Caused by a virus that infects the liver and spreads through the blood, hepatitis C has been known to affect approximately 3 million people in the country as per studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, nearly 75% of the affected people are unaware of the presence of hepatitis C virus in their body. A virus can be present for years or decades before any symptoms become evident. This is the reason why hepatitis C is also known as the “silent killer.” Since the virus remains undetected for a long time, the disease is often diagnosed at a late advanced stage. The CDC estimates that nearly 15,000 of people die every year due to liver disease related to hepatitis C. This mortality rate due to hepatitis C is more than that of HIV. Here are some common hepatitis C FAQs. What does hepatitis mean? This is a common hepatitis C FAQ as many aren’t aware of what hepatitis C is. The inflammation of the liver is called as hepatitis. Hepatitis can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, excess consumption of alcohol, exposure to toxins, and certain medications. The group of viral infections that damage the liver is known as hepatitis.

With growing age comes a string of other health issues that are known to give never-ending problems to an individual. One of the common issues that more than half the older section of the population suffers from is joint pain. However, the younger lot too can be affected by joint pain if they were ever injured in an accident or suffer from certain degenerative diseases. Joint pains can occur in any part of the body, and as the name suggests, causes excruciating pain in the joints. The joints are what connects the bones throughout the body, and facilitates easy movement. Imagine a person’s plight if he cannot move around due to the excruciating pain in the joints. And the very fact that every joint in the body is susceptible to this condition makes it worse. Usually, it’s the process of aging or the onset of certain diseases that triggers joint pain in individuals. Which diseases are characterized by joint pain? Arthritis, gout arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, sprains, fractures, and other injuries can lead to severe joint pain. Since the pain becomes unbearable, people resort to taking Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) that are known to provide quick joint pain relief, but it comes with certain drawbacks.

A stroke is one of the most feared ailment that both men and women can suffer from. This is an attack on the brain that can happen to anyone at any time of their lives. The circulation of the blood to the brain is the primary source of oxygen that results in the smooth functioning of the human body. In case this flow of blood is disrupted, oxygen fails to reach the brain, and the brain cells start dying. This situation is called as a stroke. The physical and mental trauma of a stroke is not limited to just the patient but also affects the patient’s family and friends, as it is a life-threatening ailment. The severity of a stroke depends upon the area of the brain that is affected due to the lack of oxygen. It usually affects the motor control senses and causes disturbances in the nervous system of the patient. It is said that every stroke survivor faces different stroke symptoms. The possibilities of stroke may be detected earlier by a medical practitioner in case the person visits the doctor for any discomfort. Some common early stroke symptoms can broadly be categorized under the title of FAST.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition wherein a person experiences chronic inflammation in the joints. This autoimmune disease is caused when the immune system that protects the body from bacteria and viruses begins attacking the joints. The inflamed tissues cause the inside of the joints to thicken, thereby leading to severe pain. It can also cause bone erosion and joint deformity in the long run. The most commonly affected joints include the hands, elbows, ankles, and wrists. If the inflammation goes unnoticed, the condition can affect other body systems and cause severe physical disabilities. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems are usually affected. Rheumatoid arthritis disorder begins with minor signs that occur every once in a while; however, with each passing week and month, the symptoms progress and become more severe. The symptoms that one individual experiences may not be the same as another. Moreover, the signs tend to differ with each passing day. Here are rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that one may experience: Joint stiffness – Stiffness in the joints is one of the most common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that people experience. This stiffness is often felt in the smaller joints, especially in the initial weeks. It begins with the hands and moves to the lower parts of the body, increasing rapidly over the course of two to three days.

Also known as nocturnal hyperhidrosis, night sweats is a condition where a person experiences an unusually high level of perspiration while asleep. Normally, it is not a serious cause for concern, but in a significant number of cases, night sweats can be a sign of an alarming health condition. The best way to recognize the condition of night sweats is by associating it with your room temperature. For instance, the reason for sweating profusely can be high room temperature or several layers of clothing and sheets. In such a case, you don’t have anything to worry, as you can simply adjust these external factors to sleep comfortably. However, it’s time to see a doctor if external influences are not the causes of night sweats. What are the different night sweats causes? To gain an effective solution for nocturnal hyperhidrosis, you must immediately see a general practitioner. This is because there are several causes of night sweats, so each one will have a different treatment approach. To enlighten you a bit more about this condition, here are some common night sweats causes that you must know about. Menopause – One of the most common night sweats causes in women, menopause significantly affects the hormonal levels in the body.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a deadly disease in which immune system attacks the covering of the nerves. It is a disorder which involves central nervous system mainly brain and spinal cord. MS is a life-threatening condition and is incurable once developed. Mostly optic eye nerves located in the brain are most affected than others. MRI scans reveal swelling or inflammation as white dots called plaques in such disease. Multiple Sclerosis is usually diagnosed in adults and uncommon in childhood. Immediate blood relatives like children, brothers, sisters, and non-identical twins are at the higher risk of acquiring MS than the unrelated ones. The body’s repair system depends on its extent of recovery. Women are at a higher risk to be exposed to MS than men. There is no specific cause of MS, and it mostly develops because of genetic and environmental factors. MS is considered to be an autoimmune disease in which immune system starts to attack healthy tissues. The prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis varies extensively between geographical locations. MS has been known for years, but its pathogenesis is still unknown. MS does not affect the peripheral nervous system, but it affects myelin sheath of the central nervous system in particular.

HGH or Human Growth Hormone is the hormone that fosters growth by regenerating cells, boosting the immune system, and increasing protein synthesis in your body. HGH is responsible for the optimal functioning of your muscles and tissues. The pituitary gland, which is at the base of your brain, produces HGH and secretes it directly into the bloodstream. This happens when you are asleep. Too much or too little growth hormone secretion causes health issues for an individual. However, some bodybuilders use HGH for bodybuilding. HGH bodybuilding provides many advantages to the bodybuilder. Growth hormone helps in building muscle mass, enhances energy levels, and burns fat. But it doesn’t just end there. There is a range of other benefits that human growth hormone can provide, both for bodybuilders, and people looking to maintain good health simply. Some of the other benefits are explained below. Enhanced metabolism Your metabolic rate decreases with age. Your metabolism consequently becomes slower as well. Bodybuilding has no age limit; it just needs passion and constant dedication. HGH bodybuilding not only builds muscle mass but also burns fat. This is because HGH speeds up your metabolism, which is very important for burning fat and building muscle mass.

Hair loss is something that is experienced by almost everyone at some point in time. Hair loss occurs due to a multitude of causes such as heredity, changes in hormone levels, medical conditions, aging, food habits, and weather conditions. The hair is considered as a valuable asset by many. Good hair enhances one’s appearance. Hence, everyone wants to stop hair thinning as early as possible. If you’re experiencing excessive hair fall, it could be due to too much of physical or mental stress. It may also be due to factors like pollution, using wrong hair care products, or following an improper hair care routine. Hair thinning is often reversible. There are many ways to improve the volume and health of your hair. If you’re asking yourself ‘How to get thicker hair?’, here are a few tips for you to boost your hair health. Olive oil Olive oil can work wonders for your hair. Olive oil not only helps in increasing hair thickness but also helps soften your hair. Massaging your hair with olive oil regularly helps to strengthen your tresses. Heat olive oil till it is warm. Massage your hair and scalp thoroughly with the oil for around five minutes.

A reflex caused by stimulation of lining of throat, nose, voice box, lungs, and other respiratory parts, cough is a normal defense mechanism of the body to try and eliminate the effect caused by the allergen. Coughs can be annoying and disruptive and can have underlying causes. One of them could be allergies. If you have been coughing for a week, the causes might be more than cold and flu. If it has become chronic, it is advisable that you visit a doctor. When suffering from allergy cough symptoms, the underlying cough symptoms are same as other cough-related infectious illness. Irrespective of the symptoms, which could be due to allergy or due to some other medical condition, cough begins when the nerve endings in the airways detect some disturbance. The disturbance then relays those signals to the brain to make it aware that something is wrong with the respiratory system. Once the brain detects and processes the signal, it sends a chemical signal back to the throat and initiates a cough. Read on to know more about the allergy cough symptoms. When suffering from allergy cough symptoms, you will experience some difference in the timing of the symptoms when compared to that of a cough due to cold and flu.

Apple cider vinegar is a very common weight loss remedy among people active about weight loss. Apple cider vinegar has a number of health benefits and must be included by most of us in our diets. It helps in leading a probiotic life, acts as a tonic for your body, and allows you to lead a healthy life. Even as many people did not trust apple cider vinegar for weight loss in the beginning, it has grown in popularity. Apple cider vinegar weight loss plans are being used widely by people, and it has also proved to be a strong method for gradual weight loss. Apple cider vinegar belongs right in your weight loss plan as it is high on acetic acid, and acetic acid has many properties that lead to weight loss. Acetic acid dissolves into acetate and hydrogen in the human body as it is a small-chain fatty acid. Here is why and how apple cider vinegar could be the protagonist of your weight loss plans. Lowers blood sugar levels : Acetic acid is said to improve the sugar taking ability of the liver and muscles. This, in turn, reduces the blood sugar levels. Effectively reduces insulin levels :