All you need to know about hypoglycemia
General Health

All you need to know about hypoglycemia

The human metabolic system plays a significant role in converting the food we consume into a form that is usable by the body. One such metabolic conversion is the breaking down of carbohydrates into glucose. This glucose flows through the bloodstream, giving us energy, and also aids in the working of every cell. The body produces insulin for the proper absorption and utilization of blood glucose, and when the pancreas produces less than adequate insulin or stops producing insulin entirely, the condition is known as diabetes. Depending on whether it is type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or insulin resistant diabetes, insulin needs to be administered exogenously. However, it is not always possible to perfectly match the body’s need for insulin with the dosage, owing to the variable nature of one’s daily activities. As a result, diabetics commonly experience bouts of hyperglycemia or high blood glucose, or hypoglycemia or low blood sugar, where blood sugar is less than 70 milligrams per microliter. Why is hypoglycemia dangerous? Hypoglycemia must be identified and treated immediately. Otherwise, the dropping levels of blood glucose can cause a person to faint or even go into a diabetic coma in extreme cases. The low blood sugar levels trigger the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream, which, in turn, leads to the common symptoms of hypoglycemia, like hunger pangs, shaking of the body, dizziness, and so on.
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Lyme disease – Causes and treatment methods
General Health

Lyme disease – Causes and treatment methods

Lyme disease is an infectious condition caused by a few specific species of bacteria. The most common one is Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans by way of a bite from a diseased black-legged tick, also known as the deer tick. A tick has to be present on the skin for 24 to 48 hours before it can cause the infection. Lyme disease is most common in people who reside in heavily wooded areas where infected ticks can be easily found. So, if you are living in such an area, it is important that you take some precautions. Common causes of Lyme disease If you are living in the country, Lyme disease is most likely to be caused by two types of bacteria: Borreliamayonii and Borrelia burgdorferi. These bacteria are majorly carried by deer ticks. Sometimes, these bacteria may be carried by young brown ticks, which are of the size of poppy seeds. Lyme disease occurs when an infected deer tick bites you. The bacteria invade your body through the bite and enter the bloodstream. The deer tick must be present on your body for 24 to 48 hours to transmit the infection. If you notice a swollen tick attached to your body, remove it as soon as possible to lower your chances of infection.
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Top treatments for skin discoloration
General Health

Top treatments for skin discoloration

Skin discoloration can occur due to various reasons; you may have skin discoloration because your epidermis is bruised or you were involved in an accident. In such cases, the skin discoloration is temporary and lasts only as long as it takes for your body to heal. However, there are times when you may develop skin discoloration due to hyperpigmentation, which occurs as a result of over-production of melanin in your body. This may result in dark spots or blemishes appearing anywhere on your body, even on the face. Such blemishes can last for a long while which is why you may want to consult a health professional at the earliest to treat your skin discoloration. Here are some of the best treatment options that are currently available for skin discoloration. Sunscreen The first thing that you need to do is to consult a medical professional to help determine what kind of a sunscreen you need to use. You need to use one with the right amount of SPF and one that is a broad spectrum sunscreen. Your skin is naturally sensitive to UV radiation and your dark blemishes will become darker when exposed to the sun. So make it a point of wearing sunscreen daily until your skin discoloration fades away.
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Foods that can help you deal with menopause
General Health

Foods that can help you deal with menopause

Menopause is a natural and significant phase that occurs in every woman’s life. It is often associated with symptoms like headaches, hot flashes, weight gain, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and an inability to focus. Even though we are all always conscious of what we eat, menopause highlights the importance of a healthy diet. A good and well-balanced diet can greatly diminish the chances of certain complications that may otherwise occur during or after menopause. It is important to note that nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, fiber, etc, especially help in negating the adverse effects of menopause. Yogurt As you experience menopause, your bone health begins deteriorating. It is important to consume foods rich in vitamin D and calcium to maintain bone health. Low-fat dairy products such as yogurt, almonds, sardines, and fortified orange juice are some of the best ways to get your Vitamin D and calcium intake. It is advisable to consume 1,200 milligrams of calcium every day. Soy Some experts recommend soy to relieve hot flashes. It contains an essential compound known as isoflavones that triggers the body to produce an increased amount of estrogen, which helps treat the symptoms of menopause. Besides, it is also a great source of fiber.
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Multiple myeloma – diagnosis and treatment
General Health

Multiple myeloma – diagnosis and treatment

Multiple myelomas are a type of blood cancer such as leukemia and lymphoma. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells are get affected and get multiplied in an uncontrolled manner. In general, plasma cell’s responsibility is to form antibodies to fight infections. During multiple myeloma, plasma cells release an uncontrolled amount of protein called immunoglobulin to blood and bones that causes damage to the organs. During multiple myeloma, plasma cells also release certain chemicals which leads to bone dissolve. In severe stages, multiple myeloma, plasma cells spill out of bone marrow and spread across the body and leads to multiple organ damage. Diagnosis of multiple myeloma To confirm a condition of multiple myeloma, doctors may recommend the below diagnosis procedures. Blood tests Analysis of the blood samples collected from patients can help doctors to understand the amount of M protein produced by the myeloma cells. Further, laboratory tests also help in finding out the production of abnormal proteins such as beta-2-microglobulin. This offers an understating on the aggressiveness of multiple myeloma. In addition, blood tests also help to know the state kidney functioning, counts of blood cells, uric acid and calcium levels etc. Urine tests Doctors also recommend a urine test to understand the availability of M Protein in urine Examination of bone marrow Doctors also collect a sample of a patient’s bone marrow through bone marrow biopsy and aspiration.
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What are the causes and symptoms of duodenal ulcers
General Health

What are the causes and symptoms of duodenal ulcers

A sore that forms within the lining of the duodenum is known as duodenal ulcer. The duodenum is the first part of the small intestine, the part of the digestive system that food travels through after it leaves the stomach. One can get an ulcer in the stomach as well as the duodenum. Stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers are both types of peptic ulcers and are also called peptic ulcer diseases. One can have ulcers at any age, but the chance is higher as one gets older. Some peptic ulcers heal by themselves, but if not treated properly they tend to come back. They can erode the blood vessel wall in the stomach or small intestine. The ulcers can also create a hole through the lining – leading to infection. It can also cause swelling that may block food from moving from the stomach to the small intestine. An untreated duodenal ulcer can develop into a serious problem if one has certain existing medical conditions. If the condition is not properly diagnosed and treated, it might enhance the risk of cancerous tumor growth. Causes of duodenal ulcer The stomach produces a strong acid that kills germs and helps to digest food.
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Causes and treatment of eye inflammation
General Health

Causes and treatment of eye inflammation

Eyes are among the most important organs in the human body as they allow one to see things. But like most body parts, eyes are also susceptible to different ailments which can be very painful. As the human eye is a highly sensitive organ, any injury or ailment affecting it can be very painful and requires immediate medical attention. One such ailment is eye inflammation. What is eye inflammation? Eye inflammation is usually caused by an infection from virus or bacteria, but in many cases, the inflammation can be non-specific. The infection is identified based on the part of the eye that has been affected i.e. conjunctiva, cornea, eyelid or the uvea. If left unattended, eye inflammation can result in serious consequences. Therefore, it is advisable to visit a specialist as soon as the symptoms of inflammation in the eye are observed. In certain cases, the patient can suffer from acute pain as well as poor eyesight. When the eye is inflamed, one can observe the inflammation around the eye. In most cases, the inflammation of the eye is not a threatening situation but in certain cases, it can pose a threat to the eyesight. Symptoms of eye inflammation The term eye inflammation is an umbrella term used to denote the different types of inflammatory conditions that affect different eye parts.
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Causes and treatment methods for thyroid cancer
General Health

Causes and treatment methods for thyroid cancer

The abnormal multiplication of cells in the thyroid gland can lead to thyroid cancer. There are different types of thyroid cancer like – papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. Papillary cancer occurs in the follicular cells of the thyroid gland and appears in finger-like shapes. Follicular cancer can spread to the lymph nodes and even blood vessels. Medullary cancer grows in the C cells of the thyroid gland that produces a hormone named calcitonin. Its function is to maintain the calcium level in blood. Anaplastic cancer is the hardest form of cancer that spreads aggressively to other parts of the body and is quite hard to treat. Causes of thyroid cancer There are various factors responsible for the development of thyroid cancer. They are: Genetics One of the most important causes of thyroid cancer is genetics. It has been found that people who suffer from this kind of cancer must have inherited certain abnormal genes from their family. Exposure to radiation Studies show that people who have experienced exposure to radiation on their head or neck in their childhood, have the likelihood to develop thyroid cancer. Iodine deficiency Iodine deficiency can lead to thyroid cancer. However, this reason is not a very important factor, as people can consume iodine which is mostly added to salt and other foods.
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Causes, risk factors, and symptoms of skin cancer
General Health

Causes, risk factors, and symptoms of skin cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer wherein the skin cells have abnormal growth. It is mostly found in skin, which is majorly exposed to sunlight. Skin cancer is mainly categorized into three types which are squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and basal cell carcinoma. The risk of skin cancer can be reduced by avoiding the exposure to ultraviolet rays and radiation. It is important to check for suspicious changes in the skin so that you can detect it in the initial stages itself. When it gets detected at an early stage, the chance of it getting treated also increases phenomenally. We will be discussing the symptoms and causes of skin cancer in this article. Symptoms of skin cancer The symptoms of skin cancer differ based on the type of cancer you have. Following are the symptoms based on the type of skin cancer. The symptoms of basal cell carcinoma The initial symptoms of basal cell carcinoma include a bump, which is waxy or pearly in appearance, along with a lesion that occurs like a scar, which is flat in texture and may even be colored like flesh. The symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma This type of skin cancer occurs in areas which are exposed to the sun.
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6 effective tips for the best gum care
General Health

6 effective tips for the best gum care

Wholesome dental hygiene comprises of tooth care, tongue cleaning, and disinfecting the gums. However, it is commonly seen that gums are the most neglected part of a dental care regime. However, that does not change the fact that unhealthy gums pose a serious threat to your dental and overall health. So, even if you have not been committed to gum care until now, it is never late to start. Here are some hassle-free tips and tricks that can help you keep your gums healthy and shiny. Floss Flossing at least once a day helps remove the plaque that carries bacteria. These bacteria are responsible for gum diseases such as gingivitis, which, when not treated on time, can lead to severe dental problems. Flossing at night is always good for your dental health. Dislodging the remaining food from your teeth after every meal with floss is also a good trick for gum care. Brush twice a day with the right toothbrush Picking the right toothbrush is necessary for good dental care. A toothbrush that fits perfectly in your mouth and has soft bristles is an ideal toothbrush to keep dental problems at bay. Brush twice a day to remove all the remaining bacteria-causing food particles from the mouth.
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