Author: [email protected]

Bladder Cancer

The bladder is a part of the lower urinary tract system, which consists of bladder, urethra, prostate gland in males, and reproduction organ. The bladder works to receive the urine from the kidney that goes through the ureter. Then, it is accumulated and expelled from the body via the urethra. Bladder cancer comes from the abnormal division in the inner cell membrane of the bladder that eventually becomes a tumor and cancer. In case of invasion, the cancer cell will spread deep into other layers of the bladder wall and might spread to other tissues and organs, for example, lymph node gland, bones, lungs, and liver. Symptoms that are commonly found in patients with bladder cancer are: Blood in urine with no pain is a common symptom. Abnormal urination, such as pain during urination, frequent urination, stinging sensation, or loss of urination control. Symptoms from cancer cells spreading to other organs, such as lower back pain, bone pain, feeling lymph node, swollen feet, fatigue, loss of appetite, and weight loss. Risk factors of bladder cancer Normally, bladder cancer can be found in people aged 40 years and above. However, at present, it is occurring more in younger people and more in males more than females. The main risk factors that can cause the disease are: Cigarettes, including smokers, persons inhaling the toxic fumes from smokers, and those who used to smoke. Exposed to some types of chemicals for a

Bile Duct Cancer

Bile duct cancer comes from the mucosa cell of the bile duct, which includes the bile duct inside the liver and the bile duct outside the liver. It is found in males more than females. Most patients are 40 years old and above. In Thailand, this disease is a key public health problem in Southeast Asia. It is believed that the disease comes from the embryo of the liver fluke from eating raw freshwater fish. In Thailand, the important risk factor of the cause of bile duct cancer, especially in Southeast Asia, is eating raw freshwater fish and receiving the embryos of the liver fluke that grows in the bile duct. Other risk factors that might cause bile duct cancer are as follows: Chronic inflammation of bile duct Diseases from the biliary tract system Have gallstones in the liver Genetic disorders, such as abnormal cyst in the biliary tract system Symptoms of bile duct cancer Mostly, there will be no symptoms in the initial stage. However, when the disease spreads, the symptoms might show. For example: Jaundice, which comes from the biliary obstruction Abdominal discomfort and fullness Pain in upper stomachache around right ribcage, which might include the pain in the back and the shoulder. Have fever with unknown cause Itchy on skin all over the body Pale feces and dark urine Fatigue Loss of appetite and lose weight Nausea and vomiting Enlarged liver in the abdomen More Information: Cancer

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a very common disease in Thailand and is the top cause of death in both males and females. However, the lung cancer can be completely cured if it is found in its initial stage. Types of lung cancer Lung cancer comes from the abnormal growth of cells that is rapid and cannot be controlled, which can cause lumps of abnormal cells that can be found when they get big, become abundant, and spread to other parts of the body. The speed at which lung cancer can destroy the life of the patient depends on the type of cancer. Lung cancer can be divided into 2 types according to the size of cells. The different sizes of cells are important due to different treatment methods. Small cell lung cancer can be found in about 10-15% of cases. The cells will grow and spread faster than non-small cell lung cancer. The patient will die quickly. Treatment will not involve surgery. Mostly, it is treated by using medicine or radiation. Non-small cell lung cancer occurs more frequently than small cell lung cancer (found in about 85-90%). However, it will spread slower and can be completely cured by performing surgery if found early. Risk factors of lung cancer At present, the cause of lung cancer is not clear. However, there are some factors that might increase the risk of having lung cancer. For example: Cigarettes, which is likely the top cause

Arrhythmia

The damage that occurs to the heart might affect the level of electric current in the heart and cause irregular heartbeat. Arrhythmia is a disturbance that causes the heartbeat to change. This condition can occur from several causes. The change of heartbeat might be too slow, too fast, irregular, or all of the above. Some cases might be considered severe. These symptoms can be treated by using oral medication. Surgery may also be needed in some cases. Some types of arrhythmia require a pacemaker. Life-threatening arrhythmia requires using defibrillation in order for the heart to beat normally again. Risk factors of heart disease Risk factors of heart disease that can be controlled Smoking Smoking can cause lung cancer, bronchitis, and emphysema. Smokers have two times the risk of having a heart attack and two to four more times the chance of dying from heart disease than non-smokers. Moreover, smoking can also be harmful to family members. Nicotine in the cigarette can cause the heart to work harder, increase the rate of heartbeat, and increase the blood pressure. Carbon monoxide in the smoke will attach to the hemoglobin in blood easier than oxygen. Therefore, the heart might not receive oxygen in the quantity as needed. Moreover, these chemicals can destroy the artery walls. Therefore, you should not smoke. Hypertension Hypertension can stimulate the process of fat accumulation in the artery walls to occur faster. The heart will work harder because it

Self-care for patients with heart failure

Learn about the symptoms of edema, which are weight gain, swelling, fatigue, unable to lie down, or gasping for breath at night. If the symptoms occur, inform the doctor or nurse who provides the treatment. Weigh your own weight and make a record every day or at least 2 times a week in the morning. After having a bowel movement, weigh yourself before having breakfast because an increase of body weight of more than 1 kilogram from previously within 1-2 days (or 2 kilograms within 3 days) shows a condition of edema. Limit the consumption of sodium (2-3 grams per day). Avoid having salty food, canned food, and preserved food. Do not add salt, fish sauce, or soy sauce. Limit the quantity of drinking water according to the treatment plan. In case of overweight, lose weight because an increase of body weight will cause the heart to work harder. In case of losing appetite, nausea, vomit, uncomfortable, fullness, or weight loss of more than 5 kilograms within 6 months or BMI is less than 22 kilograms/square meter, frequently eat light diet little by little to prevent malnutrition. Abstain from smoking and limit the drinking of alcoholic drinks to not exceeding 1-2 glasses per day or completely because alcohol can reduce the heart function and cause degeneration of heart muscles. Get proper exercise regularly, which is walking on flat ground from 2-5 minutes per day for 1 week. Then, increase to

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the kidneys, which is caused by the abnormal growth of tissue cells and kidney pelvis. These cells divide uncontrollably. If not receiving treatment, it will spread to other organs, such as the lungs and bones. The kidney cells can be divided into 2 main types, which are: Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) is the cancer of kidney tissue cells, which can be found in up to 90 percent of all kidney cancers. Transitional Cell Carcinoma (TCC) is the cancer of the cells in the mucosa of kidney pelvis, which is the cavity that located between the kidney and ureter. This type of kidney cancer can be found in about 5-10 percent of all kidney cancers. Patients with both RCC and TCC in the initial stage will have no symptoms. When the lump of cancer gets bigger, the symptom of the disease will show, which are: Blood in urine, urine changing color to pink, red, or brown. Pain around the waist Feel a lump around the ribcage Fatigue Loss of appetite and weight loss Chronic fever However, kidney cancer is caused by risk factors that are uncontrollable, such as genetic disorder. Therefore, people in the risk group should receive a physical check-up regularly. The faster the disease is detected, the more chance the disease can be cured. Causes and risk factors of kidney disease Currently, the cause of kidney disease is not

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) can occur when the heart cannot pump adequate blood to all parts of the body. When the heart is weak or destroyed, the ability of pumping blood becomes less. The results are congestion of blood in the atriums, lungs, or other parts of the body. Symptoms of heart failure Difficulty breathing, which might occur all the time, during exercising or using lots of energy, or only at night Rapid weight gain, which is the accumulation of fluid in the body more than fat Swelling hands, feet, or stomach Fatigue Dry cough or severe and frequent cough Insomnia Factors that can worsen congestive heart failure Heart, such as rapid heartbeat, slow heartbeat, lack of oxygen or heart muscles have died, or heart valve disease. Other causes, such as lack of control and treatment in terms of salt, fluid, and medicine; receive medicines that are poisonous to the heart; infection; too much consumption of alcohol; abnormal kidney function; blood vessel clot in the lungs; hypertension; thyroid gland disorder; and anemia. Take medicine irregularly Take medicine that causes the congestion of fluid and salt or medicine that adds pressure to the heart function Have food that is too salty Most symptoms can be controlled by relaxation, diet control, and medication. You can control the symptoms as mentioned above by seeing the doctor and taking medicines as instructed by the doctor, which can prevent edema and increased contractions of the

Diabetes Complications

Heart disease is the main cause of death that relates with diabetes. The mortality rate from heart disease in diabetic patients is about 2-4 times of non-diabetic patients. Myocardial ischemia The risk of myocardial ischemia is 2-4 times higher in diabetic patients. Hypertension About 60-65 percent of diabetic patients will have hypertension. Blindness Diabetes is the main cause of new patients who are blinded due to diabetes in those who are 20 – 74 years old. Kidney disease Diabetes is the main cause of kidney failure in the end stage, which is 40 percent of new patients of chronic kidney disease. Nervous system disease The nervous system in 60 -70 percent of diabetic patients is destroyed to a moderate and severe level (including deficiency in the sensory nerve or limb pain, digestive system disorder, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), and others). Nervous system disease from severe diabetes is a significant cause of leg amputation. Amputation In the United States of America, more than half of diabetic patients require leg amputation. Dental disease Diabetic patients have high chance of having periodontitis (one type of gingivitis, which is the cause of tooth loss) and the symptoms are quite severe. Pregnancy complications Abnormalities since birth of a baby from a diabetic mother often occurs in women who are prepared before getting pregnant by about 0-5 percent. Women who are not prepared before getting pregnant have a rate of abnormality of about 10 percent. Other

Stomach Cancer

Stomach cancer is caused by the abnormal division of stomach mucosa cells that can cause the cancer. It can occur in every part of the stomach and can spread to other organs, such as the liver, pancreas, intestine, lungs, and ovary, including the lymph node. Risk factors of stomach cancer Currently, the cause of stomach cancer is unknown. However, there are many factors that can increase the risk of developing the disease as follows: Age: When getting older, there is more chance of having stomach cancer. Gender: Males have a chance of having stomach cancer more than females by 2 times. Have a family member with stomach cancer. Race: More prevalent in Asian people than in Caucasian people. Food: Especially in foods that are preserved, salted and dried, and smoked, which increases the risk of stomach cancer. Having fresh vegetables and fruits can reduce the risk. Infected by Helicobacter Pylori, which is a disease that can cause inflammation and ulcer in the stomach and increase the risk of stomach cancer. Have undergone a gastrectomy or have a congenital disease, such as some types of anemia and chronic inflammation of stomach, which can increase the chance of stomach cancer. Occupation: Especially in jobs that require exposure to dust and some types of chemicals that cause more risk. Lifestyle: Smoking, drinking alcoholic drinks, or eat less vegetables and fruits. Obesity: Overweight males have a higher tendency of having stomach cancer. However, in

What is a heart attack or acute myocardial infarction?

What is a heart attack or acute myocardial infarction? A heart attack is often caused by an obstruction in the coronary artery. Therefore, if the coronary artery acts as a pipe that goes to the heart and if there is a blood clot, blockage, or muscle spasm, it might obstruct the blood flow. A heart that does not receive oxygen will be destroyed permanently. The destruction that affects the cardiac muscle will occur when the cells in the heart lack oxygen. These cells will die and become the fascia around the destruction area. How can your cardiac muscles heal itself? After having a heart attack, the destroyed cardiac muscles will heal by the mechanism of the body and fascia will occur around the area. The small blood vessels will expand to provide nourishment around the fascia or destroyed area from the day that the heart failure occurs. The fascia will develop in 3-4 weeks and become permanent fascia in 6 weeks to 3 months. The new blood flow around the destroyed area is called collateral circulation. Aerobics will help to produce new blood passages. Relaxing and increasing activities little by little are the key to success. Aerobics will strengthen the cardiac muscles and improve the efficiency of pumping blood.