Disclaimer

All the information contained within this blog is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for a visit to the doctor. The views expressed in this blog are personal views of the author and are not related or directed towards anyone in particular. Although every effort is made to ensure that the content within this blog is accurate, but it is not official in anyway. Please consult a doctor or health care provider.

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Gallbladder Cancer - Symptoms

Gall Bladder Cancer, usually does not show any symptom in its early stages. Therefore it is very difficult to detect it initially. By the time it is detected, it is already in advanced stages. The cancer has spread inside the gallbladder and neighboring organs.

Gallbladder cancer signs and symptoms may include:
  1. Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right portion of the abdomen. 
  2. Loss of appetite
  3. Sudden loss of weight without trying
  4. Abdominal bloating
  5. Fever
  6. Itchiness
  7. Nausea
  8. Jaundice (Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
  9. Darkened urine 
  10. Pale colored stools (bowel movements
Most of the people diagnosed with gallbladder cancer have JAUNDICE. It is often a sign that the cancer has reached in its advanced stages.

A person suffering from gall bladder cancer may get a number of symptoms. Most of these only show up in the later stages of the disease. Other illnesses apart from gallbladder cancer can also show these symptoms. 

Therefore, it is important to see the doctor immediately as soon the symptoms are noticed. The earlier a cancer is detected , the easier it is to treat it and more likely the treatment will be successful. 

IF DETECTED EARLY, CANCER IS CURABLE!

Saturday 15 November 2014

Prelude to CANCER - I

2011,  two years before papa was diagnosed with CANCER, he suffered from acute pain in the lower back. The pain was so acute that papa couldn't put his feet on the ground. When visited the doctor, he informed us it was "Sciatica pain".  Now what is sciatica pain? I will try to explain later in the chapter. My aim of discussing about it here is that I have come across three such people, who suffered from sciatica pain before succumbing to cancer. 

Sciatica pain and cancer have some connection or not, that I don't know. But I am sure that it was a warning signal that was not noticed by the doctors neither in Mumbai - where papa felt the pain for the first time nor by the doctors in Delhi. And  now my doubts have come true after I read an article from a Doctor in Ahmedabad- he had concluded that SCIATICA is prelude to gallbladder cancer.

What is SCIATICA?

Sciatica is pain in the lower back resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve. The pain of sciatica is typically felt from the low back (lumbar area) to behind the thigh and can travel down below the knee.

CAUSES 

Anything that irritates this nerve can cause pain that ranges from mild to severe; usually, from a compressed nerve root in the lumbar (lower) spine. Often, the term "sciatica" is confused with general back pain. However, sciatica is not just limited to the back.

Sciatica is not, in fact, a condition, but rather a symptom of another problem involving the sciatic nerve. The most pervasive being a slipped disc. 

The spinal column is made up of three parts:
  1. Vertebrae 
  2. Nerves
  3. Discs
Other causes of sciatica are : 

  • Tumors within the spine may compress the root of the sciatic nerve. ( Now I can relate to, when my father's backbone completely crumbled ...and he was bedridden for more then 4 months before he fell prey to cancer)
  • Injury or some kind of  infection within the spine.
  • Lumbar spinal stenosis - a narrowing of the spinal cord (a channel within the vertebrae that contains the nerves) in the lower back that may compress the sciatic nerve.
  • Cauda equina syndrome - a rare, but serious condition that affects the nerves on the lower part of the spinal cord; it requires immediate medical attention. Cauda equina syndrome may permanently damage the nervous system and even lead to paralysis.
  • Spondylolisthesis - a condition in which a disc may slip forward over the vertebra below it, pinching the sciatic nerve. 
RISK FACTORS

In most of the cases there is no particular factor( or factors) that causes sciatica pain, but is said to be the result of strain between muscles, bones and joints. Therefore people affected mainly are above the age of 35. 

Other factors
  1. Smoking is a risk factor for cancer
  2. Age - due to the deterioration of discs, people in their 30s and 40s have a higher risk of developing sciatica. 
  3. Lifestyle - people who sit for long periods and are not physically active.
  4. Profession - jobs that require lifting heavy loads for long period.
Sciatica or No Sciatica, people have cancer. There are many symptoms to watch out for, because CANCER can happen to anyone at any age. So be aware. And be prepared!

Tuesday 11 November 2014

Causes of Gallbladder Cancer

There are no definite reasons/conditions that can be held responsible for developing cancerous growth in one's body. Nor there is any such thing as prevention, but yes there are certain factors which have been found as the precursor to cancer and related ailments in  the human body. Different cancers have different risk factors.

Gallbladder cancer actually is  the abnormal growth of cells within the gallbladder. Although  actual reasons are unknown. But certain conditions may increase  the chances of getting cancer cells in the body. For instance

Lifestyle related:  such as being overweight, smoking, unhealthy food habits, personal health and age .

Other factors that put one at the risk of developing gallbladder cancer. 
  1. Gallstones
  2. Cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder),  and 
  3. Diabetes
Family related:  If one has a family history of gallstones, cholecystitis, or gallbladder cancer, then he/she is more likely to develop these conditions.

Having a risk factor, or even several risk factors, does not necessarily mean that a person will get cancer.  There have been cases where despite of being exposed to the risks, people have lived  a very healthy and cancer free life.  And many people who get the disease may have few or no  risk factors et all.

The crux is anyone can get cancer at any age. The only solution is to remain aware and look for signs and symptoms. The moment you feel something different, something unusual - visit a doctor. If the doctor says everything is fine, take a second opinion. But don't sit and let yourself  suffer till it's too late. Remember there are people who love you, to whom you matter - don't leave them to suffer.

Thursday 6 November 2014

Gall bladder and problems

Today, while I was sitting in a cafe...I was thinking about " the comfort zone " factor. Being in one's comfort makes you idle and you are less then inspired to do anything.  Writing is my forte..I always knew but I only realized its importance after papa left. I was too lazy to understand earlier. 

For me the BIG C, was just another disease until it took my father. I never really bothered but now i am determined to tell people, even if they don't want to. They will have to listen to me...This is my humble request...don't ignore...because for any kind of CANCER...only AWARENESS is the CURE!

Once CANCER cells attack your body..even after successfully surviving does not guarantee that CANCER will not return....I  know someone, where CANCER started with breast ...over a period of time has now become blood cancer.

I, understand it is not something which everyone wants to listen or talk about but that will not change the fact that CANCER is a deadly disease. My father was a teetotaler.   He always always started his day with an apple. He was very disciplined regarding his health. Still CANCER happened...and it took him away.

If you are reading this please spend 5 minutes...to know what is gall bladder, and its functions...and various problems that affect GALL BLADDER ( Click on the link).