Negative stigma surrounding mental disorders has been present in society for decades. As the world moves toward becoming more accepting, despite our various differences, that stigma is slowly dissolving. One mental disorder that has received much negative attention in the past is schizophrenia, a disorder that influences a person’s perception of reality. Schizophrenic individuals might find themselves hallucinating or having deluded thoughts and this may impact the ability to think logically. There is some debate as to what exactly causes this condition, but it is most popularly believed that schizophrenia is a result of the environment (i.e., trauma), genetics, and brain chemistry. This condition can be disabling if it is left untreated or caught in its later stages. Here are three early warning signs to look out for when determining schizophrenia: 1. Depression and social withdrawal The symptoms of schizophrenia fall under three categories: behavioral, cognitive, and emotional. Depression and social withdrawal are both behavioral and emotional symptoms associated with schizophrenia. A person with depression and schizophrenia is more inclined to refrain from social interaction and eventually becomes secluded from the rest of society. During seclusion, patients may begin to hallucinate or have deluded thoughts due to withdrawal. It is important to visit a mental health professional as soon as you experience hallucinations.

Multiple sclerosis is a serious degenerative disease that primarily impacts the brain and spinal cord. However, the underlying cause of these symptoms stems from someone’s own immune system. The immune system of someone who suffers from multiple sclerosis will begin to attack something known as the myelin sheath. This sheath protects people’s nervous system and helps it function.  As the myelin suffers attacks from one’s immune system the following symptoms of multiple sclerosis may escalate in severity 1. Vision problems Multiple sclerosis symptoms gradually develop over the course of the condition. As such it’s important to keep an eye out for early signs of multiple sclerosis. Often times the treatment options are more successful when symptoms are caught fairly early. Additionally, early detection can vastly improve results with treatments such as an aubagio teriflunomide immunomodulator with anti-inflammatory properties. Vision problems are one of the most common early warnings signs of multiple sclerosis. Vision is highly tied into the human nervous system. As such, it doesn’t take much to impair our ability to see the world. This can make visual problems an important early warning sign of multiple sclerosis. However, there is one significant issue with using visual problems as a way to detect multiple sclerosis.

Lung cancer is the unrestrained increase of abnormal cells in the lungs. It can occur in one or both lungs. Most cases of lung cancer are the result of smoking; both second-hand and first-hand smokers. Other contributing factors for lung cancer include exposure to radiation or radiation therapy, contact with carcinogens, and a family history of lung cancer. Once a diagnosis is received, your doctor will likely prescribe medications and treatments to help; for example, OPDIVO (nivolumab) combined with YERVOY (ipilimumab). Lung cancer symptoms include: 1. A chronic cough that gets worse One of the common signs of advanced lung cancer is a chronic cough. Most people identified with lung cancer have a cough that is continuous for up to eight weeks. The body stimulates itself to cough to prevent particles that may enter the airways and lungs, which results in a cough that does not end or develops into a chronic cough. Lung cancer coughs are, at times, dry or wet. The coughs may arise at whichever time and may interrupt sleep at night. They also cause pain in the back and the chest when laughing or taking deep breaths 2. Coughing up blood At the initial stage, lung cancer symptoms differ from one person to another—normal cough changing to continuous coughs and later blood coughs.

Cancer is a word no one ever wants to hear from their doctor. Fortunately, with scientific and medical advances, patients diagnosed with cancer are living longer than before. If caught early, many forms of cancer can be treated effectively, and even completely cured. In order to get the best possible outcome, it is important to be aware of the early signs of cancer. The following are the most common cancer symptoms to watch out for: 1. Fever or night sweats Night sweats are usually not serious if you simply have the flu or are going through menopause. However, unexplained night sweats and fever are a red flag that there may be something more serious going on. Fever is a sign that the body’s immune system is attempting to fight off an illness, and this can be an indication of a variety of cancers. 2. Unusual bleeding or bruising While bruises are typically nothing to be worried about, there are situations in which they can be cause for concern. Bruises which appear out of nowhere should raise the alarm that something is amiss. Unusual bleeding from places like the gums and nose or a heavy period can also be signs that something is wrong.

According to the U.S. Census data, approximately 92 percent of Americans are covered by health insurance. Health insurance is essential for providing financial protection in case of unexpected sickness or injury. Instead of paying for expensive healthcare bills on your own, insurance can help make those costs more affordable. Before commiting to a health insurance plan, here are five important things to consider: 1. Be wary of plans that promise everything There are numerous healthcare insurance providers in the U.S. that try to create stiff competition among insurers. In a bid to make their policies seem most attractive, some companies may make unrealistic promises to attract new clients. If the health care premiums offered seem suspiciously low, check for hidden costs or added charges for certain treatments. 2. Consider how much you’ll need health care Health insurance ideally helps you cover the cost of most medical and surgical expenses. Any  healthcare plan worth your while will cover the majority of your medical expenses without a strain on your personal finances. However, it’s important to know exactly what health issues are covered. For Americans with specific or chronic ailments, broad health coverage may not suffice. Be sure to review the particulars of any health care plan coverage to estimate how much of that coverage you actually need.