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7 common questions to ask an oncologist

7 common questions to ask an oncologist
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If you have recently been diagnosed with cancer, it is understandable that you might have a lot of questions and doubts in your mind. However, the specific queries of each person fighting the battle against this disease will vary. It can be challenging to determine what to ask the consulting professional to get a clear picture of the condition and its related treatment plan. Here’s a compiled list of questions for an oncologist after the first cancer diagnosis.

What is the name of my cancer or condition?
When you meet with your doctor on your first appointment, they must clearly explain your cancer diagnosis, including the name, type, and stage. This information will further determine your treatment plan and help in the prognosis. To prepare for a proper appointment, writing down your health history, including symptoms, past illnesses, and treatments, and collating all the past tests is helpful.

Is it slow or fast-growing?
The growth rate of tumors can change depending on the class and stage of the disease. Each case is unique, and the metastasizing can also be influenced by individual factors such as the type of cancer and the present condition of the disease. Confirm with your doctor whether the malignancy can be slowed down if it progresses and can be cured with a systematic treatment approach. If so, ask him about the therapy options.

Should I get a second opinion?
Cancer is a severe disease. Still, patients often avoid asking for a second opinion out of concern for their doctor’s feelings. However, not all physicians master knowledge in every area of cancer and have their specialty. Consulting a doctor specializing in the type of cancer a patient has can provide them with more detailed information about treatment options.

What are the benefits and risks of getting a diagnostic test?
After getting diagnosed with cancer, your doctor will suggest various health tests to gather more information about your condition. It is essential to ask your oncologist about the benefits of specific tests and whether there are any associated risks.

What are the treatment options?
Depending on the test results, your doctor will devise a single or combination of treatment approaches that can help manage your cancer type. The therapies vary according to the kind of tumor and its stage. The doctor will also inform you of the side effects and the course of these treatment methods.

Should I join any clinical trials?
Many types of cancer still do not have generally approved treatment methods. Despite the advancements in existing healthcare interventions, clinical labs are always running trials. To volunteer in these programs, you can ask your doctor for more information. If you are eligible, your physician can recommend the trial to participate in, according to the type of cancer.

How much does the treatment cost?
Cancer treatment can be expensive. If your doctor recommends a specific therapy, asking about the total cost in advance is essential.

These are the seven questions you can ask an oncologist to make an informed decision about the treatment options. The answers to these queries are sufficient to clear most of the common doubts regarding the health condition. However, always go for a second opinion from an expert doctor with a specialty in your type of cancer; this confirms the disease and opens new opportunities to seek treatment options.

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Pregnancy symptoms one should know about
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Pregnancy symptoms one should know about

Pregnancy is a term that refers to the period during which the development of a fetus takes place inside a woman’s womb. Once the pregnancy stage passes successfully, the woman gives birth to a child. There are certain signs or symptoms, which indicate that a woman is pregnant. While many may be common knowledge like morning sickness, others may not. Here are some of the most important pregnancy symptoms you should know about. Fatigue Fatigue, or feeling tired, is one of the most common pregnancy symptoms. During the early stages of pregnancy, the progesterone level increases sharply. In high quantities, progesterone can put a person to sleep immediately. The blood sugar level drops considerably and the rate of production of blood increases. All this consumes a lot of energy and makes you feel weak. Swollen breasts Swelling in the breasts is one of the earliest pregnancy symptoms. Around two weeks after a woman gets pregnant, her body goes through hormonal changes that contribute towards making the breasts tender or swollen. When you feel any such abnormalities, you must consult a doctor. Bleeding When you suffer from some bleeding in the vagina, there is a chance that you could be pregnant. This is called implantation bleeding. It takes place when a fertilized egg gets attached to the outer covering of the uterus. This usually happens between ten to fourteen days post the fertilization process. The blood has a lighter shade to it. Nausea Nausea, also known as morning sickness, is one of the earliest observed pregnancy symptoms. A woman might feel a sense of nausea around two weeks after the first stage of conception. One of the main causes behind nausea is an increase in the level of estrogen. Estrogen causes the stomach to empty itself at a slow pace, which, in turn, leads to nausea.
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Sexual conditions – Causes, risk factors, and treatment
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Sexual conditions – Causes, risk factors, and treatment

A sexual condition is the inability to have a satisfactory sexual relationship with a partner. When hormones and neurological pathways do not work in sync, sexual desire could be hampered. This can affect the quality of life and even raise some serious concerns over the patient’s medical and mental well-being. If a man faces any kind of issue or hindrance during sexual activity, it indicates a sexual condition. It should be taken seriously and evaluated accordingly. What causes sexual conditions in men? Physiological causes If you are suffering from a high amount of stress or anxiety because of work or any other reason, it will have an adverse effect on your sex life. A discord in the relationship with your partner can also lead to a sexual disorder. Sometimes, you may also fail to be aroused because of body image issues or being conscious or nervous about your performance. Other physiological reasons include suffering from depression and fatigue. Physical causes Different kinds of medical conditions affect your sexual health. Some of these conditions are the heart and vascular diseases, hormonal imbalance, drug abuse, and neurological disorders. Other physical causes include alcoholism, substance abuse, testosterone deficiency, hyperthyroidism, and taking certain medications like anti-androgens or opioid analgesics. What are the risk factors of a low sex drive in men? The main factors that contribute to a diminished sex drive or sexual desire in men are: Smoking Malnourishment Aging, as testosterone levels drop as you grow old Illegal substance consumption Medications for prostate cancer, pain, and benign prostatic hyperplasia If you notice any of these risk factors in your life, we recommend speaking to a doctor immediately. How do you treat sexual conditions? Consult a doctor Visit a doctor and share with him details of the sexual condition you are facing. We understand that you may find it difficult or feel conscious about talking about their lack of sexual desire or inability to initiate a sexual relation.
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Home remedies and treatment options for mouth and teeth problems

Home remedies and treatment options for mouth and teeth problems

The human body has many essential body parts, and one of the most crucial parts of the body is the mouth. It entails a lot of different functions such as: Take in food as well as drinks Breathe in the air around It helps with kick-starting the process of digestion as the teeth chew the food you eat Helps in speaking and singing Since there are many different mouth and teeth problems, here are some of the most common home remedies you can adopt to cure them. Home remedies for toothache There are many home remedies that you can adopt to get rid of toothache: Saltwater rinse To use a saltwater rinse, we recommend you mix half a teaspoon of salt into a warm water glass and use it as mouthwash regularly. Cold compress Applying a cold compress to the area of a toothache can help in reducing the pain. When you apply a cold compress, the blood vessels of that particular area are constricted. Hence, it is highly advisable to go for it. Hydrogen peroxide rinse A hydrogen peroxide rinse also helps in relieving pain as well as inflammation. It not only kills bacteria but also reduces plaque and then starts healing bleeding gums. Garlic Garlic has been used for medicinal properties since time immemorial. It not only kills harmful bacteria but can also help in relieving pain. To use this remedy, you crush a garlic clove and then use it to create a paste to the affected area. Peppermint tea bags Peppermint tea can be used for numbing pain and then for soothing sensitive gums. To do this particular, allow an old used tea bag to cool down before you apply it to the affected area. Some other remedies that you can use as remedies include the following:
4 tips to manage the symptoms of menopause

4 tips to manage the symptoms of menopause

Menopause is diagnosed when a woman doesn’t menstruate for 12 months at a stretch, and it is the end of a woman’s fertility and menstrual cycles. Natural menopause occurs when the ovaries start showing signs of reduced production of the hormones progesterone and estrogen. On the other hand, induced menopause is often a result of the surgical removal of the ovaries to treat a medical condition or the ovaries getting damaged due to the consumption of certain medications or exposure to harmful radiation. Menopause can lead to pain and discomfort, along with several other symptoms, but following some simple tips can help women reduce the discomfort and pain associated with menopause: Maintain a stable weight Women tend to gain weight during menopause due to the hormonal changes that their bodies undergo, and it can also happen due to aging, genetics, or lifestyle choices. Weight gain or the accumulating fat content in the body makes women susceptible to developing heart diseases and other conditions like diabetes. The increased weight also aggravates the symptoms of menopause and increases the risk of joint conditions like osteoporosis. Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the symptoms and protects the body against several harmful diseases. Avoid the consumption of trigger foods Trigger foods are the foods that cause the urge to eat more and can lead to an increase in the symptoms of menopause. These include mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats. The most common trigger foods include alcoholic beverages, caffeinated drinks, junk food, fried food, and baked goods like brownies, donuts, pastry, and cookies. Also, women need to be mentally aware of the foods that are worsening their symptoms and stay away from them. Follow a regular workout schedule Regular exercise is a must among women during the onset of menopause to help manage the symptoms effectively.
Foods one should eat to maintain kidneys and liver health

Foods one should eat to maintain kidneys and liver health

The human body has a system of multiple inter-related processes. The kidneys and liver are crucial organs, as these cleanse your body of toxins. Any disorder or infection in these organs may interfere with the other bodily processes. One needs to be aware of certain remedies and foods that help keep these organs in peak shape. For the kidney Here are three home remedies and foods that may be beneficial to treat kidney infections: Drink water and cranberry juice If one wants relief from kidney infections, it is vital to flush out harmful bacteria. Drinking six to eight glasses of water daily is helpful. Additionally, malic, quinic, and citric acids found in cranberry juice are also beneficial to relieve infections in the urinary tract. Apply warm and moist heat To soothe irritated nerves and reduce pain, using a warm water bottle or heating pad to the affected areas is beneficial. One must cover the heated bottle with a cloth to avoid burns. Apply the heat compress for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink green tea Green tea extract is known to have an antibacterial effect on bacterial strains that cause urinary tract infections. Consuming green tea may be beneficial to alleviate the discomfort caused due to kidney infections. While these remedies may be beneficial, it is essential to seek expert guidance to help relieve pain due to severe symptoms. Moreover, giving the body adequate rest is also helpful and results in relief from the discomfort. For the liver Fatty liver disease may be caused due to excess alcohol consumption. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) may occur if someone is obese or suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, or cholesterol. Lifestyle and diet changes are essential to seek relief from this condition. Here are three home treatments and foods that may be beneficial for the liver:
Improving your mental health at home

Improving your mental health at home

While your physical well-being is important, keeping your mind healthy is a must. If you are suffering from anxiety, stress, or any other brain disorder, it will reflect in your physical health too. People who are suffering from poor mental health exhibit symptoms like hypertension, an abnormal increase in the rate of the heartbeat, or a sharp pain in the chest. You must make an effort to enhance your mental health on a daily basis. Home activities for improving mental health Exercise Apart from keeping your body fit, exercise helps in improving your mental health too. It is a very effective way to let go of nervousness and all the anxiety that has accumulated in your body as a bundle of negative energy. You do not have to indulge in rigorous exercise. Doing some simple exercises at home should work as a good stress-buster. Yoga, pilates, cycling, or swimming, pick an exercise of your choice and make it a point to do a bit of it every day. The trick lies in being regular and disciplined with whatever you choose to do. Meditation Most people lead such busy lives that they find it difficult to even stop for a moment to catch their breath. The kind of lifestyle we lead does not give us enough time to pause, look within, and introspect. Thus, it is very important to carve out some time from your busy schedule and meditate for a while every day. It is, perhaps, the most important relaxation technique known to mankind and one which helps you cleanse your mind off all the accumulating stress, anxiety, and other forms of negativity. Meditation is also recommended for people who are suffering from mood swings. Start writing Writing is a great way to reduce anxiety and stress. You might not think yourself to be very good with words, but every human being feels the need to express himself or herself in one way or the other.
Multiple sclerosis – what are the treatment options

Multiple sclerosis – what are the treatment options

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a kind of condition in which the immune system does not respond as it should. It gets directed against the working of the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS entails optic nerves, spinal cord, and the brain. It is meant to work in tandem with the immune system. However, when MS occurs, it fails to do so. Let’s take a look at some of the treatment options for multiple sclerosis. Treatment for multiple sclerosis Depending on the type, here are the common treatments for multiple sclerosis:   There is no particular cause for multiple sclerosis. As a result, the treatment focuses on recovering fast after an attack rather than getting to the root. Here are the common measures:  Corticosteroids, such as intravenous methylprednisolone and oral prednisone Plasmapheresis   Modifying progress To deal with primary progressive multiple sclerosis, ocrelizumab is usually recommended. It is the only FDA-approved disease-modifying therapy available. For particular types of multiple sclerosis, where it keeps recurring, the doctor may use different treatments, depending on the intensity of the condition. Some of the common treatments for these include:  Beta interferons Glatiramer acetate Fingolimod Dimethyl Fumarate Teriflunomide Siponimod Some of the other treatments for the signs and symptoms of MS include:  Physical therapy Muscle relaxants Medicines used to reduce tiredness Medicines to help increase walking speed Home remedies for multiple sclerosis There are plenty of other treatments available to help relieve the symptoms and deal with problems related to multiple sclerosis. Consume the following: Vitamin A Vitamin A has proven to show results in delaying macular degeneration associated with age. It also consists of antioxidants, which can be helpful people with multiple sclerosis.  Vitamin B-1 Vitamin B-1 is also known as thiamin. It helps in the proper functioning of the brain and is also essential for nerve, muscle, heart function, and metabolism.
Treatment options and home remedies for gout

Treatment options and home remedies for gout

Uric acid crystals result in gout. It is an inflammatory condition that usually affects men as a type of arthritis. It causes severe joint pain around the knees, feet, and ankles. However, there are certain measures that one can take for gout treatment. We will discuss these as well as home remedies in this article. Types of medications Some medicines may be prescribed to the patient on a regular basis; these can help to alleviate the symptoms of this condition: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications These medications are known to reduce the duration of the attack. If one takes them within the first twenty-four hours, then it really helps. They are usually prescribed to reduce the inflammation and relieve the pain. Corticosteroids These types of medications are usually administered orally or may even be injected into the body. They not only help in the reduction of the swelling but can also combat inflammation. In some cases, the doctor may also inject a hormone known as an adrenocorticotropic hormone to help the body produce corticosteroids naturally. The doctor may also give a combination of both at different times to help with alleviating the symptoms. Colchicine Colchicine is derived from a plant, which has been used to reduce the symptoms of gout for over 2,000 years. It helps to reduce pain and swelling. However, this may come with a specific side effect such as abdominal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. Reducing uric acid levels The most ideal way to treat gout is by controlling uric acid levels in the body. Once they are controlled, the chances of a gout attack reduce considerably. The following medications can be consumed for reducing uric acid levels: Probenecid Allopurinol Lesinurad Febuxostat Pegloticase In most cases, the doctor will wait until the most recent gout attack before he goes on to prescribe a dosage of the aforementioned medications.

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