Kidneys are two bean-shaped organs located in the upper abdominal area against the back muscles on both the left and right side of the spine. The major function of this organ is to discharge excess fluid and waste materials from the body through urine. The kidneys also support in controlling the production of red blood cells that help in regulating blood pressure. The pain in the kidney area, i.e., in the back (under the ribs, to the right or left of the spine) is called kidney pain, also known as renal or flank pain. The primary kidney cancer symptoms are an acute and chronic pain, fever, blood in the urine, nausea, and fatigue. Depending on the cause, pain can be felt on both left and right sides or individually and may spread towards the abdomen or groin. The cause of kidney pain may be some underlying diseases that might hamper kidney functioning severely. One of the major causes is kidney cancer. So, the next time when you feel pain in your kidney do not take it lightly as it can be cancerous. Let us know more about kidney cancer and kidney cancer symptoms. Kidney cancer Kidney cancer, also termed as renal cancer is a chronic disease in which kidney cells become malignant and grow out of control, forming a tumor.

Common symptoms and management of hypertension Around 85 million people in the country suffer from hypertension. Hypertension is another term used for high blood pressure and is common in older people. The physical force that blood exerts while pushing artery walls is the blood pressure. In simple words, it is the pressure of blood in the circulatory system. Blood pressure readings are the two numbers separated by a line. The top number refers to the systolic blood pressure, whereas the other number represents the diastolic pressure. The pressure in the arteries, when the heart contracts, determine the systolic blood pressure and pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes, is the diastolic pressure. Blood pressure measurements of human beings fall into the following categories: Normal : Less than 120 mmHg for systolic and 80 mmHg for diastolic Elevated : Between 120 and 129 mmHg for systolic and lower than 80 mmHg for diastolic Stage 1 hypertension : Between 130 and 139 mmHg for systolic and between 80 and 89 mmHg for diastolic Stage 2 hypertension : At least 140 mmHg for systolic and 90 mmHg for diastolic Due to high blood pressure, the workload of heart and blood vessels increases.

Neurofibromatosis is a genetic condition that affects the nervous system. The condition causes tumors, called neurofibromas, to form anywhere in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and nerves. These tumors are usually non-cancerous, but in some cases, they can be cancerous. Mutation in certain genes is the cause of neurofibromatosis. There are multiple types of neurofibromatosis, and here we’re looking at symptoms of each type and exploring different treatment options. Types and symptoms Neurofibromatosis is categorized into three types, and different symptoms characterize each type. Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) NF1 is the most common type of neurofibromatosis. Signs and symptoms of NF1 are often seen in early childhood, in most cases, shortly after birth. The severity of the symptoms can vary from one person to another. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of NF1 include the following. Light brown spots on the skin, also called cafe au lait spots Freckles in the armpits or groin area Soft, tiny bumps on or under the skin Lisch nodules, or small brown spots on the iris of the eye Neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2) NF2 is less common than NF1 but more serious. People with NF2 often notice signs and symptoms in their late teenage years.

Here is what you must know about rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) forces the body’s immune system to turn on itself and attack healthy joints. The attack results in inflammation, swelling, and pain around the tissue that cushion the joints. If left unchecked, persistent inflammation can damage the cartilage, cause the joints to lose stability, and seriously hamper one’s mobility over time. Approximately 1.5 million people in the country suffer from this autoimmune disorder. While men are more prone to suffering from the illness, women between the ages of 30 and 60 must be more careful. Common causes of RA There is no known cause of RA. People with a family history of the condition are more susceptible to illness. The condition is simply an abnormal response of the immune system. Certain changes in one’s genes and hormonal levels coupled with environmental factors can trigger the inflammatory response. Other possible factors that increase the chances of suffering from RA include: Foreign infectious agents and bacteria Obesity or being mildly overweight Body’s responses to physical or mental trauma Exposure to toxins and pollutants in the environment Known symptoms Rheumatoid arthritis predominantly affects the joints. Noticeable symptoms include: Morning stiffness Pain in multiple joints Persistent tenderness, swelling, and stiffness The autoimmune disorder is also known to simultaneously affect different systems and organs.

Sleep apnea – causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment Sleep apnea is a potentially life-threatening sleep disorder that affects about 22 million people in the country. This condition occurs when one’s breathing stops repeatedly while asleep, and this phenomenon leaves them tired and sleepy the next day. Those with untreated sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly while sleeping which implies that the brain and the rest of the body might be deprived of the required oxygen.  To ensure timely detection of the condition, it is essential to understand what causes sleep apnea, its warning signs and symptoms, how it’s diagnosed, and the various treatment methods available. Causes of sleep apnea There are two types of sleep apnea: obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea (CSA). OSA is the more common type of sleep apnea and is caused by a blockage of the airway. This occurs when the soft tissue in the back of the throat collapses during sleep. Meanwhile, In CSA, the airway remains clear but the brain fails to send a signal to the muscles to breathe; this occurs due to instability in the respiratory control center.  The major factors that contribute to the blocking or collapse of the airway (in OSA) include the following.

An overview of the symptoms, triggers, and treatments for asthma A chronic inflammatory condition, asthma causes the airways in the lungs to contract and swell, leading to the accumulation of excess mucus, which results in difficulty in breathing. People with asthma can find it incredibly difficult or at times, even impossible to do certain physical tasks. Though it can’t be cured, its symptoms can be managed so patients can go about their lives comfortably. In this article, we’ll discuss some important information about asthma such as its symptoms, triggers, treatment, and more. Common signs and symptoms of asthma Asthma symptoms vary across patients. Some people might experience breathlessness only while doing physically strenuous tasks such as exercising while others might have to deal with it every day, without a particular trigger. The following are some common signs and symptoms of this condition. Tightness or pain in the chest Shortness of breath A wheezing or whistling sound while exhaling (wheezing is common in kids with asthma) Trouble sleeping due to difficulty while breathing, coughing, or wheezing Coughing and wheezing that’s aggravated further due to a cold or a flu Signs that one’s asthma is getting worse: Frequent recurrence of the signs and symptoms mentioned above Increased need to use a quick-relief inhaler Increasing difficulty in breathing Asthma triggers There are no concrete results yet on why only some people are affected by this condition.

Crohn’s disease is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease that can affect a person’s digestive system, and more often than not, affects the small intestine and colon. Inflammation along the digestive tract can interfere with its normal process, causing pain as it spreads deep into the layers of the affected section of bowel tissue, and even turn into a life-threatening event. Causes of Crohn’s disease While there is no medical proof as to what causes Crohn’s disease, doctors and researchers believe that factors such as autoimmune reactions to bacteria in the digestive tract, hereditary genes of families, smoking, and age may be the prime cause of the disease. Symptoms of Crohn’s disease While a patient may develop the symptoms of Crohn’s disease slowly, it may turn severe over some time. On a rare occasion, other patients may experience their symptoms abruptly. The symptoms of Crohn’s disease include: Abdominal cramps diarrhea Blood in stools Fever Weight loss Frequent need for bowel movements Fatigue More severe symptoms may include: Perianal fistula Formation of ulcer between the mouth and anus Anemia leading to shortness of breath Inflammation of joints and skin If such symptoms are detected at an early stage, it becomes easier to commence treatments and avoid any critical developments that the disease may carry.

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.

Known as a “silent infection”, you may not even know that you have hepatitis B. Watch out for these hepatitis B symptoms. Even though they have hepatitis B, more than 69 percent of the affected individuals face no hepatitis B symptoms at all. Moreover, another 30 percent may see hepatitis B symptoms but confuse it with symptoms of other common afflictions such as the flu. Only about 1 percent of people who have hepatitis B will go on to develop a life-threatening form of the condition called fulminate hepatitis. This unfortunate 1 percent may suffer liver failure, and need emergency medical care. Hepatitis B is characterized as a “silent infection” because most people see no visible and distinct hepatitis B symptoms once they are infected. Since they do not know that they have this condition, it is very possible that they pass it on to other people around them. One can contract hepatitis B through contact with contaminated blood. This infectious disease is caused by the HBV or Hepatitis B Virus. In general, there are two possible stages of this condition which are acute hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis B. Acute refers to the fact that the infection is in its nascent stages.