Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the medical condition and term for an enlarged prostate. As a man ages, the prostate goes through two primary growth periods: first in puberty when it doubles in size then again beginning around twenty-five when the prostate continues to slowly grow for the rest of a man’s life. Benign prostatic hyperplasia typically occurs during the later growth stage. An enlarging prostate squeezes the urethra while the bladder wall thickens, which can eventually cause the bladder to weaken and make it hard to empty fully. As the urethra narrows and the bladder becomes unable to empty completely, causing symptoms to develop such as incontinence, weak urinary stream, excessive nighttime urination, frequent urination, and a strong and frequent urge to urinate.

Chickenpox, otherwise known as varicella, is a highly contagious viral infection that causes a blister-like rash, which starts on the trunk and face and spreads to other areas of the body. The rash, which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus, is not life-threatening, but it may take up to two weeks before it completely resolves. Symptoms are similar to the common cold and may include fever, chills, muscle aches, and loss of appetite. A rash usually occurs two days after symptoms arise. Here is how to treat chickenpox at home.

When a person is diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it means that his or her brain is failing to produce dopamine at an average pace. Dopamine is what signals the nerves in the body to function in a certain way and perform precise movements. Without it, a person begins to experience tremors, as well as changes in speech and difficulty performing day-to-day activities. Often, muscles become stiffer, and one’s movements slow down significantly.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a common hormonal imbalance that affects 1 in 10 women in the United States. Although the syndrome is widespread, women’s symptoms seem to vary. Side effects can include anything from mood swings to hair loss, cystic acne, weight gain, irregular periods, and facial hair. One of the most common triggers of PCOS is a resistance to the hormone that controls blood sugar. This has detrimental inflammatory effects on the body. Hormone resistance is when your cells are not able to take up glucose. As a result, the body struggles to burn off glucose. This ultimately leads to weight gain and, potentially, type 2 diabetes. When the hormone and glucose are left floating around in the bloodstream, they can wreak havoc and cause inflammation.

Those who have Alzheimer’s disease experience memory loss and confusion, and gradually get worse over time. It is a mentally debilitating disease that can be very emotionally taxing for the patient, as well as friends and family. Unlike normal memory loss that may occur with age, Alzheimer’s makes it difficult for patients to live healthy, active lives. Much research has been done into what causes the disease, as well as how to prevent and treat it.

Heel pain affects the back or underside of the heel, often producing a sharp pinching or dull ache. Although heel pain is unlikely to be a symptom of a serious condition, it can get in the way of enjoying normal, everyday activities. Because we use our feet a lot, this kind of pain tends to be consistently distracting, if not debilitating. For this reason, it is important to identify the causes of heel pain in a timely matter.

Discs are the shock absorbing elements of the spine, and are found between each vertebra in three areas of the spine: the neck (cervical region), midback (thoracic area), and lower back (lumbar spine). These three regions give our spine mobility. Spinal discs are a cartilaginous ring surrounding an inner jelly. A herniated disc refers to an injury that causes the jelly to squeeze out of place. Disc herniations are most common in individuals from thirty to fifty years old. Youth helps preserve disc function early in life, while age tends to degenerate the discs enough that herniation is unlikely. Get to know the common symptoms of a herniated disc now.