A Hepatitis C infection leads to a wide range of symptoms, from mild illnesses to chronic health conditions. The condition may not cause any symptoms until two weeks to six months after it has penetrated the bloodstream. The symptoms of hepatitis C are tough to detect, and the disease can easily be transmitted. Some of the rare symptoms of a hepatitis C infection are: 1. Dark urine The disease causes liver inflammation, which results in dark-colored urine. That said, this symptom is prevalent in hepatitis A and B patients as well. One may have been infected by the Hepatitis C virus if the liver fails to clean their blood thoroughly. An orangish-yellow substance known as bilirubin may form in the urine and blood as a result, causing the urine to turn darker to brown. 2. Jaundice The white portion of the eyes and the skin turning yellowish is a common sign that indicates jaundice. This symptom manifests after one has been infected or diagnosed with hepatitis C. When the liver is unable to break down bilirubin, excess amounts of the chemical in the blood may lead to a person’s skin turning yellowish. Patients may first undergo treatment for the hepatitis C infection and liver damage to manage jaundice.

Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT is a severe health condition in which blood clots develop in one of the body’s primary veins. The condition can affect anyone, but some people face a higher risk of developing it than others. Read on to know more about the most common risk factors for DVT. 1. Inherited blood-clotting disorder Inherited blood disorders that cause the blood to clot more quickly than usual can increase the risk of developing DVT. That said, it is vital to know that such conditions do not lead to blood clots unless combined with any other risk factor or trigger. 2. Pregnancy Pregnancy aggravates the pressure in the veins in both the legs and pelvis. If a pregnant woman has an inherited clotting disorder, the risk of developing DVT grows further. This risk tends to continue for approximately 6 weeks after delivery. 3. Previous blood clots Approximately 30 percent of people with DVT tend to get multiple clots. So, people who have had a blood clot should take extra care, as their risk of developing another one increases. 4. Bed rest The deep veins in the legs rely on the muscles to take the blood back to the heart and lungs.

Hemophilia is a rare blood disorder in which the blood does not clot normally. It happens because of the dearth of clotting protein. People who have hemophilia tend to bleed for a longer duration following an injury compared to what they would have if the blood clotted normally. Some people are more susceptible to developing hemophilia as compared to others because of the risk factors for hemophilia. 1. Inherited Mutation Approximately seventy percent of all hemophilia cases are inherited. When a woman carries a faulty gene in either of her X-chromosomes, her children, both boy or girl, have a fifty percent chance of developing hemophilia. If the carrier woman gives birth to a daughter who inherits this faulty gene from the mother, she will become a hemophilia carrier. However, in case the carrier woman delivers a baby boy who inherits this faulty gene, he will certainly develop hemophilia. A man with hemophilia will not pass this condition to his son. However, the same man will pass on this faulty gene to his daughters, and all of the daughters will then become carriers. If the mother is a carrier, then there is a high risk of the daughter developing hemophilia. 2. Spontaneous Mutations Though most hemophilia is inherited, there is approximately thirty percent of cases with zero family history of the disorder.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a condition in which the lung’s blood vessels are narrowed, destroyed, and blocked. This slows down the blood flow and increases the blood pressure in the lungs’ arteries. To keep up with this, the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the lungs, resulting in the weakening and failure of heart muscles. This article discusses the risk factors for PAH,   which makes one more susceptible to the condition. 1. Familial link If two or more members in one’s family have had PAH or a gene (BMPR2) associated with PAH, their likelihood of getting the disease is high. In such cases, it is best to avail of genetic counseling to get help on these issues. However, it is crucial to understand that not everyone who has the gene will develop the disease. Only 20 percent of people with a bad gene get this disease. It is known as incomplete penetrance. 2. Obesity Obesity is not a PAH risk factor by itself. However, when one’s weight combines with sleep apnea, a condition wherein the oxygen levels drip while sleeping, one may get the disease. Moreover, extra weight aggravates the lungs’ pressure, which makes one susceptible to the disease.

Since most melanomas develop on the skin where they are visible, there is a good chance of detecting it early. Regular skin examination to check on any unusual or new growth or any changes in the existing moles is crucial. Hence, if one ever finds anything suspicious, they must immediately speak with their primary care physician, a skin doctor, or a qualified medical expert for melanoma diagnosis. Common melanoma signs To understand the spread and depth of this condition, experts have come up with a system 1. A – Asymmetry Usually, the melanomas that develop on the skin are asymmetrical. For instance, if one takes a scale and draws a line across the lesion center, the two halves may not match. Thus, melanoma moles look different from regular and symmetrical moles. 2. B – Border Usually, melanoma moles are uneven. They have notched or scalloped edges. On the other hand, normal moles will always have even and smoother borders. 3. C – Color Moles that have multiple colors are a sign of melanoma.   Most benign moles have a single brown shade, whereas the melanoma moles may be found in different shades of tan, brown, or black. When melanoma increases in size, the color may change to blue, white, or red.

Sarcoma is a type of cancer that develops in different body parts. It is a general term used to signify a cluster of cancers that grow in the bones and soft tissues. Usually, soft tissue sarcoma will develop in the tissues, supporting, surrounding, and connecting other body parts. It includes tendons, muscle, blood vessels, nerves, fat, and the joint lining. There are over 70 different types of sarcoma. Read on to know the common signs and symptoms of sarcoma.   1. Development of lump One of the most common signs and symptoms of sarcoma is the development of a mass or lump. This lump emerges in the area where there is tumor growth. One experiences pain in that area, especially if the lump or mass is pressing against the muscle or nerve. This lump may not be painful if it is located deep within the body cavity or extremity. However, if the lump is cancerous, it will grow in size, making it necessary to consult a doctor at the earliest. 2. Uncomfortable swelling Another common sign and symptom of sarcoma is the appearance of uncomfortable swelling. Swelling is usually prominent if the sarcoma is present in the legs and arms. 3. Limited mobility Another prevalent soft tissue sarcoma symptom is limited mobility.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers in men. This kind of cancer usually develops gradually and is curtailed to the prostate gland in the early stages. While the cancer is confined to the gland, it does not cause any severe harm. In most cases, there are also no symptoms or signs early on. However, symptoms show up when cancer progresses. This article discusses five signs and symptoms of prostate cancer. 1. Urinary problems Urinary problems are one of the most common signs and symptoms of prostate cancer. This is possibly because the prostate envelopes the urethra and lies below the bladder. Because of its location, whenever there is a tumor growth, it presses on the urethra and bladder and leads to urinary problems, such as frequent urge to pee, a slower urine stream, or hematuria, that is, blood in the urine.  2. Blood in urine or semen Blood in the semen or urine is alarming. As a result of cancer, a tumor develops in the prostate gland. When the tumor gets bigger, it puts pressure on the urethra, blood vessels, and the glands surrounding it, clogging the entire structure. This can lead to the presence of blood in semen or urine.

There are dozens of ways to describe the symptoms of your sickness. While they are not the best thing to talk about, these signs help your doctor diagnose the problem. That is why it is crucial to spot the difference between the signs of cold vs. flu to get treated accordingly. Let’s find out some more signs that mark the differences. Signs of Cold  Congestion Congestion is the feeling of fullness in your nose, accompanied by sneezing and runny or stuffy nose. It also makes it difficult to breathe through your nose. Congestion is the most common symptom of a cold.  Cough Cough in the common cold is usually dry hacking. However, if you notice thick mucus followed by a painful cough, then you should talk to your doctor immediately.  Watery Eyes Runny eyes feel like your eyes are tearing up. It is usually accompanied by itchiness inside your nose and throat. Note that these symptoms are also signs of allergies. But if they stay longer than two weeks, you must see a doctor immediately.  Headache Congestion can put extra pressure on your sinus that can lead to headaches and your head feeling heavy.  Muscle Aches Common cold can also cause mild pain in your muscles.

When the stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, it leads to heartburn or acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This can be a serious condition if not taken care of in a timely manner. However, most people can overcome the symptoms by making certain lifestyle changes, and it is only severe cases that require medications. Listed below are some treatment options for acid reflux and GERD for your awareness. 1. OTC medicines Your doctor may be able to diagnose the condition based on your symptoms and a physical exam. Based on the test results, your doctor may recommend treating GERD through the following OTC medications: Antacids These medicines help ease the heartburn and clear your stomach of acid. However, they do not heal ulcers or repair the damage caused to your esophagus. H-2 receptor blockers They do not work as quickly as the antacids, but their effect on your system lasts for longer. Proton pump inhibitors These medications are stronger and provide better relief than the H-2 receptor blockers. They are also efficient in healing the damage caused to your esophagus from acid reflux. 2. Prescription medication If OTC medicines fail to work after a couple of weeks, then your doctor may put you on a higher dosage of proton pump inhibitors or H-2 receptor blockers.

Nasal polyps are painless, soft, and non-cancerous growth, which develops on the nasal passage or sinus linings. They have teardrop or grape-like shapes. Usually, nasal polyps develop due to a recurring infection, allergies, drug sensitivity, or immune system disorder. So, how can we treat the nasal polyps? Let us take a look at some treatment options for nasal polyps.   Medications Primarily the objective of nasal polyps treatment is to either eliminate the polyps or reduce their size. For this, the first approach is always medication. With the medication, the doctors try to make the large polyps disappear or shrink.  A few drug treatments used for treating nasal polyps are as follows.  Nasal corticosteroids If nasal polyps have caused irritation and swelling in you, the doctor will recommend a corticosteroid nasal spray. It is an effective treatment, which does eliminate or shrink the polyps completely.  Some of the common corticosteroids prescribed by the doctor are fluticasone (Xhance, Flovent HFA, Flonase Allergy Relief), beclomethasone (Qnasl, Qvar Redihaler, Beconase AQ), budesonide (Rhinocort), triamcinolone (Nasacort Allergy 24HR), mometasone (Asmanex HFA, Nasonex), and ciclesonide (Zetonna, Alvesco, Omnaris)  Injectable and oral corticosteroids In case the nasal corticosteroid does not seem to work on you, your doctor will prescribe an oral corticosteroid.