Saturday, March 21, 2020

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.


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

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Thursday, July 27, 2017

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.

Report to your doctor if you have 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           

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