Home - Signs symptoms
Symptoms and Diagnosis of a Pulmonary Embolism
01

Symptoms and Diagnosis of a Pulmonary Embolism

A pulmonary embolism can have many symptoms that are associated with other medical conditions like heart disease. However, if you do identify any of these symptoms in yourself or others, contact your nearest medical emergency services as it can be a life-threatening situation. What is a Pulmonary Embolism? A pulmonary embolism is a block in blood vessels associated with your lungs. These blockages can restrict blood supply to the lungs and deplete oxygen levels in the body because the lungs are affected. It can also lead to other complications. Mostly, pulmonary embolism is caused by blood clots, and a major cause of these blood clots is deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Deep Vein Thrombosis DVT is a condition in which a blood clot develops in a vein that is deep in your body and not near the surface. These blood clots commonly begin at the calf muscles or thighs. However, these deep-vein blood clots can also begin somewhere else in the body. Wherever they begin, they can travel through the bloodstream and reach vital organs in your body, like your lungs. When the block occurs in a blood vessel that is connected to the lungs, it is a pulmonary embolism. Some of the most common causes of DVT are as follows: A leg fracture that damages a blood vessel which leads to blood clotting Obesity which can exert pressure on your legs A catheter inserted into a vein Hereditary – Other members of your family, previous generations, have had DVT Smoking Hormone medications Hormone fluctuations like pregnancy Being seated for a long time Some medical conditions like cancer, heart disease, and irritable bowel syndrome Surgery can also result in blood clots Pulmonary Embolism Symptoms and Diagnostic Tests A pulmonary embolism is caused by a blockage in the arteries that supply blood to your lungs.
Read More
Understanding the Symptoms of Meningitis
02

Understanding the Symptoms of Meningitis

As far as inflammations are concerned, meningitis is understandably the most difficult one to treat and deal with. It is a condition that is well-researched and monitored. It is an infection of sorts, that means treatment isn’t very difficult to figure out. Meningitis is essentially an inflammation that occurs along with the possible swelling of the protective membrane that covers our spinal cord and brain. The swelling and inflammation can be caused by a number of reasons—but a common cause is a bacterial or viral infection on this covering. Here is a broader understanding of the meningitis symptoms and how you can deal with this disease. What and How As we already know what meningitis is—understanding the cause and treatment is far more important—the symptoms are fairly similar across the board. However, how it affects you is something that you need to understand. The most common cause of meningitis in the country is either a bacterial or viral infection. Interestingly, many cases of meningitis get resolved by themselves, but others can be life-threatening and deadly. They need to be treated with emergency antibiotics. That is why it’s never okay to risk not getting meningitis checked. Identifying meningitis symptoms, therefore, also takes prime importance. Here are a few different types of meningitis to help you understand the differences and levels of severity. Bacterial Meningitis This kind of meningitis starts with a bacteria invading your body that travels to the spinal cord and the brain region. This causes what is known as acute bacterial meningitis. However, another way this can occur is if the bacteria gets access to the meninges directly. This is often the case during a nasal, ear, or throat infection—but can also happen during skull fractures and even surgeries. Of course, there are some kinds of bacteria are more likely to cause acute bacterial meningitis than others.
Read More
All You Need to Know about Sinus Infection Symptoms
03

All You Need to Know about Sinus Infection Symptoms

Symptoms of sinus infections are often confused with those of a common cold. They are more persistent than the symptoms of common cold and can take longer to get cured. Although sinus infections are not caused due to a common cold, it can sometimes be a foundation for sinus infections. Symptoms of a Sinus Infection The most common symptoms of sinus are as follows There is a pressure of the sinuses that is felt at the back of the eyes and cheeks. Infection of the eye socket is possible. This may be followed by loss of sight. There may be incidental fever as well as severe illness. The pain worsens when the person is bending over or lying down. A runny nose could persist for longer than a week. A headache that is worsening or a toothache might occur. There may be an infection in the forehead bones known as osteomyelitis along with other bones of the face. Fever, bad breath, and cough are clear sinus allergy signs. Problems with the middle ear may arise as well. With the nasal passages being congested, there is a possibility of infections that might occur in the middle ear. This is accompanied by dizziness as well as a sense of vibration and a heavy feeling in the head. There is secretion of yellowish-green mucus from your nose and there may be blood or pus in it. Fatigue that is not usually faced. A reduced sense of smell. Sinus Infections as per their Location The types of paranasal sinuses can be pairs of frontal, maxillary, ethmoidal as well as sphenoidal. There is a further subdivision of the ethmoidal sinuses into posterior as well as anterior sinuses. The maxillary sinuses cause pressure and pain in the maxilla or cheek. This results in headaches or toothaches.
Read More
Everything You Need to Know about Pneumonia
04

Everything You Need to Know about Pneumonia

One of the most crippling diseases that can affect the lungs today is pneumonia. Of course, as with any infectious disease, there are many steps that you can take to avoid such an infection, but they aren’t always 100% efficient. Also, like with most other infections, bacteria are often the biggest culprit in adults. The infection in itself causes difficulty in breathing because it blocks the air sacs in the lungs and fills them with fluid or pus. Here are the symptoms, causes, and, most importantly, treatments that one can follow. Understanding Pneumonia Symptoms The symptoms of the infection depend greatly on how long the infection has been manifesting. This is why when these symptoms ever surface, one should get the possibility of Pneumonia ruled out as soon as possible. The symptoms can also be mild, severe, or life threatening. General pain around the chest area Coughing with phlegm and other types of mucus discharge A high body temperature that fluctuates Sweating and chills accompanied by shortness of breath Remember that these are just the basic symptoms of the infection. Depending on the state of your general health and well-being, your age, your symptoms may include other things as well. Symptoms influenced by age differ greatly for infants. They have difficulty eating, drinking, or swallowing in general. They are also likely to show a lack of energy and vomit frequently. People on the other end of the spectrum will probably suffer from a body temperature that falls dangerously low during the infection. However, by far, the most interesting collection of symptoms come from the kind of infection that has plagued you. Viral pneumonia is likely to show the above-stated symptoms and resembles flu when it comes to the same. It also includes wheezing, but bacterial pneumonia is different. Bluish lips and a blue tint in the nails along with a general sense of confusion are only some of the symptoms that are involved when it comes to bacterial pneumonia.
Read More
Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
05

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Non-small cell lung cancer or non-small cell lung carcinoma is the most prevalent type of lung cancer. There are mainly two types of lung cancers, which are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer. Lung carcinoma is a condition in which the lung cells become abnormal, as a result, grow out of control. These abnormal or cancer cells develop rapidly and spread to other parts of the body. Prevalence and causes of non-small cell lung cancer Among the lung cancer cases in the country, almost 80-85% are of non-small cell lung cancer type, and only about 10-15% is of the small lung cancer type. The symptoms and treatment for these two types of lung cancer vary. There are many subtypes of NSCLC, namely, adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, large cell carcinoma, and sarcomatoid carcinoma. The NSCLC type is a serious condition that cannot be reversed but prevented from getting worse. Majority of those affected by this type of lung cancer are smokers or have been exposed to smoke. Exposure to radon, asbestos, air pollution, metal or mineral dust, or radiation is likely to cause this disease. Symptoms of non-small cell lung cancer It is difficult to detect this disease during the early stages because the symptoms are not easily detectable. Often, the symptoms are confused with those of other illnesses like pneumonia or collapsed lung. However, common symptoms of NSCLC are as follows: A cough that worsens or a persistent cough : Continuous bouts of a cough or coughing symptoms that worsen with time may be a symptom of NSCLC. This type of cough may not be associated with a recent spell of cold or flu or other infections. Chest pain : Another classic symptom that is often confused with other diseases. Chest pain due to NSCLC may increase with cough or when one takes deep breaths.
Read More
Adult ADHD – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options
06

Adult ADHD – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

An adult who has ADHD may struggle with relationships at work, home, or school. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for a person to lead a normal life. What is adult ADHD? Most people who have ADHD develop this disorder in their childhood. The symptoms of it may disappear in some children when they grow older, but studies show that it progresses into adulthood for about 60 percent of the patients. The severity of ADHD in an adult is often not taken seriously, but it can negatively impact many areas of a person’s life. Late diagnosis can also affect the recovery process. Some people may not receive a diagnosis in their childhood, and they only find out about it much later. Others may know about it but may find it difficult to deal with the symptoms. Adult ADHD affects both men and women. Adult ADHD – Causes and symptoms The exact cause of ADHD is not known, but researchers believe that it may be a combination of hereditary, environmental, and developmental factors. People whose family members have ADHD are more likely to develop this condition. Exposure to lead in the childhood and the improper functioning of the central nervous system during a child’s physical development are some other probable causes. The symptoms of ADHD go through a transformation as a person enters into adulthood. However, the signs may not be as distinctive as they are in children. Some of the symptoms may remain the same, but other aspects such as hyperactivity may be more contained. Adults with ADHD can experience problems like difficulty in following simple directions, an inability to concentrate on a task, difficulty in organizing tasks and recollecting information, an inability to complete work on time, impulsiveness, and impatience. For adults with ADHD, daily tasks may prove too difficult.
Read More
Hepatitis C – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods
07

Hepatitis C – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Hepatitis C is a viral liver disease which is also contagious. The disease spreads via blood contact and it is necessary to avoid any exposure to the hepatitis C virus. The infection can go on to be chronic and can be treated with medications. HCV can also cause liver cancer and in some worse conditions, it can also lead to death. The virus usually invades the liver which causes dysfunction and swelling. It is possible for a person to get re-infected with the virus that has a different strain. Symptoms of HCV Acute Hepatitis C Due to the lack of definitive symptoms, acute hepatitis C is very rarely diagnosed. People even refer to it as a silent epidemic. From exposure to symptoms, it takes up to 4 to 15 weeks. Symptoms of the same could be nausea, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice. Chronic Hepatitis C When the virus remains in the blood for more than six months, hepatitis becomes chronic. During diagnosis, if the HCV virus is detected for more than two times then the chronic HCV is confirmed. The infection will continue unless it is treated with proper medication. It should be noted that after 25 to 30 years the infection might result in scarring or even fibrosis of the liver. If the situation worsens then it can cause liver cancer and even liver failure. The damage of the disease is not apparent until the liver is almost on the verge of collapse. Proper treatments for Hep C are the only way to go in this case. Causes of HCV Hepatitis C is caused by the HCV virus. Viruses are usually inactive unless they enter a living body. These viruses then attack the cell and start replicating. In case of chronic HCV, millions of copies of the virus are produced in the body.
Read More
Effective Natural Remedies for Quick Pain Relief
08

Effective Natural Remedies for Quick Pain Relief

A human body goes through a lot every day: a lot of work pressure at a workplace, household job, and many other things. Pain is part of everyone’s life and you cannot escape from it. Turning to pain killers is becoming another major issue these days as they can lead to other health issues. It is always safe to keep your pain killer intake as low as possible. In order to do this, you will have to choose some natural remedies that work on pain. There are a number of natural ingredients that can really help in getting relief from pain. In fact, these natural remedies act much faster than the painkillers and give you good relief. If you are looking for some natural remedies that work fast on pain, then here are some quick pain relief options that you can opt for: Ginger One of the best and most common natural remedies to get rid of body pains faster is ginger. This effective pain reliever contains Phytochemicals which stop inflammation. This further helps to control pain. Ginger is extremely effective in treating muscle and joint pains. You can cut ginger into small pieces and add water to it. Boil these two for five minutes and then strain the solution. Now add some honey and consume it hot. Repeat it for at least thrice a day for better results on pain. Feverfew For centuries, Feverfew has been the best choice for treating tooth pain, stomach pain, and also headaches. Recently, many experts suggest that using Feverfew can help in reducing migraine and also rheumatoid arthritis pain as well. A few more studies are being conducted to know how to get better results with this herb, but it is definitely safe to try. Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar is considered a good choice for quick pain relief because this has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and hence you will be able to get relief from inflammation and pain as well.
Read More
Symptoms and Treatment for Common Partial Seizures
09

Symptoms and Treatment for Common Partial Seizures

What is a seizure and what are the types? A seizure occurs when the electrical signals sent through the neurons in the brain start behaving abnormally. There is a sudden surge in the electrical activity that takes place in the brain. This sudden spike is what causes a seizure. There are two categories of seizures, the partial seizures and the generalized seizures. Generalized seizures take place when the entire brain is affected, and partial seizures take place when only a certain part of the brain is affected. A partial seizure is also known as a focal onset seizure. It may occur due to many reasons. The main causes of a partial seizure are a stroke, brain injury, high blood pressure, epilepsy, congenital brain defects, kidney failure, and liver failure. Additionally, a partial seizure may be caused by bites, stings, phenylketonuria, drugs, and infections. Partial seizures are more common in people who are 65 years old or above. What are the common symptoms of a partial seizure? A partial seizure affects an individual emotionally and physically. The symptoms can occur in anyone who is older than 1 year. There are times when the symptoms of partial seizure resemble the symptoms of mental or nerve disorders. The symptoms may last anywhere between a few seconds to a few minutes. There are several different symptoms of partial seizures. There are three types of partial seizures, including simple, complex, and secondary that are generalized. The symptoms of partial seizures are as follows: One performs repetitive movements. This includes rubbing one of the hands excessively. One feels sick and nauseated for no apparent reason. This feeling refuses to go away. One might experience jerk movements affecting the head, the arms, or the legs that becomes unstoppable. One feels like something is walking on their skin when there is nothing.
Read More
Methods to Use a Thermometer and a Fever Temperature Chart with Children
10

Methods to Use a Thermometer and a Fever Temperature Chart with Children

The fever temperature chart indicates the range of normal temperature measured in different ways for different age groups of children. When the temperature exceeds the upper limit, it is an indication of fever. Measuring fever in a child The mode of measurement depends on the extent of discomfort the child is facing as well as the target temperature indicated by the fever temperature chart. The fever temperature chart varies according to the age group of the child. For children between 0 and 3 months, normal temperature is between 97℉ or 36℃ to 100.4℉ or 38℃ or and temperatures above 100.4℉ or 38℃ indicate fever. The temperature range is the same for children between 3 and 6 months and temperature above 101℉ or 38℃ indicates fever. For children over 6 months, a temperature of 102℉ or 39℃ and above indicates fever. Situations when medical consultation is required Medical consultation is necessary when the temperature as per the fever temperature chart indicates fever and if there are certain accompanying symptoms. Babies below 3 months with fever require immediate medical attention. Children : When the child is fussy or not behaving in a normal way even after medications to reduce fever have been administered, or if he/she is refusing fluids and is dehydrated with dryness of the mouth, stiffness of the neck or a headache, pain in the abdomen, difficulty breathing, rashes or pain in the joints, fever persisting continuously for 5 days—these are the signs that a doctor needs to be consulted. Different ways to measure temperature and corresponding fever temperature chart ranges It is advisable to use a digital thermometer to measure someone’s temperature for recording and determining the fever levels. The different thermometers that are available include—rectal thermometers, oral thermometers, thermometers for measuring temperature through the temporal artery, and thermometers to measure the temperature through the armpit or the ear.
Read More