A migraine is essentially a debilitating headache that affects many people in the country. In this condition, the intense throbbing, pulsing pain that is felt on one side of the head might be accompanied by discomfort too, when one is exposed to light and/or sound. Some people may suffer from additional symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, numbness, tingling, and sometimes, even experience difficulty with speaking. A migraine is a neurological condition that is mostly hereditary. It can also affect all age groups. Types of migraines If one has been getting a headache more often than not, it is time to consult a physician to ascertain if they are suffering from a migraine. The doctor will probably try to rule out other causes, check for symptoms, and assess the person’s clinical history. There are essentially two types of migraine headaches. Common migraine (without aura) Classic migraine (with aura) Symptoms The presence of several symptoms gradually leads to a migraine attack. The symptoms can sometimes come as early as a day or two before the migraine attack. This is called the prodrome stage. The symptoms may differ from person-to-person, but here are the most common ones. Frequent yawns Feeling listless, tired, and fatigued The person generally shows some amount of irritability Food cravings Hyperactivity Depression Stiffness in the neck region These symptoms can be experienced for migraines without aura.

Eczema is a common skin condition that occurs in both kids and adults. Typically, it is a chronic condition that causes occasional flare-ups. The skin becomes itchy, red, and rough. The itchiness can appear in any part of the body, but it generally appears on the hands, legs, feet, upper chest, neck, and the elbow and knee bends. It is important to understand the triggers associated with eczema and keep them to a minimum. Generally, such flare-ups are associated with hay fever or asthma. While there’s no cure for eczema, some treatment options can manage symptoms. Disease overview For those suffering from eczema, the main concern is the itch that comes with it. Leaving this symptom untreated can lead to inflammation of the skin. The red itchy skin can become bumpy as well; so, the goal of eczema treatment is to take care of the itch. As far as the affected age group is concerned, eczema can affect one-year-old babies too. Most children affected by it will see a dramatic improvement in their condition as they reach adolescence. But in some cases, this may stretch to adulthood too. Eczema is not contagious; so, even if you have an active rash, it won’t pass it on to anyone.

Ulcerative colitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the linings of the large intestine or the rectum, or in some cases, both. About 750,000 people in the US are diagnosed with this condition every year. The number of undiagnosed cases, however, are still high. Here is everything you need to know about the condition, so that you can spot symptoms early on and get the treatment you need. Disease overview Ulcerative colitis (UC) is the chronic inflammation of the colon, which is the lining of your large intestine. It is that part where undigested food and waste materials are stored. The tip or the end of the colon is called the rectum and the waste materials are removed from the body through the rectal area. When the colon gets inflamed, it can also cause inflammation of the rectum, and the result is abdominal pain, a frequent need to pass stools, and general discomfort. UC is a part of the larger group of conditions called Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). This is a chronic condition, which means that the symptoms develop with time rather than suddenly. It is said that people between the ages of 15 and 35 are mostly diagnosed with this condition.

Diabetes mellitus or diabetes is a metabolic condition that affects the body’s ability to process blood sugar. Insulin transfers the sugar from the blood to the body’s cells so that it can be used for generating energy, but diabetes leads to the body either not producing adequate insulin or being unable to use the insulin produced effectively. High blood sugar levels due to diabetes can severely damage the eyes, nerves, kidneys, and other vital organs. It can also increase the likelihood of stroke or heart disease, so diabetes management is important to improve a patient’s quality of life. Types of diabetes The different types of diabetes are as follows: Type 1 diabetes: This is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system begins to attack the cells in the pancreas where insulin is produced. The exact cause behind this is not known. In this case, the patient becomes dependent on insulin and has to take insulin injections every day to stay healthy. Type 2 diabetes: Unlike type 1 diabetes, the body produces insulin in this case. However, the cells in the body become resistant to insulin, leading to sugar buildup in the blood. This is the most common type of diabetes and is closely linked to obesity.

Hepatitis C is a viral liver infection, leading to inflammation and chronic damage to the organ. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the causal organism of this disease. There are five stages of this infection- incubation period (time between the contact with the virus and the appearance of symptoms), acute hepatitis C (short-term illness lasting for six months), chronic hepatitis C (long-term infection), cirrhosis (scarring and severe inflammation of the liver), and liver cancer (malignancy in the liver). Regular screening, timely diagnosis, and early treatment can cure hepatitis C in most cases. Symptoms Symptoms of hepatitis C range from mild to severe as the infection progresses from the acute to the chronic stage. In some cases, patients do not manifest any symptoms until the disease reaches an advanced stage. However, they can transmit the infection to others in this condition. Symptoms of Acute Hepatitis C Symptoms of acute hepatitis C usually develop after 2 to 12 weeks of exposure to the virus. Since these signs mimic many other medical issues, doctors often describe hepatitis C as a “silent epidemic.” It usually remains undiagnosed, and many patients clear this infection from their body spontaneously. Studies reveal that about 15 to 25 percent of acute hepatitis C patients undergo spontaneous viral clearance.