Guest Post:5 Symptoms of Mesothelioma That You Should Not Ignore

5 Symptoms of Mesothelioma That You Should Not Ignore
The mesothelium is a thin, protective membrane that lines a number of your body cavities. When abnormal cells develop in this tissue and then multiply out of control, a cancer called mesothelioma develops. Although there are some extremely rare forms of mesothelioma, the vast majority of cases involve either pleural mesothelioma or peritoneal mesothelioma. The former affects the lining of the lungs and the chest wall, while the latter grows in the abdominal area. Asbestos exposure accounts for a staggering 90% of all cases, so this form cancer most commonly strikes construction workers, plumbers, electricians and shipbuilders who encountered asbestos before it was banned. The disease tends to develop around thirty or forty years after asbestos exposure, and in many cases it is only discovered when the cancer is so advanced that the only realistic plan involves merely treating the symptoms.

Here we will look at the five most significant symptoms of the disease.

Pain in the chest wall

Pain in the chest (or pain located at the side of the chest) is the main symptom of pleural mesothelioma. You should be particularly concerned if you would describe your pain as heavy, dull or aching. As the disease progresses, the pain will increase, often becoming quite severe if it extends into surrounding nerves and bone.

Breathlessness

Although breathlessness is a symptom of a wide variety of illnesses, it is important to consider pleural mesothelioma if you experience breathlessness along with other relevant symptoms on this list. In particular, the breathlessness that occurs as a result of pleural mesothelioma tends to persist even when you are at rest, and will usually be accompanied by the feeling that you cannot expand your lungs to the same extent that you used to.

Hoarseness and persistent cough

Pleural mesothelioma often presents with a dry cough that is accompanied by wheezing. In addition, this form of mesothelioma can cause a hoarse or husky voice when the tumor leads to an increase in pressure on the important nerve that is connected to your voice box.

Abdominal pain and swelling

Abdominal pain is usually the first and most prominent symptom experienced by someone with peritoneal mesothelioma. If you have peritoneal mesothelioma, your abdomen may also be visibly swollen as well as tender to the touch. If you are examined, your doctor may detect an abnormal build up of fluid in your abdomen.

Unintended and unexplained weight loss

Finally, pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma are both associated with substantial and unintentional weight loss. If you are not on a diet or adhering to a strict exercise regime, losing more than 10% of your weight is cause for concern.

If any of these symptoms are familiar (and if they persist for more than a few weeks), it is vital that you promptly make an appointment with your doctor in order to discuss the possibility of being tested. In addition to the five main symptoms listed above, you should also be mindful of the more general symptoms of cancer. These include drenching night sweats, a poor appetite, and significantly reduced energy levels.

Joe Belluck is a New York Mesothelioma researcher and freelance writer. He has been investigating natural therapies for various mesothelioma. He has been extensively reporting his findings to natural health blogs. For more information Mesothelioma Help ? New York, visit the link.

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Source: http://blog.mylifeline.org/index.php/2012/12/guest-post5-symptoms-of-mesothelioma-that-you-should-not-ignore/

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