Clostridium difficile is a bacterium that causes many diseases that could be life-threatening. This bacterium mostly affects old men and women who are in the hospital or long-term healthcare facilities. It generally happens after the use of antibiotics. However, according to some recent studies, there is a huge growth of Clostridium difficile or C diff infection among those who are not considered to be at such high risks as these individuals, are younger and healthier, have no medical history of antibiotic use or have not been exposed to healthcare facilities. Every year, almost half a million people get affected by the C diff bacterium and with each passing year, the Clostridium difficile infections are becoming more and more severe and difficult to handle.

Here are some of the C diff symptoms that might help identify its effects on the body.

Symptoms
There are many people who carry C diff bacterium in their intestine. However, they never fall ill because of it. The C diff symptoms will start to appear within 5 to 10 days from the start of the antibiotic course. However, there are occasions when its symptoms start appearing after months of finishing the antibiotic course.

When the Infection is Mild to Moderate
Some of the C diff symptoms that appear when the infections are mild to moderate are:

• Watery diarrhea that may occur three or more times in a day for a minimum of two consecutive days.
• You can also get some mild abdominal cramping and tenderness as a symptom of Clostridium difficile infection.

When C Diff Infection is Severe
When C diff infection becomes severe, people affected might get dehydrated and need to be hospitalized. Clostridium difficile might cause the colon to become inflamed and because of this it may form patches of raw tissues that might bleed or produce pseudomembranous colitis. Some of the C diff symptoms in such cases are:

• Dehydration
• Nausea
• Weight Loss
• Loss of Appetite
• Swollen Abdomen
• Fever
• Rapid heart rate
• Diarrhea 10 to 15 times per day
• The increment in the white blood cell count

Shortly after finishing the antibiotic course, you might have loose stools. This happens mostly because of Clostridium difficile. If a person has watery stools three to four times a day for two days or more, then it is necessary to consult the doctor, as this is one of the primary symptoms of C diff infections.

Lymph node cancer or Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is one such disease that shows many symptoms. The symptoms depend on where it occurs in your body and the type of lymphoma you are suffering from. There are times when you might not see any symptoms until the node gets bigger. Also, you should remember that having one or more lymph node cancer symptoms do not portray that you are suffering from the disease. Many of the symptoms of lymphoma that you will learn about from this article may be caused by another, not too serious a disease. So, on identifying these symptoms in your body, you should consult a doctor for proper diagnosis.

Some of the symptoms of lymph node cancer include the following.

• Swollen abdomen (belly)
• Chest pain or pressure
• Severe or frequent infections
• Enlarged lymph nodes
• Weight loss
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Lack of appetite
• Shortness of breath or a cough
• Fatigue
• Chills

Many people suffering from this disease are known to have B symptoms. Some B symptoms are as follows:

• Drenching night sweats
• Weight loss without even trying (at least 10% of the total body weight over 6 months)
• Fever (that can come and go over several days or weeks) without any infection

Abdominal symptoms of lymphoma
Abdominal pain is also one of the lymph node cancer symptoms. It can be caused due to the enlargement of the organs and because of this enlargement, you might feel swelling and pain in the abdominal section of your body. Also, there is a loss of appetite because of a large number of fluids deposited in the abdomen.

Symptoms of lymphoma on the chest
Some of the more common lymph node cancer symptoms in the chest are as follows:

• Coughing
• Chest pain
• Breathing trouble
• High pressure in the chest

Symptoms of lymphoma affecting the brain
Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can affect the brain as well. Some of the lymph node cancer symptoms affecting the brain are given below:

• A headache
• Trouble in thinking
• Weakness in parts of the body
• Changes in the personality
• Double vision
• Facial numbness
• Trouble in speaking

In case you experience some or any of the above symptoms, without panicking, consult a doctor to ascertain the presence of lymphoma without a delay because early detection is the key to recovery and survival.

Newborn kids are quite prone to bacterial and viral infections. Their body is not used to the outside environment when they are born, and because of low resistance to these infections, they can fall sick quite easily. One such issue that kids are known to face these days is pneumococcal pneumonia. It is a kind of bacterial infection that happens due to Streptococcus pneumoniae. This bacterial infection is so severe that it can cause infections in various parts of the body including the brain, bloodstream, lungs, middle ear, and sinus.

How does the infection spread?
Research shows that about fifty percent of the people are carriers of this bacterial infection at any given point in time. However, kids are more likely to contract this disease because of their low immunity. Pneumococcal pneumonia spreads when kids inhale the bacteria from the infected air or physically consume something that might be infected. The contagion can be passed on by normal activities like sneezing, coughing, or through the exchange of saliva. It is one of the reasons why you should not share food, straw or drinks with your child. Try to avoid shared dishes as well. Preventing your child from putting everything in their mouth will also help in warding off this disease.

What are the symptoms of pneumococcal pneumonia?
As mentioned before, the disease can affect various parts of the body. Depending upon the area affected by pneumococcal pneumonia, the symptoms have been explained as follows:

• If the bacteria infects the brain, then the child can suffer from meningitis. The symptoms of meningitis are vomiting, nausea, seizures, headaches, persistent crying, and drowsiness.
• If the bacteria get into the bloodstream, it can result in high fever, headache, nausea, and loss of appetite in your child. If your child is exhibiting these symptoms, you should visit a doctor for further references and tests.
• In the case of lung infections, the child experiences chest pain due to a persistent cough and discharge of yellow mucus.

How to prevent the infection?
The best way to prevent pneumococcal pneumonia is to make sure that your child gets vaccinated. The pneumococcal vaccine has all the necessary ingredients that can ward off the disease as well as the related bacteria within a stipulated span.

Hand numbness is one of the many conditions you do not want to suffer from. Imagine touching a chilled or extremely hot appliance and feeling no sensation in your fingers. Scary, right? This is exactly what happens in hand numbness. While some cases are mild and go away with time, other cases affect the nerves and blood vessels in the hands permanently. The damage caused to the nerve endings at the extremities of the fingers leads to the feeling of numbness and tingles. There are many underlying conditions which can lead to numbness in the hands of which diabetes and alcohol abuse are the most common. Here are a few popular causes of the hand numbness condition.

Causes of hand numbness

• Raynaud’s Disease – The small arteries in your fingers tend to spasm when you are suffering from this disease. They may also open or close very fast. This leads to extreme pain and numbness in the fingers and the hands as the circulation of blood to the hands and fingers is cut out.
• Diabetes – Diabetes is one of the most popular causes of hand numbness. Diabetic neuropathy is a condition which leads to significant damage to the nerve endings present in the fingers. Generally, though, this condition originates in the feet and spreads to the rest of the body. Its onset leads to numbness.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – The nerves that allow your hand the sensation of feeling become pinched or obstructed due to this condition. This results in the feeling of numbness in the thumbs, index fingers and the middle fingers of both hands.
• Cervical Radiculopathy – The inflammation or compression of the nerve leaving the neck leads to this condition. It results in numbness in the hands. Also known as a pinched nerve, this condition often causes hand numbness among the masses.

Some of the other popular causes of hand numbness include vascular diseases, stroke, and multiple sclerosis. If you are feeling tingly or a numbness in your hands, make sure to visit a doctor. While the condition may be temporary, it does not take long for it to develop into a permanent condition if an underlying condition is causing it. Certain lifestyle changes can go a long way in preventing you from the risk of its onset or further development. Not drinking too much alcohol and limiting your sugar intake can be a head start in this.

Other than your bones and muscles, your ligaments and tendons also play an equally important role in the functioning of your body. These parts of your legs carry your entire body weight throughout the day. Leg pain has become a common phenomenon these days. Many times people complain of pain on top of the foot which can make walking or even standing a difficult task. However, the severity of pain differs from person to person. The level of pain depends on the causes of this pain and the severity of any injuries. Let’s have a look at these causes of foot pain.

Causes of pain on the top of the foot
There can be many reasons for pain on the top of the foot. Activities such as running, kicking, and jumping are some of the more common causes of such pain. Here are some of the reasons for this pain.

Extensor tendonitis
One of the principal causes of extensor tendonitis is wearing and overusing tight-fitting shoes. The inflammation happens on the tendons that are on the top of the foot and are responsible for lifting the foot upwards.

Sinus tarsi syndrome
The channel between the ankle bone and the heel is known as sinus tarsi. Sinus tarsi syndrome happens when there is an inflammation of the sinus tarsi. Patients with this syndrome experience severe pain on the top of the foot.

Stress fractures of bones in the feet
If you have a fracture in your metatarsal bones, you will experience pain on the top of your foot. These bones are located at the top your feet. Swelling is the first symptom that patients with fractured metatarsal bones face.

Other causes

• Gout is one of the causes of foot pain. Patients with gout feel pain in the joints at the base of their big toe.
• Bone spurs are a painful condition that patients face near their toes.
• Peripheral neuropathy is a condition where you will feel numbness, pain or a prickling sensation that spreads from your feet to your toe.

You can follow some home remedies to get relief from this pain on the top of your feet. However, if these home remedies don’t work, then you should consult a doctor. They will clarify whether you have an underlying medical issue or not.

The pain in the rib cage of your body may be due to many reasons such as pulling a muscle or a rib fracture. It may also develop after an injury or without any explanation. This pain will be achy, sharp or dull and is felt just above the navel or below the chest. Moreover, this pain could be an indication of an underlying serious medical issue. Therefore, whenever you feel any such pain in and around your rib cage, immediate medical consultation is strongly recommended as you may need a thorough treatment for rib pain.

Causes of rib pain
Before knowing the exact treatment method for rib pain, it is ideal to know its subsequent causes. Now, the more common causes are pulled muscles around the rib cage or bruised ribs. Apart from these two, there are other causes of rib cage pain. Let’s have a look at them:

• Rib fractures
• Inflammation of the lungs lining
• Inflamed rib cartilage
• Serious injuries to the chest
• Muscle spasms
• Broken ribs
• Diseases that have an adverse effect on the bones, such as osteoporosis

Diagnosis of the rib cage Pain
In the primary stage of the treatment for rib pain, the doctors will diagnose your condition. You should explain to the doctor about the pain and the movements that are making the pain worse. Knowing the type of pain you are having and the area where you are experiencing the pain will help the doctors to determine what tests would be better for your condition.

Treatment options for rib cage pain

The treatment for rib pain will depend on the cause of the pain. If it is due to a pulled muscle or bruise or a minor injury, you can use a cold compress on the area of the pain in order to reduce swelling. If your pain is unbearable then you can use a pain reliever to reduce the pain to a certain extent. Even after using the pill, if the pain sustains, then you should consult the doctor because your doctor will be able to prescribe other medications that might help you.

If you experience pain while breathing or moving your body in certain positions, you should contact your doctor immediately without any delay. However, if the pain is due to a muscle strain then you can try some exercises by using the right exercising equipment and maintaining the right exercise posture. This will help in reducing the pain without any medication.

Arthritis is a degenerative and painful condition usually marked by an inflammation of the joints, which causes pain and stiffness. Traditionally, with various anti-inflammatory medications, the arthritis pain can be dealt with. However, such medications can cause several side effects as well. Hence, it is always advisable to consult a medical expert before taking any medication. Here is a list of a few effective and natural ways to get chronic arthritis pain relief.

Stay active
If you exercise on a regular basis, your muscles will strengthen and provide better support to the joints along with improving the balance and flexibility. The habit of walking for 20 to 30 minutes on a daily basis will be good for the health.

Follow a healthy diet
For optimum health, including omega-3 fatty acids in your diet is important. According to various medical studies, these fats help in getting chronic arthritis pain relief. The different fish oil supplements that are currently available in the market are high in this kind of fat and help to deal with joint pain and stiffness. Plants like black currants, hemp, borage, and evening primrose contain gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which is also helpful in treating chronic arthritis pain. Plus, adding turmeric to your dishes is a great idea.

Try hot and cold therapy
If you take a warm and long shower in the morning, it will help to ease the joint stiffness. To keep the joints loose at night, you can use a moist heating pad or an electric blanket. To deal with swelling, inflammation, and joint pain, you can use cold treatments. For a quick relief, simply wrap a gel ice pack in a towel, and then apply this to the painful joints.

Maintain your body weight
The more weight you gain, the more pressure there will be on the joints of your hips, feet, and knee area. Hence, losing weight is one of the most common ways to get chronic arthritis pain relief.

Meditate and calm your mind
Different relaxation techniques and meditation help in reducing the stress level, resulting in relief from joint pain. Through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), biofeedback etc., you can keep your mind calm and that is very effective in dealing with chronic arthritis pain.

Go for regular massages
For relaxation and stress relief, you can get a massage. Deep-tissue massage, Swedish massage etc., help in keeping your body fit by relieving tension around all the muscle connective tissues.

Well, along with these aforementioned home remedies, taking medications under the guidance of a healthcare professional is the best way to get chronic arthritis pain relief.

Metastatic cancer is a tumor which spreads from an initial site to different locations within the body. Cancer cells can spread to closer lymph nodes, tissues, and organs. This is how metastatic cancer occurs and it generally happens at stage IV of cancer. Metastatic cancer is identified by the primary cancer name. For example, breast cancer that has been spread to the lungs is called metastatic breast cancer. The cancer cells in the lungs will have the same features as that of breast cancer.

How it spreads
The disease is dangerous because of its ability to spread to different parts of the body. The cancer cell multiplies at the primary location and invades nearby tissues and moves through blood vessels or lymph nodes to the other parts. The most common parts where cancer is spread are the lungs, liver, and brain. Breast cancer is spread to the bone, brain, liver, or lung where it reflects the metastasis breast cancer signs.

Sign and symptoms of metastatic cancer
There are no early signs of metastatic cancer. However, when they do appear, they depend on the location of the tumor. Some of the most common symptoms that are related to the lungs, liver, brain, and bones are:

• Lungs – Individuals experience a chronic cough and breathlessness.
• Liver – Affected people may experience nausea, jaundice, and the possibility of an enlarged liver. This condition may also cause itchy skin, abdominal pain, or a loss of appetite.
• Bones – When it affects the bones, people experience severe pain and swelling in the bones and joints. Also, the bones may be susceptible to fractures.
• Brain – When cancer metastases to the brain, neurological disorders such as severe headaches, seizures, or vertigo may be considered as some of the symptoms. Individuals may also experience vision disturbance, nausea, or behavioral changes.

Metastasis breast cancer occurs after several years of primary cancer and may be diagnosed at the initial stage. There are no major metastatic breast cancer signs. Some common symptoms include:

• Severe pain in the breast and discharge from nipples
• One of the most common metastasis breast cancer signs is a lump or thickening on the breast and near the underarm
• It may cause pain in the bones and the bones may be vulnerable to fractures

The treatment is determined by whether the cancer is localized or metastasized. If cancer has metastasized, it increases the probability of a patient’s death. There are malignant cancers that kill persons with metastasis. Metastasized cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, surgery, or a combination of these.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is basically a viral infection. It is a common viral illness that is more prevalent in young children than adults. It can occur in older children or adults as well. This disease is characterized by fever, sores in the mouth, and rashes on hand, feet, buttocks, and legs.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease is more common in children below the age of 10 years. The virus causing HFMD is called coxsackie virus. This disease spreads through physical contact. You could get it from someone who has it or by touching something that has been in contact with the virus. This disease occurs more during the summer and fall seasons.

Symptoms of hand, foot, and mouth disease
Fever and sore throat are the first few symptoms of the disease. Followed by painful blisters developing on the inside of the mouth and on the tongue. Rashes also develop on the palms of the hand, soles of feet, elbows, buttocks, and legs. These rashes may turn into blisters.

How to prevent hand, foot, and mouth disease
Hand, foot, and mouth disease usually goes off on its own within 7-10 days. There is no treatment or vaccine for this disease. Symptoms can be eased with over-the-counter medication. The following preventive measures can be taken to prevent the spread of the disease:

• Refrain from sending an affected child to school until he/she fully recovers. The virus can easily spread when the infected person sneezes or coughs. Also, when the blisters or sores break open, the chances of the virus spreading through contact is very high.
• Encourage proper hygiene like the washing of hands and feet with soap and water.
• Disinfection of dirty or unclean surfaces at school and home.
• Avoidance of physical contact with infected people. Close contacts like handshakes, kissing, and hugging must be avoided to prevent the spread of HFMD.
• People traveling to countries where this disease is prevalent must maintain proper personal hygiene.
• Sharing of utensils for eating and drinking must be avoided to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Clothes worn or used by the infected person must be disinfected before wash.
• Playing outdoors when affected by the virus must be avoided.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease in children causes fever and a decrease in drinking and eating. Special care must be taken to stay hydrated and increase the calorie intake when the child is affected by this disease.

Gastroenteritis, popularly termed as stomach flu, is an inflammation of the stomach and the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in a ruthless mix of symptoms. The most common cause of stomach flu are viral infections; however, it can also be caused due to bacterial or parasitic infections and food-borne illnesses. The symptoms of stomach flu usually last up to 14 days. The condition is a highly contagious one that spreads through an oral-fecal route. The most common symptoms of stomach flu are as follows:

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Cramping in the abdomen
• Low-grade fever
• Chills
• Muscle aches

Here are some tips to treat the symptoms of the stomach flu:

Drink Lots of Fluids
When affected by stomach flu, your body loses essential bodily fluids through vomiting, diarrhea, and sweating. Therefore, it is important to consume these fluids to regulate the body’s water levels and stay hydrated. The best fluids to consume when suffering from the symptoms of stomach flu are as follows:

• Clear liquids such as water
• Ginger and peppermint tea to relieve nausea
• Energy drinks that assist in electrolyte replacement
• OTC preparations

Additionally, make sure to avoid highly caffeinated drinks such as coffee or black tea. These can muddle with your sleeping patterns and further upset your stomach.

Follow the BRAT diet
Most of the times, people with stomach flu do not feel like eating. But when they do, it’s best to start with a BRAT diet. BRAT is the acronym for bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. These four foods are easy to digest and a rich source of carbohydrates. They will replenish the vital nutrients in your body and give you the needed energy to function.

On the other hand, it is advisable to avoid dairy products, fibrous foods, and anything that is greasy or spicy as it will further complicate stomach distresses.

Try Acupressure
Acupressure is a great technique that helps in alleviating nausea and other symptoms of an upset stomach. You can locate the pressure point P-6 by measuring the width of three fingers, starting from the bottom of your hand palm. Massage the area with your thumb for 2-3 minutes to experience relief.

Medicate with Caution
Several people take to medicines for curing the symptoms of the stomach flu. However, it is important to note that stomach flu cannot always be cured with medications, and taking antibiotics will not help if the condition is caused due to a viral infection. Certain medications can be taken for stomach flu unless you suffer from a liver disease. They relive aches and fever and is less likely to upset your stomach. You can also take over-the-counter antidiarrheal medications to ease symptoms that are usually associated with stomach flu, such as diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.