Sleep apnea is a severe condition that causes people to stop breathing while they are asleep. The air passage gets obstructed, causing an insufficient amount of air to reach your lungs. It is usually accompanied by loud snoring as the air is trying to force itself through the obstruction. There are two kinds of sleep apnea, namely obstructive sleep apnea and central sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by an obstruction in the air passage, which can happen due to the tongue falling backward and narrowing the passage during sleep. This could also happen when the muscles in the throat start to relax. On the other hand, central sleep apnea occurs when the brain fails to send signals to the respiratory muscles. The signs and symptoms of sleep apnea depend on the severity of the condition. Risk factors These are some of the factors that can increase your risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea: Gender Men are 2-3 times more likely to develop sleep apnea than women. Women are at a higher risk after menopause. Weight Being obese may cause fat to deposit around the air passage, obstructing it. Age People older in age are more likely to get affected by sleep apnea.

Kidney cancer has now become a common condition among people older than 50 years. Kidney cancer causes healthy cells in the kidneys to gradually turn into lumps. The excess production of these cells may affect the kidneys, making the filtering process a task. This affects the overall health of the affected person. Different scientists and researchers have conducted studies to identify the different stages and treatments for kidney cancer. Stages in kidney cancer Before focusing on major treatments for curing kidney cancer, one needs to understand its stages. These stages are: Stage I (The generation of a small tumor) The kidneys may have a small tumor of about six to seven centimeters in the primary stage. To analyze the condition of this tumor, doctors often conduct different tests, like urine and blood tests. CT scan is another test to help analyze the different changes. Stage II (Enlarged tissues) In the second stage, doctors often identify little growth in the tumor present in the kidney. The tumor remains in the same place as before without affecting the other organs. Stage III (Affects different glands) Doctors often find different changes related to the size and position of the tumor. In this phase, the tumor usually tends to increase in size and spreads to other glands.

Nasal polyps occur due to inflammation or infection due to a noncancerous growth in your nasal passages. Many people are not aware of the symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps. It starts small but becomes larger and harder to manage. Over time, if left untreated, they might cause problems with breathing. Even with rapid advancement in modern medicine doctors haven’t found a way to eliminate this condition. The treatment for this condition is aimed at managing symptoms rather than complete elimination. Symptoms of nasal polyps The symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps are quite dangerous, spreading to millions. The worst symptom of nasal drainage results in a decrease in the sense of smell and causes breathing problems. Most people think of it as a minor problem and hence, do not take proper precautions. This is not a minor problem, as it happens all over the world and results in nasal breakdown. In some cases, however, nasal breakdowns can also lead to death. Always consult a doctor and get tested in case you think the symptoms are unbearable. Nasal drainage is something everyone should be aware of. Treatment When we came across the treatment of nasal polyps, one of the important treatments is medication.

Oral cancer occurs in the mouth and around the throat, making it difficult to talk or eat. To function properly and live a normal life, people undergo different treatments. Chemotherapy Of the different treatment methods for oral cancer, chemotherapy destructs the cancer cells present in the body with a chemical agent. The medicine is injected in the mouth or through an IV line. This does not necessarily require hospitalization, as the process is completed within a few minutes. Radiation therapy This process involves treating the affected area by exposing it to the cancer-killing radioactive rays. This is done either externally through a machine (external beam radiation) or internally by inserting a wire (brachytherapy). It is mainly used after surgery if the cancer cells are still present. Often, radiation therapy is combined with chemotherapy to improve the effectiveness. If the cancer is in stage 1, radiation therapy can work alone. Visiting a dentist before the surgery to determine the state of the teeth is important, too. The dentist can help you understand how to brush to avoid pain or complications. Surgery Surgery is one of the main treatment methods for oral cancer, as it removes the infected region by cutting it.

Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. It begins in the melanocyte cells that produce melanin pigment. This pigment gives the skin its color. However, in some rare cases, melanoma can also affect your intestines and eyes. Melanocytes start producing more melanin when the skin is exposed to tanning beds and ultraviolet rays. Melanoma is caused when the ultraviolet radiation triggers the mutation of the melanocytes. As a result, the melanocytes start to multiply and grow uncontrollably. Cancer may present itself in various sizes, shapes, and colors. Knowing about melanoma and its prevention, symptoms, and treatment is important to increase your chances of survival. How to prevent melanoma The best way to prevent melanoma is by limiting your exposure to sunlight. You may take the following precautionary measures: Use a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 If you are exposing yourself to sunlight for a long period, reapply sunscreen after every 2 hours Wear protective clothing that reflects the ultraviolet rays The sun is at its highest intensity between 10 AM and 4 PM, so you should try and avoid the sun during this time Children should be kept out of direct sunlight Make children wear protective clothing Avoid using tanning salons, sun lamps, and tanning beds Inspect your skin regularly for signs of melanoma Get your skin checked by professionals Symptoms of melanoma The symptoms of melanoma usually present themselves in the area that is the most exposed to the sun.

Ovarian cancer occurs when life-threatening cancer cells spread in the ovaries and the surrounding areas. The doctor chooses the main treatments for ovarian cancer based on certain factors, like the stages and the affected person’s overall health. Surgery The most common treatment for ovarian cancer is surgery, which aims to entirely remove the infected part to reduce the risk of spreading. The surgery should be performed by a certified gynecologic surgeon and oncologist. Ovarian cancer is treated by surgery when the doctors need to determine how much of the organ is affected and at what stage the patient is. This is known as a biopsy. When the stage of cancer is verified, the surgeon may try to remove as much of the cancerous organ as possible. Chemotherapy After the surgery takes place, this is considered the second stage to eradicate the rest of the cancer that surgery could not remove. The patient gets it through intravenous therapy or IV for the determinate amount of time after surgery (sometimes before the surgery) as per the doctor’s instructions. Chemotherapy attempts to stop the cancer cells from growing further and destroys the cells that might have already spread. Radiation Out of all the main treatment methods of ovarian cancer, radiation is the most rigorous and intense.

Allergies are a result of certain mishaps in the immune system. If you are intolerant towards something that you consume, your body may develop a few traits and characteristics of an allergic reaction. Sometimes, you get allergies due to a lack of antibodies in your body. The reaction may vary from one patient to another. Thus, when you discover the types and main triggers of allergies that are harmful to you, stay away from them. Most often, foods, dust mites, insect bites, and medicines are the main triggers of allergies. Few points to consider To avoid the circumstances that follow an allergic reaction, there are certain things you should know. The subsequent queries are the most commonly asked question among the patients about types and main triggers of allergies. Which foods trigger an allergy? It is hard to understand which sources of food cause allergies. The foods that are toxic to your immune system may not be harmful to others. However, the common foods that can have allergic properties are eggs, milk, soy, nuts, wheat, seafood, and shellfish. What are the common characteristics of allergic reactions? Allergic symptoms mostly relate to your senses. People often think of other food intolerances or side effects as allergic symptoms.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension can cause serious repercussions to the overall well-being of an individual. Sadly, this heart condition has no cure. However, there are various treatment options available to make living easier. The treatment options are chosen according to the different symptoms and causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Surgery One of the main treatment methods for this condition is surgery. There are two types of procedures that are carried out if the condition is severe and other treatments seem ineffective. They are: Transplantation In this method, surgeons operate to replace the lungs or heart. This is a drastic step and requires months of resting period after surgery. Sometimes, the body does not accept new organs. In that case, they have to take some prescribed remedies, possibly for their entire life. Atrial septostomy The surgeon cuts a small section between the two sides of the atria to relieve some pressure. This surgery is risky and is recommended as a last resort. Medications The symptoms and causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension occur when there are certain arterial defects that decrease the movement of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the bloodstream. In most cases, the condition can be improved with various medicinal methods.

Skin cancer is life-threatening, as it occurs because of a combination of external (UV rays from the sun) and internal (cells generating themselves wildly) factors. Different types of cancers are formed in human bodies due to various factors. Some of these cancers are common and can be found on the visible layer of the skin. The three main types of skin cancer include: Basal cell carcinoma Basic cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer. It is curable in its early stages and does not spread to other parts of the body. It, however, may spread into the bone and the nearby tissue. Damage to the DNA caused by the UV rays of the sun over many years results in this type of skin cancer. Squamous cell carcinoma It is the second-most common form of skin cancer. It develops in the outer layer or epidermis of the skin. Around 20% of the non-melanoma cases account for SCC. They develop in flat squamous cells in areas of the skin that are most exposed to sunlight, like the face or neck. Keratoacanthomas and Bowen’s disease are the two types of squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma This skin cancer forms in the cells that produce melanin, a pigment in the skin which creates color.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic disease that affects the motor neuron cells in the spinal cord and brain. These nerve cells send electrical signals to the muscles to help them function. However, when there are no signals in the nerves, the muscles shrivel and weaken and may stop working altogether. It causes severe problems, such as difficulty in breathing, walking, sitting, and turning even your head and neck. This condition is most common in children. Some types of spinal muscular atrophy may affect teenagers and young adults but they are not that severe. Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by a genetic mutation of the survival motor neuron gene which produces the survival motor neuron proteins essential for muscle function. The treatment options for spinal muscular atrophy are aimed at managing the symptoms and improving the quality of life. Types The different types of SMA are: Type 1 This SMA is the most common one and is also the most severe. It usually presents itself at birth or 6 months after. Children may experience complications such as breathing problems, flaccid limbs, and general motor functions. This type of spinal muscular atrophy usually leads to an early death. Type 2 This condition usually manifests itself much later than Type 1 SMA.