Cure for multiple sclerosis or MS is yet to be found. But there are several treatment options available for MS. The treatment plans for MS mainly focus on preventing the condition from progressing and helping the patients to manage symptoms. The progressions of MS and its symptoms can vary from person to person. Therefore, the treatment plan prescribed will also be different for each patient. Here are some of the different treatment options prescribed for MS. 1. Disease-modifying Medications If the patient suffers from relapsing-remitting MS, the first line of treatment in such cases is a disease-modifying medications. These meds prevent flare-ups of the condition and stop the disease from progressing. These medications ensure that myelin, which is the protective layer that covers the nerves, is not attacked by the immune system. Some of these medications are given as injections administered into the skin or the muscle. These injections can make your skin itchy, dimply, or cause redness. 2. Corticosteroids Methylprednisolone and prednisone are corticosteroids that can be prescribed to fight nerve inflammation caused due to the condition. However, there are several side effects caused due to these medications and they include high blood pressure, increase in blood glucose level, retention of fluid in the body, and mood swings. 3. Plasmapheresis or Plasma Exchange In this treatment, the plasma is extracted and separated from the blood cells.

Deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, is a condition where blood clots form in the legs’ veins. To tackle the problem, compression stockings are available in the market. Unlike ordinary socks, they are made using a unique fabric to squeeze the leg gently. The pressure soothes the region and promotes blood circulation to relieve blood clots. Read on to know more about the working and benefits of compression stockings for DVT. How do compression stockings work? Blood clots form in the veins when blood flow stops or slows down due to a particular reason, such as thickening of blood cells, narrow veins, low blood pressure, etc. The blood forms a tiny gel-like clump. Here’s where compression stockings come into the picture. They exert pressure in the region and gently squeeze the leg to push the blood forward. It also provides a soothing effect that relieves pain and swelling that may not be associated with DVT or blood clots. Here’s another thing to note: compression socks come in different sizes and lengths, and picking the right one is essential. Wearing loose-fitting socks will not work, and those that are too tight can aggravate DVT symptoms. So it is better to consult a doctor if one cannot decide the right size for them.

Undoubtedly, the awareness about the usual signs of breast cancer has increased over the years. Many people now know that lumps in the breast or changes in the skin can be signs of breast cancer. However, there are still many signs of the disease that are not so common, and not many women are aware of them. Here’s a list of such not-so-common symptoms of breast cancer that one must know: 1. Any change in the size of the breast Changes in the size of the breast can occur due to several reasons–pregnancy and mensuration being some of the common ones. But if one notices any asymmetrical change, which means the change affects one breast more than the other, it should be a warning sign. In some cases, the breast with the changes can feel larger or heavier than the other breast. Sometimes, in rarer cases, there can also be a reduction in one of the breasts. 2. Bloody discharge from the nipple If one notices a stain of blood on their bra, it should not be ignored. It can be a sign of breast cancer. However, in most cases, this discharge does not mean anything harmful. There are several reasons behind this bloody discharge.

The first line of treatment for UTI is usually antibiotics, as UTI is caused due to a bacterial attack. However, medication and duration of treatment depend on patient health and the type of bacteria. Also, there are several natural remedies for this condition. Read on to know more about all these treatment options available. 1. Treatment for simple UTI Doctors usually prescribe drugs like Monurol, Bactrim, Septra, and Keflex. For simple infections, a group of antibiotics called fluoroquinolones are not commonly prescribed because of their side effects. These drugs are only prescribed during severe UTI, where no other treatment works. The symptoms of UTI will go away in a few days. However, doctors will prescribe medication for a week or more.  2. Treatment for frequent UTI The treatment options for frequent UTI include antibiotics in low dosage. The antibiotic course can last for six months or even longer in some cases. One dose of antibiotics can also be prescribed for post-intercourse usage. This will happen if a person is at risk of developing a UTI due to sexual activity. In case a woman is undergoing menopause, the course of treatment can include vaginal estrogen therapy. 3. Treatment for severe UTI If a person suffers from a severe UTI, then antibiotics are intravenously administered into the body.

Medical terminologies are often confusing and become even more perplexing when expressed in acronyms. Two such common terms are health conditions called GER and GERD. The former stands for gastroesophageal reflux and the latter for gastroesophageal reflux disease. While both conditions are closely related, they aren’t the same. Read on to know the basic difference between GER and GERD, along with symptoms, risk factors, and treatments. 1. How are GER and GERD different? GER is also called heartburn, acid reflux, or acid indigestion. It happens when the content in the stomach rises into the esophagus. This can cause irritation and a burning sensation in the middle of the chest (heartburn). GER is common among infants, as their digestive system isn’t fully developed. However, adults also experience GER occasionally, especially after overeating or eating foods that increase stomach acid or are hard to digest. Unlike GER, which is considered normal, GERD is a disease. In other words, GERD is more serious and requires medical attention to avoid health complications. However, it shares a few symptoms, such as heartburn and regurgitation of partially digested food (acid reflux) with GER. Additional symptoms of GERD include chest pain, trouble swallowing, difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, and hoarseness.

OAB or overactive bladder is a health condition that causes sudden and frequent urge to urinate. Some people also experience unintentional loss of urine, which is also referred to as urinary incontinence. It is found that overactive bladder affects women more than men. Overactive bladder can be an embarrassing health condition to deal with, as it can limit one’s social and professional life. The following natural remedies can be used to effectively manage overactive bladder. 1. Do not go overboard on hydration While it is important to stay hydrated for proper body functioning, drinking beyond the standard requirement can worsen overactive bladder. Doctors usually suggest drinking at least eight glasses of water every day. However, body fluids are processed based on diet and the surrounding environment. It is also not recommended to cut back on hydration, as lack of fluids can make the urine more concentrated, thereby irritating the bladder and leading to frequent urination. Hence, doctors suggest spacing out drinking water to make sure that it does not aggravate the condition. Skipping drinking water before bedtime also helps better manage an overactive bladder without disrupting sleep. 2. Maintain a diary to track symptoms It is one of the most basic ways for managing overactive bladder.

Hepatitis C is a disease that results in liver damage and is caused by the hepatitis C virus or HCV. In some cases, the condition may lead to the development of scar tissue in the liver, which is known as cirrhosis. This affects our ability to remove toxins from our bodies. Although hepatitis C can be reversed with the help of proper treatment and medication, nutrition plays an important role in the recovery process. Foods to Eat for Hepatitis C Patients Since the liver of an HCV patient is unable to properly digest food and get rid of toxins from the body, it is important to only eat the right foods when recovering from it. These foods and nutrients are also advantageous for those who are not suffering from hepatitis C but wish to improve the health of their liver. Some foods recommended for such patients are described as follows. 1. Coffee Coffee consumed in moderate proportions is considered to be quite beneficial for the liver and it reduces the risk of inflammation. It has also been observed that consuming caffeine may limit the replication of the hepatitis C virus in the blood. 2. Oatmeal It is recommended to increase the consumption of complex carbohydrates when recovering from hepatitis C.

Dry eye is a condition where the tear glands cannot produce the right amount of lubrication for the eye. They could also occur due to low-quality tears that are produced in the eye. Dry eyes can lead to other conditions such as redness, itchiness, and even discomfort. In this article, we shall focus on understanding the various methods that are available to treat dry eyes. 1. Prescribed medications One of the most common ways of managing dry eyes is with the help of prescription medication. These medications are usually given based on the underlying cause. Some prescription medication helps to reduce inflammation in the eyelid, whereas others may focus on creating artificial tears. Typically there are five different types of dry eye prescription medication, they include: Medication to reduce eyelid inflammation Inflammation in the eyelids can lessen the production of tears. Doctors prescribe antibiotics to tackle this inflammation. Medication to control cornea inflammation Inflammation in the cornea can also affect the production of tears and leave the eyes dry. Typical prescription medications include eyedrops with immune-suppressing medication. Eye inserts Eye inserts are grain-like substances that are placed between the lower eyelid and eyeball. They constantly dissolve to release lubrication into the eye.

Prostate cancer is a condition where the cells in the prostate gland start multiplying uncontrollably, leading to symptoms like pelvic pain, difficulty in urination, and painful ejaculation. Several factors can trigger prostate cancer, one of them being a nutritional deficiency. This article discusses how a lack of vitamin D can contribute to prostate cancer, who is at risk, how to manage the deficiency, and the other contributing risk factors of the disease. 1. Can vitamin D deficiency cause prostate cancer? Yes. Many research studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency can lead to the condition, and the symptoms can also be worse. A particular study showed that individuals with low levels of this nutrient had a two-fold risk of being diagnosed with more aggressive prostate cancer. However, health scientists still do not know why a lack of vitamin D triggers the condition, and more research is required in this regard. 2. Who is at risk? Research studies claim that people in cold regions with minimal sun exposure are more prone to prostate cancer. Such individuals are also diagnosed with a higher Gleason grade and an advanced tumor stage. 3. What are the telltale signs of a deficiency? Acute vitamin D deficiency may not have alarming symptoms, so pointing in the right direction can be tricky.

Migraines are known to fall in the primary category of headaches, i.e., the headache is not a symptom of any other illness but an illness itself. According to the Migraine Research Foundation, migraine is one of the third more prevalent illnesses in the world. The headaches are severe and affect daily activity and lifestyle of the person. There are different types of migraines and treatment plans, let’s take a look at those. 1. Types of Migraine Here are the main types of migraine headaches that occur: Complicated Also called migraine with an aura, 15 to 20 percent of those suffering from migraine experience this type. An aura includes symptoms like blind spots in your vision, tingling skin, seeing wavy or jagged lines, seeing bright lights or dots. Common This headache does not follow the aura symptoms as mentioned above. The pain may vary from episode to episode. Just rest and let it pass. Silent Also called an acephalgic migraine, this type does not trigger a headache. It only follows the symptoms of the aura, hence categorized as such a type of migraine. Make sure to stay alert about the symptoms. Hemiplegic This type triggers a temporary paralysis to one of the bodies.