Cold Sores VS Canker Sores

Cold sores are tiny, fluid-filled blisters that ooze and then crust over the surface of the mouth.Canker sores appear as small, oval-shaped, gray or white area that is surrounded by a red halo.

Causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Definition:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung problem that causes difficulty in breathing. It is due to the liver getting damaged for a prolonged period of time, often because of smoking.

COPD is mostly the combination of two diseases viz. chronic bronchitis and Emphysema.

·     Chronic bronchitis – In this condition, the airways that supply air to the lungs, which is known as the bronchial tubes get inflamed and there is formation of mucus. This causes blockage of airways making it difficult to breath.

·     Emphysema – In normal cases, the tiny sacs in the lungs which are like balloons; expand and contract as one breaths in and out and this allows smooth flow of air through the lungs. But if a person has emphysema, the air sacs gets damaged and do not stretch properly. Due to this condition, there is less flow of air in an out of the lungs which causes shortness of breath.

COPD is such a condition that gets worse with time and the damage that has been caused to the lungs is irreparable. But one can take some measure to avoid any further damage and to live in a better condition.

What are the causes of COPD?

COPD is mostly caused by smoking; this is because breathing tobacco continuously over a long period of time causes irritation to the airways and damages the stretchy fibers in the lungs.

Some of the other factors that can cause COPD include;

·         Breathing harmful chemical fumes, dust or polluted air over a long period of time

·         Secondhand smoke

It normally takes many years to experience symptoms related to COPD, thus this problem is mostly seen in people who are above 60 years of age.  A person is more likely to develop COPD if he/she has had a lot of lung problems as a child.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

Some of the main symptoms of COPD are as follows;

·         Chronic Cough

·         Mucus that is accompanied with the cough

·    Difficulty to breath which becomes worse while exercising or performing any exhaustive activities

As COPD progresses, a person may fall short of breathe while doing simple activities like getting dressed up, preparing a meal etc. It gradually becomes difficult to even eat or perform any exercise. Breathing consumes a lot of energy and makes the person very weak.

In some cases the symptoms get aggravated which is called as COPD exacerbation. This condition can either be mild or life-threatening. The longer a person is suffering from COPD, more the chances for the symptoms to flare-up.   

How can COPD be diagnosed?

The doctor will be able to diagnose COPD by doing the following;

·         Conducting a physical examination of the patient and listening to the lungs

·         Ask certain questions to know about the medical history of the patient and whether the person smokes or has been exposed to harmful chemicals that can cause irritation to the lungs

·         Will ask the patient to undergo certain breathing tests which will include spirometry, to know how well the lungs are functioning and chest X-ray and other tests to rule out the chances of other problems that are causing the symptoms.

It is always best to diagnose COPD at an early stage as it will help the patient to take the preventive measure to slow down the damage to the lungs.

How can COPD be treated?

The best option for slowing COPD is to quit smoking. It is the most important step a patient has to take to control the damage to the lungs. It is always good to stop smoking due to all the health hazards associated with it. And it is never too late to take this step even though it will be a difficult task especially for those who are addicted to smoking. Even though a person is suffering from severe COPD, by quitting smoking he/she can stop or slow the damage to the lungs

The doctor will prescribe treatments that will help give relief from the symptoms and make the patient feel better.

·    There are medicines available which will help the patient breath easily. Most of these medicines are inhaled because of which it directly goes to the lungs. While making use of inhalers it is important to use it as directed by the health provider.

·    There is lung rehab programs arranged for patients to educate them on how COPD can be managed. In such programs a team of professionals provide counseling to the patients and guide them how to breathe easily, perform some exercises and eat a healthy diet.

·       As the disease progresses, the patient may have to use oxygen at times or always depending upon the condition and the damage to the lungs.

Patients who are suffering from COPD are more prone to getting lung infections; therefore they will have to get a flu vaccine every year. And one must also get a pneumococcal shot done as a precaution. This does not necessarily mean that the patient will not get pneumonia, but the intensity will be lesser thus making the patient feel less sick and recover faster.

How can patients live well with COPD?

There are many things that a person suffering from COPD can do at home to remain healthy and positive;

·         Avoid as much as possible things that cause irritation to the lungs like smoke or air pollution

·         Make use of air filters in the house

·         Regularly exercise to remain fit and strong

·         Eat healthy food to avoid weakness and if one is losing weight, then consult a doctor or dietician to get a planned diet to gain calories required by the body

Handling flare-ups:

As COPD progresses the patient may have flare-ups and worsening of the symptoms. It is very essential to be aware of how to handle such situations. The doctor will give the patients an action plan and a list of medicines that will help the patient to breathe better during a flare –up. But in cases where the flare-ups are very severe one will have to seek immediate medical attention.

Controlling and managing depression and anxiety:

It is quite common for patients to get depressed when they know that they have COPD and gradually as the symptoms gets worse. They also get anxious when they find it difficult to breathe while doing simple activities. If patients are going through depression and anxiety, it is advisable to inform the doctor. There are counseling, medications and support groups to help the patients..

What is Addison's Disease?

Addison’s disease or adrenal insufficiency is a rare disorder in which the adrenal glands are unable
to produce adequate amounts of steroid hormones; cortisol and aldosterone.

How are cavities developed?

Definition:

Cavities are also known as tooth decay.  Cavities are the damaged areas that are formed on the hard surface of the tooth. They slowly develop into tiny openings or holes on the teeth. Cavities are caused due to various factors like bacteria inside the mouth, eating snacks too often, drinking sugary liquids and not cleaning the teeth properly.

Cavities are one of the most common health problems in the world. It is mostly seen in children, teenagers and older adults. But it is not restricted to this age group; anyone with teeth can get cavities.

If the cavities are not treated on time, the cavities enlarge and affect the innermost layers of the tooth. This can cause severe toothache, infection and even loss of tooth. Regular dental check-ups and proper brushing and flossing are the best ways to prevent cavities.

Symptoms:

The symptoms caused by cavities differ, basis the severity of the cavity and the location. When the cavities are just beginning to form it may not cause any symptoms. Once the decay starts growing it will lead to some signs and symptoms like;

·         Toothache

·         Tooth sensitivity

·         Pain that can be mild or severe while eating or drinking anything that is sweet, cold or hot

·         Formation of visible holes on the decayed tooth

·         Staining on the surface of the tooth which can be brown, black or white in color

Causes:

Cavities are formed due to decay of tooth which is a gradual process. Given below are the stages in which the tooth decay develops;

·         Plaque formation – There are many types of bacteria inside the mouth. Some of the bacteria thrive on food and drinks that contain sugar. When this sugar content is not properly removed from the teeth, the bacteria inside the mouth will start feeding on this and start producing acid. The bacteria will slowly start forming bacterial plaque which is like a sticky film that coats the teeth. One can feel this plaque formation, by running their tongue along the teeth. It has a little rough texture and is mostly felt in the back teeth particularly close to the gums. If the plaque is not cleaned when it is soft, it will slowly become hard and more difficult to be cleaned. And this will be a good place for the bacteria to hide and start the decay process.

·     Plaque attacks – The acid which is present in the plaque start removing the minerals on the outer enamel of the tooth. This wearing out leads to small openings or holes in the enamel which is the first stage of development of cavities. Once the enamel is worn out, it becomes easy for the bacteria and acid to reach the second layer of the teeth which is known as dentin. This layer is much softer than the enamel and cannot resist the acid like the outer layer.

·       More destruction – In this stage the tooth decay increases further, the bacteria and acid reach the inner most layer of the teeth known as the dental pulp, this contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp gets inflamed due to the bacteria attack. In this stage, one may experience unbearable tooth pain, sensitivity, pain while eating anything or some other symptoms. The body might send white blood cells to fight against the infection and bacteria attack. This can cause tooth abscess, a condition in which there is pus formation due to the bacterial infection.

Risk factors:

Anyone who has teeth can develop cavities, but there are certain factors that can increase the risk of developing cavities, which are;

•Tooth location – Tooth decay mostly occurs in the back teeth since they have lot of grooves, gaps and pits in which the food can get collected. Therefore it is more difficult to keep the back teeth clean as compared to the teeth in front. Plaque build-up and bacteria can easily survive on the back teeth and damage the tooth enamel.

•Specific food and drinks – There are certain type of foods that stick to the teeth for a longer time like, milk, ice cream, honey, sugar, soda, dry fruits, cake, cookies, candies, mints, chips etc. and these are likely to cause tooth decay.

•Regular snacking and sipping – Continuous snacking and drinking soda will give the bacteria in the mouth more chance to product acid that will cause the tooth decay. And drinking soda or other aerated drinks on a daily basis gives constant acid bath over the teeth. 

•Infant feeding at bedtime – Babies should be avoided given bedtime bottle feeds of milk, formula, juice or any other sugary liquids. These fluids remain on the teeth till morning allowing the bacteria to thrive on this and produce acid that can decay the teeth. 

•Insufficient brushing – One must brush the teeth twice a day to avoid plaque formation on the teeth.

•Insufficient fluoride – Fluoride is a natural mineral that helps prevent tooth decay and reverse the effect of initial stages of tooth damage. Thus fluoride is added to a lot of public water supplies and even bottled water. It is also added in most of the toothpastes and mouth washes. 

Treatment:

The treatment of cavities will depend on the severity of the decay and the condition of the patient. The different treatment options include;

·      Fluoride treatment – If the cavity is in the initial stage, then a fluoride treatment should be enough to restore the tooth’s enamel. Fluoride treatments can be in differ form like liquid, gel, foam or varnish which is applied onto the teeth or poured on a tray that fits on the teeth.

·         Filling – Filling is the most common options for treating tooth decay that has progressed beyond the initial stage of decay.

·         Crown – If there is severe damage or weekend tooth, then crown is the ideal option. This is a customized covering which will replace the existing tooth’s natural crown.

·         Root canal – When the dental pulp of the tooth gets decayed, then root canal is the best option. In this option, the infected pulp is removed and replaced with a filling. Medication is applied onto the roots of the decayed tooth to avoid any infection.

·         Extraction – When the decay is very severe and cannot be treated with any of the above options, then extraction is the only solution.

Causes of Toothache

What is a toothache?

Toothache can be defined as pain experienced in and around the teeth and jaws due to factors like tooth decay, abscessed tooth, tooth fracture, damaged filling, infected gums or some repetitive motions like chewing or grinding of teeth. Toothache can be felt in different ways, at times it can be constant pain or the pain will come and go. The pain will be very unbearable or mild. For few the pain will be more severe during nights especially while lying down. The toothache can get worse while eating or drinking anything that is either too hot or cold.

At times it is very difficult to detect whether the pain is in the upper or lower tooth and it also becomes difficult to understand which tooth is aching. Sometimes when a tooth in the lower molar is infected, one may assume as if the pain is coming from the ear. And if the toothache is in the upper molar then one may assume that it is from the sinuses or the air-filled cavities in the cheekbones and forehead. The jaw area which is close to the infected tooth may also become sore and tender.

What causes toothache?

When the innermost layer of the tooth which is also termed as dental pulp gets inflamed it causes toothache. This dental pulp consists of sensitive nerves and blood vessels. The dental pulp can get inflamed due to the following factors;

• Tooth decay – This leads to cavities on the hard surface of the tooth
• Cracked tooth – A minor crack can be formed on the tooth, it is mostly very small and not visible with the naked eyes
•  Loose or damaged fillings
• Receding gums – In this the gums contract and this causes exposure of the more sensitive portions of the tooth root
• Periapical abscess – In this there is pus accumulation at the end of the tooth due to a bacterial infection

There are many other factors that can cause pain which is very similar to toothache and this includes the following;

·      Periodontal abscess – In this there is pus formation in the gums due to a bacterial infection

·         Ulcers on the gums

·     Sore or inflamed gums around the tooth that is breaking through like in case of growth of wisdom tooth

          Sinusitis – this causes pain around the upper teeth and jaw portion 

When to meet a dentist?

When the toothache persists for more than a couple of days, it is best to meet the dentist at the earliest to detect the cause of the pain. The longer the diagnosis and treatment is delayed, the pain will get worse. If the toothache remains untreated, then eventually the dental pulp inside the tooth will begin to get infected. This condition can lead to dental abscess with severe and unbearable pain. Certain painkillers can be given for temporary relief from the pain.

How is a toothache diagnosed by the doctor?

The dentist will conduct a physical examination and get some information about the medical history of the patient. The doctor will also enquire about the pain like from how many days is the patient experiencing pain, has the pain increased over a period of time, is the pain mild or severe, the exact location of the pain, and if anything makes the pain better or worse etc.

The dentist will conduct a complete examination of the mouth, teeth, gums, jaws, tongue, ears, sinuses and nose. The patient may also have to do an X-ray or some other tests basis the dentist’s suspicion of the cause of toothache.

What are the symptoms of toothache?

Every person may have different signs and symptoms of toothache, which can be any of the following;

• Continuous, sharp and unbearable toothache. Few people may experience pain only when there is any pressure applied on the tooth 
• Swelling around the tooth 
• Fever
• Headache
• Pain while chewing
• Hot or cold sensitivity
• Foul tasting discharge from the tooth
• Bleeding around the tooth or gums

How can toothache be treated?

The treatment of the toothache will be basis the cause of the pain and this will be detected by the doctor after conducting the physical examination and the X-ray report.

•  If the toothache is caused due to a decayed tooth, it will be treated by removing the decayed portion and replacing it with a filling.
• If the toothache is due to a damaged or broken filling, then the remaining filling is removed, decay if any is cleaned and a new filling will be placed.
• If the dental pulp is infected then there will be a need to do a root canal. In this treatment option the decayed pulp is taken out and replaced with a special type of filling to avoid any further infection and a cap is placed on the tooth.
• The tooth will have to be extracted if none of the above options are possible or if the tooth is stuck between another tooth and jaw.

How can toothache be prevented?

The best option to prevent any toothache or any other dental issues is to keep the teeth and gums always healthy as much as possible. Some of the ways to do so are;

• Reduce eating sugary food and drinks – Limit the intake of such kind of items and try and restrict it to only mealtime.
• Brushing teeth – One must brush their teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that consist of fluoride. Also gently brush the gums and tongue.
• Thoroughly clean the area between the teeth using a dental floss and if required make use of mouthwash.
• Avoid smoking as this can worsen the dental problems 
• Regular dental check-ups – the time gap between dental check-ups vary from person to person depending upon the heath of the teeth and gums and also the risk of developing any future dental problems. The dentist will be in a better position to suggest when the patient should have the next check-up basis the oral health.  For children, it is best to have dental check-ups every six months this will help to identify any tooth decays and it can be treated in an early stage.

A heel spur refers to a small, pointed calcaneous outgrowth from the underside of the heel. The outgrowth may be seen under the heel or on the back of the heel.

Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a complex mental disorder that leads to uncontrollable mood swings and severe risky behaviors.

What Causing your Abdominal Pain?

A pain that may start or spread from anywhere in between the chest to the pelvic region is often      referred to as abdominal pain. Abdominal pain is of different types. Some of them are acute, while others are chronic.