Hormonal changes: Does menopause worsen rheumatoid arthritis symptoms?

Hormone changes caused by menopause make rheumatoid arthritis symptoms worse in women, according to a study. After studying 8189 women with rheumatoid arthritis, researchers found that pre-menopausal women experienced a slower physical decline than those that were post-menopausal. Physical function is an important aspect of study in patients with rheumatoid arthritis as it impacts their quality of life. Women experience rheumatoid arthritis at a rate three times greater than men, and also have more severe decline and increased disability, yet the sex-based differences in the condition remain poorly understood. Previous…

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Suffering from arthritis? Follow these 6 hand exercises to relieve painful symptoms

Arthritis, which means ‘inflammation of the joints’, is actually a symptom that has a number of causes. The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by local structural changes in specific joints; while rheumatoid arthritis, the next most common type, is a systemic disease affecting the entire body. There’s currently no cure for arthritis, but some treatments could help to reduce some of the painful symptoms. Here are some simple exercises that could help to relieve some of the arthritic joint pain: 1) Fist clenching Beginning with…

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Anxiety, depression in young people could be early symptoms of bipolar disorder

A study has recently found that early anxiety and disorders of attention or behaviour are two patterns of psychiatric symptoms that may help to identify young people at increased risk of developing bipolar disorder (BD). According to researchers, early signs of BD can fall into a relatively characteristic “homotypic” pattern, consisting mainly of symptoms or other features associated with mood disorders; or a “heterotypic” pattern of other symptoms including anxiety and disruptive behaviour. Environmental risk factors and exposures can also contribute to BD risk. The team analysed data from 39…

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Acne – Causes, Signs, Symptoms & Prevention

Acne is a big concern, especially for women in their 20s. However, it would be wrong to say that men don’t suffer from acne. To many, acne is also known as blemishes, blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or cysts. It is most common during puberty and adolescence. According to recent data, almost 80 per cent of people in the age group of 11 to 30 years have acne outbreak at least once. Having said that, even adults are not fully immune. The number is low, but people in their 40s and 50s also…

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Alcohol and Substance Abuse May Worsen PTSD Symptoms

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) refers to a disorder wherein a person may fail to recover after experiencing a terrifying event. It can trigger anxiety and dreadful memories of the incident. Veterans or people from the armed forces may be at a higher risk of developing PTSD as they are often exposed to life-threatening experiences and tough combat. Millitary services and many other local organisations offer help to veterans to overcome this disorder. However, sometimes they may turn to alcohol and substance abuse to numb distress and ease the anxiety. But…

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World Thyroid Day: Foods to Eat and Avoid to Manage Common Thyroid Disorder Symptoms

World Thyroid Day is commemorated every year on 25th May globally by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) along with other International thyroid societies. Thyroid is an important gland found at the base of the neck that produces, stores and releases two important hormones which are Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). The thyroid gland is able to carry out its functions with the help of iodine derived from the food we eat. Therefore, our diet plays an important role in the risk of developing thyroid problems and also managing them. The two most…

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