Every part of the body has to perform a vital function that contributes to maintaining our overall health. There are certain external factors that affect the functioning of these organs and if left unchecked, they can cause gradual deterioration. One such condition that is known to affect 31 million people in the country and is the ninth leading cause of death is kidney disease. Kidney disease or chronic kidney disease is a condition that is characterized by the slow deterioration of the kidneys and gradual loss of kidney function. The kidneys are assigned the work of filtering wastes and excess fluids from the body which exit the body in the form of urine. Kidney disease impairs the kidney function and in advanced stages, the kidneys may stop working completely. The treatment for kidney disease depends on the underlying cause of the condition and usually involves different measures to control the signs and symptoms of the condition, reduce the complications that arise, and thereby, slow down the progression of the disease. The treatment options for kidney disease are as follows: Treating the cause Kidney disease is often collateral damage of other health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. So, in such cases, the treatment options usually focus on treating the underlying condition.

There are certain health conditions that are extremely disabling and eventually affect the quality of life. Multiple sclerosis is one such condition that is known to affect 1 million people in the country and is a potentially disabling condition. Multiple sclerosis is characterized by a malfunctioning immune system that attacks the protective sheath called myelin, which covers nerve fibers and this leads to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. This health condition causes the nerves to deteriorate or damages them completely. Multiple sclerosis is a long-lasting disease and it affects the brain, the spinal cord, and the optic nerves in the eyes. Different people with multiple sclerosis display different symptoms. While some have mild symptoms and aren’t in need of urgent treatment, others might face mobility issues and this will hinder their daily activities. Causes of multiple sclerosis There are no exact causes of multiple sclerosis, but research has indicated that an individual’s genes, where they live, and the air they breathe have some pivotal role in triggering the onset of the condition. The causes of multiple sclerosis are as follows: A malfunctioning immune system – Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system goes haywire and starts attacking the myelin, a protecting sheath that protects the nerve fibers.

In medical terms, hemophilia is considered an inherited disorder rather than a disease. This disorder disables the body from forming blood clots, thereby causing exaggerated bleeding. Hemophilia is usually used by medical professionals to address both its types, namely, hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Although they are both addressed as one, doctors distinguish between them by learning about the mutation in a specific gene that causes hemophilia A or B. Though hemophilia can affect both genders, it is often more common among men as both hemophilia A and B are inherited in the X-linked genetic pattern. Hemophilia is also described as one of the most common X-linked genetic diseases. Hemophilia A and B As mentioned earlier, there are two kinds of hemophilia, A and B. Before understanding the difference between the two, it is important to learn that there are multiple factors in the blood that allow it to form a blood clot in cases of an open wound bleeding. Each factor is numbered by medical professionals for better understanding. The lack of any one factor, usually either factor VIII or factor IX, can cause either of the two kinds of hemophilia. Hemophilia A : This is the most common kind of hemophilia among people.

Typhoid fever is a serious health threat caused by salmonella typhi bacteria. The infection spreads through contaminated food and water sources. The infection can also spread via a person’s stool as it contains a high concentration of the salmonella virus contaminating groundwater sources from seepages in the drainage system. Most people who have been infected once can become carriers of the virus. Some people also experience mild to moderate symptoms of typhoid indicating they are long term carriers of the virus. Noticeable symptoms of a severe typhoid infection include the following: High fever that can go upwards of 104 Fahrenheit. A poor appetite that deprives the immune system of the essential vitamins and nutrients. Peritonitis leading to the inflammation of peritoneal membranes causing bloating. Intestinal bleeding or perforation of the lining in the advanced stages of the condition. Persistent bouts of diarrhea or constipation. Risk factors associated with typhoid Developing and underdeveloped countries are at high risk of typhoid as the bacteria can easily spread to contaminate various food and water sources. One must be aware of the possible sources of contamination including drinking water wells and plumbing systems. Groundwater contamination due to faulty plumbing and sewage systems automatically increase the risk of infection as major cities and towns rely on a single source of water supply to meet daily requirements.

Living a seemingly normal life with a chronic skin condition is an extremely difficult task. Managing the sudden flare-ups to finding the right skin products for sensitive skin is time-consuming and requires a lot of patience. Moreover, the misconceptions surrounding these skin conditions can make it difficult for the individual to come to terms with the condition. One such chronic skin condition that is known to affect middle-aged women and cause reddened skin on the cheeks and nose is rosacea. It usually affects people with fair skin and becomes more prominent with age. Rosacea can start from the cheeks and nose, and later spread to the forehead, chest, back, ears, and even eyelids in severe cases. Though there is no permanent cure for rosacea, there are certain natural remedies that can prevent the flare-ups and keep the condition under control. These effective home remedies are as follows: Aloe vera Aloe vera is one of the most effective home remedies that is used to treat a variety of skin conditions due to the plethora of medicinal properties it possesses. Many moisturizers contain aloe vera as the gel from the inner leaf of the plant is emollient and moisturizing. Moreover, aloe vera has soothing properties which makes it the perfect treatment for rosacea flare-ups.

The organ that connects the uterine to the vagina is the cervix. It appears like a narrow tubular passage that forms the lower end of the uterus. The cervix has several functions and purposes; some of them are to help in childbirth, menstrual cycle, and to allow the sperm to reach the uterus. This tiny 2-inches long organ has a vital role to play in a woman’s body. However, along with being an important organ, it is sensitive to conditions like chronic inflammation, dysplasia, polyps, and cancer. The cervix is vulnerable to cancer; however, unlike other types of cancer, the symptoms are seldom displayed in the case of cervical cancer. Therefore, to make people, especially women, around the world aware of cervical cancer and its inadequacy to send early signals, doctors and health organizations encourage women to get regular screening through Pap smear tests. Pap smear, also known as a Pap test, is a painless procedure that is used by gynecologists to check the occurrence of any abnormal or cancerous activity in the cervix. It can also be considered as a preventive measure. Pap smear, being one of the most trusted preventive diagnostic measures for cervical cancer, also has some guidelines, as mentioned here:

Acute otitis media or ear infection is often a viral or bacterial infection affecting the middle ear or the air-filled space behind the eardrum containing vibrating bones. An ear infection usually infects children more than adults and can be painful due to the fluid buildup in the middle ear, which causes inflammation. Causes Ear infections caused due to viruses or bacterium in the middle ear might result into another illness in the form of flu, cold, or another allergy. The infection might eventually lead to a swelling of the nasal passage, throat, and eustachian tubes and may also lead to congestion. Factors such as age, group child care, infant feeding, seasonal factors, and poor air quality increase the risk of suffering from an ear infection. The following are some complications that might arise if the ear infection is not given timely treatment. Developmental delays Children and toddlers might experience a delay in speech and social developmental skills due to temporary or permanent hearing issues in infants and toddlers. Impaired hearing Temporary hearing loss is one of the most common symptoms of an ear infection. The hearing ability returns after the condition is treated. The extent of hearing loss depends on the persistent fluid present in the middle ear.

The human body is quite unique and is designed to protect itself from external agents that mean harm. The immune system does a commendable job of protecting the body from bacteria and viruses that wage a constant war with it to gain entry into the body. However, when the bacteria or viruses override the immune system, they can wreak havoc in the body and eventually give rise to infections. Bacterial infections are quite common and can affect anyone irrespective of their age or sex. Bacterial infections are caused by single-celled organisms called bacteria, and there are two types of bacteria that exist, the good ones that are essential for digestion and fermentation, and the bad ones that cause infection. The severity of the bacterial infection depends on the type of bacteria that infiltrated the system, and the treatment options vary according to the type of bacterial infection. Moreover, bacterial infections vary from minor infections like strep throat infection to more lethal ones like meningitis and encephalitis. The most common types of bacterial infections include: Escherichia coli (E.coli) – Escherichia coli (E.coli) is a bacteria that is usually found in the gut and are normally harmless. However, there are certain malignant strains of the bacteria that can upset the stomach and cause severe abdominal cramps, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.

Epilepsy is one of those chronic conditions that have the ability to disrupt an individual’s life. It even presents a series of dangerous situations as the individual with epilepsy is vulnerable to seizures that can occur at any time, at any place. Living with epilepsy is quite difficult for the person and their family, and the fact that there’s no cure for this condition can make leading a normal life incredibly difficult. For an individual with epilepsy, the onus lies on being seizure free with minimal side effects as that’s the ultimate achievement for someone dealing with this condition. In addition to the anti-epileptic medication that doctors often prescribe to people with epilepsy, there are various other effective ways of living a seemingly normal life with epilepsy. These tips coupled with appropriate treatment methods would go a long way in helping people deal with epilepsy. Maintain an epilepsy diary One of the best ways to keep a track of the epileptic seizures that one experiences is to maintain an epilepsy diary. You need to write down when the seizures occur what happens and what you were doing then. You have to be very precise about noting the seizures and have to mention whether you experienced any strange sensations and the frequency of the same.

Gallstones are the hardened deposits of the digestive fluid that form in the gallbladder. The gallbladder is a small pear-shaped organ situated in the right side of the abdomen, just beneath the liver. It holds a digestive fluid called bile, which is released into the small intestine. From being as small as a grain of sand o being as large as a golf ball, gallstones range in a variety of sizes. While some people develop just one gallstone, others might develop multiple gallstones at the same time. There are two types of gallstones: Pigment gallstones – These are dark brown or black gallstones that form due to excessive bilirubin in the bile. Cholesterol gallstones – Appearing yellow in color, these are the most common type of gallstones that are composed mainly of undissolved cholesterol and other components. Symptoms Gallstones typically don’t exhibit any symptoms. However, if a gallstone is lodged in a duct, it might cause a blockage. The resulting symptom is rapid and sudden intensifying pain in the upper right portion of the abdomen and breastbone. The person might also experience pain in the back between the shoulder blades along with nausea and vomiting. Risk factors such as gender, age, lifestyle, obesity, diet, genetics, liver diseases, and hormone therapy drugs increase the risk of gallstones forming in the body.