PAH or pulmonary arterial hypertension is also known as primary pulmonary hypertension. It is a very rare hypertension disease that affects your capillaries and arteries. The blood from the right ventricles of your heart flows into your lungs through these vessels. When the pressure in your arteries arises, your heart has to work much harder to pump the blood and as a result, it weakens the heart muscles. This can result in death as well. You cannot be cured of primary pulmonary hypertension. However, there are treatment options available for you to cope with it. Symptoms During the early stages of the primary pulmonary hypertension, you will not get any such noticeable symptoms. However, as your condition gets from bad to worse, there will be some symptoms that will get more and more noticeable. These symptoms include: Dizziness Chest pressure Fainting Fatigue Difficulty breathing Heart palpitations Rapid pulse Chest pain Bluish spots on your skin and lip Swelling of legs and ankles Swelling of your abdomen towards the later part of your disease You will find it difficult to breathe when you exercise or perform any other type of physical activity. Also, you might find it difficult to breathe even at the time when you are taking rest. Causes PAH happens when the capillaries and the arteries which carry the blood from the heart to the lungs gets destroyed or constricted. This happens due to multiple reasons. But the exact reason for primary pulmonary hypertension is yet to be discovered by the doctors and scientists. According to research, almost 15% to 20% of the people who suffer from PAH in the country have it hereditarily. This is due to the mutation that takes place in the BMPR2 gene or other genes. This genetic mutation can continue to happen from generation to generation leaving someone a chance to develop this disease at the later part of their life.

Colitis occurs due to inflammation of the colon. Infection is the primary reason of inflammation. Before we dwell on the feasible treatment options available for colitis, it will be helpful to understand the causes of colitis. Some facts and common causes of colitis are listed below. Infectious colitis Colon infection can result due to the virus and bacterial presence. The bacterial causes of foodborne infection include E coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. This kind of infection can result in bloody diarrhea and can cause severe dehydration in the body. These virus and bacteria are common causes of colitis. Parasitic infection is also one of the causes of colitis. These parasites enter the human body whenever contaminated water is consumed and can cause inflammation of the colon which can result in diarrhea. In addition, pseudomembranous colitis is also caused by Clostridium difficile bacteria and is seen in patients who are taking antibiotics on a regular basis. Consumption of antibiotics regularly leads to altering the course of normal bacteria present in the colon. These bacteria help in digestion and when an excess of antibiotics are taken these bacteria are replaced by an overgrowth of Clostridium bacteria. These bacteria lead to infection which is one of the causes of colitis. Ischemic colitis It should be understood that arteries which supply blood to the colon are much similar to any other normal arteries. These arteries also become narrow sometimes due to atherosclerosis, and when these become narrow, they make the colon lose its blood supply and thus become inflamed. The blood supply of colon can also reduce due to other mechanical reasons. This can happen due to volvulus, a condition in which the bowel gets twisted on its own and incarcerated a hernia in which a small portion of the colon is trapped in a part of the abdominal wall.

Diarrhea, an illness that leads to frequent watery stools, is a common healthcare concern in most developing countries, and even elsewhere. Almost everyone goes through some form of diarrhea at some point in their lives. Diarrhea is one of those conditions where the intensity of the illness makes the difference. While mild diarrhea may cause mere inconvenience, chronic diarrhea causes disabling and life-threatening conditions. Usually, diarrhea can majorly be characterized by loose stools, dehydration, cramping, and the like. Diarrhea becomes a major concern when it leads to dehydration and reduction of essential fluids in the body. While a minor case of diarrhea generally lasts for a few days, acute diarrhea gets cured in a couple of weeks. Chronic diarrhea, however, is the one that usually lasts for more than four weeks. Such a condition usually requires complete diagnosis and treatment. Several reasons can cause chronic diarrhea. While diarrhea that is caused by an excess of a certain food item can be easily treated, chronic diarrhea that may have stemmed out of a disease or a serious medical condition requires extensive treatment and care. Some of the common chronic diarrhea causes have been listed below. Infections Infection is one of the most common chronic diarrhea causes that requires immediate treatment. Chronic diarrhea can also be a result of the presence of an intestinal parasite or infection. An infection can be contracted from contaminated food and water, undercooked food, and the like. Often, food poisoning also causes chronic diarrhea that may also cause you to have the runs. People who are frequent travelers to tropical countries may have recurrent bouts of diarrhea. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) IBS is another common cause of chronic diarrhea which is accompanied by cramping and bloating. While most doctors cannot entirely diagnose the real cause of IBS, it is often caused by imbalances in gut bacteria, alterations in the gut motility, issues with fermented sugar, etc.

All You Need to Know about Eczema Eczema is a skin condition that is characterized by patches of skin that become inflamed, rough, itchy, cracked, and red. Sometimes, even leading to blisters. Different stages and types of eczema affect almost 31.6% of people in the country. The word “eczema” is also used to specifically talk about “atopic dermatitis”, which is the most common type of eczema. Types Eczema has many types. These types can be identified with the help of eczema photos and also the symptoms. Some of the common types of eczema are: Atopic dermatitis Atopic dermatitis is a health condition that has a genetic base. It is one of the most common types of eczema. Atopic dermatitis does not have an allergic base. This disease has a tendency of beginning early in the life of those who have a predisposition to inhalant allergies. The characteristics of this condition are rashes on the cheeks, neck, elbow and knee creases, and ankles. Allergic contact dermatitis In the case of contact dermatitis, there are two types. One of these is irritant based which occurs because of a direct reaction to an allergen. The second type is allergic, and this occurs because of a delayed reaction to an allergen. Seborrheic dermatitis This is another type of dermatitis where you can see rashes on the face, scalp, ears, and in the case of adults, the mid-chest area as well and which easily identified as you look at eczema photos clicked during the screening. This is different for infants. It produces a weepy, oozy rash behind the ears and can be quite extensive at the time, wherein it involves the entire body. Dyshidrotic dermatitis Dyshidrotic dermatitis causes itchy, scaly patches of skin that become red, cracked, painful, and also flaked. It affects the fingers, soles of the feet, and also palms of the hand.

The flu or a cold runs its course in a couple of weeks. But sometimes an individual may suffer from bronchitis as well. That’s when the bronchial tubes that carry air to the lungs get infected and swollen. One ends up with a nagging cough and a lot more mucus. An individual may get bronchitis in other ways too, usually, they are of two types, namely, acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is the more common type of bronchitis. The symptoms last for a few weeks, but it does not usually cause any more problems past that. Chronic bronchitis is more serious, and it keeps coming back or doesn’t go away at all. It’s one of the conditions that make up what’s known as the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis can be treated at specialized treatment centers for the condition. Understanding chronic bronchitis Chronic bronchitis is a persisting infection and inflammation of the bronchi—larger airways of the lungs. There are two main bronchi in the lungs, namely, the right bronchi and the left bronchi. These two bronchi divide from the trachea. Chronic bronchitis occurs as a part of the disease complex, COPD, which also includes small airways disease and emphysema. The bronchial tubes when inflamed produce a lot of mucus and this leads to difficulty in breathing and coughing. Chronic bronchitis refers to daily mucus production and a chronic cough for at least three months of two or more consecutive years. Smoking cigarette is one of the most common causes of chronic bronchitis. However, breathing in fumes, air pollution, or dust over a long period may also cause it. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition, which keeps coming back or never completely goes away. Risk factors for chronic bronchitis Chronic bronchitis can affect men and women of all ages, but it tends to be more common in middle-aged men.

Skin rashes can be uncomfortable, hard to get rid of, and embarrassing. They occur in various forms and different parts of the body for various reasons. They can be caused by bacteria, virus, or even fungi. Keeping yourself educated on the types of skin rashes and the reasons why they occur can help you prevent many of them. Here are five types of skin rashes you must know about. Contact dermatitis Contact dermatitis is one of the common types of skin rashes that occurs when a person’s skin is directly exposed to the substance they are allergic to. This can also happen with anything else that causes irritation. If it is an allergic reaction, your immunity system will be under attack. A rash will develop, starting from the area of contact. Common reasons for contact dermatitis include poison ivy, soaps, latex rubber, and nickel. Nickel is commonly found in some types of jewelry. Once you figure out what you are allergic to, make sure to not expose yourself to the allergen. Psoriasis Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where we see skin cells multiplying at a much faster rate. This is one of the types of skin rashes in which the volume of the cells makes the skin look red and patchy with heavy flaking. Psoriasis is usually observed at the elbows, knees, and scalp. There are four types of psoriasis-pustular, guttate, inverse, and erythrodermic psoriasis. Pustular psoriasis is when the patient is observed with red, scaly skin on the hands and feet accompanied by tiny pustules. It is a very rare type of skin disease. Guttate psoriasis can be caused due to a number of reasons from tonsillitis to beta-blocker medications. It usually starts at a young age and the rash is mainly observed on the torso and the limbs.

Keeping an eye out for these common bladder cancer symptoms can be effective in early diagnosis and treatment of the disease. The bladder in your body is a balloon-shaped organ that stores urine, and it is located in your pelvic region. When cancer cells start to develop inside this organ, the condition is termed as bladder cancer. Since the bladder holds urine until it is passed out of your body, it plays an important role as part of the urinary tract. Hence, developing bladder cancer can have a serious effect on the function of your body (particularly the kidneys and bowel), and if left untreated, it can spread fast to other parts of your body. This disease affects both men and women, although men are more likely to develop it. Also, old age increases your chances of developing bladder cancer as it is more commonly diagnosed in people over the age of 65. Bladder cancer usually starts developing when healthy cells in the lining of your bladder change and starts to multiply at a rapid pace. This forms a mass called a tumor, which can either be benign or malignant. A benign tumor is one that can grow in size, but will not spread to other areas, whereas a malignant tumor refers to a cancerous growth that can affect other parts of your body. The types of bladder cancer are broadly categorized depending on the extent to which the disease has invaded your bladder wall. The two types of bladder cancer are– Non-invasive : This type of the disease is basically a cancer that is still contained in the inner layer of cells in the bladder (the transitional epithelium), and has not progressed into the deeper layers. This type is easier to treat. Invasive : This type of bladder cancer means one that has the potential to spread to other parts of your body, including the lymph nodes, liver, and the lungs.

Kidneys are bean-shaped organs present behind the abdominal cavity in the human body. These play a vital role in the filtration and excretory functions of the body. In humans, the left kidney lies at vertebral level T12 and L3 and the right kidney sits below the diaphragm, slightly lower than the left due to asymmetry caused by the position of the liver. Kidneys are complex waste removal systems which sort waste from the body while purifying the blood. Every day, kidneys process around 200 liters of blood and make urine from surplus fluid and unwanted chemicals in the blood. This urine passes out of the body through a narrow tube called urethra. How to maintain healthy kidneys Kidneys are important organs that filter blood and keep the body chemically balanced. Hence, taking good care and eating a balanced diet to keep kidneys healthy is of utmost importance. The human body requires various vitamins for kidneys to help them perform their functions. Vitamin D helps in the renal reabsorption, which is the removal of water and solutes from pre-urine, and returning them to circulating blood. Another one of the important vitamins for kidneys is B complex, which are water-soluble vitamins and good for renal health. Drinking plenty of water is the easiest way to keep kidneys healthy, as this helps them perform the most important function of removing toxins. Exercising, limited intake of alcohol and no smoking is also recommended for further care of kidneys. Kidney conditions Due to the various crucial functions the kidneys perform and the toxins they encounter, kidneys are prone to various conditions or ailments. In most of these conditions, kidneys are unable to remove or filter waste. These conditions include Kidney stones Chronic kidney disease Kidney failure Acute nephritis Polycystic kidney diseases Under such circumstances, it becomes important to supplement your daily diet with certain beneficial vitamins for kidneys.

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.

The types of dyskinesia The causes of dyskinesia vary but most cases are due to altered brain chemistry. Dyskinesia is caused due to medication and injury or trauma to the region of the brain known as the basal ganglia. Brain damage is also a major cause when it comes to dyskinesia. The basal ganglia is the region where voluntary movements are learned and controlled. This article examines the types of dyskinesia. Parkinson’s dyskinesia A high number of people, around 50% of patients with Parkinson’s who are being treated with levodopa, develop dyskinesia. Levodopa alters the dopamine levels in the brain, and this rise and fall of dopamine levels causes dyskinesia. The common symptoms of dyskinesia are fidgeting, head bobbing, swaying of the body, wriggling, and writhing. About half of the people who develop dyskinesia do not find the need to seek help and may continue to live healthy lives as the condition is mild and poses no challenge. Tremors Rhythmic movements are used to classify tremors. Some of the familiar types are: Resting or static tremors wherein tremors occur on a limb that is completely supported and is relaxed. These tremors may be associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s. Action and intention or kinetic tremors occur when the muscle is in motion and is normally seen during movement of an upper-body part, which includes the hand or the arm. Doctors usually attribute these tremors to MS, cerebral degeneration, vascular diseases, or a tumor. Tests are conducted to reveal the cause. Postural tremors occur when the muscle is not being moved but continue after it is moved. They are the result of alcohol abuse, heavy metal poisoning, and other physiological factors. Sometimes they may be caused by abusing antidepressants. Neurological conditions like Wilson’s disease have also been associated with tremors of this sort.

Having something sweet after a meal is nearly everyone’s weakness. Most of us enjoy consuming sugary treats from time to time. Unfortunately, this has affected many people in the country. Gorging on sugar has its own set of repercussions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a staggering 100 million Americans suffer from pre-diabetes or diabetes. 9.4% of the country’s population suffers from diabetes. 84.1 million Americans have prediabetes. If their condition is left untreated, they will go on to develop the disease. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country. Naturally, effective measures are essential. You need to be careful and keep your blood sugar levels within the normal range. Here are the blood sugar level charts for people with and without diabetes. Blood sugar level ranges Diabetes is a matter of great concern. Some areas of the country have a higher mortality rate than others, while other regions have a higher number of patients. Maintaining one’s diet is the key to avoid worsening the disease. The food you eat impacts your blood sugar levels, and you need to control your diet. To understand your blood sugar levels, you need to take frequent tests. Prediabetes is a condition which often leads to the onset of diabetes if not treated in its early stages. You need to know about the blood sugar level charts to determine how likely you are to develop this condition. Additionally, the doctor may recommend an A1C blood test to diagnose type 2 diabetes and prediabetes by checking the sugar level charts. The blood sugar level charts have different ranges that vary from person to person. These levels depend on whether the patient has type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes. There is a different blood sugar level chart for children with type 1 diabetes.

COPD is an acronym of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD describes lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, refractory or non-reversible asthma and some form of bronchiectasis. COPD is characterized by enhanced breathlessness. COPD takes time to develop and has several stages. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are not noticeable. The symptoms are more pronounced in the developed stages of the disease. Contact the doctor as soon as you notice COPD symptoms. Request your doctor for a spirometry test. Symptoms of COPD COPD is characterized by the following symptoms: – Enhanced breathlessness – Wheezing – Frequent coughing with or without sputum – Tightness in the chest The risk factors and the common causes of the disease COPD can occur because of the following causes: – Inhaling pollutants and that includes cigarette smoking (active or passive). – Chemicals, fumes, and dust found in the work environment contribute to the occurrence of the disease. – A person’s bad genes can be the cause of the disease. – To sum it up, smoking, environmental factors, and genetic factors result in the occurrence of the disease. Early detection of the disease and subsequent treatment is advisable for patients with COPD condition. – There are several stages of COPD. Early detection of the disease can prevent lung impairment or death. In this context, it is important to understand the way the stages are detected. There is the GOLD staging system, and there is the BODE index. Doctors use the BODE index as it helps to understand better the severity of the symptoms or how COPD affects your life. There are other types of lung function tests that help in identifying the various stages of COPD. The stages of COPD The stages of COPD vary from mild to severe. It affects different persons differently.