Home - Symptoms
Kidney Failure – Causes and Symptoms
01

Kidney Failure – Causes and Symptoms

Kidneys are the filtering units of the human body. They filter the blood and expel the toxins which are flushed out of the body during urination. At times kidneys fail to perform their function. They become incapable to filer the waste from the blood. The kidney health deteriorates along with several other factors. Kidney trauma, chronic disease medications, and pollutants can aggravate the problem and cause complete kidney failure. This results in the overloading of toxins in the body. Kidney failure is life-threatening if it isn’t treated the right way. Kidney failure symptoms There are different symptoms of kidney failure. In the beginning, the kidney failure symptoms can’t be traced. As the kidneys weaken, symptoms such as reduced RBC production, imbalance of electrolytes, and uneasy waste clearance from the body arise. Some of the main kidney failure symptoms are: Lethargy, fatigue, and weakness Regular nausea and drowsiness Urine reduction Short breath Inflammation in ankles, feet, and legs caused by fluid retention Pain in chest Confusion Less appetite Congestive heart failure Metabolic acidosis High potassium levels in blood (hyperkalemia) High uric levels in the blood Irregular heartbeat rhythm Coma Causes of kidney failure Acute and chronic health problems result in the failure of the kidney. Some of the likely causes are: Acute renal failure: It occurs in quick successions when kidneys fail to function properly. Every human has two kidneys. If one kidney fails it can be operated and removed from the body. Single kidney continues to function normally. However, if both the kidneys fail, transplantation of kidney is the only viable solution. Pre-renal kidney failure: The pre-renal kidney failure is caused by the inefficient blood supply to the kidney. The pre-renal kidney failure symptoms are dehydration, fever, low blood volumes (hypovolemia), sweating, water loss and improper blood flow. Sepsis: Infections in the body affect the immune system.
Read More
Common Symptoms of Lupus Disease You Should Be Aware Of
02

Common Symptoms of Lupus Disease You Should Be Aware Of

Lupus disease, though well-known but not much talked about, is a disorder of the autoimmune system. The disease is identifiable due to inflammation it causes. This occurs along with a few other prominent symptoms. However, people have had the onset as early as their teenage years and some have it in their thirties. While the following is a list of symptoms of Lupus disease, you will have to ensure that a consultation is done to verify that you have the same. These symptoms of Lupus disease are actually prevalent in hordes of other diseases too. The initial stage symptoms of Lupus disease might comprise: Fever Fatigue Rash Hair loss Issues with pulmonary system Renal issues Joint swelling GI problems Dryness in mouth Dryness in eyes Thyroid issues Fatigue Usually, tiredness or fatigue is not much cause for concern. However, if fatigue turns out to be debilitating, you will have to talk out with your practitioner. In addition, you will have to remember that that daytime naps could lead to insomnia—which in turn might become an additional issue. Once your doctor examines you and reaches a conclusion, it can be derived if fatigue here is indicating a symptom of Lupus disease in your case. Fever Another early symptom, you might face if you are a Lupus patient is a mild fever for no proper reason. These fevers occur repeatedly but since the body temperature does not shoot above 38.3 degree Celsius, calling the doctor might not always be your mode of action. Such a mild fever could symptomatic of an infection or an inflammation. Do not ignore recurrent, mild fevers. Hair loss Hair loss or thinning hair is a very common problem these days. Moreover, there are varied reasons responsible for the same. However, it could also be a symptom of Lupus disease.
Read More
9 Symptoms of Lupus Women Should Know About
03

9 Symptoms of Lupus Women Should Know About

Lupus, like many other autoimmune diseases, affects women more than men. Young women between the age group of 15 to 34 have been found to be suffering from lupus. However, no known cause of Lupus has been found. A mixture of genetic and environmental reasons has been attributed to Lupus. Lupus can affect any part of one’s body and the symptoms might vary from person to person. Some people show severe signs of Lupus while others might show only mild signs of this infection. Below are listed some of the common lupus symptoms in women, and an indication of any of these symptoms should be taken as a sign that one would be suffering from Lupus. Taking adequate precautions will always lead to signs of lupus getting weakened. Swelling in joints and pain One of the lupus symptoms in women is a pain, swelling in the joints, and stiffness in these parts in the morning. Pain and swelling in wrists and fingers indicate that lupus is on the way. However, this symptom is often confused with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the difference between lupus signs and rheumatoid arthritis can be understood from the fact that while lupus affects joints on one side of the body whereas, in rheumatoid arthritis, joints on both sides are affected. Moreover swelling in the case of Lupus is not permanent and might wither away with time. However, in rheumatoid arthritis, this swelling leads to disfiguring. Lupus also occurs in young women only and signs in older women do not develop to an advanced stage. Rashes on the face When exposed to the sun, lupus symptoms in women would include skin rashes. This is a characteristic feature of lupus. This kind of rash is typically known as butterfly rash and usually extends from bridge reason of the nose, goes through the cheekbone, and then further percolates to the jawbone.
Read More
A Brief Overview of Normal TSH and Thyroid Levels
04

A Brief Overview of Normal TSH and Thyroid Levels

TSH level or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone Level is the hormone that is secreted by the pituitary gland that regulated the level of hormones in the body. A blood test is conducted to explore your hormone level. This test helps you determine your thyroid which helps look into normal TSH levels along with thyroxine (T4) in your blood. A high and low level of both these thyroid hormones helps determine underactive thyroid. When one notices normal TSH levels, it would indicate that a person does not have thyroid-related issues. An underactive thyroid is determined by the high level of TSH and a low level of T4 in the blood. If one finds normal TSH levels but the T4 is showing low, then it is highly probable that there is a risk of developing an underactive thyroid. This may require a blood test and monitoring often in order to assess the risk level of a person to avoid future thyroid problems. Sometimes, the T3 or triiodothyronine hormone is also used to check underactive hormone but it is seen that T3 hormone can remain normal even when there is a significant underactive thyroid. You may also have an overactive thyroid and these can be detected by keeping a check on the symptoms. This is referred to as Hypothyroidism. When the TSH level is measured, the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is usually associated with low or suppressed levels which would not indicate normal TSH levels. Thyroid hormones such as T3 or T4 will be increased for patients with hyperthyroidism. It is not necessary that all the hormones would be high and sometimes only one or two hormones being high can lead to hyperthyroidism. Feeling extremely cold and struggling to keep warm is also a symptom of underactive thyroid. Feeling extremely hot is also a symptom of thyroid issues.
Read More
Dry Eyes – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
05

Dry Eyes – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Tears provide moistures and keep the eyes lubricated. Generally, tears contain water, oil, mucus and special proteins which protect from eye infections. In contrast dried eyes mean the eyes are deprived of the essential tears. Dry eyes don’t have adequate moisture. Those who suffer from dry eyes experience different symptoms such as itching, redness, and blurred vision. The eyes of people with dry eye syndrome fail to maintain a normal layer of tears which coat the eyes. It prevents the keeping away of the eye irritants. In some cases dry eyes also result in excess tears which are known as reflex tearing. Low moisture content causes irritation in the eye and asks the nervous system for more lubrication. In response to tears are generated to make up for the dryness in eyes. Tears keep the eyes protected and wash the dust and grime from the eye. Causes of dry eyes There are different causes of dry eyes. Occasionally deviations in the tear-flow system could be the probable causes of dry eyes. Heaters, air conditioners and several other environmental factors around us can also cause the eye to dry out. Drugs such as antihistamines, birth control pills, nasal decongestants may even cause side-effects on the eyes contributing to dry eyes. Gradual progression of age and menopause likely can cause dry eyes. Certain diseases such as collagen vascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome also impact the ability of the eye to generate tears. Certain lifestyle habits such as working on the computer and reading for long hours can worsen the problem if you suffer from dry eyes. People who suffer from dry eyes are generally susceptible to bacterial infections which can cause scarring in the eye cornea. In some cases, the problem worsens, which can cause permanent blindness. The tears in human eye have three layers.
Read More
A Brief Overview of Dry Eye Syndrome
06

A Brief Overview of Dry Eye Syndrome

Dry eye syndrome is a disease that is commonly characterized by a condition in which eye fails to make enough tears or tears quick evaporate. Dry eyes become red and swollen, and this causes pain and irritation in the eye of a sufferer. Dry eye syndrome is also called keratoconjunctivitis sicca or dry eyes. People 50 years or older are prone to suffer from this syndrome. There are 5 million Americans suffering from dry eye syndrome. Dry eye syndrome is more common in women than in men. Women who are pregnant or taking hormone replacement therapy or experiencing menopause are at risk of dry eye syndrome. Here are many underlying conditions that can increase the risk of dry eye syndrome. If someone has chronic eye allergies, thyroid diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or any other immune system disorder, exposure to keratitis or vitamin A deficiency, they are at risk of contracting dry eye syndrome than those who do not have any of the above-mentioned conditions. Symptoms The symptoms of dry eye syndrome are usually mild in case of most people. Severe cases of dry eye syndrome are painful and difficult to treat. Symptoms that are commonly found in people suffering from dry eye syndrome are: – Feeling of dryness in eyes. – Grittiness and soreness in eyes – Red eyes – Eyes burning with inflammation – Eye sticking together on waking up – Temporary blurred vision – Watering eyes – Sensitivity to light If you think your symptoms are much more serious, visit your optometrist or GP. Causes of dry eye syndrome Dry eye syndrome can occur in people whose eyes fail to produce tear the natural way. There are a number of reasons leading to this condition. There are multiple reasons causing this problem. Here are the causes of dry eye syndrome.
Read More
Symptoms and treatments of high blood pressure
07

Symptoms and treatments of high blood pressure

If you undermine high blood pressure symptoms, you may have to face some dire consequences. That is high blood pressure is often described as a silent killer. Hypertension is the term that medical professions use if you are having high blood pressure for an extended period of time. You must realize that blood pressure variations generally do not show any symptoms. When you go for a medical checkup for another problem, you often realize that you are suffering from hypertension. The most common symptoms are nosebleeds, shortness of breath and headache but you cannot generalize these symptoms. Most of the signs cannot be described as specific, and they often do not manifest until your health deteriorates seriously. Various studies reveal that the number of people suffering from high blood pressure is increasing at a rapid rate and most of them are dealing with undiagnosed blood pressure. If hypertension remains untreated, you become highly vulnerable to a good number of serious diseases. Some of them include eye problems, kidney failure, heart-related complications and stroke as well. All these complications can become life-threatening if you keep on ignoring. That is why doctors advise unhealthy people to undergo blood pressure checks at least once in 6 months. All adults irrespective of their health condition are advised to get their blood pressure checked at least every five years. If some of your close relatives are suffering from hypertension, you must frequently check your blood pressure. The common high blood pressure symptoms are as follows: When your blood pressure levels become higher, you may have to deal with symptoms such as urine in the blood, chest pain, breathing issues, severe headache, extreme fatigue, vision-related problems, pounding in your chest, confusion, and irregular heartbeat. If you are experiencing any of these high blood pressure symptoms, medical advice must be sought immediately.
Read More
Symptoms, Causes, and Complications of Huntington’s Disease
08

Symptoms, Causes, and Complications of Huntington’s Disease

Huntington’s disease results in the brain nerve cells’ progressive degeneration or breakdown. It is a hereditary disease and adversely affects your functional abilities. Psychiatric, cognitive and movement disorders can be associated with this disease. The symptoms of this disease normally develop in the 30s or 40s of the life of an individual. If you develop this disease prior to 20 years of age, it is known as juvenile Huntington’s disease. This type of early occurrence causes different kinds of symptoms and speedy progression of the disease. Major symptoms In addition to psychiatric, cognitive and movement disorders, this disease has many other symptoms. The first symptom that manifests depends on the unique condition of the affected person. As the disease progresses, certain disorders become more dominant and they create more impact on the functional ability. Movement disorders When it comes to movement disorders, there are two types of problems and they include voluntary movement impairments and involuntary movement issues. Some of the most prominent disorders under these categories are muscle problems like dystonia or muscle rigidity, unusual eye movements, impaired balance, posture and gait, speech production or swallowing related difficulty, chorea and involuntary impairments that make it really difficult for a person to perform daily activities and communicate. Cognitive disorders The most common cognitive impairment problem connected with this disease is the difficulty of focusing on tasks, organizing and prioritizing. The affected people often lose the flexibility to get stuck on a thought and they also lose the natural tendency to focus on an action. Sexual promiscuity is another cognitive disorder and the patients lose the control over the impulses that lead to outbursts. These people are not aware of their own abilities and behaviors and they often find it extremely hard to learn new information. Another cognitive disorder that affected people experience is the slowness in processing thoughts.
Read More
Common Symptoms of Leg Pain You Should Not Ignore
09

Common Symptoms of Leg Pain You Should Not Ignore

The lower parts of our legs are the ones that keep us standing, walking and running as we go through everyday life. There are many factors that affect the health of our legs—the kind of surfaces we walk on, the kind of shoes we wear, our posture, occupation, overall weight, etc. All this means that on more than one occasion, a person may experience leg pain symptoms. Some common leg pain symptoms and causes include: Aches related to the bones, joints, and muscles Muscle cramp A muscle cramp is also known as Charley’s horse and can occur any time on its own. It can occur in the middle of the night or during the day. The pain due to a muscle cramp is often described as a tight grip around one’s muscle, usually the calf muscle. Once it takes a group, it can get worse in the form of an intense, tight lower leg pain. The main cause of this type of leg pain is dehydration and general tiredness. Some common remedies to deal with leg pain symptoms of this sort is to increase the intake of water, massage the affected muscles, and also to do a good round of stretching and warming up before exercise. Shin splints Shin splints are a kind of pain usually experienced on the front of the calf muscle. It usually occurs when the flesh and muscles along the edge of the shin bone get inflamed, making walking, running, or jumping very difficult. Shin splints usually occur when the same activities are repeated over and over again on hard surfaces. People with flat feet or feet turned outward also tend to experience shin splints. Some common remedies to fix the pain related to shin splints are the intake of anti-inflammatory medicines that include naproxen, aspirin, and ibuprofen and the application of ice.
Read More
Hidden Causes of Migraine You Should Know
10

Hidden Causes of Migraine You Should Know

Migraines in certain people can be triggered via certain foods and drinks, or rather the components of certain foods and drinks. One of the most common elements that are known to be one of the causes of migraines is tyramine, a substance found naturally in foods that are usually fermented or aged such as: – Smoked fish – Certain types of beers – Cured meats – Aged cheeses Certain foods that are high in protein may also contain tyramine if: – They have been stored for a long time. – They were not kept cold enough Link between tyramine and the causes of migraines Tyramine has been long known to be harmful to the health of individuals, according to decades of research done by medical professionals and other industry experts. Since the 1950s, many discoveries have been made that can help explain how tyramine as an ingredient could trigger migraine pain. The chemical structure tyramine is made it a monoamine. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is the enzyme present in the human body that breaks down monoamines and helps process tyramine. Anti-depression drugs that inhibit MAO went on the market during the 1950s and are still used today under the name of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. The immediate side effects of these drugs were noted as soon as they became available, wherein people started developing problems when they ate foods containing tyramine while on the drugs. High blood pressure and headaches were the most common side effects. Tyramine was not being broken down properly by these people while they were taking the drugs, which meant that tyramine could get into the bloodstream and raise the blood pressure. Such people are advised to limit the foods they eat that contain tyramine. It was not until the late 1960s that researchers began to suspect that tyramine could play a role in migraines, particularly when one researcher noted that certain people with migraines who also had a deficiency of MAO experienced certain causes of migraines after they ate foods that contained tyramine.
Read More