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Copywriting丨Dr. Li's health protection
Editor丨Dr. Li Health Guard
In the dead of night, a person lies in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep. It's as simple as insomnia, it could be that the body is alerting you. Especially when this condition is accompanied by some special symptoms, it needs to be taken seriously. Lung cancer, a disease that makes people smell and change color, may even reveal itself quietly in your sleep.
It is well known that lung cancer is one of the malignancies with the highest morbidity and mortality in the world today. According to the World Health Organization, about 2.2 million people worldwide are diagnosed with lung cancer and 1.8 million die from lung cancer every year. Lung cancer is also the most common malignant tumor in China and the leading cause of cancer death.
Worryingly, lung cancer often has no obvious symptoms in the early stages, and by the time symptoms appear, it is often in the middle and advanced stages. This makes early detection and diagnosis even more important. Some abnormal manifestations during sleep may be a sign of early lung cancer.
What symptoms during sleep may indicate the arrival of lung cancer?
1. Coughing at night is hard to stop
In the middle of the night, a dry cough shattered the silence. This cough is different from the common cold in that it lasts long and is difficult to control. Cough in people with lung cancer is often caused by a tumor that irritates the trachea or bronchi. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this condition belongs to "insufficient lung qi", and the function of the lungs is dysfunctional. Western medicine explains that the tumor compresses or invades the airway, causing the airway to be irritated.
2. Difficulty breathing during sleep
Some people suddenly feel breathless or even wake up in their sleep. This may be due to a tumor blocking the airway or compressing lung tissue, resulting in a decline in lung function. Traditional Chinese medicine calls it "lung qi weakness", which is believed to be the impaired function of the lungs. Whether from the perspective of both Chinese and Western medicine, this is a warning sign.
3. Night sweats
Waking up in the middle of the night to find the bedding soaked is called night sweats. Night sweats can be caused by a variety of causes, but they are also a common symptom of lung cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that this is a manifestation of "yin deficiency and fire", while Western medicine interprets it as a metabolic disorder and immune response caused by tumors.
4. Chest pain during sleep
Chest pain is a disturbing symptom, especially during sleep. If chest pain persists or worsens, it may be that lung cancer has invaded the pleura or chest wall. Traditional Chinese medicine calls it "qi stagnation and blood stasis", which is considered to be a manifestation of poor flow of qi and blood. Either way, it's a warning sign that you need immediate medical attention.
5. Abnormal sleep posture
Some lung cancer patients find that they are unable to sleep on their back and can only be semi-sitting. This may be due to dyspnea or pleural effusion due to tumor compression. Traditional Chinese medicine attributes it to "phlegm-dampness block", which is believed to be caused by the accumulation of phlegm-dampness in the body.
It is important to emphasize that these symptoms do not necessarily mean that it is lung cancer. Many other conditions can cause similar symptoms. For example, chronic bronchitis, asthma, heart disease, etc. may also cause a nighttime cough or difficulty breathing. Night sweats may be a sign of menopausal syndrome or hyperthyroidism. Chest pain may be related to heart disease or gastroesophageal reflux.
How can we deal with these symptoms?
First, be vigilant but don't panic. If these symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention. The doctor will conduct a detailed consultation and physical examination according to the specific situation, and arrange relevant examinations if necessary.
For the diagnosis of lung cancer, imaging and pathological examinations are mainly relied on. Chest X-ray and CT are the most commonly used imaging tests to detect abnormal images of the lungs. Pathological tests, such as bronchoscopic biopsy or CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy, confirm the diagnosis.
In recent years, the development of liquid biopsy technology has brought new hope for the early diagnosis of lung cancer. By detecting circulating tumor DNA or circulating tumor cells in the blood, the presence of cancer can be detected at a very young age. The advantage of this technology is that it is non-invasive and reproducible, and it is expected to become an important means of lung cancer screening in the future.
In addition to active diagnosis, prevention is equally important. Quitting smoking is the most effective way to prevent lung cancer. Smoking is a major risk factor for lung cancer, with about 80-90% of lung cancers associated with smoking. In addition, avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke, reducing air pollution, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can all help reduce the risk of lung cancer.
TCM also has unique insights in the prevention and adjuvant treatment of lung cancer. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the lungs and the large intestine are on the inside and outside, so keeping the large intestine open is also important for lung health. Commonly used traditional Chinese medicines such as Astragalus membranaceus and Radix Radix Radix can invigorate qi and strengthen the spleen and enhance the body's immunity. Honeysuckle, forsythia, etc. have the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, which can help remove toxins from the body.
It is worth mentioning that the combination of traditional Chinese and Western medicine plays an increasingly important role in the treatment of lung cancer. Western medicine can directly attack tumors with surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other treatment methods, while traditional Chinese medicine can regulate body functions, reduce treatment side effects, and improve quality of life. For example, acupuncture can relieve nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, and traditional Chinese medicine can improve radiation pneumonitis after radiotherapy.
Despite advances in medicine, the treatment of lung cancer still faces great challenges. The five-year survival rate for advanced lung cancer remains low, which once again highlights the importance of early detection and early treatment.
In recent years, precision medicine has brought new hope to the treatment of lung cancer. Through genetic testing, doctors can select the most suitable targeted drugs for patients to improve treatment outcomes. Immunotherapy has also made breakthroughs in the treatment of lung cancer, which is expected to become a new direction for lung cancer treatment in the future.
Returning to the topic of sleep, a good night's sleep may help us detect disease signals early, and it can also boost our immunity and help the body fight off various diseases. Maintaining a regular routine and creating a good sleeping environment are also important parts of disease prevention.
Lung cancer is scary, but it's not invincible. By being vigilant, spotting abnormal signs in the body in time, and having regular check-ups, it is entirely possible for us to detect problems at an early stage of the disease. Once an abnormality is found, timely medical treatment and active treatment, combined with the advantages of traditional Chinese and Western medicine, we can greatly improve the possibility of cure.
Health is life's most valuable asset, and prevention is better than cure. Let's pay attention to our bodies, cherish every good sleep, and escort our health. After all, only with a healthy body can we better pursue our dreams and enjoy the beauty of life.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!