A serious condition that affects a person’s physical and mental health, depression is characterized by a feeling of low self-esteem and sadness, along with a loss of interest in things that one enjoyed previously. The signs of depression can range from mild to severe, and the condition can also impair a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Depression can affect a person of any age, and leaving the early signs untreated can lead to severe consequences. So, it is important to understand the early warning signs of the condition so that timely help can be taken and the condition can be managed effectively: Prolonged or lack of sleep Either sleeping too much or being insomniac is one of the early signs of depression. Sleep disorders directly affect the mood and energy levels of an individual, and abnormal sleep patterns can lead to depression. Lack of enthusiasm in things once enjoyed One of the early warning signs of depression is a lack of enjoyment of the activities that a person used to enjoy earlier. It can be physical or social, like eating habits, physical intimacy, or socializing, which one may have lost interest in. Usually, depression is characterized by a person wanting to remain alone and detached.

The urinary tract includes the bladder, kidneys, and tubes (urethra) that connect them, and Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) can affect any part of this tract. Women are more likely to get a UTI, mainly because of the shape of their urinary tract. Most UTIs are infections related to the bladder, which can be cured with timely treatment. However, if left untreated, an infection can spread to the kidneys, causing serious damage. Infections are caused due to germs entering the urinary tract through the urethra, multiplying, and spreading to the bladder and kidneys. The most common causes of UTI are: Incorrect wiping direction Constipation Menopause Diabetes Sexual intercourse Holding in urine for too long Using birth control pills Dehydration Wearing ill-fitted underwear Weak immune system Early warning signs of UTIs Pain and a burning sensation while urinating The early warning signs of UTI include pain and a burning sensation while passing urine. It indicates that one might be suffering from a bacterial infection. Increasing the intake of water can help in flushing out the bacteria and preventing it from spreading to other parts of the uterus in such cases. Frequent, strong urges to urinate Another early warning sign of UTI is that one feels a desperate urge to empty their bladder frequently.

An ulcer is also called a sore and while this can occur on different parts of the body, the skin is a common area where you will find ulcers developing. There are a lot of reasons for the development of skin ulcers including uncontrolled diabetes, atherosclerosis, aging, and obesity. There are different types of ulcers depending on the cause of the ulcer. When you know the type of ulcer you have, treating it will be easy. Neuropathic ulcers If your sugar levels are consistently high and you have not been maintaining a good HbA1c level, then you are at risk of developing neuropathic ulcers. High blood glucose levels can end up causing nerve damage which can result in the formation of ulcers. This is one of the main types of ulcers that millions of people around the world suffer from. Venous ulcers If you have poor blood circulation in your legs because of lack of exercise, obesity or other medical reasons, the result may be valve damage. In such cases, the blood that flows back from the legs to the heart gets disturbed and stays in the lower half of the leg resulting in swelling and pain. This can result in skin ulcers.

Being a parent, especially to an infant or a growing baby, is a task in itself. On numerous occasions, you may be unable to decide what would be best for your little one. A baby goes through considerable pain and discomfort in the teeth and gums when they are teething. No matter how eager you are to see your baby smiling and eating with their teeth, you may end up feeling extremely anxious to reduce this discomfort. Here’s a list of gum massage techniques that can help relieve the discomfort of teething infants, while also working as effective gum care tips for better oral health: Rub the baby’s gums with hands Parents usually think twice before putting their hands in their baby mouth, lest there may be some infection. However, you can soothe and relax your baby’s gums by massaging them with your hands. Massaging helps as the pressure that you put on the tender gums counters the pressure of the teeth breaking through. As a result, the baby feels good and gets relief from the swollen gums. Keep in mind to wash your hands properly and sanitize them before doing this. Massage with a wet cloth This is yet another technique of relieving gum discomfort and a very helpful gum care tip for better oral health.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a mental health condition characterized by the inability of a child to sit in one place, follow instructions, or play in a group. They may also face emotional turmoil and lack of focus. While ADHD must be diagnosed and treated by a specialist, recent studies show that it can be managed better with the right lifestyle choices. Here are some major lifestyle options for ADHD that you can use to help your child feel better. Adequate sleep Sleep time needs to be managed effectively by the adults in the family as a lack of sleep is a major trigger for ADHD. Children who have disturbed sleep or varied sleep schedules have trouble calming their brains and mind, whereas a child who is well-rested at night remains calm and manageable during the day as well. One of the major lifestyle options for ADHD is to adhere to a set sleep schedule with children. Limit screen time Televisions, tablets, and laptops have become a part of the routine for everyone. However, if your child is diagnosed with ADHD or if you are worried that your child might have this disorder, limiting screen time can go a long way in helping.

Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that affects people of all ages. In this condition, your breathing is repeatedly interrupted while you’re asleep, and it can also increase the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart diseases if left untreated. In severe cases, it can also lead to stroke and heart attack. Understanding the signs and symptoms of the condition can help manage it effectively, and this article will help you with just that. If any of these signs and symptoms manifest, you should consult a doctor immediately to avoid any serious health issues. Signs and symptoms of sleep apnea in adults You might experience some of the following symptoms if you are an adult suffering from sleep apnea: Snoring loudly while sleeping Having an abrupt snoring pattern and breathing stopping and starting while you’re asleep Waking up abruptly as due to shortness of breath Waking up choking or gasping in the middle of your sleep Waking up regularly to use the bathroom Waking up in the morning or in the middle of sleep with a sore throat or dry mouth Often waking up with a headache Experiencing symptoms of insomnia or facing difficulty staying asleep Experiencing the symptoms of hypersomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness Experiencing attention, concentration, or memory issues while awake Having irritable mood swings Feeling tired despite a full night’s sleep Experiencing sexual dysfunction and decreased interest in sex Certain factors like being overweight or obese, consuming alcohol, or smoking tobacco also increase the risk of the condition and worsen the existing symptoms.

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that needs immediate medical attention and diagnosis. In this type of cancer, the treatment largely depends on the stage of the disease. As the stages and treatments for colon cancer are highly interlinked, here is a brief description of the kind of treatment required in each stage of colon cancer. Treatment for Stage 0 Colon Cancer In the initial stage, the tumor has not grown beyond the inner lining of the colon. Therefore, surgery is the best and only option to take the cancerous tumor out completely. In most cases, this is done by removing the polyp or conducting a colonoscopy through which the area with cancer can be removed. However, if the tumor is too big to be removed by local excision, then a partial colectomy might be needed. Treatment for Stage I Colon Cancer The stages and treatments for colon cancer differ at this point because the cancerous cells have multiplied deeper into the layers of the colon wall. It has not spread outside the colon wall or into the adjacent lymph nodes. If the cancer in the polyp is high-grade, surgery would be required. If the cancer is not in the polyp at this stage, then, a partial colectomy is conducted.

Just like with other forms of cancer, there is no one treatment for breast cancer. The common goal of the treatments is aimed at removing as much of the cancer cells as possible and keeps the disease from recurring. The type of treatment best suited to an individual depends on many factors including age, stage of detection, size of the tumor and the patient’s personal preferences. The common treatments for breast cancer are: Surgery Surgery to treat breast cancer is known as a mastectomy or a lumpectomy. A mastectomy refers to surgery to remove the entire breast while the latter refers to a more conservative surgery that removes only the tumor and surrounding tissue. Surgery is one of the most common treatments for breast cancer and is usually advised in the early stages of the condition. Radiation Radiation treatment involves using high-energy x-rays to destroy the cancer cells. Radiation can be broadly classified as external-beam radiation therapy and intraoperative radiation therapy. The latter refers to radiation treatment that is given from a machine placed outside the body while the latter refers to radiation delivered through a probe placed inside the body. External-beam radiation is amongst the more common treatments for breast cancer.

Hepatitis is an inflammatory condition of the liver, primarily caused by a viral infection. The disease can come with some painful symptoms and can be life-threatening too. Apart from a viral infection, there can be two other causes of hepatitis. These include autoimmune hepatitis, which is a disease that occurs when your body makes antibodies against your liver tissues. Hepatitis can also occur as a secondary result of drugs, medications, toxins, and alcohol. The following are the 5 common types of hepatitis. Hepatitis A Hepatitis A is the first among the most common types of hepatitis. It is caused by an infection with the HAV or hepatitis A virus. It is usually transmitted by consuming food or water that is contaminated by feces from a person, who is affected by Hepatitis A. Hepatitis B Hepatitis B, on the other hand, is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids. These can be blood, vaginal secretion or semen containing the Hepatitis B virus or the HBV. Millions of people in the country suffer from this disease as a result of drug use, sex with an infected partner or sharing razors among many other potential factors. Hepatitis C The third in the list of the common types of hepatitis, hepatitis C is caused by hepatitis C virus (HCV).

Things like wool, pollen, dust, and plants generally don’t pose a threat to the human body. If one eats, touches, or inhales these by mistake, the body’s immune system defends against them. However, for some people, the body reacts to these things adversely. In such cases, they are called allergens, and the reaction is an allergic reaction. An allergic reaction might lead to symptoms like rashes on the skin, along with the skin becoming scaly, red, and itchy. It might also result in bumps and/or cracked skin. Skin allergies include several conditions like eczema, contact dermatitis, and hives. Additionally, the various types of allergies and their main triggers lead to varying symptoms. This article discusses a few types of skin allergies and their main triggers: Eczema Also known as atopic dermatitis, it primarily affects infants on the knees, elbows, face, or scalp. The symptoms are dry and itchy skin, along with rashes, bumps that ooze a liquid, and scales. In children and teens, the rashes can occur in the elbow creases, on the hand, neck, face, eyebrows, and behind the knees. The condition can also lead to the skin getting a thick, bark-like, or leathery appearance. Contact dermatitis This skin allergy results in inflammation due to an allergen coming into contact with the skin.