Ataxia is a neurological disorder that affects movement coordination and balance. Various factors, including genetic mutations, trauma, infection, or exposure to toxins, can lead to the condition’s onset. The condition is progressive and can lead to significant disability and reduced quality of life if left untreated. However, early detection and intervention can slow down the progression of the disease and improve outcomes. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize the early warning signs of ataxia. Gait disturbance Ataxia affects balance and coordination, leading to difficulty walking or running. People with ataxia may experience unsteady gait, stumbling, staggering, falling, or maintaining balance. They may also have difficulty initiating movements, making quick turns, or walking on uneven surfaces. Tremors Ataxia can cause involuntary tremors or shaking of different parts of the body, such as the hands, head, or legs. These tremors may worsen with movement or stress and interfere with daily activities such as eating, writing, or holding objects. Speech difficulties The illness can affect the muscles used for speech production, leading to slurred or slow speech, changes in pitch or volume, or difficulty articulating words. People with ataxia may also have trouble swallowing or controlling saliva, leading to choking or drooling. Eye movement abnormalities Ataxia can affect the muscles that control eye movements, leading to nystagmus (involuntary eye movements), double vision, or difficulty tracking moving objects.

Dehydration happens when the body loses more fluids than what is being replenished by way of foods and beverages daily. Even underlying health complications or side effects of prescriptions can trigger dehydration caused by symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration can further cause headaches to develop, trigger urinary tract infections, and even lower blood pressure. Here are a few simple changes in lifestyle and useful tips on how to stay hydrated explained. What causes dehydration headaches? The brain is made up of nearly 70% water, so a fluid deficiency can cause headaches. However, since the brain does not have any pain receptors, the headache is triggered by the receptors on the lining of the brain. Dehydration forces the fluids to shift out of the organ and force traction on the lining, known as meninges. This stimulates the pain receptors. The pain primarily develops in the front of the brain, where people often complain about a pressuring sensation that starts with a headache. Easy ways to stay hydrated Children and adults must remain hydrated throughout the day. Here are a few simple tips for maintaining consistency. Drink water first thing in the morning Drinking a glass of room-temperature water right after getting up will kick-start the body’s metabolism.

Migraine, a debilitating disorder is frequently written off as a headache. According to statistics, this condition is seen in 15% of the population. It is high time that this neurological condition is taken seriously. Pain, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound are possible side effects of this condition. Some might even experience an intense form of migraine that is present with an aura. None of this is a matter that should simply be dismissed. Hormonal changes Hormonal changes are another factor that can trigger migraine episodes. This is most commonly seen in women. Hormonal migraines are common around menstrual cycles and can be seen in most women that experience severe PMS symptoms. Some with health conditions like PCOS and endometriosis also frequently suffer from migraine attacks triggered by changes in estrogen levels. A survey found that approximately 17.1% of females in the country reported migraine symptoms. Weather conditions Weather changes other than extreme temperatures can also result in migraine attacks for some patients. This can include changes in wind, barometric pressure, and humidity. Since not much can be done in accordance with weather changes, it is important for the patient to identify their migraine triggers and be aware of them.

Overactive bladder, or OAB, is characterized by an uncontrollable urge to urinate more often than usual, even at night. It can play havoc with one’s sleep cycle, as patients wake up from their beds and rush to the bathroom multiple times. Determining the condition’s underlying cause helps doctors suggest a suitable treatment course to manage the issue. Besides following the recommended treatment, a few tips can help patients with an overactive bladder sleep better. Avoid drinking too many fluids at night Although fluids are necessary to avoid dehydration, excessive fluid intake at night can aggravate overactive bladder symptoms and disturb one’s sleep. Hence, patients must avoid having too many fluids after sunset and restrict water intake to a few sips after dinner. Limit caffeine intake Caffeinated beverages like tea and coffee have a diuretic effect, meaning they tend to increase one’s frequency of urination. Since the situation can worsen among individuals with this condition, they should limit their caffeine intake during the day and avoid it entirely in the evening for proper sleep. Avoid certain foods and beverages Certain foods and beverages like sweeteners, tomato-based products, carbonated beverages, and spicy foods can trigger or aggravate overactive bladder symptoms and affect sleep.

Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to attack its healthy cells mistakenly. It mainly triggers inflammation that affects vital organs and functions and increases the risk of several health complications that develop. The condition has no cure, but it is possible to manage it with healthy lifestyle changes, nutrition, and treatment. Knowing these early signs and symptoms is the key to early diagnosis and treatment. Unexplained fatigue Feeling extremely tired despite getting good rest can be an early sign of developing lupus. Some people sleep in the afternoon to try and counter daytime fatigue but only develop insomnia at night. Fatigue, if left unchecked, interrupts daily routine and becomes difficult to overcome after a point. Developing a new rash A butterfly rash developing across both cheeks starting right from the center of the face symmetrically is another early warning sign of lupus. Some people develop a severe rash that is bright red. It looks prominent and has scaly patches. Increased skin sensitivity People who develop lupus will also struggle with increased skin sensitivity, especially when exposed outdoors to the sun. In addition, UVA and UVB radiation triggers severe sunburn and causes skin symptoms to flare up with minor exposure.

Esophageal cancer involves the growth of cancerous cells in a person’s esophagus. The esophagus is a long tube that carries food from the throat to the stomach. Some of its symptoms may resemble other illnesses, such as eosinophilic esophagitis. Like the latter, esophageal cancer also features the rapid growth of cells along the inner lining of the esophagus. To avoid the confusion caused by such overlap, here are some typical early signs of esophageal cancer: Swallowing difficulties People with esophageal cancer experience an aggressive growth of cells in the inner lining of the esophagus. Due to this, such individuals have trouble swallowing even the most malleable of foods around. Essentially, this effect is a result of the narrowing of one’s food pipe due to the growth of cells. Along with swallowing difficulty, people with esophageal cancer frequently choke on their food. Gradually, this particular symptom worsens, and people with esophageal cancer find it increasingly difficult and painful to ingest any food. Hoarseness in voice In its initial stages, esophageal cancer also makes its presence felt by causing people with the condition to develop a hoarse and scratchy voice. The cancerous cells not only paralyze the vocal cords and disrupt the nerve signals sent to and from a person’s larynx.

Arthritis is a health condition in which a person suffers from joint inflammation. It is a degenerative disease that causes problems such as joint pain, stiffness, and limited mobility and flexibility. While arthritis generally occurs in senior citizens, even young adults can suffer from this condition. Diagnosing the disease in its early stages is necessary to slow down its progress. Considering that, some of the early signs of arthritis are discussed below: Joint stiffness in the morning One of the earliest signs of arthritis can be experienced right when one wakes up in the morning. People with this condition feel a lack of flexibility after sleeping or sitting for a prolonged period. This sensation makes such individuals feel the need for lubricating their stiff, rusty joints. Early morning stiffness is usually a common occurrence. However, if this stiffness lasts more than 30 minutes, it is an indicator of rheumatoid arthritis, one of the most debilitative kinds of arthritis. So, if one feels prolonged stiffness in their joints on waking up with alarming frequency, they need to consult their healthcare provider immediately. Pain in the limbs In addition to the stiffness of the joints, pain in the hands and legs is an early sign of all kinds of arthritis.

Peeing is an automatic reflex that is triggered when the bladder becomes full. The kidneys work hard to filter out unwanted toxins and fluids from the body and evacuate these liquids into the bladder that holds the urine. With a normal fluid intake of 2 liters per day, the average adult pees about 800 to 2000 milliliters in a 24-hour cycle. But despite peeing being a regular activity, some people tend to make the following mistakes. Holding pee for a prolonged duration One of the main functions of urination is to help the body evacuate toxins that are filtered out by the kidneys from the bloodstream. So, holding it in actually increases the risk of urinary tract infections caused by the bacteria and toxins in the urine. It also puts pressure on the kidneys, disrupting normal function and increasing the risk of kidney stones developing in the organ. Following urinary voiding It may not be possible to use the restroom multiple times with certain jobs. So many people develop a habit or schedule to urinate at fixed times during the day. This is referred to as preventive voiding, where one learns to control one’s bladder and urine output. While it is not something that can cause major bladder problems, it’s also a habit that should not be prolonged.