EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the second story in a three-part series.

CHICO — after a parade of hospital and doctor visits that led nowhere, Hayley Ennis, now 16, and her mother, Jill Ennis, were looking to a new hope.

In March 2010, Hayley’s continuing search for a cure took her to the UC San Francisco Medical Center, and the first visit was probably the worst day of the whole ordeal.

“By the time I went to the appointment at USCG, I was throwing up at least 15 times a day. I was barely functioning.”

Even with volumes of charts, files, X-rays and medical tests in hand, when a teenage girl who is suffering vomiting and subsequent weight loss first sees a new doctor, the question of bulimia or some other eating disorder comes up.

Without planning to, Hayley found an efficient way to avoid those questions when she had her first visit to UCSF.

She had started vomiting before she got to the hospital, and, “I vomited throughout my entire appointment and it was a long appointment.”

Apparently, that was also the day when Hayley’s stomach entirely stopped working. Technically, it is a condition called gastroparesis, a situation where food just won’t pass through the stomach even though there are no obstructions.

“From that day forward, I did not keep down a sip of water or an ounce of food.”

With her stomach not tolerating even the most mild food and liquid, the UCSF doctors had to rely on a feeding tube to get nutrition into the teen.

Usually, such a tube is inserted in the nose and goes into the stomach where the liquid food is just dribbled in, but that wouldn’t work with Hayley. her stomach instantly ejected even the liquid food that hit it. As a result, the doctors had to thread the tube past her stomach and directly into her intestines so the liquid feeding would stay in her.

In subsequent months, the motivated teen went to school with the nose tube taped to her cheek.

The fact that the feeding had to bypass her stomach had another unanticipated side effect.

The presence of food in the stomach is what tells the brain you are not hungry, and the absence of food there tells the brain you need food.

“What that means is you are constantly hungry. So for the whole year I was starving. I was getting my nutrition, but as far as feeling, I was hungry. I made a promise, now I will never say I’m starving.”

The failure of her stomach also meant the persistent pain she had been suffering for months increased.

Using the traditional one-to-10 scale for pain severity, Jill said Hayley could function with pain in the four-through-six level. She could go to school. When things hit the seven-to-10 level — and they did — “She was flat on her back, really miserable.”

The question of what could be done for the pain was something of a medical conundrum. any strong pain medication slows a healthy person’s motility, and with Hayley, anything that would further retard her non-existent motility made the gastroenterologists balk.

At one point while she was in the hospital and in crushing pain, the attending pediatricians were ordering morphine to give her some relief, and when the gastroenterologists arrived, they would angrily countermand the order.

Eventually all of the doctors reached an understanding that healing and agony don’t work together and the pain meds were allowed.

The UCSF visit did result in a new diagnosis. They found evidence of eosinophilic gastroenteritis, which is an allergic reaction in the stomach that can cause all of the symptoms Hayley was presenting.

So she was sent home with renewed hope and a trio of medications to try, one at a time, that were meant to improve her motility. The medications failed and the hope crashed again.

Both Jill and Hayley said it was about this time, in the late summer of last year, that they began to wonder about the future. nothing was working, and nobody seemed to have answers.

Hayley said she realized that tube feeding couldn’t go on forever and when the body would no longer tolerate the tube, the option was intravenous fluids. That would work for only so long.

The next option was a gastric pacemaker, a device that passes a tiny electric current through the stomach muscles to make them flex to move food along.

Hayley said the problem there was the gastric pacemaker doesn’t work for everybody, and patients as young as her weren’t supposed to be candidates for the pacemaker.

Even after everything that had happened, and the growing fear that her survival might be in doubt, an answer was just around the corner.

Staff writer Roger H. Aylworth can be reached at 896-7762 or raylworth@chicoer.com.

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation in the joints and can cause great pain and scaly patches on the skin. is linked to the condition of the skin and psoriasis can also cause problems with other parts of the body such as the scalp, elbows and knees. it has also been known to be the cause of injuries to fingers and toenails. Another symptom is pain and swelling in joints and swelling in the toes and fingers. the causes of the disease are not well known at the time but may be inherited and environmental factors may also play a role. If you suspect you may have the condition is essential to contact your doctor as soon as possible so that he can make the appropriate tests for diagnosis.

When the diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may perform a physical examination, the use of X-rays and run some blood tests. this helps spread the disease that is suspected of similar conditions, and allows an accurate diagnosis. As with most diseases is a good idea to consult your doctor as soon as possible as this can have a beneficial effect in treatment. One of the best indicators to your doctor is if your nails and skin and joints are affected. In the treatment of the effects of skin condition, doctors usually advise you to avoid the powerful chemicals and soaps and use a good cream that is lanolin based. the use of scented soaps and non-simple can also be a good idea. your doctor should be able to give you a good idea of ??where to find suitable products and

Many doctors also recommend exercise as beneficial for victims of psoriatic arthritis. this can have an overall beneficial effect on the patient, such as reduced joint swelling, improve mobility and enhance general health and welfare of the patient. Also a good diet is important for the body’s ability to cope with the disease.

Psoriatic arthritis is a nasty disease, but a nice treat to take to live a relatively normal life. although medications are usually used to treat pain associated with psoriatic arthritis are also simpler treatments such as hot and cold compresses can be beneficial for some patients. although some people require surgery is usually not necessary and good treatment with drugs, diet, exercise and other alternatives usually work well.

Did you have asthma first? how many years did you have a cough and clear x-rays?

Lung cancer typically doesn't cause signs and symptoms in its earliest stages. Signs and symptoms of lung cancer typically occur only when the disease is advanced.

Signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include:

* a new cough that doesn't go away
* changes in a chronic cough or "smoker's cough"
* Coughing up blood, even a small amount
* Shortness of breath
* Chest pain
* Wheezing
* Hoarseness
* Losing weight without trying
* Bone pain
* Headache

When to see a doctor
Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs or symptoms that worry you.

If you smoke and want to stop in order to reduce your risk of lung cancer, make an appointment with your doctor. Your doctor can recommend strategies for quitting, such as counseling, medications and nicotine replacement products.

asthma & cancer have no correlation unless you smoke, then you have a higher risk.

A number of factors may increase your risk of lung cancer. some risk factors can be controlled, for instance, by quitting smoking. And other factors can't be controlled, such as your sex. Risk factors for lung cancer include:

* Smoking. Smoking remains the greatest risk factor for lung cancer. Your risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes you smoke each day and the number of years you have smoked. Quitting at any age can significantly lower your risk of developing lung cancer.
* Exposure to secondhand smoke. even if you don't smoke, your risk of lung cancer increases if you're exposed to secondhand smoke.
* Exposure to radon gas. Radon is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water that eventually becomes part of the air you breathe. Unsafe levels of radon can accumulate in any building, including homes. Radon testing can determine whether levels are safe.
* Exposure to asbestos and other chemicals. Workplace exposure to asbestos and other substances known to cause cancer — such as arsenic, chromium, nickel and tar — also can increase your risk of developing lung cancer, especially if you're a smoker.
* Family history of lung cancer. People with a parent, sibling or other first-degree relative with lung cancer have an increased risk of the disease.
* Excessive alcohol use. Drinking more than a moderate amount of alcohol — no more than one drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men — may increase your risk of lung cancer.
* Certain lung diseases. People with certain lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, may have an increased risk of lung cancer.

I found this awesome website and you can find more information,about your question,
Take your time to visit ,I hope this helps!

the–lung-cancer.blogspot.com/

The CT or CAT scan is an acronym for computerised axial tomography scan, and it?s now a tool regularly used in diagnosis.

THERE have been exponential advances in medicine in the last five decades, both in diagnostics and therapeutics. This has been made possible through technological discoveries or improvements in other fields of human activity. The CT or CAT scan is one such example.

CT or CAT scan is an acronym for computerised axial tomography scan. The images in a CT scan are created through x-rays and a computer system. Anyone who has seen the images of a CT scan, whether in film or digital form, cannot but marvel at its detail and comprehensiveness.

The CT scan is a large ring-shaped medical device which produces a series of x-ray beams as it rotates around the body in small movements. Images are built up of the various parts of the body scanned during this process. These images, which are called tomograms, are of greater detail than that of ordinary x-rays, which uses a single x-ray beam only. The CT scan can produce images of various body parts like the organs in the chest and abdomen, blood vessels and bones.

Full disclosure: Anyone who has seen the images of a CT scan, whether in film or digital form, cannot but marvel at its detail and comprehensiveness.

A more sophisticated CT scan is the spiral or helical scan, which is faster than the standard CT scan. The x-ray beam in this scan rotates around the body part being scanned in a spiral fashion and produces continuous images.

CT scans are used in the diagnosis and evaluation of many conditions as well as the monitoring of treatment. The procedure is painless and the time taken varies, depending on the body part that is scanned and whether a standard or spiral scan is used.

Standard scans usually take between 10 to 30 minutes. Spiral scans take a shorter time.

Preparations

There is a standard operating procedure whenever a CT scan is ordered. The patient will be asked about his or her medical condition, consumption of medicines, history of allergies, and the possibility of pregnancy in women in the reproductive age group.

In general, CT scans are not done in pregnant women unless there are medical or surgical conditions that require evaluation and/or treatment. This is because of the slight possibility that x-rays may harm the developing foetus. Children are more susceptible to radiation risks than adults. as such, CT scans are only done if the child has a serious condition which is of greater risk than the CT scan.

Any jewellery or metal on the body has to be removed because they interfere with the scanning process. Hair clips, dentures, contact lenses and hearing aids will also have to be removed, particularly if the head is to be scanned.

The patient will be asked to change into a hospital gown.

Some people have a fear of being closed in without means of escape (claustrophobia, which is derived from the Latin word claustrum, which means ?the shut in place?, and Greek word phobos, which means ?fear?). having a CT scan can be claustrophobic. If one has this problem or an anxiety about the scan, one should inform the staff when making the appointment. This is usually addressed by advice and information or the prescription of a sedative to be taken prior to the scan. It is advisable to arrange for a relative or friend to drive if one is going to take a sedative.

The scan

A patient having a CT scan will be asked to lie on a bed that automatically moves in and out of the hollow part of the CT scanner, which is shaped like a large ring. Images will only be taken of the body part that is inside the ring.

After adjusting the position of the bed to ensure that the exact part of the body is in the ring of the CT scanner, the radiographer or radiologist will leave the examination room. he or she will carry out the scanning from a control room, which has a window with full view of the patient. The reason is to reduce the radiation exposure to staff carrying out x-rays daily. Communication with the staff in the control room during the scan will be through an intercom.

The patient will be requested to be still and breathe normally to prevent any blurring of the images taken. one may be asked to breathe in, breathe out or to hold the breath at certain stage(s) of the procedure.

The x-ray in the ring of the CT scan rotates around the patient, taking images as it does so. with the completion of each rotation, the bed on which the patient is lying is moved forward a little bit and the cycle continues until the examination of the body part required is completed.

Sometimes, a contrast medium may be given to a patient who has a CT scan. The medium contains a dye which enhances the quality of the x-ray images of certain body parts. It may be injected into a blood vessel, swallowed as a drink or inserted into the rectum, depending on the body part that is being scanned.

Some patients experience a warm sensation with the injection of contrast medium. This is not abnormal and will resolve by itself rapidly. The contrast media used in CT scans are usually harmless and are excreted from the body in the urine. however, some patients may develop an allergic reaction to the contrast medium, causing complication; hence the importance of informing the radiologist or radiographer of any previous allergies.

The many x-ray images taken will be stored in a computer system. The radiologist will study and analyse the images taken on a monitor screen from various angles and then write a report for the doctor who ordered the CT scan.

With the completion of the CT scan, one can leave the hospital. It is advisable to ask the staff when to expect the results and to confirm one?s appointment with the doctor who ordered the scan.

Uses

CT scans provide information about various conditions, both in its diagnosis and evaluation as well as the monitoring of treatment. Sometimes, they may help in the diagnosis of an unsuspected condition.

The uses of CT scans are myriad and include:

> Head scans after a stroke and for suspected bleeding, swelling of arteries and tumours;

> Chest scans to assess lung and heart conditions;

> Abdominal scans in conditions affecting the liver, gall bladder, spleen, pancreas, intestines;

> Pelvic scans in conditions affecting the female reproductive tract and intestines;

> Blood vessel scans to assess blood flow in various parts of the body;

> Bone scans in conditions affecting bone;

> Guide for biopsies;

> Planning for radiotherapy; and

> Monitoring effects of treatment.

Risks

The exposure to radiation during a CT scan is generally at levels that are safe and insufficient to cause harm to a patient.

A report from the Clinical Advisory Committee on Diagnostic Imaging of the United Kingdom estimated that a typical CT scan of the abdomen or pelvis of everyone in the population would lead to a theoretical lifetime risk of radiation induced fatal cancer of about one in 2,000 (0.05%). This compares with the normal spontaneous risk of fatal cancer of about one in four (25%).

As with all things in medicine, one has to always consider the benefits and the risks of any intervention. If a CT scan is used in the diagnosis of a medical or surgical condition or to monitor treatment, the benefits will outweigh the potential risk.

However, if one has no symptoms, the risk of a CT scan increases because it may lead to additional tests which are unnecessary. as CT scans are not 100% accurate, there is also the possibility of undue alarm or false reassurance.

The benefits and risks must always be considered before having a CT scan. Doctors recommend that CT scans are done for medical reasons only and not for screening purposes.

Dr Milton Lum is a member of the board of Medical Defence Malaysia. This article is not intended to replace, dictate or define evaluation by a qualified doctor. The views expressed do not represent that of any organisation the writer is associated with.

By: Tim Gorman

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that causes swelling in the joints and can result in considerable pain and also scaly patches on the skin. It is linked to the skin condition psoriasis and can also cause problems with other parts of the body, such as the scalp, elbows and knees. It has also been known to be the cause of lesions on the finger and toenails. Another symptom is pain and swelling in the joints and swelling in the toes and fingers. The causes of the disease are not well understood at the moment but it is possible that it may be inherited and that environmental factors could also play a part. if you suspect that you may have the condition it is essential to contact your doctor as soon as possible so that he can make the appropriate tests for a diagnosis.

When diagnosing psoriatic arthritis your doctor may conduct a physical examination, use x-rays and run some blood tests. This helps him to separate the suspected condition from other similar conditions and allows for a proper diagnosis. as with most diseases it is a good idea to see your doctor as early as possible as this can have a beneficial effect on the treatment. One of the best indicators for your doctor is if your nails and skin as well as your joints are affected. when treating the effects of the condition on the skin, doctors will commonly advise you to avoid powerful chemicals and soaps and to use a good skin cream that is lanolin based. using simple and non-perfumed soaps can also be a good idea. your doctor should be able to give you a good idea of the appropriate products and where to find them

Many doctors also recommend exercise as being beneficial for sufferers of psoriatic arthritis. This can have an overall beneficial effect on the patient, such as reducing swelling of the joints, improving mobility and increasing the general health and well-being of the patient. also a good diet is important to your body’s ability to deal with the disease.

Psoriatic arthritis is an unpleasant disease but with good treatment you should still be to live a relatively normal life. Although drugs are usually used to treat the pain associated with psoriatic arthritis there are also simpler treatments such as hot and cold compresses that can be of benefit to some patients. Although some people require surgery this is not often necessary and good treatment with drugs, diets, exercise and other alternatives will usually work well.

Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Health-Fitness-Solutions.com he provides more arthritis relief tips and information on psoriatic arthritis that you can research in your pajamas on his website.

Early esophageal cancer may not cause symptoms. as the cancer grows, the most common symptoms are:

1. Food gets stuck in the esophagus, and food may come back up
2. Pain when swallowing
3. Pain in the chest or back
4. Weight loss
5. Heartburn

A hoarse voice or cough that doesn’t go away within 2 weeksThese symptoms may be caused by esophageal cancer or other health problems. if you have any of these symptoms, you should tell your doctor so that problems can be diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

Diagnosis

If you have a symptom that suggests esophageal cancer, your doctor must find out whether it’s really due to cancer or to some other cause. the doctor gives you a physical exam and asks about your personal and family health history. you may have blood tests. you also may have:

Barium swallow: after you drink a barium solution, you have x-rays taken of your esophagus and stomach. the barium solution makes your esophagus show up more clearly on the x-rays. this test is also called an upper GI series.

Endoscopy: the doctor uses a thin, lighted tube (endoscope) to look down your esophagus. the doctor first numbs your throat with an anesthetic spray, and you may also receive medicine to help you relax. the tube is passed through your mouth or nose to the esophagus. the doctor may also call this procedure upper endoscopy, EGD, or esophagoscopy.

Biopsy: Usually, cancer begins in the inner layer of the esophagus. the doctor uses an endoscope to remove tissue from the esophagus. a pathologist checks the tissue under a microscope for cancer cells. a biopsy is the only sure way to know if cancer cells are present.

By Ellen GreenlawWebMD Feature

One member of WebMD’s fibromyalgia community wonders if it’s possible that she has been misdiagnosed with fibromyalgia. “My pain is centered in my lower back. I was under the impression that fibromyalgia affects the whole body,” she says. she has back spasms and can’t sit for an extended amount of time. some days her spine is tender to the touch. A set of X-rays showed she had a curvature in her spine and an MRI showed multiple bulging discs. but her doctor says her back pain is due to fibromyalgia, not the discs. “My doctor says the discs are not the problem,” she says. “Per my doctor, I have over 17 pressure points.”

Her other symptoms include extremely dry eyes, mostly in the morning. “Both eyes feel dry and feel as though there is something in them.” in addition, she has difficulty sleeping and often feels fatigued. she is taking pain medication and a medication for anxiety, but she is no longer doing any type of therapy because it caused too much strain on her back. she wonders if any other community members have experienced similar symptoms.

One man responds that he had a similar experience when he was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia. “My intro was just in my chest muscles — I thought I was having a heart attack at the time.” he suggests she see a rheumatologist, if she hasn’t already, for an accurate diagnosis. but he says it’s important to find a rheumatologist who is experienced in treating fibromyalgia. “Call around. your first question should be, ‘Does the doctor treat fibromyalgia?’ Unless you get a definite YES, keep dialing.”

Another community member agrees that the symptoms described sound like fibromyalgia. she says that in her experience, fibromyalgia symptoms can vary a lot from day to day. “I know that in the many years I have dealt with fibromyalgia that there aren’t many days that are the same or many areas of my body that acted or reacted the same time after time,” she says.

One member wonders how to find a doctor in her area who will diagnose fibromyalgia. “I live in the Louisville, Kentucky area and have yet to find any doctor within 100 miles who will diagnose or believe in fibromyalgia,” she says.

Two community members say that diagnosing fibromyalgia can be a long and frustrating process. one of them adds that it took her three years to get diagnosed.

Another woman suggests consulting with her primary care doctor and voicing her concerns about fibromyalgia. “You have to keep at it until someone listens,” she says. she suggests writing down a list of all her symptoms and giving the list to her doctor. “That way you don’t forget anything, and if you are shy or nervous then it is in plain English for the doctor to see. usually it starts the process of questions by the doctor.”

Two other community members also suggest trying to find a rheumatologist to diagnose fibromyalgia. they say that in their experience, rheumatologists generally seem to know the most about fibromyalgia and are more likely to diagnose it correctly. “Don’t give up, ever. keep asking until you have an answer and a diagnosis,” one says.

Lung cancer staging refers to a system of classifying where the cancer is in its growth. This allows physicians a guide to help determine what treatments would be most effective and how aggressively those treatments should be administered. it is also a way of determining the potential outcome of a particular case of lung cancer. the lower the stage, the better the odds of a full recovery.

The process of deciding what stage a lung cancer has reached is called “staging the lung cancer.” This is accomplished through a series of tests, such as x-rays, blood tests, bone scans, etc. the goal is to determine the size of the tumor or tumors and if the cancer has spread to other tissues (metastasized). X-rays, MRIs and CAT scans help to determine the size and location of the tumors. Bone scans and blood work can help to determine whether the cancer has spread to other organs or to the bones. PET scans can indicate whether or not a tumor is actively growing.

Lung cancer staging is also dependent on the type of cancer. For instance, in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there are four stages, while in small cell lung cancer (SCLC) there are two … limited stage and extended stage. Here’s a quick overview to give you an idea of the differences between the various stages:

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage I: the cancer is confined to the lungs. This stage obviously offers the best prognosis. Lung cancer caught in this stage has better than a 49% five year survival rate.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage II: the cancer is confined to lung tissue and the lymph nodes within the lungs, the recovery rate is 40-50%

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage II: the tumors have spread from the lungs, but are confined to the chest area. Larger, more invasive tumors are generally diagnosed as belonging to this stage.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Stage IV: the cancer has spread away from the chest and invaded other parts of the body such as the liver, adrenal glands, bone, brain, and/or other sites.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Limited Stage: the cancer is confined to the chest area, and has not spread outside the point of origin.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Extended Stage: the cancer has spread beyond the chest to other parts of the body.

The treatment recommended by your doctor will take into account the stage of the lung cancer, as well as the size and location of the tumors and your general overall health. of course, you’ll have input into how aggressively the cancer should be pursued and all that entails. More and more oncologists are coming to accept that the prognosis of a patient with lung cancer — as it is with any cancer patient — is profoundly affected by the patient’s attitude and decision making.

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