Diabetes is a condition that develops due to high sugar levels in the blood. Insulin, a hormone in the body, helps the sugar in the blood to be transported to different cells of the body. These cells either utilize this sugar for energy or store it for future use. However, in this condition, the body either fails to produce sufficient insulin or is unable to use the insulin that it makes.  Symptoms Some common signs of diabetes (type 1 and type 2) include: Weight loss Blurry vision Fatigue Excessive hunger or thirst Excessive urination Sores, which do not heal easily Men-centric symptoms Erectile dysfunction Low libido Muscle strength reduces Women-centric symptoms Yeast infections Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Itchy or dry skin Gestational diabetes Usually, a lot of women who suffer from gestational diabetes do not showcase any symptoms. In them, the condition is primarily detected during a routine pregnancy test done between the 24 th and 28 th week. In a few cases, women with gestational diabetes also experience extreme urination or thirst. Causes The cause of diabetes is often dependent upon its type. Type 1 There is no certainty of the exact cause of this form of diabetes. However, what happens is that the immune system tends to attack and further destroy the beta cells, which are responsible for producing insulin in the pancreas.

GERD stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease and is a condition in which the stomach acid rises back into the food pipe and causes a sense of discomfort. Over time, this continuous backwash impacts the esophagus lining and causes heartburn. A lot of people occasionally experience acid reflux and heartburn, but GERD occurs when this problem becomes a lot more frequent. In this article, we will look at the various aspects that need to be considered when it comes to GERD. Signs of GERD There are plenty of signs and symptoms of GERD, and heartburn is the biggest one. Other major symptoms of GERD include Chest pain Difficulty when it comes to swallowing A continual regurgitation of both food and sour stomach liquids A sensation or a lump inside the throat For people who have night-time acid reflux, the common symptoms include laryngitis, chronic cough, or asthma as time progresses. They may also suffer from disrupted sleep. For such instances of GERD and heartburn, we recommend consulting an expert as soon as these symptoms become frequent. Causes of GERD GERD is the consequence of acid reflux and heartburn occurring frequently in the body. When we swallow our food, the circular band of muscles around the esophagus relaxes to ensure that the entire ingestion process happens smoothly.

Hair loss is a result of problems related to the scalp. However, sometimes, it could be due to other underlying conditions as well. At times, it is temporary, but, in most cases, it is permanent. It could be a result of normal aging, hormonal changes, family history, or medical conditions. When there is excessive hair loss, it leads to baldness. In general, heredity hair loss is the prime cause of baldness. Symptoms Usually, hair loss can occur in a multitude of forms and would depend on the underlying cause. Moreover, it might either occur gradually or suddenly and can hamper either the scalp or the entire body. Some common signs of this condition include: Patchy or circular bald spots In some people, hair loss occurs as a patchy or a circular bald spot either in the eyebrows, beard, or scalp. It might lead to painful or itchy skin before hair fall actually occurs. Slow thinning on the top of the head This is the most prominent category of hair loss and occurs in people as they get older. It has been seen that there is a receding hairline or a loss of hair in men as they grow older. On the other hand, women tend to have a broadening of the centerline in the hair.

When you age, you can experience hearing loss, and that’s fairly common among people. In our country, approximately one-third of the population between the age group of 65 to 75 years have some or the other form of hearing loss. Moreover, every one in two persons over the age of 75 has this defect. Types of hearing loss One that involves the inner ear – Sensorineural One that involves the middle or outer ear – Conductive Combination of the two – Mixed Usually, hearing loss occurs because of prolonged exposure to loud noises or simply as a result of aging. However, with the excessive accumulation of earwax, your hearing might be temporarily reduced. Though hearing loss cannot be reversed, certain steps can be taken to reduce its impact. Symptoms of hearing loss Inability to comprehend words, especially in a crowded or a noisy place Repeatedly requesting people to speak loudly, clearly, and slowly Trying to withdraw from conversations Muffling of sounds Inability to hear consonants Having to keep the radio or the television sound up Causes Build-up of earwax over time When there’s a gradual build-up of earwax, it tends to obstruct the ear canal. As a result of it, the sound wave conduction gets hampered.

Cholesterol can be understood as some waxy substance in your blood, which is needed by the body to build its healthy cells. However, when the cholesterol increases to an uncontrolled level, it can put you at risk of heart diseases. Furthermore, as a result of high cholesterol, there can be a fatty deposit in your body’s blood vessels. Because of this, it gets hard for the blood to flow through the arteries. What can high cholesterol lead to and how does it develop? At times, the deposits break down and lead to a clot formation, which can either result in a stroke or a heart attack. Though high cholesterol mainly develops as a result of your unhealthy lifestyle choices, it can be inherited too. However, it is both treatable and preventable. With the inclusion of regular exercises, a nutritious diet, and proper medication, you can reduce cholesterol levels. Symptoms As such, there are no definitive symptoms of high cholesterol. The only real way to diagnose it is via a blood test. Causes Cholesterol is attached to proteins and is transported into the body via the blood. This amalgamation of cholesterol and protein is known as a lipoprotein. Depending upon what the lipoprotein carries, there are two different types of cholesterol.

As you approach retirement, most of your money has been invested in your home. A reverse mortgage is an excellent way to tap into your home’s equity. If you have paid off a home loan or have only a small amount to be paid, it is a good option to meet various financial goals. Here are the criteria for reverse mortgage eligibility: Personal criteria Age You must be 62 years or older, to apply for a reverse mortgage. Generally, as you grow older the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) amount increases. Property The home should be your primary residence, and you need to live there for the entire duration of the reverse mortgage. Rental properties and vacation homes do not qualify for such mortgages. Home equity You should be the owner of your home outright or possess a minimum of 50% home equity. There is a possibility that you may qualify for a reverse mortgage despite having some outstanding balance on your existing home loan. However, the criterion is that you must first pay off the remaining mortgage from the sanctioned amount and meet other liens. The balance funds may be used for any other purpose. Using a reverse mortgage to refinance existing debt is beneficial in reducing your monthly cash outflows.

A lot of people get stuck in debt due to many reasons. The interest rates keep adding up, taking a toll on an individual’s financial stability. In such a case, debt settlement can be quite helpful if you wish to settle a large amount. Here is a list of top 10 debt settlement companies that you can consider to help ease the burden off your shoulders. National Debt Relief National Debt Relief has the most detailed insights on their website that can help you with debt settlement. It talks about the debt qualification, the amount of money you need to pay for enrolments as well as the debt relief services that they offer. The average savings after the fees is around 30%. CreditAssociates This particular company is known for helping clients with the elimination of debt. They undertake this entire process between twenty-four to thirty-six months. They use enhanced software, and the outstanding expertise of their team to help their clients with great debt negotiation services. Pacific Debt Inc This is one of the top 10 debt settlement companies that you can consider. You need to have a minimum of $10,000 in debt to avail their services. They offer an affordable monthly program/plan with payment as well as upfront fees.

Addictions have become an extremely serious global issue. From different kinds of substances to alcohol and nicotine, people can be addicted to a variety of vices. Being addicted to something is a disorder, which affects the behavior and brain. When the addiction increases, one loses control over his/her urge to use the substance, even if they know how bad it is for them. Understanding it better First, one needs to understand that addiction is a disease. It can start from consumption on an experimental basis, which leads to more intake use until the person cannot control the urge any longer. While some substances may take time to become addictive, a few can be riskier and turn a person into an addict immediately. Like most other diseases, addictions can be treated, but it requires more support from loved ones, and one needs to develop the willpower to quit. Symptoms of addiction Sometimes it can become quite difficult to identify if one is addicted to any substance. Avoiding the consumption of alcohol or any other substance is the best way to save oneself from addiction. However, if a person has started consuming any of these substances, they must look for the following symptoms to recognize if they have become addicted.

Aging is a natural process. All of us grow older with time, which is why it is crucial to lead a healthy lifestyle. This way, old age does not bring too many problems along. From pain in the joints to suffering from forgetfulness, there are a bunch of things that are associated with aging. Types of aging Cellular aging The aging process of cells is dependent on the frequency with which they replicate. A cell can replicate itself around 50 times, and after that, the genetic material cannot be copied properly. This happens because of shortened telomeres. Hormonal aging Hormones play a huge part in the aging process, more so when a person is in their childhood or adolescence. The levels of hormones keep fluctuating as long as we live. Puberty results in the formation of large pores and acne. As we get older, the change in hormones contributes to the formation of dry skin. Metabolic aging Cells are responsible for transforming food into energy throughout the day. The byproducts produced during this process can be quite harmful. The metabolizing process causes damage to the body. Some are of the opinion that the slow-down of the metabolic process through methods like calorie restriction could result in slowing down the process of aging.

An allergy is a hypersensitive reaction of the immune system to a foreign substance. The immune system is responsible for producing substances referred to as antibodies. When an individual suffers from allergies, their immune system generates antibodies that help in identifying the harmful allergens affecting the body. The symptoms of allergies are dependent on the substance one has been affected with. The reactions can be mild, moderate or severe in nature. Hay fever Hay fever, which is also called allergic rhinitis, can result in sneezing, runny nose, itching in the eyes or the nose, and watery or swollen eyes. Food allergy An allergy, which has resulted from consuming a particular food item, can lead to a tingling sensation in the mouth, lips or face swelling up or anaphylaxis, which could pose a threat to one’s life. Insect sting allergy A sting from an insect can cause the affected portion to swell up considerably, cause an itching sensation across the body, and lead to shortness of breath. Medication allergy An allergy, caused by the consumption of some medication, results in an itchy skin, rash, hives, swelling on the face, wheezing, and anaphylaxis. Atopic dermatitis This is a skin condition, which also goes by the name of eczema.

Alzheimer’s results in the unfortunate wasting away of brain cells, causing their premature death; it is a progressive ailment. It is the most common kind of dementia, wherein a person’s social skills, behavior, and thinking capabilities decline, disrupting their ability of independent functioning. The earliest signs of this disorder may be forgetfulness with severe memory loss as the disease progresses. Here are the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease: Memory loss Repeating questions and statements Difficulty in finding words to identify objects, participate in conversations, or express thoughts Forgetting events, appointments, and conversations Forgetting family members’ names and common objects Getting lost in known places Misplacing things Thinking and reasoning Losing the ability to make reasonable judgments and decisions Making uncharacteristic or poor choices in social gatherings Difficulty in responding to everyday situations Planning and performance Routine activities, such as cooking or planning becomes difficult Advanced stage patients may not be able to perform basic tasks, such as bathing or dressing Personality and behavioral changes Delusions Depression Loss of inhibitions Apathy Wandering Mood swings Modified sleeping habits Social withdrawal Aggression and irritation Distrust in others Why does Alzheimer’s occur? The patient’s brain changes due to Alzheimer’s disease. The brain becomes smaller as the disease progresses with lesser healthy brain cells.

Anemia refers to the medical condition in which the body does not produce enough red blood cells to transfer oxygen to the tissues in the body. When you suffer from anemia, you feel weak and exhausted all the time. This disease can be temporary in nature or have a long-term effect on a person’s health, in which case they will require continual treatment. Causes Inflammation Several kinds of diseases like kidney diseases, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and chronic inflammatory diseases obstruct the process of producing red blood cells. Iron deficiency anemia This is the most common kind of anemia. As the name suggests, it is a result of a deficiency of iron in the body. The bone marrow requires iron to produce hemoglobin. When there is a shortage of the nutrient, the body fails to generate a sufficient amount of hemoglobin to produce red blood cells. Vitamin-deficiency anemia Apart from iron, the body requires vitamin B-12 and folate to generate red blood cells. When your diet does not have any of these, there is a sharp drop in the red blood cell count. There are also cases of people who consume vitamin B-12 but not absorbing it properly. That gives rise to vitamin-deficiency anemia.

Arthritis is a medical condition that is marked by inflammation in the joints. It can affect a single joint or several joints in the body. There are different types of arthritis. Each one can be traced to a different cause, with various methods to treat them. Types Primarily, there are two main kinds of arthritis – rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. These can be broken down into several categories. Osteoarthritis This is the most commonly diagnosed form of arthritis. When a person is suffering from osteoarthritis, the cartilage of the joints gets severely damaged. The cartilage is the tough, coarse protective coating found at the end points where the bones come together to form a joint. Cartilage acts as a cushion to this part of the bones and facilitates the frictionless movement of the joints. When the cartilage gets damaged, the bones grind against each other, causing severe pain and restrictive movements. This damage can take place over a few years or in a short time. Rheumatoid arthritis In this type of arthritis, the immune system adversely affects the outer covering or the lining around the joint capsule. The joint capsule is a hard membrane that surrounds parts of the joints.

Blood disorders can be of various types. The most common ones include anemia, bleeding and clotting disorders like hemophilia, and cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. In this article, let’s look at the symptoms, causes, and risk factors associated with some of the common blood disorders. Read on to know more about three common blood disorders. Leukemia Among the most common symptoms of leukemia are extreme fatigue and feeling ill. Additionally, people with leukemia have a tendency to bleed easily; the urine or stool may be accompanied by blood, or patients might bleed from their nose or gums. One may also experience swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, and a loss of appetite. Causes: Leukemia typically develops when the DNA inside the blood cells starts getting damaged, which can cause the blood cells to grow and divide uncontrollably. In this situation, the healthy blood cells die and are replaced by new abnormal cells, which develop inside the bone marrow. However, abnormal blood cells do not die naturally and keep building up. This leads to the cancerous cells overcrowding and outnumbering the healthy cells, resulting in leukemia. Risk factors: The most common risk factor associated with leukemia is the presence of certain viruses (human T-lymphotropic virus) in the body.

When the cells in the lungs begin to abnormally multiply and grow, it results in cancer. Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world. And the risk of suffering from this life-threatening disease is even higher when one is a smoker. Herein, we discuss the various factors that come into play when it comes to lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer Usually, lung cancer does not present any symptoms or signs in the early stages. However, as the disease progresses, one may notice Headache Bone pain Loss in weight Hoarse voice Chest pain Shortness of breath Coughing of blood A new cough that persists One should consult a doctor if they notice these signs. If someone is unable to quit smoking, they should visit a medical practitioner for quitting techniques to help avoid this disease. Types of lung cancer There are two kinds of lung cancer: Non-small cell lung cancer This is a catchall term that includes many varieties of this disease, like large cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma. Small cell lung cancer This happens mainly to people who are heavy smokers, and it’s rarer than non-small cell lung cancer. Risk factors of lung cancer Various factors put you at risk of getting this disease.

The right business credit card can help you save thousands of dollars. Business accounts can earn more rewards like discounts, hotel stays, and cashback offers. You may also use these cards to meet short-term financial requirements. In case you haven’t applied for one yet, you must check out 6 of the top business credit cards that you can apply for to make your life easier. American Express Blue Business® Plus Card This is an ideal business credit card offered by one of the leading credit card companies and does not levy any annual fees. You receive twice the Membership Reward ® points upto $50,000 with no category restrictions, which reduces to 1% thereafter. The cashback earned automatically gets credited in your statement. The regular APR on this card is 13.24% to 19.24% variable. CitiBusiness® AAdvantage® Platinum Select ® MasterCard® This is an excellent option if you undertake frequent business travel with American Airlines. You earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Additionally, the card offers 2 AAdvantage® miles for every dollar spent on telecommunications, fuel, car rental, and cable and satellite services. All other purchases earn you one mile for every dollar spent. The annual fee is $99 (waived in the first year) and regular APR varies between 15.99% and 24.99%.