Everything You Need to Know about Adult Onset Asthma

Everything You Need to Know about Adult Onset Asthma

With an alarming increase in the number of patients with adult onset asthma, it is important to have enough knowledge about the illness, its varied causes, prevention, and correct treatment. In general, asthma is detected in early childhood. However, in certain cases, an individual beyond the age of 20 years may be diagnosed with asthma, this condition is termed as adult onset asthma. Symptoms of asthma can occur at any point of time in life, and not necessarily only during childhood. Asthma is a disease where the sensitive airways have increased responsiveness towards various kinds of triggers such as allergens and irritants that obstruct the functioning of the airways. The muscles around the airways begin to contract and narrow the airway lining. The lining inside the airways experiences inflammation that causes the inner lining to swell up and secrete increased levels of mucus. This then causes extreme difficulty, and asthma symptoms such as coughing, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Depending on the severity of the illness, the types of adult onset asthma are categorized as: Mild intermittent asthma Mild persistent asthma Moderate persistent asthma Severe persistent asthma Adults have lowered lung capacity, which means that the volume of air that one can inhale and exhale within a second is much lower as compared to when they were younger. This also occurs due to the stiffening of chest walls and changes in the muscle structure after reaching middle age. Due to this decreased capacity, adult onset asthma often goes unnoticed by various doctors. Diagnoses can be done for adult onset asthma by investigating the patient’s medical history, clarifying the symptoms, and by using a spirometer to perform a lung functioning test. There are several triggers that lead to severe asthma attacks, such as climatic changes (dry/cold environments), vigorous exercises, hormonal changes, exposure to dust, animals, etc.
Are These Allergy Signs or Something Worse?

Are These Allergy Signs or Something Worse?

It is easy to mistake allergy signs for something else entirely – learn how to differentiate allergy signs from other conditions. Knowing the difference between allergy signs and something else may be a tricky prospect. Distinguishing one from the other is not always an easy task. However, it is important to figure out whether you are looking at allergy signs or something that is perhaps worse. This is the only way you can get the right treatment and pain alleviation in a timely manner. For someone who is prone to allergies, it is easy to see allergy signs in pretty much every ailment. A nagging cold is characterized as allergic signs triggered by pollen or mold. You probably end up reaching for the ingredients leaflet on every skin product to ensure that it does not contain anything that will cause your skin to break out into hives. These precautions are extremely important, when you consider that more than 50 percent of Americans test positive for at least one environmental or food-related allergen, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. Here’s how you can recognize an allergy at the first go: Inventory Your Symptoms In order to know whether your symptoms are nasal allergy signs or a viral condition, you will need to inventory your symptoms. Distinguishing the problem is important because nasal allergy or allergic rhinitis affects more than 10-30 percent of adults, but the right treatment can help reduce these symptoms and allergy signs in more than 85 percent of these individuals. If you have a fever, joint or muscle pain, and greenish/yellow-colored mucus, you are most likely suffering from a regular cold. On the other hand, if your symptom checklist reads itchy or watery red eyes, sneezing, scratchiness in the nose, throat or ears, as well as clear nasal discharge, take your allergy medication instead.
Know about Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Signs

Know about Stages of Alzheimer’s Disease and Their Signs

People with Alzheimer’s go through different experiences when battling with the disease, and have been seen to witness the same ambit right from the start of the disease, to the sympathetic end. The exact number of Alzheimer’s stages is quite arbitrary, to be honest. Some experts try using a subtle model with a three-phase, while others have invented a granular breakdown and have considered it to be effective, in understanding the progress of the disease. Alzheimer’s stages – Everything you need to know before proceeding with the treatment The model held out by New York University claims that there are altogether seven Alzheimer’s stages. This particular model for understanding Alzheimer’s progression has been taken up and been in use ever since, by innumerable providers of healthcare and also the Alzheimer’s Association. Below are the details of Alzheimer’s stages: Stage 1 Normal Outward Behavior When your loved one is going through the beginning Alzheimer’s stages, you may not see any noticeable changes. So you won’t understand the symptoms. A thorough PET Scan, which is an imaging test, can reveal the actual condition of the brain’s functionality, and reveal if the person has Alzheimer’s disease. With fleeting time and as the disease progresses, your relative or loved one will be seen to undergo a lot of changes; both in their reasoning and thinking process as well. Stage 2 Decline The patient may start to display slight memory related issues due to the disease. They may seem to be losing random things in the house, though it may not be extreme enough to differentiate it with the normal memory loss that one undergoes with age. The person may also miraculously do well in several tests for memory power. Stage 3 A Mild Decline The third stage may help close observers to recognize some signs of cognitive and memory loss.
Different Allergy Medicines for Kids

Different Allergy Medicines for Kids

Kids are more prone to allergies and it has been observed that most of the kids are more prone to food allergies because their immune system is not fully developed to adopt any food. That is why most kids are allergic to foods like milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, walnuts, cashews, fish or more. Few of the common symptoms of kids’ allergy Few of the most common allergy symptoms in the kids are as follows: A skin rash or redness in the skin scientifically termed as eczema Asthma or difficulty in breathing A runny nose or symptoms of a cough or cold Itchy or watery eyes Sneezing Upset stomach Dizziness Few of the most common allergies in kids List of common allergies that can be found in kids are: Allergies caused outdoor are from insect bites or stings, tree or plant pollen, etc. Allergies caused indoor are from dust mites, molds, etc. Pet or animal hair or fur. Irritation due to smoke of cigarette, perfume or car exhaust, etc. Foods allergies, as discussed above, through peanuts, milk and its products, etc. Allergy medicines for kids We have already discussed that kids are more sensitive and prone to allergies than adults; therefore, one should always be aware of all the medication that can treat such allergies. Here is a list of available medicines which help in allergies: Antihistamines The medicine blocks the histamine from connecting to tingle creating, snot-production body cells. Hence this is the best medicine which is prescribed for a runny nose, drippy nose, and nose congestion problems. This drug works instantly and works effectively on the kids by providing them instant relief. This can be utilized on and off all through the sensitivity season. Antihistamines are best for mild, common allergic symptoms. Some of the antihistamines over-the-counter medicines are:
Everything You Need to Know about Fever

Everything You Need to Know about Fever

A short-term increase in the body temperature is referred in medical terms as pyrexia. Commonly known as fever, it is a common occurrence in both adults and children. As the temperature of your body becomes higher than the normal temperature, it becomes indicative of an underlying illness which may be an infection in some part of the body such as the throat or stomach. Having high fever is an important sign that some changes are occurring in the body. The temperature of our body is regulated by the hypothalamus which is present at the base of the brain. The state of fever is experienced by almost every human being at some point of time irrespective of sex or age. Many medical experts are of the opinion that fever is a natural defense of the body against infection. Relevant treatment for fever is recommended by medical experts after assessing the symptoms carefully and conducting certain diagnostic tests. Causes of high fever in adults Diseases such as malaria, upper and lower respiratory tract infections or flu, cold, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections or skin infections etc Excessive heat exposure Abnormalities in the brain or malignant tumors Disease of the endocrine which is associated with a hormonal or glandular system of the body Inflammation caused by tissue injury Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis which is the inflammation of the lining of joints Side effects of certain medicines Common symptoms High fever comes with a lot of physical discomforts. It is only after adequate treatment for the fever that you can feel better. High fever is typically characterized by a rise in oral temperature as it soars above 100°F (37.8°C) to touch 103°F. Temperature in adults can be measured with a thermometer placed under the tongue. General symptoms that accompany high fever include:
Eczema in Children – Overview, Tests, and Beneficial Foods

Eczema in Children – Overview, Tests, and Beneficial Foods

Eczema, which is also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition that affects the skin and makes it itchy and inflamed. This condition is most prevalent among young children and infants. Infants who have eczema usually develop red, itchy patches on their forehead, scalp, and cheeks, while older people often develop these on their hands and feet, wrists, and ankles. Is there a link between eczema and food allergies? Studies suggest that around 35% children, aged below five, suffering from eczema suffer from food allergies as well. These allergic reactions may trigger symptoms such as flare-ups, itching, hives, flushing, wheezing, gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, heartburn, and abdominal pain. This is why it is essential to get young kids with eczema tested for food-related allergies. However, in many cases, children with eczema and food allergies tend to lose their allergy towards products, such as soy, milk, and wheat, after a few years. Once the allergy has completely gone, the child can resume eating these foods, and their symptoms will not worsen. But, before they are allowed to consume such trigger foods, one should check with a doctor for the same. Are certain foods responsible for causing eczema flare-ups? Diet can be considered partly responsible for causing flare-ups in children with eczema. When one tweaks their child’s diet and excludes certain trigger foods, the condition could improve. Since finding these trigger foods is not an easy task, one will need to work in unison with an allergist. Some of the foods that can be considered as triggers for eczema flare-ups include the following: Eggs Milk Peanuts and tree nuts Fish Soy Shellfish Wheat products However, it is important to note that these foods may worsen the symptoms of eczema, but may not cause the condition itself. Following a fixed list of foods to eat and avoid may not always be beneficial as what may cause an allergy in one may be completely harmless to the other.
Effective Treatment Methods for Curing Red-eye

Effective Treatment Methods for Curing Red-eye

One’s eyes have to face the brunt of the consequences of one’s daily adventures. Be it dust storms, heavy rainfall, freezing temperatures or the extreme heat; the eyes have got to bear it all. All this tends to take a toll on the windows of our soul. The cause of red eyes may vary from an infection to a foreign substance or object entering your eyes, an allergy, or the blood vessels on the eye’s surface dilating or expanding, and sometimes, they may even burst. Red-eye is mostly temporary and clears up quickly, but one must understand the causes for it before starting with the red eye treatment: Conjunctivitis (pink eye) This is an inflammation of the eye, which appears in three forms: allergic, viral and bacterial, and is highly contagious. Your doctor will diagnose the specific cause and advise you on how to treat it. Allergens Pollen, mold and pet handlers are some of the most common allergens that affect one’s eyes. Histamines are released by the body that dries the eyes, causing blood vessels to swell. Blepharitis Blepharitis is a common inflammatory disorder that also causes red eyes. It may also cause burning, flaking, and itchiness. Subconjunctival hemorrhage Similar to a minor bruise that one experiences on the skin, it is a blood-colored patch in the eye caused by coughing, sneezing or a minor bump. The use of blood thinners and high blood pressure increases the chances of its occurrence. Different Methods of Red Eye Treatment Red-eye treatment depends on the cause of the red eye and involves the following practices: Warm compress Use a towel soaked in warm water and ensure to wring it out well. Keep the temperature at a reasonable level, as the area around the eye is sensitive. Cover your eyes with the towel for 10 minutes.
10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

10 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are very common, and they disrupt our sleep. They mainly feed on human blood and are found in warm temperature. They can even feed on animals such as cats, dogs, and other pets but it is the human blood that helps them to grow and reproduce. Bed bugs typically bite on hands and the head area, which is painless. Bed bugs are typically active when you are asleep and in the night and stay for about 15-20 minutes after which they shy away. Bed bugs are found in bedrooms where there are loads of furniture and bed sheets with spots and smears. This is because used furniture is a potential source for infestation. If you have bed bugs, here are simple home remedies for bed bugs that you can take help from: Keep your surroundings clean Bed bugs are attracted to dark and unclean spaces as they can shy away easily. By using a vacuum cleaner as a home remedy for bed bugs you can keep your place, especially your bedrooms clean to avoid infestation. Old furniture attracts bed bugs making them comfortable to live and grow. Freeze items Bed bugs are found in warm temperature in your houses. Therefore, to avoid them from growing or reproducing, you keep the house cool as they cannot survive in cold temperatures. Encase mattresses and pillows Another home remedy for bed bugs is to encase the mattresses and pillows. This will prevent them from entering and staying on the mattress and pillows are covered. Woven material ensures the death of bed bugs naturally. Salt It is believed that salt kills bed bugs the same way it kills snails and slugs. This is because salt has the substance to absorb fluid from the bodies of insects thereby dehydrating them resulting in the death of infestation.
Different Kind of Allergies and Their Symptoms

Different Kind of Allergies and Their Symptoms

It is very important to have an in-depth understanding and awareness regarding your allergies and their subsequent symptoms. Allergic reactions vary from mild ones to very serious type and at times, can even prove to be fatal. You need to take the necessary precautions and adopt preventive measures in order to avoid further complications. Allergy symptoms occur due to the instant activation of the white blood cells, generally called mast cells and basophils such as Immunoglobulin E, in response to exposure to even non-toxic and safe environmental elements. It is crucial to recognize the symptoms and the early signs of an allergy in order to prevent problems. Medical experts and allergists prescribe anti-histamines, steroids, and even immunotherapy so that the body’s response to the allergen can be desensitized. Some of the different kind of allergies are mentioned below: Food allergy Many people react to a large variety of foods including vinegar, soy, seafood, eggs, shellfish, cow’s milk, peanuts, wheat flour, etc., exhibiting mild to severe reactions. A reaction is generally triggered when the protein present in the food is erroneously identified by the body’s immune system as harmful. A food allergy will usually trigger some kind of reaction every time that typical food is consumed. Food allergy symptoms are common in children, but they can manifest at any age. You can even develop a reaction to safe foods, which you have eaten for years with no problems. Food allergens can stimulate the body to go into extreme reactions such as anaphylactic shock. It is best to avoid such foods and in case of emergency, immediately consult your allergist. Food allergy symptoms Upset stomach Constant pain in the stomach Vomiting Nausea Diarrhea Trouble in swallowing Shortness of breath Shock Dizziness A repetitive cough Dust allergy Dust allergy is caused by mites or microscopic organisms.
Causes and Treatment of Chronic Pain

Causes and Treatment of Chronic Pain

Usually, the pain that lasts at least for 12 weeks is defined as chronic pain. It can be intermittent or steady. It can come and go without any apparent reason. It can be felt dull or sharp, causing an aching or burning sensation in the affected areas. Also, the pain can be felt differently in the affected areas. Lack of proper chronic pain management can reduce your strength, endurance, flexibility along with limiting your mobility. This definitely makes your daily life more challenging as it becomes difficult to get through various daily activities and tasks. According to various medical study reports, almost 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from this chronic pain. In the country alone, almost 100 million people are affected by this pain. Here is a list of some of the common types of chronic pain: Postsurgical pain Headache Arthritis pain Post-trauma pain Neurogenic pain that is caused by any damage in the nerve Lower back pain Psychogenic pain that is not caused by an injury, nerve damage, or any disease Cancer pain Causes of Chronic Pain Without realizing the underlying causes of the pain, treating it or getting the right chronic pain management plan will be tough. Here is a list of some of the most common causes of it: Sometimes, normal aging can affect the joints and bones, causing chronic pain. Nerve damage or nerve injuries that have not been healed properly are another cause of this pain. Some types of chronic pain can have more than one influencing factor. For instance, back pain can be caused by either a single factor or can be caused by any combination of the following factors: Poor posture for years Being overweight that puts extra strain on the knees and back Carrying heavy objects or improper lifting of heavy objects Traumatic injury Degenerative changes in the spine due to normal aging Wearing high heels Any congenital condition like spine curvature Sleeping on the poor mattress Diseases like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause chronic pain.
Chronic Pain – Causes and Management Options

Chronic Pain – Causes and Management Options

Feeling pain is healthy as it is the body’s mechanism of signaling that something is not right. In fact, people who can’t feel pain like leprosy victims are often at risk of severe injuries like burns. Normal pain is supposed to be momentary even while it is acute. Even in the case of severe injuries, the pain will last until the wound is healed. When pain lasts longer than a healed injury or condition, it is termed as chronic pain. Severe chronic pain can be disabling as it reduces flexibility, mobility, and strength. The number of people seeking chronic pain management tips keeps on growing due to a myriad of factors. Chronic pain affects about 100 million people in the country alone. What causes chronic pain? It has been found that there are two characteristics that set apart chronic pain from acute pain. Chronic pain lasts for longer than six months. This usually happens when injuries fail to heal properly, when there is nerve damage, and when the joints or bones are affected by injury or aging. Neurologists are of the opinion that chronic pain happens when the nervous system remains in a permanent reactive state even after an injury heals. This reactive state becomes a cycle as the persistent pain elevates the reactivity in an upward spiral of pain. Neurologists say this leads to a state known as central sensitization, characterized by pain spreading to other parts of the body in proximity to the affected body parts. Chronic pain is often accompanied by other physical and mental problems. Sleep disorder, fatigue, lack of appetite, and irritability are commonly observed in people with chronic pain. Some of the more common types of chronic pain include the following: Lower back pain Neck pain Arthritis Cancer Damaged nerve pain Psychogenic pain (also known as ghost pain) While the main causes and mechanisms of chronic pain are yet to be fully understood, people with the following conditions are likely to suffer chronic pain:
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Non-small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung carcinoma is the most prevalent type of lung cancer. There are mainly two types of lung cancers, which are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer. Lung carcinoma is a condition in which the lung cells become abnormal, as a result, grow out of control. These abnormal or cancer cells develop rapidly and spread to other parts of the body. Prevalence and causes of non-small cell lung cancer Among the lung cancer cases in the country, almost 80-85% are of non-small cell lung cancer type, and only about 10-15% is of the small lung cancer type. The symptoms and treatment for these two types of lung cancer vary. There are many subtypes of NSCLC, namely, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and sarcomatoid carcinoma. The NSCLC type is a serious condition that cannot be reversed but prevented from getting worse. Majority of those affected by this type of lung cancer are smokers or have been exposed to smoke. Exposure to radon, asbestos, air pollution, metal or mineral dust, or radiation is likely to cause this disease. Symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer It is difficult to detect this disease during the early stages because the symptoms are not easily detectable. Often, the symptoms are confused with those of other illnesses like pneumonia or collapsed lung. However, common symptoms of NSCLC are as follows: A cough that worsens or a persistent cough : Continuous bouts of a cough or coughing symptoms that worsen with time may be a symptom of NSCLC. This type of cough may not be associated with a recent spell of cold or flu or other infections. Chest pain : Another classic symptom that is often confused with other diseases. Chest pain due to NSCLC may increase with cough or when one takes deep breaths.