Caused when the blood flow to the heart is blocked, a heart attack has been one of the major health problems globally. Majorly a lifestyle disease, a heart attack has been known to leave other health complications in its aftermath. Some of these complications can be immediate, such as irregular heartbeats, low oxygen levels in the blood, and fluid accumulation in the lungs. A bulge may form in one of the ventricles and blood clots may develop in the deep veins of the pelvis and legs. In some cases, the blood pressure will drop. Because of this, the heart will not be able to supply sufficient blood to the body for optimal functioning. Other complications include aneurysm, angina, edema, erectile dysfunction, loss of libido, pericarditis, and even congestive heart failure. These complications usually occur over time after a person has had a heart attack. The following are the things you should do to avoid the risk of a heart attack. Lifestyle changes Stress is one of the major triggers of a heart attack. Another major reason is a completely sedentary lifestyle that most of us have. Negative emotions such as hostility or anger can cause a spike in blood pressure leading to clogging of the arteries.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the immune system of the body. A diagnosis of late-stage HIV infection known as Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV. The condition severely weakens the immune system and if left untreated, can lead to death. A person who is diagnosed with HIV can transmit the condition to another in certain circumstances. When it comes to the transmission of HIV, there are a bunch of myths that are associated with the same. It is essential to know the facts instead of the myths about HIV transmission. This prevents the transmission of HIV and also the misinformation that is spreading across about the same. Transmission through body fluids Certain body fluids are capable of containing high concentrations of HIV. These fluids include semen, vaginal and rectal secretions, breast milk, and blood. HIV is transmitted when fluids from a person who has a measurable amount of the virus in their body (HIV-positive) passes directly into the bloodstream or through the cuts, mucous membranes, or open sores of a person who is without HIV (HIV-negative). Spinal cords and amniotic fluids also contain HIV and hence, are at a risk to healthcare personnel who are exposed to the condition.

Schizophrenia is a psychiatric condition where the person diagnosed experiences mental disorders. They experience psychosis which is a loss of contact with reality along with mood disorders with includes episodes of depression or anxiety. The exact cause of schizophrenia is not known. A combination of possible causes may play a role. Below are the common risk factors of schizophrenia Genetics Genes are the most prominent risk factor of schizophrenia. The condition is observed to run in families. If one has a parent, sibling, or even a close relative is diagnosed with schizophrenia, they are at a higher risk of developing it as well. However, genes alone are not responsible to cause this condition. Though, genes do increase the risk of one being diagnosed with it. Genes along with other “triggers” increase the risk of the condition overall. Chemical changes in the brain A series of complex interrelated chemicals in the brain are responsible for sending signals between brain cells, these are known as neurotransmitters. Imbalances or low levels of these chemicals are believed to play a role in the development of this condition and other mental illnesses. Dopamine particularly seems to play a role in the development of schizophrenia. It has been observed that overstimulation of the brain in the people with schizophrenia has been caused by dopamine.

Dyskinesia refers to involuntary, abnormal movements that look like writhing, jerking or twisting parts of the body. These movements are a side effect caused by the intake of medications for Parkinson’s disease. Although these abnormal movements can hamper daily activities, there are a few ways in which one can avoid or reduce the risk of this condition. Read on to find out what things to avoid for easing the symptoms of dyskinesia. Higher doses of medication According to a neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, it is a challenge for doctors to find the right amount of formulation and dose to treat Parkinson’s disease. The right dose can provide relief from Parkinson’s disease and also help avoid dyskinesia. It has been observed that each patient of Parkinson’s disease experiences varied symptoms. A high dose of medication may trigger dyskinesia and also worsen the symptoms in some cases. Additionally, without the right amount of medicine, a patient may be left with stiffness, slowness, or they may even feel trapped in their body. So, it is highly recommended to work with the doctor and opt for the prescribed amount of medications to get relief from the symptoms of dyskinesia. High-protein diet It has been observed that diet can affect how well the medications for Parkinson’s disease may work.

Anemia occurs when the blood lacks red blood cells or hemoglobin. Hemoglobin forms a major part of the red blood cells and is essential to bind oxygen. The body’s oxygen supply is hindered when the red blood cells or hemoglobin count is low or abnormal. The various signs and symptoms of anemia depend on the condition the individual is going through. Some of the most common symptoms include: fatigue, weakness, irregular heartbeats, chest pain, pale or yellowish skin, shortness of breath, lightheadedness and dizziness, headaches, and cold hands and feet. In the initial stages, anemia can easily go unnoticed, but when it worsens, the symptoms worsen too. This causes a lot of discomfort to an otherwise normal body. If anemia is ignored and left untreated, some of the complications that could arise include: Severe fatigue Anemia causes the body to exhaust easily, leading to disruption when carrying out simple everyday tasks as the condition worsens. Complications in pregnancy In the case of pregnant women, those who have a folate deficiency anemia, tend to face quite a lot of complications in the form of premature birth, etc. Heart problems With anemic conditions, an individual can easily face issues in the heart, like irregular or rapid heartbeats.

When we are excited or alarmed, our heart skips a beat, we feel a flutter, a quiver. In the case of atrial fibrillation, our heart does the same thing, it quivers. Replacing a systematic, regular heartbeat there is an abnormality, an erratic, aberrant heart rate. Either the heart valves function at a much faster rate or miss beats entirely. This heart condition, a heart disorder, where the normal flow of blood is interrupted and there is an obnoxious recognition of your own heartbeat, is called atrial fibrillation. In adults, 60 – 100 beats per minute is the normal heart rate, but in people who suffer from atrial fibrillation, the heart rate is either higher or much lower. This is dangerous and calls for immediate medical attention. Atrial fibrillation is a serious health condition that could increase the risk of blood clots, stroke and heart attack, the number one cause of death in the country. While atrial fibrillation can affect any adult, it typically affects people over the age of 65. Men are affected by this heart condition more than women. Also, people with other health conditions like hypertension or heart valve complications are more likely to be affected by atrial fibrillation.

After a diagnosis of Fibromyalgia, a combination of medication, physical activity, and psychotherapy is the treatment plan that helps the patient to manage the disease. This holistic approach works best to help them manage whenever they experience mild symptoms or flare-ups. Its unpredictability has made it important that patients communicate with friends, family, colleagues, and caregivers about their condition so that they too can be prepared to be ready to take care or be of assistance when the symptoms appear. Apart from being prepared to manage it with external help, patients can do many tiny and big changes in their day to day lifestyle that will help them improve their quality of life. Some suggestions that one can keep in mind are: Posture Maintaining a correct posture will prevent adding strain to your body: Standing Avoid standing for a long time. They should place one foot ahead of them and later. If they have to do chores like ironing or cooking, keep a stool in front and place one foot on it and keep alternating. Always remember to stay upright without slouching. Sitting Sit with one’s back straight and both feet touching the floor. Choose chairs with armrests so that getting up will be easier.

The main cause of Huntington’s chorea is the anomaly of the Huntingtin gene, the mutant mHTT. A progressive brain disorder, Huntington’s chorea invariably affects the nerve cells in the brain and causes its gradual degeneration. It is interesting to note everyone has the Huntingtin gene, but only some have an aberration, a defective gene. Huntington’s chorea can be passed on from the father or mother to the child at the time of conception. It is possible that one generation not exhibit symptoms of Huntington’s chorea and, instead, pass it on because of some other reason. What is clear is that this disease does not skip a generation of people, it is passed on directly only from a parent to the child. Every child of a person with Huntington’s disease has a 50/50 chance of contracting the defective gene. Affecting both men and women in equal numbers, Huntington’s disease normally surfaces in people in the age group of 30-50 years. In subsequent generations, however, the symptoms can start showing up much earlier, even in the 20s. The huntingtin gene naturally produces what is called the huntingtin protein, but when there is a deviant gene at play, the cytosine, adenine, and guanine (CAG) DNA segment is repeated multiple times, way more than what is normal.

The progression of gout is divided into four stages based on the intensity of the symptoms. They are briefly explained below: Stage 1 – Asymptomatic hyperuricemia : This is the period before the first gout attack. There are no symptoms of an attack at this stage, but the uric levels in the blood are high, and crystals form in the joints. Treatment is usually not necessary at this stage. Stage 2 – Acute gout or a gout attack : At this stage, the sodium urate crystals that have accumulated in the joints form deposits that cause pain and swelling, and redness develops in the area. The symptoms develop very quickly, and the pain becomes very intense within 8 to 12 hours. It usually starts at night, when the uric acid levels are high in the blood. The trigger for this attack is a spike in the levels of uric acid, which may be caused by alcohol consumption, stress, or medication. The symptoms ease in a few days and most likely go away in a week or 10 days. The likelihood of recurring attacks is high, though some people never experience a second attack at this stage. An estimated 60% of those who have a gout attack have a second one within a year, and around 85% may have another attack within 3 years.

The first step in diagnosing muscular dystrophy is a physical examination. Doctors check the different parts of the body to identify any visible signs of muscular dystrophy. They might even ask certain questions, such as whether the person has any trouble walking, how long have they been noticing the symptoms, does the family have a history of muscular dystrophy. The doctor may ask several questions about daily activities as well. In order to confirm the diagnosis, the doctors may prescribe several tests. They are: Blood tests Blood tests help reveal the levels of enzymes that the muscles release when they are injured, damaged or weakened. Imaging tests Imaging tests help doctors see the extent to which the disorder has affected the muscles. An MRI scan, which uses radio waves to create pictures of the body, or an ultrasound, which uses sound waves to gather pictures, may be prescribed. Muscle biopsy The doctor will extract a small portion of the muscle tissue with the help of a needle. This tissue sample will then be examined under a microscope to diagnose the missing proteins. This test also helps doctors determine the types of muscular dystrophy. Electromyography or EMG This test involves the use of needles called electrodes to measure the electrical activity of the muscles.