Cats like to nibble on plants when they are tempted by their fluttering leaves. They may also do it if they are bored. But, eating these plants can be toxic to their health. Many houseplants cause irritation and stomach disorders. Cats may feel weak and have trouble breathing. In some cases, it can also affect their kidney or heart. To help you be a better cat owner here is a list of houseplants that are toxic for cats. Sago Palm Although they may look like smaller versions of a palm tree, this plant is from the Cycadaceae family, making it toxic for cats. It is commonly also known as king sago or Japanese funeral palm. Eating even a little bit of its leaves can be life-threatening for cats as it causes liver damage. Other kinds of cycads like Cycadales and Bennettitales are also dangerous for cats and should be kept out of their reach. Rubber tree plant The rubber tree plant that grows in most of our gardens is poisonous for cats. The sap of the tree has compounds like ficusin and psoralen, which are harmful to their health. After ingestion, it can cause irritation in their gastrointestinal tract. If this sap comes in contact with a cat’s skin, it can also lead to dermal irritation.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is characterized as an inherited neurodegenerative disorder in which the person has no control over the movement of their muscles. This neurological condition is the result of the loss of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brainstem. Most commonly babies and children are affected by this motor neuron disorder. Research is still on to find ways to completely cure this disorder and the FDA has so far approved two gene treatment options. Treatment options for spinal muscular atrophy The two approved treatment options of spinal muscular atrophy are forms of gene therapy that work with the affected SMA genes. Marketed by AveXis/Novartis, Zolgensma is a gene replacement therapy approved for all types of SMA for patients under 2 years of age. The second treatment includes using Nusinersen, which can be prescribed to children diagnosed with SMN type-1 mutation to adult-onset SMA type-4. Zolgensma treatment This gene replacement treatment involves replacing the affected SMN1 gene and is prescribed to children below two years of age. This method uses a genetically engineered virus that is directly inserted into the group of motor neuron cells. The procedure is performed only once by inserting a tiny tube inserted in a vein in the arm or hand.

Debilitating and throbbing migraines are usually accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and intolerance to light, sound, and any strong smell. Although so far, no causes of migraines have been found, there are many known triggers of migraines that you should know. People that suffer from migraines have a pattern in their symptoms. To help you curb your oncoming migraine, here is a list of top triggers for migraines. Stress 70% of migraines are related directly to stress, making it one of the top triggers for migraines. Both physical and psychological stress from our daily activities and sometimes taxing social or professional events can trigger a migraine. A study revealed that 50-70% of times stress is directly related to intense and throbbing migraines. Irregular sleep schedule There’s an inseparable relationship between sleep and migraine. Our body repairs itself while we sleep to keep us healthy and happy, and getting some rest is most essential for people afflicted with migraines. Both insufficient and excess sleep can cause migraine and is the real cause of the constant tension felt in the neck and shoulders. Hunger When you skip your breakfast and have a late lunch, you won’t just hear your stomach growling but also sense a headache coming.

After a person is diagnosed with cancer, what comes next is the staging process. This procedure helps determine as to which body parts and how far the cancer has spread and the chances of recovery and survival rate. Only after this stage is when a doctor can determine the course of treatment. Kidney cancer ranges from stages (1) I to (4) IV, and the doctors further use the TNM system, defined by the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). T (tumor) – identifies with the size of the tumor and whether it has invaded the surrounding tissues N (node) – determines if cancer has spread to the lymph nodes M (metastasis) – establishes whether cancer has spread to other body parts Stage 1 This is the least aggressive stage, where the tumor is sized at 7cm or less and is limited to just one kidney. Designated as T1, this stage has the highest five-year survival rate. Treatment The two surgery options of this stage are partial nephrectomy and radical nephrectomy. Partial nephrectomy: In an attempt to retain the kidney, only the tumor and the healthy tissue around it are removed. This treatment option brings about no change in your lifestyle.

All men are at risk of developing prostate cancer. If you are an avid health-news reader, you may be acquainted with a long list of ongoing research claiming new prostate cancer risk factors, as well as new treatment options in drugs like  xtandi, relugolix, erleada, lupron, and enzalutamide that may help. The studies range from eating dairy foods and drinking high-sugar drinks to being bald or driving a truck for a living. However, the only risk factors that can be considered established are listed below. Age You’re at greater risk if your age is high. Research reveals that prostate cancer risk begins to rise dramatically post 55 years and peaks between 70 and 74 years. Also, prostate cancer has a long induction period, and many men harbor abnormal cell growth in their prostate glands that later become high-risk prostate tumors. Family past A man with a family history of prostate cancer is more liable to acquiring the disease and facing the risk. The danger is more with the number of relatives diagnosed and how close the relationships are. If a father and his brother have prostate cancer, the son is likely to develop it too. Race There is a 60% higher risk of prostate cancer in African Americans than in white American men.