Lyme disease is caused by the infection of bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Borrelia burgdorferi is transmitted to humans by a bite from an infected black-legged or deer tick. Such ticks get infected after feeding on infected deer or mice. It is to be noted that a tick has to be present on the skin for 24 to 48 hours to transmit the infection. However, it has been observed that most people with Lyme disease have no memory of a tick bite. If you live in a grassy and heavily wooded area, your chances of getting infected with Lyme disease is higher. 1. Symptoms of Lyme disease The symptoms of Lyme disease develop gradually in stages. However, in most of the cases, the stages may overlap. 2. Early signs and symptoms Within three to 30 days of an infected tick bite, an expanding red area might appear on the skin. Such areas sometimes become clear in the center, forming a bulls-eye pattern. Over days, the rash expands gradually and can spread up to around 12 inches across. In Lyme disease, such a rash is not painful or itchy. The area will feel warm upon touching. In addition to rashes, the early symptoms of Lyme disease include fever, chills, fatigue, body aches, headache, neck stiffness, and swollen lymph nodes.

Activities performed daily like walking, running, and sitting have a huge impact on our backs. A good posture while sleeping is very important in order to protect oneself from back pain. It is said that we spend one-third of our life sleeping. As a result, good and comfortable sleep time plays an important role in keeping us healthy. Poor or disturbed sleep and pain in the back occurs mainly because of the mattress used, as it does not provide proper spinal support. A poor mattress can cause chronic back pain. However, as each individual is different, the need for a mattress can differ. One needs to select a mattress which helps will help relieve back pain and maintain the natural position of the spine. Some important tips when selecting a mattress for back pain are as follows: 1. Personal preference As no person is alike, the same is the case with mattresses. A single mattress cannot work for all people. A mattress should be one which can give you a comfortable sleep without any stiffness or pain. So, people with lower back pain should select mattresses which provide them with comfort and support while sleeping. 2. Firmness and support A firm mattress promotes relaxation in the veins and arteries, allowing the muscles to work flexibly.

Cervical cancer is a condition wherein cancer occurs in the cells of the cervix, an organ located at the lower part of the uterus, which connects to the vagina. Sexually transmitted infections such as HPV or various strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV) are a prime causal factor for most cervical cancer cases. Typically, a woman’s immune system prevents HPV from doing any harm. But, in many cases, the infection survives for years in the uterus and gradually causes genetic mutation in the cells, ultimately resulting in cancer. The risk of developing cervical cancer can be reduced by periodic cervical cancer screening. The condition can also be prevented by receiving a vaccine that protects against HPV infection. The process of treatment for cervical cancer depends on its symptoms and stages: 1. Stages Based on the severity of symptoms, cervical cancer is categorized into different stages. These are: Stage I: In this stage, the symptoms of cancer are confined only to the cervix. Stage II: In stage II, cancer present in the cervix will start spreading to the upper portion of the vagina. Stage III: In this stage, cancer will travel to the lower portion of the vagina and also impact the pelvic sidewall internally.

Cancer that develops in the tissues of the mouth or throat, and appears to be a sore or some sort of growth that won’t go away is oral cancer. Most of the types of oral cancer develops in the squamous cells. In the US alone, there are more than 49, 000 cases of oral cancer diagnosed every year. While it is true that early detection is key to better chances of survival, the condition is often detected when it has already spread to the lymph nodes. In most cases, the dentist is the first health care professional to observe the signs of oral cancer. The primary causes of contracting any type of oral cancer are smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol, and spending a lot of time under the sun without any protection. The treatment of the condition depends on the specific location of the cancerous cells, which also determines the oral cancer types. 1. Lips Lip cancer is a common oral cancer type where the cells in the lips grow abnormally and form lesions or tumors. These develop in the flat and thin squamous cells that form the inner lining of the lips and other areas of the oral cavity.

Snoring is very common, especially after you have had a long tiring day. However, when you feel tired and snore loudly despite having enough rest, you may have sleep apnea. A good night’s rest is essential to stay active and get through the chores of the day. But sleep apnea is a sleep disorder that can affect your day and decrease your productivity. 1. What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder where a person is unable to breathe regularly. The breathing stops and starts causing the person to snore loudly and feel tired all the time. Sleep apnea and snoring is a disorder that can affect your life, health and also cause trouble for the ones around you. 2. What are the types of sleep apnea? There are 3 main types of sleep apnea that one might experience, including: Obstructive sleep apnea This is the most common type of sleep apnea that occurs when the muscles in the throat relax. Central sleep apnea This is a type of disorder that occurs when the brain does not send proper signals to the muscles that aid in breathing. Complex sleep apnea This is a syndrome that occurs when a person has both obstructive and central sleep apnea.