Multiple sclerosis affects and severely damages the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). It is a long-lasting disease which can cause problems with vision, muscle control, balance, and other basic bodily functions. The symptoms, duration, and severity vary from person to person. Some people are lucky to be symptom-free for most of their lives while others suffer from severe chronic symptoms that never go away. The symptoms also vary depending on the amount of nerve damage and which nerves are affected. Multiple sclerosis occurs when the immune system attacks a fatty material (myelin), which wraps around the nerve fibers to protect them. The nerves become damaged and scar tissues are formed. Because of the damage, the brain is unable to send correct signals to the body. The common symptoms of this condition are: Difficulties in walking Tiredness Fatigue Blurred vision Numbness and tingling Muscle weakness Pain Poor control over bladder/bowel movements Sexual problems Depression Poor memory/difficulties with concentration Other than the common symptoms mentioned above, there could be some other symptoms which are less significant but could actually be signs of multiple sclerosis. If such symptoms are persistent, it is advisable to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

The colon is a part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract or digestive system. It is more commonly known as the large intestine. Each organ in the GI tract has its role cut out. The esophagus sends the food to the stomach. After digestion in the stomach, the nutrients are distributed to the body from the small intestine, and from there the leftovers reach the colon. The colon has to absorb the water from the waste material and send the remaining solids as a fecal matter to the rectum. The colon also needs to hydrate. The juices and enzymes necessary for this entire digestion process are produced by pancreas, liver, and gallbladder. Involuntary muscular movements pass the food from one organ to the other through the digestion process and it takes about 36 hours to complete. The colon is about 5 feet long. It is a long curved, hollow tube that is in the abdominal cavity. It is connected with the small intestine on one side and the rectum on the other. The four parts of the colon are – ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, and sigmoid colon. If the colon is unable to function properly it sends many signals like a pain in the abdomen and disturbance in the bowel movements causing constipation or diarrhea, bleeding, unexplained loss of weight, and fever.

Although carcinoid tumors may occur anywhere, most cases report them either in the lungs or the digestive tract (stomach, small intestine, appendix, colon, rectum). The symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment vary for both of these cases of carcinoid tumors. Carcinoid tumors in the lungs Carcinoid tumors in the lungs are a very slow-growing type of lung cancer. These tumors are formed in the neuroendocrine cells scattered in the lungs. People who smoke or have a family history of lung carcinoid tumors, or are suffering from multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) are at high risk of getting lung carcinoid tumors. There are two types of lung carcinoid tumors namely – typical carcinoids and atypical carcinoids. Typical carcinoids grow very slowly and don’t usually spread outside the lungs. Atypical carcinoids, on the other hand, grow quickly and can spread to the surrounding organs and tissues. Lung carcinoid tumors are diagnosed by conducting routine lab tests or performing procedures such as – chest X-ray, CT scan, PET scan, MRI scan, MIBG scan, sputum cytology, biopsy, bronchoscopy, blood tests or urine tests. Some of the most common symptoms of carcinoid tumors in the lungs are as follows: Wheezing Chest pain Breathlessness Diarrhea Large purple stretch marks in the skin Flushing or redness in the face and neck Weight gain in the upper back and midsection Lung carcinoid tumors may be treated with surgery such as – lobectomy where a portion of the lung is removed, wedge resection wherein a small wedge-shaped portion of the lung is removed, sleeve resection wherein sections of the airways above and below the tumor is removed or lymph node dissection wherein the surrounding lymph nodes are removed.

ADHD is a term that everyone has at least once heard about. This has become evident that defining ADHD in adults is quite tricky, given the difficulty with defining its exact symptoms. One of the major reasons for this is the limited amount of research and exposure to adult ADHD. As it is well known, ADHD is a form of a developmental disorder. There have been affirmations that this disorder does not just spring up in an adult without actually manifesting itself during their childhood. In some cases, ADHD occurs right from their childhood into their teenage years, and subsequently into their adult age. Some of the common symptoms, depression and dyslexia, which are evident during one’s childhood can easily continue on to adulthood as well. Research shows that in 15% of the people affected by ADHD in their childhood tend to have the full range of symptoms even when they are at age 25. Close to about 65% of these children also show signs of some of the symptoms which affect their regular lives during their adulthood. A lot of intervention techniques and therapies have been found effective to manage ADHD. While there are certain levels of similar symptoms in those diagnosed with ADHD in their childhood, teenage years, or adulthood, the way it impacts an adult is different from the way it had possibly impacted that individual as a child.

Diabetes mellitus or diabetes, as it is commonly referred to, is a life-long chronic condition that largely affects your body’s ability to efficiently use energy from food consumed. Diabetes can be largely classified into three major types: Type 1 diabetes Type 2 diabetes Gestational diabetes There is also juvenile diabetes where the condition is found from infancy. However, it cannot be classified as a type of diabetes. For all the types, one thing remains common—insulin, the hormone responsible for the conversion of glucose to energy. Due to diabetes mellitus, the body doesn’t make enough insulin or fails to use the insulin that is produced or a combination of both. Due to the cells’ inability to take the glucose, its levels increase in the blood. When the glucose levels are high, it affects the blood vessels, especially the tiny ones and can eventually cause damage to the major organs like the heart, eyes, kidneys, and the nervous system. An unmanaged diabetic could possibly lead to blindness, heart failure, kidney-related issues, and podiatry, which is nerve damage in the feet. Type 1 Also referred to as insulin-dependent diabetes, it often occurs at a very young age. It is an autoimmune condition where the body attacks its own pancreas with antibodies.