The liver is the second-largest organ in our body that performs numerous vital tasks. For instance, it metabolizes chemicals, neutralizes and destroys poisonous compounds, manufactures essential nutrients, produces bile, and regulates glucose, cholesterol, vitamin, and hormone levels. Still, people rarely stop to think about liver health. Caring for the liver begins by breaking certain unhealthy habits. Read on to learn more about nine such habits that could harm the liver and how to avoid them. Consuming too much sugar When sugar enters the body, it is broken down into glucose and used for producing energy. Any excess turns into fat, which is stored in the liver. Over time, this can lead to fatty build-up in the organ, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease. Excessive sugar consumption also increases inflammation in the body, harming other internal organs. Avoiding sweets and controlling blood sugar can help people maintain liver health and performance. Dining out regularly Many people eat rather large portions of processed foods when dining out. The food served in restaurants often has high amounts of saturated fats, salts, and sugars. Eating such food can raise inflammation in the body, impede liver function, and put one at risk for conditions like liver cirrhosis.

Dupuytren’s contracture is a skin condition in which the tissues in the palm of one’s hand become abnormally thick. In several cases, both palms get affected, making it harder for people to use their hands for tasks. While this condition has no cure, specific management options can improve a person’s quality of life. Detecting this disease in its early stages is vital to achieving that objective. Here are some signs of Dupuytren’s contracture: 1. Mobility issues As implied earlier, this disease deprives people of proper use of their hands. People usually use their hands to move things around, which requires mobility, and Dupuytren contracture makes simple mobility incredibly challenging for individuals with this condition. Certain activities, like making a fist or holding objects with one’s hands, are still somewhat possible for individuals even after developing this condition. However, a person’s fingers, palm, and hand have a decreased range of motion. For instance, baseball or badminton players will notice that holding a baseball bat or a badminton racket is challenging. 2. Nodules on hands The first sign of Dupuytren contracture in the body is the appearance of small bumps under the skin on a person’s palm. These nodules appear at the base of one’s fingers.

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is a type of cancer that originates in the digestive system, usually in the small intestine and stomach. It results from the abnormal growth of cells that may develop into special types of nerve cells present in the walls of the digestive organs. GISTs may interfere with one’s digestive process and affect the movement of food through the body. Below are the symptoms and management options associated with this cancer. Symptoms Small GISTs usually do not cause any symptoms, grow slowly, and do not trigger any problems. However, as a GIST grows, it may trigger signs and symptoms in the concerned individual. While it can occur in individuals at any age, it is common in adults and rare in children. While the cause of most GISTs is yet to be determined, experts indicate a small number of cases are caused by genes passed from parents to children. A few common symptoms include: – Growth that can be felt in the abdomen – Nausea – Dark-colored stools, which are triggered by bleeding in the digestive system – Fatigue – A feeling of fullness even after eating a small amount of food – Abdominal pain – Vomiting – Cramping pain in the abdomen after eating – The lack of hunger when one would normally expect to feel hungry Treatment options For an expert to recommend treatment options for GIST, one needs to undergo a thorough diagnosis.

Lymphoma is a type of cancer that develops when white blood cells called lymphocytes grow abnormally. While the disease is rare, both non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma are the third most common cancer in children. The precise cause of lymphoma in children is yet to be determined. In the meantime, experts recommend one learns about these seven warning signs of cancerous development in children that appear in various types of lymphoma. Lumps under the skin Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) may grow in lymph nodes under the skin (on the sides of the neck, above the collar bone, groin area, or the underarm region). The enlarged nodes are usually seen or felt as lumps under the skin and are not painful. These might be noticed by the child, parent, or healthcare provider. One should note that enlarged lymph nodes are usually caused by infections rather than by NHL. Those that grow in reaction to infections are called reactive or hyperplastic nodes and are tender to the touch. Swelling or pain in the abdomen A child who develops lymphoma in the abdomen may experience pain or swelling in the region as the cancer grows and spreads. The symptoms may stem from a lymph node or organs, such as the liver or spleen, enlarging.

Technological advancements have more than a handful of benefits to offer, including the possibility of teletherapy, also known as online therapy. It uses web-based applications to provide patients with the therapy and counseling they require. One can address their mental health issues and seek guidance without having to spend time commuting. Several types of therapies are available online, but before choosing, one must consider the pros and cons of the service. Advantages of online therapy sessions Efficiency There have been studies that suggest online therapy sessions may be just as effective as in-person sessions. Different types of mental health conditions were researched, and it was found that there was minimal difference in positive patient outcomes. Consequently, online therapy sessions are a preferable option to having no sessions at all. Furthermore, patients do not have to worry about any social stigma while seeking the care they need. Accessibility Online therapy sessions are more accessible than in-person sessions. People who are home-bound due to various reasons can easily schedule a session and get access to the treatment they need. Moreover, it can be more convenient to receive therapy sessions from a distant professional who would otherwise be unavailable. Convenience In most cases, online therapy sessions are more affordable and convenient for patients.

The digestive system performs several indispensable functions, from helping the body absorb food nutrients to filtering out waste  from the body .  That’s why any issues related to digestion should be addressed promptly.  Classified as an inflammatory bowel disease , ulcerative colitis is a health condition in which the colon’s lining becomes inflamed, with ulcers developing in this area. While ulcerative colitis may be painful and uncomfortable, detecting its early signs can help with quick recovery. Signs and symptoms of ulcerative colitis Abdominal pain The large intestine becomes inflamed among people with ulcerative colitis, causing pain in the left abdomen or the rectum. If the inflammation is severe, the pain is more excruciating than that in  case  of mild inflammation. Frequent gurgling or splashing sounds from the stomach It’s normal to hear  a rumble from the belly when one is hungry, but those with ulcerative colitis may experience this symptom quite frequently.  Gurgling or splashing sounds from the stomach may mean the gastrointestinal tract is overly active. People with ulcerative colitis who have this symptom may also develop diarrhea, bloating, and other digestive problems. Fever When one has ulcerative colitis, they may develop fever as a reaction to the inflammation caused by the condition.  Those with ulcerative colitis may have a low-grade but persistent fever.  And  when such fever is accompanied by other ulcerative colitis symptoms, it may  be an indicator of  the condition.