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6 early warning signs of developing colon cancer

6 early warning signs of developing colon cancer

Cancer causes rapid growth and spread of unhealthy cells in the body that destroy healthy cells. It is called colon cancer when it develops in the intestinal tract leading to the colon or rectum. While colon cancer has no cure, identifying its symptoms in time can help doctors confirm its presence and recommend treatments to improve the patient’s quality of life. Here are some early warning signs of colon cancer to look out for.

Dark stools
Cancer destroys healthy cells in the colon and triggers bleeding. When the blood mixes with the stools during bowel movements, it changes the shade of the feces to a dark reddish tinge. This is a clear sign of bleeding in the intestinal tract or the rectum. Some patients also experience external bleeding while passing dark stools with aggressive colon cancer. However, since hemorrhoids can also cause rectal bleeding, it is vital to monitor the progression of this symptom. With hemorrhoids, the bleeding comes and goes with flare-ups. However, with colon cancer, the bleeding persists and worsens as the disease progresses.

Erratic changes in bowel movements
Since colon cancer develops in the intestinal tract connecting to the rectum, it affects the frequency of a person’s bowel movements. Consequently, one might experience sudden diarrhea with no underlying stomach infection or digestive discomfort. Similarly, patients could notice visible changes in their stools’ shape and size. For example, an individual may pass thin, pencil-like stools and struggle to evacuate the bowels completely. If any of these discomforts develop when there are no underlying health complications and persist, it is advisable to, at once, consult a proctologist. Early diagnosis can prevent severe progression of the cancer.

Pain in the abdomen
Colon cancer can trigger pain in the organs surrounding the digestive tract and random discomforts around the abdomen. It could also lead to cramps in the lower bowel region and bloating or enlargement of the stomach. These symptoms come and go when suffering from benign gastrointestinal ailments. However, persistent pain is a sign of tissue and cell damage caused by conditions like cancer, which should not be ignored.

Nausea and vomiting
Most digestive and intestinal disorders trigger nausea or vomiting. These symptoms occur as the body cannot properly digest foods and beverages, and the digestive organs enter a state of regurgitation. Cancer can also cause nausea or vomiting when a tumor presses against the bowel passage, forcing solid and liquid waste back up. The persistence of these discomforts is a key indicator of conditions like cancer.

Anemia
Commonly referred to as a lack of blood in circulation, anemia causes one’s red blood cell count to drop below what’s normal for the body. The RBCs are tasked with carrying oxygen to all extremities, and anemia severely affects this ability. Often, in cases of colon cancer, anemia occurs due to excessive blood loss through rectal bleeding and bowel movements. Weakness and fatigue also set in due to less oxygen circulating in the system. A blood test can confirm anemia and tell whether it is triggered by cancer progression.

Unexplained changes in BMI
A person’s BMI can fluctuate depending on their daily calorie intake, physical activity level, and metabolism. Numerous underlying health complications can also trigger rapid BMI fluctuations depending on their severity. If one’s BMI changes are inconsistent with the changes in their nutrition or activity levels, it points toward cancer. In some cases, persistent diarrhea can develop alongside colon cancer, causing rapid changes in BMI. Many people also lose their appetite due to digestive stress, resulting in a low-calorie intake that is insufficient for maintaining a healthy body.

Cancer is a progressive condition and can quickly spread to other organs in the body, primarily via the lymph node system. If it metastasizes, the chances of it infecting the brain increase. Although, statistically, only 3% of colon cancer patients are at risk of brain progression, patients must undergo brain metastatic CRC treatment as a preventive measure. Brain metastatic CRC treatment often includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and prescriptions to isolate and remove the infected cells. After assessing the patient’s symptoms and test reports, the doctor may be able to tell whether this treatment is necessary.

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10 foods for improving blood count and circulation

Poor blood circulation in the body can be brought on by a number of illnesses, such as stress, diabetes, and peripheral artery disease. Low blood counts, in which the body is unable to create enough red blood cells (RBCs) every day, can also cause poor circulation. Additionally, symptoms including numbness, intestinal issues, and cramps might result from a low blood count. So here are 10 nutritious foods that support a higher blood count and better circulation. Why is it important to maintain a healthy blood count and circulation? Blood circulation and a healthy blood count are essential for overall well-being. Not only does the blood carry essential nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, but it also eliminates harmful substances and waste products. Maintaining a healthy blood count guarantees enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body. Low counts may cause fatigue, anemia, and other health complications. Additionally, proper blood circulation ensures that oxygen-rich blood flows easily across vessels to nourish organs and cells. Without it, people could face various health problems, including hypertension, coronary disease, or stroke – so maintaining healthy circulation and counts is essential for overall well-being. Foods for improving blood count and circulation Our food provides essential nutrients to the body, improving  blood count and blood circulation .
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A cold sore is a group of painful tiny blisters that are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). These blisters are also known as fever blisters or herpes simplex labialis. In most cases, the symptoms are the worst when one gets cold sores for the first time. However, after the first outbreak, the body begins to produce antibodies to protect itself from the virus, thus raising immunity against the condition. Managing cold sores – Foods to avoid Usually, cold sores appear when one’s immunity has already been compromised, and unfortunately, they are not as quick to leave. However, these blisters require arginine (a type of amino acid) to replicate and thrive. Hence, depriving the virus of arginine may help reduce the duration of such outbreaks. So, here are some of the foods that must be avoided by patients. Oranges Citrus fruits, such as oranges, contain acid that can cause a burning sensation on contact with the blister. Hence, in addition to avoiding oranges, many healthcare professionals suggest steering clear of citrus fruits like grapefruits as well. Instead, one can opt for bananas and cucumbers to gain optimum nutritional benefits. Pumpkin seeds Although pumpkin seeds are considered incredibly healthy, they are unfortunately rich in arginine.
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A healthy kidney and liver are essential to the functioning of other organs in the body, such as the heart, spine, and brain. Keeping this in mind, it is important to provide the body with the best nutritional care possible. There are certain foods that are recommended for improving the health and function of the kidney and liver. Read to know more about the foods that you can add to your regular meals. Cabbage Cabbages have high levels of vitamin B6 and folic acid content, which are known to protect the kidneys from infections and damage. Since cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, they are known for the phytochemicals which help in breaking the free radicals that damage the body and are also known to cause cancer. They are also high in vitamins like K, C, and fiber. Fatty fish Omega 3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and other cold water fish like herring, mackerel, and sardines. These are all oily fish that are great sources of healthy fats that keep the body functioning well. According to several researchers and the National Kidney Foundation, the omega-3s found in fatty fish are responsible for keeping blood pressure in check by keeping the healthy fat in check.
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In most cases, the lawn is the first thing people see when they visit someone’s house. One could argue that maintaining a green and clean lawn is the best way to give the house an inviting look. However, it is not easy to maintain the space, and people often don’t have the time to design, trim, and prune the landscape. Luckily, there are several lawn maintenance techniques to help maintain and beautify the area easily. Water it early in the morning Watering the lawn grass early in the morning, presumably at about 5 am, keeps it fresh and green for several hours. One can also program their irrigation systems to automatically water the lawn in the morning. Watering early prevents fungal diseases as it gives the grass more than enough time to dry throughout the day. The main benefit of watering the lawn early in the morning is that the grass can absorb enough water before the heat of the afternoon. Also, while watering, one can use the flooding technique instead of using sparse water, as the former forces the soil to retain more water throughout the day. Seed the bare spots Weeds can grow in the bare spots of a lawn if one does not cover them with grass over a long period of time.
Everything to know about child sponsorships

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According to statistics, one out of five American children lives in poverty, making their future incredibly bleak and difficult. Moreover, these children have little access to educational opportunities, further limiting their growth. Hence, many charity organizations offer child sponsorship programs where people donate a particular sum of money to be invested in meeting the needs and requirements of less privileged children. This can range from covering healthcare expenses to giving them educational opportunities. What are child sponsorship programs? Child sponsorships are unique programs that connect children in need to a sponsor, thus enabling them to have access to more opportunities for growth. Furthermore, these programs enable the sponsor to make monthly contributions; if the sponsor desires, they can even maintain correspondence with the child. The contributions towards the sponsorship programs can be as low as $1 a day. The organization uses the amount to ensure children receive schooling from an early age, are literate, and have their basic needs fulfilled. Moreover, some organizations even offer financial assistance till the sponsored child graduates from high school. This helps the children break the cycle of poverty and have better chances in life. How to donate for child sponsorship? As mentioned above, sponsorship donation amounts can be as low as $1 per day.

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