If you’re an avid tennis player or a player of another racket sport, you may have heard the term tennis elbow. But what is tennis elbow exactly? Tennis elbow is a repetitive strain injury to the tendons in the elbow. It is a type of tendonitis that can be acute or chronic. It affects the extensor muscles of the forearm. Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis affects people who do a lot of striking motions with their forearm like playing tennis, using hammers, etc. Even activities that require excessive gripping motions can cause tennis elbow, like painting and hedge clipping. When playing tennis the following maneuvers can cause tennis elbow—one-handed backhand with poor technique, twisting the wrist while serving at full power, and a late forehand swing that causes the wrist to bend. Treatment of tennis elbow focuses on reducing the pain and inflammation. To protect the elbow while letting it heal, a tennis elbow brace is recommended. A tennis elbow brace will restrict movement of the elbow while also being supportive and protective. Signs And Symptoms The most common sign of tennis elbow is a pain over the lateral (outer) aspect of the elbow. The outer portion of the elbow can also become tender. Specifically, the pain and tenderness will be 1-2cm around the outer bony prominence. There can be a weakness of the muscles in the forearm, especially the extensor muscles.

There can be many causes for swollen fingers, but when it occurs, it causes a lot of pain and discomfort. It becomes difficult to flex and move your fingers. Even simple tasks like picking up a pen, or writing becomes difficult. Swelling can occur due to injuries, allergies and also as symptoms of other diseases like arthritis. It can also be because of fluid retention. Blunt force injuries, injuries that cause a hematoma, a condition in which packets of blood accumulate outside the blood vessels after a finger trauma. Injuries can also occur if a thorn, a wood splitter or if other foreign objects penetrate your skin. Strains, fractures, sprains and other traumatic injuries on the hand, can also cause swollen fingers. Other causes may include –  Animal bites on the finger can cause wounds and swelling. Insect bites and stings can also trigger finger inflammation. Tight gloves, rings that have become a tight fit on your finger, and other such constrictions can interrupt blood flow and cause swelling. Paronychia and Cellulitis are infections that can occur in the region of the hands and fingers, and cause swelling and pain. Septic Arthritis is caused by bacterial infection in the joints. This can also affect finger joints.

Spring is a season when flowers bloom, and the plants and trees flourish. So undoubtedly nature is at its best. During springtime, the trees and flowers release pollen in the air to reproduce. However, for some people, spring means a period of allergic reactions and numerous visits to the doctor. The allergic reactions can be caused due to trees and weeds like alder, ash, aspen, box elder, cypress, elm, beech, hickory, oak, olive, orchard, redtop, and many more. Allergic reactions are common, but certain people are at a higher risk due to their genetic disposition, which makes them more susceptible to these reactions. When our body comes in contact with an allergen, it starts producing allergy specific antibodies called immunoglobulin, as the part of a natural immune reaction. These antibodies are present in our nose, throat, eyes, and lungs. As soon as our body comes in contact with any allergens such as pollen, the natural reaction begins, and spring allergy symptoms like sneezing and burning eyes appear. The spring allergy symptoms could be visible, but occur late, so it should be anticipated early, and preventive measures should be taken to avoid the discomfort. Following are some of the common spring allergy symptoms.

Bronchitis is an acute condition in the respiratory system and over millions of people across the world suffer from it. Every year, health practitioners note an alarming increase in the number of patients who visit chronic bronchitis treatment centers. Bronchitis can be of two types, acute and chronic. Chronic bronchitis is also said to be a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is a long-term disorder which can be managed efficiently with changes in lifestyle, medication, and therapy. The doctors at the chronic bronchitis treatment centers aim at providing relief to patients by treating the symptoms and slowing down the progression of the disease. Chronic bronchitis and its causes The bronchial tubes are the main lifeline of the lungs. These tubes carry air that is breathed into the lungs. Inthe case of a patient suffering from chronic bronchitis, the bronchial tubes get blocked or inflamed and develop secretions of mucus, that narrows the passage in the tubes. This disrupts the flow of air to the lungs. This shortage of air can lead to frequent coughing, which often brings up mucus. A patient is said to be suffering from chronic bronchitis if he or she has a cough several times a day with sputum production that has lasted for more than three months.

Meningitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. The second most common type of meningitis is bacterial meningitis. Acute bacterial meningitis is caused by several strains of bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Haemophilus influenzae (Haemophilus), and Listeria monocytogenes (listeria). What is strep meningitis? Strep Meningitis, also known as streptococcus meningitis or pneumococcal meningitis, is a disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria spread and multiply in the ‘meninges’ in the brain, hence, the name meningitis. The meninges are the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord, filled with cerebrospinal fluid, to protect the brain tissues from damage. When the meninges are infected by any kind of bacteria, toxic substances are produced in the cerebrospinal fluid, which results in inflamed and swollen brain tissue. Types of Strep Meningitis Strep Meningitis can be of two kinds. The two types of bacteria responsible for strep meningitis are Group A Streptococcal, also known as GAS, and Group B Streptococcal, known as GBS. A Group A streptococcal infection is caused by GAS bacteria, found on the inside of the throat and the skin’s surface. GAS bacteria are less harmful than GBS bacteria and cause issues like a sore throat, skin, ear and sinus infections.

Do you feel like the meal you just ate is making its way back? Or maybe you feel like your chest and throat is on fire. What you’re experiencing is heartburn. Heartburns are caused when there is acid reflux and the food you’ve consumed is thrown back into the esophagus along with the stomach acid and enzymes. Heartburns are unpleasant but with the right treatment and simple home remedies, you can deal with it and help prevent it from occurring in the long run as well. Heartburn Symptoms Heartburn is a relatively common condition that most of us experience, especially after a heavy meal. The most common heartburn symptoms have been listed below. Chest Pain: Pain in your chest is a common symptom of heartburn. Chest pain is experienced especially when you lie down or bend over. Dizziness and lightheadedness :  A burning sensation in your chest, especially at the back of your throat. Acid reflux sends back food and acids that make the end of your throat sour, hot, salty or acidic. You might also feel like you have food stuck in your throat. Hoarseness, sore throat, and coughing. Rapid breathing and shortness of breath. The pain in your chest might extend to your neck, shoulders, and even arms.

Peyronie’s disease is an ailment that occurs among men, and it affects their sex organ – the penis. Investigations into the problem have revealed the fact that this is a state of health that is not exactly very serious and can even go away on its own without having to do much about it. What is Peyronie’s Disease? This is a problem that occurs due to a scar tissue or plaque formation inside the penis. In this condition, the penis can bend to any of the sides or even upwards. Peyronie’s disease can happen amongst men mainly due to the following three reasons: · It could happen due to some trauma or pain that could have been inflicted on the penis. It might be caused by injury and bleeding inside the penis that could lead to the formation and also an accumulation of plaque inside the penis. · Often age and genes are responsible for this disease. · It can also occur as a side effect of some kind of medicines and drugs. Symptoms and Diagnosis: Peyronie’s disease is a problem that can occur overnight or can even develop in a slow manner. Here are some of the symptoms that you need to be on the lookout for:

You have strange bumps on your skin that are painful, and they aren’t a sign of a rash or isn’t pimples. So what could it be? Ingrown hair. Ingrown hair is a pain. Both men and women experience this when shaving is a constant routine. While shaving is the most common cause of ingrown hair, waxing and wearing clothes that are too tight can cause it too. Symptoms of ingrown hair – What does it look like ? An ingrown hair is similar to a pimple. The area around your skin is raised if there is an ingrown hair, and it might look like a red bump on your skin. Sometimes, it might look like a boil or a sore. They can be itchy, and some people complain that they feel like there’s a needle below their skin, poking them. Over time and if left untreated, the ingrown hair can produce pus. Men usually experience ingrown hair on their cheeks, chin or neck, because they shave these areas regularly. Ingrown hair for men could appear as a bunch of red bumps in and around these areas. For women, the common places that have ingrown hair include the arms, legs, pubic area, and armpits.