Although there is no evidence to show that menopause increases the risk of breast cancer, the chances of developing breast cancer increase with age. There are also some medicines used to manage menopause symptoms that can have a role to play in the development of breast cancer. So, here are some important things every woman should know about breast cancer and menopause to live a healthy life. 1. Does menopause increase the risk of breast cancer? Menopause does not lead to breast cancer. However, breast cancer and menopause are related because the chances of developing breast cancer keep increasing with age. This puts menopausal women at a higher risk of breast cancer. Also, women who undergo menopause after 55 are at a higher risk of developing breast and endometrial cancer. The reason behind this is believed to be the presence of excess estrogen. 2. What role does hormone replacement therapy have on breast cancer development? Evidence suggests that the longer a woman has high levels of estrogen in her body, the higher her chances of developing breast cancer. Women going through menopause who suffer from symptoms are often given hormone replacement therapy. So, the longer a woman stays on the treatment and keeps getting a combination of progesterone and estrogen, the higher her chances are of suffering from breast cancer.

The condition wherein the stomach contents move back into the food pipe or esophagus is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It can result in uncomfortable and painful symptoms. In some cases, this condition can be resolved with a few diet and lifestyle changes. Avoiding a few trigger foods such as those given below can help you prevent a flare-up of GERD symptoms. 1. Citrus fruits Fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, and lemons are highly acidic. This acid causes the esophagus sphincter to relax, thus causing heartburn. Vegetables such as tomatoes that are also high in acid can trigger or worsen the symptoms of GERD. Therefore, it might be beneficial to avoid tomatoes and tomato-based items such as ketchup, marinara sauce, and tomato soup. 2. Fried foods French fries, fried chicken, and onion rings are also among the worst foods that can trigger or worsen the symptoms of GERD. These foods are not only difficult to digest but excessive consumption can result in weight gain or obesity. Increased fat in the abdominal region can make you more prone to heartburn. Therefore, instead of frying, choose to cook your food on the grill or in the oven instead. 3. Caffeinated and carbonated beverages Tea, coffee, and other beverages that contain caffeine can aggravate the symptoms of GERD.

Many people seek out natural remedies for cold and flu recovery each winter season. The flu is caused by one influenza virus, while the common cold comes from several different viruses. Cold symptoms often develop slowly, usually including sneezing, a sore throat, and a stuffy nose. Conversely, flu symptoms usually hit abruptly and include fever, aches, weakness, and fatigue. The following simple remedies offer soothing solutions to help you feel better fast: 1. Drink lots of fluids Your mom has probably told you this many times. It’s excellent advice, since drinking lots of fluids decreases the amount of phlegm and mucus in your throat and helps it clear out faster. A well-hydrated body is also stronger, which helps your immune system defend you more effectively. Try a mug of hot herbal tea, which can provide soothing warmth and break up congestion. Drinks with electrolytes can help your body feel better, but stay away from sugary sodas and fruit drinks. When feeling sick, you might not have much of an appetite, but make sure you’re still getting in liquids in the form of soups, water, smoothies, or tea. 2. Take vitamin C This remedy is another tip you might hear frequently, and for a good reason.

According to Breastcancer.org, roughly 1 in 8 American women will develop breast cancer over the course of her lifetime. Breast cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer for women. In fact, this cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women. Luckily, breast cancer can be detected early with regular self exams and mammograms. Women should should familiarize themselves with how to do a self breast exam, as well as be aware of the following common symptoms of breast cancer: 1. A lump in the breast or armpit If you feel a lump in your breast, the most important thing is not to panic. Women are often very good at detecting minor changes in their bodies. If you notice a lump in the breast or armpit area, see your doctor to get a physical examination. A doctor may recommend further exploration via an x-ray or mammogram. 2. Thickening or swelling of part of the breast Thickening or swelling of breast tissues could indicate tumor growth, and needs to be brought to the attention of a physician as soon as possible. Changes in the feel and shape of breast tissue is also a symptom of Paget’s disease, a rare form of breast cancer.

The colon is the last section of the digestive system, also known as the large intestine. Colon cancer begins in the colon and can spread to other parts of the body. This cancer often develops in small clumps of cells known as polyps. Symptoms typically don’t show themselves until the polyps change into cancerous cells. Although colon cancer is typically diagnosed in older patients, it may also occur in younger patients as well. Read on for the most prominent signs of colon cancer: 1. Diarrhea or constipation Changes to your bowel movements are always a cause for concern. A doctor should be consulted immediately if you suffer any long-term irregularities in bowel movements. Both diarrhea and constipation can be symptoms of colon cancer, so it is important to see a doctor if these persist. It is especially concerning if you have diarrhea or constipation accompanied by any of the other symptoms listed below. 2. Rectal bleeding The development of polyps and cancerous cells in the colon can cause ruptures and tears that may result in bloody stools. This bleeding can be subtle, but any abnormal bleeding should be brought to the attention of a doctor immediately. 3. Blood in your stool Obvious signs of bleeding may not present themselves.

Atrial fibrillation (or aFib) is the most common form of heart arrhythmia, and is a severe medical condition. AFib occurs when the heart beats irregularly (too fast, too slow, or with missed beats) instead of following its normal pattern. This chaotic rhythm causes less blood than usual to pump through the body, which if left untreated may increase the risk of stroke and heart failure. While AFib is not life-threatening, the condition needs to be managed with doctor-prescribed medicine to restore healthy heart rate. The warning signs of AFib are as follows: 1. Irregular heartbeat Frequently experiencing a racing heart or skipped beats, often accompanied by shortness of breath, is a telltale sign of AFib. If you suspect you have an irregular heart beat, check your own pulse by placing two fingers on your wrist (between the bone and tendon on the thumb side of your wrist) and count the beats for 15 seconds. Normal beats-per-minute can be accurately timed if you use the “one one-thousand” counting method. The average healthy adult bpm rate ranges between 60 to 100 bpm. Any pulse above 100 is considered abnormally fast, unless you are an athlete, pregnant, or a child. 2. Chest pain and pressure A more severe symptom of AFib is experiencing chest pain, pressure, or tightness.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that attacks the central nervous system, breaking down the protective sheath surrounding nerve fibers that are responsible for passing messages from the brain to the rest of the body. The deterioration of the nerves caused by MS results in several symptoms that affect cognitive function, the bladder and bowels, energy levels, mood and behavior, muscles, and even vision. Here are five common early warning signs of MS: 1. Vision problems Multiple sclerosis can affect different areas of the body controlled by the central nervous system, including vision. Among the early warning signs of multiple sclerosis are vision problems. This occurs when the optic nerve, which sends messages from the eye to the brain, becomes inflamed, resulting in blurred vision, painful eye movements, and color distortion. Known as optic neuritis, this is a prevalent issue for MS patients. 2. Numbness and tingling The nerves of the human body control the sensation of touch. When MS prompts the immune system to attack the central nervous system, myelin surrounding the spinal cord begins to break down. This causes patients to experience pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities (i.e., fingers and toes). This is known as Lhermitte’s sign, and it causes intense feelings of electric shocks in the neck, spine, trunk and limbs.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. This system is also known as the body’s germ fighting network, and is made up of the lymph nodes, spleen, thymus gland, and bone marrow. While men more commonly develop Hodgkin’s lymphoma, women are more likely to develop nodular sclerosis, a lymphoma subtype. Lymphoma is also more likely to reoccur in female patients following cancer treatment. In this article we’ll review the common warning signs of lymphoma in female patients: 1. Shortness of breath Women often report having shortness of breath in the very beginning stages of lymphoma. This symptom results from a decrease in white blood cells, which helps the body fight off foreign invaders. At first, this symptom may seem like a common cold, but it can develop into something much more severe. 2. Swollen lymph nodes Swollen lymph nodes are common symptoms of lymphoma for women. These swollen lymph nodes can be found in the areas of the groin, armpits, and neck regions. Lymph node swelling is one of the first symptoms to watch out for, since it could help diagnose the early stages of cancer. Enlarged lymph nodes indicate that something is wrong in the body, which can be a hallmark of lymphoma.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a progressive disease of the central nervous system, affecting the brain and the spinal cord. It causes the immune system to attack the myelin, which protects the nerves. While you may be familiar with what MS is, you may be unaware that this disease is three times more common in female patients than male patients, which is why many leading health organizations have taken up the task of spreading facts about how MS affects women. Common early signs of MS in women include the following: 1. Pain Research suggests that 48% of people with multiple sclerosis experience clinically significant discomfort, while 55% live with chronic aches and pains. Females living with MS are likely to experience more pain compared to male patients. MS pain can take two forms: neuropathic aches and musculoskeletal aches. Neuropathic discomfort results from damage to the nervous system and may include stabbing pains in the face, prickling sensations, and pins and needles. Musculoskeletal discomfort causes aches in the joints, back, and neck. 2. Depression Many females with MS experience periods of depression. It remains unclear whether this can be directly linked to MS, or rather caused by the stress of living with a chronic condition.

Narcolepsy is characterized as a type of neurological disorder that impacts the area of the brain responsible for wakefulness and sleep control. Narcolepsy occurs in intermittent, uncontrollable “sleep attacks”, which cause extreme fatigue and even cause the narcoleptic to suddenly fall asleep throughout a day, regardless of time or activity level. For instance, a narcoleptic could suffer a sleep attack during a morning work presentation or when driving home from work. Most narcoleptics remain undiagnosed and untreated. However, diagnosis almost always follows up with a prescription for Sunosi, Xyrem, or Provigil to help manage the production of wake and sleep chemicals (chemical hypocretin deficiency). REM sleep can be greatly disturbed and negatively impacted. To be diagnosed as narcoleptic, one of the following warning signs of narcolepsy, ranging from mild to severe, must be present. Only a small portion (less than a third of patients) of narcoleptics have all of the five following symptoms: 1. Cataplexy Cataplexy is described by medical professionals as muscle weakness experienced during wakeful periods. Cataplexy can strike the entire body or specific muscle areas, causing weakness in the knees, sudden loss of grasping so you drop whatever you’re holding, or even entire loss of muscle control that affects the entire body, causing the patient to fall down.