What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease, also known as senile dementia, currently lacks a cure and worsens progressively over time, often leading to death. It was first identified by the German psychiatrist and neuropathologist Alois Alzheimer in 1906 and was named after him.
While typically diagnosed in individuals over 65, it can also manifest earlier. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia worldwide, accounting for 60-70% of cases. As of the latest data available, an estimated 50 million people worldwide are living with dementia, with Alzheimer's contributing to the majority of cases. While the disease varies in its progression for each person, common symptoms include memory loss, confusion, mood swings, and difficulties with language and long-term memory. Diagnosis usually involves behavioral and cognitive tests, often followed by brain imaging. Alzheimer's can progress undetected for years before becoming fully apparent, with an average life expectancy of around seven years following diagnosis.

What Causes Alzheimer's?
The exact cause of Alzheimer's disease remains unclear. There are currently no available treatments that stop or reverse the progression of the disease. The primary focus of Alzheimer's research revolves around understanding the disease's underlying mechanisms, identifying potential risk factors, developing diagnostic tools for early detection, and discovering effective treatments to slow or halt its progression.

What is elevated cholesterol?
Cholesterol, a type of lipid found in the body, is predominantly produced in the liver and influenced by dietary intake. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can lead to the development of atherosclerosis, characterized by the hardening and narrowing of major arteries.

There are two primary types of cholesterol: HDL (high-density lipoprotein), considered beneficial, and LDL (low-density lipoprotein), considered harmful. The ratio of LDL to HDL plays a significant role in determining the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Cholesterol levels typically increase with age, with women generally exhibiting higher HDL levels than men.

What contributes to elevated cholesterol?
High cholesterol levels often present without noticeable symptoms, yet when combined with other risk factors such as smoking, poor dietary habits, excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and obesity, they can exacerbate atherosclerosis and cardiovascular symptoms. Additionally, familial hypercholesterolemia, a hereditary condition, can contribute to elevated cholesterol levels.

Atherosclerosis arises from the accumulation of cholesterol and fats within artery walls, leading to arterial narrowing and rigidity, impeding blood flow. These fatty deposits, termed plaques, are prone to rupture, potentially triggering blood clot formation and further compromising blood flow, resulting in tissue damage or death. Symptoms of cardiovascular disease may manifest as leg pain during physical activity, chest discomfort (angina), irregular heart rhythms, and shortness of breath.

What is Hypertension?
Hypertension refers to a medical condition characterized by elevated pressure within the arteries. As the heart contracts, it pumps blood throughout the body, supplying muscles and organs.
Blood pressure is typically measured in two values:
Systolic Blood Pressure: This represents the maximum pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts and propels blood into the body.
Diastolic Blood Pressure: This signifies the minimum pressure in the arteries when the heart relaxes between two heartbeats and fills with blood.
Normal ranges for blood pressure are approximately 90-140 mmHg for systolic and 60-90 mmHg for diastolic. If the blood pressure registers at 140 (systolic) / 90 (diastolic) or above during a resting state, it is classified as hypertension.

What Causes Hypertension?
The underlying cause of hypertension is often unknown, termed primary or essential hypertension. In cases where a specific cause is identified, it is referred to as secondary hypertension. Contributing factors to secondary hypertension may include chronic renal disease, disorders of the renal arteries, and endocrine disorders.

What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, occurs when the cartilage in one or more joints breaks down, acting as a cushion between bones. Among the over 100 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most prevalent.

This condition tends to manifest more frequently with age, affecting males more commonly before 45 and females after 55. Typically impacting the hands, feet, spine, and major weight-bearing joints like the knees, osteoarthritis often lacks a known cause, labeled as Primary osteoarthritis. However, when a cause is identifiable, it is termed Secondary osteoarthritis.

What causes osteoarthritis?
Primary osteoarthritis is frequently associated with the natural aging process, wherein cartilage gradually degenerates due to increased water content. As cartilage wears away, bones in the joints may rub together, leading to pain and inflammation. In severe cases, cartilage loss can result in limited joint mobility and the formation of bone spurs around the affected joints.

Secondary osteoarthritis, on the other hand, is attributed to various factors such as obesity, repetitive joint trauma or surgery, congenital abnormalities, diabetes, and hormone disorders. Obesity, particularly, exerts mechanical stress on cartilage, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis, especially in the knees. Trauma to joint tissue, congenital abnormalities, and certain medical conditions can also accelerate joint degeneration and cartilage loss.

What is Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis, commonly known as brittle bones, is characterized by a decrease in bone density, resulting in weakened and fragile bones. Often, individuals may have osteoporosis without experiencing any symptoms for many years, only becoming aware of the condition after suffering a painful fracture. Osteoporotic fractures typically manifest with pain and occur from routine activities, though they can also be asymptomatic, known as silent fractures.

Bone density typically increases during childhood, peaking around age 25, and remains stable for approximately a decade. However, after age 35, both men and women experience a natural annual decline in bone density of 0.3%-0.5%. Following menopause, women may experience accelerated bone loss, with up to 2%-4% reduction in bone density annually during the first 5 to 10 years post-menopause, resulting in a significant overall loss. This accelerated bone loss after menopause, termed postmenopausal osteoporosis, is a leading cause of osteoporosis in women.

What Causes Osteoporosis?
Osteoporosis can be triggered by various factors, including a family history of the condition, low body weight (BMI < 19 kg/m2), previous fractures, lack of physical activity, excessive alcohol consumption, malabsorption disorders, low estrogen levels in women (early menopause or surgical removal of ovaries), low testosterone levels in men, vitamin D deficiency, and prolonged use of corticosteroid medications like prednisone.

Diagnosis of osteoporosis involves a DXA (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) scan, a quick and low-radiation procedure that measures bone density. Results are compared to the average peak bone density of young adults of the same sex and race, yielding a "T score" to assess bone health.

Prevention and treatment strategies for osteoporosis include lifestyle modifications such as quitting smoking and moderating alcohol intake, regular exercise, consuming a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, and medication to prevent bone loss and enhance bone strength. As bone rebuilding is challenging once weakened by osteoporosis, prevention is paramount.

Pain is an unpleasant sensation often triggered by intense or harmful stimuli such as stubbing, burning, cutting, or bumping. While most pain subsides once the source of discomfort is removed and the body heals, some pain persists despite apparent recovery, and in certain cases, pain emerges without any identifiable cause or injury.

Pain serves as a symptom in numerous medical conditions and can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and overall functionality. Psychological factors, including emotions like joy or distress, can profoundly influence the intensity or perception of pain. Despite ongoing efforts, measuring pain objectively remains a challenge due to its complex and subjective nature, defying quantification by a single metric.

Chronic pain, lasting three months or more, contrasts with acute pain, which resolves within three months. An alternate definition of chronic pain eschews specific time frames, instead defining it as pain that extends beyond the expected healing period.

Approximately 16% of the global population experiences chronic pain, yet many individuals remain inadequately treated due to limited effective therapies. Consequently, collaborative efforts between scientists and the pharmaceutical industry are crucial to uncovering and developing improved pain treatments, addressing the substantial demand for innovative and efficient remedies.

What is Respiratory Disease?
Respiratory diseases, also known as lung diseases, are among the most prevalent medical conditions globally, affecting millions of individuals. These diseases typically stem from factors such as smoking, infections, and genetic predispositions.

The lungs play a vital role in the body's respiratory system, expanding and contracting roughly 20,000 times a day to facilitate the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. This intricate system comprises the trachea (windpipe), which branches into bronchial tubes and further divides into smaller tubes known as alveoli within the lungs. Various lung diseases can affect different parts of this respiratory system. Some of the most common respiratory diseases include:

Asthma
Asthma involves persistent inflammation of the airways, leading to spasms that result in wheezing and breathlessness. Triggers for asthma attacks may include allergies and infections.

Emphysema
Emphysema is characterized by lung damage that causes air to become trapped within the lungs, making it challenging for individuals to exhale properly. This condition is often linked to tobacco smoking and prolonged exposure to air pollution.

Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a chronic, hereditary disease characterized by impaired mucus clearance from the bronchi, leading to the accumulation of mucus and recurrent lung infections.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD, also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), manifests as an inability to exhale normally, resulting in breathing difficulties. Tobacco smoking and exposure to harmful particles or gases are primary triggers for COPD, eliciting an abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs.

Lung Cancer
Lung cancer can arise in any part of the lungs and is categorized into different types, including small-cell carcinoma and non-small-cell carcinoma. The type and spread of lung cancer dictate treatment options, with smoking and prolonged exposure to air pollution identified as significant risk factors for its development.

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by persistent inflammation in the joints. Joints, where two bones meet to facilitate movement, become inflamed, resulting in swelling, pain, stiffness, and redness. This inflammation can extend to surrounding tissues such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis occur when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. Normally, the immune system defends the body against invaders like infections, but in autoimmune diseases, antibodies target healthy tissue. Rheumatoid arthritis is considered a systemic illness as it can affect organs beyond the joints. It is a chronic condition, meaning it can last for years, with patients experiencing periods of symptom remission interspersed with flare-ups. Despite these remissions, rheumatoid arthritis is progressive and has the potential to cause joint destruction.

In some cases, rheumatoid arthritis leads to significant joint damage, including cartilage, bone, and ligament destruction, resulting in joint deformities. The severity of joint damage varies among individuals and may occur early in the disease course. Interestingly, clinical studies have shown that joint damage progression does not always align with the severity of pain, stiffness, or swelling experienced by patients.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a prevalent rheumatic disease affecting millions worldwide, with women being three times more likely to be affected than men. While it can develop at any age, including childhood (juvenile rheumatoid arthritis), it most commonly occurs between ages 40 and 60.

What causes Rheumatoid Arthritis?The exact cause of rheumatoid arthritis remains unknown, although it is an active area of research globally. While infectious agents such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi have been suspected, none have been definitively identified as the primary cause. Genetic predisposition may play a role, and environmental factors or infections could potentially trigger immune system activation. For example, smoking tobacco has been linked to an increased risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis.

What is Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by the body's inability to effectively utilize glucose (sugar) obtained from food. Normally, insulin, a hormone, facilitates the transfer of glucose from the bloodstream into cells for storage. However, in individuals with type 2 diabetes, either insufficient insulin is produced by the body or the insulin produced is not utilized effectively.

This results in elevated blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia) as glucose remains in the bloodstream instead of being utilized by cells. Unlike type 1 diabetes, where the body cannot produce insulin, type 2 diabetes is marked by insulin resistance, where cells do not respond appropriately to insulin.

Initially, individuals with type 2 diabetes may experience no symptoms. However, common early signs include fatigue, increased hunger, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and slow-healing infections of the bladder, kidneys, or skin.

What causes Type 2 Diabetes?
Type 2 diabetes typically develops gradually over time, primarily affecting overweight individuals. Excess body fat interferes with the body's ability to utilize insulin properly, leading to insulin resistance. Additionally, genetic predisposition plays a role, with individuals having a family history of diabetes at a higher risk of developing the condition.

Other contributing factors include a sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary habits, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol levels, age over 45, and abdominal obesity. Once established, type 2 diabetes persists throughout a person's lifetime, necessitating ongoing treatment.

Untreated diabetes can lead to various complications over time, including eye damage or blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, nerve damage, peripheral vascular disease resulting in toe or foot amputation, and periodontal disease leading to tooth loss.

While type 2 diabetes cannot be cured, its progression can be managed through medication, dietary modifications, and regular exercise. Maintaining blood sugar levels within target ranges helps alleviate symptoms and may delay or prevent complications associated with the condition.