The terms heartburn, acid reflux, and GERD are often used interchangeably. They actually have very different meanings.Acid reflux is a common medical condition that can range in severity from mild to serious. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the chronic, more severe form of acid reflux. Heartburn is a symptom of acid reflux and GERD. What is heartburn?The term “heartburn” is misleading. The heart actually has nothing to do with the pain. Heartburn occurs in your digestive system. Specifically, in your esophagus. Heartburn involves mild to severe pain in the chest. It’s sometimes mistaken for heart attack pain.The lining of your…
Author: Winner
Lethargy refers to a sense of fatigue and a lack of both mental and physical energy and motivation. A person with lethargy may feel unmotivated or have an indifferent attitude toward their daily activities.They may feel as though they are walking around in a haze or constant state of brain fog and do not have the energy to complete their normal tasks.CausesThere are a number of potential causes of lethargy, ranging from a temporary state of fatigue to a chronic health condition.Lethargy is a subjective symptom, meaning that individual people will measure and describe it differently. Because of this, there…
Occasional forgetfulness is something everyone experiences. Forgetting where you parked the car or what your neighbor’s name is common. It is even normal to experience mild memory lapses or loss as you get older.Progressive memory loss is a different matter and is more serious and disruptive to your life. Memory loss that is the result of neurodegenerative diseases or other conditions affecting the brain can have a detrimental impact on your well-being.Most causes of memory loss can be treated, so long as they are diagnosed early enough. As you get older, you will notice that your memory fades a little,…
Menopause refers to a natural stop in a woman’s menstrual period and fertility.Menopause occurs when a woman hasn’t menstruated in 12 consecutive months and can no longer become pregnant naturally. It usually begins between the ages of 45 and 55, but can develop before or after this age range.Menopause can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as hot flashes and weight gain. For most women, medical treatment isn’t needed for menopause. When does menopause begin and how long does it last?Most women first begin developing menopause symptoms about four years before their last period. Symptoms often continue until about four years after…
Period diarrhea can be an unpleasant feeling. However, with the right measures, it can be treated the right way. Pain, cramping, bloating and abdominal pain could be very normally experienced during periods, but have you ever experienced diarrhea during periods? It is surely not a pleasant feeling. However, it’s normal to have diarrhea before or during periods. The same hormonal changes that cause contraction of your uterus and its lining can also have an effect on your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Hormonal changes during periods are normal. Due to this, certain chemicals are released. These chemicals are known as prostaglandins. So,…
Leukemia is a blood cancer. Most leukemia begins with cells that would usually become white blood cells. Normally, your body makes the correct amount of white blood cells needed to fight infections and carry out other important body functions.Children with leukemia produce too many white blood cells, and these cells don’t function properly. The cells grow too quickly, crowding out red blood cells and platelets.Most children with leukemia have an acute form of it. Acute leukemia progresses very quickly in the body and needs immediate treatment. The two types of leukemia most common in children are: Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).…
What is asthma?Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways to the lungs. It makes breathing difficult and can make some physical activities challenging or even impossible.To understand asthma, it’s necessary to understand a little about what happens when you breathe. Normally, with every breath you take, air goes through your nose or mouth, down into your throat, and into your airways, eventually making it to your lungs.There are lots of small air passages in your lungs that help deliver oxygen from the air into your bloodstream.Asthma symptoms occur when the lining of your airways swells and the muscles around…
What is an affective disorder?Affective disorders are a set of psychiatric disorders, also called mood disorders.The main types of affective disorders are depression and bipolar disorder. Symptoms vary by individual and can range from mild to severe.A psychiatrist or other trained mental health professional can diagnose an affective disorder. This is done with a psychiatric evaluation.Affective disorders can be disruptive to your life. However, there are effective treatments available, including both medication and psychotherapy. Types of affective disorders DepressionDepression is a medical term that describes ongoing feelings of extreme sadness and hopelessness. It’s more than simply feeling down for a…
What is osteoarthritis?Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint condition. OA is also called wear-and-tear arthritis, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative joint disease.A joint is where two bones come together. Cartilage is the protective tissue that covers the ends of the bones. With OA, this cartilage breaks down, causing the bones within the joint to rub together. This can cause pain, stiffness, and other symptoms.OA can occur in any joint. However, the most commonly affected areas of the body include the: hands, fingers, shoulder, spine, hips and knees.OA occurs most often in older people, although it can occur in adults…
Weight loss is not the answer to every health problem, but if your doctor recommends it, there are tips to help you lose weight safely. A steady weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week is recommended for the most effective long-term weight management.Everyone has unique needs and different eating styles, and tips may work better for you than someone else.You may find you are able to lose weight by following a low carb diet or a diet that has a focus on whole foods, but there are some general principles that apply when you’re trying to lose weight.Here…