Hearing loss can be caused by a number of different factors, including long-term exposure to loud noises, aging, abnormal bone growths or tumors, and ear infections. Hearing loss can happen gradually or all at once depending on the underlying cause. Patients with hearing loss often experience similar symptoms leading up to hearing loss that affects overall quality of life. Here are a few early warning signs of hearing loss: 1. Muffled speech and other sounds With hearing loss, vowel sounds can be hard to hear. It can be frustrating not to be able to hear everything that’s being said. Health experts say to concentrate on the speech. Don’t try to do other things at the same time. Watch the person’s body movements. They can help a person to understand more of what is being said. 2. Difficulty understanding words When you have trouble hearing it’s impossible to really understand what is going on. Do you hear better with one ear? Sit with that ear closest to the speaker. 3. Frequently asking people to talk more slowly and loudly If you tell people you are having trouble hearing they will likely slow down when they talk. Paying close attention and facing the speaker also helps.

Easily identified by complaints such as stomach pain, diarrhea, increased bloating and constipation, lactose intolerance can make a person’s life very uncomfortable. Not to be confused with a life-threatening milk allergy (or casein allergy), which is when the immune system overreacts to one or two proteins present in milk (i.e., casein and whey); a lactose intolerance is the inability to properly or fully digest lactose, which is a type of milk sugar present in animal milk. Although signs may range from mild to severe, these are the most common symptoms of lactose intolerance: 1. Diarrhea or loose stools Diarrhea resulting from lactose intolerance, happens because lactose increases the amount of water present in the colon, which increases frequency of passing stools in a 24-hour period. Diarrhea if left untreated, can lead to severe dehydration and cause fatigue and a general sense of weakness. To cope with this symptom, it is important to consult with a physician to determine whether dairy products should be removed from the diet altogether, and to decide which foods could be a good dairy replacement. 2. Increased gas or bloating When lactose is not assimilated before it reaches the colon, once it reaches it, lactose begins to ferment there, thus causing the accumulation of gases and subsequent lower abdominal pain.

A cold or flu is an illness caused by a virus. Symptoms include, headaches, stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and coughs. It is hard to treat colds and flu with antibiotics because antibiotics treat bacteria, while a virus causes cold and flu. The best remedy for cold and flu is natural home remedies, which may improve the symptoms quickly. They include: 1. Ginger Ginger is known to have antibacterial properties that help in relieving sore throat. It also acts as a painkiller and reduces inflammation. Taking ginger in water may assist in sweating out a fever. Raw ginger can irritate your throat. You can choose to chew, crush it and add in warm water or crush it and boil it in water. 2. Chicken soup You may reduce nose congestion by drinking chicken soup. Taking warm soup is said to facilitate the movement of a type of white cells, neutrophils in your body, offering protection from infections. 3. Use a humidifier or vaporizer A humidifier increases moisture in the air. Humidity reduces the spread of flu because the flu virus thrives more in dry areas. It also treats the nasal infection. Vapor from topical ointments clears the nasal passage to ease breathing when you have a cold or flu.

Cold sores or fever blisters are common viral infections. A cold sore on the lip is a tiny blister that fills up with fluid. They can also grow in pairs or groups, so be warned. When the said blister begins to peak, a scab is left behind. They usually heal in approximately two to three weeks. Still, they can definitely become an embarrassing and painful nuisance if they begin to develop frequently. Luckily, there are several manageable ways to prevent and manage cold sores: 1. Apply lip balm Applying lip balm to the skin will bring moisture to the lips. The glycerin and hyaluronic acid in the lip balm formula will attract hydrogen items from the air towards the lips to introduce moisture to the lips. This will hydrate the lips and prevent cold sore on the lip from dry skin. 2. Use sunscreen Applying sunscreen to the lips will prevent the cold sore on the lip from further developing. It will also protect the lips the entire time the cold sore heals. It can also reduce future infections if sunscreen is daily applied to the lips. You must apply at least SPF 30 or whenever you expect to walk inside into the sun.

Dementia and a wide variety of diseases that result in cognitive impairment for millions of Americans. In fact, 1 in 12 Americans over 50 years of age experience the symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, which is the most common form of dementia. If you suspect yourself or a loved one might be starting to show signs of cognitive decline, stay on the lookout for these telltale symptoms, and speak to your primary care physician as soon as possible. After all, a proper diagnosis in the early stages offers the very best treatment for dementia-related disease. Here is a list of the most common signs of early dementia: 1. Disorientation or confusion about time and place This may include forgetfulness with names, places, and people. For instance some dementia patients forget where they are, or why they are where they are (i.e., when they walk into a room or how to get home). They might not know the date or time of day, and you might have to remind them repeatedly. It is normal for older people to forget details like date and time sometimes, but if forgetfulness that is recurring may be a sign of early dementia.

Most people will experience itchy skin at some point in their lives. While the cause may not always be clear, there are a few common culprits and inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, that may cause skin to itch, blister, and become swollen and painful. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most common causes of itchy skin: 1. Eczema (atopic dermatitis) Eczema is a common skin condition. The word ‘eczema’ is a broad term that covers several different skin conditions, all of which cause the skin to become inflamed and itchy. The main problem for anyone suffering from eczema is that they experience dry, sensitive, and intensely itchy skin. It’s commonly thought that eczema is caused by a defect in the skin barrier, allowing irritants and allergens to cause inflammation. Eczema can affect people of any age, but it’s most common in children and also affects more women than men. Once you have a history of eczema in your family, you could be genetically predisposed to developing the condition yourself. 2. Psoriasis This is a chronic skin condition that causes red, scaly patches to form on the skin. It’s estimated that around 2% of the world’s population suffers from the condition, and it can cause a great deal of physical and emotional distress.

Shortness of breath is frightening. If you’ve run fast and found yourself panting, you know what shortness of breath feels like. But this symptom can occur without exertion. You suddenly need more oxygen than you’re getting. You pant. You might be wheezing or break out in a cold sweat, have chest pain or a hacky cough. It all depends on the cause of the breathing problems. Common causes of breathing difficulties include the following underlying sources: 1. COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (or COPD) is usually the result of years, decades of smoking or exposure to smoke or lung toxins. The end result of all that nicotine and tar is the partial destruction of the tiny air sacs, the alveoli, forming larger sacs that do not absorb oxygen well. Bronchial tubes that lead from the lungs to the trachea narrow down and plug up with mucus, causing wheezing with even mild or no exertion. 2. Nasal polyps Growths, known as nasal polyps, can develop inside the nasal passages or sinuses. This usually occurs in adults with chronic inflammation of the areas due to smoking, asthma, chronic sinus infections, or auto-immune disorders. Nasal polyps can grow large enough to totally block the nasal airway, forcing you to breathe through your mouth.

A seizure is a sudden, uncontrolled burst of electrical activity in the brain. Seizures may cause a person to convulse, lose consciousness, or have changes in mood or behavior. The type of seizure and its cause depends on the part of the brain affected, which also affects the frequency of seizure occurrence. However, with proper treatment and care, most people with seizures can lead normal lives. While most people think of seizures as being caused by epilepsy, there are, in fact, many other possible causes: 1. Brain tumors A brain tumor causes seizures when it presses on or damages the part of the brain that controls electrical activity. While any tumor can cause seizures, tumors that start in the brain are more likely to do so than tumors that start elsewhere in the body and spread to the brain. Treatment for a seizure caused by a brain tumor depends on the specific cause and severity of the seizure. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove the tumor. Medicines or other treatments may also be needed to control seizures caused by tumors. 2. Epilepsy Epileptic disorder, or epilepsy, is a neurological disorder resulting from changes in the brain. These changes can cause seizures.

One in two men and one in three women will develop cancer throughout a lifetime. That’s why it’s essential to be aware of the common symptoms of cancer, so you can catch it early and seek treatment. Cancers of all types can affect anyone at any age. One way of helping curb the impacts of cancer is through cancer donations. Channel your cancer donations to organizations funding cancer research, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the American Cancer Society. Read on for the most common symptoms of cancer in both men and women: 1. Unexplained fatigue First and foremost, one of the most common symptoms of cancer is fatigue. If you suddenly feel tired all the time, for no reason, this could be a sign that something is wrong. Of course, we all feel tired sometimes, but if you notice that your fatigue is constant and lasts for more than two weeks, it’s time to see a doctor. Fatigue most often develops as a symptom of blood cancers—including leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma. 2. Sudden weight loss without trying Another common symptom of cancer is sudden weight loss without trying. This could signify that the cancer is affecting your metabolism or digestive system.

Water is an integral part of our everyday lives. We need it for energy, proper digestion, weight management, and brain functioning. Drinking water is also a healthy habit that can help stave off illness and keep your skin looking youthful. Experts recommend that people drink sixty-four ounces of water daily. Sadly, many people struggle to meet this baseline water intake. To remedy this, here are some great tips for how you can drink more water: 1. Keep a reusable water bottle with you Keeping a reusable water bottle with you is a great way to increase your water intake. Fill it up throughout the day, and it will remind you to keep drinking, even when you are out of the house.  Reusable water bottles are also environmentally friendly, since you are not generating excess waste by using disposable plastic bottles. The bottle you choose should be large enough to ensure you are getting your recommended daily amount of water but not so large that it’s cumbersome and difficult to carry around. It should also be easy to clean and maintain, as bacteria buildup in water bottles can be a health concern. 2. Get a water filtration system If your tap water tastes bad or is not up to par in terms of health, you may find it harder to drink.