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.

Blood is the essential component that keeps all the systems ticking within the human body. Blood circulation facilitates the transportation of oxygen and nutrients to all the vital organs of the body. Certain factors, such as high cholesterol and dehydration, can slow down a person’s blood circulation, causing a range of health issues. One can detect blood circulation issues through certain symptoms, and some common warning signs of poor blood circulation are discussed below. Unusual skin changes Several blood vessels are present directly under the first few layers of one’s skin. Therefore, the first warning signs of poor blood circulation are often felt on the skin. Some of the changes one feels on their skin are twisted, bulging blue varicose veins appearing on the legs and ankles. This happens when a valve within a given vein fails and causes disruption in blood circulation. Apart from that, the appearance of blue skin on the lips, nose, hands, ears, and feet is also caused by stunted/slowed-down blood circulation. Tingling sensation in hands and feet This condition, known as pins and needles, is a direct result of poor blood flow. One may have experienced this directly on their palm after sitting on their hand or laying on their arm for too long. Tingling sensations are caused when too much pressure does not allow blood to flow to certain areas of the body. The hands and feet are technically the farthest points of the human body, so if someone has blood circulation issues, then they are likely to experience tingling in these parts of the body. Slow healing of wounds Wounds heal when the blood flows into the affected area and supplies it with the requisite oxygen, nutrients, and white blood cells to heal quickly. When a person suffers from blood circulation issues, their wounds do not get a proper and quick supply of blood, causing their wounds to heal slowly.

The number of diabetes cases has risen over the past few years. Research suggests specific contagious viruses can replicate within the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin, affecting the hormone’s synthesis and secretion. Moreover, the mild inflammation triggered by these viruses worsens diabetes by causing insulin resistance. While people know the general health risks of eating too much sugar, there is an urgent need to identify the eight signs of excessive sugar intake. Increase in appetite Sugary foods are rich in calories. But they do not have the nutritional value that the body otherwise gains from proteins, fiber, and antioxidants found in healthy foods. Empty calories cannot satiate a full-grown adult. So, to fill this void, many people turn to compulsive snacking throughout the day. Excess fatigue People who eat sugary foods and beverages regularly might experience frequent bouts of fatigue. Excess sugar triggers abnormal changes in insulin levels, and energy levels drop rapidly as the body tries to process the extra calories. Acne and skin problems One of the most noticeable signs of excess sugar intake is adult acne and skin problems. This is mainly because of blood glucose imbalance since the body’s glycemic levels influence skin health. Digestive problems Sugar is an underlying irritant that can result in many digestive problems. People may experience stomach pain and cramping. Diarrhea is also a significant risk factor for those with gastrointestinal issues. Dental problems Having sugary foods and beverages every day increases the risk of cavities. The bacteria in the mouth thrive off particles left behind in the molars, leading to cavities and other dental problems. Joint pain Sugar is also an inflammatory trigger, so those suffering from joint problems will experience more pain with increased inflammation. Trouble sleeping Glycemic levels in the body also influence sleep cycles.

Heartburn is the burning sensation that you experience in your chest after you eat. This feeling can be intense at times, and in these extreme cases, the person might even experience a chest pain. Heartburn is a fairly common condition that occurs when there is indigestion, and the food doesn’t sit well with your system. This happens when you eat spicy food or overeat. It is also known as acid reflux as the acid in your stomach comes back up into the esophagus causing a burning sensation in your chest. You might also feel nauseous and uncomfortable for a long time. If heartburn occurs more than two times a week, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease. It can lead to further complications if left untreated. How To Differentiate Heartburn Chest Pain And Heart Attack One of the main symptoms of heartburn is chest pain. This is the reason most people confuse heartburn with cardiac attacks. The burning in the chest causes alarm and has people assuming that they are experiencing a heart attack. This is how you can distinguish between the two: Signs Of A Heart Attack The chest pain you experience when you have a heart attack will slowly spread to your neck, arms, and shoulders. You will have shortness of breath and feel light-headed. There will also be a lot of sweating. There will be a tightness in the chest, unlike the pain you feel in heartburn. Signs Of A Heartburn Patients experiencing a heartburn feel the pain in the chest spreading to the throat. A vomiting sensation and an acrid taste in the tongue are other signs. You’ll feel like the food is coming back into your mouth. Lying down will only intensify the discomfort and pain. Other signs that tell you that you have a heartburn and not a heart attack is, you will not be sweating, and the pain will occur after you have a meal.

Typically, cold and flu are not serious health issues. However, they can often prove to be frustrating as they bring down the body’s energy levels with a range of bothersome symptoms. This can negatively influence your health and even make routine tasks cumbersome. Such conditions can be treated with home remedies, but they might take a considerable amount of time to work. Therefore, to gain quick relief you can use cold and flu medicines. To understand your treatment options better, read further to get a gist of its signs. Identifying cold and flu symptoms You can develop cold and flu separately, or together. However, both of these conditions have different indicators. For instance, cold is characterized by signs such as a sore throat, sneezing, runny nose, chest congestion, cough, mild fever, etc. Moreover, flu symptoms can be comparatively more severe like fever, muscle pain, headaches, sore throat, etc. In few cases, patients can also suffer from additional issues like nausea and upset stomach. Although, the occurrence of these signs will differ from person to person. If any of the symptoms persist for more than three to four days, then you should immediately seek medical help. Types of medications for cold and flu Depending on the signs, you can seek the assistance of OTC (over-the-counter) medications or prescribed medications. There is a range of cold and flu medicines that can help alleviate various symptoms. The following are some of the common kinds of cold and medicines that you can consider using. Decongestants – If you are tackling a stuffy nose, then a decongestant might help. This drug shrinks the inflamed tissues and blood vessels in the nose that assist in getting rid of any nasal blockage. You can find this cold and flu medicine in the form of pills, syrups, nasal sprays, and nose drops.

Crohn’s disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), affects the gastrointestinal tract. The inflammation causes abdominal cramps (pain), fever, weight-loss, and diarrhea. In the case of a severe inflammation, the stool is accompanied by blood and the infection spreads deep into the layers of the bowel tissue. Besides the inner infection, other complications such as anemia, skin rashes, lethargy, eye inflammation, and arthritis may occur. The ailment debilitates you and can lead to grave complications if left untreated. The colon, a part of the large intestine and the last part of the small intestine are the areas that are more prone to developing this disease. Crohn’s symptoms and signs Depending on the affected area of the bowel and the severity of the infection, you may develop symptoms that can prolong over weeks and years. In its active state, Crohn’s symptoms and signs include: Diarrhea : Diarrhea is one of the first tell-tale signs. If you have inflammation in the small intestine, you experience a more, watery form of diarrhea. If the infection is rooted in the colon, then diarrhea carries blood with it. When the condition flares up, diarrhea can be severely afflicting. However, when the inflammation goes down, the condition gets better. Rectal bleeding : One of the major symptoms of this IBD is blood that might appear on or in the stool. The blood spots are typically bright red as the bleeding might be from the rectum or the large intestine. Sometimes if the inflammation is too severe you may experience only passing blood. If the bleeding seems to be acute and steady, you need to seek emergency medical attention. Fever/night sweats : People with Crohn’s disease develop a fever as a reactionary step, taken by the body to fight the inflammation flare up. Night sweats develop as the body temperature changes, indicating that the immune system has kicked into action and has actively engaged with the infection in the digestive tract Fatigue :

Brittle bone disease, medically known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), is a rare genetic disorder that affects one in about 20,000 people. Marked by fragile bones prone to fractures and deformities, the condition often presents a unique set of challenges, and identifying it early in children is crucial for their well-being. While some symptoms of OI are obvious, others are hidden, making early diagnosis a complex task. Here are 6 signs that should prompt one to seek immediate medical attention. 6 signs to look for Blue sclera The sclera is the whites of the eyes. In brittle bone disease, the sclera may appear to be discolored, with a bluish, purple, or gray tint. This is due to the thinness of the sclera, which allows the underlying blood vessels to show through. Dental issues Children with brittle bone disease often experience dental problems, including brittle, discolored, or misaligned teeth and a high susceptibility to cavities. While dental changes are common in children, if a child repeatedly presents with dental issues, it may be a hidden sign of brittle bone disease. Hearing loss Parents should be vigilant if their child exhibits signs of hearing difficulty. OI can also lead to hearing problems, which might not be immediately associated with bone fragility. The bones in the ear can be affected, resulting in conductive hearing loss. Respiratory issues In more severe cases of OI, children may experience recurrent respiratory problems. The fragile rib cage, which may appear to be shaped like a barrel due to OI, can make it challenging for children to breathe properly. Coxa vara This is a type of condition where one’s hip joint looks deformed because the top part of the leg bone has bent down. This deformity can be a sign of OI. Short stature Another less conspicuous sign of OI is a short stature.

Have you been experiencing some changes lately but not sure what those are? Your body may be displaying low sugar symptoms. Hypoglycemia, a condition referred to commonly as low blood sugar, occurs in your body when the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood dips below the normal levels. As glucose is a vital source of energy in the human body, having this condition may affect the functioning of your muscles and brain cells owing to the lack of sufficient energy. In most people, the onset of hypoglycemia means that their blood sugar level is below 70 mg/dl. Low blood sugar is usually found in people who have diabetes, and it can happen even if you are taking care to manage the disease. It is especially common in people with type 2 diabetes, and in those who are taking insulin to treat their diabetes. In most cases, hypoglycemia is mild and you can treat it easily by consuming a small amount of food that is rich in glucose. Having low blood sugar levels in your body can lead to other health complications, both short-term and long-term. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause clumsiness, confusion, and fainting spells, while long-term complications of the condition include coma, seizures, and even death. This condition can occur quite suddenly, leaving you confused and worried. Here are some of the low sugar symptoms that you need to know and keep an eye out for. Extreme hunger : Have you been noticing that you have been feeling hungry even though you might have just eaten? It may be one of the low sugar symptoms that you are experiencing. You may feel ravenous hunger at all times, or suddenly feel like you are starving. This is an indication that your body needs more glucose. You can promptly treat this low sugar symptom by having four ounces of fruit, two tablespoons of raisins, or some hard candy.

Learning that a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s can take a toll on anybody. This progressive disease is emotionally and physically traumatizing as it gradually affects one’s memory, their ability to think and perceive. In order to manage the symptoms effectively, knowing about the stages of progress and treatment options is crucial. The experience of the disease may differ from person to person but the trajectory from the beginning to the end of the illness is the same. Given below are the 7 identified Alzheimer’s stages: Preclinical Alzheimer’s The preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s is not clearly observed and signs of memory loss or dementia are not evident. Family history alone may denote the risk of this stage or else one’s regular physician may recognize biomarkers signifying the risk, suggesting a visit to a neurologist. Normal forgetfulness After crossing 65, it is common to forget things. But at stage two of Alzheimer’s, the tendency to forget things tends to increase rapidly than in people of the same age group who do not suffer from the disease. Mild decline The symptoms at this stage are less clear and it usually continues for about 7 years. The symptoms gradually become obvious within 2- 4 years. Only those who are very close may detect the signs since they are still quite subtle. The quality of work may decrease and the victims may find it difficult to learn new skills. Other signs of the third stage include things like getting lost in a well-known route, difficulty in remembering correct words/names, an inability to remember recent news, inability to remember new names/ people, frequent loss or misplacement of an item, a decrease in concentration. Moderate Decline This 4 th Alzheimer’s stage lasts almost two years and marks the commencement of identifiable Alzheimer’s disease. In this stage, precise indications of the ailment are clear.

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, occurs when the contents of the stomach move in a backward motion and into the esophagus. A severe form of acid reflux is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Heartburn or acid reflux is a common digestive condition which affects more than 60 million Americans at least once in 30 days, with more than 15 million Americans experiencing this phenomenon every day. There are different heartburn symptoms and signs, the most common one being a burning sensation in the chest. The feeling in the stomach radiates up to the mid-chest or throat. It may also cause a bitter taste in the back of the mouth and often lead to struggle while swallowing and in some cases, it is known to develop breathing problems too. Occasional heartburn is quite common and does not point to anything specific. Majority of the people are able to manage the discomfort caused by heartburn by introducing certain lifestyle changes along with some over-the-counter medications. However, if heartburn is more frequent and interferes with the daily routine, it is an indication pointing to a more serious condition that requires medical attention. Common heartburn symptoms and signs A burning sensation in the upper body, just behind the breastbone that starts immediately after eating and lasts for a few minutes to several hours Chest pain that becomes severe especially after lying down, bending over, or eating A burning sensation in the throat Consistent cramps experienced in the upper abdomen Dry mouth Gum irritation along with tenderness and bleeding Tooth erosion Pain or swelling in the throat Unpleasant breath because of slight regurgitation of acidic foods Bloating Burping or passing gas after meals Sometimes acid in the stomach can escape from the stomach and can make its way into the back of the throat.

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord. It can be a life-threatening condition. Therefore, the case of a person affected by meningitis falls under medical emergencies. Causes of meningitis The swelling may be caused due to viral or bacterial infections. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections can also cause meningitis. You may catch the infection while sneezing or coughing or kissing. Commonly, acute viral and bacterial infections cause the inflammation of tissues. Fungal meningitis is rare; it causes chronic meningitis. The signs of meningitis vary from person to person, depending on his/her age and the cause of the infection. Bacterial meningitis is a serious illness and can be deadly. It spreads to the brain through nasal mucus and throat secretions. It can build up in over a few hours or several days. In infants, the most common causes are Group B strep, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus) are often the causes of meningitis in adolescents. If left untreated for long, many complications may arise. The possible complications might include the following: Loss of hearing Epilepsy Brain damage Renal failure Gait issues Shock Hydrocephalus or fluid buildup and brain swelling Myocarditis or inflammation of heart muscles (only if the infection reaches the heart) These complications can be life-threatening. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis and is often less severe than bacterial meningitis. There is no report of serious long-term issues associated with viral meningitis. Affected people recover on their own (without any medical treatment). There is no specific treatment for antibiotics do not help treat viral meningitis. However, they are crucial in treating bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis is a communicable disease. The meningitis symptoms in children include cold, diarrhea, fever, blisters, sore throat, and influenza.

If the changing seasons make you sneeze your head off, instead of putting a spring in your step, you might have a pollen allergy. Pollen allergies or hay fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen released by plants. Pollen is a fine powder released by plants during their reproductive cycles. Pollen is fine enough to travel through the air, which helps plants to reproduce. However, the protein in the pollen can be easily inhaled or ingested via the nose, mouth, ears, or eyes which can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Approximately 30% of adults have some level of pollen allergy. Pollen is not only released by flowering plants but also by grass, trees, and weeds. Flower pollen allergies are more common in spring. Grass pollen allergies are more common in summer, and in autumn, pollen allergies from weeds are predominant. This makes pollen allergies a year-round ordeal for some people, that can be quite uncomfortable and impedes their daily lives. Pollen allergy signs and symptoms If you have a pollen sensitivity, every time you breathe in or come in contact with pollen, you might notice pollen allergy signs such as: Sneezing Itching Redness of the eyes A runny nose Coughing Watering eyes Difficulty breathing Pollen allergy signs can also include worsening of asthma and other respiratory conditions in people who are predisposed. Allergens such as pollen, trigger an immune response in the body. The immune system releases a chemical called Histamine, that works to eliminate this allergen, which is perceived as a threat to the body. Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate which produces pollen allergy signs such as sneezing, runny nose, and redness of the nose and eyes. The nasal blood vessels also expand which can cause nasal congestion and sinus infections. Conversely, the veins of the face constrict in response to histamine, which causes characteristic pollen allergy signs called ‘allergic shiners’ like dark circles under the eyes.