Peptic ulcer affects about 4.6 million Americans every year. Peptic ulcer results in open sores forming on the upper portion of the small intestine and the inside lining of the stomach. The first one is known as the duodenal ulcer, and the second type is known as a gastric ulcer. Read on to know more about its symptoms, causes, and risks associated with this condition. Symptoms of peptic ulcer If you feel a burning pain in the stomach, then it can be a sign of peptic ulcers, as it is the most common symptom of the disease. The pain can get worse at night or between meals. The acid in your stomach makes it worse. Other than the pain, some other common symptoms of peptic ulcers include feeling bloated or full, intolerance to fatty food, nausea, and heartburn. Apart from these, the other signs may include: Vomiting with the presence of blood Presence of dark blood in the stool Trouble in breathing Feeling faint Nausea Sudden weight loss Change in appetite Taking acid blockers can relieve the pain temporarily. If it keeps coming back, you need to contact your doctor. Causes of peptic ulcer Stomach conditions may have a variety of causes, which is true for peptic ulcers too. Due to different reasons, the acid present in your digestive tract may start eating away at the inner surface of the small intestine or the stomach, which leads to the ulcer. Below is a list of the most common reasons that lead to this behavior. A bacterium The insides of your small intestine and stomach are covered by a protective layer called the mucus layer. A very common bacteria called helicobacter pylori lives in this layer. Sometimes, this bacterium can result in inflammation of the inner layer of your stomach, which eventually leads to ulcers.

Several diseases are included under the umbrella term of heart diseases and are also called cardiovascular diseases. They lead to the blood vessels becoming narrow or getting blocked, which, in turn, can result in a heart attack or stroke or cause pain in the chest. Other heart conditions affect the heart’s muscle, rhythm, or valve. Symptoms The symptoms vary according to the condition diagnosed. The symptoms of common cardiovascular diseases are discussed below. Symptoms of atherosclerotic disease Pain in the chest or feeling a sense of tightness or discomfort in the area Shortness of breath Limbs feeling numb or severely cold if the blood vessels have narrowed in the area, as it affects blood circulation Pain in the jaw, back, upper abdomen, or neck Symptoms of abnormality in the heartbeat or arrhythmia Fluttering sensation in the chest Racing or slow heartbeat Discomfort or pain in the chest Feeling dizzy or fainting Light-headedness Symptoms of heart defects or related conditions Skin color turning blue or pale gray Abdominal swelling or swelling in the area surrounding the eyes Shortness of breath while feedings in case of an infant Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy Breathlessness Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles Feeling a sense of fatigue and dizziness Irregular heartbeat Symptoms related to heart infections Fever Shortness of breath Feeling weak Change in the heart rhythm Persistent cough Skin rashes Causes The causes vary depending on the type of heart disease one is affected with. The common causes include an accumulation of fatty plaques in the arteries as a result of following an unhealthy diet and not being physically active, being overweight or obese, and smoking. Read on to learn more about the causes of commonly diagnosed heart diseases: Heart arrhythmia This can be a result of heart defects since birth, high blood pressure or diabetes, smoking, excessive alcohol or caffeine intake, or stress.

The immune system is referred to as the defense system that protects the body against different kinds of diseases. The stronger the immune system, the higher will be the chances of the body staying away from diseases. Suffering from immunodeficiency or immune system disorder is a cause of concern and must be immediately addressed. Symptoms Cold hands If the blood vessels suffer from inflammation, it gets difficult for the ears, toes, fingers, and nose to stay warm. The affected portion of the skin turns white. Slowly, the color changes into blue when these areas are further exposed to some cold object or atmosphere. When the flow of the blood becomes normal, the skin turns back to red. Medical experts refer to this as the Raynaud’s phenomenon. It is one of the most commonly observed symptoms of immune system disorder. Dry eyes When a person is suffering from an autoimmune disorder, his immune system, instead of protecting his body against diseases, attacks it. Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis are two of the most common examples of this condition. People who suffer from an autoimmune disorder tend to have dry eyes. The person will feel the presence of some grainy object when this happens. There are also chances of suffering from redness, pain in his eyes, or a blurred vision. Some also find it difficult to cry when they have dry eyes. Fatigue Feeling tired all the time is a sign of the body suffering from fatigue due to some abnormality in the body. This happens when the defense system of the body is not functioning properly. When a person feels a sense of fatigue, he thinks sleeping will help. If you feel exhausted even after a sound sleep, it indicates that there is a disorder in the immune system. You might feel an aching sensation in your muscles and joints too.

Joint conditions are commonly associated with increasing age, but they can also be a result of injuries or may develop due to other medical conditions affecting bone and joint health. Arthritis, a commonly diagnosed joint condition, has over 200 types. Depending on the severity of the disease, these conditions can also affect a patient’s quality of life. Read on to know the symptoms, causes, and factors that increase one’s risk of developing joint conditions. Symptoms of joint conditions The following are some of the symptoms that most joint conditions are accompanied by: Joint stiffness Weakness in the joints Inflammation, swelling, and redness of the affected joint Limping due to pain and stiffness Joint getting locked Tearing of the cartilage Commonly-diagnosed joint conditions and their causes Osteoarthritis This form of arthritis involves the wear-and-tear of the joint’s cartilage, which means the risk of developing this disease elevates with age. The cartilage plays the role of a cushion between the bones in order to prevent friction that can cause damage. Damaged cartilage due to this condition results in the bones losing their protection and clashing, causing pain and restricting movement and flexibility. This usually occurs gradually, but it can also develop suddenly in the case of an infection or injury. Although any joint can be affected in the case of osteoarthritis, it mostly affects the hips, lower back, hands, or knees and may worsen over time. Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis primarily affects the joints, but it can also damage the eyes, lungs, blood vessels, heart, and skin. It is an autoimmune disorder that leads to the immune system attacking the healthy tissues. This causes swelling in the affected joint, which can also result in deformity and bone erosion. Factors that increase the risk of joint conditions Weight Being overweight or obese puts excess pressure on the joints and particularly exerts pressure on the spine, hips, and knees.

Menopause marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. It is typically diagnosed after a year of no menstrual periods, but it begins much before that. Menopause occurs in your forties and even fifties, but the average age when it occurs in the US is 51. While it is a natural and biological process, the physical symptoms and the hot flashes may cause disruptions in your sleep and even affect your emotional health in general. There are plenty of treatments available. But, to get started, you need to know what the condition looks and feels like. Here are the symptoms, causes, and complications related to menopause. Symptoms of menopause In the time leading up to menopause, you may experience some common symptoms such as irregularity in periods, dryness in the vagina, as well as hot flashes. Some people also experience chills, sleep problems, mood swings, and night sweats. Weight gain and slowed metabolism are two other symptoms that commonly occur with menopause. Menopausal women may even experience dry skin and thinning hair on a regular basis. However, this is not to say that all women experience these symptoms. Different women go through different issues. Depending on your health in general, you may experience varying levels of symptoms. Most women experience a complete stop of their menses, and when this continues for twelve months, it is generally a sign of menopause. It is best to keep your gynecologist updated and figure out the best way to combat the aforementioned symptoms to alleviate any discomfort. Causes of menopause Menopause can be a result of many different causes. The natural decline of reproductive hormones is the leading cause. The ovaries start to produce lesser estrogen as well as progesterone, both of which are responsible for regulating menstruation. Due to this, fertility keeps declining.

Millions of people live with different types of mental illnesses and health problems. These include obsessive-compulsive disorder, social anxiety, and personality disorders. All of these come under the umbrella of mental health. In this article, we will cover the symptoms, causes, and risk factors of some common mental health disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and clinical depression to help you understand them better. Symptoms The common symptoms of mental health disorders include: Obsessive-compulsive disorder People with OCD may present the following symptoms: Constant fear of contamination and extra emphasis on cleanliness Signs of hoarding and counting belongings continuously Signs of excessive concern toward personal safety Post-traumatic stress disorder Somebody suffering from PTSD may show the following symptoms: Constantly suffering through intrusive memories Negative patterns in mood and mindset Trying to avoid thinking of the traumatic event Feeling changes in emotional and physical reactions Clinical depression The symptoms of clinical depression include: Being moody and experiencing different emotions, such as aggressiveness, anxiousness, and restlessness Adverse effect on sexual life A decline of cognitive abilities Poor sleep patterns If you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend consulting with a mental health doctor immediately. Causes The common causes of any mental health disorder include the following: Obsessive-compulsive disorder Some common causes for obsessive-compulsive disorder include: Severe trauma Behavioral factors, such as being extremely organized, meticulous, and neat Post-traumatic stress disorder The causes for PTSD include the following: Stressful experiences and traumatic events Inheriting disorders from family members Imbalance in regulation of bodily hormones and chemicals Clinical depression The causes associated with clinical depression include: Early childhood trauma Drug abuse Different medical conditions, such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and chronic pain Risk factors The risk factors associated with the following mental health disorders include: Obsessive-compulsive disorder Some risk factors associated with OCD include:

The technique of pain management depends on the cause of the pain. If the cause is nerve root irritation from a herniated disc, wherein the pain radiates down the length of the leg, it can be treated with an epidural steroid injection. On the other hand, pain can be severe, like due to an inflamed appendix, for which surgery or other invasive measures are required. Let’s look at the various causes of pain and ways to manage it. Main causes of pain The common causes of pain are: Cancer Lateral epicondylitis Plantar fasciitis Piriformis syndrome Torticollis Myofasciitis Post-herpetic neuralgia Compression fractures Coccydynia Peripheral nerve damage Infections, ulcers, or open sores Headaches How is pain management possible? The management and treatment of pain can be undertaken by knowing its history and other details like its duration, intensity, and relieving and aggravating conditions. Only after all this is understood, effective pain management can be undertaken by a medical examiner. So, one should disclose all relevant details to their doctor at the time of consultation. Types of pain The main types of pain are: Nociceptive pain: This is triggered due to tissue injury and can be acute or chronic. It can be somatic or visceral; while the former is limited to the tissues, the latter stems from damage to internal organs. Neuropathic pain: This is caused by a condition that affects the nervous system or due to damage to the system. The pain can also occur without any specific injury or damage, and some examples of this type of pain are shingles and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Techniques and skills for pain management Psychological counseling and support Physical therapy and chiropractic therapy Medication management Interventional procedures Methods of pain management with medication All the types of pain mentioned above require different approaches for management.

Dehydration is a condition in which the body loses more fluid than it takes in. As a result, the body does not have enough fluids to carry out its regular functioning. If you do not replace these lost fluids, then your body will get dehydrated. Anybody can become dehydrated, and the condition can be quite dangerous for both adults and children. In the following article, we will discuss the different aspects of dehydration, to help you understand it better. Symptoms of dehydration The common symptoms which point to cases of dehydration may differ based on age. In infants or young children, symptoms such as dry mouth or tongue, are the earliest indicators of dehydration. Having no tears while crying is also one of the signs to watch out for. Sunken eyes and cheeks are other indicators of dehydration in infants. In adults, different symptoms may point toward dehydration, including extreme thirst and infrequent urination. Dark-colored urine, fatigue, and dizziness are some of the other symptoms to watch out for. Causes of dehydration In most cases, dehydration can occur for the simplest of reasons. To start with, you may not be drinking enough water because you may be busy or sick. Additionally, you may lack access to proper and safe water when you are camping, hiking, or maybe traveling. Some of the other causes include vomiting and diarrhea. Additionally, having a high fever can result in dehydration. Individuals who sweat excessively and do not increase their intake of water may fall prey to dehydration. Finally, individuals who suffer from increased frequency of urination may also be affected with dehydration. The reasons behind this can include uncontrolled diabetes or undiagnosed sugar levels in the body. Certain medicines that heal blood pressure or other diuretics can also be the reasons behind dehydration. Risks of dehydration While this condition can affect anybody, certain people are at a higher risk.

Chronic fatigue is a type of condition in which one experiences extreme fatigue and tiredness. It does not go away with rest and can even be caused due to an underlying condition. Medically, this disorder is also referred to as myalgic encephalomyelitis or systemic exertion intolerance disease. Chronic fatigue symptoms The main symptom of this disorder is a kind of exhaustion, which can result in flu-like symptoms. When one undertakes physical activities, one may not have any energy for other activities. Research indicates that people who have this disorder tend to have a varied physiological response to any kind of physical activity. So, some common symptoms can include the following: Having extreme tiredness Having joint pain or muscle pain Having frequent headaches Feeling dizzy or extremely sick Irregular heartbeats or having a fast heartbeat If someone experiences any of these symptoms, we recommend consulting a medical expert for a proper plan of treatment. When one has the right information, it is easier to understand the reason for constant fatigue. Chronic fatigue causes Chronic fatigue has a lot of different causes. However, experts say that there is no fixed reason. Instead, there are plenty of triggers for it. For instance, certain factors can increase the chances of developing chronic fatigue. Different viral infections, such as an infection is glandular fever Bacterial infections, such as pneumonia Immune system issues Hormonal imbalance Health problems such as emotional trauma or even stress The triggers and causes may vary in different people. Hence, one needs to find out what affects them the most and begin suitable treatment accordingly. Chronic fatigue risk factors Chronic fatigue is actually quite an age-related disease. It is mostly seen amongst people in their 40s and 50s. Additionally, gender has quite an important role to play when it comes to chronic fatigue.

Depression is a mood disorder that can cause a prolonged feeling of gloominess or sadness, and the most commonly diagnosed type of depression is clinical or major depression. It can directly impact how one feels, behaves, and even thinks about situations and people. Additionally, it can lead to several physical as well as emotional issues. People with depression may find it extremely difficult to go about their daily activities and carry out simple tasks like getting out of bed or brushing their teeth. Depression warrants medical and psychological intervention to fight the symptoms and improve the quality of life for the patient. In this article, we will cover different aspects of this disorder. Symptoms of depression People tend to experience multiple episodes of this disorder. Some of the common symptoms they exhibit during these episodes are constant feelings of tearfulness, emptiness, or sadness. Frequent outbursts of anger and frustration and constant irritability are also common signs of a depressive disorder. Also, one may lose interest in their hobbies or other activities they liked to indulge in earlier, and depression may even manifest in the form of low libido. People with depression may also experience constant tiredness or lack of energy, so the smallest of tasks can take a lot of effort to complete. Additionally, lack of appetite or constant munching on snacks can lead to weight loss or gain, respectively. Anxiety, restlessness, and agitation are also among the common symptoms of this disorder. Although the symptoms may differ among adults and children, the feeling of emptiness and lack of interest remains common in both. Causes of depression While the causes of depression are not exactly known, multiple factors can be attributed to its development. People who have depression may appear to experience physical changes in the brain. While the significance of these changes is not yet known, it can definitely help pinpoint the causes.

Many people face eye health issues at some point in their life. While some of these issues are minor and tend to resolve on their own or with basic treatment, others are severe and require a specialist’s care. There are multiple reasons for poor eye health, which might lead to partial or total blindness. In this article, we have listed the three most commonly diagnosed eye conditions, along with their symptoms and risk factors. Glaucoma Glaucoma is the second biggest cause of permanent blindness among people in the country. The aqueous humor is a watery fluid found in the eye’s anterior chamber where the camera, iris, lens, and pupil are located. This fluid is vital to the functioning of the eyes, as it maintains the requisite pressure called the Intraocular Pressure (IOP) and provides nutrients to help maintain the shape of the eye. An increase in this pressure leads to glaucoma. Symptoms In most cases, glaucoma is asymptomatic and progresses gradually, but the symptoms may appear gradually in some cases. Here are the common signs of this eye condition: Nausea Blurry vision Severe eye pain, along with nausea and vomiting Redness of the eye Headache Tenderness in the surrounding area Viewing halos around lights Risk factors Ethnicity African-Americans face a higher risk of this condition that affects eye health. Family history People whose siblings or parents had glaucoma are at a greater risk of developing it. Age The risk elevates with age, especially after 60 years, but African-Americans face a greater risk after 40 years of age. Vision problems People with short-sightedness or myopia are at a higher risk of glaucoma. Medical conditions Diabetes increases the risk of developing glaucoma twofold. Cataract Cataract refers to the appearance of cloudy patches in the lens of the eye. With the progression of the disease, the patch grows and results in blurry or misty vision.

The news of a baby arriving brings an enormous amount of happiness in the family. With pregnancy come the various highs and the lows in the health of the expecting mother. It’s important to remember that family history has an important role in what health conditions the baby may inherit and how parents deal with them. It goes without saying that family & pregnancy are very much related to each other. Causes of complications in pregnancy It is advisable to know about the family history of both the parents so that timely action can be taken against issues such as genetic diseases, birth defects, and developmental disabilities. However, before delving into the relationship between family & pregnancy and the associated risk factors, let’s first look at some of the most common causes of complications in pregnancy. There are several causes that can lead to complications in pregnancy. Complications are health problems that involve the mother or baby or both. Some women experience issues during pregnancy, while some experience pre-pregnancy issues. The following causes of complications in pregnancy are quite common: High blood pressure can cause complications in pregnancy as it becomes hard for the blood to reach the placenta. This plays an important role in providing oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. Some infections can pass from mother to baby, especially during the delivery process. Many such infections can be treated and prevented with appropriate prenatal and postpartum follow up. Vaginal bleeding or spotting, cramping, or tissue/fluid passing from the vagina can indicate a miscarriage, which can happen before 20 weeks due to natural causes. The following complications might need one to go for genetic counseling: Inability to conceive despite favorable conditions If a previous child was born with a defect or genetic disease Two or more miscarriages despite favorable pregnancy conditions Death of a baby before he/she turns one year old Genetic risks attributing to health conditions A newborn child gets one set of genes from the mother and the other from father.