A bunch of viruses, parasites, and bacteria are known to cause gastrointestinal infection. Diarrheal diseases are reported to be the cause of death for 1 in 9 children worldwide according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disease is reported to affect children more than malaria, AIDS, and measles combined. Symptoms of gastrointestinal infection Gastrointestinal infections usually last only for a few days. However, in some cases, they continue for as long as 14 days. The condition is marked by discomfort and abdominal cramps, further followed by diarrhea. Other symptoms of chronic gastrointestinal infection include vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, nausea, dehydration, muscle aches, headache, weight loss, and blood or mucus in stools. Causes of gastrointestinal infections There are three major causes of gastrointestinal infections, they are- bacterial, parasite, and viral. Bacterial E. coli- E. coli bacterias are found in the intestines of both humans as well as animals. Most strains of the e. coli are harmless. However, there are some harmful strains that secrete toxins which may cause bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. Food that comes in contact with animal manure or contaminated water spread e. coli. It can also spread through human contact directly as well.

Lungs are among the most vital organs in the body; they are also the primary organs of the body’s respiratory system. Lungs, therefore, play a very crucial role in the simplest yet most essential activity, breathing. The oxygen that we breathe enters our body through the lungs and reaches the blood vessels deep in the lungs and, subsequently, the rest of the body. Lungs also make the carbon dioxide exit the body once we breathe out. Therefore, it is pivotal to keep the lungs in extremely good shape and health. When lungs are exposed to harmful agents due to certain acts of smoking, living in a polluted environment, or inhaling harmful chemicals or particles, it can cause several illnesses; one such illness is lung cancer. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths of men and women in the country. It is also one of the most common types of cancer among cancer patients. It begins in the lungs when there are changes in the DNA of lung cells. When certain changes lead to increased and abnormal growth of lung cells, it leads to the formation of malignant cells, which, subsequently, results in lung cancer. Causes of lung cancer In order to prevent oneself from lung cancer, it is important to learn about its several causes.

Calcium is one of the major nutrients for our body. It is present in the bones, teeth, nerve cells, body tissue, and blood. Age progression and an imbalanced or malnourished diet can cause calcium deficiency, leading to several diseases such as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and hypocalcemia. As calcium is a crucial mineral for maintaining normal bodily functions such as bone development and stabilization of blood pressure, its deficiency can lead to various deficiency diseases mentioned below: Osteoporosis The term osteoporosis means “porous bones”. It is a progressive bone disease that results in the decline of the bone density and mass, which surges the risk of bone fractures. The calcium deficiency disease is common in post-menopausal women, but it can also affect both men and women above 75 years of age. Other risk factors associated with osteoporosis include lower levels of sex hormones, increasing age, and excessive smoking. Osteoporosis can make bones weak to the extent that they can get fractured even with bending and coughing. Osteopenia Low bone mass or osteopenia can be caused due to depletion in the bone mineral density. Physicians and orthopedics consider osteopenia as the first step toward osteoporosis. The disease is more prevalent in post-menopausal women than men and can cause complications due to lack of exercise, unhealthy lifestyle, overdependence on alcohol, and excessive smoking.

People who suffer from chronic illnesses need to make peace with their condition and do everything in their power to control the condition and lead a normal life. For people who suffer from Crohn’s disease, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), their treatment options usually focus on medications to reduce the severity of the symptoms and a special diet that ensures that their digestive tract remains free of any form of irritation. Crohn’s disease leads to the inflammation of the digestive tract and causes severe abdominal pain, weight loss, malnutrition, fatigue, inflammation, and affects different parts of the digestive tract. So, if one wishes to bring this condition under control, they need to pay special attention to what they eat, as the wrong type of food can trigger a flare-up. Though Crohn’s disease cannot be cured completely, adhering to a Crohn’s disease diet can reduce flare-ups and keep the person comfortable for a long time. So, here are some essential tips one can use to create their own diet chart. Grains It is common knowledge that grains are everyone’s staple food, which is why it gets trickier in adding it to the Crohn’s diet. Usually, a high-fiber diet is known to prove beneficial in most cases, but if the disease is currently active, the fiber content can lead to certain problems.

Of all the formidable diseases that continue to contribute to the mortality rate, cancer takes the crown because it can affect any part of the body and wreak massive destruction in the patient’s life. Cancer can be treated only when it is diagnosed in its initial stages. After it starts metastasizing, the treatment options focus on reducing the severity of the symptoms and offering some relief to the patient. One such form of cancer that brought about 42,220 new cases the previous year is liver cancer. In fact, liver cancer is the tenth most common form of cancer and is known to be the fifth most common cause of cancer death. The liver is responsible for filtering the blood that circulates throughout the body and converts the nutrients and drugs absorbed from the digestive tract into necessary chemicals. Moreover, the liver plays a major role in ensuring that toxins and chemical waste products are removed from the blood and readies them for excretion. As the liver is the medium of processing blood that flows throughout the body, it makes for an easy target for the cancer cells that travel in the bloodstream. Liver cancer can be treated only when it is in the initial stages and as cancer progresses, the treatment methods change course as well.

The third most common type of cancer in the country, colon cancer occurs when tumors develop in the large intestine. Usually, this cancer originates from benign clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. These might or might not project any symptoms. Therefore, doctors recommend regular screening for detecting such polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. In the early stages of this condition, several patients might experience no symptoms. However, as the condition progress, the following signs and symptoms may emerge: Changes in bowel movement, including constipation, diarrhea, or consistency of the stool that typically lasts for more than a month Rectal bleeding Fatigue A feeling that the bowel hasn’t completely emptied Unexplained weight loss If one notices the following symptoms, they should seek a doctor’s counsel, especially if they already have a family history of the condition. Unfortunately, researchers haven’t been able to determine the exact cause of colon cancer. However, studies have concluded that healthy cells in the colon are affected by newly developed errors in the DNA. Under normal circumstances, healthy cells are produced and divided in a systematic and controlled manner to keep the body functions running. However, when the DNA of a cell is damaged, it turns cancerous.

Lacking energy and feeling of weariness and tiredness that does not go away even after taking rest is called fatigue. Fatigue can be both physical and psychological. Often times, fatigue can be due to one or more habits or routines. It is a natural response of the body toward poor eating habits, emotional stress, boredom, and lack of sleep. In other cases, it can be a symptom of an underlying medical condition and requires proper treatment and even a doctor’s intervention. Most of the people are unaware of the causes of their fatigue and it is also likely that they have the power to put the vitality back in their life. Here are some helpful tips that can be used to fight both, physical and psychological fatigue and boost energy levels. Lifestyle changes Avoid smoking cigarette as it contains many harmful chemicals and toxins which are responsible to bring down the energy levels. Smokers have lower energy when compared to non-smokers. Smoking cigarettes reduces the amount of oxygen which is required with glucose to provide energy to the body. A sedentary lifestyle is known to cause fatigue while physical activity also boosts energy levels which affect both, body and mind.

Multiple myeloma is a type of blood cancer that originates in the white blood cells known as plasma cells. These cells are responsible for producing antibodies that ward off any infections. However, when one is affected by multiple myeloma, the rogue cells begin to rapidly divide and accumulate in the bone marrow, where they overpower the healthy cells. Instead of making antibodies, these cancerous cells create abnormal proteins that trigger several health complications. Signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma Identifying the signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma isn’t always easy. In the initial stages, one may experience no symptoms. As the condition progresses, the symptoms might start exhibiting. It is also important to note that every patient’s signs and symptoms will significantly vary from another’s. The following are some of the most common signs and symptoms of multiple myeloma: Frequent infections : Since there are fewer cells in the body producing antibodies, a person might have to frequently deal with infections. Fatigue : As the rogue cells replace the healthy ones in the bone marrow, it becomes increasingly difficult for the body to fight infections. Consequently, the body tires easily. Weak bones : This condition can inhibit the generation of new bone cells, which can further cause bone problems such as weakened bones, bone pain, and increased susceptibility to bone injuries.

Also known as varicella, chickenpox is a highly contagious viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Often the symptoms are mild, and the condition resolves on its own in a few days or in a week or two. However, the virus that causes chickenpox never leaves the body but lies in a dormant state. It can reemerge in the form of shingles when one is in their sixties or seventies. Once a person is exposed to the virus, the infection begins projecting symptoms within 10 to 21 days. The classic sign of chickenpox is rash that undergoes three phases. Initially, the small pinkish or reddish bumps will form all over the body. These bumps will then turn into fluid-filled blisters. Finally, the broken blisters will heal by forming scabbed lesions. These will take a few more days to completely go away. Apart from the rash, some other accompanying signs and symptoms are fever, loss of appetite, fatigue, and headaches. In rare cases, the rash can turn severe and spread to the eyes, throat, and genitals. Therefore, one should always consult a doctor when the symptoms start showing to prevent any complications. Some complications that can occur are as follows: Dehydration Pneumonia Encephalitis – brain inflammation Bacterial infections of the bones, joints, blood, skin, and soft tissues Reye’s syndrome Toxic shock syndrome Infants whose mothers never had chickenpox, pregnant women, people with weaker immune systems due to chronic conditions, children with asthma, and people using steroid medications or immunosuppressants are at a higher risk of developing any complications associated with chickenpox.

Immunodeficiency disorders cause the immune system to malfunction, making one more susceptible to frequent, severe, and long-lasting infections. There are two types of immunodeficiency disorders, that is, primary (congenital) and secondary (acquired). Primary : These immunodeficiency disorders affect one since their birth. Moreover, these disorders are genetic in nature. In most cases, this disorder comes to the surface during infancy or in the early childhood years. At the moment, researchers have discovered over 100 primary immunodeficiency disorders, and all happen to be fairly rare. Secondary : Unlike primary immunodeficiency disorders, the secondary ones develop in the later stages of life due to chronic disorders or long-term use of certain types of medications, including anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy drugs. These are comparatively more common than the congenital immunodeficiency disorders. Some immunodeficiency disorders don’t last long and resolve without any treatment. Other cases might be lifelong, but they don’t affect one’s lifespan. Symptoms of immunodeficiency disorders The symptoms of immunodeficiency disorders vary from person to person. Typically, one might persistently have to deal with respiratory and bacterial infections that keep worsening. For instance, a sore throat and cold might turn into pneumonia. Likewise, infections of the eyes, mouth, and intestines are also quite common.