Archive for November, 2011
Final Stage Lung Cancer
Patients in the final stage of lung cancer have aggravated health complications like blood in sputum, respiratory difficulties even after slight exertion, etc. As a family member or caregiver of a patient suffering from the final stage of lung cancer, it is important to learn how to deal with it.
Final Stage of Lung Cancer
The final stage of lung cancer is when the cancer cells have spread to both the lungs. Some patients notice that the cancer has spread to other vital body organs, for example liver, kidney, etc. In some final stage patients of lung cancer there is a fluid collection around the lung or the heart. This fluid contains cancerous cells. Such a condition is also referred to as malignant pleural effusion or pericardial effusion. When there is a lot of pleural effusion, it is impossible for the lungs to expand fully while breathing and this makes the person breathless. If the cells in the pleural effusion contain cancer cells, it is called malignant pleural effusion.
How to Deal with the Final Stage of Lung Cancer?
Very often, the patient and the caregiver questions ‘Why is that they have to go through this?’ However, it is important to understand that there are many patients who are suffering from it and their caregivers and family members are taking care of these patients. Joining a cancer support group should be considered. This will help you to know how the others are dealing with this dreadful disease. Read the rest of this entry »
Treatment for Asthma Attacks
Asthma is an important chronic disease characterized by constriction and inflammation in the air passages of the respiratory system. A person having asthma shows several symptoms of asthmatic attacks after being exposed to certain allergens or triggers. In general, the airways of such person become swollen, inflamed, tighten and secrete excess mucus that sometimes leads to mucus plugs. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain and chronic cough.
Asthma is caused due to genetic or environmental factors or both. Air pollution especially using fossil fuels that produce harmful gases such as smog, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide trigger the process of asthmatic attacks. Smoking either active or passive smoking at the time of pregnancy can increase the risk of asthma in the newborn baby. Other allergens that stimulate asthma attacks include wastes from household pests (cockroaches, dust mites), pollen, food allergies and indoor pollutants (perfumes, hairsprays, cosmetics). In children, asthma is mostly caused due to viral respiratory infections.
It is difficult to diagnose asthma at early stages, as it resembles other respiratory diseases such as bronchitis, emphysema and respiratory tract infection. In fact, many people suffer from asthma but are not aware of the disease condition. Diagnosis of asthma is usually done based on the symptoms, medical history and physical examinations. Read the rest of this entry »
Pathophysiology of Diabetes Mellitus
What is Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus (DM) or simply diabetes, is a chronic health condition in which the body either fails to produce sufficient amounts of insulin or it responds abnormally to insulin. Commonly referred to as a syndrome, diabetes is classified into three types, namely, Type 1 diabetes, Type 2 diabetes, and Gestational diabetes. The ultimate outcome for all three types of diabetes is high blood glucose level. The pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus is very complex, as this ailment is characterized by different etiologies while sharing similar signs, symptoms, and complications.
Diabetes Mellitus: Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of all types of diabetes is related to the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the beta cells of the pancreas. In a healthy person, insulin is produced in response to the increased level of glucose in the bloodstream, and its major role is to control glucose concentration in the blood. What insulin does is, allowing the body cells and tissues to use glucose as a main energy source. Also, this hormone is responsible for conversion of glucose to glycogen for storage in the muscles and liver cells. This way, sugar level is maintained at a near stable amount. Read the rest of this entry »