Common blood disorders – Symptoms, causes, and risk factors

Common blood disorders – Symptoms, causes, and risk factors

Blood disorders can be of various types. The most common ones include anemia, bleeding and clotting disorders like hemophilia, and cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. In this article, let’s look at the symptoms, causes, and risk factors associated with some of the common blood disorders. Read on to know more about three common blood disorders. Leukemia Among the most common symptoms of leukemia are extreme fatigue and feeling ill. Additionally, people with leukemia have a tendency to bleed easily; the urine or stool may be accompanied by blood, or patients might bleed from their nose or gums. One may also experience swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and a loss of appetite. Causes: Leukemia typically develops when the DNA inside the blood cells starts getting damaged, which can cause the blood cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. In this situation, the healthy blood cells die and are replaced by new abnormal cells, which develop inside the bone marrow. However, abnormal blood cells do not die naturally and keep building up. This leads to the cancerous cells overcrowding and outnumbering the healthy cells, resulting in leukemia. Risk factors: The most common risk factor associated with leukemia is the presence of certain viruses (human T-lymphotropic virus) in the body.
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Lung cancer – Types, symptoms, and causes

Lung cancer – Types, symptoms, and causes

When the cells in the lungs begin to abnormally multiply and grow, it results in cancer. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. And the risk of suffering from this life-threatening disease is even higher when one is a smoker. Herein, we discuss the various factors that come into play when it comes to lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer Usually, lung cancer does not present any symptoms or signs in the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, one may notice Headache Bone pain Loss in weight Hoarse voice Chest pain Shortness of breath Coughing of blood A new cough that persists One should consult a doctor if they notice these signs. If someone is unable to quit smoking, they should visit a medical practitioner for quitting techniques to help avoid this disease. Types of lung cancer There are two kinds of lung cancer: Non-small cell lung cancer This is a catchall term that includes many varieties of this disease, like large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Small cell lung cancer This happens mainly to people who are heavy smokers, and it’s rarer than non-small cell lung cancer. Risk factors of lung cancer Various factors put you at risk of getting this disease.
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Symptoms and causes of ADHD

Symptoms and causes of ADHD

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition mostly diagnosed in children, and its symptoms can continue well into adulthood. This disorder can result in hyperactivity, difficulty focusing, behavioral issues like frequent outbursts of anger and frustration, and inattentiveness. While this condition does not have a cure, the symptoms can be managed effectively with proper treatment. Read on to know more about this condition. Symptoms of ADHD The main symptoms of ADHD are impulsive behavior, inattention, and hyperactivity. The signs can appear from a young age and become apparent even before children turn 12 years old. Also, ADHD can manifest in different ways in boys and girls. While it is common for boys to be more hyperactive, girls with this disorder tend to be inattentive. Generally, children with ADHD will either be inattentive or hyperactive or have a combination of these symptoms. Inattention If a child shows some of the following signs for at least 6 months, they might be facing the problem of inattentiveness: Makes careless mistakes while doing homework or fails to pay attention to detail Cannot focus while playing or performing simple tasks May not listen carefully, even when someone is talking to them directly Cannot follow instructions Is unable to organize tasks Avoids any task that requires focus Loses things easily and frequently Can become distracted easily Impulsivity and hyperactivity The following is a list of the symptoms that indicate impulsivity or hyperactivity in children if they manifest for 6 months or longer:
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Essential factors Related to kidney and liver diseases

Essential factors Related to kidney and liver diseases

The kidneys & liver are two essential organs in the human body. They are involved in many important functions such as removal of waste, metabolic activity, hormone activity, and digestive function. To ensure that the health and wellbeing of these two important body organs, let us look at the symptoms, causes, and risks associated with kidney & liver diseases so that you take all the precautions to avoid these. Symptoms of a liver-related disease If a person has liver disease, they may exhibit the following symptoms: Vomiting Skin becoming yellow Drowsiness Being disoriented Swelling in the abdomen Having pain in the upper right abdomen Symptoms of kidney failure The symptoms associated with a person suffering from kidney failure include Irregular heartbeat Difficulty in breathing Pain in the chest Feeling weak Retention of fluid, which leads to swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs Coma or seizures in serious cases Causes of kidney & liver failure These causes are known to be quite common for kidney failure Infection Certain viruses such as the viruses causing Hepatitis A, B, and C can lead to infection and inflammation in the liver. Genes and medications Liver diseases such as Wilson’s disease Hemochromatosis are genetically inherited.
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Understanding the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of Parkinson’s disease

Understanding the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease is a form of a progressive nervous system disorder that directly impacts the movement of the body. While symptoms may start to appear gradually, sometimes they begin with a mild tremor in any of the hands. Tremors are quite common, the disorder can also cause slowing down the movement as well as stiffness in the body. In this article, we would be looking at the different symptoms, causes, and risk factors associated with this medical condition. Symptoms The signs of this disorder differ from one person to another. While early symptoms may be unnoticed, they appear on one side of the body and worsen that area. Some of the most common ones include: Tremor The most common sign of Parkinson’s disease is tremors. It usually starts from any of the limbs. It can occur in the fingers or even the hand. Change in speech and writing If you speak quickly or mumble and experience difficulty in writing, you may be suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Rigid muscles Muscle stiffness typically occurs in any part of the body. The stiff muscles can be quite painful, limiting the range of motion. Impaired balance or posture A change in posture and balance issues are also the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
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Symptoms and risks associated with mouth and teeth diseases

Symptoms and risks associated with mouth and teeth diseases

Mouth and teeth problems are common occurrences in individuals. One should not wait for the symptoms to worsen before visiting a doctor. It is always advisable to pay a visit twice every year, even if you don’t have any problems, so that any impending dangers can be dealt with promptly. Here are some of the common symptoms, causes, and risks associated with most mouth and teeth problems. Several symptoms might indicate that you have a critical oral problem. Some of these are also accompanied with neck swelling or even high fever. The key symptoms include: Suffering from bad breath for a long period despite adhering to good eating habits and trying to maintain the necessary oral hygiene Developing sores, ulcers, and tender areas in mouth frequently, which don’t heal even after two weeks Swelling in the cheek or face for no apparent reason Frequent loosening of teeth or pain especially when trying to bite or chew food items Sudden sensitivity to cold and hot beverages or temperatures Causes The causes of mouth and teeth diseases include: Excessive consumption of food items containing starch and sugar can lead to plaque formation, which can further result in tooth decay and several gum issues.
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Dealing with symptoms, causes, and risks of cold, cough, and flu

Dealing with symptoms, causes, and risks of cold, cough, and flu

Typically, viruses cause the common cold. This includes head cold, chest cold, and even seasonal flu. Most people tend to simply use over-the-counter medicines to relieve the symptoms, which include a runny nose, cough, as well as congestion. In the following article, we will cover the symptoms, causes, and risks associated with cold, flu, cough, and virus. Symptoms Waking up coughing or sneezing are just some of the common symptoms associated with cold, flu, cough, and virus. Also, it is crucial to figure out the difference between cold and flu. While a cold is mild, the flu can be a little more intense. Here are some of the common symptoms associated with these conditions: Cold Cough Stuffy or runny nose Low-grade fever Having frequent body aches Mild headache Flu Runny nose Body aches or muscle pain Tiredness Sore throat Cough Stuffy nose A frequent sensation of throat clearance Shortness of breath Wheezing Heartburn Viral infection, on the other hand, can create a host of symptoms depending on what you contract, but the main symptoms would typically be from the lists above. Causes While the causes may seem similar, they differ for all three: cold, flu and cough. Here are the common causes for all of these conditions:
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Things to know before using whitening toothpastes

Things to know before using whitening toothpastes

Important information you need to know about teeth whitening toothpastes Teeth staining and sensitivity are two of the most common issues present today. However, they are equally easily overlooked by a majority of people. While there are in-office treatments, over the counter medications, and other methods available to deal with these issues, the most convenient way is brushing. Although brushing might not give you instant results, it helps in putting up a consistent fight. Considering how neither sensitivity nor teeth staining can be cured once and for all, affordable teeth-whitening toothpaste for sensitive teeth is your best bet. Research has suggested that regular brushing with such specifically designed toothpastes helps remove surface stains caused by the foods we eat. This, however, does not help with the natural color of your teeth or the discoloration present beneath the surface. What you should know about teeth whitening toothpastes Whitening toothpastes can be abrasive, and they work by polishing the stains off. Some other types contain chemicals like peroxides that break down the stains. If you are worried that these might harm your teeth, you can opt for products that have items like charcoal or activated carbon and zinc citrate in them. Some other whitening toothpastes contain blue covarine.
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Schizophrenia – Causes, symptoms, and treatments

Schizophrenia – Causes, symptoms, and treatments

A severe mental disorder, schizophrenia impacts how an individual thinks, reacts to emotions, and perceives reality. It results in a variety of symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia that can cause the patient to isolate themselves from the rest of the world. At present, roughly 1% of the total population suffer from this mental disorder. Schizophrenia cannot be cured, however, it can be managed with the help of medications and therapy. This disorder can affect anyone. It typically develops in men during their late teens or early twenties. On the other hand, in women, the symptoms of schizophrenia begin to surface during their twenties or early thirties. The following are some commonly observed symptoms of this condition: Delusions: People suffering from schizophrenia often have delusions that can impair their day-to-day life. For example, they might believe they are being subjected to unjust prejudice, or they are exceptionally famous, or a big disaster is about to occur. Hallucinations: Typically, patients experiencing schizophrenia mention seeing things or hearing sounds and/or voices that don’t exist. Hallucinations can also involve smelling strange odors or experiencing odd sensations in the body. Disorganized speech: Schizophrenia impairs the brain’s ability to think clearly which leads to disorganized speech.
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What to eat and avoid for schizophrenia

What to eat and avoid for schizophrenia

It has been observed that those who have schizophrenia, a chronic psychological illness, usually have diets that are unhealthy, low in fiber and fruit, and high in saturated fats. Unhealthy eating habits typically lead to other health problems which can also put people with schizophrenia at high risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. According to research, dietary changes do really help manage schizophrenia. Here are some best and worst foods for schizophrenia. Foods to eat Fruits Many studies show that people with schizophrenia usually do not get enough fiber, and thus, need to eat fruits. Some of the best sources of fiber are apples, pears, and raspberries. Fiber not only helps reduce bad cholesterol but also helps in digestion, thereby reducing the chances of certain health problems associated with schizophrenia such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Vegetables Vegetables don’t have heart-heavy cholesterol, are packed with essential vitamins and fiber, and are low in calories and fat. Veggies like sweet potatoes, kidney beans, and lima beans contain potassium that could help in keeping blood sugar in check. The best food for schizophrenia is spinach as it is high in folate, which could help in easing symptoms of schizophrenia. Apart from spinach, folate can also be found in asparagus and black-eyed peas.
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