A chronic autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) erroneously destroys body’s healthy tissues, causing inflammation in the joints. Usually, RA strikes the joints in the hands, but it can also affect parts like knees, ankles, neck, hips, feet, elbows and jaw. In some cases, if the condition is left untreated, it can cause joint deformity and bone erosion. Moreover, in severe cases, it can also end up damaging some functions of the heart, lung, skin, and eyes. Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) RA progresses slowly, therefore, its symptoms might not appear prominently in the earlier stages, i.e., they may come and go intermittently. However, as the time passes, these become increasingly recurrent and bothersome. The following are some common signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis: Swelling A fluid known as synovium which protects the joints starts to swell when the immune system begins to attack it. Therefore, the joints appear to be engorged. Pain The inflammation of synovium results in joint pain, making it tender and sensitive. Stiffness As compared to the other forms of arthritis, the joint stiffness which occurs due to rheumatoid arthritis is comparatively more severe. It becomes challenging for the patient to move around, especially after waking up in the morning or resting.

A chronic disorder, rheumatoid arthritis is a progressive disease that causes inflammation in the joints. This results in painful deformity and immobility in the fingers, wrists, feet, and ankles. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult in the early stages. This is because the symptoms mimic other diseases. Diagnosis The doctors will diagnose the disease through a series of physical examination. They will look for symptoms of swelling, redness, warmth and check for joint reflexes and muscle strength. Other tests include: Blood tests People suffering from rheumatoid arthritis may find elevated levels of erythrocyte sedimentation or C-reactive protein. This indicates the presence of inflammation in the body. The blood test also looks into other rheumatoid factors like anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies. Imaging tests x-rays help to track the progression of rheumatoid arthritis in the joints. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) help the doctors find the severity of the disease in the body. Treatments While there is no cure to reverse or completely cure the condition, there are recent discoveries that can put the disease into remission. This can be done with the help of strong medications called as disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Medications Over The Counter (OTC) NSAIDs and prescription-based NSAIDs can be administered to help in relieving pain and reducing inflammation.

Sleep apnea is a serious severe disorder in which a person experiences shallow breathing or pauses in breathing while sleeping. Such a disorder can occur several times at night. It is categorized into two main types. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) This condition is caused when your throat muscles relax and the soft tissue at the back of your throat collapses, blocking the air passage. OSA is experienced more commonly compared to central sleep apnea. Central sleep apnea (CSA) CSA occurs when your brain doesn’t send proper signals to the muscles that control breathing. CSA causes the brain to stop sending these vital signals resulting in an improper or reduced breathing problem. Complex sleep apnea syndrome This syndrome is the result of a person simultaneously suffering from the symptoms of both CSA and OSA. Sleep disorders should not be ignored as they can contribute to developing health complications such as daytime fatigue, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and liver problems. What causes sleep apnea? Obesity is one of the leading risk factors for many health conditions. Being overweight puts pressure on your upper airway, resulting in obstructed and interrupted breathing patterns. A thicker neck will also result in the narrowing of the air passage Sleep apnea is a condition that is more likely to affect men, especially those above 40 Alcohol consumption and smoking can also help relax the muscles and tissues, causing them to collapse in your throat and block the air passage Certain types of nasal congestions can lead to obstructive sleep apnea Side effects of certain narcotic pain medications Medical conditions such as congestive heart failure can result in central sleep apnea The risk of developing CSA is increased in people who have previously suffered a stroke Sleep apnea is one of the conditions that can be easily treated and managed at home, provided the symptoms pertaining to OSA and CSA are not so severe.

You often hear some people say that they have a high metabolism while some complain of having a slow metabolism. Metabolism is the chemical process in which the body breaks down the food that you eat into some form of energy. The thyroid plays a vital role when it comes to metabolism. It is said that the gland is responsible for regulating and controlling your metabolism. The thyroid gland makes two primary thyroid hormones named T3 (triiodothyronine) and T4 (thyroxine). The level of thyroid hormones in your body should be steady and constant as a drop or a rise in the level of thyroid hormones can lead to severe thyroid diseases. In this article, you will be acquainted with some of the most common thyroid related disorders that you must be aware of. Hypothyroidism Hypothyroidism is a disorder where your thyroid gland produces fewer thyroid hormones than it is supposed to. It is observed that hypothyroidism is common in older adults more than among the young crowd. Hypothyroidism patients suffer from serious symptoms like fatigue, chronic dry skin condition, sensitivity to cold and trouble thinking clearly. If left untreated, hypothyroidism might increase your cholesterol level and lead to other severe life-threatening ailments.

Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid flows backward into the esophagus. Stomach acid is produced as a result of digestion. This acid breaks down food into soluble substances, maintains the pH level in the stomach, and destroys unhealthy bacteria. Under certain circumstances, the acid refluxes through the food pipe connecting the stomach and throat. A person will experience burning sensation in the chest or taste sour liquid at the back of the throat. In some cases, a person may taste regurgitated food at the back of the mouth during an acid reflux episode. Causes of acid reflux Acid reflux is mainly caused when the lower esophageal sphincter dysfunctions. Under normal circumstances, the lower esophageal sphincter closes after the food passes through it. However, in some cases, it does not close properly and acid flows back from the digestive system back into the food pipe leading to acid reflux. Also known as gastroesophageal reflux, acid reflux can be severe and one can experience frequent episodes of heartburn. This extreme form of acid reflux is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD. A person with GERD experiences acid reflux at least twice a week. Acid reflux is a lifestyle disease. It is preventable.