• Poor Hygiene: Lack of personal hygiene, particularly in women, can cause urine infections. Wiping from front to back after using the toilet will spread the bacteria to the urethra.
• Sexual Activities: Involving in sexual activities can also be a common cause wherein intercourse can push bacteria into the urinary tract, increasing the possibility of urine infections.
• Bacterial Invasion: The most prevalent cause of urine infections is bacterial invasion into the urinary tract. For instance, E. coli present in the digestive system can cause urine infections.
• Dehydration: Being dehydrated can cause urine infections, as your body will urinate less if you don’t drink enough water.
• Use of Certain Products: Fragmented soaps and washes irritate the urinary tract and can efficiently cause urine infections.
• Medical Conditions: A few conditions, like diabetes and a flawed immune system, can cause urinary infections.

Urine Infection Symptoms

Recognizing urine infection and its symptoms will help you get it treated immediately. So, get to know a few prevalent urine infections:

• Frequent urination
• Foul-smelling or cloudy urine
• Blood in urine
• Weakness or fatigue
• Fever and chills
• Discomfort peeing
• Sudden urge to pee
• Lower abdominal or pelvic pain

Urine Infection Treatments

Getting the right treatments for urine infections will help get them treated at the earliest. The following are a few treatments that doctors commonly follow:

• Intake of antibiotics
• Increased fluid Intake
• Drink more cranberry juice
• Include more probiotics
• Proper hygiene practices
• Avoiding bladder irritants
• Try pain relievers

Urine Infection Preventions

Prevention is always better than a cure. So, taking prior precautions and preventing yourself from these infections will help you stay away from these urine infections. A few simple precautions include the following:

• Keeping your body hydrated and drinking at least eight glasses of water is essential.
• Practice a good hygiene, especially after using toilets
• Maintain good hygiene after sexual activities
• Avoid using any tight-fitting clothes and use breathable cotton clothes
• Emptying your bladder often will control any bacterial infections

Whom to Consult for Urine Infections?

If urine infections persist for more than a few days or worsen, it is crucial that you contact a Urologist or a Primary care provider to get them treated immediately before they create complications.  

Takeaways

Urine infections can cause worse discomfort and lead to severe complications if left untreated. Knowing their causes, symptoms, and treatments will help you manage and prevent the illness effectively. Also, it is important to take the required precautions, like practicing good personal hygiene, staying hydrated, and following the required measures to avoid getting urine infections. If you feel like having any symptoms, make sure to visit your doctor immediately.

The development of oral cancer involves a lot of risk factors. The most common causes of oral cancer are tobacco usage in the form of cigarettes, chewing gums, snuff, etc.; excessive use of alcohol could also cause oral cancer since the combination of tobacco and alcohol leads to dangerous conditions.

Another important cause of oral cancer is HPV (Human papillomavirus) infection, HPV-16 in particular. Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause lip cancer. Sometimes, poor oral hygiene also weakens the immune system and enhances susceptibility. Will all these, even genetics, play a role in oral cancer, making a few people prone to the illness?

Oral Cancer Symptoms

Knowing the symptoms of oral cancer at an early stage can save many lives. The most prevalent symptom is seeing a sore in the mouth that has not been cured for a long time. Sometimes, a red or white patch inside the mouth could also be a symptom of oral cancer. A few other common symptoms include chewing, speaking, and swallowing challenges. Continuous pain in the mouth or feeling a lump in the cheek and numbness in the tongue are also a few warning signs of oral cancer.

Even if you experience sudden bleeding in the mouth, it is essential that you get it tested. Always consult your doctor immediately if you see any of the above symptoms in your body.

Oral Treatment

The treatment for oral cancer depends upon the stage and the location affected by cancer. The primary treatment would be surgery for early-stage oral cancer. This procedure involves removing the tumor and the lymph nodes nearby.

Radiation therapy is yet another standard treatment for oral cancer. It makes use of high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells. In a few advanced cases, chemotherapy is combined with radiation therapy to improve the treatment effectiveness.

Apart from these two, there is targeted therapy, which is a significantly newer approach that concentrates on the molecules involved in the development of cancer cells.

Immunotherapy is an evolving treatment for oral cancer that boosts the immune system to combat the disease.

A multidisciplinary approach, including speech therapy and rehabilitation, helps patients regain function and improve their quality of life post-treatment.

Living with Oral Cancer

oral cancer diagnosis can be indeed overwhelming, but support from family, friends, and other health professionals could make and feel a difference. Patients going through this can experience severe symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing, speaking, and eating. Proper counseling and rehab will help patients stay strong and positive.

Joining support groups and mental well-being sessions would also help the patients share their experiences and get emotional support. Following medicines properly and getting regularly checked will help them stay on track throughout their recovery.

Whom to Consult for Oral Cancer?

Specialists who treat oral cancer include head and neck surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons (dentists specializing in mouth, face, and jaw surgery), and otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors).

Conclusion

Oral cancer is a very serious issue, but early detection and treatment will help increase the rate of survival. So, it is vital to understand the causes, recognize the symptoms, and seek immediate medical attention to combat oral cancer efficiently. Also, making changes to lifestyle, maintaining good oral hygiene, visiting a dentist, getting regular checkups, and taking preventive measures can decrease the risk of oral cancer and can save plenty of lives.

Vitamin B12 is called the powerhouse of nutrients, and it plays a significant role in various bodily functions. From helping in red blood cell production to supporting DNA synthesis and managing neurological health, this vitamin is doing an incredible job. At the same time, a lack of this vitamin can lead to certain health conditions like fatigue, nerve damage, memory problems, etc. That is why monitoring vitamin B12 in your body is crucial.

Vitamin B12 Normal Range

Knowing the normal range of vitamin B12 in the blood is the initial step to monitoring your health. Basically, the normal range of vitamin B12 in the blood is around 190 – 950 picograms/ litre (pg/mL), and a few medical professionals suggest that below 300 pg/ml might lead to symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency.  

Vitamin B12 Symptoms

Are you feeling unusual tiredness or tingling in your hands and feet? These can be a common symptom of vitamin b12 deficiency. Also, there are a few other symptoms that you should know:

• Jaundice or pale skin
• Difficulty in concentrating
• Depression or mood swings
• Weakness and balance problems

If you suspect any of the above symptoms, consult your doctor immediately and get your tests done.

Vitamin B12 Causes

Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by various factors, including the following:

• Dietary Choices: People who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet could lack vitamin B12 since it is mainly found in animal-based foods.
• Issues related to Absorption:  Illnesses like pernicious anaemia and digestive disorders can trigger vitamin B12 absorption
• Age: Adults who are old are more prone to Vitamin B12 deficiency.

How to Boost Vitamin B12 Levels?

There are a lot of ways to improve vitamin B12. The following are a few practical strategies:

• Include vitamin B12-rich foods in your diet
• Consider taking a few supplements
• You can take injections after consulting a doctor

High Vitamin B12 Levels: Should You Be Concerned?

While less common, elevated Vitamin B12 levels can occur and may indicate underlying conditions such as liver disease or certain blood disorders. However, this is rare and usually doesn’t pose a significant risk. A healthcare professional can guide further investigations if your Vitamin B12 levels are above the normal range.

Conclusion

Knowing your vitamin B12 levels and ensuring enough is crucial to maintain your overall health. Whether managing a deficiency or simply curious about this essential nutrient, staying informed is key. So, if you haven’t checked your Vitamin B12 levels recently, maybe it’s time to schedule that test. After all, your well-being deserves it!