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Treatment options for advanced lung cancer

Treatment options for advanced lung cancer

Lung cancer forms tumors in the body that affect the lungs and cause blockages. 3 signs of lung cancer include wheezing, shortness of breath, and blood in the mucus. Although surgery and advanced chemotherapy help to remove and kill these cancerous tumors, there are rapid research and development in treating lung cancer. Radiation therapy Although radiation therapy is an older method of treating lung cancer but there have been new advancements in this particular treatment. In the recent years, the researchers have developed improved radiation therapy machines wherein there are built-in imaging scanners inside these machines. Popular as image guided radiation therapy, this method allows the doctor to take the pictures of the lung and help him make minor aiming alterations before he can give the radiation. This process aids in being more specific while giving radiation to the patient. In the end, there can be lesser side-effects as compared to an older form of radiation therapy. Lung cancer treatment for stage IV patients First of all, knowing the stage of the lung cancer helps the doctor to provide specific treatments that allow the patient to recover. Stage IV lung cancer, being the most advanced stage, is the form where cancer has already grown to other parts of the lungs and other areas of the body beyond the lungs.
Treatment options for lupus

Treatment options for lupus

Lupus is of many types depending on its nature and the organs it affects. The disease commonly called Lupus is the most virulent form attacking almost all organs. Its medical name is Systemic Lupus erythematosus SLE. Another variety is called discoid lupus which confines it action to the skin only. It does not affect other organs. It results in rashes appearing on the face, scalp and neck. Less than 10% of the patients tend to end up with the systemic variety. There is no means to predict or prevent the progression of this disease. Yet another is drug induced lupus. Two drugs commonly associated with this are, an antihypertensive drug, hydralazine, and the other procainamide used for controlling heart arrhythmia. There are a number of drugs that are known to cause lupus. It is seen that the withdrawal of the concerned drugs brings about the cessation of the disease. A very rare type is called neonatal lupus. This occurs when the mother passes autoimmune antibodies to a fetus. The unborn child and the newborn can have skin rashes and other complications involving heart and blood. Usually a skin rash appears which fades away in about six months. Since 90% of those suffering from lupus are women, estrogen, the female hormone, was thought to have something to do with lupus.
Top tips to lower A1C levels fast and effectively

Top tips to lower A1C levels fast and effectively

Blood sugar testing at home is a useful and important tool for assessing the progress of lowering the blood sugar levels, on a day to day basis. But the problem is that these tests can only offer a snapshot of the present condition without any long-term information. That is the reason why your doctor might ask you to undergo the A1C test once in two to three months. The A1C is a type of blood test which shows how effectively the diabetes management plan is working. How to lower A1C levels? The A1C levels provide a considerable picture of diabetes control even though it is not the primary indicator of a person’s health conditions. An individual with wide fluctuations in the blood sugar levels might have lower A1C levels due to a good average. But these fluctuations can lower the quality of life and pave the way for complications. Therefore, you should bring about some healthy changes to your lifestyle in order to manage diabetes effectively and lower A1C levels. Here are some pointers which can aid in lowering A1C levels and improve the quality of life: Have an active lifestyle: Make an attempt to indulge in at least a half-an-hour workout for 5 days in a week.
Top of foot pain: Causes and remedies

Top of foot pain: Causes and remedies

Pain on top of the foot can really disturb our daily lives, affecting actions like walking, running, and simply standing. Our feet are one of the hardest worked parts of our bodies with each step, a force of 1.5 times body weight goes through the foot. It comes as no surprise that about 75% of Americans have foot pain at some point in their lives. Pain on the top of the foot can make it problematic to walk, run, or stand. Pain on top of the foot can be mild or severe. Each foot comprises twenty-six bones and thirty-three joints, bound together by more than 100 muscles, ligaments, and nerves. There are a number of causes of foot pain on the top of your foot. Some common causes of pain on top of your foot include: – Bone spurs – Stress fractures – Nerve entrapment – Metatarsalgia – Tendonitis – Improper footwear – Sprain or strain – Ganglion cyst – Medication – Aging – Hormonal imbalance – Pregnancy – Excessive use of feet – Ingrown toenail – Hammertoe Effective home remedies for foot pain on top of foot Hot and cold water: Hot- and cold-water therapy can be effective in treating foot pain.
Turmeric: The most beneficial treatment for arthritis

Turmeric: The most beneficial treatment for arthritis

Recent researches show that curcumin, which is the active ingredient in the culinary arts possesses potential anti-inflammatory as well as anti-arthritic properties. Many pieces of research found that a highly bio available form of curcumin is very effective in helping the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis compared to the NSAIDs. How does arthritis affect Americans? At least 2 million individuals in America suffer from classical or definite arthritis which is steadily increasing in the recent years. Most people affected by arthritis suffer from rheumatoid arthritis; they also tend to have a progressive disability. Certain disability occurs in about 50 to 70 percent of individuals within five years of being affected by the disease, and at least half of them are compelled to stop working within ten years of the onset of the disease. How can turmeric help in alleviating the symptoms of arthritis? A clinical trial assessing the safety and effectiveness of the turmeric extract in patients suffering from osteoarthritis shows that it helps in reducing the pain and inflammation of arthritis. Using turmeric for arthritis also reduces the need to consume prescribed drugs for alleviating the symptoms of arthritis. Turmeric contains anti-oxidants: The curcuminoids are a class of compounds present in turmeric with strong antioxidant effect.
Treatment options for various causes of kidney pain

Treatment options for various causes of kidney pain

Unlike lower back pain, kidney pain is usually experienced as a pain around the kidney located in the upper abdomen. It can be due to several reasons. In some case, the pain may extend to flaks or the area around the groin. Primary causes of kidney pain : Kidney infection Hydronephrosis i.e., swelling in the kidney due to accumulation of urine caused by a blockage Kidney stones Polycystic kidney disease Bleeding in your kidney Bleeding in kidney veins Kidney cysts Kidney tumor or kidney cancer The treatment of kidney pain would depend o your diagnosis. Your doctor will review your history, undertake a physical examination, and may perform certain tests including blood and urine tests to determine the cause of your kidney pain. In some instances,a CT scan or MRI of the abdomen and pelvis may be asked for. Early diagnosis becomes necessary to prevent complications. A different approach to treatment is followed for each of the causes mentioned above. Here, we discuss the treatment options for some of the more common causes of kidney pain. Treatment of kidney infections: The first treatment for kidney infections is antibiotics. You may be prescribed oral antibiotics for a few days. The doctor will review your condition after a specified time before deciding on future course of action.
Top yoga poses that can give you relief from sciatica pain

Top yoga poses that can give you relief from sciatica pain

Sciatica nerves can be intolerably painful at times, and it is so debilitating that you won’t even have the energy left for getting up from the couch. There are various causes which contribute to the sciatica pain including ruptured disk, injury, and narrowing of the spinal canal. The best way to get sciatica pain relief is by stretching the body and rotating the hip region externally. Here are some other moves, which you can practice to get rid of sciatica pain. Reclining Pigeon pose This common Yoga pose works to open the hip region, and there are numerous versions of this stretch. The first position is called the reclining pigeon pose, which is very easy to perform and is immensely effective. Lie flat on your back and bring the right leg to the right ankle and clasp your hands together from behind to lock with your fingers. Now place the right ankle after lifting the left leg on top of the knee. You will have to hold the pose for some time as it would stretch the tiny muscles, which become inflamed and eventually press against the sciatic nerve, causing excruciating pain. Sitting Pigeon pose This pose is yet another easy-to-perform exercise where you will have to sit with the legs stretched out before you.
Treatment of metastatic lung cancer

Treatment of metastatic lung cancer

A person diagnosed with lung cancer is said to have reached stage IV or metastatic stage when the lung cancer cells breaks away from the tumor and travels to various parts of body through blood and lymph system. It is even possible that the lung cancer has reached the metastatic stage even before it is diagnosed. This is because the symptoms do not develop when the lung cancer is already present in the body. This is the reason why it is common for cancer to metastasize before it is diagnosed. One important thing to keep in mind is that, even though the cancer may have spread to different locations in the body, it will still be named after the part of the body where it is was originated. For instance, if the lung cancer spreads into brain, it will still be called as metastatic lung cancer. Lung cancer, when reached metastatic stage usually spreads into adrenal glands, bones, brain, and the liver. Metastatic lung cancer is completely different from recurrent lung cancer. Lung cancer that has reoccurred has to be treated the same way it was treated when it first occurred. Since, metastatic lung cancer has spread to a completely different part of the body, it will be treated differently.
Top causes of swollen feet and ankles

Top causes of swollen feet and ankles

The cause of swollen feet and ankles cannot be restricted to a certain type of disease or symptom. Although it is a prevalent condition, it is not defined by one single reason. The cause of swollen feet and ankles is majorly because of, either a condition of fluid retention in the body or a condition of edema. Some of the top causes of swollen feet and ankles include injuries, blood clots, pregnancy complications and medication/drug side effects. Let us have a look at these causes in detail below: Pregnancy complications: It is quite clear that pregnancy adds a certain amount of weight to your existing body weight. This excess weight adds to the pressure on your legs; hence, there could be a case of swollen legs and ankles, and even the feet. A sudden swelling although is not common and could lead to preeclampsia, you must consult a doctor in such a case. An injury to the ankle: Any part of your body that is sprained, hurt or injured swells a little or a lot depending upon the intensity of the injury. The same goes for your ankles; if you manage to hurt your ankle, it could lead to the occurrence of a swelling on your ankle.
Treatment options for Dupuytrens disease

Treatment options for Dupuytrens disease

Dupuytrens contracture is a condition which is caused due to excess collagen accumulating in the palm of your hand. The excessive collagen leads to nodules (tender muscle lumps) and strands of muscle tissue being formed. This tissue formation leads to curling of your fingers inward, which can be a chronic condition. There is no known or specific cause which might lead to this condition being developed. However, it has been established that Dupuytrens disease is a hereditary condition which increases your chances of developing symptoms,if any family member might have suffered from similar symptoms previously. Treatment options are also limited when it comes to Dupuytrens disease being diagnosed. Medications and surgical treatment are the two options normally recommended by medical professionals. However alternative methods of long-term treatment include the following options. Observation: It is imperative to understand the source of any condition since identifying a particular cause in some cases might not be possible. Observation will help determine the severity of the condition, after which viable alternatives can be explored. In medical terms, this approach is termed as “watchful waiting.” Stretching exercises: The excess collagen accumulated limits hand movements. The condition is worsened after the fingers start curling in, making it difficult to perform simple day to day tasks.
Treating the signs of carotid artery disease

Treating the signs of carotid artery disease

The goal of treating the signs of carotid artery disease is to prevent the recurrence of symptoms of the same such as bruit, Transient Ischemic Attack. The treatment options for carotid artery disease include lifestyle changes, medications, and other medical procedures. Lifestyle changes To avoid carotid arteries from progressing, it is advisable to quit unhealthy daily habits such as smoking, and consuming junk food. Make necessary lifestyle changes that will help in controlling high blood pressure and diabetes. Both conditions could be the underlying causes of carotid artery diseases. Include a heart-healthy diet, which will help in controlling the same. Maintain a healthy weight by exercising for at least half an hour. Consuming excess salt also increases the blood pressure which could also become the underlying cause of the disease. Include foods that contain potassium, folate, and other anti-oxidants that help in clearing the blockages in thr artery. Medications Patients might be administered with clot dissolving medicines has experienced stroke due to blood clot. This type of medication must be administered 4 hours from the onset of symptoms. In severe cases, the signs of carotid artery disease might just not go away by changing lifestyles. For instance, to control the cholesterol level in the body, statin medications might be required.