Diabetes is a condition that causes a hike or a dip in your blood sugar or blood glucose levels. This is one of the most common diseases, what with 29 million people in the US suffering from it. If you take care of your body and lead a healthy lifestyle while following a good diet, you can keep a tab on your blood sugar levels, and lead a healthy and normal life. Here is a list of a few drinks for diabetes that you simply must incorporate to your diet. Water When in doubt, always drink water. Water is something you cannot go wrong with, so make sure you drink water through the day. Water keeps you hydrated, and this, in turn, helps maintain your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can cause dehydration. Also, drinking water regularly can help your body eliminate any excess glucose. Make sure you drink about 8 to 20 glasses of water a day. If water is too plain for you, add slices of lemon, orange, or flavored herbs like basil, mint, or lemon balm. This is one of the best drinks for diabetes one can consider having. Chamomile tea Chamomile tea is known for its medicinal properties and makes for a great drink if you’re diabetic as well. With no calories, great flavor, and a good amount of antioxidants, chamomile tea is one of the perfect health drinks for diabetes. Research suggests that when you regularly drink chamomile tea, your blood sugar levels come down as well. Chamomile tea also helps prevent and treat a list of complications like kidney disease, blindness, circulatory disorders, and much more. Coffee Black coffee is a great drink if you’re suffering from diabetes. It has less than 20 calories and only about 5 grams of carbohydrates in every cup.

Hepatitis C is a viral liver disease which is also contagious. The disease spreads via blood contact and it is necessary to avoid any exposure to the hepatitis C virus. The infection can go on to be chronic and can be treated with medications. HCV can also cause liver cancer and in some worse conditions, it can also lead to death. The virus usually invades the liver which causes dysfunction and swelling. It is possible for a person to get re-infected with the virus that has a different strain. Symptoms of HCV Acute Hepatitis C Due to the lack of definitive symptoms, acute hepatitis C is very rarely diagnosed. People even refer to it as a silent epidemic. From exposure to symptoms, it takes up to 4 to 15 weeks. Symptoms of the same could be nausea, joint pain, abdominal discomfort, and jaundice. Chronic Hepatitis C When the virus remains in the blood for more than six months, hepatitis becomes chronic. During diagnosis, if the HCV virus is detected for more than two times then the chronic HCV is confirmed. The infection will continue unless it is treated with proper medication. It should be noted that after 25 to 30 years the infection might result in scarring or even fibrosis of the liver. If the situation worsens then it can cause liver cancer and even liver failure. The damage of the disease is not apparent until the liver is almost on the verge of collapse. Proper treatments for Hep C are the only way to go in this case. Causes of HCV Hepatitis C is caused by the HCV virus. Viruses are usually inactive unless they enter a living body. These viruses then attack the cell and start replicating. In case of chronic HCV, millions of copies of the virus are produced in the body.

Caused by a virus that infects the liver and spreads through the blood, hepatitis C has been known to affect approximately 3 million people in the country as per studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, nearly 75% of the affected people are unaware of the presence of hepatitis C virus in their body. A virus can be present for years or decades before any symptoms become evident. This is the reason why hepatitis C is also known as the “silent killer.” Since the virus remains undetected for a long time, the disease is often diagnosed at a late advanced stage. The CDC estimates that nearly 15,000 of people die every year due to liver disease related to hepatitis C. This mortality rate due to hepatitis C is more than that of HIV. Here are some common hepatitis C FAQs. What does hepatitis mean? This is a common hepatitis C FAQ as many aren’t aware of what hepatitis C is. The inflammation of the liver is called as hepatitis. Hepatitis can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, excess consumption of alcohol, exposure to toxins, and certain medications. The group of viral infections that damage the liver is known as hepatitis. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are the common types of hepatitis. Each of these types of hepatitis is caused by different factors, and each of these has different symptoms. What is the difference between hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C? Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is caused by the consumption of contaminated food, specifically food contaminated by raw shellfish and fecal matter. There is no permanent liver damage caused by hepatitis A, and there is no occurrence of chronic disease. Once diagnosed and treated, recovering from hepatitis A is possible in three to six weeks.

Bunions or the painful bumps that usually develops on joint of the big toe can be extremely painful. The extreme pain not just causes difficulty while walking if left untreated, the bony bumps can also completely restrict your movement. Bunions are mostly caused by wrong shoe selection. Almost all patients, complaining of this condition have the habit of wearing pointed or narrow shoes for a prolonged period. In many patients, bunions are not restricted to the big toe only; stiffness is experienced in other toes as the painful big toe keeps on pressurizing the other toes. Neglecting the condition and not wearing the right kind of footwear can slowly lead to the bending of the whole toe. Medication to treat bunion pain is important. Footwear selection should be the prime concern for patients with bunions. You can either get special medicated shoes for bunions or get something that can ensure comfort to your feet. Choices of shoes for bunions Wearing comfortable shoes for bunions with sufficient space for spreading the toes can be helpful for people with mild bunions. Apart from ensuring toe space, you should also ensure that it is low-heeled so that it does not pressurize your heels. Depending on your comfort level, you can get shoes that are half size more than your actual fit. Getting footwear with extra depth can also be a useful option, as this allows an easy accommodation of corns or calluses. While readily available shoes for bunions available in stores is suitable for people having mild to medium bunions, tailor-made shoes for bunions are recommended for people having a severe deformity. In many cases, modifying the existing footwear has given relief to patients. Based on your preference as well as shoe type, you can request for wide shoes with a stretcher or add orthotics to it.

Hepatitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the liver. The most common cause of hepatitis are hepatitis viruses A, B, and C. It can also be caused by certain infections, medications or toxins. Hepatitis C is the most dangerous form of hepatitis disease. It is of two types: Acute hepatitis C and chronic hepatitis C. The symptoms of acute hepatitis C are short-lived, and it is less serious. However, chronic hepatitis C is a more severe condition which can last for one’s entire lifetime. In most of the cases, acute hepatitis C turns into chronic hepatitis C. Hepatitis is called an invisible disease because sometimes the symptoms are not even visible. In some cases of chronic hepatitis C, the symptoms show after a very long time of being infected by the virus. For the virus to damage the liver enough to show symptoms of a disease, it can take from 6 weeks to up to 10 years. In case of acute hepatitis C, no symptoms are visible when the infection begins. In other cases, some visible hepatitis C symptoms are visible such as, Stomach Ache Since the hepatitis C virus directly attacks the liver, the whole digestive system is disrupted. Every organ in the digestive system is affected by the infection including the stomach, the liver, and other organs. Stomach ache is one of the most common symptoms of hepatitis C infection. It can be accompanied by vomiting. High Temperature Right after infection, people can experience a sudden rise in body temperature. Feeling feverish is a common symptom experienced by people who have hepatitis virus. Tiredness Some people complain of feeling excessively tired or fatigued even after minimal physical activity. Feeling weak and tired is one of the symptoms of acute hepatitis C. Poor Appetite Poor appetite is another symptom of acute hepatitis C.

Diabetic feet are problems in your feet, as a result of diabetes. Diabetes is the medical condition associated with the lack of insulin in our body, which is a hormone released by the pancreas. Insulin helps convert glucose from the food that you intake, into energy. Due to the lack of insulin, glucose stays in the blood, and high glucose can cause health problems and foot complications. Diabetic foot is a severe condition affecting anyone with diabetes. The effects may be mild like the healing of a foot cut, or extreme like an amputation of the foot. One simple thing you can do is, prevent any injuries to your feet and make sure to monitor your feet on a daily basis. There are two major reasons for diabetic feet. Lack of oxygen and nutrients will lead to the low blood supply to the feet which will further cause cuts and damages. Secondly, there is a diabetic nerve called peripheral neuropathy that causes numbness in your feet, thereby increasing your chances to get sores and infections. Problems Associated With Diabetic Feet Fungal Infection of the Nails This is caused by bacteria and results in irritated and reddened nail area. The infection also leads to a change of color (yellow) along with inflammation, pain and crumbling of the toe. If left untreated, the fungus becomes worse and can infect your other toenails, the skin on your feet and even your fingernails. In severe cases, the infection can impair your ability to walk or cause painful ingrown toenails. Muscle and Joint Problems Diabetes also result in damage to the peripheral nerve, resulting in foot problems. The damage of the nerve causes muscle and joint pain in a severe way possible. It can also result in numbness of the feet, making it difficult for you to feel your feet.

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain often in the joint at the base of the big toe. Men are more likely to get gout than women who become susceptible after their menopause. It is a common prevailing condition in the UK, and one can’t escape gout without easy gout treatments. Here are certain symptoms of gout which you can check for in case of doubt: Joint Pain Sudden pain and swelling usually affecting the joint of your big toe is one basic symptom of gout. The whole area becomes red, and there is an unbearable pain for the first 4-12 hours after it begins. Inflammation The skin around the joint swells and the color changes to red or purple. You will find that the area will be warm compared to the rest of your body. Limited Mobility Gout leads to severe pain in the affected joint area, causing discomfort and limited mobility, and lasts for more than a week or so depending on the severity of the swelling. Below are other causes of gout. Uric Acid The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, a substance found naturally in the body as well as in certain foods. The acid dissolved in blood passes through the kidneys to leave the body as urine. When the body produces too much or the kidneys excrete too little acid, it turns into small crystals that settle in the joint. These crystals cause major swelling in the big toe. High Blood Pressure If the blood pressure is too high, it causes strain on your body and kidneys. This results in lack of flow of blood to your joints that may cause severe swelling, and thus gout. Family History Research shows that if one or two members of the family suffer from gout, there are higher chances of you getting it.

Foot pain can cause immense discomfort. While foot pain usually just requires a good few hours of relaxations and rest to fade away, sometimes it persists for a long period of time for no evident reason. In this scenario, one must consider that there is a possibility of an underlying condition which is causing the pain. You may experience several symptoms before the onset of a particular condition, or experience no symptoms at all. Some of the most common causes of foot pain include bunions, heel spurs, and plantar fasciitis. These conditions may lead to general pain, uneasiness, walking difficulties, and the projection of bony growth on the feet. While taking medications help in treating these conditions, you must get the required therapy regularly to ensure that these conditions do not progress further and complicate matters. As a basic remedial measure, you can buy specialized shoes online or at a shop near you. These shoes have comfortable paddings and additional room for your feet and help keep them comfortable. Here are a few of the most common foot pain symptoms and their causes: Foot pain causes Here are a few of the most common causes of foot pain: Bunions This is a condition characterized by the appearance of bony projections on the inner side of the foot and at the big toe joint. Its onset is a result of the bones of the big toe being aligned out of proportion. It leads to the stiffening of the toes and makes walking an extremely difficult task. The main reason for one developing this problem is constantly wearing narrow shoes or heels. These shoes exert additional pressure on the feet and may lead to the condition worsening. Resort to wearing specially designed shoes to provide for additional comfort and foot space. Plantar Fasciitis Plantar fasciitis leads to the feeling of a stabbing pain in the bottom of the feet.

If you think cellulite affects only obese people, you’ve got it all wrong. The lumpy, dimpled skin condition occurs in ninety percent of women, some time or the other in their lives. Researchers suggest that cellulite runs in the genes. However, genetics is only the tip of the iceberg of cellulite trouble; other factors like diet, exercise, blood circulation, and muscle tone also play an important role. It’s best to do cellulite exercises that curb those fats showing through the skin. Cellulite generally starts showing around the thighs, buttocks, arms and stomach area, and there are simple exercises to tackle them all in every part of the body. It’s just that you got to get it right. There’s no need for cosmetic help, crash diets, or spending loads of money to get that cellulite out of the way. Just because it’s all about fat, many people have a notion that losing body fat is a good way to get rid of cellulite, but that’s not completely true. Toning and strengthening the muscles in the cellulite-prone areas will help to maintain the shape of the shape. Here are a few cellulite exercises for thighs to keep the lumpy look at bay. Clockwork lunge This is one of the most effective cellulite exercises for thighs. Stand straight with both hands on your hips and keep your feet hip-width apart. Put your right foot forward at 12 o’ clock position and take a big step keeping the left foot firm in its position. Lower your body and bend your right knee at 90° and your left knee should be almost touching the floor. Push yourself towards the starting position. Now, take a big step to the right at 3’o clock angle with your right foot. Bend the right knee at 90° keeping the other leg stretched as straight as possible without bending.

Depression? Nausea? Gallstones? Are these regular illnesses or hepatitis C symptoms? First discovered in 1989, hepatitis C is a contagious disease which is caused by a virus that infects the liver. Hepatitis C virus or the HCV, is the most common cause of chronic liver disease with the number of cases increasing worldwide with each passing year. As reported by the World Health Organization, approximately 150 million people are infected with the hepatitis C virus. Around 350,000 people lose their lives from hepatitis C-related liver ailments every year. If left undetected or untreated, hepatitis C can eventually lead to liver cancer, liver damage and liver failure. Hepatitis C can be of 2 main types: Acute (generally brief but severe) Chronic (spread over a long duration) Acute Hepatitis C Symptoms Individuals suffering from acute hepatitis C usually do not display visible symptoms, and the few people that do generally manifest symptoms that are similar to the other cases of acute hepatitis A or B. These include flu-like symptoms, joint aches or mild skin rash. Individuals that are particularly likely to experience severe hepatitis C are those individuals that already have hepatitis B and become infected with acute hepatitis C. Other common hepatitis C symptoms: Loss of appetite Abdominal pain Dark urine Grey colored stools Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) Fatigue Joint pain Itchy skin Sore muscles A hepatitis C infection can cause damage to your liver (cirrhosis). If you develop cirrhosis, you may see symptoms such as: Redness on the palms due to expanded small blood vessels Clusters of blood vessels just below the skin surfacing usually on one’s chest, shoulders, and face Swelling of the abdomen, legs, and feet Shrinking muscles Bleeding from enlarged veins in your digestive tract referred to as variceal bleeding Encephalopathy which is damage to your brain and nervous system.

A yeast infection is an infection that results from the overgrowth of yeast that is a type of fungus. Yeast infections are commonly known as candida vaginitis or vulvovaginal candidiasis and are usually caused by the Candida albicans fungus. Other species of Candida may also cause yeast infections, like C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei. Statistics show that about 75 percent of women tend to get a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lifetime, while 40 to 50 percent of women experience more than one infection. Chronic or recurrent yeast infections are also common, as experienced by 5 to 8 percent women who may suffer from four or more yeast infections. Men too get yeast infections in their mouths, genitals, and other areas. The term yeast infection usually refers to a vaginal infection; however, it can also refer to non-genital yeast infections that are caused due to different types of candidiasis. Such yeast infections of the mouth are commonly known as thrush or oropharyngeal candidiasis. A yeast infection occurring on the skin in moist warm areas like folds of skin near the groin and armpits is known as cutaneous candidiasis. When the strain Candida manages to get into the bloodstream through for example the use of a contaminated intravenous catheter, the yeast can cause a deadly infection that is known as invasive candidiasis. On an average, yeast infections caused by Candida albicans are easy to treat, and there are other drugs available to provide yeast infection relief which may be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) or with a prescription. They may also be taken as a prescription cream like an anti-fungal cream, suppository, tablet, ointment, or medicated tampon. A class of anti-fungal drugs known as azoles is part of these medications which provide yeast infection relief and these include:

Everyone wants a crystal clear eyesight and healthy eyes. We completely depend on our vision for normal functioning, that the thought of diminishing vision is often terrifying. To make sure that you keep your eyes healthy, as you age. It’s important to know the best vitamins for the eyes. Vitamins are organic compounds that are required by the body in adequate amounts. An organic compound is said to be a vitamin when the body cannot synthesize that particular compound, but that compound is necessary for normal body functions. Hence, the best way to get vitamins is to consume them in your diet. Supplementation of vitamins may be required in deficiency states, but not for healthy individuals. Currently, 13 recognized vitamins are essential for the human body. Vitamins perform a diverse range of functions. They can regulate mineral metabolism, hormone production, cell growth regulation, and also some of them are antioxidants. Vision care: The best vitamins for the eyes It is estimated that 75% of people notice a change in their visual acuity by the age of 50. Taking the best vitamins for the eyes is a good preventative measure. The best vitamins for the eyes include: Vitamin A You might have been told that eating carrots are important for good eyesight. But what about carrots that make it so good for the eyes? Carrots are a rich source of vitamin A, which helps to prevent macular degeneration and cataracts. Carrots also contain beta-carotene and rhodopsin. Rhodopsin is a pigment found in the eyes, that is responsible for night vision. Without this pigment, you wouldn’t be able to see clearly at night, or in low-light situations. Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin and is found in foods like—liver, leafy vegetables, oranges, pumpkins, carrots, yellow fruits, fish, soy milk, and cow milk.