Swelling can cause pain in any part of the body. Your feet and ankle support your whole body weight as you stand or move around. If your feet and ankles suffer from inflammation and pain, look for possible causes and consult your doctor on how to treat the condition. Causes of swollen feet and ankles There can be many reasons for your feet and ankle to become swollen and painful. A few of them are listed below: Pregnancy Pregnancy puts pressure on the abdominal region and causes various pains and discomfort. One of these can be fluid retention in the legs. It is a normal occurrence. However, if there is excessive inflammation, consult your doctor. It could indicate a condition called Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia could lead to high blood pressure and buildup of protein in the urine. If your ankle swells and you experience headaches and abdominal pain, you need immediate medical attention. Infected wounds If you have injured your feet resulting in open wounds, these could get infected and cause swelling. In addition to this, if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, it can complicate matters further. Diabetes can cause nerve damage which can affect the sensation of pain. So, wounds may go unnoticed, and then the swelling and infection can advance quickly. Therefore, always inspect your feet for injuries. Chronic diseases A heart, kidney or liver condition could also cause swelling in your feet and ankles. Heart diseases can lead to fluid retention in the body, especially in the extremities. Kidney failure is another cause of fluid retention. The kidneys get rid of wastes and toxins in the body through urine. When they fail, a fluid buildup occurs. The liver produces a special protein called albumin. Albumin prevents fluid from leaking out of blood vessels. When the liver does not produce albumin, fluid leaks outside from blood vessels.

Lung cancer is one of the most unpleasant forms of cancer. Due to the large size of the lungs, tumors can grow in them for significantly long periods before being detected. The symptoms of lung cancer include coughing and fatigue. It is difficult to identify this disease by these symptoms alone, and thus, it is hard to get an early diagnosis. There are two types of lung cancer – non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer. The stages of lung cancer depend on whether cancer has spread from the lungs to other organs, the lymph nodes, or whether it is still local. Early diagnosis of lung cancer can help in treating this condition effectively. Nevertheless, people with lung cancer do have access to various treatment options. Before we get to these treatment options, let’s understand the two types of lung cancer, their stages, and how they affect people in the country. Non-small cell lung cancer Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 85% of all lung cancer cases in the country. Adenocarcinoma, a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, is the most common form, followed by squamous cell carcinoma (25%) and large cell carcinoma (10%). Stages of non-small cell lung cancer Stage I: Cancer is local and has not spread to the lymph nodes yet. Stage II: Cancer has started spreading to other areas of the lungs as well as the lymph nodes nearby. Stage III: In this stage of the disease, cancer spreads to the middle of the chest, the lymph nodes, and the lungs. It is also known as “locally advanced disease.” It has two subtypes. If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes present on the same side of the chest where cancer originated, it is called stage IIIA. If cancer has spread to the lymph nodes present on the other side of the chest, or just above the collarbone, it is called stage IIIB.

Colitis, or ulcerative colitis, is a specific kind of inflammatory bowel disease. It can cause agonizing symptoms such as extreme abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Following a healthy diet for colitis and making some simple dietary changes can help in effectively managing the condition and easing the symptoms, but how do you know which foods to eat and which ones to avoid? Well, this article focuses on the list of foods that might be beneficial for people suffering from this inflammatory disease. Also, it lists certain food items to avoid the worsening of symptoms. Let’s have a look. Foods to Eat With so many potential food triggers, it can sometimes be difficult to identify the exact cause that may prompt the symptoms. Also, with trigger foods, those that are safe and do not flare up symptoms will vary from person to person. Some of the most common food items that usually form a part of healthy diets for colitis are as follows: Avocados Avocados are helpful for treating ulcerative colitis as they are especially high in nutrients. Applesauce This is also a powerhouse of nutrients, but, at the same time, the presence of fructose and high fiber content may cause unnecessary triggering of symptoms in some people. Eggs Eggs are good for health, especially as they contain omega-3 supplementation. Squash Squash is found to be helpful in easing the symptoms of colitis. Salmon Salmon is a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids that have a lot of health benefits besides aiding digestion. Fermented Foods Fermented foods such as yogurts contain active probiotics that help in digestion. Also, it is believed that regular use of probiotics is one of the best long-term treatment options for colitis. Oatmeal Oatmeal is a good option as it is easier to digest. In addition to the abovementioned food items that are integral to diets for colitis, it is advisable to consume plenty of liquids to avoid diarrhea and subsequent dehydration.

Did you know that you can manage your GERD symptoms by making some small changes in your everyday life? Here’s what you can do. Most of us have heard about heartburn and acid reflux, which are both common problems that people face quite often. These aren’t life-threatening conditions, but if the symptoms persist and are occurring at least twice a week interfering with your everyday life, it may have progressed to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a chronic disease that affects your digestive system. GERD occurs when the stomach acid (or even contents of your stomach, at times) move back up into your esophagus (food pipe) and irritate the lining. In the United States, approximately 25- 40 percent of all adults suffer from some form of GERD. What are the usual GERD symptoms? You may experience a number of GERD symptoms, and some of these may even be painful as the disorder interferes with the normal functioning of your digestive system. The most common symptom of this health condition is heartburn, although not everyone who has GERD experiences this symptom. Some of the GERD symptoms that you need to look out for include: A sensation of burning in your chest (heartburn). This can sometimes spread to your throat, and leave a sour taste in your mouth. Hoarseness or a sore throat, which occurs when your stomach acid enters the throat. Pain or discomfort in the chest Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia). You may even find it troublesome to swallow things like ice cream and water. Dry cough that can be persistent. Regurgitation of food that you have eaten or sour liquid (acid reflux) A feeling of a lump in your throat This happens in people with GERD because acid reflux irritates the airways. An unexplained increase of saliva Earaches Bad breath Can you control your GERD symptoms naturally?

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Knowing the early signs and ovarian cancer symptoms can help you seek treatment at the earliest. When malignant (cancerous) cells are formed in the ovaries, a woman develops ovarian cancer. Although the exact cause of this disease is unknown, it is a life-threatening condition that affects around 23,000 women each year in the United States alone. What makes fighting this disease difficult is that the early signs are easy to overlook. Ovarian cancer symptoms are often mistaken for pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) or other not-so-serious health problems like bowel problems. According to the American Cancer Society, early detection of this cancer happens only around 20 percent of the time. Owing to this reason, the cancer goes undetected often until it has already metastasized to the abdomen and pelvis. If the disease is diagnosed when still limited to the ovaries, it is more likely to be treated successfully. One way in which you can ensure prompt diagnosis when ovarian cancer is still in its initial stage is by keeping an eye out for early ovarian cancer symptoms and signs. For this, you need to know these symptoms, and if you notice any changes in your body that are persistent, consult a doctor immediately to determine whether they are ovarian cancer symptoms or something else. Here are five of the early ovarian cancer symptoms and signs that you should watch out for. 1. Abdominal bloating and constipation Any bloating and constipation are generally disregarded as a stomach upset or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If these signs are occurring around the time of your period, you may tend to brush them off as PMS signs. However, if these symptoms occur more than a few times a month and particularly if you are above the age of 40 years, a gynecologist visit may be the right thing to do.

Fibromyalgia and its Disbaility Very often misdiagnosed and misunderstood, after osteoarthritis, the second most common musculoskeletal condition that affects a lot of people is fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia disability occurs in the form of joint pain, fatigue and widespread muscle pain along with other disability-like symptoms. Depression and social isolation are the direct implications of fibromyalgia disability. A syndrome is a set of symptoms that exist together and they point towards the presence of a specific disease or an increased chance of the disease developing in the system. The following symptoms occur in the case of fibromyalgia syndrome: Social anxiety Sensitive tender points Depression Widespread pain Decreased pain threshold Debilitating fatigue It has also been noted that women are ten times more likely to contract this disease as compared to men, usually between the ages of 25 to 60 years. While over 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Disability A constant ache all over the body is the most common symptom of fibromyalgia that occurs with other symptoms of crippling fatigue. Feeling fatigued even after a whole night’s sleep is one of the most common symptoms. Deep and restful sleep cycles may also be punctuated by disturbances because of mood swings and occurrence of specific tender points on the body that may be painful to touch is also common. Another common indication of fibromyalgia is unexplained depression. Talking about muscles, it feels like the muscles are pulled or overworked even without any strenuous exercise. Muscles may also experience stabbing deep pains, burns or twitching. Achiness and pains around the back, shoulders, necks, joints and hips that makes it difficult to exercise or sleep is also experienced by some people suffering from fibromyalgia. Some other symptoms that can be considered common to a lot of problems but are indicative of fibromyalgia are:

The esophagus is a thin tube that connects the mouth to the stomach. Esophageal cancer mostly develops in the lining of this tube and as the condition progresses, it may spread to nearby parts via metastasis. The exact cause of this progressive condition is unknown. However, there are several risk factors that increase the chances of developing cancer. Here is a brief overview of them. Age The risk increases with age as the body’s ability to protect and promote the healthy repair of damaged cells deteriorates. Thus, men and women between the ages of 45 to 50 and above are at a higher risk of cancer. Gender and ethnicity Esophageal cancer is more common among men in comparison to women. Ethnicity also plays a crucial role as the condition is more prevalent among those of African-American descent. The risk needs to be strictly monitored with these two factors. Obesity Obesity or being overweight in general is another common risk factor. One must also take into account the damage done to the body due to an improper diet and the resulting weight gain. A diet that has no nutritional value also increases the risk of vitamin deficiencies, which has recently been linked to the development of esophageal cancer. Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD) People who suffer from symptoms of GERD are at a higher risk of damaging their esophageal lining due to acid reflux. The strong stomach enzymes and digestive fluids are thrown up into the tube from the stomach due to a malfunctioning LES and trigger heartburn or pain. Exposure to certain chemicals Exposure to corrosive chemicals in dangerous work environments also increases the chances of cancer. A common risk includes the accidental ingestion of lye, which is a chemical found in strong industrial drain cleaners. The chemical is highly reactive and destroys the cells throughout the lining.

Diarrhea is the second most reported illness all over the country. The most prominent characteristic of diarrhea is a watery or loose stool. If diarrhea lasts for four or more weeks, then it will be regarded as chronic diarrhea. Although acute diarrhea may not be that serious and will get cured with time, chronic diarrhea may create some serious complications if it is not treated as soon as possible. Here are some of the causes and treatment methods of chronic diarrhea. Causes of chronic diarrhea Too much alcohol and caffeine If you consume foods that have too much caffeine or cola content, then you might get the watery stool. Also, consumption of too much alcohol can ruin your digestive system. In that case, you will face the problem of chronic diarrhea. However, if you consume these substances in a limited amount or even stop consuming it completely, then you may not face this problem. Consuming sugary items Taking too much sugar is known to cause diarrhea. Also, there are some substances that are artificial sweeteners. Consuming these substances regularly can cause chronic diarrhea. Here are some the examples of these substances: Lactose Fructose Mannitol Sorbitol Taking certain medications Certain medications might cause acute or chronic diarrhea. Medications that are used for chemotherapy may cause diarrhea, or if you have taken a course of antibiotics, then you may also get vulnerable to diarrhea. So, if you have this medical condition after starting a particular medication, then you should consult your doctor immediately. Celiac disease If you have celiac disease, then it will be difficult for you to link your food with the specific symptom you are having because your stomach will already be damaged. So, you will be experiencing these symptoms all the time. This will last for around four or more weeks.

A severe mental disorder, schizophrenia impacts how an individual thinks, reacts to emotions, and perceives reality. It results in a variety of symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia that can cause the patient to isolate themselves from the rest of the world. At present, roughly 1% of the total population suffer from this mental disorder. Schizophrenia cannot be cured, however, it can be managed with the help of medications and therapy. This disorder can affect anyone. It typically develops in men during their late teens or early twenties. On the other hand, in women, the symptoms of schizophrenia begin to surface during their twenties or early thirties. The following are some commonly observed symptoms of this condition: Delusions: People suffering from schizophrenia often have delusions that can impair their day-to-day life. For example, they might believe they are being subjected to unjust prejudice, or they are exceptionally famous, or a big disaster is about to occur. Hallucinations: Typically, patients experiencing schizophrenia mention seeing things or hearing sounds and/or voices that don’t exist. Hallucinations can also involve smelling strange odors or experiencing odd sensations in the body. Disorganized speech: Schizophrenia impairs the brain’s ability to think clearly which leads to disorganized speech. Simply put, the patient will talk about things that are completed or partially unrelated to the current conversation. In rare cases, they might put together random words that don’t make sense. Abnormal motor behavior: This symptom can manifest in a number of ways. For example, the individual might act silly, be unnaturally childish, or get absurdly angry. Since the behavior isn’t directed towards a goal, it can become tough to manage routine tasks as one might disobey instructions, not respond, keep repeating movements, and hold an awkward pose for a long time. Negative symptoms: The negative symptoms of schizophrenia refer to the diminished ability to do things normally.

If you undermine high blood pressure symptoms, you may have to face some dire consequences. That is high blood pressure is often described as a silent killer. Hypertension is the term that medical professions use if you are having high blood pressure for an extended period of time. You must realize that blood pressure variations generally do not show any symptoms. When you go for a medical checkup for another problem, you often realize that you are suffering from hypertension. The most common symptoms are nosebleeds, shortness of breath and headache but you cannot generalize these symptoms. Most of the signs cannot be described as specific, and they often do not manifest until your health deteriorates seriously. Various studies reveal that the number of people suffering from high blood pressure is increasing at a rapid rate and most of them are dealing with undiagnosed blood pressure. If hypertension remains untreated, you become highly vulnerable to a good number of serious diseases. Some of them include eye problems, kidney failure, heart-related complications and stroke as well. All these complications can become life-threatening if you keep on ignoring. That is why doctors advise unhealthy people to undergo blood pressure checks at least once in 6 months. All adults irrespective of their health condition are advised to get their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If some of your close relatives are suffering from hypertension, you must frequently check your blood pressure. The common high blood pressure symptoms are as follows: When your blood pressure levels become higher, you may have to deal with symptoms such as urine in the blood, chest pain, breathing issues, severe headache, extreme fatigue, vision-related problems, pounding in your chest, confusion, and irregular heartbeat. If you are experiencing any of these high blood pressure symptoms, medical advice must be sought immediately.

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

Do you often find yourself shaking your leg restlessly? Perhaps, while listening to a lecture, attending a meeting or during a family dinner? If it feels like a compulsive behavior, you may be suffering from restless leg syndrome (RLS). Here is an insight into the syndrome and effective remedies that would help you to stop restless legs. If you’re wondering how to stop restless legs, and only have a relatively mild condition with no serious underlying cause, the following home remedies may give you relief. Massage with hot and cold packs Massage your leg with alternating hot and cold packs to relax the muscles. This treatment alleviates pain and improves circulation in your legs. You can also soak your leg in a warm water bath to provide muscle relaxation. These treatments work best if you do them just before you go to bed. Regular exercise Follow a fitness routine that gets you moving and stretches your muscles. Make sure you stay regular and ensure you don’t overdo it. A simple power walk for about 30 minutes every day, is good enough to keep your legs relaxed and maintain overall health. Exercise is important for RLS since this syndrome is triggered by tension and stress in your muscles. Regulate your sleep RLS causes fatigue as it interferes with your sleep cycle. Sticking to a strict sleep schedule will help minimize damage. Do your best to go to sleep, and wake up at the same time every day. Common measures to achieve this are taking a hot bath before bed, and meditating clear away disturbing thoughts. Create an environment around your bed that’s conducive to healthy, quality sleep. Include a 10 to 15-minute window to relax either through meditation or simple breathing techniques, just before bedtime. This will go a long way in reducing stress and inducing better sleep.