Early Signs Of Oral Cancer: What You Need To Know?

Published on: 05 December 2024 Last Updated on: 06 December 2024

Early signs of oral cancer are persistent mouth sores, unexplained bleeding, difficulty swallowing, and changes in voice. In such cases, you must visit an oncologist, an expert who deals with cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers worldwide. It can affect the mouth, tongue, gums, and throat. In fact, there are several factors that contribute to its development. These include tobacco use, excessive alcohol consumption, prolonged sun exposure, and infections like HPV.

However, early detection plays a crucial role in increasing the chances of successful treatment. Also, it helps in improving outcomes. In this article, you will get details about the early signs of oral cancer and what you should be mindful of. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.

What Is Oral Cancer?

Oral cancer is one of the most common forms of neck/head cancer. Generally, it affects people above 60 years of age. In fact, oral cancer first affects your lips, tongue, mouth roof, and mouth floor. Apart from that, it also affects your oropharynx, which is the last part of your tongue. Also, it might affect the roof of your mouth, the sides and the back of your throat, and your tonsils.

At first, oral cancer can look like a common problem in your mouth and your lips. For instance, you can see white patches or bleeding sores. Basically, the difference between a common problem and a potential cancer is that the problems do not go away.

Here, if you leave the problems without any treatment for a long time, it can spread through your mouth and your throat. Moreover, it will also spread to other areas of your head and neck.

8 Common Warning Signs of Oral Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore

Recognizing the early signs of oral cancer can significantly improve treatment outcomes. Here are eight common symptoms you must watch for and discuss with a cancer specialist promptly.

1. Presence of White/Red Patches in the Mouth

A classic sign of potential oral cancer is the presence of white or red patches in the mouth without any reason. Patches can occur on the tongue, roof of the mouth, inner cheeks, or gums. Patches can be painful sometimes but are usually asymptomatic.

However, you must not ignore them. If you see any of these patches extending more than a few weeks, visit an oncologist for a checkup at Apollo Hospital Belapur. Here, you will get a thorough examination.

2. Persistent Mouth Sores

Oral cancer can be indicated by mouth sores that do not heal within two weeks. The sores may be on the tongue, inside the cheeks, or gums, or on the roof of the mouth. However, getting sores in the mouth is quite common.

Still, you must let an oncologist evaluate sores that don’t improve. Don’t ignore the sores if they are painless or persistent. It could mean something more serious.

3. Difficulty Swallowing or Chewing

Pain or discomfort when swallowing or chewing food may be a sign of oral cancer. When there is a tumor blocking the throat or esophagus, difficulty swallowing or dysphagia often occurs. In some cases, this symptom may be accompanied by a feeling that food gets stuck in the throat or chest.

However, if this continues, it is important to see a specialist to help diagnose any underlying health issue early on.

4. Unexplained Bleeding

Unexplained bleeding on the inside of the mouth is a cause for concern. It could be blood in your saliva or while you brush your teeth. However, if there is any unexplained bleeding from the gums, tongue, or mouth, you must immediately visit a healthcare professional.

Apart from that, bleeding from your gums can be a sign of a minor gum problem. However, if it’s consistent or unusual, it could mean something more serious, such as oral cancer. If you are bleeding, don’t hesitate to visit the best oncologist in Mumbai to get it evaluated.

5. Numbness or Pain in the Mouth or Jaw

If you have numbness or persistent pain in the mouth or jaw that doesn’t go away with over-the-counter pain relief, don’t ignore it. This may mean that cancer is affecting the nerves in your mouth or jaw area. This pain can get worse over time and often comes with other symptoms, such as difficulty moving the jaw or feeling fullness in the mouth.

Hence, you must consult a medical expert. Basically, the expert can help in figuring out the reason behind it and suggesting reasonable treatment alternatives.

6. Unexplained Weight Loss

Sudden weight loss, especially if it is unintentional, can be a sign of a number of health conditions, including oral cancer. Cancer cells can interfere with your body’s metabolism, leading to weight loss.

Moreover, if you get sudden weight loss along with other symptoms such as mouth sores, pain, or difficulty swallowing, see a medical expert as soon as possible. Early diagnosis can enhance the prognosis and treatment options for oral cancer.

7. Changes in Voice or Hoarseness

If you find that your voice or hoarseness doesn’t go away, it could be because oral cancer is affecting your vocal cords or the area around them. If the hoarseness lasts more than a couple of weeks, it’s a good idea to consult an oncologist. Any change in voice should be evaluated to rule out any serious condition, including oral cancer.

8. Lumps or Swelling in the Neck

Signs that the cancer may have spread to nearby lymph nodes include swelling or lumps in the neck. At first, these lumps may be painless, but they can become tender as the disease progresses. If you see any lumps or swelling in your neck, you should see a doctor right away.

An oncologist will evaluate these lumps. Also, the expert will ensure an accurate diagnosis to find whether these lumps are cancerous.

Activities that Increase Oral Cancer

The following are some of the major activities that increase oral cancer:

Smoking (cigarettes, pipes, and cigars)
Other tobacco products include chewing tobacco, snuff, water pipes, dip, etc.
Drinking excessive amounts of Alcohol daily.
Spending a lot of time under the sun without protecting the lips.
Having the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Having a history of oral cancer in the family.

Detecting Oral Cancer: The Way Forward

Recognizing the early signs of oral cancer is critical for effective treatment and improving your overall prognosis. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential to seek professional medical advice promptly.

For instance, the Apollo Hospital Belapur, located in Navi Mumbai, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. It has expert oncologists who specialize in diagnosing and treating oral cancer. You can consult the best oncologist at Apollo Hospital for a thorough evaluation and a personalized treatment plan.

Basically, you must stay vigilant and consult an expert as soon as you notice unusual symptoms. This way, you can increase your chances of early detection, ensuring that your oral health remains in the best condition possible.

Do you have more suggestions to add on how to detect oral cancer? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.

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Soumava Goswami

A passionate writer and an avid reader, Soumava is academically inclined and loves writing on topics requiring deep research. Having 3+ years of experience, Soumava also loves writing blogs in other domains, including digital marketing, business, technology, travel, and sports.

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11 Effective Ways To Improve Testosterone Levels In Your Body

Testosterone and how it affects our body: We are generally aware of testosterone as the sex hormone responsible for ‘manhood’. This hormone is also known as “Human Growth Hormone” (HGH). It is entirely right that it is essential for playing a critical role in metabolism, stimulating sexual desire, increase libido, sexual arousal and satisfaction. Both men and women produce testosterone but females produce it in relatively lower quantity than men. Testosterone is secreted in testes and adrenal glands in men, whereas in women, it is produced in the adrenals and ovaries. This hormone peaks during the early twenties and then goes on to decrease by 10% in the successive decades of aging. Besides all this, it is also required for maintaining healthy pain response, sufficient levels of RBC, regular sleep patterns, bone density, muscle mass, and high energy levels. As we grow, our testosterone levels start declining. Our lifestyle is also responsible for lowering of testosterone levels. Insufficient nutrition, low vitamin-D levels, weight gain, inadequate exercise and prescription drugs (statins) are some of the main reasons for the lowering of testosterone levels. 40% of men over 45 years are affected by low testosterone level. Visible symptoms of low levels are observed in decreased sexual drive, frequent mood-swings, difficulty in concentrating, Good level of Testosterone Poor level of Testosterone Sharper mind Fatigue Happy Moods Risk of Alzheimer’s disease High confidence levels Depressed Healthy Heart Increased fat tissues Healthy libido Erectile dysfunction and poor libido Strong and healthy bones Risk of osteoporosis Full of energy Short of memory Naturally effective ways to increase Testosterone Levels in your body: Boosting your testosterone level turns out to be a basic necessity to keep yourself healthy and effectively productive at all levels. It will improve your energy levels, confidence, and happy moods to tackle day to day problems of your life in a much more pleasant manner. It is always better to adopt a lifestyle which helps you in improving the T-levels so as to attain its numerous health benefits. However, if nothing seems to work out to improve your testosterone levels, you should consider medical assistance from a reputed organization. Talking about which, professionals from Kingsberg Medical can help you with any doubts regarding your growth hormone therapy or current levels of testosterone in your body. ● Get adequate and quality sleep: Getting enough sleep at the right times of the day tends to be one of the most effective natural ways to raise testosterone levels. Most people require 6 to 7 hours of sleep during the night. The body resets itself every night and releases chemicals like cortisol, which contribute towards the balancing of overall hormone levels and prevent lowering of T-levels. Some endocrinologists claim that one hour of sleep between 10 pm and 2 am has similar healing effects on your body which are resulted by two hours of sleep before or after this time. So ideally, one should go to bed around 10 pm and wake up at around 6 am for optimal hormone balance. ● Stress reduction: People with lower testosterone levels are often found to be struggling with frustration, unforgiveness and anger issues. This chronic stress kills your quality of life. You need to find ways to relieve your stress to keep your testosterone levels up. To begin with, you can make a list of people you wish to forgive and then do so. Also, it is essential if you can turn to religious books or personal growth books. You can also seek the help of a personal counselor. Take care of your emotional issues, resentment, unforgiveness, anger and frustration and you will find yourself much more relieved and stress-free. Ultimately, raising your testosterone levels naturally. ● Fasting intermittently: Intermittent fasting is one of the most natural testosterone boosters. It has been observed to increase the T-level by 200 % or even up to 400 %. A study conducted by a medical school found that growth hormone levels increased manifold in men who didn't consume any calories for 24 hours and growth hormone levels are further correlated with testosterone. Basically, intermittent fasting means that you skip your breakfast and eat your meals close together. You can eat three meals per day with three hours of an interval, starting at noon and ending by sunset. This paves the way to a relaxation routine of your organs, particularly liver which is known to be highly related to testosterone levels in your body. ● Use of healthy fats: Another natural way is to add a lot of healthy fats in your diet. If you have a dire habit of consuming junk food and too many carbohydrates, then you must get rid of those habits and add healthy fats to your food habits. There are three categories of healthy fat. Firstly, healthy saturated fat is right for your health. It is generally found in coconut oil and raw fermented dairy products, like yogurt or milk cheese. Avoid conventional dairy products because it dampens your testosterone. The other type of fat that your body needs is omega-3 fatty acids. You can readily consume chia seeds, Flaxseeds and walnuts to keep up the supply of vital omega-3s. Lastly, monounsaturated fats are also gainful in naturally hiking the level of testosterone. ● Use of Vitamin-D and other vitamin supplements: Another crucial nutrient to restore healthy testosterone levels is vitamin D3. In case of those suffering from vitamin D deficiency, it is absolutely necessary that you get out in the sun regularly in order to get your body detoxified and have the essential dose of Vitamin D. Herbs like ginseng benefit healthy testosterone levels, making it yet another natural testosterone booster. The best way to increase your vitamin-D levels is sun exposure. You only need 20-30 minutes of exposure to a large amount of skin. If your skin isn’t conditioned to this exposure, start slow walking with 10 minutes a day and gradually work up to 20-30 minutes. ● Figure out a Balanced Diet: It's apparent that having good eating habits is significantly essential when you need to keep your testosterone level rich and maintain your overall health. Low testosterone levels and overweight contributes to a variety of inflammatory conditions and impaired neurological function. Overeating and irregular dieting disrupt hormone levels. This effect is mostly observed in athletes and people who are very active. The best diets are those that include mostly whole foods and offer a healthy balance of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. A healthy and nutritious diet keeps all hormones levels in the body balanced and promotes optimal long-term health. ● Lower body fat and weight: It has been observed that lower body fat and weight loss help increase testosterone levels naturally. When you consider the effects of insulin resistance and poor sleeping habits has on testosterone, it really makes sense that it is all closely interlinked with obesity. Obese males tend to have 50% fewer testosterone levels than those who are not overweight. So basically, you need to cut out on processed sugars from your diet, which has links to insomnia, obesity, diabetes and a number of other hormone disorders. ● Heavy-weight Training: If you want to boost your testosterone level naturally, then this one of the best ways to do so for those who are physically capable of exercising at a gym. Hitting the gym for least three days a week and lifting heavy weights can do the job for you. Strength training helps in providing T-levels in your body so that you can overcome the deficiency of the growth hormone. Burst training not only boosts T-levels, but it also helps keeps your testosterone elevated and prevents its decline. Burst training involves exercising at 90–100 % of your maximum effort for a short interval in order to burn your body’s stored sugar (glycogen). Along with improving your T-levels, this way you can effectively burn between 3–9 times more fat, lower your resting heart rate, keep blood pressure in check and your brain young by increasing blood circulation. ● Review medication and detox liver: While prescription medications help manage a variety of health conditions, they are one of the most common reasons for low testosterone levels. Several medications used for lowering cholesterol may partially work by reducing testosterone. If you suspect your low testosterone is due to prescribed medications, you should bring these concerns to their doctor's attention. Your liver is very crucial to have effectively decent testosterone levels. An improperly functioning liver can take a severe hit on the amount of this hormone present in your body. Men with cirrhosis of the liver tend to lose testosterone level with the growing disease. So it is very vital that you have a healthy liver to keep up your testosterone level naturally. ● Practice deep breathing: Deep breathing helps in calming an overactive nervous system and relax the body. This lowers stress hormone and improves the production of sex hormones like testosterone that are needed for growth and repair. The best way to adopt this way is to do yoga exercises or carry out a simple exercise in a field involving deep breathing in and out for about thirty minutes a day. It will improve your respiratory system and supply fresh oxygen to your brain cells to rejuvenate the processing of thinking and release hormones in your body balancing out the requirements of testosterone by your body at an optimal level. ● Maintain Zinc and Magnesium levels: Make sure to balance out your zinc and magnesium levels. Both these nutrients are vital factors to testosterone production in your body. You can try out methods like using pumpkin seeds to deal with low levels of these elements in the body. Studies suggest that focusing on improving Magnesium level can have a significant impact on the net level of testosterone in a person. It has been observed that taking supplements for at least one month might increase testosterone in general. You need to carry out various thoughtful dietary changes to boost your level of magnesium and zinc deficiency. This can be done by including items lime dark leafy greens vegetables and whole grains in your regular diet. Zinc is also an ingredient in dark green vegetables, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds. Creatine which occurs naturally in salmon, tuna, and beef has proved to be a reliable source of increasing testosterone. Advice: Those who are concerned about their testosterone levels should see their doctor. In case, you need a therapy it is always better to adopt natural ways as well to improve it. Read Also: 7 Healthy Habits That Make Us Look Younger Flexoplex Reviews: Is It The Best Joint Supplement Of 2019?

Top Simple but Effective Ways To Get Your Eyebrows Thicker

Both women and girls always dream of having thicker, darker eyebrows. You can totally achieve your dream by growing your eyebrows through natural ways. Well-shaped eyebrows affect your appearance. A lot of people were treating their eyebrows in wrong ways due to threading, over plucking even waxing. Sometimes, eyebrow hair loss is the result of nutritional deficiencies, aging process as well as poor cosmetic application or even poor medical conditions such as eczema, alopecia areata or hypothyroidism. Such medical treatments as radiation, chemotherapy also trigger hair loss, including your eyebrow line. So basically thin eyebrows are just a result of hair loss. Fortunately, nowadays we invent a load of natural ways to thicker eyebrows. Let’s start with 5 amazing, natural ways to thicker eyebrows. Read also: Top 4 Natural Combination For You To Eliminate Blackheads (Infographics) How To Remove Acne Scars Naturally Tips To Lose Weight Naturally Castor oil grows thicker eyebrows: As we all know, the oil contains a load of rich nutrients for growing thicker eyebrows. Protein, fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, all of these compounds help foster the hair and nourish hair growth. Moreover, they are helpful in fighting any microorganisms, which hamper the eyebrow hair growing process. How to apply: Steep a cotton cloth in 100% pure castor oil and massage it gently on your eyebrows for 2 – 3 minutes. Let them absorb the oil for at least 30 minutes or leave it overnight. After 30 minutes or in the next morning, rinse it off with warm water and a mild cleanser. Keep doing this process daily, after a couple of weeks you will see the amazing results. Note: Do not use castor oil if it causes any burning or irritation. Coconut oil increases eyebrows hair’s density: Coconut oil is famous for its various proteins and nutrients such as vitamin E, iron. In order to grow more sensitive and more impressive eyebrows, coconut oil is the most preferable choice. On the other hand, coconut oil helps your eyebrows have a darker color. How to apply: Drop a little bit on your palm or your fingertips, apply the oil on your eyebrows. Gently massage it your eyebrows in order to increase blood circulation and help the hair to absorb the oil. Let it steep overnight. In the following morning, wash it off with lukewarm water. Repeat the process regularly in a few months and notice the changes of your eyebrows. Olive oil serves as a natural way: Similar to coconut oil, olive oil has become well known so far. Famous for being rich in vitamins, especially vitamin E, it can aid your eyebrow hair to grow thicker and faster. Furthermore, olive oil keeps your eyebrows dark-hued. How to apply: Put a few drops of olive oil on your palm, heat the oil by rubbing your hand together. Massage the warm oil on your eyebrows for about 5 minutes before going to sleep. Leave the oil overnight, in the next morning, wash it off with lukewarm water. On the other hand, if you don’t feel like directly applying the oil on your eyebrow hair, you can do it differently. Grab ½ teaspoon of olive oil and mix it with a little bit of honey. Heat the mixture with your hand by rubbing it then massage thoroughly on your eyebrow hair for a couple of minutes. Repeat the process by leaving it for 30 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water. You can choose either of these two remedies once per day until you achieve the required results. Onion juice – a strong fighter: It may sound strange but it actually turns out very efficient. Onion juice provides sulfur, which boosts the making of collagen tissues. It is proved that collagen tissues are required for growing thicker eyebrows because it strengthens your eyebrow hair’s follicles. How to apply: Grind or smash an onion to extract the juice. Massage the juicy liquid on your eyebrows within 5 minutes. Permit it to dry itself then rinse off by using a mild cleanser along with cold water. Obey this treatment daily in a few weeks for the best result. Aloe vera sometimes presents as preferable choice: In addition to black eyes treatment, to grow thicker eyebrows, aloe vera is a good option. Aloe vera provides moisturizing properties as well as enzymes, both of which nourish the hair loss and help your hair to grow thicker and faster. Not only nourishing the hair, but aloe vera also soften the skin parts where you applied it. How to apply: - First, extract the gel and the flesh from an aloe vera leaf. Apply the gel on your eyebrows, let it absorb for 15 to 30 minutes till it dry. After that, rinse off the gel with lukewarm water. - Another choice is to buy the extracted gel in local drugs store. Mix the gel with coconut oil or use a few drops of honey to get the best result. After mixing, apply the mixture on your eyebrows then leave it for 30 minutes before washing off with warm water. Note: Strictly follow each one of these remedies every day in a couple of weeks. Read also: Top 5 Foods For Healthier And Thicker Hair

3 Reasons To Fall In Love With CBD And Yoga

Holistic healing leads to wonders in the medicine world and promotes the top-notch functioning of the vital organs. Yoga is one of the ancient healing techniques that incorporates spiritual well-being and mindfulness. CBD Therapy makes the perfect pair for Yoga due to innumerable reasons. Cannabidiol interacts and induces spiritual effects in the same manner as Yoga does. These include better concentration, improved quality of life, relief from muscle aches, enhancement of mental space, and faster healing. Experts suggest that Yoga, coupled with CBD, might turn out to be miraculous for the human body. Keep reading to know the top benefits of combining your yoga sessions with some CBD supplements. 1. Instant Body To Mind Connection The secret to awareness lies in achieving consciousness in every aspect. Yoga instills mental awareness and allows you to be conscious of your movements. You are likely to undergo enhancement in the cognitive processes and spiritual well-being with regular yoga practices. What amplifies this process is the consumption of Cannabidiol. With the effective CBD oil tincture, one can make the most out of the yoga asanas and practices. It is because CBD targets mainly the endocannabinoid system of the brain. ECS, according to experts, is the gateway towards consciousness, which enhances the cognitive abilities, emotional state, as well as helps in spiritual awakening. 2. Controls Inflammation Regular Yoga and meditation control excessive inflammatory responses that might harm the body. While some amount of inflammation is fruitful and improves the immune response, too much of the same tends to be a hassle. Another top-notch reason to combine Yoga and CBD is the anti-inflammatory benefits. CBD, just like Yoga, helps in controlling inflammation and decreases painful sensations. It interacts with the brain receptors concerned with pain and blocks the perception by limiting the release of inflammatory cytokines and free radicals, mainly in the brain, joints, and muscles. 3. Relieves Daily Stress Busy work life and long working hours tend to impart stress on your body after a significant time. This increases the secretion of the stress hormone, i.e., cortisol. Further, the entire physiological system goes into a tension-like state. Yoga helps in reducing the release of stress hormones, which causes you to feel anxious, depressed, and sad. Similarly, CBD might enhance the emotional state of humans as well. It is because of its action on the endocannabinoid system. Experts suggest that the ECS system controls almost every aspect of the body, including the mental state. How To Consume CBD? CBD products are available in various forms in the market. This can be very tricky if you’re new in the CBD field as your lack of knowledge and experience with CBD may cause troubles for you. CBD is legal in the U.S but you should check the legal status of CBD before buying it. Here are the best ways to consume your CBD products: 1. Direct Ingestion: You can directly ingest CBD in the form of CBD edibles such as tasty CBD gummies and capsules. You can also take CBD oil sublingually by placing it under your tongue with the help of a dropper. 2. Mixing with Food: You can also consume your CBD products by mixing them with your favorite food or beverages to change their taste. If you don’t like to take CBD directly, then this method is best for you. 3. Topicals: CBD products are also available in the form of topicals such as creams, balms, salves, and bath bombs. You can consume it by applying it to your skin or any other part of the body. It‘ll provide you with similar results to other methods. Conclusion: CBD has managed to gain the limelight in recent years and many people are taking it as a natural alternative for its recreational health benefits. You can give CBD a try for sure but it is recommended that you should consult your doctor or any medical expert before taking any CBD to get the best results. Read Also: 4 Advantages of Using CBD Oils Is CBD Oil & Edible Treats Safe for Pets – Dogs & Cats 5 Important Things You Did Not Know About Hemp Oils

Early Signs Of Oral Cancer: What You Need To Know?

What Is Oral Cancer?

8 Common Warning Signs of Oral Cancer You Shouldn’t Ignore