Diverticulitis is one of the leading causes of hospitalization in the case of old people. It’s a treatable condition provided that the patient gets early and appropriate intervention. What is diverticulitis? It is a condition where there is an inflammation or infection in the diverticula or small pouches that develop in the lining of the intestine. According to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy more than 50% of people above 60, and nearly everyone over the age of 80 has diverticula in their intestines. These pouches may not pose a health risk provided that they don’t get inflamed or infected. Uncomplicated diverticulitis If diverticulitis does develop, it may be a minor irritant, and one can treat it with a course of antibiotics. In more than 75% of cases, there are no severe complications, and a routine CT scan can confirm the diagnosis. About one-third of the total patients experience a recurrence of symptoms, and in younger patients, intervention and testing procedures are necessary. Serious cases Sometimes, the condition can become chronic, and surgery may be required. In about one-fourth of the cases, patients develop complicated diverticulitis with the formation of abscesses, fissures, obstruction, fistula, and obstruction of the bowel. Perforation of the bowel is a major complication because the patient faces the risk of developing peritonitis. Causes Though the direct causes are not known, some factors do seem significant. Age affects the elasticity and strength of the intestine walls. Patients find it difficult to pass stools, and there is more strain on the colon which results in the formation of diverticula. Undigested food collects in these pouches, causing inflammation and infection. This condition is quite common among people who are over the age of 80. Lack of exercise, smoking, obesity, and eating a fiber-deficient diet could be some of the causes.

Surgery is always a final resort when all other treatments fail to bear fruit. Spinal fusion surgery is recommended by doctors and medical specialists only after they have tried other treatment options. Let’s find out more about this procedure. What is spinal fusion surgery? It is a surgical technique that joins or fuses two or more vertebrae to restrict the movement between them. It is a neuro-orthopedic surgical procedure. It is usually recommended to reduce or eliminate spinal cord pressure and the resultant pain caused by worn out cartilage between the vertebrae. A patient may have to undergo surgery to decompress a pinched nerve-root or to stabilize a joint that causes pain. This surgery can help to heal spinal fractures and broken or damaged vertebrae that make the spine unstable. People undergo surgery if they have conditions like spinal weakness or deformity, herniated disks, spondylolisthesis, and other such ailments. Spinal tumor and degenerative spinal conditions are other situations where this surgery can be beneficial. It is a common surgical procedure, and statistics show that nearly 488,000 spinal fusion surgeries were performed in the country in 2011. Are you a candidate for this procedure? It is vital to identify and locate the exact cause of back pain before opting for surgery. There are cases where herniated disks may show up on a scan or X-ray, but the real cause of the back pain may lay elsewhere. At such times, undergoing surgery to fix the herniated disk might not solve the problem. A typical result is the FBSS (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome) in which the pain remains even after surgery. The most common reason for this is an incorrect diagnosis. Selecting the right surgeon is also crucial. A lot of surgeons can carry out the spine fusion surgery, so it’s important to know whether the surgeon you pick has specific expertise, experience, and training.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease that causes pain and inflammation in the joints. What are the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis? Joint stiffness Joint pain Joint swelling Loss of joint function Mostly, RA is diagnosed via several blood tests. X-ray is also used for diagnosis. A family history of RA is a risk factor for developing its symptoms. What are the causes? Cigarette smoking Obesity Injuries such as fractures and trauma Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis There are several treatments available for rheumatoid arthritis. Let’s take a look at the different treatment methods available: Medication Medication is a good option from among the rheumatoid arthritis treatments, and there are three kinds of medications that are used. These are corticosteroids, non-steroidal corticosteroid, and acetaminophen. Medication helps with the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by slowing the process of damage to the joints. Exercise Simple yoga exercises can also be used as treatments for joint pain caused due to rheumatoid arthritis and also help in improving the mobility of a patient. These exercises should be done on a regular basis to get good results. Buy assistive devices You can put braces on your joints or can use crutches to walk around in your home. You can also install bars and other devices to improve your mobility. Follow a healthy diet A rheumatoid arthritis-friendly diet needs to be incorporated, which comprises of vitamin A, C, and selenium with food like dark chocolates, berries, kidney beans, spinach, and so on. Food having flavones should also be consumed, such as green tea, berries, broccoli, grapes, and soy products. Omega 3 fatty acids are specifically important, and you can get these from fishes like tuna, mackerel, and salmon, and from walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. Food products to be avoided include those that contain trans fats and carbohydrates.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that affects the nerve functioning and causes problems related to the vision, muscle control, and other body functions. The adversity of the disease varies from person to person. While some people might not need treatment at all, some go through a lot of hindrances in their daily activities as well. Due to the disease, the brain cannot send signals through your body. As a result, you might experience symptoms such as tiredness, difficulty in walking, tingling and numbness, double vision, depression or trouble in focusing. However, proper multiple sclerosis diets can help a lot in dealing with the condition. A good diet can help you to cope better with multiple sclerosis disorder. It can help in maintaining regular bowel functions and can improve the health of your skin, teeth, heart, gums, and flexibility. With a healthy diet, you can also avoid weight gain and heart diseases in general. If you have MS, then you should consult your doctor before following a certain type of diet. Here are the foods that you should eat and those you need to avoid when you have MS. Foods to eat when having MS A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining good health. Multiple sclerosis diets include fruits and vegetables that provide the required nutrition that the body needs. Your diets should essentially include things that help the body to maintain and grow along with a lot of fluids. You can eat fish that is high in omega-3 fatty acids, skinless chicken, and meat that is trimmed of visible fat is also a good option. Beans, soy, lentils, and nuts should also be included. Not to mention vegetables and fruits that is a must for a healthy diet. It is advised to consume whole grain products of which you can have three to four servings per day while following multiple sclerosis diets.

A hernia occurs when an internal part such as an organ or a fatty tissue pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. The common types of hernias are an inguinal hernia (inner groin), incisional hernia (resulting from an incision), femoral hernia (outer groin), umbilical hernia (belly button), and hiatal hernia (upper stomach). Even though they are most common in the abdomen, hernias may appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin regions. If the opening in the abdomen through which the umbilical cord passes does not seal properly after birth, infants may also suffer from this condition. This condition occurs in adults if there is repeated strain on the abdomen. Most of the hernias are not immediately life-threatening, but they require surgical correction to prevent potentially dangerous complications as they will not go away on their own. You can do some exercises at home and make some lifestyle changes to cure a hernia without surgery. Symptoms of a hernia The symptoms of a hernia include a prominent swelling under the skin of the abdomen or the groin which can disappear when you lie down. The pain might be tender or sore. You might experience the feeling of a heavy weight in the abdomen which might be accompanied by constipation or blood in the stool. You may feel abdominal discomfort while coughing, lifting weights or bending over. You may also experience heartburn, acid reflux, chest pain, and difficulty in swallowing. For some people, there may be no visible symptoms of a hernia. It will show up only during a routine medical exam or a physical exam for some other medical issue. Here are a few techniques that you can follow to cure a hernia without surgery: Change eating practices It is suggested to eat six small meals through the day — three main meals and three snacks in between.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, about eight percent of Americans have an allergy that occurs in a particular season. Seasonal allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to an outdoor allergen (something that triggers an allergic response), such as pollen. The pollens that spread seasonal allergies are from wind-pollinated plants, such as trees, grasses, and weeds. The insect-pollinated plants are too heavy to remain airborne for long, therefore they are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. The plants release their pollen at different times of the year. You may experience seasonal allergies in more than one season depending on where you live and your allergy triggers. There are some of the best seasonal allergy medicine options that you can opt for, but let us first take look at what triggers a seasonal allergy. Seasonal allergy triggers The most common seasonal allergy trigger is ragweed, a wild plant that grows especially on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Ragweed blossoms and discharges pollen from August to November. Some other plants that trigger seasonal allergies are Burning Bush, Cocklebur, Lamb’s-quarters, Pigweed, Sagebrush and Mugwort, Tumbleweed, and Russian Thistle. Climate factors can influence how badly your seasonal allergies are triggered. Tree, grass, and ragweed pollens grow during warm days and cool nights. Molds develop swiftly in heat and high humidity. Pollen levels tend to rise in the morning. Even though the rain washes the pollen away, pollen counts can rise after a rainfall. Airborne allergens are grounded on a day with no wind. The pollen counts rush when it is a windy and warm day. Symptoms of seasonal allergies Symptoms of seasonal allergies vary from very mild to severe. Some of the most common symptoms are sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, postnasal drainage, watery and itchy eyes, itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals and ear congestion.

H. pylori infection or Helicobacter pylori infection occurs in one’s stomach during their childhood. It is also one of the common causes of peptic ulcers. According to the various medical research reports, around 50 percent of the world population is affected by H. pylori infection. However, most people don’t even realize it because they usually don’t fall ill from this bacterium. When you get signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer, your doctor will test whether you have H. pylori infection or not. Symptoms of H. pylori infection You might feel a burning pain in your stomach when you have an ulcer. This pain will stay for a few minutes or even hours. Generally, you will feel the pain of ulcer in the middle of the night or in between your meals whenever your stomach becomes empty. You will feel better when you take an antacid, drink milk, or eat something. Other signs and symptoms of H. pylori infection include the following. Not feeling hungry Vomiting Nausea Weight loss for unclear reasons Burping Bloating Ulcers can sometimes cause bleeding in your stomach or intestine. This can really be dangerous for your health. In case you find out the below symptoms of H. pylori infection, then you should immediately look for medical help. Dark red or black-colored blood in your stool Fainting or dizziness Trouble in breathing Becoming tired for no obvious reasons The color of the skin getting pale Coffee grounds like vomiting or vomit with blood Sharp and severe pain in the stomach Although it happens in a rare case, you should know that the H. pylori infection could cause cancer in your stomach. One of the first symptoms of H. pylori infection which might cause cancer would be heartburn. After a certain time, you may notice the following symptoms.

There are a variety of factors leading to the development of the symptoms of fibromyalgia, and it is important to determine the underlying symptoms. If anyone experiences symptoms of fibromyalgia, such as the ones listed below, a timely diagnosis has to be made before treatment can be initiated. Fibromyalgia symptoms checklist The following are some of the common symptoms of fibromyalgia: Widespread pain A dull ache that has persisted over 3 months is not supposed to be concluded as a symptom of fibromyalgia. The pain must be present on both the sides of the body as well as below and above the waist. Fatigue Even after getting sufficient sleep, patients who are suffering from fibromyalgia have complaints of fatigue when they wake up. In most cases, patients with fibromyalgia symptoms could be suffering from other disorders such as sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome. Difficulties with cognition Patients with fibromyalgia suffer from “fibro log” which leads to an impairment of the ability to focus, problems in paying attention, as well as concentrating on tasks involving the mind. There are certain coexisting health issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, various types of headaches including a migraine, interstitial cystitis which is also known as a painful bladder, as well as disorders of the temporomandibular joint, so these can be considered symptoms of fibromyalgia as well. Risk factors that can cause fibromyalgia There could be a plethora of factors that could lead to the development of fibromyalgia: Genetics : One could be prone to acquiring fibromyalgia through various gene mutations which tend to run in the family. Infections : Fibromyalgia can often be triggered by certain illnesses. Trauma : Traumatic incidents like car accidents could contribute to the development of fibromyalgia as well. It could also occur as a result of psychological stress.

Learn more about the types of hepatitis C treatment medications, and whether you are eligible for the new hepatitis C treatment options. The number one cause of liver cancer, hepatitis C is also the number one reason people have to undergo liver transplantations. This medical condition is the result of contracting a virus by coming into contact with infected blood. Sometimes, hepatitis C can spread through sexual intercourse too. Though it is a curable condition, the rate of cure stayed at lower than 50 percent for the longest time. Most of the hepatitis C treatment options put the patient through a lot of pain and turmoil. Standard treatment options included painful injection of interferon medication as well as ribavirin pills. Instead of working on the virus that is causing the illness, these medications worked by boosting your immune system to fight off the virus better – but fight you had to. Times have changed since, and new hepatitis C treatment options are working in a quicker, safer, and painless way. Here is everything you need to know about hepatitis C treatment and what you can expect from it. Will You Be Treated At All? The first thing to understand is that you may or may not get any form of hepatitis C treatment depending on a number of factors such as how much damage has already been caused to your liver (is it worth saving?), how much of the HCV (hepatitis C virus) you actually have in your body, what other health conditions you are handling, and lastly, what genotype of the HCV you have. The problem is that the medication used in standard hepatitis C treatment tends to cause severe side effects, and may or may not even work for you. Acute Hepatitis C Treatment You can only get treated for a specific medical condition like hepatitis C if you know that you have the condition in the first place, or you suspect that you may have it and get diagnosed.

What you eat can have a considerable influence on your stomach cancer symptoms. Here are some tips to help you choose the right foods. Stomach cancer, which is also referred to as gastric cancer, is the cancer that occurs in your stomach, and it can be of various types. Adenocarcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed form of stomach cancer, and it starts in the mucus-producing cells that are found on the inside lining of your stomach. The usual stomach cancer symptoms include feeling bloated after meals, stomach pain, nausea, severe and chronic heartburn, and indigestion. Along with the conventional treatment and following your doctor’s advice, some lifestyle changes can also contribute to reducing your stomach cancer symptoms. A healthy lifestyle is important, and what you eat forms a major part of this. Your diet can be significantly effective in reducing or worsening your stomach cancer symptoms, so if you have not been paying much attention to what you eat and don’t eat, it may be time to start doing so. There is no single specific diet that can prevent or heal the disease, but taking some care to know what works well for you and what makes your stomach cancer symptoms worse can go a long way in keeping the symptoms under control. Here are some tips about your diet that can help you battle stomach cancer and manage the symptoms well. However, remember that what worked for another stomach cancer patient may not be effective for you, so experimenting is the best way to know which foods are good for you and which aren’t. Also, ensure that you talk to your doctor before making any major dietary changes, as certain foods may cause interactions with the medications you are on and cause a flare-up of your stomach cancer symptoms.

Understanding probiotics and its purpose Probiotics are a friendly form of bacteria which maintain the overall balance of the body by ensuring the smooth functioning of the digestive and immune systems. Although probiotics are great for all, they are especially essential for women and this is due to the following three key reasons. Gut health – Probiotics are instrumental when it comes to preserving a healthy digestive tract. Usually, women are more vulnerable to specific types of digestive problems, such as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) or chronic constipation. The intake of probiotics can naturally help relieve intestinal pain and discomfort in the long run. Vaginal health – The vagina is often prone to yeast infections due to multiple factors like poor hygiene and diet, antibiotics, or birth-control medications. By having probiotics on a regular basis, a woman can restore the vital balance of good and bad bacteria. Besides, vaginal health probiotics also protect the urinary tract from any kind of harmful infections. Overall immunity – Since a major part of the immune system is dependent on a good gut health, probiotics can comprehensively improve the body’s defense mechanisms. For example, a consistent inclusion of probiotics in the diet can help a woman tackle cold and flu easily. Apart from these above-mentioned essential benefits, probiotics can also prove to be effective for women who are aiming to increase their metabolism and energy levels. Which are the best probiotics for women? If you are planning to increase the consumption of probiotics in your day-to-day life, then you should consider about making some serious changes in your diet. Mostly, probiotics are found in fermented foods. Unlike the various supplements that are found in the market, these natural sources of probiotics are not just healthy but also safe, having no or minor side-effects which subside easily.

Mold is a fungus that is known to grow in areas having a lot of moisture. The mold spores present in the air indoors or outdoors may trigger several health conditions including mold allergies. Many factors can cause the growth of mold. Unknown leakage, moisture build up in unreachable places, damp areas under the carpet, and so on are areas where mold growth is most susceptible. Molds may grow all through the year, and this is precisely why mold allergies can crop up at any time of the year. People who develop allergies to mold may show symptoms of mold from mid-summer to early fall. People with weak immunity or high sensitivity often lie at a greater risk of getting mold allergy. The symptoms of mold allergy are histamine-mediated and strikingly similar to air-borne allergies. While the severity of the symptoms of mold varies with every individual, the health risk may depend on the extent of mold exposure. Some of the symptoms of mold that may appear immediately on exposure or over time have been listed below. Sneezing, coughing, and congestion Often people attacked by spore allergies initially display signs of a cold or sinus infection. Symptoms of mold allergy are accompanied by a runny nose, post nasal drips, continuous sneezing, and coughing. Watery eyes and redness People with mold spore reactions have symptoms of mold infection in the form of eye irritation, redness, itchy eyes, and the like. While these symptoms resemble that of a viral or seasonal infection, it is important that these are treated with anti-mold allergy drugs. Blurred vision, mood swings, and sharp pains may also be other symptoms of mold-induced allergies. Often, people administer generic over-the-counter drugs that may either not be effective or worsen the condition. It is, therefore, extremely important to consult a doctor for prescribed medication to tackle the disease.