Usually, an inflammation of the colon (also referred to as the large intestine) is known as colitis. It is a disease that has varied symptoms in different people. Colitis can be of different types such as: Microscopic colitis Ischemic colitis Inflammatory bowel disease colitis (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) Chemical colitis Pseudomembranous colitis Infectious colitis such as food poisoning, and infections caused by bacteria or parasites Depending on the type of colitis you have, your symptoms can vary. To pick the right treatment for colitis, it is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis. Here is a list of some colitis symptoms that will help you understand when you should consult a healthcare professional. Symptoms of colitis According to various medical study reports, most of the times, colitis is associated with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Pain caused by inflammation The muscle layers undergo intermittent spasms due to colon inflammation. This intermittent spasm causes cramp-like or colicky pain, which comes and goes. Usually, the affected person feels this pain in the lower abdomen. However, you might feel this pain at any point along the course of the colon. Due to the colitis, the body is unable to reabsorb water properly because any ingested food or drinks move through the colon rapidly as the muscles cannot contract in their regular pattern. All of this leads to watery diarrhea. If the colon lining breaks down and becomes inflamed, the affected person might experience bleeding. In the case of ulcerative colitis, small ulcers form and cause bleeding. Pain caused by diarrhea Often, the pain caused by colitis that involves the distal colon (sigmoid colon and rectum) increases gradually preceding a bowel movement. The pain might subside after the diarrheal bowel movement, but it can return with the next diarrheal episode. Also, the affected person may get the urgent feeling of wanting to go to the loo.

As we age, our health gets worse and the list of medical tests we need to determine our current condition of health grows longer and longer. At times we tend to skip our tests because of our busy frame of mind, or because we think that we do not need them. When it comes to a bone density test, one should get the test done every few years. A bone density test is vital in determining the strength of our bones. The test is also called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or DEXA scan. It helps us determine if we are suffering from any bone loss that can lead to disabilities and fractures in the future, giving us an overview of our overall bone health. Bone density and bone health tests should not be skipped as they can help us determine the condition of our bones. Most men under the age of 70 and women under the age of 65 do not require the test, but this does not mean we should skip it altogether. Here is all one needs to know about the bone density test and why one should get it done today. What is a Bone density Test? A bone density test enables doctors to diagnose brittle bones and help us seek appropriate treatment measures. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become so weak that they are at the point of breaking. A bone density test is used to determine the risk of the above-mentioned disease and fractures. It also enables doctors to put a treatment plan in place for the underlying condition. How is a Bone Density Test Performed? A bone density test is a painless and simple procedure. A patient is made to lie on a padded table with an X-ray generator positioned right underneath the patient, and an imaging device just above.

Our skin is nothing but a protective shell for our body, and it protects us from numerous toxic things like harmful chemicals, UV rays, and various cuts and scrapes. As a result of these factors, the skin often changes its texture and color, and at times rashes may also appear. Usually, skin inflammation causes these rashes, and there are numerous reasons behind this inflammation. You can see different patterns of skin rashes in conditions like granuloma annulare, eczema, pityriasis rosea, lichen planus, acne, razor burns, and so on. The article below highlights the different types of skin rashes and their treatments. Acne Acne is perhaps the most common problem that people face. Numerous factors lead to irritating red bumps on your skin. Heavy sweating, stress, humidity or consuming steroids can lead to skin rashes. Even if you maintain perfect personal hygiene, you may get acne because of washing your face too often. If you are facing this problem in your daily life, you should consult a general physician or a dermatologist to identify the underlying issue and cure it. You can also find numerous home remedies to deal with acne. Razor burn Men usually face this problem along with redness, blisters, and rashes due to shaving. To prevent this problem, you should be careful while shaving your face. You should wash your face with warm water and use sharp and clean blades. Nowadays, you can find different shaving gels and other lubricants which can help prevent these rashes. Moreover, you can also use aloe vera-based soothing lotions to soothe the skin and treat any skin rashes. Sunburn UV radiation could affect our skin and lead to rashes. Melanin protects our skin from UV radiation. You can take adequate precautions like using hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen, but the lack of vitamin E can result in painful sunburns.

The food we consume every day mostly consists of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. However, there are other essential organic and inorganic constituents, which are equally important for our health. Vitamins are one such organic component of food. Although we only need to include minute quantities of these in our everyday diet, they play a significant role in maintaining an individual’s growth and metabolism. Any person’s healthy appearance comes not only from energy-yielding proteins, carbohydrates, and fats but also from other components like vitamins, minerals, and water. Sources of vitamins Vitamins are a protective food that is essential to ensure that the human body functions normally. Vitamins are crucial since they cannot be synthesized in the human body. Therefore, whenever there is disequilibrium in its quantity, one needs to take supplements to ensure a balanced intake. Since plants can synthesize vitamins, animal foods like meat, fish, eggs, liver, and milk can be a good way to replenish a vitamin imbalance. When humans eat animals that feed on plants, vitamins are transferred to the human body. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, cannot be found in foods of plant origin. Animal-based foods are an abundant source of this vitamin. Vitamin B12 that is synthesized by the intestinal bacteria in humans is not enough to meet the daily requirements. In such cases, vitamin B12 supplements are a lifesaver. Kinds of vitamins Vitamins are of two types, fat-soluble and water-soluble. The B complex groups of vitamins like thiamine, niacin, folic acid, riboflavin, cobalamin, riboflavin, and biotin are water-soluble. Hydroxycobalamin, chlorocobalamin, cyan cobalamin, and nitro cobalamin are few active forms of vitamin B12. Functions of vitamin B12 All vitamins which are a part of vitamin B-Complex act as coenzymes and vitamin B12 is no exception. Vitamin B12 acts as coenzymes in different chemical reactions in the body, in the form of cobamide, which is involved in the formation of DNA.

Osteoporosis makes your bones fragile and brittle by reducing the quality of your bones. Read on to know more about the different osteoporosis symptoms. Osteoporosis is a disorder that causes your bones to become so weak and brittle that sometimes, even activities like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Some of the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis happen in your hip, wrist, and spine. About 200 million women all over the world suffer from this debilitating disorder, and it is more common in white and Asian women. As the bones are living tissue, the old bones in your body are constantly being broken down to create new bones and this rebuilding process is termed as ‘remodeling’. However, when the remodeling pace does not keep up with the pace of the breaking down of the bones, the bones become weak, brittle, and fragile, leading to osteoporosis. It is clear how this disorder develops over a period of time, however, what is not clear is what exactly causes osteoporosis. There are, however, certain risk factors that are associated with the development of this disorder. These are your race, body frame size, age, family history, sex, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and eating disorders. Osteoporosis is typically diagnosed by a bone density test, which involves the use of X-rays to scan the body. The treatment methods that are generally used for osteoporosis mainly depend upon your risk of a fracture. If your risk is low, the treatment plan will mainly involve lifestyle changes and modifications that can reduce the risk factors related to osteoporosis. If you are at a higher risk of breaking a bone, the doctor will prescribe you medications like Actonel, Binosto, Boniva, and Fosamax. Osteoporosis is mainly regarded as a silent disease because there are no telltale signs and symptoms in its early stages.

Hemophilia is a rare genetic condition where a person experiences a deficiency in blood clotting proteins called clotting factors. If one injures themself, these clotting factors create a sticky paste to stop the bleeding eventually. In hemophilia, people experience an excessive amount of bleeding both internally and externally. The signs and symptoms of hemophilia depend on the severity of the condition. In this article, we will be discussing the symptoms of hemophilia based on its severity. Mild deficiency People with mild hemophilia do not usually experience any major symptoms. However, if they undergo surgery or injure themselves by falling, they experience excessive bleeding. During childbirth or menstruation, women may encounter excessive bleeding. Children born with this condition might not even notice any symptoms until their adulthood. Moderate deficiency People with a moderate deficiency bruise easily and bleed excessively when bruised. They also experience spontaneous and unexplainable bleeding. Unusual bleeding over everyday things such as an injection may also be a sign. People whose joints have been affected experience irritation and pain. If joint bleeds are not treated immediately, it could lead to consequences like severe pain. Mild symptoms like easy bruising are noticeable in children who have moderate hemophilia. Severe deficiency Symptoms of severe hemophilia are similar to those of moderate hemophilia. However, as the problem intensifies, the pain, discomfort, frequency, and seriousness increases. People may experience spontaneous, frequent, and unexplainable bleeding from their nose, joints, and gums. Neglecting this condition can cause severe consequences like internal bleeding, soft tissue bleeding, and joint deformities. Spontaneous bleeding is a symptom in children with severe hemophilia. Brain hemorrhage: A complication of hemophilia Sometimes, when people with severe hemophilia suffer a minor hit on their head, it can cause internal bleeding. Although it is rare, a brain hemorrhage is a possibility. It is a serious emergency that needs immediate medical attention.

Neurofibromatoses are a group of genetic disorders that cause tumors in the nervous system. There are three types of neurofibromatosis: mainly neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1), neurofibromatosis 2 (NF2), and schwannomatosis. The symptoms are usually mild but may cause serious complications. Here are the common symptoms of neurofibromatosis and what causes them. Symptoms The common signs and symptoms of neurofibromatosis are as follows: Small bumps on and under the skin These tumors tend to grow inside the body; however, sometimes, they may even grow under the skin. When these growths are present in the nerves, they may result in disfiguration of the face. These bumps called Neurofibromas may also increase in number with age. Learning disabilities Children affected by the NF1 gene may find their thinking abilities impaired. They may find it difficult to read or perform mathematics. Moreover, the child may also experience ADHD or a speech delay. Light brown spots Harmless brown spots called cafe au lait spots occur on the skin. Usually, the presence of more than six of these spots indicates NF1. They occur during childbirth or the initial years and stop after childhood. Other bumps and freckles Bumps called Lisch nodules are commonly noticed in the iris of the eyes. They are painless. Also, freckles occurring in various body folds, especially in areas like the armpits and the groin, are also common. Problems with the ears NF2 may result in the development of slow-growing tumors in the ears. They may also grow on the nerves that carry sound to the brain. As a result, one may experience symptoms such as hearing loss, ringing in the ears, and loss of balance. Causes The following reasons are responsible for the development of neurofibromatosis. NF1 The NF1 gene, located on chromosome 17, creates a protein called neurofibromin that helps regulate the growth of cells.

Menopause is a time when women stop having their monthly menstrual cycle. Some women do not have any unpleasant symptoms, while others suffer from menopause symptoms that are debilitating. Read on to know more about menopause symptoms that you should be on the lookout for. Menopause, in simple terms, refers to the time period when women stop menstruating. There is a steady decline in the production of estrogen as well as the function of ovaries as you age. The average age at which most women stop menstruating is 51 years, however, there is a small percentage that experience menopause as late as 60 years. Statistics also show that women who smoke have a tendency to go through menopause earlier than the women who don’t smoke. Menopause means a whole lot more than just the end of fertility for a lot of women. You can suffer from a variety of menopause symptoms like hot flashes and sleeping problems that can be difficult to cope with. The experience of menopause symptoms are different for different women, some report mood changes, while others experience night sweats. If you know what menopause symptoms to look out for, it becomes easier for you to work with the doctor to find the ideal way to manage these changes. Some of the menopause symptoms are: Irregular Periods Many women experience short, irregular, or absent periods at least once in their lives. There are a variety of reasons that can cause irregular periods, however, during menopause the main culprit is hormonal imbalance. Your periods may be heavier or lighter than usual, may last for numerous days or be brief, and may come later or earlier than usual. You may also experience ‘spotting’, which is nothing but bleeding between your periods. This is one of the menopause symptoms that is caused because of hormonal imbalance that is a result of decreasing levels of progesterone and estrogen.

Ragweed symptoms are caused by the multitude of airborne pollen that give rise to allergies in people. Learn how ragweed symptoms affect your body. Ragweed plants are weeds with soft stems that are found growing freely all over the United States. In fact, there are at least 17 different species of the plant that grow in North America alone. Found in large quantities in the Eastern and Midwestern parts of the country, ragweed blooms during the months of August through November. When it blooms, a ragweed plant releases its pollen into the air. This results in really high levels of airborne pollen, especially during mid-September. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, approximately 20 to 25 percent of Americans are allergic to ragweed. Known as one of the most common causes of seasonal allergies in the country, ragweed pollen triggers the immune system, which mistakes it for a harmful compound in the body. The immune system begins to work overtime to produce chemicals so as to fight off the pollen in the body, even though on its own, the pollen does no harm. This allergic reaction is also known as a type of allergic rhinitis or hay fever. This reaction manifests itself in the form of a number of ragweed symptoms. Ragweed Symptoms that Affect the Eyes People who are allergic to ragweed are likely to notice that their eyes are experiencing several ragweed symptoms. These include watery or teary eyes, itchiness around the eye area, as well as heightened redness of the eyes. Furthermore, your eyes may end up looking stuffy and tired, with dark circles, after you have tolerated these ragweed symptoms for a while. Some of these symptoms may be alleviated with the help of eye drops. Ragweed Symptoms that Affect the Nose As with most other pollen allergies, ragweed symptoms specifically affect the nose.

Medullary Breast Cancer is a rare type of cancer with a better than average prognosis. Here’s everything you need to know about the disease. Similar to most other types of breast cancer, medullary breast cancer may not manifest in any type of visible symptoms during its early stages. This is a rare type of breast cancer that accounts for only about 5 percent of all breast cancer cases. However, the good news is that medullary breast cancer actually offers a better prognosis and survival rate as compared to other breast cancers . If you have been diagnosed with medullary breast cancer, here’s everything you need to know about its symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. What is medullary breast cancer? Medullary breast cancer is a rarely-occurring type of invasive ductal breast cancer. One of the pivotal risk factors of this cancer is a genetic mutation known as BRCA-1. People who are carriers of this genetic mutation have a higher chance of getting medullary breast cancer. Similar to other types of invasive ducal breast cancer, this type of cancer also starts in the milk duct of breasts before spreading to other tissues eventually. The word “medullary” comes from the fact that the epidemiology of the tumors of medullary breast cancer resemble the graying soft tissue matter in the medulla or the brainstem. How is medullary breast cancer different from other breast cancers? As compared to other types of ductal breast cancers, medullary breast cancer differs on a number of counts. The medullary tumors are actually smaller than average at about 2cms or so. Even though they are small, the cells of this cancer are high grade ones. This means that the cells look very distinct from normal cells, and are generally dividing very rapidly. Known as triple-negative tumors, these cells generally test negative for progesterone and estrogen receptors, as well as the protein HER2 or neu.