Chronic Gingivitis

Frequently Asked Questions

1. QUESTION:
   Would you vote for Christine O’Donnell if it was revealed that she suffers from chronic halitosis & gingivitis?
   Do you support the Red Bristle Brigade?

   • ANSWER:
     Projecting are you?

2. QUESTION:
   Hello! Can you explain what radiographic manifestations of chronic plaque associated with gingivitis looks?
   Can you explain what radiographic manifestations of chronic plaque associated with gingivitis looks like, or know where I can find x-ray images of it? How do you explain what to patients what’s happening with chronic gingivitis (plaque). What does it look like? Where does it come from?
   Thanks for the answer, Amy. Plaque/calculus actually can be viewed on radiographs. I understand that plaque does not cause gingivitis, but there is a link between untreated “chronic” plaque/calculus removal and gingivitis. I was asked to explain the “radiograhic manifestations of chronic..” and I have ran into brick walls for days, which is why I’m reaching out for help. Is there any information regarding this topic that may help me address the issue head-on?

   • ANSWER:
     Plaque is not viewable on radiographs. If a patient has plaque induced gingivitis (all gingivitis is not caused by plaque), explain to them that plaque comes from the food and debri left on their teeth if they do not brush and floss properly (or at all). The plaque attracts bacteria and the byproducts of the bacteria cause the gingiva to become irritated (red, swollen, bleeds easy) and this leads to gingivitis. Once the plaque is removed and the patient keeps up good oral home care, the gingivitis should disappear. If not controlled, gingivitis will progress to periodontal disease which is not reversible. Hope this answers your question. -Amy, RDH

3. QUESTION:
   What kind of ailment/deficiency would cause chronic bleeding gums/gingivitis?

   • ANSWER:
     Dieters sometimes run into real malnutrition. Eat green leafy salads with raw vegetables (broccoli, squash, sprouts, etc.) and a glass of freshly juiced carrot juice daily along with a balanced diet. Cut out sweets for the time being until your health is vibrant.
     Consult a dentist soon.

4. QUESTION:
   What should I eat to prevent mouth ulcers/ gingivitis (ie diet for a healthy mouth)?
   I have almost chronic mouth ulcers, and gingivitis, I brush my teeth, and have started taking Lysine. I don’t know what else to do. I think a change in diet would work, but I was hoping someone would know what would work best. I know to avoid sugars, and acidic foods. I need help, please!

   • ANSWER:
     keeping your mouth clean – brushing, flossing and rinsing is good but i would avoid mouth washes just in case thats part of the problem. stay away from high acidic drinks or if you do- rinse your mouth with water— its hard to avoid mouth ulcers if you are prone to them and using the meds that your dentist prescribed will help

5. QUESTION:
   What home remedies are suggested for gingivitis and periodontal disease?
   I sometimes have bleeding when brushing my teeth and chronic bad breath. I have exhausted my dental insurance (0.00 annually) I do not have more money for a dentist right now.

   • ANSWER:
     If you are diagnosed with periodontal disease, there are no home remedies that can do what a Periodontist does. Continue brushing, flossing and you could use a rubber-tipped instrument between the teeth to massage the gums to prevent further problems, but the Periodontist really needs to get in there and do the proper root planning and scaling procedures to get all that tartar that is down under the gums off so that the gums can heal up properly and tighten back up, (hopefully).

6. QUESTION:
   Serious question for dentists or oral surgeons?
   If someone has vertical maxillary excess which has caused air gingivitis/chronic dry mouth, are they more at risk for high cholesterol or heart disease? Thank you in advance!

   • ANSWER:
     Interesting question. I don’t think there are any studies that would link vertical maxillary excess to high cholesterol or heart disease.

     Sounds like the real issue is that you’re a mouth breather (like me) and your vertical maxillary excess doesn’t help you to not be a mouth breather. The gingivitis and chronic dry mouth aren’t great but they’re not “heart attack” bad either. They increase your risk of periodontitis which has been shown to have implications for heart disease. But remember were talking gingivitis here not periodontitis and this gingivitis can be well controlled by good oral hygiene (brush, floss) and you may want to have more frequent visits to the dentist for cleanings(maybe 3 times a year or more).

     High cholesterol — only things I’m aware of that affects this is diet and genes.

     One thing to be aware of is to ask why you’re a mouth breather. Are there other airway issues? (Deviated septum, enlarged tonsils or adenoid tissue) Do you have sleep apnea — there are heart risks associated with that.

     Of course there always is surgery for vertical maxillary excess, but that in itself may not stop the mouth breathing.

7. QUESTION:
   My boyfriend has chronic bleeding gums…?
   My questions isn’t really about how to stop the bleeding gums…but more abut what you would do if you were in a relationship with someone who had them.

   My boyfriend whom I love very much has chronic bleeding gums. He once told me it was gingivitis. I am a very clean person and I put a lot of importance on good hygiene. He told me he would go to the dentist but keeps saying that they won’t be able to do anything since he’s had this problem for years. I also suggested he get a waterpik and he said he would get one and start it this week.

   I’m not by any means a shallow person but I get very embarrassed and self-conscious when I’m out in public with him, especially if we’re around my family or friends. I’m always worried his gums will start bleeding at the worst times…which has happened. I feel bad because I love his so much and he’s a wonderful man who treats me so well. He’s a gorgeous guy too! But I just can’t get passed this…..what would you do? What if the dentist and the waterpik doesn’t help the situation?

   • ANSWER:
     He needs to see a periodontist a specialist in gums the problem CAN be sorted out, are you sure he went to the dentist, he needs to floss also

8. QUESTION:
   Liquid nutrition for cats?
   My oldest cat is right around 20 years old. Throughout his whole life, we have had to deal with tooth and gum problems. Last spring, we finally had to have his last two teeth (canines) removed, because we simply could not get rid of the chronic gingivitis. Eating can be a challenge for him now, but he does pretty well with the food I give him (the Whiskas pouches with lots of gravy, etc.) and he does choose to eat dry food at times. Yet I feel like I could be getting him some better nutrition. He does not like the ground/pate type foods. Any thoughts on a liquid supplement, or something to help him eat healthier?

   • ANSWER:
     “Nutri-Cal” (it’s for cats and dogs).. it comes in a tube, you squeeze it out and you can simply just stick it in your cat’s mouth. I sometimes put it where my cats’ mouths are and they lick it off. I don’t think it would affect your kitty’s teeth in any way, though I’m not 100% positive. The box reads: “Quality nutrition energizer for picky eaters, High calorie palatable supplement!” There’s calcium, protein, and plenty of vitamins in the ingredients. My aunt has given it to her eighteen year old Siamese and that beautiful cat still can attack, I’ll tell ya. She got me the other day. I hope your cat lives for years to come!

9. QUESTION:
   Cat started walking funny? He’s sick…HELP PLEASE!?
   My male (adopted) cat is about six months old. He seemed very healthy until last week he couldn’t chew his kibble and we found out has chronic gingivitis and now he has soft food and got steroid shots. Now, a few days later, all of a sudden his hind legs don’t seem to really work–a reaction to the shots, I guess. He can barely jump or walk and as a result as been eating very little. He’s going to the vet today. What could this be???

   • ANSWER:
     Are you sure your vet knows what he’s doing? It’s almost unheard of for a cat that young to have gum disease. The fact that he’s not eating the soft food seems to indicate it’s something else. And why on earth was he given steroid injections? Cats should never be given steroids unless there’s a very good reason. There may be something you didn’t mention, but just based on what you said, this all seems odd.

     I’m not sure why he’d be dragging his legs, though. In some cases, it’s not a reaction to a shot, but the location of shot (back area around top or leg) which can inadvertently damage the sciatic nerve. Did the vet give the shot there? Less likely, he might have a ruptured disc in his back.

     To be honest, unless you’ve had a good history with this vet, I might try to get recommendations for another one, especially if kitty can be seen quickly (because he should be). Otherwise, if you do have to use the same vet, ask him some tough questions, because something isn’t adding up here. Good luck and I hope he’s feeling better soon.

10. QUESTION:
    What’s Good for Cats Kidneys?
    My cat has to get steroid injections monthly for his chronic gingivitis which will shorten his lifespan as it’s not good for his kidneys.
    Is there any specific food or something I can do to help poor Zeke’s kidneys?

    • ANSWER:
      Take your cat off dry food. Since cats usually eat meat they get most of the moisture they need from their food. Dry food is hard on their kidneys because it does not provide enough water for them. Canned food is a little bit more expensive but it is much more filling so they will eat less. Definitely do your homework because it could really benefit your little guy.

11. QUESTION:
    I have a 6 year old cat with Lymphocytic Plasmatic Gingivitis/Stomatitis….This problem can not be fixed….?
    Because this is a chronic gum disease, she does not eat well. I need to help her gain some weight possibly by syringe feeding. She can’t eat hard food and don’t eat enough moist. I am not ready to euthanize her b/c so far her quality of life is pretty good considering her condition. I’d like some ideas on what I can mix up to syringe feed her for extra calories. She does well with a syringe.

    • ANSWER:
      Hills A/D (available only from vets) is a good food for this purpose. However, stomatitis can be very painful for a cat and you may have problems syringing food. Stomatitis (as you probably already know) can be very stubborn to treat. Many vets recommend extraction of most of the teeth, but I would not do this unless all other treatments have failed. Our 17 y/o had recurring bouts with stomatitis for 3 years. We tried almost everything, but it kept returning. We finally gave into the extractions, but it didn’t work. As a last resort, we tried interferon and it disappeared. I won’t say this will help your cat, but keep trying. Also, if you have not tried the many variations of antibiotics, you could give that a try, as different ones target different bacteria in cats. We seemed to have better results with azithromycin, rather than the more common clindamycin or clavamox. BTW, yahoo has a stomatitis group you could join. See the link below.

12. QUESTION:
    Can stress really cause weight loss & loss of appetite?
    Age: 23
    Sex: Male
    Race: African American
    Medical Hx: Bells Palsy, Abdominal hernia (that needs to be fixed, again), Gingivitis, Chronic Bronchitis (as a child), Sinusitis

    Over the last couple of weeks…I’ve been stressed out. Getting STD blood work done just to make sure I’m clean, and noticing, and having people notice me slimming down. My eating habits suck, for I may eat 1- 2 meals (and crappy ones @ that a day.) All STD blood work is fine, but I have lost approx 6 lbs within the last couple of weeks, ranging at around 173, when I use to be high 170′s/ My mom has had breast cancer, aunt…some type of throat cancer…and my uncle passed off prostate cancer. Me, as a 23yo I had my prostate checked b/c I was that scared.
    My current symptoms are:
    *lack of appetite
    *slight weight loss
    *sometimes my abdomen looks bloated, but no pain

    Could this be signs of pancreatic/stomach cancer, thyroid issues, diabetes….or just a ton of stress & me freaking out over it? I’m going to the doctor tomorrow and I want them to check all blood work as if I had these conditions. Hopefully, i everything is ok, I’ll be back to normal ol’me.

    • ANSWER:
      Wow hope it’s not….
      Personally I get a lot of stress though maybe a bit less from working people…
      My profs tend to give a lot a THICK papers (needed since it’s a business course) and it’s not like I only have one subject to think about…
      I’m so busy that it keeps me from eating it’s like I “forget” about my growling stomach until it becomes unbearable. (so I lost weight)
      Sleepless nights also made my systems go down I got sick with “stomach flu” (didn’t even know that exists) in which I couldn’t eat much and if ever I do everything goes down the drain…extreme LBM.

      Anyways now i’m better. So now what I do is divide my meal time into 6. Since I’m still forgetting the breakfast-lunch-dinner time it doesn’t really harm me.
      Example: breakfast- snack (even if I’m not hungry, or maybe I am), lunch- snack – dinner -snack

      I do this because I don’t eat a lot so i need the “snack” time to keep up with my daily needs.

      So yeah I guess stress can in a way make you lose weight and your appetite (but not for all since whenever my friend is stressed she tends to eat more hahah total opposite of me)

13. QUESTION:
    Periodontitis Question, 21 years old [DENTISTS ONLY PLEASE]?
    Please bear with me through this explanation. Years ago, I was visiting the dentist, when he told me that it appeared as if I had gingivitis. He said I should floss, but I didn’t take it very seriously (I floss a few times a month, and I was in highschool). Over the past few years, I have had exceptional dental hygiene when it comes to brushing – I brush at least twice a day, and I brush very very lightly and with soft bristles.

    I have not maintained good flossing habits – at best I have flossed a few times a month over the past few years. Over the past few years, I have noticed sensitive teeth develop. I went to see my dentist a year or two ago, and they said that my gums had receded a bit from brushing too hard. At first, I believed them, but now, after doing what I would consider “extensive research” (read: Google), I know that I am not brushing too hard. I brush in a circular motion, very very lightly, and yet my teeth are still very exposed, I have chronic bad breath, my teeth are sensitive, and my gums bleed every single time I floss. Out of fear of periodontitis, I have begun flossing more regularly, and immediately after flossing, I use listerine mouthwash.

    I am unable to book a dentist appointment for another month, so my fear is this: I fear that I have progressed from gingivitis to chronic periodontitis, because I have concluded that my receding gums cannot be the result of brushing too hard, and also, my gums bleed without failure every single time I floss. As a dentist, would you, hypothetically, agree with my self-diagnosis? If not, why not?

    And if so, is there anything I can do now? A lot of research has told me that after progressing past gingivitis, and without early treatment, periodontitis is irreversible and can lead too tooth loss, etc. At this point, if my diagnosis is correct, I am long past the stage of early treatment.

    I have come to accept that my gums will never return to normal without surgery, and I will have to live with my long and sensitive teeth for my whole life (I am only 21). What I am not prepared to accept is that this condition will only worsen, especially as I age.

    Assuming I have periodontits – is it true that I cannot cure this? I know that the accepted method is to “treat” it with great oral hygiene, brushing at least twice daily, flossing daily, and using antiseptic mouthwash. I fully intend to do this, and for some time now, I have been. But, as stated, my gums still bleed every time I floss, and my bad breath, when not originating from my throat, leads me to believe that I will have this for life. (I believe I have bad breath because my girlfriend used to tell me that I “probably have rotting gums” because I occasionally had “bad breath”).

    Will my condition worsen? Is there anything else I can do (apart from seeing my dentist and addressing my concerns with him)? When I see my dentist, what can I expect from this? Is “treatment” enough? I am very young and I do not smoke, so I am heartbroken by the possibility that my gums may continue to recede and there is nothing I can do about it. I am a very healthy individual, I eat right, I have a very intense fitness regime, and I take pride in my hygiene and appearance. I do not want to loose my teeth, nor do I want my teeth to become more exposed, or to have bad breath my entire life. This is not a problem anyone in my family has experienced before me, and in case you’re wondering, yes, I use toothpaste for sensitive teeth. I just don’t know what to do with myself – I cannot wait another month under this stress (I have had these concerns for several months now).

    I understand you cannot give me “medical” advice, being online, but any professional opinion whatsoever is anxiously awaited, and I appreciate anyone taking the time out to read and respond to this lengthy question. Thank you.

    • ANSWER:
      How about a dental student’s opinion? To diagnose periodontitis, you need to go to your dentist. As I’m sure you’ve read from google, periodontitis is characterised by loss of attachment of fibres from your bone to your tooth. This leaves a pocket around your tooth. When you go to your dentist, he will measure the depth of your pockets, if there is any loss of attachment and if the teeth is moving. This will be done only if he suspects you have periodontitis. If there is any calculus (calcified or hardened plaque), he will remove that by either a hand or ultrasonic scaler. He may also scale below the gum line and onto the root surface. Calculus collects plaque as does fillings which overhang the natural contours of the tooth, so it is likely that he will fix these too.

      In the meantime, address your oral hygiene. You should be using a medium textured brush in an ordered was around your mouth ie left to right inside and out, so as you don’t miss any areas. You should brush your teeth with the brush held at a 45 degree angle to the gum and move from the gum line to the end of the tooth in short gentle strokes. You should always brush the gums and not brush anymore than two teeth at a time. Your gums will bleed due to the swelling. Plaque also gathers between the teeth so it’s essential that you remove it. If you don’t like flossing, you can buy “interdental brushes” which look like little bottle brushes that fit in the spaces between teeth. You insert then in the space and do between 20 and 30 strokes of a backwards and forwards motion.

      If you do indeed have periodontitis and your oral hygiene improves there is no reason why your oral status shouldn’t improve. Unfortunately, without having a look in your mouth, it’s difficult to give a prognosis. However, stop worrying, up your oral hygiene, and book an appointment with your dentist asap, as the sooner its diagnosed, the better the outlook. Best of luck.

14. QUESTION:
    ANY Parents that have Children diagnosed with Neutropenia and/or Periodontitis!?!?!?!?
    My daughter(6 yrs old) has Severe Chronic Neutropenia (cyclic)…..here is a link to better understand: http://www.neutropenia.ca/about/index.html……she got sick for the first time at 9 months old and was finally diagnosed at 1yr old. She has been through so much you could not even begin to imagine….If it is one thing it is another….She has had gingivitis for years now due to her Neutropenia and now this past week we have come to find she may have Periodontitis. Please anyone that may empathize…..NO rude comments please thank you but NO thanks…..i deal enough with some of my husbands ignorant family that don’t know and what i believe is no to care to know…Thank you for your time….I just want to reach out to parents that truly understand…. I NEVER wish this on any child or being for that matter…I just wish i could just rid her of all this……My heart goes out to all you that have Neutropenia and or have a loved one diagnosed with this……

    • ANSWER:
      My son was diagnosed with “Auto Immune Neutropenia” (that’s what the doctors call it) when he was 8 months old and got sick for the first time. He has gone through so much since then…..I can understand what you must be going through. He had to be hospitalized every time he got sick and it was traumatizing for all of us. He was prescribed neupogen shots every other day for few months but his doctor stopped that just to see how he does without it. He seems to be doing O.K as of now……he is now 23 months old.
      I am not aware of “periodontitis” and don’t know if it has anything to do with Neutropenia…..
      I pray for your daughter and hope she gets better soon.

15. QUESTION:
    My 1 yr. old cat has symptoms related to FIV. Does this mean she is in the last stage of her life ?
    I took her to the vet recently and he said she had severe gingivitis in mouth and yeast in the ears probably related to FIV. I adopted her from the SPCA recently. Before that, she was a stray. I understand there are 3 stages of FIV. If she has these symptoms, does it mean she is in the final stage though she is only 1 yr. old? She acts healthy otherwise. I have been giving her the antibiotics and ear drops he prescribed, but I believe this is only a temporary solution as it only treats the symtoms. She was examined prior to adoption and the fiv results came out negative. However, the vet said that those tests given at the spca may not be conclusive. Two concerns…is she in the last stage this early in life? I had read that the latency stage can last several years. Do some cats bypass that stage and go right into the final stage? Also, am I looking at chronic medical problems throughout her life? I love this cat, but I just need to know what I’m up against. Thanks
    I had two vets check her out. The first said she had some sort of polyp/infection in ear. Also suggested lysene for gingivitis. Took her for a 2nd opinion. The 2nd vet said yeast in ears (bad odor) and severe gingivitis. They had to express her anal glands as well as they were full. He speculated the infections were due to fiv but did no test to confirm this. Maybe it is something different. Thanks to all the responses. They are very helpful.

    • ANSWER:
      First thing you should do is get your cat retested. It is possible for FIV to be dormant, and test negative after first contracting the disease. If she was found as a stray, and soon tested then it is possible it was too soon for the virus to register. It can take 8-12 weeks for FIV to register.
      If your cat does have FIV then it sounds like her condition is in stage 3 and she therefore has feline AIDS.

      I do have a few doubts about her having FIV, though. For one, it usually takes a long time to reach stage 3, often years. She came from an animal shelter where animals are more susceptible to disease due to closed in spaces. Her immune system was also probably compromised due to being a stray and not getting adequate nutrition.

      Test her again for FIV. If it is negative then treat her ailments and hope for a long, happy life. If it is positive keep her comfortable, away from other cats, and enjoy the time you’ll have with her.

16. QUESTION:
    Any Dentists out there, I have several questions please help!?
    I need an actual dentist to answer this for me please. I am 30 year old female, I have 3 children. I have very bad teeth. I always brushed them but they started to decay during my first pregnancy. The decay almost always starts from the gum line. I have had 6 teeth pulled so far and as far as I can tell, almost every tooth left has started to, or is well into, decay. Slivers come out, sometimes chunks. Brushing them hurts beyond words even with sensitive toothpaste. I do smoke (in process of quitting now go nicorette gum!) and I do drink soda. I was told by my last dentist that it was cause of my pregnancies, now another dentist is saying it isn’t and actually said it looked like ‘meth mouth’ but I do not and have never done meth or any other drugs. I took vitamins during pregnancy, my kids are close in age (9,11,12). Most of my family either has teeth bad, worse or none at all left. I was told by this dentist to use a spin brush, I just got one finally (yes i’m poor), and i had a good sized chunk fall out an hour later. I’m constantly with abscess’s and swallowing the poison from the infections. I have no symptoms of mouth cancer or gingivitis though. Could this be genetic and what would it be called? Can pregnancy cause tooth decay? What are the different disorders or diseases that could be the cause of this decay? Please, if there is a dentist out there can you answer these questions? I am about to take updated pictures of my teeth if a dentist needs to see it. Also if anyone has suggestions for financial assistance to get them fixed or even dentures at this point, that would be awesome.

    To add here. I have been on many different kinds of bi-polar/depression/anxiety meds, I’ve taken hydrocodone more often than not throughout the past 12 years just for this as well as chronic pain and migraines. I’ve taken enough antibiotics to kill a herd of horses. I used to eat sweets often but during the past three years I rarely do and during the past year i may eat a total of one cookie every two weeks if that cause it hurts too much. I used to drink sweet tea all the time. I do still brush but very very carefully and only once a day with very little paste cause of the pain.
    I was planning on taking updated pictures but I can’t, webcam is horrible.
    In response to Dr. Miller. I know my teeth won’t get better..its just one of those parts of the body that cannot heal after the damage is done and I accept that. The only reason i am condoning myself to dentures is because at least right now i cannot afford to get several root canals and caps, bridge work, fillings and the like. I also blame myself for part of the reason they are like they are but my hygeine only got less here recent when it became too painful to brush like i would normally. When i brush like normal there is instant sharp pain that shoots through my mouth from different caries going through the bones of my face, down my throat and to my temples, it will last for hours afterwards. I did as a dentist said and used the spin brush only to have more chunks fall out but I’m going to keep using it. I just wanted to know if and what the name of the disorder/disease is that can be passed on genetically that can cause what I have.

    • ANSWER:
      Pregnancy does not cause tooth decay nor does it cause the “calcium to be sucked from your teeth” as I have heard as an excuse for poor oral hygiene over the years. Hormones from pregnancy can cause gingivitis, but that’s about it.

      Contributing factors to your decay can include your meds. A lot of meds cause dry mouth which speeds up the process of dental decay.

      Another factor is diet. You said you used to eat sweets and drink sodas a lot. Decay at the gumlines is usually seen in people who constantly bathe their teeth in sugars. I also see it in meth mouth.

      The biggest factor is poor hygiene. From your description, your hygiene is not where it should be. A dentist can instruct you on what you need to do.

      Finally it sounds like you have rampant decay everywhere. I am also guessing you have not gotten this fixed. Dentistry never gets cheaper or less invasive over time. Don’t condemn yourself to dentures by not restoring your mouth. Don’t expect things to get better either.

      Good luck to you.

17. QUESTION:
    PANCREAS CANCER! Please read now………………….!?
    For the past 2 months my Grandma in the Philippines is suffering from
    Pancreas Cancer and I am very sad that she is in stage 4. It has been two years since we last hugged each other I am just wondering, what is the cause of her disease? I look at wiki but I don’t know which one:

    Age (particularly over 60)[2]
    Male gender
    African-American ethnicity[2]
    Smoking. Cigarette smoking nearly doubles one’s risk, and the risk persists for at least a decade after quitting. [5]
    Diets low in vegetables and fruits[citation needed]
    Diets high in red meat[6]
    Obesity[7]
    Diabetes mellitus
    Chronic pancreatitis has been linked, but is not known to be causal
    Helicobacter pylori infection
    Family history, 5-10% of pancreatic cancer patients have a family history of pancreatic cancer. The genes responsible for most of this clustering in families have yet to be identified. Pancreatic cancer has been associated with the following syndromes; autosomal recessive ataxia-telangiectasia and autosomal dominantly inherited mutations in the BRCA2 gene, Peutz-Jeghers syndrome due to mutations in the STK11 tumor suppressor gene, hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (Lynch syndrome), familial adenomatous polyposis, and the familial atypical multiple mole melanoma-pancreatic cancer syndrome (FAMMM-PC) due to mutations in the CDKN2A tumor suppressor gene.[8][1]
    Gingivitis or periodontal disease.[9]
    Alcohol might be a risk factor – see Pancreatic cancer section in Alcohol and cancer

    When I lived with her for a decade, she did not qualify to all the things that I listed above EXCEPT she is 74 years old OR maybe she ate dirty foods. Please pray for my grandma because she has 3 months to live.

    • ANSWER:
      It is not possible to determine the exact cause for most cancers. The risk factors that you have listed are correlations, not causes. What this means is that we know the risk factor and the disease are linked, but not that one causes another. When we figure out the specific mechanism that causes a cancer, we are well on the way to finding a cure. We are just not there yet with most cancers.

18. QUESTION:
    Loss of Appetite/Weight Loss?
    I’m a 23yo male. I have no real health problems, to my knowledge. I use to be the most athletic kid on the court in my early-mid teens…now, 10 mins of basketball makes my lungs feel like they’re on fire. So, LOW STAMINA is one problem. Don’t know if its chronic bronchitis, but I have no cough or asthma or w/e.

    My current problem seems to be that I lost approx 6lbs in 2-3wks, unintentionally. I sweat a lot during activities, especially sex…so I don’t know if I’m just burning off pounds…or if there’s something wrong. I also have felt hungry…but didn’t/don’t feel like eating. My waist is noticeably smaller and I’m just hoping it’s not something else. PLEASE HELP!

    Also…I get consistent sore throats…which I’m not sure if they’re related to gingivitis….
    I tested clean for STDs when I was weighed about 2-3wks ago.

    • ANSWER:

19. QUESTION:
    HELP? IM SO SCARED! I CANT SLEEP! SORE IN MOUTH!?
    ok, im so scared.
    I have a sinus infection and i think it might my chronic!
    This sinus infection gives me headache, sore thought, ect.
    About a week and a half ago,
    I noticed this little unpainful ( only when i touch it) bump near the end of my mouth. Be side the end of my tongue.
    It’s white.
    It seems to be gotten a bit smaller but since i touch it every 5 seconds its not like i could tell the difference.
    It’s not a canker sore, it doesnt hurt.
    &
    also, i have gingivitis && no tonsils.
    About a week ago, i went to get a filling and my doctor didn’t say anything.
    Therefore, i thought the bump was normal.
    But now, i dont know :S
    Cause arn’t canker sores suppose to hurt?
    I dont know.
    I’m so worried.
    I heard mouth sores can give u horrible sickness.
    I’m going to my doctor in a month, should i go sooner?
    Apparently sore only last about 2 weeks in your mouth

    HELP ME :’(
    im 16 btw juss so u know
    and
    i get scared
    whenever i get weird sicknesses

    • ANSWER: