Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Do I have lung cancer or am I a hypochondriac

Do I have lung cancer or am I a hypochondriac?
I am 16 years old and have only been smoking for around 2 years and I normally smoke a pack every 2 to 3 days. Although lately I've had cough not really a bad one but still. Also in the past month or so I've been sick with pneumonia which lasted around 2 weeks and now again I am running a fever with aches and a cough. Is it that its just my smoking with winter lowering my immune system thats making me sick or should I have x-rays?
Other - Health - 15 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
You're a dumbass.
2 :
Wouldn't a doctor be a better choice than Y!A to get an answer?
3 :
Why are you smoking? You could see a doctor, but I'm sure it is not cancer. Smoking itself can cause chronic bronchitis, most smokers develop it. edit: no offense to smokers, but it's a fact that it causes certain cancers and illnesses (just look at the package, you are smoking tar, various toxic chemicals, and a small amount of tobacco. nothing healthy about that.) and if you continue smoking, you should accept the fact that it will cause your health to deteriorate more rapidly than it would otherwise. it's just a logical conclusion. :p
4 :
you are going to have an MRI most likedly u do not have lung cancer
5 :
The first thing you should do is quit smoking. It may not be that easy, but do it now while you're still young. If the cough does not go away, seek medical attention.
6 :
nobody gets lung cancer that fast. sounds like bronchitis.
7 :
If you are sick and still smoking it's a bad idea. Anyhow, you have pneumonia that didn't heal all the way, not Lung cancer. And x-rays surely can't hurt you, so if your worried you should go do them.
8 :
x-rays should be a good thing to do. But by smoking your immune system has gone down and your body can't protect it self the way it used to
9 :
You don't have lung cancer, you likely have another infection or virus like bronchitis or strep throat. Go to the doctor, and they will tell you if you need a chest x-ray or antibiotics. Trust me, if you need an x-ray they can tell just by listening with their stethoscope.
10 :
hypochondriac
11 :
If you're concerned then visit a doctor. I might also recommend quitting smoking. I wont preach that its a disgusting habit (although I'd say it is and smoking since the age of fourteen is pretty poor) but for your own sake, if you're worrying after an illness that your smoking could be making you worse then its probably best you stop. xx
12 :
if you haven't had xrays, who told you you had pnuemonia? It takes an xray to diagnose pnuemonia. I very much doubt you have lung cancer, but if you have a fever and a cough, you obviously have an upper respiratory infection of some sort and should be on antibiotics. Go see a doctor and get a real diagnosis and treatment.
13 :
When u start coughing blood..that means you might be worried for cancer. Smoking decreases your immune system and usually, smokers get affected by pneumonia more often. Consult your physician for the treatment of your fever/cough
14 :
go to a doctor. smokers tend to have worse symptoms just because they smoke. so a cough is going to be more severe in your case. go to the doctor right away and quit smoking ASAP
15 :
sounds like bronchitis. you dont get lung cancer that fast although you never know. go to the doctor just to be sure. good luck!

Read more discussions :

Friday, December 4, 2009

My friend has lung cancer that has spread to the brain what do i look forward to

My friend has lung cancer that has spread to the brain what do i look forward to?
I know every case is different but a general description, im curious about the pain.
Cancer - 13 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
I know its prob not wat u mean but just try and enjoy time before she/he goes down hill. You will find it hard-but Carpe Dium (not spelt right i don't think) Seize the day. Good luck
2 :
The cancer has probably spread to other organs besides the brain. If you are the person who will be caring for your friend, I would ask that he or she give you medical power of attorney. You will then be able to speak candidly with the doctors and nurses. There are many medications to help with discomfort - I don't know your situation, but Hospice is a very good option.
3 :
You must be prepared for the worst. Don't think it will be ok.
4 :
That is the same thing that happened to lance armstrong, so even though chance of survival is very small, it is possible. my only advice would be to tell your friend not to give up. as far as the pain goes, you would probably have to talk to the doctor or someone who has gone through it themselves.
5 :
Nothing good.. Lots of pain medication..
6 :
If you're looking for a pretty answer, this isn't it. For my step-mom it was her breast cancer that metastasized in her brain. It meant some serious radiation and chemo treatments. Then there was a roller coaster ride of getting better and then finding it again. When they found it in her spinal fluid, it was a matter of literally days. The doctor said that she wasn't feeling all of the pain, that the body has ways of shutting part of it out. My dad will tell you it was the worst thing he'd ever had to watch, waiting for it to be over.
7 :
Cancer that spreads is called metastatic, they say it has metasticized. When someone had brain mets, obviously it's very serious. Main questions are: How was the patient overall before this new mets? How old is the patient? How well did any chemo or radiation treat the lung CA the first time? Maybe most important- where in the brain is the cancer. Surgery is not usually recommended becasue the patient is already so weak, and brain tumors can never be completely removed because they have little fingers that go out everywhere. Sometimes a large mass will be resected, depending on where it is. New developments in radiation therapy can really do a good job. A big concern is mets to the bone or other organs If you friend is really not doing well, it might be time to consider making him comfortable at home they call comfort care "palliative care"...ask about this. Too many patients die in the hospital instead of home with loved ones, or in Florida swimming with Dolphins.
8 :
If you are consigning your friend to the allopathic school of medicine, it won't be pretty. Can you get Dr. Shulze's tapes that he did with Sam Biser? Shulze said, if he isn't dead, he probably will heal with proper support. Shulze used a 30 day juice fast. nothing but pure fresh organic fruit and vegetable juices, a few teas, and good water. He used some herbs (especially garlic) and hot and cold (hydrotherapy) to increase circulation and healing.
9 :
n-acetlcystein. I don't no if the word is like this but this supplement can help his lung function. You can try reiki on him. The stress can worse him. Vitamin K3 is useful and GLA too. I have used some of that in m father with COPD and with my aunt with cancer. sorry, i can't help more.
10 :
Limited metastatic (spread from other areas of the body) brain tumors can be treated with surgeon or radiation. If too many brain lesions exist, then chemotherapy may be used to reduce or hopefully eliminate the tumors. In terms of progressing metastatic brain tumors, the symptoms are similar to primary brain tumors because the mechanism is the same: intercranial pressure. The possible symptoms for brain tumors are seizures, personality change, vision and memory change, nausea and, headaches. In terms of pain, headaches can be severe.
11 :
Hi, first off I want to say I'm sorry about your friend. Cancer is a harsh diagnosis. My mother-in-law was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer last April. She has tumors that metastasized to her brain and her bones. She underwent chemo and radiation. Although she still has the tumors she has not been in any pain. She occasionally gets mild headaches and can be a little forgetful. She is currently not on any medication and her quality of life is very good. She can't drive due to the possibility of seizures or embolisms, but overall things are fine. You're right when you say every case is different, I've known people with lung cancer who were in pain constantly.The best advice I can give you is just be there for your friend and take it one day at a time.
12 :
Pain +++, Get drugs and get them fast. Get lots of them and differant types. All depends where in brain but things could go south real fast.
13 :
It totally depends on where in the brain it is. Some people are totally okay after brain cancer, some have problems with things like balance but are otherwise okay, others have major cognitive problems, and, of course, some die. It's hard to say what exactly will happen, but there will most likely be a lot of pain involved. I wish you the best.

Read more discussions :

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Would it be possible or likely me to get lung cancer

Would it be possible or likely me to get lung cancer?
I don't smoke cigarettes. I've smoked hookah for about 2 months, 3 times a week at the most. I'm quitting soon but I'm just wondering b/c I feel like my lungs cannot breathe as much I could have before. Maybe it's in my mind but I would enjoy some feedback.
Cancer - 3 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Yes it is. Why are you 'Quitting Soon'? Quit now! Good Luck
2 :
Even though most people don't inhale hookah, like pipe or cigar smoke, it still can cause cancer, especially of the lip and gums. You are very smart to quite- this kind of habit can creep up on you very quickly, and you might just make the mistake of buying a pack on cigarettes on a stressful day when the Hookah is not nearby. Quit and start doing a habit that is good for you, like pushups, situps and jogging, and eating healthy food.
3 :
Well, I would say this...NO. Lung Cancer from Hookah is EXTREMELY RARE. It's not even the same as cigarette smoke. http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/5/1/19 What you described is less than a night of binge drinking would cause siroccos of the liver. I smoke hookah just about everyday. I walk my dogs nightly a do work out with kettlebells several times a week, building my muscles up to do it nightly. Watch I will get a thumbs down, because anti-tobacco people hate it when you prove it's not as bad as cyanide. Leave me all of us alone and let us make our own mistakes, if they are mistakes.

Read more discussions :