A good night’s sleep rejuvenates, energizes, and keeps you physically healthy. However, sleep disorders can prevent you from getting the recommended hours of sleep that your mind and body require. One such sleeping disorder is sleep apnea. This sleep disorder is quite common and is characterized by sudden pauses in breathing that can last up to 10 seconds. The pauses result in disturbed sleep that in turn affects the quality of sleep and also causes daytime sleepiness or tiredness. While a medical practitioner can suggest a possible treatment option after careful examination, there are some easy ways in which you can improve sleep apnea symptoms on your own. Here are six natural ways to manage sleep apnea. Manage Your Weight Research conducted on a controlled group showed that individuals who undergo lifestyle modifications, especially weight management over a period of time, show less severe sleep apnea symptoms. Thus, if you are overweight, then it is advisable to lose the extra pounds and naturally manage sleep apnea. Revisit Your Sleeping Position One of the natural ways to manage sleep apnea is to make small changes in the way you are sleeping. Elevating your head when you are sleeping can help, which can be done by using pillows.

Hepatitis C is one of those diseases for which we have no vaccine as yet. This viral disease has very subtle symptoms in the early stages but it has the potential to cause liver disease. The good news is that there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from this disease and manage it. Thus, it is important to know the signs and management tips for Hepatitis C. Signs of Hepatitis C Early signs of this disease include Tiredness Loss of appetite Fever Muscle ache Yellow eyes Dark urine Joint pain Nausea As the disease progresses, it will start affecting the liver cells and may cause symptoms such as Unexplained weight loss Redness of the skin on the palm Blood that does not clot easily Higher liver enzyme levels in the blood Development of breast tissue in men Pain in the abdomen Clay-colored stool Visible thin blood vessels just under the skin Accumulation of abdominal fluid Confusion Yellowing of the skin Ways to Manage Hepatitis C Hepatitis C can be treated with anti-viral medication. This course of treatment usually runs for 12 weeks. Here are a few tips that could help manage the disease and make treatment more effective.

Spinal muscle atrophy refers to a neurodegenerative genetic condition characterized by weak muscle tissue. It can affect adults as well as infants. As the disease progresses, it makes movement slower and reduces the patient’s control over voluntary movements. There is no known cure for this disease but there are a few common treatment procedures for spinal muscle atrophy that can help manage the condition. Disease-modifying Therapy Patients suffering from Spinal Muscle Atrophy usually have a mutated SMN1 gene due to which they do not produce sufficient survival motor neuron proteins. Medication given in this form of therapy boosts the effectiveness of another gene SMN2 to produce more SMN proteins and correct the deficiency. This helps slow down the progression of SMA-related symptoms and delays motor neuron death. Physical Therapy This is one of the most common treatment procedures for spinal muscle atrophy. It is aimed at managing muscle strength and maintaining the possible range of motion. It is important to note that physical therapy exercises should always be performed under the guidance of a therapist. The therapist may also recommend assistive equipment such as leg braces, shoe inserts, powered wheelchairs, and speech synthesizers. These devices allow the individual to live more independently and be active participants in the community.

Multiple sclerosis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the protective covering of the nerves. As a result, nerve damage disrupts the communication between the brain and the body and leads to symptoms like vision loss, pain, fatigue, and impaired coordination. There is no cure for the condition, but the symptoms can be treated. Here are some treatment options for multiple sclerosis: Physical therapy:  One of the common treatment options for multiple sclerosis is physical therapy. A physical therapist can teach patients stretching and strengthening exercises and how to use devices to carry out their daily tasks. It can help patients manage leg weakness or other gait problems associated with multiple sclerosis. Muscle relaxants:  Patients may suffer from painful or uncontrollable muscle stiffness or spasms, particularly in their legs. Muscle relaxants like baclofen and tizanidine may help alleviate this. Medication to reduce fatigue:  Multiple sclerosis leads to fatigue, which can be reduced by amantadine, modafinil, and methylphenidate. Some medications used to treat depression, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, may also be prescribed. Medication to increase walking speed:  Walking speed is usually affected in people with this condition, and Dalfampridine may help patients to slightly increase their walking speed.

A chronic respiratory disease, asthma causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult for patients. An asthma attack can occur as a result of exposure to certain allergens or common triggers. Also, the triggers can differ for different people, but some of the common triggers for asthma that you need to be aware of are: Tobacco smoke:  One of the common triggers for asthma is tobacco smoke. Though tobacco smoke is unhealthy for everyone, it is especially harmful to people with asthma. If one has asthma and also has the habit of smoking, they should consider quitting the habit. Both active and passive smoking can trigger an asthma attack, so one should also avoid stepping into smoking zones. Dust mites:  Every home has dust mites, which are tiny bugs and can also trigger asthma. To prevent asthma attacks, patients should not use down-filled pillows, quilts, or comforters and should remove stuffed animals and clutter from their bedroom. Additionally, the bedding should be washed weekly. Outdoor air pollution:  Another common trigger for asthma is outdoor air pollution, which can be caused by factories, vehicles, or any other sources. One should pay attention to air quality forecasts and plan their outdoor activities according to when the pollution levels will be low.

Melanoma is considered to be the most serious type of skin cancer. This cancer develops in the melanocytes. Melanocytes are the cells that produce melanin in our body. This condition can also form in the eyes but rarely in the intestines. Knowing the risk factors for melanoma will help you understand the condition better. Let’s discuss them here. Sun Exposure Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays plays an important role in the development of this cancer and is one of the major risk factors for melanoma. People living at high altitudes, or at places where the sun is too bright all year-round are at higher risk of developing skin cancer. Exposure to tanning beds and sun lamps also puts you at risk. Moles A person with many moles is at risk of developing melanoma. Some people have many moles; these moles are called dysplastic nevi or atypical moles. They have an irregular shape or color. They can be found on both, a sun-exposed body part or an unexposed one. Atypical moles are often hereditary. Fair skin People with a fair complexion, blonde or red hair, blue eyes, and freckles look pretty but all these features increase the risk for melanoma. Caucasians are at a higher risk of melanoma than African Americans.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that affects the lymph system. This system includes those organs and tissues of the body that host the white blood cells, which are primarily responsible for fighting infections. This cancer type can be categorized into two types – Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The difference between these two lies in the manner in which the cancer spreads in the lymphatic system. If it spreads in an orderly fashion, it is termed as Hodgkin lymphoma, and if it spreads in a disorderly fashion, it is termed as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Depending on the type of lymphoma you have been diagnosed with, the oncologist will suggest the best treatment options for the different treatment options for lymphoma. Watchful waiting or active surveillance Some people often showcase a form of indolent lymphoma, a type of cancer that is slow-growing and slow-spreading. Due to the fact that this type has fewer symptoms, the patient will not require treatment immediately. Therefore, instead of starting treatment, the doctor might choose to monitor the patient regularly by conducting tests like CT scans, blood tests, physical examinations, etc. This monitoring period is known as watchful waiting or active surveillance. Treatment will only begin once the symptoms become more severe, or the tests reveal the spread of cancer cells.

Leukemia is a type of white blood cell (WBC) cancer that starts in the bone marrow and gradually spreads to the blood and other organs. This medical condition is of several types and is classified generally in two ways – based on how quickly it develops (acute and chronic leukemia) and the type of blood cell that is involved (lymphocytic and myeloid leukemia). It cannot be said for certain what causes this blood cancer. However, some  risk factors for leukemia have been identified and are discussed below. Inherited cancer syndromes Leukemia can be caused due to inherited gene mutation. A family history of leukemia can increase the risk of it occurring in both children and adults. Also, note that most people who are suffering from leukemia do not have any family members with the same condition. Still, it is among the  risk factors for leukemia. Smoking This habit can increase the risk of getting acute myeloid leukemia (AML), as research shows that 20 percent of the AML patients are smokers. Tobacco and the other chemicals that are the ingredients of cigarettes are known contributors to the formation of cancer cells. Exposure to radiation therapy or chemotherapy This is one of the important  risk factors for leukemia .

Renal cancer is also called kidney cancer, and it is a condition in which there is abnormal cell growth in one or both of the kidneys. Many times, it is impossible to exactly identify the cause of the disease. However, with these  lifestyle tips to prevent renal cancer,  you can actually reduce your risk of developing the disease and stay healthy and strong. Stay away from all forms of tobacco Tobacco is a cause of most types of cancer, including renal cancer. If you chew tobacco, then it is time you completely stopped it. While many people don’t chew tobacco, they find it alright to smoke cigarettes. In the country, about 34.2 million adults smoke regularly. When you smoke, your risk of developing kidney cancer doubles. In fact, it is estimated that smoking is the sole cause of renal cancer in 30% of men and 25% of women diagnosed with this condition. Hence, quitting smoking is one of the best  lifestyle tips to prevent renal cancer  and other forms of cancer too. Keep your blood pressure in check Another  lifestyle tip to prevent renal cancer  is to control your blood pressure levels. As your blood pressure levels go up, so does your risk of developing this disease.

People with hemophilia lack blood clotting proteins in their bodies. This makes them bleed excessively in case of injuries and wounds, and the loss of blood can cause dangerous implications if left untreated. Around the world, there are around 400 babies born every year with this condition. In the country, about 20,000 people cope with this condition. Here are some of the popular  treatments for hemophilia  to know about. Replacement therapy This is one of the best  treatments for hemophilia  accepted by doctors around the world. This process includes replacing the missing blood clotting factor in the person’s body to reverse the condition and help clot blood normally. This treatment involves injecting these clotting factors into the veins of the patient. There are two types of clotting factors used as injectables – plasma-derived factor concentrates and recombinant factor concentrates. Desmopressin This is another commonly accepted treatment for hemophilia and is usually preferred for individuals with milder versions of this condition. This also releases clotting factors into the blood but is available as a nasal spray. Antifibrinolytic medicines These medicines help prevent breaking down of blood clots. While these medicines do not work effectively on their own, they can have great results when combined with other treatments.