Home - Symptoms
All You Need to Know about Allergy Cough Symptoms and Treatments
01

All You Need to Know about Allergy Cough Symptoms and Treatments

A reflex caused by stimulation of lining of throat, nose, voice box, lungs, and other respiratory parts, cough is a normal defense mechanism of the body to try and eliminate the effect caused by the allergen. Coughs can be annoying and disruptive and can have underlying causes. One of them could be allergies. If you have been coughing for a week, the causes might be more than cold and flu. If it has become chronic, it is advisable that you visit a doctor. When suffering from allergy cough symptoms, the underlying cough symptoms are same as other cough-related infectious illness. Irrespective of the symptoms, which could be due to allergy or due to some other medical condition, cough begins when the nerve endings in the airways detect some disturbance. The disturbance then relays those signals to the brain to make it aware that something is wrong with the respiratory system. Once the brain detects and processes the signal, it sends a chemical signal back to the throat and initiates a cough. Read on to know more about the allergy cough symptoms. When suffering from allergy cough symptoms, you will experience some difference in the timing of the symptoms when compared to that of a cough due to cold and flu. Allergy cough symptoms are a response due to change in weather or season in which the specific allergen is prominent. You might also experience coughing due to change in setting. For instance, a person might fell alright in office but might start coughing due to allergens caused due to animal dander or smoke in a different setting. If a cough is caused due to cold or flu, the coughing symptoms might be prominent for 2 to 3 days and subside eventually. Allergy cough symptoms might affect a person for weeks or even for a month at a time.
Read More
Effective Treatment Options for Bulging Disc
02

Effective Treatment Options for Bulging Disc

When one or more disc of cartilage present between the intermediate bones of the spine protrudes beyond a certain limit, it is referred to as bulging disc. This condition usually affects the lower back known as the lumbar region. They also happen to occur in the middle region of the spine called as thoracic and neck (cervical) region. The person, in this case, might have to undergo bulging disc treatment. Made up of cartilage, these discs provide flexibility and allow maximum shock absorption against the daily rigors that our body goes through – Walking, bending, lifting and even sitting puts stress on your spine. The stress increases if we overdo any of these physical activities. Although the symptoms of bulging discs are symptom-free initially, the seriousness of the symptom might increase, if the nerve roots in the spinal canal start experiencing the pressure exerted by the bulging disc. This results in pain and inflammation in the particular part of the body whose spinal nerve is getting affected due to the bulge. Bulging disc is a byproduct of an aging spine as it becomes drier and weaker with age. The symptoms of bulging disc depend on the location of the inflamed nerve. Some common symptoms include pain, numbness, weakness, spasms and tingling sensations that might manifest in the arms and legs. For light to moderate symptoms, a chiropractic adjustment might suffice, but if the condition is chronic, it is advisable to consult a doctor for bulging disc treatment. There are a variety of minimally invasive procedures and techniques that provide relief from neck and back pain and offer recovery in a shorter period of time as compared to conservative traditional open back surgery. Bulging disc treatment options Mild cases of bulging disc can be treated efficiently using nonsurgical methods. The aim of these treatments is to reduce the pressure on the damaged disc and block the nerve pathways in the spinal canal to send pain signals to the brain.
Read More
Common Signs of Pneumonia and its Treatment
03

Common Signs of Pneumonia and its Treatment

Pneumonia is the infection of the lungs, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses or even fungi. People suffering from pneumonia might experience heavy coughing, fever, and experience hard time breathing. It makes it difficult to transfer oxygen to the blood. Pneumonia is a condition that causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs, called the alveoli. In this condition, the alveoli of the lungs get filled with mucus or pus, which makes it very difficult to breathe. Before we head to find out the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, let us look at the causes of the same in brief. It usually starts when one begins to breathe in germs into the lungs. The onset of the disease usually begins after the person suffers from cold or flu. Cold and flu make it hard for the lungs to fight back, resulting in infections. Hence it becomes easier to get affected from the signs of pneumonia. Suffering from chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma, cancer or even diabetes can also lead to pneumonia. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia Signs of pneumonia can be mild to life-threatening. It depends on the severity of the infection. The most common symptoms of pneumonia include: Coughing that produces phlegm (mucus). Because the alveoli in the lungs get filled with mucus, it affects the immune system of the body and the person suffers from mild to high-grade fever, chills and also experiences sweating. And because of the same reason, there is little or no room for the inhaled air to occupy for the lungs, thus the person suffers from shortness of breath. These above-mentioned conditions eventually lead to one common symptom, which is chest pain. There are symptoms that vary according to the severity of the condition and is based on factors like age and general health of the individual.
Read More
List of Things to Eat and Avoid When You Have Diarrhea
04

List of Things to Eat and Avoid When You Have Diarrhea

Diarrhea is a disorder caused due to irregular bowel movements. A quite common digestive system disorder, diarrhea is caused due to food allergy, bacterial infection or due to eating something that is not digested properly. Often, diarrhea can occur as part of other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome. It lasts for two to three days with loose and watery stools occurring throughout the day. Common symptoms of diarrhea Some of the common symptoms of diarrhea are as follows: Occasional bouts of nausea and a tendency to throw up Sudden weight loss Presence of mucus or blood in stool Cramps and pain in stomach and bloating Frequently visiting the bathroom to clear the bowels Although diarrhea goes away after two-three days, it is necessary to consult a doctor if the symptoms become severe and persist for a longer period. Dehydration, fever above 102 F, severe rectal or stomach pain and presence of blood in stools are some of the indicators that diarrhea has become severe. In such cases, it is necessary to receive medical treatment to prevent any further health complications. Treatment for diarrhea For mild cases of diarrhea, it is enough to take off the diet. There are certain foods for diarrhea that alleviate the discomfort. Even in the case of severe diarrhea, it necessary to avoid certain foods and eat only that helps the healing process to progress faster. A careful diet comprising of essential food for diarrhea should be followed along with doctor-prescribed medications. Food for diarrhea that you should avoid Certain types of food are difficult to process for the digestive system. These aggravate the symptoms and make diarrhea worse. So, these categories of food must be avoided when suffering from diarrhea. Food with fats: Food that has been fried and is greasy can make the symptoms worse.
Read More
How to Check For Signs of Pollen Allergies
05

How to Check For Signs of Pollen Allergies

The onset of spring and summer is meant to be all about sunshine, colors, and outdoor trips. But is that not the case with you? Do you associate change of seasons with watery eyes, loss of voice, red nose, and going through endless boxes of tissues? Do you notice that there is a pattern to your allergy and you see them arrive at the same time every year? If you nodded for the above questions, then you are highly likely to suffer from a pollen allergy, hay fever, or as the doctor’s like to address it, allergic rhinitis. But the good news is that you are not alone. It is estimated that more than 25 million Americans suffer from signs of pollen allergies. It is also observed that kids are more vulnerable to catch season allergies than adults. You might be looking for ways to make your life allergy friendly by looking up treatment methods. But if you want to know the best reliefs, you must need to know more pollens, its causes, and the signs of pollen allergies. Let’s start by knowing what are pollens and how do they affect us. What are pollens? Pollens are powdery substances found in flowering plants, which help the plants reproduce their own species. Though some of the population is neutral to these pollens, there is a whole different set of people who are highly sensitive to them. Note that not every flowering plant causes pollen allergy. This is because only some plants like ragweed, oak, maple, etc., transfer pollens by releasing it in the air. Other plants use insects as the medium to transfer the pollen. Symptoms and signs of pollen allergies The signs of pollen allergies can be as simple as sneezing and coughing to something as fatal as tightness in chest and difficulty in breathing.
Read More
Common Symptoms of Mold Infection That You Should Know
06

Common Symptoms of Mold Infection That You Should Know

Mold is a fungus that is known to grow in areas having a lot of moisture. The mold spores present in the air indoors or outdoors may trigger several health conditions including mold allergies. Many factors can cause the growth of mold. Unknown leakage, moisture build up in unreachable places, damp areas under the carpet, and so on are areas where mold growth is most susceptible. Molds may grow all through the year, and this is precisely why mold allergies can crop up at any time of the year. People who develop allergies to mold may show symptoms of mold from mid-summer to early fall. People with weak immunity or high sensitivity often lie at a greater risk of getting mold allergy. The symptoms of mold allergy are histamine-mediated and strikingly similar to air-borne allergies. While the severity of the symptoms of mold varies with every individual, the health risk may depend on the extent of mold exposure. Some of the symptoms of mold that may appear immediately on exposure or over time have been listed below. Sneezing, coughing, and congestion Often people attacked by spore allergies initially display signs of a cold or sinus infection. Symptoms of mold allergy are accompanied by a runny nose, post nasal drips, continuous sneezing, and coughing. Watery eyes and redness People with mold spore reactions have symptoms of mold infection in the form of eye irritation, redness, itchy eyes, and the like. While these symptoms resemble that of a viral or seasonal infection, it is important that these are treated with anti-mold allergy drugs. Blurred vision, mood swings, and sharp pains may also be other symptoms of mold-induced allergies. Often, people administer generic over-the-counter drugs that may either not be effective or worsen the condition. It is, therefore, extremely important to consult a doctor for prescribed medication to tackle the disease.
Read More
A1C Level Chart – An Effective Diabetes Management Tool
07

A1C Level Chart – An Effective Diabetes Management Tool

Diabetes, a lifelong disease is increasingly affecting a large population of the world. It is a condition in which hormone insulin levels are disrupted. Insulin is released by the pancreas, in order to help the body store the sugar and use fat from the food we consume. However, in case of a diabetic patient, the pancreas produces little or no insulin. In a few cases, diabetes may be triggered when the body does not respond well to the insulin produced. Diabetes can be classified into three types – type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the insulin is not produced, and insulin has to be injected into the body. This is a type of diabetes may occur at any age but is common among people below the age of 20 years. On the other hand, people with type 2 diabetes do not produce enough insulin or the insulin is not used up properly. Symptoms of diabetes The symptoms of diabetes may occur before or after the onset of the condition. They may occur suddenly and may be severe in few patients. Here are some symptoms of diabetes. Increased thirst – People who have diabetes tend to feel thirsty every short while. The mouth feels dry at all times. This symptom may prevail even when a person is well-hydrated. Frequent urination – Increased thirst is accompanied by the need to visit the toilet every short while. Blurred vision – Eyesight begins to feel hazy, and the vision blurs. This symptom is a major indicator of type 1 diabetes. Numbness – There may be numbness or tingling in the feet or hands. This is usually mild in the beginning but feels more bothersome after a while. Slow-healing – A significant symptom of diabetes includes the slow-healing of cuts and wounds.
Read More
Eczema – Symptoms, Complications, and Treatment Options
08

Eczema – Symptoms, Complications, and Treatment Options

Eczema is a skin condition in which the infection causes inflammation and irritation of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin). Alternatively known as atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema, it comes under a group of skin diseases which results in allergic conditions. Eczema is a common condition which affects more than 3 million people in the country including infants, children, and adults and can last for a couple of months depending on the severity of the condition. The rash results in itching which cannot be controlled and commonly appears on your face, back of the knees, hands, feet or on your wrists. Eczema causes the affected area to dry up and thicken. It can also affect pigmentation which causes discoloration in your skin highlighting the affected area particularly. Infants suffering from eczema will be affected severely since the rash can cause oozing, crustation of the skin on the face and scalp along with patches that can occur throughout the body. Causes of eczema are not known, but the condition has been linked to the body’s immune system. The immune system is designed to respond to various threats that might affect your overall wellbeing, thus keeping you healthy. However, an overactive response for tackling certain conditions can lead to the development of eczema skin. Other causes can be linked to an allergic reaction caused by certain substances like coming into contact with coarse materials, exposure to household products which might contain chemicals in them like soaps and detergents. Even an allergic reaction to animal dander can aggravate the skin condition. Noticeable symptoms of eczema Formation of reddish rashes which make the skin dry. Itching caused due to inflammation and dry skin, which will cause more discomfort at night. Patches on your neck, wrists, ankles, feet, hands, eyelids, elbows among other body parts.
Read More
Hemorrhoids – Common Myths, Causes, and Treatment Options
09

Hemorrhoids – Common Myths, Causes, and Treatment Options

Swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum causing a lump are called hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are also commonly known as piles. Hemorrhoids can affect your body in many ways: one of the common effects is that your rectum does not feel empty after a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids cause excess pain in the anus as it causes blood clots to be protruding out of the anus. With pain, there is a lot of itching and discomfort that hemorrhoids cause. In most cases, people who have hemorrhoids cannot sit properly as the clot hurts when there is any kind of pressure implied on it. There are ways to know or identify if one has hemorrhoids or not. For the treatment of hemorrhoids, noticing the symptoms and appropriate and timely diagnosis is important. Here are the symptoms of hemorrhoids: One would notice blood in their bowel movements when someone is affected by hemorrhoids. If you find any trace of blood in the stools or tissue, it could be an indication of growing hemorrhoids, and you must turn to the treatment of hemorrhoids to prevent it from getting worse. You will feel an itchy and irritated sensation in your anal area. You are also likely to feel reckless itching. If there is a pain in that area and you feel discomfort while standing, walking, or sitting, you should get a diagnosis done. If you feel that there is a lump near your anus that is very sensitive to touch, it is probably because you are developing a condition of hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids are the prominent types of hemorrhoids that affect many people. There are also various treatments for hemorrhoids that are available. Internal hemorrhoids : This hemorrhoid occurs inside the anus and does not protrude outside the anus. It bleeds whenever one feels itching and irritation in the internal hemorrhoids.
Read More
Effective Treatments for Constipation
10

Effective Treatments for Constipation

It is normal not to have a bowel movement on some days. Even if you miss a bowel movement on a particular day, there is nothing wrong with it. If you have bowel movements at least three times a week, it would still be considered as normal or regular bowel movements. As long as you have a usual pattern of bowel movements, you do not have to worry about constipation or diarrhea. You will know it is constipation when the bowel movements are not frequent, and you feel some difficulty in passing. It is the opposite of diarrhea where stool is hard and dry and doesn’t come frequently or at your usual interval. Though constipation is not a life-threatening condition, it must be taken seriously when constipation is a part of other health and mental issues. Treatment for constipation is not complicated. Though in most cases the treatment for constipation is based on the underlying cause. There are many causes of constipation, such as Hypothyroidism, Parkinson disease, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, celiac disease, etc. Some more causes of constipation are: Fewer bowel movements Problems faced during bowel movements Hard stools Dry stools Feeling of incomplete bowel movement Nausea or vomit Swollen belly Abdominal pain Here are some of the causes of constipation to know the treatment for constipation better. If you are on a medication and it is an antacid medicine that contains calcium or aluminum, it can cause you constipation When your usual diet changes When there is a change in your usual activities If you have colon cancer, constipation becomes one of the symptoms If you eat or have eaten a lot of dairy products If you have an eating disorder Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis are such neurological diseases that can cause constipation If you are not active enough Lack of fiber in the diet also causes constipation Pregnancy Inactivity If there is a problem with the nerves and muscles of the digestive system When there is an urge to resist the bowel movement can lead to constipation Drugs, antidepressants and iron pill can cause constipation Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid If you have constipation, here are some of the treatments for constipation you can try on your own.
Read More