Opioid or painkiller addiction is considered an epidemic in North America. According to statistics from the American Society of Addictive Medicine, overdose from prescription painkillers like Vicodin and OxyContin accounted for over 20,000 deaths in 2015. Opioid-based painkillers, like OxyContin and Vicodin, are derived from the opium plant and also the foundation for illegal drugs, like heroin.

Gout is a variety of conditions that are caused by a buildup of uric acid. This usually tends to affect the feet, particularly the big toe. The uric acid crystallizes, and the crystals deposit in joints, tendons, and surrounding tissues. People who have gout feel swelling and pain in the joints of the foot.

Insulin is a common term in households with a diabetic patient. The injection and use of insulin is important part of a diabetic’s daily life. While insulin is mainly used by those with type 1 diabetes, it is often necessary for those with type 2 diabetes as well. There are many different insulin routines that a doctor may suggest.

Breast cancer is one of the most common diseases around the world, that can turn life-threatening if care is not taken at the right time. It is a disease whose presence can be detected by some clear-cut signs. Research has shown that breast cancer is the most fatal among Hispanic women.

Prostate cancer, like every other cancer in the world right now, is curable. If you find out that you have prostate cancer, you might be low and won’t be able to focus on any tasks or activities in your day-to-day life. You must know that like most of the diseases even prostate cancer myths are quite prevalent and you might come across them if you diagnose prostate cancer.

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the immune system that occurs in the white blood cells that compose plasma. While it is a common blood cancer, MM accounts for only about 1-2% of all new cancer cases each year. The immune system is composed of several types of cells, there for the purpose of fighting infections and foreign substances in the body.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioral symptoms that may include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. The symptoms associated with this condition tend to be noticed at an early stage when children are about 6 to 12 years old. However, the symptoms tend to intensify when the child’s circumstances changes, such as when they start school.

ADHD affects people differently. After all, we are all different in one way or another, right?  According to the American Psychiatric Association, there are three types of ADHD, and each is treated based on its symptoms. So, while people think of hyperactive when they hear or think about ADHD, it is possible to have the disorder without being primarily hyperactive.

Treating ADHD often requires psychological, behavioral, educational, and medical intervention. Depending on the age of the patient, the treatment options may include:    Parent training    Education regarding ADHD    Educational supports    Behavioral therapy    Counselling    Skills training    Medication Treatment for ADHD can help relieve the symptoms and improve the patient’s daily living conditions.

Many parents who discover that their child has ADHD (or attention deficit hyperactive disorder) are not keen on treating them with pharmaceuticals due to potential side effects. While many health experts point to prescription medication as the most common treatment for ADHD, they also acknowledge that medication is effective in only 80-percent of cases.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no single test to diagnose ADHD, because many other health conditions such as certain learning disabilities, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders can have similar symptoms. If you suspect that you or your child might have ADHD, the first thing you should do is talk to your doctor to check if the symptoms fit the diagnosis.

Gout, or hyperuricemia, is a condition that’s caused by the long-term buildup of uric acid crystals in the bodily tissues and joints. What results from this buildup is painful inflammation that’s characterized as a type of arthritis that strikes in what’s known as a gout attack. Gout is caused by too much uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia).

Gout develops as a direct result of excess uric acid in the body. However, certain common factors or causes can contribute to increased uric acid levels—including family and medical history, existing conditions, weight, and diet. For instance, gout flare ups are often caused by the flare-up actors: Enzyme deficiency Individuals born with Kelley-Seegmiller syndrome (or Lesch-Nyhan syndrome) are deficient in the enzyme, xanthine oxidase.

Gout is often confused with other conditions, due to similarities in many of the symptoms (i.e., joint pain and inflammation). However, if you think you may have gout, you can expect your doctor to ask you a series of common questions during your initial appointment. With that in mind, here’s the information that you should be prepared to bring along to your medical appointment: