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HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

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DANGERS:Hypertension’s Effects on your Body

When high blood pressure or hypertension attacks, the effects can be felt all throughout your body. It can seriously damage all your important organs such as your heart and brain.

Below are some of the complications high blood pressure can cause to your body.

Dangers of High Blood Pressure

  1. It can damage your artery

A healthy artery is strong, flexible and elastic. All its inner lining can be seen smooth so that the blood will flow freely. Free flowing blood is important in supplying vital organs and tissues with oxygen and nutrients.

However, when hypertension gradually increases the flowing blood through the arteries, you might experience symptoms including damaged and narrowed arteries and aneurysm. Damaged and narrowed arteries limit the blood flow all throughout your body while an aneurysm can potentially rupture and eventually cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

  1. It can damage your heart

There are various numbers of damage an uncontrolled high blood pressure can bring to your heart. Among of these are coronary artery disease, enlarged left heart, and heart failure.

Coronary heart disease directly affects the arteries which supply blood to your heart muscles. When blood is unable to flow freely to your heart, you will experience several heart problems such as chest pain, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and even heart attack.

When you have an enlarged left heart, it increases your risk of getting a heart attack, heart failure and worst, sudden cardiac death.

Heart failure is simply your overwhelmed heart beginning to wear out and fail. Having damaged from heart attacks can add to this problem.

  1. It can damage your brain

Your brain mainly depends on the nourishing blood supplies in order to work properly and survive. However, when high blood pressure arises, it might cause several damages to your brains such as Transient Ischemic Attack as well as stroke, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment.

Transient ischemic attack is commonly termed as mini stroke. It is caused by atherosclerosis or clotting of the blood which can arise from high blood pressure. When you have a TIA, it means you have a high risk of acquiring a full blown stroke.

A stroke typically occurs when part of your brain is deprived of nutrients and oxygen which eventually causes your brain cells to die. When high blood pressure caused blood clots to form in arteries leading to the brain, it blocks the blood flow and potentially cause a stroke.

Dementia is a form of brain disease which results in problems with thinking, reasoning, memory, speaking, vision and movement. High blood pressure is typically the main culprit in causing dementia.

Mild cognitive impairment is the transition stage between changes in a person’s understanding and memory. It comes with aging while the more serious problem is caused by Alzheimer’s disease. Just like dementia, mild cognitive impairment results from the blocked blood flow to the brain which typically occurs when high blood pressure damages arteries.

  1. It can damage your kidneys

Kidneys are responsible for the filtering of excess fluid and wastes from your blood. A person with high blood pressure may not be able to function its kidneys at its full potential. Also, did you know that on an average, 1 of 5 adults with high blood pressure has chronic kidney disease? Some of the damages high blood pressure can bring to kidneys are kidney failure, kidney scarring, and kidney artery aneurysm.

Kidney failure damages large arteries leading to the kidneys as well as the tiny blood vessels within your kidneys. As a result, the kidneys won’t be able to effectively filter wastes from the blood. Dialysis or kidney transplantation is the ultimate requirement you might need to obtain once you have a kidney failure.

Kidney scarring or glomerulosclerosis is a type of kidney damage which is caused by the scarring of tiny clusters of blood vessels within the kidney called glomeruli. A person with glomerulosclerosis is unable to filter the body wastes effectively, which may eventually lead to kidney failure.

Kidney artery aneurysm is the bulge in walls of blood vessels. Atherosclerosis is one of its potential cause which over time, high blood pressure cause a section of it to enlarge as well as form a bulge. If not treated properly and immediately, the aneurysm can cause life-threatening internal bleeding.

Watch Out For These Symptoms

 

Blood spots in the eyes

 

 

 

 

 

Facial flushing

 

 

 

 

Dizziness

 

 

 

 

Most of the time, there are no sign or symptoms of high blood pressure. However, if you are experiencing these signs below, you might need to first consult with your doctor. Do not attempt to diagnose yourself. Make sure to entrust your health to a professional medical practitioner.

EPI disease – Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Prevention

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Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency or EPI occurs when there is an acute deficiency of the enzymes secreted by the pancreas. The various enzymes are necessary for the digestion of food, but when a patient is suffering from EPI the body becomes unable to produce the fluids. This results in maldigestion because the food consumed does not get digested properly. Patients suffering from EPI experience conditions like bloating, oily diarrhea, and gas. Since the pancreas does not work properly and the food fails to get digested, the patients suffer from the lack of proper nutrition.

According to worldwide statistics, the united states of America is the leading nation in the number of patients suffering from EPI. The market for EPI is supposed to be followed by the Asia-Pacific region and Latin America in the next few years. Patients suffering from Chronic Pancreatitis and Cystic Fibrosis are likely to develop exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. In the US, around 28 to 42 people per 100,000 of the population suffer from Chronic Pancreatitis and are likely to develop EPI in the next 10 years or so.

Symptoms

The symptoms of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency may not be noticeable initially. Many of them resemble those of GI and cannot be easily recognised. Other gastrointestinal diseases which have similar symptoms are Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Celiac Disease, and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth.

Pancreatic insufficiency, in simpler terms, is the body’s inability to break down the food and digest it properly.

Here are a few symptoms of EPI disease:

  • Frequent diarrhea:Since the food particles remain undigested they easily get passed through the digestive tract resulting in diarrhea.
  • Stomach ache: people suffering from EPI cannot easily digest food which causes gas, bloating and stomach ache.
  • Bloating: Again undigested food always creates gas and bloating.
  • Foul-smelling stool: Many peopleexperience steatorrheawhichis the excretion of oily and foul-smelling stool that refuses to get flushed easily. These people are unable to absorb all the fat consumed with the food.
  • Weight loss: People suffering from EPI disease looses weight remarkably because the body does not get any nutrient whatsoever with the food. The body cannot digest proteins, minerals or carbohydrates. The body also suffers from the lack of various vitamins like Vitamin A,E,D, and K.
  • Feeling full: People suffering from EPI disease always feel full becausethey have gas and bloatedness which makes them feel heavy and unnaturally full.

Who can get EPI?

EPI results from various other diseases like pancreatic cancer, cystic fibrosis, chronic pancreatitis, HIV/AIDS, diabetes or even cytomegalovirus infection.

Chronic pancreatitis may be considered as the foremost damage of the pancreas organ because it causes an inflammation that through the years majorly damages the organ. It also damages the cells that produce insulin, thereby leading to diabetes. Excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, and genetic mutations have been known to cause chronic pancreatitis.

Cystic Fibrosisare inherited and can affect the lungs, reproductive organs and digestive parts. The condition produces a thick mucus in different organs of the body including the pancreas. These patients have difficulty in digesting food which may also be due to EPI.

Pancreatic cancer often leads to EPI and can be treated with pancreatectomy.

Pancreatectomy means the removal of the pancreas, surgically. It can be performed due to various reasons like an injury, tumor, or even cancer. Whether removed partially or fully, the condition is likely to create trouble in digestion.

Gastrointestinal Surgeries also affect the way the pancreas can produce the digestive juices.

Diabetes is caused when the pancreas gets affected and the organ faces trouble in producing insulin, which aids in controlling blood sugar. Diabetics may also have endocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

How is EPI diagnosed?

A visit to the doctor is important in case the patient notices any of the symptoms. Some tests like the fecal fat test, fecal elastase test, and pancreatic function test may be advised to diagnose the conditions properly because many of the symptoms resemble other diseases.

Treatment of Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency

Treating EPI is crucial for the health of the people suffering from the disease. Since the digestive system does not function properly patients need to select proper food which can be easily broken down and digested.

  • Doctors will always recommend a diet which contains low-fat because it will cause less gas and bloat.
  • Consuming a lot of fruits and vegetables is important because people suffering from EPI disease can’t get sufficient nutrients from food.
  • Eating smaller meals is necessary so that the body can digest it somewhat easily and without much stomach ache.
  • Abstaining from smoking and drinking is important for preventing further damage to the pancreas.
  • Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy can help in the management of the exogenic pancreatic insufficiency along with gastric discomfort and the malabsorption of nutrients. This must be done under the expert guidance of a doctor because every patient needs varying quantities of enzymes depending on the condition of the patient. The enzymes have to be taken before or during the meals and never after eating. The medications should be taken along with cold water rather than the hot one because it can cause a reaction with enzymes and damage their effect. These medications contain digestive enzymes which aid in breaking down the fat and digest the carbohydrate andprotein. More fat in the food will require more enzymes to digest the same.
  • Patients suffering from pancreatic insufficiency have to be kept under long-term observation and all allied conditions which are leading to the problem should be treated at the earliest to cure the condition.

Can EPI be prevented?

Preventing this disease is possible if the underlying causes are treated in time. Genetic reasons or unknown causes cannot be avoided of course. The prognosis of the disease also depends on the underlying cause. Patients can live with EPI if the diet is controlled and the medication is taken on time. Preventing weight loss can be a bit of a challenge, but patients can always take the help of a nutritionist to eat the foods that help in retaining weight.

Tingling in Hands and Feet

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The tingling sensation in our hands and feet is not exactly the most desired sensation. Sometimes they are temporary. The temporary sensation is actually a result of unwanted pressure when you use your arm as a pillow to your head during your sleep. The joints are foldable, but they have nerves passing through it. From those nerves, there is blood flowing to each and every corner of your body. If the blood is not distributed uniformly in the right proportion for far too long, the sensation is experienced. It is a reflex action or in simple words, a way of letting you know that there is an issue with the blood flow. It may be an act of pressure generated on your nerves when you cross your legs for far too long. The burning and piercing feeling is not painful, and it is neutralized if you remove the pressure on the nerves by releasing the joint folded or bringing it back to the default state of comfort.

In a lot of cases, the tingling sensation in our hands and feet is hereditary or in a more easy way of approach, chronic. It may invite certain other issues like pain, numbness, muscle wasting, and itching. During such cases, the tingling may indicate towards the damage of nerves, which can be an act of certain causes like injuries on repeating scale due to stressor traumatic injuries. Other contributing factors that can cause the tingling in your hands and feet are viral or bacterial infections, chronic and toxic exposures or hormonal abnormality oriented diseases like diabetes.

Damage as such has a medical name, which is peripheral neuropathy as it disturbs the distance of nerves. The network associated with the brain as well as the spinal cordmostly in the case of the areas associated with the hands and feet are affected. There are at least 100 different categories of peripheral neuropathy. Itmay go from bad to worse in time. Certain situations may result in the immobility of limbs. Over 20 million people in America are likely to suffer from peripheral neuropathy out of which the majority includes older adults.

It is very important to look out for proper treatmentif the sensation is stubborn in the hands and/or feet areas. The sooner your tingling is recognized, treated and controlled, the better your chances are to not suffer from any severe consequences. You shouldn’t take it lightly. The after effects of this, gone critical, are not particularly simpatico with you and your medical tolerance.

Causes of Tingling in the Hands and Feet

Around 30% cases which include peripheral neuropathy are due to diabetes itself. If you are affected bydiabetic neuropathy, the tingling sensation and the other symptoms which are associated with itusuallyoccur in the feet and moveupwards towards the legs. It is then followed by the tingling along with the other associatedsymptoms that may affect the hands and continues to move upwards towards the arms. According to a survey, almost two-third of the majority of the populationsuffering from diabetes are also suffering from some other severe harm occurred in the nerves. In most of the cases, it is often observed that such symptoms are theprimarily discoverablesigns of diabetes and you should consider taking them more seriously than a simple tingling.

On another ground of around 30% cases of peripheral neuropathy, the reason behind is idiopathic or obscure.”

There are a variety of reasons for the remaining 40% of the cases, which are as follow:

  1. Nerve entrapment syndromes: This section includes carpal tunnel syndrome, peroneal nerve palsy, ulnar nerve palsy and radial nerve palsy.
  2. Systemic diseases:This category of diseases includes kidney problems, liver diseases, vascular damage and blood diseases, amyloidosis, connective tissue disorders and chronic inflammation, hormonal imbalances (which include hypothyroidism), cancers and benign tumors which initiate on nerves.
  3. Vitamin deficiencies: Vitamins E, B1, B12, B6, and niacin etc. are important for proper nerve functioning. The deficiency of Vitamin B12 may result in pernicious anemia, a significant factorwhich causes peripheral neuropathy. But B6 consumption at an abnormal rate may also create tingling in hands and feet.
  4. Alcoholism:Deficiencies of thiamine or other important vitamins similar to it are found in alcoholics. These deficiencies are the result of their inappropriate dietary habits which further results in peripheral neuropathy. Another possibility of alcoholism is nerve damage. Theresearchers coin this condition as alcoholic neuropathy. To remove alcohol from our body, our body uses a huge amount of water and energy which in the process, dries up the entire body. That is the explanation of a hangover.
  5. Toxins:Toxins category is comprised of heavy metals like mercury, arsenic, lead and thallium along with variouschemicals exhausted from industries as well as the environment surrounding them. Toxins are also found in a variety of medications,especially the chemotherapy treatment for treating cancer. It also listsa wide variety of antiviral and antibiotic medications.
  6. Infections: Thiscategory includes Lyme disease, shingles (varicella-zoster), cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, herpes simplex, and HIV/AIDS.
  7. Autoimmune diseases:This list of diseases includes chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
  8. Inherited disorders: This category includes a collectionthat may consista few sensory and motor symptoms,. Among them, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is the most popular and commonly foundtype.
  9. Injury:Related to trauma in most of the cases, nerves usuallygo under certain conditions and be compressed, crushed, or damaged, and as a result,pain initiates on the nerves. Examples of such cases consist of nerve compression,which is usually caused due to adamageddisc or a bone that’s dislocated.

Diagnosis of Tingling Hands and Feet

To get rid of the tingling sensation in your hands and feet by proper treatment, you will have to go through a series of detailed physical examination tests recommended by your doctorand go through every medical history according to the display of your symptoms along with certain other factors such as an office environment, usual social habits (including use of alcohol), exposure to toxins, risk of HIV or infectious diseases. Your doctor may also look into yourfamily history related to the neurological disease for any heredity incomings.

You might need to undergo some additional tests like:

  • Blood test:You might undergo a variety of tests in this to find out the dysfunction of kidney or livervitamin deficiencies, diabetes, multiple metabolic disorders and some common and predictable signs of improper immune system functionality.
  • The cerebrospinal fluid examination: In this test, the antibodies are being identified which is linked with peripheral neuropathy.
  • Ectromyogram (EMG): An EMG is an electrical activity test of muscle and the response associated with.
  • Nerve conduction velocity (NCV)

There might me some other tests also, which include the following:

  • Computed tomography (CT)
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Nerve biopsy
  • Skin biopsy to check nerve fiber endings

Treatments for Tingling Hands and Feet

If the treatment is supposed to be successful, then the entire procedure will depend on a precise diagnosis and the discovery of the hidden causes of the inconvenient tingling. If the peripheral nerve cells are not destroyed, they can regenerate again and act on the same inconvenient way.

There is no any available treatment for the inherited category of peripheral neuropathy. Theinherited types have a better luck to improve with appropriate treatment. A comparatively healthy blood sugar level that has been in controlfor diabetes can decreasethe diabetic neuropathy down; vitamin supplementations can also repair peripheral neuropathy among individuals with vitamin deficiencies.

The suggestion for general lifestyle includes maintaining acorrect weightaccording to the height, avoiding consumptions and also minimal toxin exposure, following an exercise program supervised by an expert, takinga complete balanced diet withno alcohol consumption or limiting it to an appropriate quantity. It is also recommended that one should quit cigarettes. Smoking cuts off thesupply of blood to the blood vessels that restrict the supply of nutrients to the peripheral nerves.

Sometimes tingling and other such symptoms of peripheral neuropathycan be limited with prescriptions that are originally prescribed for the sole motive to provide treatment for seizures and depressed state of mind.

We hope you like this article. Let us know what you think with your comments below. If you think that the information is helpful and informative, please share and help someone else in need. Thank you for reading.

Probiotics

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Probiotics are live microorganisms that are thought to produce many health benefits when ingested. Many people are surprised to learn that the human body actually needs certain bacteria in order to function properly and that not all bacteria is harmful. The Harvard Medical School cites over 500 different beneficial microorganisms being present in a healthy human intestinal tract. Most commonly used in treating digestive problems, probiotics are friendly bacteria that can be taken as a pill or powder supplement, or ingested in some of your favorite foods and beverages.

 

Yogurt can be a great option when introducing probiotics into your lifestyle. Choosing one can be a challenge, though, as not all yogurt is made with live cultures and cow’s milk. Different yogurts contain different microorganisms, with Activia being one of the best choices due to its use of the bacteria Bifidus regularis, which is known to help regulate the digestive system. Cured olives that are free of sodium benzoate and apple cider vinegar are also excellent options to consider. Fermented olives contain lactobacilli, a microorganism that reduces pathogens found in the digestive tract and relieves the discomfort often associated with gut dysbiosis and Chron’s disease. The apple cider vinegar contains raw apples that help the stomach acid digest important nutrients and proteins, and feed the healthy bacteria located within the digestive tract.

 

Probiotics are also used to treat other conditions such as those affecting the mouth and colic in babies. In both cases, the bacteria Lactobacilli is the live microorganism. When using probiotics to treat or prevent tooth decay, the lactobacilli was found to reduce streptococcus and candida growth (the cavity causing bacterias). Probiotic use for colic in infants is considered typical throughout Europe. In fact, Dr. Indrio of the Aldo Moro University in Italy says she routinely prescribes probiotics to cure and/or prevent colic in babies up to 3 months of age. The lactobacillus bacteria is used as liquid drops and regulates the infant digestive system, reducing common gastrointestinal issues like acid reflux and constipation.

 

Although the microorganisms found in probiotics are healthy and good for the body, taking introducing probiotics does come with risks due to the complexity of bacteria-host interactions. Typically, side effects are minimal and include ailments like gas and bloating. However, people who have compromised immune systems, for instance, those with autoimmune or metabolic disorders, premature infants and the elderly, are at risk for bacteremia which often leads to sepsis. Further research is being done on the long-term effects of probiotics. The overstimulation of the digestive system could cause gastrointestinal problems over time, and the effects of how probiotics affect genes are still unknown.

 

Current research on probiotics includes the Tulane University study on the use of probiotics to treat diarrhea in children of underdeveloped countries, the Tufts University research on the treatment of MRSA with probiotics and the Mayo Clinic trials focusing on using probiotics in the reduction of substances found in urine that would cause kidney stones. Once further research has been completed in the United States, probiotics could easily become a “go-to” natural treatment option for a number of diseases and disorders.

 

When taking probiotics, it is important to always do so under the care of your physician. If you experience any side effects you should consult your doctor. Keep in mind that not all probiotics are the same. Each one contains a different type of living microorganism. While one probiotic may cause you to become gassy, choosing a different one may yield only positive results. Probiotics have and will continue to be a rapidly growing alternative to prescription drug treatments.

 

Sepsis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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Sepsis is known as the medical complication that is due to the acute immune response of the body against the infection. The biochemicals that are spread in the blood stream to remove the infection causes swelling in the body. This inflammation becomes the root cause for organ damage and even the blood clotting during sepsis results in obstructed blood flow to limbs and internal organs that blocks the flow of nutrients and oxygen.

In severe conditions, sepsis results in single or multiple organ failure. The advanced level of this condition leads into major falling blood pressure that is known as the septic shock conditions which may result in multiple organ failure at the same time including kidneys, lungs, and liver resulting in death. The common people usually get confused with the term septicemia that is condition of serious secondary level infection that worsens quickly and may result in death.

Sepsis Causes and Risk Factors

The most prevalent cause for sepsis is the bacterial infections; while it can be caused due to other infections also. This condition may occur by beginning of the infection in body due to bacteria or any other infectious microbes.

The conditions responsible for sepsis may vary from the simple infections that are negligible like cracked cuticle or broken skin as well as due to the serious medical issues like meningitis, appendicitis, bone rooted infections, pneumonia or urinary tract infection. The hospitalized patients suffering may also catch infections from the IV sets or other surgical procedures. Anyone may be affected by sepsis but certain categories of people are largely at risk which includes.

  • Patients suffering from weak immunity like as patients of cancer or HIV/AIDS. Apart the people taking immune suppressor for organ transplant may also get prone to sepsis.
  • Infants and very young babies
  • Old people with health issues
  • People who have undergone major surgery or prolonged hospitalization.
  • Diabetic patients.

Symptoms of Sepsis

As the beginning of the sepsis may initiate from any part of the body the symptoms are quite varied but the common signs include faster breathing and the change in mental state like increased confusion or diminished senses. Along with this the common symptoms that are observed in sepsis are as below:

  • Febrile Chills or too low body temperature
  • Low or reduced urine output
  • Higher pulse rate
  • Faster breathing
  • Nauseating and vomit
  • Diarrhea

Treatment of Sepsis

It is quite important to diagnosis the conditions of sepsis in early stage. The suspected patients are examined for differential tests that include the:

  • Presence of Bacteria in blood stream or other body fluids
  • Investigating of the infection source by methods like X-ray, Ultrasound or CT scan
  • Higher or reduced White Blood Cell count
  • Reduced platelet count
  • Continued Low Blood Pressure
  • Acidosis in blood
  • Disturbed Kidney or Liver related functions

In the case of sepsis the patients are placed in the ICU for preventing the conditions of sepsis and maintain the appropriate functioning of the organs.

Medication and line of treatment for Sepsis

The common line of treatment for sepsis is base on the below steps:

  • Injecting the Broad-spectrum antibiotics to invade bacterial growth.
  • Managing the Blood Pressure by administering IV fluids.
  • Maintaining Oxygen saturation to maintain normal blood oxygen level

This is the first step in treating sepsis; while the root cause for bacterial infection is detected. After that the physician may start on the drugs for particular type of bacteria. In other cases as per the severity of the conditions that patients are given the supports like dialysis, or oxygen supply or in some cases surgical intervention may be required to remove the infection.

Gouts: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

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Gouts are a kind of inflammatory arthritis; recurrent swelling, tenderness, redness and hot attacks in joints characterize gouts. Gout pain comes quickly in duration of less than 12 hours. In almost half of the gout cases, the most affected part is the joint present at the base of the first (big) toe. Sometimes gouts also end up in kidney stones or urate nephropathy, or sometimes tophus due to the deposit of uric acid crystals. An attack of gout is always due to the high crystallization of uric acid deposited in joints and the surrounding tendons and tissues in crystallized form.

Causes of Gouts

Excess of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia) is the initial cause of gouts. Production of uric acid in the body is due to the breakdown of purines- in foods such as seafood, poultry, and meat, purine a specific chemical compound is very high. Kidneys filter the uric acid dissolved in the blood to excrete it from the body through urine, the excess of uric acid builds up needle-like crystals which cause inflammation in nearby tissues.

Factors that increase hyperuricemia and therefore gout

  • Lifestyle

Sweetened drinks (fructose), alcohol consumption in a large amount, seafood, meat, poultry etc are rich in purine, this purine-rich diet cannot be broken down by the body and therefore the removal of uric acid is difficult. This lifestyle of purine-rich diet is a major cause of gouts.

  • Genetics

Some genes like- SLC2A9, ABCG2, SLC22A12 are linked with gouts, variations caused in these genes double the risk of gouts. If during mutation SLC2A9 and SLC22A12 genes don’t mutate, hereditary hyperuricemia is caused which reduce urate reabsorption and secretion.

  • Age and Gender

Production of uric acid is more in men as compared to women. But, during menopause, the production of uric acid in women reaches the level of men.

  • Exposure to lead

Some rare cases of gouts are a result of prolonged exposure to lead. Chronic lead increases the level of uric acid and crystallizes, causing gouts.

  • Medical conditions

The occurrence of gouts is sometimes come along with other medical issues. Metabolic syndrome is a major cause found in approx. 75% cases, this is a combination of abnormal lipid levels, hypertension, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance. Kidney failure, psoriasis, hemolytic anemia, myeloproliferative disorders, and solid organ transplant are some other conditions. Gouty arthritis is often related to Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome.

  • Weight

Overweight or obesity cause the extra turnover of the tissues, which is more production of uric acid. Production of proinflammatory cytokines by fat cells increase systemic inflammation, this is due to high level of fat cells caused by body fat.

Symptoms and signs

The main symptom is the recurrent attack of severe inflammatory arthritis. Gouts mainly affect the joint of the big toes, Fingers, ankles, elbows, knees and wrists. There are four stages:

  1. Asymptomatic hyperuricemia

At this stage, uric acid forms crystals and cause slight damages due to its deposit in the tissues and cells.

  1. Acute Gouts

At this stage, the deposited urate crystals cause sudden severe inflammation and stinking pain. This attack is also known as ‘flare’ which subsides, usually within 3-10 days.

  1. Interval or inter-critical Gouts

At this stage, more urate crystals get deposited. Flares may or may not occur for months altogether, but if not treated immediately they may occur more frequently and last longer.

  1. Chronic tophaceous gouts

This is the final stage, at this time joints and kidneys may have been permanently damaged. The patient may suffer from tophus and chronic arthritis.

Treatment

Severe attacks can be avoided by medications that decrease the levels of uric acid. Settling the symptoms of a severe attack is the first aim of the treatment. A decrease in pain can be observed by the application of ice for 20-30 minutes according to tentative evidence. Avoiding purine-rich diet or reducing the levels of uric acid intake can also be of great help.

NSAIDs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the initial treatment for gouts. These are taken orally and reduce pain and inflammation in the places affected by gouts.

Colchicine

If NSAIDS are intolerable due to side effects, Colchicine is a good alternative. It may intermingle with other supplementary prescribed drugs like atorvastatin and erythromycin.

Steroids

Improvements can be seen if steroids are injected. In the case of joint infection, steroids must be excluded as they worsen the condition.

Pegloticase

It reduces the levels of uric acid; it’s given out through intravenous infusion every two weeks. It can be used to treat tophi, but has a lot of side effects.

Constipation: Types, Symptoms & Treatment

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The medical practitioners are quite cautious about the conditions related to constipation. It shall not be considered in a casual manner as it can be an alarming sign for many deadly complications. In this article, we will discuss the different aspects of constipation which include the types of constipation, symptoms, possible reasons, the line of treatment and precautions while taking medicines.

This will not only help us in getting information about the complications but also make us careful about any sort of health issues that we may already have in our bodies.

Constipation – Definition and categories

The most common definition of constipation is considered as the state of reduced or disturbed bowel movement that results in obstructed or difficulty in passing stools. This is generally a condition that everyone may face in life in some or the other way. Bowel habits and routines are different for different individuals. The tendency to constipate depends on various factors that we will discuss hereinafter.

Types of Constipation

It is mainly divided into two types; one is simple and the second is chronic constipation. Simple constipation may develop in anyone because of several reasons, including irregular food habits or due to side effects of any medicine. In chronic constipation, the patients suffer from the conditions pertaining to constipation for a continued period of time which may result in certain other complications.

Symptoms

The symptoms of constipation are quite similar in both the types which is indicated by the below conditions:

  • Fewer bowel movements
  • Difficulty in having a bowel movement (have to put pressure for passing the stools)
  • Less and Hard stools
  • Sensation to pass stools again and again
  • Pain in the belly or swelling in the colon region

When is the right time to call or visit a doctor?

It is advised to call or visit your doctor immediately when you feel constipation with pain in your paunch and you find it difficult to pass gas or stool.

Reasons for Constipation

There are several reasons for constipation that largely depends on the below areas that relate to various factors like medication, as the symptom of complications, or irregular dietary habits.

  • Due to medication: There are certain medicines that are known to develop constipation. The antacid medicines that contain aluminum or calcium are a major cause for the same. Sometimes less intake of water and consumption of antidepressants and iron pills result in constipation.
  • Due to changes in dietary habits or lifestyle: Many times the change in sleeping pattern and heavy diet may result in constipation. A lot of calcium-rich products like dairy foods may result in constipation. Pregnant women also have to face constipation.
  • Diseases: There are diseases that reflect constipation as one of the symptoms like colon cancer, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, neurological conditions like Parkinson’s & multiple sclerosis. The disorders in the digestive system, as well as hypothyroidism, may also cause constipation.

Treatments

In simple constipation related complications the things may be worked out by simple measures like bringing changes in routine. Maximizing the intake of water can simply help in resolving the complications along with the addition of roughage and dietary fiber to support bowel movements.

In chronic conditions, the treatments include the use of suppositories and laxatives for relieving from constipation.

Suppositories: These are administered in the rectal region for relieving constipation. These contain glycerin-based medicines that increase the water content in the intestine resulting in bowel movements. These are effective in relieving constipation within 15 to 60 minutes. Patients with piles and fissures shall be avoided to take this support.

Laxatives: These are usually known as stool softeners and consist of different medicines that fall into categories like fiber or lubricant based and stimulant-based laxatives. These three act in different ways to release constipation by relieving stools.

Precautions for taking Laxatives: The laxatives shall not be taken too often as it tends to form a habit for regularizing the bowel movements. Prolonged intake may reduce the natural tendency of bowel movements that cannot be restored to normal conditions easily making constipation as a chronic issue for you.

Top 5 Cancer Causing Foods to Avoid

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Anywhere you put your focus, you will discover lists of excellent foodstuff which are encouraged to protect against cancer. Newly explored foods are consistently be termed as the “it food” to avoid cancer & keep a sound body, both physically and mentally. On the other hand, why not take into consideration those food items which can result in cancer? Processed food items are more frequently the root cause, as they comprise carcinogens, an element which can make it possible for a human body to grow a particular kind of cancer.  As a general principle, it is said to be vital to prevent processed ingredients entirely, specifically the subsequent foods which are considered to be associated to leading to cancer. This is a listing of the top rated five.

Microwave popcorn

Microwave popcorn

Microwave popcorn

This delicious treat which is usually affiliated as a film convenience food, includes a remarkably poisonous chemical substance known as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) in the bag paving. In numerous researches, it’s been demonstrated that individuals that are already revealed to PFOA happen to be at a larger threat to grow kidney & bladder cancers. If you’d like to take pleasure in your popcorn without having to worry about this detrimental chemical substance, build your personal or get it from the superstore epre-poppd.

Canned Tomatoes

Canned Tomatoes

Canned tomatoes

Canned food items are hassle-free & best for long-term food storage area. Regrettably, a component identified as bisphenol A (BPA), which is required in the paving of containers has become known to get a hormonal disruptor which may disrupt or simulate hormones & because of this increase the danger for prostate & breast cancer. Canned tomatoes are more dangerous, simply because they’ve a higher acidity that permits them to saturate up the BPA at an additional swift rate than other canned food items. An important & easy remedy is to purchase fresh tomatoes from your nearby supermarket.

Farmed Salmon

Farmed Salmon

Farmed salmon

Many people are truly conscious about the numerous positive aspects of salmon, but this is also true that not all are well-informed that the source the fish is important too. Farmed salmon has become proven to own high amounts of contaminants, like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), toxaphene & dioxins, that are proven to result in cancer. It is necessary to purchase wild salmon, even when it cost considerably much more than its farmed version.

Gydrogenated Oil

Gydrogenated Oil

Hydrogenated oil

In contrast to organic oils such as olive, canola or soy hydrogenated oil is taken out synthetically from fresh vegetables & has become linked to resulting in cancer. This particular oil has a large amount of preservatives in it which facilitates increase the shelf-life of several prepared foods & transforms the way they flavor & scent. The great amount of omega-3 fatty acids observed in oil are far more dangerous than beneficial for the reason that they change the mobility & construction of cell membranes and place you at danger for cancers, particularly skin forms. Tran’s fats which can be found in hydrogenated oil are widely known for leading to cancer and must be prevented whenever probable.

Potato Chips

Potato Chips

Potato Chips

This well-liked snack food is known to have acrylamide, a well known carcinogen which is identified in cigarettes. This substance is created from deep-frying the chips in temperature ranges which get to 248 degrees Fahrenheit & is an essential phase to make the chips crunchy. Sad to say, acrylamide continues to be linked with leading to cancer & foods such as potato chips ought to be thrown out of regular eating habits. Potato chips contain high fat & may cause to harmful weight gain & higher blood pressure which may cause to a variety of overall health difficulties, together with cancer.

8 Natural Ways to Help Prevent Cancer

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If you are anxious about cancer you need not to take a position idly by with fingers crossed which it will not hit you. There are plenty of naturally verified methods to assist prevent cancer.

These extremely helpful methods are discussed here:

Eat Organic–   A very important study that was published in the peer-reviewed journal Entropy implies that glyphosate—the major component in Monsanto’s Roundup weed killer— might be related to cancer.  Glyphosate is a kind of pesticide applied in food manufacturing which has become linked to cancer.

Natural Ways to Help Prevent Cancer

Natural Ways to Help Prevent Cancer

Eat Anti-Cancer Superfoods—   Blueberries, Garlic, Green Tea Broccoli, Pomegranate, Turmeric, Tomatoes are a number of the fantastic food items with confirmed anti-cancer qualities.  The collection of anti-cancer food items is lengthy but they reveal one particular thing in common:  they are all plant-based—fruits, nuts, seeds &vegetables.

Eat Orange Foods–   Carotenoids are actually a class of phytonutrients which supply the red-yellow-orange pigments observed in food items like carrots, mangoes, apricots, pumpkin, papays, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, squash, peaches & many  equally colored food items. You could possibly have observed of beta-carotene, lycopene, & lutein each one of which is particular kinds of carotenoids.  Scientific studies at Harvard University of much more than 124,000 people demonstrated a 32 % decrease in danger of cancer in individuals who taken a wide variety of carotenoid-rich food items as element of their typical diet plan.

Zinc Up— Zinc is engaged in more than 300 physical characteristics which include the manufacturing of the highly effective anti-oxidant compound well-known as superoxide dismutase (SOD).  SOD is supposed to be one of the body’s finest defenses towards cancer because of its free-radical combating capacity.  Zinc can be found in numerous sorts of sprouts, dark leafy vegetables, pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, and onions.

Use Homeopathy— it has been seen in a newly done research in the Publication of Acupuncture & Meridian Studies discovered that the herbal treatments therapy LycopodiumClavatum confirmed anti-cancer consequences on contaminated cells & secured ordinary blood tissues. It is also found in the study that the potencies 5C & 15C (a standard rating of dilution in homeopathy) brought on cellular demise in that cancer cells.

Address a Magnesium Deficiency–   With respect to analysis in the journal Nutrition Evaluations, lower magnesium consumption raises the danger of cancer. A number of professionals calculate around 80 percent of the human population is lacking in this crucial nutrient.  Magnesium can be found in brown rice, alfalfa sprouts, celery, dark leafy greens, apples, lemons, figs, sunflower seeds, and sesame seeds.  Suggested doses of magnesium fluctuate in between 200 to 800 mg every day.

Get Sufficient Vitamin D— Vitamin since D happens to be one of the body’s most effective defenses in opposition to disease & cancer is actually no exemption.  Moderate & responsible sunshine coverage is nevertheless the most effective way to get adequate vitamin D on the other hand it can be challenging in all the time of the year.  Supplementing to get a vitamin D might be important.  A typical amount is about 1000 IU/day.  Comply with package guidelines on the item you select.  Due to the fact vitamin D is indeed fat-soluble it may be stored in the human body & develop to extra quantities when over-used.

Eat Seeds for Excellent Immunity— Pumpkin seeds are already proven guards of the prostate gland & are an excellent supplement to men & women’s regular diet plan.  Select seeds which are fresh & refrigerated to retain the reliability of Omega 3 fatty acids they include.  Besides, some other excellent seeds with cancer safeguard functions consist of: sunflower, chia, flax, and hemp.

Types of Treatment for Cancer

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There are several kinds of cancer treatment. The types of treatment method that you receive will rely on the type of cancer you’ve & how superior it is.

The major types of cancer treatment are follows:

Surgery

Surgery is regular treatment for remedy of cancer. By eliminating lesions of tumor through surgery is most frequent treatment. It reduces the cancer but can’t be entirely cured. At times it comes back after surgery.

Endoscopy, biopsy, ultrasonography & Open surgical exploration are various methods of surgery in recovering cancer.

Treatment for Cancer

Types of Treatment for Cancer

Chemotherapy

The technique of anticancer medicines used to destroy cancer cells is known chemotherapy. After or before surgery chemotherapy could be applied without making use of radiation therapy. Because of the insufficient bio distribution of chemotherapeutic agents new anticancer agents are unveiled in opposition to tumor. Chemotherapy associated to neutropenia in cancer affected individuals typhlitis. But some poisonous side effect is also result in as a result of chemotherapy.

Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy (generally known as radiotherapy) is a cancer treatment that works by using higher doses of radiation to destroy cancer cells and decrease tumors. At low amounts, radiation is used in x-rays to observe inside of your body, as with x-rays of your teeth or damaged bones. Radiation could be used to heal cancer, to stop it from coming back again, or to stop or slow its expansion. Radiation might be used to shrink a tumor to treat discomfort and other difficulties due to the tumor.

Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy is a kind of cancer treatment that helps your defense system combat cancer. The immune procedure helps your body deal with infections and other diseases. It is comprised of white blood cells as well as organs along with tissues of the lymph system.

Immunotherapy is a form of biological therapy. Biological therapy is a sort of therapy that works by using substances constructed from living organisms to cure cancer.

Targeted Therapy

Targeted therapy is the cornerstone of precision medicine. It is a kind of cancer treatment that concentrates on the changes in cancer cells that enable them develop, break down, and disperse. Since investigators discover more about the cell changes that generate cancer, they are far better in a position to layout promising therapies that target these changes or prevent their consequences.

Hormone Therapy

Hormone therapy is a cancer therapy which decreases or quits the expansion of cancer that works by using hormones to develop. Hormone therapy is also referred to as hormonal therapy, hormone treatment, or endocrine therapy.

Hormone treatment can lower the possibility that cancer will come back or halt or slow-moving its increase. Hormone therapy can also be used to lessen or avoid signs or symptoms in men with prostate cancer who are not competent to have surgery or radiation therapy.

Stem Cell Transplant

Stem cell transplants are treatments that bring back blood-forming stem cells in individuals who have gotten theirs damaged by the extremely high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy that are widely used to treat specific cancers.

In the stem cell transplant, you acquire healthy blood-forming stem cells by means of a needle in your vein. The moment they get into your bloodstream, the stem cells take a trip to the bone marrow, where they get the position of the cells that were ruined by therapy.

Precision Medicine

Precision medicine is a method to affected person care that lets doctors to choose treatments that are most probably to support patients based upon an inherited comprehension of their health issues. This can also be referred to as personalized medicine. The concept of precision medicine is not new, but the latest developments in science and technology have made it easier to accelerate the pace of this region of exploration.

A number of people with cancer will have merely one treatment. But many people have a blend of treatments, for example surgery with chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment method. When you require treatment for cancer, you have a great deal to learn as well as think about. It is typical to really feel overwhelmed and bewildered. But, discussing with your doctor and understanding about the different types of treatment you might have can certainly help you feel far more in control.