Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are respiratory ailments that are often confused for each other due to overlapping symptoms and little understanding of the two conditions. The National Institute of Health (NIH) says that about 40% of people with COPD also have asthma. The NIH also estimates that 24 million Americans suffer from COPD though about half of them are not aware of it. If you suspect that you are suffering from any of these two conditions, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between COPD and asthma for better management of these conditions. What is asthma? Asthma is an allergic reaction that often develops in early childhood. Health experts have never pinpointed why people develop asthma, but only that asthma attacks are triggered by allergens. These include dust, dust mites, mold, pollen, strong perfumes, certain foods, and food additives. The allergic attack causes inflammation that constricts the airways. Asthma attacks differ in severity depending on exposure to the triggering allergen. An asthma attack is relieved using a bronchial dilator to expand the airways and allow free movement of air. What is COPD? COPD is a disease that develops later in life due to the effects of exposure to particulate irritants especially tobacco smoke. This is usually observed in smokers above the age of 40 years. COPD is a progressive disease whose effects are treatable but irreversible. It is characterized by progressive airflow limitation and degrading of lung functions. This leads to respiratory complications including shortness of breath, coughing, and frequent throat clearing. COPD is a leading killer in smokers, being attributable to the death of about 150,000 Americans each year. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are respiratory complications commonly observed in people with COPD. Chronic bronchitis happens when the bronchial tubes are inflamed leading to excessive coughing and mucus production.

It is estimated that more than 30 million adults in the country are living with kidney disease and most are not aware of it. There are a number of visible signs of kidney disease, but sometimes people associate them with other health problems. Most of them are unable to identify kidney failure symptoms until a very late stage, that is, when the kidneys are failing or when there is a large amount of protein in the urine. Causes of kidney failure Chronic kidney disease befalls when a disease or condition impairs the kidney function, which leads to kidney damage over several months or years. The main causes of kidney illness are diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, smoking, obesity, abnormal kidney structure, and older age. Sometimes, if one has a family history of kidney disease, it can also trigger the chances of having kidney failure. Kidney failure symptoms are usually subtle and most people don’t pay attention to them. If one notices most of the following, it can be a sign of kidney failure. Being more tired, with lost energy and having trouble concentrating A critical decrease in kidney function can lead to the accumulation of toxins and impurities in the blood. This can make people feel tired, weak and can make it hard to focus. Anemia is also one of the kidney failure symptoms, which can make an individual weak and exhausted. Having trouble sleeping The toxins stay in the blood rather than flushing out from the body through the urine when the kidneys aren’t filtering properly. Physical problems can contribute to abrupt sleep patterns. Compared to the general population, the sleep disorder is very common in those with chronic kidney disease. Having dry and itchy skin Healthy kidneys perform numerous important functions of the body. They dismiss waste and extra fluids from the body, help the body to produce red platelets, keep bones strong and also work to keep up the appropriate quantity of minerals in the blood.

Hypertension, medically known as high blood pressure, is a common condition that affects a large majority of individuals across the world. An individual’s blood pressure depends on the amount of blood that is being pumped by the heart, the size of the arteries, and the amount of resistance it faces, among other factors. The narrower the arteries, the higher the blood pressure. If left untreated, hypertension can eventually cause long-term health problems including several heart diseases, strokes, and even eye damage. Many individuals go for long periods without being aware that they have hypertension. Fortunately, this condition can be easily diagnosed and treated with the right medication. Why you should choose GoodRx Medications can be an expensive affair. This statement is, unfortunately, true irrespective of the class of the drug or the disease the individual suffers from. However, it does not have to stay this way. With the help of GoodRx and its gold membership, you can gain massive discounts on various prescribed and generic over-the-counter medications. You can start by availing this benefit with a 30-day free trial period. Medication for hypertension Hypertension can be diagnosed with the help of regular blood pressure check-ups. When it comes to treating hypertension, there are four different categories of medication, namely, thiazide diuretics (TZD); calcium channel blockers (CCB); angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE); and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB). Some of the common medications under each of these categories are: Prinivil Belonging to the ACE drug class, Prinivil is a common and inexpensive drug that is used to treat hypertension and heart diseases. It is also used to reduce the risk of death after a cardiac arrest. This medication is made available by most brands, and can be found at discounted prices at some pharmacies. In fact, with GoodRx Gold , you can get a whopping 81 percent off on this lifesaver.

Psoriasis is a disease of the skin, and it affects hands and feet, elbows, knees, scalp, eyelids, skin folds, or can appear anywhere on our body. Psoriasis is not limited to any specific part of the body, and it significantly affects the quality of our life. It is a chronic inflammatory cell-mediated disease mostly affecting skin and joints. Psoriasis is considered a very common and complex disease which can be cured with various treatments available. Chronic psoriasis is a rare and dangerous type of disease because they reduce the body’s ability to fight off the infections. It is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder with a strong genetic basis. Both men and women are affected with psoriasis. It can occur in any age groups but uncommon in children or early infants. Chronic psoriasis is caused due to various causative agents/ factors like environmental such as climate change, hereditary like psoriasis associated genes, frequent medications, the immune system of the host, etc. Psoriasis occurs when the cells of skin rise from below the skin surface and pile up on the surface before they shed off. T-cells often help to protect the body against various infections. In psoriasis, these T-cells are put into action by mistake, and they trigger other immune responses by being in an active state. Individuals with chronic psoriasis experience physical discomfort, itching, and pain. It interferes with a daily routine of walking, playing sports, self-care, looking after family members, sleeping, etc. Patients with chronic psoriasis become self-conscious about their appearance leading to depression and social isolation. Psoriasis is classified as mild, moderate and severe respectively. It is associated with several other conditions like diabetes, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disorders, etc. Psoriasis is not a contagious disease and touching a person cannot pass this skin condition from one person to another.

There might be many reasons for the bottom of foot pain, and it is important to remember that not all of this pain gets originated in the toes or upper and lower region of the foot. These also do not necessarily develop due to injury in the foot. Bottom of foot pain also arises at times due to problems in the lower back region. Sometimes foot pain arises due to associated pain in the legs. Symptoms of bottom of foot pain symptoms Limited ability to bring the foot up Patients who suffer from this symptom are not able to move the feet forward and sometimes face numbness in the foot. This condition occurs when one of the spinal nerve roots in the lower back gets pressed. Foot heaviness and weakness This pain originates in spinal nerve root in the lower back; foot heaviness produces pain that radiates down over the top of feet and goes to the bottom of feet. Difficulty in walking on tiptoes Bottom of foot pain also occurs in case the sciatic nerve spinal nerve root gets pressed. Some of the typical symptoms of this condition include weakness of gastrocnemius muscles, and it makes walking on tiptoes difficult. The person who suffers from this medical complication is also not able to raise the heel from the ground and finds it difficult to walk and move around. Causes of foot pain Bottom of foot pain occurs due to varying diseases and deformities or wearing of improper footwear. Infectious diseases, fungi, and bacteria also cause pain in the foot. Plantar warts and athlete foot are some of the foot diseases which are caused by virus and bacteria. All of these lead to the bottom of foot pain. An ingrown toenail is also a common cause of foot pain. Systemic diseases as gout, rheumatoid arthritis and lupus also result in foot pain.

Menopause is an inevitable phenomenon in any woman’s life that marks the end of menstruation. In general, menopause occurs in women who are 51 years of age or older. This natural condition is often accompanied by a host of unpleasant symptoms that can take a serious toll on the quality of one’s life. Some of the commonly experienced menopausal symptoms are hot flashes, mood swings, sleep problems, fatigue, and vaginal dryness. Good nutrition plays a vital role during menopause and can help get relief from the symptoms and also promote overall health in the years following menopause. Listed below are a few food options that one can eat during menopause to cope with the symptoms and associated complications. Iron-rich foods Iron is a vital mineral that has powerful properties essential for women during and after menopause. One should aim for 3 servings of foods packed with iron to promote overall health. Also, iron is essential to ward off medical conditions like anemia. Including food items like nuts, eggs, vegetables (spinach, kale), and fish in the diet to ensure the daily iron requirements are met is advisable. High-fiber foods The onset of menopause often leads to estrogen deficiency that increases the risk of heart diseases. As per the findings, an increase in the intake of dietary fiber can help lower the risk of heart disease in women. Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is found in abundance in many food items such as fruits, beans, legumes, bread, grains, breakfast cereal, and pasta. One should consume at least 21 grams of fiber per day to prevent menopause from putting them at risk of cardiovascular diseases. Calcium-rich foods During menopause, women experience a sharp decrease in the levels of estrogen, a hormone that plays a vital role in bone health. Low estrogen levels increase the risk of osteoporosis, a chronic bone disease.

Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an inflammatory disease. It leads to swelling, pain, stiffness, and loss of movements in the joints of the body. One of the main causes of this condition is the malfunctioning of the immune system of the body, as it starts attacking the membrane linings of the joints instead of defending the body. One should always consult a doctor in the case they are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This is essential as a proper and timely diagnosis will help with starting a treatment plan. Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis vary from person to person, and it can range from mild to severe. For most people, the condition turns out to be chronic and often lasts for a lifetime. For certain people the symptoms remain constant throughout; however, for others, the intensity of the symptoms varies from time to time. How is the treatment plan decided? Doctors use a variety of methods to treat rheumatoid arthritis. These treatment options are administered to the affected individual through various combinations and sessions depending on the condition. Most of the time, the treatment plans are curated on the basis of the individual’s condition. Communication is key and treatment is effective only if the patient is completely honest with their doctors. The patient should make a note of all the flare-ups and other symptoms and report them to the doctor as it would be important to devise an effective treatment plan for rheumatoid arthritis. A few common doctor-recommended options have been listed below that can help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Change in lifestyle and behavior There are different changes that one can make from their side to help improve and manage their condition. Some of the common options have been listed as follows: Make sure to exercise and rest:

There have been recent advancements in research on COPD stem cell treatment. Here are the details about what this treatment is, and whether it can help you. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a blanket phrase used to refer to various diseases of the lung. COPD includes lung disorders like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. It is a relatively common medical condition, and affects millions of people all over the world. There can be different reasons why a person develops COPD, but the chief causes of the disease are smoking and long-term exposure to pollution or chemical fumes. If you have COPD, you may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and persistent coughing. COPD is a progressive health condition that can cause severe damage, and has no cure. However, different types of treatments are available to help COPD patients manage the symptoms and breathe easy. In addition, some lifestyle changes and dietary modifications can help you keep your COPD symptoms under control. Another treatment method which is being researched on and tested is COPD stem cell treatment. This treatment has been used to help patients with autoimmune, orthopedic, neurological, cardio, and pulmonary disorders. There are patients who have found considerable relief after undergoing COPD stem cell treatment, although more studies are currently needed in this area. If you want to know more about COPD stem cell treatment, here are some frequently asked questions about the process, and the answers to them. What are stem cells? Stem cells in the human body are cells that have the ability to change into other cell types. Also described as “shape shifters,” these stem cells are being extensively studies under a new field of science known as ‘regenerative medicine.’ As such cells have the ability to convert into other specialized type of cells in your body, they can be effective in the treatment if various diseases, including COPD.

Colds and allergies are two extremely common conditions, somewhat similar in nature and expression, and affect both children as well as adults of all ages. According to a survey published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is not at all uncommon for an adult to suffer from cold two to three times a year. This survey also correctly concludes that children are more likely to suffer from more frequent bouts of cold every year immune system is still developing. Allergies as a condition are also very common in both children and adults. According to a survey, around 50 million people in the country suffer from allergies. Read on to know more about the symptoms that help provide a difference between these two conditions. Cold and allergies are not the same It is true that the symptoms of these two conditions are somewhat similar, but cold and allergies themselves are fundamentally different from one another. These two conditions have significantly different causes and outbursts and the cold and allergies symptoms vary in type as well as the duration for which they last. If the doctor correctly identifies the cause behind the symptoms, then appropriate and timely treatment can be undertaken. Symptoms of a common cold Despite the apparent similarities between cold and allergies’ symptoms, the essential differences between them would be best explained if one understands these conditions would be beneficial. A cold, which is also known as “the common cold,” is, more often than not, caused by a virus and its symptoms show that. There are many different types of viruses which are responsible for causing a cold. While the symptoms and their severity may differ from individual to individual, all types of cold generally share some of the same basic characteristics. Here are some of the most common symptoms of cold:

It’s the final and most fatal form of cancer, but did you know these facts about your breast cancer metastasized diagnosis? While being diagnosed with any type of cancer is a frightening experience, learning that you have reached the breast cancer metastasized stage can be very overwhelming for anyone. As you battle the feeling that your worst nightmare has come true, it is important for you to know a few essential things about MBC or breast cancer metastasized. Education and active management of this condition has ensured that many women continue to live active and full lives even after their breast cancer metastasized diagnosis. Here are a few things that you probably did not know about your breast cancer metastasized diagnosis that will help you understand your forthcoming journey better. Breast Cancer Metastasized is Fatal Accepting the truth about your condition is perhaps the first step to understanding, and then aiding your own recovery journey. Breast cancer metastasized diagnosis means that your breast cancer has reached its final stage or Stage IV. This fatal stage means that your cancer has metastasized or spread to areas beyond the breast. More often than not, breast cancer metastasized spreads to parts such as the brain, liver, lungs, and bones. Accounting for approximately 40,000 annual deaths in the United States alone, this cancer is chronic, progressive, and eventually fatal. There is No Cure Scientists and researchers are yet to understand exactly why the breast cancer metastasized outside the breast area. Once the breast cancer has metastasized, there is no cure to be had. However, this does not mean that there is no hope. There are a number of treatment options that are designed to control the condition and allow you to live a rich life even after your breast cancer metastasized diagnosis. Being aware and educated about breast cancer metastasized becomes even more important when you consider that it is a disease that will need to be treated for the rest of your life.

The thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, is a type of blood test that is done to check the level of thyroid balance in the human body. TSH is generated in the body when the hypothalamus produces the substance thyrotropin. This hormone enables the pituitary glands to produce and release TSH. In simpler terms, it can be said that TSH is the hormone that regulates the functioning of the thyroid gland. It acts as the health index of the thyroid gland. In this article, we aim to find out and explore the TSH normal range in the human body. A brief overview of TSH The pituitary gland of the human brain is the originating point of TSH which controls the stimulation of other hormones—triiodothyronine or T3 and Thyroxine or T4—being generated in the thyroid glands. For the smooth functioning of our bodies, it is imperative that there is a balance in the quantity of these enzymes and hormones. This balance enables the other health aspects of the human body to be maintained well and is the wellspring of overall health for the body. TSH levels It is imperative that the TSH normal range is maintained in the human body. Investigations show us that in a healthy adult, the TSH normal range is between the ranges of 0.4–4.o mlU/L. There are also other organizations that have opined that level till 2.5 happens to be the ideal level that should be considered as the TSH normal range. Anything that is between 2.5 and 4, could be considered to be a higher level. However, this is a range that could alter, according to the age and the other health conditions of a person. The following are some of the variations that can be pointed out in the TSH range. – For a premature baby, 0.7–27 mlU/L is the TSH normal range.

Neuropathy is a condition or a disease where the nerves are affected by either a disease or a malfunction. An injury or disease anywhere in the body can damage the nerves as they are present everywhere in the body taking the signals from central nervous system (that is located in the brain) and sending it to the end organ that has to act or react. Neuropathy is often classified based on the nerves that are affected because of an injury or a disease. Neuropathy affects around 8 percent of people after they turn 55. Here are some types of neuropathy that you should know of to be able to identify the problem based on the causes and symptoms: Peripheral neuropathy – When there is a problem in the nerves and the effect is seen on the nerves that are outside the brain and spinal cord, it is called peripheral neuropathy. You can identify this with neuropathy symptoms like weakness, numbness, and pain in the feet and hands. At times, it may also affect other body parts as well. Proximal neuropathy – There are twelve cranial nerves. When any one of the nerves gets damages, it can cause proximal neuropathy. Cranial nerves come straight out of the brain and hence cause damage in these nerves which in turn can cause problems like Bell’s palsy and third, fourth, and sixth nerve palsy in which your eyes are affected. Proximal neuropathy symptoms can be found out by noticing the functioning of eyes and ears, and if there is abnormality felt, it could mean that one of the cranial nerves are impacted. Autonomic neuropathy – There are nerves in the involuntary nervous system and when there is damage to those nerves, one suffers from autonomic neuropathy. Functions that are controlled by these nerves include blood circulation, digestion, bowel function, bladder function, perspiration, and sexual response.