Dental implants have become a practical, safe, and effective way of replacing missing or damaged teeth with artificial tooth roots. This solution has enabled people to maintain oral health and restore functionality. Every year, about 3 million people get dental implants in the country. The success and longevity of an implant depend not just on the surgery and execution but also on its aftercare. Here are some common mistakes to avoid to ensure a successful implant. Skipping evaluation It is crucial to undergo a comprehensive health check-up before getting dental implants. Some patients may have underlying oral health problems, such as gum disease or bone loss, which must be treated before the implant placement. It is also important for those with diabetes or undergoing other treatments to inform their dentist. Assessing the patient’s suitability before the procedure is essential for the success of the implant. Being unaware of other options Before jumping into a dental implant procedure, exploring all the tooth replacement options is essential. Dental implants may not be suitable for everyone, and alternative treatments like bridges or dentures might better meet one’s needs. Consulting with one’s dentist to discuss these options can help one make an informed decision.

Huntington’s disease (HD) is a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disease. This brain disorder is a result of an inherited mutation in a gene for the protein called huntingtin. It is known to significantly impact one’s functional abilities, leading to the development of movement, cognitive, and psychiatric disorders. Those with Huntington’s have a higher risk of choking and developing eating and swallowing troubles. To ease this, the following tips may be helpful: Food management strategies for Huntington’s disease Rest one to two hours before mealtime. Create a calm and relaxed eating environment. Sit in an accessible spot on the table, just in case choking occurs and a carer needs to be involved. Sit in an upright position while eating. Avoid lying down. Instead of eating three spaced apart meals, eat smaller, more frequent meals. Choose foods that are easier to chew and swallow. Keep eating aids within reach. Use non-slip table mats and light utensils such as plastic knives and forks. Incorporate sauces and gravies to make foods easier to swallow. Avoid hard foods such as nuts and lollipops. Avoid food that separates into strings or sections during chewing, such as tomatoes and bacon. Opt for foods that have a higher nutritional value.

Vasculitis is an autoimmune disease that involves the inflammation of the blood vessels. Generally, blood vessels in the body carry blood through the different parts of the body by forming a circuit that starts and ends with the heart. But in the case of vasculitis, these blood vessels begin to thicken and swell, causing a reduction in blood flow. There are many types of the vasculitis; some can be short-term or long-lasting. Let’s look at the symptoms of vasculitis for early diagnosis and timely management. Weakness While the health condition often manifests in the form of general symptoms, in some cases, the signs can indicate problems associated with the body part affected. For instance, weakness can stem from the nerves’ inability to get the needed amount of blood and oxygen. Joint pain As mentioned previously, vasculitis can have symptoms depending on the affected body part. It can lead to aches and other arthritis-related symptoms in cases where it affects the joints. Although not common across patients, some people with vasculitis can have swelling in the affected area, known as arthralgias. One can try moderate physical activity like slow walking to manage the condition and improve the quality of life. Rashes While this blood vessel inflammation disease can lead to a variety of rashes, one of the most common is palpable purpura – purplish red-colored spots often found on the legs.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, demands a holistic approach to its management, and food plays an essential role in this process. There is an intricate relationship between COPD and specific foods that can worsen its symptoms. While the effects vary among individuals, understanding their potential implications empowers patients to make informed decisions about their nutrition. Additionally, knowing which foods to avoid can better the condition. Here are nine foods one must avoid with COPD. Salt Sodium, commonly found in salt, is a major concern for COPD patients. A high sodium intake can lead to fluid retention in the body, causing swelling or edema, particularly in the extremities, lungs, and abdomen. As excess fluid accumulates, it elevates blood pressure, placing additional strain on the heart and lungs. This excess fluid can worsen shortness of breath for individuals with COPD who already cope with compromised lung function. Processed meat While processed meats like bacon, sausages, and deli cuts offer convenience, they can be problematic for COPD patients. These meat products often contain unhealthy saturated and trans fats, which can increase inflammation. Moreover, they are usually high in sodium, contributing to the potential for fluid retention and exacerbated symptoms. Sugar Foods and beverages rich in added sugars can disrupt the overall health of individuals, including those with COPD.

Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder usually inherited from a parent. Children with the condition cannot stop bleeding because their blood does not have enough of the clotting factor. Two of the common factors that affect blood clotting are factor VIII and factor IX, the lack of which can result in hemophilia. While typically a genetic disorder, hemophilia can manifest in different forms, and the severity of symptoms may differ accordingly. Here is everything to know: Causes As hemophilia is an inherited disease, it is typically passed on from parents to children through a gene in the X chromosome. Based on the fact that the females carry two X chromosomes, while males carry X and Y chromosomes, here is how the inheritance works: – When a female carrier has the hemophilia gene in one of the X chromosomes, there is a 50/0 chance that this chromosome is transferred to the baby when the female conceives. If the gene is passed down to a son, the son will have the disease; however, when the gene is passed down to a daughter, she will be a carrier of the disease. – Alternatively, when the father has hemophilia, but the mother does not, then a son will not inherit hemophilia disease, but all the daughters will be carriers.

Hemophilia is an inherited bleeding disorder where the blood fails to clot properly. Consequently, an individual with an injury like a cut or undergoing surgery might be subject to spontaneous bleeding that is difficult to stop due to the lack of necessary clotting factors. The frequent loss of too much blood can also lead to many complications, especially in severe cases of hemophilia. Here are the health complications that might be caused by hemophilia and their signs. Hemophilic arthropathy People who experience spontaneous joint bleeds due to an injury or trauma might be at risk of hemophilia. These bleeds usually occur in the elbows, ankles, knees, or hips but might also be noticed in other areas. The symptom is one of the primary causes of chronic pain and disability in people with severe hemophilia. Continuous bleeding into a joint can break down the lining of the joints and cause damage. The affected joint becomes warm, painful to move, and swollen. Eventually, the symptom leads to hemophilic arthropathy. Therefore, one must seek immediate attention if one notices the occurrence of this symptom. Compartment syndrome This disease is a painful condition that causes pressure on the muscles to reach a dangerous level.

Tardive dyskinesia is an uncommon movement disorder caused due to the side effects of treatments for schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental health conditions. It is marked by a series of involuntary body and facial movements. While not everyone who takes this sort of treatment will suffer from tardive dyskinesia, the symptoms can be permanent. It can prevent people from performing simple tasks and can interfere with their quality of life. The most common signs of tardive dyskinesia are: Orofacial dyskinesia Also called oro-bucco-lingual dyskinesia, this can cause: Uncontrolled movements of the lips, jaw, or tongue Sticking out the tongue involuntarily Rapid blinking Smacking of lips Puckering of lips Puffing of cheeks Grimacing Making fish-like mouth movements Dyskinesia of the limbs This affects the arms, legs, fingers, and toes and can cause: Wiggling of fingers Tapping of feet Flapping of arms Thrusting out of pelvis Full body swaying Fast, jerking motions of arms or legs Slow, twisting motions of arms or legs Those who suffer from tardive dyskinesia (TD) can also develop muscle spasms sometimes, where their muscles tighten and do not release. These spasms could vary in duration. One may also make involuntary grunting noises when their muscles spasm.

Huntington’s disease, also known as Huntington’s chorea, belongs to the group of neurodegenerative disorders that cause the progressive degeneration of the brain’s nerve cells. It is an inherited disease that can affect various aspects of an individual’s life, including physical movements, cognitive abilities, and emotions. There are two types of Huntington’s disease – Adult onset and Early onset – and there are many early warning signs that manifest differently for different people. Adult onset Early symptoms of Adult Onset Huntington’s include: Irritability Anxiety Difficulty in making decisions Mood swings Uncharacteristic clumsiness Unable to balance Restlessness Forgetfulness Memory issues Difficulty comprehending new information As time passes, symptoms may include: Muscle rigidity Mobility issues Cognitive decline Paranoia Breathing issues Involuntary twitching Trouble swallowing Early onset While Huntington’s itself is a rare condition, early onset of the disease is even less common, with symptoms usually starting to appear in childhood or adolescence. Also called Juvenile Onset Huntington’s Disease (JHD), it affects children and teenagers. Symptoms include: Drooling Clumsiness Changes in personality Slurred speech Rigid muscles Poor school performance that happens suddenly The progression rate of JHD is faster than adult onset HD. Huntington’s disease is caused by a defect in a single gene, marking it as an autosomal dominant disorder.

Prurigo nodularis is a severe skin condition that causes multiple itchy and firm bumps on the skin. This skin disorder leads to excessive and intense scratching that, in turn, can further exacerbate the symptoms. Although the condition can affect a person of any age, it is most commonly seen in adults. Early detection of the symptoms can help diagnose the condition better. Below mentioned are some of the signs and symptoms of prurigo nodularis. Where does prurigo nodularis develop on the body? Prurigo nodularis causes itchy bumps on the skin and can develop in areas wherever the person scratches, rubs, or picks their skin. While skin tags can occur anywhere on the body, they tend to appear most frequently in certain areas like: Legs Arms Upper back Lower back Abdomen Buttocks The itchy bump nodules may be: Scaly and crusty Scabby Hard Warty looking Common signs and symptoms of prurigo nodularis Itchy skin The most common symptom of prurigo nodularis is the appearance of small, raised bumps on the skin. These are also known as nodules, which can appear flesh-colored, reddish, or dark brown. The itching can vary from person to person and range from moderate to severe. Before the bumps appear on the skin, the skin starts to itch, and these itches can come in short bursts or be long-lasting.

Tardive dyskinesia (TD) is a movement disorder characterized by involuntary repetitive movements of specific body parts, most commonly the face. It is usually a side effect of specific treatments that trigger chemical changes in the brain, increasing dopamine sensitivity. Underlying diseases like diabetes and HIV may aggravate the symptoms. Besides seeking timely treatment, here are a few valuable ways to help manage tardive dyskinesia symptoms better in the long run. Manage comorbid conditions As mentioned, comorbid conditions like diabetes, HIV, and brain injury can aggravate the symptoms. Hence, patients should get tested for these diseases and manage them well. For example, those with tardive dyskinesia who are diagnosed with diabetes should control their sugar intake and check their blood glucose levels regularly. Determine the underlying cause Tardive dyskinesia is typically caused by a treatment course that blocks the brain’s dopamine receptors. One should consult a doctor to identify what treatment is causing the condition. Timely detection of the root cause can help one better manage the symptoms and heal from the condition. Avoid stress Many patients with tardive dyskinesia agree that controlling the symptoms is difficult under stressful conditions. Hence, one should identify and eliminate their stressors. For example, individuals in high-pressure jobs should switch to a less stressful or part-time job to reduce workload.