Headaches

Understanding Gluten Intolerance

September 18 in Health by admin | No Comments

Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye, kamut, spelt, and other grains. A gluten intolerance does not necessarily mean you have Celiac disease. There are many people who cannot tolerate gluten that do not test positive for Celiac disease. Tests for Celiac disease include:

Biopsy of small intestine
Reticulin antibody test
Endomysial antibody test
Transglutaminase antibody test

Many of the patients who tested negative for Celiac disease do have results that indicate they are gluten intolerant, however, which is a good starting point to receiving proper treatment.

How to Test for Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance

The Gliadin antibody test is often positive when other tests, such as those above, are negative. While Gliadin antibodies will not result in a diagnosis of Celiac disease, they do indicate that your immune system is reacting against the Gliadin, which is a part of what makes up gluten.

Celiac disease is just another name for a condition called villous atrophy, which causes visible changes in the lining of your digestive tract. While villous atrophy can result from an immune reaction to gluten, it is only one possible result. In a nutshell, Celiac disease is just one type of gluten intolerance.

Other Tests for Gluten Intolerance

IgE and IgG are antibody tests for allergic reactions that can include numerous foods and food components. In this case, these tests are run to determine gluten intolerance. Most non-Celiac gluten sensitivity patients have elevated antibodies to:

Gluten
Gliadin
Barley
Rye
Wheat
Spelt

These patients usually feel much better after eliminating the foods they test positive for. In addition to several GI symptoms such as IBS, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, bloating, or gas, patients with gluten sensitivity can also experience:

Headaches
Fatigue
Eczema or other skin rashes
Chronic sinusitis
Arthritis

What if You Already Know You Can’t Gluten?

According to Dr. Stephen Wangen, co-founder and Medical Director of the IBS Treatment Centers in Seattle, WA, and Los Angeles, CA, there are many patients who determine, through trial and error, that they can’t eat gluten. And if you have already found this to be true and have stopped eating gluten, it is highly likely that any tests run will come back negative.

Treatment

The treatment plan for any type of gluten intolerance is as simple as it can be complicated: avoid gluten. It is complicated, because gluten hides in many foods that you would not think contained any gluten. One example of this is corn syrup. Corn syrup contains gluten and it is a very common ingredient in so many of our processed foods today. It is even most sodas, condiments, sauces, and ice creams.

Avoiding the list of grains above is the easy part, however, in order to maintain a gluten-free diet, you must read labels on every product you buy. It sounds daunting, but after a few trips to the store, you will have a good working knowledge of what you can and cannot digest. Then you will just have to read the labels on any food product you have never eaten before.

More and more grocery stores are now carrying a gluten-free line of foods and many of them are quite tasty. Again, you will go through a process of trial and error trying these new foods and determining whether you like them or not, but it is definitely worth it.

Tagged allergic, allergic reactions, allergies, allergy, antibody, Arthritis, barley, belching, Biopsy, bloating, Celiac disease, Chronic sinusitis, Constipation, diarrhea, digestive tract, Eczema, Endomysial, Endomysial antibody test, fat in stool, fatigue, flatulence, gas, Gliadin, Gliadin antibodies, Gluten, Gluten Intolerance, gluten intolerant, gluten sensitivity, gluten-free, gluten-free diet, grains, Headaches, heartburn, IBS, IgE, IgG, immune system, indigestion, kamut, nausea, non-Celiac, Non-Celiac Gluten, Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, protein, Reticulin, Reticulin antibody test, rye, small intestine, spelt, Transglutaminase, Transglutaminase antibody test, villous atrophy, vomiting, wheat

Symptoms of Lupus

August 22 in Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

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Millions of people suffer with the autoimmune disease known as Lupus. This chronic inflammatory disease affects a person’s immune system. Rather than fighting to protect your body from viruses and bacteria, the immune system actually attacks various organs and tissues. Since, Lupus can affect different parts of the body, its symptoms vary greatly from person to person. The intensity of these symptoms also varies greatly, but most people experience flares, which will worsen and improve randomly.

Below is a look at some of the main symptoms of Lupus.

Anemia – Characterized by lower than normal levels of red blood cells in the body’s blood.
Chest Pain – Chest pain that occurs when taking a deep breathe. This can be caused by an inflammation of the pleura membrane that surrounds the lungs, also referred to as Pleurisy.
Dry or Swollen Eyes – Lupus can cause dry eyes or even swelling and pain in the area surrounding the eyes.
Fatigue – Lupus oftentimes causes extreme fatigue that is typically more severe during and immediately after a flare.
Fever – Many patients experience unexplainable fevers.
Hair Loss – Depending on which organs and tissues are affected, Lupus may cause hair loss.
Headaches – Many Lupus patient complain of severe headaches, which may be accompanied by confusion or even memory loss.
Joint Pain – Lupus can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness of joints in the areas affected by the disease,
Photosensitivity – Some Lupus patients also experience a sensitivity to the sun and the light. In these cases, it is best to avoid direct sunlight when possible.
Rash – Many Lupus patients, but not all, experience a distinguishable rash on their face. This rash typically takes on a butterfly shape and spreads from the bridge of the nose outwards over both cheeks.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon – This phenomenon causes a person’s fingers and/or toes to turn a whitish or bluish color when subjected to intense stress or extreme colds.
Shortness of Breath – In addition to chest pain, Lupus patients may experience periods of shortness of breath.
Skin Lesions – These types of lesions are most common among those whose Lupus affects their skin. Overexposure to direct sunlight should be avoided because this can worsen the lesions.
Swelling – Lupus patients commonly show signs of swelling in their feet and legs.
Unusual Blood Clotting – When Lupus affect the blood cells, a person may experience unusual blood clotting.
Ulcers – Some people with Lupus also experience frequent ulcers in the nose and/or mouth.

Lupus is sometime referred to as “The Great Imitator” because its symptoms are very similar to several other medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems and fibromyalgia. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with your primary care physician to discuss these concerns.

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Understanding Radiation Therapy

June 28 in Cancer, Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Radiation-Therapy

If there is one illness that many people are afraid of, it’s cancer. This is because cancer is one of the most fatal illnesses that is hard to treat. Moreover, there is really no definite treatment for it yet.

Although chemotherapy is the most popular treatment for cancer, there is still no guaranty it can cure all types of cancer. This is why another type of treatment has been developed to treat cancer. This treatment is called radiation therapy.

Radiation Therapy Explained

Radiation therapy is the use of radiation such as gamma rays and X-rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. This happens with the help of three types of radiation therapy such as:

External-Beam Radiation Therapy
Internal Radiation Therapy or Brachytherapy
Systemic Radiation

External-Beam Radiation Therapy

This type of radiation therapy is done with the use of a radiation machine. The machine is similar to the X-ray machine will release its charged particles through a beam radiation. The radiation will penetrate the cancer-infected area from outside the body.

Internal Radiation

Internal radiation, on the other hand, is the method of directly placing the radioactive materials in the area around cancer cells. The process is a bit complicated, but it can be more potent.

Systemic Radiation

Meanwhile, systemic radiation treatment is the use of radioactive substances that can move through the blood to reach the areas with cancer cells. This works like a regular medicine in the sense that the substances are absorbed into the blood stream. An example of a radioactive substance is radioactive iodine.

How Does Radiation Therapy Work Against Cancer?

Radiation therapy kills cancer cells by damaging cell DNA. This also can happen by creating free radicals within the cells that kills the cancer as well.

Does Radiation Therapy Kill Other Cells?

The drawback in using radiation therapy is that it kills not only the cancer cells but also other cells nearby. This problem causes side effects depending on which cells are damaged as the result of killing cancer cells. Nevertheless, our tissues have a certain level of tolerance against radiation. It’s your doctor who will determine such levels before this treatment is performed.

Why Is Radiation Therapy Needed?

Radiation therapy is a powerful treatment against cancer. It’s so strong that other cells may also be sacrificed in the process. Nonetheless, the result is significant. It’s needed when the purpose is to completely eliminate the cancer. This means radiation therapy is used for curative intent, and it can also be used for palliative care to shrink tumors.

On the other hand, radiation therapy can also be applied along with chemotherapy. It can also be used for curative intent, control treatment, and palliative care at the same time.

How Is Radiation Therapy Scheduled?

Before radiation therapy is scheduled, your oncologist will ask you to undergo several tests such as CT scans, MRI, PET, and ultrasounds. All such tests will determine the location and the position of cancer infections inside the body. Once identified, radiation therapy will be applied in the target areas.

Conclusion

Radiation therapy may be much stronger than chemotherapy. However, there are risks involved as the radiation can also damage other non-cancer cells. Radiation therapy is ideal for curative intent as it requires patients to be much healthier and tolerant against certain radioactive materials and substances.

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What is Oral Cancer?

June 27 in Cancer, Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Image result for oral cancer ad

Oral cancer is a persistent growth or sore inside the mouth that is caused by an uncontrollable growth of cells that invade and cause damage. It will not go away on its own. It includes the following surrounding tissues:

Throat
Tonsils
Sinuses
Hard and Soft Palate
Floor of the Mouth
Cheeks
Tongue
Lips

What are the Symptoms?

There are numerous symptoms associated with oral cancer. The most common ones are:

Any lesions or swelling on the lips, gums, or other areas inside your mouth
Unexplained oral bleeding
Unexplained numbness, tenderness, or pain in any areas of the mouth, face or neck
Persistent sores in the mouth or the neck and face that do not heal within two weeks.
Red, white, or red and white speckled patches in your mouth
A feeling that something is caught in the back of your throat
Difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw
Chronic sore throat, hoarseness, or change of voice
Earache
A change in your teeth or the way your dentures fit together
Large weight loss

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to make an appointment with your dentist or primary care physician as soon as possible.

Who is at Risk?

It is estimated that over 40,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Men face twice the risk than women, and men over the age of 50 face the greatest risk of all.

Oral cancer risk factors include:

Smoking. Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe, you are six times more likely to contract oral cancer than nonsmokers.
Using smokeless tobacco. Chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip makes you 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the lining of the lips, gums, or cheeks.
Drinking a lot of alcohol. You are six times more likely to contract oral cancer than nondrinkers.
Family history of cancer. If cancer runs in your family, then you are more genetically predisposed.
Too much sun. If you have excessive exposure to the sun, especially when you are young, it increases your odds of contracting oral cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with HPV (Human Papillomavirus), some strains put you at a higher risk for contracting oral cancer.

It is important to note, however, that 25% of diagnosed cases of oral cancer do occur in nonsmokers and social drinkers.

What Can You Do to Prevent a Diagnosis?

There are some things you can do to lower your risk, such as:

Drink alcohol in moderation, and do not smoke or use any tobacco products.
Maintain a well-balanced diet.
Limit your exposure to the sun, and when you are out in the sun, apply UV-A/B sun blocking products on your skin and lips.

Early Detection is Key

The earlier you see any symptoms, the greater the chance of successful treatment. You can also take an active role in early detection by doing the following:

Do a Self Exam Once per Month – Use a bright light and a mirror to examine all the surfaces of your mouth and lips. Feel for lumps and thoroughly look over every part of your mouth, throat, and gums. Check for enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. If you find anything suspicious, contact your health care professional immediately.
See your Dentist Regularly – No matter how thorough, you can’t always see everything, so ask your dentist to conduct an exam at your next visit.

Remember, understanding what oral cancer is and how to detect it increases your chances of successful treatment.

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Proper Care of Contact Lenses

August 23 in Health by admin | No Comments

Image is from 1800contacts.com

Contact lenses can be incredibly convenient if you are someone who needs corrective lenses but hates having to worry about having glasses or sunglasses on hand. You simply put the contacts into your eyes at the beginning of the day and you can remove them whenever you wish; often at the end of the day before you head to bed. Millions of people use contacts as a way to improve their vision but there are some risks involved with wearing contacts whether it be once in awhile for a special event or every single day. Infection is just one problem that you can develop.

Causes of Contact Lens Issues

There are a number of reasons people will develop an infection or have problems with their contacts. It can be as simple as not washing your hands properly before touching your lenses or you may be using the wrong type of lens. Many people use extended wear lenses that can be left in the eye for days at a time (you do not need to remove them at the end of the day each day). The eye can become quite damaged this way and not a lot of doctors recommend this type of product. Some people have dry eye issues and when you place a contact on the surface of the eye, you can damage the eye. It can take time and diligence to correct this problem.

How To Prevent A Problem

When you obtain contact lenses for the first time it is likely that you eye care professional will spend some time with you, educating you on how to properly care for not only your lenses but also your eyes. You will learn how to properly clean your lenses using a rub and rinse process and you will learn about cleaning the lens case that you will be using. Properly inspecting your lens before placing it into your eye each day can prevent a corneal scratch or infection. Some other tips include:

-Washing your hands anytime you need to remove your lens or put them back in.
-Dry your hand on a lint free towel. You don’t want to introduce fabric fibers to your eyes or your lenses.
-Try not to come into direct contact with water while wearing your lenses. Plain water can dry out contact lenses, which is why you need to use specially formulated contact solution.
-Saline solution should never be used to clean your lenses. Storage in saline is fine, but there are special formulations for different uses.
-Clean your lens case each time you remove your lenses and leave it open to air dry for the duration of the day while you are wearing your lenses.
-Do not reuse solution in your contact lens case. Dump the used solution each day and refill it when you are going to be taking out your lenses.
-If you haven’t used your lenses in a number of days, you may want to clean them an additional time before using them.

Keep in mind, there are different types of lenses and each variation has its own method of being taken care of. Some lenses are designed to be worn once and then thrown away while others are long term lenses that are not thrown away unless they are damaged or defective. Follow your eye care professional’s advice and take care of your lenses how you were told to do so. If you have any questions or your contact lenses are no longer feeling comfortable like they normally do, seek attention from a doctor before continuing to wear your lenses.

Tagged activities, astigmatism, August, Bi-Weekly, checkups, Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, child’s eyes examined, color blindness, Colored Lenses, Contact Lens, contact lenses, contacts, Daily Lenses, developmental delays, eye doctor, Eye Safety, Eye surgery, eye test, eyeglass, eyes, eyewear, Glasses, Headaches, healthy, infection, learning disabilities, Monthly, physical, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, prescription, Proper Vision, protective eyewear, refractive errors, strabismus, vision, vision disturbances, watery, Yearly Lenses

Importance of Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month

August 22 in Health by admin | No Comments

Image result for children’s eye health and safety month 2017

Image is from Specialty Eye Institute

Not many people are aware it exists, but August is Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month. This is an important month because nationally, information is promoted that explains just how important it is to pay attention to a child’s eye health. Most people just wait for their child to come home from school with a note from their teacher explaining their child failed the school’s eye test and needs to obtain glasses. When really, there are a number of different conditions that can occur to the eye as a child develops and it is important to make sure regular checkups are scheduled either with an eye doctor or a pediatrician to ensure optimal eye health is being achieved.

Proper Vision

Not being able to see the chalkboard or smart board in school can make for a challenging school year, but more importantly, vision should be checked to rule out other issues that could be going on. For example, many developmental delays and learning disabilities can be due to vision disturbances rather than brain development. A simple pair of glasses can sometimes be the fix that is needed and this is much simpler than needing additional tutoring or separate class instruction. There are some signs that parents can watch out for that indicate vision issues may be present and this includes:

-The child squints when trying to focus on something far away like the television or the road ahead while in the car.
-The child squints when trying to read a book or something that is close to them.
-The eyes seem very bloodshot or irritated after the course of a normal day.
-Eyes may appear watery.
-Headaches are very common amongst children who are having trouble seeing. –They can occur from squinting or simply from trying to focus on something that is giving them problems.
-One or both eyes may appear crossed.

Eye Safety

In addition to making sure your child’s eyes are healthy and strong, making sure the eyes themselves are safe is also very important. When a child is playing sports or doing certain activities, protective eyewear can be beneficial to protect the eyes from harm. Physical injury to this very sensitive part of the body can be very hard to correct and can often lead to lifelong problems with one or both eyes. Eye surgery is not something you want your child to have to undergo. Physical injury to the eyes can occur not just during sports of activity but even during play at home. A small child can greatly damage the eye by tripping or falling while improperly holding an object as they move along. This is especially true with small toddlers who are just learning to navigate their way around and like to toddle around with their toys. While accidents happen, you want to prevent these situations from occurring as best as you can.

Eighty percent of education occurs by way of sight. With the new school year rapidly approaching, now is the time to ensure that your child’s eyes and healthy, safe and ready to be used for reading, learning and absorbing information. Don’t forget that once school starts, illnesses are usually on the rise and conditions such as pink eye are often running rampant. You want to make sure your child knows the importance of washing their hands and not touching their eyes. If you suspect there is an eye problem of any sort, you will want to make an appointment to have your child’s eyes examined. Infection can be present as well as refractive errors, astigmatism, strabismus and even color blindness.

Tagged activities, astigmatism, August, checkups, Children’s Eye Health and Safety Month, child’s eyes examined, color blindness, developmental delays, Eye Safety, Eye surgery, eye test, eyes, eyewear, Headaches, healthy, infection, learning disabilities, physical, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, Proper Vision, protective eyewear, refractive errors, strabismus, vision, vision disturbances, watery

Causes of Group B Strep

July 13 in Health by admin | No Comments

What is Group B Strep?

Group B strep are bacteria that can colonize in the vagina, rectal, and intestinal area of healthy adults and pregnant women. Statistically, about 25% of all healthy adults will at one time have a GBS infection.

While pregnant women do not often show symptoms of a GBS infection, there is a risk that they can transmit the infection to their newborn baby. Once transmitted, some newborns may develop complication which can cause pneumonia, meningitis, and even sepsis, so infants who are at risk need to be monitored. The best way to prevent this is through early detection in the mother and administration of antibiotics to treat it.

Group B Strep infections can also occur in nonpregnant adults who suffer from chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, or cancer. Typically those over 65 are at higher risk, but the incident rates of GBS infection in nonpregnant adults has been steadily increasing throughout the years.

Causes of Group B Strep

Healthy people can carry Group B Strep in their body at any time, it can also come and go or can stay permanently.

GBS can be found in some pregnant women and if not treated can pass to their newborns. When newborns contract Group B Strep infection in the first week of life it is called early onset. For babies who are 1 to 3 weeks of age when they develop the disease, it is termed late-onset.

How Can Group B Strep be Transmitted?

Group B Strep is transmitted by a pregnant mother to their babies during a vaginal birth. Typically mothers who test positive will be given antibiotics during delivery to reduce the risk of transmission. This will occur in about 50% of mothers who have an active infection during birth.

Out of this 50%, only about 100 to 200 of these babies born will develop a GBS infection requiring treatment.

Who’s at Higher Risk for Group B Strep?

When it comes to having Group B Strep, the incident rates are higher among African Americans than Caucasians. While there are not many statistical differences with a mother becoming a GBS carrier, there are some instances where there is a higher risk of transmission to the infant, including:

Early onset of labor
Fever during labor and delivery
An active urinary tract infection
Premature rupture of the membranes
Previous Group B Strep infection
Positive GBS culture after 35 weeks or pregnancy

Symptoms of GBS Infection

When an active Group B Strep infection is present, there can be some symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Some of the symptoms to watch out for include.

In Newborns

Fever
Seizures
Bluish color
limpness
Stiffness
Breath complications
Diarrhea
Fussiness
Problems with heart rate and blood pressure
Problems feeding

In Adults

Skin infections
Sepsis
Lung infection
Urinary tract infection
Meningitis
Joint infections

Treatment of GBS

While the most common form of treatment is to treat the mother with antibiotics during labor to prevent the transmission, once contracted a GBS infection is typically treated with IV antibiotics and sometimes a surgical procedure if a bone or joint infection is present.

While GBS infections can result in severe complications, they are often preventable in newborns with routine maternal screening which makes prenatal care essential to protecting your newborn against such infections.

Tagged abdominal pain, ampicillin, antibiotics, bacteria, bacterium, blood test, bloodstream, bodily fluid contact, body, brain, cefazolin, chills, clindamycin, common cold, cough, Coughing, dangerous, diarrhea, Dizziness, fever, genital area, hard to breathe, headache, Headaches, health, hearing loss, illness, immune systems, infection, influenza, intense treatment, irritability, joints, July, Lethargy, lungs, lymph nodes, Meningitis, metal disabilities, microorganism, moodiness, mouth, mucous drainage, nausea, Neisseria, orally, penicillin, physical disabilities, pneumonia, Pregnant women, premier, premier lab, premier lab services, premier medical, premier medical lab service, Pyogenes, rash, rectum, screening, sepsis, sinuses, skin infection, skin rash, Sneezing, Strep, Strep B, Strep B Awareness, Strep B Awareness Month, Strep B bacterium, Strep B illness, Strep B infection, Strep Throat, Streptococcus, Streptococcus Pyogenes, strong immune systems, stuffy nose, throat, Tonsils, Touching, Transmission, upper-respiratory, urine, UTI, Vaginal discharge, vomiting, weakened immune systems

Significance of International Group B Strep Awareness Month

July 5 in Health by admin | No Comments

July the Awareness Month for Strep B

July is the awareness month that helps educate expecting moms and individuals about Strep B. Strep B stands for Streptococcus a dangerous bacterium that can cause illness in newborns and individuals with weak and even strong immune systems.

Most of the time there are no symptoms presents when a person is infected with the bacterial infection, which is why it is essential for expecting moms to be screened for it before they give birth. If the infection is not caught before the newborn arrives and it is present, the infection can pass right onto the newborn during delivery. If a newborn ends up catching the illness there is potential for it to become serious and even fatal.

Why is Strep B so dangerous?

Strep B is so dangerous because it can turn into meningitis, sepsis and pneumonia without proper diagnoses and treatment. People with strong immune systems can typically survive and fight off these types of infections, but newborn babies during the first weeks of life tend to struggle. This is due to their weakened immune systems, and why so many babies who contract the Strep B illness pass away. Other health problems that can arise from suffering from a Strep B infection are hearing loss, and mental and physical disabilities.

How is Strep B tested?

Expecting moms and individuals are tested for Strep B through a genital swab test. Sometimes testing can be done with a simple urine or blood test. Pregnant women get this test done by their OBGYN or midwife at 37 weeks of pregnancy. Those who suspect they may have it can ask their family doctor to test for the infection.

With that said, the only true way an individual can know for themselves that they could be potentially infected with the bacterium is by experiencing symptoms. Without symptoms, individuals don’t usually suspect any can of infection until it becomes so serious staying in the hospital is essential for intense treatment to help rid the infection from the body.

What are some of the symptoms of the infection?

Infection setting into an area of skin
Painful urination with a UTI
Constant fever with chills
Lethargy
Skin rashes or infections
Vaginal discharge and discomforts
Inflammation in the lungs or joints of the body
Irritability or moodiness
Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Headaches and dizziness if the infection spreads to the brain

Where does the Strep B bacterium live within the body?

Strep B bacterium is found in the mouth, throat, genital area, rectum and sometimes even bloodstream of the body. It is passed through bodily fluid contact, or simply encountering the bacteria hanging out on an individual’s skin. If an individual does become infected with Strep B, thankfully there are treatments that work effectively with curing the illness.

What are the antibiotics for most useful for treating the infection?

The antibiotics most commonly used for treating the Strep B infection are ampicillin, penicillin, cefazolin and clindamycin. These medications are provided orally, but with serious infection they are given through IV in the hospital. You can only get these medications through prescriptions from doctors.

End Thoughts for the Significance of Strep B Awareness Month?

The best way to save lives from Strep B is by becoming educated and educating others about the infection. July’s awareness month is the perfect opportunity to get the word out there to help promote proper screening for it in individuals of all ages. After all, everyone deserves to know about potentially life threatening infections that are preventable through proper screening and testing and treatable with simple antibiotics.

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What is Oral Cancer?

April 11 in Health, MD GeneticPro by admin | No Comments

Image is from Market My Laser

Throat
Tonsils
Sinuses
Hard and Soft Palate
Floor of the Mouth
Cheeks
Tongue
Lips

What are the Symptoms?

There are numerous symptoms associated with oral cancer. The most common ones are:

Any lesions or swelling on the lips, gums, or other areas inside your mouth
Unexplained oral bleeding
Unexplained numbness, tenderness, or pain in any areas of the mouth, face or neck
Persistent sores in the mouth or the neck and face that do not heal within two weeks.
Red, white, or red and white speckled patches in your mouth
A feeling that something is caught in the back of your throat
Difficulty speaking, chewing, swallowing, or moving the tongue or jaw
Chronic sore throat, hoarseness, or change of voice
Earache
A change in your teeth or the way your dentures fit together
Large weight loss

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is important to make an appointment with your dentist or primary care physician as soon as possible.

Who is at Risk?

It is estimated that over 40,000 people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year. Men face twice the risk than women, and men over the age of 50 face the greatest risk of all.

Oral cancer risk factors include:

Smoking. Whether you smoke cigarettes, cigars, or a pipe, you are six times more likely to contract oral cancer than nonsmokers.
Using smokeless tobacco. Chewing tobacco, snuff, or dip makes you 50 times more likely to develop cancers of the lining of the lips, gums, or cheeks.
Drinking a lot of alcohol. You are six times more likely to contract oral cancer than nondrinkers.
Family history of cancer. If cancer runs in your family, then you are more genetically predisposed.
Too much sun. If you have excessive exposure to the sun, especially when you are young, it increases your odds of contracting oral cancer.
If you have been diagnosed with HPV (Human Papillomavirus), some strains put you at a higher risk for contracting oral cancer.

It is important to note, however, that 25% of diagnosed cases of oral cancer do occur in nonsmokers and social drinkers.

What Can You Do to Prevent a Diagnosis?

There are some things you can do to lower your risk, such as:

Drink alcohol in moderation, and do not smoke or use any tobacco products.
Maintain a well-balanced diet.
Limit your exposure to the sun, and when you are out in the sun, apply UV-A/B sun blocking products on your skin and lips.

Early Detection is Key

The earlier you see any symptoms, the greater the chance of successful treatment. You can also take an active role in early detection by doing the following:

Do a Self Exam Once per Month – Use a bright light and a mirror to examine all the surfaces of your mouth and lips. Feel for lumps and thoroughly look over every part of your mouth, throat, and gums. Check for enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. If you find anything suspicious, contact your health care professional immediately.
See your Dentist Regularly – No matter how thorough, you can’t always see everything, so ask your dentist to conduct an exam at your next visit.

Remember, understanding what oral cancer is and how to detect it increases your chances of successful treatment.

Understanding Sarcoma Cancer

March 23 in Uncategorized by admin | No Comments

Sarcoma is a very rare form of cancer. It is also different from most types of cancer because it occurs and grows in connective tissue. The cancer cells grow in parts of the body that support or connect other types of tissue to the body. While the tumors can appear anywhere, they are most commonly found in the muscles, bones, cartilage, tendons, fat, and nerves. They are also seen in the blood vessels of the legs and the arms. There are over 50 types of sarcoma and they are divided into three categories, bone sarcoma, soft tissue sarcoma, and osteosarcoma.

Who Is At Risk Of Developing Sarcoma?

It is unknown exactly what causes sarcoma, however, there are certain risk factors that make it more likely for people to develop this type of cancer.

Radiation exposure: If you had radiation to treat a previous cancer, you are more at risk.
Family history: If a member of your family had sarcoma, your chances of getting it are higher.
Genetic disorders: Certain genetic disorders such as retinoblastoma, neurofibromatosis, Gardner syndrome, or Li-Fraumeni syndrome put you at greater risk.
Bone disorder: If you have the bone disease called Paget’s disease, you are at risk of developing sarcoma.
Age: Children and young adults are more prone to developing an osteosarcoma.

What Are the Symptoms of Sarcoma?

In its early stages, sarcoma doesn’t show any symptoms. They can be hard to spot because they can grow anywhere in your body. If it is a soft tissue sarcoma, the first sign would be a painless lump. As it grows larger, it can press against the nerves or muscles causing pain. An osteosarcoma shows symptoms much earlier than the other types. There would be pain in the effected bone that comes and goes. Also, the pain is often worse at night. The area can also swell.

What Is the Treatment For Sarcoma?

How the cancer is treated would depend on the type, where it is located, and whether or not it has spread to other parts of the body. The most common treatments include:

Surgery: A doctor can perform surgery and remove the tumor from the body. It is possible for the doctor to remove the cancer cells, therefore, there would be no need for the effected limb to be amputated. If all of the cells cannot be removed, amputation might be your only chance of survivial.
Radiation: If surgery isn’t an option, radiation is used. It can also kill any cells left behind after another treatment.
Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy is used either with surgery or if surgery isn’t possible. It is also used if the cancer has spread.
Targeted therapies: This is a relatively new treatment and the doctors use man made antibodies from the immune system. They are placed to block the growth of cancer cells without damaging any of the normal cells.

What is the Survival Rate For Someone With Sarcoma?

In most cases, soft tissue sarcoma can be cured with one surgery. If it is an aggressive tumor and the cancer has spread, it can be harder to treat. With osteosarcoma, if the cancer has not spread the survival rate is between 60 and 80 percent. If the cancer can be completely removed with surgery, the chance of a full recovery is excellent. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the treatment would need to be more aggressive and the chances of being cured completely are much lower.

Sarcoma is a rare and serious type of cancer. If it is caught early enough, the chances of survival are great.

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Headaches

How to Test for Non-Celiac Gluten Intolerance

Other Tests for Gluten Intolerance

What if You Already Know You Can’t Gluten?

Treatment

Radiation Therapy Explained

External-Beam Radiation Therapy

Internal Radiation

Systemic Radiation

How Does Radiation Therapy Work Against Cancer?

Does Radiation Therapy Kill Other Cells?

Why Is Radiation Therapy Needed?

How Is Radiation Therapy Scheduled?

Conclusion

What are the Symptoms?

Who is at Risk?

What Can You Do to Prevent a Diagnosis?

Early Detection is Key

Causes of Contact Lens Issues

How To Prevent A Problem

Proper Vision

Eye Safety

What is Group B Strep?

Causes of Group B Strep

How Can Group B Strep be Transmitted?

Who’s at Higher Risk for Group B Strep?

Symptoms of GBS Infection

In Newborns

In Adults

Treatment of GBS

July the Awareness Month for Strep B

Why is Strep B so dangerous?

How is Strep B tested?

What are some of the symptoms of the infection?

Where does the Strep B bacterium live within the body?

What are the antibiotics for most useful for treating the infection?

End Thoughts for the Significance of Strep B Awareness Month?

Who Is At Risk Of Developing Sarcoma?

What Are the Symptoms of Sarcoma?

What Is the Treatment For Sarcoma?

What is the Survival Rate For Someone With Sarcoma?

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