Anemia is considered the most common blood disorder. It causes a deficiency of red blood cells in the body due to low production or rapid destruction. These blood cells facilitate the transportation of oxygen throughout the body, so anemia can cause several symptoms, including breathlessness. Let’s take a look at the different types of anemia and what one should know about them: 1. Iron-deficiency anemia When the body does not have the required quantity of iron, an individual can develop iron-deficiency anemia. It usually happens due to loss of blood, but it could also be due to poor absorption of iron from dietary sources. Pregnant women develop this kind of anemia as pregnancy and childbirth require a lot of iron and could cause pregnancy-related iron-deficiency anemia. 2. Vitamin-deficiency anemia An individual is at a greater risk of developing this kind of anemia when the vitamin B12 or folate levels go down in their body. This largely happens due to the lack of these vitamins in the diet, and it is commonly diagnosed among people in countries with high malnutrition issues. That said, even developed countries seem to see a rise in the cases of vitamin-deficiency anemia as people opt for fast foods and processed foods that deprive them of the essential nutrients.

About 2% of men below the age of 40 years and about 52% of men between the ages of 40 and 70 years are likely to be affected by erectile dysfunction. Since a significant cause of this condition is lifestyle-related, doctors initially recommend making lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and reducing stress. One of the critical factors of lifestyle changes is to make changes in your diet. Here are 11 dietary tips for erectile dysfunction. 1. Caffeine Unless your doctor has ordered you to stay from caffeine, you can drink two to three cups of coffee. Caffeine increases blood flow, and you are at a lesser risk of developing ED. However, remember moderation is the key. 2. Watermelon The compounds in watermelon have a similar effect on the blood vessels as medications. Include watermelon frequently in your diet. Have it as whole fruit or as juice, or add it to salads to improve your sex drive. Watermelon has antioxidants that benefit the heart and prostate, which in turn positively affect ED symptoms. 3. Fruit juices Pomegranate and grape juice contain nitric acid. Have a glass every day to improve blood flow to all parts of the body, including the penis.

Melanoma is a severe form of skin cancer and affects over 100,000 people in the country every year. Early detection of this cancer is easy as compared to other forms, and it vastly improves the chances of a positive response to treatment. Here are some of the early warning signs and symptoms of melanoma one should consult a doctor about. 1. A new spot on the skin Doctors recommend self-examination at least once a month. One should try to examine all areas of their body in a well-lit room, preferably with the help of a large mirror. One can ask family or friends to help check the hard-to-see places. One can make allowances for the appearance of new moles on the skin that are not uncommon and usually harmless. However, scrutinizing atypical ones must be a regular exercise. It is also important to make an immediate appointment with a physician or dermatologist to rule out a malignant tumor if one notices anything amiss. In 80 percent of melanoma cases, the disease starts with the appearance of an abnormal mole, but it can also occur on normal-looking skin. 2. Abnormally-sized moles Typically, moles tend to be oval or round and appear symmetrical.

A lot is spoken about sleep apnea these days. While it used to be largely common among adults, it is slowly becoming a ‘regularly reported condition’ among children also. This condition can be defined in simple terms as the cessation of breath during one’s sleep. What causes it largely depends on the type of sleep apnea, which is largely classified into three categories, as discussed below: Central sleep apnea (CSA) Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) A mix of the two (mentioned above) CSA and what causes it? This is a condition where the brain stops sending the signal to breathe to the muscles that are responsible for breathing. It mostly occurs in infants and in adults who have a heart disease or congenital disease. It is also known to occur in high altitudes. These causes vary with the type of SA one has, which includes: Cheyne-stokes breathing This type is associated with congestive heart failure or even a stroke. During the breathing process, there is an increase and then decrease in the effort of breath and airflow. During the weakest breathing effort, there is a total lack of airflow, which paves the way to CSA. Drug-induced apnea Opioids, for example, are known to cause trouble in breathing viz., by increasing and decreasing the inhale and exhale of breath or causing it to go irregular.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative condition which can lead to permanent disability. This condition is caused by the body’s immune system attacking the protective sheath that surrounds the nerves. Known as myelin, this coating helps to transmit the nerve impulses to the brain and without it motor functions decrease. It is important to recognize the early warning signs of MS: 1. Balance problems and dizziness As nerve impulses become more compromised this can have a notable effect on general stability whilst moving. Contracting muscles and loss of sensation can cause an unusual and noticeable change to your walking gait. Sufferers also report developing vertigo in the early stages of MS suffering from lightheadedness upon standing. Coordination and balance can be greatly impacted by the increasing damage caused by the MS 2. Tingling and numbness Tingling and pain and numbness can be a noticeable early sign of developing multiple sclerosis. As the immune system attacks the nerves in the spinal cord this can cause confusing nerve signals to be sent around the body. This can cause intermittent nerve signals which result in tingling and sometimes feelings of electric shock when moving. There can also be no nerve impulses which can result in feelings of numbness.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that is sometimes hard to diagnose due to similarities to other mental disorders. There is no cure, but treatment and proper medications can help to control the symptoms. While the exact cause of this disease is unknown, it is believed to be caused by a combination of factors including chemistry, genetics, and environment. Symptoms of schizophrenia include: 1. Social withdrawal People who suffer from schizophrenia will often withdraw from society. Due to other symptoms like suspiciousness and hostility, they do not want to be around others. Since the disorder affects behavior and rational thought, they feel that others are ‘out to get them’ or are ‘mocking them’, when in fact the others haven’t even noticed them. Schizophrenics will avoid going to gatherings, parties, or even their jobs because they don’t feel safe or wanted. They will often look for reasons to avoid family and friends, preferring the safety they feel from solitude. 2. Hostility or suspiciousness Medications and therapy may help people who suffer from schizophrenia to control the suspiciousness and hostility that often accompanies this disorder. However, a lot of schizophrenics stop taking their medications because they are suspicious of the doctors who prescribe it or the caretaker who gives it to them.

Sweating is one of the bodily functions that helps in the regulation of the body’s temperature. When you sweat, you release a salt-based fluid from your sweat glands. Sometimes, your sweat glands may overreact, causing you to sweat a lot at places and times where other people are not. The imprudent sweating of the body is known as hyperhidrosis. Common symptoms of excessive sweating include visible sweating that soaks clothes and bedding without any apparent reason and frequent skin infection (particularly in places where sweating occurs). The following are the five causes of excess sweating: 1. Anxiety disorder Many people tend to sweat a lot in stressful situations, like when delivering a public speech. Anxiety is a mental health condition accompanied by physical symptoms like sweating. Anxiety disorder makes the mind and body mistakenly detect danger and forces the body to act accordingly. When you become anxious, the breathing and heart rates rise, your pupils dilate to take in more light. Your muscles become tense, and your body temperature goes up. When all those responses combine, they cause excessive sweating. 2. Heart disease Endocarditis is a heart disease characterized by swelling of the heart’s lining due to infections. Bacteria, viruses, or fungi commonly cause this disease.

A migraine is a type of headache, usually affecting one side of the head and often accompanied with a throbbing or pulsing sensation and sensitivity to light and sound. Nausea and vomiting occur frequently with migraines. For some people, migraines can last days or weeks, significantly hampering their daily activities. Most migraines have triggers such as hormonal imbalances, stress, certain food or drinks, or odors. Migraines are treated with neurological exams and scans at the doctor’s office. A heightened sensitivity or aversion to certain smells and odors called osmophobia has been known to be the trigger of migraines in up to 50% of migraine patients. Some of the problematic odors are cigarette smoke, food odors, and fragrances from perfumes or candles: 1. Cigarette smoke Both smoking and inhaling second-hand smoke can trigger migraine symptoms in 72% of odor sensitive people. Smoke from cigarettes contains carbon monoxide and is a vasoactive substance, which affects the size of the blood vessels in the brain as well as the covering of the brain and reduces oxygenation. Decrease of blood flow and oxygen to these areas will cause severe pain. Nicotine has also been shown to interfere with the liver’s ability to metabolize drugs that could treat migraines as well as stimulate pain-sensitive nerves as it passes through the back of the throat.

Dementia is a group of conditions that causes progressive physical, cognitive, and psychological changes as a result of damaged nerve cells in the brain. Some symptoms of dementia are memory loss, forgetfulness, a decrease of social skills, inappropriate behavior, and paranoia. Dementia typically occurs in older individuals. Causes are often Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease. Dementia is also speculated to be influenced by lifestyle factors such as exercise and levels of cognitive function. Here are some of the earliest symptoms of dementia: 1. Misplacing personal items Misplacing items is another common trait in those with dementia. Someone may misplace their house keys, their purse or wallet, or their shoes. Misplacing items and decreases in memory go hand in hand, often affecting one another, and can make the person with dementia feel frustrated and confused. It can be helpful for those in the beginning stages of dementia to keep bracelets with important items on them, or necklaces with their house keys so that they don’t misplace them. 2. Problem solving difficulties Another early symptom of dementia is having issues with problem solving. Someone with dementia may have trouble following a recipe, tracking their monthly bills, or gathering items on a grocery list.

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory type skin condition that causes irritation, redness, swelling, and dryness of the skin that may lead to skin damage and itchy areas that may also blister or become scaly. Not everyone with these conditions experiences them the same way, and may be triggered by several different internal and external factors (stress, low immunity, weather, foods, and beauty and hygiene products). For instance, soaps are a common trigger for eczema flare-ups, particularly soaps with these ingredients: 1. Soaps with botanical oils Many may think natural ingredients wouldn’t cause near as many problems as irritating chemicals. However, they are not always healthy for your skin especially if you have the aforementioned conditions and they are known to cause problems with those who have eczema. In fact, that is not the case. Often botanical oils or other herbal ingredients are best to be avoided as they irritate the skin. To be specifically avoided would be rose, vanilla, and sweet almond oil. 2. Soaps containing methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone These ingredients are included to help preserve products such as baby products, skincare creams, and makeup to keep them from the breakdown of the product itself or growing bacteria or fungi.