Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition caused by a hormonal imbalance in women. It is believed that 1 in 10 American women have PCOS and it can affect girls as young as 12. The term refers to the presence of tiny cysts or little sacs in the ovaries that are not necessarily harmful. It is imperative to note that not everyone with PCOS has these cysts. A blood test is usually done to determine whether you have PCOS or not. The hormone levels and the blood sugar levels will largely indicate the presence or absence of PCOS. In many cases, pelvic ultrasound is done to rule out cysts in ovaries and also to determine how thick the lining is in the uterus. Besides, the ovaries will also be 1.5 to 3 times larger than normal if you have PCOS. The doctors also conduct a pelvic exam (visual exam) by feeling the vaginal area, rectal area, and cervix to check for anything unusual. Body mass index is also largely taken as an indication for PCOS. However, even before doing any of the tests above, your doctors would want to understand the symptoms from you. It is only based on the symptom that the treatment plan will be fixed.

At least 1 in every 5000 persons is affected by sickle cell anemia, mostly among the American-African decedents, as claimed by the National Institutes of Health. It is estimated that at least 90,000 people are affected with sickle cell anemia. With most infants with the disorder born, it is now identified by routine neonatal screening. As of 2016, all 50 states have included screening for sickle cell anemia as part of their newborn screening. Sickle cell anemia can make life more difficult particularly among children who will need to deal with delayed sexual maturity and stunted growth. An infection would call for immediate medical attention when self-medications fail. Also, one would need to have a principal health care provider who should be preferably a hematologist for frequent appointments. To maintain a healthy quality of life, it is utmost necessary to keep the number of sickle cell crisis in check. People with the symptoms should avoid certain medications that restrict blood vessels, high altitudes, extreme temperatures, alcohol and smoking, and strenuous exercise. Ensure to have plenty of water or fluids and relax as much as possible. Treatments or management of sickle cell crisis involves a number of measures such as Penicillin; due to the immature immune system in children from the birth to 5 years of age, they are more prone to this childhood illness.

Most often the signs and symptoms for iron overload disorder referred to as hemochromatosis, is mild. These days it is quite unlikely for individuals affected by the disorder to exhibit the symptoms since diagnosis happens in the early stages even before the onset of the disorder. However, as the iron overload disorder progresses, the symptoms that could occur at different stages include Abdominal pain, Menstruation hindered in women, High levels of blood sugar, A low function of the thyroid, or hypothyroidism, Increased loss of sex drive or libido, and impotence in men, Size reduction of the testicles, Skin becoming a little bronzed in color, like a permanent suntan, Fatigue or persistent tiredness, Weakness, and Loss of weight. Some of the complications that can develop alongside the symptoms of iron overload disorder are Arthritis, Liver cirrhosis, Enlarged liver, Diabetes, Heart ailments or disease, and Pancreatitis. Close to 75% of the individuals who are diagnosed with iron overload disorder and start to exhibit the symptoms tend to have liver functioning that is abnormal. More than 75% of affected individuals tend to experience lethargy and tiredness, 44% exhibit joint pain, and 70% have discoloring of the skin to a bronze shade. How is iron overload disorder diagnosed?

As a part of the body’s natural process, cells are constantly replaced through a process of dividing and growing. Cells reproduce in an uncontrolled manner when cancer occurs. More and more cells are produced, and they start occupying an increasing amount of space until they occupy the space that was previously inhabited by the useful cells. The chemotherapy drugs interfere with a cancer cell’s ability to divide and reproduce. In chemotherapy, a single drug or a combination of drugs is used. These drugs can be given either directly into the bloodstream, to attack cancer cells throughout the body, or they can be targeted to specific cancer sites. What does chemotherapy do? Chemotherapy medications can impair mitosis, or prevent cell division, similar to cytotoxic drugs. They can target the cancer cells’ food source, which consists of enzymes and hormones that they need to grow. The chemotherapy drugs can trigger apoptosis, in simple words, the suicide of cancer cells. They can stop the growth of new blood vessels that supply a tumor to starve it; however, the effectiveness of stopping the blood flow and oxygen to the tumor has been questioned in recent times. Studies have suggested that instead of starving the cells, stopping the blood flow may enhance the cells’ ability to resist treatment and cause metastasis.

Meningitis is a medical condition that can be explained as the swelling or inflammation of the meninges; which is a protective fluid membrane. This membrane is responsible for covering the spinal cord and the brain. Meningitis can occur when the fluids which surround the meninges become infected as a result of a bacterial or viral infection. These are contagious and can be transmitted by coughing, sneezing, or close contact with an infected person. However, bacterial and viral infections are not the only cause of meningitis and the condition can also be caused due to cancers, certain drugs and other infections as fungi and chemical irritation. Sometimes, meningitis can have a non-infectious cause in the sense that it can be the result of a physical injury to the head. While most of the cases of meningitis in the country are the result of viral infections; fungal, parasitic and bacterial infections are also the other causes of this disease. The most common cause of meningitis in the country are viral infections, which are usually mild and nonlife-threatening followed by bacterial infections, which are more severe and life-threatening. When it comes to the various causes of the condition, each type of meningitis can have a different cause but all of them can spread in a similar way.