Disease – HealthWasp

Acid Reflux

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:50:43 +0000

Acid reflux disease, also called Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a chronic symptom caused by stomach acid entering into the esophagus from the stomach. Stomach acid or bile can flow into your food pipe, and the backwash of acid irritates the esophagus lining causing GERD. Between 10-20% of people in the Western world are affected by acid reflux. Lifestyle changes, medications, and (rarely) surgery are used to help treat it.

Symptoms

Acid reflux is known to cause severe heartburn. Heartburn is a discomfort or burning pain that can start in your stomach and move up through your chest to your throat. Regurgitation is another symptom of acid reflux. Regurgitation causes a bitter or sour-tasting acid to back up into your mouth or throat. Other symptoms of acid reflux include bloating, burping, bloody vomiting, black or bloody stools, dysphagia (the sensation of food being stuck in your throat because your esophagus narrows), nausea, dry, wheezing cough, hiccups that don’t stop, weight loss despite eating the same, chronic sore throat, and hoarseness. Johns Hopkins Medicine has more information on acid reflux and its various symptoms.

Causes

When you eat food and swallow, the lower esophageal sphincter relaxes and allows liquid and food to move easily down into the stomach before closing up again. If the valve ends up being weakened or relaxed, it’s possible for stomach acid and bile to flow the wrong direction and back up the esophagus. This can certainly disrupt a person’s daily life by causing frequent heartburn, and the constant backwash of acid can irritate your esophagus’ lining, inflaming it. Over time, this inflammation can lead to breathing or bleeding problems as it erodes your esophagus. Other risk factors include being obese or overweight, eating large meals, bending over at the waist after eating, eating certain foods such as chocolate, citrus, garlic or onions, eating close to bedtime, drinking certain beverages like carbonated drinks, alcohol, or coffee, over the counter pain killers, and smoking.

Prevention

Luckily, acid reflux is preventable by making a few lifestyle changes. Reduce or avoid entirely the consumption of beverages and foods that contain caffeine, peppermint, chocolate, and alcohol. Decaffeinated and caffeinated coffees also increase acid secretion. If possible, avoid all carbonated drinks, and try to cut down on saturated fats. Increasing your protein intake can help strengthen muscles in your esophagus, so try choosing skim or low-fat dairy products, fish, and poultry. Make sure your diet is rich in vegetables and fruits, but try to avoid lemons, oranges, pineapple, grapefruit and tomatoes, which are all acidic. After meals, try to take a walk or remain upright for a period of time, and avoid snacking right before bedtime. When you go to sleep, try to sleep in a tilted position. This will help keep acid in your stomach through the night.

Treatment

If lifestyle changes do not cure your acid reflux, you may need medical treatment. Antacids can help neutralize stomach acid.

Maalox, Rolaids, Mylanta and Tums can provide quick relief and are available over the counter. Your doctor may prescribe you medications to heal the esophagus and block acid production or reduce acid production. There are also medications available to help make the lower esophageal sphincter stronger. They help your stomach empty more rapidly and help tighten the valve between the esophagus and stomach. If these medications are not effective, you may need surgery. There are a variety of surgery options available, such as surgery to create a barrier preventing the backup of stomach acid, surgery to reinforce the lower esophageal sphincter, and surgery to make the lower esophageal sphincter stronger. There is also a medical procedure available that causes scar tissue to form in the esophagus to help stop the backflow of stomach acid or bile.

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Congenital Heart Defect

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:48:07 +0000

People with a congenital heart defect (CHD) suffer from a birth defect to their heart. The defect is in the structure of the heart, and specifically within the vessels. There are many different heart defects, most are caused by issues with blood flowing through the heart in an odd of abnormal way. Obstructions occur and the blood doesn’t get where it needs to go correctly. Other defects work to affect the heart’s normal rhythm and pace. Heart defects are the number one cause of death caused by birth defects. They are also among the most widespread and common birth defects. About 9 babies in 1000 get born with a heart defect. The good news is that a lot of heart defects are not actually going to need treatment. Those that do are typically treated with medicines or with some heart surgery.

Symptoms

The type of symptoms people will see depend on the severity and type of CHD. Some CHDs go undetected due to a lack of symptoms throughout a person’s life, but most symptoms are present right in the beginning. The most common symptoms and signs are a bluish tint to the skin, fingernails, and lips, a heart murmur, shortness of breath or fast breathing, poor weight gain in infants or poor feeding, and fatigue during activity or exercise. Older children with CHDs may get tired easily or become short of breath during physical exertion. Most CHDs cause the heart to work harder than it should, which can eventually lead to heart failure. The Heart and Stroke Foundation provides information about CHD and its symptoms.

Causes

Potential causes of CHD may be either environmental or genetic. They may be a combination of the two factors. Many of the identified causes of CHD are unexpected genetic changes. This includes focal mutations and the addition/deletion of segments of DNA. It’s also possible for specific microscopic abnormalities in chromosomes to cause CHD. Genetics and a person’s heredity can be responsible for some versions of heart defects. A parent who has a CHD may be more likely than other people to have a child with a CHD, although it is rare for more than one child in a family to be born with a heart defect. Women who choose to smoke during pregnancy have also shown a correlation with CHD.

Prevention

During the first trimester of pregnancy and before a woman becomes pregnant are the critical times for preventing a congenital heart defect. Prior to pregnancy, every woman should check to make sure she is immune to rubella. The best way to find out is to be tested, and if no immunity is shown, to be vaccinated. All women should avoid using street drugs during pregnancy. Women should also control their exposure to alcohol, strong chemicals, x-rays, and prescription medications during pregnancy. Women who suffer from seizures or diabetes should also talk with their physicians before attempting to conceive to help minimize or eliminate any risk to the developing fetus. For parents with other children or other familial relations with a CHD may want to look into genetic counseling before making a decision on trying to conceive another child.

Treatment

There is some good news. There are cases where CHD improves without serious treatment, and some defects are tiny and don’t need any treatment whatsoever. Sadly, most cases of CHD are very serious. Treatment will included medication, leading to surgery if that isn’t enough.

Common medications will usually start to try and help the body eliminate water and salts as well as a medication designed to strengthen the heart contractions. Some defects may require surgery to attempt to restore a person’s circulation to a more normal level. The treatment generally depends on the type and severity of heart defect, and also depends on the child ’s age, general health, and size. Most patients prefer catheter procedures over surgery because they are much easier on the body, and because of this they are becoming more common. Catheter procedures involve a needle puncture in the skin where the flexible, thin tube is inserted into an artery or vein. Thus, doctors do not need to operate directly on the heart and thus do not need to open the chest, making the recovery much easier and quicker. Catheter procedures have become the preferred way to repair many simple heart defects. Many patients will have to undergo a lifetime of specialized treatment and cardiac care. It will begin by seeing a cardiologist specializing in children. Following that, they will see a congenital cardiologist later for adults later in life. There are over 1,800,000 adults in the world who have to live with CHD.

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Meningitis

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:43:29 +0000

Meningitis is a disease where the protective membranes that cover the spinal cord and brain are inflamed. The inflammation can be caused by infection with bacteria, viruses, or other micro-organisms. Meningitis can be life-threatening because of its proximity to the spinal cord and brain, although it can get better on its own in just a few weeks. It can lead to serious long-term consequences including epilepsy, cognitive deficits, deafness, and hydrocephalus, and is classified as a medical emergency.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of meningitis may develop over a few days or several hours. It is important to seek medical care immediately if you or someone you know has symptoms or signs of meningitis. These symptoms include sudden high fever, stiff neck, severe headache, difficulty concentrating, confusion, nausea or vomiting, difficulty waking up, seizures, sensitivity to light, skin rash, and a lack of interest in eating and drinking. In newborns, parents should look for constant crying, inactivity, high fever, excessive sleepiness, a bulge in the soft spot on the baby’s head, poor feeding, and stiffness in the baby’s neck and body. Viral meningitis generally improves without treatment, but bacterial meningitis can strike quickly and is very serious, requiring antibiotic treatment to fully recover. The Meningitis Research Foundation has more information about the symptoms of the disease.

Causes

Meningitis can result from a bacterial infection, although it usually occurs because of a viral infection. Acute bacterial meningitis occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and migrate to the spinal cord and brain. It can occur as a result of a sinus or ear infection, and sometimes a skull fracture. There are a number of strains of bacteria that can cause acute bacterial meningitis. Streptococcus pneumoniae causes pneumonia or sinus and ear infections, which can lead to meningitis. This is a common infection in the United States. Neisseria meningitis occurs when bacteria enters the bloodstream from an upper respiratory infection. This is a highly contagious infection and affects mainly young adults and teenagers. Viral meningitis is generally mild and often clears on its own. A group of viruses called enteroviruses causes most viral meningitis cases in the United States. Viruses such as HIV, herpes, West Nile, and mumps can also cause viral meningitis. Chronic meningitis occurs when the fluid and membranes surrounding the brain is invaded by slow-growing organisms. Meningitis can also result from non-infectious cases, such as drug allergies, chemical reactions, and certain types of cancer.

Prevention

It is important to maintain a strong immune system. This includes eating a balanced diet, getting a sufficient amount of sleep and maintaining strong sleeping patterns, and including exercise in your daily routine. You may also want to take supplements, such as Vitamins A, C, E, and D. These help you maintain good health and decrease the chances of you developing inflammation around the spinal cord and brain, lowering the risk of meningitis. It is also important to wash your hands frequently, ensuring your hands are free of bacteria. This includes keeping your home clean, especially kitchen and bathroom counters, and other surfaces that people share. You may also want to get a vaccination. Your doctor can advise you what vaccination you should receive, as immunization is one of the best ways to prevent meningitis. Children are usually immunized with Hemophilus influenzae type b vaccine at 18 months, 2, 4, and 6 to help prevent meningitis.

Treatment

Bacterial meningitis that is caused by infection is treated by a combination of antibiotics, depending on your age, the type of bacteria that is suspected, and various other factors. These antibiotics are usually injected into a vein.

People with meningitis may also need supportive treatment like fever-reducing medications and intravenous fluids. Viral meningitis cannot be cured by antibiotics, and most cases will eventually improve on their own. The best way to treat viral meningitis is by consuming plenty of fluids, getting a lot of bed rest, and taking over-the-counter pain medications to help relieve body aches and reduce fever.

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Hemophilia

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 02:28:11 +0000

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that harms the body’s capacity to control blood clotting, which is used to prevent bleeding caused by a damaged or broken blood vessel. There are many types of hemophilia, each of which causes prolonged bleeding. For example, people who have hemophilia and have a cut will bleed for a longer time than normal. It is usually inherited, and is a lifelong disease, though it can be managed and treated effectively.

Symptoms

There are several symptoms of hemophilia. Excessive bleeding is typically the most common. The amount of bleeding will depend on just how severe the case of hemophilia is. The excessive bleeding can be caused by an accident, a trip to see a dentist, or undergoing surgery. External bleeding signs include bleeding in the mouth from a bite, cut, or from a tooth falling out, nosebleeds caused by no apparent reason, bleeding from a cut that stops but begins again a short period of time, or heavy bleeding from a minor cut. Signs of internal bleeding may include bloody stool (internal bleeding in the stomach or intestines), bloody urine (bleeding in the bladder or kidneys), or large bruises. This bleeding can happen without any external injury. The joint may become hot to touch, swollen, and very painful to bend. Hemophilia can also cause internal bleeding to occur in a person’s brain. This is a very rare but a dangerous complication. It can occur after suffering a blow or strike to a person’s head, and result in long-lasting headaches, sudden weakness, changes in behavior, repeated vomiting, seizures and convulsions. The NHLBI provides more information on the various symptoms of hemophilia.

Causes

The main cause of hemophilia is a deficiency of clotting factors. It is inherited, meaning all patients start life with the disorder at birth. It is caused by a defect in one of the genes on the X chromosome that determines blood clotting in the body. A male who has the hemophilia gene on his X chromosome will suffer from hemophilia, but this is not necessarily the case with females, because they have two X chromosomes. It is extremely rare to have the faulty gene on both chromosomes. A woman can be a carrier however, and pass it on to their children despite not suffering any symptoms herself.

Prevention

Unfortunately, because hemophilia is an inherited genetic disease, it cannot be prevented. People who have hemophilia or women who are hemophilia carriers should talk to their family doctor or health professionals about having a child. If you do have hemophilia, it is important to maintain a healthy body weight to reduce stress on your joints, which can lead to bleeding episodes and chronic pain. You also want to create an exercise plan, preferably with your doctor, which is effective and safe. Regular exercise can strengthen the muscles and joints and prevent bleeding episodes.

Treatment

There is also no cure at this time, although most people suffering from hemophilia live fairly normal lives. The main treatment for hemophilia is replacement therapy.

This therapy consists of clotting factor VIII or IX slowly dripping into a vein (or injected into a vein). Mild hemophilia A is treated with a slow injection into the vein of a hormone which stimulates a release of more clotting factor to prevent excessive and dangerous bleeding. In severe cases of hemophilia A or hemophilia B, the bleeding might only stop after an infusion of clotting factor derived from genetically engineered products or donated from human blood. These infusions help replace a clotting factor that is low or missing. Regular preventive infusions may help stop bleeding as well. Your doctor can train you to perform infusions at work, home, or school. If the internal bleeding has damaged the joints, physical therapy can help them function better.

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Leukemia

contributor — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 00:58:13 +0000

Leukemia is a type of cancer of bone marrow or blood characterized by an abnormal increase of white blood cells. When you have leukemia, your bone marrow generates a lot of leukemia cells, which are irregular white blood cells. These leukemia cells crowd out regular blood cells, causing cancer and other serious problems like anemia, infections, and bleeding. Leukemia can affect people at any age, although about 90% of leukemia cases are diagnosed in adults. The name comes from the Ancient Greek meaning “white blood”. In the United States, there are almost 50 000 new cases of leukemia diagnosed each year, and about 24 000 deaths a year caused by leukemia.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of leukemia vary depending on what type you are diagnosed with. Common symptoms include fever, chills, and night sweats, bone pain or tenderness, headaches, joint pain, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpit, or groin, a painful or swollen stomach because of an enlarged spleen, feeling tired or weak, easy bruising, and losing weight. People who have leukemia may also see tiny red spots appear on their skin, and are much more susceptible to suffering from various infections and viruses. The National Cancer Institute has more information about leukemia and the types of symptoms that come with the disease.

Causes

There is no one single known cause for leukemia, or any of its specific types. The few known causes are usually caused by factors beyond a person’s control, and account for only a few cases. Leukemia is caused by mutations in DNA, just like all cancer. Some mutations can trigger leukemia. These mutations may happen as an outcome of exposure to carcinogenic substances or radiation, or may happen spontaneously. There are several risk factors, however, that can increase your chances of getting leukemia. If you are exposed to certain chemicals (like benzene) or large amounts of radiation, if you have genetic problems like down syndrome, if you have undergone specific types of chemotherapy to treat another form of cancer, or if you are a chronic smoker. There are four major types of leukemia: acute myelogenous leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myelogenous leukemia, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Prevention

Unfortunately, most cases of leukemia cannot be prevented by lifestyle changes or taking medication. Researchers have been able to identify a few risk factors associated with leukemia, however. Smoking is one of these risk factors. Smoking puts you at risk for many types of cancer, such as acute myelogenous leukemia. Exposure to benzene also increases your risk for leukemia (benzene is a chemical product of petroleum and coal).

Treatment

The type of treatment you need depends on many factors, including the type of leukemia, how far along it is, and your overall health and age. Acute leukemia requires immediate treatment to prevent the rapid advance of leukemia cells.

In most cases, the treatment for acute leukemia makes it go into remission (not completely cured because there is still a chance it may come back). Chronic leukemia is rarely cured, but there is treatment available to help you control the symptoms and the disease. Chemotherapy is the main treatment used for almost all types of leukemia. It uses powerful medicines to eliminate cancer cells. Radiation treatments are also used. It uses high dose X-rays to shrink an enlarged spleen or swollen lymph nodes, and remove cells affected by cancer. Stem cell transplant can also be used. Stem cells boost your immune system and restore your supply of normal blood cells. Often chemotherapy or radiation is used first to make room for the new stem cells by destroying cells in the bone marrow. Other treatment options include biological therapy, which uses special medicines to improve the body’s natural defenses against cancer, and clinical trials.

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Diabetes

contributor — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:19:31 +0000

Diabetes (medically referred to as diabetes mellitus) is a group of metabolic diseases that causes a person to have very high blood sugar. This may be caused because the cells do not respond to , or because the pancreas does not produce enough hormones to handle the sugar in the blood stream. There are two main types of diabetes: Type 1 DM and Type 2 DM. Type 1 results from the body’s failure to produce hormone from the pancreas, while Type 2 occurs from resistance in the cells. There is a third type, called gestational diabetes, which occurs when a pregnant woman who does not have a prior diagnosis of diabetes develops a high blood glucose level. This usually resolves after delivery. Since manufactured versions of pancreatic hormone became available in 1921, all forms of diabetes have been treatable, although both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are chronic conditions that cannot be cured.

Symptoms

The typical symptoms of diabetes that is left untreated are increased thirst (polydipsia), frequent urination (polyuria), increased hunger (polyphagia), and weight loss. These symptoms may develop quickly (in months or even weeks) in Type 1 diabetes, but develop much more slowly in Type 2 diabetes. People with Type 1 diabetes tend to feel very tired and suffer from severe weight loss despite maintaining a normal or even excessive appetite. People with Type 2 diabetes tend to have a persistent thirst, may suffer from blurred vision, feel fatigued and have to urinate frequently. Diabetes is a major cause of heart disease, and can lead to kidney failure and blindness in adults. People with diabetes may also have to undergo foot amputations later in life because of circulatory problems. The American Diabetes Association provides more information about diabetes, its symptoms, and how to control them.

Causes

Type 1 diabetes is what is known as an autoimmune disorder. It is widely accepted that a combination of certain factors and genetic predisposition provoke the immune system into attacking and killing certain cells that are located within a pancreas. There is a different causes for type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is caused by a body showing an increased hormone resistance. This means the body cannot use the hormones it produces properly, no matter how much is made. This means glucose is unable to be transferred from blood into a person’s cells. In turn, this excess sugar in the blood will damage and poison the pancreas over time. In turn, this means it will produce lower levels of hormones, which makes it even more difficult to make sure the blood glucose stays under control. Genetic factors also play a role in causing Type 2 diabetes, as does obesity. Other risk factors include being over the age of 40, high blood pressure, HIV infection, high cholesterol, blood vessel disease, the use of certain medications, and mental health disorders.

Prevention

There are a number of ways you can help reduce the risk of being diagnosed with diabetes. One way is to get more physically active. There are numerous benefits to regular physical activity, and exercise can help you lower your blood sugar and lose weight while boosting your sensitivity to pancreatic hormones. This ensures your blood sugar stays within a normal range. Both resistance training and aerobic exercise can help control diabetes. You also want to make sure you get plenty of fiber in your diet. This lowers your risk of heart disease and improves your blood sugar control. It also makes you feel full, encouraging weight loss. Whole grains help maintain blood sugar levels and have been known to reduce the risk of diabetes. It is also important to lose any extra weight you may have. According to a recent study, overweight adults can reduce their diabetes risk by 16% for every 2.2 pounds they lose.

Treatment

The major goal behind treating diabetes is to minimize the elevation of blood sugar, while still maintaining necessary levels of blood sugar in the body. Type 1 diabetes is treated with exercise, hormone injections, and a specific diabetic diet.

Type 2 diabetes is treated by having the patient lose weight, a specific exercise program, and a diabetic diet. Medications are extremely effective at treating diabetes, reducing the long-term effects of the condition, and controlling symptoms.

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Lymphoma

contributor — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 03:22:55 +0000

Lymphoma is a form of cancer in the blood. This disease is contracted when T or B lymphocytes live longer than they are supposed to or divide quicker than normal cells. T or B lymphocytes are white blood cells that protect the body from disease and infection and make up some of the body’s immune system. The cancer may develop in the many areas. This includes the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, blood or some other organs. In the United States, 7000 people are diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma and 54 000 people are diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma annually.

Symptoms

Cancer symptoms vary from case to case, and depend on where the cancer has spread, where it was originally located, and how big the tumor is. Lymphoma usually begins with swelling under the arm, in the neck, or the groin. There may also be additional swelling in the spleen or any other area where lymph nodes are located. These enlarged lymph nodes can cause more swelling in the legs and arms, or a sense of numbness and tingling. It may also cause people to lose their appetite. Other symptoms include chills, a fever, night sweats, weight loss, itching and lethargy. The National Cancer Institute has more information about lymphoma and its encompassing symptoms.

Causes

Lymphoma, like all cancer, happens when cells grow uncontrollably and do not die. Regular cells follow a constant path: they grow, divide, and die. When this process breaks down, the result is cancer. Scientists do not know the exact cause of lymphoma, but have identified a few potential risk factors. One of these risk factors is genetics. A genetic predisposition that causes lymphoma can be inherited from previous family members. You may be born with a fault in a gene or other genetic mutations that make it more likely for you to develop cancer such as lymphoma. Another risk factor is carcinogens. Carcinogens refer to a class of substances that aid or promote cancer and damage DNA. This includes exposure to certain herbicides, pesticides, and solvents that have been linked with lymphoma. Other medical factors include infection with hepatitis B or C or HIV, old age, autoimmune disease such as lupus, and other immunodeficiency diseases.

Prevention

Unfortunately, there are no known ways to prevent lymphoma. It is important to avoid viral conditions or infections that suppress the immune system. This means maintaining a healthy lifestyle to avoid viral infections, such as washing your hands, getting enough sleep and maintaining healthy sleeping patterns, eating properly and exercising daily. This also means avoiding viruses like HIV. HIV is caused by drug users sharing contaminated needles and unprotected sex, and can severely damage your immune system. Avoiding drugs and using protection are excellent methods to prevent HIV and thus reduce your risk of lymphoma. Some studies suggest that being obese or overweight may lead to lymphoma, but this has not been confirmed. Nevertheless, staying at a healthy weight and exercising frequently will help your health in general.

Treatment

Cancer treatment depends on the stage of the cancer, the type of cancer, how much it has spread, and the age and health status of the patient (as well as other characteristics). Lymphoma treatment is intended to completely remove the disease.

Common lymphoma treatments include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy. Radiation destroys cancer by using high-energy rays on the cells affected by cancer. Side effects include nausea, mild skin changes, fatigue and diarrhea. Chemotherapy targets cancer cells and all cells that are dividing rapidly. Side effects include nausea, hair loss, vomiting, and fatigue. Most aggressive forms of lymphoma can be treated and symptoms can be controlled. Patients who have a poor response to therapy however, have a worse prognosis. Patients with certain types of lymphoma live relatively normal lifespans (although the disease is incurable, and can never be completely removed). When the cancer has metastasized however, the survival rate drops to 59.9%.

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