Distinct' stomach cancer identified in younger patients

Many people under 60 who develop stomach cancer have a "genetically and clinically distinct" disease, new research has found.

Compared to stomach cancer in older adults, this new, early-onset form often grows and spreads more quickly, has a worse prognosis, and is more resistant to traditional chemotherapy treatments, said the study published in the journal Surgery.

While rates of stomach cancer in older patients have been declining for decades, this early onset of cancer is increasing and now makes up more than 30 per cent of stomach cancer diagnoses.

"I think this is an alarming trend, as stomach cancer is a devastating disease," said senior author Travis Grotz, a surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in the US.

The research team studied 75,225 cases using several cancer databases to review stomach cancer statistics from 1973 to 2015.

Today, the average age of someone diagnosed with stomach cancer is 68, but people in their 30s, 40s and 50s are more at risk than they used to be.

"Typically, we see stomach cancer being diagnosed in patients in their 70s, but increasingly we are seeing 30- to 50-year-old patients being diagnosed," Grotz said.

The increased rate of the early onset disease is not from earlier detection or screening, Grotz added.
"There is no universal screening for stomach cancer, and the younger patients actually presented with later-stage disease than the older patients," he said.

In addition to being more deadly, early onset stomach cancer is also genetically and molecularly distinct, researchers found.

Furthermore, traditional risk factors for developing stomach cancer among older people, such as smoking tobacco, did not appear to correlate with its early onset counterpart.

"Hopefully, studies like this will raise awareness and increase physician suspicion of stomach cancer, particularly in younger patients," Grotz said.

Younger patients who feel full before finishing a meal, or have reflux, abdominal pain, unintentional weight loss and difficulty eating should see their health care provider, he added.

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Fixing a bad back

Back pain is a common reason for absence from work and for seeking medical treatment. It can be uncomfortable and debilitating. “Lower back pain is caused by spinal degeneration and injury. Conditions linked to back pain are muscle or ligament strain,” says a Dr.

Time to see a doctor:

• Feel intense or constant pain
• Develop pain that extends down one or both legs
• Have weakness, numbness or tingling in one or both legs
• Experience swelling, redness or unintentional weight loss
• Can’t work, sleep or perform daily activities
• Experienced a trauma such as a car crash or fall
• Develop a fever
• Trouble passing stool or urinating

The human back is composed of a complex structure of muscles, ligaments, tendons, disks and bones, which work together to support the body.
“People with ongoing or recurrent episodes of lower back pain should consider the benefits of walking as a low-impact form of exercise. Aerobic exercise has long been shown to reduce the incidence of low back pain. However, for some back conditions, walking will aggravate or cause too much pain to be bearable,” warns the Dr.

Causes
The segments of the spine are cushioned with cartilage-like pads called disks. “Problems with any of these components can lead to back pain. In some cases, the cause remains unclear. Damage can result from strain, medical conditions and poor posture among others,” he adds.

Strain
Back pain commonly stems from strain, tension or injury. Frequent causes are:
Strained muscles or ligaments
A muscle spasm
Muscle tension
Damaged disks
Injuries, fractures or falls
Activities that can lead to strains or spasms include:
Lifting something improperly
Lifting something that is too heavy
Making an abrupt and awkward movement
Structural problems
A number of structural problems may also result in back pain.

Ruptured discs: Each vertebra in the spine is cushioned by disks. If the disk ruptures, there will be more pressure on a nerve, resulting in back pain.

Bulging disks:  In much the same way as ruptured disks, a bulging disk can result in pressure on a nerve.

Sciatica: A sharp and shooting pain travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg, caused by a bulging or herniated disk pressing on a nerve.

Arthritis: Osteoarthritis can cause problems with the joints in the hips, lower back, and other places. In some cases, the space around the spinal cord narrows. This is known as spinal stenosis.

Abnormal curvature: If the spine curves in an unusual way, back pain can result. An example is scoliosis, in which the spine curves to the side.

Osteoporosis: Bones, including the vertebrae of the spine, become brittle and porous, making fractures more likely.

Kidney problems: Kidney stones or kidney infection can cause back pain.

Risk factors

• The following factors are linked to a higher risk of developing low back pain:
• occupational activities
• pregnancy
• a sedentary lifestyle
• Poor physical fitness
• Advanced age
• Obesity and excess weight
• Smoking
• Strenuous physical exercise or work, especially if done incorrectly
• Genetic factors
• Medical conditions, such as arthritis and cancer

Diagnosis
An X-ray, MRI or CT scan can give information about the state of the soft tissues in the back.
X-rays can show the alignment of the bones and detect signs of arthritis or broken bones, but may not reveal damage in the muscles, spinal cord, nerves or disks.
MRI or CT scans can reveal herniated disks or problems with tissues, tendons, nerves, ligaments, blood vessels, muscles, and bones.
Bone scans can detect bone tumors or compression fractures caused by osteoporosis. A radioactive substance or tracer is injected into a vein. The tracer collects in the bones and helps the doctor detect bone problems with the aid of a special camera.
Electromyography or EMG measures the electrical impulses produced by nerves in response to muscles. This can confirm nerve compression, which may occur with a herniated disk or spinal stenosis.

Surgery
“Surgery for back pain is very rare. If a patient has a herniated disk, surgery may be an option, especially if there is persistent pain and nerve compression which can lead to muscle weakness,” says  the Dr.
Examples of surgical procedures include:
Endoscopic discectomy
Endoscopic decompression of stenosis
Microdiscectomy
Fusion

Medical treatment
Medication: Back pain that does not respond well to OTC painkillers may require a
prescription NSAID. Codeine or hydrocodone, which are narcotics, may be prescribed for short periods. These require close monitoring by the doctor. In some cases, muscle relaxants may be used.
Antidepressants: such as amitriptyline may be prescribed, but research is ongoing as to their effectiveness, and the evidence is conflicting.

Physical therapy: Applying heat, ice, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation - as well as some muscle-release techniques to the back muscles and soft tissues — may help alleviate pain. As the pain improves, the physical therapist may introduce some flexibility and strength exercises for the back and abdominal muscles. Techniques for improving posture may also help. The patient will be encouraged to practice the techniques regularly, even after the pain has gone, to prevent back pain recurrence.

Cortisone injections: If other options are not effective, these may be injected into the epidural space around the spinal cord. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory drug. It helps reduce inflammation around the nerve roots. Injections may also be used to numb areas thought to be causing the pain.

this is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.     
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https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
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15 Seemingly Harmless Symptoms You Should Never Ignore

It’s normal to experience a few aches, pains, and other unpleasant symptoms from time to time. Everybody picks up the occasional viral illness, and few people manage to lead a perfectly healthy lifestyle, so feeling a little under the weather sometimes isn’t anything to freak out about.
However, it’s still very important to monitor your health and notice any new symptoms that arise. Many serious illnesses start gradually, and the first symptoms they cause may not seem like a big deal. Being aware of changes in your body will help you catch any major problems at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to be successful. Here are 15 common symptoms that you shouldn’t ignore.

1. Unintentional weight loss
If the number on the scale is dropping steadily, but you haven’t made any recent lifestyle changes that would explain the loss, an underlying disease could be to blame. Hyperthyroidism, diabetes, and a number of types of cancer can all cause unintentional weight loss. Call your doctor ASAP if you’ve lost 10 pounds or more for no obvious reason.

2. Unintentional weight gain
Like weight loss, unexplained weight gain can also be a sign that something isn’t right with your body. If you’ve gained 10 pounds or more recently and you haven’t changed your lifestyle, diet, or exercise levels, see your doctor to rule out conditions like hypothyroidism and kidney disease.

3. Sudden, sharp pain
Pain is a warning signal, and it’s wise to heed it. If you experience sudden, intense, and unexplained pain anywhere in your body — especially if the pain is in your head or chest — seek medical attention right away. 

4. Long-term pain that doesn’t get better

Chronic pain isn’t necessarily a sign that anything is amiss. For instance, many people experience chronic back pain for years with no clear cause. However, long-term pain that doesn’t get better sometimes does indicate that there’s a problem, so it’s best to get checked out if you aren’t sure. Some cancers, for instance, cause pain that gradually worsens over time.  

5. Heavy, painful, or irregular periods

Do you dread the time of the month when your period arrives? It’s easy to write off painful or heavy periods as simple bad luck. This symptom is worth a closer look, though, because it can sometimes be indicative of a bigger problem like endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Ask your doctor to help you figure out what’s going on — with the right treatment, your periods might become more bearable.

6. Frequent or painful bloating

It’s normal to feel bloated occasionally after you have a big meal or eat something that doesn’t agree with you. But if you’re noticing that your belly is significantly bloated on a daily basis, or if your bloating is severe enough to be painful, a trip to the doctor is in order. Frequent bloating can be a symptom of a number of severe conditions, from ovarian cancer to a food intolerance.  

7. Blood in your urine

Even a small amount of blood in your urine can indicate that there’s something wrong, so if you notice that the toilet bowl looks reddish or orange after you go to the bathroom, call your doctor. Kidney infections, bladder infections, and some types of cancer are a few potential causes of blood in urine.

8. Constant fatigue

It’s one thing to feel worn out after staying late at the office or missing a few hours of sleep. But if you feel extremely tired and drained every day for no particular reason, that’s cause for concern. Persistent fatigue can be caused by many different health problems, some serious (such as cancer) and some easier to address (such as nutritional deficiencies). See your doctor to find out what’s going on.  

9. Shortness of breath

If you find yourself struggling to breathe when you haven’t been running, climbing stairs, or otherwise exerting yourself, call 911 or have someone take you to the emergency room right away. Sudden shortness of breath can signal a number of health emergencies, including a blood clot, stroke, or heart attack.  

10. Excessive sweating

Sweating excessively — a condition known as hyperhidrosis — is usually benign, though annoying. But if you’ve noticed that you sweat a great deal, it’s still worth making a visit to the doctor, especially if you get night sweats. In a minority of cases, excessive sweating can be caused by thyroid problems, hormonal problems, or lymphoma.

11. Fever

Fever, like pain, is an immediate distress signal from your body. If you’re in bed with the flu, your fever will probably pass on its own. But if your fever doesn’t have any obvious cause, seek medical attention. You could have an infection that you don’t know about.

12. Confusion or memory loss

Don’t ignore changes in your mental state — they could indicate a more serious problem than just being distracted or sleep-deprived. Feeling disoriented and struggling to remember things can be early symptoms of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  

13. Changes in your skin

If your skin seems thinner and drier lately, the cause could be as simple as age-related changes or cold weather. Don’t be too quick to ignore this symptom, though. Changes in the way your skin looks and feels could be a sign that you have an underactive thyroid or a nutritional deficiency. And, of course, if you spot any new moles on your skin, it’s a good idea to get checked out for skin cancer, especially if your moles grow, change shape, or have blurry-looking edges.

14. Numbness in your extremities

That familiar pins-and-needles sensation might be more than just a symptom of your foot falling asleep. If your hands and feet frequently feel numb or tingly, you may have a neurological problem or an issue with your blood vessels. A doctor can help you get to the bottom of the problem.

15. A cough that won’t go away

When cold and flu season is in full swing, a stubborn cough might not be something to worry about. But if you’re not sick and you’re still coughing on a daily basis, see your doctor. Cancers of the lung, throat, and thyroid can cause frequent bouts of dry coughing. Some medications, including blood pressure medications, can also make you cough.

Conclude

There’s no need to worry excessively about every little symptom you experience — that will just make you anxious all the time. However, it’s still important to be aware of what’s going on with your body, since health problems are much easier to treat in their early stages. If you notice a change, or if something just doesn’t seem right, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. A trip to the doctor will most likely put your mind at ease.

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