People who have already suffered from chickenpox have the Varicella zoster virus in their body. These people are immune to chickenpox and won’t contract it if attacked by the varicella virus once again. In such cases, they are affected by the virus in a milder way, and they develop shingles. Studies have found that nearly one million people across the world contract shingles every year. The ailment itself can be cured with proper treatment, but many people above the age of 60 often experience pain even after the virus has run its course. This nerve pain caused by shingles can sometimes stay for the rest of their lives. Postherpetic Neuralgia The medical term for shingles-related nerve pain is Postherpetic Neuralgia (PHN). This is a condition that can potentially cause damage to your nerves. However, not everyone who is affected by shingles will develop PHN. Shingle is a viral infection that leads to a number of eruptions and skin rashes that appear in the form of a band, on various parts of the body. It can be very painful and unsettling. In case the band appears on a part of the skin that is often left exposed, it can be quite difficult for the patient to lead a normal social life.

Hepatitis C is a viral infection caused by inflammation of the liver. In some cases, it can lead to serious liver damage in people with the condition. The disease mainly spreads through contamination of blood. Earlier the treatment of hepatitis C involved weekly injections that were given to patients and certain oral medications. However, many hepatitis patients could not take these medications due to their other health problems and due to side effects. Chronic HCV is curable using oral medications that are taken daily for at least two months. There are about half of the people suffering from HCV, and they don’t know they are infected. This happens when a person experiences no symptoms of the problem. Symptoms can take a decade to appear in many students. This is why the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention ask a person to get a one-time screening of blood test for those who can be at increased risk of infection. The largest group at the risk of the situation is born between 1945 and 1965. A population is five times more likely to get infected with the problem than people born in other years. Symptoms of hepatitis C There are many factors by which can determine if a person is suffering from hepatitis C.

Facts about itchy skin: Pruritus is the medical term that is used to describe itchy skin. The most common causes of itching include exposure to sun, atopic dermatitis, dry skin, infestations, infections, chronic diseases, stings, bites and allergic reactions. Most anti-itch creams and lotions contain ingredients like pramoxine, diphenhydramine, caladryl, Benadryl, tronolane, camphor, benzocaine and menthol that bring relief to itchy skin. Corticosteroid medications also help in some instances of itching. Another thing that is considered necessary is to avoid scratching and making the condition of itching much worse. Any itching done can make the condition worse and lead to a bacterial infection. In case the itching persists for too long, gets worse or develops into skin lesions, it is better to consult a health care provider who can assess the situation. What is an itch? Irritation of the skin that creates the urge to scratch is known as an itch. Everybody at some point experiences itching and the symptoms of itching can be generalized, as in they can spread to different parts of the body or be localized, as in they are limited to one part of the body. In some cases, itching only occurs at night. Itching that spreads all over the body and is highly generalized is a lot more uncomfortable than localized itching that is contained in one spot.

Pneumococcal pneumonia can be considered as a type of pneumonia which infects upper respiratory tract and spreads to lungs, middle ear and nervous system, if not checked in time. This disease causes pneumonia in children who are less than five years of age or adults who are 65 years or older. Elder people are at more risk of pneumococcal pneumonia and can even die in rare cases. People who suffer from some medical conditions including chronic heart ailment, liver diseases, and sickle cell anemia are also at a risk of being infected with pneumococcal pneumonia. Causal Agents Pneumococcal pneumonia is caused by a range of viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Streptococcus pneumoniae is also known to cause Pneumococcal Pneumonia. Transmission Pneumococcal pneumonia is spread when a contact with people who are at risk is established. Also, this bacterium is also carried in the throat. The respiratory droplets of the infected person are also known to initiate the spread of Pneumococcal Pneumonia. Children, in particular, carry this bacteria in the throat even when they are not sick. Symptoms of Pneumococcal Pneumonia This infection begins suddenly in a person, and the person might suffer from severe chill symptoms which are followed by high fever, cough, shortness of breath, rapid breathing and chest pain.

Hemorrhoids often known as piles are a common disease among people. Every three out of four individuals suffer from hemorrhoids at different ages during their lifespan. Hemorrhoids are the swollen veins in the anus and parts of the lower rectum. There are several causes of hemorrhoids. During deliveries, high pressure is exerted on the veins which may cause piles. Excessive straining during the bowel movements is another cause of hemorrhoids. Some of the probable symptoms of hemorrhoids include bleeding, itching, and discomfort. Read the article below to explore the causes, symptoms, facts, diagnosis, and treatment of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be classified into two categories, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids Internal hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum walls. These hemorrhoids are less painful and don’t cause discomfort or irritation. In the beginning, people don’t even feel internal hemorrhoid. However, the enlargement makes them more obvious. In some cases, too much irritation and straining worsens the hemorrhoids and can even cause bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids can move to the anal opening due to high straining or increased pressure. The condition is known as protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoids. If you find pink skin around the anus area, it is a probable sign of prolapsed hemorrhoids.

Here’s What is Causing Your Digestive Problems Diverticulitis is an inflammation of small pockets in the intestine. These are most commonly found in the large intestine but can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. Since the problem often goes unnoticed until it becomes more serious, it’s important to keep an eye out for diverticulitis symptoms. Diverticula are small pouches that appear on the walls of the large intestine. This occurs when the inner lining of the large intestine bulges out and forms small sacs in the outer lining. It can be caused by a consistently low-fiber diet which places your digestive system and intestines under immense pressure, leading to diverticula formation. The formation of these diverticula is called diverticulosis or diverticular disease. The inflammation of the diverticula is called diverticulitis. Diverticula are fairly common and have been associated with aging. With age, the walls of the intestines get weaker and the passing of hard food through it is enough to cause diverticula. It’s estimated that up to 50% of people in the world develop diverticula by the time they are 80 years old. Diverticulitis refers to the infection that occurs when there is bacterial growth within the diverticula. Diverticulitis symptoms can be severe and lead to complications such as abscesses in the intestine and even intestinal bleeding.

Dust mites feed on dust and dead skin cells shed by people. These tiny bugs grow rapidly in the moist environments with high humidity. The dust mites cause the dust mite allergy which is quite common among the people. As per the report of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), around twenty million people suffer from dust mite allergy in the United States of America. Exposure to dust particles causes the dust mite allergy. Breathing in the air polluted by the dust mites stimulates the body to produce antibiotics against them. The body response to tackle the dust mite allergy often causes the common symptoms of a running nose and frequent sneezing. Over time the dust mite allergy may progress into asthma and sinus infections. It is essential to know the dust mite allergy symptoms to treat the problem effectively. Causes of Dust mite allergy The human immune system responds to the allergens. The allergens could be dust mites and pollens. Generally, some people are highly allergic to the leftovers of the bugs. These leftovers include decaying bodies and faeces of the bug. The dust mites are commonly found in the bed, carpets, cushions, and furniture. These are the perfect conditions for the dust mite to thrive.

To know if you’re experiencing gallbladder pain symptoms, it is important to first understand what a gallbladder is and what are its functions. The gallbladder is a tiny pouch-like structure underneath the liver which is considered to be a part of the biliary system of your body. This tiny pouch, when full like an inflated balloon around 4 inches, contains a yellowish-brown liquid called bile, which is an essential fluid in the human body that helps in the digestion and breaking up of fatty foods in your small intestine. The bile is transferred to the small intestine using a small tube-like structure known as ducts. However, some researchers have concluded that the gallbladder may not be an essential internal organ, as the bile is known to reach the small intestine through other means and the gallbladder merely acts as a storage unit for the bile. When you experience gallbladder pain symptoms, you may feel a tenderness under the rib cage on the right side, bloating, gas, stools that are light or chalky colored, burping or belching, fatty stools, pain between shoulder blades, indigestion—especially after eating fatty or greasy foods, constipation or need to use laxatives frequently, diarrhea, headache over eyes—especially on the right, feeling of fullness or difficulty in digesting food, bitter fluid comes up after having food, vomiting, nausea, dizziness, and the like.

Macular degeneration causes a loss of central vision in both eyes. It is a painless condition that normally affects people who are older than 50 years. It is commonly known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). There are also rare cases of Juvenile Macular Degeneration, which affects young people. Certain genetic disorders are the cause of the development of juvenile macular degeneration. When a person suffers from Macular Degeneration, the central vision is affected. So, there is difficulty in focusing on objects that lie straight ahead. The result is that everything appears blurred, it becomes difficult to read, the faces of people appear blurred and colors of objects around you look pale and dull. Causes The exact cause for macular degeneration isn’t known yet. Aging can cause a person to develop this condition. In older people, the macula, which is a central spot in the retina, develops a problem and causes age-related macular degeneration. AMD can develop as wet AMD or dry AMD. Dry AMD The macula has light-sensitive cells that gradually break down as you age. As the light-sensitive cells reduce in number, the central vision deteriorates. Waste products start to accumulate in the retina and cause small deposits called drusen.

In recent studies, it has come out that majority of the population in the United States has suffered from back pain at some point in their life. This back spasm is an involuntary contraction of the muscles in the lower back. This back pain condition ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain which makes it difficult for a person to move around. Spasm, a medical condition can be treated without any kind of surgery. If the pain is related to a nerve problem in the spine, then some kind of medical intervention is required. Causes of lower back spasm The back spasm can occur due to various reasons including injuries to the muscle, ligaments, and tendons or can be related to any of the serious medical conditions. Back spasm also commonly occurs due to the heavy lifting of any kind. If any activity is undertaken which puts excessive strain on muscles in the lower back can cause lower back spasm. Football and golf players also suffer from back spasm as they have to go through intense training for their matches. This medical condition can also occur if a person has arthritis or is suffering from a ruptured disk in the spine. Diagnosis of Back Spasm Doctors usually recommend an x-ray to look for any signs of bone fracture or arthritis.