There are certain health conditions that are extremely disabling and eventually affect the quality of life. Multiple sclerosis is one such condition that is known to affect 1 million people in the country and is a potentially disabling condition. Multiple sclerosis is characterized by a malfunctioning immune system that attacks the protective sheath called myelin, which covers nerve fibers and this leads to communication problems between the brain and the rest of the body. This health condition causes the nerves to deteriorate or damages them completely. Multiple sclerosis is a long-lasting disease and it affects the brain, the spinal cord, and the optic nerves in the eyes. Different people with multiple sclerosis display different symptoms. While some have mild symptoms and aren’t in need of urgent treatment, others might face mobility issues and this will hinder their daily activities. Causes of multiple sclerosis There are no exact causes of multiple sclerosis, but research has indicated that an individual’s genes, where they live, and the air they breathe have some pivotal role in triggering the onset of the condition. The causes of multiple sclerosis are as follows: A malfunctioning immune system – Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system goes haywire and starts attacking the myelin, a protecting sheath that protects the nerve fibers.

There are several health conditions that are disabling and interfere with the person’s ability to lead a normal life. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of those conditions that is known to affect several joints in the body and cause chronic pain. This condition causes joint pain and inflicts damage throughout the body. An autoimmune disease, it causes damage to both sides of the body, which means that if joint in one of the arms or legs is affected, the same joint in the other arm or leg will be affected as well. This tendency of rheumatoid arthritis helps doctors distinguish between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by symptoms like joint pain, stiff joints, swelling on joints, and loss of joint function. In a nutshell, rheumatoid arthritis affects your motor skills as it makes walking around excruciatingly painful. Though there is no exact cure for rheumatoid arthritis, there are several ways to bring the symptoms under control, which include the use of medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), acetaminophen, and corticosteroids. In addition to these medications, there are other ways that can help you coexist with this painful condition. They are as follows: Get enough sleep It can be difficult for people with rheumatoid arthritis to get a good night’s sleep as chronic pain can interfere with your sleep.

An autoimmune disease, Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) causes the immune system to attack the body’s muscle tissues. It affects the neuromuscular junction (a connection between the muscles and nerves), impacting the nerve cells’ ability to deliver signals to the muscle cells. The immune system particularly strikes the calcium channels situated on nerve endings that are supposed to initiate chemical (acetylcholine) release in the body. Acetylcholine is a form of chemical messenger that prompts muscle contraction. Individuals suffering from LEMS have low levels of acetylcholine, which is inadequate for normal functioning of the muscles, thereby leading to muscle weakness. This neuromuscular disorder is quite rare, and almost 60% of the cases are associated with Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC). Typically, the symptoms of LEMS are identified right before SCLC is diagnosed. The LEMS patients with cancer are often around 60 years old. Likewise, they have a long history of smoking. However, LEMS can affect a person at any age if it is not related to cancer. Symptoms of Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) In the initial stages, LEMS will primarily cause weakness in the muscles of the upper legs and hips, making it increasingly difficult for one to walk. It will gradually also cause weakness in the shoulders and upper arms, tapering one’s ability to engage in daily physical activities.

People who suffer from chronic illnesses need to make peace with their condition and do everything in their power to control the condition and lead a normal life. For people who suffer from Crohn’s disease, which is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), their treatment options usually focus on medications to reduce the severity of the symptoms and a special diet that ensures that their digestive tract remains free of any form of irritation. Crohn’s disease leads to the inflammation of the digestive tract and causes severe abdominal pain, weight loss, malnutrition, fatigue, inflammation, and affects different parts of the digestive tract. So, if one wishes to bring this condition under control, they need to pay special attention to what they eat, as the wrong type of food can trigger a flare-up. Though Crohn’s disease cannot be cured completely, adhering to a Crohn’s disease diet can reduce flare-ups and keep the person comfortable for a long time. So, here are some essential tips one can use to create their own diet chart. Grains It is common knowledge that grains are everyone’s staple food, which is why it gets trickier in adding it to the Crohn’s diet. Usually, a high-fiber diet is known to prove beneficial in most cases, but if the disease is currently active, the fiber content can lead to certain problems.

The third most common type of cancer in the country, colon cancer occurs when tumors develop in the large intestine. Usually, this cancer originates from benign clumps of cells called adenomatous polyps. These might or might not project any symptoms. Therefore, doctors recommend regular screening for detecting such polyps so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. In the early stages of this condition, several patients might experience no symptoms. However, as the condition progress, the following signs and symptoms may emerge: Changes in bowel movement, including constipation, diarrhea, or consistency of the stool that typically lasts for more than a month Rectal bleeding Fatigue A feeling that the bowel hasn’t completely emptied Unexplained weight loss If one notices the following symptoms, they should seek a doctor’s counsel, especially if they already have a family history of the condition. Unfortunately, researchers haven’t been able to determine the exact cause of colon cancer. However, studies have concluded that healthy cells in the colon are affected by newly developed errors in the DNA. Under normal circumstances, healthy cells are produced and divided in a systematic and controlled manner to keep the body functions running. However, when the DNA of a cell is damaged, it turns cancerous.

Immunodeficiency disorders cause the immune system to malfunction, making one more susceptible to frequent, severe, and long-lasting infections. There are two types of immunodeficiency disorders, that is, primary (congenital) and secondary (acquired). Primary : These immunodeficiency disorders affect one since their birth. Moreover, these disorders are genetic in nature. In most cases, this disorder comes to the surface during infancy or in the early childhood years. At the moment, researchers have discovered over 100 primary immunodeficiency disorders, and all happen to be fairly rare. Secondary : Unlike primary immunodeficiency disorders, the secondary ones develop in the later stages of life due to chronic disorders or long-term use of certain types of medications, including anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, corticosteroids, and chemotherapy drugs. These are comparatively more common than the congenital immunodeficiency disorders. Some immunodeficiency disorders don’t last long and resolve without any treatment. Other cases might be lifelong, but they don’t affect one’s lifespan. Symptoms of immunodeficiency disorders The symptoms of immunodeficiency disorders vary from person to person. Typically, one might persistently have to deal with respiratory and bacterial infections that keep worsening. For instance, a sore throat and cold might turn into pneumonia. Likewise, infections of the eyes, mouth, and intestines are also quite common.