Colitis – Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Colitis – Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Usually, an inflammation of the colon (also referred to as the large intestine) is known as colitis. It is a disease that has varied symptoms in different people. Colitis can be of different types such as: Microscopic colitis Ischemic colitis Inflammatory bowel disease colitis (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) Chemical colitis Pseudomembranous colitis Infectious colitis such as food poisoning, and infections caused by bacteria or parasites Depending on the type of colitis you have, your symptoms can vary. To pick the right treatment for colitis, it is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis. Here is a list of some colitis symptoms that will help you understand when you should consult a healthcare professional. Symptoms of colitis According to various medical study reports, most of the times, colitis is associated with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Pain caused by inflammation The muscle layers undergo intermittent spasms due to colon inflammation. This intermittent spasm causes cramp-like or colicky pain, which comes and goes. Usually, the affected person feels this pain in the lower abdomen. However, you might feel this pain at any point along the course of the colon. Due to the colitis, the body is unable to reabsorb water properly because any ingested food or drinks move through the colon rapidly as the muscles cannot contract in their regular pattern. All of this leads to watery diarrhea. If the colon lining breaks down and becomes inflamed, the affected person might experience bleeding. In the case of ulcerative colitis, small ulcers form and cause bleeding. Pain caused by diarrhea Often, the pain caused by colitis that involves the distal colon (sigmoid colon and rectum) increases gradually preceding a bowel movement. The pain might subside after the diarrheal bowel movement, but it can return with the next diarrheal episode. Also, the affected person may get the urgent feeling of wanting to go to the loo.
Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Tips for Pain Relief

Fibromyalgia Symptoms and Tips for Pain Relief

Fibromyalgia is a condition in which a person suffers from excess musculoskeletal pain and fatigue without having any physical injury or inflammation. The cause(s) of fibromyalgia is still unknown; however, many doctors suggest it to be genetics. The symptoms may develop after an illness, physical trauma or stress. There are various options for pain relief for fibromyalgia, but first, let us have a look at its symptoms. Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Common symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are as follows: Pain and localized tenderness Fatigue Difficulty in sleeping Problems in concentrating Depression or anxiety IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Headaches Morning stiffness Tingling in the hands, arms, and feet Painful menstrual cramps Treatments for Fibromyalgia Pain Relief Fibromyalgia pain can be minor or acute enough to muddle with one’s everyday activities. Thankfully, there are some natural remedies as well as medical treatments that are helpful in acquiring fibromyalgia pain relief. Some of the most common ones are listed below. Painkillers There are many over-the-counter medicines available that help to reduce the pain associated with fibromyalgia, such as aspirin or naproxen. You can consult your doctor before taking any of these. However, their long-term use is not recommended. Generally, painkiller medicines help to reduce pain and inflammation, reduce the severity of muscular aches, and diminish sleep problems. Antidepressants Antidepressants are another alternative for relieving fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. However, these medicines can cause certain side effects such as nausea and vomiting, weight gain, and loss of sex drive. Thus, it is important to understand the potential risks and consult your medical professional before their intake. Narcotic Pain Medications Narcotic pain medicines, also known as opioids, alter the way your brain responds to pain. These medicines have been found helpful in treating different kinds of pain. However, these are generally addictive, and so, their limited use has been recommended.
Tips to Relieve Allergy Symptoms in Kids

Tips to Relieve Allergy Symptoms in Kids

Dealing with your kids’ allergy could be very challenging. There are some measures that could help you fight against your child’s allergy symptoms. However, before starting any treatment for your kids’ allergy, you should consult your doctor and get a confirmation if the symptoms are actually an outcome of allergy. Thereafter, you may try the following kids’ allergy relief tips. Make your kid stay inside the house One of the best ways to treat kids’ allergy is by making them stay inside the house. You need to make sure that your child is away from the pollens that cause allergy. There are certain times in a day when the pollen count increases such as when the wind is blowing, mid-morning, or in the early evening. It will be hard for you to keep your kids indoor all the time. However, make sure that you keep them inside in these times as the chances of getting affected by allergies increases when they are exposed to or in direct contact with the pollens. Use salt water for relief When your children have an allergy, you will see that their nose is plugged most of the time. One of the better ways to open that plugged nose is by using salt water. Older children may use a nasal irrigation solution available at medical stores that contains salt water solution. For younger children, you can make a solution by using 8 ounces of boiled water and a teaspoon of salt. Remember that you have to use non-iodized salt while making the solution. The salt water solution is an incredible process of kids’ allergy relief. Make sure that your kid stays hydrated One of the symptoms of seasonal allergy is continuous sneezing. When your kid is sneezing too much, he or she will become dehydrated.
Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of Overactive bladder

Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of Overactive bladder

A medical condition characterized by a sudden, uncontrollable urge to urinate is called overactive bladder (OAB). An overactive bladder leads to involuntary passage of urine, also known as urge incontinence. Apart from physical discomfort, an overactive bladder causes embarrassment for the affected person. Healthy functioning of the bladder requires a healthy urinary tract. Also, the communication channels between the nerves and the bladder muscles need to be uninterrupted. An improper communication passage or unhealthy urinary tract causes involuntary contractions of the urinary bladder. These involuntary contractions trigger overactive bladder symptoms. Causes of Overactive bladder Involuntary contractions of the bladder lead to urge incontinence. It may not always be possible to pinpoint the exact cause of these contractions. Based on the accompanying symptoms, the doctor may identify overactive bladder causes as the following: Neurological conditions Conditions like Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and multiple sclerosis cause interruption between your nerves and bladder, which leads to urine incontinence. Damage to nerves Any damage to the nerves leading to the bladder causes overactive bladder. These nerves may be damaged due to an injury to the spine, abdomen or pelvis. In some cases, surgery to these parts may accidentally damage the nerve leading to the bladder. Urinary tract infection An infection of the urinary tract affects the activity of the bladder wall. As a result of the infection, the bladder becomes overactive causing urine incontinence. Medication Side effects of certain medicines cause OAB. Consumption of water pills or caffeine pills or diuretics causes increased bladder activity. Blockages Obstructions in the urinary tract could trigger symptoms of OAB. Enlargement of the prostate, tumors, and bladder stones are overactive bladder causes. Pregnancy The uterus of pregnant women expands to accommodate the fetus. Expanded uterus pressurizes the bladder, which in turn causes frequent urination. For some women, urge incontinence continues even after childbirth.
Hemorrhoids – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

Hemorrhoids – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

The hemorrhoid is a common disease that affects the masses at large. Every three out of four people suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in time in their lives. The disease is not fatal and may or may not come with symptoms. The symptoms of hemorrhoids include a feeling of discomfort, bleeding, and itching. The disease is also referred to as piles and is categorized by the swelling of the veins in the lower rectum and the anus. Of the many causes of hemorrhoids, increased pressure on these veins, or strain during bowel movement is quite common and may lead to the onset of the disease. It develops under the skin inside the anus, and around it. While there are several causes of hemorrhoids, its cause is often unknown to individuals. You must visit a doctor if you are suffering from the symptoms of the disease. Here are a few of the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment methods of the disease. Causes of Hemorrhoids There are several causes of hemorrhoids. Swollen veins around the anus and within it can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum. The veins tend to strain and stretch under this pressure and well up. Hemorrhoids may also be a result of age. With age, the veins in the anus and the rectum weaken and stretch. Here are a few of the most common causes of hemorrhoids. Higher risk of contracting the disease if you strain during bowel movements Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet may result in the onset of the disease as well Chronic constipation and diarrhea also lead to the disease Obesity too is a cause of the disease Pregnancy may lead to the disease as well Maintaining a low fiber diet may result in the disease as well.
Common Symptoms and Treatment Options of Shingles

Common Symptoms and Treatment Options of Shingles

Shingles is a type of viral infection that results in a painful rash in the form of blisters. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus that is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person encounters chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the body in the nerve tissues near the brain or spinal cord. After several years, this virus may reactivate in the form of shingles. Although this rash can appear anywhere on the body, it mostly occurs as a strip of sore blisters either on the right or left side of the upper body. It is best to get vaccinated for shingles in order to prevent the occurrence of the condition. Common symptoms of shingles In most cases, the symptoms of shingles can only be seen in a specific part of the body. These symptoms include the following: Pain, numbness or tingling in a specific body part A red rash that develops after a few days of the pain Fluid-filled blisters that crust over Itching in the affected area Sensitivity to touch Apart from these, some people also experience Fever Headache Excessive fatigue Sensitivity to light Usually, one of the first symptoms of shingles is the pain. In some cases, it can be really excruciating and severe. Because the rash mostly occurs on the torso, shingles pain is generally mistaken for a pain of the heart, kidneys or lungs. Sometimes, shingles also develop around the eye or on either side of the face and neck. Effective treatment for Shingles Medications There is no cure for this condition. However, some medications can help in reducing the severity of the symptoms of shingles: Antiviral medicines Antiviral medicines such as famciclovir and acyclovir help to reduce pain and aid the recovery process. Anti-inflammatory medicines Medicines such as ibuprofen and aspirin help to reduce pain and swelling.
Symptoms and Treatment for Common Partial Seizures

Symptoms and Treatment for Common Partial Seizures

What is a seizure and what are the types? A seizure occurs when the electrical signals sent through the neurons in the brain start behaving abnormally. There is a sudden surge in the electrical activity that takes place in the brain. This sudden spike is what causes a seizure. There are two categories of seizures, the partial seizures and the generalized seizures. Generalized seizures take place when the entire brain is affected, and partial seizures take place when only a certain part of the brain is affected. A partial seizure is also known as a focal onset seizure. It may occur due to many reasons. The main causes of a partial seizure are a stroke, brain injury, high blood pressure, epilepsy, congenital brain defects, kidney failure, and liver failure. Additionally, a partial seizure may be caused by bites, stings, phenylketonuria, drugs, and infections. Partial seizures are more common in people who are 65 years old or above. What are the common symptoms of a partial seizure? A partial seizure affects an individual emotionally and physically. The symptoms can occur in anyone who is older than 1 year. There are times when the symptoms of partial seizure resemble the symptoms of mental or nerve disorders. The symptoms may last anywhere between a few seconds to a few minutes. There are several different symptoms of partial seizures. There are three types of partial seizures, including simple, complex, and secondary that are generalized. The symptoms of partial seizures are as follows: One performs repetitive movements. This includes rubbing one of the hands excessively. One feels sick and nauseated for no apparent reason. This feeling refuses to go away. One might experience jerk movements affecting the head, the arms, or the legs that becomes unstoppable. One feels like something is walking on their skin when there is nothing.
Common Symptoms and Treatments for Varicose Veins

Common Symptoms and Treatments for Varicose Veins

No one would like to spot some blue or dark purple colored veins on his or her legs or any other body parts. If you find such veins sneaking through your skin, you should talk to a dermatologist. This disorder is known as varicose veins and they form due to some faulty valves that pass blood in the wrong direction. The disorder can be found in adults and aged people. Apart from this, pregnant women are vulnerable to this vein disorder. Spider veins, swollen ankles, and aching legs are some of the symptoms one can experience when under the varicose vein disorder. Various treatments are available for varicose veins. You can opt out for home remedies, but if the condition is beyond your control, you should talk to a specialist, as the disorder can lead to varicose ulcers on your skin. Here, we will talk about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for varicose veins. Symptoms In most of the cases, patients do not experience any pain at the beginning for their varicose veins disorder. Have a look at some of the most common symptoms of varicose veins. Twisted and lumpy and swollen veins Minor injuries lead to heavy bleeding Legs feel heavy after any physical activity Swollen ankles Skin discoloration in affected areas Venous eczema Leg cramps after prolong standing Restless legs syndrome Skin shrinking Diagnosis of varicose veins The process of diagnosis involves a physical examination by doctors, where they will check for swelling. If you have any aching or hard pain in your legs, you should mention it during the process. Doctors can also perform an ultrasound test to ensure proper functioning or valves in the veins. They will also search for the evidence of blood clot in your veins. In a noninvasive test, experts will use a hand-held device against your skin or the affected area to examine the cause of this disorder.
Tension Headache Symptoms and Home Remedies

Tension Headache Symptoms and Home Remedies

Headaches are very common these days. Long working hours on the laptop and an excessive use of gadgets often lead to a headache. Most people ignore headaches or get temporary relief by taking painkillers. But, do you know that a headache can be the first symptom of a deadly disease? Whether it’s just a tension headache or a sinus problem, ignoring a headache is never a bliss. Headaches are one of the most common chronic pains (second only to back troubles). A headache could be a symptom of some anguished, life-threatening illnesses or it could be as simple as anxiety. So how do you identify what category your problem fits in? Although not all headaches are the same, they all share at least one thing in common—they cause pain. Many headaches also cause other unwanted symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. This article highlights the symptoms of one of the most common types of headache, which is a tension headache and looks at the treatment options for the same. A tension headache One of the most common types of a headache, a tension headache causes pain or discomfort in the head, the neck, and the scalp. It is often associated with tightness of muscles in these areas. Tension headaches are of two types, namely, episodic tension headaches and chronic tension headaches. Symptoms People with tension headaches generally complain of the following symptoms: Episodic tension headaches (they occur for less than 15 days per month) Pain is mild to moderate, a constant band-like pain or pressure Pain affects the frontal, top, or sides of the head. Pain generally appears gradually and regularly develops in the middle of the day Pain may last from 30 minutes to several days Chronic tension headaches (they occur for more than 15 days per month) Pain may fluctuate in severity throughout the day but is roughly always present.
Symptoms of Different Types of Epileptic Seizures

Symptoms of Different Types of Epileptic Seizures

Epilepsy is a neurological condition that causes seizures. A person is said to have epilepsy if he experiences two or more seizures, a disorder in the electrical communication between neurons in the brain, separated by a period of 24 hours. The consequences of an epileptic seizure can vary from uncontrolled jerking movement to momentary loss of awareness. These can also vary in frequency, from several times in a day to only once in a year. Understanding epilepsy seizure symptoms is the first step in treating this disorder. Types of epileptic seizures and their symptoms Differentiating seizure types is important for causes, diagnosis, and treatment. Epilepsy seizure symptoms are broadly classified into two groups – focal seizures and generalized seizures. Focal seizures are the ones which initially affect only one hemisphere of the brain. There are four lobes in each hemisphere of the brain. The seizure symptoms vary based on where the seizure has occurred. This is further divided into two categories: Focal aware seizure – This affects only a small area of the brain and people experiencing this type of seizure remain conscious. The common symptoms include the following. A sudden feeling of fear, anger, anxiety Falling or moving sensations Altered sense of hearing Strenuous speech or incapable of speaking If asleep, hallucinations or illusions Focal impaired awareness seizure – This is associated with unilateral cerebral hemisphere and results in impairment of awareness. The common symptoms include the following. A feeling of déjà vu, a feeling that a person has lived through the present situation A feeling of euphoria or depersonalization Display of automatisms like, lip smacking or swallowing Generalized seizures – These are typically characterized by no apparent cause. Unlike focal seizures, it affects more or the whole part of the brain. This is further classified into the following types.
Know about the Various Symptoms of Neuropathy

Know about the Various Symptoms of Neuropathy

Neuropathy refers to a generalized disease or malfunctioning of the nerves due to a variety of causes. Nerves are present throughout the body and damage in any location of this system affects the related body part. What Is neuropathy? The word is a combination of “neuro” + “pathy” where “neuro” refers to nerve and “pathy” means suffering or feeling. This is a term that is used to describe injury, damage or disease to the nerves. As a result of such damage, there can be several effects – pain, loss of sensation, loss of function or movement, impairment of gland or organ function. These damages are based on the part of the nervous system that is affected. Classification Neuropathy may be classified according to: The number of nerves affected- mononeuropathy, polyneuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex Type of nerve fiber that is involved in motor, sensory or autonomic systems Damaged or injured nerves can cause compression or inflammation Other classifications include cranial neuropathy vs peripheral neuropathy based on whether cranial nerves or peripheral nerves( those outside the brain/spinal cord system) are involved, focal neuropathy where only a single nerve or one single area of the body is involved. Terms like distal symmetric neuropathy are used to describe how distant the affected nerves are from the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). Symptoms of Neuropathy The malfunction of any nerves results in neuropathy. The symptoms of neuropathy depend on the type, location and number of nerves involved There are two types of neuropathy symptoms: loss of functions and gain of functions. Motor symptoms include weakness, tiredness, lack of balance, muscle atrophy, cramps, and muscle twitch Sensory symptoms include numbness, tingling, and pain In general, the sensory symptoms appear first before motor symptoms that’s why early diagnosis and intervention are crucial Autonomic neuropathy symptoms include dryness of the mouth, constipation, difficult urination, lack of balance or dizziness when you stand up, sexual dysfunction, feeling of bloating after meals, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, intolerance of heat, decreased sweating and hypoglycemia.
Gout Pain – Symptoms and Treatment

Gout Pain – Symptoms and Treatment

All of a sudden one experiences extreme pain in the big toe or other joints. The pain is excruciating and occurs at any time of the day. Such symptoms are typical of gout. Gout pain is a complex type of arthritic pain that occurs due to the build-up of uric acid in the bloodstream. The accumulation of uric acid forms sharp crystals in bone joints. The most common location where gout occurs is the big toe. A gout attack can occur to anyone. A gout attack typically lasts for 10 days, out of which extreme pain occurs during the initial three days. Gout attack starts at one joint and spreads to other joints when not treated. Pain relief for gout can be achieved by reducing the inflammation. Prompt treatment of gout foot pain results in the reduction of inflammation and pain and prevents spreading to other joints as well. Symptoms of gout pain Symptoms of gout pain vary with the severity and build-up of uric acid. Extremely painful gout pain is caused when the uric acid accumulates to the extent where crystals are formed at the joints. The common symptoms of gout pain are: Excruciating pain in the joints : Big toe is the most common joint that is affected by gout pain. It can also spread to other joints like elbow, ankle, wrists, and fingers. The first two to three days of a gout attack are most painful. Swollen joints : Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid at joints. This accumulation manifests as a swelling or bulge at the joints. Excessive uric acid deposits form crystals at the joints, which appear like tiny nodes under the skin. Moderate discomfort : After the extreme pain reduces, moderate to mild pain lingers at the joints. This discomfort lasts for weeks.