One of the main functions of the liver is to break down fats. So, the presence of a small percentage of fat in the liver is considered normal. However, there can be instances when nearly 5 to 10% of the liver’s weight is made of up of fats. This happens because there is an abnormal accumulation of liver cells leading to the development of excess fats in the liver. In such cases, a person is said to be suffering from fatty liver disease. There are two types of this condition: Alcoholic liver disease Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease The first is caused due to an excess consumption of alcohol. Not only a prolonged period of heavy drinking, but a short period of drinking excess alcohol can lead to fatty liver disease. Sometimes ALD can be hereditary and passed down the genes. Other causes of alcoholic fatty liver disease include the following: Being overweight or obese The presence of excess iron in the body Hepatitis C that causes inflammation of the liver Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is caused due to an abnormal metabolism inside the liver. As mentioned earlier, the liver plays an important role in the metabolism of fat in the body.

Liver diseases can be any condition that damage the liver and disrupt normal functioning. Important function of your liver includes metabolites detoxification, protein synthesis, aiding digestion by producing biochemicals to break down food, helping with your metabolism and also helps in regulation of hormone production in a number of ways. It is a vital organ, and also happens to be one of the most vulnerable ones owing to its placement in your body. Some of the most common diseases which cause liver problems include: Hepatitis which leads to inflammation of the liver. Hepatic encephalopathy which causes accumulation of toxins in your bloodstream. Liver problems caused due to excessive consumption of alcohol like fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis. Liver damage can be done due to the consumption of certain types of drugs and medications. Autoimmune liver diseases like biliary cirrhosis among many other complications. Common symptoms of liver diseases and damage include: Changes in your stool with respect to its color, which is caused due to the absence of a brown pigment known as stercobilin. Changes in color and consistency or your urine, which turns a darker shade compared to normal yellow. Jaundice is the biggest indicator of liver diseases with visible symptoms like intense itching, which is the most common complaint when it comes to liver failure.

HPV or human papillomavirus is passed from one person to another through skin contact. With more than 150 different types of HPV, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country. Most women and men might not show HPV cancer symptoms. However, certain strains of HPV might cause warts on various parts of the body. Other types of strains might cause pre-cancerous lesions, which can turn cancerous if not treated in time. An infection caused by HPV can cause cancer symptoms, such as warts on the hands and feet. However, there are at least 40 other strains of viruses of HPV that can cause cancerous symptoms in the genital and oral area. It is commonly caused due to oral, anal, or vaginal sex. In women, genital HPV can cause cancerous symptoms on both the outer and the inner surface of the vagina. It can also affect the penile and anal area in men. The strains of HPV that infects the genital area in the form of warts or lesions are commonly referred to as HPV-16 or HPV-18. These particular types of HPV cause warts varying in shape, size, and number, rarely leading to cancer. Other than these, HPV 6 and HPV 11 are “low-risk” infections that cause warts on the hands or the legs.

Dupuytren’s disease is a deformity in which the fibrous tissue beneath the palm and fingers, known as fascia thickens and tightens especially at old age. Here the patient develops knots under the skin which forms a thick cord and brings the finger inward. The patient is unable to straighten it, and the resulting condition is known as “Dupuytren’s contracture.” It interferes with the functioning of the hand and the person suffering from it faces difficulty in performing daily activities. In most of the cases, the patient’s ring finger gets affected by Dupuytren’s disease. Symptoms of   Dupuytren’s disease The primary sign of Dupuytren’s disease is shortening of palmar fascia or palmar aponeurosis tissue. The symptoms develop gradually and in the beginning, the patients feel a tender lump under the skin. Eventually tough bands of tissue form below the epidermis which makes it difficult to stretch the fingers. The patient shows the presence of unusual dimples or lumps which looks like a small callus. In 50 percent of the cases, both hands get affected, and there are also reports of “Dupuytren’s contracture” in the toes of certain individuals. Cause of   Dupuytren’s disease The exact cause of Dupuytren’s disease is still not known in the medical world. However, studies point to a connection between open wound (including surgery) in hand with the development of this disease.

Also referred to as charley horse, leg cramps usually occur when a person is sleeping. Leg cramps can be quite unpleasant and cause a lot of discomfort. A person is unable to sleep as the pain is simply excruciating. When leg cramps occur, the muscles of the leg contract involuntarily turning a person immobile momentarily. Leg cramps are usually felt in calf muscle; cramps can also occur in thighs or feet. They typically last for a few minutes after which, the muscle loosens up and the pain dissipates. In mild cases, a few home remedies can be quite effective in treating leg cramps and curing pain. Triggering factors for leg cramps There are no definite triggers for leg cramps. But activities such as excessive running, sports like basketball and soccer and even weight training can lead to cramps as the muscles tend to feel worn-out. Leg cramps are more common during warm weather or when a person is not sufficiently hydrated. Drinking a lot of water can help keep leg cramps at bay. Medical reasons behind leg cramps Pregnancy increases the probabilities of leg cramps. People suffering from below mentioned diseases experience more leg cramps: Alcohol use disorder Thyroid Addison’s disease Kidney failure Type 2 diabetes Liver cirrhosis Parkinson’s disease Vascular disease Sarcoidosis Some medicines also exacerbate leg cramps, such as:

Abdominal pain causes extreme discomfort due to pain experienced anywhere between the lower chest and the groin. Abdominal pain varies from acute to chronic pain. It may be a dull sensation or a sharp, searing pain. There are several causes of the disease and it has many different symptoms. A few symptoms of abdominal pain include ulcers of the stomach, gallbladder disease, food poisoning, appendicitis, cysts, fibroids, STDs, cancer, and vascular problems. If you are suffering from pain in the abdomen for a prolonged period of time, it is absolutely necessary to visit a doctor and get it diagnosed at the earliest. Abdominal pain is generally described on the basis of the location of the pain, the type of pain, and its intensity. Location of abdominal pain Upper abdominal pain Lower left abdomen pain Right upper and pain in lower abdomen Pain in the pelvis Types of abdominal pain The type of abdominal pain can go a long way in helping to determine the underlying cause of the pain. At times, it is difficult to categorize the kind of pain thus making it difficult to diagnose the disease. Here are a few common types of abdominal pain: Sharp pain Dull pain A stabbing sensation Tearing pain Experiencing cramps Twisting pain Extreme pressure Bloating Causes of abdominal pain Abdominal pain is quite common, and it can be complicated and caused by a number of factors.

Newborn kids are quite prone to bacterial and viral infections. Their body is not used to the outside environment when they are born, and because of low resistance to these infections, they can fall sick quite easily. One such issue that kids are known to face these days is pneumococcal pneumonia. It is a kind of bacterial infection that happens due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterial infection is so severe that it can cause infections in various parts of the body including the brain, bloodstream, lungs, middle ear, and sinus. How does the infection spread? Research shows that about fifty percent of the people are carriers of this bacterial infection at any given point in time. However, kids are more likely to contract this disease because of their low immunity. Pneumococcal pneumonia spreads when kids inhale the bacteria from the infected air or physically consume something that might be infected. The contagion can be passed on by normal activities like sneezing, coughing, or through the exchange of saliva. It is one of the reasons why you should not share food, straw or drinks with your child. Try to avoid shared dishes as well. Preventing your child from putting everything in their mouth will also help in warding off this disease.

What is itchy skin? Itchy skin is an uncomfortable sensation whose behavioral response creates a scratch reflex. This skin condition can appear in any part of the body and usually comes with symptoms like redness, dryness or scaly texture. Prolonged itchy skin may also lead to infection and skin injury. If the condition persists for more than two weeks, it is advisable to visit a dermatologist. Causes of itchy skin Causes of itchy skin can vary from infections to allergies and skin and medical disorders. Dry skin – Skin dryness can be caused by weather change, exposure to chemicals, and reaction to certain medication or bathing habits. This itchy skin with no rash condition can be treated by application of moisturizers, as lotions or creams and bathing with moisturizing soap. Drinking ample water to keep skin hydrated is very important. Food allergy – This allergy is caused when the body’s immune system doesn’t cope with inappropriate substances in food or drinks. Following this, rashes can develop on the skin causing itchiness. Some foods that people may be allergic to are seafood like prawns, dairy products, and soy products. The treatment is to identify the possible cause of the problem and avoid consuming those foods.

Do you often wake up with a tingling sensation in the feet? A tingling sensation generally refers to a sensory loss in any body part. It is vital not to ignore this warning signal as tingling in the feet could indicate nerve damage. Causes of a tingling sensation in the feet A tingling sensation in the feet can sometimes be temporary and harmless or could be the result of pressure on the nerves or incorrect posture. However, this “pins and needles” effect on your feet is usually painless, and you can dismiss it as soon as you relieve the pressure which causes it. On the other hand, continuous tingling sensations in your extremities, especially the feet, can be the sign of a disease; in fact, it can be severe, episodic, or chronic. Other symptoms such as pain, prickling, burning, electric shocks, itching or numbness can accompany the tingling sensation. In such cases, it is vital to not to take it lightly since it can be a sign of nerve damage, systemic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney disorder, liver disease, hormonal imbalance or a connective tissue disorder. Sometimes, some severe infection, autoimmune disease, nerve compression caused by a herniated disc, dislocated bone or vitamin deficiency can cause this symptom.

Sleeping with the correct pillow is crucial to alleviating neck pain. The right pillow not only elevates your head but also supports the neck and keeps the neck muscles form stressing out. Choosing the best pillows for neck pain is dependent on a number of factors including the person’s size and weight, preferred sleeping position and lifestyle preferences. Pillows for Neck Pain according to Sleeping Positions. Sleeping on your back: A low pillow is ideal for a person who prefers to sleep on his back. If needed a small cylindrical pillow or rolled towel can be used to provide additional support. Some pillows for neck pain are designed with an elevated roll shaped section for the neck and a lower area for the person to place his head. You could also place a pillow under your knees to reduce the strain on your lower back. Sleeping on your side: A high pillow is ideal in such cases as it places your neck and head in line with your shoulders. Again you could use a cylindrical pillow or rolled towel in addition to your regular pillow to support your neck muscles. Body pillows that mimic the effect of resting your head against your arm on the pillow can also help ease neck pain.

If you are suffering from a nasty cold, look no further. In this article, we present some simple cold remedies that will provide you with relief from nasal congestion. Have loads of fluids: Not many people know that drinking lots of water and other fluids keeps the throat moist. This keeps excess mucus secretion in check and helps in its break-down. Keeping yourself hydrated at all times is the best way to keep cough and cold at bay. Get some steam: Having a hot and steamy bath also provides respite from nasal congestion. Steam helps in de-clogging stuffy noses and blocked airways. You may also get additional help by inhaling steam. Blowing your nose: The best way to get relief from nasal blockage is to blow your nose. Do not sniff your mucus back into your head, get it off from your nose by blowing softly. Excessively blowing your nose may cause some of the phlegm or mucus to spill over in your ear canal which may lead to an ear ache. For best results, place one finger over one nostril and blow the other softly. Adequate rest: If you are suffering from cough and cold, the best way to combat your illness is to take adequate rest.