Lesser-known lung cancer symptom in arm or shoulder that can't be ignored
Lesser-known lung cancer symptom in arm or shoulder that can't be ignored
Lung cancer is a common form of the killer disease. It can spread quickly - often more so than other cancers - with cells moving through blood into the lungs and other parts of the body.
It is a cancer that is often only found once it has spread, meaning it is harder to treat. As with all cancers, the earlier it is found, the bigger the chance of surviving.
That means that spotting early - and lesser-known - signs could make a big difference to a patient's outcome. Lung cancer patients are usually aged 60 or older - and smokers are more likely to develop it, reports the Daily Record.
But second-hand smoke, radiation and substances such as asbestos, chromium and nickel compounds, are all causes as well, reports the Mirror. However, younger people and non-smokers may also be diagnosed.
Maintaining your general health as well as avoiding risk factors - such as smoking - can help reduce risk of developing the potentially fatal disease. Most commonly, the disease is found in the airways leading into the lungs. This can result in symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing and a persistent cough. Some people also bring up blood or phlegm when coughing.
However, there are other, lesser-known signs that should also be looked out for - such as pain or weakness in your shoulder. If a tumour is located at the top of the lung it can create pressure on the nerves and blood vessels going into the arm. This can result in pair and/or weakness in your shoulder or down your limbs - often a persistent sensation of pins and needles.
This sensation and pain can also be felt in the chest by some sufferers due to the location and size of the tumour. Clubbing of the fingers is also linked to lung cancer. This is where the tips of the fingers become swollen due to lack of oxygen. In other cases, the tumour might press against blood flow to the head, resulting in swelling around the face as well.
What are some other signs and symptoms of lung cancer?
According to the NHS, the most common symptoms of lung cancer are :
- a cough that doesn’t go away after two or three weeks
- a long-standing cough that gets worse
- chest infections that keep coming back
- coughing up blood
-
- an ache or pain when breathing or coughing
- persistent breathlessness
- persistent tiredness or lack of energy
- loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
Cancerous cells can also release large quantities of hormones that can cause symptoms experienced in other parts of the body. It means that some may experience extreme fatigue and weight loss. Lung cancer can present with lung infections so it is important to consult a medical professional if you have been suffering from a long-term lung infection or if the illness has not responded to antibiotics or other treatments.
How to diagnose and treat lung cancer
Your doctor will arrange for you to have a chest X-ray if you are showing signs of lung cancer. This initial test can identify any abnormal structures in the lung that may indicate cancer.
However, it is important to note that experiencing any symptoms listed above does not necessarily mean you have lung cancer and can instead be linked to many other, less serious health conditions. If abnormalities are found, again, it does not mean that the structure is cancerous.
You will then usually be sent for a CAT scan which produces three-dimensional images of the lungs to allow for further examination. A biopsy from the lymph glands will also be taken to identify whether the possible cancer has spread out of the lungs.
Doctors will decide on a treatment plan if positive results are returned. It is always better to receive an early diagnosis, with this allowing for more treatment options and a possible cure.
HIV breakthrough as new technology removes all traces of virus from infected cells
HIV breakthrough as new technology removes all traces of virus from infected cells
The discovery of how to snip HIV out of infected cells could one day lead to a cure for the Aids-causing virus, say researchers.
Scientists eliminated HIV from cells using a gene-editing technique that won a Nobel prize in 2020. The gene-cutting technology, Crispr-Cas, removed all traces of the virus from infected cells in lab tests. Working essentially as scissors, Crispr-Cas can cut the DNA at specific points, allowing unwanted genes to be deleted. New genetic material can also be introduced.
Study lead Dr Elena Herrera-Carrillo, of Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands, said: “These findings represent a pivotal advancement towards designing a cure strategy.” But researchers said the study, presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, represents proof of concept only, and will not become a cure for HIV any time soon.
Dr Jonathan Stoye, virus expert at the Francis Crick Institute, said: “The idea of a functional cure for Aids using Crispr-Cas technology... has enormous appeal. However, the challenge of removing HIV genomes from all the cells that make up the long-lived viral reservoirs in such people is extremely challenging.
"It therefore seems likely that many years will elapse before any such CRISPR-based therapy becomes routine, even assuming that it can be shown to be effective.”
Seven fruits for diabetics to avoid that can increase blood sugar spike risk
Seven fruits for diabetics to avoid that can increase blood sugar spike risk
As with many other parts of a balanced diet, fruit is an important component in keeping a healthy body and mind.
Fruit is full of vitamins and minerals that can be beneficial to your health, plus they are low in calories, making them the perfect quick snack.
However, there are certain fruits that can be considered a "danger" to diabetic people due to their high glycaemic index, reports the Mirror. Diabetes causes a person's blood sugar to rise too quickly, so their body can't break down glucose effectively.
According to the NHS, there are more than 4.9 million people with diabetes across the UK. Being diabetic is a lifelong condition, and can usually be monitored by the patient themselves.
Diabetes is classified into two types - one and two. Type one happens when the cells that produce insulin, which regulates blood sugar levels, are broken down by the body instead.
Type two diabetes is much more common, and is typically caused by being overweight and not exercising enough. In the UK, 90 per cent of adults with diabetes will have been diagnosed with type two.
Doctors recommend a range of fruit to be included in a diabetic person's diet, but other experts have told people to be wary of fruits with a high glycaemic index (GI).
The GI is a rating system that shows how quickly foods that contain carbohydrates will affect a person's blood sugar level if eaten on their own.
Diabetes.co.uk explains: "High GI foods break down very quickly causing blood glucose levels to rise sharply. People with diabetes refer to sharp rises in blood sugar levels as ‘spikes’ in blood sugar.
"Furthermore, for those who produce their own insulin, high GI foods can force the body to try to produce a surge of insulin to counteract the fast-acting carbohydrates and a common consequence of this is a feeling of hunger within two to three hours, which can leave the dieter craving more food."
They also warned: "For people with diabetes, this can be particularly dangerous as the ability of the body to control blood glucose levels is reduced or non-existent."
Fruits with a high GI that people should avoid
According to Diabetes.co.uk, high GI fruits include:
-
Bananas - Oranges - Mango - Grapes - Raisins - Dates - Pears
Fruits with a lower GI include the likes of:
- Berries - Plums - Kiwi fruit - Grapefruit
According to the NHS, lower GI foods are recommended for those with diabetes - but it is also extremely important to eat a balanced diet.
The NHS said: "Some low GI foods, such as wholegrain foods, fruit, vegetables, beans and lentils, are foods we should eat as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
"However, using the glycaemic index to decide whether foods or combinations of foods are healthy can be misleading.
"Foods with a high GI are not necessarily unhealthy and not all foods with a low GI are healthy. For example, watermelon and sometimes parsnips are high GI foods, while chocolate cake has a lower GI value."
Diabetes.co.uk added: "As low GI foods tend to break down more slowly, they are less likely to cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels compared to high GI foods and therefore they are a better option for keeping stable blood glucose levels.
"Favouring low GI foods over high GI foods leaves you feeling more satisfied over a longer period of time, and less likely to feel hungry before the next meal."
High GI foods also include sugary foods, white bread, white rice, potatoes and sugary drinks.
Story by Freya Hodgson & Abbie Meehan & Lucy Farrell:: Daily Record
Top 7 Uses and Benefits of Dead Nettle Plants
Top 7 Uses and Benefits of Dead Nettle Plants
The flowers of the dead nettle plant (Lamium) have been utilized for centuries in alternative medicine. Some other common names for this plant are white nettle, white dead nettle, and white archangel. Although there is limited scientific data on dead nettle’s therapeutic effects, it’s long been utilized for various reasons in folk medicine. In this guide, I’ll run you through the potential benefits of dead nettle in traditional medicine.
- Dead Nettle’s Most Common Medicinal Applications:
- 7 Medicinal Properties of Dead Nettle
- Current Scientific Research on Dead Nettle
Dead Nettle’s Most Common Medicinal Applications:
Dead nettle plants may produce anti-inflammatory effects and were historically used for treating swelling. Instances of rashes, burns, and insect bites can all benefit from the topical application of dead nettle. Dead nettle has also been used to staunch bleeding due to its hemostatic qualities. When used topically, it has been shown to help wounds clot and cease bleeding.
Additionally, dead nettle has been used in herbal medicine as a diuretic — a substance that causes one to urinate more often. Many people have used it for this purpose because they’ve heard that it helps the kidneys filter waste from blood.
Dead nettle also has a long history of use in folk medicine for the relief of menstrual cramps and related symptoms. Heavy monthly flow, cramping, and other symptoms associated with these conditions were thought to be alleviated by the astringent effects of dead nettle on the uterus.
Herbalists have traditionally employed dead nettle to aid respiratory functioning. Historically, the plant was ingested orally to ease bronchial and chest congestion as well as coughing.
Dead nettle has also been used for its ability to help digestion. In addition to relieving digestive symptoms, including indigestion and bloating, it was also thought to have modest laxative traits.
Although dead nettle has been used traditionally for medicinal purposes, there’s a lack of high-quality research that can attest to its safety and effectiveness. If an individual has a preexisting health concern or is on any prescriptions, they should talk to their doctor before taking any kind of herbal product, including dead nettle.
7 Medicinal Properties of Dead Nettle
1) Dead nettle has a long history of use as an herbal medicine. Traditional use and anecdotal evidence indicate various possible medicinal benefits, but scientific study of its therapeutic characteristics is lacking. Some of dead nettle’s purported health benefits and traditional applications are described more in depth below.
2) In addition, these plants have long been utilized for their anti-inflammatory effects. It was put on an affected area to alleviate pain from rashes, burns, and bug bites. Crushed leaves of the plant were used as a poultice to reduce swelling and speed healing.
3) Dead nettle’s hemostatic characteristics have made it helpful in slowing or stopping bleeding. In the past, it was often used on injured areas of the body to speed up the clotting process when administered topically to wounds. Dead nettle’s astringent qualities were thought to aid in reducing bleeding by contracting blood vessels close to a wound.
4) Dead nettle has long been utilized for its diuretic properties. It was thought to stimulate urination, which would help the body flush out harmful substances. This diuretic effect was believed to be beneficial to the kidneys and urinary tract.
5) Dead nettle also has a long history of use as a menstrual health aid. Heavy monthly flow, period cramps, and other symptoms associated with this condition were thought to be alleviated by the plant’s astringent action on the uterus. It was not uncommon for women to drink a tincture or tea made from dead nettle plants to help control their periods.
6) Dead nettle has long been used in traditional herbal medicine to promote healthy breathing. Historically, it was taken by mouth to ease bronchial and chest congestion and to control coughing. It was common practice to drink tea made from dried nettles to improve respiratory health and ease respiratory symptoms.
7) Dead nettle was also traditionally utilized for its ability to help digestion. It was traditionally used to treat various digestive issues, including indigestion, gas, and constipation, on the assumption that it had moderate laxative effects.Dead nettle was sporadically used in infusions or decoctions expressly to aid digestion.
Although dead nettle has been used traditionally for many years, there’s currently little scientific data to support its therapeutic efficacy or safety. Traditional applications may have some validity, but further study is required to identify the active chemicals responsible for any purported health benefits.
Current Scientific Research on Dead Nettle
The scholarly literature on dead nettle and its possible medicinal uses is very limited. There’s a relative lack of new research explicitly focused on dead nettle; most recent studies have instead examined other members of the Lamium genus or particular characteristics of the plant. Nevertheless, listed below are some broad details on recent research into Lamium species and specific substances found in dead nettle.
1) Several papers have discussed the anti-cancer and anti-tumor effects of Lamium species, including one published in Medicine in 2012 that showed promising effects of extracts of Lamium album from either natural sources or grown by micropropagation technique. The most powerful effect was obtained by treatment with combined methanol/chloroform extracts.
2) In 2021, researchers looked at how well an ointment formulation containing Lamium album extract healed wounds; the results were published in the Journal of Medicinal Plants. When tested on rats, the outcomes were encouraging, indicating the possibility of use in wound healing by promoting wound closure and tissue regeneration.
3) Other research has looked at the antibacterial properties of Lamium album. The antibacterial efficacy of Lamium album extracts against different bacteria and fungi was studied in a 2013 paper published in the African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine. The findings showed antibacterial activity, suggesting a possible role for Lamium album extracts in the treatment of illnesses of microbial origin.
4) More recently, in 2019, researchers discussed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of Lamium plants and reported favorable findings in Molecules. These characteristics point to a possibility of lowering inflammatory and oxidative stress levels, both of which are linked to a multitude of health problems.
5) Other research on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capabilities of certain Lamium species has also shown promising results. For instance, in 2019, Lamium album extract was tested for its anti-diabetic effects in diabetic rats, and the results were reported in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Improvements in glucose metabolism were cited as a mechanism by which the extract exhibited considerable anti-diabetic effects in the research.
A quick note…
Although they come from the natural world, plant medicines can be as dangerous as pharmaceuticals when it comes to potential drug interactions or adverse side effects. While many flowers are generally considered safe, it’s always a good idea to do your own research and check with a doctor before taking any plant medicine internally—especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or currently on any medication.
Wrapping Up – The Benefits of Dead Nettle in Traditional Medicine
Further study is required to thoroughly understand the effectiveness, methods of action, and possible adverse effects of Lamium species like dead nettle, although the above studies do offer some insights into their potential medicinal uses in the future. For now, at least from a traditional and anecdotal medicinal point-of-view, the benefits of dead nettle appear to be valid and merit further scientific study.
Further Reading: Dead nettle meaning and symbolism in the language of flowers.
The post Top 7 Uses and Benefits of Dead Nettle Plants appeared first on Petal Republic.
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