Breast cancer develops in the lobules (milk-producing glands) or the ducts (pathways transporting milk to the nipple) present in the breasts. They begin as a small lump or mass in these confined areas, can grow bigger, and then spread to nearby lymph nodes. They can also pass through the bloodstream, targeting other organs of the body. The cancer cells can also spread to the tissues surrounding the breast, including the chest wall. There are different types of breast cancer with distinct and identical symptoms. While some types can develop very fast, others take years to develop. Some of the signs of breast cancer to not ignore are: Changes in breast appearance It is essential to inspect any changes in the breast. There can be dimpling around the breasts, changes in nipple shape or direction, and nipple discharge. There can also be scaling and redness of the breasts and the formation of lumps. Between-period bleeding It is essential to check for signs of spotting in case one still on their periods. While abnormal bleeding can be due to other causes, breast cancer could be one of them. Bleeding after menopause is never normal and calls for an immediate doctor visit. Changes in skin condition, color, or texture An orange-peel texture, some moles, and other spots indicate the possibility of breast cancer.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection leading to the inflammation and severe damage of the liver. It’s caused by the hepatitis C virus that shows very few symptoms, and hence, goes unnoticed. This virus usually spreads via the infected person’s blood or body fluids. Unlike hepatitis A and B, hepatitis C is extremely contagious, and it also doesn’t have a vaccine. In most cases, this disease is either acute or chronic. While the symptoms of acute hepatitis C show up quickly and last for a short period, chronic hepatitis C symptoms take a long time to develop and are not apparent initially. For this reason, it is considered a silent disease, and hence, the signs and management tips for hepatitis C require special attention to prevent the condition from becoming life-threatening. Signs and symptoms of hepatitis C While nearly 80% of people with hepatitis C don’t show symptoms, some individuals report the following symptoms that range from mild to severe: Constant fever Feelings exhausted or fatigue Loss of appetite Nausea accompanied by vomiting Stomach pain and constant burning Joint or muscle pain Abnormalities or fluctuations in bowel movement Dark-colored urine Skin or eyes turning yellowish or causing discoloration Other occasional but troubling symptoms of hepatitis C include:

Spinal muscular atrophy usually affects babies and children, leading to significant muscle loss and weakness. The condition leads to a breakdown of the nerve cells in the brain, and the spinal cord, obstructing brain messages that help control muscle movement. The muscles shrink and weaken, causing trouble in controlling head movement, and causing problems sitting and walking without help. In extreme conditions, it can lead to difficulty in breathing and swallowing. This disease is a group of genetic disorders and a neurological condition that needs immediate treatment. The common treatment procedures for spinal muscular atrophy depend on the type of this condition. Types of spinal muscular atrophy Type 1 is the most severe one leading to having floppy arms and legs, accompanied by problems in swallowing. However, weakness in the muscles that control breathing is the biggest concern. Type 2 involves moderate to severe problems in leg and arm movement, including difficulty in sitting and standing without help. Type 3 is one of the mildest types of SMA where the child can stand and walk without help. However, there will be problems with running and climbing stairs. Type 4 is a condition where muscle weakness, breathing problems, and twitching are common problems.

Arthritis is a condition of joint pain with restricted movements, accompanied by swelling, pain, and stiffness of the joints. Simultaneously, it causes a limited range of motion, causing difficulty in performing daily tasks. Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition where the immune system attacks the joints and surrounding tissues. The condition loosens the tendons and ligaments, and it also attacks the joints, damaging the cartilage, leading to bone erosion and loss of movement or function. This condition is a progressive disease, where managing the condition involves treating the symptoms and slowing down the progress. However, this disease is not treatable. But there are several foods to eat and avoid for rheumatoid arthritis to form in the first place. Diet plan to keep rheumatoid arthritis at bay Here are foods one should consume to avoid rheumatoid arthritis: Omega-3 fatty acids Healthy fats like omega-3 fatty acids lower inflammation by a significant margin. They also reduce the formation of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood that cause heart disease. A Mediterranean diet is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, herring, and sardines are exclusive types of fishes rich in this substance. Beans Beans are rich sources of fiber that lowers the levels of C-reactive proteins that cause inflammation.

Sleep apnea is a serious condition that pauses one’s breathing for short periods. Individuals suffering from this condition cannot take in enough oxygen, and they gasp and wake up. Initially, sleep apnea can seem like snoring and cause people to think it’s normal. This chronic condition results in poor sleep quality and daytime sleepiness. There are two types of sleep apnea, namely: Obstructive sleep apnea The upper airways become either partially or completely blocked and cause pauses in breathing during sleep. Central sleep apnea There’s a miscommunication between the breathing muscles and the part of the brain that controls breathing. Causes of sleep apnea include: Presence of small airways in the nose, throat, or the mouth due to allergies Regular smokers High blood pressure Individuals with the risk factors for stroke or heart failure Untreated hyperthyroidism Individuals living with acromegaly Symptoms of sleep apnea The following are the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea: Snoring loudly Daytime sleepiness Gasping for air heavily during sleep Headache in the morning Memory problems and difficulty concentrating A dry throat upon awakening Suffering from insomnia Irritability Natural techniques to address sleep apnea There are several lifestyle remedies that are natural ways to manage sleep apnea, including:

Skin cancer is cancerous cell growth on the skin, which can spread to other parts of the body. It is possible to try to prevent skin cancer. The article explains some of the most useful prevention tips for skin cancer. Do self-screening One of the important prevention tips for skin cancer is to carry out self-screening to check the skin frequently for any unusual growth or changes in moles or spots. This is very important since spotting the symptoms of skin cancer early helps in effective treatment. Every month, one should stand in a room with sufficient light and check themselves in a mirror. It is vital to check for moles and spots to try and understand if there is any change in their size, shape, or color. Do this with the help of someone, if needed. While this does not prevent skin cancer, it helps in preventing its growth as one can get treated at an early stage. Avoid excess sun exposure Exposure to sunlight is needed for the body to get vitamin D. Too much exposure can cause sunburns. The biggest danger from sunlight is the presence of harmful ultraviolet rays. These rays can cause skin cancer. Exposure to the sun between 10 am to 4 pm should be avoided.

Prostate cancer is cancer that affects men with the development of a tumor in the prostate gland. Some cancers can grow slowly while others may grow aggressively, which has an impact on the treatment. The article explains some of the treatment methods for prostate cancer. Active surveillance One of the treatment methods for prostate cancer is not starting treatment immediately. This is known as active surveillance. When the tumor is very small, then immediate treatment is not needed. Treatment would be needed only if the tumor starts growing in size. In such a case, the doctor would actively monitor the patient through regular physical examinations and by carrying out tests like prostate-specific antigen tests. Biopsies may also be taken to monitor cancer growth. Surgery If the tumor in the prostate cancer starts growing, then surgery is the treatment needed. The surgery may involve radical prostatectomy, which involves the removal of the prostate. This surgery may be done through an incision on the abdomen. Along with the prostate, lymph nodes and surrounding tissues may be removed, if cancer has spread. There are risks like urinary continence that can occur when the prostate is removed. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy involves the use of radiation in the form of high-energy beams to destroy cancer cells.

Ovarian cancer is one of the cancers affecting women. Apart from medical treatment, diet plays an important part in cancer management. Some foods are good while others need to be strictly avoided. The article lists out the foods to avoid for ovarian cancer. Food and ovarian cancer Treatment of cancer requires a holistic approach with the use of medicines and lifestyle change. Diet plays an important role in the treatment of ovarian cancer. Patients suffering from cancer will have a weakened immune system. A healthy and nutritious diet can help in improving immunity. At the same time, care must be taken to avoid those foods that contribute to the weakening of the immune system. These foods can lead to weight gain, inflammation, and are generally bad for health. Avoiding such food can help in better management of cancer symptoms. Avoid raw food One of the foods to avoid for ovarian cancer is raw and uncooked food. It is important to eat food that is cooked well. Cooking helps to destroy bacteria. An ovarian cancer patient would have weakened immunity and eating raw food with bacteria on it may lead to food poisoning. Eating freshly prepared food that is cooked and hot is advisable.

Melanoma is a form of skin cancer that is the most dangerous. Some people are more at risk than others, due to the presence of certain risk factors. The article lists out the various risk factors for melanoma that people should be aware of. Exposure to the sun One of the risk factors for melanoma is exposure to the sun. Those who spend a lot of time outside in the sun, especially during the hours of midday are exposed to the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun. If they do not have sufficient protection in the form of sunscreen or protective clothing, the risk increases. Having fair skin Those who are fair-skinned are at a higher risk of developing melanoma than those with darker skin. Fair-skinned people have lesser melanin pigment in the skin and as a result, are at more risk from UV radiation. This does not mean that those with darker skin will not get melanoma. Those who have blond or red hair, blue eyes, and freckles are at a higher risk as compared to others. Geographical area Studies have shown that those who live near the equator experience the sunrays at its strongest and are at risk of receiving more UV rays.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system in the body. There are two types of lymphoma: Non-Hodgkin’s and Hodgkin’s. The article lists out the different treatment options for lymphoma that are used to treat this deadly form of cancer. Active surveillance One of the treatment options for lymphoma is active surveillance, where slow-growing forms of lymphoma are not treated immediately. The growth of the lymphoma is monitored and treatment is given only if it starts growing or if it causes symptoms. Chemotherapy Chemotherapy involves the use of medication to treat cancer. The medication can be given orally or through IV. It depends on the requirements of the case. These medications are highly powerful and can cause many side effects. Lymphoma can affect lymph cells across the body, and hence, chemotherapy is the right form of treatment since the medications can kill cancer cells, irrespective of the location in the body. Radiation therapy Radiation therapy makes use of radiation to treat cancer. The radiation is in the form of high energy beams delivered by a machine. This is used to treat lymphomas at specific locations in the body. These locations are marked using ink dots, so that radiation is delivered at the exact location.