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

Molds are a type of fungus that lives everywhere. Upsetting a mold source can send the spores into the air. You can find molds anywhere of different things. Mold spores are often released when there is a climate change. They are commonly found near places like waterbodies, food particles, damp walls and floors. Along with oxygen, molds need warmth to grow; their growth is hampered in freezing temperatures. They also thrive in darkness and moisture. You may also see them in liquids that has been untouched for a long time. In some cases, it is the moisture and the humid temperature that leads to the thriving of the molds. So, people living in coastal areas are likely to get molds forming on surfaces. Let’s look at some of the reasons that cause the growth of these molds: Humidity Leakage from the pipes and roofs Condensation Poor ventilation Wet clothes Flooding Damp basement Waterbody around the house (lake, pool, river, lagoon, etc.) Molds might seem easy to get rid of, but there are instances where people suffer severe allergies because of them. People catch the allergy when the mold’s small pollen grains escape the filtering process of the nose and get ingested into the respiratory system. People get mold allergy when their immune system overreacts while you are breathing in mold spores. People who already have breathing problem like asthma can also be affected by mold spores. To find cure and treatments to mold allergies, one needs to know the symptoms of the same. The symptoms include: Running or blocked nose Sneezing Coughing Post nasal drip Itchy eyes, nose and throat Watery eyes Dry skin Scaly skin Fatigue Keeping the symptoms in mind, you can now focus on treating the mold allergy. However, there is no cure for the allergies, but you can reduce your allergy symptoms by avoiding contact with the mold spores.

In this article, we will be looking at some of the most important bronchitis and pneumonia symptoms, so that you can be watchful and alert and visit the doctor at the right time. This is one of the best ways to you can protect yourself and others from a lot of damage. Overview of bronchitis and pneumonia Bronchitis and pneumonia are acute forms of cold or flu that we experience. Bronchitis is a condition in which your bronchial tubes (air passages) that carry air to the lungs are infected and get swollen. Bronchitis can be of two types. Acute bronchitis lasts for a few weeks and goes away on its own. Chronic bronchitis is more serious and mostly develops in smokers. It is a long-term condition and can’t be entirely cured. Its treatment includes medicines that open airways and helps clear away mucus. Pneumonia, on the other hand, is yet another lung infection. However, in this ailment, the air sacs in the lungs called alveoli are inflamed. The intensity of pneumonia varies according to the overall and general condition of the person. It can be deadly for people with a weaker immune system or babies or aged people. Bronchitis and pneumonia symptoms There can be acute chest congestion. This happens when your chest feels abnormally full or even clogged at times. Coughing is one of the main bronchitis or pneumonia symptoms. At the time of coughing, you may cough up mucus. The color of this mucus varies depending on the type and severity of the condition. It could be clear or white, or even yellow, green or spotted with blood. You find it difficult to breathe. Being short of breath is one of major bronchitis or pneumonia symptoms. You could sense a whistling or wheezing kind of noise when breathing.

Dry eyes, or dry eye syndrome, as the name suggests is a condition when the surface of the eye isn’t adequately lubricated. The primary reason for this condition is inefficient functioning of the tear ducts in the eyes. Millions of people in the United States suffer from dry eyes. Tears and dry eyes The cornea is the dome-shaped outer surface of the eye. Basal tears are a fluid mixture secreted by the tear glands located near your eyes. These tears are produced to keep the eyes constantly lubricated. Tears do this by continuously layering themselves on the surface of the cornea, serving as liquid protection. This way, tears keep the eyes moisturized by being released with every blink, and never lets them dry. Tears also aid in clearer vision by helping light focus on the pupil, If your eyes don’t receive an adequate amount of basal tears, or the composition of the tears is abnormal, your eyes will experience difficulty seeing clearly and functioning normally. Tears are made up of three layers Oil/Lipid layer: This is the outer layer of the tears and is made of lipids. They are secreted by the Meibomian glands. Since these are molecules of oil, they do not evaporate from the corneal surface and help retain moisture for a long time. Aqueous layer: This is the middle layer of the tears and is made up of water-soluble protein and water. The main lacrimal gland and accessory lacrimal glands are responsible for secreted this layer of the basal tears. Mucin layer: This is the inner layer of the teardrops and is secreted by the goblet cells. The function of this layer is to bind to the water molecules of the aqueous layer and prevent them from evaporating quickly. Symptoms of dry eyes Dry eyes usually occur among adults and more prevalent among females.

Bronchitis can be defined as an irritation or inflammation of the airways, also known as bronchial tubes, in the lungs. These airways are the tubes through which the air passes. When these airways get inflamed, thick mucus forms in them. The mucus covers up the airways thus making it hard for the air to get into the lungs. Persistent coughing is an indication of bronchitis and produces mucus. The sputum plugs up the airways and causes difficulty in breathing, resulting in a feeling of tightness in the chest. In this article, the symptoms along with effective treatment for chronic bronchitis have been outlined. Chronic means that the problem or condition lasts a long time ranging from a few days to several months. Chronic bronchitis is bronchitis that usually lasts more than 3 months and often occurs with emphysema. The combination of these disease causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symptoms of chronic bronchitis The most common symptoms of acute bronchitis: Sore throat Fever constant coughing accompanied by yellow or green mucus Chest congestion Shortness of breath Wheezing Chills Body aches Causes of chronic bronchitis Viruses are often blamed for causing chronic bronchitis. Viruses attack the coating of the bronchial tree and cause inflammation. The same viruses that are responsible for causing colds can also cause acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is contagious, i.e., the virus can be caught from breathing it in or through contact. Once the body starts fighting bronchitis causing viruses, swelling, and inflammation occur. The body needs time to kill these viruses and heal the damage caused to the bronchial tubes. Cigarette smoking is also said to be a major cause of chronic bronchitis. During smoking, tobacco smoke is inhaled into the lungs, this smoke causes irritation in the airways, and they start producing mucus. Regular smokers often develop acute bronchitis.

Toenail fungus is the bacterial or fungal infection of your toenail or a part of it. When your toes are exposed continuously to a moist or damp environment, it becomes a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. If you leave this untreated, the infection could spread to your skin, so it is imperative that you get the toenail fungus treated on time. What causes toenail fungus? A number of factors cause toenail fungus, here are a few : Constant exposure to a damp and moist environment is the most common causal factor of toenail fungus. The type of fungus is usually a dermatophyte. If you already are suffering from athlete’s foot, then that can trigger toenail fungus as well. Weak blood circulation Sometimes, you can contract this infection from others. For example, by wearing the socks or shoes of a person who has toenail fungus can increase your chances of having it too. With old age, your blood circulation decreases, which can lead to toenail fungus. Excessive sweating Walking barefoot Contaminated public spaces such as swimming pools and gyms Psoriasis A weak immune system Wearing socks and tight shoes What are the symptoms of toenail fungus? The affected nail thickens. You might find it difficult to trim your nails. The thickness is caused due to the overgrowth of bacteria and fungi. Discoloration of the nail is one of the most common symptoms. The nail might turn white, yellow or brown. The nail turns brittle, crumbly and will break easily. The shape of your nail changes, it can get distorted and ragged. Owing to the buildup of debris under your nail, the nail bed becomes a dark color. Sometimes, the nail starts to emit a foul odor. Hyperkeratosis or scaling under the affected nail. Lateral onychomycosis refers to the white or yellow streaks that appear across your nails.

Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, means low blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. It usually occurs in people with diabetes. It can be a side effect of insulin or other types of diabetes medicines. Generally, the acceptable range of blood sugar is 70 to 100 mg/dL. In case of diabetic patients, 70 mg/dL or less indicates low blood sugar. However, diabetes medication is not the only cause of low blood sugar. Medications that don’t suit your body, or any exercise or diet, can lead to low sugar levels. Therefore, you mustn’t be careless about your sugar levels and should keep a thorough record to prevent its diminution below the permissible limit. Also, the brain needs glucose to function efficiently and low sugar can cause loss of energy for brain function, leading to poor attention and cognitive function. The brain senses the drop in sugar. This biochemical process then alerts the person that they need food or water—if neglected or left untreated, it can lead to coma or death. In worse case scenario, an injection of glucagon is given to the affected person as the person finds it difficult to eat anything in a normal manner. The glycogen immediately raises the sugar levels to relatively normal. There are many symptoms that can help you recognize low blood sugar levels (they differ from person to person). Symptoms of low blood sugar Anxiety: One of the symptoms of low blood sugar is anxiety. In anxiety or stress, the blood sugar consumption increases which cause an adrenaline rush. This, in turn, causes low blood sugar due to the fluctuations in the energy levels. Hunger: Mild hypoglycemia makes you feel hungry while high or severe hypoglycemia leads to unconsciousness. Food then breaks down into sugar that enables functioning of our body. The sudden hunger pangs are one of the major symptoms of low blood sugar.

Diarrhea is a type of gastrointestinal infection that leads to people suffering from irregular bowel motions which are sometimes accompanied by abdominal pain. Diarrhea usually results in dehydration, i.e., the loss of the required amount of liquids in the body. Diarrhea is generally categorized into two types, acute and chronic diarrhea. Acute diarrhea is common and may last for 2–3 days; however, chronic diarrhea is a serious condition that may last over a month and requires more attention as it may occur due to irritable bowel syndrome or poor absorbability of nutrients. Diarrhea symptoms Some of the symptoms of diarrhea include the following: – Pain in the abdominal area – Bloating – Cramps in the abdominal area – Recurrent bowel passing – Weakness – Nausea or dizziness Role of probiotics in treating diarrhea Probiotics are also known as “good bacteria” that help maintain a good health by multiplying themselves and dominating over problem-causing bacteria. Probiotics help in making digestion better, in better absorption of nutrients, and also the elimination of waste from our bodies. In patients suffering from diarrhea, the count of good bacteria in the gut reduces and this results in bowel irregularities. Probiotics help solve the issue by restoring the good and healthy bacteria that in turn balance the normal intestinal function. Benefits of using diarrhea relief probiotics There exist three primary benefits of consuming probiotics that provide relief from diarrhea – Diarrhea relief probiotics help restrain the growth of bad bacteria and prevent them from holding onto the intestinal walls. – Maintain a good count of healthy or good bacteria that in turn leads to good immunity. – Get relief from abdominal pain by wiping out the toxins discharged by the bad bacteria. Probiotics to get effective relief from diarrhea There are different types of probiotics that help in getting rid of diarrhea.

The skin is the largest organ of the body by weight making about one-sixth of our total body weight. It’s a complicated structure and consists of three layers namely; epidermis the outermost one, the dermis which is a layer beneath the epidermis and the subcutaneous layer the deepest one. Eczema commonly called as ‘dermatitis’ is a skin disorder characterized by inflammation and intense itching. People suffering from eczema have extremely dry skin which is highly susceptible to bacterial, fungal or viral infections. The affected skin is not a smooth, protective barrier but patches of skin with rashness, red lumps or blisters. Eczema can affect people of all age group from infants or adults and continue to have symptoms throughout their life depending on the severity. Normally in infants, itchy rashes appear on the skin. The eczema photos show that these rashes can produce oozing, crusty condition majorly on the child’s scalp and face. Eczema is a recognizable health condition among a number of skin diseases and can be prevented by keeping the skin moisturized, nourished and healthy. Types of eczema Eczema is not considered as a contagious disease and cannot catch when in close contact. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers suggest that people develop eczema because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When an allergen gets activated, skin cells behave like a foreign agent causing an eczema flare-up. There are eight different types of eczema like atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, hand eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis. It is possible to identify the types by looking for eczema photos online. Atopic dermatitis, which is severe and long-lasting is the most common one and can occur in combination at a time. All types of eczema cause itching, redness or blisters.

Rotavirus is a contagious virus that causes inflammation in the intestines and stomach. It is one of the most common causes of diarrhea in children. Although there is no cure for this condition, there are medications that help manage the symptoms. Understanding the symptoms of rotavirus can help one treat the condition immediately. In this article, we will be discussing the symptoms, causes, and prevention methods of rotavirus. Symptoms The symptoms of rotavirus start two days after the exposure to the virus. However, the symptoms can last for up to seven days. Fever and vomiting During the first three days, one may notice fever and vomiting. However, these symptoms may fade away by the fourth day. Dehydration Babies and younger children may experience severe dehydration. Irritability, lack of fluid consumption, little to no urine, and lethargy may be common symptoms of dehydration. Seek immediate medical help if you notice any of these symptoms. Watery diarrhea After the fever and vomiting fade away, one may experience watery diarrhea. This may last for up to seven days. Abdominal pain The diarrhea may be accompanied by abdominal pain. Nevertheless, the stomach pain should subside within a couple of days. Causes Rotavirus is present in the fecal matter of a person and spreads through hand-to-mouth contact. It may be present in the infected person’s stool for two days before the symptoms show up. If a kid or a parent does not wash hands after using the toilet or changing a diaper, the virus can spread easily. The virus can stay on surfaces that have not been disinfected for up to months at a time. Contracting the viral infection is possible even after getting vaccinated. Therefore, prevention is crucial. Prevention To prevent or reduce the risk of getting contaminated, one must wash their hands after using the washroom.

Arthritis is a health condition where one or more joints swell and become tender. This leads to symptoms such as stiffness and joint pain, which subsequently worsen with age. There are treatments to deal with different forms of arthritis that help reduce its symptoms and make life easier. Studies also show combining treatments with certain foods helps get rid of arthritis or reduces its symptoms. Leafy green vegetables Leafy greens contain high levels of vitamins E and vitamin C. A few leafy green vegetables are kale, spinach, cabbage, beet greens, collard greens, watercress, arugula, and Bok choy. Vitamin C helps produce collagen, facilitating joint flexibility. Vitamin E is known to ward off inflammatory molecules from the body. Berries When it comes to foods to help get rid of arthritis naturally, berries deserve a spot on your grocery list. Just like all fruits, berries are rich in antioxidants, which are known to help eliminate potential inflammations. Also, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries contain anthocyanins that help reduce inflammation. Fatty fish Fishes like mackerel, salmon, and tuna help deal with the symptoms of arthritis. These are rich in vitamin D and contain Omega-3 fatty acids that can significantly reduce any inflammation in the body. While you should consider eating fish a couple of times a week, an alternative solution is consuming fish oil supplements. Extra virgin olive oil Unlike regular cooking oils – which undoubtedly carry several health hazards – olive oil is highly beneficial to the human body. It contains heart-healthy fats. Olive oil also shields the body from bone loss when combined with vitamin D. It also contains oleocanthal – a compound that prevents the production of inflammatory properties in the body. Nuts Nuts are replete with magnesium, calcium, fibers, zinc, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids. Nuts serve as anti-inflammatory agents that help deal with this condition.

Lupus is a chronic disease that causes inflammation and pain across the body. It occurs when the immune system erroneously attacks healthy tissues and organs, which means it is an autoimmune condition. Unfortunately, there is no specific meal plan for lupus. That said, eating and avoiding certain foods can help manage the symptoms and prevent complications. So, let’s look at what foods to eat to prevent lupus flare-ups. Flaxseeds It is considered a superfood by many nutritionists. Adding flaxseeds to your daily meals can avoid or reduce lupus flare-ups to a large extent. The alpha-linolenic acid present in it has atherogenic properties that can reduce inflammation associated with lupus. The lignans present in flaxseeds are platelet-activating factor (PAF) – receptor antagonists that can also be beneficial in treating lupus nephritis. Fatty fish Fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, trout, and herring are rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and HUFA (highly unsaturated fatty acid), which are a type of omega-3 fatty acid. These nutrients are associated with decreasing inflammation due to autoimmune diseases like lupus. Other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can reduce or avoid lupus flare-ups include Brussels sprouts, algal oil, chia seeds, walnuts, among others. Whole grains Metabolism plays an essential role in any disease management. In this case, a poor metabolism may lead to developing lupus. Refined grains reduce the body’s metabolism, which can increase the risk of lupus inflammation as they take longer to process. Nutritionists recommend eating whole grains like rye, barley, cracked wheat (bulgur), quinoa, and oatmeal as they are lighter on the digestive system and contain healthy fiber that aids in digestion, decreasing the risk of inflammation. Fresh fruits and vegetables Researchers believe that one of the reasons for autoimmune diseases like lupus is the lack of nutrients in daily meals. As the body processes the food we eat, it leaves behind free radicals.