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Colon cancer risk factors

January 24, 2018

Colon cancer risk factors: History of inflammatory bowel disease

Colon cancer risk factors

Colon cancer risk factors are many and include being obese or overweight

Colon cancer risk factors become evident when polyps are detected during a colonoscopy irrespective of whether those polyps had been removed. When one is over the age of 50, it is advisable that careful consideration should be taken because the diagnosis is common at this age. According to the experts at AWAREmed health and wellness resource center under the leadership of doctor Dalal Akoury MD, factors that increase the risk of colon cancer are many may include:

  • Smoking. Cigarette smokers may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
  • Radiation therapy for cancer. When radiation therapy is directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers, this may increase the risk of colon and rectal cancer.
  • Older age. The great majority of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it’s common with old age.
  • Obesity. Being obese increases the risk of colon cancer. Many patients with unhealthy weight have an increased death rate of colon cancer compared with people considered to have normal weight.
  • Low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a diet low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat and processed meat.
  • Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Genetic syndromes passed through generations of your family can increase the risk of colon cancer. Syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer.
  • Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can increase the risk of colon cancer.
  • The family history of colon cancer. One is more likely to develop colon cancer if a loved one had suffered the disease before. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk becomes greater.
  • Diabetes. People with diabetes and insulin resistance have an increased risk of colon cancer.
  • Alcohol. Heavy use of alcohol increases your risk of colon cancer.
  • African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than people of other races.
  • A sedentary lifestyle. If you’re inactive, you’re more likely to develop colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer.
  • A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you’ve already had colon cancer or adenomatous polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future.

Colon cancer risk factors: Staging colon cancer

Immediately after being diagnosed with colon cancer, the next action point is to determine the level of cancer. This is essential for the determination of the appropriate treatment. This can be done using various tests like imaging procedures like abdominal, pelvic and chest CT scans. The stages of colon cancer are:

Stage I. at this level, cancer may have grown within the superficial lining (mucosa) of the colon or rectum but hasn’t spread beyond the colon wall or rectum.

Stage II. Here, cancer has grown into or through the wall of the colon or rectum but hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes.

Stage III. The cancer is now attacking the nearby lymph nodes but isn’t affecting other parts of your body yet.

Stage IV. Cancer has spread to distant sites, such as other organs like the liver or lung. Colon cancer spreading to this stage brings a painful experience to both the patient and loved ones. To help you go through this, you can call us at (843) 2131480 or contact Dr. Dalal Akoury on Facebook, LinkedIn and your pains will be addressed professionally.

Colon cancer risk factors: History of inflammatory bowel disease

 

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Breaking addiction bars

Cigarette smoking enticement

May 29, 2017
Cigarette smoking enticement

Cigarette smoking enticement is a common practice with users

Cigarette smoking enticement: Smoking urge when driving

Those who have been there will tell you that cigarette smoking enticement and temptations are high during recovery. This is one of the biggest challenge smoker’s face during the recovery journey. And to the drivers, this is a living testimony. Smoking opportunities prevail themselves more when on the road. Take, for example, you may have become used to smoking while driving to relax in a traffic jam or to stay alert on a long drive. And like many of your colleagues (smokers), you may like to light up when driving to and from work to relieve stress, stay alert, relax, or just pass the time simply because the journey has provided for that opportunity either because of the long wait in the traffic jam or long queue in road inspections. Because of these, for sure there is some evidence that smoking actually does make you feel more awake and alert but have you taken time to look at the consequences? Progressively let us look at some of the things you can do to succeed in resisting cigarette smoking temptations when such opportunities present themselves.

Cigarette smoking enticement: Fighting back smoking during short trips

  • Remove the ashtray, lighter, and cigarettes from your car.
  • Keep nonfattening snacks in your car (such as licorice, sugarless gum, and hard candy).
  • Turn on your favorite music and sing along.
  • Take an alternate route to work or try carpooling.
  • Clean your car and make sure to use deodorizers to reduce the tobacco smell.
  • Tell yourself:
    • “This urge will go away in a few minutes.”
    • “So, I’m not enjoying this car ride. Big deal! It won’t last forever!”
    • “My car smells clean and fresh!”
    • “I’m a better driver now that I’m not smoking while driving.”

When you are driving or riding with other people:

  • Ask passengers not to smoke in your car.
  • If you’re not driving, find something to do with your hands.

Your desire to smoke may be stronger and more frequent on longer trips. Doctor Akoury suggest that as a precaution, you may want to apply the following tips for resisting cigarette smoking temptations during your long trips:

  • Take a stretch break along the way.
  • Take fresh fruit along.
  • Plan rest stops.
  • Plan stops for water or fruit juice and always ensure that you consult with professionals from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center from time to time for safety.

The journey of quitting cigarette smoking can be a long one owing to the addictive nature of the substance. That is why when you are starting on this journey, your level of commitment will always be put to test along the way. When you are almost winning the war, triggers will come and if you lose your grip, you may sink back into addiction. That is why doctor Dalal Akoury founded AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center where you can always seek professional advice from time to time in all you addiction related complications. Doctor Akoury is always available just on a phone call to help you in the best way possible.

Cigarette smoking enticement: Smoking urge when driving

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Cigarette smoking cessation program

June 25, 2016
Cigarette smoking cessation

Cigarette smoking cessation program that delivers absolute recovery

Cigarette smoking cessation program: What it takes to be free– part 1

Like with all other addictive substances, treatment must be done in a given order. Cigarette smoking cessation program will entails working strategies that delivers results both to the direct and indirect patients. On overage the patient will make 3 visits to the facility. During the initial visit the patient will have an intake counseling session. This generally helps in the review of their smoking history, identifying their strengths and challenges and also to review their effective skills. All these are done to help them get ready for a smooth cessation process. At the point of registration at AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center, doctor Akoury registers that, a physical examination will be done. This is done alongside the integrative program which uses a mindfulness-based approach to demonstrate to the tobacco user that they can find relief from their cravings.

We will under normal circumstances have three counseling sessions. These are important to be sure that the ex-tobacco user is clear on their intentions to remain abstinent and that they are capable of continuing to use mindfulness techniques to abolish cravings and other emotional distress which can often emerge when nicotine is pulled away.

Cigarette smoking cessation program: Supportive counseling and laser therapy

During the second visit, the patient is taken through a supportive counseling to establish progress. Mindfulness-based techniques will be reinforced and further strategies added if needed to help maintain nicotine free. Low level cold laser therapy will be applied on acupuncture points on the ears and wrists, which can boost endorphin levels and help decrease cravings. Cold laser therapy has been used successfully as a non-invasive (needle-free) application to acupuncture points for many health issues including addiction and pain.

Cigarette smoking cessation program: How are brains work?

In our previous articles we have mentioned that our brain cells, or neurons, communicate with each other by means of small molecules, known as neurotransmitters. These are manufacture directly from the food nutrients vitamins, minerals and amino acids. When neurons exchange these molecules with each other, they enable us to stay focused and be alert. This way we are able to deal with stressful situations, and to block out pain, among many other things.

Finally when sufficient amounts of nutrients are available to our brains so they can produce and exchange these chemical neurotransmitters in adequate amounts, we tend to stay on top of things, to remain relaxed and happy, and to get pleasure out of everyday life experiences. However, when our brains don’t have enough of the nutrients they need to produce neurotransmitters in sufficient quantities. And because of that we can become irritable, unable to focus, angry, even depressed. If neurotransmitter shortages continue for longer periods of time, we begin looking for ways to deal with them. The cigarette smoking cession program is very helpful because it gives direction of the progress being made in the healing process. This is not the end of the program and so we are going to be looking at the second part of the program. Keep on the link and for any concerns call doctor Akoury right away.

Cigarette smoking cessation program: What it takes to be free– part 1

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Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking

September 1, 2015

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Unheeded reasons to quit smoking

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking is a must for all people not just for smokers but to every body including nonsmokers.

With the ever increasing complications that come as a result of cigarette smoking, it is also increasingly becoming necessary for smokers to quit their smoking habit in mass. This is the best thing that can happen to any smoker owing to the countless benefits that will come with this single act of quitting smoking. Experts from AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center have established that from the ongoing campaign about quitting cigarette smoking, many people are taking the heed of quitting smoking primarily because of the fear of contracting chronic health complications like heart disease, lung cancer that are likely to lead in premature death. As professional is addiction says doctor Dalal Akoury (MD) and founder of AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center that this is a step in the right direction in the resolve of leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking. However besides the known chronic health complications, there are also other reasons which are often ignored by many and that is what we want to focus on so that we can have more people making that very important decision of quitting. Like we have already mentioned that besides the chronic illnesses, there are many other reasons why one should consider quitting smoking a health priority. To that point dear reader if you are smoking and still not very sure whether you really want to quit, we want to bring to your attention some additional reasons which are otherwise ignored by many and we hope that these will help you decide to stop now without any further hesitation.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Exposure to tobacco smoke increases the baby’s risk of colic

According to a review of more than 30 studies, too much exposure to tobacco smoke increases the baby’s risk of colic. Colic starts after a few weeks of birth, peaking at the age of 5 to 8 weeks. Usually, it goes away at the age of 4 months. Irritability, inconsolable crying, red face, clenched fists, drawn-up legs and screaming are among the most common symptoms of colic. Maternal smoking has also been linked to premature birth, miscarriage, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and mental/behavioral problems in children.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Smoking raises risk of age-related macular degeneration

It is thought smoking reduces the skin’s natural elasticity by causing the breakdown of collagen and reducing collagen production. (Collagen is a protein that supports skin strength.) Collagen naturally degrades as we get older, leading to the formation of wrinkles. Smoking makes this happen sooner. And besides that smokers are more likely to become blind someday because of age-re slated macular degeneration. Meanwhile, quitting smoking can lower the risk of blindness. While all the risk factors are not fully understood, research has pointed smoking as one major and modifiable cause.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Smoking or even living with a smoker raises risk of snoring

Cigarette smoking can damage your nasal cavity, causing swelling and therefore congestion. This makes it more difficult to breathe through your nose in your sleep. As a result, you may snore and according to a study conducted by experts where more than 15,000 men and women took part, it was established that, snoring affects up to 24% of smokers, 20% of ex-smokers, and 14% of people who had never smoked. Also, nonsmokers were more likely to snore if they were exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. Almost 20% of these nonsmokers snored, compared with nearly 13% who had never been exposed to secondhand smoke at home. Doctor Akoury says that in view of these findings, it is important to appreciate that quitting smoking will not only help you to stop snoring but also your partner will be absolutely thrilled with your newfound serenity. If this section of the discussion suits your situation, then it should motivate you to quit smoking as soon as yesterday says doctor Akoury nonetheless if you are finding it difficult doing so and you need further consultation with the experts, the doors of doctor Dalal Akoury are ever open for you and all you need to do on your part is to call and schedule for an appointment and she will accord you audience to professionally handle your problems.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Smoking speeds up mental decline

According to a study of 9,200 men and women over the age of 65, the rate of mental decline is five times faster than in nonsmokers. Participants took standardized tests used to detect mental disorder at the start of the study. Two years later, higher rates of mental decline were found among men and women who smoke, even though they didn’t have a family history of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Heavy smoking is linked to heartburn

Researchers found that people who smoke for more than 20 years are 70% more likely to have acid reflux disease than nonsmokers. If people smoke for more than 20 years, they have 70% likelihood of suffering from this disease. One study which involved more than 40,000 people suggests that acid reflux is affected by several key factors including diet, exercise, alcohol consumption, and the use of tobacco.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Smoking speeds up sexual decline

Aging is usually blamed for the downhill decline in sexual performance for men. But for some men the decline in sexual function can occur as early as in their late 20s. This is especially true in men who smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco. Specific declines associated with tobacco use include, increased time to achieve a full erection, a less firm erection, a lower libido or sex drive, a decline in sexual stamina, decreased or inadequate sensation, and unsatisfactory ejaculation. Fortunately, declines in sexual function associated with smoking are usually reversed with quitting.

Finally doctor Akoury says that these among many others are some the reasons that might be overlooked when it comes to making decisions of quitting smoking but are nevertheless very important as well. This according to several studies suggest that over the long term, smoking leads people to develop a wide range of health problems like heart disease, snoring issues, acid reflux, Alzheimer’s disease, and much more. Worse still it affects the health of even those who don’t smoke. We therefore hopes that with these revelations of potential consequences you can now make a very informed decision of quitting smoking today and not tomorrow says doctor Dalal Akoury who is more than willing to help you further upon scheduling for an appointment with her at any time of choice.

Leaving nothing to chance in quitting smoking: Unheeded reasons to quit smoking

 

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