Allergies occur when the body responses in an irregular manner to an external substance. Most commonly allergies occur in case of certain food items. Medically, the immune system of human being becomes hypersensitive to some external factor. This condition is called allergy. Generally, allergies occur from food, fur, dust or pollen. The substance that causes an allergy is called an allergen. Pollen allergies are found to be very common among the American population. Allergy due to pollen is called known as Hay Fever. Pollen is basically a powder type of substance that is found in the environment. It helps in fertilizing other plants of their same kind. Pollen is found in flowers, trees, grass, weed and the atmosphere at large. It is the main factor that helps plants reproduce. It is extremely light-weight and thus can travel by air. Humans may breathe in this powdery substance, thus resulting in an irritation in their immune system and thereby leading to an onset of the signs of pollen allergy. Allergies are usually neglected by most people since it is considered as not very critical. The severity of allergies, however, can range from mild discomfort to seriously fatal situations where one can even lose a life. Signs of pollen allergies Pollen is usually found to be harmless to the human body. However, people who are hypersensitive may be troubled by its presence in the atmosphere. Signs of pollen allergies can be identified, when the body starts producing chemicals to attack the pollen that may have entered the body. This chemical is called histamine. The mission of this chemical is to eradicate and remove the allergen from the human body. The symptoms of most allergies are quite similar. So, it becomes difficult to identify the actual allergen as pollen, even by most health experts.

Constipation is a condition that involves difficulty in passing stools. Hardening of stool and decrease in the frequency of passing stool is also noticed. Sometimes, episodes of constipation can occur in between diarrhea as well. When constipated, the stools are hardened, and it becomes difficult for it to pass through your rectum. Causes of constipation Your diet plays an important role in the functioning of your body, and the same goes for constipation and its treatment. Consuming foods that are rich in fats and dairy products causes constipation. Inadequate consumption of foods that are rich in fiber is also a major cause. Water is something you shouldn’t compromise. Drinking eight to ten glasses of water on a daily basis is a must. Inadequate consumption of water can cause your stools to harden. Your colon needs water to keep the stools soft as well. Drinking a lot of water is also one of the treatments for constipation. Excessive consumption of alcohol can lead to dehydration. These drinks make you pass urine frequently, due to which your intestines begin to absorb moisture. This causes you to get constipated. Sometimes, constipation is caused when you delay or ignore your bowel movements. Ignoring the desire to have bowel movements may initiate a cycle of constipation. This is true for people who hold back their stools because they don’t like using the public toilet. This shouldn’t be the case as it can lead to progressive constipation if repeated often. Medications can cause constipation too. Painkillers, iron tablets and a few narcotic drugs can suppress bowel function, leading to constipation. Laxatives help induce bowel movements and loosen the stool, but using this can make your bowel lose its sensitivity. You might become too dependent on these laxatives, and it can have a negative effect on you, that is constipation.

3 Major Blood Cancer Types You Should Know Cancer in any form is life-threatening; approximately 38.5% of men and women in the country are diagnosed with one or the other type of cancer. It is common knowledge that when cancer is detected in its initial stages, there’s a possibility of curing it. However, when cancer becomes metastatic, it can only be controlled to a certain extent; it cannot be cured completely. Studies indicate that 10.2% of the total cancer cases are that of blood cancer. Approximately every 3 minutes an individual is detected with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma. These are the different types of blood cancer that can affect an individual, and if left undetected can have life-threatening consequences. Blood cancers, or hematologic cancers, are known to affect the production and functioning of the blood cells. This form of cancer originates in the blood marrow before it starts affecting the blood cells. Before a disease can affect the individual in a full-fledged manner, various symptoms surface. An individual might display the following symptoms even b efore blood cancer makes itself evident. Persistent fatigue or weakness Fever and chills Night sweats Sudden weight loss Joint pain Loss of appetite Headaches Frequent infections Nausea Itchy skin or rashes on the skin Abdominal discomfort These are the common symptoms that surface when an individual suffers from blood cancer. Types of blood cancer As mentioned earlier, blood cancer originates from the bone marrow and later affects the production and function of the blood cells. Blood cancer is of three types- leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Leukemia It is a type of blood cancer that affects the blood cells especially the white blood cells and affects the production of these cells and prevents them from performing their functions. When a person suffers from leukemia, the bone marrow starts producing abnormal white blood cells, called leukemia cells.

Today, breast cancer treatment options are no longer limited to one or two options, all thanks to the advanced technology and development of the medical industry. The survival rate of patients with breast cancer has increased, an early detention has become possible, and a new approach to curing breast cancer is practiced by doctors today. With so many options to choose from, it becomes necessary that you gather enough information about all the treatment options before you pick what would work best for you. Doctors recommend various treatment options after carefully studying your cancer type, size of the tumor, to what extent it has spread, other medical conditions you are suffering from, and your overall health. In this article, you will learn about some of the top treatment methods that are recommended by the doctors to treat the most common type of cancer in women in the country. Breast cancer surgery Most women opt for a breast cancer surgery as their primary treatment to get rid of breast cancer. Breast surgery is done using different surgical procedures. Some of the conventional surgical methods used are as follows: Lumpectomy- It is effective for getting rid of the small tumor. In a lumpectomy, the surgeon operates and removes the cancer tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. If the cancer tumor in your case is large, then your doctor might tell you to undergo chemotherapy to shrink the size of the tumor first, and then get a lumpectomy done. Mastectomy- If cancer has spread all over your breast, then the doctor might recommend you get your entire breast removed. The surgical process of removing of the entire breast tissue which includes the lobules, fatty tissue, and the nipple is termed as the mastectomy. Removal of both the breast- If you have a strong family history of breast cancer and have one breast suffering from cancer, doctors might suggest getting both the breasts removed to avoid the risk of getting breast cancer in future.

Contrary to the previous belief that it is rare to develop both rheumatoid arthritis and gout, in recent years, it is observed that rheumatoid arthritis patients are at high risk of developing gout in the near future. Rheumatoid arthritis(RA) is an autoimmune disease where the joints in your body suffer from chronic joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Gout is another type of arthritis where the uric acid level in a person’s body is alarmingly high, leading to the formation of uric acid crystals that cause joint pain and stiffness. Both the diseases are inflammatory diseases, and many times it is difficult for the doctors to deduce which type of arthritis you are suffering from. Also, men are more likely to suffer from rheumatoid arthritis and gout together than women. Is it Gout or RA? Diagnosing the illness at the initial stage is very important. Though both the conditions have similar signs and symptoms, if you look carefully you can make out the difference. Here are some signs that differentiate the two: In most of the cases, gout occurs in the base of the big toe. Common areas that get affected by RA are the joints of your wrist and hands. You will always experience redness, swelling, and inflammation of joints when you are suffering from gouty arthritis symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis is painful, but it is not always followed by swelling and reddening of the affected area. In this article, you will learn about some common rheumatoid arthritis and gouty foot pain treatments. Treatment for Gout About 4 % of the population suffer from gout at some point in their life. This makes gout one of the most common types of arthritis that people suffer from today. There are two types of medication for gout foot pain, short-term medication, and long-term medication.

Skin rashes can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and downright embarrassing. A skin rash might affect you for multiple reasons and knowing the cause or trigger for your skin rash will go a long way in treating and preventing their occurrence. A rash can be identified based on the appearance of the skin affected. The skin could be red, have bumps, become scaly and itchy. Moreover, there are a host of other ways to identify a skin rash. Make sure to take note of all the symptoms and the appearance of the rash. You can get a rash due to a multitude of reasons. The main reasons for rashes include: Allergens Medications Cosmetics Certain diseases Allergic contact dermatitis This condition covers any rash that occurs when the skin comes into physical contact with an allergen. Knowing what you are allergic to is imperative as you can then take care to avoid it. Sometimes, you can be allergic to multiple things. Taking an allergy test is the best way to tackle this type of rash. In case you still do not know the cause of your allergy, it is best you do not touch the rash. Use warm water and a mild soap over it. In most cases, the allergen sticking to your skin will wash away with this step. If the rash persists, you can use a hydrocortisone cream over the rash. If your rash is accompanied by blisters, then a cold compress can do wonders to relieve the pain. Use this compress three times a day until the blisters disappear. Drug rashes Drug rashes are any rashes that are caused due to the body’s reaction to certain medication. Drug rashes vary from being mild to life-threatening. Drug rashes can appear instantaneously or can even appear weeks later. There are three types of drug rashes:

Arthritis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the joints. The term arthritis covers a broad spectrum of rheumatic diseases and conditions, that affect the joints. There are over 200 types of arthritis, classified into seven main groups. The main groups under which the various types of arthritis are classified are: Mechanical or degenerative arthritis Inflammatory arthritis Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain Back pain Infectious arthritis Connective tissue arthritis Metabolic arthritis Causes of arthritis While it is not possible to pinpoint any single cause, a combination of any of the following can lead to arthritis. Family history can lead to osteoarthritis Immune dysfunction can lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Abnormal metabolism can lead to gout and pseudogout Any injury to the musculoskeletal system can lead to degenerative arthritis Any infections can lead to arthritis as in Lyme’s disease Arthritis pain symptoms There are symptoms that precede, before a completely developed arthritis. Arthritis is a progressive condition, and the severity of symptoms increase over a period of time. In some cases, the pain is persistent, while in others, the pain is on and off. Also, the symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis. There are certain arthritis pain symptoms that are experienced by a majority of patients. There are four key warning signs of arthritis. Joint pain The earliest symptom of arthritis is joint pain. Arthritis can affect the joints in the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees, wrist, hips and ankles. The pain can be continuous or intermittent. It can be isolated to one place or the pain can be felt in all parts of the body. Joint stiffness Some types of arthritis display a typical symptom—joint stiffness. Joints get stiff after waking up in the morning, after sitting for a long time at the work desk, or in the car.

Nearly 20 million people in the country above the age of 12 in the have an addiction problem; alcoholism being one of the major causes. Often, mental illnesses are underlying conditions for various forms of substance abuse. The first step toward sobriety is to ask for help. The best way to get help is to undergo addiction counseling and see an addiction therapist. Addiction counseling can help a person control or lessen the abuse of substances or alcohol. A therapist can also help a person to achieve abstinence and explore the various triggers of addiction. Although it is never easy to seek help, it is one of the best things a person can do to kick their addiction problems. Therefore, it is important to find the right person or persons for addiction counseling to ensure that the right kind of help is received on time. Before looking for the right addiction counselor, it is essential to know the different professionals who work with addiction patients: Addiction psychiatrist Addiction psychiatrists are same as medical doctors. Their specialization is mental health and addiction problems. Their treatment plans include prescribing medications such as antipsychotics, antidepressants, and other medications to deal with mental health issues that might have triggered the addiction problem. These medications also help in detoxification and withdrawal from substance abuse. A psychiatric evaluation usually checks how well a person is adjusting to the medications and whether the medications are effective. Along with prescribing medications, many addiction psychiatrists provide therapy. Addiction psychologist Often, addiction psychiatrists work along with addiction psychologists to provide a holistic addiction counseling to patients. Unlike addiction psychiatrists, addiction psychologists are not medical doctors but are trained mental health professionals. Their addiction counseling revolves around understanding the role of addiction in a person’s life. A psychologist can help to understand the triggers and factors affecting a person’s addiction habits through methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention based on mindfulness techniques, motivational interviewing, community reinforcement, family training, and 12-step facilitation treatments.

Seeking help for addiction is one of the best choices an individual can make. While it is an important decision that can change one’s life for good, getting the right kind of assistance can get tricky. Some of the deciding factors that one should consider while seeking rehab assistance include distance, support, flexibility, and cost. It is a fact that severe substance addiction is best treated in an inpatient residential program that can help effectively manage addiction, detoxification, and withdrawal. However, those struggling with mild substance abuse can get adequate treatment in a reputed outpatient rehabilitation center. Individuals who have a strong will, are committed, and have a disciplined approach often succeed in giving up their habit with the help of outpatient rehabilitation centers. An outdoor rehabilitation program is, therefore, an ideal alternative for those determined and motivated enough to put an end to their addiction. Such rehab programs give individuals the liberty to participate in the program in a way that can work around their schedules. Most outdoor rehabilitation centers schedule their programs at different times throughout the week to offer alcohol and drug treatment sessions to those motivated to quit. Several individuals in the early stages of addiction, therefore, prefer outdoor centers to residential ones as it allows them the flexibility to carry on their routine duties while seeking timely counseling and medication. What’s more, outpatient drug rehabs are relatively less restrictive and successfully help disseminate drug abuse awareness, addiction education, individual counseling sessions, and group sitting with the interested candidates. Most outpatient drug treatments last either for three to six months or longer. It has been observed that an average outpatient detox period usually lasts for about 6.5 months. This is a safer, more effective, and less time-consuming rehabilitation program. Once an individual enrolls for outdoor rehabilitation, she/he is required to visit the rehab facility for mental and physical examination.

Did you know that few alterations in your life can help manage psoriasis symptoms much better? For those who are not acquainted with psoriasis, all you need to know is that it is an autoimmune skin disease that is characterized by elevated skin that is often itchy, inflamed, and flaky. The truth is that psoriasis has no single cure. The only thing that one can do in this case is to work toward reducing the frequency of the psoriasis flare-ups and try to find ways in which to manage the symptoms of the skin disease better. The good news though is that there are few simple daily habits and herbal remedies for psoriasis that will help in managing this skin condition better. Read on to find out about six such daily habits that one can use along with some other herbal remedies to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. Work toward building immunity – As psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease, your immune system plays a great role in causing the disease in the first place. Though you cannot alter your genetics, you can aim for a strong immunity that will help you live better with the skin disease. The key to having a great immune system is eating right, indulging in physical activities, and staying fit. If you want to further enhance your immune system, then you can consider including immunity-boosting food items like garlic, onion, and turmeric that act as herbal remedies for psoriasis. These herbal remedies also help in soothing the inflammation that psoriasis brings along. Maintain a healthy weight – It is observed that people who are obese are at a higher risk of developing psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis as compared to the rest of the population. So, it is advised that you shed the extra pounds and maintain a steady healthy weight.

It can be difficult to eat healthy whilst working, especially, with the pressure of deadlines and other work-related stress. Atop that many office pantries offer a variety of tasty snacks filled with sugar and trans fats. Your willpower is constantly at a test and choosing the healthier option seems more and more difficult as the day passes. However, there are some tasty and easy snack options that are extremely healthy and yet filling. Below are some healthy and easy snacks that you can consume at work: Crackers When it comes to satisfying cravings or hunger in between your meals, crackers are your best go-to option. They are one of those easy snacks that are great replacements for anything fried, as they are way healthier than anything fried. Also, while selecting crackers, remember to always opt for the less-processed ones. Search for crackers that are made of whole grains and ensure that they don’t contain any saturated fats. Instant oatmeal packets When you are feeling extremely hungry in between your meals, instant oatmeal packs will help to keep you full. Oatmeal is not only a healthy breakfast option, but it is also a great snack to consume, especially, when hungry. It provides energy and the healthy carbs help your stomach to stay full for a long time. Look for oatmeal packs that are made of 100% whole grains to reap the maximum benefits. However, most instant oatmeal packs are processed, and the best option is to look for the one that is least processed. These oatmeal packs are a great source of vitamin A, iron, and dietary fibers. Fruits and dried fruits Fruits and dried fruits are the best perishables and easy snacks out there. They are compact and easy-to-carry from one place to another, as most of them come in their own carrying packs.

Opioids are a class of drugs that alleviate acute pain, such as the pain one experiences after undergoing a surgery. These drugs interact with the opioid receptors in the brain cells and mollify the feeling of pain and enhance the feelings of pleasure. They are produced using poppy plants or synthesized in a lab. When used according to the medical practitioner’s directions, opioid can spare the patients from pain while recovering from a health condition. However, at the moment, opioids are considered an epidemic, not only by medical communities but also by political and social bodies because of the rampant addiction cases. Since 2000, deaths because of narcotic prescription painkillers have tripled. On the other hand, over 600 thousand individuals are battling with heroin addiction. Like prescription painkillers, the deaths caused because of heroin overdoses have multiplied by 4 times since the early 2000s. A considerable chunk of people has switched from prescription painkillers to heroin as it is easier to access and cheaper. This clearly infers that the country’s opioid crisis has dramatically risen in a span of just 15 years. Lower doses of opioids can make the patient feel sleepy, whereas higher doses can slow down the breathing and pulse rate. As opioid releases endorphins in the brain, it keeps the person ecstatic for a while. When the drug’s effects start fading, one might crave to experience these feelings of pleasure again, which eventually can lead to addiction. Withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, insomnia, abdominal pain, tremors, diarrhea, and vomiting can make it increasingly tough for the person to maintain abstinence from opioids. Consistent opioid consumption in high doses can prove fatal too. Signs of opioid overdose Dangerously slowed breathing patterns and heart rate Pale face Sweaty hands Blue or purple fingernails and lips Vomiting Inability to speak or making gurgling sounds Unconsciousness Limp body If one notices these signs they should immediately contact 911.