What is multiple myeloma?
The fundamental cause of cancer is the abnormal multiplication of cells in our body. Cells of any part of our body can become cancerous and this disease may spread to other parts of the body as well.

When plasma cells become malignant, then this medical condition is called multiple myeloma. These cells reside in the bone marrow and play an important part in our immune system. They work together in fighting off the various infections and diseases that may affect our body. Lymphocytes or the lymph cells form an important part of the immune system. These cells are of two types- T cells and B cells.

When there is an infection, the B cells become plasma cells. When they go out of control, they are called a plasmacytoma which is a kind of tumor. If a patient has more than one plasmacytoma, then he is suffering from multiple myeloma.

How is multiple myeloma treated?

There are various kinds of multiple myeloma treatments available to the patient. These are:
• Chemotherapy and taking other drugs

• Using bisphosphonates- Myeloma cells can weaken, dissolve or even break the bones where they are lodged. Bisphosphonates help the bones stay strong by slowing down this process.

• Using radiation

• Taking recourse to surgery

• Stem cell transplant- In this process, the unhealthy and diseased blood cells are killed by drugs and radiation. These unhealthy cells are replaced by healthier blood cells to regenerate themselves.

• Plasmapheresis- This is a process that removes the myeloma protein from the blood. Often this protein causes the blood to thicken beyond acceptable levels. Blood thickening can cause interference in blood circulation.

Before opting for one of these treatments, please check with your doctor to determine the right treatment. Many insurance companies insist that you take a second opinion before getting treated for multiple myeloma.

Complementary and alternative approaches

Your doctor may not have mentioned some complementary and alternative methods of treating multiple myeloma. What are these?
• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Special diets
• Herbs
• Vitamins

Complementary methods are those that you can continue while you are following the advice of your doctor. Alternative methods are those that you take without following your doctor’s treatment. Please consult your doctor or your cancer care team in case you want to follow a complementary or alternative approach.
While some of these methods may relieve you of your multiple myeloma symptoms, others may prove to be dangerous.

Features of multiple myeloma
1. Low blood count- This happens because the overgrowth of plasma cells crowds out the healthier blood cells. As a result, there is a substantial dip in the red blood cells. Platelet count also comes down and there is heavy bleeding in case there is an injury or a bruise. White blood cell count also comes down significantly, as a result, the patient suffers from frequent infections.

2. Other characteristics include problems related to bones and calcium, infections, problems related to the kidneys, monoclonal gammopathy etc.

Today, prostate cancer is one of the most common conditions that has affected men across the world. The prostate is a male gland that carries out the function of producing seminal fluid for the nourishment and transportation of sperm. Cancer is triggered when there is an abnormal growth of cells in a part of the body. Likewise, prostate cancer sparks off when cells in the prostate begin to grow in an uncontrolled fashion. Initially, the growth can be harmless; however, a malignant spread can cause major harm. When detected in the early stages, prostate cancer comes with the greater chance of being treated successfully.

According to research, family history can greatly impact the risk of prostate cancer in men. Men with inherited mutations in BRCA genes are more susceptible to suffering from cancer in the gland. Thus, there is an increased emphasis on undergoing routine testing to detect any mutations well in time.

Genetic screening for prostate cancer
Genetic screening or testing comprises of examining an individual’s DNA and find out the order in which the DNA molecules are put together. Typically, there are two different types of genetic screening methods employed.

The first kind of genetic screen or testing used aims to look at the specific DNA in the person’s cancer cells. Under this testing, the clinicians may find the cells to find it to be different or the same to that of “normal cells.” The inspection can also aid in understanding the cancer with better precision. In most cases, the doctor can zero in on a better treatment method and right management route with this type of genetic screening.

The second type of genetic screening inspects the genes in the normal cells. This process helps pinpoint if there are any changes in genes that one may have inherited from the parents. This helps the doctor understand if an individual is at the risk of suffering prostate cancer. The method is also widely used to understand the chances of suffering from other diseases.

Most commonly, genetic screening in prostate cancer involves looking for specific mutations linked to the disease. This eliminates the need of fishing through and helps get to the conclusion faster.

There are a number of challenges attached in using genetic screening for prostate cancer. The major issue lies in the fact that genetic screening is expensive. Moreover, most cancers are not caused by a single genetic mutation; thus, testing everyone could be futile.

Bad lifestyle choices have more impact on our health than we think. Bad eating habits, smoking, and chewing tobacco might seem cool when we are young, but these factors play a major role in bringing about deterioration before the process of aging even sets in. One such disease that is brought upon us due to our negligence is the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, more commonly known as COPD.

COPD is the result of smoking for a long period and leaving the damage to the lungs unchecked. It is a combination of two diseases, Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema, each of these are known to cause immense misery individually, so imagine the damage the combination of these can do.

Treatment of COPD patients is long-term since it is quite difficult to reverse the effects of prolonged smoking. However, various natural methods can help in treating COPD patients, without the usual side-effects that medications come with. These home treatment methods for COPD patients are as follows-

• The water therapy– This is the simplest method of treating patients with COPD. All the individual has to do is keep themselves hydrated. One of the reasons why people suffer from a chronic cough is due to the accumulation of mucus in the lungs, and drinking lots of water can help clear the mucus. Also, using a humidifier can ease the breathing difficulties as well.
• Eucalyptus Oil– Eucalyptus Oil is known to possess medicinal properties and comes in handy for treating COPD patients. It has been proven that eucalyptus oil is instrumental in reducing exacerbations in COPD patients and reduces the inflammation that has affected the air sacs, which is a common symptom in people suffering from COPD.
• Ginseng– People often dismiss the use of herbal medicine in curing ailments believing it to be a part of the ancient apothecary. However, these facts stand corrected since ginseng; a herbal supplement has proven to be quite effective in the treatment of COPD patients. Ginseng can relieve the COPD patients from their breathing issues since it works wonders on the respiratory system.
• Antioxidant Vitamins– It is advisable to add foods rich in antioxidants to the diet of COPD patients, or else they can directly consume supplements of the same. Antioxidants are instrumental in utilizing oxygen effectively, and this proves to quite helpful when one experiences difficulty in breathing.
• Quit Smoking– One might wonder how quitting smoking qualifies as a treatment method for COPD patients. But, smoking is what caused this disease in the first place. It is difficult to reverse the effects of smoking on the lungs, but one can surely quit smoking when the slightest symptoms of COPD surfaces. It’s better to nip the disease in the bud.

Today, it almost seems like kids are born with the knowledge of operating smartphones and tablets. Playing video games comes naturally to them and is often preferred over traditional toys. While the effects of a child playing video games are highly contested, there are some benefits. As long as you pay attention to the type of games your child is playing and monitor the amount of time spent in playing video games, they can help children develop certain skills and hone their aptitude.

Helps develop problem solving skills: Games do not have to be labelled as educational to have a positive effect on your child’s cognitive development. Nickelodeon games that involve searching and planning on how to approach and advance to higher levels such as Legends of the Hidden temple can help children learn how to strategize and make decisions. Games that allow players to customize their appearance also help children express themselves.

Can encourage participation in outdoor sports: Excelling in an online version of a sport can encourage children to take up the sport for themselves as well. For example, seeing virtual players slum dunk a basketball to win the game can encourage children to practice their own basketball skills and improve their game. It can also introduce them to new games and sports.

Aids in the development of a competitive spirit:M ultiplayer games. These can be played with friends at home or online. One of the biggest reasons children like playing such games is because it gives them an opportunity to compete against each other for recognition and status. Thus, playing with others helps children express their competitiveness. Since not all children are born sport stars, this also gives children who are not good at traditional sports a chance to excel.

Teaches them to share knowledge: There’s no fun in playing a game unless you can talk about it to others. Children who like video games often find themselves talking about the various levels of the game and how to move from one to the next. A child who is ahead of others will, therefore, be able to teach the others how to overcome the obstacles of that level and move ahead. This encourages a spirit of sharing knowledge.

Can improve the parent-child bond: When it comes to video games, children are often much better than adults. This gives them an opportunity to reverse the teacher student roles with their parents and helps build a stronger bond. Some games you can try with your child are Beat that beat, Dance off Clash on or Big time beats. This also gives the parent and child a common interest to bond over.

Can improve your child’s social skills: For school-going children, the latest video game is a hot topic for discussion. When your child plays these games, he too can participate in discussions about them and hence broaden his social circle. …

Pancreatitis is a condition that is caused by inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a vital organ that substantially maintains blood sugar levels and aids in the smooth digestion of food. It houses glands that create enzymes necessary to process every protein and fat that is consumed. However, in case of pancreatitis, there is inflammation of the organ due to the activation of enzymes before they leave the pancreas. The most common cause of pancreatitis is high blood pressure or alcohol consumption.

There are two types of pancreatitis – acute pancreatitis and chronic pancreatitis. Usually, acute pancreatitis begins at the onset of pancreatic damage and is mild. As acute pancreatitis becomes severe, it develops into chronic pancreatitis.

Here are 10 signs of pancreatitis that are significant indicators and should be dealt with immediate treatment:

Stomach pain – Stomach pain is something that people experience through their life and can usually be regarded as a minor problem. However, this is one of the most common signs of pancreatitis and pain is felt in the area around the rib cage. The pain is bearable in the beginning and becomes worse within a few hours or days.

Nausea – Nausea is a feeling that causes a sense of churning in the stomach and is accompanied by an urge to throw up. The feeling subsides in a few hours, however, if it causes difficulty in consuming food, there is a high possibility that one is suffering from the condition.

Fatigue – An individual goes through weakness and feels tired throughout the day. Increased fatigue may cause one to pass out and getting to the hospital as soon as possible is essential.

Bloating – A swelling or bloating in the abdomen is yet another common sign of pancreatitis. This symptom makes it difficult for an individual to sit for long hours or wear pants.

Loss of appetite – One loses the desire to eat and drink. There is a little or complete loss of appetite.

Vomiting – The consumption of any food makes a pancreatitis patient want to vomit. This sign often goes hand in hand with nausea and fatigue.

Weight loss – A patient does not enjoy a healthy appetite, and this causes a drop in body weight. Weight loss is one of the many signs of pancreatitis that will occur during the early stages, while the metabolism remains the same.

Fever – The body temperature increases due to the pain that is experienced by the body. Body temperature will become standard after the attack passes.

High blood pressure – Just as in the case of fever, high blood pressure is caused due to pain in the body. This may also be accompanied by fever.

Sweating – A universal sign of pancreatitis, an individual, begins to sweat profusely. The intense sweating is caused without indulging in any physical activity.

HIV is short for human immunodeficiency virus. HIV infection can cause AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV is transmitted sexually but you can also contract the infection if HIV-infected blood enters your system. Women with HIV can also pass the infection on to their children during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. HIV infection advances in stages and AIDS is the final one. Not everyone with HIV gets AIDS.

Once someone is infected with HIV, it lasts a lifetime. It is not possible for the body to become completely free of HIV. But by paying attention to the early HIV positive symptoms, you can start timely treatment to control the spread of the infection.

The early signs of HIV
HIV signs and symptoms vary depending on the stage of the infection. A person with HIV may not experience all the symptoms of the infection. Most people with HIV develop flu-like symptoms a few weeks after contracting the virus and some may not feel sick at all. Other common symptoms have been listed below.
Fever
Muscle aches
Joint pain
Headaches
Sore throat
Swelling in the lymph nodes
Rash
Night sweats
Fatigue
Mouth ulcers

Steps to take when you notice the warning signs of HIV:
The early signs of the HIV infection are similar to other viral infections. So, it is easy to assume these symptoms as just another infection. But if you suspect it to be HIV, it is very crucial to immediately consult a doctor and get yourself tested.

The early HIV positive symptoms can be so mild that you may not even feel that you are sick. It is during this early stage of the infection that your body has the most number of viruses and raises your chances of infecting others. Therefore, if you feel there is even a slightest chance that you may have HIV (in case you had unprotected sex with anyone recently or if the blood of an injured person got into your system), testing for it can be helpful in controlling the infection.

Some people do not experience any early symptoms of HIV. Some people with HIV may not even have any symptoms for years. Therefore, if you suspect you might be exposed to the virus, getting tested is the right thing to do. Only HIV tests can confirm the presence of an infection as early HIV signs and symptoms are the same as any other viral infection.

Treatment
HIV infection treatment options may vary from each person. HIV has no cure, but with daily medication, therapies, and regular testing, it is possible to manage the disease.

There are many different types of HIV drugs. Each type of drug fights the HIV infection in a different way.
Doctors usually recommend the use of 23 drugs from different classes to prevent the viruses from becoming resistant to the treatment.
Each person can respond to the treatment differently. This is why your doctor will consider your medical history before prescribing any drugs.

Diarrhea is a digestive condition that results in loose stools. It sometimes lasts a couple of days or at times lasts more than 4 weeks. The one that lasts longer is termed chronic diarrhea. If it lasts further, it points to a serious disorder, such as inflammatory or irritable bowel disease. Chronic diarrhea causes dehydration, which if not treated can prove fatal.

Symptoms and complications
The main symptom of diarrhea is loose stools. Other symptoms include nausea, abdominal cramps and bloating or urgent need to have a bowel movement. Acute diarrhea may not be harmful, but chronic diarrhea can be life-threatening if it has caused prolonged dehydration.

Causes of chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea causes can vary from medications to viruses. Some of the major causes of chronic diarrhea in adults are as follows:

• Sanitation – Chronic diarrhea is mostly caused by the consumption of unclean water. The source of unclean water can be exposure to open defecation, cohabitation with domestic animals and lack of refrigeration of food.
• Medications – Sometimes an already existing medical condition is one of the chronic diarrhea causes. Penicillin, laxatives, antacids, heartburn medications, antibiotics, anti-neoplastic drugs, anti-inflammatories are few which falls into the category.
• Nutrition – Lack of proper nutrition and deficiency of zinc and vitamin A also cause chronic diarrhea.
• Viral infection – Various viruses like Rotavirus, cytomegalovirus and viral hepatitis can also cause diarrhea.
• Lactose – Lactose, a sugar found in milk, cannot be easily digested by some people. These people can experience diarrhea after consuming dairy products.
• Bacteria – Certain bacteria, like campylobacter, salmonella, shigella and Escherichia coli can also be the cause of chronic diarrhea in adults.
• Contaminated food – Unclean food and water can spread bacteria into the body, which can cause diarrhea.
• Other diseases – Diarrhea can also be caused by other diseases like ethanol ingestion, inflammatory bowel diseases and radiation enterotherapy for treating cancers.
• Malabsorption – This occurs when a person is not able to absorb food fully, mainly because of disorders in bowel or indigestion from diseases of the pancreas.

Prevention and treatment
Wash and sanitize your hands to prevent the spread of viral diarrhea. Keep a watch at the source of the food and water you consume. Watch what you eat and drink. Avoid any source of contaminated food and water. Immunization against pathogens that cause diarrhea can prevent chronic diarrhea to a great extent. Combat dietary deficiencies by practicing healthy eating habits. In case a person is taking antibiotics, probiotic drinks decrease the risk of diarrhea.

Every disease shows certain signs and symptoms before it wages a full-fledged war on the body. Liver diseases too belong to this category.

The liver is one of the vital organs of the body that has multiple functions to perform. From producing proteins to aiding the process of digestion, the liver plays a major role in allowing us to lead a normal life. Liver diseases imply that something is interfering with its functioning, and a slight disruption in the functioning of the liver can lead to grave diseases.

Fatty liver, Cirrhosis, Hepatitis A, B, and C, Jaundice, Liver Cancer, Gallstone, Hepatoxiticity, Viral Hepatitis, etc. are the common liver diseases that can affect individuals who aren’t on guard against such diseases.

One can sense the impending disaster when the symptoms of liver diseases start surfacing. If you read into the signs appropriately, there are chances of a faster recovery. The common symptoms that indicate an underlying liver disease are as follows-

• Swollen abdomen– One of the signs that a person suffers from liver diseases is a swollen abdomen. This swollen abdomen indicates an accumulation of bilirubin, proteins, and fluid in the body. Also, such fluid retention can also cause swelling in the ankles as well. Diuretics are often used to combat this situation, but in severe cases, a needle is used to drain the fluid from the abdomen.
• Jaundice- One of the most visible signs of a liver disease is the discoloration of the skin, eyes, and nails. It starts turning yellow, due to the accumulation of bilirubin produced in the liver. Excess of bilirubin in the liver is responsible for the discoloration. This condition is called jaundice and can signify a more severe liver disease on its way.
• Change in the color of urine– When the color of the urine changes, it indicates the presence of a liver disease. When there is a disruption in the functioning of the liver, there’s an increase in the level of bilirubin, and it exits the body through urine. Dark colored urine indicates the presence of high bilirubin in the liver, which is dangerous.
• Irritated skin- Itchy and flaky skin is another sign of a liver disease. A faulty liver can also lead to swelling and redness of the skin and result in the change of the color of the skin. In severe cases of liver diseases, the veins become more visible through the skin and can be the source of constant irritation.
• Nausea- Since liver helps the process of digestion, any change in the functioning of the same can wreak havoc in the digestive process. Acid reflux, indigestion, nausea become quite frequent as the liver disease becomes more severe.