5 effective treatment options for esophageal cancer

5 effective treatment options for esophageal cancer

Esophageal cancer affects the long hollow tube called the esophagus that runs from the throat to the stomach. Unhealthy lifestyle choices like tobacco and alcohol consumption and other factors like obesity can elevate the risk of this form of cancer. Early detection facilitates successful treatment, and doctors might recommend several options to manage esophageal cancer symptoms. Here are a few effective treatment methods: Chemotherapy This treatment is used if the cancerous tumor is inaccessible or if cancer has metastasized (spread to distant parts of the body). Chemotherapy medications are often administered intravenously to destroy cancer cells, but they also damage healthy cells as they are unable to differentiate between normal and malignant cells. While normal cells are able to rejuvenate, chemotherapy can cause serious side effects that must be managed with medications. Targeted therapy Some mutations of esophageal cancer can be difficult to treat with chemotherapy, so medications that target specific weaknesses of the malignant cells are also given to increase the effectiveness of treatment. Targeted therapy is usually given to patients with advanced stages of esophageal cancer. Immunotherapy This is one of the most recent forms of cancer treatment. Immunotherapy simply enhances the patients’ immune response to cancer, and the enhanced immune system recognizes and targets malignant or cancerous cells specifically. That said, immunotherapy can have its own side effects like decreased blood count, which can be managed through alternate medications. It is administered in several ways but can be comparatively more expensive than chemotherapy. It is recommended for patients with advanced stages of esophageal cancer. Radiotherapy This is a less invasive form of cancer treatment and is usually used to treat early-stage esophageal cancer. It may be administered in combination with chemotherapy to weaken the cancer cells. Radiotherapy or radiation therapy involves exposing the cancer cells or tumorous growth to high-energy beams, like x-rays or protons.
Hepatitis C – Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Hepatitis C – Causes, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by inflammation of the liver. In some cases, it can lead to serious liver damage in people with the condition. The disease mainly spreads through contamination of blood. Earlier the treatment of hepatitis C involved weekly injections that were given to patients and certain oral medications. However, many hepatitis patients could not take these medications due to their other health problems and due to side effects. Chronic HCV is curable using oral medications that are taken daily for at least two months. There are about half of the people suffering from HCV, and they don’t know they are infected. This happens when a person experiences no symptoms of the problem. Symptoms can take a decade to appear in many students. This is why the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention ask a person to get a one-time screening of blood test for those who can be at increased risk of infection. The largest group at the risk of the situation is born between 1945 and 1965. A population is five times more likely to get infected with the problem than people born in other years. Symptoms of hepatitis C There are many factors by which can determine if a person is suffering from hepatitis C. People suffer from long-term infection with hepatitis C virus. It is also known as chronic hepatitis C. Chronic hepatitis C remains silent for many years. This becomes evident sometimes when the virus has damaged liver enough to cause signs and symptoms to appear. Here are a few signs and symptoms of the condition. Easy bleeding Easy bruising Fatigue Poor appetite Discoloration of skin and eyes, a form of jaundice. Urine that is dark colored Itchy skin Abdomen fluid build up Leg swelling Weight loss Drowsiness Confusion Slurred speech Spider-like blood vessels in the skin or spider angiomas.
Allergy Treatment Options That are Available Today

Allergy Treatment Options That are Available Today

Allergies are fairly common and no matter the kind of allergy, the best treatment is to avoid the allergen. Proper treatment involves finding the cause of the allergy and treating it. There are a few common factors that cause allergy. These include pollen, pollution, or other such factors. Many tests can help determine the allergen. Once you know what is causing the problem, you can get it treated or avoid it. Not taking steps towards curing it will only make the situation worse. The common symptoms experienced are cold, cough, and rashes. There are two allergy treatment options available for you to try. Avoid Exposure To The Allergens If the allergen can be removed from your environment, you can recover much sooner. It may not always be possible, and this is when allergy medications come in handy. Here are a few ways in which you can avoid the allergen. Food allergies are fairly common. So be careful about what you eat. Many people have pet allergies too. If you have any pet allergies, get yourself tested. You can keep your pets in a separate place. Also, make sure that you keep your pets clean by bathing them regularly. Dust allergy happens when the surrounding is not clear regularly. Make sure your house is ventilated and dry. Damp environments can attract fungus. So, make sure you clean your house on a daily basis. Grassy or polluted areas can cause allergy. Places that have high pollen content in the air can make you react by sneezing or coughing. Dust your pillows and curtains regularly. Avoid having carpets at home. Allergy Medication When you cannot get rid of the allergy by avoiding the cause, this is the best way to go. There are many medicines that you can get without a prescription. However, it is always better to consult a doctor before taking them as some are not suitable for everyone.
Benefits of Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

Benefits of Oral Appliances for Sleep Apnea

A good sleep is the sign of a healthy lifestyle. The more you sleep the higher will be your productivity. An average person takes a sleep of 8 hours, which is enough to make mind fresh and active. It is important that you take at least minimum 6 hours nap to keep your mind healthy. However, some disorders play a role of a barrier in the sleep of people, and sleep apnea is one of the topmost disorders that often occur. In this disorder, the person has many pauses in breathing during the sleep. The number of these pauses can be 30 times in an hour. These breathing interruptions create choking sound and loud snort, which disturb sleep and make its quality poor. The sleep apnea can affect every age group of people even children as well. But, some risk factors for sleep apnea have also seen in most of the cases. Like overweight, over 40 years of age, large neck size, hereditary, and nasal obstruction. These factors increase the risk of this disorder. Moreover, men are most arrested for this disorder as compared to women. The sleep apnea not only disturbs your nap but also irritates other, who sleeps with you. So, yes it is important that you treat your sleep apnea as soon as you can because it’s all about your comfort and health. Don’t take this problem lightly because it is a dangerous disorder that can create some big health issues. Do you know how you can treat your sleep apnea? Well, you can find a number of remedies to treat this disorder. But if you want to get quick relief from this, then the oral appliances is the best option for preventing this disorder. If it is the first time when you have heard about an oral device to cure sleep apnea, then, of course, you have any doubts about its working and outcomes.
Treat Heart Afib Naturally with These Simple Steps

Treat Heart Afib Naturally with These Simple Steps

Boost your health the natural way with these heart Afib treatment options. Heart Afib or atrial fibrillation is a condition characterized by irregularly fast heartbeats. It is a type of arrhythmia. For people with normal heart functions, the heart contracts and expands at a regular pace producing a regular heartbeat. However, for someone with heart Afib, the upper two chambers of the heart, known as the atria, pump blood at a much faster pace than the lower two chambers, known as the ventricles. The chaotic and irregular beating of the two upper chambers produces beats that are not in synchronization with the lower two chambers. As compared to normal heartbeats that range from 60-100 beats every minute, people with Afib record heart rates from 100-175 per minute. Other than causing irregular flow of blood to your body, heart Afib may also result in complications such as blood clots in the heart, plaque build-ups, etc. According to the National Heart Association, more than 2.7 people in the United States alone suffer from heart Afib. Heart Afib Treatment Plans Symptoms of heart Afib include fatigue and weakness, heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. Not only does heart Afib reduce your quality of life, but it is also a risk factor for a number of other conditions such as a stroke. When it comes to treating heart Afib, doctors advise treatment options depending on what the cause of Afib is in every case. For example, if your heart Afib is being caused due to asthma/COPD, hyperthyroidism, etc., then the treatment plan will include specifically targeted treatment for the underlying problem. In general, treatment plans include conventional allopathic medication. However, many people find that the effect of medication on their heart Afib is not as profound as they would like it to be.
Benefits and Precautions of Vitamin D Supplements

Benefits and Precautions of Vitamin D Supplements

Vitamin D is very important for everyone to lead a healthy and longer life. Vitamin D is produced when we are exposed to the sunlight. There are many benefits to us from Vitamin D. The deficiency of Vitamin D can lead to many diseases and abnormalities in the body such as loss of immunity and problems in menstruation etc. In equatorial and Asian countries where there is plenty of sunlight all through the year, there are lesser complaints of deficiency of Vitamin D. In countries where there are long winters; many people suffer from the deficiency of Vitamin D. The amount of Vitamin D needed by the body depends on the age and the body type. The approximate amount of Vitamin D needed by infants is 200 IU and adults is 600 IUs The body absorbs less amount of Vitamin D as we age and so we age, the amount of Vitamin D needed will be more. Obesity is another factor which makes the absorption of Vitamin D difficult as the fat cells absorb a large amount of Vitamin D. It is advised by doctors and experts to take an approximate amount of 1,000 to 2,000 IUs of Vitamin D in the winter. The intake of Vitamin D is very important when the exposure to the sun becomes less especially in countries with harsh winters. Vitamin D helps in building the bones, cognitive function, improving the health of the joints. This vitamin also improves in maintaining the immunity, controlling the blood sugar levels, maintaining a positive mood etc. Vitamin D helps in preventing osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, cancer and many more diseases. It won’t be an exaggeration to say that the lifespan of anyone depends on the intake of Vitamin D. Doctors also recommend the consumption of Vitamin D supplements when there’s an extreme lack of the same.
Gout – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Diet Plans

Gout – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Diet Plans

Inflamed joints are a painful condition. Joint pain due to arthritic conditions like gout is one of the leading cause of pain worldwide. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is characterized by the accumulation of uric acid crystals around the joints. The course of gout is recurrent with attacks of inflammation, followed by pain that starts a few hours later. The pain is often severe and of rapid onset. Gout is caused by various genetic and environmental factors. Gout occurs when there is a high level of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid forms crystals and these uric acid crystals deposit around bone joints, tendons, and supportive tissues. Gout was once called “the rich man’s disease” or “the king’s disease” since it was associated with excessively rich diets. With modern diets and prolonged life spans, gout has become increasingly common. Being overweight, eating too much meat, and drinking too much beer increases your chances of developing gout. Gout diet plans aim to ease the symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. Causes of gout The primary cause of gout is uric acid buildup. In most cases, the underlying reason for overaccumulation of uric acid is underexcretion of urate by the kidneys. Though uncommon, sometimes the reason could be an overproduction of uric acid. Genetic and dietary factors play a huge role in the development of gout. Diets with excessive amounts of meat, seafood, alcohol, and sweetened beverages, increase the risk of developing gout. Gout diet plans include consuming vitamin C, dairy products, and coffee along with moderate levels of physical exercise. Symptoms to watch out for The most defining symptom of gout is recurrent attacks of acute arthritis. The joints become red, inflamed, tender, hot to the touch, and even painful. In half of all cases, the joint of the big toe is affected.
Effective Treatments for Diabetic Nerve Pain

Effective Treatments for Diabetic Nerve Pain

Diabetes can trigger long-term health problems in people. If you do not regulate your blood sugar levels, and they remain high for a protracted period of time, it can lead to a condition known as diabetic neuropathy. Diabetic neuropathy causes damage to the nerves that send signals to the brain from the hands and feet. It can cause numbness in the hands and feet along with a sharp, burning pain, known as diabetic nerve pain. Diabetic nerve pain happens as a result of nerve damage in people who have diabetes. Some people experience very mild symptoms, whereas the others may go through severe and disabling aches. The best way to prevent diabetic nerve pain is by regulating your blood sugar levels and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Common causes of diabetic nerve pain High blood pressure : High blood pressure is perhaps the biggest cause of diabetic nerve pain, as excessive blood glucose levels can cause severe damage to nerve fibers running throughout the body, resulting in excruciating pain. At the same time, high sugar levels reduce the amount of oxygen supplied to the nerves, which in turn weakens them. Obesity and high triglycerides : Obesity and high levels of triglyceride are also believed to increase the likelihood of nerve damage, leading to diabetic nerve pain. Reduced levels of HDL cholesterol : Low levels of good HDL cholesterol and high levels of bad LDL cholesterol also boost the risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Treatments for diabetic nerve pain Once the nerves have been damaged, they cannot be replaced. However, there are some treatment options that can prevent further damage as well as relieve the symptoms. To begin with, you need to closely check and regulate your blood sugar levels and prevent them from going up. For this, you can take the help of some diet charts, exercise, and medications to keep the sugar levels within the limit.
Common Symptoms of Mold Infection That You Should Know

Common Symptoms of Mold Infection That You Should Know

Mold is a fungus that is known to grow in areas having a lot of moisture. The mold spores present in the air indoors or outdoors may trigger several health conditions including mold allergies. Many factors can cause the growth of mold. Unknown leakage, moisture build up in unreachable places, damp areas under the carpet, and so on are areas where mold growth is most susceptible. Molds may grow all through the year, and this is precisely why mold allergies can crop up at any time of the year. People who develop allergies to mold may show symptoms of mold from mid-summer to early fall. People with weak immunity or high sensitivity often lie at a greater risk of getting mold allergy. The symptoms of mold allergy are histamine-mediated and strikingly similar to air-borne allergies. While the severity of the symptoms of mold varies with every individual, the health risk may depend on the extent of mold exposure. Some of the symptoms of mold that may appear immediately on exposure or over time have been listed below. Sneezing, coughing, and congestion Often people attacked by spore allergies initially display signs of a cold or sinus infection. Symptoms of mold allergy are accompanied by a runny nose, post nasal drips, continuous sneezing, and coughing. Watery eyes and redness People with mold spore reactions have symptoms of mold infection in the form of eye irritation, redness, itchy eyes, and the like. While these symptoms resemble that of a viral or seasonal infection, it is important that these are treated with anti-mold allergy drugs. Blurred vision, mood swings, and sharp pains may also be other symptoms of mold-induced allergies. Often, people administer generic over-the-counter drugs that may either not be effective or worsen the condition. It is, therefore, extremely important to consult a doctor for prescribed medication to tackle the disease.
All You Need to Know about Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

All You Need to Know about Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

A rare lung disorder, primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a case where the blood vessels in the lungs become narrow, thus causing high blood pressure in the lungs. Pulmonary arteries are responsible for carrying blood from the body to the lungs. It is in the lungs where carbon dioxide is traded for oxygen. Also known as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, PHN is a chronic disease and can lead to heart failure, if not treated on time. The pulmonary arteries are responsible for carrying blood from the body to the lungs, PHN is a disorder that is categorized by an abnormal/irregular increase in pulmonary artery pressure. Causes of primary pulmonary hypertension Although causes underlying primary pulmonary hypertension are unknown, there are some forms of PHN that can be linked to defective genes that run in the family. Researchers have established that gene mutation often leads to sensitization of blood vessels and theses can narrow, or constrict when exposed to such factors. The symptoms of PPH are as follows. Fatigue (extreme tiredness) and dizziness Loss of breath, trouble in breathing, especially during any physical activity. Persistent dry cough Swelling of the ankles or legs Bluish lips Angina (chest pain) High pulse Palpitations Hypoxia- the level of oxygen depletes in blood The above-mentioned symptoms usually get worse as the disease progresses. Less common symptoms of PPH Non-productive cough Exercise-induced nausea Vomiting Coughing up of blood The signs and symptoms of primary pulmonary hypertension are unrecognizable in its early stages, and often go unnoticed for months. Signs of primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is often confused with other conditions that have an effect on the heart and lungs. While diagnosing pulmonary hypertension, doctors ask about the symptoms and risk factors, including family history and other medical conditions. Having a family member who has or had pulmonary hypertension increases your chances of developing the disease.
How To Effectively Treat Epilepsy

How To Effectively Treat Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a condition that results in seizures, triggered by a multitude of reasons, but they all start in the very same manner – in the brain. Epilepsy is caused due to a sudden change in the pattern that your brain cells send and receive electrical signals. The fact that the nature of the problem is the same in every case, doesn’t mean that every type of epilepsy or epileptic seizure can be treated in the same manner. Epilepsy can also be passed down through your genes and inherited. Epilepsy can be caused by sudden head trauma, other physical trauma or pre-existing brain conditions. In order to treat epilepsy correctly, the doctor must first diagnose the actual cause and nature of epilepsy on a case-to-case basis. Based on this, your doctor could offer a solution that would be the best course of treatment for you in particular. Drugs and Medication A large number of cases of epilepsy can be treated over time with medication. While there’s no cure for epilepsy, there is treatment. The right medication and care can be effective in handling seizures and their intensity. Medication is effective in treating at least 80% of the cases epilepsy. This, unfortunately, means that, for the remaining 20% of cases, medication doesn’t offer much relief. In some instances, people taking medication share that the drugs don’t make a significant enough difference in preventing seizures. So, while effective in over 80% of cases of epilepsy, whether medication on its own is the best treatment for epilepsy is still debatable. Often, in case the prescribed medication fails to treat the seizures, doctors can change the medication for improved results. There are at least twenty different types of medication that could be prescribed for epilepsy. Know your options to ensure you get the best treatment for epilepsy.
Common Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy That You Must Know

Common Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy That You Must Know

Dust mites feed on dust and dead skin cells shed by people. These tiny bugs grow rapidly in the moist environments with high humidity. The dust mites cause the dust mite allergy which is quite common among the people. As per the report of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), around twenty million people suffer from dust mite allergy in the United States of America. Exposure to dust particles causes the dust mite allergy. Breathing in the air polluted by the dust mites stimulates the body to produce antibiotics against them. The body response to tackle the dust mite allergy often causes the common symptoms of a running nose and frequent sneezing. Over time the dust mite allergy may progress into asthma and sinus infections. It is essential to know the dust mite allergy symptoms to treat the problem effectively. Causes of Dust mite allergy The human immune system responds to the allergens. The allergens could be dust mites and pollens. Generally, some people are highly allergic to the leftovers of the bugs. These leftovers include decaying bodies and faeces of the bug. The dust mites are commonly found in the bed, carpets, cushions, and furniture. These are the perfect conditions for the dust mite to thrive. Breathing in the air contaminated by dust mites aggravates the dust mite allergy. Symptoms of Dust mite allergy The dust mite allergy symptoms vary among individuals. Some of them may have mild allergies while others could have severe. Some of the common symptoms include: Itching on skin Flowing and itchy nose Cough Irritated and watery eyes Congestion Postnasal drip Sore throat Difficulty in sleeping Sinus problems Swelling and clue skin under the eyes These are the general symptoms of dust mite allergy. However, if a person suffers from asthma, the symptoms grow more intense.