A spasm or cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. Muscle spasms can happen at any time and are quite painful. It usually goes away on its own, without much treatment. However, if the spasm is extremely painful, and does not resolve by itself or recurs, it is imperative to seek medical care as it may be an indication of a serious underlying medical problem. Typically, muscle spasms involve a whole muscle, a specific part of it, or various muscles in a group. The most common sites for muscle spasms are hands, foot, arms, thighs, calves, abdomen, and sometimes along the ribcage. These spasms vary in intensity ranging from mild twitches to severe and disabling pain. The spastic muscle may become sensitive to touch and in a few cases, appears visibly distorted. These spasms may last for a couple of seconds or up to 20 minutes or longer. Also, they may recur several times a day. Muscle spasms can happen to anyone. Irrespective of whether you are old, young, athletic or sedentary, it can happen to you. Also, it can occur while you are sitting, walking, exercising, or even sleeping. Many people who undertake regular physical exercise experience spasms.

A toenail infection occurs due to the excess growth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. Fungi that already exist in or on your body can prompt nail infections. Fungi flourish in moist and warm conditions, and hence, this type of environment can trigger them to overpopulate. Fungal infections also spread if you come in contact with someone else who has a fungal infection. These infections develop over time, and there won’t be any immediate difference in the way your nail looks or feels. Therefore, it may be too subtle to notice at first. What causes toenail fungus infections? Various fungal organisms lead to toenail fungus infections. Yeast and molds can also cause this problem. The most common condition is triggered by a type of fungus called dermatophyte. Toenail fungal infection starts from athlete’s foot (foot fungus) and spreads from one nail to another. Even though most of the causes of a fungal nail infection are preventable, some risk factors increase the possibility of its recurrence. More men face the problem of toenail fungus than women, and also it is observed in adults more often than in children. You are more likely to get it if any of your family members gets these types of fungal infections.

Many people experience chest pain due to various reasons. In extreme cases, chest pain can be an indicator of a heart attack. But it can also be a sign of respiration issues, digestion problems, and other conditions. Chest pain should be taken seriously as it can lead to life-threatening conditions. Below are a few of the reasons why you might be experiencing chest pain. Angina : It is a condition wherein you feel pressure in your heart as if it is being squeezed. The blood is still flowing to the heart but its supply is exponentially reduced. You might experience dizziness or pain elsewhere in the upper body. Angina is very similar to a heart attack but does not cause permanent damage to the heart tissue. It is one of the common causes of chest pain. As soon as you feel the symptoms, you should consult the doctor to get professional medical help. Heart attack : When you feel a very sharp pain in the heart, then it is most likely a heart attack. A heart attack is caused when one of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle is blocked. There might be a sharp stabbing sensation along with pressure or tightness in the chest.

Bowel problems can be extremely uncomfortable. From frequent trips to the loo to the feeling of uneasiness, bowel problems cause them all. Bowel problems are generally categorized by conditions affecting the small intestine. They may also affect other parts of the digestive system as well. They have a telling impact on the way the body absorbs and digests food and they can cause several unwarranted symptoms like constipation and diarrhea. If one is suffering from bloody stools, it is essential to visit a doctor immediately. While these problems can be treated effectively with the help of medications, if left untreated, they can lead to a series of further complications. A doctor will diagnose your condition and suggest treatment according to the condition you are suffering from. Bowel problems can be tackled with ease if detected early and treated immediately. Here are a few of the most common types of bowel problems and their causes. Types of bowel problems There are four major types of bowel problems. They include: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) affects both the large and small intestines. It affects your everyday life as it can lead to frequent gastrointestinal problems. According to the Clinical Epidemiology journal, IBS affects up to 11% of people in the world.

Migraine is a neurological condition that is often accompanied by a host of painful and discomforting symptoms like sensitivity to light, dizziness, and nausea or vomiting. To cope with this, it is important to identify the common triggers of a migraine headache. Studies say that frequently reported migraine triggers are food items, and eliminating these food items, or at least limiting their consumption, is crucial for treatment: Chocolate Chocolate is often considered to be a risky migraine trigger and is among the most common triggers as it is replete with caffeine. Chocolate also contains the amino acid tyramine that adds to the intensity of the headaches. However, chocolates also have dopamine and serotonin, which are beneficial, so consuming chocolate in moderation may prove to be beneficial for the treatment. Caffeine An occasional cup of coffee does not cause a painful migraine attack, but drinking coffee or caffeinated drinks regularly can worsen the frequency and severity of headaches. Due to its vasoconstrictive properties, caffeine restricts blood flow to the brain, causing relief in the case of a painful headache, but it is best to avoid too much of coffee if you experience frequent headaches. Frozen foods Studies show that there is a strong link between frozen foods and migraine headaches.

Our bodies are made up of different kinds of cells. Blood cells are an important type of cell that is further bifurcated into three parts, namely white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Each type of blood cell plays an essential role in the human body. Red blood cells remove carbon dioxide from the body and carry oxygen to the tissues. Platelets prevent bleeding by forming blood clots. While blood cells are an essential part of the immune system and help fight infection and protect the body from foreign substances. There are several types of white blood cells. B lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells that become plasma cells upon identifying antigens in the body. Plasma cells and multiple myeloma Plasma cells produce antibodies that fight antigens, otherwise known as harmful foreign substances. These cells are normally present in the bone marrow in a limited number, but they can turn into a tumor upon abnormal cell multiplication. The tumor can turn cancerous and may cause multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. While scientists do not know the exact cause of multiple myeloma, they have conducted studies on how certain DNA changes can cause the plasma cells to turn cancerous and form a tumor.

Contributing factors for hepatitis in children The liver is the body’s largest organ. It is a vital help in digesting food, storing energy, and eliminating toxins. Hepatitis is described as a condition where the liver experiences inflammation, which is, essentially, a tissue’s reaction to injury or irritation. Most cases of hepatitis are a result of being infected with viruses, and the types of hepatitis are named after the virus that is responsible for it. In some cases, the patient’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver cells, which leads to liver damage, among many other liver issues. Any of the types of hepatitis can affect people of all ages. Here are some contributing factors that lead to hepatitis in children. Understanding these can help in preventing the transmission and in maintaining hygiene: Hepatitis A The virus that causes hepatitis A is usually present in fecal matter. It can infect children in the following ways: Eating food cooked by an infected person who failed to properly wash their hands after going to the bathroom Drinking water that has been contaminated by infected feces Coming into direct or indirect contact with an infected person’s feces Traveling to areas with a common occurrence of hepatitis A Infections during blood transfusions Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is usually transmitted through blood and the most common way in which people contract this type is when an infected person’s blood is introduced into another person’s bloodstream.