Infection of lungs is known as pneumonia. Usually, it occurs in one or both of the lungs. Incidentally, pneumonia can be caused by bacteria, virus or fungi. However, bacterial pneumonia is the most common of these and occurs in adults. Pneumonia leads to inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. These alveoli get filled with pus and it makes breathing difficult. Risk Factor Though anyone can suffer from pneumonia, certain people have more risk and are prone to pneumonia. Infants under 2 years and elders over 65 are more prone to this infection. People who have suffered a stroke also are at risk of having pneumonia. Those suffering from chronic medical conditions as asthma, diabetes, and heart failure are also at high risk of suffering from pneumonia. Complications of Pneumonia Even though treatment for pneumonia is sought in time, sometimes the severity of infection is so intense that it leads to complications which are difficult to cure and might need regular monitoring on the part of doctor or hospitalization in some cases. Bacterial presence in the bloodstream In case bacteria are able to enter the bloodstream from the lungs they can spread this infection to other parts and can also lead to organ failures. Difficulty in breathing If the infection has spread and is severe, it can lead to difficulty in breathing. The patient will require hospitalization and will have to start the treatment for pneumonia. The patient may require the use of a ventilator unless the situation gets better. Diagnosis of Pneumonia The doctor will begin the diagnosis of pneumonia by asking certain questions to the patient. These could be on certain symptoms of the disease or the previous medical history of the person. A physical examination of the patient is also done by the doctor. A chest x-ray is the ideal way for a doctor to judge the presence of pneumonia in a person.

In recent studies, it has come out that majority of the population in the United States has suffered from back pain at some point in their life. This back spasm is an involuntary contraction of the muscles in the lower back. This back pain condition ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain which makes it difficult for a person to move around. Spasm, a medical condition can be treated without any kind of surgery. If the pain is related to a nerve problem in the spine, then some kind of medical intervention is required. Causes of lower back spasm The back spasm can occur due to various reasons including injuries to the muscle, ligaments, and tendons or can be related to any of the serious medical conditions. Back spasm also commonly occurs due to the heavy lifting of any kind. If any activity is undertaken which puts excessive strain on muscles in the lower back can cause lower back spasm. Football and golf players also suffer from back spasm as they have to go through intense training for their matches. This medical condition can also occur if a person has arthritis or is suffering from a ruptured disk in the spine. Diagnosis of Back Spasm Doctors usually recommend an x-ray to look for any signs of bone fracture or arthritis. In rare condition, the doctor might also recommend the patient to undergo Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) is a detailed analysis of soft tissue is required. An MRI or CT scan can help in identifying problems related to disk. When the doctor discusses the medical condition with the patient the doctor will ask some questions as the severity of pain and for how long the pain has flared up. Spasm can be treated if its given attention.

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.

A sudden bout of coughing accompanied by sneezing or breathlessness can be an indication of pneumonia. One of the most common types of lung infection, pneumonia affects people of all ages. Children and adults with low resistance power are more prone to this condition. However, medicines and cures are available for pneumonia and diagnosing it at an early stage does not make any life threatening impact on the patient. However, fatalities can occur if the infection is left untreated for several days or has led to severe inflammation of the lungs. Symptoms of Pneumonia Understanding the symptoms of pneumonia can help in diagnosing the condition at an early stage. Though the symptoms may vary depending on the age and health of patient or severity of the condition, the common signs mostly remain the same. When talking about common signs, one cannot ignore, coughing with mucus or phlegm, which is often mistreated as a common cold allergy. Apart from that, chest pain accompanied by difficulty in breathing also hints about the onset of this infection. Some patients also complain of fever, chills, and sweating. Symptoms of pneumonia may also at times vary with the cause of infection. While viral pneumonia causes flu-like symptoms including wheezing or high fever, sudden high fever along with profuse sweating may indicate bacterial pneumonia. Confusion, discoloration or bluish tint on nails and lips may also be a sign of bacterial pneumonia. Not just the underlying cause, symptoms may vary according to the age of the patients as well. Children below the age of five years may experience shortness of breath, vomiting or fatigue as indications of pneumonia. Some may also find difficulty in eating or drinking as well. However, older people are often found to have below normal temperature during the onset of pneumonia. Causes of pneumonia While detecting the symptoms of pneumonia helps in faster diagnosis of the infection, it is also important to learn the causes as well.

Hepatitis C also known as the chronic liver disease is caused by hepatitis C virus. It is the most serious type of viruses among A, B, and C. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver which is caused by infection, medication or accumulation of toxins in the body. According to a recent survey conducted, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has affected around 3.5 million people in the country. It is also the cause of 12,000 deaths in a year across the country. Types of hepatitis C Hepatitis C has mostly two main discourses. These are acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis C. The symptoms of acute hepatitis C are more short-termed ranging from six months up to a year. On the other hand, symptoms of chronic hepatitis C can last a lifetime. Acute hepatitis if left untreated, leads to chronic hepatitis in most of the cases. The hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus and occurs as the result of transdermal transmission of the hepatitis C virus through infected blood. It is a contagious disease and the virus can easily enter into the bloodstream of another person through the skin. Transmission It is transmitted by injecting drug through sharing of infected injection. It can also be transmitted through blood and its transfusions. Through the reuse of unsterilized syringes, injections, and other medical equipment. Through dialysis or any kind of organ transplant. Through Intranasal use of drug( snorting) Through any kind of body piercing or injecting ink into a person’s skin also known as tattooing. Through sexual contact. From an infected mother to her baby. Not maintaining personal hygiene and sharing of personal things such as garments, razors, toothbrushes and other items Hepatitis C is not transmitted through breast milk unless the skin of the nipple is percutaneous. It is also not spread through sharing of food or water of the infected person.

The allergic reactions that are caused by the stamen of flowers are known as pollen allergy. The allergy is caused when the pollen disperses in the air. Due to its fine texture, it is easily transported by air currents. When you inhale pollen, or if it comes in contact with your nose, mouth, or nasal passages, you might get the allergy. Causes of Pollen Allergies Pollen allergies can occur due to different plant pollens that grow in various seasons. For example, if you experience pollen allergy in spring, it is due to the following plants: Oak Birch Hickory Pecan Grasses If you fall sick due to pollen allergy in summer and fall, it is mostly because of ragweed. Pollen allergy targets your nasal passages and sinuses. You could feel irritations in your nose, respiratory tracts, and throat. A pollen allergy test will help you detect the right cause. It may be due to grass, plants, trees, or weed pollen. The different pollens exhibit variant pollen allergy symptoms. Once you visit your allergist, he might provide a clear idea on the type of allergy you suffer from. After knowing about the allergen, effective measures can be taken. Understanding Pollen Count In order to combat pollen allergy symptoms, it is important for you to know about the pollen count in your area. If you are living in a rain forest, the pollen usually gets washed to the ground, and so, chances are very low for allergies. The pollen count is high in dry and arid regions like deserts and plateaus. You can subscribe to pollen count services and allergy forecast information. These services are accessible through the internet and smartphone applications. They provide a clear report on the pollen count in your area. Cities are termed high or low, with respect to the pollen count.

Pain over the back of the heel is a common problem worldwide, and it is usually nothing serious. It is the most common type of foot pain. Posterior heel pain commonly affects the back or underside of the heel. There are a few causes of posterior heel pain. Pain over the back or underside of the heel can cause difficulty in walking, running, and standing. Wearing tight shoes often aggravates the problem. Posterior heel pain is prevalent in older people and overweight people. Commonly associated symptoms of this condition are swelling, tenderness, redness, and pain in the heel. These signs and symptoms worsen with activity and weight-bearing situations like prolonged standing. Posterior heel pain is not a diagnosis itself, but instead, it’s a sign of other conditions like plantar bursitis, Achilles tendonitis, etc. Back of heel pain treatment focuses on identifying the underlying cause and relieving pain and discomfort. Back of heel pain treatment involves medication, physiotherapy, and home remedies. Common causes of posterior heel pain Back of heel pain treatment depends first and foremost on an accurate diagnosis. Since posterior heel pain is a relatively vague symptom, it has a vast differential diagnosis. The three main causes of posterior heel pain are commonly called ‘terrible triad.’ They are—Insertional Achilles tendonitis, Retrocalcaneal Bursitis, and Haglund’s deformity. Insertional Achilles Tendonitis The Achilles tendon is a long and strong tendon that connects the large muscles of the calf to the heel. It is the largest tendon in the body and is regularly subjected to heavy forces up to 24 times a person’s body weight. Repetitive stress on the Achilles tendon, especially in athletes, causes wear and tear over time. This weakens the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon tends to degenerate the most, at its insertional point in the heel called the calcaneus.

One of the most widespread health conditions, diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects the body’s ability to produce enough insulin which is responsible for breaking down the sugar in the blood. As a consequence, the sugar starts to accumulate in the blood, which can cause severe complications. Therefore it critical to identify the early diabetes symptoms, so that it can be treated effectively. However, the initial diabetes symptoms can be quite subtle, so there is a possibility that they might go unnoticed or be considered as trivial. Here are some of the important early signs of diabetes that one shouldn’t miss: Fatigue and hunger The food a person eats is converted into glucose by the cells and is used for producing energy. The cells, however, need insulin to allow this process to happen. If the body is unable to make enough insulin or if cells resist insulin which the body generates, a person will feel tired and famished unusually. Frequent urge to urinate A person often urinates four to seven times on an average in a day. However, if a person has diabetes the need to urinate arises more frequently. This happens because in normal circumstances the body reabsorbs glucose for generating energy but for a person with diabetes, the body doesn’t convert the glucose into energy, and it ends up accumulating in the blood. So the only way left for the body to get rid of the excess sugar is via urine. Urinating often even makes the person thirstier than usual. Consequently, the intake of water increases too. Dryness of mouth and itchy skin In diabetes, most of the fluids in the body is used to make urine so that the unused glucose can be eliminated. Naturally, the amount of water required for other activities decreases substantially in the body.

Neuropathy in your feet can be painful and influence your entire life negatively. Your feet hold the entire weight of your body. If you’re suffering from neuropathy in feet, it can be a big hindrance to your daily activities and the overall functioning of the body. If you suffer from neuropathy of your feet, you should be aware that this disorder revolves around your nerves and nervous system. Your peripheral system has a number of nerves, each of which has a specific function. The sensory nerves are responsible for receiving different sensations like pain, heat, touch, and more. The motor nerves deal with muscle movement and coordination, while the autonomic nerves deal with functions relating to your heart rate, bladder, digestion, and so on. Symptoms of neuropathy in feet If you are suffering from neuropathy in your feet, you will experience the following symptoms. A sudden feeling of numbness in your toes, which then spreads to the entire feet, and eventually the legs. Prickling or tingling sensation in your feet. Sharp jabbing pain across the middle of your feet. A freezing, burning or throbbing pain. The affected feet become extremely sensitive to touch. Coordination and balance are affected, resulting in you falling or losing balance often. Gradually, once the motor nerves are affected, you might experience paralysis as well. Dizziness, lightheadedness, and changes in your blood pressure. Causes of neuropathy in feet There are a number of reasons as to why you could be affected by the neuropathy of your feet. Excessive consumption of alcohol can be a causal factor as alcohol can interfere with your nervous system as well as cause vitamin deficiencies. If you are suffering from autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatism, Sjogren’s syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and so on, you might be prone to neuropathy in your feet or other parts of your body.

Eczematous dermatitis or eczema is a skin condition that is characterized by itching, red and inflammation. It is a common condition and in fact, has spread to greater than 30 million people in the country. It is not contagious therefore it does not spread from one person to other. The exact cause of eczematous dermatitis is not known. But, it is believed that those who develop eczema due to genes and environment. It occurs when an allergic substance makes changes to our system and skin cells. It is feasible that a person can develop more than one type of eczematous dermatitis at a single point in time. The skin condition can result in redness and itching in the sufferer. It may also cause weeping. The most common type of dermatitis is atopic dermatitis (AD). It is important to know which types of skin problem you suffer from before you seek treatment. Understanding of condition also aids the problem. Types of eczematous dermatitis Atopic dermatitis It is characterized by scratch marks on the backside of knees. It is chronic as well as inflammatory. The cause of the type of skin condition is unknown so far. However, it happens when the immune system goes weak. It normally develops in childhood. It is possible to suffer from the condition in first six months after birth. If you witness signs of an AD in your child, take precautions. However, it goes away itself with time. The AD also includes two ore allergic conditions known as allergic rhinitis. Researchers believe that people with family history of the AD, hay fever or asthma are likely to develop AD in future. Symptoms of AD Dry skin Scaly skin Itching Redness Cracks in skin Rash on arm, cheeks, and legs Weepy sores Contact dermatitis This skin condition is caused by metal watch dial.

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the anal canal. External hemorrhoids refer to enlarged veins beneath the surface of the anal skin. You can see and feel external hemorrhoid as the blood clot surrounds the surface of the anus. External hemorrhoids are not serious but are very painful. The most common causes of external hemorrhoids are prolonged sitting on the toilet, chronic constipation and straining during the bowel movements. All of these cause enlargement of the veins outside the surface of the anus, causing external hemorrhoids. They disturb the blood flow to and from that area resulting in swollen blood vessels. Constipation tightens the muscles of the anal canal that are smooth. This strain causes pain and bleeding during the bowel movement. The connective tissue that connects the anus muscles also weaken with age, thereby increasing the swelling outside the surface. When you pressurize the veins of the pelvic and rectal area, it can also lead to external hemorrhoids as the muscles tighten. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids There are four main symptoms of external hemorrhoids: The first and foremost is itching around the surface of the anus. This is because hemorrhoids cause swelling and irritation in the rectal area, and develop an urge to itch. But the symptom gets worse with itching as disturbing the swelling makes the anus grow further. There is constant pain around the anus. The external hemorrhoids result in affecting the anus and rectal areas. The pain is not severe but can get unbearable at times. Swelling of the anal skin causes lumps. These lumps are blood clots that cause swelling and pain. Lumps, when inflating with pus around the anus, make the symptoms worse. One another major symptom is bleeding while using the washroom. If you find thick blood stains on the stool, then you are probably suffering from external hemorrhoids that are mainly caused due to a weaker digestive track.

Sleep is nature’s way of helping the body rest and recover after a day’s activity. Whether you lead an active or a sedentary lifestyle, your body and the various organs that keep you going have to perform their functions on a daily basis. When you sleep, most of the body’s internal as well as external organs either rest or slow down. It gives the various systems and the organs a chance to rest and get ready for a new day’s activity. If you do not get adequate sleep, it affects the entire system, and you feel tired and dysfunctional. Sleep Disorder Symptoms There are many types of sleep disorders, and their symptoms might differ. However, certain basic symptoms are common to all sleep disorders. These include: Experiencing difficulty in falling asleep at night. Tiredness after waking up. Feeling irritable and short-tempered. Feeling sleepy during the daytime or wanting to take naps. Falling asleep while performing an activity like driving. Forgetfulness. Lack of focus and concentration. Unusual behavior while asleep. Disturbed sleep, having nightmares, and night time fears. Sleepwalking. Slowed down reactions during waking hours. Feeling the need for stimulants like coffee to stay awake through the day. If you experience all or some of these symptoms, consult your doctor. They could be signs of a deeper problem. These could also lead to other problems. Different Sleep Disorders And Their Signs Based on sleep disorder symptoms, there are a number of sleeping problems, four of the most common are insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and narcolepsy. You can also experience Circadian Rhythm Sleep Disorders under certain circumstances. Insomnia Insomnia is the most common of sleep disorders. One in two people suffers from occasional bouts of insomnia, while a large number of people are victims to chronic insomnia. Common insomnia symptoms are: