Around 45% to 50% of people experience bladder infections also known as cystitis at least once in their life. It occurs when E. coli bacteria or Escherichia coli enters the urethra, urinary tract, ureters, or kidney and causes an infection. Consequently, inflammation takes place in the internal bladder lining. This infection is pretty common among women compared to men. There are effective options for bladder infections treatment. The following sections will provide a brief overview of the most effective and popular bladder infections treatment options. Leading causes of bladder infections The primary reason behind this condition is the entry of the bacteria into the urethra and bladder. The urethra is the organ responsible for taking out urine of your body through the vagina. When E. coli enters the bladder, it stays in the bladder lining and sometimes, moves into the kidneys to cause kidney infection. If you have frequent sexual intercourse, you may become vulnerable to a bladder infection. One increases their chance of suffering from bladder infections when they have sex with a new partner. Moreover, you can also get afflicted with bladder infection if you delay urination after intercourse. Other common causes include diabetes and unusual urinary system changes. How do you know if you have a bladder infection? The most common symptoms of a bladder infection are cloudy urine, an unwanted smell in the urine, lower abdomen discomforts, pain or a burning sensation while urinating, frequent urge to urinate, passing limited quantities of urine, and blood in the urine. If you have a kidney infection, you may show these symptoms and may also show signs such as back pain, groin pain, vomiting, and fever. Doctors will analyze the symptoms prior to diagnosing bladder infection and will perform a urinalysis before arriving at a conclusion. Urinalysis refers to a urine test that checks the availability of white blood cells in the urine.

Joints are essential parts of the skeletal system that knit all the bones inside the body into one single structure. They are of paramount importance as they are responsible for the smooth movement of limbs. Most joints are freely movable, like the knee. Some allow minimal or no movement, such as those in the brain. Also, there is a particular type of fluid present between the bones that are united in the joint region, to prevent friction. An individual suffers from joint pain when these joints get damaged due to various reasons. The severity of the pain depends on the type and level of inflammation. Injury to the joints is a common phenomenon experienced by those who regularly participate in sports and other physical activities. Temporary conditions such as sprains and strains can be easily cured, whereas, conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and bursitis can turn into lifelong ailments. Joint pain can cause a dip in the level of body movement followed by complexities in executing daily chores. Moreover, exertion can exacerbate the illness. Usually, muscular activity is restricted until the joint pain subdues to prevent the condition from getting aggravated. The problem of joint pain stems from a number of reasons such as: Obesity People who are obese face a higher probability of contracting arthritis. Obesity or increased body weight can exert pressure on the joints making them weak over time. Osteoarthritis is a common type of joint inflammation encountered by obese individuals. It becomes essential to fight obesity as it saves the individual from other lethal diseases as well. Old age As an individual grows old, his/her joints and ligaments tend to get fragile. Senior citizens wearing cervical collars is a common sight. Also, with old age, the synovial fluid diminishes. This contracts the cushion between cartilages resulting in increased abrasion between the bones.

In recent studies, it has come out that majority of the population in the United States has suffered from back pain at some point in their life. This back spasm is an involuntary contraction of the muscles in the lower back. This back pain condition ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain which makes it difficult for a person to move around. Spasm, a medical condition can be treated without any kind of surgery. If the pain is related to a nerve problem in the spine, then some kind of medical intervention is required. Causes of lower back spasm The back spasm can occur due to various reasons including injuries to the muscle, ligaments, and tendons or can be related to any of the serious medical conditions. Back spasm also commonly occurs due to the heavy lifting of any kind. If any activity is undertaken which puts excessive strain on muscles in the lower back can cause lower back spasm. Football and golf players also suffer from back spasm as they have to go through intense training for their matches. This medical condition can also occur if a person has arthritis or is suffering from a ruptured disk in the spine. Diagnosis of Back Spasm Doctors usually recommend an x-ray to look for any signs of bone fracture or arthritis. In rare condition, the doctor might also recommend the patient to undergo Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) is a detailed analysis of soft tissue is required. An MRI or CT scan can help in identifying problems related to disk. When the doctor discusses the medical condition with the patient the doctor will ask some questions as the severity of pain and for how long the pain has flared up. Spasm can be treated if its given attention.

Stomach pain is the occurrence of pain located in the stomach. Many conditions arise due to stomach pain which cannot be ignored. If stomach pain persists for long, with persistence thrice a week you should visit a doctor. Life-threatening conditions like cancer, gastritis or appendicitis may arise due to abdominal pain. Stomach pain is often experienced in the stomach region between chest and groin. Even though it is very common nowadays, pain and discomfort certainly makes you restless. To prevent any fatalities a doctor will diagnose preferring the exclusion method which eliminates life-threatening conditions. Abdominal pain can severely affect your health, in the long run. Sometimes, cardiac pain symptoms can also indicate stomach pain causes observed. Stomach pain can occur unexpectedly which may be severe and happens to be a persistent condition. Be it a mild pain, stomach cramps or a mild stomach ache, abdominal pain has various causes. Generally, treating stomach pain depends on its cause and severity involved underlying the same. Potential stomach pain causes: Abdominal pain often occurs due to impairment in a particular organ. The cause underlying the same is not consequential and can be managed and taken care of. Sensitivity to lactose: Millions of people around the world have lactose intolerance. The body finds it difficult to digest lactose, a sugar found in all dairy products which can lead to uncomfortable manifestation. Symptoms include bloating stomach, diarrhea, gas, and constipation and vary based on the level of sensitivity. It can be replaced with soy milk products. Medications: Abdominal pain includes side effects of drugs and prescribed medicines. Medications surely save lives but it always comes with some unwanted side effects. The side effects may vary from person to person depending on its dosage, age, weight, gender and overall health. Sensitivity to gluten : Some people from gluten intolerance, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

A sudden bout of coughing accompanied by sneezing or breathlessness can be an indication of pneumonia. One of the most common types of lung infection, pneumonia affects people of all ages. Children and adults with low resistance power are more prone to this condition. However, medicines and cures are available for pneumonia and diagnosing it at an early stage does not make any life threatening impact on the patient. However, fatalities can occur if the infection is left untreated for several days or has led to severe inflammation of the lungs. Symptoms of Pneumonia Understanding the symptoms of pneumonia can help in diagnosing the condition at an early stage. Though the symptoms may vary depending on the age and health of patient or severity of the condition, the common signs mostly remain the same. When talking about common signs, one cannot ignore, coughing with mucus or phlegm, which is often mistreated as a common cold allergy. Apart from that, chest pain accompanied by difficulty in breathing also hints about the onset of this infection. Some patients also complain of fever, chills, and sweating. Symptoms of pneumonia may also at times vary with the cause of infection. While viral pneumonia causes flu-like symptoms including wheezing or high fever, sudden high fever along with profuse sweating may indicate bacterial pneumonia. Confusion, discoloration or bluish tint on nails and lips may also be a sign of bacterial pneumonia. Not just the underlying cause, symptoms may vary according to the age of the patients as well. Children below the age of five years may experience shortness of breath, vomiting or fatigue as indications of pneumonia. Some may also find difficulty in eating or drinking as well. However, older people are often found to have below normal temperature during the onset of pneumonia. Causes of pneumonia While detecting the symptoms of pneumonia helps in faster diagnosis of the infection, it is also important to learn the causes as well.

Unpleasant, inconvenient, and unfortunately very common, diarrhea is one of the second most common illnesses in the US and has happened to almost everyone at least once. While an adult gets diarrhea for any reason at least four times on an average in one year, American children typically display seven to fifteen cases of diarrhea from infancy up till the age of five. Stress, medication, and even everyday food can cause diarrhea. It could also be a signal toward an underlying medical condition. There can be different triggers for diarrhea—it can happen to anyone, anytime. What are the common diarrhea causes? Bacterial causes As a part of everyday life, bacteria co-exist with humans in various forms and places. There are different types of bacteria—some bacteria are good for the human body while others can be very bad for the digestive system. These microscopic organisms make a breeding ground in places like unpasteurized milk, raw meats, shellfish, and even eggs, apart from stale or rotting food. Poultry, eggs, and meat should be cooked completely and thoroughly to reduce the risk of bacteria-related diarrhea and all surfaces, utensils, as well as hands, should be kept clean. Any food leftovers should be refrigerated quickly and should not be left out at room temperature for any longer than necessary. Before going out to dine in a new place, one should clarify the ratings of the health department online or the ones posted at the restaurant as these ratings offer insight into the cleanliness and hygiene conditions of the kitchen in the restaurant along with food safety practices. By following such safety tips, you would be able to curb the common diarrhea causes and lead a healthier life. Viral causes Viral infections are also one of the most common diarrhea causes. Moreover, these viral strains are very contagious and can easily travel from one unwashed hand to another.

Neuropathy in your feet can be painful and influence your entire life negatively. Your feet hold the entire weight of your body. If you’re suffering from neuropathy in feet, it can be a big hindrance to your daily activities and the overall functioning of the body. If you suffer from neuropathy of your feet, you should be aware that this disorder revolves around your nerves and nervous system. Your peripheral system has a number of nerves, each of which has a specific function. The sensory nerves are responsible for receiving different sensations like pain, heat, touch, and more. The motor nerves deal with muscle movement and coordination, while the autonomic nerves deal with functions relating to your heart rate, bladder, digestion, and so on. Symptoms of neuropathy in feet If you are suffering from neuropathy in your feet, you will experience the following symptoms. A sudden feeling of numbness in your toes, which then spreads to the entire feet, and eventually the legs. Prickling or tingling sensation in your feet. Sharp jabbing pain across the middle of your feet. A freezing, burning or throbbing pain. The affected feet become extremely sensitive to touch. Coordination and balance are affected, resulting in you falling or losing balance often. Gradually, once the motor nerves are affected, you might experience paralysis as well. Dizziness, lightheadedness, and changes in your blood pressure. Causes of neuropathy in feet There are a number of reasons as to why you could be affected by the neuropathy of your feet. Excessive consumption of alcohol can be a causal factor as alcohol can interfere with your nervous system as well as cause vitamin deficiencies. If you are suffering from autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatism, Sjogren’s syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and so on, you might be prone to neuropathy in your feet or other parts of your body.

The term ‘neuropathy’ itself speaks about what it essentially means. Neuro means related to nerves or the nervous system and pathy denotes disorder in a specific part of the body. Hence, neuropathy, popularly known as peripheral neuropathy, refers to the disorder of nerves. This disorder could be caused when certain injury or disease damages your nervous system. Originating from your brain and spinal cord, these peripheral nerves extend to your muscles and tissues. The peripheral nervous system is the primary source of all communication between the body and brain in the form of electrical impulses. There are three types of nerves: Motor nerves Sensory nerves Autonomic nerves Each nerve comprises of neurons, which transmit information throughout the body in the form of electrical and chemical impulses at very high speeds. Thus, damage to the nerve cells results in damage to the communication link. Neuropathy is a rapidly growing condition which is being researched extensively to understand the various causes and treatments for the same. Did you know? The leading cause of deaths among senior citizens is due to accidental falls. Some people fall because of the condition of neuropathy and hence are unable to feel their feet. They try to stand but because of the numbness, don’t get a proper standing posture, and as a result trip and fall over. Causes of neuropathy There are a number of causes that could lead to the development of this condition in an individual. The most common causes include: Trauma Metabolic system anomalies Out of range glucose levels Inflammation of specific body parts, e.g. hands, feet Diabetes Chemotherapy Treatment for neuropathy The most significant concept to remember here is; it is essential to diagnose the underlying cause and provide symptomatic relief by eradicating that cause itself. Based on the root cause of the nerve damage, the treatments for neuropathy can vary.

Testosterone is a sex hormone in males, that is generated in the testicles and helps in the development of their physical features. Testosterone is the key hormone that provides men with muscle and bone strength, facial and body hair, and a heavy voice. Testosterone is an influencing factor boosts men’s sex drive, their mood, erections and their capacity to generate sperms. What does low testosterone mean? This is a medical condition known as hypogonadism or low-T, that refers to a condition in which the production of the testosterone hormone is not normal (there is a lack of fabrication of this sex hormone). Once a man attains 30 years of age, the testosterone levels start decreasing by about 1% every year. This decrease in testosterone levels is normal and is considered as a part of the aging process. However, there are various other reasons that can lead to decrease in testosterone levels. Low-T can be of two types, primary and secondary, and each of these types has its own causes. Common causes of low testosterone Primary hypogonadism This is a medical condition in which the cause of low testosterone levels originates due to problems in the testicles. This can be acquired through time, or even can be genetic. The main causes of primary hypogonadism include: Undescended testicles : When the baby is still not born, the testicles develop within the abdomen, and acquire their permanent position in the scrotum. In some rare cases, the testicles may not acquire its position before birth. This condition gets normal on its own within the initial years after birth, but if the situation remains the same, it may lead to failure of testicles and lesser production of the testosterone hormone. Hemochromatosis : In case the blood running through the veins contains too much iron, testicular failure, or even problems in pituitary gland can occur.

Eczema is a skin condition where some patches of skin get inflamed and become itchy, sore, rough, and cracked. In some cases, blood blisters may also occur. Eczema is not a single condition, but a group of conditions that include atopic dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, contact dermatitis, hand eczema, neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and nummular eczema. This is a frustrating skin condition, where some people experience symptoms a few times a year while some deal with it on an everyday basis. Finding a soothing, natural eczema treatment can be life-changing for people suffering from this exasperating condition. Some facts on eczema Certain food items, such as dairy products, nuts, etc. can trigger eczema symptoms. Symptoms generally vary with a person’s age; however, most common symptoms include red and itchy patches of skin. A lot of times, eczema can be triggered by environmental factors such as dust, smoke, and pollen. There is no complete cure for this skin condition. The best eczema treatments focus on soothing damaged skin and relieving the symptoms. This is not a contagious condition. Symptoms of eczema The symptoms of eczema range from mild to severe, and can change from one outbreak to another. Common symptoms include: The appearance of small bumps that may ooze out liquid Rough, dry and scaly skin that cracks Red or brown patches of skin on the face, hands, feet, wrists, neck, eyelids, ankles, upper chest or scalp Sensitive skin that gets swollen and inflamed from scratching A rash that causes intense itching and irritation Rashes due to atopic eczema Best eczema treatment options There is no complete cure for eczema. The treatment for eczema aims to heal the inflamed area and prevent the symptoms from flaring up. Generally, eczema rash treatment is based on the patient’s age and symptoms. Also, for some people, eczema goes away over time, while for others, it is a lifelong condition.

Peyronie’s disease is a penis related disease that occurs when a scar tissue shapes up inside the penis. This tissue is called plaque and is formed as a result of any injury inside the penis, that may cause internal bleeding. Some of the causes include Vitamin E deficiency, increase in serotonin levels and even due to the intake of beta B medications. In certain cases, the genetic disorder could also be a factor. The penis of a man may either bend upwards or even to either of the sides. Men suffering from Peyronie’s have trouble while having sex, like feelings of uneasiness and anxiety. Peyronie’s generally occurs in middle-aged men, and it’s a rare disease that occurs in around 1% to 8% men. Symptoms Of Peyronie’s Disease Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include: Pain while getting erection Pain while having sex Bending of penis Soft erections Shortening of penis Incapability of having intercourse Stress Reducing The Risk Of Peyronie’s Disease There are certain lifestyle changes that need to be adopted, to keep away Peyronie’s Disease. They include: Give up smoking Exercise or Yoga Minimizing alcohol intake Stop the intake of any non-prescribed drugs Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Treatment for Peyronie’s disease may vary from person to person, depending on the magnitude of the problem they are experiencing. Sometimes if the pain is not severe, and erectile functioning is not much of a problem, doctors suggest doing nothing, but wait. Sometimes, this problem fades away with time. In case you don’t get any relief, other options can be tried. Penis Injections for Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Collagenase : This the only medicine that is FDA approved, for treating Peyronie’s disease. It is also known as Xiaflex and it can be prescribed to men with moderate, or severe bending of the penis. Though the effectiveness of this drug requires additional research, this type of injection helps in breaking down of collagen concentration, that causes the penis to bend.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder and does not have any cure. It is only possible to reduce the severity of the symptoms, which offers the patient a better quality of life. Rheumatoid Arthritis primarily affects the joints. It can also affect the lungs, voice box, and eye. Symptoms The distinguishing feature of Rheumatoid arthritis is that it affects both hands and both legs. There is swelling, pain, redness and tenderness in the finger joints, wrist, elbow and knee. The feet, hip, neck and even the jaw can be affected. Unfortunately, the exact cause for Rheumatoid arthritis is unknown. A gene alteration is the most likely cause of this autoimmune disorder which predominantly affects women. As the symptoms show up differently in each person, a combination of tests help to draw the conclusion that a person is suffering from Rheumatoid Arthritis. Most often, the evident Signs of Rheumatoid Arthritis help to diagnose the condition. There are some signs when rheumatoid arthritis affects the joints. Inflammation is accompanied by: Stiffness There is decreased mobility in the joints. Especially during mornings, it gets pretty difficult to use your joints. The stiffness lasts for a long time, and may last more than an hour, before you find your joints loosening up. Redness and Warmth The affected joints appear red and you can feel a warmth when you touch the joints. Swelling Swelling is a characteristic of any form of arthritis. When it comes to signs of rheumatoid arthritis, the fluid enters the joint and makes it puffy. Pain Pain in the joints is unavoidable. Inflammation inside the joint makes it tender and sensitive. Over a period of time, the joints experience damage and results in pain. Rheumatoid arthritis can not only affect the joints, but the entire body as well. In such cases, the symptoms manifest as fatigue, muscle ache, sickness, diminished appetite that can lead to weight loss.