Why the nose?

Why is the nose a common site for pimples?

This is the question most women wonder, especially when the ‘bump’ occurs during the same days as an important event.

Yes, the nose is a common target for acne because the pores on this area are larger in size and tend to clog with environmental damage more easily – leading to a breakout. Besides being plain ugly, the pimples are painful and take longer to subside.

In desperation, many women try to scratch or prick the pimple in order to make it look less visible. However, the self-care technique usually makes the acne worse and can potentially leave a scar on the nose as well.

Acne vulgaris vs. Acne rosacea

There are many causes of nose acne and before you try to treat any type of acne, it is best to determine its underlying source.

Nose acne is divided into two types: the acne vulgaris and the acne rosacea. Both the conditions have similar symptoms but are different conditions and thus require distinctive treatment.

Acne vulgaris occurs when the pores on the skin become clogged with debris, such as dead skin and bacteria. They appear pus filled and are accompanied by black and white heads. Apart from the nose, the acne vulgaris can occur in other parts of the body as well.

On the other hand, acne rosacea is a skin condition and not actually acne. Rosacea usually begins after the age of 30 and aggravates between 40 and 50. The skin condition causes redness and swelling, initially on the nose and spreads to other areas of the face. Acne-like bumps usually form on the red and inflamed area of the skin, illustrating a similar look as acne.

Causes of acne vulgaris

Generally,clogged pores and unhealthy skin-care habits cause acne vulgaris.

Some health conditions can also cause a breakout of acne including:

• Hormone fluctuations
• Digestive issues
• Increased stress
• Excessive sun exposure
• Removing hair from inside the nose
• Family history of acne

Causes of acne rosacea

Although acne rosacea is not actually a type of acne, it is often classified as the same due to the appearance of bumps.

When it comes to the cause of acne rosacea, scientists are still unsure of the main reason behind the inflammation. However, the following are suspected to be the most important contributors of acne rosacea:

• Family history of the skin condition
• Fair or light skin color
• Abnormalities in facial blood vessels that causes excessive flushing and constant redness
• A condition called helicobacter pylori – a bacteria found in the gut and responsible for ulcers
• A reaction to mites that live on the skin

Some conditions can also trigger or aggravate rosacea. These include:

• Excessive exposure to sun
• Humidity
• Stress
• Anger
• Embarrassment
• Exercising
• Hot baths or sauna
• High blood pressure

Certain food and drinks can also trigger rosacea such as:

• Caffeine
• Hot foods and drinks
• Dairy products
• Dishes that are very spicy and contain excessive amount of hot sauce, chili sauce, and red pepper
• Alcohol
• Chocolates
• Tomatoes
• Citrus fruits

Acne vulgaris treatment

Acne vulgaris is classified into two groups – inflammatory acne or non-inflammatory. The non-inflammatory acne refers to the pimples, blackheads, and whiteheads that occur occasionally. Most of these are treated easily with over-the-counter topical creams and ointments, without leaving any scar.

On the other hand, we have the inflammatory acne. As the name implies, this is a severe form of acne vulgaris and comprises of swelling around the pimples. Antibiotic medications and ointments are often required to relive the acne, cysts, and swelling caused by the condition.

Conventional treatments for acne vulgaris

Here are some ways you can treat acne on the nose and other areas of the face:

• Cleansing: Cleansing soaps and creams are widely available that are specifically formulated to treat acne. They contain ingredients that helps break down the bacteria, remove excess oil from the surface, and reduce the appearance of acne.
• Benzoyl peroxide: Those who have mild acne can try applying benzoyl peroxide to the affected area. Available in various forms including creams, lotions, cleansers, and gels, the benzoyl peroxide helps clear out the bacteria that form acne. However, the application should be repeated continuously or the acne can recur.
• Salicylic acid: Another product that helps unclog pores and diminishes acne is salicylic acid. It removes excessive dead skin cells from around the pimples, preventing further breakouts. It is also included in many types of acne-removing creams, lotions, and gel.
• Topical retinol gels: The topical retinoid help prevents acne breakouts by unblocking the clogged pores. However, retinoid gels take longer to work and you can expect the acne to get worse before it starts to heal.
• Antibiotics: For severe forms of acne, dermatologists may prescribe antibiotics to lessen the pimples, acne, and inflammation. The oral antibiotics are more effective when taken in combination with benzoyl peroxide.

Herbal remedies for acne vulgaris

Besides medical treatment options, many acne-suffering individuals turn to herbal or home remedies for relief from acne on nose and other areas of their face. Interestingly, many of these home remedies are backed by science when it comes to their effectiveness to treat acne. These include:

• Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is a natural anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory agent that can be helpful in reducing acne sores, swelling, and redness around the pimple. To use the tea tree oil, make sure you dilute it in carrier oil or add them to creams, gels, and ointments.
• Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is another anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredient that prevents acne breakouts and reduces the appearance of existing ones. It also works as a moisturizer and is available in plant-form as well as part of creams, facewash, and ointments.
• Honey: Honey has been used as an effective remedy for several skin conditions for centuries including acne. It contains antioxidants that clear clogged pores and inflammation. Simply rub honey on the pimple site or add to your facemask.
• Coconut oil: The coconut oil can also be helpful in destroying acne-causing bacteria and redness associated with it. It can also enhance the healing process of open sores. Coconut oil can be applied directly to the affected area for fast relief.
• Green tea: Green tea is high in antioxidants and applying it directly on the acne-prone area can reduce the sebum production, inflammation, and formation of pimples.

Lifestyle changes for relief from acne vulgaris:

Along with herbal medications, specific lifestyle changes can also help keep the skin, specifically nose clean from acne breakouts. Some tips you can try to maintain healthy skin include:

• Drinking lots of water
• Eating a balanced diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables
• Avoiding touching or fiddling with the pimples that appear on any area of the face
• Using oil-free skincare products
• Limiting alcohol intake
• Reducing stress
• Exercising regularly
• Getting adequate amount of sleep

Treatment for acne rosacea

Rosacea is a medical condition and usually requires medical attention. In fact, extensive research has proven that home remedies and over-the-counter are not as effective as prescription medications for the treatment of rosacea.

The doctors usually recommend brimonidine to reduce the inflammation caused by rosacea. Antibiotics are also prescribed for temporary relief from the pimples while metronidazole acid, azelaic acid and isotretinoin are also given for long-term use.

Doctors also recommend alternative therapies that include dermabrasion or microdermabrasion that helps remove the skin cells responsible for acne. Laser therapy is also effective in reducing the redness associated with the acne rosacea. However, it is not helpful in removing the acne from its source.

Inflammation caused by acne rosacea can also be reduced by practicing stress-relieving techniques in daily life such as meditation, yoga, and even massages.

Herbal treatments for acne rosacea

In addition to the advice by their doctor, many acne rosacea-suffering individuals apply home remedies for relief.

• Aloe Vera gel: The gel from the plant is a moisturizing and soothing agent. You can apply the gel extracted from a live aloe plant directly on the infected area or purchase aloe Vera induced moisturizers widelyavailable in the market.
• Chamomile:Chamomile is another moisturizing product that is applied topically to inflamed skin. Essential oils for chamomile are easily accessible but make sure to dilute them before applying directly on skin.
• Fever few: Fever few is another plant that is considered as an effective remedy for acne rosacea. It has antioxidant properties and works as a protectant against harmful UV exposure – that often triggers rosacea.
• Oatmeal: Oatmeal strengthens the skin and reduces water loss that aggravates the rosacea. It is also said to help with the itching caused by the skin condition. Although many creams and facemasks contain oatmeal, you can easily make your DIY-mask by mixing two tablespoons of oatmeal with water and applying directly on the skin.
• Turmeric: Turmeric is often recommended for severe forms of acne rosacea. The anti-inflammatory ingredient can be either mixed in water or diluted in carrier oil for application.

Lifestyle changes for relief from acne rosacea:

Additionally, the flare-ups of rosacea can be avoided by certain lifestyle changes and managing the triggers that cause the acne buildup. This includes:

• Avoiding stress and anxiety
• Wearing sunscreen regularly and avoiding excess-exposure to sun
• Eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties such as kale, avocados, and ginger
• Increasing intake of zinc
• Avoiding foods that trigger rosacea

Certain people can have both – acne vulgaris and acne rosacea at the same time. If the same problem remains with you, we recommend against self-care techniques to treat the problem. Instead, consult with your skin care doctor for the best treatment plan that targets both the conditions effectively and permanently.

Bottom line

Nose acne is a nuisance and can cause both – discomfort and low self-esteem. However, regardless of the condition and its intensity, pimples on nose can be treated effectively with the right protocol. Try the above tips and ensure proper facial hygiene to protect your skin from future breakouts.

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In this guide, let’s take a look at how alcohol affects the human reproductive system and how much is too much when you are trying for a baby.

Alcohol and woman

Chronic drinking can cause various problems for woman. Initially, adolescent girls that consume a lot of alcohol experience delay in their puberty. Studies also show that young girls are unable to handle the ‘effects’ of alcohol on their body that results in an irregular menstrual cycle.

Alcohol can also contribute to an unhealthy weight gain in females. This is because alcohol contains empty calories. Those who have a habit of chronic drinking can also make poor eating choices that result in weight gain and lack of nutrition in the body. Ultimately, this causes a hormonal imbalance that affects their puberty.

Alcohol and fertility in women

When it comes to pregnancy or woman trying to conceive – a regular menstrualcycle and a successful ovulation is required to achieve pregnancy. However, both are disrupted by even mild use of alcohol – causing a hindrance to their fertility. In fact, aDanish study found that compared to the women who do not drink at all, women who drink in moderate or intense level take longer to get pregnant and may even seek fertility treatments for positive outcomes.

One more study from Denmark noticed that women, above the age of Thirty who had one to six drinks in a week may be linked with growing incidence of infertility after comparing to women of the similar age group who use less than 1 drink in a week.

Another study also found that alcohol even affected the conception rate of women on fertility treatments. According to the reports, woman who did not drink at all before the treatments were twice more likely to conceive than those who used to drink before they were started.

Though the findings are inconsistent and requires more research, it is advised that women should drink in moderation, especially if they are trying to conceive through natural or medical-aided methods. Additionally, there is no ‘safe’ dose advised for the women and therefore, women should abstain from overall consumption during these times.

Alcohol and the unborn child

Since it is difficult to determine when the pregnancy actually takes place, medical practitioners ask woman to avoid drinking altogether, when they are trying to conceive. This is important because alcohol can risk the baby of several health issues including low birth weight, preterm labor, and miscarriage.

A woman may also risk the impairment of the fetal heart, the central nervous system, physical features, and damage to organs of the baby when she consumes alcohol during the first trimester of pregnancy. Continued intake can result in brain damage to the fetus at any stage of the pregnancy.

Alcohol and menopause

Drinking women who have attained menopause are found to have increase occurrence of osteoporosis, the condition where bone loses its density and becomes more fragile as well as prone to fractures. The hormonal imbalance caused by the use of alcohol can also induce early menopause in some women.

Alcohol and men

Alcohol slows down the neurotransmitters that allow the brain to communicate with the rest of the body. This causes impairment in the drinker’s vision, speech, alertness, and judgement for short period. However, those who are binge drinkers experience permanent damage to their nervous system, which besides several other problems can cause sexual impotence in men.

Heavy alcohol use can also affect all the three areas of the male reproductive system and its hormones. These include the testes, the hypothalamus in the brain, and the anterior pituitary gland, which is connected to the brain. When these are impacted, sperm production and quality is compromised, which is a necessary element for fertility.

Testicular damage is also common in men who are heavy drinkers. They are also unable to perform sexual activity due to the influence of drinks in their brain.

Since alcohol alters the quality of sperms, it is also observed to harm the unborn baby and cause birth defects – even if the mother is non-alcoholic. Even in the case when no physical defect is apparent in the baby, a child born from an alcoholic father may have behavior abnormality and be highly aggressive.

This being said, it is recommended that men who are heavy drinkers should limit their intake when they are planning their pregnancy through natural or medicated means.

Drinking in teenage years

Apart from the effects of alcohol on fertility and the reproductive system, the teenagers who drink aggressively are at higher risk of indulging in unprotected sex. This exposes them to several health hazards including sexually transmitted disease and HIV/Aids. Besides the health complications these diseases cause, the effects can also cause long-term damage such as infertility.

Final words

Alcoholis enjoyed and has been a part of celebratory moments for centuries. However, until recently we have begun to fully understand how the ‘drink’ affects our bodies and leaves life-long consequences.

Yes, a drink or two can make you happy and relaxed – especially if you are in a social setting. But excessive drinking can cause negative effects on the health and organs of the body. It can also increase the risk of heart failures, strokes, hypertension, and even some forms of cancer.

Above all,a women’s ability to conceive and a man’s to impregnate is also affected by drinking excessively. Here, you can also see that substance abuse can harm the unborn baby and affect its capability to live a healthy life.

So before you put your hand on another bottle again, make sure you are aware of the risks caused by binge drinking – not only to your reproductive cycle but to overall health as well.

The post How Does Alcohol Affect The Reproductive System? appeared first on STD.GOV Blog.

Experts and researchers also agree that the act itself is a natural process of sexual behavior and is given a bad reputation for its private nature – as one cannot discuss these habits with even the closest friends.

Of course, excessive masturbation might not be good for both – your personal relationships and daily life. Many people shy away from the process as acts of self-pleasure are often deemed as ‘dirty.’ Some people also believe that the habit is prohibited for moral and religious reasons. But in the end, it is a personal choice and many people continue to take pleasure from their body without compromising on their health and personal relationships.

In this guide, let’s take a look at some of the side effects and benefits of masturbation.

Side effects of masturbation

As we mentioned above, there are no physical consequences to masturbation. However, excess of anything can be harmful and those who masturbate on regular basis complain of the following:

• Weakness and fatigue
• Low sex drive with partner
• Low back pain
• Potential damage to the penis
• Pain in the testicular area
• Early ejaculation

Can a person be addicted to masturbation?

Yes, some people can be addicted to the sexual activity. However, there is no right answer to the frequency of the habit as the desire for self-pleasure varies from man to man and their general health.

Generally, a person is addicted with masturbation if he:

• Misses out on school or work requirements
• Misses social gatherings with friends and family
• Becomes reluctant to participate in physical activities such as sports and other hobbies
• Prefers to stay in room
• Regularly injure themselves by rubbing intensely
• Experiences pain in the genital areas
• Is masturbating multiple times a day
• Constantly feels lustful

Masturbation and its effects on sexual relationships

The general audience believes that masturbation affects sexual abilities and relationships with the intimate partner. However, this is not the case and experts claim that the act can enhance sexual relationships as the person has a better understanding of their body and its needs.

On the other hand, masturbation causes physical exertion, which often leads to hindrance in the sexual activity. As a matter of fact, if a person misses sexual intercourse with their intimate partner constantly and prefers self-pleasure, it can be a sign of addiction and requires attention of a professional therapist.

Of course, there are times when it is ok to indulge in such acts. These include scenarios when a partner is not present, is sick, pregnant, or has a low sex drive.

Masturbation and its effect on fertility

Sperms are continuously produced in the bodies of healthy men and excessive masturbation does not affect their fertility or overall sperm count.

However, those who have a habit of masturbating frequently complain of premature ejaculation and even ejaculation during sleep. Nevertheless, researchers have not yet found any evidence that links both of the issues together. In fact, there are certain masturbatory techniques that men can learn to delay ejaculation and improve premature ejaculation.

Can you get STDs from masturbation?

STDs or sexually transmitted disease is a major concern amongst sexual active individuals. However, if a person is masturbating alone, there is no chance of him or her becoming infected with any type of STDs.

But yes, it is possible to get STD if a person is masturbating with another person and touching each other’s genitals. STDs can also pass from the semen or vaginal fluid so make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after touching the other person’s genital area.

It can also spread if you are sharing sex toys with the other person. If you are, we recommend using a condom on each toy and changing them each time a different person handles the toys.

Can masturbating injure the penis?

Masturbation is achieved best when performed sitting down, standing, or lying on the back. If a person ejaculates facing their front, they would put more pressure on their genital area, causing it potential injury. It is also suggested not to squeeze the penis too hard during ejaculation as it may damage the veins and the blood vessels of the penis.

Is it safe to masturbate during pregnancy?

Hormonal changes during pregnancy may evoke enhanced sexual desire in some women. Masturbating during these times is completely safe for both –the mother and the fetus. In fact, it may ease some symptoms of pregnancy as well such as back pain.

However, masturbating during high-risk pregnancies is not recommended as it may induce labor early on. Masturbation can also cause the women to have mild contractions that fade away within a few hours. If they don’t, it is suggested that you visit your medical care provider immediately.

Are there any benefits of masturbating?

Surprisingly, yes! There is no problem with occasionally pleasing yourself if there is nothing going on. In fact, acts of pleasure like masturbating can provide several benefits including:

Relief from stress

There is nothing like a good orgasm to relieve the body from the build-up of stress and tension accumulated from the day. With masturbation, one can calm the nervous system and release the cortisol or the stress hormone along with ejaculation for a calming effect. It even helps some people sleep peacefully.

Improves genital health

Men generally loose muscle tone in their penis as they age. This makes them more vulnerable to incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer. Masturbation exercises the pelvic floor muscle and lowers the risk of these issues.

Improves body image and confidence

Men are often wary about their body. By exploring their body and ways to enhance sexual desire can empower men and improve their body image and self-confidence.

So, is masturbation safe or not?

Masturbation is safe as long as signs of addiction are not present. It may even provide some health benefits and improve sexual relationships with the partner.

Nevertheless, if the activity comes in the way of your personal relationships or if you are having any negative feelings – talk to a qualified therapist or a trusted loved one immediately.

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Rectal bleeding – overview

Medically called the hematochezia, the blood in the stool is an indication that something is wrong with the components of the GI tract including the rectum, anus, and colon. The color of the blood is usually an indicator of the area as health experts claim – the closer the infection is to the anus, the brighter the red will be.

Sometimes the bleeding is black and foul smelling. This is called melena and suggests that the blood has been in the colon long enough to break into ‘black’ chemicals.

What are the causes of blood in stool?

As we mentioned above, there are many causes of blood in stool that is best diagnosed by a doctor. However, here are some possible causes of rectal bleeding.

Anal Fissure

Anal Fissures are more common in infants than adults. The condition occurs as a result of constipation and/or passing large, hard stools. The bleeding is usually accompanied by pain and discomfort, whichusually worsens during bowel movement.

The condition often improves on its own or with the use of stool softeners. Changing lifestyle habits such as adding more fiber in diet and taking frequent warm baths can also help the situation.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be both – internal and external. They are described as swollen rectal veins in the anal and rectum area. Besides bleeding, the symptoms of hemorrhoids include itchy anus, burning, and pain or discomfort, specifically during bowel movement.

The treatment for hemorrhoids includes using stool softeners, stool-bulking agent, and increasing fiber in the diet. Surgical options are also available in the severe cases.

Angiodysplasia

Angiodysplasia is most common in elderly who usually don’t notice the slow and gradual bleeding in their stool until a massive episode occurs. The bleeding is usually accompanied by weakness, shortness of breath, and fatigue. However, the patients don’t feel any pain during the process.

Angiodysplasia is a vascular problem and enlarges the veins and capillaries located on the wall of colon. Treatment focuses on hormone therapy, blood infusion, iron supplements, and endoscopy. In many cases, the ailment usually stops on its own.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The inflammatory bowel disease or the IBD is a broad term that refers to the different conditions that contribute to the inflammation and sores in the innermost lining of the colon. Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two most common types of IBD.

Treatment for IBD usually emphasizes on making dietary changes, supplements, pain relievers, and anti-diarrheal medications. Surgery is also recommended in order to provide long-term relief.

Polyps

Colon or bowel polyps are small growths of tissues that appear on the walls of colon. They are caused by abnormal production of cells in the colon lining which is believed to be a result of fault in the person’s genes. It is also common in adults over the age of 50 and can run in families as well. Besides bleeding, symptoms of polyps include changes in bowel movement and abdominalproblems. However, most cases of polyps are usually diagnosedaccidentally. For example, during rectum examination.

The polyps are usuallyharmless but some can turn into cancer and are immediately removed through colonoscopy upon diagnosis. Further treatment is also required if any sign of cancer are distinguished.

Cancer

Unfortunately, bleeding is the first sign of a malignant tumor forming within the GI tract such as near the colon wall or the anus. Apart from bleeding, the symptoms include lumps forming in the affected areas, discharge, and changes in the bowel habits.

A biopsy is immediately performed to diagnose the lumps or the tumor while treatment relies on surgery and life extending methods such as chemotherapy and radiation.

False Alarm

Luckily, the red coloring in the stool can be a result of something you ate or drink. For example, Kool aid, beets, red gelatin, and even popsicles with red artificial coloring can cause a pinkish or reddish tinge in the stool, creating an alarming situation, especially in young children.

When to seek medical care for blood in stool?

As we mentioned above, blood in stool can be a result of many types of ailments – ranging in their intensity. We suggest calling your doctor if the blood in stool is accompanied with:

• stomach pain
• vomiting or nausea
• sudden weight loss
• severe diarrhea
• severe constipation
• fever
• bleeding continues for more than 2 episodes or worsens with time

We also recommend visiting the hospital’s emergency facility when:

• the stool is black or maroon colored
• the individual is vomiting blood or black colored liquid alongside
• the patient is on blood thinners
• the patient is experiencing breathing issues or irregular heartbeat
• the individuals is fainting or passing out

The treatment options vary from patient to patient – depending on their condition. However, most people who experience the problem are elderly who are commonly facing other illnesses as well. These create further complications in their case that affects their quality of life significantly. In some situations, the problem goes unnoticed for many days, even weeks or months causing a life-threatening condition.

This is why if you or a loved one complaints of blood in their stool, we suggest seeking medical attention immediately. It may be tempting to look away, ignore and hope the situation improves the next time you have a bowel movement but the condition can worsen overtime and may result in fatality if severe volume of blood loss occurs.

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Some of the most common communicable diseases include:

Cold

A cold is one of the most common types of communicable disease. The viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract affects the nose and results in stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, and fever. Feeling of fatigue and lethargy are also associated with the ailment.

Since more than 200 viruses are responsible for the illness including coronaviruses or rhinoviruses, the human body can never build up sufficient immunity to block them. In fact, colds are so common and recurring that adults are reported to get them 2 -3 times per year while children have up to 12 colds per year.

The cold spreads by air droplets from coughs and sneezes of the infected individual. Touching an infected surface can also transmit the virus. The common cold becomes contagious a day or two before the symptoms appear and lasts until they stop.

Influenza or flu

Influenza, commonly known as the flu is a highly contagious illness that spreads by the coughs and sneezes of an infected person. You can also catch flu by touching the sick person.

Flu is similar to cold and is usually mistaken for the same. However, those who have flu also complain of:

• High temperatures
• Cold shivers
• Nausea, indigestion, and other gastrointestinal symptoms
• Muscular pain and tiredness

Normally, flu becomes contagious 1-2 days before the symptoms appear and lasts approximately 7 days after the person becomes ill.

Strep throat

Strep throat is another disease that is similar to cold. It is caused by the group a streptococci bacteria and can be passed from one another through the sneezes and coughs of the sick person. Similarly, to cold and flu, you can also catch strep throat by touching the same surface as an infected person.

The symptoms of strep throat include pain in throat, difficulty swallowing, moderate to high fever, red and swollen tonsils, and small, red spots on the roof of the mouth. Strep throat remains contagious until the fever of the affected person subsides and they have started taking antibiotics for at least one day.

Pink eye

As the name implies, the pink eye is an infection of the eye. Also called the conjunctivitis, the pink eye occurs when the white part of the eye becomes inflamed and turns red or dark pink. The eye also appears swollen while watery or pus-type discharge is also common.

Several viruses contribute to the occurrence of pink eye including viruses’staphylococcus or streptococcus. Thebacterium passes from one person to another by coming into contact with the discharge through different means such as using the same towel or sharing eye makeup.

Contrary to the popular belief, pink eye is not caught by simply looking at someone’s infected. However, it can be transmitted through the sneezes or cough of the affected individual.

Gastroenteritis

Called the stomach flu in non-medical term, the symptoms of gastroenteritis include cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea. Fever and dehydration are also common concerns of gastroenteritis.

Norovirus and rotavirus are the main types of virus that causes the stomach flu. People become infected by directly touching the stool of the affected individual. It can also be transmitted by drinking or eating food from the same contaminated utensils.

Gastroenteritis usually resolves in 1 – 10 days. However, when it comes to its contagious-ability, the virus can spread for up to 2 weeks after the patient has fully recovered.

Fifth disease

Another illness similar to cold and flu, the fifth disease produces the same symptoms as well. However, it is categorized by the appearance of rashes that appear in different parts of the body with the first being on the cheeks. It can also cause painful joints.

Fifth disease is common in children than adults and is a result of a virus called the parvovirus b19. It passes from one person to another in the same way a cold would but becomes noninfectious after the first rash appears.

Chicken pox

Chicken pox, also called the varicella is a well-known ailment. The symptom of chicken pox begins with rashes and small red blisters that gradually break open and crust. Fever and loss of appetite are also common symptoms of chicken pox.

The varicella zoster virus is responsible for chicken pox. The communicable disease is transmittable by direct contact with the rash or breathing in the affected water droplets released from the open blisters. The person, infected with chicken pox is contagious before the first ‘itchy rash’ appears and remains well after the whole skin becomes clear. Since there is no treatment for chicken pox and the symptoms resolve on their own within a week or two, it is highly recommended to isolate the infected person to avoid spreading.

Chlamydia

Chlamydia, a common sexually transmittable disease affects both – men and women. It is caused by the bacteria called the chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through sexual intercourse – even oral sex. The same can also be transmitted to the fetus if the mother is infected with the disease.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis or the TB is caused by the germs that attack the lungs. Unfortunately, if TB is not treated properly, it can become fatal. In fact, statistics show that over 2 billion of the world’s population is infected with TB while 9 million become sick with the ailment annually.

Tb spreads through the cough or the sneezes of an active TB person. Those who are in close contact with a TB-infected person can commonly catch the ailment.

It should be noted that tuberculosis does not spread by shaking hands, touching the same surface as the infected, and even kissing.

Herpes

There are two main types of herpes: oral and genital. The symptoms of the ailment usually occur as sores located around the genital area or mouth. Both types of sores cause burning sensation and reappear even after the blisters crust over.

Herpes is caused by either herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2. It spreads through contact with the saliva, the sides of the mouth, and kissing. Genital herpes is transferred by sexual contact.

As of yet, there is no cure for herpes except the use of topical medication. However, these ointments don’t kill off the bacteria from source and usually the symptoms reoccur.

Malaria

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease that is common in areas with tropical and subtropical climates. It affects more than 500 million people annually and results in more than 1 million deaths annually. It is the second most common communicable disease and certainly one of the most deadliest.

Malaria is transmitted through female anopheles mosquito. It can also be transferred through blood infusion, organ transplant, and sharing syringes and needles. Malaria is also transmitted to an unborn baby through the infected mother. However, there is no way to get malaria through casual contact such as sharing the same air, sitting next to each other, and/or sexual intercourse.

Hepatitis b

Hepatitis b is the most common infectious disease and is potentially life threatening. The disease causes inflammation of the liver that leads to jaundice, nausea, fatigue, and even long-term conditions such as liver cancer.

As of 2016, 27 million people were aware of the hepatitis b infection.

Hepatitis b is usually transmitted through the mother to her unborn child.it is also common through exposure of infected blood, sexual intercourse, and sharing used needles and syringes. Medical and dental procedures, tattooing, and piercing can also spread the infection.

Prevention of communicable diseases

Vaccines are usually available for some of the communicable diseases including flu, stomach flu, and hepatitis b. Ask your doctor about the preventive care and the vaccines available for the common ailments.

It is important that you follow proper hygiene to avoid catching the infection. Some tips to remember include:

• Covering the nose and mouth when coughing and sneezing
• Avoiding the share of towels, eye makeup, and even utensils
• Thoroughly washing the hands after using the toilet
• Using condoms during sexual intercourse
• Avoid sharing personal items such as razors, needles, syringes, and even toothbrushes
• Avoiding touching infected sores, blisters, and open wounds
• Always wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating
• Stay home and avoid going to work, school, or other public places to prevent spreading the infection when sick

Always remember, prevention is better than cure and practicing safeguard method is essential to protect oneself from these issues.

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Skin cancer happens to be one of the most common types of cancer around the globe. In fact, as per the latest stats, the number of people who suffer from skin cancer is higher in the US than a combined a number for all the people who suffer from other types of cancer.

Cancer, as we know, is an abnormal growth of the cells and can be present anywhere on the body. Same is the case with skin cancer.

Layers of the skin

The skin that we see is made up of a combination of cells, each one divided into different layers to serve the purpose of their own.

Squamous cells

These are the dead flaky cells that form the uppermost layer of the skin and are constantly being replaced by new cells from the layer underneath. Squamous cells are flat shaped.

Basal cells 

Unlike squamous cells, these cells are round in shape. However, they flatten out as they move up to replace the dead squamous cells from the upper layer of the skin. They are constantly dividing to form new cells that can eventually go up and replace the squamous cells from the upper epidermis layer.

Melanocytes

These cells are responsible for giving our skin color and the ability to go tan when it is exposed to sunlight. All this is because of the pigment melanin which acts as a natural sunscreen for our skin. The more the exposure, the darker the tan effect since the cells would be producing more and more of the pigment in such conditions. It helps protect the layers underneath from getting affected by the sun.

Any damage to any one of these cells can result in skin cancer.  In fact, the type of skin cancer that one might have is defined and categorized based on the cells that are being affected. In the initial stages, cancer may be limited to these three layers only. But if it advances, it will go down to affect the protective barrier between the epidermis and lower layers of the skin and penetrate deeper.

Types of skin cancer

Having talked about the three layers of the epidermis, let us move on to the type of skin cancers that these layers may get affected by.

Basal cell carcinoma

It is one of the most common forms of skin cancer and is often referred to as a non-melanoma type of skin cancer. Out of the whopping 3 million skin cancer cases that are reported each year, more than 80% of them happen to be related to the basal cell carcinoma. This type of cancer usually appears on the upper body and may affect the neck and head too since these parts are most exposed to the sun on a daily basis. The growth pattern for this cancer is rather slow and it can take years before it spread to the lymph nodes nearby or other body parts.  This scenario, although unlikely, is only possible if the cancer is not treated on time.

However, like any other form of cancer, this one too can recur and most likely on the parts where it was initially diagnosed. In fact, over half of the patients come back with a recurring basal cell carcinoma case within 5 years of their first diagnosis after having developed a new carcinoma there altogether. Thus, even after one is treated, it is advised that you continue to perform regular self-examinations on your skin and consult the oncologist if you find any unusual growth or changes on your skin.

People who need to be most careful about the recurrence of basal cell carcinoma are the ones who have

• Eczema
• Dry skin conditions
• Been exposed to a high amount of UV light
• Regular visitors of tanning beds
• Had carcinomas before that penetrated to the deeper layers of the skin
• Had carcinoma which was larger than 2cm

Appearance:

This cancer appears in the form of round, scaly spots and even as flattened out lumps which may be pale, pearly or red in color. These spots or gums may bleed, become ulcerated and even stay unhealed even after weeks. If you experience something like this on your skin, do get the area evaluated by your doctor on a priority basis to rule out the possible risks of cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma

It is also referred to as the non-melanoma skin cancer and tends to affect the ears, lips, and scalp, back of your hands, and face more commonly. But they can also appear on unlikely places such as genital areas, scars, and even skin ulcers. The second most common form of skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma accounts for over 20% of the non-melanoma cancer cases that are reported each year.

This cancer affects the flattened out cells that make it to the topmost skin layer.  Unlike cancer found in the basal cells, this form of cancer doesn’t metastasize. If it does or spreads to the other parts, then it is a highly unlikely case. However, it does have a tendency to spread deeper and affect the fatty layer of the skin. This may occur in only 1 to 2% of the cases, but in such cases cancer can prove to be fatal too, thus making it more dangerous than the one that affects the basal cells.

Appearance

This cancer appears in the form of red scaly patches, sores or ulcers that bleed out and are:

• Non-healing
• Painful

The growth pattern even in this case is slow and it may take months to grow and spread.

However, these are not the only areas where the squamous cell carcinoma may affect. It can even be found on the Keratoacanthomas, the tumors that form on the exposed part of the skin and are in the shape of domes. These tumors start growing fast but slow down after a certain time and may even shrink and go away on their own. However, they have the tendency to spread and it is for this reason, why they are often treated as squamous cell carcinoma and treated similarly by the doctors too.

Melanoma

Although the least common one of all, it happens to be the most dangerous type of skin cancer. It can appear anywhere on the body and is not just limited to the areas that are exposed to the sun more. However, it is most commonly found in the lower leg of women and the upper back of men. The growth ranges over a few months and it has the tendency to spread out to other parts of the body too.

Appearance

The melanoma appears in the form of moles or freckles that get de-shaped or change coloration or size over time. So, if you develop a new mole anywhere on the body or some freckle, always keep track if its growth and pattern.

Uncommon types of cancers

The above three are the most common types of skin cancers but these are not the only categories that we know of. There are many other forms of skin cancers that are less common and thus not known much.

Actinic Keratoses (AK)

It appears as a pre-cancerous spot or scar but may turn into squamous cell cancer if not treated on time. The type of cancer that affects the fair skinned people more usually appears after 40 years of age around areas that are exposed to the sun the most.

Merkel cell carcinoma

Merkel cells give our skin the ability to respond to “touch”. This rare cancer appears in the form of nodules that may look like flesh or be blue in color. It affects the head, neck, and face more commonly and affects the elderly more than the young. However, it has a tendency of growing really fast and may spread to other parts of the body very quickly too.

Kaposi Sarcoma

It appears in the form of irregular tissue growth but under the skin. It affects the lining of the throat, nose, and mouth and lymph nodes more commonly. The lesions that may be purple or red are formed by blood vessels and cancer cells and have the tendency to affect:

• People with compromised immune systems
• Young black men especially in Africa
• Older men who are of Mediterranean and Jewish descent

There are various types of skin cancers and the type of treatment plan that each would require would change accordingly. Keep examining your body for anything irregular and if you happen to see something that doesn’t seem right, consult your doctor right away to have it examined and treated accordingly.

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Eczema is experienced by around 30 million Americans. Eczema is a type of conditions where the skin becomes red, results in itching, inflammation and forms patches which appear over the inner elbows, neck or knees. Learning about the triggering factors of eczema is essential to get rid of the disease. Living your life with eczema is definitely a challenge which you need to overcome. However, eczema is more common in children but it can also occur in adults even if you did not suffer from eczema during your childhood. Eczema ranges from mild to severe symptoms depending on the flare-ups.

Symptoms involved with eczema

The symptoms linked with eczema are different for all individuals. These symptoms usually vary from one person to another. The affected site with eczema also differs from one adult to another. Eczema is usually itchy, however, the itchiness varies between mild, moderate or severe. In severe eczema, people scratch a lot making eczema worse that continuous bleeding. This is known as the itch-scratch cycle.

You must be wondering about which symptoms are mainly involved in diagnosing eczema. You need to look for red or inflamed skin, sensitive and dry skin, extreme itching, patches over the skin which are dark colored, scaly, leathery or rough skin patches, crusting or oozing of the skin and different areas of swelling. Some people suffer from all symptoms while others experience a few of them.

Kinds of eczema

There are many variations of eczema which include the following:

• Neurodermatitis- it results in scaly skin patches over forearms, head, lower legs, and wrists. It causes localized itching.
• Dyshidrotic eczema- it results in skin irritation over the palms of hands and over the soles. It results in the formation of blisters.
• Contact dermatitis- it is a type of skin irritation due to the allergen or contact with the substance that is recognized as foreign material.
• Seborrheic dermatitis- it results in the formation of yellowish skin patches, scaly and oily surface over the face and scalp.
• Nummular eczema- it results in the formation of circular patches over the irritated skin that results incrusting, itchiness or scaly surface.
• Stasis dermatitis- in this condition skin irritation occurs within the lower leg which usually occurs due to circulatory issues.

Does eczema spread and what are its causes?

Eczema is not known for being contagious although there is no definite cause leading to this disease. Researchers conclude that eczema commonly occurs due to environmental factors such as smoke or pollens and genetic involvement. When there is an allergen or irritant such as certain foods like dairy products and nuts can trigger the immune system resulting in flare-ups where skin reacts in an altered way. Variations between cold and hot temperatures can also result in eczema due to increased or decreased humidity. Stress is also an indirect factor leading to eczema. Hormonal fluctuation can also result in eczema. Some microbes can also result in the initiation of eczema like Staph aureus, fungi or viruses.

Treatment modalities

Home care

There are various things which you can perform at home to support your skin health and alleviate these symptoms:

1. Lukewarm showers
2. Daily use of moisturizer
3. Applying moisturizers daily after showers within 3-4 minutes that helps in locking in the moisture
4. Wear soft and cotton fabrics which avoids any rough surface over the irritated skin
5. Use a non-soap or mild soap cleanser which does not irritate the skin severely
6. Gently dry your skin by air drying or just patting with the help of cotton towel rather than scrubbing or rubbing the sensitive skin surface
7. Avoid certain activities and places where temperature changes rapidly
8. Avoid certain triggers which makes your condition severe and learn about them
9. Make use of humidifiers in cold or dry weather
10. Maintain your fingernails short to avoid scratching your body

Herbal remedies

There are many natural substances which are highly effective when compared to pharmaceutical drugs that have severe adverse effects. Natural substances moisturize the broken skin and fight against inflammation. They are also effective in reducing the inflammation and swelling of the skin. However, they do not cure eczema, these natural remedies are effective in managing these symptoms and preventing the flare-ups.

Aloe vera gel

It is extracted from the Aloe Vera plant. This gel has been in use for alleviating the symptoms of different diseases. The most common use of Aloe Vera gel is to soothe the symptoms linked with eczema. The Aloe Vera gel has several beneficial properties like antimicrobial, antibacterial, wound healing and immune system boosting effects. These effects prevent the skin from further skin infections and moisturize the cracked and dry skin.

Apple cider vinegar

According to the National eczema association research, apple cider vinegar is effective in soothing eczema. However, it is suggested to use it with caution as the acidic part might damage the tissues. It helps in balancing the ph. of the skin because during eczema there is an imbalance of the skin ph. Bear in mind to use the apple cider vinegar in diluted form to avoid burn up of the skin. Apple cider vinegar offers antibacterial effects against E Colli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Bleach

Bleach within the bath can help in improving the symptoms of eczema. It offers anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effects, especially against Staphylococcus aureus. It also helps in restoring the microbes present over the skin surface.

Colloidal oatmeal

Avena sativa or colloidal oatmeal is prepared from oats which are boiled and grounded to derive the skin-healing properties. A study conducted in 2015 showed that colloidal oatmeal lotions offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help in reducing the symptoms of scaling, skin dryness, itchiness, and roughness with eczema.

Coconut oil

It comprises of healthy fatty acids which offer complete moisturizing effect to the skin. It helps in treating the dry skin which occurs due to eczema. The coconut oil offers anti-inflammatory effects to the skin and improves the skin barrier. Different studies conclude that virgin coconut oil helps in improving the symptoms linked with eczema.

Honey

This natural ingredient is highly effective as an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent which heals wounds. It has been in use since centuries as a highly effective ingredient. It boosts up the immune system and helps in healing wounds. It fights off the infections within the body. Honey has antibacterial effects which help in treating different skin diseases. It promotes speedy healing and moisturizes the dry skin linked with eczema.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is extracted from Melaleuca alternifolia trees. This oil helps in reducing the symptoms linked with skin disorders especially eczema. It has wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. It prevents the skin against infections, relieves the skin dryness and prevents the itching.

Fermented cod liver oil

Fermented cod liver oil is rich in healthy fats. These supplements help in reducing inflammation within the body and promotes the regeneration of healthy cells within the body. They are the perfect source of fat-soluble vitamins i.e. A, D, K, E.

Magnesium baths

This remedy might work for some while for others it might result in worse symptoms. Magnesium baths are for those who can tolerate it, it helps in healing the skin. These baths are very relaxing and detoxify the skin.

Homemade therapeutic salve

The homemade therapeutic slave is highly effective for healing the blisters and scars which occur due to eczema. It helps in reversing the scars and prevents the skin from further irritations.

Evening primrose oil

It is extracted from the evening primrose plant. This oil is applied topically which helps in soothing the irritated skin during eczema. You can also consume this oil orally which helps in treating the systemic signs and symptoms linked with this condition. Evening primrose oil comprises of omega-6 fatty acids along with gamma-linoleic acids which have beneficial anti-inflammatory effects.

Sunflower oil

It is derived from the seeds of the sunflower plant. It helps in healing the outermost layer of the skin which moisturizes the skin and prevents the invasion of bacteria within the skin. It keeps the skin hydrated and relieves any inflammation or itching.

Witch hazel

This astringent is derived from the leaves and barks of the witch hazel shrub. It is applied topically to relieve skin inflammation. It calms down the skin flare-ups linked with eczema. It helps in soothing the irritated skin and relieves the itching of the skin.

Medications

There are many medicines available in the market which reduces the severity of the symptoms linked with eczema:

• Systemic corticosteroids:

If you don’t find effective results with topical corticosteroids, you can make use of systemic corticosteroids which you can either take orally or in injection form.

• Topical corticosteroids:

These anti-inflammatory medicated creams help in relieving the symptoms linked with eczema such as itching and skin inflammation. You can apply this cream directly over the skin surface and have effective results.

• Antibiotics:

These antibiotics help in treating bacterial infections.

• Antivirals & Antifungals:

These medicines help in treating the viral as well as fungal infections which result in eczema.

• Antihistamines:

It helps in reducing the scratching especially at the night time and you might feel drowsy.

• Topical Calcineurin Inhibitors:

It is a type of drug that suppresses all the activities performed by the immune system. It helps in preventing the flare-ups and reduces the inflammation.

• Moisturizers:

Moisturizers available at the drugstores are effective in promoting skin moisture especially in people suffering from eczema who have dry skin.

Final words

You cannot find a proper cure for eczema, but there are several ways to alleviate the symptoms linked with eczema such as herbal remedies, home care, and pharmaceutical medications. If your eczema is very severe and does not get better with these treatment modalities, it’s better to consult your healthcare physician.

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After a long journey of pregnancy, with the large fetus inside the tummy, finally, it is time to meet her or him. You must have gone through several precautions to avoid the complications during the whole cycle, but the final stage of pregnancy demands more care to ensure no real discomfort. It is important to stay in touch with your medical health professional and follow all the guidelines accurately. However, more than that it is important to stay up to date about essential things that happen during final stages of pregnancy.

The final stage of pregnancy means that time when your body stays making preparations for labor and the baby is about to step into your world. As the dates come near, your body starts experiencing so many unique things and sometimes the level of discomfort also increases. In this article, you will find all details about final stages of pregnancy along with few tips about how to care for your body during last trimester.

Top things that you will notice during final stages of pregnancy

Time to face peak discomfort:

The 29^th week of pregnancy is the indication about the beginning of the final stage of pregnancy, and it is often named as the third trimester. It is time to get used to peak discomfort as they baby now grows to get its maximum size in your womb. The fetus in your body may now take up space in the womb, ribs, tummy and back portion; with time you will start realizing that you are carrying a tiny turkey in your body and it is stuffed inside. You will find much difficulty to sit down for so long that is why most working mothers decide to take maternity leave at the final stage of pregnancy.  The baby’s weight starts adding more strain on the back of mother, and this process makes the pain more intense as compared to first two trimesters. Sometimes, ladies even feel difficulty in breathing because the uterus starts expanding right below the diaphragm area. Some of the common issues that are reported by most pregnant ladies include heartburn, urination, swelling, spider veins, and weight gain.

You will not be able to see your feet:

At this stage of pregnancy, you will feel your stomach muscles little bit separated. In medical terms, it is known as diastasis recti; however, there is nothing to worry about because this is a normal process during pregnancy. During the third trimester of pregnancy, your tummy will expand greatly, and you will not be able to bend down or even sit up. In general, we need to bend and sit up many times a day, but you have to forget this during final stages of pregnancy. It clearly means that you will not even be able to wear socks or shoes; not only this, at this stage of pregnancy, you will not even be able to see your feet. The baby inside will not allow you to reach down; probably you may need help from your partner. Or, the simplest trick is to wear slippers all the time; that is much easier.

Forget the happy sleep:

There is no doubt to say that mind and body are perfect partners. When your body starts feeling discomfort, mind reacts accordingly. You will understand this thing well during the final phase of pregnancy. You will not be able to sleep during the third trimester; most ladies report that they need to wake up every two or three hours. It clearly means that you need to forget that 7 hours of happy sleep. Now you might be thinking about what can make you wake up again and again; well! body use so many tricks for that. You may need to go to the toilet after every two to three hours. Not only this; you will also feel hungry again and again, so you have to take some snacks in-between. In simple words, your brain will not switch off, and it will also make all the efforts to keep you active as well. Everyone will suggest you getting more and more sleep, and every time you will just reply that you are it trying hard.

Lightning:

The term lightening is used to describe the process of baby dropping down into the pelvis region. It means the foetus inside is ready for the labor and in most cases this process eases the breathing process. Most of the pregnant women experience heartburn during early stages of pregnancy but now as the baby is about to come out, the feeling of heartburn may start diminishing with time. However, some of you may not feel lightening until the beginning of labor pain or in other cases; it may occur few days or few weeks before the labor.

Cervical ripening:

You might be aware of the fact that cervix becomes thick during pregnancy cycle and it stays closed. The body develops some mucus in the area that fills small cervical opening; it is well named as mucus plug. The time when the baby weight starts pushing downwards, the cervix also starts its ripening process and slowly becomes favorable to handle labor. When the cervix ripens completely, it becomes thinner, and this process is known as effacing. The time when opening gets wider, it is known as dilation. You may have to meet your doctor during final stages of pregnancy as they often check the performance of cervical to know how well your pregnancy is progressing towards labor. Few ladies get slightly effaced or dilated even before a week of their labor due date.

The bloody show begins:

The moment when the cervix dilates, the mucus plug becomes loose. The liquid inside may start passing out gradually, or sometimes it comes out in large mass with huge vaginal discharge. Many ladies report this mucus discharge having pink or brown color and the process is well known as the bloody show. This discharge indicates that labor may occur even within few hours or in two-three days.

The early labor phase:

Medical health professionals explain that the early labor phase begins with the onset of labor until the dilation of cervix reaches up to 3cm. There are chances that some woman dilates for a few centimeters even without feeling any contractions and they don’t even feel that their body has entered early labor phase until the contractions begin. As soon as the contracts begin, the early labor phase usually last for around 8 to 12 hours. You may feel contracts for 30 to 45 minutes with a break of around 30 minutes every time. the contraction pain appears same as menstrual cramps, and there are chances that the bag of uterine water break during this stage or in other cases it breaks during the active labor phase.

Active labor phase:

As soon as the cervix dilates up to 4cm, your body enters to active labor phase. Medical health professionals say that the active labor phase usually lasts for around 3 to 5 hours. With time, the contractions increase, they become stronger, longer and also come closer together. It is important to take mother to the birthing facility during this active phase at the final stage of pregnancy. The trained medical health professionals usually provide pre-instructions about when to get admitted at the hospital; in most cases, they advise to come to the facility when the contractions start lasting as long as up to 60 seconds, and they repeatedly occur after every 5-6 minutes.

Transition:

Here is the hardest part of the final stage of pregnancy. It is time when the cervix dilates from 8cm to 10cm, and the contractions often last from 60 to 90 seconds continuously. The resting duration between successive contraction may also reduce to 30 seconds or two minutes at this final stage. This phase may last for around 30 minutes to two hours. Ladies suffer major discomfort and critical pain at this stage.

Time to push it out:

When the cervix dilates up to 10cm, it is time when a woman actually feels ready to push. This phase usually lasts from 20 minutes to 2 hours and the contractions also achieve their higher peak. Most pregnant ladies report that contractions at this phase last from 45 seconds to 90 seconds and they may have a break of around 3 to 5 minutes in-between. At this stage, the mother needs to push the baby out to lead the delivery.

Finally, your baby has stepped into your world, and his first cry has brought a real smile to your face. This is time to enter into a new life with your baby and dream about the happiness all around.

In order to ease the process, we have explained few tips that can ease the discomfort during the final stage of pregnancy:

Prefer to take rest:

It is time to understand that your baby is about to come out and soon your relaxing life will turn out into an over-busy life. That is why we advise you to take as much rest as you can during the final stage of pregnancy. Make efforts to prepare your body to handle the horrific routines ahead. Even if you cannot sleep continuously for 6 to 8 hours; try to get enough sleep in parts whenever possible.

Don’t stress yourself:

There is no need to feel stressed about anything because the happiness of your life is about to arrive. The final stage of pregnancy means you should get ready to take maternity leave from your office so that you can enjoy a relaxing schedule ahead. Your body needs more care and attention, so it is better to stay at home and fulfill its needs.

Make some arrangements:

When you already know that final stage of pregnancy has started, it is good to make some arrangements for the labor and after labor time. Pack your hospital bag with all essential things that you may need during delivery. Also, manage your home for the new arrival, fix the place where your baby will sleep and get some baby clothing, diapers and other special gifts for your new-born child.

It is time to spread happiness all around so that you can welcome your baby with a happy mood. There is no doubt to say that final stage of pregnancy is a phase loaded with major discomfort, but you can keep yourself busy in some good things to ease the process.

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Degenerative nerves disease is a serious and life-threatening health condition that is also named as a neurodegenerative disease. As the name indicates, the disease has a major impact on nerves that are responsible for controlling various essential actions in the human body. When nerves get damaged due to disease attack, the patient starts facing difficulty in heart function, movements, balance and breathing as well. The critical fact is that many patients suffering from degenerative nerve disease are not even able to live an independent life; they always need someone else to care for them.

The human brain works like a control tower; it is involved in regulating all essential activities inside; ranging from thoughts to movements and emotions as well. Brains talks to all parts of the body but when it is affected by certain degenerative nerve disease; it fails to maintain control on various activities leading to some miscommunication between body and brain. The breakage of nerve tissue stops the regulation of commands from the brain to different parts of body and patient starts suffering major trouble for controlling motor functions, and other movements.

Degenerative nerve disease represents a group of nerve, brain, and spine-related health issues. Some of the most potent types of neurodegenerative diseases and the causes behind their occurrence are discussed below:

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the most popular forms of dementia in the older generation. Note that dementia is a potential brain disorder that has a major impact on person’s normal ability to manage routine activities. This disease begins slowly and affects essential parts of the body that are involved in controlling language, memory and thought process. Patients that are suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease find it difficult to remember things or names of the people they usually know. If not treated on time, they may even stop recognizing their own family members. Patients also start having more problem with writing, reading or speaking; and due to all these symptoms, they suffer huge stress in life. Studies reveal that most cases of Alzheimer’s Disease are found among woman as compared to man.

Causes:

1. In many cases, development of Alzheimer’s disease is observed due to some genetic factors such as alterations in genes.
2. It can also happen due to long-term exposure to harmful environmental solvents such as paints, glues, and
3. Lifestyle factors such as poor sleep quality, lack of exercise and improper diet are also responsible for Alzheimer’s disease.
4. Increasing age can also lead to disease symptoms.
5. Down syndrome and history of head injury is a common cause of Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Obesity, high cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure may lead to Alzheimer’s disease symptoms.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a potential nervous system disease that has a major impact on basic nerve cells that are well known as neurons and are actively present in spinal cord and brain. Note that these neurons are responsible for transmitting a message between your voluntary muscles from spinal cord and brain that further helps to control the essential movements of legs and arms. A person suffering from ALS often face trouble in writing, walking, running or in talking as well. If not treated on time, a person starts losing his strength and slowly becomes unable to move. It may even cause failure of chest muscles as a result person cannot breathe normally or may need a machine to assist in the breathing process. This disease is common among people between the age group of 40 to 60.

Causes:

Researchers are still searching for the major cause of ALS disease that forces the neurons to die inside. In 5% to 10% of cases, the potential reason behind ALS is found the be gene changes and mutations. Studies reveal that there are around 16 different types of genes that are actually responsible for the development of ALS. There is no single environmental factor that can cause the development of ALS symptoms. There is no evidence that ALS happens only because of exposure to heavy metals or due to viral infections alone.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a special type of movement disorder that happens when nerve cells stop developing essential brain chemical that is named as dopamine. Some cases reveal genetic cause behind the development of Parkinson’s disease, but in general, it is not found to run in families. Some studies reveal that environmental chemicals play a major role in the development of this degenerative nerve disorder. The symptoms of Parkinson’s disease usually begin from one side of the body, but with time they start developing on both sides. The most commonly observed symptoms are trembling of face, jaw, legs, and hands, stiffness in truck, legs, and arms, slowness in movements and poor coordination or lack in balance. If not treated on time, it may also cause difficulty in talking, walking or managing simple routine tasks.

Causes:

1. Around 15% of cases of Parkinson’s disease are observed to happen due to genetic factors.
2. Exposure to few harmful chemicals in the environment may cause the development of Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
3. Presence of Lewy bodies in the brainstem may also cause Parkinson’s disease.
4. Dopamine is a popular neurotransmitter chemical that assists in transferring message between different parts of the brain, but when cells that develop dopamine get damaged inside, it causes symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
5. Advanced age is another common risk factor behind Parkinson’s disease.
6. People who work in critical conditions such as industrial environment, agriculture fields, and welding works are often affected by Parkinson’s disease.

Friedreich’s Ataxia

Here is an inherited disease that has a major impact on nervous system ability. Patient suffering from Friedreich’s Ataxia face difficulty in managing muscle movements for legs and arms. The symptoms of this serious nerve degenerative disease begin from the age group of 5 and 15, and the list may include curving of the spine to any one side, involuntary eye movements, speech problems, muscle weakness, difficulty in walking and heart palpitations. Studies show that person suffering from Friedreich’s Ataxia usually need a wheelchair after 15 to 20 years from the duration when the symptoms appeared first.

Causes:

Friedreich’s Ataxia is well recognized as a serious genetic defect that gets transferred to the child from both parents via a process of autosomal recessive transmission. This disease is usually linked to the FXN gene. In general, this gene is able to produce 33 copies of certain DNA sequence in the human body, but when a person is affected with Friedreich’s Ataxia, an FXN gene that repeats the sequence for approximately 66 to 1000 times. When the production of this harmful DNA goes out of control, it causes major damage to the cerebellum and spinal cord. This disease has a major impact on people having a family history of Friedreich’s Ataxia; however, if the defective gene is transferred only from one parent then the child does not develop disease symptoms, but he/she becomes a carrier of the disease.

Huntington’s Disease

This inherited disease causes few special nerve cells in the human brain to waste away. Generally, people have the disease by birth as they are born with the defective gene, but the actual symptoms of disease do not come out until half of the life. The first stage symptoms of this disease may include balance problems, clumsiness, and uncontrolled movements. At a later stage, the person also faces difficulties in the ability to swallow, talk and walk. Some people also find difficulty in recognizing their family members; however, others are able to express variable emotions. In case if one of your parents is suffering from Huntington’s disease, there are around 50% chances of having the same trouble in your body as well. Although there is no possible cure for this disease, few medications can help to slow down the symptoms.

Causes:

Huntington’s disease gets developed in single gene due to some inherited defect. It is well known as an autosomal dominant disorder that means one person can get affected with this disease only if he/she has one copy of the defective gene in the body. Studies reveal that a normal copy of gene cause development of Huntington protein that is considered as a faulty gene with a larger appearance than actual. It further causes excessive generation of Cytosine, Adenine, and Guanine (CAG) that are major building blocks of DNA. In normal human beings, CAG repeats by 10-35 times, but in the person affected with Huntington’s disease, it develops replicas in the range between 36 to 120 times. It is toxic in nature and has a major impact on brain cells.

Lewy Body Disease

Lewy body disease is the potential cause of increasing cases of dementia in elder people. As already discussed, Dementia causes loss of normal mental functions that further affects routine activities including relationships and other activities. Lewy body disease happens when some abnormal structures named as Lewy bodies start developing in the brain and produce symptoms like loss of memory, confusion, muscle stiffness, problems with posture and movements, Hallucinations and changes in attention or alertness. The terrible fact is that Lewy body disease often goes unrecognized due to its symptoms that appear same as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This disease commonly affects people between the age group of 50 to 80.

Causes:

1. Few medical health conditions like REM sleep behavior disorder and Parkinson’s disease are linked to the development of LBD.
2. This disease can also transfer genetically from one generation to other generation; so, when you have a family history of LBD, the chances are that you may also suffer the symptoms with time. However, in most cases, the actual causes of LBD are still unknown.
3. There is no specific evidence related to lifestyle habits causing the development of LBD, but it is proven that improvement in lifestyle with some exercises, proper diet and mental stimulation can help to delay or reduce the symptoms of the disease.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is known as a serious genetic disorder that causes huge damage to nerve cells named as motor neurons in the spinal cord. These cells are otherwise responsible for establishing communication between voluntary muscles of legs and arms etc. When the neurons die, the muscles lose their strength, and the patient starts facing trouble in swallowing, breathing, crawling, walking, neck control and head movements. Studies reveal that SMA mostly runs in families, but it is not essential to see some recognizable symptoms in parents; even when they are carrying the affected genes. There is no possible cure for this disease, but few treatments can help to deal with the complications.

Causes:

SMA disease is observed to pass from one generation to other via genetic factors. If a person is affected with this degenerative nerve disease, it means he/she got the two copies of the broken gene from parents. When these defected genes are present inside, they do not allow the body to produce some essential proteins, and without that protein, the muscle control cells die. However, if the genes pass to the child only from one parent; he/she may not develop the symptoms in a lifetime but becomes a carrier of the disease for the next generation.

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HIV virus spreads in the human body through certain kind of fluids that have a major impact on the immune system; especially on CD4 cells that are usually named as T cells. Studies reveal that HIV can destroy most of these cells with time and the human body loses its ability to fight off common infections and diseases.

T cells in the human body are responsible for boosting the ability of immune system to deal with illnesses. When a person is infected with HIV virus, it starts reducing the number of CD4 cells in his body, and this damage in the body makes it harder for the immune system to handle diseases and infections. In this way, the opportunistic infections including cancer, etc. take advantage to attack patient’s body and it leads to severe discomfort. The sad fact is that there is no cure available for HIV infection; all that you can do is follow some precautions and remedies to slow down the impact. The effective medical care can help to control the discomfort up to some extent. One of the most popular medicines that are used to treat HIV is named as antiretroviral therapy. If this treatment is taken in right way, it can help to increase the life cycle of people affected by HIV and also keep them healthy with lesser chances of infecting others. AIDS is the last phase of HIV infection; it happens when immune system in patient’s body gets badly damaged, and the opportunistic infections take over.

Different stages of HIV & AIDS

If you do not get appropriate treatment, HIV keeps on advancing to different stages, and they make the performance of immune system worse over time. The three different stages of HIV infection are acute HIV infection, clinical latency, and AIDS. As discussed above, there is no cure available for HIV, but the good news is that it is possible to delay the progression from HIV to AIDS. Antiretroviral therapy is capable enough to help patients live longer and also reduces the risk of virus transmission to other bodies. Below we have included few essential details about three different stages of HIV infection:

Stage 1: Acute HIV Infection

Many people live a long time without any recognizable symptom of HIV infection; however, others report a flu-like symptom even within 2 to 4 weeks after infection. The common symptoms of the disease may include a headache, pains, joint aches, muscles, rash, sore throat, swollen glands, and fever. This condition is often named as Primary HIV Infection or Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS), and it is the natural response of body towards HIV infection. Patients that are recently infected with HIV infection are advised to consult medical health professionals to avail right care on time. If the treatment begins at the beginning of this stage, it can lead to significant health benefits in the long run and can also increase the life expectancy of the patient.

Studies reveal that at an early stage of infection, huge amounts of viruses get produced in the body and target the CD4 cells in the immune system. In this process, the number of essential CD4 cells gets reduced, and the immune response of your body also falls down to a level marked as a viral set point. Although production of CD4 cells starts increasing at this point, they are not able to reach the pre-infection level. Medical health professionals advise using antiretroviral therapy at this stage to avoid further complications. At this stage of the virus, the patient is able to transmit HIV infection to his/her sexual partner, or it can also transfer to another body via infected blood transfers.

Common symptoms of disease at first stage of HIV infection include:

1. Muscle pain.
2. Joint pains and aches.
3. Upset stomach.
4. Headache.
5. Swollen glands.
6. Sore
7. Body rash.
8. Fever

Stage 2: Clinical Latency

After the first stage of HIV infection, a disease in your body steps ahead to the second stage that is named as Clinical Latency stage. The word latency here means that virus is living inside the body without producing any recognizable symptom. It means, at the second stage, patients infected with HIV suffer no serious complication or may notice mild issues.

Medical health professionals reveal that at this stage, HIV virus continues to reproduce at slightly low levels and it cannot be even detected in clinical tests. In case if you receive antiretroviral therapy on time, it is possible to live with clinical latency stage for several years as it helps your body to stop the virus from progressing to the final stage of infection. Even in this symptom-free stage, patients are able to transfer the virus to others; however, the risks can be greatly reduced by using appropriate treatment. People that are not availing antiretroviral therapy suffer from this second stage of HIV infection for almost 10 years, but few patients reported faster progress in their body. With the progress in diseases, the viral load also increases in your body, and the count of CD4 keeps on decaying to a large extent. Patients may also develop several constitutional symptoms with the progress in disease.

When the patient starts developing symptomatic HIV infection by the end of clinical latency stage, he/she may face severe discomfort due to:

1. Serious illnesses.
2. Regular infections.
3. Skin and mouth problems.
4. Persistent
5. Fever
6. Night sweats.
7. Chronic diarrhoea.
8. Weight loss.

Stage 3: AIDS

Here is the final stage of HIV infection and it can be recognized from the condition when the immune system of patient get affected badly. The opportunistic infections and viruses become highly active in the body, and it increases the level of discomfort. As per medical health professionals, the time when the count of CD4 cells falls below the level of 200 cells/cubic mm of blood, the patient enters to the last stage of the disease. The last stage is also identified as a severe illness that is caused by one or more opportunistic illnesses.

If you do not take antiretroviral therapy on time, it is possible to survive hardly for only 3 years with this stage. In case if your body is damaged by certain severe illness, the life expectancy may reduce to one year only. That is why medical health professionals advise taking right treatment on time to delay the last stage of the disease. Some studies on patients in the United States reveal that people who take antiretroviral therapy on time are able to live longer with HIV infection as compared to those who do not take any treatment.

• Early stage AIDS:

In this stage, the immune system of patient’s body becomes susceptible to few mild fungal, viral and bacterial infections. The mild symptoms at this point may include night sweats, fatigue, skin rashes, slight weight loss, nail and skin infections. Some people also report fatigue and headache at this stage of AIDS.

• Middle stage AIDS:

The middle stage can be identified from the severity of infections. As per medical health reports, a person may suffer some fungal infections in vagina or mouth area with the development of some yellow or white colored film that causes irritation. The common symptoms observed by patients at middle stage AIDs include major weight loss, diarrhea, cold sores in genitals and mouth, persistent fevers.

• Late stage AIDS:

At this point in time, the patient spends most time dealing with serious medical health issues. The most commonly reported infections include cytomegalovirus, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, Mycobacterium avium complex disease. The symptoms reported by patients at late stage AIDS include depression, memory loss, intense night sweats, diarrhea, and related brain disorders. With time, the patient may also develop Kaposi’s sarcoma, a typical type of cancer that causes the development of brown, red and purple blotches on the skin surface.

There are so many factors that are responsible for the progress of the disease in patient’s body; it may include the genetic makeup, health conditions before infection, early virus exposures and many more. It is important to stay in touch with medical healthcare service providers and follow their instructions to stay safe. At the same time, one should make efforts to improve overall lifestyle including diet habits, and exercises.

HIV testing is important to know if the person is affected with HIV or not. You can take this test at any recognized medical health center nearby, and the reports are kept confidential by experts. If the test is negative, it means you don’t have HIV; in this case, it is better to follow appropriate precautions to avoid the disease for a lifetime. Prefer to use condoms during sex, and in case if you feel yourself at high risk of getting infected, it is better to take preventive medications on time.

In case if HIV test shows that you are infected with HIV, it is time to take appropriate steps to protect your overall health. the very first thing you need to do is start taking antiretroviral therapy to treat the infection. These medications are essential to slow down the overall impact of disease so that you can live a happy life for a longer time. Make sure you stay in touch with a trustworthy medical health professional at every stage of the disease.

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