When you mention the term degenerative disease, it refers to the gradual deterioration of the body tissues or cells over the years due to the natural aging process. As we age, our spine starts giving in to the stress of providing flexibility and support to our back. The components of the spine start deteriorating slowly, and you will experience back pain and stiffness in the spine.

HPV or human papillomavirus is passed from one person to another through skin contact. With more than 150 different types of HPV, it is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the country. Most women and men might not show HPV cancer symptoms. However, certain strains of HPV might cause warts on various parts of the body.

Dupuytren’s disease is a deformity in which the fibrous tissue beneath the palm and fingers, known as fascia thickens and tightens especially at old age. Here the patient develops knots under the skin which forms a thick cord and brings the finger inward. The patient is unable to straighten it, and the resulting condition is known as “Dupuytren’s contracture.” It interferes with the functioning of the hand and the person suffering from it faces difficulty in performing daily activities.

A group of genetic disorders characterized by degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord that results in muscle weakness and atrophy is known as the spinal muscular atrophy. Spinal muscular atrophy has four different types, namely, type I, II, III, and IV. Each type of spinal muscular atrophy displays a different set of symptoms.

Among women, breast cancer is known to be the most diagnosed cancer after skin cancer. It develops in the cells of the breasts. Although it can occur in both men and women, breast cancer is known to be more common among women. There are no known exact causes of this type of cancer; most often it is genetic.

Eczema is a skin condition in which the skin becomes itchy, inflamed and red. In the United States, this non-contagious skin disease is quite common and affects almost 30 million people. Different types of eczema have different symptoms as well as triggers. Understanding the triggers and the symptoms are important for getting the right treatment at the right time.

Arthritis is a degenerative and painful condition usually marked by an inflammation of the joints, which causes pain and stiffness. Traditionally, with various anti-inflammatory medications, the arthritis pain can be dealt with. However, such medications can cause several side effects as well. Hence, it is always advisable to consult a medical expert before taking any medication.

Cancer is a very dangerous and fatal disease which often leads to a long-term treatment that may or may not succeed. It is a disease which occurs from the unwarranted growth of cells which later go on to form malignant tumors in several parts of the body. If not treated, it spreads very quickly to all parts of the body, thereby blocking functional body systems.

Shoulder pain can be caused locally or arise from surrounding muscles, tissues and bones. The shoulder is the most movable and unstable joint in the body, considering the range of motion it is allowed. To relieve minor pains, one can try painkillers, heating pad or ice packs. However, in case of severe, persistent pain it is advisable to seek medical attention.

Groin pain can be extremely uncomfortable and unsettling. Be it due to some injury or some underlying condition, you need to seek immediate treatment. To put into perspective, you are experiencing pain below the beltline, you just have to find out the reasons for the same. At times the underlying cause of the pain may be due to your daily routine and simple tasks that you undergo.

Hand numbness is one of the many conditions you do not want to suffer from. Imagine touching a chilled or extremely hot appliance and feeling no sensation in your fingers. Scary, right? This is exactly what happens in hand numbness. While some cases are mild and go away with time, other cases affect the nerves and blood vessels in the hands permanently.

What is multiple myeloma? Multiple myeloma is the cancer that occurs in the plasma cells. As you know, plasma cells are a type of white blood cells which is responsible for maintaining the immune system of the body. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and produces antibodies to protect your body from catching infections.

The skin is the most commonly affected part when fungal infection strikes. Fungus thrive on warm moist areas. They sustain on protein keratin. Hence, fungal infections commonly occur on skin, hair and nails, since these parts are primarily made of keratin. If you tend to sweat profusely, you might suffer from frequent bouts of fungal infections.

When your body is attacked by vicious external agents, it can fight back only for a while. What these “agents of destruction” need is a small lapse in your body’s protective shield and then you experience interruptions in your normal bodily functions. One such annoying scenario is when you wake up coughing incessantly.