Lupus – Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Diagnosis

Lupus – Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Diagnosis
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), commonly known as lupus, is a chronic autoimmune condition. Here, the body’s immune system, which is supposed to fight infections, begins attacking healthy tissues and organs. This causes pain and inflammation. One may also experience symptoms like skin sensitivity, joint pains, rashes, and issues with internal organs like the kidneys, heart, and lungs. The condition does not have a cure, however, treatment options can help one manage its symptoms. Symptoms Here are a few symptoms one should recognize: Fatigue Most people with lupus experience fatigue, which can worsen with muscle and joint pain. Many may experience stiffness and swelling in the neck, thigh, and arms. While getting adequate sleep can relieve general exhaustion, when fatigue is accompanied by some sort of pain and discomfort, one should consult a doctor. Skin rashes The most common and prominent symptom of this disease is a butterfly-shaped rash on both cheeks and the nose bridge. Around 30% of people affected by lupus experience this symptom. The rash may appear suddenly before a flare-up or right after excessive sun exposure. For some, the condition also causes hives and non-itchy lesions all over the body. Some may notice discoloration in their toes or fingers.

10 Things That Can Harm the Eyes

10 Things That Can Harm the Eyes
Annual eye exams can help detect changes in vision and also aid in keeping eye infections and diseases at bay. While many eyesight issues can develop due to age and existing health conditions, certain daily habits can increase the risk of such problems. While an ophthalmologist can help one find solutions to correct, improve, and resolve vision-related issues, one should also avoid doing the following things to improve eye health: Things to avoid Not choosing nutrient-rich food The human body needs nutrients and minerals to carry out vital functions. So, when one skips nutrient-rich meals, it can lead to a deficiency that can affect overall health, including vision. Further, a vitamin deficiency can damage the optic nerve. So, one should choose foods that provide essential nutrients; for instance, foods like beans and fresh fruits and vegetables like kale, spinach, and lemon are great additions to meal plans. Excessive sun exposure One of the worst things that can hurt the eyes is staring at the sun. Typically, looking at the sun without any protective gear can cause a burning sensation. Here, the damage to the retina develops within a few seconds and causes discomfort. So, healthcare professionals recommend using special-purpose solar-filtered lenses to protect the eyes from such harm.

8 Signs of Weak Immunity Due to High Sugar

8 Signs of Weak Immunity Due to High Sugar
A person’s immune system is critical for their survival. People tend to have longer and healthier lives when their immunity is consistently strong. Good, nutritious food is important in maintaining one’s immune system’s strength. On the other hand, certain foods can have a detrimental effect on one’s immunity. Sugar is one such food element that weakens the immune system. Here are some signs of a poor immune system due to excessive sugar intake: High-stress levels Stress has always been associated with weakened immunity in people. That is why, after a particularly stressful day at work, people are more likely than not to call in sick the following morning. Stress results from weakened immune responses caused due to illness or other bodily conditions. Stress tends to decrease the count of the body’s lymphocytes, the white blood cells responsible for battling infection. Sugar consumption causes a stress response in one’s body. Anxiety and stress are closely linked with a person’s blood sugar rising or falling. Blood sugar triggers various mental health issues, such as depression, insomnia, a lack of focus, memory issues, a constant feeling of being overwhelmed, inflammation, and other issues. A reason for these problems is that sugar suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in a person’s brain.

Liver damage due to high sugar intake – Signs and remedies

Liver damage due to high sugar intake – Signs and remedies
The adverse effects of eating too much sugar are not limited to just diabetes and dental issues. The liver, responsible for detoxifying the body and regulating metabolic processes, can also fall victim to sugar overload. Individuals who relish sweets too often should learn to recognize the signs of liver disease due to excessive sugar intake. Besides listing the indicators of liver damage, this post discusses how to maintain liver health to prevent complications. Signs of liver disease due to excessive sugar intake While the symptoms listed below could result from several conditions, they are commonly linked to kidney disease, which may occur gradually due to high sugar intake: Fatigue and weakness Persistent fatigue and weakness are common signs of liver disease. When the liver is overwhelmed by excessive sugar intake, it becomes inflamed and suffers from cell damage. As a result, its ability to store and release glucose for energy production can get affected. When the body’s cells and tissues do not receive glucose, individuals experience unexplained fatigue and a general lack of energy. Abdominal discomfort Liver disease caused by excessive sugar intake can result in abdominal discomfort. Individuals may experience pain where the liver is located. This symptom can range from mild to severe and may be accompanied by bloating or a sense of pressure.

Herpes simplex virus – Symptoms, causes, and management

Herpes simplex virus – Symptoms, causes, and management
Herpes simplex virus (HSV), commonly known as herpes, is an infection that may result in painful blisters or ulcers. The disease is primarily spread through skin-to-skin contact. There are two types of the herpes simplex virus, type 1 and type 2. According to researchers, around 3.7 billion people under age 50 are diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection, and about 491 million aged 15 to 49 globally with herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. Symptoms There are a few things that one should note about the symptoms of the herpes simplex virus. Most people with herpes do not experience any symptoms or only mild symptoms. Others might not even be aware that they have the infection and may pass it along to others unknowingly. The symptoms of the condition may include painful, recurring blisters or ulcers. Furthermore, new infections may result in body aches, a fever, and swollen lymph nodes. An individual with the disease might experience varied symptoms during the first episode of infection than when it recurs. If symptoms occur, they might begin with itching, tingling, or burning sensations near where the sores appear. The common symptoms of oral herpes include blisters (cold sores) or open sores (ulcers) around the mouth or lips.

Top tips to ensure a healthy pregnancy

Top tips to ensure a healthy pregnancy
Before you deliver a baby and can take care of your it, you must also take care of yourself and the unborn child. You will find a lot of advice pouring from all corners, but what you must follow or drop is often challenging for a new mother to decide. This guide will discuss tips on improving your physical and eating habits while pregnant and even after delivering a child, such as the following: Treatment options for pregnant women Every pregnant mother must take prenatal vitamins. It helps to start these vitamins early. Doctors recommend starting it the day you hear about your pregnancy, or even beforehand, if you are planning a family, because the baby’s neural tube develops into the spinal cord and brain in the first month. Thus, it is vital to add essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and folic acid, to your diet. These vitamins are available at a pharmacy near you without a prescription, but you can also get a doctor’s prescription. Some people feel uneasy after taking these vitamins. So, consume them at night or pair them with a light snack. You can also have a candy or pop a chewing gum afterward. In addition, you must also get a flu shot because the flu can make pregnant women very sick.

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5 styling ideas for women over 60

5 styling ideas for women over 60

Age is a number when setting a true style statement. Regardless of anyone’s perception, just because you are reaching the 60s doesn’t imply to stop working on your appearance and renounce your desires to look fabulous. Fashion is not just merely about trends; it is about how you express yourself through clothes as the myths of age must not limit your expression. So, here are a few best styling ideas for women over 60: Embrace your age One of the most typical fashion mistakes people make is choosing outfits that are supposed to make them appear younger than their actual age. The problem with such a choice is that you are paradoxically accentuating your age when you try to look younger by wearing an outfit that will be more appropriate for youngsters. For example, if you don high heels, short skirts, or flashy fashions that might be more appropriate for a person half your age, you are indirectly making yourself appear “older.” Instead, you can opt for clothes that are specially tailored for women your age. Sporting “age-appropriate” dresses will conceal your age and make others appreciate your other features like glowing skin or your build. And consequently, you will appear much younger than your actual age.
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5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis

5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a long-term inflammatory disease that triggers inflammation and ulcers in the digestive system. It impacts the colon and rectum’s innermost lining. The symptoms are typically produced over a period rather than unexpectedly. According to the latest studies, about 1 million people have ulcerative colitis, and if left untreated, it can be crippling and cause life-threatening conditions. So, here are 5 tips to prevent and manage ulcerative colitis: Get on with the treatment plan immediately Even though there is no concrete cure for ulcerative colitis, proper treatment can help ease the symptoms and signs of the condition and eventually provide long-term remission. If a patient feels that their bowel habits are consistently changing or if they experience any of the following symptoms and signs, they should immediately consult a doctor: Blood in stool Ongoing diarrhea that is not getting cured by any other types of treatments An unknown fever going on for more than a day or two Abdominal pain Diarrhea that wakes up the patient from sleep The treatments prescribed by the doctor will typically include a combination of oral therapy or surgery. As far as oral treatments are concerned, the doctor may prescribe any of the following types of therapies, depending on the patient’s existing condition:
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