All about hemophilia
General Health

All about hemophilia

Hemophilia is a very rare disorder in which the blood fails to clot in collaboration with platelets. Normally, if you have a sufficient amount of blood clotting factors, your blood clots after an injury in some time. However, when you are suffering from this disorder, your blood takes longer to clot causing you to bleed more than normal. Hemophilia, in some cases, is genetic and can be fatal if not treated with care in time.  It could also sometimes lead to internal bleeding, which could affect your organs and tissues. Symptoms There are several symptoms of this disorder You may observe some amount of blood in your urine. There can also be traces of blood in your stool. You may observe certain deep bruises on your body. You may also find yourself having large bruises for which you don’t have any explanation. You may experience excessive bleeding due to this disorder. You may also experience bleeding in the gums. There will also be a sign of frequent bleeding of the nose. Additionally, you may experience joint pains and tight joints. Many children affected with this disorder, may experience irritability. Causes Hemophilia can be caused due to several factors. In normal conditions, during bleeding, your body forms a blood clot with the help of several clotting factors.
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An overview of stomach cancer
General Health

An overview of stomach cancer

Stomach cancer, which is also known as gastric cancer, is a type of cancer that develops in the lining of the stomach. The stomach is made up of 5 portions: Cardia is the first part that is closest to the esophagus The Fundus is the upper part of the stomach next to the cardia. Body or corpus is the main part of the stomach, which is between the upper and lower parts. The Antrum is the lower portion where the food mixes with the gastric liquid near the intestine. Pylorus is the last part of the stomach, which acts as a valve to control the emptying of the contents of the stomach into the small intestine. Stomach cancer is mostly asymptomatic or it may cause only nonspecific symptoms in the early stages. By the time the symptoms are observed, cancer has often reached an advanced stage and may have spread to other parts of the body, which is one of the main reasons for its relatively lower detection rate. Signs and symptoms of gastric cancer Early symptoms of cancer may be associated with an acidic stomach or a burning sensation (heartburn). Gastric cancer with enlarged and invaded normal tissue can cause fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain in the upper abdomen, bloating of the stomach after meals, nausea and occasional vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
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Things you need to know about Melanoma
General Health

Things you need to know about Melanoma

Melanoma isn’t a common type of skin cancer, but it’s the most serious as more often than not, it spreads easily. One of the major risk factors for melanoma is overexposure to the sun. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer where melanocytes, the pigment-producing cells mutate and become cancerous. Most of the pigment cells are found in the skin, but it’s also possible to get melanoma in the eyes called ocular melanoma and other parts of the body. It’s rare, but the intestines can also have melanoma. It is uncommon in people who have dark skin. Melanoma is only one type of skin cancer, less common than squamous cell and basal cell skin cancers. It’s dangerous because its chances of spreading or metastasizing are pretty high. Though melanoma can develop anywhere on the skin, certain areas are more likely than others. The chest and the back are more likely to get affected in men, whereas women are more prone to find melanoma in the legs. Neck and face are other common parts where it appears. Facts about melanoma The number of cases of melanoma is increasing for people under the age of 40 years, especially in women. Avoiding sunburn is another way to reduce the risk of skin cancer.
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A brief guide to tuberculosis
General Health

A brief guide to tuberculosis

Tuberculosis or TB is a disease caused by bacteria which spreads through contamination of air from person to person. It can be fatal if not treated on time. The people who are affected by the tuberculosis bacteria may not fall sick, but they still need treatment to prevent the development of this condition in the future. It is an infectious disease which mainly affects the lungs. The bacteria spreads through tiny droplets released into the air via coughs and sneezes. Due to HIV, tuberculosis infections have become more common as HIV weakens a person’s immune system and their body is incapable of fighting the TB germs. Patients with TB must take different types of medications for several months to eliminate the infection and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. Types Doctors make a distinction between the types of TB: Latent TB: In this condition, the bacteria remain in the body but in an inactive state. It causes no symptoms. It is also known as inactive TB or TB infection. It isn’t contagious, but it may turn into active TB if one does not get the right treatment. Active TB: The bacteria makes the person sick, and such an individual can spread the infection to others.
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Early signs and symptoms of an asthma attack
General Health

Early signs and symptoms of an asthma attack

Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways which disrupts the proper transport of air to the lungs. The airways become narrow and swell and also produce extra mucus due to this disease. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing and wheezing. For some people, asthma could be a minor nuisance, but for others, it could be life-threatening. Asthma is a non-curable disease. However, its symptoms can be controlled by certain medications, devices called inhalers, and lifestyle changes. It is essential to know the symptoms of an asthma attack to ensure proper and timely treatment. Asthma patients might experience long periods of time without any symptoms; and then might have an asthma episode without warning. Hence, it is crucial to carry medication with you to avoid any mishaps if you have been diagnosed with asthma. Know more on asthma Asthma can flare up under certain conditions, and the three important ones to look out for are exercise-induced asthma, occupational asthma, and allergy-induced asthma. High-intensity exercises can cause shortness of breath leading to an asthma attack if you have swollen airways. Workspaces might trigger asthmatic attacks through chemical fumes, gases or dust which affect the breathing process and irritate the airways.
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Advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy
General Health

Advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy

Cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, and it can develop in any part of the body. It is a well-established fact that cancer cells are present in the body. However, there are various factors through which these cells are stimulated and can cause a type of cancer to grow. Cancer is usually detected through screening of the patient, and the treatment of cancer depends on the diagnosis and the stage of cancer. Chemotherapy is one of the most commonly used treatments for any kind of cancer. But it must be kept in mind that chemotherapy is usually used to treat cancer types that cannot be treated by medications or as per the recommendation of the doctor. Why is chemotherapy used? To understand why chemotherapy is used, one must first understand how it is performed. The primary goals of chemotherapy provided for any type of cancer are: Palliation Cure Control Chemotherapy is the strategic use of various kinds of drugs that are administered to the patient. The treatment involves injecting the drugs into the bloodstream to make sure that the drugs reach every part of the body. The concept of introducing such cancer treating drugs into the body is to make sure that the drugs damage the cancer cells.
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Dry mouth- Foods to avoid and foods to have
General Health

Dry mouth- Foods to avoid and foods to have

What is dry mouth? Dry mouth, also called xerostomia, is a condition of the mouth in which the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. As a result of which the mouth feels parched and dry. Saliva helps in preventing tooth decay by neutralizing the acids produced by bacteria, limiting the bacterial growth, washing away the particles of food. It also enhances your ability to taste and make it easier to chew and swallow food. The causes of dry mouth can either be an underlying disease like HIV, Sjogren’s syndrome, sarcoidosis, amyloidosis, any endocrine disorder, or other conditions like not having adequate fluids, sleeping with an open mouth, hot and dry weather, eating dry foods, and it can also be a side effect of various medications and chemotherapy. Dry mouth due to any treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy normally goes away as soon as the treatment is stopped. Xerostomia may also occur because of an accidental or surgical trauma as well as because of factors like stress, anxiety, depression, and others. The symptoms of dry mouth also include increased thirst, difficulty in swallowing, taste changes in the mouth, rough tongue, mouth sores, and cracked lips.
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Here’s how to treat cold and cough in babies
General Health

Here’s how to treat cold and cough in babies

Babies often fall ill due to a common cold. Viruses are responsible for causing cold and cough. There are over 200 viruses that may cause a cold and cough. Most often, people catch a cold during the fall and winter. Babies can get a cold 8 to 10 times a year before they turn 2. Parents should take babies under the age of 3 months to a doctor if they have breathing troubles, start vomiting, or have a fever. If left untreated, a cold and cough in toddlers can cause bronchitis, croup, and pneumonia. Parents should avoid giving over-the-counter medication to children under the age of 4 years. Cough medications should also not be given to toddlers as coughing is the body’s way of releasing phlegm. However, there are ways to treat infants with a cold and cough. Some of the best ways to treat this condition are: Saline drops Saline drops are water and salt solutions. If the infant has a stuffy nose, saline drops or a saline nasal spray can help thin the mucus and shrink the airways. These drops may be administered with a suction bulb. It is recommended to use it two to three times a day.
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Symptoms and prevention measures associated with HIV
General Health

Symptoms and prevention measures associated with HIV

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) immune cells. CD4 cells are a type of T cells. These are the white blood cells (WBCs) that move in the body, detecting faults and anomalies in the cells, as well as infections. When HIV targets and penetrates these cells, it reduces the body’s ability to combat other illnesses and diseases. This, in turn, increases the risk and impact of opportunistic infections (Ols) and cancers. But an individual can carry HIV for a long time without experiencing any signs or symptoms. A lifelong infection, receiving treatment and managing HIV effectively can prevent it from reaching a severe stage and reduces the risk of a person passing on the virus. Symptoms Mainly, infections by other bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi cause the more severe symptoms associated with HIV. These health conditions tend to progress further in HIV-infected individuals than in individuals with healthy immune systems. A healthily functioning immune system protects the body against the more advanced effects caused by infections, and HIV causes a disruption of this process. Some people suffering from HIV don’t show any symptoms until months or even years after contracting the virus.
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Top tips for preventing GERD
General Health

Top tips for preventing GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a preventable disorder that involves the reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus. The commonly occurring condition can cause many complications and troublesome symptoms, such as heartburn. But fortunately, there are many ways in which you can prevent the condition from occurring at all. In this article, we will talk about the top 10 lifestyle modifications that can decrease your chances of GERD. Ways to Prevent GERD Maintain a healthy body weight Many studies reveal that obesity is the leading cause of GERD. The additional stomach fat puts pressure on your abdomen, which in turn pushes the gastric juices up into the esophagus. Thus, maintaining a healthy body and proper weight is imperative to prevent the condition. Avoiding foods that cause reflux There are certain food items that can increase the likelihood of acid reflux. These include: Spicy and fatty foods Acidic foods such as citrus and tomatoes Onions Chocolate Mint Carbonated and caffeinated beverages Eat smaller meals Eating large meals can really fill up the stomach, putting pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). This can increase the chances of GERD. Don’t lie down immediately after eating Make it a point to wait for at least three hours before going to bed or even lying down after a meal.
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