Meningitis is an infection that causes swelling in the meninges, which are membranes that cover the brain and the spinal cord. It is mainly caused by bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. What is meningitis? The swelling of the meninges membrane around the brain and the spinal cord is called meningitis. In most cases, it is mainly caused by viral infections which can be treated in a few weeks. In rare cases, this condition is caused by bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections, which can be life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention. The symptoms of meningitis are a stiff neck, vomiting, confusion, sleepiness, sensitivity to light, among others. Some strains of meningitis can be contagious and can spread by sneezing, coughing or close contact. Different types of meningitis Bacterial meningitis: This condition is commonly caused after an ear infection, sinus infection, throat infection or a skull fracture and is fatal and life-threatening. If there are symptoms of severe fever, vomiting, and complete lack of energy, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately. Bacterial meningitis is commonly caused by direct bacterial invasion of the brain. In some cases, it is caused by bacteria that enter bloodstreams and reach the brain or spinal cord, causing serious brain damage.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder is a long-lasting mental illness in which a person will experience recurring unwanted thoughts or sensations, which are called obsessions that drives them to do something repetitively, which are called compulsions. It is a chronic condition which can affect a person’s job, family life, health, and can keep them away from leading a normal life. Symptoms People with the obsessive-compulsive disorder will have obsessions or compulsions, or both. Severe cases can affect one’s normal life. Obsessions Obsessions are consistent thoughts, images, or ideas that cause anxiety or disgust. Many people with obsessive-compulsive disorder know that their thoughts are not true. But still, it cannot be settled with reason or logic. The obsessive thoughts include: Worries about getting hurt Fear of germs or contamination The need for exactness or symmetry in everything Aggressive thoughts about oneself or others Suspicions and beliefs that can destroy relationships Compulsions Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or actions that arise out of consistent obsessions. Often, a constant repetition of all the actions will fill up one’s day, leaving normalcy or normal routines into the oblivion. The aim of such behavior is to prevent the distress caused by continuous obsessions. Some examples of compulsion include: Cleaning or washing several times in a row Repeating a particular task a specific number of times Repeatedly checking on things, like whether a switch is turned off, or a door is locked, or that the gas stove is off Compulsive counting Ordering or rearranging things in a particular manner Causes Doctors are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of the obsessive-compulsive disorder although it has been observed that certain areas of the brain may not look normal in people with OCD.

Today, anemia affects 24.8% of the world’s entire population. In the country alone, it affects 5.6% of the population. Anemia is a condition that is caused by a lack or loss of hemoglobin or red blood cells (RBCs) in the blood. The causes of the anemia depend on the type of anemia that one suffers from. Each type of anemia has a different cause. There are over 400 types of anemia. Some of the most common types of anemia and their causes are: Vitamin deficiency anemia When your diet lacks vitamin B-12 and folate, you are at risk of getting vitamin deficiency anemia. You are likely to acquire it if your body is unable to process the vitamin well. Vitamin B-12 and folate are required for red blood cell production in your blood. However, when you don’t have enough of these in your body, it cannot produce enough red blood cells. Iron deficiency anemia One of the most common types of anemia is caused due to iron deficiency. Mostly, pregnant women tend to suffer from this. This type of anemia usually occurs due to high levels of blood loss which take place due to problems such as ulcer cancer, regular consumption of aspirin, and menstrual bleeding.

Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive system. It is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation in the lining of the digestive tract. This chronic illness affects people in sudden spurts, followed by periods of no/minimal symptoms. These spurts are called flare-ups. Although this disease causes a lot of discomfort, it can be managed with a good diet and healthy lifestyle changes. As it is an autoimmune disorder, it cannot be fully cured. Any treatment taken is aimed at reducing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. Signs and symptoms The symptoms of Crohn’s disease are often vague and differ in severity from person to person. The symptoms can range from mild ones like occasional constipation, diarrhea, and cramps to more aggressive signs like fatigue and fever. Since this disease causes a lack of appetite and malabsorption of nutrients, it can lead to malnutrition and weight loss if not tackled on time. Some people can develop mouth sores, bloody stools, or sores in the anal region. Presence of one or two symptoms occasionally is not a cause for concern, but if these symptoms recur persistently and are severe in nature, it could probably be caused by Crohn’s disease.

There is no “one size fits all” solution to treat anxiety, and in today’s modern world there are more than a few ways to deal with it. The type of treatment for anxiety majorly depends on the triggers and symptoms exhibited by an individual in order to ensure that this disorder does not impact their natural wellbeing. Each individual is distinct and hence the approach is to try a few basic treatments or combine more than one to find the right course of action to deal with your anxiety in a constructive manner. Some of the main treatment options for anxiety disorders include – psychotherapy (a method by which a trained therapist can help you deal with anxiety in talking-therapy sessions), medications, exercise, and natural or complementary treatment methods. What are the usual types of medication prescribed for those with anxiety disorders? There is a wide range of medication in different combinations available to treat specific types of anxiety disorders. In most cases, the best course of action prescribed by professionals is to combine both medication and therapy so that the individual has natural ways to deal with anxiety scenarios rather than becoming dependent on mere medication. Based on the intensity of the disorder, medication can also be prescribed in combinations.