There are millions in the country who are living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) without being diagnosed. However, the peculiar thing is that awareness and knowledge amongst the public about this set of lung conditions is limited. While one section of the patient population is blissfully unaware of the existence of this disease, another section believes that since they are affected by COPD, this is the end of the road for them. Here we aim to educate about this disease with the intention of increasing the chances of preventing it. Allow us to debunk some false assumptions, the myths surrounding COPD and throw some light on the facts about this illness. Myth 1: Only people who smoke tobacco must be worried about COPD Around 90% of people afflicted with any of the three lung conditions of COPD, such as Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema or Refractory Asthma get it because of tobacco smoking. But that is not the only reason either. Passive smoking, exposure to air pollutants from factories, fine dust particles in the environment and smoke from wood also cause serious lung disorders. Even the rare genetic condition of the absence or deficiency of the Alpha-1 Antitrypsin protein in the body can cause COPD symptoms.

In the human body, it is the liver that produces cholesterol. In addition to that, you can get cholesterol from consuming excessive foods that are high in fat content. Cholesterol is attached to protein and carried through the blood. Proteins and cholesterol together are called lipoprotein. The type of cholesterol is based on the kind of cholesterol that the lipoprotein carries. Cholesterol levels are also hereditary. Genetics may keep cells from removing the Bad Cholesterol (LDL) from the blood efficiently. This causes the liver to produce more cholesterol. It tends to run in families and you could have it if an immediate family member also has high cholesterol. Causes Some common factors that increase the risk of high cholesterol include Unhealthy diet Consumption of saturated fat and trans fat found in foods such as animal products and commercially baked foods can raise the level of cholesterol. Also, full-fat dairy products and red meat cause high cholesterol Obesity Levels of triglycerides are high in obese people. Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 and above is considered as a risk of high cholesterol. Smoking A serious cause of high cholesterol is smoking. It damages the wall of blood vessels which causes them to accumulate fatty deposits and lowers good cholesterol (HDL) Diabetes High blood sugar damages the lining of your arteries.

When bone density decreases and the body stops producing bones normally, it leads to a condition called osteoporosis. Over 53 million people in the country are currently affected by this condition. Though it affects both sexes, women are at a higher risk of developing it, especially after menopause, due to the sudden decrease in estrogen, which is the hormone that guards and defends against osteoporosis. The condition leads to weak and porous bones, increasing the risk of hip, spinal vertebrae, and wrist fractures. The body maintains bone density by constantly renewing bone tissues, and new bones replace the old and damaged bones. The bone density of a person peaks in the late 20s, and bones start to become weaker after the age of around 35 years. With age, bones break down faster than they build, and osteoporosis is the result of this happening excessively. The symptoms may not be clear outwardly, but there would be bone pain or a weakening of the spine, which leads to a stoop. Causes and risk factors Some causes and risk factors of osteoporosis can be prevented with medication and lifestyle changes, while others cannot. Non-modifiable risk factors are as follows: Age : The risk is higher after the mid-30s, especially after menopause in women.

Angina and heart attack present similar symptoms and are indicative of the same disease. But it is important to know their difference in order to treat the two accurately. Angina is a demand-supply imbalance of blood to the heart muscle. The muscle that makes up the heart requires oxygen just like any other muscle. It leads to chest pain, due to the coronary arteries narrowing or hardening because of fat deposits, or plaque, in them. When the heart continues to be deprived of oxygen, it leads to heart muscle damage, with the muscle even dying. This is when a heart attack takes place. Angina that leads to a heart attack is unstable angina. This is an emergency and you need immediate medical intervention. Unstable angina does not follow a set pattern like stable angina. Stable angina typically occurs when a person is under exertion and stress, like climbing a flight of stairs. Unstable angina can happen even when the person is relaxing or sleeping. Medication and rest will not help either. A heart attack takes place when the plaque buildup in the arteries from angina break open and form clots. The clots then block the artery leading to the heart.

An overactive bladder is a medical condition caused by the involuntary contraction of muscles within the bladder. It can occur irrespective of whether the bladder is full or not. It is possible to diagnose that a person is suffering from an overactive bladder, though the exact reason for the involuntary contraction of these muscles is yet to be medically established. An overactive bladder can lead to severe and even life-threatening complications. It can be caused by certain neurological conditions affecting the communication of signals between the nerves and bladder muscle. The impact can be a result of a stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. Other non-natural causes likely to result in an overactive bladder are injuries or surgeries causing abdomen, pelvis or spine trauma. One of the complications of diabetes — diabetes neuropathy, defects in the neural tube and certain infections on the brain and spinal cord can also result in an overactive bladder. Doctors point out that muscle activity in the bladder increases when there is an infection in the urinary tract. This creates an urge to urinate more and this infection causes burning sensation during urination. Overactive bladder in women Among women, overactive bladder-related symptoms might indicate menopause or pregnancy.