Schizophrenia is a mental disorder occurring in late adolescence or early adulthood. This condition is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive difficulties, making schizophrenia a lifelong struggle. This condition can be associated with unusual expressions or perceptions of reality, leading to social or occupational dysfunction. Schizophrenia occurs between 16-30 years and affects approximately 1 percent of all adults globally. Signs and symptoms Schizophrenia can affect a person suddenly and develop quickly, but in many cases, it develops so slowly that the patient doesn’t realize its presence for years. The symptoms of this disorder may vary from one person to another. Symptoms could be clearly visible in some while others may seem perfectly normal till the time they suddenly start showing signs of the disorder. The symptoms for schizophrenia can be classified as: Positive or psychotic (delusions/hallucinations) Negative (lack of facial expression or motivation) Cognitive (affecting the thought process) Emotional (blunted emotions) Poor expression of emotions, unawareness of illness, and social withdrawal could also be considered as symptoms. Causes of schizophrenia Some of the causes of schizophrenia are: Genetic inheritance A chemical imbalance in the brain Family relationships Environmental factors Using drugs like marijuana and LSD Types of schizophrenia The subtypes of schizophrenia don’t exist as a separate clinical disorder anymore; still, they prove to be quite helpful in its treatment.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), also known as acid reflux, is a digestive disorder that occurs due to the relaxation of sphincter muscle at the end of the esophagus at the wrong time, hence resulting in backing up of stomach acid into the esophagus. GERD can occur at any age, be it an infant or an older adult. People with asthma are more prone to GERD. Acid reflux causes the irritation of airways and lungs, hence leading to worsening of asthma and other allergic reactions. Everyone experiences acid reflux sometime or the other in the form of a burp, an acidic taste in the mouth or heartburn. But one needs to seek medical attention only when these features tend to hamper your daily life. Most common symptoms of GERD include acid regurgitation, difficulty while swallowing, bad breath, laryngitis, heartburn, and indigestion. Treatment of GERD Though mild or moderate reflux symptoms can be pacified by regulating diet and lifestyle changes along with certain prescribed medications like antacids, H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors etc. but in certain cases, these medications and dietary modifications along with lifestyle changes do not help as much. In such cases, there arises the need for surgery as it might prove beneficial.

One is probably a victim of a gout attack if they are woken up by intense pain in their big toe or other joints without any warning. Gout is a type of arthritis that affects the big toe, knees, ankles, thumbs, and elbows. Attacks of gout can cause excruciating pain and may occur at unexpected times. Gouty arthritis is caused by the body’s response to the deposition of uric acid crystals in the joints. Chronic sufferers of gout may have tiny, hard lump-like deposits accumulating in the hands, elbows, earlobes, and feet. These deposits are essentially uric acid crystals, causing pain and stiffness of joints. When these deposits are found in the kidneys, they may lead to dangerous kidney stones. Signs and symptoms of gout Excessive uric acid in the blood gets deposited in the joints as crystals, which leads to gout pain. The most common location of the deposition of these crystals is the big toe. One is able to know of gout through its symptoms: Sudden, severe pain in the joints, which occurs in the middle of the night or early in the morning Tenderness of joints Warm or redness at joints Stiffness in the joints Restricted movement due to stiff joints Best treatment options for gout Mild gout can be managed with some changes in one’s diet.

Cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease that can be caused by many conditions, such as hepatitis or excessive alcoholism. Every time the liver gets damaged, due to either undue alcohol consumption or some other injury, it attempts to repair itself. During this process of repair, some scar tissues form. As cirrhosis advances, more and more scar tissues are formed, which makes it extremely difficult for the liver to function appropriately. The latter stages of cirrhosis can also be life-threatening. Generally, cirrhosis is an irreparable condition. However, in cases of early diagnosis, adequate treatment can be delivered in time, preventing further damage. Causes of Cirrhosis There are many conditions that can result in liver damage. They include: Chronic viral hepatitis (hepatitis B, C or D) Excessive alcohol Accumulation of iron in the body Accumulation of fat in the liver (a non-alcoholic fatty liver condition) Cystic fibrosis Accumulation of copper in the liver (Wilson’s disease) Deficiency of Alpha-1 antitrypsin Faulty formation of bile ducts Genetic disorders of sugar metabolism (galactosemia) Autoimmune liver disease, such as autoimmune hepatitis Hardening or scarring of bile ducts Destruction of bile ducts (primary biliary cirrhosis) Genetic digestive disorders, such as Alagille syndrome Infections, such as brucellosis or syphilis Certain medicines like isoniazid or methotrexate Risk Factors for Cirrhosis Apart from the aforementioned causes, there are some risk factors that considerably increase the risk of cirrhosis.

A common disorder that affects the large intestine, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has symptoms like cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. It is a chronic condition that needs to be managed long term. Only a few people suffering from IBS have severe signs and symptoms of this condition. Most people can control their symptoms by managing their diet, stress, and lifestyle. Medication and counseling can be used as treatment options for more severe symptoms of IBS. IBS does not change the bowel tissue nor increases the risk of suffering from colorectal cancer. Symptoms Abdominal pain, bloating, or cramping that is typically relieved or partially relieved after passing a bowel movement Mucus in the stool Excess gas Diarrhea or constipation (occasionally irregular bouts of diarrhea and constipation) Symptoms of IBS can worsen with stress. Most people suffering from IBS experience times when the signs and symptoms are worse and times when they get better or even disappear completely. Some people may also have urinary symptoms or sexual problems when suffering from IBS. There are four types of IBS. There is IBS with constipation, which is known as IBS-C; and IBS with diarrhea, which is known as IBS-D.