Brain health and memory can be enhanced with the help of right vitamins. Memory loss is a great concern for many people as they age and, eminent doctors recommend increased intake of necessary vitamins to improve brain health. Here are some of the most effective brain & memory vitamins. Vitamin B12 Vitamin B12 is an essential vitamin for brain health. Although you do not need it in large quantities, it is unavoidable. The human body requires less than three micrograms and it can be acquired by eating 6 to 8 ounces of animal flesh daily. If you eat one whole chicken breast or 2 eggs, you will get the needed quantity. Normally, supplementation is not needed if people consume meats. B12 plays a big part in creating new red blood cells and it also controls nerve transmissions. In DNA synthesis, this vitamin plays a big part as well. Other essential functions of vitamin B12 include efficient energy cycle of metabolism and improved blood functions. All these aspects have a big role to play in improving your brain health. The best source of B12 is naturally raised animal flesh. Folate It has been found out that B Vitamins are highly effective in enhancing alertness, focus, memory, and energy. Folic acid maintains the oxygen in your blood and it gets engaged in the process of producing healthy blood. Even a slight deficiency can lead to tiredness. Moodiness and distractedness follow it. If you miss a single meal, you may have to deal with folate deficiency because the human body does not store folate. If you have a folate deficiency, supplementation is needed to keep the levels normal. When it comes to memory recall, folate is a very critical vitamin. It helps your retrieve stored information from the memory. Vitamin E Although there is some debate on the effectiveness of vitamin E when it comes to treating heart health, nobody can disagree with the fact that it enhances the brain health.

The liver is also an important part of the digestion process as it helps break down the nutrients in the food, stores them as useful substances, and provides it to your body when required. Not just that, the liver also flushes out the toxins in your body. This makes your liver a vital body organ, which you cannot afford to lose. Hepatitis C (Hep C) is a virus which causes inflammation of the liver, and if left unattended for some time, it causes permanent damage to the liver. Many times, liver damage and Hep C go hand in hand. So, it is important that you start your treatments for Hep C as soon as you find out that you have caught the virus. Hep C is of two types: Acute hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis C. While acute hepatitis is less severe and a short-term viral infection, chronic hepatitis C can cause serious ailments like cirrhosis and liver cancer. The worst thing about Hep C is that most of the times, people don’t find out about their condition until they are nearing the last stage of the disease. This is because the symptoms of this disease in most cases are very generic and not easily distinguishable. Some of the popular medicines prescribed by doctors for hepatitis C include interferon, ribavirin, and many such similar drugs antiviral drugs. Talk to you doctor before taking them as these drugs come with potential side-effects if taken without considering the guidelines. Treatments for Hep C are expensive and there are various factors you need to consider before opting for it. What should you consider before opting for treatments for Hep C? The severity of your disease The type of hepatitis you suffer from Other health conditions you suffer from Your liver health condition Natural treatments for Hep C and lifestyle changes Milk thistle:

Eyesight often worsens with age, leading to various vision problems. Presbyopia, also known as age-related farsightedness, is an eye condition where patients find it extremely difficult to focus on nearby objects. With age, the lenses become less flexible and fail to contract and relax efficiently. However, the good news is that one can manage presbyopia effectively. Here are the symptoms, home remedies, and nutritious foods that help cope with the condition. Symptoms of presbyopia Individuals with presbyopia find it challenging to read fine prints and are often found squinting. They tend to hold reading material at arm’s length to focus. They also find it hard to see in the dark. These things put a lot of strain on the eyes, leading to headaches. Home remedies for presbyopia Besides opting for corrective eyeglasses and other treatment options, one can try the following home remedies: Eye exercises Simple eye exercises like focusing on an object for a long time, switching from big to small fonts, and switching from blurred to sharper text help improve the lens’ focus. Patients must consult an eye specialist for advice regarding the right exercises based on their condition. Warm compress When the eyes feel overworked or strained, it could be challenging to move them. Even resting the eyes could be hard. Dipping a washcloth in warm water and dabbing it on the eyes can help retain moisture and relax the tissues and muscles around the eyes. Foods to manage presbyopia Patients must eat foods high in vitamins A, C, E, omega-3, and zinc. These are essential nutrients to keep eye tissues healthy and working at their optimal best. Carrots, avocados, pumpkin seeds, chickpeas, flax seeds, and leafy greens are suitable options. Besides using home remedies and eating the right foods, patients can keep presbyopia eye drops handy.

Shiny and voluminous hair is not only a sign of beauty but also speak volumes about the good health. However, maintaining them is not an easy task. The health condition of your hair depends on various nutrients, which are used by your body for their growth and repair. To help you keep your hair healthy, we have drawn up a list of some of the best vitamins for hair growth. Read on to know more. Vitamin A An important vitamin for proper hair growth is the vitamin A. It contains antioxidant properties that help in keeping the scalp moisturized by the production of sebum. Sebum is a natural oil made by the skin glands which makes your hair glossy. Vitamin A offers faster hair growth and sufficient thickness. Vitamin A rich foods include: Egg yolk Sweet potatoes Milk Spinach Mangoes Carrots Dried apricots Niacin (Vitamin B3) One of the 8 B vitamins, niacin is a necessary nutrient that is required for proper functioning of the body. Its chemical composition (nicotinamide) helps to improve skin function. Niacin ingested orally or applied to the scalp protects the scalp and hair from damage caused by sun/UV rays exposure. It makes your hair less brittle and provides more luster. Foods to eat for vitamin B3 deficiency: Tuna Mushrooms Avocados Turkey Biotin (Vitamin B7, Vitamin H) A part of the vitamin B family, biotin is a water-soluble vitamin that is also known as the hair growth vitamin, vitamin H. A part of the vitamin B family. This vitamin works to complement hair growth by activating the amino acids and fats that are essential for maintaining the structure of the hair protein keratin. A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to hair loss and sparse growth. Research has shown that intake of biotin coupled with an external application made hair grow back in areas where hair shedding had taken place.

High Cholesterol levels are injurious to health. They increase the potential risk of cardiac diseases such as heart failure and attacks. It is better to control the cholesterol levels. No doubt, medication works wonderfully to improve the cholesterol. But it is wise to make specific lifestyle changes to keep the cholesterol under control. The lifestyle changes keep you at bay from the cholesterol-lowering medications. Even if you take those drugs, these changes increase the effect of the prescribed medicines. Here are some of the ways to lower cholesterol levels in the body: Eat heart-friendly food: Foods that contain saturated fats increase the cholesterol amounts. Avoid dairy products and red meat as they result in the bad cholesterol. Try to reduce 7% of the total calories you take per day. Choose low-fat milk products and leaner meat cuts for a healthy diet. Bring small changes to your diet and make it a heart-healthy diet. Fried foods contain trans-fats. These trans-fats are injurious to health as they boost the bad cholesterol and decrease the good cholesterol levels. Such condition results in possible chances of heart diseases. Food products with less than 0.5 grams are known as trans-fat-free. Stay away from foods that contain trans-fats and hydrogenated oil. Omega-3 Fatty acids are good for health. They boost the lipoprotein and lessen the blood pressure and are beneficial for the healthy heart. Eat food products rich in omega-3 fatty acid. Include almonds, walnut, salmon, herring, and flaxseeds in your diet. Increase the intake of soluble fiber. Add oats, brand, fruits, vegetable, and lentils to your diet for heart-health benefits. Whey protein is another essential ingredient which is a must-add for a healthy diet. Regular exercising: Adopt the habit of daily exercising. Increase the hours of physical activities and workout. Proper levels of physical exercising increase the high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

Hepatitis C is an infection caused by a virus that attacks the liver and damages it. This leads to inflammation of the liver. The virus that causes this condition is the hepatitis C Virus (HCV). This disease was identified in the year 1989 until when it was termed as non-hepatitis A and non-hepatitis B. HCV is one amongst the well-known hepatitis strains of hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. As of 2015, about 2% of the world, that is, around an estimate of 143 million people worldwide are infected with hepatitis C. Though there are various methods of treatment available for this disease, there is no availability of vaccines to prevent the occurrence of this disease. The disease is spread by direct blood to blood contact. It is a highly contagious disease. The spreading of the disease occurs majorly due to organ transplant, blood transfusion, sharing needles (usually with the usage of intravenous medicines), body modifications (tattooing with unsterile needles, nose/ear piercing), shared items (sharing items such as razors and toothbrush), during childbirth (the mother can pass down the virus to the child), and sexual contact (if it involves the exchange of blood). There are various methods of treatment for this disease. Few do not need a treatment because the antibodies produced as a natural phenomenon by the body take care of fighting off the infection. They are given antiviral medications and are constantly monitored. The identification of the presence of these antibodies in the blood is a method of detection. For the patients whose level of liver scarring is high, a liver transplant is recommended. Symptoms of hepatitis C In humans, the symptoms of hepatitis C are not obvious and are dormant for a long term. In order to be able to avail proper treatment for this highly contagious disease, here is a list of symptoms of hepatitis C.

Hepatitis C also known as the chronic liver disease is caused by hepatitis C virus. It is the most serious type of viruses among A, B, and C. Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver which is caused by infection, medication or accumulation of toxins in the body. According to a recent survey conducted, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has affected around 3.5 million people in the country. It is also the cause of 12,000 deaths in a year across the country. Types of hepatitis C Hepatitis C has mostly two main discourses. These are acute hepatitis and chronic hepatitis C. The symptoms of acute hepatitis C are more short-termed ranging from six months up to a year. On the other hand, symptoms of chronic hepatitis C can last a lifetime. Acute hepatitis if left untreated, leads to chronic hepatitis in most of the cases. The hepatitis C is a blood-borne virus and occurs as the result of transdermal transmission of the hepatitis C virus through infected blood. It is a contagious disease and the virus can easily enter into the bloodstream of another person through the skin. Transmission It is transmitted by injecting drug through sharing of infected injection. It can also be transmitted through blood and its transfusions. Through the reuse of unsterilized syringes, injections, and other medical equipment. Through dialysis or any kind of organ transplant. Through Intranasal use of drug( snorting) Through any kind of body piercing or injecting ink into a person’s skin also known as tattooing. Through sexual contact. From an infected mother to her baby. Not maintaining personal hygiene and sharing of personal things such as garments, razors, toothbrushes and other items Hepatitis C is not transmitted through breast milk unless the skin of the nipple is percutaneous. It is also not spread through sharing of food or water of the infected person.

Are you experiencing pain in your big toe? The pain is accompanied by burning or swelling! Well, this can be a symptom of gout. An arthritis pain caused due to faulty metabolism process, gout mostly affects the big toe of patients. Apart from causing pain and stiffness, it may also lead to swelling of the affected area. People affected with gout problems not just have to experience difficulty during movement, pain, and stiffness often awaken them in the middle of the night. If you are experiencing symptoms of gout or have been diagnosed with the condition, you need to act intelligently. Once diagnosed gout becomes a chronic condition, yet there is no need to get disheartened. With a little care, you can certainly control the pain and live comfortably. Here are some of the popular and best gout treatments you can do at home: Take adequate rest: As your toes and feet are worst affected by gout pain, it will be better for you to reduce further stress in these parts. Take bed rest as much as possible to heal the swelling and get back to normal life. Also avoid covering the affected areas with clothes, as this increases the discomfort. Footwear is also not recommended for this condition. Applying cold compress: This is one of the best gout treatments that is a simple yet effective way to deal with the pain and discomfort related to gout. Take some ice in an ice-pack or get a dry ice-pack from a medicine store and apply in the affected area to ease the pain. However, do not apply ice directly on your skin. Keep your body hydrated: Drinking sufficient water is important for everyone, yet it is more important for people with gout problems and is perhaps one of the most effective and best gout treatments.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS affects the bowel movements and impacts digestion and metabolism. It causes a great deal of irritation and discomfort in the abdomen. Proper bowel movement gets altered resulting in either constipation or diarrhea while also changing the stool consistency. Women are prone to this syndrome especially after the age of 25. The primary causes of irritable bowel syndrome are not known, though intestinal infections are found to have induced it. Some types of food can also cause sensitivity in the bowel region. Moreover, genetics can play a role in the development of this ailment. Stress is said to trigger irritable bowel syndrome, thereby aggravating the condition.The occurrence of muscle spasms inside the intestines is also a common phenomenon. A person suffering from irritable bowel syndrome constantly experiences extreme fatigue, bloating, anxiety, and stomach ache. It is also characterized by a continuous sensation of incomplete stool movement, even when the bowel has been emptied.Although it is not a serious medical condition, it can have a negative influence on an individual’s lifestyle. An individual can encounter any of the three types of the ailment. If IBS is characterized by recurrent constipation, it is known as IBS-C. On the other hand, the one characterized by chronic diarrhea is known as IBS-D. If there is an occurrence of both constipation and diarrhea alternately, the condition is known as alternating (mixed) IBS or IBS-A (IBS-M). When the individual does not face any typical symptoms of the above three types, he said to fall into the category of unsubtyped IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome can be troublesome if it is not managed properly. The best remedy is to have an IBS diet plan that is low on FODMAPs. The abbreviation FODMAP stands for Fermentable, Oligo, Di-, Monosaccharides, And Polyols: a series of carbohydrates that are not easily processed by the small intestine.

Inflamed joints are a painful condition. Joint pain due to arthritic conditions like gout is one of the leading cause of pain worldwide. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is characterized by the accumulation of uric acid crystals around the joints. The course of gout is recurrent with attacks of inflammation, followed by pain that starts a few hours later. The pain is often severe and of rapid onset. Gout is caused by various genetic and environmental factors. Gout occurs when there is a high level of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid forms crystals and these uric acid crystals deposit around bone joints, tendons, and supportive tissues. Gout was once called “the rich man’s disease” or “the king’s disease” since it was associated with excessively rich diets. With modern diets and prolonged life spans, gout has become increasingly common. Being overweight, eating too much meat, and drinking too much beer increases your chances of developing gout. Gout diet plans aim to ease the symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. Causes of gout The primary cause of gout is uric acid buildup. In most cases, the underlying reason for overaccumulation of uric acid is underexcretion of urate by the kidneys. Though uncommon, sometimes the reason could be an overproduction of uric acid. Genetic and dietary factors play a huge role in the development of gout. Diets with excessive amounts of meat, seafood, alcohol, and sweetened beverages, increase the risk of developing gout. Gout diet plans include consuming vitamin C, dairy products, and coffee along with moderate levels of physical exercise. Symptoms to watch out for The most defining symptom of gout is recurrent attacks of acute arthritis. The joints become red, inflamed, tender, hot to the touch, and even painful. In half of all cases, the joint of the big toe is affected.

A bunion or hallux valgus is a bump that is formed at the joint of the big toe to the foot. As a result of the deformity, the big toe is pointed toward the small toes while the joint is inflamed and pushed outward. Causes of this condition are often cited as genetic, wearing tight shoes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Bunions may result in pain while walking, inflammation of the joint, and shift of the big toe toward the smaller toes. Although a complete cure may not be possible without surgery, there are treatments to bunion that can be availed in order to get rid of pain and reduce the overall growth. Types of treatment Surgical procedures are mainly aimed at the realignment of the bones of the big toe and the joint and the repair of the soft tissue around it. This will help correct the deformity of the foot and relieve the pain. Depending on the extent of the deformity, the surgical procedure may vary. Ligament and tendon repair Sometimes the ligaments and tendons may be too tight on one side or too loose on the other side, which ends up pulling the toe sideways. Surgery is the only bunion treatment in this case, which is advised to loosen the tight tendons and ligaments and shorten the long tendons and ligaments, thereby getting the big toe to its correct position again. Osteotomy In Osteotomy, as the name of the bunion treatment suggests, part of the bone in the toe is removed and fixed with metal pins and screws. At times, a wedge of the bones is removed to allow the big toe to be straightened. Osteotomy is accompanied by the repair of ligament and tendon as well to relieve the inflammation in the area. Arthrodesis This bunion treatment is mainly used for arthritic patients who have had previous bunion surgery.

Hepatitis C is a kind of infection that’s caused by a hepatitis C virus that normally attacks the liver. This condition usually progresses slowly and shows a few symptoms or signs for decades. This is the reason most cases of this disease go undiagnosed for many years. In most cases, this condition is discovered when someone is undergoing a routine checkup or when they try to give blood and it’s screened for hepatitis C virus. However, most people live this virus for many years without knowing. In such a case, the disease is discovered when chronic liver disease symptoms like liver cancer and cirrhosis finally set in. Since most people are always checking hepatitis C FAQs to know about its symptoms, some of the common symptoms of acute and chronic hepatitis C have been mentioned below: Acute HCV infection HCV infection starts when one is exposed to the virus, and this phase is known as acute or short-term HCV. Acute HCV doesn’t have many symptoms, and its infection develops 2 to 26 weeks after an exposure to the virus. Most people who have this infection develop symptoms like abdominal pain, jaundice and flu-like symptoms (muscles aches, fatigue, and nausea). The symptoms disappear in a few weeks, and the acute illness lasts typically for 2 to 12 weeks. Chronic HCV infection Short-term HCV can become chronic or long-term, and this occurs when the virus is detected six or more months after the first infection. Chronic HCV also affects people without causing apparent symptoms, whether the liver is being damaged or not. However, symptoms can worsen if the virus is causing significant liver damage although it takes many years or decades. Symptoms of chronic HCV include the following. Fatigue – This is one of the most common hepatitis C symptoms. You will feel extremely tired and lack energy; these feelings do not go away when you sleep, making it very difficult to handle the situation.