A group of genetic disorders that leads to an individual losing control of the movements in their muscles is known as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This loss of control occurs due to a loss of nerve cells in the individual’s brain stem and spinal cord. Spinal muscular atrophy is a type of motor neuron disease. While there are no medications to cure the condition, some FDA-approved medicines are capable of slowing down the progress of this condition. The different types of this condition are as follows: Spinal muscular atrophy type 1 This is also known as Werdnig-Hoffmann disease and usually affects a child before they complete 6 months. If appropriate treatment is not given, breathing problems induced by the condition can be fatal. Newer treatments such as disease-modifying therapies (DMT) have come to light; they can help children with SMA type 1 walk and sit. Spinal muscular atrophy type 2 This condition usually affects children between the ages of 6 and 18 months. The affected person can learn to sit but standing and walking are challenging. Appropriate treatments should be given to retain the ability to sit. Treatment with disease-modifying therapies can be helpful as well. Spinal muscular atrophy type 3 This condition is also known as Kugelberg Welander syndrome and appears at the age of 18 months.

It has been reported that about 35% to 40% of women would face a problem of sexual dysfunction. It has also been found that among 10% to 15% of women, sexual dysfunction can lead to significant amount of stress in their lives or upset them regularly. As this is one of the primary concerns when it comes to sexual problems amongst a large part of the population, finding easier treatments for this can be a relief to many. Some of the medications that people suffering from hypoactive sexual desire disorder can consume are as follows: Low dose vaginal estrogen: Vaginal atrophy (thinning of vaginal tissues) and vaginal dryness is caused by loss of estrogen. If vaginal dryness is not being resolved through over-the-counter moisturizers or lubricating gels, then low doses of vaginal estrogen or estradiol can be prescribed. This medication would be effective in a span of 2 to 3 weeks.Vaginal estrogen products come in a wide range of forms. The following are some types: Vagifem vaginal tablet: Recommended dosage of one tablet a day for 2 weeks; followed by one tablet twice a week. Premarin vaginal cream: Inserted into the vagina with the help of an applicator at bedtime – every night for 1-3 weeks followed by 1 to 3 times a week thereafter.

Chemotherapy is one of the most common treatments used for treating different types of cancers. It makes use of anti-cancer drugs that are given intravenously or orally. The drug travels through the blood to the cancer cells and in some cases is directly injected into the spinal fluid. Some of the common questions around this subject are as follows: When is chemotherapy used in breast cancer? Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is used before the surgery. This is done when the tumor is found to be too large to be removed by surgery. This type of chemotherapy helps in shrinking the tumor and gives the surgeon a perspective regarding how the cancer cells are reacting to the particular drugs being used. Adjuvant chemotherapy is used after the surgery to kill cancer cells that are present in the body even after the surgery. By doing so, adjuvant chemotherapy reduces the chances of cancer from recurring. Which drugs are used for chemotherapy? Some of the drugs used for chemotherapy are cyclophosphamide, taxanes (paclitaxel, docetaxel, etc.) carboplatin, capecitabine, and anthracyclines like epirubicin and doxorubicin. In most situations, chemotherapy turns out to be the most effective when a combination of the above drugs is used. However, there is no metric to deem a particular combination of the above drugs to be more effective than a different combination.

In the human body, the liver is responsible for metabolism and the breakdown of food in the digestive system. As such, the condition of hepatitis infects the liver and causes inflammation, breaking down its capabilities. Understanding the treatment options for different types of hepatitis can help us heal from these conditions to the best of our abilities. The go-to treatment options for the most common types of viral hepatitis are as follows: Hepatitis A: This particular condition is a short-term disease and hence does not require extensive treatment. If the symptoms are severe and causing significant discomfort, then bed rest is suggested. In case the individual also experiences vomiting and diarrhea, the doctor could suggest a few treatment options for the sake of hydration and nutrition. Vaccination is available for this condition, and the first dose is usually given to children between the age of 12 and 18 months. The vaccination is also available for adults and is usually combined with the hepatitis B vaccine. Hepatitis B: This condition is usually treated with the help of antiviral medication. These prescribed medicines would need to be continued for a few months and can extend up to a few years. In the case of chronic hepatitis B, regular medical evaluations would be required to monitor if the virus is responding to the medicines and if the prescribed medication is the way to go forward.

There are many triggers for allergies and each of them can constitute a different type of allergy as well. You need to be able to distinguish between the main types of allergies and their triggers so that you can deal with it effectively and get medical help if needed. Here is a list of the five common types and triggers of allergies: Pollen This is one of the main allergens. It is also easy to identify due to the obvious occurrence of symptoms such as nasal congestion and a runny nose. They are usually seasonal and can be easily treated with over-the-counter medication involving antihistamines. Dust mites These are tiny and cannot be seen without a microscope. Most of the symptoms are similar to pollen allergy and the only way to tell the difference is that this can happen off-season as compared to a pollen allergy. Treatment usually involves nasal steroid sprays involving antihistamines or decongestants. Mold This allergen is similar to pollen as they are specks of fungi spores that spread through the air. They can easily grow in damp areas and on grass or leaves. The treatment is the same as pollen and dust mite allergy. Animal dander and cockroaches This allergy is triggered by dander, skin shed by pets, or insects.