Gout is an intensely painful type of arthritis that affects both men and women. Men over the age of 40 are more prone to being affected by it as compared to women. Women can experience gout attacks after menopause. Attacks usually last for a few days or it may even prolong for a week or two, and most of the times, the pain subsides gradually with or without medicines. However, one must see a doctor if the pain worsens and medications don’t work as they are expected to. Causes There are many underlying causes as to why people experience gout attacks. The most obvious cause being the genes. If any of the family members have gout, it is most likely for a person to be affected by this form of arthritis. The other causes are certain health issues like high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and type-2 diabetes. Consuming too much alcohol and red meat can also cause gout attacks as it makes the kidneys inefficient to remove uric acid from the blood. Becoming obese and taking an overdose of certain medicines can also be reasons for painful attacks. Symptoms The attacks occur suddenly and generally at night. The symptoms of gout are as follows:

Diabetes can be termed as a condition where people do not produce enough insulin to meet their body’s needs or when the cells do not respond properly to insulin. Insulin is an important component in the body because it moves glucose, a simple sugar, into the body’s cells from the blood. If insulin isn’t available or doesn’t work properly to move glucose from the blood into the cells, then the glucose remains in the blood thus resulting in high blood glucose levels. High blood sugar levels are toxic for the body as the cells do not get glucose and are lacking the fuel they need to function properly. There are mainly two types of diabetes, i.e., Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is typically diagnosed in children and teens while type 2 diabetes can mostly occur in adults. Approximately 30.3 million people, i.e., around 9.4% of the total population in the country suffer from diabetes, while around 84.01 million people are estimated to have pre-diabetes and aren’t aware of it. Causes of diabetes Type 1 diabetes A person suffers from type 1 diabetes when the pancreas cannot produce insulin. People suffering from type 1 diabetes are required to be injected with insulin.

Cancer is defined as the abnormal growth of cells that occupy the tissues and spreads all over the body. Cancerous cells obtain nutrients from the blood vessels and spread massively creating tumors that eventually destroys the tissues in the body. It is to be kept in mind that tumors can be both cancerous (malignant) as well as non-cancerous (benign). When the cells start to multiply faster than the usual rate, then it is considered that the person could be suffering from cancer. There are many patients who deal with cancer and eventually die. Cancer can be of many types and each type originates from the abnormal increase in the number of the cells. Cancer has the ability to spread all over the body, and this process is considered as metastasis. A damaged DNA is usually the origin of cancerous cells in the body but there are various other causes that may lead to cancer. Cancer is painful; however, it is treatable only when it is diagnosed at an early stage. The stages of cancer play an important role because surgeons who treat cancer first check the severity of the disease and only then say if or not it is possible to treat the patient at that particular stage.

Lifestyle Modification to Manage GERD should be used for all patients as a first step in treating GERD. Some lifestyle modification may help with the symptoms of GERD. -Sleep with head elevated -Avoid late night meals -Avoid smoking and alcohol -Avoid foods/drinks that lower LES such as chocolate, high acid foods like tomato, peppermint, fatty foods, spicy food,caffeine and carbonated beverages -Weight loss in case of obese or overweight people as it is directly related to the severity of GERD symptoms. Medications for GERD: The most common treatment for GERD is the use of proton pump inhibitors or PPI, however H2 antagonist are also effective and have less side effects. In many cases a trial of H-2 receptors will be used for 2 weeks, and if symptoms of GERD still persist, then the patient will be switched into a PPI for 4-8 weeks. Proton Pump Inhibitors: Commonly used PPIs include omeprazole, lansoprazole, rabeprazole, pantoprazole, and esomeprazole. PPIs work by suppressing the production of gastric acid thereby relieving the symptoms of GERD. PPI relieve heartburn but do not decrease the reflux episodes and so do not control regurgitation in a large percentage of patients. PPIs are associated with side effects of increased risk fractures, cardiac dysfunction, and gastrointestinal infections.

Hyperkalemia is a condition in which the potassium levels in the body are more than the normal range. According to experts, the normal blood potassium level ranges between 3.6 and 5.2 millimoles per liter. When the reading goes higher than 6.0 millimoles per liter, it can be dangerous to health and needs immediate medical attention. Symptoms to look out for The symptoms of this condition depend on the level of potassium in the bloodstream. If the levels aren’t too high, one may not even notice any symptoms, but if one experiences the below-mentioned symptoms, then it is a sign that they need immediate medical treatment. Numbness or tingling sensations Vomiting or nausea Difficulty in breathing Chest pain Irregular heartbeats or experiencing palpitations It is crucial to recognize the symptoms as in extreme cases, the high levels of potassium can lead to paralysis or even heart failure. Know what causes it There are several reasons why one gets hyperkalemia; it can include already existing health problems or/and use of certain medications. One of the most common causes of this condition is kidney failure that leads to high potassium levels. Kidneys function to remove the excess potassium from the body, but this process is hindered with their failure, leading to a potassium buildup.

A potassium deficiency leads to a condition called hypokalemia. The normal serum potassium level ranges between 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/liter. While the normal daily intake of potassium is 70-100 mEq, the kidneys should remove the same amount consumed every day or it could lead to low potassium in the body. Function of potassium Potassium is essential for nerve and muscle cell functioning and is concentrated within cells of the body. Being an important electrolyte, it is responsible for maintaining the electrical activity of the cells. As a result, low potassium levels can affect body functions. Signs of low potassium Muscle weakness Muscle aches Muscle cramps Heart palpitations High blood pressure Kidney problems Constipation Since potassium levels affect the energy by neuromuscular cells, these symptoms are a result of insufficient potassium. It occurs when the cells do not get enough energy to repolarize and fire at normal repeated intervals. Treatment approaches More often than not, low potassium is a symptom or side effect of other medical conditions or certain medications. You may also lose potassium through excessive sweat, urine, or bowel movements. Moreover, a low intake of potassium leads to low magnesium levels in the body. Treatment is decided after careful diagnosis by a professional who assesses other causes of this loss.

Breast Cancer Breast cancer is the uncontrollable growth of cells in the breasts of a woman. It is usually recognized only after performing X-rays. A lump is created in the breast cells and gives rise to various complications in women. Breast cancer can originate from different parts of the breast; however, the most common part is the duct. According to medical statistics, breast cancer among women is rapidly increasing. It should be noted that breast cancers form lumps, which are supposedly in the 3rd or the 4th stage, as well as other cancers which are detected in the initial stage and are curable with proper medical support. Abnormal growth in breasts is not always cancerous, there are many tumors in the breast that are basically extra lumps created but are not harmful as they do not spread. But lumps in the breast should be diagnosed at an early stage to check whether it is cancer causing a mass or a minor tumor that has a lesser risk of becoming cancer. When cancer cells enter into blood there are chances of spreading breast cancer as the blood carries the cancerous cells into other body parts. Causes of breast cancer Medical advancements are still not capable of controlling the abnormal spread of cancer cells.

If you are having problems with your digestive system, then you must visit a gastroenterologist. Gastroenterologists are doctors specialized and trained in treating conditions related to the stomach, esophagus, gall bladder, pancreas, bile duct, colon, and small intestine. Some doctors also specialize in treating motility disorders, such as moving food, liquid, and waste through the digestive system. Here are a few tips that can help you with your search for the best gastroenterologists near me. Ask your primary care doctor Request a referral from your primary healthcare provider or physician. As your doctor knows all about your medical condition, symptoms, and treatment plan, they can refer you to a specialist that can best handle your case. So, your primary care doctor for the query ‘best gastroenterologists near me’ will be the first step. Recommendations If you are comfortable discussing your health matters with family, friends, or coworkers, then ask them for recommendations. A recommended doctor helps to establish trust, reliability, and credibility. Learn about the doctor’s credentials Researching the credentials and checking the Board Certification of your chosen gastroenterologist is the next step when looking for the best gastroenterologists in the country. Board Certification information will make you aware of the doctor’s training, experience, and skills.

Eye-lift surgery is one of the most common cosmetic therapies. It is a corrective surgery to tighten the loose skin in the under-eye area and sagging upper eyelids. The eye-lifting cosmetic process is called blepharoplasty and removes excess fat and wrinkles that emerge in the lower eye area with age. Besides improving appearance, it is a functional procedure to correct vision. However, before you go ahead with this surgery, here are some things to consider. Risk factors When you are considering a surgical process to eliminate facial issues such as crows-feet or bagging under the eye, there are several factors that you have to consider apart from the cost of surgery. These issues can arise from many physiological conditions, and some likely complications include infection, swelling, temporary loss of vision, and more. As with all surgeries, there is an underlying risk due to reaction to anesthesia and blood clots. Specific to eyelid surgery, the risks are – infection leading to bleeding, irritated eyes, dryness, difficulty in closing the eyes, or eyelid problems. There could be scars or injuries to the muscles near the eye. Sometimes, there will be skin discoloration, temporary blurred vision, and follow-up surgery. The complications that may arise after the surgery are most likely from your physical condition.

Accidents happen, and chipped teeth is not an uncommon occurrence. Because we use our teeth frequently throughout the day, cracking is a byproduct of wear. How much of the tooth is chipped will decide the type of procedure required to restore it. Depending on the technique utilized to fix the tooth, chipped tooth repair costs might range from $300 to $5,000. The least expensive alternative is dental bonding, while the most expensive one is an implant. Reattachment/Reshaping Rarely, reattachment might be feasible. The dentist will use dental cement to restore the missing component to the cracked or chipped tooth, offering a minimally invasive and cost-effective treatment option. Small tooth chips can frequently be repaired by simply reshaping the teeth. This tooth repair is quick, affordable, and usually painless; it should only require one visit. For reattachment or contouring, you should budget between $100 and $400 per tooth on average. Bright Now Dental and Orthodontics are the best at their job and can be found across the country. Dental bonding Utilizing composite resin, a bonding substance that may be customized to match the color of the patient’s teeth, dental bonding will repair the crack on your tooth. Your dentist will roughen up your teeth so the resin will attach better.

An endocrinologist is an essential healthcare provider whose area of expertise is hormones in the human body. Such professionals are specialists in diagnosing, treating, and managing various health conditions related to the endocrine system. Choosing the right doctor for such a concern may be problematic for some people. So, here are 10 easy tips that can help you answer the question, “how do I find the best endocrinologists near me?” Get Referrals A primary care physician is the first one you should ask for help. So, getting a referral from a doctor you’ve known helps greatly. Ask for Recommendations Ask your coworkers, family, and friends for recommendations so that the endocrinologist you get is credible, reliable, and among the best in the area. Know the Doctor’s Credentials When finding the best endocrinologists near you, checking for Board Certification is a significant factor. This aspect will inform you if a specific doctor has the necessary skills, experience, and training. Consider the Endocrinologist’s Experience A more experienced endocrinologist will always be able to treat your condition better. Ask about how many patients the doctor has treated with the same specific condition. Visit the AACE Website Visiting the AACE (American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists) could help while looking for the 10 best endocrinologists near you or in the country.