Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disorder that affects the cells of the sweat ducts, mucous membranes, and the digestive juices in the body. It primarily affects the lungs and the pancreas. Fluids produced by the body like sweat, mucus and digestive juices are usually very thin, but in people with cystic fibrosis, these fluids become congealed and thick. Instead of lubricating the body’s ducts and passageways, they block them and hamper further production of these fluids. Cystic fibrosis is almost always diagnosed before the age of 2 years, although in rare cases, an affected person may not exhibit any symptoms until adolescence or adulthood. Symptoms Since screening for cystic fibrosis is performed on every newborn in the country, the condition is usually detected within the first month of birth before any symptoms arise. The symptoms, when they arise, mostly affect the respiratory and digestive systems. A higher than normal level of salt is present in the sweat of those affected by this condition. Those who were diagnosed late experience more atypical symptoms like recurrent pancreatitis or pneumonia and infertility. Respiratory symptoms like a persistent and chronic cough that produces sputum, wheezing, shortness of breath, frequent lung infections, and inflamed nasal passages are common.

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. It is a chronic condition where inflammation in the lungs results in the obstruction of air flowing in and out of the lungs. Typically, chronic bronchitis and emphysema are responsible for causing COPD. Emphysema is associated with damage to the alveoli at the end of bronchioles. This condition arises from exposure to irritant gases, particulate matter, and smoking. Chronic bronchitis is associated with inflammation in the inner lining of the bronchial tubes. The bronchial tubes are responsible for taking air to and from the lungs’ alveoli. Signs and symptoms of COPD The main symptoms of COPD are: Mucus production and daily cough experienced over three months or more than two years are the main symptoms associated with COPD caused by chronic bronchitis. One may cough up phlegm which may be green, yellow, white, or even clear. Dyspnea or the experience of shortness of breath after physical exertion or activity is another sign of COPD. As a patient of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, one can also experience wheezing. Tightness in the chest is another sign of COPD. If one has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, their lungs may end up producing too much mucus, which may create an urge to clear the throat, first thing in the morning.

Cancer is caused by a violent growth of cells and it also invades the surrounding tissue. Oral cancer is more likely to occur in men than in women. Doctors recommend having regular oral cancer examinations to rule out the possibility of the condition. What does oral hygiene mean? Oral hygiene refers to the hygiene of one’s mouth and how clean and healthy it is. Not maintaining good oral hygiene can result in dental problems. A few tips to maintain oral hygiene are: Brushing: Using a soft-bristled toothbrush is very important as it is gentle on your teeth and does not cause bleeding. Not brushing your teeth properly can leave germs behind. It is recommended to brush your teeth for about 2 minutes, twice a day. Cleaning your toothbrush: Rinsing your toothbrush with water after every use is all you need to keep your toothbrush clean. Since the quality of the bristles deteriorates after a certain amount of time and usage, it is recommended to change your toothbrush every 2-3 months. Flossing: Another important part of good oral health is cleaning between the teeth. Flossing is pretty effective, and it removes the junk from in between your teeth. Mouthwash: A mouthwash acts as a mouth fresher as it freshens your breath.

Alcoholism can be explained as a severe form of alcohol abuse wherein an individual is unable to limit their alcohol consumption; even if they want to. Chronic alcohol consumption at any level affects both one’s physical and mental health. It may cause psychological effects including memory problems and learning disabilities to personality shifts and sudden mood swings. While all of the effects of alcoholism starting from the liver to the pancreas to the immune system can be devastating and even lead to death, one of the worst things about alcoholism is how it affects the mental health of an individual. Heavy drinking increases the risk for a wide range of mental health disorders and problems, such as: Impaired learning and memory capacity: Alcohol can severely affect both learning and memory function. Different forms of memory can become affected by prolonged alcoholism, including verbal memory, recall, and even temporary amnesia. Excessive drinking results in brain damage, which in turn results in a well-known condition called Korsakov’s syndrome. Korsakov’s syndrome is an amnesic disorder which means that people find it difficult to remember past events and to learn new things. Depression: Drinking in excess is often associated with a variety of negative emotional states, including depression.

Chemotherapy is a treatment for breast cancer which uses drugs to target and destroy cancer cells. They are usually administered intravenously, or given as a pill. Chemotherapy is an anti-cancer treatment that uses one drug or a combination of them. They are released into the bloodstream and target cancer wherever it resides in the body. Chemotherapy for breast cancer is often used in conjunction with other treatment methods, such as surgery, and hormone therapy. It may reduce the risk of breast cancer returning, increase the chance of a complete cure, reduce symptoms of breast cancer, and also improve the patient’s quality of life. In the case of cancer returning or spreading, chemotherapy may aid in controlling it. Let’s look at when chemotherapy is administered for breast cancer in more detail: Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in early-stage breast cancer Neo-adjuvant chemotherapy is administered before surgery as the oncologist may want to shrink the tumor before operating it. These are especially so in the case of large tumors. This type of chemotherapy may provide one’s surgeon with the best chance of removing the tumor as a whole. It may also help the surgeon retain the breast and remove only the tumor. Chemotherapy, in this case, may also reduce the extent of cancer in the lymph nodes, and a more invasive lymph node surgery can thus be avoided.

Colorectal cancer is the most common colon cancer, accounting to 95% of colon cancers. Doctors and researchers are still not able to identify causes of colon cancer. Extensive research was able to determine risk factors, some of which have been listed below. Genetic mutations: Genetic mutations increase the risk of colon cancer. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), which is also called Lynch syndrome, increases the chance of colorectal cancer for adults above the age of 50. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is a genetic syndrome that causes the growth of hundreds of polyps in the colon and hence increases the risk of colon cancer before the age of 40. Genetic testing can help identify risk and plan accordingly. Family history: Analysis of a number of patients who have had cancer indicated that 20% of those affected had a relative who had been affected. Parents, siblings, or children all share the same genes, and anyone who has suffered from colorectal cancer increase the risk for the rest. An adult relative who had cancer over the age of 60 increases this risk percentage. Previous colon disease: If you have been affected by inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or colon cancer previously, the risk of cancer developing in another part of the colon is very high.

Renal cancer occurs when malignant cancer cells are formed in the tubules of the kidney, whose main function is to filter waste and toxins from the body. It is a very serious condition and can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated at an early stage. The treatment options for renal cancer largely depend on what stage the cancer is in. There are five main treatment options for this type of cancer: Surgery Doctors may recommend surgery to remove a part of or the entire kidney in order to treat renal cancer. The doctors may prescribe any of the following surgeries: Simple nephrectomy : This surgery is done to remove the kidney. Partial nephrectomy : In this procedure, only the part of the kidney with the cancerous tumor and the tissues surrounding it are removed surgically. Radical nephrectomy : In this procedure, the adrenal gland, nearby lymph nodes as well as the surrounding tissue are removed, along with the kidney itself. In case cancer has spread to both the kidneys and both need to be surgically removed, the patient will require dialysis at regular intervals and a kidney transplant eventually. Post-surgery, patients may have to undergo radiotherapy or chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells and prevent the recurrence of renal cancer.

Like with all diseases, lifestyle changes can be made in order to ease the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. The simple things that you practice at home can help improve your symptoms. Scroll down to take a look at the things that you can do to help ease your symptoms of psoriatic arthritis: Exercise It is very important to add exercise to your everyday routine. Keeping your joints moving can prevent them from becoming stiff. Exercising for at least 30 minutes a day will help you from putting on the excess weight and this will also give you more energy to perform your everyday activities with ease. You need to consult with your doctor and heed his advice on what exercises will be suitable for you in order to keep your joints from getting too stiff. You need to keep in mind that high impact exercises like running or playing tennis can take a toll on your joints, whereas exercises like biking, walking, swimming, and some other water-based exercises can be much gentler on your joints. Get rid of bad habits Even for a person who is healthy, bad habits like excessive smoking and drinking is bad for the body. Hence when you have a condition like psoriatic arthritis, it is all the more important for you to stay away from bad habits like smoking and drinking.

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis which is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. The buildup of uric acid usually affects joints. Any joint can be affected by gout, but it mostly affects joints towards the end of the limbs, such as the toes, ankles, knees, and fingers. Gout was historically called “the disease of the kings” or “rich man’s disease”. It was called so because it was believed that only the rich got this disease due to overindulgence in food and wine. It has been recognized in history since the time of the Egyptians. Many historic figures like Queen Victoria, Henry VIII and Alexander the Great have suffered from gout. Various history books mention gout in great detail. Symptoms of gout may include: Sudden and severe pain in one or several joints The joint feeling very tender Mild fever Swelling around the joint The skin around the joint becoming red and shiny Where in the body does gout strike? The joints most affected by gout are: Toes – particularly the joint in the big toe Middle of the foot Fingers Wrists Elbow Ankles Knees Gout progresses to affect other joints if it is not treated.

There are so many advertisements in the market that claim to cure diabetes. However, once someone is subject to diabetes, they will always have the condition. At best, a diabetic can only manage their sugar levels but can never get rid of it. Sometimes, when the blood glucose levels are tested, it might show normal results, but that does not mean that they are completely cured. Some of the tips to manage and prevent diabetes are: Monitor Monitoring your glucose levels is inevitable. A lot of people neglect or fail to check their sugar levels. It would be wise to invest in an instant-check sugar testing kit. There are several options available on the internet and all of them are pretty much accurate. Ensure to maintain a record of the updates every time you test your diabetes. Whether the test was done on an empty stomach or if it is done 1.5 hours after a meal or at random, it is crucial data to include in your journal. This is because your doctors would be able to regulate your medicines based on how your body processes food. Monitoring it in this fashion also helps the doctor plan your insulin dosage, if needed.