Cold sores are painful, tiny blisters caused by an infection with the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). The symptoms can be pretty grave the first time an individual gets cold sores, and the first outbreak can make a child seriously ill. In most cases, the immune system forms antibodies after the first outbreak, which prevents further episodes. That said, certain factors can trigger recurrent cold sores in some people. 1. Stress This is a major cold sore trigger. Research suggests that feeling stressed can have serious implications on an individual’s mental and physical health. Mental stress also affects the immune system’s functioning, which can give the latent virus an opportunity to replicate. This can, in turn, lead to a recurrence of blisters. 2. Fatigue This is another common trigger for cold sores. Feeling run down and tired makes one susceptible to cold sores as a lack of energy takes a toll on the immune system, making it hard for the body to tackle the virus. So, one should get adequate rest to prevent fatigue-induced cold sores. It’s advisable to avoid anything that can hinder a good night’s rest, like late-evening caffeine intake, long naps during the day, or screen exposure just before bedtime.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is blood pressure in the arteries that go from the heart to the lungs. The blood flow across the lungs slows down due to constricted arteries, and the blood pressure rises in people with the condition. This forces the heart to work overtime to pump blood through the lungs, weakening the heart muscles and eventually causing heart failure. This article discusses a few effective treatment options for PAH. 1. Medications Different medicines can work in different ways. Some help relax the muscles that control the arteries to lower blood pressure, while others enable the lungs and the heart to work better. Medications are the most common treatment options for PAH and can be breathed in or administered as pills, through the skin, or intravenously. Commonly prescribed medications for PAH include the following: Vasodilators Blood vessel dilators or vasodilators can help open up narrowed or blocked blood vessels. They help improve oxygen and blood flow and relieve symptoms like shortness of breath. Calcium channel blockers These medications help reduce blood pressure by relaxing the muscles that are responsible for controlling the arteries. Before prescription, a medical expert will analyze how well these medicines work on an individual’s blood vessels with a vasodilator test.

Cervical cancer is a kind of cancer, which occurs in the cervix’s cells. Cervix is the uterus’ lower part, which annexes to the vagina. Different strains of the human papillomavirus have a significant role to play in causing cervical cancer. Depending on the cancer stage and your child-bearing preferences, the treatment options for cervical cancer are decided. Let us address the prevalent treatment options that are usually adopted.  1. Radiation In radiation, high beam X-rays are used to combat the cancer cells and curtail their growth. The radiation therapy might be performed either before or after the surgery. In some cases, radiation may also be performed if cancer has spread beyond the cervix.  Radiation therapy may be performed in two ways:  Brachytherapy In this, radiation is performed via a small device placed inside the body, near the cervix. It is done when the cancer is in its early stage. This therapy might be given either at home or in the hospital. External beam radiation therapy It is performed in conjunction with brachytherapy to ensure that the advanced cervical cancer does not relapse. This therapy is given via a machine outside the body. It is given in smaller bursts, only once a day, and may continue for the next five to six weeks for five days a week.

Cancer is a severe health condition where the body’s cells begin to mutate and spread uncontrollably. The disease can lead to many signs and symptoms. Some signs show in the early stages and must be evaluated immediately, while others like fever or weight loss develop only as the condition progresses. Besides, the symptoms also vary depending on the type of cancer. Here, we will discuss some of the most common warning signs of cancer. 1. Pain Pain is one of the common warning signs of cancer. It is usually experienced in specific locations where the cancer cells are present. For instance, bone cancer patients experience pain in the bones, especially in the back, legs, and ribs. Brain tumors, on the other hand, might lead to headaches that can go on for days. Unfortunately, since pain is common in many health conditions, the sign is often ignored. 2. Skin changes This is another common warning sign of cancer. To diagnose the problem, doctors examine the patient’s skin for new or unusual moles, marks, or bumps on the body. Although such skin changes are mostly a sign of skin cancer, they could appear in other kinds of cancer as well. If the skin looks red or yellow, seems darkened, itches, has an unexplained rash, or sprouts more hair, it may be a sign of lymphoma, kidney, ovarian, or liver cancer.

Sleep apnea is a prevalent health condition, which may stop your breathing for a short while in the middle of sleep. Unfortunately, people with sleep apnea are unable to take in adequate oxygen. Consequently, they wake up from their slumber, gasping for breath. Some people are unaware of their sleep apnea, but timely diagnosis is vital as sleep apnea may have serious health complications. Here, we will address some popular treatment options for sleep apnea.  Popular treatment options for sleep apnea 1. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine During sleep apnea, the muscles in the throat tend to relax. Consequently, the soft tissues curtail the airway. To prevent that from happening, the doctor might recommend a CPAP or continuous positive airway pressure machine. It is one of the most prevalent and reliable methods of treating sleep apnea. The device does a great job at pushing a steady air stream via a mask, which you will wear while sleeping. The mask helps keep the airway open. Wearing this mask would lower your snoring and better your quality of sleep.  2. Bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP or BPAP) This device is used in people who cannot adapt to CPAP. Alternatively, doctors may even recommend a BiPAP machine for central sleep apnea patients who need special assistance to tackle the weak breathing pattern.