COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collective term for a group of conditions that block airflow and make breathing more difficult, such as: emphysema - breathlessness caused by damage to the air sacs (alveoli)chronic bronchitis - coughing with a lot of mucus that continues for at least three months. the number of cigarettes smoked whether the cigarette has a filter how the tobacco has been prepared. Smoking affects how long you live. Short-term effects are strokes, addiction, wrinkles, tooth decay, gum disease, stained fingers, throat cancer, lung cancer, lung disease, heart disease, heart attack, liver cancer, stomach ulcers, kidney cancer, constricts blood vessels, intestinal ulcers, urine cancer, infertility importance, bladder cancer, osteoporosis.
Another factor is his diet. He doesn’t eat enough and he skips meals. The food that we eat plays an important role in maintaining our health. An essential part of healthy eating is to balance our diet. By doing this we provide our body with everything that it needs to grow and function. If we have a balanced diet we avoid building up too much stored fat. It also stops our body developing any deficiencies from missing essential vitamins and minerals. A balances diet is made up of the following seven essential components protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, water, and fibre. In a balanced diet, we have these components in the correct amounts or proportions to meet our individual needs. All of the above contribute to at least one of these functions building, repairing and maintaining the body, regulating body processes and functions, proving energy. Proteins are used to build our body. When we are children they are very important for building the brain, muscle, skin, blood and other tissues. Proteins also provide the minerals needed to repair the cells in our body. Proteins are made up of chemicals called amino acids. These are essential for a balanced diet. Some amino acids we can makes for ourselves, others are obtained from the foods that we eat. There are two types of protein; both types provide the remaining amino acids that the body needs. Animal protein – from products such as meat, fish, eggs, milk and cheese. Vegetable protein – from a plant products such as peas, beans, lentils, and nuts. They are a very good source of protein for vegetarians, a mixed vegetable diet is needed to provide all the essential amino acids. Fats are very providing for the body with energy and found in both animal and vegetable products. There are two main types of fat: saturated fats and unsaturated fats. Saturated fats are found in both animal and vegetable products. Products like meat, milk and eggs are in high saturated fats. Saturated fats are also found in some vegetable products like coconut oil. Saturated fats are important to our body but we do have to limit the amount we eat. This because too much saturated fat can give us high levels of cholesterol in our blood, which can increase our risk of heart disease. High levels of cholesterol cause a build up of fatty deposits in the arteries. This narrows the arteries and can lead to heart attacks. Unsaturated fats are found in vegetable products and some fish. Vegetable oils, sunflower oil, olive oil, herring and cod liver oil are valuable sources of unsaturated fat. These fats do not raise our blood cholesterol. Carbohydrates provide the body with energy, but their energy value is not as high at that in fat. Most of our carbohydrates come from sugars and starches. Foods such as biscuits, chocolate, cakes, honey and jams are high in carbohydrates. A second source of carbohydrates is foods such as pasta, rice and potatoes. These also provide a high energy source. In both fat and carbohydrates we can measure this energy in units known as kilojoules or calories. These are the same calories that people count in their diets. Vitamins are found in most of the food that we eat. Their main function is to regulate the chemical processes that take place in our body. We need vitamin A its necessary for new cells to grow and to fight infection. It gives healthy skin, blood, strong bones, healthy teeth, kidneys, bladder and it helps eye sights. And if its not used it causes skin problems and you are unable to see in the dark. B-complex the b-complex vitamins help in energy production. They are important for the way the nervous system works; healthy hair, skin, eyes, liver, mouth, muscle tone and blood production. And the effects if absent are problems in the nervous system; muscle weakness and skin problems; beri-beri; anaemia; mouth ulcers and nerve damage. Vitamin c helps in the production of red blood cells and in healing; fight bacteria infections; helps to combat the effects of stress. The effects if absent; scurvy; cuts and wounds are slow to heal; infections are more likely to occur. Vitamin d promotes strong bones and teeth; helps in prevention of rickets; protects against muscle weakness; helps regulate the heart and distributes to good health. Effects if absent are Rickets in children; weak bones and muscles. Vitamin E helps muscles use oxygen; improves circulation; helps normal clotting and healing; extends life of red blood cells; makes skin soft; keeps eyes healthy. Effects if absent prevents wound healing and normal functioning of the nervous systems. Vitamin K aids blood clotting; essential for normal liver function; helps calcium to be absorbed and the effect if absent is bruising. We need to obtain small amounts of vitamins from our food. If any vitamins are absent from our diet their deficiency can cause health problems.
Minerals are found in most of the food we meat. Some foods contain larger amounts of minerals than others. They are essential in maintaining our body function. Certain minerals, such as calcium, are important in bone growth and repair. Our body needs calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and Zink.
Water is the most important part in our diet. We can go without food for weeks and still survive. However, without drinking we will die in a matter of days. All our body processes take place in water. It helps us digest our food and dispose of our waste products. We should all release the great value of water.
Fibre in our diet adds bulk to the food that we eat. This helps our digestive system to move through the bowel. We find fibre in a variety of different foods, such as: bran, rice, whole grain cereals, wholemeal bread, fruit and vegetables.
Scientific studies have shown that if we eat a lot of fruit and vegetables we are usually healthier. We may have a lower risk of developing heart disease and some cancers. For this reason, it is recommended that we eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables everyday. It does not matter whether they are fresh, tinned, frozen, cooked, juiced or dried.
Another bad factor is that he is under a lot of stress. Stress can be caused by worry. We may be unhappy about our friends or home life, our job, or personal relationships. The psychological effects of worry can lead to physical problems. Stress can affect sleeping patterns, appetite and emotions, make us irritable or depressed, cause panic/anxiety attacks, twitching, chest pains and breathing difficulties, even vomiting, diarrhoea and sickness, lower our resistance to infection because it depresses the immune system and raises our blood pressure. When you are under stress, your body produces the hormone adrenaline. It mobilises fatty acids that provide us with a source of energy. This is why exercise is important and helps relieve stress. Many people suffer from skin disease that are brought on, or aggravated, by stress. These can take the form of rash or small bumps known as hives. Stress can also be a factor that causes, or aggravates, acne. Red scaly patches, known as psoriasis can affect your skin, scalp, elbows, knees, back. These health trends tend to run in families but attacks can be triggered by stress. Eczema, which gives you itchy, dry skin or sore, weeping blisters, commonly get worse at times of stress. This can happen when you are facing examinations, starting collage or a new job or adjusting to different situations. Stress can lead to periods of depression. Stress also has a major affect on the heart and circulation. The increase in chemicals like adrenaline can cause your blood pressure to rise. This is why too much stress can lead to heart attacks and strokes as we get older. If we allow stress continuously to affect our lives it can be a killer. Stress can be a cause of raised blood pressure. In general it is said that if your systolic pressure is higher than 160 and/or your diastolic is over 100, then you are clinically at risk from high blood pressure. Persistent high blood pressure can lead to problems such as stroke. This is when a small blood vessel in the brain bursts. This causes damage to the area of the brain. If this happens patients can lose their ability to speak and move. A stroke can sometimes cause death.
Another bad factor is his sleep, he has lack of sleep. Sleep is an essential part of our daily routine. The amount we need varies with our age. It is well known that babies, toddlers, pregnant mothers and some older people need to rest during the day. Sleep helps to refresh the body and restore our energy reserves. While we are asleep the body has the opportunity to carry out the repairs of our systems. As we grow we develop sleep patterns that will change with age. A newborn baby will normally only sleep for a few hours at any one time. By three months they may sleep right through the night. When children reach five years of age they have usually given up the daytime nap. As we get older the amount of sleep we take depends on our individual need. Adults sleep between four and ten hours a day. Many older people find that they begin to need less sleep. A good night’s sleep is very important. If you do not get enough sleep everything you do is effected. You become tired, irritable and confused; you make mistakes; your hearing and vision may become impaired. This is why drivers are called, ‘tiredness killers’.
The lungs
When you breathe in, air passes from your nose or mouth through the windpipe (trachea), which divides into two tubes (airways), one going to each lung. These are known as the right and left bronchus and they divide to form smaller tubes called bronchioles, which carry air through the lungs. At the end of the bronchioles are millions of tiny air sacs called alveoli. In the alveoli, oxygen is absorbed from the air and passes into the bloodstream to be circulated around the body.
Carbon dioxide is a waste gas that must be removed from the body. It passes from the bloodstream into the alveoli and is then breathed out by the lungs.
The right lung has three main areas (known as lobes) and the left lung has two lobes.
Many lung cancers start in the cells lining the bronchi and are called carcinomas of the bronchus or bronchogenic carcinomas.
What is cancer?
The organs and tissues of the body are made up of tiny building blocks called cells. Cancer is a disease of these cells.
Cells in different parts of the body may look and work differently but most reproduce themselves in the same way. Cells are constantly becoming old and dying, and new cells are produced to replace them. Normally, cells divide in an orderly and controlled manner. If for some reason the process gets out of control, the cells carry on dividing, developing into a lump which is called a tumor.
Tumours can be either benign or malignant. Cancer is the name given to a malignant tumour. Doctors can tell if a tumour is benign or malignant by examining a small sample of cells under a microscope. This is called a biopsy.
In a benign tumour the cells do not spread to other parts of the body and so are not cancerous. However, if they continue to grow at the original site, they may cause a problem by pressing on the surrounding organs.
A malignant tumour consists of cancer cells that have the ability to spread beyond the original area. If the tumour is left untreated, it may spread into and destroy surrounding tissue. Sometimes cells break away from the original (primary) cancer. They may spread to other organs in the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.
The lymphatic system is part of the immune system the body's natural defence against infection and disease. It is a complex system made up of organs, such as bone marrow, the thymus, the spleen, and lymph nodes. The lymph nodes (or glands) throughout the body are connected by a network of tiny lymphatic ducts.
When the cancer cells reach a new area they may go on dividing and form a new tumour. This is known as a secondary cancer or metastasis.
It is important to realize that cancer is not a single disease with a single type of treatment. There are more than 200 different kinds of cancer, each with its own name and treatment.
Cancer can often be managed more easily when it is diagnosed in the early stages. Being aware of your body and what is 'normal' for you, and reporting symptoms to your GP, can help to make sure that, if you do have cancer, it is diagnosed as early as possible.
Lumps
Knowing how your body normally looks and feels can help you spot any early changes that could be caused by cancer. You should see your GP if you notice a lump anywhere in your body. It can be useful to tell them how long it’s been there and whether it is getting bigger, or causes discomfort. Cancerous lumps are often (but not always) painless.
It can be difficult to tell what a lump is just by feeling it, but if your GP suspects that you might have a cancer they will refer you to the appropriate specialist for further tests.
It is important to remember that lumps and bumps often occur in the body, and most of these will not be cancer.
Coughing, breathlessness and hoarseness
There are many medical conditions that can cause 'chesty' symptoms like coughing and breathlessness (for example, infections and inflammations), but in some cases these symptoms may be a sign of . If you have a cough or feel breathless for more than two weeks you should see your GP. You should also tell your GP if you have any blood in your sputum (phlegm) when you cough.
Laryngitis (inflammation of the larynx) is common and can cause a hoarse voice. In a small number of people, a hoarse voice may be a sign of (voice box). If hoarseness continues for longer than two weeks, you should tell your GP.
Changes in bowel habit
Symptoms of may include blood in your stools (bowel motion). The blood would usually be dark but can be bright red in colour. Fresh, bright red blood is usually a sign of piles (haemorrhoids).
You may notice a change in your normal bowel pattern (such as diarrhoea or constipation) for no obvious reason. You might have a feeling of not having emptied your bowel properly after a bowel motion. Some people also notice that they have pain in the abdomen or back passage.
Remember that altered bowel habits aren't always caused by cancer, but can be caused by changes in diet, some medicines, anxiety, and other medical conditions. If any changes last for more than a few weeks it's important to rule out cancer as a possible cause, so you should see your GP.
Bleeding
Any unexplained bleeding is a sign that there is something wrong and should always be checked out by your GP.
As previously mentioned, bleeding from the back passage is most commonly caused by piles, but can sometimes be due to .
Cancer of the or can cause women to bleed between periods or after sex. Women who have any vaginal bleeding after they have had their menopause should see their GP. If necessary your GP will refer you to a gynaecologist.
Blood in your urine may be caused by or . It can also be caused by infection. If you notice blood in your urine it is important to see your GP for a check-up. (It may be helpful to know that the colouring in some medicines or food can cause urine to look pink, as can natural foods, such as beetroot.)
Coughing up blood in your sputum may be caused by serious chest infections, but can sometimes be a sign of .
Vomiting blood can be a sign of , although it can also be due to a stomach ulcer. Therefore, it is important to have this checked out by your GP.
Bruising and nosebleeds are rarely signs of cancer, but can in some cases be caused by . However, people with leukemia often have other troublesome symptoms too.
Moles
is a type of skin cancer that often starts with a change in the appearance of normal skin. This can look like an abnormal new mole. Less than a third of melanomas develop in existing moles. It can be difficult to tell the difference between a mole and a melanoma, but any of the following changes should be checked out:
Asymmetry Moles are usually regular and symmetrical in shape. Melanomas are likely to be irregular or asymmetrical.
Border Moles usually have a well-defined regular border. Melanomas are more likely to have an irregular border with jagged edges.
Colour Moles tend to be a single brown. Melanomas often have more than one colour. They may be varying shades of brown mixed with black, red, pink, white or a bluish tint.
Size Moles are normally no bigger than the blunt end of a pencil (about 6mm (½ inch) across). Melanomas are usually more than 7mm (½ inch) in diameter.
Itching, crusting or bleeding may also occur in melanomas – these are less common signs but should not be ignored.
It is important to see your GP if you have any unusual marks on the skin that last more than a few weeks, or an existing mole which shows any of the above signs. If necessary they will arrange for you to see a doctor who specialises in skin conditions (a dermatologist) or a surgeon.
Unexplained weight loss
If you have lost a lot of weight over a short period of time (a couple of months), that cannot be explained by changes in your diet, increased exercise or stress, it is important to tell your GP. Other symptoms, such as sickness, pain and fatigue also tend to occur when a person experiences weight loss due to cancer.
What to do if you have worrying symptoms
You usually begin by seeing your GP who will examine you, ask questions about your symptoms, and might ask you to have some tests, such as a blood test or x-ray.
If your GP suspects that you may have cancer, an urgent referral will be made to a specialist. There are produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) to help GPs identify when symptoms could be due to cancer or some other condition. An urgent referral usually means that the specialist will see you within two weeks. The specialist can carry out other investigations, such as a biopsy or various scans, to find the cause of your symptoms and plan any treatment necessary.
If your GP thinks your symptoms are not caused by cancer they may still refer you to a specialist for advice, but the referral is likely to be non-urgent and it will take longer for you to be seen.
Remember – in most cases, your symptoms will turn out to be caused by something other than cancer, but they can still be signs of illness and so you won't be wasting your doctor's time by getting them checked out.