What started as a minor bite turned into a terrifying medical emergency. This terrifying image shows a severely swollen and blackened hand—an advanced infection that spread rapidly within hours. Doctors believe it may have been caused by a spider or insect bite, or possibly by an aggressive form of necrotizing fasciitis, also known as flesh-eating bacteria.
If you ever notice swelling, severe pain, or discoloration like this after a bite or injury, seek emergency medical help IMMEDIATELY. Delaying treatment can lead to permanent tissue damage or worse.
Infections like this can become severe quickly and require urgent surgery to remove the affected tissue.
SHARE this post to alert your loved ones. A simple warning could save a life.
Before relying on tests for answers, you already have a natural screening tool: your body. Paying attention to your body can give you helpful clues to detect diseases, like cancer, that you might otherwise miss. Early detection is critical to cancer progression, so if you notice any of these early warning signs, consult your doctor to see if you need further testing.
Indirect symptoms
Cancer can manifest in many ways, and not all symptoms are directly related to the primary tumor or the affected area. Indirect symptoms of cancer are those that may arise due to the body’s response to the disease or its impact on other systems. These symptoms can be subtle or mimic other conditions, making them easy to ignore. Understanding these indirect symptoms is essential for early detection and timely intervention, which can significantly improve the outcomes for people affected by cancer.
1. Wheezing/shortness of breath
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Lung cancer patients recall noticing this as one of their first symptoms, but initially not associating it with cancer.
2. Frequent fevers or infections
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It’s often a sign of leukemia, a cancer of the blood cells that originates in the bone marrow. It causes the marrow to produce abnormal white blood cells that hinder the body’s ability to fight infections.
3. Difficulty swallowing
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It is most commonly associated with throat cancer, but it could also be a good indicator of lung cancer.
4. Weakness and fatigue
It is such a common symptom of cancer that it must be examined in combination with other symptoms to determine what it is.
5. Feeling of satiety and inability to eat.
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This is a sign of ovarian cancer. Loss of appetite, even after a period of not eating, is a clue.
6. Anorexia
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This could be an early sign of pancreatic cancer. A sudden aversion to coffee, wine, or tobacco may also be related.
Visible body changes
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Cancer can cause visible changes in the body, which vary depending on the type and stage of the disease. These changes may include alterations in the appearance of the skin, unexplained weight loss or gain, or swelling in certain areas. Being aware of these visible body changes can help people recognize potential warning signs of cancer and seek medical attention immediately. Early detection is key to successful treatment, so it’s crucial to understand and monitor any noticeable changes in the body.
7. Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
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A common sign of colorectal cancer. Blood in the toilet bowl should be a serious enough sign to see a doctor immediately.
8. Lumps in the neck, armpits, or groin.
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Swollen lymph nodes indicate changes in the lymphatic system that may lead to cancer.
9. Excessive bruising or bleeding that does not stop.
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It suggests abnormalities in platelets and red blood cells, which can be a sign of leukemia. Leukemia cells crowd out red blood cells, impairing the blood’s ability to carry oxygen and causing clots to form.
10. Abdominal bloating or weight gain
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Patients with ovarian cancer reported unexplained swelling that appeared suddenly and continued for a significant period of time.
11. Unexplained weight loss
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An early sign of colon cancer and other digestive cancers. It’s also a sign of cancer that has spread to the liver, affecting appetite and the body’s ability to eliminate waste.
12. A red, sore, or swollen breast
Indicates inflammatory breast cancer. Any unexplained changes should be reported to a doctor immediately. Breast cancer patients have also noticed a flattened, inverted, or deviated nipple.
13. Swelling of facial features
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Patients with lung cancer have reported facial swelling, inflammation, or redness. Small cell lung tumors commonly block blood vessels in the chest, impeding blood flow to the head.
14. A sore or lump on the skin that bleeds, crusts over, or does not heal.
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Different types of skin cancer (melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma) can cause this, so be wary of any strange-looking growths or spots.
A brown or black spot under the nail may indicate skin cancer. Pale or white nails may be a sign of liver cancer. Clubbed fingers, which are enlarged fingers with nails that curl downward at the tips, may be a sign of lung cancer.
Pain
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Pain is a common symptom experienced by people with cancer and can vary in intensity and nature depending on the type and location of the disease. This pain may be due to the tumor pressing on nerves, bones, or organs, or it may be a side effect of treatments such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Recognizing and managing cancer-related pain is essential for improving quality of life and overall well-being. Understanding the different pain symptoms associated with cancer can help guide appropriate pain management and medical care.
16. Unusually heavy or painful menstrual periods, bleeding between periods.
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A common sign of endometrial or uterine cancer. A transvaginal ultrasound should be considered if the problem persists.
17. Chronic cough or chest pain.
Leukemia and lung tumors (among others) present symptoms that may resemble a severe cough or bronchitis. Some patients also reported chest pain that radiated to the shoulder and arms.
18. Pelvic/abdominal pain
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Pelvic pain and cramping may be related to the signs of swelling caused by ovarian cancer. Leukemia also causes this because it enlarges the spleen.
19. Pain in the back or lower right side.
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It’s often an early sign of liver cancer. Breast cancer can also be detected using this method, as a breast tumor can press into the chest or spread to the spine or ribs.
20. Upset stomach
