Is there a connection between your heart’s irregular rhythm and a brain stroke? When it comes to brain strokes, most people know that having high blood pressure puts you at increased risk of suffering a stroke. High blood pressure is perhaps the most common potential risk factor for strokes. However, it is by no means the most powerful one. It might come as a surprise to you but Afib or Atrial Fibrillation is the single most powerful potential risk factor for brain strokes! In fact, a person with high blood pressure has twice the chance of getting a stroke, whereas a person with Afib is 5 times more likely to get an Afib stroke as compared to those that do not suffer from this heart condition. Afib affects your heart, while a stroke happens in the brain, what’s the connection? It all comes down to how the brain functions. This unique organ requires nourishment in the form of constantly supplied blood and oxygen. These nutrients are sent to the brain by the pumping of the arteries. If the brain does not receive this nourishment, brain cells begin to die rapidly. A stroke is simply defined as a “sudden loss of brain function”. In general, strokes are the result of an artery bursting or getting clogged. In the case of a person with high blood pressure going through a stroke, the cause is the weakening of the arteries due to the sheer force with which the blood is being pumped. As the name suggests, people with “high blood pressure” have their blood pumped by the arteries at a very high pressure. Over a period of time, more and more arteries of a person’s body get damaged due to the high pressure pumping. Some of these arteries are the ones that supply blood to the brain.

Even though heart disease is popularly associated with men, more women than men die of heart disease every year in the US. Here are a few tips that help prevent heart disease in women. Heart disease is the number one cause of death of both men and women in the US, and it affects 1 in every 4 women. For a woman, the older she gets, the greater her chances of developing some type of heart disease. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease or CHD, which is caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries. Some of the other heart diseases that affect women include the broken heart syndrome and coronary microvascular disease. Coronary microvascular disease affects the tiny arteries in your heart, while broken heart syndrome is caused by extreme emotional stress that leads to heart muscle failure. The most common symptom associated with heart disease is discomfort, pressure, or pain in the chest. However, this may not be the most prominent symptom in women or the most severe one. Women are more likely to experience heart disease symptoms that are not related to chest pain, than men. Some of these symptoms include sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, discomfort in your upper back, abdomen, neck, or jaw, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Since these symptoms are subtle, women tend to overlook them till the damage is already done. So if you experience any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you book an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. The risk factors associated with heart disease in women are mental stress, depression, diabetes, smoking, metabolic syndrome, lack of physical activity, pregnancy complications, and low levels of estrogen. Although the symptoms of heart disease are different in men and women, the standard methods used to treat them are similar.

Boost your health the natural way with these heart Afib treatment options. Heart Afib or atrial fibrillation is a condition characterized by irregularly fast heartbeats. It is a type of arrhythmia. For people with normal heart functions, the heart contracts and expands at a regular pace producing a regular heartbeat. However, for someone with heart Afib, the upper two chambers of the heart, known as the atria, pump blood at a much faster pace than the lower two chambers, known as the ventricles. The chaotic and irregular beating of the two upper chambers produces beats that are not in synchronization with the lower two chambers. As compared to normal heartbeats that range from 60-100 beats every minute, people with Afib record heart rates from 100-175 per minute. Other than causing irregular flow of blood to your body, heart Afib may also result in complications such as blood clots in the heart, plaque build-ups, etc. According to the National Heart Association, more than 2.7 people in the United States alone suffer from heart Afib. Heart Afib Treatment Plans Symptoms of heart Afib include fatigue and weakness, heart palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, etc. Not only does heart Afib reduce your quality of life, but it is also a risk factor for a number of other conditions such as a stroke. When it comes to treating heart Afib, doctors advise treatment options depending on what the cause of Afib is in every case. For example, if your heart Afib is being caused due to asthma/COPD, hyperthyroidism, etc., then the treatment plan will include specifically targeted treatment for the underlying problem. In general, treatment plans include conventional allopathic medication. However, many people find that the effect of medication on their heart Afib is not as profound as they would like it to be.

The development of cancerous cells in the testicles, generally observed as a lump in the testicles, is called testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is disease that can be fatal. Here are the lifesaving testicular cancer treatment options you should know about. *body* Testicular cancer can be described as a disease where cancerous cells are formed in the testicles. The testicles are testosterone and sperm producing glands which are placed in the scrotum sac (loose skin that is located below the penis). The spermatic chord consisting of numerous blood vessels and nerves holds the testicles inside the scrotum sac. Most testicular cancers begin from the germ cells which produce premature sperms that flow through tubules and get stored as matured sperms. Cancerous cells affect the healthy cells, and multiply causing various kinds of symptoms such as painful or painless lumps in the testicles, discomfort, sense of heaviness in the lower abdominal area, enlargement of the testicles, collection of fluids in the scrotum sacs, excessive pain in the back and groin area, etc. There are various testicular cancer treatment options such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy, however there are certain drawbacks or side effects that may or may not occur depending on the stage of cancer that the patient is on. Side effects may include infertility and problems in the sexual functioning of the patient. The following are different kinds of testicular cancer treatment options that are made available for the patients diagnosed with this disease. Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy is characterized by the use of external beam radiation directed at the infected areas. The radiation causes irritation among the infected cells, the normal cells have enough time to recover from the damage caused while the cancerous cells are weak and do not recover from the damage. Hence there are a number of sessions arranged for testicular cancer treatment through radiation therapy.

A detailed guide to understanding what BRCA testing is, who should get tested, and what results you can expect. There are many forms of cancer, out of which some are hereditary cancers. With so many different types of the disease and many treatments and screening tests available, understanding hereditary cancers can be confusing. Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) is one such topic. There is also a genetic testing available to determine your risk factors for such cancers, known as BRCA testing. Here are some of the most common FAQS (frequently asked questions) about various aspects of BRCA testing. You most likely had one or more such questions on your mind, but did not know whom to ask. We provide you the answers that you were looking for about BRCA testing. What is BRCA testing all about? First of all, the genetic BRCA testing is not a test to detect whether or not if you have cancer. Rather, it is a test that helps doctors determine whether you and your family are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer or ovarian cancer. BRCA testing is done to check if there are any mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes. These genes are usually present in all people, and belong to a class of genes called tumor suppressors. What does HBOC mean? Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) refers to these two cancers that run in certain families, and this may occur because of some alteration in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 genes of the family members. If you have a BRCA gene mutation, you can have up to an 87 percent chance of breast cancer and up to 44 percent of developing ovarian cancer. Such genetic mutations can be passed down to you from either parent. If a man has such a mutation, his risk of developing breast cancer and prostate cancer goes up.

Statistics show that 1 out of 24 persons are at risk of getting colon cancer. Early diagnosis is paramount for a good prognosis – these are the colon cancer symptoms you should watch out for. Colon cancer is formed due to the growth of cancerous cells inside the large intestine. The longest part of the large intestine is called the colon, and its primary function is to extract water and salt from the solid wastes that exit the body through the rectum to be excreted from the anus. Colon cancer is also termed as rectal cancer, but that depends on where the tumor begins to spread. The inner lining of the colon or rectum is termed as a polyp, it is from here that most colon cancers begin to grow. There are two types of polyps – ‘adenomatous polyps’ (also known as ‘adenomas’, they are sometimes cancerous in nature) and ‘hyperplastic polyps’ (also known as ‘inflammatory polyps’, commonly found but are not pre-cancerous in nature). There are various factors that cause colon cancer such as polyps, mutations in the DNA, family genetics, and diet. These malignant tumors once fully formed then travel through the blood and spread in other body organs. Colon cancer cells continue to grow and multiply instead of experiencing programmed cell death. If the polyps are not removed during colonoscopy, they grow into malignant cancerous cells overtime. Metastasis (spread of the cancerous cells) results in a severe condition where the disease damages and invades the other healthy cells of the body which is extremely difficult to treat successfully. Gradually the uncontrolled growth of colon cancer cells leads to the shutting down of the system functioning, eventually leading to death. Quite often colon cancer symptoms appear after the cancer has begun to spread. Symptoms such as inflammatory or irritable bowels syndrome, infections, hemorrhoids, may be a result of some other illness altogether.

COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is an illness where the respiratory system is damaged, causing difficulty while breathing. Unfortunately this disease has no cure, it only gets worse if not paid attention to. Hence it becomes important to understand what COPD breathing machines can do to save lives. COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that progressively causes difficulty in breathing. In this condition, the movement of air through your lungs becomes very difficult since the airways get damaged. The degree of severity of this disease worsens with age, if not treated immediately. COPD can be categorized into 2 types: Chronic bronchitis This is a condition where cough occurs regularly with excessive production of mucus, and lasts for a very long time. Chronic bronchitis is caused by excessive smoking or even by exposure to various bronchial irritants. Emphysema This is a condition where the lung tissues responsible for the passing of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the body are damaged. This results in shortened breaths due to the over-inflation of the air sacs in the lungs which are known as alveoli. Emphysema is an obstructive lung disease where the airflow is slow on exhalation because of the over inflated alveoli which makes movement of air and exchange of gases difficult. As mentioned earlier there is no cure for COPD, but there are a few ways to treat the condition and make it manageable. The common treatment devices used are called COPD breathing machines that help by improving the symptoms and stopping the disease from getting too aggressive. There are various stages of COPD that determine the appropriate use of COPD breathing machines accordingly. The following are various types of widely used COPD breathing machines. Inhalers and nebulizers They help the medicines to reach directly into the lungs.

Until recently erectile dysfunction or impotence was one of the most ignored and neglected complications of diabetes. The rate for diabetes impotence has increased over the past couple of years and it’s a clear indication that one must understand the adverse effects of diabetes and how it plays a major role in causing a condition called sexual dysfunction in both men and women. Men with diabetes are more likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction or impotence especially in cases where diabetes is not controlled by the patient. It has been recorded that nearly 75 percent of men who suffer from diabetes have developed erectile dysfunction over a period of time. This is a condition where men cannot start or sustain penile erection for satisfactory intercourse. However it is still very difficult to understand how diabetes and impotence are linked to each other. Exploring the Link between Diabetes-Impotence Diabetes impotence is a condition that can impact both men and women, hence it’s important to understand that both sexes should take conscious effort in controlling diabetes to avoid sexual dysfunction or impotence. It has been proven that if diabetes is not controlled through medical measures over a long period of time, it results in the damaging of the nerves and arteries in the body. In general, the lining in the blood vessels of the bloodstream releases a chemical called nitric oxide which signals the muscles and arteries in the penis to let the blood flow, resulting in penile erection. For people with diabetes, the damaged nerves create an obstruction in the flow of blood as they block and lower the level of intravascular nitric oxide. The patient experiences loss of sensation due to the obstruction in the penis, thereby causing difficulties in sustaining rigid erection. In the case of women, diabetes impotence causes vaginal dryness that again leads to an unsatisfactory sexual experience.

You do not have to pop pills or use chemical ointments all the time to keep your psoriasis symptoms in check. Some simple home remedies can do the trick too. Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder that manifests itself in the form of scaly, flaky, and red patches of thickened skin. While not a life-threatening condition, psoriasis is a chronic disease that can be quite frustrating to live with. Psoriasis symptoms vary for every person, and can range from being mild to quite severe with nasty and frequent outbreaks. For those who experience worsening of their psoriasis symptoms at the slightest of triggers such as sunburn or a skin injury, going out of home and other everyday activities may become a cumbersome task. Added to that is the fact that psoriasis has no cure; however, there are various medications available that can help reduce your psoriasis symptoms and control the intensity of eruptions on your skin. The good news is that there are some simple remedies available that can help you lessen your psoriasis symptoms naturally. These easy do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions are things that you can do right at home and with ingredients that are available in most household kitchens. Here are some such natural remedies that can be effective in controlling your psoriasis symptoms. Aloe vera Apply aloe vera gel to the affected areas on your skin to lessen psoriasis symptoms such as scaling of the skin and rashes. Tested by dermatologists, this natural remedy can bring about a significant change in your psoriasis symptoms in just 3-4 weeks. All you need to do is apply the soothing gel of this plant to your skin at least thrice every day. Fish Oil Omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to be a solution for flaky and patchy skin, one of the psoriasis symptoms that you have to face regularly.

Battling with scalp psoriasis can be a frustrating and even embarrassing affair. Here are some dos and don’ts that may be helpful in dealing with the disorder. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder of the skin, which is marked by red, flaky, and thickened patches of skin on a person’s body. In several cases, these symptoms occur on the scalp, a condition referred to as scalp psoriasis. This usually causes dry, scaly, red patches of skin on your scalp, and causes it to be covered in silvery scales. It may also cause thick, crusted areas on the scalp, with the plaque peeling off in clumps. Removing this crust can cause bleeding on your scalp too. Symptoms of scalp psoriasis such as itching, redness, and flaky areas can range from mild to severe, and either manifest themselves in small areas or spread all over your scalp. If you are suffering from scalp psoriasis, you know how frustrating it can get. Although not a life-threatening disease, this skin disorder can take a toll on your mental health and social life as it not only causes considerable discomfort, but can be an embarrassing condition as well. There are various treatment options for scalp psoriasis, which include prescription treatments and over-the-counter medications. In addition to these treatments, you can make some lifestyle changes that will help you battle this annoying condition. Here are some simple tips that can go a long way in reducing your scalp psoriasis symptoms and flare-ups. Refrain from using anti-dandruff shampoos Most of the time, people who have scalp psoriasis are advised to use shampoos that contain salicylic acid frequently. While this may work for some people, you may not realize that this acid works by chemically burning the flakes off your scalp. The surfactants used in the shampoo are compounds that are targeted towards removing the oils from your hair.