Citizens Memorial Hospital | Vitality

VITALITY

Spring 2016

Cancer

Symptoms of cancer

can depend on many

things, including

where in the body the disease is, how

big a tumor might be and whether the

cancer has spread.

For instance, a tumor pressing on

an organ can cause pain. Cancer can

also sap the body’s energy, resulting in

fatigue. And the disease can weaken

the immune system, leading to

recurrent infections.

The Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center

at Citizens Memorial Hospital (CMH)

lists the following common signs and

symptoms of cancer. Some are general

to cancer as a whole; others are specific

to certain types:

Unexplained weight loss of

10 pounds or more.

Fatigue that doesn’t improve with

rest.

Pain.

Change in bowel or bladder habits.

Sores that don’t heal.

Change in the appearance of skin.

Unusual bleeding or discharge.

Thickening or a lump in a breast,

testicle or other area of the body.

Hoarseness, nagging cough or

trouble swallowing.

Be sure to see

your doctor

Keep in mind

that having one

or more of any

of these signs or

symptoms doesn’t

mean you have a

serious disease.

But it’s a good idea

to let your doctor

give you that

reassuring news.

DISEASES

YOU

SHOULDN’T IGNORE

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is the

most common form

of the disease, and it

mainly affects adults.

There is no cure for diabetes,

but treating it early can help

prevent or reduce the risk of serious

complications—like damage to the eyes,

nerves, heart and kidneys, according to

the American Diabetes Association.

Signs and symptoms of diabetes

include:

Frequent urination.

Extreme thirst or hunger.

Unusual weight loss.

Extreme fatigue and irritability.

Frequent infections, especially of the

gums, skin or bladder.

Blurred vision.

Tingling or numbness in the

hands or feet.

Sores that are slow to heal.

Signs of

Heart disease

Heart disease is a broad term for several different diseases that

affect the heart, including coronary artery disease (CAD).

With CAD, plaque builds up in the arteries that supply the

heart with blood. This can cause the arteries to narrow, reducing or even blocking

blood flow to the heart, says John F. Best, M.D., board-certified Interventional

Cardiologist with CMH Heart Institute Clinic in Bolivar.

The most common symptom of CAD is angina. “Angina is described as a

pressure or tightening across the chest with radiating pain to the arms or the

neck,” Dr. Best says. “Some people describe it like a heavy weight or an elephant

sitting on their chest.”

Another common symptom of CAD is congestive heart failure. It is the result

of the heart, the pump of the blood (circulation), failing to adequately meet the

demands of the body. “As a result, patients may complain of dyspnea (shortness

of breath) or orthopnea (waking up in the middle of the night short of breath),”

Dr. Best says.

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WELLNESS

Additional sources: American Cancer Society;

American Heart Association