Dementia is a group of age-related degenerative diseases where a person may experience a gradual and steady decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities. As one ages, it is common to be forgetful. But if the loss of memory happens often and interferes with the ability to follow daily activities, it could be a sign of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and can be fatal if not managed in time. Difference between Alzheimer’s and age-related changes While forgetting where you placed your keys is a sign of old age, forgetting who you are can be a sign of Alzheimer’s. While you may forget to pay a periodical bill like gas or electricity as you age, the inability to fix budgets that you have been doing for years can be a sign of Alzheimer’s. It is common as you grow old to forget newly learned words or remember the name of a movie you watched recently. But, if you cannot participate in a conversation like earlier because you don’t remember what to say, it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Though Alzheimer’s cannot be reversed, knowing if symptoms are age-related or disease-related can go a long way in managing the symptoms and taking necessary steps to prevent the quick decline of the symptoms.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder that usually arises as a side effect of treatments for mental health issues. It occurs when these treatments obstruct dopamine receptors in the brain, a chemical known to assist in controlling emotions, pleasure, and movement. Patients may manifest involuntary movements along the jaw, face, lips, and tongue. However, not everyone using these treatments develop tardive dyskinesia, and the symptoms can be controlled by reducing the dosage. Symptoms that help identify tardive dyskinesia Those with this disorder are known to have involuntary facial expressions and body movements. This includes chewing motions, sucking motions, lip smacking, sticking out the tongue, rapid blinking of eyes, walking in the pattern of a duck, rocking the pelvis area, and making continual finger movements. The signs might be mild initially but can become more evident later as the condition progresses. Patients may experience flare-ups and more intense movements when stressed. Other discomforts patients may experience Besides the symptoms mentioned, one may develop other problems as a result of the condition, such as breathing difficulty, difficulty swallowing food, dental issues, difficulty speaking, and irreversible changes along the face like drooping mouths or eyelids. These discomforts can interfere with the patient’s routine activities and affect their quality of life and work.

Eye bag removal procedures are vital to maintaining one’s vision health. There are many remedies for seniors with bags under their eyes to manage this condition. While some people may try to hide their swelling with makeup, others opt for surgery. Experienced doctors can help older adults in removing those bags quickly so they can return to enjoying life without worrying about getting glasses or contacts. Look at a few eye bag removal procedures below. Surgery Laser treatment is one of the most common surgical procedures on an eye bag. The doctor will create a tiny hole in your skin and insert a small laser device into your eyelid, which then burns away some excess fat around your eyes. Such procedures can be carried out in an outpatient facility or at one’s home when there is access to a mirror and enough space on one’s face where doctors can place their instruments while they work. People undergoing this procedure may also experience some swelling around their eyes and bruising for about two days after the surgery. However, these symptoms usually go away within 24 hours after treatment. Blepharoplasty is another type of surgical procedure to get rid of excess skin from the eyelids.

Colon cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in the country, but it is less common than pancreatic or lung cancers. This type of cancer occurs when cells grow abnormally in your colon or rectum, two digestive tract sections. Cells that form tumors can spread through your blood and lymphatic systems to other organs, invade healthy tissue, and cause even more trouble. So, let us understand the most common symptoms of colon cancer. According to medical research, a change in bowel habits is often the first sign of colon cancer. The most common sign is straining during your bowel movements and incomplete bowel movements. Bowel movements that you cannot finish or are unrelieved by laxatives sit in your colon for days. The symptoms of colon cancer are not always obvious and may include a frequent need to use the bathroom due to bloating or discomfort. Rectal bleeding is unexplained by other causes, and if your bowel movement generally causes rectal bleeding, it could be another symptom of colon cancer. Your bowel movement may pass blood or stool stained red by the blood. You may experience rectal bleeding from these conditions: hemorrhoids and anuses that are too loose (dilatation) or too tight (constipation).

Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema and is identified by symptoms like itching, redness, soreness, and dryness of the skin. It is more common in children than in adults. Mostly a chronic condition, it might develop later in life too. In some cases, timely intervention can mean patients have fewer flare-ups and milder symptoms. In some rare cases, it might also mean one is permanently cured of the condition. 12 remedies to manage atopic dermatitis Oatmeal mixture Oatmeal is known for its soothing properties and has long been put to use to help with dry and itchy skin. Colloidal oatmeal has a healthy amount of peptides, proteins, and lipids that are responsible for moisturization, nourishment, and soothing of the skin. The cellulose and fiber in oats are the silent heroes in this war against dermatitis. This mixture acts as a skin emollient that protects the skin against redness and irritation making it effective in the management of skin conditions. Natural oils Naturally-occurring oils are rich sources of moisturization for the skin. One of the common choices for this job is coconut oil. It is rich in triglycerides and efficiently prevents the dryness and itching of the skin.

Dry eyes is one of the most common eye disorders that affects men, women, and children of all ages. It can trigger dryness, irritation, and pain in the eyes. The condition occurs when the tear ducts fail to produce natural tears that lubricate the eyes. In many cases, it also develops as a complication of underlying health disorders. As the first line of treatment, ophthalmologists recommend using eye drops for lubrication and symptom management. TheraTears®  Dry Eye Therapy Eye Drops These eye drops are suitable for daily use. The solution is formulated after thorough research and provides quick and long-lasting relief from the symptoms. Its main ingredient is one of the active lubricating agents used in many eye treatments. The drops are preservative-free and contain a well-balanced electrolyte mix that helps produce artificial tears for better hydration. They are also one of the more affordable solutions, with a 1 fl. oz. pack selling for just $12 online across popular retail websites. Besides eye drops, TheraTears® has a unique antimicrobial formula eyelid cleanser that prevents common infections from developing alongside dry eyes. Available as a cleansing spray, the FDA-approved cleanser helps thoroughly remove bacteria that accumulate under the eyelids. Doctors also suggest the TheraTears® Nighttime liquid gel for prolonged relief from discomforts linked to dry eye syndrome.

Itchy skin, medically known as pruritus, causes people to feel an uncomfortable, irritating sensation. This feeling makes them want to scratch their skin frequently. Itchiness may seem harmless on the surface, but it isn’t easy to live with. Continuous itchiness can lead to concentration issues, skin bleeding, and reddened skin. To manage this condition, one must be aware of its causative factors. A few such triggers are listed here below. Eczema Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, causes dryness and itchiness in a person’s skin. This condition is also known to cause flare-ups in the skin frequently. Eczema causes the affected portion of the skin to release specific chemical mediators (essentially, messengers that facilitate nerve stimulation), which causes unbearable or uncontrollable itching in individuals. While some individuals with eczema may feel itchy on certain patches of dry skin, others may suffer inflammation, irritation, and itchiness all over the body. Inflammation is one of the primary triggers of skin itchiness. A healthcare professional can detect inflamed skin on a person’s body by examining its color changes. For example, inflammation in a person with a lighter complexion causes their skin to turn red. On the other hand, people with darker complexion develop dark brown, gray, or purple hues on their skin when they have inflammation.

The kidneys are responsible for waste products, excess water, and other impurities from the blood. They help regulate pH, salt, and potassium levels in the body. The kidneys also produce hormones that regulate blood pressure and control the production of red blood cells. Lastly, they are also responsible for activating a form of Vitamin D that helps in the absorption of calcium. Healthy kidneys are essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Kidney disease, however, is very common across the country. Over 37 million adults in the country suffer from kidney complications that can limit their functioning. Common kidney diseases Damage to the kidneys could be triggered by diabetes, high blood pressure, or other chronic conditions. Lack of adequate treatment may result in complications such as weak bones, nerve damage, and malnutrition. The most common types of kidney diseases are: Chronic kidney disease Chronic kidney disease is a condition caused by high blood pressure, and it does not improve over time. Over time, high blood pressure increases the pressure on tiny blood vessels in the kidneys called glomeruli. This pressure can damage the blood vessels, causing kidney function to decline. In some situations, this deterioration may cause the kidneys to stop functioning, and a person would need to be put on dialysis to filter extra fluid and waste out of the blood.

Migraines are headaches that lead to severe throbbing and pulsing sensations on one or both sides of the head. When these headaches occur more than 15 days a month with at least eight days of migraine characteristics, they could be considered chronic. Typically doctors look for these symptoms that might span over a period of three months. So, read on to learn more about the symptoms and treatments for this condition. Stages and symptoms of chronic migraines There are four main stages of a migraine. These include prodrome, aura, attack, and post-drome. The symptoms of a migraine attack can vary based on which stage you are currently experiencing. Prodrome Prodrome is the stage that takes place a day or two before the actual migraine attack. You may notice subtle changes, which could warn you that a potential migraine attack is imminent. These signs include constipation, stiffness in the neck, fluid retention, constant yawning, cravings for certain foods and flavors, and changes in your mood. Aura The Aura stage can occur during or before a migraine attack. These symptoms usually affect the nervous system and are reversible in change. They are also typically visual symptoms that build gradually over a period of time.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affects the nerve cells in one’s brain stem and spinal cord. Such a hereditary condition severely deteriorates muscular activity, including walking, talking, sitting, and even breathing. According to SMA Foundation, this rare neuromuscular disease affects one in 6,000 to 10,000 individuals. Approximately 6 million people in the country are carriers of the defective SMA gene. Here, we discuss the causes, signs, and management methods to tackle this condition better. Causes Spinal muscular atrophy is passed to children through their parents’ genes. People suffering from it commonly have a missing or defective survival motor neuron-1 gene (SMN1). This defect leads to insufficient production of the SMN protein, which affects the motor neurons in the spinal cord responsible for sending signals to the muscles. SMA usually starts early in life and mainly affects the trunk, upper leg, and arm muscles. Less common types of spinal muscular atrophy include the mutation in the VAPB gene, the DYNC1H1 gene, the BICD2 gene, and the UBA1 gene on chromosomes 20, 14, 9, and X, respectively. Based on the type of defect, the symptoms, severity of muscle weakness, and prognosis can change. In some cases, the types may even overlap. Types and Symptoms As motor neurons shrink or die, the brain loses control over the body.