Ulcerative colitis is classified as a type of inflammatory bowel disease (or IBD) that inflames the inner tissues of the rectum and colon (or large intestine). Also an autoimmune disease, ulcerative colitis causes white blood cells to attack healthy tissues in the intestine, causing inflammation and the gradual development of painful ulcers. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis can be so uncomfortable that they impede daily life (i.e., work, school, social life). Symptoms—including painful abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation mixed with bouts of explosive diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, and in some cases, rectal bleeding—typically occur in bouts of flare ups followed by durations of remission. However, left untreated, ulcerative colitis can be dangerous and even life-threatening should an infection occur in the colon or rectum. While ulcerative colitis is not curable, the disease can be managed with medical treatment (i.e., medication) and lifestyle changes. However, these are the risk factors to look out for: 1. Age The majority of cases of ulcerative colitis are reported before age of 30. However, patients can be diagnosed at any age, with many not realizing an issue until after age 60. 2. Diet While diet isn’t considered a cause of ulcerative colitis, if you’re prone to the disease due to other contributing factors, what you eat can exacerbate your condition.

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a life-long disease that strikes the myelin (or protective fatty covering) surrounding nerve fibers in the spinal cord, optic nerves, and brain resulting in nerve damage and issues throughout the entire body— and effecting everything from muscle control to balance, and vision to poor bladder and bowel control. MS patients range from mild (requiring little or no treatment) to severe (unable to walk or move independently). For many years, medical researchers speculated that MS may be caused by a variety of factors—including physical trauma, allergies, exposure to heavy metals, and even artificial sweeteners. While the exact cause of MS still remains a mystery, ongoing medical research has identified many factors that may contribute to the development of MS: 1. Viral risks Ongoing research has identified viruses from the herpes family (i.e., shingles, roseola, and Epstein-Barr) that may virally trigger MS flare ups. While researchers don’t believe herpes is a direct cause of MS, a large majority of MS patients have these herpes virus proteins in their spinal fluid when diagnosed with MS. 2. Environmental factors Scientists have also identified several environmental factors that may increase the risk of MS development: Smoking increases risk of developing MS and also disease progression Lack of vitamin D (or natural sunlight) Age (most patients are between 15- and 60-years old) Cold climates (i.e., northern European) Caucasians are at higher risk compared to other ethnicities 3.

Polycystic liver disease, also known as PCLD or simply PLD, is considered rather rare, affecting only 1 in every 100,000 individuals. Polycystic liver disease can grow in independant, or lone cysts, in various areas of the liver. However, it most often develops in clusters of fluid filled sacs, or cysts, which take on the appearance of a bunch of grapes, within the liver. These cysts can range in size from a few millimeters and up to 15-centimeters in diameter. PLD often does not cause symptoms so patients can live with the disease unaware for many years. In fact, only a mere 1 in 10 patients with PLD experience clear symptoms, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders. However, if a single cyst grows too large or cysts grow enmass, they can cause symptoms of abdominal pain, liver or abdominal swelling, swelling of the liver (or hepatomegaly) uncomfortable bloating or fullness in the abdomen, breathlessness, bile duct obstruction and associated jaundice, infection, and bleeding cysts. Patients with PCLD tend to be diagnosed at 50-years old, on average, or older. However, there are several common causes and risk factors for PLD, including: 1. Genetics The majority of people with PLD inherit the disease from one or more parents.

Clinical trials are conducted in order to provide improved scientific approaches for improving the healthcare and medical industry. Research based, the findings from clinical trials may provide a range of ways to improve disease screening, diagnosis, treatment, and even prevention. For instance, the data gathered from clinical trials tests medical treatments for specific patient populations or chronic conditions, and effects the decision making for the following: Advancements in screening methods for certain disease or illnesses. New methods for specific condition diagnosis. Improved treatment methods. New ways to prevent diseases. Clinical trials select a particular group of participants or volunteers, usually made up of patients and healthy individuals, according to certain factors, such as condition type, ethnicity, gender, adn age. Clinical trials conducted within the United States are monitored by the FDA (or Food and Drug Administration) and the IRB (or Institutional Review Board), which is made up of medical professionals, scientists, physicians, statisticians, and community leaders as far as ensuring each trials maintains ethics according to the rights and safety of study participants, as well as benefits more than risks all involved. Clinical trials differ as far as purpose. While all involve gathering data on how to diagnose, screen for, treat, and prevent specific diseases or conditions, each will fall under one of the following categories:

Lymphoma is a type of blood cancer that develops within the lymphatic system, or the complex network of vessels by which lymph drainage occurs from the tissues into the bloodstream. Lymphomas exist in two main types—Hodgkin’s lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. With Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer tends to spread directly from one specific cluster of lymph nodes (the Reed-Sternberg cells) to another. Whereas, with non-Hodgkin lymphoma cancer is prone to spreading through the lymphatic system in an indirect, or very unpredictable pattern of metastasis. Various types of lymphoma exist. For instance, there are 5 subtypes of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and more than 90 types of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which means treatment will vary depending upon the following factors: Type of lymphoma Stage of lymphoma Rate of cancer progression Overall patient health However, treating a specific lymphoma will aim to destroy as many cancer cells as possible to achieve cancer remission. The most common lymphoma treatments include: 1. Lifestyle changes Several alternative treatments are often recommended for lymphoma patients in combination with other therapies in order to reduce side effects of cancer treatments as well as ease the stress of cancer diagnosis—such as acupuncture, massage, relaxation and breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, physical therapy, cancer support group therapy, etc.