Do you have a persistent cough that is keeping your chest tight, causing a lot of mucus buildup and keeping you up all night? A flu virus, seasonal allergy or serious bronchial infection are among the most common causes of nagging coughs. However, coughs can also be caused by more severe underlying conditions like asthma. Regardless of your reason for coughing, coughs are typical body reflexes in response to foreign material/s that may be blocking your lungs or upper airway passages. So, here’s a critical question; how do you distinguish coughs? To answer this question, let’s explore the main underlying…
Author: James
Kidney cancer may not be as popular as other types of cancer. However, it is among the ten most common types of cancers among people aged 56 and above. The cancer accounts for over 14,000 deaths a year in America, but with advances in treatment, the number is expected to reduce significantly. Like most cancers, the key to dealing with kidney cancer is to detect it early. However, there are some challenges in early detection. For instance, kidney cancer doesn’t have unusual symptoms until it reaches advanced stages. Blood in the Urine Early detection focuses on some physical signs like…
Having money allows you to live a comfortable life. If you spend your money appropriately, you can live the way you want. In fact, some things are worth splurging cash on like goods and services that are capable of earning you more money in the future. These include things like education and experiences. Here are 6 things worth buying according to Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at American personal finance website, Nerdwallet. The site helps people make sound financial decisions by comparing different products and services offered by financial institutions like banks and insurance companies. When you make a…
We’re all affected by cancer today whether directly or indirectly as cancer survivors, patients, friends or relatives of people who have had cancer. Furthermore, almost everyone knows someone who has lost a battle against cancer. But most of us know the major types of cancer only and their corresponding ribbon colors, i.e., white for lung cancer, pink for breast cancer and blue for colon cancer as advocates and organizations try to create public awareness about these types of cancer. What about the rare types of cancers that hardly get any attention? Considering you can develop cancer anywhere since every part…
There have been many fad diets in the past but what many thought was yet another passing fad diet is still around with us today. The ketogenic diet has enjoyed a very high success rate not only for incredibly fast weight loss but other health benefits as well like improving brain function. The ketogenic diet has enjoyed over seven decades of success to date since being introduced in the 1940s. Unlike typical diets, the keto diet relies solely on healthy fats instead of carbs to generate energy. The main challenge of the diet is, for you to be successful, you…
Lyme disease cases have been increasing steadily in the recent past in prompting government intervention. Public health officials are focused on creating awareness about Lyme disease now more than ever. The disease is usually transmitted by infected deer ticks, and people suffering from the disease don’t exhibit any symptoms immediately. Lyme disease can take a few weeks to years to exhibit symptoms. It’s also worth noting that symptoms vary greatly. The disease can cause flu-like symptoms and a distinct skin rash to more severe reactions like muscle weakness, joint pain, confusion and muscle weakness. Lyme disease Transmission Risks Finding a…
Blood clots may not sound life threatening; however, they can cause death if left untreated. Blood clots which develop inside deep veins in the legs can detach and travel to the lungs causing PE (pulmonary embolism). This usually happens when the clots are untreated and can’t dissolve on their own. Blood clots in the legs form due to prolonged periods of travel or instances where you remain immobile for a long time in cramped spaces such as in a bus, train or an airplane with little to no opportunities to walk around or stretch your legs. Other causes of blood…
Restless legs is a condition characterized by unpleasant sensations in the legs. These sensations cause the urge to move the legs, restlessly, to alleviate the sensations. The condition worsens when you are trying to relax such as when you lay your head down to sleep at night. Restless Legs Syndrome patients also suffer from involuntary jerking. Their limbs tend to jerk while they sleep. This condition is referred to as PLMS (Periodic Limb Movement of Sleep). Here is a detailed discussion of the six signs/symptoms of RLS (Restless Legs Syndrome). Who is affected by Restless Legs Syndrome? RLS affects approximately…
The Paleo, Paleolithic, caveman or stone-age diet is a popular fad diet which features fresh vegetables and fruits avoiding processed foods, refined sugar, and salt. As the name suggests, the paleo focuses on foods which were available or consumed during the Paleolithic era since these foods are considered healthier than the western diet today. In case you want to know what makes this diet better as well as the types of foods you should eat, continue reading to get the answers to these important questions about the Paleo diet. Brief History and Overview: The Paleo Diet The Paleolithic or Paleo…
Sleep apnea affects many people. The sleeping disorder is potentially dangerous but commonly overlooked as such. It is characterized by periodic suspension in breathing at night when one is sleeping. Breathing usually starts and stops repeatedly. One of the most common sign is snoring. The disorder comes in two forms namely central and obstructive sleep apnea which tend to have overlapping symptoms. Obstructive sleep apnea is characterized by throat muscles relaxing when a person is sleeping. Central sleep apnea is characterized by the brain failing to send signals responsible for breathing for a certain period. The two forms can affect…
Vertigo refers to the feeling of disorientation, dizziness or any other sense of movement when sitting or standing still. The sensation is like what you experience when you spin around and stop suddenly. Individuals who suffer from vertigo feel dizzy, disoriented and related feelings any time even when they aren’t moving. The sensation can go away momentarily but lasts for hours or a few days in some cases. Another distinct characteristic of vertigo is in the intensity as well as the movements that trigger the problem. The disorientation is usually more intense with specific head or body movements like rolling…
Diverticulosis is a painless condition characterized by diverticula (pockets) forming in the wall of the large intestine. The diverticula are located in areas where the large intestine’s outer wall is weak making the inner wall to bulge forming a pocket. Research studies haven’t pinpointed a single cause for diverticula although diets low in fiber have been identified as significant contributors. Diverticulitis occurs when the pockets (diverticula) become inflamed or infected. The condition can affect you without your knowledge; however, it is hard to ignore because it causes a variety of digestive problems as well as pain. The disease is treated…
Acute bronchitis is a widespread respiratory illness. The condition is characterized by infected and inflamed bronchial tubes (the tubes which carry air to the lungs). Acute bronchitis is different from chronic bronchitis in that it lasts for a few weeks as opposed to months or years as is the case with chronic bronchitis. However, acute bronchitis can last for months in rare cases. Acute bronchitis is also caused mostly by viral infections as opposed to respiratory diseases like cystic fibrosis or COPD in the case of chronic bronchitis. Over 90% of all acute bronchitis cases can be linked to a…
COPD is a term that describes the symptoms of chronic bronchitis and emphysema which are two common lung diseases. People who have COPD have difficulty breathing, and the problem worsens over time without ever getting better because the disease is chronic. COPD is very common considering millions are diagnosed every year, and many more are already sufferers. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. You can contract the disease if you are a smoker or via indirect smoke (second-hand smoke). The disease can also be caused by inhaling pollutants in workplaces. COPD has also been linked to genetic causes so…
Patients with COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease understand the problems caused by breathing difficulties when going on with day-to-day activities. According to ALA (American Lung Association) statistics, COPD affects approximately 24 million Americans. The problem is characterized by a mixture of symptoms from two common lung conditions namely; chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD also causes malnutrition which results in massive weight loss since the chronic disease demands approximately ten times more calories to cope with symptoms like breathing. That is precisely why COPD patients are required to maintain healthy lifestyles. Eating and exercising are crucial when managing COPD. Although…
Ear infections are widespread. Recent studies indicate that 60% of head colds become ear infections, particularly among toddlers and babies. However, it can be a challenge trying to identify an ear infection in a baby or even yourself if you don’t know which symptoms to look out for. So, here are the 10 most common signs/symptoms of an ear infection. Irritability Irritability is a very common sign of ear infection. The source of this symptom can be traced to other symptoms like stubborn headaches and pain. Irritability is usually exhibited at particular moments, i.e., when you eat or drink. This…
The gallbladder is a tiny hollow organ located below the liver. Although it is small, it has a critical function of storing as well as releasing bile into the intestines after it is produced in the liver. Bile helps to break down fats our food. Many Americans suffer from health problems originating from the gallbladder. These problems include but aren’t limited to gallstones, cholecystitis, cholestasis and gallbladder cancer. Gallstones are hardened stone-like deposits found within the fluid (bile) in the gallbladder. Cholecystitis refers to the inflammation of the gallbladder while cholestasis is a condition which stops bile from flowing as…
The gallbladder stores bile juice after it is produced by the liver and just before it is released into the intestines (small intestines). A gallbladder attack can be defined as an ailment that occurs when the gallbladder is unable to support the digestive process, i.e., when it is unable to play its role of storing and secreting bile perfectly. When this happens, gallstones form and block the bile ducts. This causes a bile buildup in the gallbladder causing painful inflammation. The gallbladder can also become infected in the process (a condition called cholecystitis). Gallbladder attacks are serious. They can cause…
Asperger’s syndrome is a mild form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The syndrome is not accompanied by extreme mental disabilities. Some of the most notable outward characteristics of persons with the syndrome include clumsiness, poor social skills and lack of nonverbal communication. Unlike other forms of autism, brain imaging doesn’t show common pathology between Asperger’s sufferers. The syndrome is believed to be hereditary since it affects many people in a family at a time. However, the syndrome has not been linked to any genes. Besides genetics, Asperger’s syndrome may be caused by exposure to some chemicals and medication (while in…
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive chronic brain disorder that causes muscular rigidity, tremor, and slow, imprecise movement. The disease is common among middle-aged people and the elderly. Parkinson’s disease affects a million people in the U.S. alone. According to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, the disease is caused by malfunctioning or death of nerve cells which produce dopamine (the chemical that controls coordination and movement). Like most chronic diseases, Parkinson’s disease symptoms are more evident after the disease has progressed. To detect the disease early, below are 7 signs to look out for. Trouble Sleeping Although it’s common to have trouble…