Eating disorders refer to disturbances in eating patterns and distressing thoughts about body weight and image. Individuals suffering from an eating disorder have a distorted image of their body shape and appearance. These conditions are a result of low-self esteem, psychological problems, a poor social environment, and unhealthy relationships. As the disorder progresses, it can become a potentially life-threatening illness. These disorders can be cured if diagnosed in time but require a lot of mental, emotional, and medical support even after the immediate risk has passed. Eating disorders can be generally classified into three types: Anorexia nervosa Bulimia nervosa Binge eating disorder Anorexia nervosa Anorexia nervosa or simply anorexia is an eating disorder wherein people restrict themselves from eating or purge their food after eating. People with this condition typically have extremely low body weight which is disproportionate to their height and body type. Anorexia is dubbed as a lifestyle disorder. People suffering from it are in constant fear of gaining weight; often believing that they are heavy, when in fact they might be underweight already. These people are generally extremely thin as they subject themselves to constant starvation or claim to not have an appetite at all. Anorexia can be classified into two major types based on the ways adopted by the patients to stay thin:

Bile acids are found in the liver. Their role is to promote the flow and excretion of bile and to assist in the absorption of intestinal fat and fat-soluble vitamins. BASD’s are known to be a group of rare metabolic disorder which is characterized by defects in the formation (synthesis) of bile acids. Bile acid synthesis is the main pathway in breaking down and eliminating cholesterol. When this function is disrupted, the accumulation of abnormal bile acids results. This causes damage to certain organ systems. Sometimes additional symptoms like progressive neurological disease may also develop. In most cases, symptoms are present at birth and in the newborn period. This disorder can be treated by replacing missing bile acids but if left untreated it could eventually progress to life-threatening complications. BASD is caused due to mutations in specific genes which are inherited as autosomal recessive traits. The two types of bile acid synthesis disorders can be classified as primary and secondary. When a congenital deficiency in the enzymes requires for bringing about chemical reaction is present is known as primary BASD’s. Secondary disorders are disorders that are involved in the transportation of bile acids such as low gamma-GT familial intra-hepatitic cholestasis and MDR3 deficiency.

The kidneys are the bean-shaped organs that work as the waste filtration system of the body. They support the body by filtering the blood 12 times per hour. The disposal of excess water and unwanted chemicals or blood waste is done through urine. When one suffers from any of the kidney diseases, their kidney will not work properly. Therefore, it will affect the filtration of the blood. There will be no symptom of kidney disease for a long duration of time and hence, it is called as the silent disease. Chronic kidney disease This type of kidney disease is also known as chronic kidney failure. This implies that one can observe a slow loss of the function of the kidney. In a normal condition, the kidneys are used for the filtration of wastes and excess fluids from the blood. This waste is then excreted through the urine. With the advancement of this disease, the level of excess fluids, electrolytes, and other wastes start building in the body. This disease is very harmful to the body. One can get treatment of this disease by slowing down the kidney damage. They can also utilize dialysis support or kidney transplant for the treatment of this disease.

Anemia, a common medical condition, occurs when the count of healthy red blood cells (RBC) in the body reduces. The function of red blood cells is transporting oxygen to different tissues and organs. A reduction of these cells indicates an insufficient supply of oxygen. This impairs the normal functioning of the organs. There are over 400 forms of anemia; the common types include aplastic anemia, folic acid deficiency anemia, hemolytic anemia, and sickle cell anemia. The Cleveland Clinic suggests approximately 3.4 million Americans are currently suffering from anemia, and women and individuals with chronic diseases are more prone to it. Causes of Anemia A hematologist measures anemia in terms of the hemoglobin present in the blood. Anemia due to blood Loss The most prevalent cause of iron-deficiency anemia is blood loss. In this condition, the body reacts by conserving more water within blood cells from the tissues outside the bloodstream. It results in the formation of diluted red blood cells. The blood loss may be acute or chronic. The common reasons behind this condition include cancer, stomach ulcers, hemorrhoids, gastritis, childbirth, menstruation, and the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anemia due to faulty or reduced red blood cell production Sometimes, anemia occurs when the bone marrow produces fewer amounts of RBCs from the stem cells present in it.

There are many different ways to treat cancer. The best mode of treatment depends on the type of cancer, the stage it is diagnosed at, the patient’s overall health, and other factors. In the case of inoperable tumors, chemotherapy is often the best type of treatment. Chemotherapy is a systemic treatment that is used to treat cancer that affects almost every part of the body. What is chemotherapy? Chemotherapy is an aggressive form of cancer therapy. It involves administering medication that will travel through the patient’s bloodstream and destroy the cancerous cells. This type of treatment may be used on its own or in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or any other form of cancer treatment based on: The patient’s overall health Type of cancer The stage at which cancer is diagnosed Any previous cancer treatment Personal treatment preferences What are the side effects of chemotherapy? Chemotherapy can have quite serious side effects and impact the patient’s quality of life. Dry mouth and sores Fever Fatigue Nausea Weight loss and a loss of appetite Infections Hair loss Memory and concentration problems Insomnia It may also cause permanent damage to the heart, kidneys, lungs, reproductive organs, and nerves. When is chemotherapy used?

Deep vein thrombosis or DVT is a blood clot that forms deep in the veins and most often it occurs in the legs. It could either be a partial or complete blockage of blood flow. As a result, it causes your blood to flow back to the heart and damages the one-way valves in your veins. It could also travel to your lungs and the to major organs, such as the brain, which could prove to be very dangerous. Even if a person is at risk, they could take some steps to prevent DVT. How to prevent  deep vein thrombosis Try losing weight if you are obese. Do not stay still for very long hours. Try moving even when you are traveling in a bus or plane. Wear clothes which are not too tight and drink lots of water when you are traveling. These are some basic steps which one can follow. In addition to that, one can also follow the other preventive measures: Quit smoking If you are a frequent smoker, there are nicotine patches, gums and even sprays available in the market to help you get rid of this dangerous habit. One can even consult a doctor and get proper prescribed medication or join support groups to make it even easier for you.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects the immune system of human beings. When it is left undiagnosed, it attacks and kills the cluster of differentiation (CD4) cells that are an essential part of the immune system. Eventually, the infected person progresses through the three stages of HIV infection and contracts a disease called acute immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV patients should take care of their diet as proper nutrition helps in keeping the immune system stronger, manage HIV symptoms and complications, and improve the overall quality of life. Basic principles of HIV nutrition A person diagnosed with HIV should follow a diet having an adequate quantity of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes. Protein sources can be lean and of low-fat content. It is better to reduce the intake of sweets and soft drinks with added sugar. Meals should have carbohydrates, proteins, and less amount of fats. Calorie measure of HIV-infected individuals Calories are the amount of energy that every food provides the person. A person diagnosed with HIV should keep a tab on the calorie intake to maintain the weight in the standard range. If the HIV patient is maintaining weight, then consumption of 17 calories per pound of body weight is beneficial.

The inability to get or keep an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse is known as erectile dysfunction. It is also sometimes referred to as impotence. E rectile dysfunction isn’t uncommon, as many men experience it during times of stress. Frequent dysfunction can be a sign of health problems though and might require treatment. It can also be a sign of something more serious and may need to be addressed by a professional. The symptoms might include trouble getting and keeping an erection and reduced sexual desire. Prevention tips Eating healthy A diet that is bad for a man’s heart could also lead to erectile dysfunction. So eating a healthy and balanced diet, which consists of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, heart-healthy fats, including nuts and olive oil, fish and wine, especially red wine, can help in preventing erectile dysfunction. Maintaining a healthy weight Being overweight can cause many health problems, including type 2 diabetes, which can cause nerve damage throughout the body. When diabetes affects the nerves that supply blood to the penis, it can result in this condition. Maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol Keeping a regular check and maintaining blood pressure and cholesterol levels help in the prevention of this condition.

Iron is an important dietary mineral and is required for the proper growth and development of a child. Iron is a crucial component of hemoglobin, a protein that is required for oxygen transfer in our body. Iron deficiency can hinder the synthesis of red blood cells causing anemia. Iron is also needed for proper brain development. Thus, iron deficiency in children adversely affects normal growth and cognitive development. Children are highly prone to develop iron deficiencies because a high amount of iron is needed during rapid growth. However, it is important to note here that excess iron intake is toxic to the body, and one must not give over-the-counter iron tablets to children without proper medical advice. Symptoms of iron deficiency Iron deficiency causes lethargy, growth retardation, weakness, recurrent infections due to poor body immunity, behavioral issues, increases sweating, and appetite loss. Common dietary requirements of iron for children between the ages of 7-12 months is 11 mg/day while for children from 1-3 years, it is 7 mg/day. Causes The main causes of iron deficiency in children are Poor diet management by the parents in the early years of life. Not incorporating solid food after the child is above 6 months of age and a complete reliance on breastfeeding.

Atrophic vaginitis or vaginal atrophy causes the vaginal walls to get thin due to decreased levels of estrogen. This condition usually occurs after one goes through menopause. Women suffering from vaginal atrophy are most likely to face chronic vaginal infections and problems in the urinary function. Factors causing atrophic vaginitis The prime factor causing atrophic vaginitis is reduced levels of estrogen. Due to the low estrogen, vaginal tissues become thin and eventually dry up, making the walls more delicate, and in turn easily prone to injury. Vaginal walls lose their natural elasticity too. Sexual intercourse can become painful as a result. Menopause In most of the cases, atrophic vaginitis occurs post-menopause. Women between the age group of 45-55 are most likely to suffer from it. Urinary tract infections might occur too. Breastfeeding Breastfeeding might lead to reduced estrogen in a woman’s body, especially if she is breastfeeding immediately after the delivery. The decline in estrogen may last as long as lactation is continued. Hence, many women may experience vaginal atrophy in the post-delivery phase. After chemotherapy for treating cancer Most of the chemotherapy procedures, which are undertaken to treat various cancers, can cause or exacerbate atrophic vaginitis. A widely used cancer medication called Tamoxifen blocks estrogen, causing VVA (vulvar & vaginal atrophy).