The kidneys & liver are two essential organs in the human body. They are involved in many important functions such as removal of waste, metabolic activity, hormone activity, and digestive function. To ensure that the health and wellbeing of these two important body organs, let us look at the symptoms, causes, and risks associated with kidney & liver diseases so that you take all the precautions to avoid these. Symptoms of a liver-related disease If a person has liver disease, they may exhibit the following symptoms: Vomiting Skin becoming yellow Drowsiness Being disoriented Swelling in the abdomen Having pain in the upper right abdomen Symptoms of kidney failure The symptoms associated with a person suffering from kidney failure include Irregular heartbeat Difficulty in breathing Pain in the chest Feeling weak Retention of fluid, which leads to swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs Coma or seizures in serious cases Causes of kidney & liver failure These causes are known to be quite common for kidney failure Infection Certain viruses such as the viruses causing Hepatitis A, B, and C can lead to infection and inflammation in the liver. Genes and medications Liver diseases such as Wilson’s disease Hemochromatosis are genetically inherited. The long-term consumption of certain medications can possibly lead to liver failure. Alcohol addiction Alcohol abuse is also a common cause of alcohol addiction. Alcohol is very bad for the liver, and this is why people should avoid consuming alcohol as it could lead to liver failure. Immune system diseases Certain diseases such as Primary Biliary Cholangitis and Autoimmune Hepatitis can impact the health of your liver. The common causes of liver failure are Decreased blood flow to the kidney Certain health problems can lessen the blood flow to the kidney. These include heart disease, allergies, and dehydration, to name a few.

Joint conditions are commonly associated with increasing age, but they can also be a result of injuries or may develop due to other medical conditions affecting bone and joint health. Arthritis, a commonly diagnosed joint condition, has over 200 types. Depending on the severity of the disease, these conditions can also affect a patient’s quality of life. Read on to know the symptoms, causes, and factors that increase one’s risk of developing joint conditions. Symptoms of joint conditions The following are some of the symptoms that most joint conditions are accompanied by: Joint stiffness Weakness in the joints Inflammation, swelling, and redness of the affected joint Limping due to pain and stiffness Joint getting locked Tearing of the cartilage Commonly-diagnosed joint conditions and their causes Osteoarthritis This form of arthritis involves the wear-and-tear of the joint’s cartilage, which means the risk of developing this disease elevates with age. The cartilage plays the role of a cushion between the bones in order to prevent friction that can cause damage. Damaged cartilage due to this condition results in the bones losing their protection and clashing, causing pain and restricting movement and flexibility. This usually occurs gradually, but it can also develop suddenly in the case of an infection or injury. Although any joint can be affected in the case of osteoarthritis, it mostly affects the hips, lower back, hands, or knees and may worsen over time. Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints, but it can also damage the eyes, lungs, blood vessels, heart, and skin. It is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the immune system attacking the healthy tissues. This causes swelling in the affected joint, which can also result in deformity and bone erosion. Factors that increase the risk of joint conditions Weight Being overweight or obese puts excess pressure on the joints and particularly exerts pressure on the spine, hips, and knees.

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. It is typically diagnosed after a year of no menstrual periods, but it begins much before that. Menopause occurs in your forties and even fifties, but the average age when it occurs in the US is 51. While it is a natural and biological process, the physical symptoms and the hot flashes may cause disruptions in your sleep and even affect your emotional health in general. There are plenty of treatments available. But, to get started, you need to know what the condition looks and feels like. Here are the symptoms, causes, and complications related to menopause. Symptoms of menopause In the time leading up to menopause, you may experience some common symptoms such as irregularity in periods, dryness in the vagina, as well as hot flashes. Some people also experience chills, sleep problems, mood swings, and night sweats. Weight gain and slowed metabolism are two other symptoms that commonly occur with menopause. Menopausal women may even experience dry skin and thinning hair on a regular basis. However, this is not to say that all women experience these symptoms. Different women go through different issues. Depending on your health in general, you may experience varying levels of symptoms. Most women experience a complete stop of their menses, and when this continues for twelve months, it is generally a sign of menopause. It is best to keep your gynecologist updated and figure out the best way to combat the aforementioned symptoms to alleviate any discomfort. Causes of menopause Menopause can be a result of many different causes. The natural decline of reproductive hormones is the leading cause. The ovaries start to produce lesser estrogen as well as progesterone, both of which are responsible for regulating menstruation. Due to this, fertility keeps declining.

Millions of people live with different types of mental illnesses and health problems. These include obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, and personality disorders. All of these come under the umbrella of mental health. In this article, we will cover the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of some common mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and clinical depression to help you understand them better. Symptoms The common symptoms of mental health disorders include: Obsessive-compulsive disorder People with OCD may present the following symptoms: Constant fear of contamination and extra emphasis on cleanliness Signs of hoarding and counting belongings continuously Signs of excessive concern toward personal safety Post-traumatic stress disorder Somebody suffering from PTSD may show the following symptoms: Constantly suffering through intrusive memories Negative patterns in mood and mindset Trying to avoid thinking of the traumatic event Feeling changes in emotional and physical reactions Clinical depression The symptoms of clinical depression include: Being moody and experiencing different emotions, such as aggressiveness, anxiousness, and restlessness Adverse effect on sexual life A decline of cognitive abilities Poor sleep patterns If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend consulting with a mental health doctor immediately. Causes The common causes of any mental health disorder include the following: Obsessive-compulsive disorder Some common causes for obsessive-compulsive disorder include: Severe trauma Behavioral factors, such as being extremely organized, meticulous, and neat Post-traumatic stress disorder The causes for PTSD include the following: Stressful experiences and traumatic events Inheriting disorders from family members Imbalance in regulation of bodily hormones and chemicals Clinical depression The causes associated with clinical depression include: Early childhood trauma Drug abuse Different medical conditions, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic pain Risk factors The risk factors associated with the following mental health disorders include: Obsessive-compulsive disorder Some risk factors associated with OCD include:

Mouth and teeth problems are common occurrences in individuals. One should not wait for the symptoms to worsen before visiting a doctor. It is always advisable to pay a visit twice every year, even if you don’t have any problems, so that any impending dangers can be dealt with promptly. Here are some of the common symptoms, causes, and risks associated with most mouth and teeth problems. Several symptoms might indicate that you have a critical oral problem. Some of these are also accompanied with neck swelling or even high fever. The key symptoms include: Suffering from bad breath for a long period despite adhering to good eating habits and trying to maintain the necessary oral hygiene Developing sores, ulcers, and tender areas in mouth frequently, which don’t heal even after two weeks Swelling in the cheek or face for no apparent reason Frequent loosening of teeth or pain especially when trying to bite or chew food items Sudden sensitivity to cold and hot beverages or temperatures Causes The causes of mouth and teeth diseases include: Excessive consumption of food items containing starch and sugar can lead to plaque formation, which can further result in tooth decay and several gum issues. Also, if your water intake is less, you might not be able to get sufficient fluoride, which can again be a root cause of plaque creation in the mouth. A deep cavity or cracked tooth can let bacteria enter the tooth pulp, which can further lead to infection inside the tooth. The situation can worsen when the infected tooth can further cause a lethal abscess. Cracked, broken, and injured teeth are one of the main causes of oral diseases. There is a reason why we are asked not to chew on hard items such as pens, popcorn kernels, or other objects.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS). Due to this disorder, your immune system attacks myelin, which is the protective sheath covering the nerve fibers. As a result, communication between your brain and body is hampered. Causes of multiple sclerosis The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still uncertain. However, some factors that cause this disorder are as follows: Immune system If the immune system is compromised, it may attack the CNS. The myelin protective sheath is affected, thereby disrupting the functioning of your brain, resulting in multiple sclerosis. Infection Certain viruses and bacteria can cause multiple sclerosis. Some viruses cause inflammation that breaks down the myelin, triggering multiple sclerosis. It is possible that brain-cell-like bacteria and viruses can cause the immune system to erroneously identify normal cells as foreign cells, thereby destroying them. Some of the viruses and bacteria that can cause multiple sclerosis include Epstein-Barr virus, measles viruses, and human herpesvirus-6 causing disorders like roseola. Genetics One can be highly susceptible to multiple sclerosis if one has a family history of this disorder. The possibility of one developing this disorder in such instances increases by 2.5% to 5% in the country. For an average individual, the possibility is roughly 0.1%. Multiple sclerosis patients are born with genetic susceptibility to unfamiliar environmental agents, which triggers an auto-immune response. Environmental factors Epidemiologists have noticed a higher number of multiple sclerosis patients in countries that are far from the Equator. This may be a correlation with Vitamin D as it is believed to be highly beneficial for the immune system. Since people living in countries closer to the Equator receive plenty of sunlight, their bodies produce more Vitamin D, which reduces the risk. Symptoms of MS Symptoms vary and depend on the affected nerves and extent of nerve damage.

The technique of pain management depends on the cause of the pain. If the cause is nerve root irritation from a herniated disc, wherein the pain radiates down the length of the leg, it can be treated with an epidural steroid injection. On the other hand, pain can be severe, like due to an inflamed appendix, for which surgery or other invasive measures are required. Let’s look at the various causes of pain and ways to manage it. Main causes of pain The common causes of pain are: Cancer Lateral epicondylitis Plantar fasciitis Piriformis syndrome Torticollis Myofasciitis Post-herpetic neuralgia Compression fractures Coccydynia Peripheral nerve damage Infections, ulcers, or open sores Headaches How is pain management possible? The management and treatment of pain can be undertaken by knowing its history and other details like its duration, intensity, and relieving and aggravating conditions. Only after all this is understood, effective pain management can be undertaken by a medical examiner. So, one should disclose all relevant details to their doctor at the time of consultation. Types of pain The main types of pain are: Nociceptive pain: This is triggered due to tissue injury and can be acute or chronic. It can be somatic or visceral; while the former is limited to the tissues, the latter stems from damage to internal organs. Neuropathic pain: This is caused by a condition that affects the nervous system or due to damage to the system. The pain can also occur without any specific injury or damage, and some examples of this type of pain are shingles and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Techniques and skills for pain management Psychological counseling and support Physical therapy and chiropractic therapy Medication management Interventional procedures Methods of pain management with medication All the types of pain mentioned above require different approaches for management.

Parkinson’s disease is a form of a progressive nervous system disorder that directly impacts the movement of the body. While symptoms may start to appear gradually, sometimes they begin with a mild tremor in any of the hands. Tremors are quite common, the disorder can also cause slowing down the movement as well as stiffness in the body. In this article, we would be looking at the different symptoms, causes, and risk factors associated with this medical condition. Symptoms The signs of this disorder differ from one person to another. While early symptoms may be unnoticed, they appear on one side of the body and worsen that area. Some of the most common ones include: Tremor The most common sign of Parkinson’s disease is tremors. It usually starts from any of the limbs. It can occur in the fingers or even the hand. Change in speech and writing If you speak quickly or mumble and experience difficulty in writing, you may be suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Rigid muscles Muscle stiffness typically occurs in any part of the body. The stiff muscles can be quite painful, limiting the range of motion. Impaired balance or posture A change in posture and balance issues are also the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Bradykinesia While this disease may slow down your movement, it can also make simple tasks quite difficult. You may find it time-consuming to do simple tasks. Your steps keep becoming shorter while walking. Causes Genes Researchers have made genetic mutations, which can result in Parkinson’s disease. However, this is quite uncommon and can happen only in rare instances wherein many members of the family are affected by this disorder. Environmental triggers Exposure to certain triggers or even toxins with environmental factors may increase the risk of getting this disease. However, the risk is quite small.

For women trying to conceive or wondering if they may be pregnant, one of the first signs to watch out for is a missed menstrual cycle. Although several other symptoms can point to the possibility of a pregnancy, it’s always best to visit a doctor for confirmation. Read on to know the common symptoms of pregnancy: Missed period If a woman in childbearing years experiences a delay of over a week in her menstrual cycles, it may indicate pregnancy. That being said, missed or irregular cycles could also be a result of health issues like thyroid problems. So, women should also keep an eye out for the other symptoms mentioned here. Fatigue Being more tired than usual could be an early symptom of pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, the progesterone levels in her body rise, which causes her to feel sleepy and tired. Frequent urination During pregnancy, the quantity of blood flowing in a woman’s body increases, causing the kidney to work overtime. This places extra pressure on the bladder and leads to more frequent urges to urinate. Nausea or morning sickness This may be accompanied with or without vomiting, and this pregnancy symptom is also known as morning sickness. Contrary to popular belief according to the name, it may occur at any time of the day. That being said, all women do not experience this symptom, so it should not be considered as the ultimate factor that indicates pregnancy. The cause of this symptom is unknown, but pregnancy hormones are considered to play a key role in its development. Swollen, tender breasts Pregnant women may experience sore and sensitive breasts. After a few weeks into the pregnancy, this discomfort reduces as the body gets accustomed to the hormonal changes, but this is a concrete sign of pregnancy. Nasal congestion This is a little-known sign of pregnancy and occurs due to soaring hormone levels and the production of blood that make the nose swell, dry out, and bleed.

Sexual conditions or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) generally affect a person through sexual contact. STDs are caused by bacteria, parasites, or viruses, which mainly enter the body through semen, blood, or other bodily fluids. They can enter the body non-sexually too; for instance, an affected person’s blood is used during a transfusion or if they share a needle with a person who has any form of STD. Herein, we discuss the various symptoms of a few sexual conditions. Symptoms STDs may have a range of symptoms or no signs at all. It mainly depends on the type of STD one may have. Here is a list of some common forms of sexual conditions and their symptoms. Chlamydia It is a bacterial infection that affects the genital tract. The symptoms may start to show a few weeks after the exposure. The most common symptoms include painful urination, abdominal pain, discharge from the penis, pain during intercourse for women, and testicular pain. Gonorrhea This is another bacterial infection that affects the genital tract, mouth, eyes, throat, and anus. Sometimes, the symptoms may take 10 days to show, or even months. The common symptoms of gonorrhea are thick or bloody discharge from the vagina or penis, burning sensation or pain during urination, heavy menstrual bleeding, swollen testicles that pains, painful bowel movements, and anal itching. Trichomoniasis Also referred to as Trichomonas vaginalis, this condition is caused due to a one-celled parasite. It occurs if one has intercourse with an infected person. It often does not cause any kind of symptom, and even if it does then that may take up to a month. The symptoms include clear, yellowish, white, or greenish vaginal discharge, discharge from the penis, strong vaginal odor, vaginal irritation or itching, itching inside the penis, pain during intercourse, and painful urination.

Skin problems are of several types, with varying symptoms and triggers. They don’t always last for a long time, and some skin diseases can be almost painless too, albeit mentally and emotionally traumatizing. As they’re so common, there are well-established treatments for almost all skin diseases. However, there is still a lack of proper knowledge about what can trigger them. Read on to understand the skin issues better. Symptoms There are various symptoms of skin conditions, depending on the type of issue you have. However, you must keep in mind that skin roughness or blisters may not be caused by skin-related issues at all. These can be caused by wearing a new shoe or a rough fabric. Some of the symptoms that are actually caused by skin problems include white or red raised bumps, an itchy or painful rash, rough skin, ulcers, peeling skin, open lesions, cracked and dry skin, fleshy bumps, discolored patches, changes to the mole size or color, warts, excessive flushing, and loss of the skin pigment. Causes The skin problems can be caused by a variety of reasons. The most common ones include bacteria that are trapped in hair follicles or skin pores, microorganisms that are living on your skin, different viruses, weak immunity, coming in contact with irritants or allergens, genetic factors, a variety of illnesses, and certain lifestyle-related factors. Below is a list of the most common health conditions that can result in skin issues. Inflammatory bowel disease : It is a group consisting of disorders that can result in long-lasting inflammation of your digestive tract. The medicines that are used for the treatment may result in skin issues like tags, stomatitis, anal fissures, vitiligo, vasculitis, and allergic eczema. Diabetes : Diabetes can cause different skin conditions, which are either the direct results of the disease or caused by problems with blood circulation or infections due to it.

Sleep disorder is a medical condition that adversely affects your regular sleeping pattern. It has a direct impact on your health and the quality of sleep. This, in turn, paves the way for several other health problems and makes it difficult for you to go about your day-to-day activities. Types of sleep disorders Insomnia This is a condition in which a person finds it difficult to fall asleep at night or during other hours. Sleep apnea It is a condition in which a person suffers from irregular breathing patterns when they are sleeping. There are different types of sleep apnea. Restless legs syndrome It is a form of sleep disorder that is also referred to as Willis-Ekbom disease. It causes an unnatural and discomforting sensation in the legs. You also feel an uncontrollable urge to move your legs when you are trying to sleep. Narcolepsy This is a condition in which a person feels tired and sleepy throughout the day. Symptoms of sleep disorder Finding it difficult to sleep A sense of fatigue during the day Feeling a strong urge to sleep during the day even after sleeping for a good number of hours in the night Feeling irritated Suffering from anxiety Not being able to concentrate Suffering from depression Causes of sleep disorder Allergies Different kinds of allergic reactions, like cold and sneezing, make a person uncomfortable while sleeping. If you are suffering from any allergy, it is important that you seek treatment for it. Respiratory problems When a person is suffering from respiratory problems, they may find it difficult to breathe. It would be impossible to catch up on some sleep when you are gasping for breath. Nocturia Nocturia is a condition in which you feel the need to urinate frequently. This could be a result of hormonal imbalance or some urinary tract-related diseases.