A genetic disorder of motor neurons that are responsible for controlling muscle movements is known as spinal muscular atrophy. Although this disorder is related to muscle weakness, it is called as such because the nerve cells which control the muscle movement are located in the spinal cord. It is a rare genetic disorder and can affect anyone, but it usually affects infants when both parents have the same damaged gene. The brain stops sending messages to muscle cells, causing weakness and an inability to control body movements like standing, walking, swallowing or even breathing without support. It can be classified into four types and the severity of this disorder depends on the type of spinal muscular atrophy a person is suffering from. Blood tests, biopsy, and electromyography are some ways to diagnose the condition. There is no cure available for this disorder but treatment options for spinal muscular atrophy can help in preventing and managing it. Here are some of the treatment methods that are used. Nutritional therapy A well-balanced diet is important for the overall health of the body. Nutritional imbalance can cause muscle loss and treatment options for spinal muscular atrophy must include making changes in dietary plans, taking into consideration the factors like weight and amount of nutrition required.

Dyskinesia and tremors are both symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. People often consider them the same but understanding the difference between the two is critical for managing Parkinson’s disease. Although two types of involuntary movements may sometimes appear similar, the treatment options for dyskinesia and tremors are different. According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, nearly 70% of people with Parkinson’s disease must have experienced tremors at some time during the course of the disease. Todd Herrington, MD, Ph.D., a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor in neurology at Harvard Medical School, says that Dystonia (a condition related to Dyskinesia) usually occurs once the Parkinson patient’s medication starts to wear off. Tremors are one of the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s associated with the disease. It shows significant improvement with medication. Dyskinesia, on the other hand, tends to show up as a long-term side effect from Parkinson’s medication rather than a symptom. Similar as they look on the surface, tremors are more rhythmic in their movement, particularly around a joint. Dyskinesia is an involuntary movement that is usually disordered. Tremors are usually suppressible with activity and movement but Dyskinesia is not. The treatment options for Dyskinesia and tremors are many, the common one is medication and undergoing deep brain stimulation surgery.

Substance abuse is when a person consumes illegal drugs that affects a person’s personal life and health. If a person consumes excessive alcohol, prescription medicine or other illegal substances on a regular basis, then they can get dependent on the substance for their survival. Substance abuse often occurs when a person wants to experience a boost in energy, pleasure and a sense of superiority. Abusing drugs can lead to addiction, substance abuse differs from addiction, which as a result can cause serious health issues. Treatment options for alcohol and substance abuse depend on the type of abuse and the dosage of the substance being abused. Some of the most common types of substance abuse are: Alcohol Alcohol abuse affects everyone differently. Heavy drinking can cause liver problems and other health issues or lead to a more serious alcohol disorder. For men, heavy drinking means more than four drinks in a day or more than 14 in a week. If you are a woman, heavy drinking means more than three drinks in a day or more than seven drinks a week. Cocaine abuse Cocaine is an addictive street drug that has been and continues to be extremely popular worldwide. Cocaine is derived from the coca plant which is native to South America.

Oral cancer refers to cancer that develops in different parts of the mouth like lips, tongue, gums, the inner lining of cheeks, and the roof or the floor of the mouth. The treatment methods for oral cancer depend on what stage the disease has been diagnosed at, making it essential to know the symptoms of the condition. The signs include mouth sore that doesn’t heal, mouth pain, ear pain, loose teeth, and painful swallowing. There are many causes of oral cancer, some of which are discussed below here. Smoking The people who smoke cigarettes, a pipe, or cigars are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers. Tobacco If one likes to chew tobacco, then they are more likely to develop cancers of the cheeks, gums, or lining of the lips. Excessive consumption of alcohol Excessive alcohol consumption irritates the cells of the mouth and makes one vulnerable to mouth cancer. Other causes of the condition are excessive exposure to the sun, family history of cancer, and human papillomavirus (HPV). There are many treatment methods for oral cancer depending upon the stage of cancer, the individual’s oral health, and the type of the condition. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy uses beams of high energy X-rays that damage the DNA inside the tumor cells.

Marked by an uncontrolled cancer cell growth in the prostate area, malignant in nature, prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer found in men. The prostate is the walnut-sized gland in men, located below the bladder, in front of the rectum, surrounding the urethra. In 2019, a cancer society predicted that there will be nearly 174,650 new diagnoses of prostate cancer and around 31,620 deaths from prostate cancer. This type of cancer grows slowly, such that other diseases take over before prostate cancer causes significant problems. However, many prostate cancers can be deadly as they can spread outside the prostate gland confines and are more aggressive in nature. The top risk factors for prostate cancer increase with age, family history, lifestyle and other dietary factors. The exact causes of prostate cancer are not yet known and researchers are studying the actual factors that determine the risks of prostate cancer. The rate of survival in prostate cancer can be greatly improved with early detection and prescribed treatment. There are several symptoms that may indicate a prostate cancer risk in men. Some of these include difficulty in maintaining urination, pain during urination, frequent urge to urinate, pain on ejaculation in some cases and discomfort when sitting.

The thyroid gland is a small gland that plays an important role in controlling metabolism and the body’s overall growth and development. Hyperthyroidism refers to a condition wherein the thyroid gland produces too much T3 or T4 (thyroid hormones). Thus, this condition speeds up the metabolism processes. In order to seek treatment for this condition, it is important to be able to recognize the causes, symptoms, and types of thyroid disease. When it comes to understanding the causes, symptoms, and types of thyroid disease, the first step is to know the factors that may trigger this condition. Hyperthyroidism can be caused by many factors and the most common amongst them include: Grave’s Disease This is an autoimmune condition that makes antibodies stimulate the thyroid gland in producing excessive thyroid hormones. This is genetic and more common amongst women. Left untreated, this condition can become worse and have life-threatening complications. Excessive Iodine consumption Consumption of iodine rich foods can cause the development of hyperthyroidism. This is because iodine is a key ingredient of the T3 and T4 hormones. Thyroiditis This condition causes inflammation in the thyroid gland. As a result, it allows T3 and T4 hormones to leak out of the gland.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood cells of the body. There are different types of blood cells in the body, namely red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Leukemia is caused by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells. It is one of the most common types of blood cancers in children as well as adults. The onset of the condition can be acute or chronic. The cancer cells in acute leukemia multiply rapidly, whereas the disease progresses slowly in chronic leukemia and the early symptoms are mild. The symptoms of different types of leukemia vary from case to case but the common ones are weakness, fatigue, excessive sweating, fever, and weight loss. The different types of leukemia are classified according to the type of cell. The ones that involve myeloid cells are called myelogenous leukemia and the type involving lymphocytes is known as lymphocytic leukemia. Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML): This is the most common type of leukemia. It may affect any blood component and progresses quickly. In this condition, the myeloid cells mature into abnormal white blood cells and they may also become abnormal red blood cells or platelets at times. When they multiply rapidly, they overpower the normal cells in the blood and bone marrow.

Cancer is a life-threatening disease and all types of it, including kidney cancer, are quite painful. The treatment for kidney cancer depends on its stages and the early stages of the condition can be cured quite easily. The treatment options also vary depending on the type of the tumor and the overall health condition of the patient along with many other factors. Instead of getting scared by all the technical terminology and remaining ignorant of the disease, it is more useful for one to understand not just the symptoms but also the treatment options for kidney cancer in the early stages. Active surveillance The early stage that is stage 1 and 2 of kidney cancer is when the cancer is localized. This means that the disease is found only in the kidney and is not spread to other parts of the body. If a small tumor, that is perhaps less than 4 cm, is found in the kidney, then the treatment that doctors suggest is active surveillance or observation. This is done through regular CT scans to see if the tumor is growing, which will necessitate other treatment. Active surveillance is an effective way of keeping a close watch on the tumor and preventing the symptoms from coming up.

The treatment procedure for cancer is tedious and has several side effects that are often difficult to manage, and this is more prevalent with chemotherapy. Some of the main side effects of cancer treatments are fatigue, nausea and vomiting, hair loss, loss of appetite, and diarrhea. Let’s understand the main side effects of one of the common methods of cancer treatment—chemotherapy—and the ways to deal with them. Low blood count Chemotherapy as a treatment of cancer can lead to infections as most anti-cancer drugs affect the bone marrow and hinder the production of the white blood cells (WBCs), which fight infections. To avoid any severe infections during or post-chemotherapy, along with medication, one must keep the following things in mind: Wash hands more often Stay away from people who have illnesses Try to avoid crowds Do not cut or tear the nail cuticles Be careful not to cut or nick themselves with scissors, needles, knives, and such Take a warm bath or shower Fatigue or tiredness One of the main side effects of cancer treatments as reported by cancer patients, constant tiredness and low energy levels are the primary result of chemotherapy, low blood counts, lack of sleep, pain, stress, and poor appetite, along with many other factors.

Colon cancer starts in the large intestine or colon of the human body; which is located at the end of the digestive tract. This cancer type primarily affects older adults, but it can occur at any age. Based on the progression of the symptoms, colon cancer is categorized into various stages. The main stages of the condition typically refer to the extent of cancer or how far it has spread. This article explains the main stages of colon cancer in further detail. Stage 0 This is the beginning of colon cancer. In this stage, the condition does not grow beyond the innermost layer of the colon or the mucosa. Stage 1 The symptoms of colon cancer grow into the inner layer of the colon to the next layer of the colon or submucosa. In this stage, it does not yet spread to the lymph nodes. Stage 2 The development of slightly more advanced symptoms than in stage 1 is referred to as stage 2 of colon cancer. In this stage, the cancerous development grows beyond the mucosa and the submucosa of the colon. This stage of cancer is further classified into three sub-stages which are known as stages 2A, 2B, and 2C.