Is your dog always itching and scratching itself? Does your dog have regular ear infections or poor coat quality? It can be causing immense distress to your furry friend, and it could probably be an allergic reaction to certain foods. Food allergies are becoming more common in dogs, giving a rising concern to dog owners. Firstly, it’s important to watch the type of foods your dog is allergic to. There are certain foods you should avoid feeding your pet. However, you can also try some of the popular treatment options available to treat dogs’ food allergies. Exclusion or Elimination diet Tracking the leading cause of food allergies in dogs is commonly done via the exclusion diet. This is, by far, the most reliable way of determining the main triggers of allergic reactions. This method involves feeding your dog with specific sources of proteins and carbohydrates for brief periods instead of familiarizing them with it. You can start with turkey, lamb, or salmon and mix it with rice and potatoes. Watch how your dog is reacting and slowly switch to other foods in the line while continuously monitoring your dog’s health for a few weeks. If you notice any improvements, get a provocation test done by feeding your dog one trigger of the allergy for a week.

A cat or dog suffers from food toxicity when they consume a harmful substance or even a food item that can cause adverse effects. It can affect your pet’s liver, stomach, lungs, and even the brain. In some cases, it can be life-threatening. If you’ve experienced the effects of food toxicity in pets, you know how frustrating the situation can be for you and your pet. Your pet will begin to show an unpleasant bout of sickness accompanied by symptoms that are annoying. It’s important to know these symptoms to ensure the best and timely treatment for your furry companion. Gastrointestinal symptoms Your cat or dog will experience a severe loss of appetite and vomit profusely. It’s a clear indication of food toxicity, and it can be due to consuming something like leftover and exposed food, stale food, and other foods that cause allergies. Diarrhea is also a common sign of a gastrointestinal issue due to food poisoning. It leads to severe weakness and promotes lethargic behavior. Behavioral changes Food toxicity affects not just the physical body and organs but also causes a lot of mental disturbances in your pet. Your usually happy and lively pet will start showing significant changes in behavior, like increased aggression, irritation, and hypersensitivity.

Breast cancer is cancer that is formed due to the abnormal division of cells in different parts of the breasts. The condition is one of the common cancers diagnosed in women in America. Both men and women are susceptible to this type of cancer, but the latter are more likely to be prone to it. Here are the signs, symptoms, and causes of breast cancer that you should know about. Signs and symptoms of breast cancer The signs and symptoms of breast cancer can vary from person to person, however, having a general idea of what to look out for helps detect the condition early. Some common and early signs and symptoms of breast cancer include: Changes and swelling in the skin Redness in one or both the breasts Increase in the size of the breast/breasts Change in the shape of the breast/breasts Change in the appearance of nipples Discharge other than breast milk from one or both the nipples Bloody discharge from the nipples Pain in the breast/breasts A breast lump or thickening in the surrounding tissues of the breast/breasts Itchy breast/breasts Change in the color of the breast/breasts Peeling of the nipple skin Swelling of the breast, even if there is no lump Nipple pain Rash around the nipples Nipples turning inward A lump in the underarm Heaviness and burning sensation in one breast Changes in texture and temperature of the breast/breasts Causes of breast cancer The exact cause of breast cancer is not known.

A condition identified by the inadequacy of healthy red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to the body’s tissues is known as anemia. The condition can lead to a feeling of extreme fatigue and weakness. Here’s all you need to know about the risk factors and prevention tips for anemia. Risk factors of anemia Learning about the risk factors and prevention tips for anemia can help you know your chances of developing the condition, and if there are any, you can understand how to prevent it from happening. There are several risk factors associated with anemia. Here are some of them: Age As per the WHO, children in their preschool years and toddlers are at the greatest risk of developing anemia. This is mainly due to receiving inadequate nutrition during these years. At this time, children are growing, and hence, their body requires more iron. But many children do not receive an adequate amount of iron, which is essential for growth. At this age, children often receive dairy products in abundance. Yet, iron supply is deficient, which increases the risk of developing anemia in children at this age. Gender Women experience blood loss during their menstrual cycle. Also, their body requires higher amounts of blood during pregnancy for the development of the fetus.

Urinary tract infection develops in patients when bacteria enter the urinary tract via the urethra and is later seen to multiply in the bladder rapidly. The urinary system is built to eliminate such bacteria in normal cases and multiply and grow into an infection. Let us discuss the risk factors and prevention tips for UTI. Risk factors The female anatomy UTI is seen to occur more commonly in women. One of the primary reasons behind this is that women naturally have a shorter urethra than men. This allows the bacteria to reach the bladder faster and efficiently. Menopause Menopause causes a decrease in the circulation of estrogen inside the urinary tract. This is often seen to be the cause of bacteria accumulation and infection in the bladder. Urine residue Incomplete bladder emptying can also cause bacteria to accumulate faster in the urinary tracts because of the residual urine. Pregnancy is one of the significant causes of urine residual-based UTI. More than 15% of pregnant women develop UTI. A weak immune system Illnesses, such as diabetes, takes a toll on the immunity of the human body. Lower immunity causes your body to grow weak and unable to fight off germs and bacteria.

Nasal polyps are noncancerous, soft, painless, and teardrop-shaped growths formed on the nasal passage. They are formed due to chronic inflammation in the nose and are associated with nose infections, allergies, and other immunity problems. Common symptoms of nasal polyps include runny nose, headaches, facial pain, low sensitivity to smell, nosebleeds, and loss of taste buds. There can be a lot of causes, but all of them are treatable. Some causes and treatment options for nasal polyps are as follows. Causes of nasal polyps Nasal polyps can be formed at any age. They are commonly formed in middle-aged and young adults. The swelling is found in the sinuses and nasal passages. People who develop polyps have different immune systems. There is no known cause for the formation of polyps. However, some risk factors that can trigger and cause nasal polyps to form are as follows. Nasal infections Allergies Long-term swelling in the nose Sensitivity to aspirin Airborne fungi allergy Asthma Deficiency of vitamin D A genetic disorder resulting in thick mucus from sinus and nasal linings Family history Inflammation of blood vessels known as Churg-Strauss syndrome Genetic variations in the immune system Bacterial or viral infections Cystic fibrosis Rhinitis and hay fever Treatment options for nasal polyps The treatment goal for treating a nasal polyp is to eliminate or reduce in size.

Birth control measures are ways to avoid pregnancy and lower the chances of getting sexually transmitted infections or (STDs). Effective birth control measures include a variety of options from implants, caps, or condoms. But the question is what the safest birth control measures are. Here are some effective and safe birth control measures to avoid pregnancy. Extra protection equals birth control plus condom Condoms are a reliable and cheap birth control measure. They are 80% effective and help prevent unwanted pregnancy 98% of the time if they are used properly. They create a barrier and stops the sperm from reaching the egg for fertilization. They are easily available at pharmacies, drugstores, convenience stores, grocery stores, etc. There are several types of condoms for men and women and are an effective way of birth control. Hormonal birth control Birth control measures like stick-on patches, shots, insertable vaginal rings and birth control pills are effective birth control methods. This measure uses the hormone similar to the body to stop the release of an egg in the body of the woman. This method is 90% effective and prevents pregnancy 99% of the time. Birth control implants These are devices that go under the skin of a woman and release a hormone that prevents unwanted pregnancy.

Melanoma is a serious form of skin cancer caused by melanocytes, cells responsible for producing pigment. It usually occurs on the skin and, in rare cases, can occur in the eyes, intestines, or mouth. Read on to know the diagnosis and treatment options for melanoma. How is it diagnosed? Family history Melanoma or skin cancer can be hereditary. On consultation, the doctor will immediately inquire about your family’s medical history to check if the cause is hereditary. Questions about health The doctor will ask questions about health conditions and ask you to undergo blood tests to check if there is an underlying disease causing melanoma. Physical exam The doctor will conduct a physical exam, where they will check for any irregularities on the skin such as abscess, moles, or suspicious patch of skin potentially affected by melanoma. Biopsy To further confirm diagnosis regarding irregularities on the skin, doctors will procure a sample from that area and send it to the laboratory for examination. On positive confirmation, doctors initiate the process of determining the stage of cancer. Staging the cancer is necessary to ensure the right treatment plan. Determining the thickness The thickness of the identified mole is done through a special scale under a microscope.

Over 77,240 people have been diagnosed with NHL (Non–Hodgkin’s Lymphoma) in 2020, of which 4% of cases have turned into cancer. However, there are many measures one can take to prevent the risk factors that lead to developing lymphoma. Read on to know more about the risk factors and prevention tips for lymphoma. Risk factors Medical conditions Underlying medical conditions can weaken the immune system and increase one’s chances of developing lymphoma. Conditions such as HIV and autoimmune diseases weaken the immune system, making it unable to control a lymphocyte, causing faster development of lymphoma in the body. Smoking Smoking causes cancer as cancer-causing agents can enter the tissues and blood cells of the lymphatic system. Moreover, smoking has always affected the immunity of the human, reducing its ability to control abnormal cell growth. Past mononucleosis infections Mononucleosis is an infection caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) that can remain in the patient’s body even after its symptoms have disappeared. Patients who have EBV are at a higher risk of developing lymphoma. Family history of lymphoma One cannot simply inherit lymphoma from their parents. However, the risk of developing lymphoma is higher if your parents or sibling are diagnosed with it.

Overactive bladder (OAB) is not a disease but refers to a group of urinary symptoms, including an uncontrolled urge to urinate. Frequent urination, feeling of urgency, and experiencing incontinence or leakage are a few symptoms that indicate the bladder’s activeness. These symptoms can negatively impact the quality of life and also cause a considerable amount of stress. It also affects your quality of work, social life, and sleep. Here are the diagnosis and treatment options for overactive bladder. Diagnosis of overactive bladder A strange urge to urinate, frequent urination, or urine leak are symptoms of OAB. The healthcare provider or the urologist will do certain tests to ensure no infection or blood in your urine. The doctor looks for some contributing factors to diagnose the over activeness of the bladder.  The diagnosis includes: Medical history A medical history includes questions about current and past health issues. You should bring a list of prescriptive medications you take and tell your doctor about your diet and liquid intake during the day. Physical exam These exams include a pelvic exam in women and a rectal exam in which the doctors feel the abdomen and check the organs in the pelvis and rectum. Other tests Other tests may include urine tests to test for infection, or traces of blood, bladder scan to check the left-over urine in the bladder after using the restroom, or other abnormalities.