The American Psychiatric Association defines major depression as a medical illness that has negatively affects on how a patient thinks, acts, and feels. Depression can affect patients very differently. For instance, it’s typically diagnosed via a combination of symptoms that can include social withdrawal, mental and physical fatigue, loss of or increased appetite, sleep issues, extreme sadness, apathy towards hobbies and activities the patient was once passionate about, harmful or suicidal thoughts, and mood swings, which all impeded daily life (i.e., work, school personal relationships, etc.). Just as symptoms of depression can vary, so can the various causes of depression, for instance it may stem from: Genetics (or if depression exists among parents, siblings, or offspring). Chronic illness (i.e., cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia). Socioeconomic reasons (i.e., a job loss). Socio-personal factors (i.e., death of a loved one). However, despite many correlative symptoms between patients, depression is a complicated illness that occurs in many forms, or subtypes that fall under these medical classifications: 1. Seasonal affective disorder Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, often occurs with seasonal change. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, SAD is most prevalent during the late fall and winter when sunlight (or naturally-sourced vitamin D) is limited.

You might consider iron a nutrient designated for weight lifters with Popeye arms. However, according to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), iron deficiency is major nutritional deficiency among Americans, particularly women, a group where 10% are found to suffer from low iron levels. So if you happen to be feeling fatigued for no apparent reason, low iron levels may be the reason why. Here’s why iron is so vital for health: 1. Healthy hair, skin and nails According to researchers at the University of Michigan Medical Center, you may see symptoms of iron deficiency on the surface of your skin first. Iron is a vital nutrient for nail, skin, and hair cell growth. So if you experience dry hair or hair loss, or if your nails become brittle (prone to breakage) and take on odd shape and texture, anemia (or iron-deficiency) may be the reason why. 2. Iron transports vital oxygen According to scientists at the National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements, iron is responsible for transporting oxygen via our red blood cells. If we lack iron, your body is also low in hemoglobin, the specific component within red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs and throughout the entire body.

A colonoscopy isn’t anything to get excited about. In fact, most patients approach them with dread and anxiety. However, regular colon screening is your best defence against colon cancer. Colorectal screenings are able to identify polyps, which are the earliest warning signs of colon cancer, before other symptoms are even present. If a polyp is detected during a routine screening, they can be removed before they become cancerous. Colon screenings can also detect colon cancer in the earliest stages, when the cancer is quite simple to treat. Here are the most common colon cancer screening methods available: 1. gFOBT Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test, or gFOBT, is a fecal immunochemical test (or FIT), which is used to detect the presence of trace blood in the patient’s stool, which is often a early warning sign of colon cancer. gFOBTs can be taken at home using a kit and a stool sample submitted to their doctor. Physicians will often use this test to rule out cancer, if they suspect hemorrhoids or colon ulcers. 2. DNA stool test This colon screening test is the least invasive colorectal cancer test available. It’s ideal for patients who fear a colonoscopy, or are unable to do the bowel preparation leading up to a colonoscopy.

Hemophilia is a type of genetic disorder impedes the bodies ability to clot. Considered a very serious blood-clotting disorder, hemophiliacs are void of the specific protein required for blood to clot, which means they bleed too much or can’t stop bleeding. Even a minor abrasion can be very dangerous for a hemophiliac. Internal bleeding or bruising can also be dangerous and even fatal if the patient doesn’t know the bleed exists. Hemophilia is caused by a genetic gene mutation, so patients are born with the disorder that’s typically passed down from a parent, often in mothers to baby sons. Thus, males are most often diagnosed with hemophilia while females tend to be carriers of the disorder. Hemophilia exists in type A and B. Here are the main differences: Hemophilia A and B are both caused when patients lack a specific protein required for blood clotting. Hemophilia A is the most common form, affecting 1 in 10,000 patients. Hemophilia B is rarer, with 1 in 50,000 cases. Both A and B patients are born with hemophilia. Most cases are diagnosed in very early childhood. Patients with hemophilia B are lacking in clotting factor 9 (or IX). While hemophilia A patients don’t have adequate clotting factor 8 (or VIII).

Overactive bladder (or OAB) often occurs in individuals over the age of 40. According to research from the National Institute on Aging, OAB occurs with a sudden and uncontrollable urge to urinate that causes difficulties stopping urination or total incontinence. It is possible to manage an overactive bladder, however, leaving the condition untreated can lead to embarrassing accidents that impede worklife, social life, and self esteem. Here are the most successful treatment options for aging patients with overactive bladder: 1. Bladder training Bladder training entails gradually training the patient to hold their urine in order to strengthen pelvic floor muscles. Patients may be asked to try and hold urination for small periods of time (30 minutes) and work their way up to longer periods (up to 3 hours). Strengthening the pelvic floor of urine sphincter muscles through kegel exercises can also help reduce involuntary bladder contractions and incontinence. 2. Surgical options for overactive bladder Surgery is usually considered a final resort for patients with OAB that have no success with less invasive treatment techniques. Bladder surgery may entail removing the whole bladder and replacing it with a neobladder or collection bag. The other option is increasing the patient’s bladder storage capacity by taking a piece of the bowel.