The prostate is a small organ that wraps around the urethra in males. Prostate problems are fairly common in men, especially when they get older. The most common prostate issue in men is a prostate enlargement. This is called benign prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia. The primary function of the prostate is to add fluid to semen to help in the mobility of sperm. Although the gland starts out small, as men get older there can be an increase in the number of cells in the gland which causes the prostate enlargement. This enlargement is often non-cancerous which is why it is said to be benign. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is not a life-threatening condition and can be managed efficiently. Lifestyle changes, medications, and herbal treatments for prostate enlargement are all useful in controlling this condition. Symptoms Of Prostate Enlargement The prostate gland is located behind the urethra just below the bladder. Any enlargement of the prostate will constrict the urethra. This will manifest as urinary symptoms. Common symptoms of prostate enlargement are: Frequent urge to urinate Difficulty initiating urination Incomplete voiding of the bladder Weak flow of urine Urinary incontinence (involuntary leakage of urine) Intermittency of urine flow (starting and stopping of the urine flow) Benign prostate enlargement is a progressive condition and will worsen over time. Effective management, including herbal treatments for prostate enlargement as well as medications, is necessary to prevent further complications. Treatment Options: Medical And Herbal Treatments For Prostate Issues Treatment involves a combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and herbal treatments for prostate enlargement. Herbal treatments for prostate issues is an excellent way to supplement the effectiveness of medicines. Medications The most commonly prescribed medications for this condition are alpha blockers and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors. Alpha blockers cause relaxation of the smooth muscles of the prostate and bladder neck which eases the flow of urine.

Arthritis, in simple language, refers to joint disease causing joint pain. Arthritis is not a single disease; doctors have been able to discover more than 100 types of arthritis. Arthritis is not age-specific, which means it can happen to anyone, at any age, any sex, and any race. In America, it is the major cause of disability where more than 300,000 children and 50 million adults suffer from arthritis. The body of a person suffering from arthritis is in an inflammatory state. Certain foods are to be avoided with arthritis as they not only increase inflammation but also push the person towards obesity and other chronic diseases such as heart attack and disabilities. Even though arthritis does not have a specific diet cure, certain foods to avoid with arthritis have shown to trigger inflammation, affect bones, and damage the immune system. There are different kinds of food that have the ability to promote or control inflammation. When anti-inflammatory food options are made a part of daily diet, pain resulting due to arthritis can be crushed to a great extent. Certain inflammation triggers in foods that can lead to arthritis and attached pain and swelling. Here is a list of foods to avoid with arthritis. Fried and processed foods – Researchers have proved that by lowering consumption of fried food and frozen meals, inflammation can be reduced and natural defenses of the body can be restored. Red meat – Red meat is loaded saturated fats well as omega-6 fatty acids and can trigger inflammation. This food should be avoided if you have arthritis. Patients have reported that after avoiding red meat, they have noticed a drastic improvement in the symptoms. Sugar and refined carbs – High sugar level results in inflammation. It is best to avoid processed food, candies, cakes as well as cold drinks loaded with soda.

Creatinine is a chemical waste product produced during body metabolism. The chemical is usually flushed out of the body through urine. Normal kidney function ensures that these waste products do not accumulate in the body and are regularly cleared out of the system. How Is Creatinine Produced? from amino acids like methionine and glycine are processed in the kidneys. It results in the production of guanidinoacetate acid. The acid travels to the liver, and here it is converted into another amino acid known as creatine. This creatine is stored and used in muscle tissues to produce energy. When you exercise your muscles, creatine in the muscles is used up and produces the waste product, creatinine. Creatinine tests show creatinine levels in the urine and blood. Normally, creatinine level in the urine would be higher than the level in the blood. This is because the kidneys usually remove the creatinine through urine. Knowing how to reduce creatinine levels will help mainatin a stability in its production. Normal creatinine levels in the blood for men and women: For men, blood creatinine level is usually in the range of 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL For women, blood creatinine level is usually in the range of 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL Creatinine level in men is higher than women because of greater muscle mass. Kidneys and Creatinine If the kidneys are not functioning normally for some reason, many waste products, including creatinine, can build up in the body. If you have persistently high levels of creatinine in your blood, it may indicate an underlying problem. High creatinine levels in the blood beyond the normal range for your sex can lead to serious health issues. It can even result in life-threatening disorders like uremia. Before it gets too late, consider the following treatments to know how to reduce creatinine.

The Federal Government features a health insurance program under Medicare for people who are 65 years or older and are suffering from any disability or end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Medicare is one of the most popular options for comprehensive health insurance. The Original Medicare mainly includes two parts, Part A and Part B, which provide insurance coverage for hospital costs and medical costs. There is an additional insurance cover available from third-party private insurance companies that provide for Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C). One must also note that the Original Medicare and Medicare Part C do not cover medication expenses, which is why Part D Prescription Drug Plan under the Medicare system pays for medical costs. The Original Medicare does not cover premiums for copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, which is why one must also purchase the Medicare Supplement Plans that provide for these expenses. Medicare Supplement Plans mainly feature 10 policies under the federal health insurance scheme. Plan A to Plan F feature different benefits under the scheme, wherein Plan F is one of the most popular ones. There are many insurance plans that can be mistaken for Medicare Supplement Plans or Medigap policies. The health maintenance organization (HMO) plan, the Prefered Provider Organization (PPO) plan, the private fee-for-service plans, Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, Medicaid, Federal Employees Union Health Plans, TRICARE, Veterans Benefits, and other long-term insurance policies do not form part of comprehensive Medicare coverage. Points to consider when buying Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) The applicant must already have the Original Medicare before he/she can compare and purchase different Medicare Supplement Plans. Plan F is one of the most popular supplement plans for Medicare as it offers comprehensive coverage for health insurance. In comparison to other Medigap policies, Plan F provides better coverage for copayment, coinsurance, and deductibles, which ensure that the out-of-pocket hospital and medical expenses are paid for by the insurance.

Histamine is a chemical that triggers allergic reactions in the body as the immune system’s way of defending the body against foreign matter. It triggers symptoms like a scratchy throat, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Most allergy medications contain antihistamines to combat the symptoms. Apart from medications, certain foods contain nutrients that act as natural antihistamines and may help ease allergies. Here are a few foods that can help combat allergies. Vitamin C Among all natural antihistamines, vitamin C is one of the most effective ones when it comes to dealing with allergy symptoms. The vitamin also boosts the immune system as foods that contain it have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Adding foods like oranges, lemon, lime, kiwi fruit, and cantaloupe melon to the diet can help relieve allergy symptoms. Bromelain Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and is often useful for alleviating inflammation and swelling of the sinuses due to allergies. It also helps treat respiratory distress caused by allergic reactions. Bromelain is available as a supplement, but it is also naturally present in pineapples. That said, it is recommended to have pineapples in moderation as the fruit also contains histamine. Probiotics This is another highly beneficial group of foods that act as natural antihistamines. Foods with probiotics are good for the immune system and may also help ease allergy symptoms. Probiotic foods contain healthy microbes and are good for gut health and the digestive system. Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso are a few probiotics that can help soothe allergies like allergic rhinitis. Quercetin Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonoid that is commonly found in apples and onions. This natural antihistamine can alleviate respiratory distress that may occur due to allergic reactions. Dietary sources of this enzyme also include honey, raspberries, red grapes, cherries, green leafy vegetables, and citrus fruits. Quercetin is also available in the form of supplements.

Eating the right kind of food when pregnant is very important for both you and the baby. That being said, finding the right foods that are healthy and satisfy your cravings can be difficult without a proper meal plan. So, if you’re deciding on your eating plan and do not know where to start, here is an essential guide that can help with foods that are good for pregnant women. Read on to learn more. Dairy products like yogurt It’s incredible how the human body is capable of creating new life. Of course, to do this, the body requires tons of extra protein and calcium that support the child’s growth. To ensure that you are getting your fill of all these essential nutrients, you can try to add dairy products to your meals. This includes milk, cheese, and yogurt. These dairy products will provide you with high-quality protein like casein and whey. They are also a great source of vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and other minerals. Whole grains like oats Whole grains are packed to the brim with essential fibers and plant compounds that can keep the body healthy and even promote the health of the unborn child. They also contain some amounts of protein, vitamin B, and magnesium. You could try adding foods such as oats, brown rice, barley, and quinoa to your everyday meals. It is best to replace white bread and white rice with their healthier counterparts. Foods rich in omega-3 like salmon Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role when it comes to the development of the fetus. In fact, they are known to build the brain and eyes and even help increase the duration of gestation. To ensure that you are getting your fill of omega-3 fatty acids, you should switch to seafood such as salmon.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe disease that can cause scar tissue to grow inside the lungs. The abnormal growth of such tissue can slow the flow of oxygen from the lungs to the blood and make it harder to breathe. There is no cure for IPF, but a few treatments can slow its progression and prolong life expectancy. Furthermore, combining these five foods with treatments may also help cope with the lung condition. Apples Eating apples regularly is known to have several health benefits. Improving lung health is one of them. The fruit contains quercetin, an antioxidant that compliments the lungs. Eating about five or more apples a week will help reduce lung diseases like COPD and pulmonary fibrosis. Beetroots and beet greens People who eat beetroots and beet greens have shown signs of better lung function. The food is rich in nitrates, which help calm the blood vessels. The compound is also known to curb blood pressure and smoothen the flow of oxygen to the respective organs in the body. Furthermore, beet greens contain magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and carotenoid antioxidants. These elements also benefit lung health. Pumpkin Pumpkins are a popular fruit abundant in properties like carotenoids, including zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta carotene. These elements have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. And studies reveal that young and older individuals with higher blood levels of carotenoids benefit from improved lung health. Tomatoes Adding tomatoes to one’s daily meals shows links to improved lung function. They contain lycopene – a carotenoid antioxidant associated with better lung health. Furthermore, people with asthma, who consumed tomato-based products, also experienced reduced airway inflammation. The compounds present in tomatoes also improve lung function in people with COPD. Oysters Oysters are a popular food that helps cope with lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Have you spent one too many days with a runny nose? If nasal congestion has been putting you down, read on. Nasal congestion is caused by the inflammation of the nasal membranes. The blood vessels that supply blood to the nasal membranes get inflamed, which causes the lining to swell. In most cases, nasal congestion is accompanied by nasal discharge, commonly called ‘a runny nose’. Nasal congestion could be a minor inconvenience to some people, but in rare cases, it can be life-threatening. Nasal congestion interferes with breathing, speaking, and sleeping. Nasal congestion during sleep can manifest itself in the form of sleep apnea, snoring, or the individual might experience difficulty in sleeping. This is especially hard on children who would find it hard to concentrate in school in the next few days. Adults could also suffer from performance deficits in their work. Nasal congestion can also interfere with hearing. Apart from the difficulty breathing, nasal congestion can cause headaches, pain in the face, sinusitis, and generalized discomfort. Nasal congestion can occur due to a variety of causes, ranging from the common cold to severe gastric reflux. Severe nasal congestion relief involves the use of over-the-counter or prescription medication. Some cases also benefit from home remedies. Causes of Nasal Congestion Apart from the common cold and influenza, nasal congestion can be caused by hay fever or other conditions like— allergies, a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, sinusitis, or nasal polyps. In some instances, nasal congestion can turn into a chronic condition. Severe Nasal Congestion Relief: Treatment Options The most effective way to get an instantaneous severe nasal congestion relief is to blow your nose. If there’s too much mucus present, this is a fast and effective way to provide temporary relief. Severe nasal congestion relief can be attained by using both medication and homemade remedies.

Seasonal allergies and chronic breathing disorders that trigger inflammation or irritation are a recurring nuisance. However, they are treatable, and medications help control the symptoms to some extent. But besides medicines, you can also manage these conditions using several home remedies prepared with the following foods and condiments. Ginger Since inflammation is the number one symptom of most allergies, ginger is the perfect choice to counter the discomfort. It has anti-inflammatory pain-relief properties and can be used in various beverages and everyday meals. Having ginger tea or adding its extracts to your daily foods can help alleviate the symptoms significantly. The spice is readily available and has a long shelf life when refrigerated. Turmeric Turmeric is a popular ingredient used to prepare home remedies in many cultures. Its active ingredient is curcumin, a compound rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric helps alleviate the discomforts associated with different nasal allergies that trigger inflammation of the airways. It also has anti-allergic properties that counter the irritation and swelling associated with allergic rhinitis. Spicy condiments Spices are natural allergy medicines. They help break up congestion, allowing the thick mucus to flow freely. This helps clear your sinuses and nasal passage for better breathing and sense of smell. Hot mustard, anise, fennel, and horseradish are some of the best spicy foods that help clear the stuffiness. But what gives spices this property? Most spicy condiments contain capsaicin, the active ingredient that stimulates decongestion. You can observe this effect after tasting a bit of wasabi or horseradish. Your eyes would start watering, and the liquid from the nasal passage would get cleared. Thus, including a bit of heat or spice can help with congestion and pain relief. Tomatoes Citrus-rich fruits like tomatoes (yes, tomato is a fruit!) are loaded with both vitamin C and allergy-fighting compounds.

Gout is a form of arthritis which involves swelling, pain, and inflammation of joints. Most gout cases tend to affect knees, heels, fingers, wrists as well as the big toes. It is estimated that about 8.3 million citizens in the country face the problem of gout. Usually, the symptoms of gout occur when a person’s blood has excess uric acid in their body. This acid is a waste product the body makes while digesting certain foods. So, when the levels of uric acid are high, some crystals of it accumulate in the joints, triggering intense pain, swelling, and inflammation. Luckily, one can control this health problem with some lifestyle changes, effective gout diet plans, and medications. This article will review the best foods for gout including the foods you should exclude from your diet. Understanding how diet affects gout When you have gout, some food can trigger an attack by increasing the levels of uric acid in your body. Trigger foods are often high in purines, and when digested, the waste product formed is uric acid. Healthy people don’t have to worry about excess uric acid because their bodies can efficiently get rid of it. However, a person with gout cannot effectively remove excess uric acid, and this leads to a gout attack. Luckily, research has shown that taking the right medication and avoiding a high purine diet can prevent gout attacks. Best foods to include in your diet to fight gout Although an anti-gout diet eliminates most foods, there are a lot of low purine foods one can still enjoy. Low purine foods are the ones that have at least 100 mg of purines/100 grams (3.5 ounces). Here is a list of gout foods you should include in your diet. Vegetables: One can have most types of vegetables like mushrooms, peas, potatoes, dark green leafy vegetables, and eggplants.

Mental and physical stress, genetics, dermatitis, fatigue, irregular sleep pattern, and an unhealthy lifestyle are some of the primary causes of puffy, droopy, and worn out eyes. People with eyes that look forever tired often find baggy eyes incredibly frustrating more so on big days and important occasions. While several spa and beauty and cosmetic treatments claim to ease all the puffiness and the bags under your eyes, these are usually either too expensive or completely ineffective. Here are some super easy home remedies that would not only treat bags under your eyes but would help you feel fresher and happier. Keep yourself hydrated Water is indeed an elixir of life. Therefore, having plenty of water is the best remedy for puffy eyes. Once your body is fully hydrated, the possibility of water retention under the eyes and on other parts of the body also reduces. Drinking enough water, therefore, helps flush out all the toxins from the body, keeping you fit and active all day long. In addition to increased water intake, bags under your eyes can also be treated by reducing the amount of salt consumption and avoiding caffeine or carbonated drinks that can lead to dehydration, water retention, and puffiness. Use cold spoons This is a simple home remedy that works wonderfully well on tired eyes by tightening up the skin around it. Placing chilled spoons can help ease stress and soothe the blood vessels around the eyes. Once the cold spoons turn warm, make sure you replace them with a cold one. Repeat the process until you feel the bags under your eyes have become fully relaxed. Don’t throw used tea bags That’s right! Used tea bags can help relieve puffy eyes and make them stress-free and refreshed. Tea bags have anti-irritant and anti-inflammatory properties that can contribute to reducing eye bags, redness, and all sorts of inflammation.

Everybody knows that with abdominal bloating one experiences physical discomforts. When air or gas fills in your GI (gastrointestinal) tract, you experience stomach or abdominal bloating. People suffering from abdominal bloating feel full and tight, and there can be a swollen feeling in the abdomen as well. Pain, flatulence, belching or burping, and abdominal rumbling follows bloating, and this condition reduces the quality of life seriously. The major causes of bloating are chewing gum, eating fast, wearing loose dentures, smoking, IBS, Crohn’s disease, heartburn, weight gain, food intolerance, stress or anxiety, eating disorders, hormonal flux, giardiasis, constipation, visceral hypersensitivity, and altered gut motility. If you’re wondering how to get abdominal bloating relief, the following tips will help. Make efforts to get maximum protection from lactose intolerance and allergies Many people suffer from bloating due to food intolerance and allergies. First of all, you have to seek the help of your doctor to identify the cause of bloating. Self-diagnosis is not at all an advisable practice to follow. When you take decisions without adequate knowledge, you may end up inviting a lot of health complications. If you sense intolerance or allergy, consult with your doctor to identify the cause. The amount of the suspected food can be lowered, or it can be consumed with other foods to reduce the negative impact. If you find that dairy products are causing the problem, you can select yogurts and aged cheeses because of their reduced lactose quantity. These will help in providing abdominal bloating relief. Be cautious about sugar alcohol Various studies show that several people suffer from bloating due to their increased consumption of sugar alcohol. Artificially sweetened drinks and food contain a lot of sugar alcohol, and it makes you highly vulnerable to bloating. Health experts advise people to limit their consumption of artificially sweetened foods and drinks into 2 or 3 servings a day to get abdominal bloating relief.