Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a very common heart arrhythmia. It is characterized by an irregular pulse. As the name suggests, it affects the upper part of the heart or the atriums and makes them beat at a faster rate than the ventricles. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this condition. Does atrial fibrillation increase the risk of a stroke? People with AFib have a 5 times higher risk of a stroke than others. This is because the irregular beating may make blood static and cause it to pool in the left atrium. This may lead to the formation of a clot that can block an artery in the heart or travel to the brain. Does medication for atrial fibrillation need to be taken even after the symptoms go away? Medication should not be discontinued or changed without the doctor’s consent. A patient suffering from this condition has a high risk of stroke even when there are no noticeable symptoms. In many cases, the patient may be prescribed anticoagulant medications that can help reduce stroke risk. Can a patient suffer from this condition without having any symptoms? In many cases, atrial fibrillation is asymptomatic. This means that the person experiences no abnormalities that are associated with the condition.

Psoriatic arthritis is a medical condition that causes swelling and inflammation in both the joints and the skin. It is a rare type of arthritis that causes scaly, red rashes on the skin and small white spots on the nails. Psoriatic arthritis affects the joints of the toes, fingers, knees, wrists, and lower back and causes intense pain in the affected joints. Its onset is common in individuals between the ages of 30-50 years, but it can also affect children. In most cases, the skin condition precedes joint pain. Causes The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis is not yet known, but some of the possible causes are a dysfunctional immune system, a family history of the disease, and environmental triggers. Compared to normal arthritis, psoriatic arthritis lacks the typical rheumatoid arthritis antibodies and affects fewer joints. Symptoms The symptoms and severity of psoriatic arthritis vary among children, but some symptoms are common and affect all children: The appearance of itchy, red rashes on the face, buttocks, elbows, and scalp. Inflammation in the joints of the fingers, wrists, toes, and knees. Swollen wrists are also a common symptom in girls between the ages of 1-6 years. Swelling in the skin over the affected area.

Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluids which can form in the gallbladder, which is a small pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen, just below the liver. Gallstones vary in size; they can be as small as a grain to as large as a golf ball. They usually form when there is too much cholesterol in the bile. Some people might develop just one gallstone, whereas others may develop many gallstones at the same time. Gallstones are not actually stones; they are pieces of solid material formed in the gallbladder, which might not even be noticed until they block the bile duct, causing severe pain. They are categorized into two parts namely cholesterol stones and pigment stones. Gallstones that don’t cause any specific signs and symptoms typically don’t need any treatment, whereas individuals experiencing continuous signs and symptoms of the same might require gallbladder removal surgery as well. Best diet options to manage gallstones Gallbladder, being a sensitive organ, requires a healthy diet full of nutrient dense foods to be in perfect and healthy condition. While some food items can protect and promote a healthy gallbladder, others might increase problems like inflammation or gallstones. So it is very important to eat a gallbladder-healthy diet which is easy to digest and keep the problem-causing food items at bay to prevent gallstones.

Hypoglycemia is a health condition that occurs when the levels of sugar or glucose in the blood are extremely low. It is not a disease but a symptom of other health conditions. This condition is generally found in diabetics and affects them due to issues with medication, food, and exercise. Although diabetes is a major risk factor, hypoglycemia also affects others due to a variety of reasons. There are two types of hypoglycemia: Reactive hypoglycemia This condition occurs after a few hours of having a meal. It occurs due to the presence of too much insulin in the blood. Causes for this disorder are pre-diabetes, stomach surgery, and enzyme defects. Fasting hypoglycemia This condition is linked to an underlying disease or caused by some medicines. It can be caused by alcohol abuse, certain medications like aspirin, low levels of certain hormones, tumors and diseases of the heart, kidneys, pancreas, and liver. Symptoms The symptoms of hypoglycemia are hunger, sweating, dizziness, irritability, irregular heartbeat, sleepiness, and pale skin, and they worsen as the blood sugar levels decrease. The symptoms of severe hypoglycemia include blurred vision, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness. Diagnosis To diagnose non-diabetic hypoglycemia, the doctor might conduct a physical examination of the patient and ask questions to know their medical history.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may not be fatal but it can be a very uncomfortable condition to live with. This condition is marked by frequent bouts of constipation or diarrhea. Its treatment focuses on improving the patient’s quality of life and relieving symptoms. There is no single treatment that can be used to manage IBS, but instead, patients are usually prescribed a combination of therapies by their doctors. Lifestyle changes Often, simple lifestyle changes can be very effective in relieving symptoms associated with this condition. Limiting exposure to stress and finding ways to deal with stress effectively. Yoga and meditation can be very helpful. Including plenty of fibrous foods in your daily diet Drinking plenty of water Getting enough sleep Regular exercising Eating small meals Maintaining a food diary Patients are usually advised to maintain a food diary chronicling the food eaten and the bouts of IBS. This helps identify potential trigger foods that should be avoided. Common triggers include red peppers, spring onions, cow’s milk, wheat, and red wine. Avoiding certain foods Some foods can be more difficult to digest as compared to others and may trigger or aggravate IBS. Alcohol Carbonated drinks Caffeine and caffeinated drinks Vegetables that promote the production of gas like cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that can damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve supplies visual information to the brain from the eyes. This condition is usually, but not always, the result of abnormally high pressure inside the eye. With time, the increased pressure can erode the tissues of the optic nerve, which may lead to vision loss or even blindness. If it is diagnosed in the early stages, one may be able to prevent additional vision loss. The most common type of glaucoma is primary open-angle glaucoma, and it shows no signs or symptoms except gradual vision loss. The second type of glaucoma is acute-angle closure glaucoma, also known as narrow-angle glaucoma. It is caused due to a medical emergency. Causes A clear fluid called aqueous humor is continuously made in the back of the eye. As this fluid is made, it fills the front of the eye. Then, it leaves the eye through the channels in the cornea and iris. In case these channels are blocked or partially obstructed, the natural pressure in the eye, which is called the intraocular pressure (IOP), may increase. The optic nerve may become damaged as the IOP increases. As damage to the nerve progresses, one may begin to lose their vision.

Meningitis is a life-threatening disease. It is caused due to inflammation of the meninges, which are protective membranes present over the brain and spinal cord. Meningitis is caused mainly because of bacterial and viral infections. Other factors such as physical injury, illness, and side-effects of certain medication can also cause the disease. Meningitis is diagnosed by conducting tests such as neurological tests, blood tests, CT scan, MRI scan, throat culture, and EEG. Infants, young children and adults over 60 years are at higher risk of contracting this fatal disease. Types of meningitis The severity of the disease and the symptoms vary according to the type of meningitis. Hence it is essential to know the different kinds of meningitis. Bacterial meningitis This type of meningitis is caused by bacteria and is a fatal form of the disease. Bacterial meningitis, if not treated properly can cause life-threatening complications, such as hearing loss, brain damage, and death. This type of meningitis is caused by bacteria such as Haemophilus influenza, Neisseria meningitides, and Streptococcus pneumonia. These bacteria enter the bloodstream via close contact with infected persons or consuming certain foods. They travel to the brain or spinal cord and cause swelling and inflammation. Bacterial meningitis can be prevented by taking vaccines.

Hypothyroidism is a common medical condition that affects as many as 10 million people in the country, and it is more likely to affect women than men. It is characterized by the lack of thyroid secretion in the body. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland located below the larynx, with two lobes on either side of the windpipe. It is responsible for secreting hormones that regulate the metabolic rate of the body. Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) secreted by the pituitary gland regulates the production of the thyroid hormone. The thyroid produces two hormones, TS3 and TS4. The thyroid gland is in charge of producing the thyroid hormone. Excessive secretion of this hormone causes hyperthyroidism, while a decreased secretion leads to hypothyroidism. An underactive thyroid secretes less amount of the hormone, which results in a slower metabolism. Causes and symptoms of hypothyroidism The two main causes of hypothyroidism are previous or current inflammation of the thyroid gland and medical treatments. Hashimoto’s disease, which is an autoimmune disorder, is the most common cause of this disorder. It causes inflammation of the thyroid gland, resulting in its failure. The other cause of this condition is treatments that involve partial or complete removal of the thyroid gland.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is an unusual and serious condition of the lungs that is identified by high blood pressure within the pulmonary arteries. These arteries transfer blood to the lungs from the heart. When the blood pressure is high, the heart has to put in more effort to pump blood. This, in turn, results in straining of the heart, making it weaker. This could lead to heart failure. The World Health Organization defined the types of pulmonary hypertension in 1973 depending on the cause of the condition. It is revised and updated accordingly every couple of years. Types PH can be divided into 5 groups: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) This group is linked to the narrowing of the smaller blood vessels within the lungs. It involves instances where the fundamental reason of PAH is unknown. This is also referred to as idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. It includes: Familial or heritable PH PAH due to toxins or specific drugs PAH due to certain conditions such as lupus, scleroderma, congenital heart issues, HIV, infections, among other things. PAH due to unusual blood issues, pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis or pulmonary veno-occlusive disease or persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn PH because of left-sided heart disease This is due to left-sided heart ailments.

An inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease causes inflammation of the digestive tract. It can lead to abdominal pain, malnutrition, severe diarrhea, weight loss, and fatigue. The inflammation caused by Crohn’s disease can affect different areas of the digestive tract in different people. Often, it spreads deep into the layers of the affected bowel tissue. Crohn’s disease can be painful and debilitating and can sometimes lead to life-threatening complications. Although there is no known cure for Crohn’s disease, treatments in the form of therapies may greatly reduce the signs and symptoms and even bring about a long-term remission. With the help of treatment, many people suffering from Crohn’s disease are able to function well. Symptoms In some people suffering from Crohn’s disease, only the ileum (last segment of the small intestine) is affected. In others, the health condition is confined to the colon (part of the large intestine). The last part of the small intestine and the colon are the most common areas that are affected by Crohn’s disease. The signs and symptoms of this health condition can range from mild to severe. Usually, they develop gradually, sometimes though they can come on suddenly, without a warning. There may also be periods of remission when there are no signs or symptoms of Crohn’s disease.