Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) – What you should know

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) – What you should know

Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor (GIST) occurs when the body abnormally grows cells in the gastrointestinal linings. These abnormally growing cells have the potential to develop into cancer and must therefore be treated as early as possible. This type of growth can be observed anywhere along the digestive tract, but it is most commonly observed in the stomach and small intestine. Causes of GIST The abnormal growth of cells associated with GIST is typically observed in special cells in the body known as interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs). These cells are responsible for regulating the involuntary movements that occur in the gastrointestinal tract. According to certain studies, it is assumed that this abnormality in cells is induced as a result of abnormalities or certain mutations found in the DNA. Such mutations result in the improper behavior of the enzyme tyrosine kinase (KIT). Signs and symptoms of GIST In most cases, this condition goes undiagnosed for a long period of time, as the symptoms aren’t obvious. In certain cases, when the condition progresses, the following symptoms may be observed: Abdominal pain and discomfort Small bumps felt through the skin of the abdomen Nausea and vomiting Fatigue Loss of appetite and feeling full quickly Bowel obstruction Treatment options for GIST Once the condition is diagnosed, the doctors will recommend several treatment options based on its severity. Here are some common treatment options for GIST: Surgery Surgery is one of the most common and conventional approaches to tackling tumors and has been practiced for a long time in the cancer industry. However, if the cancerous cells are widespread and highly powerful, a single surgery would be ineffective in many cases and cannot be relied on as a stand-alone treatment option. Chemotherapy and radiation For larger and more aggressive tumors, doctors may suggest chemotherapy or radiation therapy to destroy cancer cells and prevent these cells from growing back.
How to Get Rid of Corn and Calluses

How to Get Rid of Corn and Calluses

Corn and calluses form on the skin due to continuous pressure or friction applied on the skin. They are thick and hard parts of the skin and a natural mechanism to protect the underlying sensitive skin. Calluses develop when continuous friction is applied to a particular part of the body, foot, for example, while the development of corns is attributed to bone pressure on the skin. They are conical or round in shape and show bumpy appearance on the skin. Corns and calluses generally occur on toes, toenail, either side of the foot and bottom of the foot. Morphologically, corns can be either hard or soft. The development of corn on the bottom of the foot interferes with the normal walking activity. Causes of corn development : A person can develop foot corn if he wears tight shoes. Moreover, during a long walk, pressure due to body weight is continuously borne by the feet. This constant friction can lead to the development of corn on the bottom of the feet. Even arthritis can lead to corn development. Typically, most of the corn and calluses disappear when the pressure or friction responsible for causing them stops. Treatment of corn and calluses The following tips are recommended for foot corn treatment. Warm water The corn or callus can be soaked in warm water for 5-10 minutes to soften the skin. Wear proper shoes A common reason for corn development is wearing shoes which are not of right size and shape. Do not buy too tight shoes to avoid excess pressure or friction. Keep your feet dry and wear soft cotton socks with properly fitted shoes. Avoid wearing socks made up of synthetic fibers to avoid any irritation to the skin. Apply moisturizing cream It softens the skin around the corn and helps in cases where cracks have been developed in the corn.
Benefits of Listerine for Toenail Fungus

Benefits of Listerine for Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus occurs mainly due to a living organism called dermatophyte which starts growing in your toenail. It lives and thrives in places that are damp and dark. Therefore, your toenail becomes a perfect place for the organism to grow. There are multiple, both cheap and expensive, treatment options available for toenail fungus. However, one of the cheapest and the most effective treatment options for toenail fungus would be the listerine mouthwash. However, many are skeptic about the results of l isterine for toenail fungus . So, in this article, let’s see the benefits of listerine. What is listerine? Before diving any further into the discussion, let’s have a look at the background and history of listerine. It was invented in the year 1879 as a disinfectant and surgical antiseptic by Dr. Joseph Lister. It is used effectively for the treatment of gonorrhea. Listerine is sometimes also used as a floor cleaner. Although it was invented long ago, listerine was not used as a bottle of mouthwash until the 1970s. Presently, many use listerine for toenail fungus treatment as well. How listerine Works for Toenail Fungus Listerine uses different antiseptic properties of various alcohols and other substances to treat toenail fungus. It has some incredible ingredients that really make listerine effective. However, the manufacturers of listerine do not market the product as a useful treatment option for fungal infection. Nonetheless, because it has some ingredients that might help to treat toenail fungus, you have all the right to assume the efficacy of Listerine for toenail fungus. Let’s have a look at some of those ingredients. Thymol It is extracted from the herb called Thyme. Thymol is rich in Vitamin A and C. It is also a good source for calcium and magnesium. It gets absorbed in the skin and plays the role of an anti-inflammatory agent.
Home Remedies for Colitis That Actually Work

Home Remedies for Colitis That Actually Work

Many people wonder if there is any home remedy for colitis. If you are wondering the same thing, then you would be delighted to know that there are many home remedies available for colitis which you should not overlook. Colitis or ulcerative colitis can be a painful disease. But frankly speaking, there is no way that one can treat this disease completely. However, the home remedies that you will learn about in this article will surely help you to reduce the inflammation that happens because of colitis. Here are some of the colitis treatments at home that work effectively. Home remedies for colitis Fennel seeds The use of fennel seeds is quite useful for colitis treatment at home. For that, you need to soak the seed into lukewarm water for an entire night. Then you need to strain the seed in the morning. After that, you have to drink that water for the whole day whenever you feel inflammation in your colon. This seed water will provide you with the much needed soothing impact on your colon. Cod liver oil Cod liver oil is the source of many healing properties for colitis. It really helps to integrate the calcium and the minerals present in the body of an individual. Because of this integration, one can put up a decent fight against colitis. Cod liver oil also has anti-inflammatory properties which mean that it will also help you to reduce the inflammation of your colon significantly. Honey, drumstick, and coconut water mixture This is a mixture that has been used for many years to provide relief for colitis patients. The mixture of honey, drumstick, and coconut water is perhaps one of the most effective home remedies for colitis. First of all, you have to grind the drumstick. Then add that ground drumstick to a glass of coconut water and add one teaspoon of honey in that mixture.
What You Need to Know About Xarelto Side Effects

What You Need to Know About Xarelto Side Effects

Xarelto is a drug that is mainly used in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). As is the case with most of the drugs, there are several side effects associated with Xarelto. Read on to know more about the Xarelto side effects. Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a serious medical condition that occurs when a blood clot is formed in one or more of the deep veins in the body. It most commonly affects a deep vein in your leg, and causes leg pain as well as swelling. It is a serious medical condition because the blood clots can travel through the bloodstream to your lungs, and block the blood flow leading to pulmonary embolism. Some of the symptoms associated with DVT are pain, tenderness, and swelling in your calves, a heavy ache and redness in the affected area, and warmth in the area of the clot. There are some cases of DVT that do not show any symptoms whatsoever. If it is not treated in time, you may suffer from pulmonary embolism that is characterized by chest pain, breathlessness, and collapsing suddenly. DVT typically affects only one leg and the pain will be worse when you are bending your foot towards your knees. The exact cause of DVT is not yet known, however, there are certain circumstances that tend to increase the risk of developing this disorder. When you are inactive for a long period of time, like after an operation, your blood flow slows down considerably. The chances of a blood clot increase when the blood flow slows down. Certain medical conditions like cancer, heart disease, thrombophilia, infectious diseases, and lung disease are also known to increase the risk of DVT. The standard medications that are used to treat deep vein thrombosis are anticoagulants, which are also known as ‘blood-thinning’ medicines.
Diagnosis and Medications for a Migraine

Diagnosis and Medications for a Migraine

A constant pain or a throbbing sensation restricted to only one side of the head can be a warning of a migraine. The severity of the pain varies from one individual to other. While some get it for a few hours, there are others, who experience a pulsing sensation in their head for days. Apart from the discomfort in the head, people with a migraine also complain of sound or light sensitivity, vomiting as well as nausea. Even though a migraine causes an alarming situation often leading to temporary disabling of the patient, is a curable condition and medications for migraines are available at ease. Consult a doctor – Just taking any over-the-counter pill for a headache is not sufficient for treating migraine. To deal with the condition, you need to consult a doctor and get proper therapy done. Follow his guidance and take the pills as recommended. When taking m edications for migraines , you need to know, whether it is for healing the condition or for preventing any future occurrence. Mostly, doctors offer healing m edications for migraines in the initial stages of treatment, so that the patient can get relief from the constant pain. You should not just get the treatment paused as soon as the condition is healed. Consult your doctor to get preventive treatment and check the occurrence in future. Make a note of occurrence – For a complete treatment of a migraine, it is important for you to note the frequency of occurrence in a dairy. The log of occurrence should be maintained even after you start taking medications as this will help you in understanding, whether you are on the right path or not. Lifestyle changes – Though a migraine is not a lifestyle disease, making some alterations in your living habits can help you in dealing the problem effectively.
8 Effective Ways to Naturally Treat Hemorrhoids

8 Effective Ways to Naturally Treat Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the anal canal. External hemorrhoids refer to enlarged vein beneath the surface of the anal skin and internal hemorrhoids refer to an enlarged vein of the anal skin. You can see and feel external hemorrhoids as the blood clot surrounds the surface of the anus. A hemorrhoid is generally not serious but is a painful condition. The most common causes of hemorrhoids are long sitting in the toilet, chronic constipation, and straining during the bowel movements. These enlarge the veins of the surface of the anus causing hemorrhoids. This is because they disturb the blood flow to and from anus resulting in swollen blood vessels. Constipation tightens the muscle of the anal canal that is generally smooth in nature. This strain causes pain and bleeding during the bowel movement. The connective tissue that connects the anus muscle also weakens 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 hemorrhoids as the muscle tightens. There are four main symptoms of hemorrhoids Itching: Itching around the surface of the anus. This is because hemorrhoids cause swelling and irritation in the rectal area, making you itch to feel better. However, the symptoms get worse with itching as we don’t know how clean our hand is and disturbing the swelling makes the anus grow further. Pain: Constant pain around the anus. The hemorrhoids result in affecting the anus and rectal areas. Since they are external in nature, you will feel the pain outside during bowel movements or strain. The pain is not serious but can get unbearable at times. Swelling: Swelling of the anal skin causes lumps. These lumps are blood clots that cause swelling and pain. However, because they are external, they can be seen and felt.
What You Need to Know about Gout

What You Need to Know about Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain often in the joint at the base of the big toe. Men are more likely to get gout than women who become susceptible after their menopause. It is a common prevailing condition in the UK, and one can’t escape gout without easy gout treatments. Here are certain symptoms of gout which you can check for in case of doubt: Joint Pain Sudden pain and swelling usually affecting the joint of your big toe is one basic symptom of gout. The whole area becomes red, and there is an unbearable pain for the first 4-12 hours after it begins. Inflammation The skin around the joint swells and the color changes to red or purple. You will find that the area will be warm compared to the rest of your body. Limited Mobility Gout leads to severe pain in the affected joint area, causing discomfort and limited mobility, and lasts for more than a week or so depending on the severity of the swelling. Below are other causes of gout. Uric Acid The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, a substance found naturally in the body as well as in certain foods. The acid dissolved in blood passes through the kidneys to leave the body as urine. When the body produces too much or the kidneys excrete too little acid, it turns into small crystals that settle in the joint. These crystals cause major swelling in the big toe. High Blood Pressure If the blood pressure is too high, it causes strain on your body and kidneys. This results in lack of flow of blood to your joints that may cause severe swelling, and thus gout. Family History Research shows that if one or two members of the family suffer from gout, there are higher chances of you getting it.
6 Natural Remedies for Hair Growth

6 Natural Remedies for Hair Growth

Herbs possess a myriad of growth-boosting properties that make them some of the best natural remedies for hair treatment. For ages, certain herbs have been used for hair treatment. From treating conditions like alopecia that causes sudden hair loss to nourishing hair strands, there are plenty of ways in which they can improve the health and appearance of your hair. Here’s a list of herbs you can include in your weekly diet for boosting hair growth and improving the appearance of your hair: Hibiscus Hibiscus flowers are loaded with vitamin C and amino acids that work effectively against hair issues and stimulate the growth of healthy hair. Also, they help cleanse the scalp and remove product build-up that often causes itchiness and dryness of the scalp, leading to dandruff. This popular herb also tackles hair breakage. You can use hibiscus flowers to create a homemade shampoo or hair masks and use them to get healthy hair. Lavender Lavender is an ancient herb that is often used as a hair care remedy. It contains antioxidants and phytochemicals that enable it to reverse hair loss and encourage hair growth. For ages, it has been used to combat issues like baldness. You can incorporate lavender oil in your hair care regimen to reap the benefits of this exceptional herb. Rosemary Rosemary is a remarkable herb replete with nutrients that helps counter hair problems and boosts hair growth. It works as a natural moisturizing agent for the hair and also treats brittle hair. It is mostly used in the form of oil for hair treatment by massaging it onto the scalp for enhanced blood circulation, which promotes hair growth. You can use rosemary oil for hair treatment and restore the health of your tresses. Peppermint Often used for hair treatment in the Ayurvedic system of medicine, peppermint is a nutritional herb that revives damaged hair and promotes hair growth.
Remedies and food plans to manage lung cancer

Remedies and food plans to manage lung cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, there have been about 236,740 lung cancer cases so far in the year 2022. The condition is commonly diagnosed in adults between 65 to 70 years of age; however, it may occur earlier too. Lung cancer can be classified into small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This article talks about the treatments for NSCLC and foods and remedies to manage lung cancer. Treatment methods for non-small cell lung cancer Once NSCLC metastasizes, it is challenging to find a complete cure for it; however, certain targeted therapies and kinase inhibitors may stump the progress of the condition or contain it successfully. Given below are some treatments for NSCLC at different stages. IMFINZI® IMFINZI® is an option for patients with Stage 3 lung cancer that cannot be treated via surgery. It is most commonly used to treat NSCLC in cases where the disease has not progressed after concurrent chemoradiation therapy. TAGRISSO® TAGRISSO® is a once-daily targeted therapy treatment for those with epidermal growth factor receptor (EFGR) plus NSCLC. It helps prevent lung cancer from recurring post-surgery. TAGRISSO® may be taken with or without food. GILOTRIF® GILOTRIF® is indicated as a treatment option for patients with metastatic NSCLC whose tumors have non-resistant EGFR mutations. It can also be used for patients with metastatic squamous NSCLC progressing after platinum-based chemotherapy. Foods that help manage lung cancer Fish Vitamin D is believed to be an important component for people battling lung cancer. Salmon, along with other fatty fish like mackerel and herring, contain an abundant amount of vitamin D. It is recommended to include salmon in meals regularly. Fruits and vegetables Fruits like pears and apples contain phytonutrients and antioxidants, which have powerful anti-cancer benefits. It is advisable to consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables in a day.
5 natural remedies for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

5 natural remedies for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) refer to closely related hematopoietic disorders characterized by abnormalities in the bone marrow’s blood-forming cells. Classified as a rare type of blood cancer, this disease typically affects the elderly. Research suggests that MDS can progress to acute myeloid leukemia in one in three patients. However, a systematic treatment course, adequate healthcare, and proper nutrition can help control MDS symptoms. Some natural remedies to manage MDS are listed below. Aromatherapy Aromatherapy refers to using essential oils to calm the mind and body. Aromatherapy is also used among patients with cancer to reduce chemotherapy-induced symptoms. Moreover, individuals with MDS typically undergo extensive treatment courses, which can lead to considerable distress and anxiety. Aromatherapy is a tried-and-tested practice to facilitate mind relaxation and lower stress levels. Massage therapy Research indicates that massage can considerably reduce fatigue among cancer patients. Patients with MDS typically face anxiety due to the uncertainty involved. In addition, massage therapy can help them cope better with the treatment process and reduce negative emotions associated with it. Breathing exercises Breathing exercises increase the oxygen supply to the lungs, enhancing one’s quality of life and helping with healing. It can also help MDS patients with mind and body relaxation, which is much needed amidst the intensive treatment procedure. Acupuncture Acupuncture is a treatment method that involves the insertion of extremely thin needles into the skin at specific body areas. Besides entailing several benefits, such as relief from headaches, back pain, neck pain, and respiratory problems, it also helps reduce postoperative nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. In addition, since many patients with MDS have to undergo chemotherapy, acupuncture can provide relief after the operation and contribute to a more hassle-free recovery. Yoga Although yoga cannot directly help fight cancer, it can help patients alleviate its side effects and lead a more peaceful life on their paths to recovery.
5 Effective Tips to Treat Dry Scalp

5 Effective Tips to Treat Dry Scalp

If you are suffering from dry and dull hair, and often see white dandruff flakes on your shoulder, then a dry scalp could be the reason behind it. Many people feel embarrassed due to the white flakes and the itching that dry scalp can cause. The irritation that dry scalp causes can sometimes be unbearable; therefore, it is important to choose effective treatment methods to treat it as soon as possible. If you ignore the problem of dry scalp, it can then turn into a chronic problem, which could be very hard to treat in the future. You can choose from the plethora of dry scalp treatments available in order to avoid this problem. What causes dry scalp? Dry scalp is caused when the oil-producing glands on the scalp are not active or underactive and are not producing enough amounts of natural oil. This natural oil helps keeps the scalp moist all the time. The following are some other causes of a dry scalp: If you are using harsh, chemical-filled shampoos, it can cause dry scalp When you are using hard water to wash your hair Fungal infections Extreme weather conditions like extreme heat or cold climates Improper diet Harsh styling products Not oiling your hair often or not using conditioners after shampooing To combat dry scalp, the following list provides some effective dry scalp treatments: Oil massage: One of the best and most proven methods for treating dry scalp is oil massage. You can take any oil that you use regularly and massage the scalp in circular motions. In this way, blood circulation will be promoted in the scalp and your hair will also start growing in a natural way. When using oil for massage, it is always efficient to heat it slightly. This means that you should use lukewarm oil to massage your scalp, and this can be especially helpful if the dry scalp is being caused due to some fungal infection.