Halitosis is the medical term used for the condition we commonly know as bad breath. It is also termed as Fetor Oris, where fetor refers to an unpleasant odor emanating from an individual. The condition may cause embarrassment in social situations, lead to increased anxiety and become a thought-irritant, playing constantly on your mind. Depending on the symptoms and the underlying cause, halitosis could occur as a singular incident – an acute condition or could persist over a longer period in a chronic form. It is the third most common reason for you to visit your dentist, the first being tooth decay and second, gum disease. Symptoms Of Bad Breath Bad breath goes unnoticed until someone comes nearby and points out the condition. When people around you – friends, relative, colleagues, start maintaining a physical distance it may be because of bad breath. Other signs may include: · An unpleasant/sour taste · Dry mouth · Changes in taste · Tongue coating Causes Of Bad Breath The condition of halitosis is one which all of us have to suffer through at some time. For some, it may cause significant distress and psychological anguish. Causes of Fetor Oris or bad breath include: · Food – A primary reason for bad odor from the mouth is food. Food stuck in the teeth, or its breakdown chemicals are often the cause of bad breath. · Dry Mouth –When the body fails to produce enough saliva; as a result, the mouth goes dry, and odors build up. · Tobacco – Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave breakdown chemicals in the mouth that carry their distinct odor. Smoking can also lead to other bad-breath causes like gum diseases or oral cancers. · Poor Dental Hygiene – To ensure that no food particle is left behind in the mouth, brushing and flossing the teeth is recommended for a good oral health.

Psoriasis occurs when your immune system is too weak. It is a disease of the skin that is unfortunately chronic. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where the skin cells multiply at an uncontrollable rate. It results in scaling and flaky skin. The disease has no cure and will occur multiple times during one’s lifetime. It mostly starts as a person enters adulthood. The scaly and flaky skin usually occurs on the knees, scalp, and elbows. The scaling could be limited to a few patches or can cover the entire body. Causes of psoriasis There is no particular reason for the occurrence of psoriasis. Some common causes of psoriasis include genetic disposition and environmental factors. If psoriasis runs in your family, then there are high chances that you will also develop this disease. A compromised immune system is also one of the major causes of psoriasis. Gene theory One-third of the people who have psoriasis have a relative who has the same disease. However only 2-3% of the people who have a gene which causes psoriasis report of suffering from the disease. Over 10% of the American population carries one or more of these genes. Environmental factors While the gene for psoriasis may be present in many, only a few suffer from this disease. Environmental factors play a large role in triggering these genes, which makes the disease ‘active.’ Some of the triggers that are also causes of psoriasis include the following: Cold weather accompanied with dryness. This type of weather will dry up your skin, prompting a flare-up of psoriasis. Many patients have reported that a flare-up usually occurs due to stress they might be experiencing. Paradoxically, having psoriasis itself can be a cause of stress. Infections like strep throat and tonsillitis can result in a flare-up of a particular type of psoriasis.

Pain over the back of the heel is a common problem worldwide, and it is usually nothing serious. It is the most common type of foot pain. Posterior heel pain commonly affects the back or underside of the heel. There are a few causes of posterior heel pain. Pain over the back or underside of the heel can cause difficulty in walking, running, and standing. Wearing tight shoes often aggravates the problem. Posterior heel pain is prevalent in older people and overweight people. Commonly associated symptoms of this condition are swelling, tenderness, redness, and pain in the heel. These signs and symptoms worsen with activity and weight-bearing situations like prolonged standing. Posterior heel pain is not a diagnosis itself, but instead, it’s a sign of other conditions like plantar bursitis, Achilles tendonitis, etc. Back of heel pain treatment focuses on identifying the underlying cause and relieving pain and discomfort. Back of heel pain treatment involves medication, physiotherapy, and home remedies. Common causes of posterior heel pain Back of heel pain treatment depends first and foremost on an accurate diagnosis. Since posterior heel pain is a relatively vague symptom, it has a vast differential diagnosis. The three main causes of posterior heel pain are commonly called ‘terrible triad.’ They are—Insertional Achilles tendonitis, Retrocalcaneal Bursitis, and Haglund’s deformity. Insertional Achilles Tendonitis The Achilles tendon is a long and strong tendon that connects the large muscles of the calf to the heel. It is the largest tendon in the body and is regularly subjected to heavy forces up to 24 times a person’s body weight. Repetitive stress on the Achilles tendon, especially in athletes, causes wear and tear over time. This weakens the Achilles tendon. The Achilles tendon tends to degenerate the most, at its insertional point in the heel called the calcaneus.

One of the most widespread health conditions, diabetes is an autoimmune disease that affects the body’s ability to produce enough insulin which is responsible for breaking down the sugar in the blood. As a consequence, the sugar starts to accumulate in the blood, which can cause severe complications. Therefore it critical to identify the early diabetes symptoms, so that it can be treated effectively. However, the initial diabetes symptoms can be quite subtle, so there is a possibility that they might go unnoticed or be considered as trivial. Here are some of the important early signs of diabetes that one shouldn’t miss: Fatigue and hunger The food a person eats is converted into glucose by the cells and is used for producing energy. The cells, however, need insulin to allow this process to happen. If the body is unable to make enough insulin or if cells resist insulin which the body generates, a person will feel tired and famished unusually. Frequent urge to urinate A person often urinates four to seven times on an average in a day. However, if a person has diabetes the need to urinate arises more frequently. This happens because in normal circumstances the body reabsorbs glucose for generating energy but for a person with diabetes, the body doesn’t convert the glucose into energy, and it ends up accumulating in the blood. So the only way left for the body to get rid of the excess sugar is via urine. Urinating often even makes the person thirstier than usual. Consequently, the intake of water increases too. Dryness of mouth and itchy skin In diabetes, most of the fluids in the body is used to make urine so that the unused glucose can be eliminated. Naturally, the amount of water required for other activities decreases substantially in the body.

Bladder control problems can be a very embarrassing situation for most people. Some people suffering from urinary incontinence or bladder leakage tend to lose some amount of urine performing simple tasks like running, coughing or sneezing. An inability to control bladder function, however, can be quite bothersome for the patient. Things that fall under this ambit include frequent trips to the washroom or untimely leakage of urine. While many people tend to skirt the issue because they feel embarrassed, the problem itself can be avoided. In most cases, women, more than men seem to be the ones facing trouble with bladder control. It is advisable to seek bladder leakage treatment at the earliest to treat the problem before it worsens. When must one seek bladder leakage treatment Bladder leakage can be a major inconvenience. Apart from the actual problem itself, people also feel a certain amount of stigma tied to it. People who face problems with bladder control are more likely to avoid crowds and social gatherings to avoid any untoward incidents. Being unable to control urine flow holds the person back from engaging in physical activities and sports because of the fear that they might trigger an unfortunate incident. If you experience urine leakage once or twice, it’s likely nothing out of the ordinary. But if this unintentional urinary leakage becomes a recurring phenomenon, or it hampers the quality of life for the person, you should seek medical help. Visit a urologist or a general physician to undergo bladder leakage treatment and nip the problem in the bud. Bladder leakage treatment The first step of bladder leakage treatment involves the urologist understanding the patient’s medical history. This includes frequency of urination, urination patterns and how long the patient has faced bladder leakage problems. This helps diagnose the reason and type of urinary incontinence the patient might be facing.

Neuropathy in your feet can be painful and influence your entire life negatively. Your feet hold the entire weight of your body. If you’re suffering from neuropathy in feet, it can be a big hindrance to your daily activities and the overall functioning of the body. If you suffer from neuropathy of your feet, you should be aware that this disorder revolves around your nerves and nervous system. Your peripheral system has a number of nerves, each of which has a specific function. The sensory nerves are responsible for receiving different sensations like pain, heat, touch, and more. The motor nerves deal with muscle movement and coordination, while the autonomic nerves deal with functions relating to your heart rate, bladder, digestion, and so on. Symptoms of neuropathy in feet If you are suffering from neuropathy in your feet, you will experience the following symptoms. A sudden feeling of numbness in your toes, which then spreads to the entire feet, and eventually the legs. Prickling or tingling sensation in your feet. Sharp jabbing pain across the middle of your feet. A freezing, burning or throbbing pain. The affected feet become extremely sensitive to touch. Coordination and balance are affected, resulting in you falling or losing balance often. Gradually, once the motor nerves are affected, you might experience paralysis as well. Dizziness, lightheadedness, and changes in your blood pressure. Causes of neuropathy in feet There are a number of reasons as to why you could be affected by the neuropathy of your feet. Excessive consumption of alcohol can be a causal factor as alcohol can interfere with your nervous system as well as cause vitamin deficiencies. If you are suffering from autoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatism, Sjogren’s syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and so on, you might be prone to neuropathy in your feet or other parts of your body.

Bacterial meningitis is so severe that it can cause permanent disability, stroke, sepsis, paralysis and even death. It is the most dangerous of all kinds of meningitis. Thus, it calls for immediate medical attention. Meningitis is the inflammation of the membranes known as meninges that outline the brain and the spinal cord. Meningitis can be viral, parasitic, non-infectious, bacterial and fungal. While viral is the most common type, bacteria is the most serious one. The mortality rate was 34% for bacterial meningitis in 2006, and about 50% people have gone through long-term effects even after recovery. This is why it is essential to start the treatment with antibiotics as soon as it is diagnosed. The bacteria causing bacterial meningitis include Streptococcus pneumonia and Group B Streptococcus. It is to be noted that vaccines have noticeably reduced the occurrence of bacterial meningitis. Facts about Bacterial Meningitis A few facts about bacterial meningitis are given below: Between 2003 and 2007, about 4100 cases were registered every year in the USA of bacterial meningitis. Approximately 500 of them were fatal. Bacterial meningitis is the second most common but the most severe kind of meningitis. Infants are at higher risk of bacterial meningitis. It spreads in places with a massive gathering like college campuses. Early signs of meningitis include a headache, stiff neck, vomiting, nausea, confusion and sensitivity to light. It is imperative to seek immediate medical attention when meningitis strikes. To prevent meningitis, it is important to vaccinate yourself. Three types of meningitis are Hib, Streptococcus pneumonia, and Neisseria meningitides, which need to be prevented by vaccines. Causes and Risk Factors The bacteria causing bacterial meningitis include: Neisseria meningitides Haemophilus influenza type B Listeria monocytogenes Streptococcus pneumonia Group B Streptococcus People are affected by different strains as per their ages. Meningitis-causing bacteria pass from person to person.

Are you suffering from erectile dysfunction, premature climax, or complete loss of libido? A lot of men face these issues, so you should know that you aren’t the only one. Sex plays a major role in your life, so when there is a sexual dysfunction, it can be frustrating. How to tell? A lot of men don’t like talking about their sexual concerns, but this shouldn’t be the case. Identify the following signs and symptoms, and if they tally with what you’re feeling, make sure you consult a doctor and talk to your partner about it. Here are a few signs and symptoms that you’re likely to face if you suffer from loss or decrease in your sex drive: Less physical intimacy. Even touching is restricted only in the bedroom, especially before this you didn’t have any problem engaging in any sexual activity. Sex isn’t intimate anymore, and you can’t connect to your partner sexually. Sometimes this can affect your emotional connect as well. Your partner is the only one initiating the sex, and you feel ‘pressured.’ Sex becomes more like a routine. It is mechanical and monotonous. Sex doesn’t interest you anymore. Sexual fantasies and thoughts don’t strike you as much as they did before. Erectile dysfunction Sometimes, you might experience premature ejaculation. If you happen to relate to these signs and symptoms, then you most likely are suffering from loss or decrease of libido. What are the causes? Now that the signs seem familiar, you might want to know what are the causal factors of loss or decrease of libido. Stress Stress is the cause of many health problems, so this is a no-brainer. If you’ve been stressed at work or home, take some time out to de-stress. Pamper yourself with a spa or massage therapy or go on a long drive—whatever works for you.

Leg cramps happen when the muscles in the leg contract, which causes pain. This involuntary contracting of leg muscles causes leg cramps. Leg cramps mainly affect muscles in the thigh or the foot. It mostly occurs when you are asleep or just after you wake up. Reasons For Leg Cramps The sudden pain in the muscle can be due to different reasons: Inadequate supply of blood There are times when you exercise too much or have been sitting in same posture for hours. This prevents adequate supply of blood to your legs, causing contraction of muscles. Compression of nerves The spinal cord nerve directly connects to your leg muscles. Pain in the spinal cord or compression of spinal cord nerve can also cause pain in your legs. Walking with a good posture can help prevent compression of the spinal nerve. Mineral depression There are certain minerals needed for efficient working of leg muscles. Deficiency of minerals such as magnesium or calcium can cause leg cramps. There are certain medications that deplete the content of these minerals in your body. To add to the causes, there are factors that increase the risk of leg cramps: Age As you age, you lose strength and the muscles grow weak, leading to loss of muscle mass. Therefore, when muscles are overstressed, it leads to leg cramps. Dehydration Most of the time, you are always doing an activity that requires leg strength. Lack of water intake leads to inadequate fluids in the body that result in contraction or tightening of your leg muscles. This generally happens to athletes; they feel sudden pain while training on a hot sunny day, due to loss of more fluids than usual, from the body. Pregnancy Pregnancy is one major factor of leg cramps. This is because, during pregnancy, the body requires more minerals such as potassium and calcium for adequate functioning of leg muscles.

Around 6 to 18 percent people worldwide have experienced and are affected by irritable bowel syndrome. This is a medical condition which involves a change in the frequency of bowel movements. The trigger symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome can include daily factors such as diet, stress, and poor sleep. However, the trigger factors of irritable bowel syndrome vary for different people and no specific foods can be blamed for this disorder. Below are listed the most common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome which you should know about. Pain and cramping Abdominal pain can be considered as a common symptom of irritable bowel syndrome. In normal circumstances, the gut and brain work together and control digestion. This generally happens through hormones and nerves which release signals through good bacteria which are found in the gut. In irritable bowel syndrome, the signals usually get distorted and lead to pain in muscles of the digestive tract. Usually, this pain occurs in the lower abdomen; however, in some cases, it occurs only in the upper abdomen. This pain usually decreases after a bowel movement. The treatment for this problem includes the use of bowel relaxants such as peppermint oil. Cognitive behavior therapy is also found to be useful in such cases. Diarrhea Diarrhea is also considered among the key irritable bowel symptoms. Around one-third of the patients are affected by this symptom of irritable bowel syndrome. A study was conducted to find the connection of diarrhea with irritable bowel syndrome. It came out that among 200 people who had diarrhea-related irritable bowel syndrome almost all had an average of twelve bowel movements in a week which was double the number of such movements experienced by people who did not have diarrhea-related irritable bowel syndrome. This symptom of irritable bowel syndrome is a major cause of stress among people.