Cancer is caused due to abnormal mutations of genes or abnormal activity of a gland, thus thyroid cancer results due to certain genetic characteristics and also due to an anomaly in the thyroid gland. Predisposing factors for thyroid cancer Age Thyroid symptoms occur mostly between the age of 30 and 50, so it is mandatory that both men and women who are past 30 go in for a regular screening to check for goiter or lumps in the neck region, and also do blood tests that help in checking the level of thyroid hormones in the blood. This would serve as an easy indication for early diagnosis too. Gender Women are more susceptible to thyroid abnormalities than men during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, hence it is highly recommended that women go in for annual checkups and watch out for any surge in the hormone levels. Family history Hereditary characteristics are transferred in genes and a person who has a strong family history of thyroid cancer is believed to inherently carry RET (Rearranged during Transfection) gene that is responsible for abnormal mutation, which results in medullary thyroid carcinoma. Genetic counseling and continuous genetic tests are advised for people who possess a strong family history of thyroid cancer as a means of preventative measure for thyroid cancer.

Lyme disease is caused by bacteria but spread by the bite of the tick. The prevention of Lyme disease focused on two aspects, one is to avoid the tick bite and second to avoid infection once a tick bites. The article explains how you can do this. Prevention of Lyme disease The prevention of Lyme disease can be done in two ways. One is by ensuring that you are not bitten by the tick, which is a vector. The second involves taking preventive measures to avoid being infected by bacteria after a tick bite. Pre-tick-bite prevention You need to take precautions to avoid a tick bite. Preventive measures to take include: Fence your outdoor areas to keep away deer. Avoid rats by not allowing places for them to stay. You can use tick pesticides in your yard as a preventive measure. Cover yourself completely to avoid being bitten when you go outdoors to areas frequented by deer and wild animals. Use an insect repellent cream with DEE or oil of lemon eucalyptus to keep ticks away. Shower after coming from outdoors and check your body carefully for ticks. Check your pets as they can carry ticks on their skin/fur. Post-tick bite prevention In case you find a tick on your body or have experienced a tick bite, don’t worry.

Sleep apnea is a serious sleep disorder that manifests itself through symptoms like loud snoring and excessive sleepiness during the day, and medical intervention is very important to prevent further health complications. However, snoring is common, so it is advised to look out for certain signs and symptoms of sleep apnea before heading to the doctor for treatment. A few common signs and symptoms of sleep apnea are: Loud snoring Gasping for breath during sleep Lack of sleep at night due to restlessness Feeling sleepy and tired during the day Inability to concentrate at work Waking up with a dry throat Waking up with headaches The most common types of sleep apnea are obstructive and central sleep apnea, and each of these has its own cause: 1. Obstructive sleep apnea It is caused when the muscles behind the throat relax. These muscles usually collar the soft palate, the tonsils, the triangular muscle around the palate called uvula, and the sidewalls of the throat. When the muscles relax, they narrow down the airway, making it difficult for air to pass through. This, in turn, reduces the oxygen in the blood, which allows the brain to sense a difficulty in breathing. The brain then wakes the person up for a quick moment to catch their breath.

Medication for acne is not only expensive but rarely prevents or contains acne to one area. Acne is most likely to stop as you grow older. Peer pressure and self-consciousness about appearance are some of the main reasons doctors say teens worry about acne. Talk to your parents and teachers if you feel uncomfortable about acne. Remember this is a temporary phase and will go away as you grow up. Also, acnes do not in any way define you, despite what your friends say. However, if the acne flare-up is severe and becomes painful, there are some home remedies that can help to reduce pain and maybe redness too. You can prepare these home remedies with things available at home in your kitchen and pantry. Always clean your face gently before using a home remedy. Apple cider vinegar Unfiltered plain apple juice is fermented with yeast that turns over time into apple cider vinegar. It contains many acids that have numerous health benefits such as destroying acne, reducing inflammation and the impact of scars. Method Mix 1 part of vinegar to 3 parts of water. Use a cotton ball or Q-tips to apply the mixture to the acne-prone area and allow it to dry.

Stage 3 and Stage 4 of colon cancer are the advanced stages of cancer. As cancer progresses, treatment becomes difficult and the survival rate decreases. This article on the stages and treatment for colon cancer lists out the treatments for stages 3 and 4. Treatment for advanced stages The stages and treatment for colon cancer for treating stages 3 and 4 involve more complications. The initial stages of colon cancer are where the cancer has not spread away from the colon. Hence surgery can suffice in treatment. Chemotherapy would be needed in advanced forms of Stage 2. When it comes to stages 3 and 4, these are advanced stages where the lymph nodes and other organs may be affected. More than one mode of treatment may be needed. Stage 3 In Stage 3, there are three sub-stages, 3A, 3B, and 3C, where tumors have spread to the lymph nodes in increasing intensity. At this stage, it may have spread to adjoining organs but would not have spread to distant organs. Since cancer is regionalized, the five-year survival rate is 71%, indicating that 71% of those diagnosed at this stage would survive for five years. This is still a good prognosis for treatment and a complete cure is possible if detected fast.

Using the right type of mattress can help you get a sound night’s sleep, especially if you experience back pain. It is important to ensure that you are choosing the right mattress for managing your back pain when looking to buy a new mattress or replace an old one. The mattress should support your back and ensure that the alignment of the head, neck, spine, and buttocks is perfect to prevent back pain from developing or worsening. This article helps you in the process of choosing the right mattress for back pain by listing out the different types of mattresses available: Spring mattresses One of the most popular types, innerspring mattresses have coils inside the bed, which help in supporting the back very well. A coil count of around 390 is ideal for the best type of mattress, and the coils would have other materials on the top for comfort, including a soft pillow top mattress that can allow you to sink into the mattress. You need to look for mattresses with good-quality, preferably steel, coil used for the spring. Some mattress companies promise a higher number of springs, but this is not necessarily an indicator of the mattress being comfortable.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare lung disease, where it becomes extremely difficult for the heart to pump blood. This leads to a strain on the heart and it becomes larger and weaker. This article examines the causes of this disease. It discusses the classification of the disease based on the cause. When we look at the symptoms and causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension, we need to understand the causes of this disease. There are many reasons why a person can develop PAH. It is believed that in nearly 15 to 20% of cases, it is inherited from parents. There are many other reasons why one can develop PAH. This is related to heart diseases, defects in the heart, lung diseases, and other conditions. In some patients, there is no apparent cause, in which case, it is termed as idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. PAH has been classified into five groups based on the cause of the disease, namely Group I, II, III, IV, and V. Group I This group includes idiopathic PAH, where the cause is not known. It also includes PAH that is inherited. This happens because of the mutation of a gene. This is referred to as heritable PAH.

Breast cancer can cause mental and emotional turmoil to the patient and family members. The malignant growth and division of cells onsets this deadly disease. Though men too can get breast cancer, that accounts for less than a percent of all breast cancer cases. The condition can be treated easily if detected early. As the cancer advances, treatment becomes more extensive. It pays to know the risk factors involved with breast cancer. Often, there are some factors you can’t control and some factors you can control. Risk factors for breast cancer you can’t control: Age Dense breasts with more connective tissues Any history of cancer including family history Your genes Early menstruation Late menopause If exposed to radiation earlier Risk factors for breast cancer you can control: Drinking alcohol Your level of physical activity (Very low or no physical activity increases the risk) Weight issues Reproductive history including first pregnancy after the age of 35 If you don’t breastfeed Taking hormones The most common treatments for breast cancer are elaborated below. Your doctor will study your condition, the causes, and other factors like: The type of breast cancer you currently have The size of the tumor and how much it has spread If the tumor has receptors Your age 1.

Affecting millions of people all over the world, hepatitis is a health condition that could lead to life-threatening complications. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can cause potentially life-threatening complications. Highly contagious yet treatable, this liver infection often goes undiagnosed in the early stages. Not getting it treated in time could cause serious long-term damage to the liver and adversely affect the overall health of the sufferer. Being aware of the symptoms and causes of the common types of hepatitis is important: 1. Hepatitis A Causes: Among the common types of hepatitis, hepatitis A is an infection affecting the health and functionality of the liver caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). This infection occurs in an individual when he or she consumes food or water that is contaminated by the poop of a person infected by HAV. Symptoms: The symptoms of this form of hepatitis can make the sufferer feel like he or she has got the flu. Generally, hepatitis A causes symptoms like fatigue, nausea, jaundice, loss of appetite, diarrhea, pain, and discomfort in the abdominal area. 2. Hepatitis B Causes: Caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis B is one of the most common types of hepatitis; it is a highly contagious infection that spreads through sexual contact, contaminated needles (sharing the infected needle or getting stick with one) or gets passed from a mother to a child.

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder in which the clotting factor doesn’t carry out its function, thereby letting a wound bleed excessively, even if it is just a surface cut. This may result in severe complications, especially if the bleeding is internal. Joint damage is a very common complication of hemophilia and can result in the destruction of bones and arthritis. The condition occurs if there are genetic mutations in clotting factors VIII or IX and is much more common in men, although women are the carriers of the gene. There are two types of hemophilia: hemophilia A and hemophilia B. Prevention Avoid taking drugs like aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs unless absolutely required. Make sure the donor blood is screened properly before blood transfusions. Avoid surgeries, circumcision, etc of male infants before eliminating the possibility of the occurrence of hemophilia. This goes for male infants whose mother is a carrier. Natural remedies There are certain natural remedies that can be used as treatments for the symptoms of hemophilia, however, it is essential to consult with a doctor before going ahead with any of them. Nutrition There is no direct connection between nutrition and hemophilia but there are some foods that may be believed to worsen or improve symptoms.