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Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of heartburn

Stages, diagnosis, and prevention of heartburn

Heartburn and GERD are often used interchangeably. However, heartburn is a common symptom experienced by people who suffer from acid reflux, and if heartburn occurs more than just twice in a week, the condition is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the condition affects as many as 20 percent of the country’s total population.

Stages of GERD

GERD is a progressive condition, and the treatment offered depends on the stage of the condition. How severely the reflux is taking place into the esophagus determines the stage of the condition. So, the various stages of GERD are:

Stage I

At this stage, the symptoms of the condition are mild and occur about once or twice the month. The treatment at this stage involves more lifestyle changes combined with some over-the-counter medications.

Stage II

When a patient is at this stage, the symptoms become more frequent and the need to take an acid-suppressive medication arises. If the medication is not taken, the symptoms of the condition can become severe and can interfere with the daily routine of the patient. When left untreated, the symptoms are also linked with inflammation of the esophagus.

Stage III

Patients at this stage have symptoms that cannot be treated with prescription medications. The symptoms interfere with their day-to-day tasks and affect their quality of life. Esophageal inflammation is also common at this stage. Patients at this stage need expert advice and an anti-reflux procedure can be done to enhance the quality of life.

Stage IV

When GERD is left untreated for many years, it leads to this stage which is also known as esophageal cancer. Out of the total patients with long-term GERD, 10% go on to progress to this stage. At this stage, these patients suffer from Barrett’s esophagus, which is a condition that occurs before cancer. If at this stage, the patient does not get treatment, their condition can progress and can eventually lead to cancer.

Diagnosis

To diagnose GERD, your doctor will check the history of your symptoms and will conduct a physical exam. In some cases, the doctors might also want to check for any complications caused by the condition. In such situations, the following tests can be ordered:

  • Upper endoscopy
  • Ambulatory acid probe test
  • Esophageal manometry
  • An X-ray conducted on the upper part of the digestive system

Prevention

There are several ways to prevent GERD. These include the following:

Lose extra weight
One of the main causes of GERD is obesity or unhealthy body weight. When there is extra fat on the stomach, it causes pressure on the abdomen area and creates pressure on the gastric juices. This sends the juices up to the esophagus and causes heartburn and GERD.

Avoid certain foods

There are certain foods known to put you at the risk of GERD. Therefore, you must refrain from consuming:

  • Spicy food
  • Foods rich in acid such as tomatoes
  • Mint
  • Coffee
  • Onions
  • Chocolates
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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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Male hair loss and its various aspects

Hair grows on all parts of the human body, apart from some places like the palm of the hands and the soles of our feet. Hair is essentially made of keratin, which is a type of protein. Keratin is produced on the outer layer of the skin in hair follicles. The follicles produce new hair cells and old cells are subsequently pushed out of the surface. There are 100,000 to 150,000 strands of hair on a human head, and one loses about 100 hair in a day. Thus, hair loss can be normal. However, we should only be concerned if there is hair loss at an alarming rate. Stages of hair lossHair loss, also known as alopecia, is divided into different types: the age at which it starts, the duration of hair loss, and the area of the body. Further there can be multiple diseases and disorders which can lead to hair loss as a side effect. There are noticeably and popularly seven different stages of hair loss. The duration of different stages can depend on the individual. The Norwood Scale defines seven stages of hair loss in men:Stage 1Significant loss or a receding hairline is not noticed in this stage. There might still be some hair loss, and that would be considered normal.Stage 2The hairline during this stage is referred to as the mature hairline. A little recession is noticed around the temples.Stage 3Recession spots become more scarcely covered and M, U, or V shape is formed because of the balding. It is signified by the hair loss on the vertex or the top of the scalp.Stage 4The hair recedes further, and there’s little or no hair on the vertex. A single band of hair might be connected by hair connecting either side of the scalp.Stage 5The band of hair in stage 4 becomes thinner, and the two patches on either side become larger.Stage 6The band connecting the hair is no more present. The balding areas of the vertex and temples are joined at this stage.Stage 7There is an extremely thin band of hair on the head, and the band is usually not dense.Diagnosis of hair lossThere are different tests for hair loss diagnosis. They includeBlood testMedical conditions related to hair loss may be diagnosed.Pull testSeveral strands of hair are pulled to understand the process of shedding.Scalp biopsySome hair is plucked from the roots to check the roots.Light microscopyHairs are trimmed at their bases and then examined under a microscope.Prevention of hair lossThere are several ways of avoiding hair loss or delaying its onset. If hair loss is due to genetic reasons, one can only delay the onset or slow the process. Some ways of avoiding hair loss include avoiding hot showers, changing the hair products that you use, and trying scalp massages by a professional. Other complex ways to prevent hair loss include having a hair transplant and using a laser comb.

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