Our memories are often our most prized possessions. They remind us of lessons learned and a life well lived. Imagine the pain of losing them! This is what exactly happens in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a chronic, degenerative disease that affects neurological and cognitive functions and is the most common cause of dementia. It affects approximately 29.8 million people worldwide, as of 2015. Alzheimer’s is a painful and debilitating condition. Therefore, it is important to watch out for the symptoms and signs to improve the quality of life. Alzheimer’s disease can have many varied signs. Alzheimer’s disease has a slow, insidious onset, so you have to be vigilant to the symptoms. It starts off slowly and progresses until control of bodily functions is lost. The life expectancy of patients with Alzheimer’s ranges between 3 – 9 years. Warning Signs: Alzheimer’s disease The early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s are often vague. The first characteristic sign of Alzheimer is an inability to remember recent events including forgetting names of objects, places, and people. As the disease progresses, the memory impairment worsens along with the appearance of other signs of Alzheimer. Alzheimer’s shows the following symptoms: Difficulty in planning or problem-solving: Some people will notice that it is becoming harder for them to formulate and stick to plans and structured activity. There may be an associated difficulty in managing numbers. Difficulty in performing familiar tasks: A person may forget to perform routine tasks and activities such as to operate a stove, use tools, or other such signs of Alzheimer. Alzheimer’s can impair the ability to complete tasks that were once familiar. Language problems: A person may forget words, pronunciations, spellings, grammar, and another component of written and spoken language. There may difficulty holding or following a conversation and using the wrong words.

Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, affects the colon as well as the rectum. It is one of the most common types of cancer that affects men and women across the country equally. This type of cancer develops in the inner lining of the colorectal tube. The colorectal tube can be a breeding ground for polyps and small tumors that can turn malignant. Although most polyps and tumors are benign, studies have shown that usually, polyps developing inside the glandular tissue of the intestinal lining can turn precancerous. These precancerous polyps can lead to metastatic colorectal cancer if left untreated. The development of cancer is related to size as polyps less than a centimeter in size have roughly 1% chance of turning into adenomatous (malignant) polyps. The ones that are bigger than two centimeters are more prone to turn malignant. The growth of colorectal cancer can be controlled and treated if the tumor is localized. At the same time, metastatic colorectal cancer can spread to other parts of the body including lymph nodes, organs, tissues, and the bloodstream as it spreads through the walls of the bowel. Mentioned below are some risk factors that might cause colorectal cancer: Abdominal diseases An underlying condition can increase one’s risk of developing metastatic colon cancer. Abdominal diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis can result in the development of tumors and polyps in the intestine, causing colorectal cancer. Genes Unfortunately, cancer can be hereditary. Studies show that genetic sequences partly determine one’s susceptibility to colorectal cancer. It is observed people with medical conditions such as Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP), Gardner’s syndrome, MYH-associated polyps, and Cowden’s disease, have a higher chance of suffering from colorectal cancer. Diet Although not a major cause, one’s diet does contribute to the early stages of colorectal cancer.

Lupus is a complicated and often debilitating condition that affects many people. Catching the first symptoms of lupus early is important for initiating treatment of this condition. Lupus is a collection of autoimmune disorders rather than one single disease. In an autoimmune disorder, the body’s immune system attacks the body itself. Lupus is a chronic condition, and the most severe and most common form of lupus is Systemic Lupus Erythematosus. The first symptoms of lupus can manifest in a variety of ways. Since the autoimmune reaction causes inflammation to a number of different areas like the joints, skin, heart, kidneys, and lungs, it becomes hard to pinpoint one specific indicator as a sign of lupus. These vague first symptoms of lupus also make it hard to diagnose the condition accurately, since it can mimic a number of other diseases and conditions. The first symptoms of lupus manifest in early adulthood or the late teens, but some late-onset cases develop in the 30s. More instances of lupus occur in women than men. People with lupus experience flare-ups of the condition, followed by periods of remission that can last for months, or even years, followed by more flare-ups. This can make it easy to overlook the first symptoms of lupus. First Symptoms Of Lupus The first symptoms of lupus can manifest in many ways depending on the part of the body that is affected. These are a few of the more generalized first symptoms of lupus: Fever Joint pain Fatigue General discomfort Hair loss Swollen lymph nodes Sensitivity to sunlight Other Symptoms of Lupus Butterfly rash The butterfly rash is the most common indicator of lupus and is quite specific to this condition. However, in a few rare cases, the rash may not develop at all. The rash is red and bumpy and extends from the bridge of the nose across the cheeks, which gives it the appearance of butterfly wings.

Almost everyone loves their skin in their 20s and 30s. Your skin is firm, bouncy and even if you’ve stayed out all night, a dab of cream and a little makeup can make you look fresh again. However, nothing stays forever, and as you age, it becomes harder to keep your skin looking fresh and young. By the time you reach your 50s, your skin produces only half the collagen it did in your youth. Fear not as you can shave off the years with skin tightening creams . These are creams that can help slow down the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and other such signs of aging. Here are some of the most popular creams that can tighten your skin . Bioelements Sleepwear This overnight cream is made up of a combination of time-released retinol, topical calcium, protein peptides, and cranberry seed oil, among other ingredients. While you sleep, this cream is hard at work replenishing antioxidants, strengthening the skin, revitalizing collagen, and improving moisture retention. When you wake up, you won’t just feel refreshed after a good night’s sleep, you’ll look fresh too. Artistry Luxury Crème Women who’ve used this cream have said that it made their skin feel softer and smoother in as little as two weeks. The cream uses Cell Effect Technology with a cardiolipin-driven complex to energize skin cells and repair visible signs of aging such as dark circles and wrinkles. It also moisturizes the skin and improves the skin’s moisture retention capabilities. Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream This clinically proven skin tightening cream has been known to reduce wrinkles and make skin firmer in just 15 days. The cream uses a unique combination of Ginkgo Biloba, Mediterranean Algae, precious rose, Chlorella, and Mimosa absolutes to reduce the appearance of fine lines and moisturize the skin.

Hemorrhoids, or more commonly known as piles, are clusters of veins which lie just beneath the mucous membranes which line the lowest part of the rectum and the anus. This condition involves swelling and distension of those veins. Internal and external hemorrhoids are the two types of this condition. Internal ones occur in the lower rectum whereas the external ones develop under the skin around the anus. It is widely considered that external hemorrhoids are the ones which are the most painful and uncomfortable since the overlying skin erodes due to irritation. Moreover, if there is a blood clot on the inside of external hemorrhoid, then the pain can get much more severe. How can one recognize external hemorrhoids? Itchy or burning sensation around the anus A painful lump or swollen area near the anus Difficulty in sitting down Painful bowel movements Fecal incontinence There are different types of both homemade and surgical remedies available for curing external hemorrhoids. Some of the common ones have been explained in brief as follows: Witch hazel : Witch hazel is an astringent which causes tissues to shrink and reduce bruising. Along with this, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To use it, one has to add a small amount of witch hazel to a cotton ball and then dab it on the affected area to get relief from the symptoms. However, if there are signs of irritation, then one should go for a more indirect method. It is advised to not add alcohol to witch hazel in an attempt to dilute it as it can cause further irritation. Coconut oil : Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and can help with hemorrhoid symptoms like reducing irritation and swelling. Moreover, it can also reduce provide relief from the itchiness experienced. Aloe vera :

Night sweats scientifically known as nocturnal hyperhidrosis are severe hot flashes occurring during the night, which can result in excessive sweating that could wet your clothes and sheets. Sometimes, due to the bedroom temperature being higher than the surroundings, or due to too many clothes on your body, you can sweat, but this is quite normal and has nothing to do with night sweats. So, if you suffering from true night sweats, which is occurring without any apparent reason, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately. Causes of night sweats There are different conditions that can cause night sweats in men, women and even children. To know the exact cause one must visit a doctor, who will get the detailed medical history of the patient by performing different types of tests. Listed here are some of the major underlying conditions that are responsible for causing night sweats: Menopause This is a stage in which hormonal changes take place in women because of the drop in the level of a hormone known as estrogen. Menopause can cause hot flashes in women during the day as well the night. Menopause can affect males too according to medical professionals due to the drop in the level of a male hormone known as testosterone. This menopause condition can be one of the causes of night sweats in men as well as in women. Low blood sugar level Blood sugar (glucose level) in human blood should normally be between 70 to 130 mg/dL. When this blood sugar level falls below 70 mg/dL, several problems began to show up such as anxiety issues, dizziness, and sometimes blurred vision. Sometimes a drop in blood sugar level at night can make you sweat excessively, causing night sweats. Patients suffering from low blood sugar often take certain medications which can be one of the causes of night sweats occurring both in males and females.

You can use bacteria for fighting bacteria! Confused? Some health disorders that are caused by bad bacteria can be directly treated or the symptoms can be eased to a large extent by consuming good bacteria, commonly referred to as probiotics. Before you know how they can help manage Crohn’s disease, you must know what it is all about. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the functioning of the intestines. The immune system of those affected by this disease starts attacking the good bacteria present in the gut, resulting in a steep depletion of good bacteria. The term probiotics can be split into “pro” meaning for, and “biota” meaning life. Probiotics play a key role in the replenishment of good bacteria in the gut, which in turn improves digestion and overall health. Hence, consuming probiotics for Crohn’s disease may be considered as an effective treatment method. The role of good bacteria The bacteria present in our digestive system play a key role in digestion and immunity. A healthy gut maintains a delicate balance of good bacteria. This balance is essential for proper digestion and assimilation of food. Digestive disorders like Crohn’s or intake of antibiotics tend to upset this balance, resulting in inflammation of the intestines and poor digestion. Due to the depletion of naturally occurring good bacteria in the gut, there is a need for external replenishment by consuming probiotics. Probiotics for Crohn’s Disease A typical symptom of Crohn’s disease is alternating periods of flare up and inactivity. This is an autoimmune disease that has no cure, but symptoms can be managed by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Consuming probiotics for Crohn’s disease helps in managing the symptoms effectively. Ensuring a good supply of nutrients to the stomach and intestines helps bring about remission. Crohn’s disease diet plan must include probiotics, which have proven digestive benefits.

The knee is one of the biggest and most complex joints present in our body which is comprised of different types of bones such as the shinbone known as the tibia, the smaller bone that runs parallel to the Tibia is known as the fibula, the thigh bone known as the femur and the kneecap, which is known as the patella. Apart from bones, this knee joint is also a collection of different types of tendons, muscles, cartilage, and ligaments. The knee is considered to be one of the most injury-prone areas in our whole body, and that’s why most people experience leg pain behind the knee at some point in their lives. Sports and exercises can sometimes cause muscle strains, fracture the bones present in the knee joint, as well as some serious injuries to cartilages and ligaments. Some knee injuries gradually heal on their own over time, while some may require surgical treatments or other medical interventions. Whatever the case may be that’s causing a hindrance to your desired lifestyle due to knee pain, it shouldn’t be ignored. Thus, in this article we are going to talk about the major causes of knee pain, which are as follows: Leg Cramps A cramp is a condition in which people experience sudden tightening or contraction of muscles. Muscles present in the calves are very prone to this condition, but other leg muscles such as the muscles present in the back of the thigh near the knee can experience cramps too. Leg cramps are considered to be one of most common causes of leg pain behind the knee that mainly occurs during workouts or exercises. Pregnancy can be one of the common causes of developing leg cramps in women. There are several other possible causes of leg cramps that include: nerve problems in legs, dehydration, tetanus infections, the presence of toxins such as lead or mercury in blood and liver disease.

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are respiratory ailments that are often confused for each other due to overlapping symptoms and little understanding of the two conditions. The National Institute of Health (NIH) says that about 40% of people with COPD also have asthma. The NIH also estimates that 24 million Americans suffer from COPD though about half of them are not aware of it. If you suspect that you are suffering from any of these two conditions, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between COPD and asthma for better management of these conditions. What is asthma? Asthma is an allergic reaction that often develops in early childhood. Health experts have never pinpointed why people develop asthma, but only that asthma attacks are triggered by allergens. These include dust, dust mites, mold, pollen, strong perfumes, certain foods, and food additives. The allergic attack causes inflammation that constricts the airways. Asthma attacks differ in severity depending on exposure to the triggering allergen. An asthma attack is relieved using a bronchial dilator to expand the airways and allow free movement of air. What is COPD? COPD is a disease that develops later in life due to the effects of exposure to particulate irritants especially tobacco smoke. This is usually observed in smokers above the age of 40 years. COPD is a progressive disease whose effects are treatable but irreversible. It is characterized by progressive airflow limitation and degrading of lung functions. This leads to respiratory complications including shortness of breath, coughing, and frequent throat clearing. COPD is a leading killer in smokers, being attributable to the death of about 150,000 Americans each year. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are respiratory complications commonly observed in people with COPD. Chronic bronchitis happens when the bronchial tubes are inflamed leading to excessive coughing and mucus production.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder. The condition results in acute abdominal discomfort, gas, diarrhea, as well as changes in the patterns of one’s bowel movement. IBS with constipation is one of the most common scenarios that can greatly affect your quality of life. According to a study, the IBS affects more than 10% of the population in the country. The reason for the occurrence of IBS is unknown, which is why there is no specific cure for the condition. However, certain kinds of food items, stress, and hormonal changes are known to flare up the symptoms of this disease. Understanding these symptoms and following some basic steps that ease IBS can help to manage the condition in an effective way. Here are some ways to manage IBS. Making dietary changes Simple changes in the diet can help to relieve the troublesome symptoms of IBS. There is no specific diet for the same as some foods may cause IBS symptoms in one person whereas, on the other, they may not. Eliminating certain foods According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disease, certain items have shown to trigger the IBS symptoms: Dairy products High-fat products Caffeine Alcoholic drinks Broccoli, beans, and cabbage Drinks containing artificial sweeteners Chocolate and nuts Increasing dietary fiber Increasing your fiber intake is especially helpful in alleviating the symptoms of IBS with constipation. Doctors suggest consuming 22 to 34 grams of fiber each day. There are plenty of food items that are rich in fiber such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. It is important to note that fiber should be added gradually to the diet, little by little. For instance, 2 to 3 grams should be added each day. Adding too much fiber in one go can cause bloating and gas, and further, aggravate the IBS symptoms.

Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that currently affects around 5 million people in the world, out of which 1.5 million are in the people in the country with more than 16,000 cases being reported every year. This disease occurs when the immune system of the body can’t differentiate between the healthy tissues and harmful germs, leading to the creation of antibodies that attack healthy cells and tissues. Although the cause of the lupus is still unknown, research suggests that genes play an important role in the development of lupus symptoms in women as well in men. Lupus affects everyone differently and usually starts in early adulthood, anywhere between the teen years and the 30s. Some people are affected with mild symptoms, while others may have more severe symptoms of lupus. Early symptoms have some resemblance with other conditions, and this might make the diagnosis confusing. So, what are the symptoms of lupus? Let’s discuss them in the next context. Fatigue Almost 90 percent of people with lupus experience some level of fatigue. An afternoon nap can help fight people to deal with fatigue, but sleeping too much during the daytime can sometimes lead to insomnia at night. On the other hand, if you want to keep your energy levels high, then sticking to a daily routine and remaining active can be effective. Unexplained Fever An unexpected low-grade fever with no apparent reason is one of the early lupus symptoms. During this time, the body temperature may vary between 98.5 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of unexplained fever associated with lupus disease could be due to an inflammation, infection, or imminent flare-up which has a nature of frequent occurrences. However, if you are experiencing recurrent low-grade fevers, then making an appointment with a doctor is advisable. Hair Loss Hair loss or thinning of hair could be the result of inflammation of the skin and the scalp, which is often considered to be one of the early lupus symptoms.

Snoring is a common problem that plagues a large part of the adult population in the country. You might feel uncomfortable or embarrassed if you are known to snore loudly, but you should know that this process is often natural. Usually, men snore more than women on a regular basis. There is no specific treatment for snoring, but there are certain devices available in the market that can help partially manage snoring. The best stop-snoring devices reduce the loud symptoms of snoring effectively, without causing any discomfort or harm to the user. These anti-snoring devices can suppress snoring in either of the two ways- by pushing the tongue backward or moving the tongue forward. Moreover, these devices do not require any prescription from any doctor. Let’s have a closer look at what causes snoring and how these anti-snoring devices actually perform. What causes snoring? The restriction or obstruction in the pathway of the upper airway typically causes a tickling sensation in the back of the throat which results in a typical harsh and loud breathing, described as snoring. Several factors are responsible for snoring. One of them is obesity, which is fairly common in certain adults. Sometimes, throat related allergies due to cold and other biological factors are also responsible for loud snoring. One of the main causes of snoring is ‘Obstructive Sleep Apnea(OSA)’ which is the most common type of ‘sleep apnea’ disorder associated with the sudden and temporary loss of breath during sleep. The partial obstructions in the airflow hinder the breathing process resulting in the development of loud and harsh noise during sleeping. Another type of ‘sleep apnea’ disorder is known as ‘Central Sleep Apnea (CSA) which occurs when the brain fails to send proper signals to the muscles that are responsible for proper breathing, resulting in snoring.