Bulimia nervosa is a severe eating disorder in which a person consumes a large quantity of food within a short period of time, after which there is a need to get rid of the food. Usually, the food will be expunged through purging in order to avoid weight gain. Purging may be induced through vomiting, excessive use of laxatives, long periods of exercising, and fasting. The condition can lead to serious complications such as dehydration, heart rhythm problems, and permanent damage to the esophagus. It most often begins in the teen years or young adulthood, but the disorder can occur at any age. In the United States, about 1.5 percent of females and 0.5 percent of males will be diagnosed with bulimia in their lifetimes. There are two common types of bulimia nervosa, which are as follows: Purging type – individuals with this type of bulimia engage in self-induced vomiting…

Liver failure happens when a large portion of the heart is damaged. At this point the liver is unable to function. This is a life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Most often, liver failure occurs gradually and over many years. However, a more rare condition known as acute liver failure occurs rapidly (in as little as 48 hours) and can be difficult to detect initially. Common Causes Liver Failure? The most common causes of chronic liver failure (where the liver fails over months to years) include: Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Long-term alcohol consumption Cirrhosis Hemochromatosis (an inherited disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron) Malnutrition The causes of acute liver failure however, are somewhat different and these include: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose Viruses including hepatitis A, B, and C (especially in children) Reactions to certain prescription and herbal medications Ingestion of poisonous wild mushrooms What Are the Symptoms of Liver…

An inexpensive and widely available drug could save the lives of one in three mothers who would otherwise bleed to death after childbirth, according to a major study published in The Lancet. The global trial of 20,000 women found that death due to bleeding was reduced by 31% if the treatment was given within three hours. The drug, called tranexamic acid (TXA), works by stopping blood clots from breaking down. The findings also show it reduced the need for urgent surgery to control bleeding (laparotomy) by more than a third (36%). Severe bleeding after childbirth (known as post-partum haemorrhage or PPH) is the leading cause of maternal death worldwide. More than 100,000 women globally die each year from the condition, but this clot-stabilising drug has the potential to reduce the number substantially. The WOMAN (World Maternal Antifibrinolytic) Trial recruited mothers from 193 hospitals in 21 countries, mainly in Africa…

Varicose veins are veins that are swollen and are raised above the skin. They can be blue, red, or flesh-colored. They often look like cords and appear twisted and bulging. These veins are often found on the thighs, backs of the calves, or the inside of the leg and can also form around the vagina and on the buttocks of pregnant women. Spider veins on the other hand are smaller than the varicose vein and are closer to the surface of the skin. Often, they are either red or blue. They can look like tree branches or spider webs with their short, jagged lines. They can be found on the legs and face and can cover either a very small or very large area of skin. Varicose veins can be caused by weak or damaged valves in the veins. Since veins have valves that act as one-way flaps to prevent blood…

A pelvic floor disorder (PFD) occurs when the muscles or connective tissues of the pelvic area weaken or are injured. The most common pelvic floor disorders are urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and pelvic organ prolapse. PFDs are more common among older women. People with pelvic floor disorders may experience: Urinary problems, such as an urgent need to urinate, painful urination or incomplete emptying of their bladder. Constipation, straining or pain during bowel movements is a sign of pelvic floor disorder, as well as pain or pressure in the vagina or rectum. The “pelvic floor” refers to a group of muscles that attach to the front, back, and sides of the pelvic bone and sacrum (the large fused bone at the bottom of your spine, just above the tailbone). Like a sling or hammock, these muscles support the organs in the pelvis, including the bladder, uterus or prostate, and rectum. They…

Fibromyalgia is the one of the most common musculoskeletal conditions. Still, it is often misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Its characteristics include widespread muscle and joint pain and fatigue, as well as other symptoms. Fibromyalgia can lead to depression and social isolation. It is still unclear why some people develop fibromyalgia. The exact cause is unknown, but it’s likely that a number of factors are involved which may include: Abnormal pain messages One of the main theories is that people with fibromyalgia have developed changes in the way the central nervous system processes the pain messages carried around the body. This could be due to changes to chemicals in the nervous system. The central nervous system (brain, spinal cord and nerves) transmits information all over the body through a network of specialized cells. Changes in the way this system works may explain why fibromyalgia results in constant feelings of and extreme sensitivity to, pain. Chemical imbalances It has been observed that…

Improving Health, controlling weight and Clearing Complexion So many of us live our lives constantly searching for health tips that will serve as preventive measures for what I would like to call “household illnesses” such as common head or body aches when in fact the solution may just be right in front of us. Sometimes, we feel overwhelmingly tired and achy with brain fag and blotchy skin. We even get disturbed about our weight; a common pain point for women which drives us to spend large sums of money for supplements and gym sessions all to no benefit. Dehydration may cause more harm than we think it does but most times we tend to ignore the obvious consequences and refuse to stay hydrated all the time. Having established that fact, it begs the question: Are you taking enough water? If you automatically assume you’re drinking enough water without being intentional…