Our bodies are made up of different kinds of cells. Blood cells are an important type of cell that is further bifurcated into three parts, namely white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Each type of blood cell plays an essential role in the human body. Red blood cells remove carbon dioxide from the body and carry oxygen to the tissues. Platelets prevent bleeding by forming blood clots. While blood cells are an essential part of the immune system and help fight infection and protect the body from foreign substances. There are several types of white blood cells. B lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells that become plasma cells upon identifying antigens in the body. Plasma cells and multiple myeloma Plasma cells produce antibodies that fight antigens, otherwise known as harmful foreign substances. These cells are normally present in the bone marrow in a limited number, but they can turn into a tumor upon abnormal cell multiplication. The tumor can turn cancerous and may cause multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. While scientists do not know the exact cause of multiple myeloma, they have conducted studies on how certain DNA changes can cause the plasma cells to turn cancerous and form a tumor. Multiple myeloma can lead to a loss of red blood cells, causing anemia. It can also decrease the number of platelets in the blood, which causes increased bleeding and bruising. Multiple myeloma even causes a shortage of white blood cells that leads to problems in fighting infections. Medical researchers and doctors who have been studying multiple myeloma are looking for a cure and methods to prevent this disease. Preventing it becomes less challenging when one knows the risk factors and early signs of cancer. Identifying the risk factors and taking the right measures to eliminate the risk can be an effective way to prevent multiple myeloma.

Constipation is a bowel condition due to which the bowel movements of an individual are hard and occur less often than normal. Almost everyone experiences this condition. It is not usually serious, as the person suffering from constipation feels much better when the body is back on track. The normal time frame of constipation varies greatly from person to person. Some people might have it three times a day some only once or twice a week. Constipation that takes longer than 3 or more days is usually considered as too long a time frame. After three days, the stool or feces become harder and becomes more difficult to pass. The general symptoms of constipation include: Trouble having bowel movements Having few bowel movements Swollen or dry belly pain with the feeling of nausea Hard or small stools Causes of constipation can be due to several reasons. Poor diet or poor bowel habits are the two main causes of constipation. Constipation causes problems in eliminating of stool, whether it is physical, functional, or voluntary. Most common causes of constipation include Poor diet Constipation can be caused due to eating only those foods that are rich in animal fats (which are usually found in dairy products, meat, and eggs) and refined sugar. Having a low fiber diet can also result in constipation. This is because the fiber content in the food helps in better digestion and maintains stool consistency that is easy to pass. Insufficient fluid intake Lack of fluid in the daily diet can lead to hard and dry stools. Fluid is absorbed by the intestine, consuming enough fluid maintains the water content and keeps the stool soft enough for passage. Caffeine and alcohol Consuming beverages rich in caffeine and alcohol result in increased excretion. This results in relative dehydration. This, in turn, leads to constipation as enough water is not retained by the stool.

Fibromyalgia is a medical condition which results in pain throughout the body. This medical condition also causes fatigue and other such related issues. People who suffer from fibromyalgia are more sensitive to pain in comparison to those who do not suffer from this complication. Incidentally, fibromyalgia has been identified as a common chronic pain condition. According to the National Fibromyalgia Association, 10 million people have been thought to have been affected by this medical condition in the US. Though doctors have not been able to pinpoint the exact causes of fibromyalgia, there are several risk factors which lead to the development of this condition. Before we dwell on the causes of fibromyalgia, it is vital to understand the underlying symptoms which lead to its development. Symptoms of fibromyalgia There are various symptoms of fibromyalgia, and the most prominent ones of these are aching on both sides of the body, trouble in remembering and concentrating, trouble in sleeping, pain in the abdomen, anxiety, depression, painful menstrual periods, numbness in hands and feet, and sensitivity to light or temperature. Causes of fibromyalgia Though nothing much can be said with certainty on the causes of fibromyalgia, it is a combination of factors which is responsible for the cause and development of fibromyalgia. Pain signaling People with fibromyalgia suffer from the problem that the pain signals are not processed in the usual manner. Due to abnormal levels of chemicals in the brain and spinal cord, the nerves, which are the carrier of these signals, make people more sensitive to pain. This is one of the most common causes of fibromyalgia, in which a sufferer would experience excruciating pain even it would seem like a minor pain to a person who is not suffering from fibromyalgia. Imbalance in hormones Certain hormones including norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin help the body in processing the pain.

Pneumonia symptoms, whether mild or severe, should be immediately examined by a physician. A medical professional will suggest the right tests for diagnosing this disease. One should strictly follow the post-treatment precautions recommended by the doctor. Symptoms of pneumonia The symptoms of pneumonia range from mild to severe. Other factors that affect the signs of this condition are the type of pneumonia, the age of the patient as well as the state of health. Here are some signs of pneumonia: Cough Patients experience incessant coughing. It is accompanied by mucus, which may be green or yellow. There might be traces of blood in the mucus. It is one of the classic symptoms of bronchitis or pneumonia. Fever Another symptom of pneumonia is a fever. It could range from mild to high fever. Chills along with shaking Patients who have pneumonia are likely to feel extremely cold, and they are also likely to shiver or shake with it. Labored breathing You might feel short of breath while climbing a flight of stairs. Sharp pain in the chest Deep breathing or coughing could induce sharp or stabbing chest pain. Headaches There might be headaches which are of different intensities. A high amount of sweating People report sweating and moistness of the skin. Poor appetite Patients have no desire to eat. They also experience reduced energy levels and a lot of fatigue. Confusion Senior citizens may experience a feeling of confusion with other symptoms of pneumonia. Types of pneumonia Bacterial pneumonia In this type of pneumonia, temperatures reach alarming levels of up to 105 degrees. It could be accompanied by an excessive amount of sweating. The intensity of breathing goes up, and so does the pulse rate. Because of a deficiency of oxygen in the blood, the lips, as well as nail beds, might turn blue.

H. pylori infection or Helicobacter pylori infection occurs in one’s stomach during their childhood. It is also one of the common causes of peptic ulcers. According to the various medical research reports, around 50 percent of the world population is affected by H. pylori infection. However, most people don’t even realize it because they usually don’t fall ill from this bacterium. When you get signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer, your doctor will test whether you have H. pylori infection or not. Symptoms of H. pylori infection You might feel a burning pain in your stomach when you have an ulcer. This pain will stay for a few minutes or even hours. Generally, you will feel the pain of ulcer in the middle of the night or in between your meals whenever your stomach becomes empty. You will feel better when you take an antacid, drink milk, or eat something. Other signs and symptoms of H. pylori infection include the following. Not feeling hungry Vomiting Nausea Weight loss for unclear reasons Burping Bloating Ulcers can sometimes cause bleeding in your stomach or intestine. This can really be dangerous for your health. In case you find out the below symptoms of H. pylori infection, then you should immediately look for medical help. Dark red or black-colored blood in your stool Fainting or dizziness Trouble in breathing Becoming tired for no obvious reasons The color of the skin getting pale Coffee grounds like vomiting or vomit with blood Sharp and severe pain in the stomach Although it happens in a rare case, you should know that the H. pylori infection could cause cancer in your stomach. One of the first symptoms of H. pylori infection which might cause cancer would be heartburn. After a certain time, you may notice the following symptoms.

The hip joint is one of the strongest joints of the human body. It helps us to stand and walk and absorbs the impact when we jump. However, it is not immune to wear and tear. Hip bursitis or the inflammation of a bursa in the hip is one of the common causes of hip pain. Prescription medication is not always required for relief from hip bursitis. What is hip bursitis? Sacs filled with fluid that reduce the friction between tissues as they move are known as bursae. The major bursae are located at large joints such as the hips, shoulders, elbows, and knees. There are two bursae in the hip, the trochanteric bursa on the outer hip and the iliopsoas bursa on the inner side of the hip. Inflammation of the bursa is known as bursitis. This is not infectious but it may become infected. Causes of hip bursitis It becomes easier to seek relief for hip bursitis if one understands the factors causing it. The most common causes of hip bursitis are as follows: Injury to the hip Falling on the hip or banging the hip on a hard surface can lead to blood being filled in the bursa and inflammation of the bursa lining. While the blood may be later reabsorbed by the body, the lining stays inflamed for much longer. This is also known as traumatic bursitis. Repetitive hip trauma Sometimes even minor trauma to the hip can cause hip bursitis if it occurs repeatedly. These are known as mini-traumas . People who run or bike have a higher risk of hip bursitis caused by such mini-traumas . Gout and rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis affects the outer lining or the synovial membrane of the bursa. Similarly, gout causes the accumulation of urate crystals in the synovial membrane.

As far as the symptoms of male breast cancer are concerned, a specific cause has not been identified yet. Men are susceptible to breast cancer if there is a strong family history or the presence of an abnormal gene inherited from their parents. What are the symptoms of male breast cancer? When you find you that you are displaying certain signs and symptoms that show no signs of abating, it is important to consult your doctor. Symptoms of male breast cancer include: The breast tissue has some kind of thickening or the presence of a painless lump. The skin that covers your breast shows some changes like redness, wrinkling, scaling or dimpling. There are certain changes that take place in your nipple like redness or scaling. There is an inward turning of the nipple. The nipples let out some kind of discharge. Causes of male breast cancer A specific cause as to the occurrence of breast cancer in men has not been found. According to doctors, breast cancer in men occurs when certain cells in the breast divide faster than healthy cells. These cells then assemble together and a tumor is formed, which spreads or metastasizes to the nearby tissue and follows the lymph nodes. Then, they spread to the remaining part of the body. Both men and women have breast tissue in small quantities. The breast tissue has glands or globules which produce milk and ducts which transport the milk to the nipples and fat. There is more breast tissue development in women than in men at the time of puberty. As the amount of breast tissue in men is little, there is a possibility of developing breast cancer. Types of male breast cancer Diagnosis of breast cancer in men falls into the following categories: Cancer originating in the milk ducts or ductal carcinoma:

Shingles is an infection caused by a virus. It is characterized by a painful rash. The same virus that causes chickenpox leads to this viral infection. It results in the development of a stripe of blisters, usually on one side of the body. This rash is very painful, and usually, patients need to adopt some remedies to get relief from shingles. Symptoms and diagnosis of shingles Shingles is characterized by pain and a burning sensation. You may also experience a tingling or numbing sensation in or under your skin. It may lead to the appearance of red blisters which are very painful. Shingles is also accompanied by other symptoms such as fever and headache. You may experience itching and irritation as well as fatigue due to shingles. Your doctor may diagnose shingles through its tell-tale symptoms and signs. When you have red blisters that tend to sting, itch and burn, you probably have shingles. These signs alone help your doctor in the diagnosis of this problem. It is essential to get the right diagnosis to find the right remedies and treatments for shingles. Risk factors The varicella-zoster virus which causes chickenpox is responsible for shingles as well. If you have had chickenpox at any point of time in your life, you face the risk of developing this condition. Once this virus enters your system, it stays dormant for a long time. It may get activated by exposure to infections when your immunity levels are low. Though shingles itself is not contagious, the varicella-zoster virus is communicable. Exposure to open sores of other shingles patients can put you at the risk of developing this infection. You are at high risk of developing shingles after you turn 50. Some diseases like HIV, AIDS, as well as cancer, can put you at risk of developing this problem.

COPD is an acronym of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD describes lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, refractory or non-reversible asthma and some form of bronchiectasis. COPD is characterized by enhanced breathlessness. COPD takes time to develop and has several stages. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are not noticeable. The symptoms are more pronounced in the developed stages of the disease. Contact the doctor as soon as you notice COPD symptoms. Request your doctor for a spirometry test. Symptoms of COPD COPD is characterized by the following symptoms: – Enhanced breathlessness – Wheezing – Frequent coughing with or without sputum – Tightness in the chest The risk factors and the common causes of the disease COPD can occur because of the following causes: – Inhaling pollutants and that includes cigarette smoking (active or passive). – Chemicals, fumes, and dust found in the work environment contribute to the occurrence of the disease. – A person’s bad genes can be the cause of the disease. – To sum it up, smoking, environmental factors, and genetic factors result in the occurrence of the disease. Early detection of the disease and subsequent treatment is advisable for patients with COPD condition. – There are several stages of COPD. Early detection of the disease can prevent lung impairment or death. In this context, it is important to understand the way the stages are detected. There is the GOLD staging system, and there is the BODE index. Doctors use the BODE index as it helps to understand better the severity of the symptoms or how COPD affects your life. There are other types of lung function tests that help in identifying the various stages of COPD. The stages of COPD The stages of COPD vary from mild to severe. It affects different persons differently.

Meningitis refers to a medical condition in which the meninges or the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain get inflamed mostly due to viral infection. Fungal and bacterial infections may also lead to this health issue. Often characterized by the stiffness of the neck, high fever, and headache, meningitis can turn fatal, if not treated on time. In some rare cases, meningitis gets cured in a couple of weeks without any medication. However, it is never recommended to leave meningitis untreated and report to a doctor if you can find any of the below-mentioned symptoms of meningitis. General meningitis symptoms are- Symptoms of meningitis and flu are often quite similar, making it difficult to recognize at the very onset. However, some patients get many prominent meningitis symptoms in a few hours while others may take several days for developing the meningitis symptoms. Both adults and children have the risk of getting this infection. Anyone above two years of age is expected to show the following signs when infected by this disease germ. Getting high fever all of a sudden Neck stiffness, sometimes complete immobility of neck Developing concentration difficulty or confusion Difficulty in waking up, sleepiness in the daytime or excess fatigue Seizures or epilepsy signs Difficult to see in light or increased sensitivity to sunlight Low appetite and thirst Rad rashes on skin A severe headache accompanied by fever. In most cases, the pain is quite unusual than a normal headache. Many patients also get vomiting or nausea along with a headache Meningitis symptoms in babies below two years- Meningitis in infants below two years can be extremely difficult to diagnose and may turn fatal. Therefore, consult a doctor if you see any of the signs in your child. Constant crying accompanied by high fever. In most of the cases, the babies do not stop crying and might cry harder when trying to be consoled.

The esophagus is a thin tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal cancer mostly develops in the lining of this tube and as the condition progresses, it may spread to nearby parts via metastasis. The exact cause of this progressive condition is unknown. However, there are several risk factors that increase the chances of developing cancer. Here is a brief overview of them. Age The risk increases with age as the body’s ability to protect and promote the healthy repair of damaged cells deteriorates. Thus, men and women between the ages of 45 to 50 and above are at a higher risk of cancer. Gender and ethnicity Esophageal cancer is more common among men in comparison to women. Ethnicity also plays a crucial role as the condition is more prevalent among those of African-American descent. The risk needs to be strictly monitored with these two factors. Obesity Obesity or being overweight in general is another common risk factor. One must also take into account the damage done to the body due to an improper diet and the resulting weight gain. A diet that has no nutritional value also increases the risk of vitamin deficiencies, which has recently been linked to the development of esophageal cancer. Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD) People who suffer from symptoms of GERD are at a higher risk of damaging their esophageal lining due to acid reflux. The strong stomach enzymes and digestive fluids are thrown up into the tube from the stomach due to a malfunctioning LES and trigger heartburn or pain. Exposure to certain chemicals Exposure to corrosive chemicals in dangerous work environments also increases the chances of cancer. A common risk includes the accidental ingestion of lye, which is a chemical found in strong industrial drain cleaners. The chemical is highly reactive and destroys the cells throughout the lining.

Diabetes is a grave disorder that can give rise to various complications. It affects several parts of the body by initially targeting the nerves. Some of the initial signs of diabetes are leg pain and cramps. Along with these, the high blood sugar levels in the long term can cause nerve damage. In medical terms, this condition is known as diabetic neuropathy. According to a survey, several times, the patients will continue to deal with the symptoms of diabetes without knowing that they have this condition. Sometimes, they only receive a diagnosis when the pain becomes unbearable. Usually, people who have peripheral neuropathy undergo severe conditions such as damage to the nerves in the arms or legs. It is a chronic condition that occurs when a patient’s body is unable to access the hormone insulin. Leg pain is a common sign of diabetic neuropathy along with other symptoms that affect the nerves running through the limbs, hands, and feet. RIsk factors for diabetic neuropathy The risk factors which can give rise to uncontrolled blood sugar levels are: Alcoholism Infections such as Lyme disease or shingles Autoimmune diseases Vitamin deficiencies Repetitive motions Signs of diabetic pain that affects the legs Some of the most common symptoms that patients exhibit are: The leg muscles become weak Muscle cramps along with numbness Ulcers that are not able to heal Itching or burning sensation in the legs Shiny skin and loss of hair or slow hair growth on the legs Change in the color of the legs (it could get a bluish tinge, or a pale or dark red to purple color) along with the development of black patches High blood glucose levels are an unfavorable condition which can result in the damage of cells, nerves, as well as blood vessels. So, it is vital that one gets an adequate supply of glucose to all the cells so that the blood glucose levels can be adequately regulated.