Hearing the words “hepatitis c” creates a cringe within many, whether or not those who hear it know the full effects. Hep C virus HCV is a liver infection that can lead to severe liver damage. Surprisingly, about 3.9 million people in the US have this infection, but many may not know it. This is because the disease causes few symptoms, some being more extreme, and others being able to hide in daily pain. Here are signs and symptoms of hepatitis c for your reference. Most minor symptoms can last anywhere within the range of 2-12 weeks: 1. Clay colored stool or dark urine One of the most visible symptoms of hepatitis c is the discoloration of the human excrement. Poo will become a strange, fake looking color that represents clay instead of stool. Urine will also become discolored, becoming a very dark shade of yellow. A sign that there are a lot more toxins being processed through your system. 2. Fever and fatigue Similar to the flu, hep c comes with a fever and fatigue that can lead to an exhaustion that will make day-to-day tasks difficult to finish. It’s common, with the fever, to feel like you are either always extremely cold, or burning hot.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 17.3 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represents 7.1 percent of all U.S. adults. Clinical depression symptoms include feeling down, sadness, lethargy, apathy to once passionate hobbies, and withdrawing from social events and interacting with people. Food plays a significant role in our physical health, as well as our mental and emotional health. Treating depression usually involves a combination of approaches including healthy diet choices, therapies, and doctor-prescribed medications. Some small changes in your diet may help to decrease your symptoms and have a positive effect on your daily life: 1. Fatty fish Studies show omega-3s improves your mood. Omega-3 has anti-inflammatory actions that help to relieve depression. There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids ALA, EPA and DHA. Of the three, EPA appears to be the best at fighting depression. Fatty fish including anchovy, mackerel, salmon, trout, shellfish, sardines, shad and tuna are all high in EPA omega-3. 2. Leafy green vegetables Studies suggest raw fruits and vegetables may be better for your mental health than cooked ones. Fiber, folate and other nutrients make vegetables a great choice to help improve your mood.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the nervous system, which includes the optical nerves, the brain and the spinal cord. The attack on the nervous system and the myelin, which is a sheath that protects the nerves, causes lesions and inflammation on the brain and spinal cord. This inflammation can make it difficult to transmit signals to the entire body. These conditions can lead to irreversible damage and a variety of symptoms. Once MS has been diagnosed, it is necessary to determine the cause of the condition. Several conditions may cause Multiple Sclerosis. Some of them include: Genetic factors: MS is not hereditary, but patients with certain genes can have susceptibility to MS. Environmental factors: Some scientists believe that factors in the environment can trigger the development of MS. The environment triggers occur naturally without a person being aware that there is a trigger. The triggers may include exposure to toxins, tobacco smoke, environmental chemicals, and viral infections. Lack of Vitamin D: MS is common in people who have a lack of exposure to sunlight, which is needed to produce Vitamin D. Some scientists believe that low amounts of vitamin D may affect the immune system.

Keto diet is a high-fat and low-carb diet that aims to blood sugar and insulin levels and forces the body into a state of ketosis (a metabolic state), which then forces the body to use fats and ketones instead of glucose as the main fuel (or energy) source. The main products you should eat on a ketogenic diet are low-carb vegetables, avocados, cheese, eggs, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, seafood, nuts and seeds, and coconut and olive oil. Even though a low-carb diet is considered to be controversial, here are top benefits of a ketogenic diet: 1. Weight loss A low-carb diet is one of the simplest ways to lose weight. The results of many studies reveal that people on low-carb diets lose more weight and do it faster than people on low-fat diets. However, obese participants of one of the recent studies found that a ketonic diet is effective for up to 6 months only. 2. Reduce insulin and blood sugar levels This type of diet is especially effective and helpful for people suffering from diabetes and insulin resistance. In one study the participants with type 2 diabetes could stop taking their glucose-lowering medication within six months. However, patients with diabetes are recommended to talk to their doctor before trying a low-carb diet in order to avoid hypoglycemia.

Sleep apnea is a severe sleep disorder where breathing stops and starts rhythmically. People who snore and wake up tired in the morning after a full night rest are most likely suffering from sleep apnea. This condition is often marked with morning headaches, loud snoring, waking up with dry mouth, and having excessive daytime sleepiness. There are three types of sleep apnea. These are obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea syndrome. Each of these types of sleep apnea has its symptoms. However, the symptoms of central sleep apnea and obstructive apnea might overlap. Here is a list of general apnea symptoms that you should know: Struggling for air when you sleep Loud snoring Waking up with a dry mouth Irritability Instances when you stop breathing in your sleep Headaches in the morning Hyper insomnia or excessive daytime sleepiness You struggle to stay asleep You struggle to pay attention when you are awake Once you discover you have sleep apnea, the first step you need to take is to see your doctor. Your doctor will tailor-make treatment for your specific sleep apnea. Nonetheless, here are some of the common treatment methods that you can use: 1. CPAP machine Continuous positive airway pressure device (CPAP) is a common method of treatment used by physicians to correct Sleep Apnea disorder.

The third most diagnosed cancer for both men and women in the United States is colon cancer. Cancer is a tragic disease that affects many people each year all over the world. Colon cancer begins in the large intestine or the colon. Typically it starts as polyps inside of the digestive tract and over time some of these polyps can turn into cancer if they are not watched and monitored properly. Typically colon cancer affects older adults, but it can happen to people of any age. Colon cancer symptoms include rectal bleeding, bloody stool, abdominal pain and discomfort, and a change in your bowel movements. Some people also experience a feeling of fatigue and weight loss. While these are the most common symptoms of colon cancer some people may not experience any of these symptoms at the beginning stages of cancer. It is crucial that if you feel any of these symptoms you seek help from a medical professional right away. Visiting your doctor and getting regular screenings can help reduce your risk of developing colon cancer. Here are some of the treatment options for patients who develop colon cancer: 1. Watch and wait The watch and wait method of treatment for colon cancer is an effective treatment option for older patients or patients who may not be fit for surgery.

Dyspareunia is pain during intercourse. It is mostly experienced by women, and symptoms can be felt at different points of intercourse. The source of the problem can be medical, psychological, or both. Dyspareunia in menopause is frequently reported by women as being the primary reason for decreased sexual intercourse or low libido. Whether a medical or psychological problem, there are treatment options to help alleviate dyspareunia symptoms: 1. Education Knowledge is power. Educating a patient about her female anatomy, how to best care for her body, and what treatment options are available should be the first step. Knowing which chemicals to avoid when performing personal hygiene and learning ways to decrease mechanical micro-traumas can help alleviate dryness, pain or discomfort. 2. Counseling Regardless of the source of the problem, counseling should be considered. Any patient experiencing dyspareunia may develop a fear of sexual intercourse and this needs to be addressed before a return to normal function can be expected. Counseling will be particularly important for the patient who has experienced sexual trauma. Although counseling is not a ‘quick-fix’, it has been shown to be effective for many patients. 3. Lubricants With or without education and counseling, the best treatment option for mild to moderate cases of dyspareunia is the use of lubricants, particularly for women who consider hormone replacement therapy unacceptable.

When dealing with a grave disease such as ovarian cancer, many of the options available for treatment can be extremely intimidating due to the fact that they involve surgery. Significant surgery and long recovery times both contribute to a sense of anxiety about many of the treatment options that exist when it comes to ovarian cancer. Being able to address the disease while also avoiding undue anxiety is the ideal outcome for a patient facing ovarian cancer. Below are some of the ways that ovarian cancer can be addressed: 1. Ovarian cancer surgery When looking for options in terms of surgical procedures that can be used to treat ovarian cancer, it is important to acknowledge the fact that the type of surgery received will depend upon the severity of the disease. If a person’s cancer has spread beyond their ovaries into other parts of the body especially, then there is a good chance that the surgery will need to be a lot more thorough. Consulting with a medical professional, having x-rays taken, and exploring all available options makes it far easier to determine what sort of treatments for ovarian cancer are ideal. For example, surgical options for ovarian cancer include:

Substance abuse is the consumption of alcohol or drugs in excessively harmful amounts. This is a disorder that often involves heavy use of substances like alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, and hallucinogens; to name a few. Last year, there were 500,000 deaths in the United States of America related to drug use. Alcohol is one of the top 3 substances that users abuse most. In addition to alcohol treatment centers, making lifestyle changes and learning the effects of substance abuse can influence one’s sobriety. Here are some successful treatments: 1. Equine treatment Equine therapy is a form of animal-assisted treatment for those dealing with substance abuse. It involves learning how to interact with horses. This is still a new form of therapy; but results have been positive over the last several years. It is known that direct interactions with animals can alleviate symptoms associated with mental disorders as well as substance abuse. Horses are considered pack animals. This means they can sense and adapt to the feelings of other creatures; including humans. For someone dealing with substance abuse, this provides immediate feedback to a person‘s emotions. Learning about horses also provides an opportunity for dialogue between patient and therapist. This provides a solid foundation for trust-building.

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that is most known for the symptoms of excessive sweating. The condition is also identified as polyhidrosis or sudorrhea. Either way, the condition isn’t a threat to one’s life. It is, however, quite inconvenient for the person who has it and can be embarrassing and traumatic, and often indicative of an underlying health condition (i.e., hormonal or thyroid issues). While this condition may seem overwhelming, there are certainly methods out there that can be used to reduce the symptoms: 1. Prescription deodorant and antiperspirant Using prescribed deodorants can be a very natural and simple way of getting rid of excessive sweating. Everyone already uses deodorant so this option can be very appealing to someone who is new to experiencing this condition. A doctor will most likely suggest antiperspirants that contain ingredients such as aluminum chloride. Common prescriptions may include Drysol or Xerac Ac. One should also take into consideration the side effects of using this treatment such as irritable eyes and skin. On a positive note, once the prescribed antiperspirant is applied to the skin at night, it starts to kick in. Upon waking up and washing the treatment off, one should be able to feel the difference.