Monday, May 24, 2010

Symptoms of Lung Cancer and Screening Guidelines

Symptoms of Lung Cancer and Screening Guidelines
By Alfred Chai Wei Liang

If you suspect you have or will develop lung cancer, please see your doctor immediately. There is no joke to be laughed about when it comes to things like cancer. Any forms of cancer are just as dangerous. As you may already know, cancers are categorized into two types; malignant (deadly) and benign (harmless). Just, lung cancer is already one of the top killers in most nations. This fact includes developing nations. Now, that is certainly worrying.

What are the warning signs? The signs and symptoms of lung cancer are vague and not specific. This is because some of the possible signs could be dismissed or mistaken as a regular cough (or sore throat). However, as said earlier, do check with your doctor in case of the following symptoms:-

- Persistent cough
- Hoarse voice
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Shortness of breath (even during leisure times, not during exercises)
- Blood in 'phlegms'
- Ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- Unexplained weight loss and appetite loss

Screening guidelines are still not advanced, despite our technologies in the world today. There are no specific routine tests that a person has to go through. But, you are always encouraged to go for a health examination to rule out any possible problems. Hopefully, it would not be lung cancer.

Whether you are a family man, healthy young man, or retiree, do not take this form of cancer lightly. It can be considered a top silent killer among many countries for many centuries.

Alfred writes on self improvement and provides useful tips about its relevant topics. You can also find him where he has a website at http://www.woodenjewelleryboxes.org and wooden jewellery boxes. Find out more (especially if you are getting married soon) at the website.

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Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Lead Paint and Asbestos - Detecting and Eliminating Them in Your Home

By Marikor Hidalgo


Millions of building structures from residential homes to commercial spaces had two components only known to be dangerous decades after they were manufactured and used. Lead and asbestos were popular ingredients for construction materials. But since the 1970s up to present times, government agencies halted production of such materials due to the health and environmental risks these elements produce. Inspections are also mandatory for public infrastructures. However, potential home buyers should also take into account probable existence of these elements in the property they are buying, especially if it is an older one.

Children who have been exposed to lead had stunted physical and mental development in children. The element plagues approximately 310,000 children in the US annually. These children were found to have alarming levels of lead in their blood. Some had experienced chronic to severe anemia. This illness in turn can cause oxygen deficiency, which could possibly trigger underlying pulmonary and heart conditions. Adults on the other hand had poor muscle coordination and became irritable after exposure to lead. Long-term health risks associated with lead exposure include having damaged renal, cardiovascular, nervous and reproductive systems.

Lead was commonly found in older properties through paint, pipes and solder. Any surface and item that were painted plus the plumbing must be looked upon detecting lead presence. Soil surrounding the house may also have traces of the element.

The US National Cancer Institute stated that asbestos is a human carcinogen - a substance that causes cancer. The EWG Action Fund research had reported that around 10,000 Americans die yearly due to diseases caused by asbestos. The most common reason is mesothelioma, a rare type of cancer in the lung lining and chest wall. Exposure to the asbestos-containing material might also lead to triggering or worsening lung cancer and abdominal cancer. It is also known to cause lung tissue to scar, which eventually restricts proper inhalation.

Asbestos was a popular ingredient in making diverse and fundamental construction materials. Cement sheeting, drainage and flue pipes, roofing, guttering and flexible building boards, insulation, fireproofing, acoustical materials and floor tiles are some asbestos-based materials. These materials would be found almost in all parts of the home where there is insulation and walling.

Further testing and removal of these substances are highly crucial to have healthy living conditions at home. Home testing kits for both elements are available in the market. But while such option may be cheaper and more convenient for you, the results may not be accurate 100%. Bring samples to a credible laboratory testing facility. Or you could initially hire a licensed contractor to detect lead and/or asbestos in the property.

Removing lead-based paints or replacing asbestos materials should be taken with extreme precaution. Tiny particles or fibers can scatter all over your home through air, thus making the elements harder to control. Rather seek assistance from your local health or environmental agency for a licensed contractor referral. Professional crews are equipped with tools and techniques to safely eliminate these substances from your home. For example, a rigid step-by-step procedure is necessary to scrape off, seal or enclose lead-based paint in surfaces. Asbestos materials would only be harmful if asbestos fibers are released. Otherwise intact materials need not be stripped down. A professional knows better if such material is still intact or needs to be replaced.

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Monday, May 10, 2010

8 Potential Symptoms of Mesothelioma

By Andre Savoie

Mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer, is cancer of the mesothelium, and is usually found on or around the lungs. Symptoms of this disease are similar to those of many other conditions including lung cancer, so be certain to check with your physician if you note these potential mesothelioma symptoms in yourself or a loved one.

If you have been exposed to asbestos or are close to someone who has, it is important to be aware of the symptoms of this cancer so that you can seek the appropriate mesothelioma treatment.

These 8 symptoms may not appear for decades after the initial asbestos exposure:

- Shortness of Breath caused by fluid trapped between the lungs and the chest wall.

- Chest Pains also caused by fluid trapped between the lung and the chest wall, creating pressure that a patient will feel as chest pains under the rib cage and/or be accompanied by coughing. These are often the first mesothelioma symptoms that patients are aware of, occurring long before the others.

- Weight Loss is often associated with cancerous tumors, particularly if the tumors are older.

- Abdominal Pain and/or Swelling resulting from fluid buildup in the abdomen.

- Bowel Obstruction can be another complication resulting from fluid buildup in the abdomen causing complications with the digestive tract and associated organs. Tumors that form in the abdominal region can cause this symptom as well.

- Anemia can be a result of mesothelioma affecting the tissue lining the lungs and the chest cavity, the pleura.

- Blood Clotting Abnormalities are only seen in severe cases of mesothelioma.

- Trouble Swallowing: If the asbestos cancer (mesothelioma) has metastasized from the mesothelioma to other parts of the body, trouble swallowing can occur.

- Swelling in the Neck or Face: These are also symptoms that will be seen if the mesothelioma has moved to other parts of the body besides the mesothelium.

While this list of symptoms is extensive, there is no way to determine whether or not you will need mesothelioma treatment without consulting a doctor. Although you may seek mesothelioma information from any doctor, oncologists specializing in asbestos cancer are trained to identify and treat this particular disease.

Life threatening diseases such as those caused by asbestos should always be looked at by a trained oncologist. However if you are seeking an asbestos attorney familiar with the causes and symptoms of mesothelioma I encourage you to reach out to the firm of Landry and Swarr in New Orleans, Louisiana. Their specialists helped our family and I know they can help yours.

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