Did you know that after heart disease, cancer is the second most prevalent cause of death in the United States? Since cancer is everywhere and anyone can get it, it is important to get screened, limit your risk factors, and understand the early signs. Cancer is far more curable when it has been detected early, but some of the symptoms can mimic other medical issues. Some people get no symptoms at all. Here are 10 ways to detect cancer in its earliest stage. Tap read more to find out:
Author: Valerie
Potassium (K) is a necessary nutrient for your health and well-being. When you do not get enough potassium or are unable to absorb it from food and liquids, you risk developing a condition known as hypokalemia. Low potassium levels can be dangerous, because potassium is one of the most important parts of your blood. Hypokalemia can be mild or severe, depending on how little potassium is in your blood serum. If you think you have low potassium levels, or hypokalemia, keep reading to learn more about the symptoms and causes. The faster you can receive treatment, the better! Tap Read…
If you are experiencing some or all of the following symptoms of COPD, seek medical care as soon as possible. Breathing difficulties are never seen as normal occurrences. There are numerous diseases that affect the lungs and pulmonary system, but one is commonly known throughout the world. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that causes chronic, or long-term, inflammation and obstruction of airflow. The disease is often caused by inhaling irritants or dangerous particles. In most developed countries, COPD is caused by tobacco smoke. Understanding the early warning signs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is crucial in…
Everyone experiences stress at least once in a while. Despite there being no true medical definition for stress, it takes form through situations of events that put pressure on us in a variety of ways or results from how you react to certain stimuli or scenarios. Though stress has different forms, it can be very unhealthy when prolonged. You might think that stress is just making your shoulders tense, but it can also impact your health in other, less pleasant ways. Stress, because of its link to your endocrine (hormonal) system, can affect everything from your physical, mental, and emotional…
Do you remember when your grandparents or older adults would jokingly tell you not to get old? Now that you are growing older or watching those around you age, you might be thinking back to that advice and wishing there was indeed a way to stop yourself from experiencing age-related pain. For many adults, pain is something that happens daily and cannot be escaped. Although younger adults can feel pain, the truth is that the aging process may exacerbate some aches and pains. This is the result of a breakdown of connective tissues, bones, and muscles. Fortunately, you are not…
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that can potentially disable the patient by attacking the central nervous system—the brain and the spinal cord. MS is an autoimmune disease, meaning the immune system will attack the myelinated sheath that coats and protects the nerve fibers within the spinal cord and can restrict communication from the brain to the rest of the body. MS can also affect vision, hearing, balance, speech, and memory. In the USA, approximately 350,000 individuals have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Although MS usually strikes teenagers and young adults between the ages 15-40, women are three times as…
Diarrhea is not a subject many people enjoy talking about and will avoid if they can. Unfortunately, conversations about diarrhea need to be taken seriously, because the causes of the condition are not always as simple as eating a fatty dinner or illness. Diarrhea can leave you feeling gassy, bloated, and uncomfortable. Even one bout of loose, watery stool will leave you hesitant to leave the bathroom, and you might even be afraid to eat for a few hours, at least. Usually, the reason someone gets diarrhea is straightforward. You might have caught a virus or ate something that did…
Pain can be normal, especially in today’s world, but nothing is like the pain caused by a stomachache. In the medical world, a stomachache is pain in the abdomen or stomach that is often caused by acute indigestion. It is also called an upset stomach or, technically, gastralgia. However, the gas, bloating, and discomfort can distract you from enjoying life, too. Knowing what is causing your stomach pain can help you solve the issue and turn your days around so you don’t suffer from upset stomach ever again. Tap read more for the most common causes of stomachaches:
Diverticulitis is a condition that affects the diverticula—small pouches that may form in the lining of the digestive system—around the colon. This little bulges are common in individuals around the age of 40 and up and rarely cause any pain or health problems; but sometimes these diverticula become infected or inflamed. When that happens, you get diverticulitis. A life with diverticulitis is unique to every patient, but one thing everyone has in common is discomfort. Yet, this pain can be effectively managed, especially if you educate yourself on the causes, signs and symptoms, treatment methods, and natural remedies that are…
Before the 20th century, diverticular disease, or a disease of the digestive tract, was considered a rare condition. But with the turn of the century, the numbers have risen, and it is now one of the most common health issues of Western civilization. Diverticulitis, an inflammation or infection of the diverticula pouches on the intestine walls, is the most severe type of diverticular disease that has uncomfortable effects on the body that, if left untreated, pose the threat of turning into long-term health complications. There are currently few ways to treat diverticulitis to reduce the pain caused by the condition.…
Most people have heard of anemia. The condition is when you lack enough red blood cells (RBCs) to get the adequate amount of oxygen to the body’s tissues. When you are anemic, you feel tired and weak more often than not. Other complications can be acute or severe. There are many causes of anemia, because there is more than one form of anemia, including Thalassemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, iron deficiency anemia, aplastic anemia, and sickle cell anemia. Let’s have a look at the three causes of anemia, which can be grouped in one of three categories: causes related to blood…
Do you think you have a heel spur? The condition is more than just pain in the feet. It happens when a calcium deposit develops between the arch of the foot, known as the plantar fascia, and the heel bone. You may also hear heel spurs referred to as osteophytes or calcaneal spurs, and these growths can be shelf-shaped, hooked, or pointed. Because of this, heel spurs are often detected by an X-ray. Oftentimes, heel spurs happen on their own, but they can also be caused by other underlying health issues. In fact, heel spurs usually are the result of…
Tuberculosis is an infection caused by airborne bacteria that is inhaled and affects the lungs once active. The bacteria is called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or M. tuberculosis. Once, tuberculosis was a rampant disease throughout the world, but advancements in medical treatments, as well as quarantining those who had be exposed to TB, has helped to greatly reduce the number of cases that arise each year. Yet, tuberculosis continues to be prevalent throughout the world. Each year, there are about 9,000 people who are diagnosed with tuberculosis. If you have a compromised immune system, work in healthcare, or have traveled to a…
Halloween is one of the best holidays known to mankind. There is nothing like it. The revelry of all things supernatural, the costumes, the copious amounts of sugary goods, the spooky landscapes, and the Halloween haunts make everything feel like a storybook. Of course, all the nighttime activities also open up a door to dangerous lands. Given the mischievous nature of Halloween, the holiday also has a level of danger involved. Parents should always been aware of what is happening so everyone stays safe. Here are some tips to ensure that this Halloween is the safest, most fun one yet.…
Halloween officially kicks off a time of the year where this is food around every corner, lurking behind a brightly-packaged mask. For those who are trying to get healthier and lose weight, Halloween is definitely the most frightening time of the year! It’s not because of the ghouls and werewolves lurking about. It’s those fun-sized bites of chocolate, packs of candies, and other sugary temptations. Don’t let Halloween put your diet into the grave. You can survive mischief night and All Hallow’s Eve with your waist line still the same size, promise! Just follow these Halloween survival tips so you…
Halloween is a wonderful time of the year to celebrate all that inspires a shiver down the spine and spookiness. However, all those haunted Halloween bashes and trick-or-treating does have its drawbacks. You have to dodge the claws of temptation—sugary sweet temptation that is! All that fruit punch, candy, and frightfully sweet goodies are the true nightmare of Halloween for anyone trying to get healthier. But it is possible to enjoy all the Halloween festivities without ruining your hard work too! Here are some tips to help you make this All Hallow’s Eve the most healthy one yet. Tap Read…
Halloween is when the mischief makers come out to play and the witches cackle night and day. The cauldrons bubble, there’s toil and trouble. So much trouble, in fact, that injuries and accidents happen frequently over the Halloween weekend. And with an estimated 40 million kids or more hitting the streets in search of candy, there is a lot of chances for a mishap. Whether you are participating in trick-or-treating yourself or guiding the little goblins around the pumpkin patch, here are some tips to make sure everyone has a safe and fun Halloween. Tap Read more below to continue!
Kids are always ready to stick something in their mouths, whether it is edible or not. Although this curious biting and nibbling is part of the learning and developmental process, once children get to a specific age, they should be less inclined to stick inedible items in their mouths. Sometimes, this innocent exploration of the world seems to last a long time, and some kids start to make the uneatable their diet. This oftentimes becomes an eating disorder known as “pica.” Do you or someone you know exhibit the signs and symptoms of pica? Let’s find out. What is Pica?…
Amblyopia, sometimes called lazy eye, is a condition that can affect almost anyone, but it is increasingly common in children. The eye suffers from reduced vision whenever the eye and brain cannot work together properly, and while the eye itself might appear normal, it is not being used correctly or the brain is favoring the other eye. Since the eye suffers from a lack of stimulation, eye development is impaired. The National Eye Institute estimates that 3-percent of all children in the United States presently suffer from amblyopia, making it the most common visual impairment in a single eye among…
The liver is a jack-of-all-trades organ that does a number of jobs for the body. Many of the responsibilities include cleaning your blood of toxins, converting glucose to glycogen and back, producing hormones and enzymes, aiding in absorption of vitamins and synthesis of amino acids, and so much more. That is why liver failure is so dangerous. Liver failure is when the liver cannot function properly, rendering it unable to perform any metabolic or synthesizing roles. The condition can take years to progress, but liver failure is often accelerated by certain lifestyle choices, such as drinking too much alcohol. Furthermore,…