Most Common Causes of Knee Pain Diagnosis and Treatment

Most Common Causes of Knee Pain Diagnosis and Treatment

Most people suffer from knee pain in their lives at some point in time. Exercise, sports, etc. cause tendinitis, muscle strains and serious injuries to cartilage and ligament. Many people are so severely affected by knee pain that their daily activities are restricted. There are others for whom even mild knee pain is a matter of concern as they hinder the active lifestyle they want to live. It is important to investigate the reason that is causing the knee pain and treat it immediately to avoid further damage. Given below some of the most common causes of knee pain: Knee ligament injuries The ligaments connect your thigh bone to the lower leg bones. They hold the bones together and also keep the knees stable. In sports, sprains and knee ligament tears are extremely common and occur to the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). If you suffer from any of these injuries, you would experience extreme pain in the knee and may need surgery as well. Knee cartilage tears Other injuries like tears can happen in the cartilage. It is a semi-hard tissue which covers the end of the bones. There are two menisci on both sides of the joint- the lateral meniscus found on the outside of the knee and the medial meniscus positioned on the inside of the knee. Meniscus tear causes knee pain. A knee cartilage tear is a quite common and needs surgery to treat it. Arthritis of the knee Arthritis causes severe knee pain and sometimes disability as well. It is a degenerative condition that needs surgery eventually. There are three main kinds of arthritis. These are osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Any of these conditions can result in swelling, the stiffness of the knees. You may find it difficult to bend the knees as well.
Common Symptoms of Sinus Infection and its Treatment Plan

Common Symptoms of Sinus Infection and its Treatment Plan

Sinus infection or sinusitis is medically known as rhinosinusitis. It is a result of swollen, inflamed and infected nasal cavities. Sinusitis is often caused by a virus. The issue persists even after the respiratory symptoms are gone. Sinus infection rarely but may cause by fungus and bacteria as well. Other conditions like nasal polyps, allergies and tooth infections can cause sinusitis. Chronic Versus Acute Acute sinusitis will last from a short period of time only, which is less than a month as per the American Academy of Otolaryngology. An acute infection is generally a part of any respiratory illness or mere cold. Chronic sinus infections, on the other hand, last for more than three months and recur often. Specialist confirms the sinusitis is responsible for infected nasal discharge, facial pain, and congestion. There are many symptoms of sinus infection which are common to both chronic and acute sinusitis. When you feel or found out that you have certain symptoms that may be due to sinusitis, get in immediate touch with your doctor. He would be able to confirm whether you have an infection or not. If you have an infection, he would tell you the cause of the same and suggest you a treatment plan. Symptoms of Sinus Infection A headache is one of the symptoms. It happens when there is pressure in partially or fully blocked sinuses. The pain increases when the person bends over. There would be facial swelling or tenderness when the areas above the sinus zones are touched. Pain or pressure due to the pressing of mucus on the sinus tissue or sinus inflammation. Fever caused due to sinus tissue inflammation and infection. In bacterial sinus infections, you would always find a cloudy and discolored nasal drainage. Congestion occurs with both non-infectious and infectious sinusitis. Sinusitis causes post nasal drip, which is basically mucus overproduction which flows to the throat thereby irritating throat tissue.
Best Treatment For Shingles Using Shingle Relief Creams

Best Treatment For Shingles Using Shingle Relief Creams

It is always good to know about the remedies and the treatment measures of ailments and sicknesses and shingles is certainly no different. Your awareness about the treatment measures will enable to you ably handle the pain caused by the sickness. Hey but wait, what is shingles after all? Well, a better way to start is to gain a little knowledge about the ailment itself! What Is Shingles? The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the causal agent of chickenpox. Once this ailment has occurred, it produces antibodies in the person that remains dormant in the system even after you have recovered from the ailment. This creates immunity in the person and that person does not develop this problem again in the future. However, we see that if the same person is again exposed to the virus, there is a probability of developing the problem of shingles. Shingle is a condition where a band of rashes appears on any one part of the body. It can be very painful and also harmful if the person develops the problem of postherpetic neuralgia. However, the symptoms and the effects are not as bad as that of chickenpox, for example, there is no fever. In most cases, it has been seen that shingles as an ailment does not have much of a remedy. This is a condition that prevails for a week or so and then subsides. However, if the pain persists even after a period of one month then there is a chance that you have developed the symptoms of postherpetic neuralgia. In this condition, please do not delay to visit your doctor. Best Treatment For Shingles Often it has been suggested that there is no particular medication for shingles. Even then antiviral drugs and shingles relief creams are generally prescribed by doctors so that you can get relief from the pain.
Bags Under the Eyes – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Bags Under the Eyes – Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Bags under the eyes are one of the signs of aging. They are an abnormal bulge of the fat pads appearing on the skin of the lower eyelids. When these fat pads swell, they cause the skin to protrude giving rise to bags under the eyes. You can recognize bags under eyes when you have a swelling and puffiness under the eyes. They are mostly seen among elderly people. Do not worry if you have bulging pouches on your lower eyelids. It is not a grave medical condition. However, it might become a cosmetic condition as one would feel conscious about their appearance. Know the symptoms Have you noticed sagging skin under your eyes? It means you are experiencing the problem of bagginess. Also, you may have itching, pain or redness under the eyes. The bulging of fat under your eyes may appear and then go again at an irregular interval. However, it is neither malicious nor causes health problems. Understand the causes Some of the factors that contribute to the formation of eye bags have been listed (in no particular order) as follows: – With age, the muscles and tissues associated with your eyelids weaken and the skin starts to sag. Fat around the eye advances to the area below your eye. Moreover, fluid can gather in the area below your eyes making it look swollen or puffy. – On hot and humid days, the fluid remains in the body system instead of flushing out. – Hormone levels. – Consuming salty foods. – Skimping on sleep. – Allergies or inflammation of the skin. This happens particularly if redness and itching occur along with puffiness. – Heredity. – Alcohol and tobacco may cause stress, tiredness, and hormonal changes. All these may culminate to fluid retention and swell around the eyes.
Know about Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms and Its Treatment

Know about Diabetic Neuropathy Symptoms and Its Treatment

Diabetic neuropathy is the damage to your nerves that occurs due to diabetes. When your blood sugar level is high, the high glucose in your system can injure and damage the nerve fibers through your body. Diabetic neuropathy is usually experienced in the legs and feet, but other parts of the body like neck, shoulders, and back can be at the receiving end of this condition as well. Diabetic neuropathy is categorized into different types, based on the place that it is affecting. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy This includes the damage to the peripheral nerves, which is most commonly your legs and feet. Diabetic autonomic neuropathy Here, the autonomic nervous system gets affected. This involves the nerves that are responsible for controlling bodily functions like the urinary, genital, gastrointestinal, and vascular system. Diabetic proximal neuropathy The lower body, like the hips and thighs, is affected. Diabetic focal neuropathy A specific area of the body or nerve are is affected. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathy- Here are a few symptoms that might suggest that you are suffering from diabetic neuropathy: The ability to feel anything like pain or temperature decreases. Numbness in the affected area. Tingling or burning sensations that run across the length of your body. Sudden, sharp pains, and cramps. The sensitivity to touch increases drastically, so much so that for some people even placing a cloth or bedsheet on them can be painful. Muscles become weak, thereby affecting your muscular movement. You will experience a loss of reflex. The coordination and balance of your movement get affected. Ulcers, infections, bone pain and joint pain and other deformities especially in your legs and feet. Bowel movements are affected, you might experience constipation, diarrhea or both. Swallowing becomes difficult. Men can experience erectile dysfunction. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and bloating are common.
Know about the Pinched Nerve Treatment, Causes, and Symptoms

Know about the Pinched Nerve Treatment, Causes, and Symptoms

Are you experiencing neck or back pain? If you experience tingling, burning, numbness, or weakness along this pain, you may have a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons, apply pressure on a nerve. The most commonly affected areas are the back and neck, but it can affect any nerve. The medical term for a pinched nerve is radiculopathy. A radiculopathy is caused when one or more nerves are compressed, and this causes loss or disruption of nerve function. In radiculopathy, the compression occurs at the nerve root, just as it exits the spinal cord. The compression of the nerve interferes with its ability to transmit signals. A pinched nerve commonly occurs in the back, neck, elbows, and wrists. The symptoms of a pinched nerve depend on the nerve that is compressed. The symptoms can be seen along the distribution of the nerve and can affect the muscles that are supplied by that nerve. With proper pinched nerve treatment, most people can recover within a few weeks. In some people, despite adequate pinched nerve treatment, the condition can develop a chronic condition. Symptoms of pinched nerve- The symptoms of a pinched nerve can be varied since it depends on the distribution and functions of the affected nerve. However, there are a few common symptoms that hint at a pinched nerve. The symptoms are- Numbness Radiating pain that can be shooting, stabbing, prickling, burning, etc. Paresthesias (abnormal sensations such as tingling) Localized muscle weakness Pinched nerve treatment aims to reduce the compression of the nerve. Thereby alleviate the associated symptoms. Commonly affected nerves are- Median nerve at the wrist, which is called carpal tunnel syndrome. Ulnar nerve at the elbow Common peroneal nerve compression at the knee Sciatica (pinched nerve in the lower back) Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the neck) Causes of pinched nerves- Pressure on a nerve causes damage to the protective covering of the nerve, called the myelin sheath.
Basics of Adult Acne Treatment That You Need To Know

Basics of Adult Acne Treatment That You Need To Know

If your teenage daughter is moaning over her zits, wondering how to get rid of pimples and acne, you should help her find the best adult acne treatments. Adult acne is not an incurable condition. It is treatable, and with proper skin care and adult acne treatment, she can still have a blemish free face. And, yes, men can suffer from adult acne too. Adult Acne If you like numbers, a recent study revealed that around 50.9% of women in their 20s, and 42.5% of men in the same age group, suffer from adult acne. Women suffer more because of their menstrual cycles and periodic hormonal fluctuations. Adult Acne Causes In adults, acne occurs more around the mouth and jawline rather than the upper part of the face. Adult acne treatment includes creams that are specific for the skin type and other factors. However, what worked in your teens may not work on the breakouts you suffer from in your 20s. The Various Causes Hormonal Imbalances In both men and women, mainly hormonal fluctuations cause acne. As women have to go through monthly menstrual cycles, their hormones suffer from more chaos. Male hormones, called androgens , increase the production of skin oil. Overproduction of sebum can result in blocked pores and eventually breakouts. Stress Can Cause Acne When your body is stressed, your adrenal gland releases cortisol , and along with it, a little testosterone . So, there is an increased chance for blocked pores and breakouts. Have a Sweet Tooth? Don’t Indulge It If you crave sweets, the spike in sugar levels also raises insulin levels. Studies have shown that insulin, just like androgen hormones, can increase the production of skin oils, creating blocked pores and acne. Some Food Items Chocolates, nuts and other specific foods, might trigger acne breakout in certain individuals.
5 Treatment Options for Controlling Metastatic Lung Cancer

5 Treatment Options for Controlling Metastatic Lung Cancer

It is common knowledge that cancer is one of the most formidable ailments known to humankind. What makes this ailment so dreadful is the fact that there aren’t many treatment options available for cancer. Cancer in any form can be cured if it is detected in its initial stages, and this holds true for every type of cancer. This is because cancer in the initial stages doesn’t spread to the other part of the body, i.e., it isn’t metastatic. Metastatic or the final stage of cancer is fatal and the chances of survival once the individual reaches this stage is quite thin. Lung cancer is one of the top causes of increasing deaths of men and women alike in the U.S. However; it is also one of the easily preventable forms of cancer. All an individual has to do is stop smoking and avoid people’s second-hand smoke. What are the causes of lung cancer? In a nutshell, the major cause of lung cancer is smoking and passive smoking. Other causes of lung cancer include air pollution, lung disease, family history of lung cancer, exposure to asbestos fiber and radon gas. What is metastatic lung cancer? In the initial stages, the cancer tumor develops in one part of the body. The cancer cells multiply at an uncontrollable rate but haven’t spread to the different parts of the body yet. However, in the later stages, the cancer cell metastasizes, i.e., it spreads to the different parts of the body and affects those areas as well. Metastatic lung cancer is the lung cancer that originates from the lungs and spread to the different parts of the body. The metastatic lung cancer survival rate is around 26% which is indicative of the severity of this condition. It is imperative to understand that irrespective of the new location of the cancer tumor, it is still named after the part of the body it originated from, for instance, the lung cancer that spread to the brain would still be referred to as metastatic lung cancer.
5 New Age Treatments to Cure Breast Cancer

5 New Age Treatments to Cure Breast Cancer

Today, breast cancer treatment options are no longer limited to one or two options, all thanks to the advanced technology and development of the medical industry. The survival rate of patients with breast cancer has increased, an early detention has become possible, and a new approach to curing breast cancer is practiced by doctors today. With so many options to choose from, it becomes necessary that you gather enough information about all the treatment options before you pick what would work best for you. Doctors recommend various treatment options after carefully studying your cancer type, size of the tumor, to what extent it has spread, other medical conditions you are suffering from, and your overall health. In this article, you will learn about some of the top treatment methods that are recommended by the doctors to treat the most common type of cancer in women in the country. Breast cancer surgery Most women opt for a breast cancer surgery as their primary treatment to get rid of breast cancer. Breast surgery is done using different surgical procedures. Some of the conventional surgical methods used are as follows: Lumpectomy- It is effective for getting rid of the small tumor. In a lumpectomy, the surgeon operates and removes the cancer tumor and a small amount of healthy tissue surrounding the tumor. If the cancer tumor in your case is large, then your doctor might tell you to undergo chemotherapy to shrink the size of the tumor first, and then get a lumpectomy done. Mastectomy- If cancer has spread all over your breast, then the doctor might recommend you get your entire breast removed. The surgical process of removing of the entire breast tissue which includes the lobules, fatty tissue, and the nipple is termed as the mastectomy. Removal of both the breast- If you have a strong family history of breast cancer and have one breast suffering from cancer, doctors might suggest getting both the breasts removed to avoid the risk of getting breast cancer in future.
3 Common Treatments for Metastatic Cancer Recommended by Doctors

3 Common Treatments for Metastatic Cancer Recommended by Doctors

Metastatic breast cancer is also known as Stage IV breast cancer or advanced breast cancer. This is the most advanced stage of breast cancer, where the cancerous cells have spread to the other parts of the body and are no longer present only in the breast region. In most cases of metastatic breast cancer, the cancerous cells have spread to the brain, liver, bones, or lungs. Despite spreading to the rest of the body, it is treated under metastatic breast cancer treatments. Nearly 154,000 people have been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in the US. It has been observed that metastatic breast cancer reoccurs a few years after the completion of treatment for early stages of breast cancer. Thus, a person with a previous history of breast cancer is at extremely high risk of metastatic breast cancer. No metastatic breast cancer treatment ensures a complete cure for cancer. All treatments are aimed at improving the quality and length of life of the patient. The goal of every type of metastatic breast cancer treatment is to slow down the progress of cancer with minimal pain and side-effects. The type of metastatic cancer treatments depends on the characteristics of the cancerous cells, the extent to which the cancer cells have spread, general health of the patient, age, the symptoms of the disease, and previous treatments of breast cancer. Hormonal therapy This type of metastatic breast cancer treatment is used in cases of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. This is usually the first treatment for this type of metastatic cancer. In this treatment, hormone therapy drugs are administered to prevent cancer cells from receiving estrogen required for their growth. Depending on their menopausal status and previous hormonal treatment for early stages of breast cancer, women can choose the type of hormonal therapy they want.
Know about the Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Metastatic Melanoma

Know about the Diagnosis and Treatment Options for Metastatic Melanoma

Melanoma, or malignant melanoma, is a type of cancer that grows in the melanocytes and can develop anywhere on the skin. Although less common than other types of cancers, melanoma is the most dangerous condition because it can metastasize at a rapid pace and cause a serious illness, leading to death. Typically caused by overexposure to sunlight, the DNA in the skin cells get damaged and begin to grow out of proportion. The condition is widely diagnosed among a larger population of adults under the age of 40. Moreover, people with a lighter skin tone and females have a greater risk of suffering from melanoma. The condition also has a genetic link; people who have a family history of melanoma are likely at risk to be affected. When melanoma spreads to other parts of the body or is at an advanced stage, it is considered as metastatic melanoma. It may also popularly be referred to as stage IV melanoma. In metastatic melanoma, the disease often spreads to the lungs, liver, brain, skin tissues, and lymph nodes. Melanoma occurs on the surface of the skin and thus, it can be can be seen. However, in the early stages, there are no signs and can lead to late detection. In metastatic melanoma, patients are often the first to recognize and diagnose the condition. If one views a spot that changes in appearance over time, he/she must show it to the doctor without any further delay. It is better to take the necessary precautions than be sorry. The symptoms of metastatic melanoma will be noticeable when the disease begins to spread to different body parts. Usually, the first symptom that is seen includes the feeling of hardened lumps of flesh under the surface of the skin. The lymph and nodes appear to be swollen and one will experience pain.
Symptoms and Treatments for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Symptoms and Treatments for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Lung cancer begins when the lung cells grow to be abnormal and multiply uncontrollably. As there is a rapid growth of the cancerous cells in the body, tumors form and start spreading to other areas of the body. There are different types of lung cancer such as Adenocarcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and other subtypes such as sarcomatoid carcinoma and adenosquamous carcinoma. This non-small cell lung cancer is less common as compared to the other types. Adenocarcinoma Majority of lung cancer cases are of adenocarcinomas. They can occur in many parts of the body. These cancers occur in current or former smokers mainly, however, they are found in non-smokers as well. This cancer affects women more than men, and among other cancers, this cancer affects younger people more. Squamous cell carcinoma Of all the lung cancers, the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma is 20% to 30% in people. This cancerous cells start affecting the flat cells and lie inside the lung airways. This cancer is linked to the history of smoking and is mostly found in central part of the lungs. Large cell carcinoma This cancer covers 10% to 15% of all lung cancers. This cancer can occur in any part of the lung. It grows and spreads to other parts of the body quickly, which makes it hard to treat. An early treatment for non-small cell lung cancer is important before it gets to a higher stage and incurable. For that reason, knowing the symptoms becomes important. There are several non-small cell lung therapies and treatments that can be used if this cancer is detected at an early stage. Symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer Endless coughing is one of the primary symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer. Though many may confuse this with one of the smoking side-effects, but if you see persistent coughing, it is advisable to get it checked for the same.