November Highlights Health Interests

November highlights several health concerns such as pancreatic and lung cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and Crohn’s Disease. Medical science focuses attention on an increased awareness of their symptoms, causes, and cures.

HealthMad provides us with an overview of the following health concerns.

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month: Although 57-year-old actor Patrick Swaye’s death in September 2009 from pancreatic cancer 20 months after its diagnosis has focused attention on malignancy of the pancreas, this cancer has long caused fear because it has a very low survival rate. The reason–pancreatic cancer in its early stages doesn’t show symptoms, and its later symptoms are non-specific. Complete remission is very rare. Males over 60 have a heightened risk of developing pancreatic cancer as do African-Americans, smokers, the obese, and those with diets low in fruits and vegetables and high in red meat. Scientific studies haven’t verified a possible correlation with alcoholism, however.

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month: Incurable, degenerative, and terminal, Alzheimer’s dementia in 2009 has robbed the memories of 35 million older adults worldwide. Available treatments for this long goodbye are for the most part palliative, keeping Alzheimer’s patients safe from harm and as comfortable and happy as possible. During early and intermediate stages, those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can best be cared for in familar home surroundings, although caregivers must keep them from wandering away from home or injuring themselves. Late-stage patients need help with all daily living skills–feeding, dressing, the elimination of bodily wastes, and transporting, that is getting in and out of bed and from a wheel chair. Alzheimer’s patients in their last stage of life no longer walk, talk, or recognize family members. A Mediterranean diet, intellectual activities, such as playing a musical instrument or working crosswords, socializing, and physical activities all lower the risk of Alzheimer’s while university education most likely delays it. Alzheimer’s correlates with high cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, but it’s no respecter of persons. US President Ronald Reagan is perhaps the most famous individual to have suffered from this dementia.

November is Diabetes Awareness Month: With diabetes, either the body doesn’t respond to its own insulin, or else it doesn’t make enough insulin, or both. In Type 2 (Adult Onset) diabetes, causes include central obesity, where adipokines hormones impair glucose tolerances, and aging. Complications from unnoticed diabetes possibly include renal failure, stroke, heart failure, and progressive diabetic retinopathy. Frequent urination, excessive thirst, and weight loss often indicate the chronic condition. Changes in diet, moderating fat intake and increasing fiber, as well as increased daily physical activity all help prevent adult onset diabetes.

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Long-term exposure to tobacco smoke is the primary cause of lung cancer cause, so the best way to avoid lung cancer is to stop smoking tobacco. However, non-smokers make up 15 percent of all lung cancer victims. Asbestos in the lungs, air pollution, and second-hand smoke contribute to causing lung cancer, even though lung cancer may also spread from other tumors, most particularly a malignant prostate. BTW, five-year survival rates for lung cancer are only 14 percent.

November is Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis Month: Characterized by inflammation of the intestines, colitis patients suffer abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Crohn’s disease may have a genetic link since it runs in families. Smoking also possibly increases the risk of developing it.

If you haven’t started living a healthy lifestyle yet, it’s never too late. Prevention is a lot better than cure, so live well and healthy from now on!

Image by The Doctr.

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