Watch Out for These Strange Bleeding Disorders

Watch Out for These Strange Bleeding Disorders

Bleeding disorders can cause abnormal bleeding inside and outside the patient’s body. You probably do not know about these strange bleeding disorders. Bleeding disorders occur when the blood clotting process of the body is damaged. As a result of this breakdown, some patients may bleed profusely inside or from their joints, muscles, and other areas of the body. Platelets are a type of blood cells that stick to each other and form a plug in areas where injured blood cells are located. Proteins are the blood clotting factors that help in the formation of a fibrin clot called a gel plug which helps the blood platelets stick in place. Not only does this promote healing in the injured blood vessels, it also helps prevent the blood from escaping outside the blood vessels. Bleeding disorders are generally caused due to reasons like low red blood cells count, deficiency of vitamin K, anticoagulants (medicines that can interfere with the blood clotting process) and also as a result of certain after-effects of traumas or injuries. The following are the 2 most prevalent types of bleeding disorders in the world: Von Willebrand Disease This is a type of a bleeding disorder that is inherited. It occurs when the protein that helps in the clotting process (named the Von Willebrand factor in the blood) and which is also responsible for carrying other clotting properties is absent or not functioning properly. Von Willebrand bleeding disorders can be categorized in three types, namely type1, 2 and 3. Of these, type 1 is the mildest form of the bleeding disorder, while type 3 is the most severe condition. Women are more commonly diagnosed with this type of bleeding disorder, especially during menstruation. Intake of drugs containing aspirin and ibuprofen without a doctor’s approval is strictly not recommended for patients suffering this bleeding disorder as it may cause aggressive bleeding in the patient.
Do COPD Breathing Machines Even Help?

Do COPD Breathing Machines Even Help?

COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is an illness where the respiratory system is damaged, causing difficulty while breathing. Unfortunately this disease has no cure, it only gets worse if not paid attention to. Hence it becomes important to understand what COPD breathing machines can do to save lives. COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that progressively causes difficulty in breathing. In this condition, the movement of air through your lungs becomes very difficult since the airways get damaged. The degree of severity of this disease worsens with age, if not treated immediately. COPD can be categorized into 2 types: Chronic bronchitis This is a condition where cough occurs regularly with excessive production of mucus, and lasts for a very long time. Chronic bronchitis is caused by excessive smoking or even by exposure to various bronchial irritants. Emphysema This is a condition where the lung tissues responsible for the passing of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the body are damaged. This results in shortened breaths due to the over-inflation of the air sacs in the lungs which are known as alveoli. Emphysema is an obstructive lung disease where the airflow is slow on exhalation because of the over inflated alveoli which makes movement of air and exchange of gases difficult. As mentioned earlier there is no cure for COPD, but there are a few ways to treat the condition and make it manageable. The common treatment devices used are called COPD breathing machines that help by improving the symptoms and stopping the disease from getting too aggressive. There are various stages of COPD that determine the appropriate use of COPD breathing machines accordingly. The following are various types of widely used COPD breathing machines. Inhalers and nebulizers They help the medicines to reach directly into the lungs.
These Hair Scalp Diseases will Shock You

These Hair Scalp Diseases will Shock You

Hair scalp diseases cause plenty of discomfort and embarrassment. Here are some hair scalp diseases that you probably did not even know about. Hair scalp diseases could cause excessive hair loss, thinning and breaking of hair, as well as balding. Balding in certain parts of the head are quite common among people and most of them are related to aging and genetics. However, hair scalp disorders may or may not always be associated with hair loss. The following are certain characteristics of various shocking hair scalp diseases to watch out for. Psoriasis Psoriasis is one of the hair scalp diseases that can progress enough to cause localized hair loss, excessive dandruff, and severe itching of the scalp. Genetic predisposition and varied environmental factors are a couple of the possible causative factors behind this scalp disease. Psoriasis is a disease marked by itchy, scaly patches that are red in color wherein the scars almost resemble severe burns on the body. Alopecia Areata This scalp disease is also known as ‘spot baldness’ which causes extreme hair loss in some or all parts of the body, usually in the scalp area. This happens because the body fails to recognize its own cells, thus destroying its own tissues which leads to the development of bald spots on the scalp. Alopecia areata is one of the hair scalp diseases that is most likely to be a hereditary condition. Alopecia areata affects one or more hair-bearing areas in the scalp and may cause localized balding in the other areas. It is generally seen among patients with a family history of diabetes, vitiligo, and thyroid diseases. This kind of scalp disease is characterized by several round bald patches in the scalp. It may also result in ridging and in the nails. Ringworm of the Scalp This kind of hair scalp infection is called tinea capitis, and is very common among children across the globe.
All You Need to Know about Fibromyalgia

All You Need to Know about Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia has never been considered a simple condition to be diagnosed. This condition is never easy to be diagnosed through laboratory tests and this condition can only be judged by a doctor through their instinct. The diagnosis of fibromyalgia can be done through exerting pressure on eighteen small spots which are located throughout the body. These spots are commonly known as tender spots. People who suffer from fibromyalgia always have tender points. American College of Rheumatology was the first institute which was able to identify these 18 specific tender points. After that, the fibromyalgia tender point diagnosis was considered necessary for a person to be certified as suffering from fibromyalgia. Prior to this discovery in the year 2010, it was agreed that if 11 of these 18 points tested positive for tenderness, the person was considered to be suffering from fibromyalgia. Tender point examination is a key consideration factor for a person to be suffering from fibromyalgia. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia with these tender points The 18 tender points in the body are of the size of a penny. These are usually located in a cluster around the neck, shoulders, hips, elbows and knee area. Generally, these are located on both sides of the body and can be seen in the upper region and lower region of the human body. Any point among these is considered to be tender only when they produce a localized pain as and when a doctor presses these points. The intensity of the pressure to be applied by the doctor should be such that their fingernail turns white while the pressure is being applied. If a point is positive for this tenderness, it will be painful at that exact point when the pressure is applied. A defining feature of fibromyalgia is that the pain usually fluctuates in this condition.
Shingles Medications and Treatment

Shingles Medications and Treatment

Shingles Medications and Treatment Shingle is an infectious disease which causes a painful rash. It is equally important to know the signs of shingles before taking any medication. Shingles in, ordinary cases, are characterized by an unpleasant feeling in some areas of skin and a headache which usually turns severe. After a few days of pain, a rash also appears on the skin. Shingles first appear on the face, eyes or the genital area but can also be seen in other regions. It is important to remember here that the shingles appear as red marks on one side of the body only. Any redness on both the sides of the body is not likely to be shingles. The shingles rash also appears in the form of a band on one side of the body. The pain in the area remains even when the rash has disappeared. Shingles can be cured by using painkillers which ease the pain. A person should keep the rashes clean and dry as this reduces the risk of infection in case of shingles. Loose fitting clothes should be worn and calamine lotion must be applied to ease the problem of itching. Using a cold compress or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a towel few times in a day can help you get relief in case of shingles. Shingles usually heal in 4 weeks. The skin is likely to pain for up to a week after rashes have vanished, but it eventually gets better with time. You can use medications to reduce the incidence of Shingles.There are some medications which can be used to treat shingles. While some singles medications are used to treat infectious conditions which are caused due to certain viruses, some cure sores around the mouth and shingles alike. Most shingles medications are antiviral drugs that are known to decrease the severity of shingles.
All You Need to Know about Pollen Allergy

All You Need to Know about Pollen Allergy

The mild winter warm days have a surprise accompanying them, an increase in the pollen count around you. The pollen grains in the air are a count of the pollens of plants such as grass, olive or ash in the air. This pollen count is measured in order to understand the pollens in the atmosphere. Pollen in each cubic meter is measured in order to determine pollen count. The colder the winters, the delay in the release of pollen would be felt. Hot weather or the comparatively warm weather is when pollen is released into the air. The state does release a national survey of the pollen grains in the air. There are several ways to measure the pollen count, one of the ways is to take a silicon grease clad rod and rotate it in the air to collect all the pollen. Periodic rotation of the rod occurs through an entire 24 hour day. This rod is then removed and then is taken to a lab to get analyzed in order to understand the type of pollen in the air and the concentration of the pollen present in that air. Another method of measuring pollen count is using the 7-day volumetric spore trap. This is done by using a Burkard trap. The direction of the wind is determined and this device is kept in the wind and air is drawn by a pump. The rotating rod has a sticky film on it that helps to trap the grain. During a course of seven days, the drum rotates very slowly in one direction. These 7 days are used to collect particles in order to aid the process of measuring the pollen grains. This tape on the drum is then removed and tested for pollen count. The actual allergy to pollen is referred to as hay fever.
5 Effective Treatments for Gout

5 Effective Treatments for Gout

Gout is a kind of arthritis that affects the joints in the body such as the base of the big toe, knees, finger joints and wrist. It is caused due to the imbalance in the uric acid levels in the body. When the body starts producing an excessive amount of uric acid due to any reason, it leads to crystallization and conversion into urate. These urate crystals get deposited around the joints. This causes immense pain, inflammation, and discomfort in these areas. The affected joints are usually sore and swollen, and even the slightest touch could trigger pain and discomfort in them. There is no pre-warning of a gout attack. It can strike at any time and can cause severe pain which requires immediate attention. This pain usually lasts up to seven to ten days. For some people, this can be worse, and the best possible treatment course is to consult a physician and start a course of medications. Gout recurrence indicates high uric acid levels in the body. If it is persistent, it can lead to severe issues such as kidney problems, renal failure, and severe muscle, tendon or joint damage. Both antibiotic medicines prescribed by the physician and home remedies work in treating gout. However, while the home remedies focus on reducing the inflammation once a gout attack happens, the medications are more of a long-term solution for treating gout. While some medicines treat gout by lowering the uric acid levels in the body by blocking its production, some are helpful in reducing the swelling and inflammation. Gout treatments are also recommended to be taken to prevent further attacks. Below is the list of therapies, remedies, and medicines to find out more about gout treatment options available to you. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids NSAIDs like ibuprofen and corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medicines that are given when the gout attack happens.
Effective and Easy Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises

Effective and Easy Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises

Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS is a problem that affects the muscle of the lower palm and the wrist. In this situation, the person has numbness in their wrist and palms along with a tingling and burning sensation. You can also experience pain during this ailment. This is an ailment that must be treated with effective care and medical attention. Otherwise, the muscle of the lower palm could get severely damaged. Investigations and researchers have clearly identified the fact that along with medication, regular and proper exercises can also help prevent and treat the symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. This article will highlight the various carpal tunnel syndrome exercises that you can follow to fight this ailment and lead a healthy life. Some Effective Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercise Variations Doctors claim that all sorts of stretching exercises can be very useful for the muscles of the wrists and the arms in general. Such stretching of muscles can be highly useful for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. We will now take a look at the different forms of carpal tunnel syndrome exercises : Warm-Up Stretch This is the exercise that you need to start and should be done at the very beginning. In this exercise, you have to rotate the wrists up and down and also sway it from one side to another. You need to repeat this at least 4 times. Then you need to attend to your fingers. You need to keep your fingers relaxed and also keep them apart. Then, you can do the stretching again. You can do this exercise in a set of four repetitions. At the end of it, you can relax your thumb muscles by stretching it as far as possible in the reverse direction and then holding it in that position for a while.
Learn How to Choose Caregivers for SMA Patients

Learn How to Choose Caregivers for SMA Patients

The genetic health condition called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affects that part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movements. There is wide variability in the age of the onset, rate of progression, and even symptoms of the condition. For individuals diagnosed with SMA, it is not that easy to roll out of the bed and start the day. However, when a patient has a caregiver’s assistance along with the right medical equipment, it helps a lot to carry out daily activities like showering, dressing, going to the toilet, and even eating. Even though in the early stages of the condition, the family members themselves act as the primary caregivers for SMA patients, it is usually not so in the long run. This is because as the condition progresses, one does need professional caregivers for SMA patients as they help to take care of numerous things. When one is planning to hire caregivers for SMA patients through an agency, they need to ensure that the caregivers hired are trained professionals. Below are some tips that will help one hire a professional caregiver for SMA patients- Have a conversation with the insurance providers and social work departments One needs to realize how many hours will be allotted to the SMA patient by the government before hiring caregivers. While building a case, it is necessary to talk to the insurance provider and a qualified social worker. As the condition tends to vary from person to person, so does the level of help they need. There are some SMA patients that need 24*7 caregivers assistance while there are others who only need someone who can help them get up and get ready in the morning, and put them to bed at night. One needs to determine the level of care their family member needs and communicate the same to their social worker or any other type of independent living department with whom they are working.
Best Treatment Methods for External Hemorrhoids

Best Treatment Methods for External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids also known as piles affect the veins present outside the anus, resulting in bleeding, itching and cracking. These cause the veins to swell and get inflamed due to an increase in pressure in the lower rectum. There are a variety of reasons which can cause hemorrhoids like sitting on the toilet for long periods of time, being obese, anal intercourse, low fiber diet, straining to have bowel movements, pregnancy, poor posture and more. Here’s how to treat hemorrhoids with some home remedies: Eating high fiber food Fruits, whole grains and vegetables soften the stool and increase its bulk, which aids in avoiding the straining that can worsen existing symptoms of hemorrhoids. Apart from this, adding fiber to the diet will also aid you in avoiding problems with gas. Also, make sure to drink lots of water and avoid caffeine. This is one of the best hemorrhoid treatments. Witch hazel This hemorrhoids treatment with its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce pain, swelling, and itching which are the two big problems of hemorrhoids. It can be found in liquid form as well as wipes too. Aloe Vera Used historically as a treatment of hemorrhoids, Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties which may help in reducing irritation. It is advisable to use pure Aloe Vera and one of the ways of getting it is by harvesting the inside of an Aloe plant’s leaves. If you want to check if you are allergic then just rub a small portion on your forearm and wait for 24 to 48 hrs for reactions. Cleaning the affected area The affected area should be cleaned using warm water or with moist towelettes. Don’t use dry toilet paper, perfumed or alcohol-based wipes since they can irritate the area. Apply cold Use cold compresses or ice packs on the anal area to reduce swelling and get relief from irritations.
Best Diet Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Best Diet Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disease which restricts your diet immensely. There are different types of the disease and irritable bowel syndrome varies from person to person. You need to keep track of the food items that may trigger the syndrome. This can help you prevent it and lead a better, healthier life. The food items which make your symptoms flare up are called triggers. The IBS diet plans mentioned below will help you avoid problems with diarrhea, belly pain, bloating and constipation. It is all about making the right plan and following it to your best ability. Irritable bowel syndrome constipation There are several food items that can make IBS constipation worse. You need to avoid eating these food items and stick to a healthy diet plan. Here are a few food items you need to avoid at any cost. Coffee Carbonated drinks Alcohol Dairy products (especially cheese) Breads and Cereals Made with Refined Grains Processed Food Items High-Protein Diets Minimize or nullify your intake of these food items and you will have a great IBS diet plan to go. This does not necessarily limit you to eating peanuts all the time. You can boost your fiber intake by 2-3 grams per day to increase the likelihood of you reacting better to IBS constipation. Try to eat 25-38 grams of fiber per day and reap its benefits. There are several good sources of fiber. These include whole-grain bread, beans, fruits, cereals, and vegetables. You can also eat food items such as dried plums and prune juice. These are rich in sorbitol which is also a substitute of sugar. Eat this in moderate amounts. Drink plenty of water on a daily basis and you should see improvements soon. Irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea Frequent visits to the washroom are certainly draining for a patient suffering from diarrhea.
Top Pain Relievers in the Country

Top Pain Relievers in the Country

Aches and pains are almost inevitable no matter how hard you try to stay healthy. Pain can be caused due to a lot of conditions and even diseases. Moreover, it can be mild or can go on to be really troublesome. Thankfully, there are a variety of pain relievers available in the market today. These pain relievers can help you get through the pain and you can get on with your daily activities. Whether it is your back that is bothering you or a headache, painkillers always provide the much needed temporary relief. TYLENOL® Extra Strength Caplets This is the best pain reliever that you should have at all times. While this pain reliever comes in different formats and formulas, these tablets are highly recommended by the best doctors and are tried and tested. This tablet is specially made to treat pains as well as minor aches. However, if you have pain that is associated with swelling, then Tylenol is perhaps not the best option. You can go for this option when you are dealing with backaches, headaches and the like. Aleve Caplets If you are facing back pain, then Aleve is a great choice as it is considered one of the best pain relievers. It targets inflammation that often contributes to back pain. The medicine is perfect for back pain associated with arthritis. Just by taking one caplet, you can get rid of pain for 12 hours. It contains naproxen sodium that is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and is indeed a powerful pain reliever. The drawback of Aleve Caplets is that they can cause stomach irritation in some people. Before consuming the caplets, you should carefully read the instructions and also consult your doctor. It is also very effective if you are facing toothache or menstrual cramps. Excedrin® Extra Strength Caplets According to a lot of customer surveys, nothing provides relief for a headache like the Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets.