Lupus is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation and attacks healthy tissues and organs. It is a medical condition characterized by symptoms like facial rashes, skin lesions, swelling, damaged joints, mouth ulcers, and extreme sensitivity to the sun. Thankfully, this disease is treatable, and treatment options depend on the patients’ symptoms and frequency of flares. Medications that help manage symptoms of lupus are listed below. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Drugs such as naproxen sodium (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB) are easily available over-the-counter medications that help curb symptoms like inflammation, joint pain, swelling, and fever. Steroid creams and pills Creams and lotions are prescribed to manage skin rashes and inflammation. The doses vary depending on the symptoms, but high doses can cause severe side effects. So, before committing to any medical treatment, it’s always advised to discuss risks and side effects with the doctor. Antimalarial drugs Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) falls under this category and works with the immune system to reduce the frequency of lupus flares. However, this medicine also causes side effects such as an upset stomach and impacts the retina in rare cases. It’s common for doctors to schedule regular eye check-ups on prescribing these medicines. Immunosuppressants These medications suppress the immune system, curbing its hyperactivity. They are only prescribed in severe cases of lupus as they come bearing potent side effects such as infection, liver damage, decreased fertility, and increased risk of cancer. Some of the drugs that belong to this category include azathioprine (Imuran, Azasan), methotrexate (Trexall, Xatmep), cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral, Gengraf), and leflunomide (Arava). This is a brief list of medication that is commonly prescribed to patients with lupus to reduce flares and prevent organ damage associated with lupus. Since there are many complications associated with the disease that affect many parts of the body, it’s only wise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

An overactive bladder (OAB) is a condition in which there is a sudden and urgent need to urinate. Affecting both men and women, the disorder usually affects older individuals and disrupts social life, sleep, and work. There is a wide range of treatments for an overactive bladder. OAB can be managed through certain behavioral changes, medication, or a combination of both. Bladder training Instead of visiting the bathroom whenever there is an uncontrollable urge, urinate at a set time. It is called scheduled voiding. Start with a few minutes in the beginning and then increase the set time to an hour or more between bathroom visits. Pelvic muscle exercises Performing Kegel exercises daily can strengthen the muscles that help in controlling urination. It is best to consult a doctor or physical therapist to learn how to do Kegel the right way. Biofeedback In this method, electrical sensors are attached to the body, which determine actions it performs. The sensors send real-time feedback about some of the body’s most crucial functions, such as heart rate and blood pressure. It even monitors your exercises and other movements so that you can gauge what’s working best for you. Weight management If you are struggling with obesity, then losing some bodyweight may relieve certain overactive bladder symptoms. Excessive weight gain is a serious problem and can attract various other health complications. It’s also for this reason that it is best to follow a healthy diet. Incontinence products These products manage the symptoms of OAB until the actual course of treatment starts to show results. Absorbent pads or pants can prevent embarrassing moments. You can also use handheld urinals or catheters for draining urine. Medication Doctors may even prescribe drugs to relieve OAB symptoms. Some drugs prescribed for the condition include tolterodine (Detrol), oxybutynin (Ditropan), trospium, solifenacin (Vesicare), darifenacin (Enablex), fesoterodine (Toviaz), and mirabegron (Myrbetriq).

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is an aggressive type of cancer. It grows quickly, and that’s why an early diagnosis makes a huge impact on the recovery rate. The treatment usually begins a few days after cancer has been diagnosed. The type of treatment usually depends on several factors, including age, overall health, type of AML, and potential side effects. Here are some common treatment options that doctors generally recommend. Intensive chemotherapy This is usually the first line of treatment after a myeloid leukemia diagnosis. The goal of intensive chemo is to not have any signs and symptoms of AML at the end. By using high doses of several medications, the treatment seeks to destroy all the tumors in the bone marrow and the blood. Usually, a combination of two or more medications is used here. They are given a thin tube that is injected into a blood vessel near the heart or in the arm. Non-intensive chemotherapy Doctors generally recommend this treatment to those who may not be able to withstand the harsh effects of intensive chemo. This is an alternative form of treatment. During the treatment process, medications are administered. The medications can be oral or given intravenously through a drip or by injection. This myeloid leukemia treatment usually doesn’t require any hospital stay. Radiotherapy This treatment uses a high quantity of radiation to destroy leukemia cells. Radiotherapy is usually one of the steps in long-term treatments such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplant. It also helps the body to prepare for a bone marrow transplant. In rare cases, radiotherapy is used for treating myeloid leukemia that has spread to the brain and the nervous system. Targeted therapy This myeloid leukemia treatment works by targeting the genes, proteins, and tissues that help the cancerous tumors to grow. Different medications are used in targeted therapy.

Multiple sclerosis or MS is a debilitating disorder where the body’s nervous system gets affected. Since the condition’s progression and symptoms differ from person to person, the treatments also differ. MS is not curable. However, the following treatments are geared towards slowing down the disease and alleviating the symptoms. Physical therapy Since multiple sclerosis causes mobility issues as the disease progresses, strengthening and stretching exercises are recommended. A physiotherapist demonstrates how to use various devices to assist in mobility and perform daily tasks. In addition, mobility aids are used during physical therapy. These are for managing weakness in the legs and gait problems associated with the disease. However, it is essential to note that multiple sclerosis patients also need enough rest besides physical activity. Muscle relaxants One of the most common symptoms of multiple sclerosis, especially during flare-ups, is muscle spasms or stiffness. The spasms are often painful and uncontrollable and usually occur in the legs. Doctors recommend muscle relaxants to relieve these symptoms and alleviate the pain and discomfort. Baclofen and tizanidine are among the most popular drugs used for this purpose. Plasma exchange In plasma exchange, the liquid portion of the patient’s blood (plasma) is removed and separated from the blood cells. The blood cells are then mixed with a protein solution (albumin) and injected back into the body. This method may be used if the symptoms are new, severe, or do not respond to steroids. Corticosteroids These medications are to be taken under medical supervision. Corticosteroids help manage the various symptoms of multiple sclerosis and provide relief from the pain and discomfort. They also help manage nerve inflammation, a common problem related to the disease. However, these medications often have side effects such as insomnia, increased blood pressure, increased blood glucose levels, mood swings, and fluid retention.

Spinal muscular atrophy is a neurological condition and a type of motor neuron disease. People with this genetic disorder cannot control their muscle movements because of the loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain stem. While there isn’t any cure or prevention method for the condition, there are treatments to help a person cope with SMA throughout their life. Medications As SMA treatments are still under the microscope, there are very few medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Nusinersen (Spinraza) This medication helps treat SMA of all types in both children and adults. The doctor will inject four initial doses over approximately two months. It is followed by one dose every four months to maintain the effects of the medication. Nusinersen helps adjust the SMN2 gene and lets it create more protein. While the effectiveness of the medication may vary from person to person, it helps slow SMA progression and even reduces muscle weakness. Onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi (Zolgensma) This medication helps treat infants below the age of two in the form of an infusion in a single dose. A catheter (tiny tube) is inserted into a vein in the child’s arm or hand. After this, the medical team sends a copy of the SMN gene through a tube that focuses on a specific group of motor neuron cells. Studies show that the medication has helped children affected by SMA achieve developmental milestones quicker. An example is controlling their heads or sitting up without any support. Risdiplam (Evrysdi) It works towards stopping SMN2 genes from disrupting protein production and enabling the protein to reach the nerve cells where required. The dose is given to a child with spinal muscular atrophy once a day following a meal. The size of the dosage is determined based on the weight of the child.

A rare disorder, hemophilia causes a deficiency of blood-clotting proteins in the body. Because of this, the blood may not clot normally. Those with hemophilia tend to bleed longer than normal in case of an injury. It is not curable, but its symptoms can be managed using various treatment methods. Replacement therapy Several types of clotting factors are associated with hemophilia. The main treatment for severe hemophilia involves replacement of the specific clotting factor that you need through a tube placed in a vein. This replacement therapy can be given to combat a bleeding episode that’s in progress. It can also be administered on a regular schedule at home to help prevent bleeding episodes. Some people receive continuous replacement therapy. The replacement clotting factor can be created from donated blood. Other products, such as recombinant clotting factors, are manufactured in a laboratory and aren’t made from human blood. Immune tolerance induction Some forms of immunotherapy are generally used to manage the complications of hemophilia brought in by certain inhibitors. You may need to be regularly tested for these inhibitors. Immune tolerance induction is used for treating these inhibitors in those with severe hemophilia, specifically hemophilia type A. This form of hemophilia treatment involves daily injections of clotting factors. This enables the immune system to identify the inhibitors and stop their production. Surgery Another common complication of hemophilia is joint bleeding. This causes damage to the joints by affecting the cartilages. The synovium or the thin layer of tissue that lines the insides of the joints is also affected. This makes the joints more vulnerable to bleeding. The more damaged a joint is, the more vulnerable it is to bleeding. This complication can be prevented by surgery. The damaged synovium is removed to allow new synovium to grow. Serious damage may require a joint replacement surgery.

Gastric cancer, also called stomach cancer, is where cancerous cells grow and multiply in the stomach lining. This condition is difficult to detect as symptoms do not occur in the initial stages. Moreover, when treatment is delayed or ignored, it can spread to several organs, such as the lungs, liver, and bones. Here, we discuss some treatments for gastric cancer. The options differ from person to person and usually depend on the stage and intensity of the disease. Chemotherapy In this method, high doses of medication are used to kill cancerous cells. Chemotherapy is usually administered after surgery to kill any harmful cells that have remained despite the procedure. Doctors may combine this treatment with targeted drug therapy or radiation therapy for people with advanced stomach cancer. Radiation therapy This treatment uses high-powered energy beams to destroy cancerous cells. Radiation therapy can also alleviate specific side effects, such as bleeding. It is sometimes used before surgery to clump the cancer cells and ease the procedure. Immunotherapy This method helps the patient’s immune system fight cancer. It uses high doses of medicine to interfere with procedures that usually allow cancer cells to grow unnoticed. When it comes to stomach cancer, immunotherapy is only used for advanced stages or when other treatments fail. Targeted drug therapy These therapies target specific genes or weaknesses that help the cancer cells survive and grow. They are usually combined with chemotherapy for serious stomach cancers. A doctor may test one’s cells to determine what kind of drugs are most suitable. Surgery Specialist doctors conduct surgery to remove parts of the body affected by cancer. Some standard procedures include: Surgery for early-stage tumors In this method, early or small cancerous tissues are removed using tools passed through an endoscope. Some examples include endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and endoscopic submucosal dissection (EMD).

An allergy is a condition where a foreign substance (allergen) triggers an immune response, causing symptoms like sneezing and inflammation. Allergies can affect us at any time, even at night. And its symptoms can cause discomfort and lack of sleep. So here are five tips to avoid the problem and get a good night’s rest. Change bedding accessories regularly Our mattresses and pillows may contain dust mites and other allergens. So, by changing them regularly, we can decrease exposure to any allergy-causing agents. Also, using anti-allergy pillowcases or mattress covers can help strengthen the shield against allergens. Maintain distance from pets Besides dander, pets carry other allergens in their fur coats, such as mites and pollen, among others. If we share the bed with our pets at night, they can transfer the allergens onto the bedspreads and our nightclothes. Therefore, we must have pets sleep in another room if we’re prone to allergies. Reduce pollen levels Studies have shown that pollen levels in the atmosphere keep rising through the night. Further, these levels peak around dawn. So by keeping the windows shut and running an air conditioner with a top-notch air filter, we can significantly reduce the probability of contracting an allergy at night. Maintain an allergen-free environment An allergen-free environment is an important step to avoid nighttime allergies. For this, we must vacuum clean the entire room. Another method is to wipe hard floors, walls, and mold with white vinegar. Dehumidifiers that keep relative humidity at levels of about 30 to 50 percent or air conditioners that maintain temperatures of 70 degrees Fahrenheit will also exterminate dust mites and molds. Self-hygiene After we’ve kept the room clean, it’s time to focus on ourselves. Our body and hair spend the entire day exposed to pollen and dust. A good shower, which includes washing our hair and body thoroughly before getting into bed, helps fight off many harmful allergens.

Presbyopia affects the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects. It is considered a natural aspect of aging as the gradual weakening of the body affects one’s sight too, usually after the age of 40. The iris, which is primarily responsible for focusing on objects, loses its flexibility irreversibly. But there are nutrition habits one can adopt, alongside treatment options for presbyopia, which can enhance one’s vision to improve the quality of life. Nutrition recommendations for presbyopia treatment Fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals enhance eye health and are recommended among natural foods and treatments for presbyopia. For example, carrots are rich in beta carotene, which helps lower the risk of degenerative problems affecting one or both eyes. Vitamin C is another important antioxidant that protects the eye and postpones the occurrence of any eye condition, including presbyopia. Broccoli, bell peppers, and brussels sprouts are loaded with vitamin C. One can also include oranges in their daily food intake to supplement the requirement naturally. Spinach is another all-round leafy green that is loaded with beta carotene, vitamin C, and essential antioxidants, in addition to lutein and zeaxanthin. Both antioxidants help absorb blue light emitted by most display devices, including the computer screen and phone. Popular presbyopia treatment options Ocular devices Glasses are widely used to correct or adjust focus in one or both eyes. Depending on the severity of the focal disruption, ophthalmologists or opticians may suggest the use of single vison, bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses. Those who are comfortable wearing contact lenses can opt for soft lens monovision or multifocal contacts to correct their vision. Surgery for focal correction Note that surgery cannot completely cure presbyopia. However, LASIK surgery can reduce the dependency on reading glasses or contact lenses in the long run. This procedure helps enhance vision to a certain extent.

Whooping cough, also medically referred to as Pertussis, is a persistent, uncontrollable cough that can severely affect breathing. The Bordetella pertussis bacteria triggers this infectious respiratory disorder that affects infants under a year, small babies, and adults of all ages. The condition is treatable, and with timely medical intervention, it is possible to manage the symptoms effectively. Here is a brief overview of the common preventive measures and recommended treatments for whooping cough. Preventive measure for whooping cough Whooping cough is highly contagious. But proper vaccination helps create antibodies to boost immunity and prevent the disease from spreading. Tdap (Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis) vaccine is given to older teens, and young adults receive the DTaP (Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis) vaccine during their childhood vaccination schedule. Pregnant women can also get the vaccine between the 27 th and 36 th weeks of pregnancy to help create antibodies that pass down to the growing baby. Combined, antibiotics given during treatments for whooping cough and the Tdap vaccine helps children and adults of all ages be safe from this disease. Common treatments Antibiotics Since whooping cough is mainly caused due to a bacterial infection, antibiotics are given to counter the spread of the disease. Also, intravenous fluids must be given to avoid dehydration. Antibiotics are also given to children who have had all their immunizations to ensure immunity is not compromised. Note that antibiotics only counter the infection and do not cure Pertussis. The treatment usually lasts for a couple of weeks before further screening is done to check any persistent symptoms. Home monitoring and self-care Infants and young children take more time to recover from whooping cough. Some symptoms may be recurrent and last for more than four weeks after treatment has been administered. Family members and caretakers must closely observe and take note of the symptoms. It is advisable to contact emergency medical personal if the cough is persistent and aggressive.