10 Lung Cancer Myths & Facts

Lung cancer is one of the most fatal cancers which effects mankind. Separating facts from fiction will therefore be very helpful in avoiding the disease or for seeking timely lung cancer treatment. Ten of the most common myths which circulate are listed below.

Myth #1 – Only people who smoke can get lung cancer.

Fact – This is not true; in fact majority of patients who are found to develop lung cancer are people who have given up smoking. Moreover, 10 percent of all lung cancer cases & about 20 percent of women lung cancer cases are found in people who have never smoked throughout their lives.

Myth #2 – More number of women, are found to die from breast cancer in comparison with lung cancer.

Fact – This is untrue & lung cancer in fact is an equal-opportunity disease. More women are found to die of lung cancer than other types of cancer. Moreover, almost half of all lung cancer cases typically occur in women patients.

Myth #3 – There is absolutely nothing a person can do in order to lower risk of developing lung cancer.

Fact – Avoiding smoking can definitely lower risk of a person developing lung cancer. Even awareness about other factors which raise or lower risk of lung cancer will be helpful. Moreover, environmental exposure to radon gas will also increase risk along with occupational exposures at workplace accounting between 13 – 29 percent of lung cancer which are found to occur in men. Nevertheless, healthy diet & regular exercise are found to lower risk of developing lung cancer.

Myth #4 – Since fewer people are smoking nowadays, there is a decline in lung cancer cases.

Fact – This is true but it is however based upon the gender. Lung cancer rates during the past decade have decreased by 1.8 percent per year among males but have increased by about 0.5 percent per year among women.

Myth #5 – Living in a polluted city or polluted environment is a bigger risk than smoking.

Fact – Although, exposure to air pollution & diesel exhausts increases risk of a person developing lung cancer, it is still a smaller risk than indulging in smoking cigarettes.

Myth #6 – Quitting smoking will not help when a person already is having lung cancer.

Fact – There are many reasons to quit smoking in the first place when a person is diagnosed with lung cancer. Moreover, giving up on smoking will also improve chances of lung cancer treatments & make them more effective while lowering risk of dying from lung cancer as well.

Myth #7 – Young people do not get lung cancer.

Fact – This is not true although lung cancer is found to occur more among older people. However, lung cancer can also occur in children & young people. Bronchioloalveolar Cancer (BAC) is a type of lung cancer which increasingly appears among younger women who do not smoke.

Myth #8 – Lung cancer treatment is unfeasible among older patients.

Fact – It is non-sensible to assume that chronological age alone can determine whether to undergo lung cancer treatment. Irrespective of the age factor, young people at heart are most often able to tolerate chemotherapy as good as their younger counterparts & be able to have similar quality of life after lung cancer treatment. Moreover, how well a patient is able to perform normal everyday activities is a better indicator of how a person may tolerate lung cancer treatment.

Myth #9 – Lung cancer surgery will cause the cancer to spread.

Fact – This is a common belief among African Americans that when lung cancer is exposed to air will eventually spread & so surgery as lung cancer treatment may be a dangerous option. However, the truth is that surgery as lung cancer treatment will not cause it to spread & moreover surgery can also be helpful in curing the disease in early stages of the disease.

Myth #10 – Lung cancer invariably has a fatal ending.

Fact – The fact is that majority of people diagnosed with lung cancer happen to be at a stage which is beyond a possible cure & overall survival rates therefore are not encouraging. Nevertheless, lung cancer treatment is still possible even in absence of a cure. Moreover, lung cancer treatments quite often not only help in extending life of the patient but also significantly lessen symptoms of cancer as well.

Affordable Lung Cancer Treatments in India

Apart from being reasonably priced, lung cancer treatments in India are of top quality & comparable with the best that is available in the world. Along with reliable lung cancer treatments, India offers expert healthcare solutions for all kinds of cancers including breast cancer, brain cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer & prostate cancer. Presently, India is a globally favorite medical tourism destination for international patients seeking a wide-spectrum of excellent & affordable medical procedures in other countries for their issues with health. 

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Laser Spine Surgery Vs Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

To begin with, laser spine surgery is still a controversial subject whereas minimally invasive spine surgery is well established & practiced by many orthopedic surgeons. Since there are several misconceptions regarding laser spine surgery, it would be right that we understand what it is before making an informed assessment.

What is Laser Spine Surgery?

Quite often used alongside minimally invasive surgery, laser spine surgery claims to be more efficient & effective than the other. This procedure utilizes laser to cut through in place of the scalpel which is used in traditional procedures. Nevertheless, laser spine surgery also requires an incision so as to insert the laser into the appropriate operation site. This laser is subsequently utilized for removal of soft tissues which are causing herniated disc symptoms. Moreover, lasers only play a small part in the laser spine surgery operation, wherein other operating tools are also required for removal of bone & ligaments.

What is Minimally Invasive Surgery?

Basic goal of minimally invasive surgery is to minimize trauma to surrounding tissue around spine & thereby result in less blood loss, lesser pain along with faster recovery. This is typically achieved by performing the operation through small sized incisions, using an endoscope or operating microscope in order to closely view structures within spine. While the endoscope probes through one small incision, special tiny operating instruments are inserted through another small incision. Muscles are separated through natural planes since they run vertically along back in order to gain access to spine. Healing time is therefore greatly reduced this way in comparison with traditional open spine surgery.

Choosing Between Laser Back Surgery or Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

Although laser spine surgery can be effective for some spine surgeries, it may not be able to achieve successful results in treatment of lumbar disc herniation. However, minimally invasive surgery is able to prove effective in many cases of spinal problems, though tradition open procedures may be required in others. Moreover, since laser is a straight beam of light, it may at times be difficult to maneuver around corners in order to reach appropriate operation sites.

Affordable Laser Spine Surgery in India

India is an excellent destination for international patients to undergo affordable spine surgery at affordable costs, especially for laser spine surgery which is very expensive in other parts of the world. Nevertheless, all types of spine surgeries in India are low cost without compromising on quality of the procedure. Spine surgeons in India are well experienced & globally renowned to be highly skilled in performing the most complex orthopedic operations.

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Spinal Fusion Surgery: All You Should Know About

Spinal fusion surgery is a medical intervention performed to stabilize spine by alleviating harsh pain. During this procedure, spine surgeons join two or more spinal vertebrae to minimize pressure on spinal nerve. It provides relief by restricting discomforting spinal movement. Around 70 % of working professionals experience back problems at some point of time. But not every patient with persisting back pain needs a spine fusion surgery. Spinal fusion surgery is mostly suggested after proper evaluation of underlying spine health.

When is Spinal Fusion Surgery Needed?

Surgeons may prescribe essential medications or suggest physical therapy at first. If all other treatment methods fail to provide relief, then surgery is a good option. Spinal fusion surgery may be needed when patients are experiencing the following back problems from a prolonged period of time.
1. Spondylolisthesis
2. Degenerative disc disease
3. Spinal stenosis
4. Spinal fracture
5. Scoliosis
6. Spine infection
7. Spinal tumor
8. Herniated disc

Risks & Complications Associated with Spinal Fusion Surgery

Some of the potential risks & complications associated with spinal fusion surgery are described below.
1. Reaction to medicines
2. Breathing trouble
3. Heavy bleeding
4. Condition of pseudo arthritis
5. Discomforting pain at the bone graft site
6. Damage to metal implants
7. Clotting of blood
8. Spinal nerve injury
9. Graft rejection
10. Severe infection
11. Failure of procedure
Patients should seek a prompt medical treatment if they experience these signs & symptoms following spinal fusion procedure.

Recovery Following Spinal Fusion Surgery

Usually, patients need to stay in hospital for 1 - 3 days following spinal fusion surgery. Patients may feel uneasiness for few days due to back pain. Spine surgeons will definitely prescribe important pain relievers to minimize it. Spinal vertebrae may take a couple of months to become stable. Until the time, patients should do light exercises & follow all the directions of respective spine surgeons to aid a faster recovery. Doctors will recommend physical therapy once patients attain spinal strength. It may take 4- 6 months for a complete recovery.

Cost-Effective Spinal Fusion Surgery in India

India has become one of the major healthcare travel destination across the world. Billions of international patients visit India for availing medical services every year. Majority of multi-speciality hospitals in India provide a large range of supreme quality spine treatment & surgeries including spinal fusion at economical rates. Spinal fusion surgery cost in India is extremely less as compared to other nations. It costs only one-third of total amount that one may have to give out in western countries like United Kingdom, New Zealand or Australia. India is indeed a great choice for international patients seeking best spinal fusion surgery.

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Who Needs Hip Replacement Surgery?

Painful hips can affect the back & cause trouble doing regular activities like sitting, walking or merely standing. Nearly 6 million people suffer from painful hip condition & fractures every year world-wide. Most common condition that leads to painful hip joint is arthritis disease. Physical therapy & medications can help to relieve the sharp pain. However, if these methods fail to alleviate the pain, then hip surgery can be a good option. Hip Replacement Surgery is a medical intervention to replace the damaged and painful hip joint with an artificial joint. It is usually performed to restore the functionality of hip. It efficiently maximizes patient’s range of motion

Types of Hip Replacement Surgery

Orthopedic surgeons may recommend hip replacement surgery depending on patient’s health condition. Main types of hip replacement surgeries are elaborated below.

1. Total Hip Replacement Surgery - Also known as ‘hip arthroplasty’, hip replacement is a surgical procedure in which surgeon replaces acetabulum (it connects hip joint with pelvis) as well as femoral head (upper part of thigh bone) of hip joint.

2. Partial Hip Replacement Surgery - Partial hip replacement is also referred to as ‘hemiarthroplasty’. During this procedure, only the impaired femoral head is replaced with an artificial prosthetic component.

These procedures are mostly performed to treat hip pain due to hip trauma & conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis & osteonecrosis.

Hip Replacement Recovery

Patients may need to stay 2 – 3 days in hospital following hip replacement surgery. During these days, orthopedic surgeons will monitor patient’s health status. Patients may experience discomfort & pain for few days. Orthopedic surgeons will prescribe essential medicines & drugs to help patient. Surgeons may also recommend light exercises & physical therapy after a couple of weeks. Hip replacement recovery may take 1 – 3 months of time span. Patients should follow instructions given by surgeons in order to recover faster.

Benefits of Hip Replacement Surgery in India

India is one of the major medical tourism hubs across the world. Massive range of hospitals and clinics in India provide a quality hip replacement procedures. Indian orthopedic surgeons are highly talented & well-experienced in handling any type of hip replacement procedure. Furthermore, hip replacement surgery cost in India is quite reasonable. Overseas patients can save up to 70 % of their money by availing medical treatments in India. India is indeed the best choice for international patients seeking cost-effective & excellent hip surgery treatments.

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Types of Spine Surgeries for Back Pain

Back pain is one of the most common complaints of people from all parts of the world. It is a very painful & uncomfortable condition which is usually not serious but one of the main reasons which forces people away from work & makes them visit doctors. Back pain is found to affect people of all ages. However, it is most common among people between 35 to 55 years of age. Research suggests that back pain is typically associated with how our ligaments, muscles & bones of the back work together. Pain in the upper back region is usually due to spine inflammation, tumors in chest region & disorders of the aorta. Reason for pain in low back area is due to skin around lumbar region, pelvic & abdominal internal organs, low-back muscles, nerves & spinal cord, discs & ligaments around spine, discs between vertebrae & the bony portion of lumbar spine.

Types of Spine Surgeries

There are three main types of spine surgeries performed for a number of back pain problems. These include the following.

1. Laminectomy – Removal of lamina or the back portion of bone over the spinal column is called laminectomy. This is most often performed for relieving pinched nerves (compression at nerve roots). This can at times happen to one or more than one nerve roots within the spinal column. Pinched nerves often cause pain in the back as well as in legs. In order to relieve pressure a segment of the entire lamina is sometimes removed.

2. Discectomy – This spine surgery involves removal of herniated vertebral disc in part or full. The procedure involves cutting of the outer annulus fibrosis at first while removing nucleus pulposus in order to relieve pressure on nerve root. Dissection is subsequently performed for removing ligament running from front to back for accessing spinal canal. Protruding disc material or any bone spurs are then removed through the ligament.

3. Spinal Fusion – This spine surgery procedure permanently fuses one or more than vertebrae. This will allow stability at that segment & correct deformity so as to relieve pain. For this purpose orthopedic surgeons usually harvest small pieces of bone from pelvic or hip region. This is meant to be placed between vertebrae. Spinal fusion operation may then go on to involve plates, metal cages, screws, rods or wires in order to provide immediate stability in many cases.

Affordable Spine Surgery in India

Spine surgery cost in India is unbelievably low when compared to similar procedures in the developed western world without having to compromise on quality. Apart from spine surgery costs, spine surgeons in India are some of the best in the world & many of whom have in fact initially trained & experienced in medically advanced countries like United Kingdom, Canada & the United States. Undergoing spine surgeries in India therefore is an excellent choice for international patients seeking affordable healthcare solutions beyond their homeland.

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How to Fix Bow Legs

Bowlegs is a situation where the ankles and feet are close to each other while the knees are far wide apart. The condition is typical among toddlers and children; anyhow, the deformity may also expand to the later years in case if it is not treated. In patients with bow legs, the shin bone (tibia), and sometimes the thigh bone (femur), are bent. Bow legs are a normal growth stage among children who are under 3 years of age. Infants are often born bow-legged due to their bent position in their mother’s womb.

As a matter of fact, it is rather common for children to look bow legged to a slight extent. Toddlers have bow legs which might even inhibit with their walking. Many bowed legs cases in toddlers often result from what is known as physiologic genu varum; a term which physician use to refer to the variation in the normal appearance which makes a toddler look bow-legged. A toddler with the change in the joint aspect of the legs begins improving at around the ages of 12 to 19 months. As I noticed earlier, by the age of 3 years, the problem will have resolved itself without the requirement for any treatment. Anyhow, if bow legs appear to be still present in the older kids or adults, treatment will be needed.

Bowlegs can cause pain in the knees and movement restrictions, especially in the older kids. Some people are born with bow legs, while others might develop the situation in one leg due to damage. Anyhow, the primary issue with bow legs is that the osteoarthritis situation might develop in the medial (inner part of your knee), causing swelling, and pain and eventually, problems arise when it comes to engaging in the usual day to day activities. The situation can be worsened by obesity or overuse of knee joints and can become quite a critical issue if the cartilage (medial meniscus) is separated.

What Causes Bowed Legs?

There are some medical states which are answerable for bow legs. For instance, Blount’s illness is one such medical state which influences the bone growth, which results in the unprecedented growth of shin bone or upper part of the tibia, leading to bow legs. Both adults and toddlers can expand the condition. Anyhow, Blount’s disease is capable of being treated. If it is found early in children, leg braces are used so as to correct it. If the bowing of legs rises or persists in spite use of braces, surgery might be necessary.

There are other rare situations which might also result in bow legs in children. For instance, metabolism disorders like rickets (which is a vitamin D deficiency), may also lead to bow legs. Below given are some of the primary causes of Bow legs:

A fracture, trauma or damage that has not healed correctly.

An unusual bone development may cause bow legs to occur.

Fluoride and lead poisoning can also be liable for bow legs.

Rickets may cause confirmed cases of bow legs; caused due to lack of vitamin D.

Blount’s disease can also be blameworthy for the development of bowlegs.

How Are Bow Legs Fixed?

Pilates

Pilates can be quite successful when it comes to improving the intrinsic muscles, realigning your body, and correcting your posture and bow legs. Some exercises like ballerina's arms’ and roll up, may provide you power to tone the legs and grow the muscles in the abdomen; you can raise your legs up and then lay down on your back. Then, you can keep the legs together while moving them up and down swiftly. You can then raise your upper torso off the floor surface and harden your abdominal muscles. Performing Pilates is one great way of fixing bow legs.

Massage Therapy Exercises

During the massage therapy exercise, a therapist will move your legs back and forth repeatedly for an expanded period. The massage therapy will support in correcting the bow legs in due course. The procedure will sometimes be repeated before you see noticeable outcomes.

Leg Exercises

This kind of exercise is mainly targeted at strengthening the muscles around your knees; it will lower the strain exerted on your joints and tendons and will advance your bowed legs. Anyhow, the leg exercises can only be truly successful if the bowed legs situation is slight to some extent. One of the leg exercises which can be done easily is; lying flat on the bench, folding the knees and then placing a 10-pound weight in between your feet. You should fold your legs till you touch your butt and then extend them. The procedure should be repeated for unlimited times.

Stretches

Stretching is another vital way of improving the legs, the posture and also the rest of the body. Some exercises like yoga will help lengthen your body’s muscles and give strength to the center and the core of these muscles. Stretching will also support in realigning your muscular and skeletal systems, thereby enabling better support for your body.

Vitamin D

Bowlegs may also be an outcome of vitamin D deficiency. For instance, rickets (caused due to vitamin D deficiency), can cause bow legs to grow. Therefore, increasing vitamin D levels can support in preventing rickets from growing, and in turn, might help in correcting the bow legs of a child.

Medical Braces

Some special shoes, casts and leg braces, can be used to support and to treat bow legs in young children. Medical braces are typically used if the bow legs situation is rather severe on a child, and they have another disease in additional to bow legs. The child should wear the braces till the leg bones get straightened.

Surgery

In adults who have critical cases of Bowlegs, bow leg correction surgery is the only alternative. The surgery will shift the way the bones are resting on the knees, and it will correct your bow legs while lowering the strain exerted on the cartilage. Bow leg correction surgery is considered as an ideal procedure in regards to correcting bowlegs in adults with severe cases of bowlegs.

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All You Need To Know About Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery

Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery is the surgical procedure that may be performed through a 4-inch incision which is half the length of a typical knee replacement incision. The incisions allow the surgeon to insert the small tools and instruments specifically designed to move around the soft tissue rather than cut through it. Minimally invasive knee replacement surgery is a technique and not an implant. The surgeon can lengthen the incision if needed during the surgery and select the implant that will best treat your specific condition.

Benefits of Minimally Invasive Knee Replacement Surgery

The replacement surgery is performed to get rid of the knee problems that may be caused due to arthritis or any other deformity. Hence the technique has some benefits which are listed below-

• The hospital stays are shorter with this technique.
• The technique offers accelerated recovery process
• Minimum blood loss
• Less scar tissue
• No damage to healthy tissue and muscles.
• Quicker mobilization.
• The incisions are smaller
• Less pain
• Reduced risk of infection

Complications with the Technique

Nothing is perfect likewise every technique has some sort of risks and complications associated with it. Some of the complications of minimally invasive knee replacement surgery are-

• Blood clots can be observed.
• Implant Breakage
• Misalignment and premature wear.
• One can experience stiffness and pain
• Excessive weight after the surgery can affect the longevity of the implant.

Before Surgery

The patients are suggested to go for strengthening exercises to prepare themselves for the surgery and recovery thereafter. The patient might need to follow a proper nutrition plan to ensure optimum health before surgery. The surgeon might work with a medical physician before the surgery to obtain tests. You may be guided on how to prepare your home to avoid any kind of mishaps.

After The Surgery

The surgeon may keep the patient on unique pain program to reduce the postoperative pain. This will, in turn, help the patient in speeding up the recovery in combination with the rehabilitation. The patient can expect a stay of 2-3 days in the hospital post surgery. Pain medications and physical therapies are followed. The patient is allowed to move the knee as soon as possible after the surgery to enhance the blood flow in order to regain the motion of the knee. Within 24 hours the patient is made to move out of the bed and walk with crutches or walker. The patient will be guided with the variety of exercise designed to regain the strength and mobility in their knee which they should perform on their own at home. At home, it is mandatory for the patient to continue with the exercises as instructed by the physician.

Recovery

The recovery time will vary from person to person but usually, it takes 2 weeks to get back to the routine. However, the time taken for recovery in minimally invasive knee replacement surgery is half the time required for traditional knee replacement surgery. Strictly follow the instructions of the surgeon of when to get back to the daily activities and which activities are to be avoided. Choosing minimally invasive technique over traditional concept is always a smart move as the Cost of knee replacement surgery is also low and affordable with more positive outcomes.

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