Bowel problems can be extremely uncomfortable. From frequent trips to the loo to the feeling of uneasiness, bowel problems cause them all. Bowel problems are generally categorized by conditions affecting the small intestine. They may also affect other parts of the digestive system as well. They have a telling impact on the way the body absorbs and digests food and they can cause several unwarranted symptoms like constipation and diarrhea. If one is suffering from bloody stools, it is essential to visit a doctor immediately. While these problems can be treated effectively with the help of medications, if left untreated, they can lead to a series of further complications. A doctor will diagnose your condition and suggest treatment according to the condition you are suffering from. Bowel problems can be tackled with ease if detected early and treated immediately. Here are a few of the most common types of bowel problems and their causes. Types of bowel problems There are four major types of bowel problems. They include: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects both the large and small intestines. It affects your everyday life as it can lead to frequent gastrointestinal problems. According to the Clinical Epidemiology journal, IBS affects up to 11% of people in the world. Effective and early treatment can go a long way in ensuring that the disease does not complicate and become worsened. Crohn’s disease Crohn’s disease is another common bowel problem. It is an autoimmune disorder and an inflammatory type of bowel disease. In Crohn’s disease, the immune system starts attacking healthy tissues in the anus, mouth, and intestines. This can cause damage to these tissues and immediate treatment is the best course of action. Celiac disease Celiac disease has genetic roots. If someone in your family has suffered from the disease before, your likelihood of contracting the disease increases.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the colon as well as the rectum. It is one of the most common types of cancer that affects men and women across the country equally. This type of cancer develops in the inner lining of the colorectal tube. The colorectal tube can be a breeding ground for polyps and small tumors that can turn malignant. Although most polyps and tumors are benign, studies have shown that usually, polyps developing inside the glandular tissue of the intestinal lining can turn precancerous. These precancerous polyps can lead to metastatic colorectal cancer if left untreated. The development of cancer is related to size as polyps less than a centimeter in size have roughly 1% chance of turning into adenomatous (malignant) polyps. The ones that are bigger than two centimeters are more prone to turn malignant. The growth of colorectal cancer can be controlled and treated if the tumor is localized. At the same time, metastatic colorectal cancer can spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes, organs, tissues, and the bloodstream as it spreads through the walls of the bowel. Mentioned below are some risk factors that might cause colorectal cancer: Abdominal diseases An underlying condition can increase one’s risk of developing metastatic colon cancer. Abdominal diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can result in the development of tumors and polyps in the intestine, causing colorectal cancer. Genes Unfortunately, cancer can be hereditary. Studies show that genetic sequences partly determine one’s susceptibility to colorectal cancer. It is observed people with medical conditions such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), Gardner’s syndrome, MYH-associated polyps, and Cowden’s disease, have a higher chance of suffering from colorectal cancer. Diet Although not a major cause, one’s diet does contribute to the early stages of colorectal cancer.

Feeling pain is healthy as it is the body’s mechanism of signaling that something is not right. In fact, people who can’t feel pain like leprosy victims are often at risk of severe injuries like burns. Normal pain is supposed to be momentary even while it is acute. Even in the case of severe injuries, the pain will last until the wound is healed. When pain lasts longer than a healed injury or condition, it is termed as chronic pain. Severe chronic pain can be disabling as it reduces flexibility, mobility, and strength. The number of people seeking chronic pain management tips keeps on growing due to a myriad of factors. Chronic pain affects about 100 million people in the country alone. What causes chronic pain? It has been found that there are two characteristics that set apart chronic pain from acute pain. Chronic pain lasts for longer than six months. This usually happens when injuries fail to heal properly, when there is nerve damage, and when the joints or bones are affected by injury or aging. Neurologists are of the opinion that chronic pain happens when the nervous system remains in a permanent reactive state even after an injury heals. This reactive state becomes a cycle as the persistent pain elevates the reactivity in an upward spiral of pain. Neurologists say this leads to a state known as central sensitization, characterized by pain spreading to other parts of the body in proximity to the affected body parts. Chronic pain is often accompanied by other physical and mental problems. Sleep disorder, fatigue, lack of appetite, and irritability are commonly observed in people with chronic pain. Some of the more common types of chronic pain include the following: Lower back pain Neck pain Arthritis Cancer Damaged nerve pain Psychogenic pain (also known as ghost pain) While the main causes and mechanisms of chronic pain are yet to be fully understood, people with the following conditions are likely to suffer chronic pain:

Bulging disc is a condition where the discs between your vertebrae tend to bulge outwards. When the outer fibrous region of your disc weakens, it causes a bulging disc. If a bulging disc is left untreated for a long time, it can lead to the problem of disc tears, which is known as a herniated disc. Causes for a bulging disc The primary reason behind the problem of a bulging disc is that of disc degeneration. Degeneration refers to the gradual wear and tear of your body’s discs. With age, the water content in your spinal discs tends to go down. As a result, your spinal discs start to lose flexibility. At such times, even a minor strain or small twist can make you prone to ruptures or tears. Lifting heavy objects can lead to the problem of a bulging disc as well. It occurs when you are not using your leg and thigh muscles, but the muscles of your back while lifting heavy objects. Risk factors Age is one of the risk factors behind the problem of bulging discs. With age, the water content in your discs tends to go down, and because of this, your discs become inflexible and brittle. As a result of gravity, the weakened cartilage tends to bulge towards your spinal cavity. Smoking cigarettes also put you at risk. Smoking leads to a weakening of your cartilage, thus causing your discs to bulge. In such instances, you will need the right treatment for a bulging disc. People who have a family history of spinal problems are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Injuries caused by accidents during physical exercises and workouts, weightlifting, car accidents, slipping on the pavement or poor movements can also lead to a bulging disc. Poor lifestyle choices also contribute to a bulging disc.

Popular medications for neutropenia Neutropenia is a condition where the body does not have enough neutrophils. Neutrophils are a type of white blood cells that are vital to helping the body fight infection. They fight the infection off by destroying harmful bacteria and fungi like yeast that invade the body. Importance of neutrophils It is essential to have a sufficient number of neutrophils in the body; otherwise, the person is prone to several infections. The risk of infection is so high that the person has to be extra cautious about sanitation and hygiene. While washing hands, in general, is good practice, they must wash their hands regularly or they are at the risk of getting serious infections. Symptoms While neutropenia itself does not cause any symptom, it triggers infections which show symptoms like: Sore throat Sores in the mouth or a toothache Pain or burning when urinating Abdominal pain Pain near the anus Unusual vaginal discharge Redness, swelling or pain around cuts or wounds Diarrhea or sores around the anus Shortness of breath or a cough Causes Neutrophils are produced in the bone marrow of larger bones and anything that disrupts this process of production in the bone marrow can lead to this condition. One of the most common causes of neutropenia is chemotherapy, and in fact, almost half the cancer patients that undergo chemotherapy experience some level of neutropenia. Treatment and medication The treatment for this condition usually involves glycoprotein. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) It is a glycoprotein that triggers the bone marrow, which is a tissue that contains stem cells, to produce a sufficient number of neutrophils and release them into the bloodstream. Its generic name is filgrastim, but it also has different trade names that one may be aware of. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) A naturally producing glycoprotein that carries out the same functions as that of G-CSF.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is best explained as frequent and sudden urges to urinate. Overactive bladder is usually a result of involuntary muscle contractions in the bladder, irrespective of whether the bladder is full or not. Overactive bladder causes are difficult to identify, and therefore, a physical examination is important to be able to identify the underlying cause of contractions in bladder muscles. Types of overactive bladder The following are the two cases or types of overactive bladder Dry: In this case, the person feels a sudden, urgent need to urinate several times during the day. Wet: In this case, along with the urge to urinate, the bladder leaks. This type is often called urge incontinence. Overactive Bladder Causes Overactive bladder causes can be traced down to harsh physical conditions and poor lifestyle choices and habits. Often OAB can happen due to several factors wherein it’s difficult to point to any single cause. Overactive bladder is often a result of spasms in the main muscle of urinary bladder wall, also known as detrusor muscle. When the bladder is half full, the brain senses it and sends out nerve signals. This causes the sphincter muscles and pelvic floor to relax. The main muscle of the urinary wall then contracts and urine is passed. People with overactive bladder experience irregular detrusor muscle contractions, giving rise to the sudden urge to urinate. Urine leakage can also occur depending on the reaction produced by urinary sphincter muscles. Nerve damage and neurocognitive disorders are seen to have an impact on the nerve signaling. Nervous system conditions have a significant impact on the bladder functioning. Common overactive bladder causes Some of the common causes of overactive bladder include: Nerve damage Catheter use Pelvic organ prolapse Stretched or weak pelvic muscles Stretched or weak bladder muscles Parkinson’s disease Multiple sclerosis Bladder stones (other bladder abnormalities) Low estrogen levels when and after going through menopause Enlarged prostate Normal delivery Alzheimer’s disease Hip surgery or hip problems Partial bladder emptying Although anyone of any age group can have an overactive bladder, the likelihood of developing this abnormality increases with age.

A migraine is a condition characterized by severe headaches, which commonly occurs predominantly in one part of the head. A migraine is often debilitating and hampers people’s daily life. The people who experience a migraine have a throbbing or pulsating sensation, which is often made worse by daily activities like walking. A migraine can be episodic or chronic in nature. An episodic migraine is characterized by severe headaches for a short duration of time with a frequency of fewer than fifteen days in a month. Episodic migraine attacks can have a gap of weeks or sometimes even months, between them. A chronic migraine is defined as a condition characterized by more than fifteen headaches per month. At least eight of these headaches need to be moderately or severely painful, and should be in the absence of medication overuse. Chronic migraines last for a longer duration of time, and occur more frequently than episodic ones, but affect a very small percentage of people. A few people who experience episodic migraines can develop a chronic migraine. Most of the chronic migraine patients develop the symptoms over time, with a steady development in the frequency and severity of the headaches. There is no specific reason for a chronic migraine. Every individual has his or her own set of triggers and causal factors. Following is a list of some of the probable causes. Chronic migraine can cause severe pain in certain patients. . Severe Neurological Conditions Certain Neurological conditions can impact the brain or the complete central nervous system in a negative way. Chemical Imbalances In The Brain Sometimes the brain function is incapacitated due to a chemical imbalance. If the neurons do not work in coordination, or if there is a hindrance in nerve pathways due to broken nervous communication channels, it can cause migraine headaches.

Prostate impotence also termed as erectile dysfunction affects almost 30 million men. The impotence may result from a complete inability to achieve an erection, inconsistent ability to achieve an erection, or sustain a brief erection. The condition is brought about by physical problems mainly with respect to the blood supply to the penis. Advancement in medicine has opened up effective prostate impotence treatment options, which are safe and effective. Risk Factors As men age, they risk suffering from impotence. Other known risk factors for impotence include low testosterone levels, smoking, alcohol consumption, substance abuse, diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol levels, and vascular diseases. Before we know about the prostate impotence treatment options, lets know about the causes of prostate impotence. Causes of Prostate Impotence A possible list of causes for erectile dysfunction include performance anxiety, depression, premature ejaculation, diabetes, venous leak, organic impotence, neurological causes ( like multiple sclerosis, spine and nerve injuries), Peyronie’s disease, drug-induced impotence, and hormone induced impotence. Treatment Options The line of treatment is drawn based on the age, general health, medical history of the patient, the extent of the disease, patient tolerance for specific medication, procedures, and therapies and the patient preference. Following are the specific treatment alternatives available for prostate impotence/erectile dysfunction. Medical Treatment Prescription drugs such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis have been administered to patients with prostate impotence as the first line of treatment. They are oral PDE5 inhibitors. The component like sildenafil citrate contained in Viagra is an oral drug that increases the response to sexual stimulation. Levitra which contains vardenafil citrate works quickly and improves sexual function in men across all age groups. It is particularly effective for men with diabetes and men who have undergone radical prostatectomy. Tadalafil citrate contained in Cialis is the one that stays in the body for the longest possible time.

All You Need To Know About Signs Of Pollen Allergies Pollens are a yellow, powdery substance emitted by plants. These get transported from one plant to another by birds or by wind or by insects and/or animals. About 10 million Americans get pollen allergies as a result of exposure to this powdery yellow substance. Signs of pollen allergies start appearing when you are exposed to grass pollens, tree pollens, and weed pollens. Common Causes Behind Pollen Allergies Pollen allergies are primarily caused by the exposure to pollen grains in the air. Certain plants and trees like oak trees, ragweed and grasses produce a fine yellow powder, pollens, as a part of the reproductive process of the plants. When these travel through the air, you may come in contact with these pollen grains leading to signs of pollen allergies. Your body has a tendency to produce antibodies to protect your immune system from harmful substances. Chemicals are released in the process in your bloodstream. These chemicals may cause your body to show reactions in the form of pollen allergy signs. Typically, signs of pollen allergies would develop or aggravate during only certain times of the year. Such allergies may be triggered by tree pollens in spring. These could also be caused by grass pollen around summer season and late spring season. Pollens from ragweed may cause you to develop pollen allergies during the fall season. Risk Factors The main risk factors associated with the development of pollen allergies are being in an environment where you get exposed to allergy-causing substances. So, if you are exposed to dust mites or to animal dander, you are at a risk of developing pollen allergies. If you have asthma or any other allergies, you can be more susceptible to pollen allergy symptoms. Even if you have a blood relative with a tendency to develop asthma or other allergies, you can be at a risk of developing the tell-tale signs pollen allergies.

The diverticular disease was sporadic before the 20th century but now it is quite common especially in the western countries. Diverticulitis is the most severe kind of diverticular diseases. The diverticula or pouches are formed in the intestinal wall, they are bacterially infected and inflamed and they form diverticulitis. The diverticulitis often comes with many complications. The diverticulitis treatment guidelines should be followed to combat diverticulitis; otherwise, it can lead to some serious health complications. Here are a few things related to diverticulitis. The common symptoms of diverticulitis There are several stages of diverticulitis. They vary from mild to severe with simple to complicated symptoms. These are: Abdominal pain occurs typically in the lower left side of the abdomen Fever Nausea Vomiting The increased urge for urination, frequent urination, or feeling of a burning sensation at the time of urination Constipation Diarrhea Blood in stool The causes of diverticulitis There are multiple factors responsible for causing diverticulitis. These are: A low-fiber diet The lack of dietary fiber in food is considered one of the main reasons for diverticulitis. Heredity From research, it is seen that there is a link of heredity with diverticulitis. There is at least 50 percent of the potential risk of diverticulitis which comes from genetics. Obesity Obesity is one of the main reasons for diverticulitis. It raises the risk of diverticulitis and its bleeding. Lack of physical workout The lack of physical exercise and living a sedentary life always increase the chance of diseases like diverticulitis. Smoking From studies, it is proven that smoking can cause diverticulitis and its complications. Certain medications Regular intake of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like NSAIDs may raise the chance of diverticulitis. The opiates and steroids can increase the risk of the perforation, the severe difficulty of diverticulitis. The deficiency of vitamin D From the studies, it is proven that people with less amount of vitamin D are more prone to diverticulitis and its complications.

Endometrial carcinoma is a type of cancer, specifically uterine cancer. It is one of the most common type of invasive cancer that develops in the female reproductive system. The condition is said to be more common among post-menopausal individuals. Estrogen imbalance, PCOS, and obesity, are some of the factors that can increase the risk of developing this condition. Besides, there are certain foods that can contribute as risk factors for endometrial carcinoma. Dairy Dairy has been increasingly losing its credibility as a healthy food group. It does not have a clear stand when it comes to dairy and its association with cancer. However, for patients with endometrial carcinoma, it is advised to stay off or at least try to avoid dairy as a regular food group. It is the same for various other types of cancer. The lack of evidence holds doctors and other care professionals from declaring dairy as a complete no-no for cancer patients. However, from the available data, it can be concluded that regular intake of dairy products does increase the chances of developing endometrial cancer because of the high saturated fat content, and the food group’s ability to impact the level of estrogen in the body. Trans and saturated fats Hydrogenated oils are commonly used in the food industry. They are mainly employed to increase the shelf life of packaged and processed foods. However, the increased intake of trans fats in combination with saturated fats on the regular significantly increases an individual’s chances of developing conditions like endometrial carcinoma. This means it is advisable for at-risk patients or patients with a diagnosis to try and eliminate foods high in saturated fat content from their menu. Processed meat Processed meat is one of the most common sources of unhealthy fats, excessive salt, and other combination of chemicals that can negatively affect the body.

According to various medical study reports, by the age of 50, almost 75% of people experience changes in their eyesight. Common conditions like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, and age-related muscular degeneration can leave an impact on your eyes. A variety of different factors influence these eye conditions. According to eye specialists, nutrition is definitely one of these major factors. Hence, before it is out of your hand, you should take care of your eye health. Here is a list of some of the best eye vitamins and some nutrients to keep your eyes in good health. Vitamin E When the balance between the free radicals and the antioxidants in your body is not maintained properly, oxidative stress may occur, which is one of the major causes of a bad eye condition. Vitamin E is an efficient antioxidant that helps protect the eye cells from the damage caused by the free radicals that are unstable molecules and harmful for your eyes. Also, some medical research studies have reflected the fact that diet and foods that are rich in vitamin E help in preventing cataract caused by aging. Avocado, Salmon, leafy green vegetables, seeds, nuts, and cooking oils are good sources of vitamin E. Vitamin A Vitamin A deficiency can cause Xerophthalmia, a progressive eye disease that begins with night blindness. In the absence of vitamin A, one of the best eye vitamins, your tear duct as well as the eyes can dry out. With time, the cornea softens and may result in irreversible blindness. To see properly in low-light conditions, rhodopsin protein is necessary, and vitamin A is a major component of this protein. Moreover, it helps in protecting the eyes against other types of eye afflictions. Some studies mention that it can reduce the risks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataract.