Leukemia is a type of cancer that begins in the blooding-forming tissues of the body such as the bone marrow. The cancer causes white blood cells to grow abnormally. The exact cause of leukemia is not known. Some risk factors include genetics, exposure to certain chemicals and radiation or bone marrow disorders. Types of leukemia Leukemia that progresses slowly is termed as chromic leukemia and if the disease progresses rapidly, it is referred to as acute leukemia. Leukemia is also classified depending on the type of blood cell affected by the disease. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) affects a type of white blood cell called lymphocyte and develops at a faster rate. Chronic lymphoblastic leukemia (CLL) affects lymphocytes and develops slowly. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) affects a type of white blood cells known as granulocytes and develops fast. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) affects granulocytes and develops slowly. Symptoms of leukemia Leukemia symptoms begin to appear as the production of white blood cells is disturbed in the bone marrow. The lack of white blood cells in the body can lead to the following symptoms Frequent or persistent infections are a classic sign of leukemia as white blood cells stop functioning properly due to the cancer.

IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a condition wherein the large intestine or colon of an individual is affected. A painful disorder, IBS is a common condition and in most cases, goes on for a long term. This syndrome causes a person to suffer from extreme cramping, gas, abdominal bloating, constant diarrhea, and even constipation. The main cause of IBS has not been detected and a person with sensitive intestines is likely to be easily affected. Also, the reason behind a person suffering from the disorder may not be the same for every person. Here are a few factors that can contribute to making the intestine and further trigger IBS. Brain-gut communication – It is believed that in most cases IBS is caused by a miscommunication or disrupted communication between the brain and the intestine. In this condition, the interaction is altered, leading to changes in the bowel function. Food – The kind of food you eat plays a major role in your overall wellbeing. And thus, it comes as no surprise that any food allergy or intolerance can have an effect on the bowel. No particular food is food to cause or aggravate the condition, but certain foods may not go too well with a person’s system.

Lung cancer, even when reached the metastatic stage might not show any symptoms when it is diagnosed. These types of cancer is usually identified when a chest X-ray is performed incidentally for another reason. The cancer is said to have reached the metastatic once it starts spreading into different parts of the body. It spreads with the help of lymph nodes. Once the malignant (cancerous) cells enters into the blood stream, they spread to the different parts of the body and start forming a cancerous tissue. This type of cancer is said to be metastatic and is usually referred to as stage IV lung cancer. There are a number of symptoms that could indicate a possible development of metastatic lung cancer in a body: A person who experiences any of these symptoms should not ignore and get a medical health check-up done. Its general symptoms include cough, coughing up blood, or cough that contains traces of blood. Other general symptoms include fatigue, unexplained weight loss, reoccurring respiratory infections, shortness of breath and hoarseness in voice. If a cough gets worse with time, then it should be examined by a health care provider. Hemoptysis or coughing up blood occurs in a significant number of people who eventually get diagnosed with lung cancer.

A contagious skin infection, impetigo is caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria. It is more prevalent among children aged 2 to 5, however, even adults can contract it. This condition is characterized by red blisters containing yellow fluids. Usually, these sores ooze and eventually turn into a crusty brown layer. Typically, impetigo can occur on the face (mouth and nose), hands, diaper area, neck, etc. Causes of impetigo in children Impetigo contagiosa and bullous impetigo are two types of impetigo affecting children. The following are the most common causes because of which your child might be susceptible this bacterial infection. Direct contact with a person who is dealing with impetigo. Touching or using the things of an individual who has contracted impetigo such as towels, toys, clothes, etc. An injury to the skin can often be a gateway for bacteria causing impetigo. They can easily be introduced into the body via minor cuts or scrapes. Insect or animal bites can result in an impetigo infection too. How do adults contract impetigo? Although it’s rare, apart from young kids, older children or adults too can get infected by impetigo. The following factors can be responsible for the onset of impetigo in grown-ups Lack of hygiene Diabetes Weak immunity Being exposed in crowded places such as schools, public transports, etc.

Pulled hamstrings are common among athletes but are painful and require treatments to ease the pain and cure the pulled tendons. This condition occurs when the tendon of thigh muscles get stretched beyond their stretching capacity. While it can happen when you are running, or playing football, or skating, there are things you can do to avoid getting a hamstring injury. Always warm up before you start a physical activity. Even if you are going for a run, prepare your muscles for intense movements by doing basic warm exercises. Be slow with your warm up exercises. There are incidences where people get a hamstring injury not while running but while warming up. The irony can be avoided by going slow while warming up. Do not over train yourself. As the saying goes, too much of too good is not so good. It is true in every case including training and exercising. Over exertion can not only lead to a pulled hamstring but also fatigue. Train only as much is required. Try glute training to avoid hamstring injuries. These can also help you in treating hamstring injuries if you get them. Do not overload your hamstring while sprinting on each step.

When the tissues that surround or hold the teeth pull back and start fading away, the process is called gum recession also known as gingival recession. When there is gum recession, teeth are more visible as they lose their gum covering. It is a dangerous condition for the health of your teeth and jaws. If receding gums are left untreated, tissues that are supporting the bone structure can get damaged severely and you may lose your teeth. Receding of gums is a common problem and can also be reversed if cared for in time. Quit smoking If you smoke and face this problem, then one of the most effective ways for you to reverse receding gums is quitting smoking. You are probably already aware of how dangerous smoking can be for your teeth and oral health, it can also speed up the decay and gum recession process in your teeth. Green tea Consumption of green tea has many health benefits including good oral health. Routine intake of green tea can help you reverse receding gums. Green tea also reduces your chance of getting oral cancer. Green tea will be more beneficial if you start consuming it in the initial stages of your gum recession.

Gums, as we know and believe, are important of the oral health but that’s the half-truth. Gums are not just responsible for your oral health, they are responsible for your overall good health. When the food particles are not removed from the teeth after a meal, they can turn into plaque and that can cause harmful toxins that irritate and inflate gums. This can eventually give you a periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases are infections in parts that surround our teeth, such as, gums, the cementum that forms the outer covering of root, the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. People with periodontal diseases have the higher risk of developing cardiovascular and respiratory infection according to medical researchers. Smokers should know that their smoking habit can lead to receding gums. If a smoker already has gums that have started receding, then it can speed the process and could lead to a situation where it will not be possible to reverse receding gums situation and the person will have to opt for surgeries to fix the problem. Not to mention the surgeries are usually expensive. People who grind and clench their teeth a lot are more prone to receding of gums. If you are used to this habit, then try to break it on a conscious level at first until you are habituated to not clench and grind your teeth often.

If you have a serious medical condition, you would know how important it is to be alert and cautious about what you eat and what you indulge in. But have you ever thought what would happen if you become unconscious and your friends who know about your condition aren’t around you? That is a risk you should never agree to. So, the smart thing to do is always wear a medical alert bracelet. Medical alert bracelets are for medical emergencies, where the patient can convey his condition and correct treatment to the bystander who finds him or the paramedic through his wrist bracelet. Imagine the time that gets saved if the paramedics know exactly how to treat you, by just a quick glimpse at your medical alert bracelet. Read more to know what to keep in mind while you make a medical alert bracelet for yourself. The message engraved on the medical alert bracelets need to be short, concise and at the same time informative.Here are some tips for those who want to know what to engrave on their medical alert bracelets: The most important thing to mention is your illness or condition. Make sure to use a big font so that the first responders can read it easily.

Hemoglobin is that one term you often come across when you go for a blood test. These are iron-containing agents (complex protein) you find in your red blood cells that help the body to function by using oxygen. Hemoglobin determines when and how to use oxygen for the body. In other words, hemoglobin’s function is to carry oxygen to the body tissues form lungs and to pump oxygen. It is the iron content in hemoglobin that keeps the red blood cells in shape. Here is what goes wrong and why you go for hemoglobin A1C test: As we read above that hemoglobin is a protein that is found in the red blood cells. Glucose is type of sugar that helps provide energy to your body. When everything is in the right amount, your body functions perfectly. But then there is too much glucose in your body, it crosslinks to your hemoglobin and this crosslinking is called Glycation. And the glycated hemoglobin is called A1C. This is why we go for a hemoglobin A1C test to find out the level of glycated hemoglobin in your blood. Another term for glycated hemoglobin is Hb1c. If you are diabetic, getting a hemoglobin A1C test is gives you a clear picture of how much glucose has been cross-linked to your hemoglobin or in other words, how much glycation is there in your body.

Chronic or constant headaches which occur for more than fifteen days in a month, and last for more than three consecutive months. These can happen in continuous patterns or intermittently. Chronic headaches can become a cause of concern when they start to interrupt your routine life. Typically there are four primary causes of constant headaches Migraine Tension headaches Hemicrania Continua New daily persistent headache Common causes of constant headaches Migraine A chronic form of migraine cause discomfort to an individual for more than eight days in a month, for at least three months. Migraines can affect one or both sides of your head, and the pain can range from the scale of moderate to severe. Usually, they are triggered by daily physical activity which can lead to an aching and pulsating feeling in the head. Migraines can make one hypersensitive to lights and usual sounds and also cause queasiness. At times the overuse of medications to gain relief from a migraine can backfire and cause a rebound leading to chronic pain. Tension headaches Also known as a stress headache, tension headaches usually trigger discomfort in both sides of the brain. Unlike a chronic migraine, this type of a constant headache causes sensations of tightness around the head.

Chronic headaches can often disrupt your daily life and lead to emotional as well as physical stress. If you are tackling with such situations, then you must explore the causes of constant headaches. The best way to start is by consulting a doctor who can guide you properly about the problem. Some of the most common causes of headaches are migraines, tension headaches, new daily persistent headaches and hemicrania continua. How to deal with different causes of headaches? The following are some remedial options for treating the above-mentioned causes of constant headaches. These comprise prescription drugs, natural therapies and lifestyle changes. Tension headaches If you are diagnosed with tension headaches then you might be recommended with OTC medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen. Prescription drugs like antidepressants are also a possible alternative. Besides oral pills, you are advised to manage stress with relaxation techniques, meditation, CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy), warm compression, hot showers, massage and neck exercises. Migraines Treatment for a migraine intends to alleviate symptoms as well as thwart attacks in the future. If any elements trigger your headaches, then ensure that you avoid them or train yourself to manage them. Doctors will advise you with a combination of over-the-counter preventive and prescription medications.