Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer types in women; it can lead to severe complications if not treated at an early stage. One way to ensure adequate treatment is to improve awareness of the condition. This then ensures routine screening and timely diagnosis. So, this article talks all about the risk factors, early signs to look out for, and the stages of breast cancer. Risk factors of breast cancer 1. Age It is not uncommon for young women to develop breast cancer. However, the cases are more prevalent in women over 50 years of age. Thus, it is vital to get yourself screened regularly from the time you’re in your thirties. 2. Long menstrual cycle Women who get their first menstrual cycle before the age of 12, and start their menopause beyond the age of 55 are at a higher risk of developing this cancer. This is because of the prolonged hormonal exposure the individuals tend to face. 3. Family history If someone in your family, especially your mother, daughter, or sister, has been diagnosed with breast cancer or ovarian cancer, then you might be at a higher risk for the former. 4. Obesity Being overweight and leading a sedentary lifestyle can increase the risks of developing this disease significantly.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a condition that causes high blood pressure in the arteries that connect the heart and the lungs. This is a serious condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated as early as possible. Here is a list of signs to look out for in people with PAH. 1. Shortness of breath One of the common signs of PAH is shortness of breath. With high blood pressure in the arteries that reach the lungs, the lungs don’t get enough oxygenated blood to function normally. As a result, the lungs start overworking, leading to shortness of breath. Shortness of breath could occur on and off initially and then become worse. 2. Rapid heart rate With high blood pressure in the arteries and a lack of enough blood to the lungs, the heart starts working really hard to pump blood to the lungs. This leads to an increase in heart rate. 3. Dizziness Pulmonary arterial hypertension causes a dip in the performance of the lungs. When the lungs don’t work well, there is lesser oxygen reaching the different parts of the body, including the brain. As a result, the brain reacts and causes dizziness and fainting episodes. This is one of the signs that have to be taken seriously.

Regular occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux is referred to as GERD. People with GERD may experience persistent heartburn, chest pain, trouble swallowing, and other symptoms. Though not life-threatening, if left untreated, it can turn into other severe conditions. It is essential to know about the stages of GERD and the treatment options available to help you take the necessary steps to prevent its progression. GERD stages Stage 1 In this stage, patients experience mild symptoms infrequently. They can tolerate heartburn and discomfort caused by GERD, while some may use medications to manage the symptoms. Stage 2 Moderate symptoms occur in patients several times a week. Unlike Stage 1, the symptoms are not easily managed with over-the-counter medications. They may require prescription acid-suppressive medicines prescribed by a specialist. Stage 3 The quality of life is severely impacted in patients with Stage 3 GERD. Severe inflammation in the esophagus causes significant symptoms, including heartburn, regurgitation of food or liquid, sore throat, hoarse voice, and chronic cough. The patient no longer finds relief with prescription medicines. Stage 4 This stage occurs due to years of repeated damage and where severe conditions like dysplasia, Barrett’s esophagus, or even esophageal cancers are most likely to form.

The bones not only offer support and structure but also provide the ability to move around freely with the help of joints. Having a nutrition enriched meal regime aids in maintaining bone and joint health and reducing the occurrence of severe bone-related issues like osteoporosis and arthritis. Here is a list of foods that should be consumed and foods that should be avoided to maintain proper bone health. 1. Best and Foods for Bones and Joint Health Fatty Fish To ensure proper maintenance of bone and joint health, oily fish like tuna, salmon and sardines prove to be important as these foods come loaded with beneficial omega-3 fatty acids that aid in fighting inflammation. Furthermore, seeds like chia, flaxseeds, and nut-like walnuts prove as healthy options to add omega-3 fatty acids to your meal plan. The anti-inflammatory property of the compound even aids in improving the symptoms associated with arthritis. Dairy Products Milk and other dairy products like cheese and yogurt provide a good amount of calcium to the body. Calcium aids in maintaining proper bone and joint health and even aids in boosting blood circulation, which improves bone strength and muscle control in the body so that a condition like osteoporosis is avoided.

Urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that affects a person’s urinary tract organs, such as the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. The disease is more common in women and can be painful. Thankfully, UTIs can be treated using simple antibiotics. In minor cases, the problem can also go away on its own without medication. This article discusses the different early warning signs of a UTI and the popular diagnosis methods. Early warning signs The following early warning signs can help identify UTIs: 1. Pain or discomfort when urinating This is the telltale sign of a UTI. The bacteria causing the infection irritates the lining of the urinary tract, resulting in inflammation. The inflammation, in turn, causes pain or discomfort when passing urine. 2. Change in color and smell of urine The urine could become red, pink, or dark-colored due to the presence of blood. It might also become cloudy as the body tries to eliminate the excess white blood cells produced to fight the infection. In addition, the bacteria that cause the disease can give the urine a foul smell. 3. A strong and persistent urge to urinate Due to the inflammation in the bladder and urethra, one might experience the continuous urge to urinate but still pass only a small amount of urine at a time.