AIIMS-trained gastroenterologist shares a common symptom that can turn deadly if ignored and potentially lead to cancer

Heartburn is a common digestive complaint which most people dismiss. However, Dr Sethi warns that persistent heartburn can cause oesophageal cancer if ignored.

Reaching for an antacid after a spicy meal might seem harmless - a quick fix for that familiar burning in your chest. But if heartburn becomes a regular part of your routine, it could be signalling something far more serious. Persistent acid reflux not only causes discomfort but, over time, can damage the oesophagus and even increase the risk of oesophageal cancer. 

Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gastroenterologist trained at AIIMS, Harvard, and Stanford, has highlighted a common gastrointestinal symptom that many dismiss as mere digestive discomfort - but which can, if left untreated, progress to oesophageal cancer.

In an Instagram video posted on November 8, the gastroenterologist explains that persistent heartburn isn’t something to ignore - over time, it can damage the oesophagus and, in some cases, even lead to cancer.

Common symptom you shouldn’t ignore

Dr Sethi warns that chronic heartburn is more than just an uncomfortable nuisance - it can become dangerous and even lead to cancer if left untreated. While many people brush off occasional heartburn as a minor digestive issue, persistent acid reflux can gradually erode the lining of the oesophagus, causing long-term damage.

He explains, “Heartburn happens when the lower oesophageal sphincter, which should close after eating, stays open letting stomach acid reflux into the oesophagus. Over time, this can lead to precancerous lesions called Barrett's oesophagus and potentially oesophageal cancer.”

How to manage heartburn

Dr Sethi recommends, “For occasional heartburn, try sleeping on your left side, eating dinner at least three to four hours before bed and consuming unsweetened fennel seeds after meals. You could also try some over-the-counter anti-acid medications.”

He points out that not everyone with these symptoms necessarily has cancer, but it is always better to check with your doctor if you face persistent heartburn, “especially if you experience difficulty swallowing or a sensation of food getting stuck in your food pipe.” 

 

 

 

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Some COVID-19 patients experience persistent chronic fatigue six months after infection, finds study

A team of scientists from Germany has recently revealed that almost 50% of patients present with moderate to severe chronic fatigue syndrome six months after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. 

Background

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is associated with a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from mild fever and cough to severe pulmonary and cardiovascular complications. Although almost 80% of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients remain asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic, a growing pool of evidence indicates that a significant fraction of COVID-19 patients present with persistent symptoms referred to as ‘long COVID’. Most commonly reported symptoms of long COVID are fatigue, cognitive impairment, and post-exertional malaise (worsening of symptoms after minor physical or mental exertion).

In the current study, the scientists have investigated mild to moderate COVID-19 patients who present with persistent fatigue and other related symptoms. They have also investigated whether these patients meet the diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), which is a neurological disease characterized by severe mental and physical fatigue, chronic pain, and sleep disorder.

Study design

A total of 42 COVID-19 patients presented with moderate to severe intensity chronic fatigue, exertion intolerance, cognitive dysfunction, and pain six months after SARS-CoV-2 infection were investigated in the study. All participants were diagnosed with mild to moderate COVID-19. A team of experienced clinical immunologists, rheumatologists, neurologists, and cardiologists was involved for an accurate diagnosis of ME/CFS in these patients based on the Canadian Consensus Criteria. The intensity and duration of post-exertional malaise (symptoms lasting for more than 14 hours) was considered to be the main diagnostic criterion for ME/CCFS.

Important observations

Of all enrolled patients, 32 had mild COVID-19 and 10 had moderate COVID-19 because of pneumonia. The numbers of male and female patients were 29 and 13, respectively, and the average age of the patients was 36 years (age range: 22 – 62 years).

Of 42 enrolled patients, 19 met the diagnostic criteria for ME/CFS and were found to have severe fatigue and functional impairment, severe stress intolerance, and hypersensitivity to noise, light, and temperature. The scientists categorized these patients as Chronic COVID-19 Syndrome/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CCS/CFS). The rest of the patients who were not diagnosed with ME/CFS mainly because of the relatively shorter duration of post-exertional malaise (2 – 10 hours) were referred to as CCS. The patients with ME/CFS showed significantly reduced hand grip strength than those without ME/CFS.

After 6 months of SARS-CoV-2 infection, all participants were found to have fatigue with different intensities. The most commonly observed symptoms were post-exertional malaise, cognitive impairment, and muscle pain. Although patients without ME/CFS exhibited less severe symptoms, most of them had severely impaired daily life activities. The majority of enrolled patients (n=28) were either unable to work or required a reduced work schedule because of post- Covid-19 symptoms.

In the study cohort, autonomic dysfunction was observed in most of the patients, with no significant difference in symptom intensity between patients with and without ME/CFS. The increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure at standing position was significantly lower in patients with ME/CFS than those without it. Among patients with ME/CFS, four were diagnosed with postural tachycardia syndrome.         

Regarding biochemical parameters, only two patients in the entire study cohort showed mildly elevated C-reactive protein levels, indicating the absence of robust inflammatory response. Almost 50% of patients showed increased levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8), which is a clinical feature of severe COVID-19 patients. Moreover, a low level of mannose-binding lectin was observed in 22% of patients, indicating impaired immune functioning. An indication of autoimmune disorder was noticed in the study cohort as elevated levels of antinuclear antibody were found in 3 ME/CFS patients and 6 non-ME/CFS patients.

Study significance

The study reveals that even mildly affected COVID-19 patients can develop a severe chronic syndrome characterized by moderate to severe fatigue and exertion intolerance. Because most of the post-COVID symptoms considered in this study did not differ significantly between patients with and without ME/CFS, the scientists suggest that chronic COVID-19 syndrome is a more appropriate terminology than ME/CFS in defining long-term symptoms related to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

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Hay fever symptoms: Is a persistent cough a sign

HAY FEVER is an allergic reaction to pollen and many Brits suffer with it every year. There are many different symptoms that come with the allergy. However coronavirus and hay fever do share similar symptoms like a cough. Here is how to tell the difference between hay fever and coronavirus.

Hay fever affects around one in four people are there are many symptoms in diagnosing it. Hay fever is usually worse between late March and September, especially when it is warm, humid and windy. This is when the pollen count is higher than usual. However this year due to the outbreak of coronavirus, some symptoms of hay fever are similar to those of the coronavirus - like a cough.
Experts warn, amidst the current pandemic, some people may mistake these symptoms of those of coronavirus.

According to the NHS website one of the main symptoms of coronavirus is a persistent dry cough.
While a cough is not a common symptom in hay fever, Avogel says a cough can occur and if so, it can be very irritating.

There are a number of reasons why allergies can lead to coughs including post-nasal drips to simple irritating of the upper respiratory passages.

When pollen irritates the nasal passages, fluid is produced by the inflamed membranes.

This then builds up and drops down to the throat, which irritates it and can cause a cough.

Avogel says it is hard to determine what is causing a cough, and any new persistent cough could be a sign of coronavirus.

Sufferers are advised to self-isolate for 14 days if they, or anyone else in their household, begins to show symptoms.

The NHS urges people to protect others, and to not visit places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or a hospital if showing signs of coronavirus.

If people are unsure on what to do they can phone 111 for the best advice.

If you are a sufferer of hay fever and develop other symptoms like an itchy throat, itchy eyes and a runny nose, then the chances are high that the cough is caused by hay fever.

Other hay fever symptoms include a headache, shortness of breath and tiredness.
Symptoms normally occur when the pollen count is over 50.

However, due to a main symptom of coronavirus being a persistent cough, it can be easily mixed up.

A hay fever cough may be dry and tickly. A dry cough can be caused by the throat being irritated by pollen.

If you are experiencing persistent coughing then a warm drink of honey and lemon can reduce the irritation and calm the throat.

The lemon acts as a disinfectant to prevent any infections from developing or making the cough worse.

Drinking lots of water and staying hydrated is important as it will stop the throat becoming dry and even more irritated. It will also flush down any pollen which has stuck to the throat.

Avogel also advises to try and avoid going out when the pollen count is high.

You can check the accurate pollen count here: https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/seasonal-advice/pollen-forecast#?date=2020-04-23

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Understanding the Symptoms of a Brain Tumor

Being diagnosed with cancer will always be a terrifying and devastating thing, but cancer of the brain is said to be the scariest and most serious of them all. That's why it is vital that everyone is aware of the symptoms of this terrible disease so that it can be picked up and treated before it's too late.
 
1. Short-term memory loss
If you're finding it difficult to remember what you ate for breakfast or what your best friend's phone number is, then this may be a sign of a brain tumor. If this is the case, you may also discover that you're finding it more difficult to multitask or that you're becoming far more easily confused.

2. Persistent headaches
One of the most commons signs of a brain tumor is the development of persistent headaches. In fact, according to the American Brain Tumor Association, about half of all people with a brain tumor experience such headaches. These headaches typically don't respond to pain medication and are usually the worst in the mornings and when sudden movements are made.
 
3. Sudden onset of seizures
If you've never had a seizure before, experiencing one may be one of the first signs of a brain tumor. This occurs because a tumor may apply pressure to the brain's nerve cells, which can end up triggering a seizure. Around 50% of people with a brain tumor experience at least one brain seizure, according to the American Cancer Society.

 
4. Depression
At least 25% of brain tumor sufferers experience a major depressive disorder, which can include prolonged feelings of indescribable misery, which can interfere with day-to-day living. Many often feel as if there is no hope or that their existence has no value.
 
5. Mood swings
According to Mike Chen, MD, Ph.D., associate professor in the division of neurosurgery, department of surgery, at City of Hope in California, "a large, slowly growing tumor in the frontal lobe can alter personality and judgment so far as to be mistaken for criminal behavior or psychiatric problems.” If you notice that your personality seems to rapidly alter itself from one moment to the next, it might be a good idea to get yourself checked.

6. Extreme fatigue
If you're utterly exhausted all day every day, then this may be a sign of a cancerous brain tumor. Some sufferers report a complete loss of focus, and even falling asleep at their desks while at work. Others say that their limbs sometimes feel very heavy and that they feel a lot physically weaker than usual.
 
7. Hearing problems
Sudden hearing problems can also be a sign of a brain tumor. According to Dr. Christopher Carruba, MD, co-director for medical education at Med School Tutors, "if you’re experiencing hearing loss from one side or a constant ringing sensation, known as tinnitus, you’ll want to make an appointment with your doctor, who can determine whether your symptoms are severe enough to see a neurologist.”

Make sure you share this post to help raise some awareness about brain tumor symptoms. You might just save somebody's life.

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