Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease and also a progressive neurodegenerative condition. While the exact cause of MS is not known, treatment options are also largely restricted to managing its symptoms. MS starts affecting the nervous system first and slowly impacts the rest of the body. The immune cells attack the healthy tissues over a period of time, affecting internal systems. Here are nine common issues that affect people with MS. 1. Bladder and bowel issues MS eventually results in disruption of communication between the brain, urinary tract, and bowels. This means people with MS do not receive a message from the brain to release waste. The bladder is mostly either overactive or fails to empty completely. Some of the common issues include constipation, diarrhea, and incontinence. People with MS should stick to a high-fiber diet or consume stool softeners to help ease bowel movements. In addition, patients with MS battle frequently with bladder and urinary tract infections. 2. Mental health complications This is the most common issue faced by people with MS. Bipolar affective disorder and depression are highly common among MS patients. Depression in the case of MS could largely be chemical-related than emotion-related. Sense of isolation and economic and social challenges also top the list when it comes to mental complications associated with MS.

When blood moves slowly through the veins in the body, it causes clumps of the blood cells that are referred to as clots. When such a clot occurs deep inside the body, it is medically referred to as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). While DVT can occur anywhere in the body, it is quite common in the region of the pelvis, thighs, and lower leg.  Paying a visit to the doctor is inevitable, as DVT can lead to other major health problems. What can one expect from a DVT treatment, and what are the treatment options? The treatment could prevent the clot from growing further or clotting further. It can also lower the risk of inflammation of the foot and reduce pain in the legs. Furthermore, and it prevents future blood clots from getting formed. 1. Anticoagulants Also known as blood thinners, this is one of the common treatment options for DVT. They are largely responsible for preventing the formation of new clots and preventing the existing clots from growing further. Although they are known as blood thinners, they do not thin the blood but get rid of the existing clot. Some of them include Heparin, Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, and Edoxaban. Doctors usually prescribe such medicines for 7-10 days, but that largely depends on the age, gender, and other co-morbid conditions.

Cervical cancer, when diagnosed in its early stage, is entirely curable. Periodic health screening has identified precancer symptoms in millions of women and helped save their lives. HPV infection, immune system deficiencies, herpes are risk factors for cervical cancer. You should undergo diagnostic tests to assess risk and screen yourself periodically to rule out and prevent cervical cancer. 1. Medical history and pelvic examination A doctor will talk to you, understand your medical history, check for all vital information, and assess your risk for cervical cancer. As a first step, your doctor would do a physical examination and check for any unusual growth or tumors in the cervix, vagina, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. 2. Pap test Doctors collect mucus from the cervix and surrounding tissues and examine it in a lab to look for precancer cells. If undiagnosed or left untreated, this could lead to cervical cancer. Women between 21 and 65 and above can get a pap test done, and it can be repeated every three years. 3. HPV test This test was recently approved as a screening test for cervical cancer. An HPV test looks for the human papillomavirus contracted through sexual activity with an infected person. People who have been infected are at high risk for cervical cancer.

Melanoma is the most dangerous type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The risk of melanoma has been increasing in people under 40. If one suspects that an existing mole or a pigmented or unusual-looking growth on the skin can be cancerous, schedule an appointment with a doctor for a physical examination and a biopsy. Enlisted are diagnosing techniques and treatment options for melanoma. Diagnoses 1. Biopsy for diagnosis A sample of the skin lesion is removed for biopsy. Most often, the entire growth is removed. A punch biopsy or an excisional biopsy, where the healthy tissue around the mole is also taken, is done. The biopsy procedure will depend on one’s situation. 2. Diagnosing the stage of the melanoma A pathologist will study the thickness of the melanoma, its presence or absence of ulcers, the mitotic rate, the presence of lymphocytes, and the presence or absence of markers. The type or subtype of melanoma is also determined. This study is essential to know the stage of melanoma. Thereafter, treatment is decided upon. 3. Diagnosis with ultrasound An ultrasound scan is done if the cancer is suspected to be high-risk or at an advanced stage.

When a male cannot achieve an erection or maintain one during intercourse, it is referred to as erectile dysfunction (ED). Research shows that this condition affects more than 30 million men across the country, and before popping a pill for the same, it is best to try some of the natural courses for treating the same. The leading causes of ED include lifestyle, psychological, and physical factors. Here are the ways to reverse ED:  Reversing ED for lifestyle-related issues  1. Heart health Poor cardiovascular health largely reduces the ability of the body to deliver blood that is needed to induce erections. Some of the major cardiovascular risk factors, if taken care of immediately, could reverse ED, and they are:  Smoking  Alcohol consumption  Reduction of weight  Exercise   2. Boosting testosterone The male sex hormone testosterone helps in reversing the condition. Reducing stress, losing weight, and engaging in outdoor activity could largely help increase these levels.  3. Appropriate sleep A person who does not have a proper sleep pattern or goes through an inconsistent and disturbing sleep pattern would find it challenging to maintain their erection. Sleep apnea also increases the risk of ED. It would be best to use a CPAP breathing machine at night to get uninterrupted sleep.  4.

It’s pretty common, as laymen, to use the terms acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) interchangeably. At the outset, acid reflux is a common medical condition, ranging from mild to mildly severe. However, with GERD, it could be chronic. Here, we’ll delve deeper into understanding the difference between GERD and acid reflux. 1. What exactly is acid reflux? A tiny circular muscle called the esophageal sphincter (LES) joins the esophagus and the stomach. It’s responsible for constricting or tightening the esophagus after the food passes down to the stomach. In cases where the muscle is weak or doesn’t tighten properly, the acid that forms in the stomach moves back into the esophagus and causes what’s referred to as acid reflux. When this happens, one experiences the following symptoms: Heartburn (the most common sign) Sore throat Bitter taste right at the back of the throat Pressure that extends right up to the breastbone Cough 2. What is GERD? GERD is a condition where acid reflux gets chronic. Experts or doctors usually diagnose the condition as GERD if the person experiences acid reflux more than two or three times a week or when the disease causes inflammation in the esophagus. It’s to be noted that long-term damage to the esophagus can cause cancer.

When a person experiences abnormal breathing patterns during their sleep, there is a high possibility of sleep apnea. This is a condition where the person experiences innumerable pauses in their breath while asleep. Sleep apnea causes a break in breathing rhythm, which largely affects the quality of one’s sleep, leading to less oxygen supply to the body. This causes other health complications.  Types of sleep apnea 1. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) When the airway at the rear portion of the throat is blocked, it causes lapses in breath temporarily.  2. Central sleep apnea (CSA) This is caused when respiratory muscles don’t activate, or the brain fails to signal the respiratory muscles to activate. Causes of sleep apnea  1. Obesity Studies point out that obesity accrues nearly 60-65% of the OSA cases. When a person is obese, their airway narrows further, which leads to difficulty in breathing. It is also empirically proven that just a mere 10% increase in one’s weight could lead to a six to seven-fold increase in OSA risk.  2. Anatomical causes The size and positioning of the neck, tongue, tonsils, jaws and other rear throat tissues can directly impact the airflow. A person with an abnormally sized neck tends to have an OSA issue.

Environmental factors can impact not only your health but also your skin. This is all the more troublesome for those who already have existing skin conditions, leading to severe skin complications. Here, we discuss a list of five US cities that are worst for your skin health. It’s best to avoid these places for better skin. 1. Las Vegas Las Vegas, Nevada, has been rated the worst city to live in due to the growing environmental concerns caused by pollutants, including smoke. The total number of smokers in the town is relatively the worst in the country, damaging the skin cells with prolonged exposure. Besides, given the city’s higher elevation above sea level and desert-like climate, there’s constant dryness in the air, which easily triggers skin problems. 2. Phoenix This city in Arizona is not far behind Las Vegas in terms of pollution. It’s listed as the second-worst city for your skin’s health. The reason: Phoenix has the highest number of high-ozone days in the year, and the unrelenting sunshine only makes it harder for the skin to feel nourished. People who have lived there long enough without taking apt measures have reported serious skin ailments ranging from eczema to cancer.

In addition to health conditions, various environmental factors can trigger asthma and its ensuing complications. Some of these environmental factors could include air pollution, smoke, and geographical location. According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America (AAFA), here is a list of the most challenging US cities to live in for asthma patients. 1. Springfield This is a city tucked away in a valley region in Massachusetts and is known to have some of the worst pollutants with dense carbon dioxide levels. Close to 60% of the young population has been recorded as having asthma due to the high pollen count in the region. Given the compromised quality of the air, at any given time, an asthma patient is at high risk for flare-ups that could end up with a visit to the emergency rooms. 2. Dayton This city in Ohio is part of the “asthma belt” identified by the AAFA, wherein the prevalence of asthma is quite common. This city is marked as one of the top five in the country for the highest number of recorded emergency room visits for asthma. It is also a high-ranked city. In this city, there is maximum use of both quick-relief medication and controller medication for long-term management of the condition.

Any breakthrough in breast cancer research is crucial, as it is the most common cancer in women. Breast cancer charities fund and work extensively with researchers and scientists to determine the cause, look for new treatment and medication. They also fund screening programs, clinical trials and directly sponsor the treatment of patients who cannot afford it. Many charities work on creating awareness and education. While some charities work in one or two areas, some larger charities do all of the above. Many charity watchdogs and bureaus track the charities and rate them every year to help people make wise donation decisions. Here are some of the top charities for 2020 (in no particular order) based on their work done, programs, financial performance, impact, transparency, accountability, and funds usage. 1. National Breast Cancer Foundation Founded by Janelle Hail, a breast cancer survivor, the foundation works toward early detection, support services, education, and awareness of breast cancer. They conduct National Mammography programs and offer free mammograms for women in need through their partner hospitals. They also run patient navigator programs for women diagnosed with cancer to go through treatment and recovery without fear. They offer retreats for women in the last stages of cancer, offering end-of-life consultations and therapy.