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"The body is always giving warnings, but we often turn a blind eye. This sentence was the first sentence that the doctor said after examining Li Hua in the emergency room of the hospital.
One sunny day, Li Hua decided to go camping alone in the suburbs to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature.
However, it didn't take long for him to feel unbearable itching all over his body, thinking it was just an ordinary allergic reaction.
Li Hua, a 52-year-old experienced accountant, is known for his regular lifestyle and light eating habits.
Aside from the occasional cigarette and alcohol smoking, he considers his lifestyle to be quite healthy.
But the allergic reaction after this camping made him have to rush to the nearest hospital for a check-up.
When he arrived at the hospital, the cause of the allergy was not immediately identified, and the doctor recommended that he have a comprehensive physical examination, including blood tests and a CT scan of his head and neck.
The results of the examination were unexpected, and Li Hua was diagnosed with nasal cavity cancer in the early stage.
The moment he learned of the diagnosis, Li Hua felt the world spinning, and he suddenly remembered the symptoms he had had in the past few months, such as nasal congestion, occasional toothache and numbness in his face, which he had not taken to heart, and always thought it was just a common cold or periodontitis.
The doctor patiently explained that early nasal cancer can often be warned by discomfort in the teeth and mouth.
Oral health and general health are closely linked, and dental problems are often a bellwether for other problems in the body.
At this time, Li Hua regretted that he did not pay attention to these "small symptoms" earlier, and he might have been able to detect the condition earlier.
The doctor went on to introduce Li Hua to a related case.
Mr. Zhang, also a retired elderly man, went to the dentist with persistent toothache and bleeding gums, and the dentist recommended him for an in-depth examination, which eventually led to the discovery of throat cancer.
Fortunately, Mr. Zhang's cancer was detected and treated in time.
This example further highlights the importance that dental problems should not be overlooked.
According to statistics, poor oral health is associated with many types of cancer, especially head and neck cancers.
Data shows that patients with long-term periodontal disease have a higher risk of oral cancer about twice as high as the general population.
This is because the mouth is an entry point for bacteria and viruses, and long-term inflammation may lead to cell degeneration.
Going back to Li Hua's case, there is an often overlooked risk factor in his lifestyle – he is an occasional smoker.
Smoking is highly correlated with oral cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer, etc., and even occasional smoking is a potential threat to oral health.
A unique point of view put forward by the doctor is that although people rarely associate camping activities with cancer detection, in Li Hua's case, it was the allergic reaction during camping that made him go to the hospital for a check-up and accidentally discovered nasal cancer.
This kind of activity, which seems to have nothing to do with health, can be an opportunity to accidentally discover a health problem.
After discussing these medical knowledge and case studies, the article concludes with a question for thought: if a simple camping activity can bring health warnings, how can we make better use of the unconventional experiences in daily life to increase awareness of health problems?
The key to solving this problem may lie in how we can improve our ability to perceive our body's signals and understand health information.
Knowing your body and the early warning signs of common ailments can be key to improving your quality of life and preventing serious health problems.
For example, health risks can be greatly reduced through regular check-ups, family medical history, and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits.
This proactive approach to health management not only allows us to have earlier warnings of diseases, but also helps us respond more quickly in the event of an emergency.
What do you have to say about this? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section!