Acute kidney injury (AKI) means that the kidneys suddenly come under stress, and they function less effectively. This can cause toxic waste products to build up in the blood and they can alter the balance of essential salts like potassium and sodium. It is essential that it’s recognized and treated promptly, to ensure the kidneys have a chance to recover without permanent damage. It can prove life-threatening if left untreated. AKI is diagnosed with a blood test, which will show that creatinine, a substance excreted by the kidneys, is elevated, indicating the kidneys are not doing their job. Urea may also be high, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGRF) may be low, and potassium may be high. AKI is also known as acute renal failure. The name AKI is misleading in that it doesn’t mean you have received a physical injury or blow as such.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that can affect your ability to focus on a task without getting distracted. It can make you feel restless and compelled to talk or move a lot when you’re expected to sit still. It can make you act on impulse rather than reasoning decisions through or foreseeing consequences. Tasks can be challenging, especially if they require prolonged concentration or you are required to multitask. Losing and forgetting things can be a feature, along with being careless or making mistakes. While we may all recognize these traits to varying degrees in ourselves, loved ones, or colleagues, ADHD means that these traits are so pronounced that they are having a significant impact on progress in work or studies, on your romantic or working relationships, and on maintaining a harmonious family life. They can also make you feel quite chaotic within yourself, you can feel on edge or overwhelmed, and it can be difficult to unwind and relax.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is characterized by difficulty in focusing on a task or playing without getting distracted. People with ADHD may also act on impulse and make mistakes, they may be forgetful, and they can appear restless or fidgety. This condition is often noticed in children between 3 and 7 years old, but a diagnosis can be made in older children or even adults. It's more commonly diagnosed in boys, with an estimated 6 million children aged 3 to 17 years having been diagnosed in the United States. It can be a tough time for parents and teachers, especially before a diagnosis is made, as behaviors can be disruptive in the classroom and in family life, and your child may be finding it difficult to meet the expectations placed on them, which can make them feel quite isolated.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and mostly affects people over 65. It is believed to be caused by the build-up of abnormal proteins in the brain, reduced levels of neurological chemicals (neurotransmitters), and shrinkage of different parts of the brain over time. This leads to problems with memory, language and performing tasks that the person had previously been able to do.

What are parasites? Parasites are tiny organisms that live in or on a person's body. They feed off the person and can cause health problems. Many people think parasites only affect animals, but humans can get them too. Common parasites include worms, tiny single-celled organisms, and bugs like lice and ticks. Parasites exist all over the world. People in areas with poor cleanliness or bad sanitation have a higher risk of getting infected. Knowing the signs of parasite infections is important because early treatment helps prevent serious health issues. This article will explain the different types of parasites that can infect humans, how they spread, what symptoms they cause, and ways to treat and prevent infections.

What Are Lungworms? Lungworms are tiny parasites (worms) that usually live in the lungs of animals like rats, dogs, and cats. Sometimes, these worms can accidentally infect humans too. The most common type that affects humans is called "rat lungworm" or Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Although these infections don't happen often in humans, they can cause serious health problems if not treated. Lungworms have a life cycle that normally involves animals. The worms first live in rats, then move to snails or slugs, and then back to rats. Humans get infected accidentally when they eat something that has lungworm larvae (baby worms) on it. How Do People Get Lungworms? People can get lungworm infections in several ways: Eating unwashed produce: If you eat fruits or vegetables that haven't been washed properly and have tiny snails, slugs, or their slime on them Eating undercooked food: Eating raw or undercooked snails, slugs, or other carriers Drinking contaminated water: Water that has lungworm larvae in it Traveling to certain areas: Infections are more common in Southeast Asia and Pacific Islands

Cellulitis is a common bacterial skin infection that affects many people worldwide. It occurs when bacteria invade the skin and underlying tissues, leading to inflammation and discomfort. This infection typically starts in the lower layers of the skin and can spread rapidly if not treated promptly. Cellulitis is important to understand because it can significantly impact daily life by causing pain, swelling, and other distressing symptoms. For some individuals, especially those with weakened immune systems or chronic conditions, cellulitis can lead to more serious complications. This infection can affect individuals of all ages, from young children to the elderly. It often starts from minor injuries or skin conditions but can escalate if not properly addressed. By understanding cellulitis, its causes, symptoms, and treatments, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent and manage the infection, ensuring better health. This problem can affect almost any part of the body but it occurs most commonly in areas that have been damaged or inflamed. Anyone, at any age, can develop cellulitis but you are at increased risk of developing it if you smoke, have lowered immunity, or have diabetes or poor circulation.

Chilblains, also known as Pernio and Chill Burn, is a condition that affects the small blood vessels called capillaries in the extremities. It occurs due to exposure to cold and humid conditions, resulting in symptoms like itching, red patches, swelling, and, in rare cases, blistering. Although it commonly affects the fingers and toes, other areas such as the face and legs can also be affected. Chilblains predominantly impact women, but anyone can experience this condition, often leading to confusion with Raynaud's Disease.

Chilblains are small, red, itchy patches that are the result of an abnormal reaction to the cold. This means that they're common in the US because of the typical damp, cold weather that occurs in the winter. When our skin gets cold, blood vessels near the surface get narrower, and if we then warm up the skin the blood vessels become wider again. If this happens too fast, the blood vessels near the surface of our skin can struggle to deal with this increased blood flow and this can then cause blood to leak into the surrounding tissue, and so cause the swelling, itchiness and sometimes pain associated with chilblains. Chilblains often occur on your extremities, such as fingers, toes, ears and nose, but they can occur anywhere on the body. They tend to occur a few hours after exposure to the cold and can last up to a couple of weeks but usually clear up without treatment.

Corns and calluses are areas of thickened and hardened skin caused by the repeated minor friction or rubbing of the skin, and they can often be painful. In most cases, they are not serious and you can usually treat them yourself at home. Despite appearing similar, and being caused by repeated friction and pressure, corns and calluses are not the same thing.

Dementia is a general term for the persistent decline in brain function caused by damage to brain cells. The decline is so significant that it affects a person's daily activities; it interrupts their memories, thoughts, reasoning, and behavior. In the US, over 6 million people have dementia, with almost 1 in every 10 people over the age of 65 affected. There is no cure for dementia, but diagnosing the disease early allows treatment measures to be put in place to try and preserve brain function for as long as possible.

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures. These seizures happen because of abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Epilepsy affects lots of people all over the world and can have a big impact on their lives. It doesn't just affect the person who has epilepsy, but also their families, friends, and the wider community. Living with epilepsy can be tough. People with epilepsy can have problems with their memory, mood, and daily activities. They might also have a hard time with school, work, and social activities. It's important to learn about epilepsy so you can understand what it is and how it affects people. It can also help people with epilepsy to feel more supported and valued. If you or someone you know has epilepsy, it's important to seek help from your doctor. There are treatments available that can help manage seizures and improve quality of life. Remember, you are not alone. With the right support, you can live a happy and fulfilling life, no matter what challenges you may face.