Pain in the Left Breast – Causes and Treatments

Pain in the Left Breast – Causes and Treatments

Also known as mastalgia and mastodynia, breast pain happens to be a common occurrence. According to the California Pacific Medical Center, between 50 to70 percent of women in the country suffer from breast pain. Breast pain can occur due to numerous reasons. Also, in most cases, breast pain does not indicate breast cancer. The symptoms of mastalgia and mastodynia include tightness and heaviness in the breast, a dull ache, and breast tenderness. In some cases, the pain can spread to the arms as well. If this pain is linked to the menstrual cycle, it is known as cyclical mastalgia. Sometimes, women experience breast pain in only on the left side. There are various conditions which can cause this left-sided breast pain. In this article, we will look at some of the significant causes of breast pain in the left side and some treatment methods for it. Causes of left breast pain in women Injury: The skin of the breast is highly elastic and sensitive. It shields the connective tissues, blood vessels, nerves, ducts, and lobes that produce milk. A breast injury can cause damage to these tissues, resulting in a severe ache. Also, sometimes, an injury to the breast heals with scar tissues and may cause pain. These tissues may feel like a lump, making it difficult to distinguish them from breast cancer. Breast surgery: Any type of breast surgery, regardless of whether it involves reduction, enhancement or reconstruction, will make the breast tender and cause pain. Gradually, as the incision heals, scar tissues will develop. And in the case of scar tissues, the pain can come and go, long after the surgery is complete. Milk duct infections: Numerous benign yet painful conditions can occur inside your mammary glands. For instance, the milk ducts can get clogged and infected, resulting in a breast infection.
Joint Pain – Causes and Treatment Options

Joint Pain – Causes and Treatment Options

The human joints can be considered as engineering marvels that bear an enormous amount of stress. They are body parts that not only connect your bones but also support and carry the weight of your body and facilitate easy movement. Prolonged daily functions can impose a huge strain on them. As a result, they suffer wear and tear, injuries, and damage, causing symptoms like pain, and reduced mobility and flexibility. Statistics show that there are at least 30 million adults in the country who currently live with joint pain. It can be a debilitating condition that prevents you from carrying on daily activities, engaging in sports, entertainment, and recreation. If it is severe, it could affect your career and almost all parts of your life. Based on the underlying cause, severity, and available resources, there are a variety of treatment options that can help provide quick joint pain relief. They include medications, injections, dietary supplements or changes, alternative therapy, massage, yoga, chiropractic options, surgery, lifestyle changes, and exercise. Causes of joint pain Some of the common causes of joint pain include the following: Inflammation Diseases or infections like arthritis and chikungunya Aging and natural wear and tear Accidents and injuries Impact and trauma Nerve damage Poor posture Over-use of certain parts of the body Lack of exercise; sedentary job and lifestyle Being overweight Certain autoimmune disorders Breakdown of cartilage in the knee joints Hypothyroidism Rheumatic fever Dislocation, sprains, and strains Bursitis There are some medicinal and natural remedies one can resort to when looking to get quick relief from joint pain. While acute symptoms caused by accidents, injuries, and certain diseases can be treated with over-the-counter medications or a course of antibiotics, certain other s ymptoms that are caused by lifestyle factors can be treated with exercise regimes, yoga, and even weight-loss.
Causes of dog allergies and effective home remedies

Causes of dog allergies and effective home remedies

Dogs are a man’s best friend, and you can feel really anxious if your dog starts having an allergic reaction that makes it uncomfortable. Some of the most common signs of dog allergies are itching, scratching, and chewing. What causes dog allergies? Skin allergies or allergic dermatitis are the most common type of allergies developed by dogs. The prime causes of dog allergies include: Bacterial infections Certain foods which trigger allergic reactions Exposure to various environmental allergens Dog allergies and their natural remedies If your dog is developing any allergic reaction, your vet should be the first person you should reach out to. Besides, there are various natural remedies available for some common dog allergies. These natural remedies are readily available at your home and can relieve your dog from various allergies. Below is a list of dog allergies and their natural remedies for your reference. These natural remedies are very helpful in the treatment of different dog allergies such as dry skin or stomach upset. Vitamin E oil Vitamin E oil is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants primarily fight aging. They work towards the prevention of free radical damage. Free radical damage is the main cause of ageing. Application of vitamin E oil can protect your dog from UV radiation. Thus, it ensures moisturization of their skin and helps in the prevention of conditions like dry skin. Electrolyte-replacing liquids for diarrhea Flavorless electrolyte-replacing liquids help dogs too. During diarrhea, like humans, dogs too lose liquids. In such cases, the electrolyte replacing proves to be helpful among helpful in keeping their liquid level intact. Yogurt Both plain and sweetened yogurt is very healthy for your dog. The probiotics in yogurt help your dog to retain the good bacteria and have a strong intestine. Oatmeal If your dog has developed any symptoms of itchy skin, chickenpox or any such conditions, an oatmeal bath can be very soothing.
Abdominal Pain – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Abdominal Pain – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Abdominal pain could happen at any time in one’s life. This leads to immense discomfort. Usually, the pain could be mild and also could lead to nausea, dizziness, etc. Normally people avoid food and water during this time. There are chances that people experience a kind of heaviness in their abdomen this time. Abdominal pain could happen due to a lot of reasons. When the tissues and organs in the body, which are small intestine, stomach, gallbladder, spleen, liver, pancreas, and colon do not function effectively, there are high chances of abdominal pain. However, it is important to know that at times even with simple medication the pain will be eliminated or it will resolve by itself. Firstly, when you come across mild abdominal pain, the cause should be identified. In case you overeat the gas-inducing food, there are chances that it will result in distended stomach, heartburn and abdominal pain. When this is the case, the best thing that can be done is to follow some dietary changes. The digestive tract should be healthy in such a case, and hence, it is essential to consume such food substances that are light on the stomach. Consumption of fiber-rich food and increasing the water intake will definitely help for this purpose. Usually, women experience cramps and pain during the monthly period. During this time it is important to stay relaxed as stress could lead to increase in the stomach acid. Doing some breathing exercises will definitely help a lot during the monthly periods. When you come across abdominal pain due to any reason, the first thing you can do is to change your behavior and lifestyle. If this does not work in your favor, the next thing you can consider is the laxatives, pain relievers or antacids. It is important to keep in mind that certain anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin should not be consumed as this could lead to stomach upset and lead to complications in the gastrointestinal tract.
Pulmonary Fibrosis – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Pulmonary Fibrosis – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

When the lung tissue is scarred and damaged, it causes the lung disease called pulmonary fibrosis. The stiff and thickened tissue makes it difficult for the lungs to work properly. As the disease advances, people experience more shortness of breath. The scarring can be caused due to a number of factors. However, the doctors cannot figure out the reason in most of the cases. If the cause of the illness cannot be determined, then the condition is termed as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Though the lung damage as a result of pulmonary fibrosis cannot be reversed, the symptoms can surely be eased, and the quality of life can be improved with therapies and medications. Lung transplant is the ultimate option and hope for many people to get cured of pulmonary fibrosis. Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include: – Dry cough – Fatigue – Aching joints and muscles – Unexplained weight loss – Rounding and widening of the fingertips The course and severity of pulmonary fibrosis and symptoms vary from person to person. Some people fall prey to the disease very fast, while the health of others with moderate symptoms deteriorates slowly over several months or years. Some patients may suffer from the rapid aggravation of their symptoms like extreme shortness of breath lasting for several days to weeks. People having acute exacerbations can be placed on a mechanical ventilator. Doctors treat this condition with corticosteroid and antibiotics along with other medications. Causes of pulmonary fibrosis Pulmonary fibrosis causes the tissue between and around the air sacs in your lungs to thicken and scar. This makes it hard for oxygen to go through your bloodstream. There are many reasons that can cause this illness. Some of the reasons include certain medical conditions, long-term exposure to toxins of certain types, medications, and radiation therapy.
Shoulder Muscle Pain – Causes and Remedies

Shoulder Muscle Pain – Causes and Remedies

Excessive stress levels and ignorance towards health has led to cropping up of numerous medical conditions among teens today. People within the age group of 22 to 30 primarily complain about muscle and joint pain. Medical research has made a shocking revelation that people still in their teens are suffering from arthritis and muscle disorders. One of the rising health complaints today is about shoulder and neck pain. The shoulder and neck are the midpoints of the human body system. the shoulder muscular system contains muscles, nerves, arteries and veins and ligaments which connect other body organs. There are numerous reasons as to why one can suffer from shoulder muscle pain. Early diagnosis of the same can help in resolving the issue in time. Here are a few causes and remedies of shoulder muscle pain. Muscle injury One of the common causes of shoulder muscle pain is trauma caused to soft tissues due to an injury or exertion. Muscles have their own stretching capabilities and when they are overstressed, it leads to shoulder muscle pain. People exercising in gyms are common targets for muscle injuries. People who are into heavy workload too suffer from shoulder muscle pain. Frozen shoulder Frozen shoulder is a condition when the shoulder nerves get pinched leading extreme pain in the shoulder. People suffering from frozen shoulder have also complained about lack of sufficient movement of the shoulder. Rotor cuff injuries A group of tendons that support the shoulder is known as rotor cuff. Injury or trauma to these tendons can lead to shoulder muscle pain. People active in sports requiring excessive shoulder movement, weightlifting or force requiring games, commonly suffer from shoulder muscle pain because of rotor cuff injuries. Shoulder blade injuries A forceful trauma to the shoulder blade can cause extreme shoulder muscle pain.
Dry Eyes – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Dry Eyes – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Tears provide moistures and keep the eyes lubricated. Generally, tears contain water, oil, mucus and special proteins which protect from eye infections. In contrast dried eyes mean the eyes are deprived of the essential tears. Dry eyes don’t have adequate moisture. Those who suffer from dry eyes experience different symptoms such as itching, redness, and blurred vision. The eyes of people with dry eye syndrome fail to maintain a normal layer of tears which coat the eyes. It prevents the keeping away of the eye irritants. In some cases dry eyes also result in excess tears which are known as reflex tearing. Low moisture content causes irritation in the eye and asks the nervous system for more lubrication. In response to tears are generated to make up for the dryness in eyes. Tears keep the eyes protected and wash the dust and grime from the eye. Causes of dry eyes There are different causes of dry eyes. Occasionally deviations in the tear-flow system could be the probable causes of dry eyes. Heaters, air conditioners and several other environmental factors around us can also cause the eye to dry out. Drugs such as antihistamines, birth control pills, nasal decongestants may even cause side-effects on the eyes contributing to dry eyes. Gradual progression of age and menopause likely can cause dry eyes. Certain diseases such as collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome also impact the ability of the eye to generate tears. Certain lifestyle habits such as working on the computer and reading for long hours can worsen the problem if you suffer from dry eyes. People who suffer from dry eyes are generally susceptible to bacterial infections which can cause scarring in the eye cornea. In some cases, the problem worsens, which can cause permanent blindness. The tears in human eye have three layers.
Hidden Causes of Migraine You Should Know

Hidden Causes of Migraine You Should Know

Migraines in certain people can be triggered via certain foods and drinks, or rather the components of certain foods and drinks. One of the most common elements that are known to be one of the causes of migraines is tyramine, a substance found naturally in foods that are usually fermented or aged such as: – Smoked fish – Certain types of beers – Cured meats – Aged cheeses Certain foods that are high in protein may also contain tyramine if: – They have been stored for a long time. – They were not kept cold enough Link between tyramine and the causes of migraines Tyramine has been long known to be harmful to the health of individuals, according to decades of research done by medical professionals and other industry experts. Since the 1950s, many discoveries have been made that can help explain how tyramine as an ingredient could trigger migraine pain. The chemical structure tyramine is made it a monoamine. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is the enzyme present in the human body that breaks down monoamines and helps process tyramine. Anti-depression drugs that inhibit MAO went on the market during the 1950s and are still used today under the name of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The immediate side effects of these drugs were noted as soon as they became available, wherein people started developing problems when they ate foods containing tyramine while on the drugs. High blood pressure and headaches were the most common side effects. Tyramine was not being broken down properly by these people while they were taking the drugs, which meant that tyramine could get into the bloodstream and raise the blood pressure. Such people are advised to limit the foods they eat that contain tyramine. It was not until the late 1960s that researchers began to suspect that tyramine could play a role in migraines, particularly when one researcher noted that certain people with migraines who also had a deficiency of MAO experienced certain causes of migraines after they ate foods that contained tyramine.
Milk Allergy in Toddlers – A Cause for Concern

Milk Allergy in Toddlers – A Cause for Concern

Milk allergy in toddlers is one of the common ailments that affect children all over the world in some form or the other. Milk allergy in toddlers gets detected in the initial phase of life, particularly when the gastrointestinal tract is not fully developed. Cow’s milk has the maximum chances of attracting an allergic reaction while breast milk has the least. Generally, the child starts showing symptoms after 30 minutes of the consumption of a milk product. Common symptoms include rashes, upset stomach, diarrhea, and sometimes, blood in the stool. Also, milk allergy in toddlers may trigger the onset of a respiratory ailment such as cold, cough, breathing difficulty, and the like. If you happen to see any of these symptoms in your child, it is time you visit a doctor. It should be kept in mind that with time, certain symptoms may vanish while new ones may occur. A pediatrician can be consulted for effective treatment who will provide your kid with the right treatment. The doctor should be informed if a family history of such form of allergy already exists to take into consideration any genetic causes. A few precautions can also be taken to prevent the very onset of the allergy in the first place. Breastfeeding – If the infant is only a few months old and has developed an allergy from breastfed milk, it is advisable to follow a lactose-free diet. To fulfill the milk requirements, calcium supplements can be taken by the mother. Cow’s milk should be given only under the recommendation of a doctor and that too as late as possible (minimum four months from the child’s birth). Alternative feeding options – If the infant is old enough to consume cow’s milk which is the reason for the outbreak of the allergy, milk substitutes such as soy or elemental formula can be given.
Mold Allergy – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Mold Allergy – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Molds are a type of fungus that lives everywhere. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air. You can find molds anywhere of different things. Mold spores are often released when there is a climate change. They are commonly found near places like waterbodies, food particles, damp walls and floors. Along with oxygen, molds need warmth to grow; their growth is hampered in freezing temperatures. They also thrive in darkness and moisture. You may also see them in liquids that has been untouched for a long time. In some cases, it is the moisture and the humid temperature that leads to the thriving of the molds. So, people living in coastal areas are likely to get molds forming on surfaces. Let’s look at some of the reasons that cause the growth of these molds: Humidity Leakage from the pipes and roofs Condensation Poor ventilation Wet clothes Flooding Damp basement Waterbody around the house (lake, pool, river, lagoon, etc.) Molds might seem easy to get rid of, but there are instances where people suffer severe allergies because of them. People catch the allergy when the mold’s small pollen grains escape the filtering process of the nose and get ingested into the respiratory system. People get mold allergy when their immune system overreacts while you are breathing in mold spores. People who already have breathing problem like asthma can also be affected by mold spores. To find cure and treatments to mold allergies, one needs to know the symptoms of the same. The symptoms include: Running or blocked nose Sneezing Coughing Post nasal drip Itchy eyes, nose and throat Watery eyes Dry skin Scaly skin Fatigue Keeping the symptoms in mind, you can now focus on treating the mold allergy. However, there is no cure for the allergies, but you can reduce your allergy symptoms by avoiding contact with the mold spores.
Various Reasons Causing Pain in Lower Abdomen

Various Reasons Causing Pain in Lower Abdomen

Lower abdominal pain is very common in both men and women. The level of pain varies from patient to patient. Various reasons can cause abdomen pain. Diagnosing the reason for abdominal pain on your own is difficult. It is only a doctor who can identify the problem correctly. Find out below the most common reasons that lead to lower abdominal pain: Constipation: This is a common ailment. It is caused when the digestive system finds it difficult to evacuate the bowels. Thus, expansion of the intestine with waste materials causes abdominal pain. The pain is typically felt in the lower right abdominal area. Appendicitis: People between the age group of 11 and 40 years suffer from this ailment primarily. A sharp abdominal pain is felt on the lower right side accompanied by high fever, vomiting, and loss of appetite. A hernia: A hernia causes pain on the right side of the lower abdomen due to the weakening of the muscles of the abdominal wall. People feel pain in the upper thigh and groin area as well. Testicular Torsion: Twisting and coiling of the testicle can lead to intense pain radiating to the lower abdomen. This pain accompanies vomiting tendency, nausea, and testicular pain as well. Pain is sporadic but becomes persistent as the condition worsens. Many patients also experience pain below the belly button. Kidney Stones: Pain caused due to kidney stones is generalized and severe and is usually concentrated on the back side. This is because the stones are attempting to push along the kidney. A kidney stone is caused due to dehydration, certain diets, processed sugar and excessive consumption of animal protein. Food Poisoning: Contaminated food containing parasites and bacteria leads to intense abdominal and stomach pain. Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. It can take as long as 48 hours for the pain to subside.
Chest Pain Causes that You Need To Know

Chest Pain Causes that You Need To Know

Chest pain can often be a cause of worry for everyone. A lot of people experience chest pain at some point in their lives. While it is a cause for concern, some causes of chest pain aren’t fatal. Here are a few causes of chest pain that you need to be aware of: Causes of chest pain that are related to the heart If your chest pain starts at the left and extends to the right side of your body gradually, it is probably a heart-related chest pain. A few heart problems that are associated with chest pain are the following: Heart attack : One of the first thing that comes to your mind when you have a chest pain is a heart attack. Heart attacks are caused due to a blocked artery or a clot in your heart that blocks or slows down the blood flow, preventing your heart from pumping blood to your body properly. Aortic dissection: This involves the aorta, which is one of the main arteries in your heart. When the inner layers of the aorta separate, the blood tends to flow between different layers. This, in turn, can cause the aorta to rupture. Aortic dissection can prove to be life-threatening if not treated as soon as possible. Angina : Angina takes place when there is a buildup of thick plaques in the inner walls of the arteries. When this happens, the arteries get narrower and the blood flow and supply gets restricted. Pericarditis: This heart-related problem takes place when the sac that surrounds your heart gets inflamed. Causes of chest pain related to the lungs As mentioned before, chest pain is not restricted to just heart-related problems. Issues with your lungs can cause chest pain as well. Here are a few causes of chest pain related to the lungs: