Spinal disc herniation is commonly referred to as a slipped disc. It is a physiological disorder that affects the spinal column. In this, a tear occurs outside the fibrous circle of a prolapsed disc. This allows the soft, central part to protrude at the further side of the damaged outer rings. A herniated disc occurs between the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. This is at the lower back. The discs are pads which act as cushions between the vertebral components. This reduces the stress during movements of the spinal column. The discs look like jelly donuts. They have a central softener. Age or injury impairs the disc. The softer middle part penetrates through the surrounding outer part. The tear of the middle part of the disc exerts more pressure against one or more of the lumbar spine nerve root. This causes pain and discomfort. Risk factors for spinal disc herniation Risk factors for a herniated disc include wear and tear of the lumbar spine. The only way to prevent a slipped disc is to avoid lifting heavy objects or awkwardly twist your spine. If the back pain radiates down one of your arms or legs, you must seek immediate medical care. Moreover, medical attention is also needed if you are experiencing sciatica. Primary goal of treatment and ways to achieve it Medical tests, such as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) help in detecting disc herniation. The primary goal of herniated disc treatment for each patient is to help reduce or eradicate pain. The other purpose of herniated disc treatment is to arrest other associated symptoms. These symptoms that the patient shows ensue from the herniated disc. To detect other symptoms, an individual treatment plan applies to each patient. The basis of herniated disc treatment is dependent on the starting place of the pain.

Sitting in a single position for a long time at the office or elsewhere can result in having deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep vein thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot or thrombus in a single or more, deep veins in the body, mostly the thighs or lower legs, but can also come up in other areas of the body. It is a serious condition which occurs with leg pain, swelling, redness or warmness but may also occur without any symptoms. What is a blood clot? It is a gelatinous lump of blood in a solid state. Scientifically, DVT can be explained as the interplay of three processes which are changes to the blood vessel wall, an increased tendency to clot (hypercoagulability) and a decreased blood flow rate (venous stasis). It can be life threatening when the clot caused by DVT travels and makes it way to the lungs; this is also called pulmonary embolism. This can lead to many more complications. The symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include the following: Severe leg pain is the most common symptom for DVT that usually begins with the calf but later may spread to your entire legs. Pain alone cannot be a determinant for DVT though it is an important one. Swelling in the feet, leg or ankle mostly on one side is also a sign of a development of DVT in your body. Some areas of the leg feel warmer than the other parts of the body, though this may be temporary in some cases and the person may not think much of it, but it is a factor that many doctors when asked, get a positive revert from the patients. Discolouration or redness-blueness on the area affected is some of the very few visible symptoms of DVT. Distention of surface veins can occur.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause several other complications if not treated on time. It can lead to kidney failure, blindness, and other such serious conditions. If diagnosed in the initial stages, diabetes can be fought with. You certainly cannot change certain factors like age and genes but you can definitely reduce the risk of diabetes. Here are 10 diabetes control measures that you can use to keep the condition under control. Cut sugar as well as refined carbs from your diet You are more likely to develop diabetes if you eat high-sugar foods and refined carbs. The body tends to burn down this sugar rapidly which are then absorbed by the bloodstream. The rise in blood sugar prompts the pancreas to produce insulin. However, in those who have prediabetes, the body cells become resistant to the action of insulin. Therefore, the sugar remains in the blood. In response to this, the pancreas produces insulin. This goes on until both the blood sugar and insulin level increase in the body. Eventually, it leads to diabetes. This is why you should keep the consumption of carbs and sugar at the minimum. Exercise One of the most effective diabetes control measures is exercise. Regular physical activity can help in preventing diabetes. Exercise increases insulin sensitivity by over 85% when it is high-intensity. Aerobic exercises, strength training, and other such types of physical activities help a lot. It is advised to go for exercises that you actually enjoy and can stick to in the long run. Drink a lot of water Whenever you feel thirsty drink water instead of any other beverage. This will naturally help you stay away from any other beverage that might contain sugar. Drinking sugary beverages is linked to an increased risk of diabetes. It is a great idea to simply cut down from any type of sugary beverage so that you can only have healthy fluids.

There are certain common medical conditions that are specifically linked with osteoporosis bone loss. Here’s what you need to watch out for. The bone is a living tissue, and as such it is constantly being broken down to create new bone. However, when the rebuilding process is slower than the breaking down process, the bones become fragile and brittle. This is what happens when you develop osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men, and affects about 200 million women all over the world. Even though this disorder affects women of all age and races, it is more common in older white and Asian women. When you are suffering from osteoporosis and it reaches an advanced stage, fractures become a part of daily life. The fractures that are associated with osteoporosis usually occur in your spine, hip, and wrist. The bones become so brittle that even everyday activities like bending over or stepping on to the pavement can result in fractures. Early stages of osteoporosis do not show any symptoms, but when it reaches an advanced stage, symptoms like loss of height, back pain, neck pain, fractures, and stooping posture can be seen. A simple bone density test that shows the extent of osteoporosis bone loss is used when you want to diagnose this disorder. Some of the risk factors of osteoporosis include body frame size, age, family history, race, sedentary lifestyle, sex, and eating disorders. Your treatment plan will include a combination of medications, lifestyle modifications, and dietary changes, and mainly depends upon your risk of breaking any bone. But what exactly causes osteoporosis bone loss? There is no definite answer to this question. However, there are some common medical conditions that are linked with osteoporosis bone loss either because of the medications used to treat them or because of the disease itself.

Addiction of any kind of substance occurs when one develops a physical or a psychological dependency on it. Addictions are fatal as they keep getting severe with time. The more one abuses a certain kind of substance, the higher will be their chances of developing an addiction to it. A high level of substance abuse can lead to significant physical disorders in an individual. Addiction is highly progressive and, in some cases, incurable. However, there are treatment and rehabilitation centers that can help the individual in getting rid of the addiction. Addiction treatment centers are specially designed to provide addicts with effective treatment for their addiction. The number of addiction centers in the country has gone up. Moreover, the quality provided by these addiction treatment centers has enhanced significantly. Following are some factors that you must take into consideration while choosing an addiction treatment center. Location of the addiction treatment facility There has been a massive growth in the understanding of the disease of addiction, which has led to developments in the treatment methods for addiction. The increase in the number of addiction treatment centers has opened up multiple options for people who are looking for a rehabilitation center. While looking for an addiction treatment center, choose a location that suits your preferences and convenience. The preferences must not be limited to it being close to your home; you must also consider the cities that have the best addiction treatment centers. For example, Florida is known as the “Recovery Capital of the World” as there are a lot of addiction treatment centers in that part of the country. Florida should be one of your primary choices if you are looking for addiction treatment centers, especially for alcohol abuse. The luxurious beaches are one of the major reasons why Florida is home to so many addiction treatment centers.

Fewer than three bowels movements a week is referred to as constipation. Constipation also implies having to strain too much to create bowel movement or pass stools that are dry, hard and small. But once the s evere constipation causes are known, there are various steps and treatments that can be implemented to cure and prevent it. The main causes of severe constipation are usually associated with diet and lifestyle, although there may occur some medical conditions that can also become a cause. In terms of lifestyle, a poor diet and sedentary, inactive lifestyle are the common s evere constipation causes . The human digestive system suffers greatly when consumption of junk food is not monitored, and unhealthy eating habits can wreak havoc on the human digestive system. Factors directly linked to the diet that can create conditions for constipation are: Foods containing high levels of fat and sugar Low levels of water Low levels of other fluids Dairy products Lack of foods that contain high fiber like whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Too much caffeine or alcohol Another very important factor is the importance of defecating as soon as the need arises, instead of putting it off for a more convenient time or place, since delays can make the body move into a phase of constipation. Sometimes, changes in the normal routine also cause digestive and bowel problems, as the human body is designed for routine. Sporadic use of bathroom, inconsistent activity, dietary changes, inadequate water consumption and general lack of exercise are some examples. It is therefore important while traveling or changing the schedule to eat high fiber foods that are healthy and drink enough water, along with a little bit of exercise to help the body maintain its physiological habits. Medications can be another cause of constipation since frequently prescribed medications can serve constipation as a common side effect.

Meningitis vaccine shots are used to provide immunization against the bacteria called as meningococcus that can cause meningitis and meningococcemia. The bacterium is round, and it forms pairs. Hence it is also known as diplococcus. There are five serogroups of this bacteria: A, B, C, W, and Y. According to experts, at least 1 in 10 people is a carrier of this bacteria. However, they do not show any symptoms or signs of the disease. It has been observed that in nearly 10% of meningitis cases, there might be the possibility of developmental impairment. Risk factors of meningitis The following groups of people are at a high risk of contracting meningitis. Infants, teenagers, and young adults are more prone to meningitis. A large group of people, especially in a community setting such as a college campus or, are at a risk of contracting meningitis. People who lack a spleen in their body, have a deficiency of a complement component, or are infected with HIV have a high possibility of getting meningitis. The sub-Saharan African region is known common and frequent outbreaks of meningitis. People who travel to this area may be at a risk of getting this disease. How does a person contract meningitis? Meningitis can spread through saliva or spit, mostly through secretions from the throat or the respiratory system. The contact has to be close and for a long duration. It is does spread through breathing the same air as a person affected by meningitis or by casual contact. However, the people who live with the person with meningitis are at a high risk of contracting the disease. It is recommended that people, who are in the same living space as the person with meningitis, should receive antibiotics treatment to avoid contracting meningitis. Prevention of meningitis Meningitis can be easily prevented with antibiotics and meningitis vaccine shots.

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is put on a nerve by the surrounding tissues like the bones, the tendons, the cartilage, or muscles. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s functioning and causes pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness. A pinched nerve can occur at a number of sites in the body. For example, a herniated disc in the lower spine may put too much pressure on the nerve root, causing pain that radiates down the back of the leg. Similarly, a pinched nerve in the wrist can cause pain and numbness in the hands and fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome). Nerves extend from the brain and the spinal cord, sending important messages throughout the body. When an individual has a pinched nerve, also known as nerve compression, the body may send warning signals like pain. It is important to not ignore these warning signals. The damage from a pinched nerve may be severe or minor. It may cause long-lasting or temporary problems. The earlier a diagnosis is made and treatment for nerve compression is started, the more quickly one will find relief. In some cases, the damage from a pinched nerve may not be reversed. But treatment options usually relieve pain and other symptoms associated with a pinched nerve. Signs and symptoms With a pinched nerve, sometimes pain may be the only symptoms. Or there may be other symptoms without any pain. Some of the common signs and symptoms associated with a pinched nerve are: Pain in the area of compressions, such as the lower back or the neck Weakness, especially during certain activities Radiating pain, such as radicular pain or sciatica A burning or a “pins and needles” sensation Tingling or numbness Sometimes, the symptoms may worsen when one tries certain movements, such straining the neck or turning the head.

Strep meningitis refers to the enlargement or inflammation of the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain. This swelling can trigger a severe headache, stiff neck and high fever. In scientific language, these membranes enveloping the brain are called ‘Meninges’, thus giving the illness its name: Meningitis. This form of the disease can occur in three types, be it viral, bacterial or fungal. Bacterial strep meningitis is the most life-threatening form and if left untreated can lead to whole-body paralysis, sepsis, stroke and even death. Cause and symptoms of strep meningitis Having strep meningitis in the system may be the cause for certain other illnesses, like blood infections, sinus infections, pneumonia. This bacterium is highly contagious and may come in contact with another person via coughing, sharing cosmetics, sneezing etc. In strep meningitis, a bacterium, fungus, virus or parasite spreads through the bloodstream until it reaches the target organ i.e. brain or spinal cord. It tends to set base up in the membrane lining and slowly spreads through the vital body parts and develops into a much more advanced infection. The initial symptoms for meningitis mimic the symptoms of influenza which is usually just eyewash. Possible signs and symptoms include: Stiff neck Nausea and sudden high fever Confusion and stiffness in the body Stroke and seizures Lowered appetite or thirst Sleepiness Skin rash in extreme case Type of strep meningitis Meningitis can be broadly classified into three types. Bacterial strep meningitis Bacterial strep meningitis can be fatal within days if prompt treatment is not initiated. The bacteria enter the bloodstream and invade the meninges. This may also be triggered by a sinus infection or a skull fracture. Delayed action in extreme cases may result in permanent brain damage and even death. Several strains of bacteria that can cause acute strep meningitis which is Streptococcus pneumonia.

Leg cramps happen when the muscles in the leg contract, which causes pain. This involuntary contracting of leg muscles causes leg cramps. Leg cramps mainly affect muscles in the thigh or the foot. It mostly occurs when you are asleep or just after you wake up. Reasons For Leg Cramps The sudden pain in the muscle can be due to different reasons: Inadequate supply of blood There are times when you exercise too much or have been sitting in same posture for hours. This prevents adequate supply of blood to your legs, causing contraction of muscles. Compression of nerves The spinal cord nerve directly connects to your leg muscles. Pain in the spinal cord or compression of spinal cord nerve can also cause pain in your legs. Walking with a good posture can help prevent compression of the spinal nerve. Mineral depression There are certain minerals needed for efficient working of leg muscles. Deficiency of minerals such as magnesium or calcium can cause leg cramps. There are certain medications that deplete the content of these minerals in your body. To add to the causes, there are factors that increase the risk of leg cramps: Age As you age, you lose strength and the muscles grow weak, leading to loss of muscle mass. Therefore, when muscles are overstressed, it leads to leg cramps. Dehydration Most of the time, you are always doing an activity that requires leg strength. Lack of water intake leads to inadequate fluids in the body that result in contraction or tightening of your leg muscles. This generally happens to athletes; they feel sudden pain while training on a hot sunny day, due to loss of more fluids than usual, from the body. Pregnancy Pregnancy is one major factor of leg cramps. This is because, during pregnancy, the body requires more minerals such as potassium and calcium for adequate functioning of leg muscles.

A stroke is a terrifying condition that sadly affects many people. Sometimes, few people experience mini stroke symptoms that are not as severe as a full-blown stroke but are nonetheless a sign of major problems. The medical term for mini stroke symptoms is a transient ischemic attack. A transient ischemic attack is a disorder in which there is a neurological dysfunction caused by lack of oxygen (ischemia) without permanent tissue damage. These mini stroke symptoms are similar to strokes and are also caused by an obstruction or decrease in blood flow to the brain. Mini stroke symptoms are almost completely identical to a full stroke but in this case, the symptoms resolve within a few hours to a day. The symptoms may not last very long but they can potentially cause brain damage. A transient ischemic attack or a mini stroke greatly increases the chances of a subsequent stroke. About 1 in 3 people who experience mini stroke symptoms go on to have a stroke. Men, older people, people with a family history of stroke, and smokers are at a higher risk of experiencing mini stroke symptoms. The symptoms can be confusing and sometimes they may be so mild that people ignore them. This is a huge mistake, as the faster you get your mini stroke symptoms treated, the better is your chance of recovery. Mini Stroke Symptoms To Watch Out For The initial symptoms of a stroke and mini stroke symptoms are almost identical so it is important to seek medical attention as soon as the mini stroke symptoms start to manifest. The most common initial mini stroke symptoms can be remembered with the acronym F.A.S.T: Face dropping One of the most noticeable, mini stroke symptoms is a drooping of the muscles on one side of the face. The person may suddenly lose control of one entire side of their face.

Helicobacter Pylori or H. Pylori is a common type of bacteria that usually causes the infection of the digestive tract. About 60 percent of the adult population of the entire world is affected by H. Pylori, and it is commonly seen in the western developed countries. “Helico” means spiral, and the name comes from its spiral shape. This shape makes it easy to penetrate the stomach lining, causing ulcers in the stomach. If the treatment for Helicobacter Pylori is not done on time, the complications can be life-threatening. Here are a few things related to the H. Pylori. The signs and symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori In about 85% of the cases of Helicobacter Pylori, there are no symptoms and complications. When there’s already an ulcer in the stomach, one can start feeling abdominal pain at night or a few hours after meals when the stomach is empty. This is a troubling pain that is timely, and it goes off on its own. Some other symptoms associated with H. Pylori infection are as listed: Excessive burping A feeling of bloating Nausea Heartburn Fever Decreased appetite Weight loss In the later stage of H. Pylori infection, some of the symptoms are trouble in swallowing, anemia, blood in the stool, vomiting, black spots on the face, and so on. Causes of Helicobacter Pylori The H. Pylori infection is known to spread from one person’s mouth to another. When a person does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom, there are chances of the infection spreading. Also, it can spread through contaminated food and water. The H. Pylori bacteria penetrates the stomach’s mucous lining and forms the element that neutralizes the stomach acid. This stomach acid irritates the stomach lining and causes stomach ulcer. Risk factors for the Helicobacter Pylori infection The risk of developing a disease of H.