The lymphatic system is the body’s defense system against infections. This system includes the spleen, bone marrow, thymus gland, and the lymph nodes. When the white blood cells in the lymphatic system start to reproduce at a faster rate, lymphoma occurs. It is a form of cancer that affects all the organs of the lymphatic system as well as the other parts of the body. Lymphoma causes the lymph nodes to swell. Other symptoms include bone pain, cough, fatigue, enlarged spleen, night sweats, fever, itchy rash, shortness of breath, itching, abdominal pain, and sudden and unexplained weight loss. The symptoms and their severity depend on the type of lymphoma. There are two main categories of this cancer—Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The former is a rare type of cancer while the latter is far more common. Depending on the type of cancer, different treatment plans are recommended by physicians. Early treatment can help in arresting the growth of cancer, and in some cases, treatment leads to a complete cure as well. However, most types of lymphomas have a slow progression. Due to the slow growth of cancer, diagnosis can be slow as well. Despite the late diagnosis, in most cases, the patient survival rate is steadily rising due to evolved diagnostic tests and methods over the years.

Hemophilia is a condition where the person has low levels or lacks the required amount of certain proteins that clot the blood. This results in the blood not clotting the way it normally does and consequently, excessive bleeding. People who have been diagnosed with hemophilia generally tend to bleed easily and the blood comparatively takes a longer time to clot. They can experience internal bleeding or spontaneous bleeding as well. It is an inherited bleeding disorder and is rare but serious in nature. According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are two types of hemophilia, they are hemophilia A and B. Hemophilia A is the most common type among them. It is caused due to the deficiency in factor VIII. Eight out of ten people with hemophilia have been diagnosed with hemophilia A according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institue (NHLBI). Hemophilia B is also known as the Christmas disease and it is caused due to the deficiency of factor IX. Hemophilia cannot be cured and is known to develop after birth in rare cases. This condition is known as “acquired hemophilia.” However, measures can be taken to cope with the symptoms and prevent any complications.

Despite the progress in the field of medicines, there are certain ailments that cannot be cured completely. In such cases, one has to rely on treatment methods, like clinical trials and other alternatives to curb the symptoms of the said condition. Amyloidosis is one such condition. This incurable condition affects about 4,000 people every year. It is a rare health condition and can be fatal in certain cases. Since this is rare, it is difficult for researchers and doctors to determine appropriate treatments to control the condition. Thankfully, recent researches in this particular area have yielded essential information which will help develop effective treatment methods. Amyloidosis occurs when a substance called amyloid starts building up in the organs. Amyloid is an abnormal protein which is produced in the bone marrow; this is eventually deposited in any tissue or organ. The condition can be life-threatening as it has the ability to affect different organs. Usually, the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, nervous system, and digestive tract are targeted by the abnormal protein. It is essential to identify the type of amyloidosis as severe conditions can lead to organ failure. Types of amyloidosis There are six types of amyloidosis and each of these affects different organs.

The concept of healthy living is often associated with eating right and following a proper lifestyle. Earlier, the term “wellness” was used to denote one’s physical well-being only, but this term has now come to include one’s mental health as well. One’s mental health is as important as their physical health. It is imperative to understand that mental disorders exist and people dealing with these conditions need all the help and support they can get. Instead of abiding by the age-old taboos associated with mental disorders, it is essential to recognize that people can coexist with others despite such conditions, given the help of loved ones and appropriate treatment methods. One such disorder that has been subjected to constant misunderstandings and has been thoroughly misrepresented by the media is schizophrenia. This disorder affects around 1% of the population and is a chronic condition. Schizophrenia tends to affect men and women alike, irrespective of their age. Men tend to develop the symptoms in their late teens or 20s, whereas, women show signs of this condition in their late 20s and early 30s. To be able to help people with this condition, it is crucial to understand its effect on people and differentiate between the facts and misconceptions about schizophrenia.

Esophageal cancer accounts for about 1% of cancer cases diagnosed in the country. That is, nearly 17,000 adults are diagnosed with this form of cancer. The exact cause of esophageal or esophagus cancer is not known. However, there are certain factors that increase the risk of cancer. People with gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD have a higher risk due to repeated damage to the esophagus. Overconsumption of alcohol also increases the risk of esophagus cancer symptoms. Another prominent risk factor for this type of cancer is smoking. Medical conditions such as achalasia, tylosis, and Paterson-Brown Kelly syndrome are other risk factors. People who have these risk factors are often recommended to undergo screening. This is because esophagus cancer symptoms do not manifest until later stages. However, there are a few early signs of this cancer. Early signs of esophageal cancer One of the most common esophageal cancer symptoms that shows up early is difficulty in swallowing. A person may feel that food is stuck in the chest or throat. They may even feel that they are choking on food. This symptom is known as dysphagia. In the initial stage, the symptom is quite mild. However, over time, the opening of the esophagus becomes smaller.

Ankylosing spondylitis is a type of arthritis that affects the spine primarily. The condition forces the individual vertebrae of the spine to fuse together. The bone fusion also affects the nearby bone mass, including one’s rib cage, resulting in an abnormal joining of bones. Spondylitis commonly results in pain, stiffness, and inflammation right from one’s neck to the lower back area. Ankylosing spondylitis can also cause pain in the ligaments and tendons. Breathing problems are quite common as the rib bones fuse and limit the lungs from expanding when breathing. The chronic condition can further aggravate flare-ups associated with inflammation, increasing the risk of heart conditions. Other health complications include uveitis, inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis, and chronic problems associated with fatigue. One must consult with a specialist who is either an orthopedic surgeon or a certified physical therapist to discuss the future course of treatment. Specialists may recommend one or more groupings of the treatments for ankylosing spondylitis. Medications for ankylosing spondylitis Medical professionals often prescribe one or a combination of NSAIDs, Corticosteroids, and TNF inhibitors to treat the condition.  Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) Inflammation is a major symptom in any form of spondylitis. NSAIDs are available over-the-counter to fight the symptoms of inflammation causing pain and stiffness.

An inflammatory condition, ankylosing spondylitis affects the joints of the spine. It is triggered by severe inflammation of the spinal joints that, in turn, causes immense chronic pain and discomfort. As a result of the fused vertebrae, the spine becomes less flexible and its structure may change to form a hunched posture. This can then result in breathing problems as the ribs get affected. Men are at a higher risk of suffering from ankylosing spondylitis as compared to women. A progression of this condition can also lead to ankylosis. This is the formation of a new bone in the spine that leads to its segmentation. Each section gets fixed and fuses to become immobile. The effects of ankylosing spondylitis can extend beyond the spine and cause inflammation or pain in other joints of the body such as the heels, ribs, hips, shoulders, and feet. In more severe cases, the eyes, lungs, and heart may become affected too. There is no cure for ankylosing spondylitis; however, effective treatment coupled with the right management techniques can aid in reducing its complications. Here are some methods that can work wonders in managing ankylosing spondylitis and helping one live an active lifestyle: Dietary changes:

Cancer is said to have metastasized when the cancerous cells spread to the other parts of the body. The signs and symptoms of this disease depend on what other organ has been affected by the rogue cells. If breast cancer metastasizes, it typically affects organs like the bones, brain, lungs, and liver. Bones The symptoms will usually include pain in the bones or joints that gets worse with physical activity, back or neck pain, numbness or weakness in some parts of the body, trouble urinating, nausea, constipation, lack of appetite, and extreme thirst. Lungs Persistent dry cough, wheezing, trouble breathing, coughing up blood and mucus, and chest pain are some common symptoms of breast cancer metastasizing to the lungs. Liver Jaundice, abdominal swelling, itching or rashes, and pain around the liver area are a few signs and symptoms that can come to the surface in case of liver metastasis. Brain If cancer has spread to the brain, it can cause symptoms such as headaches, memory problems, changes in vision, confusion, changes in mood or personality, difficulty in movement, balance issues, dizziness, seizures, and strokes. Treatments While there is no certain cure for this condition, treatments can help manage the signs and symptoms and also slow down the progression of metastatic breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a disease in which the breast cells grow uncontrollably. There are different types of breast cancer based on the breast cells that turn malignant. Breasts are made of three main parts—connective tissues, ducts, and lobules. Lobules are the mammary glands that produce milk, and the connective tissue is made of fibrous and fatty tissues that hold the breast together. Most forms of breast cancer begin at the lobules and ducts. Breast cancer is said to have metastasized if it spreads to other parts of the body through the lymph vessels and lobules. The symptoms of breast cancer are based on its stages, and the signs of metastatic breast cancer signs are visible in stage IV. Stage-based symptoms of breast cancer Stage 0 In this stage, there is no indication of the tumor spreading to other parts of the breast or other parts of the body. This stage of cancer is non-invasive and is considered to be a precancerous condition that requires close observation but no treatment. Unlike the signs of metastatic breast cancer, breast cancer in stage 0 is difficult to detect as there are no major physical changes visible. Self-examination and routine screening can lead to an early diagnosis.

A chronic digestive disorder, GERD or gastroesophageal reflux disease affects the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is located between the esophagus and the stomach. It occurs when bile or stomach acid flows into the esophagus and irritates the esophageal lining. People with GERD often experience heartburn or acid reflux. This condition is quite common, but it can be a cause for concern if a person suffers from acid reflux frequently. What causes GERD? Under normal circumstances, the LES relaxes when a person swallows. This allows food and liquid to flow into the stomach. The LES then closes up again. In some cases, the LES may relax in an abnormal way, or it may become weak. At such times, the stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. Although this can be normal under some circumstances, it can cause problems if it happens too often. A constant backwash of acid will irritate the lining of the esophagus. The esophagus may become inflamed due to chronic GERD. An inflamed esophagus may make the food pathway narrow due to the formation of scar tissue at the lower end of the esophagus. At times, the tissue in the esophagus may wear away due to the constant flow of stomach acid.

Major depressive disorder or clinical depression has a negative effect on how a person feels, thinks, and reacts. It causes a perennial feeling of sadness accompanied by a loss of interest in once enjoyable activities. Moreover, it causes a number of emotional and physical problems that can decrease the affected person’s ability to function normally. As opposed to what many assume, depression is more than just bouts of blues. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 300 million people across the world suffer from depression. This health disorder requires long-term treatment. Treatments are often a combination of therapies, prescription medications, and lifestyle changes. How does the treatment for depression begin? The first step of treatment is to go through a physical examination. In some cases, medical conditions such as viral infections and certain medications cause symptoms similar to depression. A physical examination can rule out certain suspicions. Following that, a psychological evaluation is conducted either by the physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist. The evaluation will include a complete check of the symptoms and family history, especially for depressive illnesses. Finally, a doctor will conduct a mental status examination to determine whether thought and speech patterns or memory of the person have been affected.