Month: December 2019

There are over 200,000 diagnosed cases of lung cancer (LC) each year in the United States. While the incidence rate has declined since 1991, the disease remains the leading cause of cancer-related death. When the condition is detected in stage 1 (i.e. localized within the lung), it can be treated successfully. By the time cancerous cells have metastasized and spread to distant lymph nodes, it becomes more difficult to contain.

In the past, the disease was treated through thoracotomy (also known as open chest surgery). The patient’s thoracic cavity was accessed by the surgeon after a long incision was made into the chest. The breastbone was cut and the ribs were spread to provide working space. Because the ribs have limited flexibility, the procedure occasionally resulted in fractures. To resolve this issue, thoracic surgeons began to remove portions of the patient’s ribcage.

Today, minimally invasive techniques are often used to treat lung cancer. Once of these techniques is a VATS lobectomy. This article will provide an overview of the procedure and describe what to expect during recovery.

How is The Operation Performed?

A lobectomy is the surgical removal of a lobe (i.e. section of a lung). It is one of the most common procedures done today to treat early-stage LC. With a VATS lobectomy, four incisions are made into the sides of the patient’s chest. Three of the four incisions typically measure less than a single inch. The fourth incision may measure up to a few inches. There is no …

Alzheimer’s disease is often difficult to deal with for everyone involved. There is no cure and there is no way to reduce the risk of developing the disease. This disease slowly progresses over time, and damages some nerve cells in parts of the brain. In early stages, a person may have loss of short-term memory that progresses to the failing of long-term memory, language, and reasoning. Things such as age, family history, and sex could play a role in whether or not a person is susceptible to developing Alzheimer’s and although forgetfulness is a natural part of life as age, there are things that can be done to help protect against the disease.

There are things to look for when trying to determine if a family member may be developing Alzheimer’s disease. One thing to look for is impaired thinking such as, forgetting one’s own birthday or occupation. Difficulty in performing the normal routine such as, showering, dressing, or eating, may also be a sign of the onset of the disease. Other difficulties may include, problems speaking, disorientation, confusion, inability to follow directions, misplacing things, loss of motivation, social withdraw, and loss of appetite. Some of these listed symptoms may be normal development with age, but a physician should be consulted for proper diagnosis.

When a person develops Alzheimer’s disease it is likely that they will require long-term healthcare, such as home health care or a nursing facility. Health insurance is important to help pay medical costs with healthcare in …