6 treatment methods used for multiple myeloma

6 treatment methods used for multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a cancerous condition that affects a form of white blood cell known as plasma. The plasma cells are instrumental in warding off infections. They do this by creating antibodies that identify and destroy any germs in the system. This cancer causes cancer cells to amass in the bone marrow where they outnumber the healthy blood cells. Instead of the disease-fighting antibodies, these cells then produce anomalous proteins that can further trigger complications. The treatment for multiple myeloma isn’t always needed for individuals who are asymptomatic. Although, the doctor will regularly keep an eye on the patient’s condition with the help of blood and urine tests. For patients experiencing signs and symptoms, here are the following treatment options for multiple myeloma. Treatment for multiple myeloma Biological therapy The medications used in biological therapy take the help of the patient’s immune system to deal with myeloma cells. They enhance the immune system cells that recognize and kill cancer cells. Typically, these are taken in the form of pills. Targeted therapy In this type of multiple myeloma treatment, the medicines concentrate on specific abnormalities within the rogue cells that enable their survival. These medications then inhibit the action of the element in those myeloma cells that breaks down the proteins, causing them to die. Such therapy can be administered intravenously or via oral medications. Another targeted therapy involves monoclonal medicines that bind on to the cancerous cells, leading to their death. Corticosteroids Corticosteroids are given to regulate the immune system so that the inflammation in the body can be brought under control. Additionally, they also actively work against myeloma cells. These medications can be taken in the form of pills or intravenously. Chemotherapy This method is used to target the rapidly-growing cancer cells. This treatment is given in the pill form or administered through the vein.
Ten steps to avoid or reverse osteoporosis

Ten steps to avoid or reverse osteoporosis

Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. There are steps one can take that might help prevent osteoporosis instead of having to treat it later. And should on already have it, he or she can still follow these steps to help reverse the disease. These include the following: Avoid having carbonated drinks. Champagne or any sort of fizzy drink causes calcium to seep out of your bones. The phosphate content in carbonated drinks increases the loss of the bone. Avoid too much of protein. It causes excess acidity which in turn leads to calcium being leached out of your body through your urine. Don’t block your stomach acids with drugs when you have a heartburn or hiatal hernia. Stomach acid helps absorb minerals that are significant for the well-being of the body including calcium. Acid blocking agents are to be taken for a few weeks, not for years together. Avoid caffeine. Studies say that with every cup of coffee, 150 mg of calcium leeches out of your body through your urine. If you have to have coffee, ensure you have an additional 150 mg of calcium every day. Make sure you take in the right kind of calcium. Tums, for instance, is a bad source of calcium because it has calcium hydroxyapatite which is not absorbed well and it decreases stomach acid. Remember, your body can absorb a maximum of 500 mg of calcium only at a time. Make sure you get some exposure to sunlight every now and then. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium and helps deposit it in the bones. Check your hormones regularly. In women, a decline in hormones after menopause leads to bone loss. In men, the equivalent of menopause is called andropause and it causes bone loss as well. Too much of cortisol, insulin, and parathyroid hormones are also culprits in bone loss.
Common signs of muscular dystrophy

Common signs of muscular dystrophy

Muscular dystrophy is a group of debilitating health conditions that progressively cause muscle mass loss and weakness. It is caused by abnormal gene mutations which disrupt the production of natural proteins in the body. This makes building healthy muscle mass difficult. Most hidden signs of muscular dystrophy start in childhood. But for some types of muscular dystrophy, the symptoms do not show up until adulthood. Here are some common signs based on the type of muscular dystrophy. Duchenne type muscular dystrophy This is one of the most common types of muscular dystrophy. The symptoms start showing during childhood. Some of the known signs include the following: Falling frequently Finding it difficult to get up from a sitting or lying down position Difficulty in jumping or running Waddling gait Walking on the toes Enlarged calf muscles Muscular stiffness and pain Delayed growth Becker muscular dystrophy The symptoms of this type are mostly the same as that of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, the severity of the symptoms is mild. Moreover, the symptoms progress slowly over time compared to Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Also, these symptoms are usually experienced during the teen years. But in some cases, there are no symptoms until the mid-20s or later. Myotonic muscular dystrophy This type of muscular dystrophy has symptoms such as the inability to relax the muscles after contractions. In this, the muscles of the face and neck are affected in the initial stage. It is characterized by a long and thin face structure with drooping eyelids and swanlike necks. Facioscapulohumeral (FSHD) muscular dystrophy In this type, muscle weakness begins in the shoulders, hip, and face. The shoulder blades tend to bulge whenever the arms are raised upwards. These symptoms usually start during the teen years. But in some cases, the symptoms may become evident during childhood or even after 50 years of age.
Pain Management Doctors’ Suggestions to Get Rid of Pain

Pain Management Doctors’ Suggestions to Get Rid of Pain

Pain management doctors are physicians who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating each type of pain. These doctors, because of their advanced training, treat almost every type of pain, from acute pain in the legs to pain related to cancer. They are also well versed with treating chronic pain lasting for three months or more. Chronic pain is not easy to diagnose and the patients suffering from chronic pain need one or more than one therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. Sometimes, it takes months, or even years, for the treatment to show results, and the patients need to take care throughout their lives. There are various types of pain that a pain management doctor treats, such as those listed here: Nerve pain Hip pain Neck pain Sciatica Arthritis Knee pain Lower back pain Fibromyalgia Head pain and migraines Complex regional pain syndrome What is the role of pain management doctors? For treating the pain of a patient, every doctor has to go through various steps in the treatment procedure. These are as follows: Diagnose the cause of the pain : This is the first step in the treatment process that diagnoses the exact cause of the pain and the conditions that lead to it. It is not easy to diagnose the reason behind the pain. Pain in the lower back may arise due to many conditions. For example, the musculoskeletal nature of pain can be attributed to long hours of sitting on the working desk or exercising in excess. In this pain, your forward-leaning head puts pressure on the neck, and this causes pain in the bottom of the back. Lower back pain may occur due to spinal stenosis and may relate to sciatica. In addition to that, it may also occur due to arthritis and degenerative disc disease.
Effective Ways to Cure Urinary Tract Infection

Effective Ways to Cure Urinary Tract Infection

Are you or someone you know suffering from urinary tract infection? Well, first, do not panic! This infection is common and curable. In some cases, just simple home remedies can treat it. Sometimes, medical attention is necessary to prevent further complications. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or a healthcare professional for the best treatment for UTI. A UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract that is composed of urethra, kidneys, ureters, and bladder. This entire system is responsible for the process of urine formation and urine expulsion from the body. Hence, any infection in this system is bound to cause some physical uneasiness. The E. Coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria is the main reason behind most of the UTI cases. However, this infection is not contagious. Few causes of UTI The bacteria may reach the urinary tract while having sex. Also, using an unhygienic bathroom may cause this bacterial infection. Any person having kidney stones can suffer from this infection if the stones block the urinary tract. There is a high chance that people with diabetes get this infection as they do not have a strong immune system. If a person is going through medical treatments like urinary catheter, chemotherapy etc., UTI may occur. If someone keeps holding the urine for too long, chances of occurring UTI increase. Parkinson’s disease, injuries in the spinal cord, or any structural abnormalities in the genitourinary tract. The best treatment for UTI is only possible when it is diagnosed properly. According to various medical research reports, women get urinary tract infection more than men. It is because women’s urethra is shorter in size and it is located closer to the rectum. Signs and symptoms of UTI Here are some symptoms that will help you understand if you are suffering from the infection or not, and you can then consult a doctor to get the proper urinary tract infection treatment.
Popular Creams for Shingles Pain Relief

Popular Creams for Shingles Pain Relief

Shingles is a troublesome infection that is caused by the same virus—varicella zoster (VZV) virus—that is responsible for causing chickenpox. It appears as a painful rash and persists for at least 2 weeks. While it goes away in a maximum of 4 weeks, it causes immense pain, itching, burning, and all-around discomfort. The symptoms can be tough to handle, but there are a number of ways one can make themselves feel more comfortable during its outbreak. There are a number of home remedies available for treating shingles pain. When one is affected by shingles, after a consultation with the doctor, they can look for the best cream for shingles pain. Ointments for treating shingles pain are readily available in the market and provide great relief. Some of the popular creams for treating shingles pain have been listed as follows. Calamine lotion Calamine lotion is a topical anti-itch lotion. It has astringent and skin protecting properties which can help one get relief from the itching sensation caused due to shingles. They also slow down the growth of bacteria and prevent the infection from getting even worse. Calamine lotion soothes the skin and can be considered as one of the best creams for shingles pain. Lidocaine Lidocaine is a numbing medicine that is used to control and alleviate pain. It comes in a variety of different forms which include the likes of sprays, powders, patches, and lotions. It is generally used in the lotion form and is quite effective. One can apply this lotion moderately on affected areas to get relief from the pain caused by shingles. Capsaicin cream Capsaicin is mainly found in chili peppers. It is the ingredient which makes the mouth burn when one has too many chili peppers. Capsaicin creams help relieve one of the pain experienced due to shingles.
Everything You Need to Know about Fever

Everything You Need to Know about Fever

A short-term increase in the body temperature is referred in medical terms as pyrexia. Commonly known as fever, it is a common occurrence in both adults and children. As the temperature of your body becomes higher than the normal temperature, it becomes indicative of an underlying illness which may be an infection in some part of the body such as the throat or stomach. Having high fever is an important sign that some changes are occurring in the body. The temperature of our body is regulated by the hypothalamus which is present at the base of the brain. The state of fever is experienced by almost every human being at some point of time irrespective of sex or age. Many medical experts are of the opinion that fever is a natural defense of the body against infection. Relevant treatment for fever is recommended by medical experts after assessing the symptoms carefully and conducting certain diagnostic tests. Causes of high fever in adults Diseases such as malaria, upper and lower respiratory tract infections or flu, cold, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections or skin infections etc Excessive heat exposure Abnormalities in the brain or malignant tumors Disease of the endocrine which is associated with a hormonal or glandular system of the body Inflammation caused by tissue injury Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis which is the inflammation of the lining of joints Side effects of certain medicines Common symptoms High fever comes with a lot of physical discomforts. It is only after adequate treatment for the fever that you can feel better. High fever is typically characterized by a rise in oral temperature as it soars above 100°F (37.8°C) to touch 103°F. Temperature in adults can be measured with a thermometer placed under the tongue. General symptoms that accompany high fever include:
Different Ways to Relieve Sinus Pressure

Different Ways to Relieve Sinus Pressure

To start with, Sinusitis is an inflammation or a swelling of the tissues that line the sinuses. Generally, the healthy Sinuses are filled in with air, but when these get filled with fluids, germs tend to accumulate and cause infections. The infections can be caused due to a common cold, swelling of the lining of the nose, nasal polyps which are basically the small growths in the lining of the nose, or a shift in the nasal cavity can also cause Sinus problems. A lot of people suffer from sinus pressure because of temperature changes, and a lot of them develop it because of pollen allergies as well. Sinus could be acute, subacute, chronic or recurrent. Sinuses are located all throughout the face in the form of small pockets, they are located below the cheeks, behind the eyebrows and the forehead, either side of the nose and also behind the nose. Sinus is a very common problem these days, and a lot of population suffers from the same. A large number of children are also now prone to sinus due to different allergies, or a common cold. The smoke in the air is also responsible for children to get sinus issues. There are obviously medical ways to treat sinus, but below are some easy and self ‘To-do’ methods to relieve sinus pressure and breathe a sigh of relief finally. The best way is to do is to realize what triggers the sinus issue and try to stay away from it or avoid that situation as much possible. Humidifier : The first thing would be is to use a humidifier or vaporizer, basically, inhale steam to open up the blocked nose and the nasal area. Steam inhalation has been proved to be one of the best remedies to cure a common cold which later on can lead to Sinus.
4 Ways to Treat Acute and Chronic Sciatic Pain

4 Ways to Treat Acute and Chronic Sciatic Pain

Sciatica is a pain in the leg that often affects one’s motions and activities. It is caused by the irritation in the sciatic nerve that arrives from each side of the lower spine and then goes through the pelvis and bumps. Next, the pain courses along the back portion of each leg and finally divides at the knee until it offshoots till the feet. Radiculopathy, which is a disease of the root of a nerve, is even worse than the back one as per doctors. It is usually caused by pressure on the nerve; the herniated disc forms a breakage and swells into spinal cord pinching the said nerve. The sensation of the pain is truly reflected by the word intolerable . It can result in numbness and a tingling sensation, apart from something like a burning sensation. Continuous sitting or standing, training, and weightlifting can be the originators. Sciatic pain treatment has a wide range, within which medicines, physiotherapy, etc. are present. Medicines for pain relief There are different sorts of medications available that are used by a clinical specialist to reduce the pain. Among oral medicines, acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen like Advil, Ketoprofen, and Naproxen are common. Doctors commonly prescribe some muscle relaxants for easing spasms. Usage of antidepressants is also relevant for acute pain in the lower back portion. It must be kept in mind that aspirin is dangerous for people under 18 as it may increase the chance of Reye’s syndrome. Sometimes, steroids are given through injections into a site near the spinal nerve. Injections result in modest relief in case of pain by herniated or damaged disc. Physiotherapy Despite the difficulty in activities, doctors don’t suggest complete bed rest. Rather, different types of physical therapies are recommended, which is very much comfortable. In case of not-so-severe, yet persistent pains that stay over a couple of weeks, this is the most useful method.
Heat Rash Treatments and Preventive Measures

Heat Rash Treatments and Preventive Measures

The summer season brings along skin irritations and rashes. The heat rays finally get to your skin, and you can find rashes mostly in the areas covered by clothing. Everyone from infants to elders is susceptible to heat rashes. You need to first identify the rash. It will irritate and might get worse if you do not go for heat rash treatments. Many home remedies and medications can put a stop to it. What is more important is working on preventive methods so that it doesn’t happen again. You can enjoy the summer in peace once you have dealt with it. Heat rash is a fairly common problem, and it happens to most people, so there is no cause for alarm. If these methods don’t work, there might be another infection that is causing the rashes. In that case, it is best to consult a dermatologist. What is heat rash? The red or pink rashes on parts of your body that are covered by clothes are called heat rashes. It happens because the air ducts are blocked. They swell up due to the heat and cause itching. This is commonly found in babies. However, in hot climates, it can affect adults too. Heat rash occurs when the body is covered with too many clothes, and the skin is unable to breathe. Heat rash treatment involves treating the rashes. However, as a permanent solution, you need to make sure you are in a cool environment, and your body heat is under control. How to identify a heat rash? A heat rash is very easy to identify. It looks like dots or pimples all across the skin. It can appear in any part of the body. In sporadic cases when heat rash treatment is not done, a secondary infection may appear. So, it is best to identify it and treat it immediately.
Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms And Treatment Courses

Ulcerative Colitis Symptoms And Treatment Courses

Ulcerative colitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the colon or the large intestine. This inflammation usually begins in the rectum, which is located towards the end of the large intestine, ending in the anus. It then spreads in the colon and causes multiple problems such as painful bowel movements, stomach ache, and severe diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis generally occurs in multiple phases. The time when the symptoms are active, it is called ulcerative colitis flares. The alternating periods in between these active periods are called ulcerative colitis remission. While the causes of ulcerative colitis are unknown, research shows evidence that infection caused by certain virus and bacteria can cause inflammation of the anus, which can spread to the rectum and the colon. Some of the known symptoms of ulcerative colitis are: · Dehydration · Painful bowel movement · Blood in stool · Pus drainage · Stomach ache · Fever · Skin irritation and rashes If you are suffering from these symptoms, you should pay a visit to a doctor. The doctor will run certain tests to be sure if you have ulcerative colitis. The most commonly prescribed tests to diagnose ulcerative colitis are: Endoscopy The doctor will prescribe an endoscopy such as colonoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy to get an appraisal of the internal situation of the colon. Stool Test Stool samples are collected to check for any traces of blood in it, which is a classic symptom of ulcerative colitis. X-Rays, CT Scans, Or MRIs These tests are also prescribed to help your doctor decide if the disease has affected your bones and other parts of your body. Treatment Of Ulcerative Colitis Here is a list of some useful tips that you can follow while struggling with ulcerative colitis flares. Drink Plenty Of Water: Keeping yourself hydrated is very important during a ulcerative colitis flare.
8 Remedies to Cure UTI Naturally

8 Remedies to Cure UTI Naturally

Urinary tract infection or UTI is a disease that affects a portion of the urinary tract. It could be either the lower tract that leads to conditions like bladder infections, or it can be the upper tract which causes kidney infections. Symptoms due to infection in the lower urinary tract involves—urge to urinate often, pain while urinating, or even urge to urinate even when you are having an empty bladder. On the other hand, signs caused due to an infection in the upper urinary tract involve—fever and pain in the flank area. Blood in the urine is another symptom, however, it is quite rare. Various treatment options including medications such as antibiotics can help in treating UTI. However, different people react differently to them, i.e., some patients might experience side effects. Therefore these are only to be taken under a doctor’s guidance. How to cure UTI naturally? Water Drinking plenty of water is the remedy for several health conditions and it works well for UTI too. Water helps in flushing out the harmful bacteria from the system that are causing the infection. It also helps in diluting your urine which further helps in reducing pain and burning sensation during urinating. Make sure that you consume enough water throughout the day so that your body can quickly expel the UTI causing bacteria. Cranberry juice Cranberry is a popular natural remedy for treating UTI. Certain research regarding the effectiveness of cranberry juice suggests that having it regularly can minimize the count of UTI developments over a period of a year. Cranberry juice is believed to hamper the growth of bacteria such as E. coli that leads to UTI in most people. Vitamin C Consuming foods which are rich in Vitamin C helps in treating UTI naturally. Vitamin C is said to make the urine more acidic which in turn hampers the rise of E.