The food we consume every day mostly consists of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. However, there are other essential organic and inorganic constituents, which are equally important for our health. Vitamins are one such organic component of food. Although we only need to include minute quantities of these in our everyday diet, they play a significant role in maintaining an individual’s growth and metabolism. Any person’s healthy appearance comes not only from energy-yielding proteins, carbohydrates, and fats but also from other components like vitamins, minerals, and water. Sources of vitamins Vitamins are a protective food that is essential to ensure that the human body functions normally. Vitamins are crucial since they cannot be synthesized in the human body. Therefore, whenever there is disequilibrium in its quantity, one needs to take supplements to ensure a balanced intake. Since plants can synthesize vitamins, animal foods like meat, fish, eggs, liver, and milk can be a good way to replenish a vitamin imbalance. When humans eat animals that feed on plants, vitamins are transferred to the human body. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, cannot be found in foods of plant origin. Animal-based foods are an abundant source of this vitamin. Vitamin B12 that is synthesized by the intestinal bacteria in humans is not enough to meet the daily requirements. In such cases, vitamin B12 supplements are a lifesaver. Kinds of vitamins Vitamins are of two types, fat-soluble and water-soluble. The B complex groups of vitamins like thiamine, niacin, folic acid, riboflavin, cobalamin, riboflavin, and biotin are water-soluble. Hydroxycobalamin, chlorocobalamin, cyan cobalamin, and nitro cobalamin are few active forms of vitamin B12. Functions of vitamin B12 All vitamins which are a part of vitamin B-Complex act as coenzymes and vitamin B12 is no exception. Vitamin B12 acts as coenzymes in different chemical reactions in the body, in the form of cobamide, which is involved in the formation of DNA.

Our skin is nothing but a protective shell for our body, and it protects us from numerous toxic things like harmful chemicals, UV rays, and various cuts and scrapes. As a result of these factors, the skin often changes its texture and color, and at times rashes may also appear. Usually, skin inflammation causes these rashes, and there are numerous reasons behind this inflammation. You can see different patterns of skin rashes in conditions like granuloma annulare, eczema, pityriasis rosea, lichen planus, acne, razor burns, and so on. The article below highlights the different types of skin rashes and their treatments. Acne Acne is perhaps the most common problem that people face. Numerous factors lead to irritating red bumps on your skin. Heavy sweating, stress, humidity or consuming steroids can lead to skin rashes. Even if you maintain perfect personal hygiene, you may get acne because of washing your face too often. If you are facing this problem in your daily life, you should consult a general physician or a dermatologist to identify the underlying issue and cure it. You can also find numerous home remedies to deal with acne. Razor burn Men usually face this problem along with redness, blisters, and rashes due to shaving. To prevent this problem, you should be careful while shaving your face. You should wash your face with warm water and use sharp and clean blades. Nowadays, you can find different shaving gels and other lubricants which can help prevent these rashes. Moreover, you can also use aloe vera-based soothing lotions to soothe the skin and treat any skin rashes. Sunburn UV radiation could affect our skin and lead to rashes. Melanin protects our skin from UV radiation. You can take adequate precautions like using hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen, but the lack of vitamin E can result in painful sunburns.

As we age, our health gets worse and the list of medical tests we need to determine our current condition of health grows longer and longer. At times we tend to skip our tests because of our busy frame of mind, or because we think that we do not need them. When it comes to a bone density test, one should get the test done every few years. A bone density test is vital in determining the strength of our bones. The test is also called a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry or DEXA scan. It helps us determine if we are suffering from any bone loss that can lead to disabilities and fractures in the future, giving us an overview of our overall bone health. Bone density and bone health tests should not be skipped as they can help us determine the condition of our bones. Most men under the age of 70 and women under the age of 65 do not require the test, but this does not mean we should skip it altogether. Here is all one needs to know about the bone density test and why one should get it done today. What is a Bone density Test? A bone density test enables doctors to diagnose brittle bones and help us seek appropriate treatment measures. Osteoporosis is a condition in which the bones become so weak that they are at the point of breaking. A bone density test is used to determine the risk of the above-mentioned disease and fractures. It also enables doctors to put a treatment plan in place for the underlying condition. How is a Bone Density Test Performed? A bone density test is a painless and simple procedure. A patient is made to lie on a padded table with an X-ray generator positioned right underneath the patient, and an imaging device just above.

Usually, an inflammation of the colon (also referred to as the large intestine) is known as colitis. It is a disease that has varied symptoms in different people. Colitis can be of different types such as: Microscopic colitis Ischemic colitis Inflammatory bowel disease colitis (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) Chemical colitis Pseudomembranous colitis Infectious colitis such as food poisoning, and infections caused by bacteria or parasites Depending on the type of colitis you have, your symptoms can vary. To pick the right treatment for colitis, it is crucial to get an accurate diagnosis. Here is a list of some colitis symptoms that will help you understand when you should consult a healthcare professional. Symptoms of colitis According to various medical study reports, most of the times, colitis is associated with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Pain caused by inflammation The muscle layers undergo intermittent spasms due to colon inflammation. This intermittent spasm causes cramp-like or colicky pain, which comes and goes. Usually, the affected person feels this pain in the lower abdomen. However, you might feel this pain at any point along the course of the colon. Due to the colitis, the body is unable to reabsorb water properly because any ingested food or drinks move through the colon rapidly as the muscles cannot contract in their regular pattern. All of this leads to watery diarrhea. If the colon lining breaks down and becomes inflamed, the affected person might experience bleeding. In the case of ulcerative colitis, small ulcers form and cause bleeding. Pain caused by diarrhea Often, the pain caused by colitis that involves the distal colon (sigmoid colon and rectum) increases gradually preceding a bowel movement. The pain might subside after the diarrheal bowel movement, but it can return with the next diarrheal episode. Also, the affected person may get the urgent feeling of wanting to go to the loo.

Osteoporosis makes your bones fragile and brittle by reducing the quality of your bones. Read on to know more about the different osteoporosis symptoms. Osteoporosis is a disorder that causes your bones to become so weak and brittle that sometimes, even activities like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Some of the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis happen in your hip, wrist, and spine. About 200 million women all over the world suffer from this debilitating disorder, and it is more common in white and Asian women. As the bones are living tissue, the old bones in your body are constantly being broken down to create new bones and this rebuilding process is termed as ‘remodeling’. However, when the remodeling pace does not keep up with the pace of the breaking down of the bones, the bones become weak, brittle, and fragile, leading to osteoporosis. It is clear how this disorder develops over a period of time, however, what is not clear is what exactly causes osteoporosis. There are, however, certain risk factors that are associated with the development of this disorder. These are your race, body frame size, age, family history, sex, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and eating disorders. Osteoporosis is typically diagnosed by a bone density test, which involves the use of X-rays to scan the body. The treatment methods that are generally used for osteoporosis mainly depend upon your risk of a fracture. If your risk is low, the treatment plan will mainly involve lifestyle changes and modifications that can reduce the risk factors related to osteoporosis. If you are at a higher risk of breaking a bone, the doctor will prescribe you medications like Actonel, Binosto, Boniva, and Fosamax. Osteoporosis is mainly regarded as a silent disease because there are no telltale signs and symptoms in its early stages.

Hemophilia is an inherited blood disorder in which individuals are not born with a “clotting factor” that helps to heal critical injuries. This is why hemophilia patients bleed for a longer time externally and internally. According to the National Hemophilia Foundation, there are two main types of hemophilia – A and B. The third type, known as hemophilia C, is an extremely rare condition. Each of the types is associated with a specific factor. Hemophilia A Hemophilia A is linked to the deficiency or defective Factor VIII. It is typically passed down from parents to children; however, one-third of cases had no prior family history. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this type occurs in one in about 5600 births. The X chromosome carries the genes of hemophilia. There are two X chromosomes inherited by females, one from their mother and one from the father (XX). Males inherit one X chromosome from their mother and one Y chromosome from their father (XY). This means that the chances of males getting hemophilia from their mothers are higher. Since females have XX chromosomes, even if they carry the hemophilia gene from the mother, most likely they will inherit healthy chromosomes from their father, thus making their chances significantly less. Hemophilia A has three stages depending on the ratio of Factor VIII clotting protein in the blood. Mild hemophilia A has 6-30%, moderate has 1-5% and severe has less than 1%. Hemophilia B Hemophilia B is linked to the deficiency or defective Factor IX. It is also called the Christmas disease and is four times less common than hemophilia A. Genetics of this type are the same as mentioned earlier. A female who inherits hemophilia chromosomes is called a carrier since she can pass it on to her children.

Nasal polyps are soft, benign growths that occur on the inner linings of the nasal passages, otherwise known as sinuses. In some cases, these polyps can grow incredibly large and cause breathing problems and other complications. Moreover, they can also lead to different kinds of frequent infections if not treated on time. These are often observed in people who have asthma, a recurring infection, allergies, or other similar disorders. Symptoms Small nasal polyps can often go unnoticed since they do not affect one’s quality of life in any way. Polyps are only diagnosed when they grow to be considerably large and cause blockages in the nasal pathways. Nasal polyps also lead to chronic sinusitis that can often be diagnosed through symptoms like a runny and stuffy nose, poor sense of smell, headache and pain in the facial muscles, and frequent nosebleeds. If a person starts having trouble breathing or they experience swelling around the eyes and double vision, they must immediately consult a doctor. Risk factors of nasal polyps Although nasal polyps can occur in any individual in their 30s or 40s, there are certain health conditions that make people more vulnerable to nasal polyps. These are conditions that cause long-term irritation and swelling in the nasal passages and restrict breathing. Asthma is one of the most common health conditions associated with nasal polyps. Other conditions include cystic fibrosis, Churg-Strauss syndrome, and health concerns, like aspirin sensitivity and vitamin D deficiency. It is also noted that people with a family history of nasal polyps are more likely to develop them sometime in their life. Foods that help prevent nasal polyps People who are suffering from asthma or certain allergies, as well as those with a family history of nasal polyps are more vulnerable to developing the condition. There are certain foods that can help prevent the growth of nasal polyps in such individuals.