6 silent signs of liver cancer

6 silent signs of liver cancer

Medical experts often refer to liver cancer as a silent condition, as it causes very few symptoms in the early stages. Most symptoms start showing as the patient progresses and reaches an advanced stage. This generally leads to a late diagnosis when treatment options are administered only to manage the symptoms. A complete cure usually becomes difficult at this time. This is why paying attention to some of the silent signs of liver cancer is also important.

Knowing these symptoms may help in seeking an early diagnosis and timely treatment:

1. Persistent pain in different areas
Liver cancer can cause a constant ache in different areas of the body. This ache is generally experienced in the right shoulder, back, or upper right abdomen. The pain is rarely severe and is often a dull sensation that causes some discomfort. In most cases, persistent pain and some swelling in the abdomen occur. This symptom usually becomes evident during a physical examination, particularly when the doctor presses the painful areas a little harder.

2. Unexplained fullness in the abdomen with loss of appetite
With the cancer cells growing in the liver, excess fluids might accumulate in the nearby organs, particularly in the abdomen. As a result, the abdomen may feel full nearly all the time. This makes it difficult to eat complete meals. Therefore, one may lose their appetite over time as they start eating a fraction of their usual food portions.

3. Yellowish skin and eyes
As the liver cancer progresses, the skin and the eyes may appear slightly yellow. While this generally happens in the case of jaundice and hepatitis B, it can also indicate liver cancer. The yellowing of the skin and eyes occurs as the liver fails to process bilirubin, a yellow substance produced during red blood cell breakdown. Under normal circumstances, this bilirubin is expelled from the body once the liver has processed it. However, when the liver starts to malfunction due to cancer or other health disorders, bilirubin accumulates in the body and enters the bloodstream. As a result, the skin and eyes start to look yellowish.

4. Hard lump under or near the right rib
When the cancer cells start to multiply, a tumor starts to grow in the liver. This tumor may be felt as a hard lump directly under the right rib. This lump can be felt during a physical examination by a medical expert. Therefore, those who have a high risk of liver cancer need to undergo regular screening, where doctors check for the presence of such lumps.

5. Pale stools
During digestion, the liver produces bile that goes into the small intestine. This is what gives the stool its brown color. The bile is not produced when the liver’s function is impaired due to any health disorder, such as cancer. Or it is unable to go to the small intestines. As a result, the stool may start to appear pale or whitish.

6. Persistent fatigue
Chronic and persistent fatigue is another silent sign of liver cancer that goes unnoticed. Although it is a known symptom of liver cancer, many often assume the fatigue and tiredness are due to some other health issues, stress, or over-exertion. However, the fatigue caused by liver cancer does not go away even after ample rest. It causes severe weakness and lethargy, even when one has not done any strenuous physical activity.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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6 subtle warning signs of lymphoma

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that begins in the lymphatic system. The complication occurs when abnormal lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, begin to multiply uncontrollably. The two primary categories of lymphoma are Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In either case, one might experience certain subtle hints of the condition that could help them seek treatment as soon as possible. Here are six warning signs of lymphoma that one should know of. Fatigue and weakness A person might experience fatigue and weakness due to various health conditions. These signs may also result from excessive physical activity or a busy lifestyle. But if the symptoms persist even after the body is well rested, it could indicate a possible underlying issue. The body might spend significant energy battling cancerous cells caused by lymphoma, triggering persistent fatigue, lethargy, and weakness. Itchy skin (Pruritus) The persistent itching might be a sign of a skin rash caused by genetics or a reaction to foods or other environmental conditions. However, the subtle symptoms may also be an indicator of lymphoma. The itchy skin might not be restricted to one area and is usually unrelated to visible skin conditions or allergies. It may occur all over the body and result from chemicals released by the lymphoma cells. One should speak to a professional if the itching persists. A doctor's intervention may also be needed when the symptom is intermittent but severely impacts the individual when present. Enlarged lymph nodes One of the common traits of lymphoma is enlarged lymph nodes. The nodes start to swell in the neck, groin area, and armpits as part of the body's immune response to infection or inflammation. However, it might indicate an underlying issue when the lymph nodes remain enlarged for an extended period without an apparent cause. While the nodes might be painless, it is important to get them checked by a healthcare professional immediately. Abdominal pain Someone affected by lymphoma may also experience pain in the abdominal region because of the spread of cancerous cells. One might also notice abdominal swelling or feel full even after eating small food portions. These signs are common due to large lymph nodes or the involvement of organs like the spleen or liver. If one experiences abdominal pain, one must get it diagnosed by an expert and seek treatment at the earliest. Shortness of breath Since lymphoma can potentially affect the lymph nodes in the chest, it might result in symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain. The signs might initially be subtle and misidentified for other respiratory issues. But if the symptoms persist or worsen over time, one should speak with a healthcare professional. The warning sign might be particularly visible during physical activity or rest. As for chest pain, one may experience pain that ranges from a slight ache to a sharp, stabbing sensation. Night sweats Night sweats - profuse and unrelated to environmental factors like room temperature - might require an expert's intervention. The sweats might indicate the onset of lymphoma and might also be severe enough to disrupt one's sleep when combined with other symptoms. People suffering from night sweats associated with lymphoma may often find themselves drenched and might require frequent sleepwear and linen changes.

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