It is common for people to have episodes of forgetfulness. However, in the case of people with Alzheimer’s forgetfulness is an addition to certain ongoing behavior and symptoms that worsen over time. Some of such symptoms are: Memory loss that affects normal day to day activities. Inability to do familiar tasks. Having problem-solving difficulties Speech or writing difficulties A decrease in judgment levels Being disoriented with regard to time or places A decrease in personal hygiene Personality and mood changes Societal withdrawal (family, friends, and community) Depending on the stage of the disease, the symptoms usually vary. When the disease progresses the symptoms become severe. At this stage, control over physical functions are lost and dependency on caretakers increases. They tend to sleep more often too. Recognition of loved ones and communication is poor. Symptoms of severe Alzheimer’s disease are: Loss of weight Seizures Lack of control in bladder and bowel movement Infections of the skin, making groaning, mourning or grunting sounds Difficulty in swallowing People with the last stage Alzheimer’s disease also have to deal with complications arising due to loss of physical function. They are at risk of getting pneumonia due to difficulty in swallowing which results in inhaling liquids into the lungs.

Dry skin, also known as xeroderma, is the presence of flaky, rough skin which can have cracks. The causes of dry skin can be classified into external and internal factors. In most cases, there are multiple causes resulting in dry skin and not just a single one. External factors are quite common causes of dry skin and lead to it at periodic intervals. Factors such as cold temperatures and low humidity during winter, when central heaters are used, are a common cause for developing dry skin. Internal factors are ones like overall health, age, family history, genetics and a history of other medical conditions. If the patient has a history of thyroid diseases, in particular, they are more prone to developing this condition. External factors that cause dry skin Excessive washing with harsh soaps Overuse of lipid solvents and sanitizers Low humidity Cold temperatures One tends to have dry skin after taking a bath in hot water since the heat leaches the moisture from the skin. Overly tight skin after bathing indicates the excessive removal of water and natural oils from it. Frequent application of harsh soaps is known to be the most common factors of dry skin as they are emulsifying agents that strip the skin of essential oils.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ on the right side of the abdomen just beneath the liver. It is attached to the liver by loose connective tissues. The gallbladder holds the digestive fluid bile, which is produced by the liver. In humans, the liver continually produces bile, around 400 to 800 ml every day. What is bile? Bile, also called gall, is a dark green to a yellowish brown color fluid which emulsifies the lipids in the food. After eating, the stored bile is discharged into the duodenum. It increases the absorption of fat-soluble substances like vitamins A, D, E and K. Bile is also the exit route for bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cells, which is recycled by the liver. The absence of bile in the body will lead to deficiencies in essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins. As bile is continually produced and secreted, the excess bile flows into the gallbladder. At intervals, during digestion, the gallbladder contracts and squirts out its contents into the intestines, through the bile ducts. What are gallstones? Gallstones are small stone-like deposits which form in the gallbladder. They may vary from the size of a pea to a golf ball sized stone.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common problems of the digestive system. It is a functional disorder and long-term condition that causes recurring pain or discomfort in the abdomen and altered bowel habits. Women are more likely to be affected by IBS and tend to have more severe symptoms. One is most likely to get the condition in teenage and early adulthood. It is also known as spastic colon. Generally, it is a type of gastrointestinal disorder. Signs and symptoms The signs and symptoms associated with IBS may vary from person to person. Abdominal pain, bloating, or cramping that is typically relieved or partially relieved after passing a bowel movement Mucus in the stool Excess gas Diarrhea or constipations—sometimes, alternating between bouts of diarrhea and constipation Causes The exact cause of IBS is still unknown. The factors that appear to play a part are: Muscle contractions in the intestine – Layers of muscle that line the walls of the intestines contract as they move food through the digestive tract. Stronger and longer than normal contractions can cause gas, diarrhea, and constipation. Weak intestinal contractions can slow down the food passage and cause hard and dry stools. Nervous system – The irregularities in the nerves of the digestive system can cause more than normal discomfort when the abdomen stretches because of gas or stool.

Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes swelling, ulceration, and loss of function of the large intestine and rectum. It causes long-lasting inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. It also affects the innermost part of the large intestine, which is the colon and the rectum. Its symptoms don’t develop suddenly but develop over time. This disease can be unbearable and can sometimes lead to serious complications. There is no known cure for the disease, but treatment can reduce signs and symptoms of the disease with long-term remission. Causes The exact cause of ulcerative colitis is not known yet. It has been considered as an autoimmune disease wherein the healthy intestinal cells and tissues are attacked by the intestinal immune system, which is a genetically inherited disease. The people who have a first-degree relative with ulcerative colitis are more likely to develop the disease. The lifestyle factors such as stress may also play a role along with the environmental factors, which may worsen the symptoms, though it does not cause ulcerative colitis. Symptoms Diarrhea and lower abdominal pain are common symptoms. The sensation of urgent need to pass bowels is also a sign for ulcerative colitis. The following other symptoms that may be experienced in individuals with ulcerative colitis include: