strokes
Strokes occur in the brain when blood flow to the brain is blocked. When the brain is unable to get enough oxygen the body is unable to function as it normally would. Depending on the size of the stroke th...
A comprehensive list of today's common ailments and health conditions.
By Shannon Pierce
Lupus cases vary greatly, but they are defined by chronic inflammation that occurs when your own immune system attacks your own organs and tissues. The inflammation due to the disease affects many parts of the body, such as skin, joints, kidneys, blood cells, brain, lungs, and the heart.
Symptoms of lupus can vary greatly. They can come on slow and over time, or suddenly. They can range from mild to severe, and they may be temporary or permanent. Some people with mild symptoms of lupus may experience “flare-ups,” where their symptoms worsen for a period of time, then improve or go away.
People often report:
Fatigue
Rashes on the face resembling a butterfly shape
Fever
Joint pain, joint stiffness, swelling
Dry eyes
Shortness of breath
Chest pain
Skin lesions that are sensitive to the sun
Extremities turning white or blue when cold or during stressful times.
Headaches
Confusion
Memory loss
Lupus results from a combination of both genetics and environment, but the exact cause for most people is unknown. It can be triggered by:
Sunlight Certain medications, such as anti-seizure drugs, antibiotics, or blood pressure medications.
Getting an infection can trigger lupus or cause a relapse in symptoms.
Diagnosing lupus can be difficult because symptoms are similar a wide variety of ailments and diseases. One sign that differs from other diseases is the butterfly shaped rash on the bridge of the nose and cheeks. In the laboratory, blood and urine tests may help doctors study blood count to determine if you have anemia, or a low white blood cell or platelet count, which are both commonly linked with lupus. Blood tests can show if your organ function has been affected by lupus. Urinalysis, antinuclear antibody tests, chest x-rays, echocardiograms, and biopsies, are all common tests performed by your doctor for lupus.
With lupus, you treat the disease based on your symptoms. Patients must weigh the benefits and risks of medications, potentially changing medications and dosages as symptoms come, go and change. Common medications include NSAIDS, such as Aleve and ibuprofen, antimalarial drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppresants, or drugs that suppress the immune system. Patients can help treat or improve their own symptoms by avoiding the sun, getting plenty of rest, seeing their doctor regularly, eating a healthy diet full of whole grains, protein, fruits and vegetables, and avoiding smoking.
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Strokes occur in the brain when blood flow to the brain is blocked. When the brain is unable to get enough oxygen the body is unable to function as it normally would. Depending on the size of the stroke th...
Atrial Fibrillation Atrial fibrillation, also known as “A-fib” is an abnormal heart rhythm characterized by rapid and irregular beating. It is the most common serious abnormal heart rhyt...
Cataracts A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which is behind the pupil and the iris. There are various types of cataracts: A cortical cataract is diagnosed as a white, wedge-lik...
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) COPD is a lung disease, typically caused by smoking, that makes it hard to breathe. It is common for chronic bronchitis and emphysema to pair up to cause COPD...
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IBS Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder among many Americans that directly affects the large intestine, or the colon. It typically causes cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, g...
Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes continuous inflammation and ulcers in your digestive tract. The disease affects the innermost l...
Crohn’s Disease Crohn’s Disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. The disease belongs to a group of conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel...
The more weight you lose the harder it is to get off. You may have started your weight loss journey and found it was easy to hit a high calorie burn, but now that you only have five pounds to go- they're nearly impossible to lose. You can use some simple tips and tricks to shedding those last pesky pounds.
You may feel like you need to change up your diet or feel yourself slipping into old habits now that you're closer to your goal.
Learn moreLosing weight can be tough, but when it's time to maintain finding that balance requires a learning curve all over again. Here we offer three easy tips to keep your body healthy. It's important to remember it takes an average of 21-30 days for your brain and body to learn new habits. Stick with it and you feel, look and be healthier.
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