10 Common Symptoms of Hepatitis C

10 Common Symptoms of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a kind of infection that’s caused by a hepatitis C virus that normally attacks the liver. This condition usually progresses slowly and shows a few symptoms or signs for decades. This is the reason most cases of this disease go undiagnosed for many years. In most cases, this condition is discovered when someone is undergoing a routine checkup or when they try to give blood and it’s screened for hepatitis C virus. However, most people live this virus for many years without knowing. In such a case, the disease is discovered when chronic liver disease symptoms like liver cancer and cirrhosis finally set in. Since most people are always checking hepatitis C FAQs to know about its symptoms, some of the common symptoms of acute and chronic hepatitis C have been mentioned below: Acute HCV infection HCV infection starts when one is exposed to the virus, and this phase is known as acute or short-term HCV. Acute HCV doesn’t have many symptoms, and its infection develops 2 to 26 weeks after an exposure to the virus. Most people who have this infection develop symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice and flu-like symptoms (muscles aches, fatigue, and nausea). The symptoms disappear in a few weeks, and the acute illness lasts typically for 2 to 12 weeks. Chronic HCV infection Short-term HCV can become chronic or long-term, and this occurs when the virus is detected six or more months after the first infection. Chronic HCV also affects people without causing apparent symptoms, whether the liver is being damaged or not. However, symptoms can worsen if the virus is causing significant liver damage although it takes many years or decades. Symptoms of chronic HCV include the following. Fatigue – This is one of the most common hepatitis C symptoms. You will feel extremely tired and lack energy; these feelings do not go away when you sleep, making it very difficult to handle the situation.
Common Symptoms of Sinus Infection and its Treatment Plan

Common Symptoms of Sinus Infection and its Treatment Plan

Sinus infection or sinusitis is medically known as rhinosinusitis. It is a result of swollen, inflamed and infected nasal cavities. Sinusitis is often caused by a virus. The issue persists even after the respiratory symptoms are gone. Sinus infection rarely but may cause by fungus and bacteria as well. Other conditions like nasal polyps, allergies and tooth infections can cause sinusitis. Chronic Versus Acute Acute sinusitis will last from a short period of time only, which is less than a month as per the American Academy of Otolaryngology. An acute infection is generally a part of any respiratory illness or mere cold. Chronic sinus infections, on the other hand, last for more than three months and recur often. Specialist confirms the sinusitis is responsible for infected nasal discharge, facial pain, and congestion. There are many symptoms of sinus infection which are common to both chronic and acute sinusitis. When you feel or found out that you have certain symptoms that may be due to sinusitis, get in immediate touch with your doctor. He would be able to confirm whether you have an infection or not. If you have an infection, he would tell you the cause of the same and suggest you a treatment plan. Symptoms of Sinus Infection A headache is one of the symptoms. It happens when there is pressure in partially or fully blocked sinuses. The pain increases when the person bends over. There would be facial swelling or tenderness when the areas above the sinus zones are touched. Pain or pressure due to the pressing of mucus on the sinus tissue or sinus inflammation. Fever caused due to sinus tissue inflammation and infection. In bacterial sinus infections, you would always find a cloudy and discolored nasal drainage. Congestion occurs with both non-infectious and infectious sinusitis. Sinusitis causes post nasal drip, which is basically mucus overproduction which flows to the throat thereby irritating throat tissue.
Causes of dog allergies and effective home remedies

Causes of dog allergies and effective home remedies

Dogs are a man’s best friend, and you can feel really anxious if your dog starts having an allergic reaction that makes it uncomfortable. Some of the most common signs of dog allergies are itching, scratching, and chewing. What causes dog allergies? Skin allergies or allergic dermatitis are the most common type of allergies developed by dogs. The prime causes of dog allergies include: Bacterial infections Certain foods which trigger allergic reactions Exposure to various environmental allergens Dog allergies and their natural remedies If your dog is developing any allergic reaction, your vet should be the first person you should reach out to. Besides, there are various natural remedies available for some common dog allergies. These natural remedies are readily available at your home and can relieve your dog from various allergies. Below is a list of dog allergies and their natural remedies for your reference. These natural remedies are very helpful in the treatment of different dog allergies such as dry skin or stomach upset. Vitamin E oil Vitamin E oil is full of antioxidants. Antioxidants primarily fight aging. They work towards the prevention of free radical damage. Free radical damage is the main cause of ageing. Application of vitamin E oil can protect your dog from UV radiation. Thus, it ensures moisturization of their skin and helps in the prevention of conditions like dry skin. Electrolyte-replacing liquids for diarrhea Flavorless electrolyte-replacing liquids help dogs too. During diarrhea, like humans, dogs too lose liquids. In such cases, the electrolyte replacing proves to be helpful among helpful in keeping their liquid level intact. Yogurt Both plain and sweetened yogurt is very healthy for your dog. The probiotics in yogurt help your dog to retain the good bacteria and have a strong intestine. Oatmeal If your dog has developed any symptoms of itchy skin, chickenpox or any such conditions, an oatmeal bath can be very soothing.
Symptoms and Treatment Methods for Pneumonia

Symptoms and Treatment Methods for Pneumonia

Pneumonia is the infection caused in one or both the lungs. It can be caused due to viruses, fungus, or bacteria. The disease causes your lungs to be filled with fluid or pus, thus making it difficult to breathe. The symptoms that you might experience for pneumonia are coughing with mucus, sweating and chills, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Pneumonia can be caused due to germs or location and the treatment of each disease depends on a variety of factors. Most of the pneumonia is known to be contagious. However, you can get cured with the right treatment for pneumonia. Symptoms of pneumonia The symptoms of pneumonia essentially vary from being mild to severe. It also depends on your age as well as health. The most common symptoms of pneumonia include mild or high fever, shaking chills, cough, and falling short of breath while doing hectic activities. Some other additional symptoms of pneumonia can also include a stabbing chest pain that gets worse when you are breathing heavily. You might experience a headache, a very clammy skin, and excessive sweating in some cases. Your doctor will recommend the correct treatment for pneumonia based on your symptoms and diagnosis. When the condition gets worse you might feel a loss in your appetite and in energy accompanied by fatigue. Older people might also experience confusion. As pneumonia can be bacterial and viral, the associated symptoms also vary accordingly. In case you have bacterial pneumonia, your temperature might go as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of pneumonia is known to cause sweating and a rapid increase in the pulse rate and breathing. Due to the lack of oxygen, the lips and nail beds can turn blue. The patient might also feel a loss of focus. When it comes to viral pneumonia, the symptoms are similar to influenza.
Ways to Identify Different Spider Bites

Ways to Identify Different Spider Bites

Spider bites are never considered as harmful and life-threatening but that is not true. It can be really painful and very dangerous in some cases and it is necessary that you identify the spider bite on time. There is a large number of species of spiders across the world and about thousands of species in the country itself among which a few of them can actually take your life. The truth is that all spiders are poisonous but most of them eject only a small amount of venom capable enough to only kill small insects but is not that dangerous to larger preys like humans. So most of the spider bites make a small fang and are too weak to puncture through the human skin. A small red wound can easily be healed within a week or so. The species of spiders which have the ability to eject their venom through the skin are the ones that can cause some serious health issues and can even threaten one’s life. What are the common symptoms? A person should stay well aware of how a spider bite looks and what the common symptoms are. Ignoring these small bites can make a person regret all his life thus, it is always recommended to consult a doctor in any of the following symptoms. Spider bite identification is not a difficult task. After a spider bite, it is possible that the person may not notice a small wound hours later. At first sight, it may just appear like a mosquito bite but gradually you will spot other symptoms. A red little bump is the first symptom which causes redness, itching, and swelling and it is the most common symptom which can be observed in the bite of any of the species of spider. Some other symptoms that can be observed are:
A Brief Overview of Ankylosing Spondylitis

A Brief Overview of Ankylosing Spondylitis

The sedentary human lifestyle has brought with it a baggage of newfound health issues resulting in weakening of the human body structure. Ensure to keep a constant track of changes in your body and maintain a regular body check-up schedule. Arthritis is a common health issue faced by youngsters today. What was earlier limited to people nearing their old age has now started showing up within the age group of 20 to 25. If you witness sudden pain and stiffness in your backbone, these are a few Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms. To precisely define it, ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that affects the bones and muscles of the spine thereby making it stiff, painful, and stooping. According to recent research, 0.1 percent to 0.4 percent of the total population is affected from ankylosing spondylitis. If classified gender wise, this medical issue is more common in males as compared to females. It is important to keep track of this form of arthritis as it escalates with every passing day. There is no proper medical clarification as to how and why ankylosing spondylitis affects your body. It has also been noted that people carrying a gene called HLA-B27 are prominently affected by this medical issue. However, there is no accuracy in these findings. There have been instances wherein people with the similar gene have not been affected by this form of arthritis. Following are a few ankylosing spondylitis symptoms: Recurrent pain and stiffness The first ankylosing spondylitis symptoms are constant pain and stiffness in your spine, lower back, and in pelvic bones. In the initial stages, there are random bouts of pain which eventually surge over a period. The constant rubbing of the muscles and bones result in extreme pain. If you witness prolonged pain in your back or the lower back muscles, it’s time to get yourself thoroughly checked to avoid further complications.
Understanding Dry Eyes Symptoms

Understanding Dry Eyes Symptoms

Dry eyes are not something to be ignored or not taken seriously. There are a number of complications that could arise out of dry eyes and if you do not choose to pay attention to getting this cured, you could be in for bigger issues later on. Before you try to understand the causes and cures for dry eyes, understand the most common symptoms first. The most common symptoms and signs that might affect both the eyes are- Itchiness in eyes Burning sensation in eyes Enhanced sensitivity to light Redness in the eye Issues with wearing contact lenses Night-time driving difficulties Stringy mucus formation around eyes Watery eyes Fatigue in eyes Blurred vision If these dry eye symptoms persist and you have issues arising out of the same, you must visit your doctor first. There will be few examinations and tests to conclude the reasons for dry eye symptoms emerging. Now before you worry and panic out, it is important that you understand that dry eyes is very common as a condition. It takes place when there is lack of ample lubrication of the eyes. Now the reason behind underproduction of tears is many. The main reason why dry eye symptoms must not be ignored is that this could become uncomfortable after a point of time. Even in AC rooms, aircrafts or while riding–dry eyes could cause issues anywhere. There are a number of treatments available too. These could bring in much comfort but do make sure you are ready to bring on the medication based implementation as well as lifestyle changes for getting the best results. Most measures are suggested for indefinite periods to curtail dry eyes symptoms. Causes Of Dry Eyes The chief cause of dry eyes is lack of ample tear production. Tears in your eyes are a mixture of mucus, water and fatty acids.
Information on Crohn’s Disease That You Shouldn’t Miss

Information on Crohn’s Disease That You Shouldn’t Miss

A chronic inflammatory disorder, Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation to the gastrointestinal tract. It may develop anywhere between mouth and anus. Some brief points regarding Crohn’s disease information are listed below Crohn’s disease usually occurs at the end of the small intestine It appears in patches. This means, the inflammation will not be constant throughout the gastro intestinal tract, it would appear near the rectum and some patches of inflammation would be prominent in the mouth. Crohn’s disease sometimes extends through the entire thickness of the wall Crohn’s disease information available on the internet might confuse the reader as this inflammatory bowel disease has similar symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. The main difference between Crohn’s disease is that IBS is a disorder that it affects the muscle contractions of the bowel while Chron’s disease causes inflammation to the gastrointestinal tract. There is no information entailing the causes of Crohn’s disease. Several studies suggest it is caused by some factors that involve genetics, environment, and an overactive immune system. It is a misconception that Crohn’s disease is caused due to eating habits. Crohn’s disease characteristic information states that its severity is different for different people and may vary from time to time. It also depends on which gastrointestinal tract is infected. And since the symptoms vary from person to person, it might be harder to track the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Some common Crohn’s disease symptoms include: Rectal bleeding Unexplained weight loss Fever Recurring Diarrhea Abdominal pain and cramping with reduced appetite Based on the area of inflammation there are five types of Crohn’s disease: Ileocolitis This Crohn’s disease affects ileum, which is the end of small intestine and colon which is the part large intestine. The symptoms include diarrhea, cramping flowed by pain in the right lower abdomen, and sudden weight loss.
Here Are a Few Things to Know about Fibromyalgia and Its Diagnosis

Here Are a Few Things to Know about Fibromyalgia and Its Diagnosis

After osteoarthritis, the second most common musculoskeletal condition that affects a lot of people is fibromyalgia, which is very often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Fibromyalgia occurs in the form of fatigue, joint pain and widespread muscle pain among other symptoms. It can easily develop into something that causes social isolation and depression. What is Fibromyalgia syndrome? A set of symptoms is known as a syndrome and when they exist together, they point towards the presence of a specific disease or an increased chance of the disease developing in the system. In the case of fibromyalgia syndrome, the following symptoms occur: Decreased pain threshold Sensitive tender points Depression Social anxiety Widespread pain Debilitating fatigue It has been observed that nearly 12 million Americans are diagnosed with fibromyalgia; it has also been noted that women are ten times more likely to contract this disease as compared to men, and they usually fall in the age bracket of 25 to 60 years. Fibromyalgia symptoms The most common symptom of fibromyalgia is constant ache all over the body and crippling fatigue. One of the most common symptoms is feeling fatigued even after a whole night’s sleep. There may be specific tender points on the body that may be painful to touch and deep and restful sleep cycles may also be punctuated by disturbances because of mood swings. Depression is also a common indication of fibromyalgia. Regarding muscles, it often feels like the muscles are pulled or overworked even without any strenuous exercise. Muscles may also burn, twitch or experience deep stabbing pains. Some people suffering from fibromyalgia may also experience achiness and pain around the back, shoulders, necks, joints, and hips, making it difficult to exercise or sleep. Some other symptoms that are common to other illnesses but may also indicate towards fibromyalgia are: Dryness in eyes, mouth, and nose Abdominal pain Numbness or tingle sensation in feet and fingers Hypersensitivity to cold or heat or both Chronic headaches Incontinence Irritable bowel syndrome Fibro fog or inability to concentrate Overall stiffness The signs of fibromyalgia are very similar to those of tendinitis, osteoarthritis, and bursitis, which are often classified by experts under a type of arthritis and its related disorders.
Common Causes and Symptoms of Arthritis Pain

Common Causes and Symptoms of Arthritis Pain

Arthritis is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the joints. The term arthritis covers a broad spectrum of rheumatic diseases and conditions, that affect the joints. There are over 200 types of arthritis, classified into seven main groups. The main groups under which the various types of arthritis are classified are: Mechanical or degenerative arthritis Inflammatory arthritis Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain Back pain Infectious arthritis Connective tissue arthritis Metabolic arthritis Causes of arthritis While it is not possible to pinpoint any single cause, a combination of any of the following can lead to arthritis. Family history can lead to osteoarthritis Immune dysfunction can lead to Rheumatoid Arthritis and Lupus Abnormal metabolism can lead to gout and pseudogout Any injury to the musculoskeletal system can lead to degenerative arthritis Any infections can lead to arthritis as in Lyme’s disease Arthritis pain symptoms There are symptoms that precede, before a completely developed arthritis. Arthritis is a progressive condition, and the severity of symptoms increase over a period of time. In some cases, the pain is persistent, while in others, the pain is on and off. Also, the symptoms vary depending on the type of arthritis. There are certain arthritis pain symptoms that are experienced by a majority of patients. There are four key warning signs of arthritis. Joint pain The earliest symptom of arthritis is joint pain. Arthritis can affect the joints in the neck, shoulders, elbows, knees, wrist, hips and ankles. The pain can be continuous or intermittent. It can be isolated to one place or the pain can be felt in all parts of the body. Joint stiffness Some types of arthritis display a typical symptom—joint stiffness. Joints get stiff after waking up in the morning, after sitting for a long time at the work desk, or in the car.
Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment of Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is defined as the state or process in which abnormal cells inside the ovary start to multiply without any control, and thereby form a tumor. If a tumor is not treated, it can easily spread to other parts of the body as well. This type of specific condition is known as metastatic ovarian cancer. Ovaries are defined as the two female reproductive glands, which are responsible for producing the ova or eggs. These ovaries also help in producing various female hormones like estrogen and progesterone. It was reported that more than 22,000 women in the country received an ovarian cancer diagnosis in 2017, and almost 14,000 women will be dying from it. There are various warning signs of ovarian cancer, but the earliest symptoms are very vague and difficult to detect. Only 20 percent of ovarian cancers are detected at an earlier stage. So, take a look at some of the more details about this disease. Causes of ovarian cancer The exact reason for the occurrence of ovarian cancer is currently unknown. Following are some of the risk factors that you should be wary of: Having a family history of ovarian cancer Any kind of personal history of colon, breast or uterine cancer The onset of obesity Using hormone therapies No history of being pregnant Being old in age is also a risk factor. Most cases of ovarian cancer happen after the onset of menopause. It should also be kept in mind that, one can have ovarian cancer without having any of the above risk factors. In the same way, having any of these above risk factors doesn’t mean you will get ovarian cancer. Symptoms of ovarian cancer The early symptoms of ovarian cancer are: Having pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis or in the body’s lower part Pain in the back Experiencing indigestion When eating, the feeling of your tummy getting filled quickly Urination becomes more urgent and frequent Pain during sexual intercourse One can also have constipation, due to a change in the bowel movement.
Different Ways to Treat Meningitis

Different Ways to Treat Meningitis

Meningitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the meninges surrounding your spinal cord and brain. Its inflammation triggers several symptoms. Some cases of the disease can be treated in a few weeks while others can be fatal and require immediate antibiotic treatment. It is absolutely necessary to seek immediate attention if you suspect meningitis. Early symptoms of the disease may mimic influenza and it may take a few hours or several days for the symptoms to develop. Early treatment for meningitis is key to boosting your chances of survival and can avoid certain complications. Before discussing the treatment methods for the forms of the disease, let’s discuss the common symptoms of meningitis and ways to treat it. Symptoms Most cases of the disease in the country are caused by a viral infection. Other causes include fungal and bacterial infections. Cancer and autoimmune disease may lead to the onset of the disease as well. Here are a few of the common symptoms and signs of the disease for anyone aged 2 years and above. Stiff neck Seizures Severe headache Sudden high fever Sensitivity to light Loss of appetite No thirst Skin rashes Sleepiness or difficulty in waking up Nausea and vomiting Vaccination Getting yourself vaccinated is the key to protecting yourself from the three most common bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis. These bacteria commonly affect adults and children alike. Meningitis vaccines can cure certain meningitis causing viruses as well so do try them out. Getting vaccinated is one of the easiest forms of treatment for meningitis. These vaccines though cannot protect you from non-infectious causes of meningitis, which include autoimmune disorders and cancer. Bacterial meningitis and its treatment Antibiotics are generally used to treat bacterial meningitis. You will be treated with one or more antibiotics. These target the bacteria causing the infection.