Visiting an oncologist can be a tense experience. For one, it is an indicator that one has cancer or is about to undergo diagnostic evaluation for the disease. Secondly, one can never be sure about anything when they have a tumor in their body. Therefore, people ask “incorrect” questions when they visit an oncologist, especially during first meetings. To help readers out, here are some questions to ask an oncologist during a visit: Where and when do you recommend getting a second opinion? Asking this question would not be a slight on the healthcare professional who has provided the initial opinion. Getting a second opinion is generally a patient’s way of hearing something positive or alternative in case the first oncologist comes up with a scary diagnosis for them. If they are diagnosed with cancer of any kind, patients need to make sure that the diagnosis is accurate. Getting multiple opinions also helps individuals explore all treatment and prescription-related options on their hands. While patients are often apprehensive before asking this question, healthcare experts understand when they are asked this. Even the most experienced oncologist knows the prominence of a second pathology review. This happens because doctors, even the most seasoned ones, do not know everything about every condition.

Excessive sugar intake has long been associated with various health issues, but its impact on joint health often goes unnoticed. Inflammation, stiffness, reduced range of motion, and joint pain are signs of poor joint health exacerbated by sugar. By understanding sugar’s active role in joint pain and inflammation, we can take proactive steps to protect our joints and alleviate discomfort. Here are the signs of joint pain that may arise from consuming too much sugar. Inflammation ignition Joint pain and inflammation often go hand in hand, and excessive sugar intake can act as the spark that ignites this inflammatory response. High amounts of sugar lead to a rapid increase in blood glucose levels, triggering the release of inflammatory molecules called cytokines. These cytokines can wreak havoc on your joints, causing pain, swelling, and discomfort. Moreover, chronic inflammation can exacerbate existing joint conditions like arthritis, making it crucial to curb sugar intake to keep joint inflammation in check. Glycation Consistently high sugar levels in the bloodstream lead to excess sugar molecules binding to proteins in a process called glycation. This glycation can damage collagen, a critical component of joint cartilage that provides cushioning and flexibility. As collagen deteriorates, joint cartilage weakens, and the bones may rub against each other, causing pain and stiffness.

Diabetes, a chronic metabolic disorder, lowers the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Left untreated, it can damage various organs, including the kidneys, heart, eyes, and nerves. Furthermore, it can increase the risk of hearing loss. Studies show that people with diabetes are twice likely to develop hearing problems than others. This post discusses the common signs of hearing problems due to excessive sugar and how to manage them, besides other helpful information. The link between high blood sugar and hearing loss High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, damages various organs and systems, reducing their efficiency. The nervous system is one area that is particularly affected. The body has an intricate network of nerves that transmit sound signals from the ear to the brain. When a person’s blood glucose levels rise, their blood vessels narrow, and the nerves do not receive sufficient blood. As a result, the signals traveling through the nerves between the ear and the brain are disrupted, making it hard to hear clearly. Signs of hearing loss due to excess sugar When high blood glucose triggered by diabetes or excess sugar consumption affects hearing, one may experience the following symptoms: Inability to hear conversations, particularly with louder or noisier surroundings Difficulty focusing on conversations in noisier rooms Asking people to repeat their statements or misinterpreting what they say Having to lipread people while conversing with them to understand what they say Discomfort due to aching ears Inability to hear common noises like doorbells or telephone rings Feeling like one’s ears are involuntarily ringing, buzzing, or hissing (also called tinnitus) Inability to balance on one’s feet Feeling dizzy Feeling tired of fatigued for putting in additional effort to hear others Frequently increasing the volume of the TV due to difficulty hearing clearly Besides excessive sugar, these hearing problems could be triggered by other health conditions.

Like many other health conditions, cancer and its symptoms can worsen due to unhealthy eating habits. Sugary snacks and beverages are some of the key foods to avoid, especially when they contain large amounts of refined sugar. High blood sugar can cause problems like poor blood circulation, vision-related issues, and inflammation while also aggravating the symptoms of cancer. Here are a few signs of cancer that can worsen due to high blood sugar: Issues with bowel movement Cancer adversely affects the digestive and excretory systems. So, one of the earliest signs of cancer is bowel-related issues, including constipation, diarrhea, fecal impaction (a condition in which one defecates dry hard stools), gas, bowel blockage, or a colostomy. Similarly, diabetes and high blood sugar also cause bowel problems. For instance, sugar causes gas by festering and fermenting for too long in the gut. This is because sugar is difficult to digest. Apart from gas, sugar also causes diarrhea by stimulating the gut to release water and electrolytes, both of which loosen up the bowels. As a result, if one has bowel-related issues as a warning sign of cancer, they must lower sugar intake and manage high blood sugar to avoid worsening this symptom.

Arthritis is characterized by the tenderness and swelling of one or more joints in the body. Some of the most common types of arthritis include rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The condition results in multiple symptoms, most of which usually get diagnosed due to other health complications and age. But the symptoms may affect one’s quality of life. So it is imperative to identify the signs early and initiate a treatment plan for managing the condition. Pain in a joint Pain in one or more joints may occur due to certain situations, including injuries or joint overuse. Infections like the flu may also trigger acute pain in certain joint areas. In such situations, acute joint pain comes on quickly and fades away. However, if one develops a symptom out of the ordinary and the pain does not reduce over a period of time, one must get it checked by an expert at the earliest. Pain or aching in a joint that becomes worse over time is a potential sign of arthritis. The pain may be triggered by even mild activity, surface after activity, or following a long day at work. Furthermore, joint pain may also result in tenderness, a painful sensation even if mild pressure is applied to the affected area.

Sugar forms a major part of daily sustenance as the condiment is widely used to prepare foods and beverages. However, sugar adds no nutritional value and is simply consumed because it enhances the taste of commonly consumed foods and beverages. Excess sugar consumption is one of the main reasons many people suffer from health complications that affect the body’s natural function. And here is how sugar can even trigger sleep disturbances affecting the natural circadian rhythm. Restlessness Sugar is empty calories, so no good comes from adding sugar to daily foods or beverages. Instead, more sugar in the bloodstream increases the risk of an imbalance that affects the body’s natural metabolism and functions. The sleep and wake-up cycle are regulated by hormones, mainly melatonin, produced naturally by the body. Changes in the body’s metabolic activities and functions affect melatonin production, thus disrupting the natural sleep cycle. As a result, one finds it difficult to go to sleep or stay in a rested rhythm for longer periods of time. The quality and duration of sleep directly impact the progression of known sleep disorders as well. Increases cravings Since sugar adds no nutritional value, the body craves more foods that can fill the void to support necessary functions.