To treat any disease, doctors evaluate a number of factors like the cause, frequency, severity, duration, specific triggers, other illnesses, and the patient’s state of physical health, age, and gender. For progressive diseases, doctors evaluate the stages of the disease as well. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is one such health condition that continues to develop and intensify over time. People who can be at risk of developing COPD include smokers, passive smokers, those living in areas with heavy air pollution, and, although rare, those with a genetic disorder. Affecting the lungs, in particular, this is a group of diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that can disturb the normal breathing pattern in a patient by curbing the smooth movement of air inside and out of the lungs. Therefore, shortness of the breath and constant cough with or without phlegm are the most prevailing symptoms in people with COPD. By categorizing COPD into different stages, doctors can understand how the illness affects various people, weigh in the treatment options that can be adopted, and pay attention to the research required to prevent the onset of COPD. Spirometry is the most commonly used pulmonary function test that evaluates the efficient functioning of the lungs.

Alcohol addiction or alcoholism refers to the excessive consumption of alcohol and the inability to manage a drinking habit. It is hard to identify who has this condition as people often live in denial about it. Generally, people struggling with this condition feel like they cannot lead a normal life without alcohol; this can affect their relationships, career, and overall physical health. If left untreated, the addiction may go out of control. Identifying the basic symptoms of alcoholism and getting proper treatment can make a significant difference in one’s recovery. Some of the most common symptoms of alcoholism are: Making excuses for drinking Drinking alone Drinking in secrecy Loss of consciousness or blacking-out Constant nausea and vomiting Consuming alcohol the first thing in the morning Behavioral changes like aggression, agitation, compulsive behavior, self-destructive behavior, or lack of restraint Extreme mood swings Irregular drinking pattern Insomnia, which may be followed by oversleeping Not paying attention to personal and professional life Whether one is struggling with alcohol addiction themselves or knows someone else who is struggling, it is important to remember these basic symptoms. When alcohol becomes an obsession, it can be hard to focus on the daily routine, but with the help of treatment and support, alcoholism can be addressed and resolved.

Asthma is a condition wherein the airways become both narrow and swollen and end up producing extra amounts of mucus. As a result of this, breathing becomes difficult and the individual is triggered with coughing, shortness of breath, as well as wheezing. In the case of some people for whom asthma is mild, its impact is only minor, but in the case of those who suffer from severe forms of asthma quite frequently, their normal life is disrupted in many ways. There are individuals who are at the risk of life-threatening forms of asthma. There is absolutely zero cure for asthma, but there are various ways by which the symptoms can be managed efficiently. One fact that you need to be aware of is that asthma tends to change in its intensity and impact over time, and therefore it is important that you constantly work with your doctor to deal with this condition before allowing its symptoms to worsen. Doctors ensure to look for signs and triggers that impact you and keep track of the changing form to ensure that your treatment is adjusted accordingly from time to time. Symptoms for asthma Each individual tends to exhibit different signs and symptoms for this condition.

Leukemia is a disorder of the bone marrow that affects the white blood cells and the lymphatic system. The body’s white blood cells are responsible for fighting infections. They divide and grow in a systematic manner as per the requirements of the body. When a person develops leukemia, the bone marrow starts producing an excess quantity of abnormal white blood cells, which do not perform their regular functions. These abnormal white blood cells crowd the bone marrow and affect the production of healthy red blood cells and platelets in the blood. In this way, leukemia impairs the functions of these cells. Leukemia can either be acute or chronic Here is some additional information about them: Acute leukemia occurs when the abnormal white blood cells produced in the bone marrow do not grow, and so, do not perform their usual functions. This condition occurs suddenly, and the cancerous cells multiply and grow rapidly. These cells may spread to other organs in the body as well. It is the most common form of leukemia that affects children and needs to be treated immediately. Chronic leukemia occurs gradually, where abnormal cells grow and mature fully. The symptoms appear after the onset. In the initial stages, the symptoms may be mild, and the disease takes months or years to progress.

If chronic gout is left untreated, it can lead to various complications apart from joint damage and deformity. Some complications caused by untreated gout are: Joint and cartilage damage Deformity of joints Loss of mobility or a particular range of motions Bone loss Tophi Kidney stones Kidney diseases Why does gout lead to the formation of kidney stones? Uric acid stones are one of the four types of kidney stones, the other types being calcium, cystine, and struvite stones. Kidney stones are a hard mass of crystallized minerals that form in the kidneys or the urinary tract. Uric acid stones form when the urine is very acidic (with PH levels below 5.5). As the condition is caused by the buildup of high levels of uric acid in the body, a patient is prone to developing kidney stones. In people affected by the condition, uric acid forms spiky crystals that are painful. These crystals may also form a stone in the kidney or other parts of the urinary tract, and they cause severe pain. Around 15% of people with the condition have been affected by kidney stones. Also, certain medicines that are taken to lower the uric acid levels in the blood work by increasing the amount of uric acid excreted by the kidneys.