retaining has to go somewhere eventually. That’s when you may find yourself always having to pee, especially multiple times in the middle of the night. Sometimes, people brush this off as a sign of aging, says the Dr., or drinking too much water close to bedtime. Unfortunately, some people try to correct the issue by cutting down on water intake during the day, but this can make fluid retention worse, since the body starts holding on to water in order to prevent  dehydration. That cycle gets even uglier with heart failure because dehydration causes strain and increases your heart rate.

You’re tired all the time.

The way the body compensates during heart failure is to divert blood to vital organs, especially the brain, and channel it away from less-important areas like your muscles and limbs. That can lead to a feeling of weakness and fatigue, says the Dr.

Nausea or lack of appetite have come out of nowhere.

Another area of the body the heart considers non-vital when there’s trouble? Your digestive system. With blood being diverted, your stomach and gastrointestinal tract are getting less blood, and that can slow their functions way down, Dr. Greenfield says. You might have a range of effects, including indigestion, lack of appetite, nausea and constipation.

You’re lightheaded or feel confused often.

Even though the heart prioritizes brain function when there’s an issue, heart failure might be caused by a circulation issue, according to Dr. Greenfield. When that happens, not enough blood may be reaching your brain, and that can lead to symptoms like dizziness, mild disorientation, confusion, or even challenges with memory and concentration. In extreme cases, you may experience fainting.

And your hands and feet are always cold.

Multiple woolen layers of socks and mittens are doing nothing to help your icy feet and hands? That could be another symptom of a circulation issue, potentially brought on by heart failure. But this is the kind of sign that’s not enough on its own, Dr. Greenfield says, especially because it’s common for people to have colder hands and feet in general. However, if you experience this as well as several others on the list, they could all be connected.

It’s critical to see your doctor. Although there are certain tactics that can help address minor symptoms—prop your head up at night, drink more water, and don’t smoke—this isn’t an issue to try to tackle on your own.

“The sooner you can get your heart checked out, especially if your symptoms are more minor, the more chance you have to improve your heart function and avoid potential heart attack,” says Dr. Greenfield.

Of course, there are great heart-healthy lifestyle habits that will be invaluable for long-term change. But if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms listed here, it’s possible you may need short-term interventions, like medication, to make sure your heart gets back on track.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement