A Simple Guide of Laryngeal Cancer

A Simple Guide to Laryngeal Cancer
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What is Laryngeal Cancer ?
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Laryngeal cancer occurs when the cells lining the larynx(the vocal box) become abnormal and proliferates giving rise to cancer cells.

It affects more men than women.


What are the causes of Laryngeal Cancer?
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Various causes may be involved:

1.Genes. -males over the age of 55 years are at four times higher
risk than females.

2.Smoking. People who smokes have a higher risk than non smokers

3.Drinking alcohol can increase the risk of laryngeal cancer.

4.Occupation. There is evidence that workers exposed to sulfuric acid and asbestos have a higher risk of developing laryngeal cancer.


What are the signs and symptoms of Laryngeal Cancer?
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The following are symptoms of  Laryngeal cancer:

1.Hoarseness or other changes in the voice

2.A painless lump in the neck-usually a lymph node
infiltrated by cancer cells

3.Cough that does not go away

4.Persistent sore throat or a feeling that there is something
stuck in the throat

5.Difficulty in breathing or speaking

6.Ear pain

7.Weight loss


How can Laryngeal Cancer be diagnosed?
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Examination of the throat, vocal cords and neck for abnormal lumps

An endoscope is inserted into the throat to look at the vocal cords and their movement. 
The ENT specialist may extract issue (biopsy) which can be sent for testing, to confirm if there is a cancerous growth.

If a tumour is found, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be
used to assess its size.

How can Laryngeal Cancer be treated?
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Treatment depends on the diagnosis of the laryngeal cancer and its spread outside of the vocal box.
Usually most laryngeal cancer are slow spreading.

Radiotherapy.

This is the most common treatment for small cancer of the larynx. This involves the use of radiation to attack cancer cells, stopping them from growing or multiplying.

Chemotherapy.

This involves the use of anti-cancer medication to treat
the cancer.

For both methods, the patient may experience side-effects such as tiredness and nausea.

Radiotherapy are often used together with chemotherapy.

Surgery

Surgery is used only when the cancer can not be treated by
radiotherapy or chemotherapy because the removal of the vocal
cords or the entire larynx can cause the loss of voice.
The lymph node in the neck may also be removed at the same time.

If surgery is done , usually a tracheostomy or hole in the
windpipe is done to allow air to enter or escape from the tubes in the lungs.

Some patient may also require a feeding tube after surgery because swallowing of food is affected by the surgery.
Most people will learn to swallow again so the feeding tube is
temporary.

Early treatment is recommended as it increases the patient's chances of survival.
Delayed action could result in the cancer spreading to other parts of the body, making it more difficult to treat.

Living with a Tracheostomy.
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The tracheostomy in the windpipe is necessary for air to enter and leave the lungs.
However the tracheostomy must be kept clean at all time and free of infection. Suction of mucus stuck in the windpipe may be necessary.
It is also dangerous for water to enter the windpipe and the lungs through the tracheostomy opening.
The tracheostomy opening should always be protected with a a
plastic stoma shield or scarf to prevent dust, water or smoke to
enter the windpipe.

After the surgery there may be loss of voice. 
A speech therapist is usually needed to teach the patient to learn to speak again.
He can teach the patient to use the oesophagus to force air
through the throat to produce new gutterial sounds. 
In the meantime, communication can be done with writing pads or computer.
New electronic and mechanical devices can also produce new
sounds

How can Laryngeal Cancer be prevented?
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No one can be fully protected from laryngeal cancer.
However, you can modify your lifestyle practices to reduce your
chances of contracting laryngeal cancer.

Don't smoke. Smoking increases the risk of laryngeal cancer by two to four times. Those who smoke, can still lower their risk by cutting down on the number of cigarettes smoked a day. Better still, quit smoking.

A Simple guide to Tetanus

A Simple guide to Tetanus
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What is Tetanus?
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Tetanus is an acute infectious disease caused by the bacteria Clostridium tetani which lives in the soil.


How is Tetanus transmitted?
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Tetanus is transmitted by bacterial spores of the tetanus bacteria entering a wound in the skin of a person such as wounds caused by rusty nails. 


When the spore developed into the tetanus bacteria, it can produce a powerful toxin which can cause the muscles to go into spasm. 


In the jaw the muscle may go into spasm causing a condition called lockjaw.


In more severe cases the respiratory muscles can go into spasm resulting in stoppage of  breathing and therefore loss of oxygen to the brain and heart. 

This usually results in death unless treated.


The infections occur in persons of all ages.


What are the Signs and Symptoms of Tetanus?
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There is usually a history of a wound, laceration or operation with contamination of soil or rust in nails or surgical instruments.


Symptoms start off with:

1. irritability


2. fever


3. muscle cramps


4. lockjaw


5. difficulty in breathing or swallowing




What are the complications of Tetanus?
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Complications of tetanus occur when the muscle spasm affect the respiratory muscles resulting in inability to breathe.


The loss of oxygen to the heart can cause the heart to stop.


The loss of oxygen to the brain can cause the brain to stop functioning resulting in death.





What are the investigations necessary to diagnose Tetanus?
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The detection of tetanus bacterium in the wound can confirm tetanus infection.


What is the Treatment of Tetanus?
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Isolation in hospital is necessary.


1.Antibiotics (metronidazole) are used in the treatment of Tetanus.


2.Antitoxin can be given by intramuscular injection


3.Intravenous fluids given for dehydration


4.Respirator if breathing stops from spasm of respiratory muscles or vocal muscles


5.Proper wound cleansing is important to remove infections


6.Cardiac failure should be treated






What is the Prevention for Tetanus?
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Vaccination against Tetanus is the best prevention .


Since vaccination began, the worldwide incidence of Tetanus has declined.


Vaccination against Tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), tetanus (DPT) is usually given to


a baby at 3 months of age and repeated at 4 and 5 months of age.


There is also a booster vaccination at 18 months.


In adults tetanus vaccines are given in all cases of wounds:


first dose followed by a
second dose 6 weeks later and
third dose  6 months later and
fourth dose 18 months later


Besides the vaccinations there should be proper washing of wounds and avoidance of use of rusty instruments.


What is the prognosis in Tetanus?
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Death occurs in 30% of cases.


Mortality is highest in very young children and adults over 50.


Death is usually due to respiratory failure or heart failure.

How do you get the measles? Best Yahoo Answer

How do you get the measles?
---------------------------

Best Answer - Chosen by Voters

You can get measles only if you have never been infected by measles before and if you have not been recently vaccinated against measles. You can get measles from a child or adult who is infected with measles. Measles is still prevalent in undeveloped countries.

Source(s):
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions- measles

Leg cramps during Humid Hot Days - Best Yahoo Answer

Does hot humid days cause leg cramps?

People seem to not have them on hot dry days.?

At the US Open tennis players drink lots of water and sports drinks and still get cramps on humid days




Best Answer - Chosen by Asker


Hot humid days cause more sweating and therefore loss of salt especially potassium .

The loss of potassium can cause leg cramps.

On hot dry days there is less sweating and therefore less loss of potassium salt, so there is less likely chance of leg cramps.




Source(s):
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
A Simple Guide to medical Conditions

Headache after waking up - Best Yahoo answer

Why do i have a headache when i wake up when i go to bed late?

i can go to bed from 3 am- to 6 am- and when i get up it can be like 3 pm and it feels like a hangover or something i got a bashing headache im just wondering why does this happen?




Best Answer - Chosen by Asker


If you sleep late, your brain cells and scalp muscles do not get enough rest.

Your body rhythm is affected by the late sleep.

Your scalp muscles can contract to cause headache.

A hangover effect may occur.


Source(s):
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions

Throbbing headache with pain in left nostril - Best Yahoo Answer

I have a throbbing headache with a painful cracking sensation in my left nostril?

I have had the headache for two days but the cracking in my nostril only started this morning.

I can hear as well as feel the cracking sensation and it is really painful.

Has anyone got any ideas?




Best Answer - Chosen by Asker


Any infection of the parts of the head such as tooth infection, nose infection or throat infection can cause headache.

A throbbing headache is more typical of migraine which is vascular in origin.

Any nose infection can affect the ear as well.

Sinusitis is possible.


Source(s):
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions-Sinusitis,headache

Nausea after a Meal - Best Yahoo Answer

Anyone know what I might have?

I get nausea after I eat a meal.?

Most of the time after I eat a meal I get nausea.

I don't know why.

Does anyone know what it could be or is it nothing.




Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Nausea may be symptom of gastric problem, gastroesophageal reflux, liver or gallbladder problem or problem of imbalance in the organ of balance in the ear, sometimes due to pregnancy, hangover effect, stress, brain tumor,etc.

It is advisable to see a doctor to determine the cause of the nausea using blood tests, ultrasound ,even a brain scan.


Source(s):
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions- vertigo, gastritis,

Hyperextended Knees? -Best Yahoo Answer

Hyperextension Knees?

I'm a 16 year old girl, and i have hyperextension knees since young.

However, I wasnt aware that of the term till yesterday, as in,
I wasnt aware that there was a medical term for my condition.

It doesnt hurt, though it aches once in a while. I'm starting a new sport - hockey now and I am wondering if it is alright to play hockey with hyperextension knees?

Also, as my condition wasnt caused by any injury but was born with it, what should I do to correct it?



Best Answer - Chosen by Voters
Hyper extension knees are related to inherited loose ligaments.

There are people with this condition with hyperextended wrists, flat feet etc.

When the ligaments are overstretched you may have some pain.

People with mild form of this illness can participate in all sports.

In more severe cases wearing a knee guard may help to prevent over extension of the knee.

In more severe cases where dislocation of the kneecap occurs, then an operation may be required to tighten the ligaments.



Source(s):
http://kennethkee.blogspot.com
A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions