Gastrointestinal stromal tumor – Symptoms and management options

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor – Symptoms and management options
A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a type of cancer that originates in the digestive system, usually in the small intestine and stomach. It results from the abnormal growth of cells that may develop into special types of nerve cells present in the walls of the digestive organs. GISTs may interfere with one’s digestive process and affect the movement of food through the body. Below are the symptoms and management options associated with this cancer. Symptoms Small GISTs usually do not cause any symptoms, grow slowly, and do not trigger any problems. However, as a GIST grows, it may trigger signs and symptoms in the concerned individual. While it can occur in individuals at any age, it is common in adults and rare in children. While the cause of most GISTs is yet to be determined, experts indicate a small number of cases are caused by genes passed from parents to children. A few common symptoms include: – Growth that can be felt in the abdomen – Nausea – Dark-colored stools, which are triggered by bleeding in the digestive system – Fatigue – A feeling of fullness even after eating a small amount of food – Abdominal pain – Vomiting – Cramping pain in the abdomen after eating – The lack of hunger when one would normally expect to feel hungry Treatment options For an expert to recommend treatment options for GIST, one needs to undergo a thorough diagnosis.

Top 10 ways to manage hemorrhoids

Top 10 ways to manage hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids (or piles) are swollen veins that form inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids ). The risk of this condition increases with age as the tissues supporting the anus weaken and stretch. This results in symptoms such as itching or irritation, pain, discomfort, swelling around the anus, bleeding during bowel movements, or even a hemorrhoid pushing through the anal opening (called a prolapsed hemorrhoid). Managing hemorrhoids Luckily, there are several ways to prevent or treat mild hemorrhoids at home. These include- Eating high-fiber foods Eating foods high in fiber is one of the best ways to soften the stools and make them easier to pass, easing the pain and stress of hemorrhoids. Some high-fiber foods one can add to one’s meal plan include wheat bran and shredded wheat, prunes, apples, pears, corn, barley, lentils, berries, artichokes, broccoli, tomato, citrus fruits, etc. It is also important to avoid certain foods that can worsen constipation. These include processed and sugary foods like chips, packaged snacks, full-fat dairy, candies, chocolates, soda, sports drinks, etc. Drinking lots of fluids Another way to ease constipation is to increase fluid intake. According to leading government agencies, adults should drink 12-16 cups of water daily (96-128 oz.) on average.

Various ways to help manage multiple myeloma

Various ways to help manage multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells responsible for overall immunity. The mutation triggers an abnormal multiplication of these cells and releases antibodies that affect bone health and compromise bone marrow function. Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer with no cure as yet. However, as given below, changes in daily nutrition and lifestyle can supplement the suggested prescriptions and treatments to improve quality of life: Treatments suggested for various stages of multiple myeloma Orthopedic surgeons, radiation oncologists, oncologists, and bone marrow transplant specialists are the doctors qualified to treat the various stages of multiple myeloma. Approved prescriptions A combination of chemotherapy, corticosteroids, immunomodulating agents, proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and nuclear export inhibitors are used for treating and managing multiple myeloma. These are various classes of prescriptions suggested based on the severity of the symptoms and stage of myeloma. Each prescription targets and manages a specific symptom to help lower discomforts caused by progressive cancer. Radiation therapy Radiation is one of the commonly suggested treatments to manage the symptoms of multiple myeloma. It is usually the next step for patients who are not responding well to chemotherapy. High-energy rays are focused directly to destroy as many cancer cells as possible to prevent the spread from the localized region.

3 ways to manage hemophilia

3 ways to manage hemophilia
Hemophilia is a disorder characterized by unusual bleeding that doesn’t stop quickly. People with hemophilia abnormally bleed continuously, even from a small cut or injury. This happens because the blood’s ability to clot is compromised. Abnormal bleeding can pose a high risk when the patient is undergoing surgery. This article highlights the different types of hemophilia, treatment options, and effective tips on how one can better manage the health condition: Treatment options Hemophilia is a genetically inherited health condition associated with a bleeding disorder. It needs to be managed with the help of treatment plans, nutritious foods, and healthy lifestyle habits. Treatment options for hemophilia include recombinant factor concentrates that work at building the protein factors required to clot the blood in hemophilia patients. The major products used in developing recombinant factors include VIII, IX, and VIIa. Below are some treatment options that a specialist may prescribe to focus on clotting factors. Since there are different types of hemophilia, they all have different courses of treatment. However, some of the most common treatment options include: KOVALTRY® This treatment option is prescribed to manage hemophilia A, which is caused by the missing protein factor VIII. KOVALTRY® helps replace factor VIII or antihemophilic factors to limit bleeding.

6 signs of a weak immune system

6 signs of a weak immune system
A healthy immune system is responsible for keeping the body safe from foreign viruses and bacteria that attack the healthy cells in the body. In this manner, it plays a huge role in warding off any infections or diseases. However, some factors can weaken the immune system over time, including unhealthy lifestyle choices, environmental factors, and genetic factors. Thus, here are some signs and symptoms to look out for that indicate a weak immune system. Frequent illnesses This is a very common symptom in anyone with a poor immune system. One may catch colds easily, and the symptoms that usually go away in a week last for longer. These individuals are also susceptible to getting food poisoning easily, which may take more than a couple of days to get treated. There are some barrier responses from the immune system which usually helps keep illnesses in check, and this includes: Cough reflex, which helps in expelling any foreign object which suddenly causes irritation. Stomach acid, which helps in killing the microbes which can enter the body through the food and drinks consumed. Mucus production, which helps in trapping bacteria and any other small particles which can cause irritation or cause infection in the body.

4 things to avoid before bedtime for quality sleep

4 things to avoid before bedtime for quality sleep
Sleep is a natural state of rest, essential for maintaining physical and mental health. Doctors recommend that one must get at least eight hours of sleep every day. But sometimes, an individual may not be able to sleep well despite returning home exhausted after a long day’s work. It could be because of certain unhealthy practices right before bedtime. Below are four habits to avoid before bed to improve sleep: Drinking coffee Beverages like coffee, energy drinks, and chocolates are laden with caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and increases alertness, making a person feel full of energy and more awake. Therefore, drinking these beverages a couple of hours before bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep, disrupting one’s sleep cycle. The tiredness and sleepiness that follow the next day may compel the person to drink more coffee to stay awake for work, thus entering a never-ending cycle of poor sleep. Therefore, cutting down or avoiding coffee, especially a few hours before bedtime, is advisable. Other foods that may affect one’s sleep pattern are spicy foods, those with added sugars, fatty foods, packaged products, and processed foods. Staring at a screen Many people claim that they do not get sleep unless they watch a movie on television or browse through their smartphones in bed.

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6 Safest SUVs to Consider Buying in 2023

6 Safest SUVs to Consider Buying in 2023

Are you looking for a safe, reliable SUV for your family? Look no further. Some of the best SUVs for 2023 come with advanced technology, superior driver assistance features, and safety equipment. They can protect the driver and occupants in a collision and lower the impact of the crash. From luxury to budget-friendly options, there is something for everyone. So here are the safest SUVs you can find this year: Dodge Hornet The 2023 Dodge Hornet is a compact crossover SUV that prioritizes safety and reliability. The Hornet has advanced safety features such as forward collision warning, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. The interior of the Hornet has premium materials and plenty of space for passengers and cargo. You also get an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Hornet is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter 268-hp engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The SUV strikes a balance between power and efficiency and delivers good performance. You can look up “Local Dodge dealers near me” and find dealerships that sell the Hornet. You will be able to find great deals on new and used models at a local dealership.
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Top 7 beauty and fashion trends

Top 7 beauty and fashion trends

Fashion trends are dynamic and go through constant change and innovation. While some styles have remained timeless for decades, some trends fail to impress and disappear without making an impact. The approach to beauty today focuses on sustainability, minimalism, inclusion, and no cruelty. The trends in beauty and fashion quite naturally follow similar lines. Based on these factors, some of the top beauty and fashion trends in the coming year are as follows: Skincare The buzzword in the last couple of years has been minimalism, especially for skin care. Women prefer to use lesser products for their skincare routines. Utilizing a bevy of cosmetics for everyday skin nourishment and enhancement is time-consuming, overwhelming, and may affect the skin negatively. Skincare trends focus on improving skin health and reducing the negative impact of long-term use of skin-related products. This move hopes to reduce the overuse of skincare and control the damage caused by chemical products. Microbiome skincare is a new trend, featuring prebiotic and probiotic components that nourish the skin. Hybrid beauty Hybrid cosmetics combine multiple active ingredients that now work both as skin care products and as cosmetics. It reduces the time one spends on beauty routine and the number of products one needs to buy, saving money, effort, and time.
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