The good news is, the number of treatments offered for cancer patients is increasing every day. However, each one arrives with its own set of side-effects, both during and after the treatment. So dealing with cancer treatments and coping with its side effects go hand-in-hand. If you are aware of what the side effects of common cancer treatments are, then you could either prevent or manage them effectively. A few common cancer treatment side effects include the following: 1. Fatigue While the risk of developing cancer increases with age, so does fatigue. More elderly patients, especially those in the advanced stages who are receiving chemotherapy, and radiotherapy are prone to extreme tiredness. The production of both red and white blood cells in the body is reduced drastically, hence you could feel tired. Emotional anxiety and feelings of depression could also cause fatigue. Cope with fatigue by eating a well-balanced, nutritious diet every day, enjoying a moderate level of exercise, trying to follow a gentle and practical work pattern, and seeking support from friends and family when you really need it. 2. Feeling sick and nauseous Painkillers and medications used in chemotherapy, hormone and biological therapies, all are prone to cause some level of sickness to cancer patients.

There is a lot of stigma attached to sex during the menopausal stage and certain conditions can make it even worse. A large number of menopausal women tend to experience pain during sexual intercourse, and this can be due to a medical condition known as dyspareunia. The female body goes through significant changes during this time, including declining estrogen levels, which triggers many bodily changes. 1. Why does dyspareunia in menopause occur? The vaginal tissues change due to low estrogen levels, making sexual intercourse uncomfortable and painful. The pain may be mild or severe, but the condition is quite common. As many as 17%-45% of post-menopausal women complain of dyspareunia in menopause. During menopause, the vaginal tissues become dry and thin out, making penetration uncomfortable. Post-sex, women often feel a burning sensation in their vagina, accompanied by soreness. If this condition is left untreated, the inflammation might grow. It then leads to the vaginal area becoming so dry and devoid of sufficient lubrication that there can be major tearing or bleeding if you have sexual intercourse. Apart from the physical pain during intercourse, the fear of pain itself leads to problems in arousal. When you worry about the pain coming back, the vaginal muscles will become tighter involuntarily.

Hemophilia refers to a group of inherited disorders that affects the blood’s ability to clot. There are currently about 20,000 people in the country living with this condition. It poses a great risk to life in case of trauma or injury, which can lead to fatalities especially if a vital organ or the brain is affected. Bleeding into joints and muscles causes morbidity and disability and chronic pain is another effect of the disease. There are several important things to consider about hemophilia diagnosis and treatment, including the following: 1. Hemophilia in history The condition has been known and studied extensively since ancient times. The first medical professional who documented it was Abulcasis in the 10th Century. Since then, the inherited nature of the disorder has captured the imagination of the public at large. Known as the “Royal Disease” the mutation for the hemophilia gene was passed from Queen Victoria to the noble families of Europe. Not much was known at that time about hemophilia diagnosis and treatment. 2. Causes A defective gene that results in the absence of clotting factors in the blood is the cause of hemophilia. The gene is passed from mother to son, although the mother may only be a carrier and unlikely to have the disease herself.

For many alcohol and substance addicts, what started as a drink to unwind or a one-time drug experience turned into a habit that cannot be controlled. Many alcohol and drug users continue to abuse their bodies. Any user of alcohol or a drug needs to observe closely to start realizing that he or she has tread too long on a dangerous path. But what are the signs that point out the addiction in the user? Doctors and researchers state the following points that underline the addiction among users. 1. Increased frequency of usage As the intoxication seems to wear away soon, the frequency of usage gradually increases. 2. Diminished social behavior As the user gets more and more comfortable with the intoxication, he/she feels less outgoing and tends to cut off social obligations. 3. Avoidance or failure to meet work and academic obligations Socialising and responsibilities seem like a burden making the user less efficient at work and studies. Decreased focus and motivation to carry out tasks make the user fail at mundane and challenging tasks. 4. Increased withdrawal symptoms The addiction kicks in the urge for more intoxication — this makes withdrawal symptoms to appear more often. Thus, increasing the habit of drug and alcohol abuse.

Tardive dyskinesia is a type of chronic dyskinesia and can occur after long-term treatment using antipsychotic medications. These medications are commonly used to treat mental health disorders, like schizophrenia. The condition causes uncontrollable stiff and jerky movements in the face and body. Since the medications that can cause the condition are considered life-saving, it’s important to talk to your doctor if you begin to notice any symptoms. Some of the lifestyle tips for dyskinesia mentioned below provide a brief overview of how one can deal with chronic or tardive dyskinesia. 1. The role of medications Medication is one of the main causes of tardive dyskinesia. One of the lifestyle tips for dyskinesia is to control the use of medication that causes the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia. Interaction with doctors is also needed to manage the intake of medications and make changes if needed. It’s possible to include medications that would work just like dopamine. This can help in reducing the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia and bring the uncontrolled movements under control. This is, however, a temporary measure as once the new medication is stopped, the symptoms may return. 2. Manage stress Stress is a factor that has an impact on the symptoms caused by tardive dyskinesia.