It’s common for an average adult to catch a cold or flu 3-4 times a year and children are twice as likely to develop them. A cold lasts for about a week and the flu lasts longer but is less common as compared to the cold. This basically means, having to struggle through work or school with nearly zero productivity. The best way to curb the chances of developing a cold or flu is to prevent it. If you hate being unwell and missing time at work to illness instead of a holiday, dive right in for tips to prevent cold and flu. Avoid People Down with a Cold While we already know this, it’s best to not shake hands, share food, or even share the same ride with people who have a cold. Also, be considerate to keep distance if you’re coming down with a cold or fever. Staying at home is very important and so is maintaining a safe distance when outside. Wash Your Hands Frequently Cold and flu spread easily through the aerosol droplets released from coughing or sneezing, and your hands are the only body parts that can touch your nose and mouth through which you may cause the infection to spread.

Leukemia is a type of blood cancer, where a number of white blood cells in the body become cancerous i.e., start growing at an abnormal rate. Therefore, it is also sometimes referred to as blood cancer. The treatment plan suggested by the doctor will depend on the patient’s age, stage of cancer, and several other factors. Leukemia can be diagnosed with a simple blood test even before any symptoms appear. This helps in early detection and is very helpful in treating cancer effectively. Read on to know about the different types of treatments used to treat leukemia. Chemotherapy One of the most commonly used treatments in any major type of cancer is chemotherapy. In this method, several chemicals are circulated throughout the body using an IV or central line. On the other hand, it can also be administered in the form of prescribed pills and tablets. These chemicals act on the cells affected by leukemia, killing the ones growing abnormally. Depending on the health and diagnosis of the patient, either a single method or a combination of different methods of administration of chemicals is used. Biological therapy In this type of treatment, living organisms or substances that come from living organisms are used to help the immune system recognize and destroy cancerous cells.

Deep vein thrombosis, DVT, is a condition in which blood clots in a deep vein, usually in the leg. This can turn serious if the clot spreads to other parts of the body. It can also develop into a pulmonary embolism. To avoid the chances of this, it may help to detect the condition early and seek treatment. There are few telltale symptoms of deep vein thrombosis that can be identified. Let’s look at them. Swelling When the blood flow in the vein is blocked due to a blood clot, it can cause swelling in that area. Fluid build-up leads to inflammation, which can also increase the swelling. This is an early warning sign of deep vein thrombosis. Also, the swelling might appear on only one leg, as those with DVT usually have a blood clot only in one particular leg. If the swelling occurs in both legs, it might indicate another disorder. Nevertheless, if one notices swelling in the leg, it might contain a clot and should be shown to a doctor. Pain A blood clot can cause the surrounding tissues in the body to not receive enough blood. This causes pain in that part of the body. DVT that usually affects the leg can cause a throbbing ache in the affected area.

Cervical cancer treatment depends on different factors, including the stage and type of the cancer, and side effects of the treatment. Doctors will study the individual’s personal health condition before suggesting a treatment option. Different doctors may also work together to formulate an effective treatment plan that is a combination of several treatment methods. Patients may even have various options to choose from. Here are five treatment options for cervical cancer. Surgery Surgery is used to remove cancerous tissue by operation. A gynecologic oncologist, a physician specializing in treating cancers of women’s reproductive organs, uses this treatment option to remove unhealthy tissue and tumor from the cervix. Surgery can be opted for when the cancer hasn’t spread to other parts of the body. The different types of surgical procedures that can be opted for are hysterectomy, radical trachelectomy, and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy may be used to shrink the tumor. It can be a singular treatment option or be done before a surgery. The doctor that specialises in it is called a radiation oncologist. Protons, X-rays, or other forms of high-energy beams are used to destroy cancerous cells. External-beam radiation therapy is a commonly sought radiation option to treat cervical cancer.

Severe loss of healthy red blood cells is a leading cause of anemia. People that are diagnosed with anemia are said to be anemic, they feel more lethargic to perform simple mundane tasks. This is because their organs do not get enough oxygen supply to function properly. Symptoms of anemia vary according to the type and severity of the condition. The most common symptoms of anemia are as follows: Fatigue Unusual tiredness or fatigue, even after performing not-so-difficult tasks, is a common sign of anemia. This happens because of low hemoglobin count that supplies oxygen to the body. Due to the poor supply of oxygen, the body and the heart have to work harder to function, making you feel tired and less energized. Fatigue can make concentration waver, resulting in low productivity, and cause weakness too. Paleness If you have pale skin or the inside layer of your lower eyelids have become pale recently, then it is a telltale sign of anemia. When hemoglobin in your body reduces, the skin also loses its healthy pink color. Paleness, however, is not restricted only to the face. It can occur all over the body or in particular areas like gums, inside of lips or nails.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, also known as PAH, is a condition in which the blood pressure in the pulmonary circulatory system gets abnormally high due to the narrowing of blood vessels or arteries. It is important to note that this condition is different from regular hypertension. It is known to worsen over time, and hence, patients exhibiting the symptoms associated with PAH must be treated with utmost care immediately. If not treated at the right time, PAH can result in weakening of the heart muscles, and can even cause heart failure. This article addresses the causes and symptoms of PAH that must be known by those who might be at risk of the disorder. Some common causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension are as follows: Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction In this condition, the blood vessels in the lungs constrict in order to avoid excessive blood flow to diseased cells of the lungs. This is exacerbated in conditions where the person isn’t getting enough oxygen for the body in case he/she is living in high altitude conditions, or if the person is suffering from obesity or sleep apnea. Certain heart-related conditions can also lead to constriction of blood vessels of the lungs. Medications Certain appetite suppressant medicines are known to cause vasoconstriction in the lungs, leading to hypertension.

Colon cancer starts in the cells lining the large intestine as non-cancerous benign clumps called polyps. If not addressed, these polyps eventually grow and become cancerous. They may lead to none or minimal signs, making it difficult to diagnose colon cancer at an early stage. This is why regular screenings play a key role, especially among older adults who are more prone to this disease. Here are the telltale signs of colon cancer that one should watch out for. Common telltale signs of colon cancer Unexplained weight loss Many illnesses cause weight loss, and this type of cancer is no different. Weight loss may be caused due to several reasons. The chemicals released by the cancer cells change the way our system reacts to food, and the cancerous cells also use up the energy converted from food. While our immune system has to work twice as hard to fight cancer, most of our energy is consumed by the immune system, leading to substantial weight loss. Another reason could be the formation of a large polyp that blocks the large intestine and causes irregular bowel movements. Fatigue It’s common to feel tired with the daily rut of juggling work and personal life.

Menopause occurs when the release of eggs from the ovaries ceases due to aging. Entering the period of menopause after turning 55 increases one’s risk of developing breast cancer. This can occur due to an increase in exposure to estrogen. Factors like weight gain after menopause also contribute to the risk of breast cancer. In such cases, women may develop symptoms that should be identified early. Take a look at these five symptoms of breast cancer that may appear in menopausal women. Lump in the Breast Women with breast cancer may notice or feel a new hard lump develop in the breast. This is a warning symptom of the disease. During menopause, however, it’s natural for women to develop cysts in the breasts. These are simply harmless lumps that may be firm, soft, and filled with fluid. Even though the occurrence of lumps may be common, it is essential to consult the doctor once a lump is identified. One may also develop a lump in the underarm region. This symptom might appear in the early stages of breast cancer. Nipple Discharge This is one of the common symptoms of breast cancer, and menopausal women who are affected may experience a yellow milky discharge.

Throbbing headaches triggered by migraines are the worst, and research is still unable to pinpoint the exact cause of this condition. What is known is that migraine results in minor changes in brain waves that affect nerve cells and blood vessels, instigating painful aches in the head. Food also plays a role in triggering migraine attacks. Read on to know more about surprising foods that are known to trigger migraines. Artificial sweeteners These cause a major problem in the digestive tract and accelerate or drop insulin levels in the body. Artificial sweeteners are one of the most common food triggers of migraine. Alcohol Alcohol has negative effects on testosterone and estrogen levels. It also increases the flow of blood in the blood vessels in the brain. This severe imbalance combined with dehydration can trigger a migraine. Chocolate This is surely a surprising migraine food trigger. In fact, the American Migraine Foundation rates chocolate as the second most common food that can trigger a migraine as it contains beta-phenylethylamine and caffeine. MSG Foods that contain monosodium glutamate (MSG) should be avoided if you are prone to migraines. MSG releases glutamic acid that can cause instability in the brain waves, resulting in a migraine.

Abnormal cells found in the inner and outer layer of the ovaries can cause ovarian cancer. The ovary is in the shape of two small almonds, located on each side of the uterus. Researchers until today are unable to gauge the exact cause of ovarian cancer. All we know is that there are many factors that can put women at a higher risk of developing this disease. The common risk factors associated with this disease are: Genetics If your blood relatives like mother, sister, or grandmother have this disease or had it in the past, you are at a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer. Women with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations, a commonly inherited gene, are also at a 30 to 70 percent higher risk. It is important to note that most women who develop ovarian cancer do not have any mutation genes in the body. Lynch syndrome Individuals who have inherited genetic disorders like Lynch syndrome and Peutz-Jeghers syndrome are known to be at a greater risk. Cancer in the digestive system, gynecologic tract, and other organs is caused by Lynch syndrome. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome can cause cancer in several organs, including breasts, colon, rectum pancreas, stomach, lungs., among others.