Medical

What is osteoporosis? Osteoporosis is  common in older adults, where decreased bone density might eventually lead to bone fractures. From the Greek that literally means “bone porosity”, it is believed that about 200 million people suffer from it. More commonly seen in geriatric patients in their 70s and 80s...

Receiving the news that you are pregnant is supposed to make you radiate with joy. However, for many women this may not be the case, and such communication often leads them to depression. Pregnancy is often portrayed as one of the happiest stages in a female’s life. In TV...

For proper functioning, your body requires lipids, also known as cholesterol which is produced by the liver or contained in some foods. Cholesterol on its own doesn’t cause any health symptoms, though in excess it could cause complications like heart disease. To move around the body, cholesterol combines with proteins,...

Going to the doctor for a prostate exam can cause men quite a bit of anxiety and dread. Unfortunately, this may cause men to put off or completely avoid this potentially life-saving procedure. Reasons for shunning a prostate exam may include feelings of embarrassment; fear of physical discomfort; or...

Diabetes is a condition where the amount of sugar in your blood is in excess because your pancreas doesn’t have enough to regulate the glucose level entering your blood cells or the produced doesn’t function well. You can manage diabetes well by healthy eating habits combined with regular exercises...

A relapsed myeloma—also known as a recurrent myeloma—is when a cancer mass regrows after treatment. A relapse may also occur while a patient is in remission. Since multiple myeloma does not have a cure, it is likely that, at some point in time, a patient will relapse. When a patient...

Hemophilia refers to a hereditary disorder in which your blood does not coagulate or clot normally. If you suffer from this condition, any internal bleeding can cause damage to your internal organs and body tissues and may lead to death if not checked early. Notably, hemophilia is associated with...

The majority of cases of skin cancer essentially happen on parts of the body that are not exposed to direct sunlight. Besides, many deaths due to skin cancer are actually not more than ten thousand in the complete population of the U.S. To be more exact, there is a...

Hepatitis C is a contagious virus that is transmitted through contact with infected blood. This virus affects the liver of an infected individual. Over time, hepatitis C can cause significant damage to the liver as well as lead to the development of cancer. Many people who are infected with...

Today, several adults have a certain form of gum disease. Gum diseases are commonly known as a periodontal disease that affects the tissues and bones surrounding the teeth. Gum diseases range from plain gum inflammations to a severe infection, resulting into damages to the bone and tissues which sustain the...

Diabetes is a life-long condition whereby an individual’s body lacks the proper mechanism to regulate blood glucose levels. The result is either blood sugar levels rise or fall below optimal levels.Type 2 diabetes or hyperglycemia I a condition whereby the resistance causes blood glucose levels to rise higher than...

If you are diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), your medical team will go through every treatment option available to find those suited to your condition. It is paramount to take enough time to weigh your options. You should compare the advantages, potential side effects, and risk factors of...

Stomach cancer occurs when normal and healthy cells in the inner lining of your stomach grow out of control and eventually form a tumor. This disease, which is also called gastric cancer, most of the times grows slowly over a long period of time. But what are the symptoms...

Cancer is the malignant growth of body cells. Breast cancer affects the mammary tissues and is ranked second killer form of cancer in women after lung cancer. Although it affects men it is not common and only a small number get affected. However, with the laid out measures to...

Kidney cancer is generally found in older people. 2-3% of all cancer cases in older people are kidney cancer. Renal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney tumor which is found mostly in adults. Kidney cancer symptoms are not generally observed in children or young people. Important Facts about...

With the approval of new Hepatitis C treatments by the FDA into the market, there have been mixed reactions as to whether it is best for sick patients. With the price being the main reason for complaints, the new drugs are more welcomed as they have made the treatment...

Multiple Myeloma is a cancer which develops in the plasma cells of bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell responsible for the production of antibodies which target and attack germs found within the body. However, when cancer develops inside of a plasma cell, the cell...

Have you ever experienced skin rashes? If yes, you already know how problematic and painful they can be. But they are not so simple to be ignored. There may be different causes and symptoms related to them. Your skin rash can be one of many types, from scalp psoriasis...

For many of us, mental illness seems like something foreign and that has led to a lack of seriousness in dealing with the issue. It should be noted that more than 54 million people suffer from mental disorders in the US alone. This is an estimated 15% of the...

Lung cancer is a type of disease that starts in the small tissue of the lung. In many cases, it begins by forming in cells that are lining a person’s air passages. Lung cancer comes in two different forms known as small and non-small cell. In order to diagnose...

Deep vein thrombosis is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in the legs. This condition sometimes develops when you don’t move for a long period of time, such as after surgery or an accident when you...

Colon Cancer is the third most common cancer in men after lung and prostate cancer according to the reports from the National Cancer Institute. The reports also find it to be the fourth most common cancer in women after lung, breast and cervical cancer. The symptoms are normally very...

Patients with advanced multiple myeloma (MM) whose disease has worsened after multiple lines of therapy have a poor prognosis and very few treatment options available to them. The median survival time for these patients is nine months. The combination of () and low-dose may help some patients if their...

The world over, Parkinson’s disease has affected many people’s lives in one way or another. Whether it has a stricken a beloved celebrity, a loved one or you yourself, it’s almost certain that you have asked yourself several questions about this debilitating illness, including what causes Parkinson’s disease and...

The most dangerous part of melanoma is its ability, in later stages, to spread (or metastasize) to different parts of the body. Metastatic melanoma, also known as Stage IV melanoma, is the stage where melanoma cells of any kind (mucosal, cutaneous, or visual) have spread through the lymph nodes...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly known as COPD, refers to a chronic inflammatory disease which causes an obstructed airflow from the lungs. It is caused by a long-term exposure to particulate matter or irritating gases, more so from cigarette smoke. Individuals with COPD are usually at an increased risk...

Sex reassignment therapy (SRT), also called gender reassignment, is a term used to describe many different things, including sex reassignment surgery to modify primary sex characteristics, hormone replacement therapy to alter secondary sex characteristics, and other procedures to alter appearance. Reasons to Undergo SRT Individuals who choose sex reassignment...

The treatment you receive for urinary incontinence will depend on the type of incontinence you have and the severity of your symptoms. Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine; control over the urinary sphincter is either lost or weakened. Urinary incontinence is a condition much more common than...

Hemophilia is a rare, genetic blood condition in which the blood is unable to clot regularly due to a deficiency of clotting factors (proteins that enable clotting). People with hemophilia tend to bleed for a long duration upon a physical injury as opposed to those with well-functioning clotting factors....

Eye allergies occur when the eyes become red, swollen and itchy, with tearing and burning when reacting with harmful substances called allergens. This allergic reaction is called conjunctivitis. Allergies affect the conjunctiva which is clear skin that covers the inside of the eyelid. Due to allergic reactions, the white...

Once a person is determined to have a malignant tumor or the diagnosis of breast cancer, the healthcare team will determine staging to communicate how far the disease has progressed. Determining the stage helps to determine the best way to contain and eliminate the breast cancer. Staging is based...

Kidney cancer, also referred to as renal cancer, manifests itself through the uncontrollable growth of a tumor on a kidney after the affected cells become malignant. Kidney cancer is normally detected earlier than other forms of cancer before it spreads to neighboring organs. The ability to detect this condition...

Total hip replacement, which is also known simply as hip replacement or hip arthroplasty, is a long-term surgical treatment for reducing your hip joint pain and increasing your hip’s range of motion. Hip replacements are performed by orthopedic surgeons, physicians who specialize in treating diseases and conditions relating to the...

  Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer which forms inside of blood plasma cells. These cells are normally responsible for helping the body fight off infection by producing antibodies. Antibodies will track down and destroy any foreign bacteria which find their way into the blood, preventing illness. However,...

Generally, Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible brain disorder that progressively interferes with a person’s memory and thinking capabilities. The disease affects people differently. Here are some the common early signs you need to watch for. Difficulty in handling and completing daily tasks Are you having problems in completing tasks...

Depression is not just a once-in-awhile, temporary bad mood — it is a constant feeling of worthlessness, unhappiness and complete disinterest in the desire to engage in regular, pleasurable life activities. Ordinarily, depression is usually treated with drugs, talk therapy or both. Sometimes drugs and talk therapy fail, forcing one...

Lung cancer is cancer that begins in the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest and are responsible for taking in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. Unfortunately, when cancer grows in these organs, it is a very serious disease. In fact, lung cancer is the leading cause of...

Deep vein thrombosis, commonly abbreviated “DVT,” is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one or more of the deep veins in your body, usually in your legs. DVT is a serious condition because if a blood clot in your vein breaks loose, it can travel through...

Colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, involves the growth of one or more tumors in the large intestine and rectum. As colorectal cancer is both preventable and treatable, it is important to recognize the symptoms: A change of bowel habits Blood in the stool Diarrhea, constipation, or a feeling that...

A balanced, healthy diet and regular exercise are extremely important when trying to manage cholesterol levels. If diet and exercise do not improve your overall cholesterol levels quick enough, intervention may be needed. Your doctor may prescribe you a statin, like . is a statin medication that can improve...

Lupus is a chronic disease that causes the immune system to attack its own organs and tissues. The inflammation can affect most any part of the body including the kidneys, skin, heart, and/ or lungs. Lupus symptoms are similar to other illnesses and therefore it can be very hard...

Melanoma is cancer that begins in your melanocytes—the pigment-producing cells that give color to your skin. Although common, melanoma can be serious, more so than other types of skin cancer, because it may spread to other parts of your body. Here is a look at the main types of...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, is a progressive disease without a cure. With this condition, the lungs undergo severe damage, primarily through smoking, which is irreversible. This damage then causes problems with breathing. You may also be familiar with the terms chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which...

If the pain in your back exacerbates, or you can’t find alleviation through moderate activity and over the counter pharmaceuticals, it’s an ideal opportunity to see a specialist to find the reason for lower back agony. There can be numerous reasons why you’re having back pain and they can...

Unstable angina, sometimes known as acute coronary syndrome, is a condition where the blood does not get enough blood flow and as a consequence, oxygen. It may in the long haul lead to heart attacks. Angina is a type of chest discomfort caused by poor blood flow through the...

In most cases, the standard treatment for stage IV—advanced or metastatic breast cancer—involves systemic treatment. This treatment approach typically involves a combined use of chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and targeted therapy. Radiation therapy or surgery may also be recommended to control the symptoms. Advanced breast cancer is a stage in which...

Neuropathy can be said to be a dysfunction or disease of the peripheral nerves, usually causing weakness or numbness. Diabetic Neuropathy is, therefore, a complication that causes nerve damage due to diabetes. The high sugar content of blood causes the damage of nerves commonly found in the legs and...

Breast cancer begins in different areas of the breast: the ducts, the lobules, or the tissues in between. Differing types of breast cancer depend upon where the cancer cells originate. Learn more about these different types of breast cancer below, including non-invasive, invasive, recurrent, and metastatic breast cancers: Ductal...

Kidney cancer or renal cell carcinoma cancer usually occurs in older people and accounts for about 2 to 3% of cancers in adults, affecting about twice as many men and women. This tumor begins in the cells, which is in the lining of the small tubes within the kidneys....

About one out of eight American women develop breast cancer at some point in her life. Even faced with such scary statistics, doctors still find it hard to say what exactly causes cancer in a person, how and why it starts. In many cases, the prognosis is optimistic, but...