Category: Health

This page is completely informative and to motivate readers for a healthy lifestyle.

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Hepatitis C – What You Should Know?

hepatitis c

Out of many diseases, around 1.8% of US adults have liver diseases. It causes 2 million deaths per year all around the globe, which equals 4% of adults. So it is better to understand the liver functions and how the loss could significantly affect the other body parts and so on. The liver is one of the important organs in the human body. It secretes bile juice that aids in the digestion of food. Liver disease is otherwise called hepatic disease. There are several types of liver diseases like hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis c, fatty liver disease, cirrhosis, hemochromatosis, cystic fibrosis, jaundice, Wilson disease, liver cancer, hepatic encephalopathy and more. I will try my best to get a detailed article on every disease that affects the liver. Here, I have discussed hepatitis c, its signs and symptoms. How to diagnose and what is the treatment?

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that causes inflammation in the liver. The virus is called Hepatitis C (HCV) which spreads through an infected person’s blood or body fluids. Antiviral medicines are the treatment methods given to treat this hep c infection.

There are different types of hepatitis virus and they affect the human body stage by stage.

How does HCV affect the human body?

As said earlier, HCV spreads through infected blood or body fluids. Usually, there are no symptoms at all. Some patients had HCV for almost a decade too. It is important to know the time base of the virus to grow in the body.

Initial Stage or Incubation period 

This stage is the first exposure to the virus. It lasts from 14 to 80 days.

Acute hepatitis c

This is a short-term illness that lasts for 6 months after infection. When the patient has been diagnosed earlier, then he or she can get rid of the virus through antiviral medicines prescribed by the doctor.

Chronic hepatitis C

Almost 85% of acute conditions move into this stage which lasts longer than 6 months. This stage can lead to serious health illnesses like cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Cirrhosis

This stage happens over time and usually takes from 20 to 30 years. In this stage, all the healthy liver cells will become scar tissue and cause inflammation in the liver. However, for HIV-positive and alcohol consumers, the infection could be faster and cause serious illness.

Liver cancer

The condition of cirrhosis often leads to lung cancer. Only regular monitoring of liver condition by your doctor can help diagnose the disease, otherwise, there will not be any symptoms at all in the early stages.

Possible symptoms of Hep C

No symptoms are noted in the early stages of HCV infection. However, between 2 weeks and 6 months after the virus enters the bloodstream, you can notice the following signs:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Jaundice ( eyes and skin become yellow and dark urine)
  • Dark urine
  • Clay-colored poop
  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Joint pain
  • Vomiting

If you are in the end stage, then the following symptoms arise;

  • Fluid buildup in the legs (edema) or abdominal cavity
  • Encephalopathy (poor working of the brain)
  • Muscle loss
  • Problems with memory and concentration
  • Itching
  • Easy bleeding
  • Blood vomit
  • Weight loss

Hepatitis treatment procedure

Blood testing

Doctors will check your blood for antibodies (anti-HCV antibodies) and, the type of proteins your body makes when it finds hep C virus infection in your blood.

Possible results may include

Non-reactive or negative – which means either you don’t have hep c or you should get retested in a few weeks.

Reactive or positive – Your blood contains hep c antibodies and it requires another test to confirm the disease.

HCV RNA test

In this analysis, number of viral RNA particles in your blood is measured. This test has to be taken after 1 or 2 weeks from the infected day.

If the result is positive then you have HCV in your blood.

If the result is negative then you don’t have HCV in your blood.

Liver function test

Here, your doctor measures proteins and enzyme levels in your blood, which usually shows after 7 or 8 weeks. Liver damage can cause enzymes to leak into your bloodstream. Still, there are chances that you may have normal enzyme levels and still have hep C.

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Health

Dengue Prevention and Cure – A Burden in this Changing Climate

There are varieties of diseases that are transmitted through mosquito bites. Internationally, mosquito-borne disease is still a very hot topic and has had many discussions to keep it under control. We are familiar with some of the diseases like yellow, malaria, dengue fever, and West Nile virus. In this article, we are going to discuss dengue, dengue fever temperature, how to prevent it, available treatments, and so on. Firstly, dengue fever is carried by a mosquito called Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes (a small black mosquito with white stripes). These primary carriers and transmitters of this virus are typically active during the day. They hide out mostly in water-filled stagnant flower pots, unused water-filled tires, and water storage containers.

Symptoms of dengue fever

                                                         

Symptoms of this fever depend on the severity of the illness and vary from person to person. Most of the patients with dengue never showed any symptoms. However, mild symptoms of this fever include

  • Dengue fever temperature is around 104°F (40°C)
  • Sudden pain in muscles and joints
  • Pain in the backside of the eyes
  • Rashes
  • Redness on face
  • Redness in eyes
  • Sore throat
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Headache

These symptoms last for 2-7 days and most patients recovered automatically after a week. Then, a person may get a spike in his fever, then go away for 24 hours, and then spike again.

When can dengue fever temperature get severe?

The answer is YES. Between 0.5% and 5% of dengue fever cases become severe and turn into life-threatening. Severity occurs after 3-7 days, initially, the fever falls between 99.5 to 100.4°F and the following symptoms occur;

  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Vomiting more than thrice in 24 hours
  • Blood in the stool
  • Blood vomit
  • Frequent changes in body temperature
  • Rapid changes in pulse
  • Rapid changes in blood pressure

Patients with such symptoms require immediate medical support.

Dengue fever treatment

Mostly the treatment involves managing the fever symptoms. Treatment for mild cases include

  • Keeping your body hydrated, i.e. drinking plenty of water
  • Taking good rest
  • Common medications like paracetamol or Tylenol to reduce fever can be taken.

In worst cases, the patient may require

  • Hospitalization
  • Platelet transfusion
  • Blood transfusion
  • IV fluid supply to the patient

Fortunately, recent advancements in the medical industry have reduced the number of severe cases, if treated initially.

How to diagnose dengue?

As the symptoms are similar to other viral illnesses like malaria and influenza, your doctor will recommend blood tests and the person’s travel and medical history.

Who are vulnerable?

Dengue fever is more common in various countries:

  • Africa
  • North and South America
  • Australia
  • South-East Asia

Around 70% of cases occur in Asian countries. Among U.S. people, a large number of cases were found in the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Puerto Rico.

Dengue prevention and cure

Prevention is better than cure, first and foremost, the dengue vaccine approved by the FDA help prevent the illness. It is recommended for people who are 9-16 years.

Those who had this fever in the past can also take this vaccine as suggested by your doctor.

People who live in the dengue-prone zone as mentioned previously in this article should also take vaccines to prevent the illness.

Tips to avoid mosquito bites

  • Use mosquito repellents on your skin
  • Try to cover your body completely by wearing clothes
  • Use door and window screens to block mosquitoes from entering the home
  • Avoid going out in the early evening or dawn
  • Completely drain water-stagnant regions around your home.

Summarizing

Dengue fever is caused by mosquitoes. Only mild symptoms like fever, rash, body pain, etc. are seen in many cases. The severity of this fever is when persistent vomiting or blood vomiting occurs. This condition requires immediate medical attention or it could be life-threatening.

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Health

Can Type 2 Diabetes Drug Semaglutide Helps Improving Heart Health?

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition that affects the way the body regulates sugar levels in the blood. High blood sugar levels can lead to several health issues like circulatory disorders and weaken the immune systems and nervous systems. There are two primary reasons for type 2 diabetes – one is the pancreas does not secrete enough insulin (a hormone to regulate the movement of sugar into the cells) and poor response to insulin by cells which affects blood sugar cells. There’s no cure for type 2 diabetes. However, maintaining proper weight according to BMI, eating well and regular exercise can help manage the disease. In a few cases where these weight loss and exercise aren’t enough to control blood sugar levels, diabetes medications like semaglutide or insulin therapy are recommended.

What does semaglutide do to your blood sugar levels?

Semaglutide injection commonly known by its brand name Ozempic or Wegovy is recommended by your doctor along with a diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels in adults with type 2 diabetes. This drug is not for patients with type 1 diabetes. This semaglutide injection works by helping the pancreas to secrete an adequate amount of insulin when blood sugar levels are high. Insulin is the most important hormone that helps in moving the blood sugar to the other parts of the body tissues where it is used for energy. Semaglutide injection also works by decreasing appetite; it slows the movement of food through the stomach and thereby helping weight loss.

Semaglutide for heart health

In recent years, heart failure has become the most common cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. There are various clinical research has been done to come over this issue. One among which is the Ozempic or Wegovy helps improve heart health in diabetic patients. Semaglutide decreases the rate of heart-related problems in patients with type 2 diabetes. The chronic patients who were treated with once-weekly semaglutide improved their heart health status, thereby improving their quality of life. Secondarily, in emergency cases visits to hospitalizations due to heart failure and all-cause hospitalizations were also monitored. Through these, researchers have got more evidence on the efficacy and safety of semaglutide in patients with heart failure.

Maintaining a healthy long-term diet along with semaglutide

Weight loss is considered to be an efficient way to keep the blood sugar under control. By adopting a calorie-controlled and balanced diet that incorporates plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and healthy fats. This drug is the hope for many people with obesity. Other researches support that the drug carries the added benefit of reducing cancer.

How to use this medicine?

This Ozempic injection comes as a solution in a prefilled pen to inject under the skin. It is usually taken once a week without considering meals. It is recommended to take the injection on the same day each week at any time of day. Follow the directions given in your prescription carefully and ask your physician to explain any part in case you do not understand. Use exactly only as directed. Do not use more or less or use it more often than recommended.

In general, the medication usually starts with a low dose and gradually increased after 4 weeks based on your body’s response. This injection helps in controlling blood sugar levels and weight loss and improves heart health.

Always check the solution before injecting, it should be clear, colorless, and free from particles. It is not safe to use the solution if it contains solid particles or cloudy or if the date of expiry is passed.

Do not reuse or share the needles or pens with anyone. Disposing of the needle with a puncture-resistant container right after your dose is a must. Ask your doctor about how to dispose properly.

Things to follow before taking semaglutide

The following things have to be discussed with your doctor before injecting into your skin.

  • Tell your doctor if you are allergic to this medicine, and ask for a complete list of ingredients to know or confirm if you are allergic to any.
  • Tell your doctor if you have or ever had diabetic retinopathy, pancreatitis, kidney disease, or gall bladder disease. Even if you have recently had vomiting or nausea, diarrhea, or if you cannot drink liquids by mouth, which may cause dehydration.
  • Tell if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, this is because your doctor may advise you to stop using injections for 2 months before a planned pregnancy.
  • Tell if you are breastfeeding.
  • Tell your doctor if experienced any unusual stress or fever or develop an infection, if you are sick, or if there is a large change in your diet plan or exercise. This is because the above-said conditions can affect your blood sugar and the amount of semaglutide injection you may need.

Summarizing

The drug well known by its brand name Ozempic or Wegovy, is found to improve heart health in patients with type 2 diabetes. This helps in improving the quality of life in many patients with cardiovascular risks. Once-weekly is the dosage recommended by the physician based on several clinical trials. With the advances in the medical industry, there is hope for betterment in diabetics’ life.

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Myocarditis Symptoms, Risks, and Treatments

There are different causes of heart disease. Most heart diseases are caused due to high blood pressure which aids in the hardening of the arteries. The second major cause would be the high levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the arteries which result in arterial blockage. In the case of heart diseases affecting heart muscles, the heart muscles get stiff. This reduces the amount of pressure needed to expand or narrow the passage through which the blood flows. One such heart disease is Myocarditis. Myocarditis is caused due to the inflammation of the heart muscle called myocardium. Some of the common symptoms of this disease include chest pain, irregular or rapid heart rhythms, and shortness of breath. Viral infection is also the reason for the cause of myocarditis. The severe condition weakens the heart completely thereby the other organs won’t get enough blood.

Myocarditis Symptoms

Early myocarditis doesn’t have any symptoms in some people. Common myocarditis symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Inflammation in legs, ankles, and feet
  • Dizziness
  • Headache, joint pain, sore throat, or fever.

In some people, myocarditis symptoms are similar to that of a heart attack. If you get intolerable chest pain and shortness of breath, seek immediate medical help.

Causes of myocarditis

Certain viral infections, drugs, or any condition that creates whole-body inflammation are the causes of myocarditis.

Some potential causes may include:

  • Viruses – Many viruses like adenovirus (common cold), COVID-19, parvovirus (causes a mild rash on the skin), hepatitis B and C, and herpes simplex virus are linked to the inflammation of heart muscles. Mononucleosis, echoviruses, and rubella (German measles) can also cause myocarditis. Myocarditis can also be caused by HIV which causes AIDS.
  • Fungi – People with weakened immune systems are likely to attract fungal infections that may result in myocarditis. Such fungal infections include Aspergillus, Histoplasma (found in bird droppings), candida, and molds.
  • Bacteria – Some bacteria that cause diseases like diphtheria and Lyme and staphylococcus and streptococcus can cause myocarditis.
  • Parasites – Parasites transmitted by insects can cause Chagas disease. Chagas disease is more common in Central and South America than in the United States.
  • Drugs – Antibiotics like sulfonamide and penicillin, anti-seizure medications, cocaine, and drugs that are used to treat cancer have an impact on causing heart muscle inflammation.
  • Chemicals or radiation – Over-exposure to radiation and carbon monoxide can also cause inflammation in heart muscles.

How severe is myocarditis?

Mostly myocarditis goes away without any permanent complications. However, those with severe effects can permanently damage the heart muscle.

Risks include:

Heart failure – Untreated myocarditis can permanently damage the muscles in the heart which leads to poor pumping of blood to the heart and other parts of the body. This condition may require a heart transplant or ventricular assist device.

Heart attack or stroke – Injured heart muscles can’t pump blood out of the heart properly and this collected blood form clots. If in case, when this clot travels to an artery leading to the brain can cause a stroke.

Irregular heart rhythms – Damaged heart muscles cause rapid changes in the heart beats which certainly increases the risk of stroke.

Sudden cardiac death – Serious Arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) can make the heart stop beating all of a sudden. This could cause sudden cardiac arrest.

How to prevent myocarditis

There’s no specific prevention method to protect from myocarditis. However, protecting us from various infections might help prevent the disease.

  • Avoid close contact with infected people – Stay away from people with symptoms of flu or other respiratory illness. Similarly, if you’re sick with a viral infection, it is good to avoid exposing others.
  • Washing hands regularly – Frequent hand-washing is one of the best ways to stay away from various viral infections and spreading illnesses.
  • Get vaccines – Get vaccines as recommended to protect against COVID-19, rubella, and influenza to prevent myocarditis. Talk to your medical practitioner to understand the benefits and risks of vaccines according to your age.

Diagnosis of myocarditis

To protect from long-term heart damage, it is important to do an early diagnosis. A typical examination procedure will include listening to your heartbeat with a stethoscope by your health care provider.

The following tests are done to confirm myocarditis and determine its severity.

  • Blood tests – To determine the severity of infection and inflammation or to check for signs of a heart attack, your healthcare provider will recommend blood tests.
  • ECG (Electrocardiogram) – This easy and painless test is carried out to determine how your heart beats. If there is a sign of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias), then your healthcare provider will proceed with other tests to confirm myocarditis. Nowadays, a smartwatch can offer electrocardiogram monitoring. Consult with your doctor, to know if this is an option for you.
  • Cardiac MRI – This test uses radio waves and magnetic fields to produce detailed images of the heart. This result shows the size, shape, and structure of the heart. From this, we can find heart muscle inflammation.
  • Echocardiogram – Here, sound waves are used for creating images of the heartbeat. This also shows how well blood flows through the heart valves. Echocardiogram is useful to determine the presence of any unwanted fluid around the heart.
  • Cardiac catheterization – A catheter (thin tube) is threaded through a blood vessel in the arm or groin to an artery in the heart. This tube helps identify the issues more clearly on X-rays.
  • Heart muscle biopsy – During the cardiac catheterization method, a tiny sample of heart muscle tissue is taken and sent to a lab to be diagnosed for infection or inflammation.

Treatment

Some people with mild myocarditis may require medications only for a few months and then recover completely. People with severe or permanent heart muscle damage may require life-long medication. Therefore, it’s important to have regular checkups with your healthcare provider to check for possible complications.

Surgeries

Severe myocarditis needs aggressive treatment procedures which include:

  • Ventricular assist device (VAD) – this helps in pumping blood from the ventricles (lower chambers of the heart) to the rest of the body. VAD is commonly used to help the heart work while undergoing other treatments like heart transplants.
  • IV medications – Some medications are given through an IV to quickly improve the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
  • Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation – ECMO is a machine that works similarly to the lungs. This helps to add oxygen to the blood and removes carbon dioxide. During ECMO, blood is removed from the body, passed through the machine, and then returned to the body. This procedure is widely used during heart transplantation.
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Common Migraine Causes and Triggers: How to Identify and Avoid Them

Introduction

Migraine headaches are a common and recurring type of headache that can cause moderate to severe pain in the head, often accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smells. Migraines can last for hours or even days and can significantly impact a person’s daily activities, including work, school, and socializing. They can be triggered by a variety of factors, including stress, certain foods, hormonal changes, sleep disturbances, and weather changes. Migraines can be treated with medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies, and identifying and avoiding migraine causes and triggers is an essential part of managing migraines.

Importance of Identifying and Avoiding Migraine Triggers

Identifying and avoiding migraine triggers is crucial for managing migraines and reducing their frequency and severity. Migraine triggers can vary from person to person, and identifying the specific triggers that cause migraines can be challenging. However, keeping a headache diary and monitoring lifestyle factors can help individuals identify patterns and potential triggers.

Avoiding migraine triggers can help prevent migraine attacks and reduce the need for medication and other treatments. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet, can also help prevent migraines. When a trigger cannot be avoided, knowing the trigger can help individuals prepare and take appropriate action, such as taking medication or adjusting their routine to minimize the impact of the trigger.

Overall, identifying and avoiding migraine causes and triggers is an essential part of managing migraines and improving the quality of life for those who suffer from them. It can take time and effort to identify the triggers, but the benefits of doing so can be significant.

Common Migraine Triggers

Different types:

Migraine triggers can be categorized into different types based on their nature and source. Here are some of the most common types of migraine triggers:

  1. Environmental Triggers: These include weather changes, changes in altitude, and exposure to bright or flickering lights, loud sounds, or strong smells.
  2. Lifestyle Triggers: These include irregular sleep patterns, skipping meals, dehydration, excessive caffeine consumption, and overuse of medications.
  3. Hormonal Triggers: Hormonal changes in women can trigger migraines, such as during menstrual cycles, pregnancy, or menopause.
  4. Food Triggers: Certain foods and drinks can trigger migraines, such as aged cheeses, processed meats, alcohol (especially red wine), chocolate, and foods containing monosodium glutamate (MSG).
  5. Stress Triggers: Stress is a common trigger for migraines, and it can come from various sources such as work, family, or personal issues.
  6. Physical Triggers: Physical exertion, such as intense exercise, or sexual activity, can trigger migraines in some people.

It’s important to note that not all triggers affect every person, and the severity of their effects can vary as well. Identifying specific triggers that are unique to an individual is crucial in managing migraines effectively.

Different methods to identify migraine triggers

There are different methods to identify migraine causes and triggers. Here are some common methods that can help:

  1. Keep a headache diary: A headache diary is a log where you can record the date, time, duration, and intensity of each headache. You can also include details about what you ate, what you were doing before the headache, and any other symptoms you experienced. This can help you identify patterns and potential triggers.
  2. Identify patterns: Once you have collected data in your headache diary, you can look for patterns that may indicate specific triggers. For example, if you notice that you tend to get headaches after eating certain foods or when you’re under stress, those could be potential triggers.
  3. Elimination diet: An elimination diet involves temporarily removing certain foods from your diet to see if they are triggers for your migraines. For example, you might eliminate foods that are known to be common triggers, such as chocolate, caffeine, or processed meats, and then slowly add them back one at a time to see if they cause a headache.
  4. Testing for allergies: Allergies can trigger migraines, and allergy testing can help identify potential allergens. Once you know what you’re allergic to, you can take steps to avoid those allergens and reduce the likelihood of a migraine.
  5. Medical tests: In some cases, your healthcare provider may order medical tests to rule out underlying conditions that can cause migraines. These tests can include blood tests, imaging tests, or other diagnostic procedures.

Tips to avoid migraine causes and triggers

  1. Keep a headache diary: Keeping a headache diary can help you identify patterns and potential triggers. Once you know your triggers, you can take steps to avoid them.
  2. Maintain a regular sleep schedule: Getting enough sleep and maintaining a regular sleep schedule can help prevent migraines. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night, and try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day.
  3. Manage stress: Stress is a common migraine trigger, so it’s essential to manage stress levels. You can try relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga, to help reduce stress.
  4. Stay hydrated: Dehydration can trigger migraines, so it’s important to drink enough water throughout the day. Aim for at least eight glasses of water per day, and avoid drinks that can dehydrate you, such as alcohol and caffeine.
  5. Avoid trigger foods: Certain foods and beverages can trigger migraines, so it’s important to avoid them. Common trigger foods include chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, processed meats, and foods that contain nitrates or MSG.
  6. Wear sunglasses: Bright or flickering lights can trigger migraines, so wearing sunglasses can help reduce the impact of light triggers.
  7. Avoid strong smells: Strong smells can also trigger migraines, so avoid perfumes, cigarette smoke, and other strong smells.
  8. Exercise regularly: Regular exercise can help prevent migraines by reducing stress and improving overall health. However, it’s important to avoid overexertion, as this can also trigger migraines.
  9. Take breaks and rest: Taking breaks and resting can help reduce stress and prevent overexertion, which can trigger migraines.
  10. Work with a healthcare provider: If you are having trouble identifying triggers or managing migraines, consider working with a healthcare provider or a migraine specialist. They can help you develop a plan to avoid managing triggers and reduce the frequency and severity of migraines.

Summary

Remember, every person’s experience with migraines is different, and what works for one person may not work for another. With time and effort, you can identify your triggers and develop a plan to manage your migraines and improve your overall quality of life.

 

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Health

Best Way to Purify Lungs

People who smoke regularly, have regular exposure to air pollution, or those who suffer from chronic respiratory health conditions like asthma, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should take care of their lungs. If you can move out of these circumstances, then the lungs have the capacity of cleaning on their own. But if you aren’t able to do so, then the methods mentioned below are the best way to purify lungs. Read on to know more.

Why cleaning lungs is important?

Lung health determines a person’s overall health. There is no doubt about it. Healthy breathing is essential for a healthy long-living. Moreover, the Lungs are self-healing organs like the Liver. Once you quit smoking or avoid too much air-contaminated environment, then your lungs can turn normal. As we live in a COVID-19 period, we have to be extra careful to avoid lung damage. Chest congestion and other symptoms like inflammation can be avoided if you follow the methods below.

Effective natural ways for cleansing your lungs

Steam therapy

People with lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experience their symptoms worsening with cold or dry air. Such climate drowns out mucus membranes and restricts blood flow. Lung mucus catches microbes easily and causes various respiratory health issues.

Steam inhalation helps loosen mucus in the airways and lungs. This creates immediate relief and helps for easy breathing. It is the best way to purify the lungs.

Controlled Coughing

People with COPD follow this exercise to purify their lungs. Coughing is considered the natural way of expelling toxins trapped in mucus.

How to do exercise step-by-step?

  • Sit on a chair, keep your shoulders relaxed, keep both feet flat on the floor
  • Fold your arms over the stomach
  • Slowly breathe in through your nose
  • Slowly breathe out by pushing arms over the stomach while leaning forward
  • Try coughing 2 or 3 times with your mouth open
  • Slowly breathe in through your nose
  • Repeat the exercise whenever necessary

This method is recommended by many doctors to loosen excess mucus formation in the lungs. This procedure is found useful in patients with COPD. Still, this is a temporary solution for instant relief.

Green tea

Green tea is an effective home remedy for cleansing the lungs. The antioxidants present in green tea help reduce inflammation in the lungs. Chain smokers who want to protect their lung tissue can drink at least 2 cups of green tea every day to reduce the harmful effects of smoking.

In this COVID situation, everybody can also follow the same for a better lung function.

Anti-inflammatory foods

When your airways are swollen, it makes chest congestion and difficult to breathe. Following foods are the natural way of cleansing the lungs at home.

  • Blueberries
  • Cherries
  • Leafy greens
  • Turmeric
  • Olives
  • Lentils
  • Beans

These are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, adding to your regular diet help improve the symptoms to a great extent.

Exercise

Exercising regularly decreases the risk of many health conditions like heart disease and stroke. A simple 30 minutes exercise can help improve overall physical and mental health conditions. Exercising regulates blood circulation resulting in a high oxygen supply to the muscles and removing excess carbon dioxide easily.

When your muscles work hard, they will learn to use more oxygen and produce less carbon dioxide. This improves the overall health of your body.

However, patients with COPD, asthma, cystic fibrosis should consult with their doctor before starting a new exercise routine.

Remove mucus from the lungs

The postural drainage technique is the popular method used with gravity to drain lung secretions. The 1:2 breathing pattern, in which, the breathing out should be twice as long as breathing in; is used for improving breathing and avoiding lung infections. Learn more about postural drainage here.

Chest Percussion is the best way to purify lungs

It is another effective way used by medical professionals to clear the airways. In this physical therapy, a therapist will tap on your chest or back to loosen the thick mucus formed inside the lungs. This method produces coughing that helps us spit out the thick mucus. Read here to understand the procedure and its benefits better.

Final thoughts

Cleansing lungs is necessary these days. Good respiratory health is the foundation for the overall health of your body. Therefore, detoxing your lungs now and then or when you feel chest congestion helps improve breathing. Patients with chronic conditions should consult with their doctor before starting any exercise regimen. Otherwise, these suggested methods will help improve your lungs’ breathing capacity.

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Health

What is fibromyalgia? A detailed overview!

Many of us have faced bodily pain for a long time. Not caused due to any injuries. You may not be able to focus on carrying out your daily activities. Some might even get affected with mental distress. These chronic conditions have become common among 2-4% of people worldwide. This condition is hard to diagnose, it takes a lot of time to understand the cause. It takes several test procedures to identify the disease. It is fibromyalgia. As per the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), adults aged over 18 years have experienced fibromyalgia in their lifetime. Fibromyalgia is very common in women than in men. Read on to know more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment methods for fibromyalgia.

What are the symptoms?

Widespread bodily pain and fatigue are the commonly found symptoms among fibromyalgia patients. Irregular sleep patterns, joint pains, and muscle pains in the morning can also include in the symptoms. That’s why fibromyalgia and rheumatoid are always confused.

People aged over 45 years have got the symptoms including:

  • Headaches
  • Morning stiffness
  • Irritable bowel syndrome
  • Painful menstrual periods
  • Difficulty in focusing and memory problems
  • Fatigue

As this chronic pain condition leads to mental distress, some patients have also shown the symptoms like depression and anxiety.

Other rare symptoms are

  • Skin problems
  • Dizziness
  • Weight gain
  • Chest pain
  • Breathing problems
  • Pelvic pain

Nobody can come up with a conclusion until they follow proper diagnostic methods recommended by the physician. So don’t confuse or overthink about “do I have fibromyalgia?” Such mental pressures often create room for other illnesses.

What causes fibromyalgia?

The exact cause of fibromyalgia is still unknown. However, based on some patients conditions, the following are the possible risk factors identified so far:

  • Those who have suffered from rheumatoid arthritis are more likely to suffer from fibromyalgia.
  • Repetitive injuries are the causes for chronic pain condition in few.
  • It can be hereditary too. Many women have a higher risk of developing fibromyalgia because of the way their gene reacts to the pain.

How to diagnose?

There are no proper diagnostic procedures to identify this disease. But still, a self-diagnosis can help minimize the risks involved. Consult your doctor if you suffer from pain in any body part for at least 3 months.

If you don’t meet with an accident but if you’ve got the pain for 3 months or more, then a thorough diagnosis is necessary.

Unsatisfactory sleep, cognitive disorders, and levels of fatigue help confirm fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia often has symptoms that are similar to other conditions like hyperthyroidism, so diagnostic methods related to this can be followed by your doctor.

Is fibromyalgia treatment effective?

It may be confusing to choose the effective treatment method available. But as every patient showed a different set of symptoms, an individual treatment plan is necessary to get effective results. In my humble opinion, only treatments can help manage fibromyalgia otherwise it is difficult to live with.

Some common treatments include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Psychotherapy to overcome mental stress
  • Body massage
  • Active and simple exercises
  • Low-dose drugs to treat depression, still not the first choice for many doctors

Can dietary measures help?

Significant changes in the lifestyle help improve the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Follow these diet tips to manage fibromyalgia.

Foods that have gluten can increase pain and inflammation, so try to take gluten-free foods.

Tiredness is often an unmanageable thing; it will make it difficult to carry out day-to-day activities. Therefore, to increase the energy levels safely, adding foods such as oatmeal, avocado, almonds, etc. to your daily diet can help (remember to avoid sugar). These foods contain plenty of fiber and can help boost energy throughout the day.

If you have obesity and fibromyalgia, then it is a must to lose weight healthily. This is because; patients who have lost weight have shown great improvements in pain symptoms.

Final thoughts

There is no proper cure for fibromyalgia, yet there are more effective treatment methods available. Most of you have come across the term called “tender points”, but these are no longer used in the diagnosis. I have not talked about this in my article here, but if you’re interested in learning more about “tender points” then visit here.

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Health

Types of Rosacea Rashes and Causes

A rosy cheek in lovely winter weather is beautiful. But for some people, this is an irritating skin condition. It is rosacea. Rosacea is a skin condition with blushing and flushing of the skin, along with inflamed blood vessels. The worst thing here is anything can trigger this skin irritation easily. That means hot food, cold, sun, stress, and so on. While we think it appears only on cheeks, it can also affect the other parts of the body like the chest, upper back, inside your eyes, and more. We need to pay attention to the early signs of rosacea and types of rosacea rashes to keep ourselves away from the severity of the disease.

What causes rosacea?

Sadly, the exact cause of rosacea is still unknown. There are certain studies and researches carried by dermatologists that reveal genetic and environmental factors can be the reason. Rosacea’s condition also connects with other factors like metabolic diseases, food allergies, and hormonal imbalances.

Increased alcohol consumption, past smoking history, and obesity are also risk factors in women. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and following other healthy lifestyles will help minimize the risks involved.

Some types of microbes like Demodex on the skin may stimulate inflammatory reactions of rosacea. Anything that triggers the blood vessels dilation like stress, living in extreme temperature (hot or cold) for a long time, hot beverages, spicy foods, and more are likely to cause any types of rosacea rashes on the skin.

What are the types of rosacea?

It can be difficult to diagnose this skin condition and can appear in any place on the body and in any form. Still, certain studies say if you have this skin condition below your chest then it is likely not rosacea. That may be eczema. Rosacea usually appears on the face and eyes and not on the arms or legs. 

The National Rosacea Society categorizes skin conditions based on phenotypes. Here are the four types:

Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) 

This condition is classified based on the three common symptoms including inflammation on the blood vessels, flushing, and redness. ETR is the most type of rosacea these days.

Phymatous rosacea 

This type appears with a bulbous nose and cheeks. Thickening of the skin resulting in a bumpy texture. This is most common in men than in women.

Ocular rosacea

This type mostly appears in the eyes. Watery, burning, itchy, or bloodshot appearances in the eyes are the signs.

Papulopustular rosacea

Acne-like bumps appear on the face and can cause swelling over time. This condition resembles whiteheads but the proper diagnosis from the dermatologist can help avoid risks.

Treatment for rosacea rash

Rosacea allergic reaction can be treated based on the type you’re dealing with. Ointments, oral medications, skincare products, or in-office treatments are the common procedures chosen by your dermatologist.

Over-the-counter options

Purchasing skin care products from your local pharmacy won’t work much on permanently reducing any visible symptoms. Since people with sensitive skin often get affected, it is important to choose mild cleansers and moisturizers free of alcohol. Using high-quality sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 every day, while heading out in the hot sun will be helpful.

Prescription topicals

Some antibacterial creams like metronidazole can help reduce the overgrowth of Demodex.

Oral medications

There is no definite bacterial pathogen that has been identified yet. However, an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory drug like doxycycline can be prescribed by your dermatologist. Anti-parasite medication like ivermectin is also popularly used in reducing the Demodex populations in the affected region.

Laser and light therapy

Laser resurfacing treatments are used based on the severity of the condition. These methods help reduce visible symptoms.

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Health

Chronic Pain – A Complete Analysis

Have you come across chronic pain? Do you know what it is? How can you find out if you have chronic pain? I am going to write everything about chronic pain in this article. It is something you need to take care of before it gets tougher. So, what is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is not something that we get when we burn our hands accidentally. It is not the pain that we get because of a sprained ankle. This pain is more than this. Those types of pains are called acute pain. But chronic pain lasts longer than three to six months or to one or several years. Well, do we have treatment for this? Fortunately, it is a YES but prevention is far better than anything. I have discussed all the prevention methods in more detail as well.

Causes of Chronic pain?

First of all, what causes chronic pain?

According to doctors, many conditions cause chronic pain.

  • Migraine
  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Autoimmune diseases

Sometimes, an injury that caused severe damage to your nervous system or tissues can also create acute pain at the beginning but then it lasts longer than three to six months despite proper treatments and healing.

Changes in the nervous system are also the most common reason behind this pain. It creates discomfort and continuous aches.

What are the types?

Chronic pain is associated with certain conditions that cause continuous pain.

Migraine

What is Migraine? Getting headaches at times is common but if you get it frequently or say like 15 times in a month then it is associated with chronic pain. The exact cause of migraine is still unknown. But if you feel you get headache usually on one side of the head whenever you are exposed to light and too much noise. Try to avoid such circumstances that make things worse.

Back Pain

One out of five people with an injury that led to low back pain continue to suffer from pain after one year. Any pain that lasts longer is considered chronic.

Joint Pain

Half of the patients with arthritis suffer from joint pain that lasts for three months or more. This is considered chronic and may affect day-to-day activities.

Cancer Pain

Neuropathic pain caused due to chemotherapy drugs and radiation during cancer treatment can create long-lasting pain in the affected region. In other cases, tumors may press other surrounding organs or nerves and cause pain inside the body.

Neurogenic Pain

For example, autoimmune diseases, peripheral neuropathy, certain types of infections, and other damages to the nervous system can cause chronic conditions.

Musculoskeletal Pain

Fibromyalgia is a condition that causes widespread pain around the body. Such conditions make the patients more sensitive to pain resulting in total discomfort.

What are the symptoms of chronic pain?

Symptoms may be dependent on the disease that causes long-lasting pain. Some of the common characteristics of pain associated with most of the chronic conditions include:

  • Throbbing or shooting pain
  • Burning or stinging
  • Aching
  • Tingling or pins and needles
  • Tightness and stiffness
  • Electric shock

This recurring pain is so disruptive to one’s overall health. It impacts healthy sleep, appetite, mood, and energy levels to a great extent. Depression, anxiety, weight loss, fatigue, and insomnia are other common symptoms found in chronic patients.

How to diagnose?

As pain is a subjective experience, there are no specific tests to diagnose. Physical examination and review of your symptoms are usually the first steps to be expected from your doctor. Some tests like imaging tests (such as MRIs), blood tests, etc. are done to identify the exact problem. Most of the time, it is often hard for the patients to effectively communicate about its severity. So, your loved one can help explain how the pain affects your daily life.

Treatment

The treatment methods are usually recommended based on the severity and the condition of your symptoms. Here are a few treatment options available today:

  • Medication – Non-opioid drugs like NSAIDs, antidepressants, aspirin, or acetaminophen are used for coping up with the pain.
  • Psychotherapy – To give a feeling that the pain is under control.
  • Surgery – In some cases, surgery on nerves are recommended.
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Health

Breast Cancer – Everything You Need To Know

Breast cancer has become one of the commonly found diseases among women. Around one out of eight women in the US has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Treatments have also become more advanced and we have seen many people survive even the severe stages of breast cancer. We could see a lot of cancer treatments available today and that do not involve chemotherapies. Despite having these facilities, it is better to diagnose earlier, and undergoing regular checkups after 40 can prevent the disease. In this article, we are going to see how cancer develops, what causes it, what are breast cancer symptoms and treatments.

What is breast cancer?

Any cancer types mean abnormal growth of cells. So if it is called breast cancer then it occurs in the breast. Lobules and the duct that carries milk from lobules are the most commonly affected parts in the breast. An early diagnosis is the best way to prevent the severity of the disease. Do you know? Around 1% of men risk developing breast cancer and their death rate is also high compared to women. Pursuing regular checkups or mammograms after 40 and self-examining are recommended to protect against breast cancer.

What are the types of breast cancer?

There are different types of breast cancer based on their origin.

  • Ductal carcinoma in situ – a non-invasive breast cancer type.
  • Invasive ductal carcinoma – a most common type of breast cancer that is found in the duct.
  • Invasive lobular carcinoma – a second-most type that originates in the lobules (milk-producing glands)

Stages of breast cancer

After you have been diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor examines how far it is spread. This process is called staging. It determines what possible treatment method can be used and estimate the survival rate. Stage 0 to stage IV is the range given by doctors based on its severity. The lesser the number, the less region got affected.

In addition to these, there are seven key characteristics to determine the staging.

  • Size of the tumor
  • Whether it has spread to other organs – metastasis
  • Number and part of lymph nodes affected
  • Tumor grade
  • Status of Estrogen and Progesterone-receptors
  • Human epidermal growth factor receptor status (HER2)

Who are at risk?

Any woman can get breast cancer. Some factors lie out of your control which includes:

  • Personal or family history of breast cancer
  • Being a women
  • Dense breasts
  • Undergone chest radiation
  • Have taken synthetic estrogen drugs
  • Having too early first period (age before 12) and later menopause (age after 55)
  • Certain gene conditions like BRCA1 and BRCA2

Apart from these conditions, there are several other risk factors but can be avoided if followed a healthy lifestyle.

  • Being obese
  • Being sedentary
  • Not breastfeeding
  • Not having children
  • Undergoing hormonal therapy after menopause
  • Taking hormonal birth control
  • Drinking alcohol

Symptoms of breast cancer

The breast cancer symptoms vary from one person to another. Some people are asymptomatic too. That’s why women are always recommended to undergo mammogram screening. It all begins as a small lump. So a self-examining could help in getting early treatment. Apart from these, possible warning signs could include:

  • A small lump in the armpit or breast
  • Shrinkage, swelling, or thickening of the breast – i.e., a change in size
  • Peeling on the skin
  • Red, dry, or thickened nipples and breast
  • Inverted nipples
  • A discharge in the nipple
  • Pain in breast or nipple
  • Swollen lymph nodes in the collarbone or under the arm

What are the treatments?

Depending on the type of cancer, size, stage, and sensitivity to hormones, age, and other health factors, cancer treatment can be suggested by your doctor. Some people may not even require chemotherapy to treat the cancer cells completely. Other most common treatment methods include:

  • Surgery – mastectomy or lumpectomy is recommended based on the severity level of the disease.
  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Hormone therapy – especially for hormone-sensitive tumors
  • Immunotherapy – medicines that trigger the immune system to attack the cancer cells effectively

How to avoid breast cancer?

Though there are no sure methods to prevent, following a healthy lifestyle will help reduce the risk of developing cancer.

  • Exercise regularly
  • Reduce intake of alcohol
  • Maintain correct weight
  • Get mammograms once every two years
  • Self-examining
  • Breastfeeding – do not ignore this after giving birth

Final thoughts

Breast cancer, although a commonly found disease among women, it is treatable. Several people survived even after it spread to other organs in the body (metastasis). Luckily, chemotherapy is not only the treatment for curing cancer nowadays. There are several new treatments available in the industry that cause little to no side effects at all. So you can stay strong mentally if you or your loved ones are diagnosed with breast cancer.

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