Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the cells lining the cervix or the lower part of the uterus. The condition often affects deeper tissues of the cervix and may spread to other body parts, such as the vagina, rectum, bladder, liver, and lungs. Most of the time, strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) cause the condition. However, some other factors may also come into play. Here’s a look at the risk factors for cervical cancer: 1. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection Infection with HPV is one of the main risk factors for cervical cancer. It is common among sexually active people. However, most of them get rid of the virus without any health issues. There are more than 100 different types of HPV, and not all of them cause cancer. Studies have shown that two strains of HPV, HPV16 and HPV18, cause cervical cancer in most women. 2. Weak immune system A weak or lowered immune system increases the risk of cervical cancer. The immune system may become weak because of poor nutrition, organ transplantation, corticosteroid medications, HIV, or other cancer types. If a woman has HIV, her immune system may not be able to combat early cancer.

A cold and flu are seasonal ailments that all of us are prone to. But the severity of symptoms could vary and addressing them can be a tedious task. Listed below are a few natural foods for soothing cold and flu that could help you shorten your recovery time and make you feel better a bit quicker. 1. Garlic One of the natural foods for soothing cold and flu and a range of other ailments is garlic. This medicinal herb has many antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties that make it a popular ingredient in many home and natural remedies. Garlic can boost the functioning of the immune system helping you to recover from a cold and flu quicker. You can add garlic to chicken soup and broths to enhance their flavor and to also make them more potent in helping to fight off a cold and flu. 2. Tea A cup of warm tea with a few pieces of ginger steeped in it can act as a natural decongestant. It can not only clear mucus but can also soothe a sore throat. Tea can also help you stay hydrated. There are various types of tea available in the market such as Echinacea that have been proven to shorten the recovery time from a cold and flu.

Pancreatic cancer in the initial stages usually does not cause any signs or symptoms. However, when the signs of the condition do appear, the cancer has mostly grown beyond the initial stages. This makes it crucial to know about its symptoms and keep a close eye out, to detect it as soon as possible for timely treatment. Accordingly, some of the signs of pancreatic cancer are: 1. Jaundice The yellowing of the skin and eyes, known as jaundice, is one of the first signs of pancreatic cancer. It is caused due to the accumulation of bilirubin, a yellow-brown substance made by the liver, in the body. This occurs when bile that contains bilirubin is not able to reach the intestines, where it breaks down fats and gets eliminated from the body, due to a block in the bile duct. In addition to a yellow tinge to the skin and eyes other signs of jaundice are dark urine, light-colored stools, and itchy skin. However, jaundice can also be caused by gallstones, hepatitis, and other conditions that affect the liver and bile duct. 2. Enlargement of the liver or gallbladder As mentioned above if the cancer blocks the bile duct it can cause bile to collect in the gallbladder.

Breast cancer develops in the breast cells. In most cases, this cancer either occurs in the ducts or the lobules of the breast. For effective treatment, breast cancer has been categorized into different stages. A person may experience any symptoms during the early stages. It is important to clearly understand the stages and symptoms of breast cancer to seek suitable treatment. 1. Breast Cancer Symptoms Among the breast cancer symptoms, a lump in the breast is the most common. However, not all lumps are cancer. Other symptoms include Breast pain Thickening of the breast tissues that feels different from the surrounding tissues Swelling in one or all parts of the breast Red, pitted skin Peeling or flaking of the skin around the nipples Inverted nipple Bloody discharge from the nipples Sudden change in the shape or appearance of the breasts If one notices any of these symptoms, they must seek immediate professional help. A doctor with complete knowledge of the stages and symptoms of breast cancer can help with suitable diagnosis. 2. Breast Cancer Stages The exact stage of breast cancer depends on factors like size of the tumor, areas to which it has spread, whether the cancer is invasive, and whether the lymph nodes are involved.

Spinal muscular atrophy or SMA is a genetic condition that mostly affects babies and children. It causes a breakdown of the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Hence, the brain is unable to send messages for controlling muscle movement. When a child is affected by this condition, their muscles may become weak and shrink. This makes it difficult for them to crawl, walk, control head movements, and sit up straight. Here is a look at the causes and symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy according to the types/stages. Symptoms of SMA The symptoms of spinal muscular atrophy can vary depending on its stages of the condition. 1. Type 0 This is a rare but most severe form of SMA. It develops when a woman is still pregnant. Babies affected by this SMA type will move less in the womb. They are usually born with weak muscle tone, joint problems, and weak respiratory muscles. 2. Type 1 This is yet another type of SMA. A child suffering from this may not be able to sit without help. They may also find it difficult to support their head. Kids with Type 1 SMA may have flaccid arms and legs and swallowing problems.

Various factors can cause an infection in the urinary system. It can lead to some uncomfortable symptoms that meddle with your normal lifestyle. From mild fatigue to severe pain in the pelvic region, there are many implications occurring due to UTI. Therefore, knowing about the treatments for UTI would help manage the condition before it becomes worse. Following are some popular treatments for UTI. 1. Stay hydrated Dehydration can result in UTI in some cases. If you already have mild urinary tract infection, it can get worse when your fluid intake decreases. Keeping your body hydrated is one of the main things to do when you acquire UTI. During summers, when you spend a lot of time outdoors, a lot of moisture is lost in the form of sweat. You should, therefore, increase your water intake or consume supplements in the form of healthy fruit juices. 2. Cranberry juice Fresh cranberry juice without any sweeteners helps in clearing the infection in the urinary system. It is also effective in preventing UTIs by avoiding the accumulation of bacteria in the urinary tract. 3. Vitamin C for infection Mainly found in citrus fruits, this vitamin keeps a check on infections. It is also a vitamin that can reduce the alkalinity of the urine, which makes it difficult for bacteria to grow in the urinary system.

Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition that results in dry, scaly and itchy skin. Eczema is a type of atopic dermatitis and is a general term for itchy and inflamed skin. These conditions can be triggered by environmental or weather-related factors such as heat or sweating, cold weather that causes dry skin, and humidity. Listed below are some of the worst cities and climatic conditions to live in with atopic dermatitis and eczema. 1. Hot humid cities Cities such as New Orleans (Louisiana), and Jacksonville (Florida), are ranked among the top cities in the country for high humidity. However, hot, humid weather can trigger itching and other eczema symptoms. Keeping your skin dry, especially from sweat, is necessary as the salts present in sweat can cause itching. Limit your time in the air conditioner in the summer to prevent it from drying out and aggravating your condition. 2. Hot and dry cities Cities such as Phoenix (Arizona), and Las Vegas (Nevada) are among the worst cities to live in with atopic dermatitis and eczema in the country because of their dry desert-like climate. This dries out the skin and aggravates skin conditions such as eczema and atopic dermatitis. Hence a few precautions that can be taken are avoiding prolonged exposure to chlorine such as that in chlorinated swimming pools as it can make your condition worse.

The air pollution levels are growing in metro cities, wherein the condition is turning from bad to worse with time. With an increasing number of people moving to big cities for jobs, the condition is unlikely to any improve anytime soon. People with respiratory problems should be aware of the air quality in the place they live in. To make things easier, here’s a list of the worst cities to live in with breathing issues. 1. Springfield, Massachusetts Various factors make this city one of the least favorable places for people with respiratory illnesses. One of them is the poor air quality of this city. This has been steadily increasing with the rising population density. Another crucial factor is the pollen content in the air, which can trigger asthma attacks. This city, therefore, has been known to have a high number of asthma patients in the country. 2. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Besides the actual problem of air quality, poverty is a pressing concern in this city. There are several asthmatic patients who go without proper treatment due to poverty. The fatality rate related to asthma is also relatively higher in this city than most other metros in the country. 3. Memphis, Tennessee This is a city that has been showing a steady rise in asthma cases reported year after year.

Sweating is a normal natural process. However, some individuals tend to sweat more than others in certain situations such as when they are anxious or stressed. In this regard, there are a few foods and beverages that can cause an increase in sweating. Listed below are some of the worst foods for someone who experiences heavy sweating. 1. Spicy foods At the top of all lists of the worst foods for heavy sweating, you would find this type of food. Spicy foods increase sweating as they cause body temperature to rise due to a boost in metabolism. Most often, foods that increase metabolism are known to cause sweating. 2. Certain fruits and vegetables You might not even be aware of this but some fruits and vegetables are the worst foods for heavy sweating. Fruits and vegetables that contain a lot of complex carbohydrates and fiber require more energy to digest. Energy is produced by metabolism. Hence, as mentioned above, an increase in metabolism can result in sweating. Also, consuming fruits and vegetables that have a high vitamin B content can increase sweating as this vitamin increases the internal temperature of the body, which results in sweating. Some foods such as onion and garlic can change the odor of your sweat.

Most of us get a headache every now and then. However, the severe throbbing pain of a migraine can be unbearable. The pain is often accompanied by nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, and extreme sensitivity to sound and light. Your diet, environment, and lifestyle play an important role in this condition. Hence, it is worth considering your lifestyle and living conditions if you suffer from migraine attacks often. Here are some of the worst states to live in for migraine patients: Tennessee Ohio Virginia Arkansas South Carolina Wisconsin Pennsylvania Kentucky Missouri New Mexico Here are a few factors that make them the worst states to live in for migraine patients: Lifestyle Your lifestyle plays an important role in determining the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Some lifestyle factors are the number of hours you work overtime every week, the incidence of insomnia, how often you exercise, commute time, the frequency of sunburn, plane travel, and more. Irregular sleep patterns and stress are also common triggers. Studies have shown that Cincinnati, Ohio, and Missouri have a high number of migraine cases related to lifestyle factors and food habits. Madison in Wisconsin scores the worst for lifestyle factors. Many people in Canton, Ohio have irregular sleep patterns and high stress levels.