A person diagnosed with lung cancer is said to have reached stage IV or metastatic stage when the lung cancer cells breaks away from the tumor and travels to various parts of body through blood and lymph system. It is even possible that the lung cancer has reached the metastatic stage even before it is diagnosed. This is because the symptoms do not develop when the lung cancer is already present in the body. This is the reason why it is common for cancer to metastasize before it is diagnosed.
One important thing to keep in mind is that, even though the cancer may have spread to different locations in the body, it will still be named after the part of the body where it is was originated. For instance, if the lung cancer spreads into brain, it will still be called as metastatic lung cancer.
Lung cancer, when reached metastatic stage usually spreads into adrenal glands, bones, brain, and the liver. Metastatic lung cancer is completely different from recurrent lung cancer. Lung cancer that has reoccurred has to be treated the same way it was treated when it first occurred. Since, metastatic lung cancer has spread to a completely different part of the body, it will be treated differently.
Generally, lung cancer that has spread to the different part of the body will be treated the same way as it is treated as its original place of occurrence. This is because the cancer cells have not changed, they have simply moved to a different part of the body due to metastasis.
Most of the cases of metastatic lung cancer that have spread to the liver are treated using drug therapy.
The metastatic lung cancer that has spread to the brain is usually treated with radiation therapy. The radiation therapy is done majorly in two different ways:
External Beam Radiation Therapy (EBRT) : This therapy delivers high doses of radiation to lung cancer by exposing the body to a beam of high intensity X rays using various machine based technology.
Brachytherapy: Brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy that delivers high doses of radiation from the radioactive implants that are placed closed to or inside the tumor in the body.
Other treatments include chemotherapy using steroids or other medications. Surgery could also be an option but in very specific cases.
If diagnosed with a metastatic lung cancer, consult an oncologist, who would suggest the best option to treat metastatic lung cancer.
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How to Pick the Right Dog Food for a Sensitive Stomach
Read moreIn today’s world, where you are presented with over a dozen choices for every item you would purchase for your own kitchen, it is not surprising that you have an equal number of options for your dog’s food. However, choosing the perfect brand and formula for your dog out of a range of options in the market is not an easy job.
Your pet depends on you and trusts you to make the right choice for them. Therefore, it is imperative that you do your research about the products available in the market, understand what your dog needs, know what might be your pet’s problems, and then make a sound decision.
What is a sensitive stomach?
Dogs are known to have voracious and large appetites. Keeping that in mind, it is normal to assume that they have strong stomachs. They can eat close to anything be it sweets, bakes, chewy gum, hard leather or even woolen socks for that matter! It always so happens that the strongest of them are prone to allergies and can develop a disorder which is medically translated as a sensitive stomach. This might be due to a sudden change in the food habits or even due an infection picked up from somewhere.
How to handle a sensitive stomach
Whatever may be the cause, dogs with a sensitive stomach should be given food very carefully. This would mainly be to ensure that the problem does not persist. You should always talk to your vet regarding potential issues with your dog’s stomach. There are also various signs that you can look for.
Symptoms to look out for
Most of the symptoms in a dog with sensitive stomach are visible, uncomfortable, and uneasy. These can include vomiting, nausea, rashes, diarrhea, restlessness, and fever. A key to understanding the cause and effect of a sensitive stomach is the period in which the symptoms occur. If it occurs 24 hours within consumption of the meal, then you can be assured where the reaction is coming from.
Once you have narrowed down that your food formula is the reason your dog is unwell, you need to pick the best dog food for a sensitive stomach. Well, there are quite a few ways by which you can do so. An elimination diet can prove to be the easiest.
Elimination diet for a dog with a sensitive stomach
As the name suggests, the diet involves cutting down one food item at a time until all the symptoms disappear. This is also a methodology that most vets might prescribe. It works in most cases. It has proven to show positive results for most dog owners. The most common advice that vets give is to cut down known allergens first.
Here is a short list of the common allergens found in canines.
-Beef
-Dairy
-Eggs
-Wheat
-Soy
-Chicken
-Corn
-Lamb
After you have narrowed down the ingredient that is the cause of the problem, you will be ready to pick from the below list of stomach sensitive dog foods.
Best dog foods for a sensitive stomach
The following are some of the best dog foods for a sensitive stomach.
-Taste of the wild child, canine formula
-Hill’s Science Diet Adult Sensitive Stomach & Skin Dry Dog Food
-Natural Balance Vegetarian Dry Dog Food
-Wellness Simple Natural Wet Canned Limited Ingredient Dog Food
-BLUE Basics Limited-Ingredient Formula Adult Dry Dog Food
-Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food
-Solid Gold Holistic Dog Food for Small & Toy Breeds, Dry and Wet with Superfoods
-Purina Pro Plan FOCUS Focus Adult Sensitive Skin & Stomach Salmon & Rice Formula
If the above list is not up to your satisfaction, you could always consult your vet regarding the same.
Does your dog need the best food for a sensitive stomach?
This is a question that only your vet can give a true answer to. This mostly depends on how far your dog can bear with the conditions and how far along you are willing to push it. If an allergy is confirmed, shifting your dog to a formula or the best dog food for a sensitive stomach may be the best solution to cure the discomfort your dog is facing.
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4 essential tips to find free glucose meters
Read moreFor diabetics, it is essential to regularly keep track of their blood sugar levels. Checking blood glucose levels helps in controlling diabetes. This also helps to avoid the complications of diabetes such as neuropathy, hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, skin problems, and foot damage. It is recommended that a person with diabetes should go through a complete blood test at least twice to thrice a year. However, regular blood sugar tests can be done at home with glucose meters.
Although many blood glucose meters are affordable, they might make a dent in your pocket. If you are looking for free glucose meters, here are a few tips to help you find glucose meters free of cost:
- The first thing to do is to ask your doctor regarding the recommended brands of glucose meters. Doctors usually know which brands are commonly used by patients and which brands are popular due to their quality and price. Your doctor will know which glucose meters are the most affordable.
- Once you have the list from your doctor, contact your insurance company. Ask them which brands recommended by your doctor are covered by insurance. Many insurance companies reimburse the total cost of glucose meters and test strips. However, it might happen that you can get a free glucose meter which is not approved by the insurance company. In such cases, you might have to pay out of your own pocket for test strips and other supplies that you might require in the future.
- Many insurance companies also have a list of approved pharmacies. You may get free glucose meters from these pharmacies, or the cost will be reimbursed by your insurance. Also, many mail-order pharmacies offer free glucose meters to their customers along with supplying test strips for 90 days.
- Check the websites of popular glucose meter brands. Many offer free glucose meters on trial basis based on certain qualifying parameters. The parameters may include for how long you had diabetes, type of diabetes, whether you have used glucose meters before, and the brand of glucose meter you have used. If you apply for free glucose meters this way, ensure that you read the terms and conditions carefully to avoid any additional out-of-pocket expenses.