We all want to live long enough
in sound health (body and mind) to see our dreams come true, and have the
agility enough to enjoy it. However, in recent times, there have been
significant occurrences and humongous cases of individuals (especially those in
their early 30s to late 50s) coming down with the unforgiving disease called
cancer – in this case, Lung Cancer.
Many a time, we work our bodies
so hard that we pay little or no attention to the slight indicators and signals
that it communicates to us on a daily basis. We sometimes dig our graves with
our teeth by consuming all-sort of solid (food), liquids (drinks), and gas
(smokes) in the name of enjoyment and having too much money.
I do not care how intelligent,
talented, or hardworking you are, you definitely need your body to carry “you”
into the future you so much dream and work towards.
In setting the tone for this
article, the writer bears in mind our sundry cultural beliefs and nuances; most
of which are mere conjectures and attempts to mystify what we do not
understand. However, I do not intend to underplay “spiritual” causalities of
some illnesses: Our major concern is how we can quickly track the early signs
of lung cancer and do something about is before it reaches malignant and
debilitating stages of biological manifestations.
Lung cancer is a disease which
surreptitiously creeps in and kills silently because most of its symptoms are
overlooked or misdiagnosed when compared to more common diseases. The truth is
that you can get lung cancer even if you don’t smoke (although the possibility
of having a lung cancer increases by 70% when you smoke) and it becomes very
important for you to be familiar with some possible symptoms of lung cancer.
If the cancer is diagnosed early,
treatment can stop it dead in its tracks and give the patient a chance of
recovery and also to live a long life.
Honesty plays a key role if you
are sincere and serious about your health; you need to be honest with your
doctor if you experience any of the nine (9) symptoms itemized below. The first
step to winning a war is to be aware that you are in a war. A person who is in
a war zone, and is totally oblivious of what is happening will most likely go
down quickly and recklessly. Pay close attention to your body, stay observant,
and go for a check-up to clear and assuage your doubts.
Bloody Cough:
Coughing up phlegm is a common
symptom generally associated with a cold, however, the narrative takes a more
malignant pose when you see blood in your phlegm; even if it is in traces or
few drops, you should giddy up and immediately dash to see your doctor for a
check up. Feigning ignorance or forming James Bond will only compound your
story to a classic tragedy.
Worsening Cough:
Are you having bouts and sessions
of cough that refuses to go away, then, seeking the help of a medical
professional would be a wise and timely decision. Constant coughing for days,
weeks, and months is by all means the most indicative sign that an individual
is probably going down with lung cancer, although still in its primal stage.
Chest Pain:
Anatomically, the way to a man’s
heart (regardless of the typical binary of male or female) is through the
chest. Therefore, Guard your chest diligently, for in it is your heart and
lungs. If you are experiencing pain in your chest region, it should be a matter
of colossal concern. Please try out this very simple exercise, a few deep
breaths and if you feel a sharp pinch or needle like sensation, get a checkup
done as soon as possible.
This could be because of the
cancer in the lungs, which is pressing hard on the chest, hence, causing the pain.
Chronic Respiratory Issues:
Normally if you are suffer from
diseases like pneumonia or respiratory infection, it disappears with the use of
medication in a matter of weeks and you become like new. However, if it is lung
cancer, the respiratory problem tends to linger for a long time and becomes
more severe with each passing day. The need to see a doctor cannot be
overemphasized.
Unexplained Weight Loss:
It might interest you to know
that there have been upward swings in the health consciousness of men and women
around the global. Particularly in Nigeria, there is a fierce urgency amongst
individuals to watch and control not only what they consume, but also their
weight. Therefore losing weight is wonderful; however, unexplained and
excessive weight loss without changes in dietary habits or living styles is a
cause for alarm. This means that body is unable to properly absorb and use the
nutrients from the food you are eating. Hence the body is simply discarding
whatever you are eating without taking out nutrients from it and resulting in a
drastic weight loss.
Pain in Bones:
Generally, cancers are most times
known to spread to the bones. This is because bones are present near every
major organ in our body. Particularly, if you experience pain in your hips or
back, you should immediately consult a doctor. It might be a sign of arthritis,
but there is no harm in getting it checked out.
Wheezing:
Wheezing is mostly associated
with lung diseases like Asthma. It occurs when something is hindering the
movement of air inside the body. However, just like in cases of Asthma, it is
also a common complaint of patients diagnosed with lung cancer. Please consult
your doctor to run a check on you.
Constant Fatigue:
Cancer, which is known for its
proliferation attacks the healthy cells of the body and perpetually wars
against the immune system. As a result of the battle within the body, patients
with cancer constantly have the feeling of being fatigued. Their body gets
tired from fighting the cancer cells all the times. Hence if you feel constant
fatigue, consult a doctor immediately.
Hoarseness and Croakiness:
Healthy lungs let you speak
clearly without any hindrance, voice distortion, or encumbrances to
vocalization. But lung cancer makes breathing difficult and thus making
speaking a herculean and arduous task. If your voice suddenly gets hoarse, and
it persists for a long period of time, it is a sign to consult a doctor to get
a diagnosis of the ailment.
The above symptoms (though not
exhaustive) of lung cancer should make you run with immediate alacrity to see
your doctor; an early diagnosis can make you initialize the treatment sooner
than later, and give you a better chance to lead a healthy life.
Gone are the days when our people
will say “what you don’t know cannot kill you”, we now know better because –
“what you don’t know kills you much faster.”
Good!!!
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