Sunday, March 17, 2013

HPV Symptoms in Women

HPV is the abbreviation used for Human Papillomavirus. This is a group of virus that infects the skin and mucous members. Most of the HPV infections do not cause any signs, symptoms or warts. The genital HPV infection is the most common Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) affecting sexually active women in America. It can be transferred by skin to skin contact as well as genital contact. The virus may get transmitted into the mouth mucous members after oral sex.

Causes

HPV may gain entry into the body through skin to skin contact. Any cut, injury or abrasion on skin may help in transfer of HPV. Sexual contact may lead to development of genital HPV. Sometimes the virus gains entry into the upper respiratory tract leading to respiratory lesions. There are over 100 different types of HPV virus that can infect a person. Many of these viruses are generally harmless. Some of the strains of HPV virus are classified as low risk strains and some are classified as high risk strains. The low risk HPV infections generally cause genital warts and mild abnormalities in the cervical region. These low risk strains do not lead to cancer. The high risk HPV strains tend to inoculate their DNA with the human cell DNA. This causes a lot of mutations in the transcriptions and translation of the cell DNA. This leads to formation of cancerous cells leading to cervical cancer.

Symptoms

In most of the cases, early HPV symptoms. This is the reason, many people with a HPV infection are not even aware of the virus living in their body. Most of the time, low risk strains causing genital warts infect a person.

Genital HPV
The genital warts are nonmalignant lesions that appears on the anus, cervix, groin and thighs. The genital wart appears like a slightly raised, flat, cauliflower-like, pink, lesion. These warts appear within weeks or even months after the virus gains entry into the body. As these lesions take time to appear, the infected person may never suspect begin infected with HPV. In some cases, no symptoms may be visible

Upper Respiratory and Oral HPV
Infection of the upper respiratory tract or mouth may cause lesions and warts to appear on the tongue, tonsils, larynx, soft palate as well within the nose. The low risk HPV infections generally cause these kinds of lesions and warts.

Precancerous HPV
The symptoms of HPV virus in women where cellular changes occurs leads to precancerous lesions. A Pap smear test may help in detecting this infections. Usually low-grade HPV infections cause these kinds of lesions. Treatment of HPV will help get rid of precancerous lesions.

High Risk HPV
The group of HPV viruses that cause cervical cancer in women are said to be high risk infections. Most of these high risk infections are persistent lesions that do not do away. Those symptoms that last for more than two years, have the chances of developing into cervical cancer. Other high risk symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding between periods. Most of the time the high risk HPV symptoms are termed as 'silent infections'. This is because they do not exhibit any signs and symptoms. The virus silently causes changes in the cells leading to cervical cancer.

Treatment

HPV has no specific cure. Most of the time, the body's immune system gets rid of the virus on its own. There are many treatments of warts that reduce the symptoms of HPV virus in women. However, they cannot eliminate the virus. Medications, creams, cryotherapy, electrocautery and surgery are the different types of treatment for genital warts. In case of precancerous warts, cryotherapy, laser surgery, electrocautery and surgery are the options for HPV treatment for women.

It is very important to remain alert regarding the early HPV symptoms. This will help you prevent the infection from turning into a cancerous lesion. You should undergo Pap smears especially if you are sexually active. This will help detect any changes in the cervix as early as possible. Prevention maybe the only way to help save your life from cervical cancer. If you have any questions regarding the different types of warts and symptoms of HPV virus in women, speak to your doctor for more details.

Leukemia Symptoms in Women

Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood-forming tissues of the body. In case of people affecting this condition, white blood cells that help protect the body from infections, grow and divide abnormally. If a blood test shows an abnormal increase in the white blood cells, diagnostic tests must be conducted to ascertain the underlying cause.

Symptoms of Leukemia in Women

Some of the symptoms of the cancer of blood or bone marrow are vague and non-specific. The symptoms in women and men tend to be similar. If you are a woman, and your WBC count is abnormally high, you must seek medical help at the earliest. Women should be aware of the subtle signs their bodies give out indicating an abnormal cell growth within their body. Here are some of the common symptoms in women.

Chronic Cough
One of the early symptoms is chronic cough or chest pain. You should watch out for persistent cough or repeated cycles of coughing without any apparent reason. Also, if you often experience a pain radiating from the chest down towards your arm or shoulder, visit a doctor for a check up. A bad cough or bronchitis can be a sign of cancer of the blood-forming tissues or lung cancer.

Frequent Infections
Are you falling sick all the time and experiencing recurring fevers? This can be a sign of blood cancer as abnormal blood cells cannot fight infections and make a person vulnerable to different infections. If you are forever complaining of fever, aches, flu-like symptoms occurring out of the blue, speak to your doctor and get yourself examined.

Swollen Lymph Nodes
As explained earlier, leukemia is a cancer of bone marrow and lymph nodes. A woman affected by this condition may suffer from an enlarged or swollen lymph node in the neck or armpit. These are usually painless. If the swelling persists for more than 6 weeks, visit the doctor as soon as possible.

Unexplained Bruising
If you observe unexplained black and blue marks on your body it may suggest something is wrong with your platelets and red blood cells. If you get easily bruised in odd places like your fingers and hands, get yourself examined.

Excessive Bleeding
Unusual and excessive bleeding of gums or heavy flow during your menstrual cycles may be indicative of blood cancer. This means, that the leukemia cells are increasing in number quickly and outnumbering the red blood cells and platelets. This decreases the blood's ability to clot and even carry oxygen.

Petechiae
Development of petechiae, which are red or purple spots on face, neck and chest could very well be a sign of cancer and you should get this checked out by a medical professional.

Weakness
Do you feel fatigued even after a good night's sleep? Generalized weakness and fatigue could be a symptom of cancer. If you are feeling unusually tired even if you get adequate sleep and rest, then you should get yourself checked. Also, lethargy can be a sign of different types of cancers.

Abdominal Pain
The abnormal white blood cells can cause the spleen to enlarge, which in turn may cause abdominal pain. Pelvic pain could be a sign of cancers including ovarian cancer, fibroid, etc. Get yourself examined by a doctor as pelvic and abdominal pain may be one of the many symptoms of this condition.

Other Symptoms of Leukemia in Women

Unusual loss of appetite, weight loss, bleeding gums, etc. are other signs. Joint pain, bone tenderness are symptoms of chronic leukemia. The abnormal white blood cells attack the bones and bone marrow making them weak and brittle. Excessive sweating, especially at night can be an early symptom. Shortness of breath and long periods of coughing could be a sign of blood cancer. Acute symptoms include headaches, vomiting, confusion, loss of muscle control and even seizures. The number of red blood cell count decreases due to the increase in abnormal white blood cells. This can lead to anemia.

Causes

Blood cancer can occur due to a wide range of reasons. Some of the contributory factors include:
One of the prominent risk factors is smoking. It has been seen that smokers are prone to blood cancer and other cancers than non-smokers. However, non-smokers too are at risk.
Those who work with chemicals like formaldehyde and benzene or are exposed to these chemicals are at risk of developing blood cancer.
Excessive exposure radioactive rays increases the risk. Those who undergo chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy to cure other cancers, can develop blood cancer in the long run.
Infection with human T-cell leukemia virus 1 (HTLV-1) puts a peraon at an increased risk.
Those who develop a rare blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome are also at a risk.
Those who have a close relative suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukemia are at a higher risk than those who do not have a family history of blood cancer.
If you are experiencing any of the aformentioned symptoms, seek medical help. Women should go in for routine full body check up, pap smear and mammogram for early diagnosis and treatment.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.

Diverticulitis Symptoms in Women

Colon is concerned with the storage and elimination of waste materials from the body. Over time, the tissues of colon wall thicken, which leads to development of small pouches along the lining of colon. These pouches are called diverticula and the condition is accordingly termed as diverticulosis. Diverticula can be found throughout the colon lining, however, they are more common in the left or sigmoid colon. Diverticulosis is a common colon disease amongst the older population. In fact 50% people over 60 years of age in the United States suffer from diverticulosis. When any of these diverticula ruptures, and becomes infected, the condition is then termed as diverticulitis.

Diverticulitis Symptoms in Women

As mentioned above, diverticulosis is pretty common in older population, including men and women. Diverticulitis in women is mostly common in western countries than Africa and Asia. The formation of diverticula rarely produces any symptoms. And even if it does, the symptoms are not exclusively specific to this condition. As a result, diverticulosis often goes unnoticed. However, diverticulitis indeed produces certain specific symptoms, which can directly point to this disease. Abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness are some of the symptoms of diverticulitis. When the diverticula ruptures, some amount of bleeding may occur. This is called diverticula bleeding. Woman suffering from infected diverticula may develop fever as one of the symptoms. Lower abdominal cramps are also common in people suffering from this disease. Besides, the person may experience alternate bouts of constipation and diarrhea. In short, you can say that the symptoms of diverticulitis are more or less similar to those of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Complications of Diverticulitis

The symptoms mentioned above are not of severe consequence and, generally, do not alter the lifespan of a person. However, in rarest of rare cases, complication from diverticulitis may occur. Peritonitis is one such severe complication originating from ruptured diverticula. In this, the infection from the diverticula spreads to the abdominal cavity. An abscess in the pelvis is yet another serious complication of diverticulitis. In this condition, there is pus formation around the ruptured diverticula. Besides, there is also a possibility of bladder infection, if the infected diverticula causes erosion of the urinary tract. Passing of gas during urination along with painful urination is one of the symptoms of infected bladder. Oftentimes, diverticula bleeding can be detected in stool, when large blood clots are passed through rectum.

Prevention of Diverticulitis

Surgery is the only way out if diverticulitis becomes severe. However, diverticulosis can be controlled with the help of proper diet. Diverticulitis in young women especially, can be controlled with healthy diet and bowel habits. Eating a fiber rich diet is the most effective remedy for all bowel diseases. Those living with diverticulitis should consume at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber everyday, and opt for a special diverticulitis diet. Even people who do not have diverticulitis should be aware of diverticulosis symptoms and foods to avoid with diverticulosis. Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday. Water and high fiber diet can take care of all your bowel related woes. If you are suffering from constipation, make sure you do not strain yourself too much. Occasional use of laxatives under medical supervision may help to relieve constipation. Natural colon cleansers may also help in improving the health of colon.

If you notice any of the above symptoms of diverticulitis, do not hesitate to get a colon examination done from your doctor. Early detection of this disease may help you to make necessary dietary changes and control the advancement of the disease.

Hemorrhoids Symptoms in Women

When we say the word 'hemorrhoid', the first thing that strikes us is a pathological condition of swollen blood vessels in the region of the anus. However, hemorrhoids also imply the normal blood vessels that are seen in the region of the anal canal. These help with control and passage of stools. But when these same hemorrhoids become pathological, then, they can lead to various problems and symptoms. The hemorrhoids symptoms in women aren't too different from the symptoms in men. However, before we go onto the various symptoms of hemorrhoids in women, let us see what exactly hemorrhoids are, and what are the types of hemorrhoids in women.

Hemorrhoids Types

There are basically two types of hemorrhoids, which are, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are seen inside the rectum and are basically varicosities of the veins inside the rectum. These are not painful as this area is devoid of pain receptors. However, these may bleed when they rupture or when they are irritated. These can further become strangulated or prolapsed. The other type of hemorrhoids are the more serious of the two, known as external hemorrhoids or piles. These are varicosities that are present in the region of the veins that drain the inferior rectal arteries and are often painful.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids in Women
As mentioned earlier, there are barely any painful symptoms of internal hemorrhoids in women, as this condition is mostly asymptomatic. However, in some cases, they may lead to symptoms like red blood in stool. In fact, one of the main causes of blood in stool is internal hemorrhoids. Although this is not accompanied by pain, it may lead to a certain amount of cause for concern, especially when a person sees the toilet paper completely drenched in blood.
Besides rectal bleeding, there are a few more symptoms of internal hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids itching is particularly infamous and can lead to a great amount of discomfort in some women. This is one of the hemorrhoids symptoms.
If the internal hemorrhoids in women become thrombosed or necrosed, then they may become quite painful. This happens when the hemorrhoid gets thrombosed and the blood supply to the area begins to cut off, which is seen in strangulated hemorrhoid. This needs prompt medical attention because it may become gangrenous, if not tended to on a priority basis. Also, when the size of the hemorrhoid enlarges, then it may impinge on the anal muscles, making it painful to pass stools. If it becomes swollen to a large extent, then along with bleeding hemorrhoids, severe amount of pain will also be experienced.
In case of external hemorrhoids, one of the main symptoms is the appearance of a painful swelling or a lump around the anus. This is known as external piles. These are by far the most serious and painful type of hemorrhoids and they have a long drawn treatment plan. This area is very painful because it is innervated by somatic nerves and it requires medical attention at the earliest.
Although there are many causes of hemorrhoids in women, like irregular bowel habits, excess of intra-abdominal pressure (which often leads to hemorrhoids during pregnancy), etc. These are all more of contributing factors to hemorrhoids in women rather than their causes. However, one needn't worry as hemorrhoid treatment can be meted out accordingly. There are also many natural remedies that one can try out. However, if the hemorrhoids symptoms become very severe or intolerable, then it is best to seek medical attention, so that the condition can be treated properly before any complications arise.

Gastric Ulcer Symptoms in Women

Peptic ulcers are those open sores or lesions that develop on the inner lining of the stomach, duodenum and the lower parts of the esophagus. Otherwise known as stomach ulcers, peptic ulcers are classified into three types, based on the location. Those of the stomach are gastric ulcers and those found in the duodenum are duodenal ulcers. Ulcers of the lower esophagus (esophageal ulcers) are uncommon, whereas duodenal ulcers are said to be the most common form of peptic ulcers. It is said that duodenal ulcers are more common in men and women are more prone to develop gastric ulcers. But, this observation is viewed as baseless, by some health experts. As per this group, both men and women are equally prone to develop these ulcers and even the symptoms are found to be almost similar.

Signs and Symptoms of Gastric Ulcers

So, gastric ulcers are open sores or lesions that develop on the inner lining of the stomach. Such sores are said to occur due to the erosion of the mucosal lining of the stomach. This happens when the natural balance between the stomach acids and the amount of mucus that coats the inner lining gets disturbed. Such imbalance can be triggered by various factors. But, the most common among them is Helicobacter pylori infection. Another cause is regular use of NSAIDs, which is said to be mostly done by women, who are more prone to develop aches and pains, like migraine. Stress, regular smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, are said to be among the contributory factors for gastric ulcers. Even though, the symptoms of gastric ulcers may not be the same for everyone, there are some common ones. But, there is no clear-cut distinction between gastric ulcer symptoms in women and men.
The most common symptom of gastric ulcers is abdominal pain, that may be experienced anywhere from the navel to the breastbone. But, it is mostly felt under the left ribcage.
The pain can be episodic in nature and the duration may vary from a few minutes to a few hours. It is often described as a gnawing or burning pain.
It has been noticed that most of the gastric ulcer patients develop abdominal pain, soon after meals, whereas, in case of duodenal ulcers, the pain usually starts when the stomach is empty. So, food can relieve the pain in duodenal ulcers, but, increase the discomfort in case of gastric ulcers.
In some cases, the pain (caused by gastric ulcers) may radiate to the back and this is mostly seen in those people, whose ulcers have eroded the stomach wall and also affected the nearby organs like pancreas.
Those with gastric ulcers may also have other symptoms like belching, indigestion, heartburn and bloating. The affected person may also experience nausea, loss of appetite, weight loss, dizziness and fatigue.
If you have a bleeding ulcer, it may happen that you have no symptoms at all. But, in some cases, black tarry stools and anemia may develop. Some people may also vomit red blood or digested blood that may appear as coffee grounds.
Another complication of gastric ulcer is perforation. This condition is caused by the ulcer eroding the stomach or the duodenal wall. It is a medical emergency and may be accompanied with symptoms like vomiting blood, sudden and sharp abdominal pain and tarry stools.
While it is true that each and every person with this type of ulcer may not develop all the above said symptoms. In case you develop any of the above said symptoms, then, contact your doctor and get the condition diagnosed and treated. Treatment for gastric ulcers depends on the underlying cause, its severity and location. Antibiotics, along with acid suppressant and antacids, are usually prescribed in case of Helicobacter pylori infection. If these ulcers are caused by other factors, then, medication like acid suppressant and antacids are used for treatment. If the ulcers do not respond to medication, then other techniques like endotherapy and surgery, may be suggested. Surgical treatment for gastric ulcers includes vagotomy (removal of parts of vagus nerve that controls production of acid in the stomach) and antrectomy (removing the lower part of the stomach, where, acid is produced). Usually, surgery is the last option, when all other methods of treating ulcers fail to relieve the condition. It is said that a healthy lifestyle may prove beneficial for preventing gastric ulcers to a large extent. You must go for a nutritious as well as fiber-rich diet and adopt a suitable exercise regimen. Avoid taking NSAIDs, unnecessarily. Beat the stress with techniques like breathing exercises, meditation and yoga.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.

Anxiety Symptoms in Women

In today's fast-paced and stressful life, both men and women tend to suffer from anxiety. Women are more prone to it as they have to juggle a lot of things, while balancing both work and home simultaneously. This can cause a lot of stress and tension to a woman. Prolonged stress and worry can sometimes cause anxiety in women. There are a lot of other causes, which produce these symptoms. Let's understand the causes first, before moving on to the symptoms and the cures.

Causes
When facing difficult circumstances in personal or professional life, a woman might feel stressed and anxious. Anxiety in women could also be a result of certain hormonal changes that take place in the body due to menses, childbirth or menopause. Sometimes, excessive intake of tea, coffee, alcohol or taking drugs could lead to anxiety too. A woman might be sensitive to certain foods, such as wheat or sugar. Consumption of these can lead to anxiety. It could also be due to certain chemical imbalances in the body. The brain releases a substance called serotonin, which helps in regulating the moods and emotions, thus keeping a person calm and relaxed. If the brain does not provide adequate amount of serotonin, the body goes through a chemical imbalance, thereby causing these symptoms.

Common Symptoms
Anxiety symptoms in men are similar to those in women. Here are some common depression and anxiety symptoms in women.

Physical
Increase in heartbeat and heart palpitations
Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort and pain
Abdominal pain and indigestion
Increased perspiration
Shivering or trembling
Numbness in certain body parts
Dizziness, headaches or light-headed feeling
Nausea and vomiting
Feeling excessively cold, resulting in cold hand and feet and body chills.
Muscle pain
Increased blood pressure
General fatigue
Increase or decrease in appetite
Insomnia or disturbed sleep
Psychological
The woman may develop negative feelings and constantly feel that something untoward is going to happen.
Anxiety triggers a fear of impending death in the sufferers.
The woman may feel a sense of detachment towards oneself and the world.
The woman may experience constant worry and tension, and is not able to concentrate on anything.
The woman might become extremely aggressive.
There might be a personality change in the woman and she might become socially inactive.
Treatment
Overcome this problem naturally by consuming herbs, such as passionflower, kava kava, valerian and lemon balm, as they soothe the nerves and cure insomnia. These herbal remedies have a calming effect on the body and help in providing relief from tension. Certain meditation techniques, such as breathing exercises and Pranayama, have proven effective in alleviating the symptoms. Reiki, practiced under a trained practitioner, can also help in minimizing the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

If you are experiencing anxiety symptoms and chest pain or if the symptoms have worsened, it is recommended that you undertake cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) by consulting a psychiatrist. CBT will help identify the reason behind your feelings of stress and the psychotherapist will suggest remedies accordingly. CBT is a systematic approach to solve problems related to dysfunctional emotions and behavior. So psychotherapy sessions can be helpful. In case of an emergency, you may use antianxiety drugs or anti depressant to minimize the symptoms, but only after consulting a physician.

Symptoms of the different types of anxiety, such as social anxiety and separation anxiety, can be controlled or minimized by following the above-mentioned treatment. Having a positive attitude, eating a well-balanced diet, exercising everyday, along with a regular treatment, go a long way in relieving the anxiety symptoms in women.

Anxiety Attack Symptoms in Women

Anxiety is among the common problems found both in men and women alike. However, the severity of these attacks is more often seen in women as compared to men. Women may have anxiety attacks in case of increased stress levels or due to biological changes. Biological changes include menstrual cycle, childbirth or menopause. Women who chronically suffer from anxiety, term it to be normal. They do not think it is worth mentioning, till the attack symptoms worsen.

Quick Look At Anxiety...

Anxiety is in itself a physiological and psychological state. It is characterized by components like cognitive, emotional, behavioral and somatic aspects. The feeling of anxiety is said to be a mix between the feeling of fear and concern. In other words, it is a 'fight or flight' response to the built-in alarm to the perceived threat, whether real or imagined. The literal meaning of the word anxiety is 'to trouble' or 'to vex'. Anxiety is a mood condition, which often does not have identifiable triggering stimulus. The difference between fear and anxiety is that, it is fear when one is worried about a specific danger and anxiety is when one is worried about unspecific and objectless things, for no apparent reason. Anxiety is considered to be a normal reaction to any kind of stress. Often, anxiety is a result of difficult situations, whether personal or professional. A person is said to be suffering from anxiety disorder, when he becomes excessively anxious about everything. There are different types of anxiety, namely existential anxiety, separation anxiety, test anxiety, stranger and social anxiety, trait anxiety, etc. Severe anxiety may also include obsessive compulsive disorders and post traumatic stress disorders.

Anxiety Attack Symptoms in Women

There are many symptoms of anxiety attack in women.The first among anxiety panic attacks symptoms is the sudden feeling of "doom". The woman also starts to fear the smallest of the happening as well.
A lot of women begin to perspire heavily and added to it, they have a choking sensation. In some cases, body chills also accompany these symptoms of anxiety attack.
The physiological symptoms also include palpitations of the heart, ranging from severe to moderate. General shortness of breath is the other physiological symptom of an anxiety attack. There are women, who also experience chest pain as one of the many anxiety symptoms.
Among the other symptoms, is also a feeling of dizziness and trembling of the body. In some cases, these symptoms are also accompanied by nausea and a tingling sensation through the body.
There are women who suffer from 'derealization'. This is when the women feel no attachment to the world and may be totally detached.
Some women also suffer from abdominal distress when they have anxiety attacks.
Among the many symptoms of anxiety attack in women, is the fear of dying, although there may not be any reason to believe the same.
In generalized anxiety disorder, there is an exaggerated tension and worry in daily life. There is a constant negative thought of everything going wrong, although there is no reason to think the same.
Many women who suffer from anxiety attacks find it difficult to concentrate and are often irritable. If the irritation increases, they can have explosive anger.
Due to the constant fear, they may also suffer from sleep disorders and disturbed sleep. They may also suffer from nightmares or bad dreams. Some women also experience déjà vu like feeling.
In some cases it has been observed, that the women tend to become less social due to a change in their personality.
Fatigue accompanied by headaches is also a common symptom of anxiety attack in women.
Increase of blood pressure and blood flow to all the major muscles is commonly observed in the case of anxiety attacks in women.
Women who have anxiety attacks will seem to suffer from some soft of mental distraction. They may find it difficult to concentrate on any given thing and be anxious about things around them.
Treating Anxiety Attack Symptoms in Women

To treat anxiety attack symptoms, professional help may be required. It will be more required when the fear and worries assume enormous proportions and are affecting daily and routine activities. Most people do not have to take the treatment for a very long period. The treatment depends on the type of anxiety and on the severity of the problem. Most of the anxiety problems are treated with behavioral therapy, but in some cases, medicines might also be required.

It is important to note that chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, etc. should not automatically be attributed to anxiety attacks. These can also be symptoms of some other medical condition. Hence, it is recommended to let your health care professional do the correct diagnosis of the problem at hand.

Candidiasis Symptoms in Women

Candidiasis is basically an infection caused by the yeast Candida albicans. The most common sign of this infection is the appearance of red, itchy skin on different parts of the body, often leaking fluid. These red patches may or may not be painful, but add to your anxiety and lack of sleep.

The infection usually appears on the skin folds of the body, such as the groin, buttocks, and navel. Apart from these areas, candidiasis can also occur on the breasts, toes and fingers of a female. In some cases, candidiasis also occurs in the mouth, which is termed as oral thrush.

Symptoms Associated with Candidiasis
The main reason for the occurrence of candidiasis is a weak immune system. Prolonged use of antibiotics may also be a contributory factor. Strengthening the immune system with changes in the diet is one way to get relief from this fungal infection. In the following paragraphs, we will look at the symptoms of candidiasis related to the different parts of the body.

Oral Candidiasis
Also known as oral thrush or candidiasis of the mouth, this infection occurs on the lining of the cheeks and tongue. The associated symptoms of oral candidiasis in women are:
Thick white lesions in the mouth
Cracked corners of the mouth
Tongue sores
Difficulty in swallowing
Painful and bleeding gums
Loss of taste
Skin Candidiasis
Candidiasis occurring on the skin is most common in women. It affects the breasts, underarms, buttocks and other folds of the skin. It is also known as moniliasis. The related symptoms can be:
Skin rashes
Blisters
Irritation
Dark brownish patches
Vaginal Candidiasis
Vaginal candidiasis is relatively difficult to detect, as there can be many reasons for vaginal infection, especially in women with an active sex life. The most prominent symptoms associated with this infection include:
Vaginal swelling
Yellowish discharge
Menstrual irregularities
Pain during sex
Itching
Burning sensation while urination
Toenail and Fingernail Candidiasis
When this infection affects the toenails and fingernails it is known as onychomycosis. Mainly associated with women, this form of candidiasis tends to change the color of the nails. The associated symptoms include:
Thickening of nails
Gray color of the nails
Decay of nails
Other Symptoms of Candida Infection
There can be various other symptoms that may be exhibited by women suffering from candidiasis. These may be associated with the digestive, respiratory, and even neurological system and include:
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Bloated belly
Heartburn
Nausea
Colitis
Headache
Mood swings
Poor memory
Dizziness
Aggressiveness
Carbohydrate cravings
Mucus congestion
Cough
One may not exactly exhibit all the symptoms at the same time, but with increasing infection, these signs may eventually show up. One does not need to panic in such situations as there are various yeast infection treatments available that cure the infection effectively. With proper use of yeast infection home remedies and a candida cleanse diet, it is easy to get rid of excessive yeast from the body. You just have to detect the symptoms as early as possible and start treatment. Following a healthy diet and healthy lifestyle will keep your immune system strong and will help you keep diseases at bay.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.

Stroke Symptoms in Women

Stroke is medically referred to as Cerebrovascular Accident (CVA) and is a condition when blood supply is interrupted to a part of brain. Blood carries oxygen which is supplied to various parts of our body, including brain cells. Thus, for proper functioning of all the body organs and cells, blood and oxygen are a must. During a stroke attack, this blood supply can be disrupted due to blocking or bursting of a blood vessel present in a part of the brain. There are two types of stroke, ischemic and hemorrhagic. Ischemic stroke refers to stroke due to a blood clot, while hemorrhagic stroke is stroke due to breaking of a blood vessel. Because of blood and oxygen scarcity, the brain cells die and cause dysfunction of that part of the brain. If proper and quick treatment is not given, the brain may completely stop working, causing the death of the patient.

Stroke symptoms in women may differ from the classic symptoms of stroke. Usually, when a woman gets a stroke attack, the symptoms are quite vague, and are somewhat different from the ones that are usually noticed. Because of these unique and vague symptoms, stroke in a woman often goes undiagnosed. Wrong diagnosis leads to wrong treatment, which often causes severe complications. Hence, it is necessary to know the signs and symptoms of stroke in women. Let's look at the common symptoms of stroke first.

Common Symptoms of Stroke

The classic or common symptoms of stroke, generally observed in both men and women, are listed below. All these occur unexpectedly with a sudden onset.
Sudden speech impairment or impaired comprehension
Numbness or weakness, usually on one side of the body
Mental confusion
Onset of a sudden and severe headache
Blurred vision or difficulty with vision
Dizziness and problems with balance and coordination
Symptoms of Stroke in Women

Because of the non-traditional or uncommon stroke symptoms in women, the patient is, many a time, deprived of the treatment that she should be given. These are sometimes referred to as atypical symptoms. Sometimes, they are so different that the physician may misdiagnose the problem and relate it to some other health problem. It's not that only women experience these atypical symptoms of stroke. They are also observed in men, but the percentage is higher for women. These are listed below,

Shortness of Breath: Breathing problem is usually considered as a symptom that is related to a heart or lung problem. Thus, it may mislead the diagnosis as well as the treatment.

Fainting: It is one of the most irregular symptoms of stroke in women, and also the most difficult to diagnose. It is a result of miscommunication in brain due to its dysfunction.

Unconsciousness: This complicates the diagnosis process since the woman is not in the state to be assessed for the usual symptoms of stroke.

Seizures: Seizure is a usually rare and is caused due to improper functioning of brain.

Other atypical symptoms include,
Fatigue
Chest Pain
Coordination problem
Hiccups
Nausea
Pain (arms, legs, face)
Research has proved that a maximum percentage of women do not show the traditional symptoms of stroke and hence, it takes more time to detect stroke in women. This delay in diagnosis, which leads to delay in treatment, can be very fatal. Almost 30% cases of stroke in women do not receive immediate treatment. The reasons for these non-traditional symptoms in women are yet to be found out. Stroke is a health problem that requires prompt treatment or else, it may lead to death. Hence, it is mandatory to understand the signs and symptoms of stroke in women, so that immediate treatment can be provided to save the patient's life.

Liver Cancer Symptoms in Women

Liver cancer is one of the common forms of cancer and is mostly found in Asians and Africans, as compared to Caucasians. As far as the genders are concerned, cancer involving the liver is mostly found in men. Though symptoms of this cancer are more or less the same in both men and women, some of the signs of this disease are more prominently seen in women.

More About Liver Cancer

This cancer has many different forms, but, if the condition develops from the liver cells, it is considered as primary liver cancer. Cancer that originates from other organs, like, stomach, lungs and breasts may also spread to the liver and such conditions are technically termed as liver metastasis. However, both these conditions are interchangeably known as liver cancer only. Studies show that cancer affecting the liver is the fifth commonest type of cancer in the world. Its survival rates are also very low. Most of the patients fail to survive more than a year after the detection of the condition. It has also been observed that the initial stages of this cancer are mostly asymptomatic and detection of the condition is usually done in the advanced stages.

Symptoms of Liver Cancer in Women

In fact, there are no separate liver cancer symptoms in men and women, but, it is said that some of these symptoms are more commonly seen in women. The initial stages are found to be asymptomatic and the symptoms develop in the advanced stages. In general, the signs and symptoms of this cancer include unexplained weight loss, loss of appetite, pain in upper abdomen, tenderness and swelling in the area, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and liver enlargement. The person may also develop yellowing of the eyes, skin and nails, resulting in jaundice. The affected person may also develop back pain, anemia and fever. These symptoms may also change with the type of liver cancer.

In case of women, some of the above mentioned signs and symptoms are more prominent. Common symptoms of liver cancer in women include abdominal bloating and fullness, which is often mistaken as PMS symptoms. This may also be an indication of ovarian cancer. Loss of appetite and unexplained weight loss are also commonly experienced by women with this type of cancer. Even stomach cramping, frequent stomach upset and pain may be an indication of this cancer. Other common liver cancer symptoms in women are weakness, pain around the right shoulder blade, anemia and anorexia. Studies show that women with hypothyroidism are more prone to this type of cancer, but, this hypothesis is not found to be true for men. It has been noted that women tend to ignore these symptoms as they associate these symptoms to their lifestyle or other problems.

Even though, symptoms of liver cancer in women and men may differ slightly, the diagnosis and treatment for the disease are same for both sexes. Diagnosis is usually done through blood tests, liver biopsy, CT scan and MRI. Even staging tests have to be done, so as to determine the advancement of the disease in a particular patient. Liver cancer treatment is decided on the basis of various factors like, the stage of cancer in the patient and his health condition. The treatment methods include radiation therapy, heating (radiofrequency ablation) or freezing (cryoablation) cancer cells and injecting alcohol to the cancer cells. In some cases, chemotherapy drugs are injected to the liver or the affected part of the liver is removed surgically. However, liver transplant surgery is considered as a comparatively successful method of treating this cancer, that too in case of small tumors. The chances of relapse are very high in case of liver cancer. So, be it men or women, in case of occurrence of the above said symptoms, immediately consult a doctor to rule out the possibility of liver cancer.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice. Visiting your physician is the safest way to diagnose and treat any health condition.

Diabetes Symptoms in Women

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder caused due to high levels of glucose in the blood. Though both men and women can be affected by this disease, the rate of diabetes in women, has increased considerably in the recent years. Moreover, it is said that women are more at risk of being affected by health problems caused by diabetes than men. Hence, we will focus more on knowing the symptoms of diabetes in women. Medically this disorder is known as diabetes mellitus. Read on to know to types of this disorder, what are the causes behind it, and all the signs of diabetes in women. Click on your desired topic for detailed information on the same.

Index

A] Types of Diabetes
B] Causes of Diabetes in Women
C] Symptoms of Diabetes in Women
A] Types of Diabetes

Diabetes can be mainly classified into two types; type 1 and type 2. The former is also called juvenile diabetes as it is commonly seen in young children, teenagers and adults, usually under the age of 25 - 30. This occurs when the pancreas are unable to produce insulin, which is responsible to carry glucose to our cells. When enough insulin is not produced, the glucose level in the blood increases. This increase leads to diabetes. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is said to occur in middle-aged and older people who suffer from problems of obesity. This type of diabetes usually occurs due to a sedentary lifestyle, and poor eating habits. In this case, the pancreas do produce insulin, but the body becomes resistant to insulin. It is not able to use the insulin properly, leading to the presence of glucose in the blood. Apart from these two, gestational diabetes is the third type of diabetes that occurs in women. Gestational diabetes, as the name suggests occurs when a woman is pregnant, and is a result of hormonal changes. Though gestational diabetes does not stay after the baby is born, women who have gestational diabetes during pregnancy, are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in their life.
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B] Causes of Diabetes in Women

Type 1 diabetes is usually seen in people who have a family history of this disease. Moreover, people who are suffering from an abnormal immune response are also said to have this form of diabetes. Even in the case of type 2 diabetes, usually genetics do play a role. Other than this, it is also very common in people who are obese, who follow an unhealthy diet, and an unhealthy lifestyle. The chances of diabetes are higher in women of certain races, such as African-American, American Indian, Hispanic, etc. Women who suffer from the problem of ovarian cysts, or have infertility problems are also at a higher risk of having diabetes later in their lives.
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C] Symptoms of Diabetes in Women

Though signs of diabetes in women, and in men are mostly the same, there are a few which occur only in women. Let us take a look at some of the signs and symptoms of diabetes in women.

√ Unexplained weight loss is one of the common sign of type 1 diabetes in women. Our body is unable to use all the calories provided by the food we eat, even after following a healthy diet. Get yourself checked if you are losing quite some weight, even after eating properly and not much exercise.

√ Another symptom that is seen in both types of diabetes is the need to visit the washroom frequently. The human body tries to get rid of excess sugar through urine and hence, one feels the need to urinate often. This happens within very short periods of time, and is medically called Polyuria.

√ As excessive urination not only eliminates the extra sugar present in the body, but also large amounts of water, the individual may suffer from the problem of dehydration. Due to this, she may also experience excessive thirst (medically known as Polydipsia) throughout the day which is another symptom of diabetes in women.

√ One of the typical sign of type 2 diabetes in women is excessive eating, medically known as polyphagia. When a person has this type of diabetes, the level of insulin is very high in the body. As insulin aids in stimulating hunger, too much of it may make the person feel unnecessarily hungry, and eventually eat more than required.

√ Another symptom of diabetes in women, is the occurrence of skin infections, as well as a vaginal yeast infection, as diabetes is a condition that helps yeast grow easily. Diabetic women may also experience urinary tract infections very frequently.

√ Sexual dysfunction is also observed as a common symptom of diabetes in women. It is said that diabetic women may experience pain or discomfort while indulging in sexual intercourse, reduced vaginal sensitivity and vaginal lubrication, as well as an inability to achieve orgasm.

√ Apart from these physical symptoms, some psychological symptoms may also be seen in women affected by diabetes. They may experience extreme lethargy, agitation and may sometimes also feel irritable for no reason.

√ In case of gestational diabetes, no overt sign may be noticed. However, if a pregnant woman has high blood pressure, there are chances that she is suffering from gestational diabetes.

√ Diabetic retinopathy: In this condition, blood vessels in the retina are damaged. The diabetic retinopathy diseases also include cataract and glaucoma. In cataract, the lens in our eyes get clouded. In glaucoma, the fluid pressure in our eyes increases. This leads to nerve damage. Patients will notice a slight loss and/or blur in vision. There are 4 levels of retinopathy: mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative.

√ Diabetic Nephropathy: Our kidneys are made up of units known as nephrons. These units are responsible for filtering our blood, and eventually removing wastes from our body. When a person is affected with diabetes, his nephrons become thicker, and are scarred in time. They then start to leak, due to which protein is passed in our urine. The kidney is thus damaged over a period of time. Symptoms may include nausea, swelling of legs and headaches.

√ It is also said that diabetes people may suffer from depression. Though there hasn't been strong evidence to support this claim, it would suffice to say that people with diabetes are at a higher risk of depression. If you experience pangs of guilt and nervousness, or change in sleep patterns, loss in appetite, visit your doctor just to be sure you aren't suffering from diabetes. This isn't a sure symptom of the diseases, but why take chances.
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These were some of the signs of diabetes in women. Though most women experience these symptoms, in many cases, people suffering from type II diabetes, do not experience any symptoms for several years. Usually, type 2 diabetes is diagnosed after serious health problems, like heart attacks, or vision problems arise. Hence, it is important for every woman to get herself checked for diabetes regularly after the age of 40. Early detection of these symptoms of diabetes in women will ensure that the individual gets proper treatment to control blood sugar level, thus preventing any major complications connected to this disease.

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women Over 50

Heart diseases are the major causes of mortality in men and women over 50 years of age. Men and women are at an equal risk of suffering from heart attack. It is essential to be aware of its identifying signs and symptoms, in order to get the condition diagnosed and treated quickly.

Heart Attack in Women

It should be noted that the symptoms of heart attack vary according to gender. We all are aware of its classic symptoms like chest pain and breathlessness. The following classic symptoms can be observed in women, when suffering from heart attack.

Common Symptoms
Chest Pain: Women usually do not experience severe chest pain. They may have a feeling of tightness in the chest. A squeezing sensation or discomfort in the chest is experienced by women.
Difficulty in Breathing: Breathlessness or shortness of breath is another symptom that is usually observed. Women may experience difficulty in breathing for no noticeable reason.
Pain in Arms: This is one of the most common heart attack symptoms in women. Pain originates on the left side of the chest, and spreading to shoulder blades, arms, back and neck. Pain may even be experienced in shoulders, jaw and in the right arm.
Excessive sweating: People suffering from heart attack sweat profusely. This symptom is usually accompanied with other symptoms mentioned above.
Fatigue: If women experience excessive exhaustion and fatigue due to unexplained reasons, there may be chances of a heart attack.
Peculiarly, chest pain, as a symptom of heart disease, may not always be experienced by women. The following are the other signs of heart attack in women over 50 years of age. These symptoms accompany the aforementioned ones.

Other Notable Symptoms
Abnormal heartbeats
Anxiety
Heartburn
Nausea
Lightheadedness
Weakness
Vomiting
Exhaustion
Dizziness
Indigestion
Cough
Chills
Now, it may seem difficult to relate these symptoms to heart attack and look for immediate treatment. But, women should note that any of the aforementioned symptoms, if observed for unexplained reasons, should be bought to the doctor's notice immediately.

Risk in Younger Women

Although it is believed that heart attack is observed only in older women, i.e., above 50 years of age; recent studies have concluded that it can also be found in younger women. Therefore, the aforementioned symptoms are not limited to older women. Diabetes, stress and hypertension are considered as dominant causes of heart attack in younger women.

Facts About Heart Attack

♥ Heart attack is the number one cause of death in older women in several parts of the world.

♥ Statistics show that, lower number of women are found to survive a heart attack as compared to men; although there is no scientific reason supporting this observation.

♥ Women are slower to identify and respond to the symptoms of heart attack. Hence, they waste a lot of time in seeking help and treatment.

♥ It is a common misconception among women that symptoms of heart attack are like those shown in movies (chest pain, eyes popping out, falling, etc.). However, as aforementioned, many women do not experience these classic symptoms at all.

♥ It is a universal misconception that only older people (and only men) suffer from heart attack. But, note that young, skinny women are also prone to heart diseases (usually due to stress, cigarette smoking, family history, hypertension).

♥ Symptoms of heart attack and heartburn are often confused with each other. It is wise to have a thorough knowledge of both these conditions.
Risk Factors

Obesity and high levels of cholesterol are the major causes of heart attack in men and women. On the other hand, smoking, alcoholism, high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), stress, diabetes, lack of physical activity, and heredity, etc., are other significant factors leading to heart diseases.

Preventive Measures

➝ Obesity and high levels of cholesterol can be controlled by making healthy changes in your diet and lifestyle. It is essential to maintain a healthy body weight.

➝ You should have a healthy diet consisting of fresh food like fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. Avoid eating fatty and high cholesterol containing food.

➝ Exercising regularly for 20-30 minutes has proven to lower the risk of heart attack. You can undertake physical activity in any form daily to stay healthy and fit.

➝ You can reduce stress by using different techniques and relaxation methods.

➝ You should stop smoking and consuming alcohol in excess. Living an active and healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of heart diseases.

➝ Medications, specially those containing hormones, should be taken only on consulting the doctor.

➝ Lastly, note that a regular medical checkup is essential after the age of 50.
If a woman experiences any of these symptoms, she should immediately call for emergency treatment. Remember that it is essential to maintain proper heart health by following the aforementioned measures. Having knowledge about the symptoms can help in quicker access to treatment, which in turn, increases chances of survival. Take care!

Disclaimer: This information is meant for educational purposes only. It is not to be substituted for proper medical advice and consultation.

Oral Herpes Symptoms in Women

The scientific name for oral herpes is herpes labialis, and is one of the many diseases caused by the herpes simplex virus, including genital herpes, herpes whitlow - which affects the fingers, herpes keratitis - which affects the eye, and herpes simplex encephalitis - which affects the brain and central nervous system. The last two are serious medical conditions and are sometimes fatal. Herpes simplex virus can be of two types, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Oral herpes occurs when a person is infected with HSV-1. HSV-2 causes genital herpes. This is not always the case though, as sometimes oral herpes can also be caused by HSV-2 and genital herpes by HSV-1. Oral herpes can also cause genital herpes and vice versa. It is commonly known as cold sores or fever blisters.

Early Indications: Some of the early symptoms in women are oral sores and fever. At times asymptomatic infection can also occur, where there may be no immediate symptoms of infection, but they might appear at a later stage.

Diagnosis and How it Spreads: When the early symptoms of oral herpes appear, it means that the virus has invaded your mucous membrane and skin, leading to development of cold sores and fever. This causes severe itching and pain. After this it proceeds to your spine, holing up in the dorsal root ganglion, where it reproduces but remains relatively inactive. This is known as the latent period and is a distinguishing characteristic of the herpes virus. During times of stress in the future though, the virus may again become active and symptoms might reappear. The virus spreads on coming in direct physical contact with the infected person, through their open sores or their body fluids. When a person is infected with herpes it is best to avoid physical contact especially when the symptoms are evident. During the latent period i.e. when there are no signs of herpes, it is better to use a barrier or protection during physical intimacy.

Prevention: To prevent spreading of cold sores, it is best to avoid physical contact, especially when symptoms are showing, and exposed sores should be regularly cleaned. Kissing, hugging or touching should be avoided. Hands should be regularly washed. During sexual intercourse, it is best to use a condom, to prevent any chance of infection.

Treatment: Treatment of herpes is done by the use of antiviral drugs such as acyclovir and valacyclovir or Valtrex. These help in reducing symptoms of herpes to some extent. There are also a number of people recommending alternative therapies such as herbal remedies for herpes. The effectiveness of these medicines is still under dispute.

Oral herpes disease often is a painful and traumatic experience, and this can often cause a lot of public disapproval and personal discomfort. This disease can also be contracted unknowingly, as it does not always show symptoms and can be active from two to three days before symptoms recur. Although there might be itching or pain in the area before the actual sores appear, it is not always the case and the infected individual might spread the virus during this period without actually realizing about it. In order to avoid oral herpes in women it is recommended to maintain hygiene and take all precautionary measures into consideration at all times.

ALS Symptoms in Women

Did you know that about 20,000 people are affected with ALS in US alone? Besides, every year 5000 new cases of ALS are diagnosed. It equally affects people of all origins, ethnicities and geographic locations.
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that affects voluntary muscles in the body. The degeneration of motor neurons is responsible for this condition. It is basically a genetic disorder and about 5 to 10% of ALS cases are inherited. Earlier, it was believed that ALS is more prevalent in men than in women, however, studies have shown that women are equally susceptible to get this disease.

Early ALS Symptoms in Women
ALS is a slow invading disease which strikes people in the age group of 40 to 60, though it is not unusual to find younger patients. In this disease, the motor neurons present in the brain as well as in the spinal cord degenerate or die. This leads to impairment of the motor function in the entire body. ALS is also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, after the name of legendary baseball player, who fell prey to this disease. However, ALS is more commonly known to masses due to its other victim, world famous physicist Stephen Hawking. Due to the slow onset of the disease, the diagnosis is often delayed which limits the treatment options. Some of the early symptoms of ALS are listed below.

Muscle Weakness
Since, the disease attacks motor neurons, which are responsible for the movement of the body, the first signs of disease are exhibited through the malfunctioning of muscles. The person experiences unusual muscle fatigue and weakness, sometimes accompanied with muscle pain. Muscle cramps are also common at this stage. The person is unable to move arms, which further degenerates the motor neurons. The person finds it increasingly difficult to perform daily tasks such as dressing, washing, etc.

Difficulty in Walking
Imbalance, tripping, falling are some other symptoms of ALS which surface at an early stage. Since the muscles of leg become weak, they cannot support the body weight, which eventually results in falling or tripping.

No Control Over Expressions
Since the voluntary muscles begin to slow down their function, the person loses control over her expressions such as laughing or crying. If she starts laughing at some point, she may be unable to stop it for a long time. Similarly, if the person starts crying, it will be some time before she can regain the control over her expressions.

Dysphagia
Dysphagia is difficulty in swallowing food or liquids. Dysphagia is also attributable to the weakness of voluntary muscles of throat and mouth.

ALS Symptoms that Surface at a Later Stage
As the disease progresses to the later stages, the body begins to lose control over most of its voluntary functions. However, the noteworthy thing regarding ALS is that no matter how badly it affects the person physically, it rarely has any effect on the cognitive abilities of the person. The mind remains as sharp as ever unless there is an occurrence of Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). In some cases, this disease is known to have contributed to depression or memory loss. The senses of sight, touch, hearing, taste, smell, muscles of the eyes and bladder are rarely affected. The following ALS disease symptoms become prominent in the later stages:

Slurred Speech
As the disease affects the motor neurons responsible for speech, the person is unable to speak clearly. As a result, the speech is slurred.

Complete Loss of Movements
At this stage, the person completely loses her ability to move muscles. She is often bed ridden with a constant need of supervision. She becomes greatly dependent upon others to perform her daily tasks.

Breathing Difficulty
As the muscles of lung start to weaken, the person experiences, shortness of breath. This may give rise to various respiratory infections, such as pneumonia. The person may have to be kept on ventilation for the rest of her life. This is usually the last stage of the progression of the disease. Even with the aid of ventilator, the person still finds it difficult to thrive and usually succumbs to death.

ALS problems in women can only be discovered when the symptoms become more pronounced. Delayed ALS diagnosis in women may hamper the survival rate of an individual. There are no treatments for ALS that can completely cure the disease or reverse its effects on the body. However, palliative measures can be adopted to ease the symptoms and prolong the life of a patient.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for information purpose only, hence should not be used as a substitute for medical practitioner's advice.

Stress Symptoms in Women

Stress is often experienced by people due to today's fast-paced lifestyle. In the simplest way, it can be defined as a mental state which can result out of tension or strain. It can be experienced by men and women alike; usually of middle ages. But, it is found that women get more frazzled when they face stressful situations and circumstances. Excess stress can lead to other mental conditions like anxiety and depression.

Causes

In most of the cases, women suffer from excess stress because they carry out multiple roles at the same time, like managing work, family, relations, finances, etc. As mentioned above, identifying causes and symptoms of stress can help in finding a way out of it. Any issues related to the following conditions can cause stress in women.
Work related problems
Relationship problems
Financial problems
Loneliness
Health problems
Pregnancy
Peer pressure
Death of a close person
Symptoms

It should also be noted that stress reduces immunity, which itself can lead to further problems. Therefore, stress and health disorders form a vicious cycle. Not all symptoms mentioned below are observed in all women. The number and severity of symptoms vary from one person to the other.

Physical Symptoms:
Tension headaches and crying are the most prominent symptoms of stress observed in women. The frequency and duration of headaches vary from person to person. Apart from headaches, other symptoms like backache or stomach cramps are also observed. Another major symptom is insomnia, i.e. lack of sleep. If a woman suffers from excess stress, she is not able to sleep properly at night. This can even occur for several nights together which consequently results in severe headache and irritability. Women may also suffer from irregular monthly cycle, high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, migraine, hair loss, skin diseases, etc., due to stress.

Other stress symptoms in women are diarrhea, tightness in chest, difficulty in breathing and loss of sexual interest. Sometimes, these symptoms have a deeper outcome on a woman's health and mind. She may have constant thoughts about death, develop suicidal tendency, start smoking or having alcohol or even drugs. Skin diseases, rashes, weight gain or loss can also be the reactions caused due to stress in women. One should remember that stress has an ill-effect on the overall health of the person.

Behavioral Symptoms:
Irritability is one of the most common behavioral signs of stress. Irritability is often followed by other emotional and behavioral symptoms like anger, mood swings and weeping. Constant worrying, difficulty in concentration, frustration, etc., is also observed when a woman is under constant stress. These symptoms can lead to negative reactions like suspicion, frequent bouts of anger, forgetfulness, low self-esteem and depression. Loss of appetite, or excess food cravings are also some of secret signs of stress that need to be looked out for. Most of the symptoms are due to the feeling of helplessness that a woman experiences when she faces a stressful situation.

Stress Management for Women

Only when women are aware of the symptoms of stress, they can find ways to overcome it. In most of the cases, following simply self-help techniques can effectively help in reducing stress. Here are a few effective techniques of stress management.
Support from family and friends significantly helps in stress management. Rather than being lonely, if you share problems with your close people, you have lesser chances of suffering from the symptoms mentioned above.
You should remember that stressful situations arise in everyone's life; and, in order to face them, you need to have a positive attitude. In most of the cases, it is found that when in a stressful situation, people tend to blow things out of proportion. It is necessary to face the truth and try to find a solution as soon as possible.
Diet and exercise also plays a significant role in managing stress. Meditation and yoga are also popularly adopted by people for stress management. Specially, deep breathing exercises are very effective and can be performed at home, in your car or even at workplace.
Women must take a break from the regular routine. Pursuing a hobby regularly also acts a great stress buster. Simple activities like spending time with family, having an outing together with friends or having a relaxing massage can help in relieving stress and tension.
Following simple methods like having a balanced diet at regular times every day, having a good night's sleep, avoiding procrastination of work, managing and utilizing time properly, delegating work, having easy communication with family members, etc. can be helpful in the long run to reduce stress.
Lastly, also note that if you find stress beyond control and are unable to get rid of its effects, it is always wise to take professional help. This way, you can prevent severe health disorders resulting out of stress.
Only when you identify these signs, you can have effective treatment to avoid further health complications, and lead a healthy life. It should be noted that any medication meant for anxiety, depression or sleep disorders should be taken only on consulting the doctor.

HIV Symptoms in Women

Did You Know?If the number of HIV infected women continues to rise at present rate, they will outnumber men in near future. Besides, HIV assumes a more severe form in women.
HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of death among the developing and underdeveloped nations. Although, men are more likely to contract this disease, the number of female patients is also substantial. African-American women in the age group between 25 to 34 are the prime victims of HIV/AIDS. General HIV symptoms in women are pretty much similar to those in men. However in addition to these, they also exhibit other more pronounced and difficult to treat symptoms.

What are the HIV Symptoms in Women

Earliest HIV symptoms include fever, tiredness, enlarged lymph nodes etc. These symptoms appear within a week of exposure to the HIV. The early symptoms of HIV infection are often mistaken for other symptoms of viral infections. After this stage, the virus goes in a dormant phase for 10 years or more. Although, there are no peculiar symptoms in this phase, the virus continues to remain active inside the body and is capable of causing infection to others when transmitted. The more severe symptoms of HIV/AIDS in women start surfacing after 10 years. These symptoms are as follows:

Susceptibility to Infections
HIV/AIDS makes the woman extremely vulnerable to frequent yeast infections. The common symptoms of yeast infections are burning, itching and dryness of the vagina. The yeast infections make urinating or sexual act extremely painful. These yeast infections can be cured temporarily with the help of anti fungal creams, suppositories or certain medications.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is yet another infection that surfaces frequently in HIV infected women. This is a condition where there is an excess growth of bacteria in the vagina. The bacterial infection causes similar symptoms as in yeast infections. However, a discharge in the vagina may be present as well. An antibiotic treatment is sufficient to cure bacterial vaginosis. The treatment should be initiated without delay, if the woman is pregnant.

Susceptibility to Other STDs
HIV makes the woman susceptible to other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) as well. Thus, the woman is likely to contract chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes and the human papillomavirus (HPV). These diseases have their own set of individual symptoms, but generally include symptoms like nausea, fever, lower abdominal pain, lower back pain etc. Pain during intercourse and bleeding between menstrual cycle are some other symptoms of STDs. Interestingly, some STDs may not produce any of the above symptoms.

Susceptibility to Pelvic Diseases
Pelvic inflammatory disease which causes the inflammation of fallopian tubes, uterus and ovaries is a major disease that plagues the women suffering from HIV/AIDS. While there are no visible symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease, the disease continues to damage the internal organs.

Variations in Menstrual Cycle
Women who suffer from HIV/AIDS undergo considerable menstrual variations. These may range from spotting between periods, light bleeding to very heavy bleeding. Amenorrhea is the severe type of menstrual problem which involves complete cessation of the periods.

Other Women-specific Symptoms of HIV

» Frequent vaginal infections are often indicative of HIV infection, if you have been at the risk of transmission. These infections are difficult to treat and keep on recurring.

» HIV also brings about abnormal changes in the cervix. Conditions such as dysplasia, cervical cancer are often the result of undesirable cervical changes. These conditions can be detected through a pap smear test.

» Genital warts, ulcers are often reported in women suffering from HIV infection. These can be considered as symptoms of some other STDs.

» Some women may also notice abnormal vaginal discharge that is thick, cloudy and yellowish gray in color. Again this can be attributed to contraction of STDs.

General HIV Symptoms

Besides the above mentioned symptoms of HIV in women, there can be variety of other symptoms. These symptoms may surface anytime after the exposure to the virus or even several years later. The symptoms are as follows:
Lack of energy or severe fatigue.
Sudden, unexplained weight loss.
Frequent low-grade fevers and/or night sweats.
Frequent oral yeast infections.
Swollen lymph nodes.
Skin rashes or flaky skin that is difficult to heal.
Short-term amnesia.
Painful swallowing.
Coma.
Pneumonia.
Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis
HIV/AIDS is diagnosed by undertaking certain antibody tests. Presence of antibodies to HIV indicates a positive infection. Tests can be done if there is a known exposure to the virus or if any of the above mentioned symptoms surface. HIV symptoms can be difficult to interpret as they often coincide with those of other diseases. Thus, proper diagnostic measures are required to affirm the possibility of HIV/AIDS. Very early tests may not positively detect HIV, even though there has been contraction. Hence, it is recommended that you repeat the test after 3 months, if you suspect an exposure to the virus.

Treatment
As of now, there is no known treatment that can permanently cure AIDS. This is the reason why it still remains the most dreaded disease of the 21st century. However, medications can help control the infection and improve the quality of life of the patient. In addition, healthy dietary and lifestyle changes can also help in controlling the undesirable effects of this diseases. A combination of medications, diet and healthy lifestyle can help a person improve his survival chances to a great deal and lead a near normal life.

Since, there is no cure for AIDS, preventing it is the best way to combat it. Educate yourself regarding the various ways in which HIV transmission occurs, and take all necessary measures to protect yourself from this disease.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for information purpose only. Do not use the information presented herein as a substitute for medical practitioner's advice.

Underactive Thyroid Symptoms in Women

Women can experience a myriad of health problems, when the thyroid gland is not functioning properly. Thyroid is a butterfly-shaped endocrine gland, that is located at the base of the neck, just below the Adam's apple. Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) are the hormones produced by this gland, which are responsible for regulating almost all aspects of metabolism. The secretion of these hormones by the thyroid gland is controlled by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus.

The hypothalamus first signals the pituitary gland to release the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH or thyrotropin), which in turn, induces the thyroid gland to release T3 and T4 hormones. An underactive thyroid gland cannot make enough of T3 and T4 hormones, which can have an adverse effect on metabolism. An underproduction of thyroid hormones can produce a wide range of symptoms in women. Women have a greater risk for developing hypothyroidism and it has been observed that, they are four times more likely to develop an underactive thyroid gland, as compared to men. Further, the risk increases with age. The incidence of hypothyroidism or an underactive thyroid gland, is more among women older than 50 years.

Symptoms of an Underactive Thyroid GlandIn the initial stage of hypothyroidism, women may not observe any symptom, or experience some vague symptoms, like tiredness and depression, which they may attribute to aging. The symptoms of hypothyroidism usually develop slowly over a period of time. Basically, the symptoms are produced by a slowdown in the rate of metabolism, due to a low level of thyroid hormones. A few of the most common underactive thyroid symptoms in women are discussed below.

Weight Gain
Women with an underactive thyroid can put on weight, even after following a healthy and balanced diet. This happens due a slowdown in the rate of metabolism, as the thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormones required to maintain the normal rate.

Changes in Heart Rate
Thyroid hormones are responsible for regulating heart rate and hence, a low level of thyroid hormones can make the heart to beat slowly.

Unusual Tiredness
Fatigue or tiredness is one of the most common complaints among women having hypothyroidism. A deficiency of thyroid hormones can lower the energy level, for which the affected individual can feel tired or sluggish, even after taking adequate rest. Constant tiredness may eventually affect mood and cause depression in some women.

Hair Loss
Hair loss is the symptom, that one can experience with both hyper- and hypothyroidism. Women may experience hair loss on the scalp and the eyebrows, because of thyroid problems. However, hair can grow back, once the condition is treated.

Cold Intolerance
An increased sensitivity to cold is often observed in women with hypothyroidism. The thyroid hormones help maintain a constant body temperature and so, a deficiency of these hormones can result in cold intolerance.

Menstrual Irregularities
Both hyperthyroidism and an underactive thyroid gland can cause menstrual irregularities in women. Women with an underactive thyroid gland may experience heavier than normal menstrual periods, or frequent and longer periods.

An Enlarged Thyroid (Goiter)
Sometimes, the thyroid gland can enlarge, when there is an insufficient production of thyroid hormones. When the level of thyroid hormones are too low, the pituitary gland increases the production of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), so as to induce the thyroid gland to release T3 and T4 hormones. This constant stimulation can however, cause the gland to enlarge.

Constipation
Hypothyroidism can slow down the entire process of digestion, which can cause constipation in some individuals. An underactive thyroid can slow down the movement of stool in the digestive tract. When stool remains in the colon for too long, more water is reabsorbed from it, causing it to harden and dry up.

Dry and Pale Skin
Hypothyroidism can cause skin dryness, which in turn, may raise the risk for developing dermatitis. Additionally, the skin can become cold and pale. The skin of the soles and palms can become extremely dry and thick, due to an underactive thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can also cause carotenemia, where the skin can turn yellow due to a problem in vitamin A metabolism.

Edema or Fluid Retention
Hypothyroidism slows down many functions of the body, including the functions of the lymphatic system. Lymphatic system is concerned with the collection and transportation of fluid, from the intercellular spaces in the tissues to the bloodstream. When the lymphatic system is not working at its regular speed, fluid can accumulate inside the tissues and cause edema. This can become evident in swelling, especially in the hands, arms, ankles, and feet. Edema can also cause puffiness of the face.

Other Common Symptoms
Other common symptoms of an underactive thyroid in women are:
✦ Coarse and brittle hair
✦ Brittle nails
✦ Low blood pressure
✦ Muscle aches and weakness
✦ Muscle cramps
✦ Joint pain and stiffness
✦ Carpal tunnel syndrome
✦ Slow and sluggish reflexes
✦ Decreased sweating
✦ Sleepiness
✦ Loss of sex drive

If the condition remains untreated, then one can experience the following symptoms in the later stage.
✦ Hoarseness of the voice
✦ Slow speech
✦ Decreased taste and smell
✦ Thinning of the eyebrows
✦ Puffy face and hands
✦ Slurred speech
✦ Memory loss and confusion (in the elderly)

Women can sometimes develop hypothyroidism during or after pregnancy. The most commonly observed symptoms for this type of hypothyroidism are:
✦ Fatigue
✦ Dizziness
✦ Depression
✦ Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet
✦ An enlarged thyroid gland
✦ Problems with memory and concentration
Causes of HypothyroidismThe most common cause of hypothyroidism is the autoimmune condition, known as, Hashimoto's disease. In this disease, the tissues of the thyroid gland are attacked and destroyed by the immune system, but what exactly triggers such an immune response is not known accurately. At times, radioactive iodine and other anti-thyroid medications, used for the treatment of hyperthyroidism, can lead to hypothyroidism.

Some other risk factors for an underactive thyroid gland are, receiving radiation therapy for treating cancer of the head and neck, thyroid surgery, a personal or family history of autoimmune diseases, Down syndrome, iodine deficiency, pituitary disorders, and the use of medications like lithium and amiodarone. Some women can develop hypothyroidism during pregnancy, while others can get it after delivery too.
Diagnosis and TreatmentThe diagnosis typically involves physical examination of the thyroid gland and blood test, to determine the level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine. Hypothyroidism is usually treated with the medicine, levothyroxine, which is a synthetic thyroid hormone. Physicians usually recommend a low dose of this thyroid replacement drug in the initial stage, and observe how well the patient responds. Blood tests are then carried out every 2-3 months, to check the level of TSH hormone, in order to determine the correct dose of levothyroxine.

Once the correct dose is ascertained, blood tests are carried out once in a year to find out whether the dosage needs to be changed. Levothyroxine usually does not cause any side effect, if administered in the correct doses. A low or high dose of levothyroxine can however, cause several side effects. If left untreated, hypothyroidism can lead to several complications, out of which, heart problems, infertility, goiter, and an increased risk for infections, are worth mentioning.
Women with an underactive thyroid gland are more likely to give birth to babies with birth defects. The risk of miscarriage is also more in such women. Early diagnosis and treatment can however, help avoid the complications associated with untreated hypothyroidism. Therefore, it is very important not to neglect the symptoms of an underactive thyroid gland. Symptoms like continuous fatigue, muscle and joint pain, excessively coarse or brittle hair and nails, should be properly evaluated with the help of a physician, in order to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Disclaimer: This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be considered as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Kidney Stone Symptoms in Women

Did you know?
A single kidney can execute the functions, that in normal circumstances two kidneys perform. When we lose one kidney, the nephrons (the individual filter of the kidney) manage to filter as much blood as two kidneys would.
Kidneys are the filtering organ of our body that remove waste materials from the blood, which are then excreted from the body in the form of urine. Stones or stone-like hard masses develop, when minerals and acids present in the urine crystallize and accumulate inside the kidneys. If the stones are small, they can easily pass through the urinary tract, and then out of the body without causing discomfort. But, large stones can get stuck inside the urinary tract, and produce a host of symptoms, including severe pain. It has been observed that the occurrence of kidney stones is less in women than men. Nevertheless, women can also get these stones due to numerous reasons, and experience the painful symptoms.

Symptoms of Kidney Stones
Kidney stones symptoms in women are more or less similar to those experienced by men. These symptoms are usually produced when the stones gets stuck in the kidney, or come out of the kidney and enter the ureter and cause blockage and irritation. Such a situation can produce a number of symptoms, which are mentioned below.

Lower Back PainThe pain caused by kidney stones can be mild or severe, depending on their size. The small kidney stones can produce mild cramping pain in the lower abdomen and the back, which many women may confuse with the pain that they experience during menstruation. On the other hand, the large stones can cause blockage of the ureter, which in turn can result in muscle spasms, and dilation of the ureter and the renal pelvis. This can manifest in a type of sudden cramping pain in the lower abdomen and the groin area, that comes in waves. It is known as renal colic, and many women compare it with the pain of childbirth.

Painful UrinationThis symptom occurs when a kidney stone gets stuck in the ureter, and blocks the passage of urine either partially or completely. Along with pain, one can also experience a burning sensation while trying to pass urine.

Frequent Urge to UrinateLike painful urination, this symptom is also produced when the stone gets lodged inside the ureter, and pushes against the wall of the ureter.

Bloody or Cloudy UrinePresence of blood in urine (hematuria) can indicate an infection caused by kidney stones. Blood can also be present, when the stone becomes lodged in the urinary tract, especially inside the ureter and cuts the lining of the ureter. Some people having kidney stones can pass cloudy urine having a foul smell, which can be a symptom of kidney infection and/or a blocked ureter.

FeverAs mentioned above, kidney stones can cause infection at times, in which case, one can experience fever as well. The fever can be accompanied by chills. Infection usually results when a kidney stone blocks the passage of urine, or causes irritation in the urinary tract.

Nausea and VomitingPassing a kidney stone can be very painful, due to which one can get nausea and vomiting. Likewise, presence of an infection and fever, and the associated weakness can produce such symptoms.
Causes of Kidney Stones
There are different types of kidney stones, such as - calcium stones, oxalate stones, struvite stones, uric acid stones and cystine stones. Usually, kidney stones form when the urine becomes too concentrated and it contains more calcium, oxalate and uric acid than fluid. This allows such substances to crystallize and deposit in the kidney, eventually forming stones. Any factor that blocks the excretion of urine can cause the formation of kidney stones.

Sometimes, frequent urinary tract infection can also cause the development of kidney stones, which are known as struvite stones. Calcium stones are usually found in the form of calcium oxalate, and sometimes also as calcium phosphate. Calcium stones are the most common type of kidney stones which are formed when calcium, not used by the body, combine with phosphate or oxalate. Similarly, high levels of oxalate in the body can contribute to the formation of oxalate stones. Oxalate is a naturally occurring salt that can be found in a number of foods such as nuts, whole wheat, oatmeal, and chocolates.

Uric acid stones, on the other hand, are formed due to dehydration and over-consumption of foods rich in animal proteins, and alcoholic drinks. Medical conditions like, gout and certain metabolic disorders can promote the formation of uric acid stones, by increasing the level of uric acid in the urine. Cystine stones are quite rare. Usually people having a hereditary disorder (where the kidneys expel more cystine from the body, thereby increasing its level in the urine) are more susceptible to the formation of these stones.
Risk Factors
Certain factors have been observed to increase the risk of developing kidney stones. These factors are:Dehydration
A family history of kidney stones
A personal history of kidney stones
A diet rich in protein, sugar, and sodium, but poor in fiber
Obesity
Having an intestinal bypass surgery
Consuming calcium and vitamin D supplements in excess
Diseases of the digestive system such as diarrhea and inflammatory bowel disease.
Infections of the urinary tract
Medical conditions like hyperparathyroidism, cystinuria, gout, renal tubular acidosis, hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria, and hypercalciuria
Certain medications such as antacids, aspirin, and protease inhibitors

Diagnosis and Treatment
Clinical diagnosis of kidney stones is made on the basis of the symptoms, X-ray, and CT scan of the urinary tract, urine tests, and blood tests. The treatment for kidney stones depends on the type and the size of the stones. If the stone is small, then increasing fluid intake can help to flush it out from the body. Mild pain caused by small stones can be managed with the help of pain relievers like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. But, if the stone is large and is causing considerable pain, bleeding, and infection of the urinary tract, then invasive treatment would be required, which can involve the following procedures.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): This procedure uses ultrasound waves to create vibrations, which are strong enough to break the stones into pieces, so that they can easily pass through the urine. Such vibrations are called shock waves. The procedure can, however, cause pain. That's why, it is performed under light anesthesia. If the stone has lodged in the ureter, then it is captured with the help of a ureteroscope, which is passed into the ureter through the urethra and the bladder. Once the stone is captured, it is removed or broken down into smaller pieces with laser beam or shock waves.

Ureterorenoscopy: This procedure is used when the kidney stones get stuck in the ureter. It involves passing a ureteroscope into the ureter through the urethra and the bladder in order to locate the stone. Once the stone is located, it is either removed by using a specialized instrument, or is broken down into small pieces by the application of laser beams.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL): If the kidney stone is very large, then it is removed surgically, through this procedure. For surgical removal of the stone, a small incision is made in the back, through which a nephroscope (a telescopic instrument) is inserted into the kidney. Once the stone is located with the help of nephroscope, it is taken out of the body, or broken down into pieces by the application of laser or pneumatic energy. This procedure is usually employed for stones having a diameter of 21-30 mm, and also when the patient is obese and so, and not suitable for ESWL procedure.

Open Surgery: Open surgery for removing kidney stones is used only in rare instances, when the stone is abnormally large and is not possible to remove it with any of the aforementioned procedures. The same goes for some people with unusual anatomy, which makes them unsuitable for other treatment options. Open surgery is carried out by making a cut in the back, in order to gain access to the kidney and the ureter, so that the stone can be removed with the appropriate surgical instrument.

In addition to these four treatment options, sometimes surgery is performed to remove tumor/tumors developed in the parathyroid glands. A tumor formed in the parathyroid glands can cause hyperparathyroidism (overproduction of parathyroid hormone). This can result in the recurrence of calcium stones, as a high level of parathyroid hormone can increase the level of calcium in the body.
Preventive Measures
These simple tips can prove helpful in preventing the recurrence of kidney stones:Drink plenty of water throughout the day, as it will help to keep urine diluted and minimize the risk of getting kidney stones. This can help to flush out small kidney stones as well.
Reduce the intake of coffee and tea.
Avoid over-consumption of foods rich in oxalates, especially if there is a recurrence of calcium stones. Some oxalate rich foods are asparagus, rhubarb, beetroot, celery, parsley, leeks, spinach, sweet potatoes, soy products, nuts (almonds, cashew nuts and peanuts), oatmeal, whole wheat, berries and chocolates.
Reduce the consumption of animal proteins (meat, poultry, and fish), if kidney stones are found to be caused by a high level of uric acid.
Always take calcium supplements only after consulting your doctor, as these supplements have been observed to increase the risk of getting kidney stones.
Reduce the intake of salt.
Drinking some fruit juices, especially the citrus juices (orange or grapefruit juice) may lower the risk of stone formation in the kidneys.
Don't neglect the symptoms of a urinary tract infection. Seek your doctor's help to treat such an infection and prevent their recurrence.

A basic idea or knowledge about the kidney stones symptoms in both women and men is quite important to ensure early detection, and removal of the stones. So, be sure to seek immediate medical attention, if you experience symptoms like, an excruciating pain in the lower back area, blood in urine or pain while urinating, cloudy urine with a foul odor, and a pain accompanied by fever and chills. Remember that, kidney stones can sometimes lead to complications like, blockage, infection and inflammation, which can result in kidney damage.

Disclaimer:This article is for informative purposes only, and should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice.

Hernia Symptoms in Women

It is often wrongly assumed that hernia affects only men. Women and children can suffer from hernia too, although men are more prone to this condition. Very often, hernia in women is misdiagnosed as endometriosis, fibroids or ovarian cysts. A bulge or protrusion of an organ through the wall of the cavity containing it is called a hernia. There are many types of hernia. The most common symptom of hernia is pain. But some people with hernias might not experience any symptoms for months, which makes diagnosis quite difficult.

What Is Hernia?
An abnormal protrusion of a part of an organ through the cavity that encloses it is called hernia. This condition is because of laxity of muscles. Hernia protrusion is often seen through intestinal or abdominal fatty tissue, wall of a muscle, or a membrane. It is most often seen in the abdomen and upper thigh area. The term hernia, can be used to refer to other bulges, however, its usage is more often in terms of hernia of the abdominal wall. Hernia, by itself does not show symptoms, but, there is always the risk of blood supply being cut off. In such cases, it becomes an emergency and surgery might be required.

Common Hernia Symptoms
As mentioned earlier, symptoms of hernia vary depending upon the type of hernia. Some common symptoms of hernia are mentioned below:Bulge: As the protrusion makes it way through, a bulge or swelling becomes evident under the skin of the abdominal wall. Activities such as exercising, coughing, lifting puts more strain on the abdominal muscles, which in turn leads to increase in size of the protrusion.
Pain: Pain is one of the main symptoms of hernia. The degree of pain varies from dull to severe. Pain is caused due to the tissue being stretched or torn. The pain is often localized pain, directly on the hernia site itself. The other cause of pain is irritation or damage of the nerve, where the hernia is located.
Nausea, Vomiting and Constipation: If the hernia grows inside the intestine, it causes obstruction in the normal flow of food through the intestine. This results in nausea and vomiting. When the blockage is partial, it will lead to nausea without any signs of vomiting. At the same time, it can cause loss of appetite. In case of complete blockage of intestine, it can also cause severe constipation.
Urinary Problems: Like the intestine, if the bladder is blocked due to hernia, it can cause bladder stones, frequent infections in the urinary tract and increased frequency of urination.
Acid Reflux: When the protrusion bulges into the diaphragm, it gives rise to condition like heartburn, indigestion and other symptoms related to acid reflux. In some cases, it can also cause pain in the chest, upset stomach, sour taste in the mouth, etc.
Other Symptoms: Hernia can also cause impotence or painful intercourse in women.
Types of Hernia and their Symptoms
Symptoms of different types of hernia are dependent on their location. There are some types, which are more commonly seen in women as opposed to men. The location of the hernia, has an important role to play when one has to assess the hernia symptoms in women. Symptoms of some may seem to be similar to the others, while there are also some hernia, where no symptoms are experienced. Now let's see what are the different types of hernia along with their specific symptoms.

► Incisional Hernia: A bulge at the area of surgical incision is called incisional hernia. This type of hernia is also called ventral hernia. The bulge of the hernia is visible on the site where the incision was made, as often the muscles around the incision site become weak or lax. The cause of this condition is said to be pressure exerted on the abdominal tissue, intestines and muscles, which in turn cause the protrusion.

Symptoms
A noticeable bulge which is observed at the site of incision is one of the first symptoms of incisional hernia. Some amount of pain and tenderness is also experienced and pain usually becomes more pronounced when bending or coughing. The condition can turn into a serious problem, when intestine gets stuck into the tear and blood supply to the intestine is cut off. In such a case, the most commonly seen symptoms are nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain. If such a condition is seen, it is recommended, that you consult your health care professional at the earliest.


► Umbilical Hernia Although more common in children, umbilical hernias occur in adults too. In adults, umbilical hernias are more common in women, than in men. This condition is caused due to protrusion of the intestine through the abdominal muscle. It is also referred to as belly button hernia. People who are obese or suffer from chronic constipation are at a higher risk of developing umbilical hernia.

Symptoms
A soft swelling or bulge near the belly button is the most common symptom of umbilical hernia. Umbilical hernia is often not that painful, although a person might feel a slight tenderness. Sometimes such hernias can cause abdominal discomfort.


► Inguinal Hernia: Inguinal hernia is more common in men than in women. However, most women who have hernia, suffer from inguinal hernia. Inguinal hernia, also called groin hernia is a bulge in the abdominal wall in the groin area. If the protrusion is large enough, it might be seen or felt in the lower abdomen or on either side of the pelvic bone.

Symptoms
Sometimes inguinal hernia symptoms are not noticed and they may be discovered during a routine checkup. However, some people might suffer from severe pain. The pain may become more pronounced while bending, lifting objects, coughing, or after exercising. It can also cause discomfort in the groin.


► Hiatal Hernia In this condition, there is protrusion in the upper abdominal region from the stomach into the chest cavity. This protrusion may either cause tear in the diaphragm or weaken the diaphragm.

Symptoms
People suffering from hiatal hernia may experience pain in the chest region, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, etc. Acid reflux is also a common symptom of this type of hernia. The other symptoms include heartburn, regurgitation and nausea. It is important to note that most people who have hiatal hernia do not show any symptoms.


► Femoral Hernia: Femoral hernia is caused, often due to intestine protruding into the femoral canal. Although the canal is really small, sometimes the canal may be large enough for the intestine to make its way. Femoral hernias are more common in women than men. When a person is affected with this condition, it may be very difficult to treat the condition, as it is difficult to push the intestine back into its original place. Therefore, the chances of the intestine strangulation increases manifold. So, one should seek medical advice at the earliest.

Symptoms
The main symptom of femoral hernia is a bulge which can be seen either in the groin or around the mid thigh area. Nausea, vomiting and constipation are also observed in this type of hernia. Urinary problem can also be noticed. Women with femoral hernia can also suffer from painful intercourse.


► Obturator Hernia: This is a rare kind of hernia, which is more prevalent in elderly women. The protrusion is into the pelvic bone from the pelvic cavity.

Symptoms
In this case, a bulge will not be seen, however, the protrusion might cause obstruction to bowel movements, which in turn leads to nausea and vomiting. It is one of the most difficult type of hernia to diagnose, for there is no visible protrusion.


Treatment and Self-care Measures
As we have seen, some types of hernia are more common in women than in men. In most types of hernia, surgical method are used for treating the condition and the condition is repairable. However, sometimes there are chances that surgical intervention may not be possible or will have to be postponed, due to certain health complications. In such cases, different surgical items like belts may be prescribed to keep the condition under control. It is best to avoid activities, which can increase pressure on the abdominal region. Avoid lifting heavy weights or straining, as it often can aggravate the condition.

It is commonly seen that many people refuse to undergo hernia treatment for fear of surgery. However, it is important to note that it can be a life-threatening condition, hence it should not be neglected. It is best to let the physician decide the right line of treatment for hernia.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.