Your feet manage your entire body weight, and at times, they too can get strained. The causes of foot pain can vary, sometimes it could be a result of stress, injuries, wrong footwear, or health disorders. Foot pain specifies any form of discomfort that occurs in the toes, arches, soles, and toes. Depending on the cause, the pain can be mild or severe. Many of these can be easily managed at home, but seeking the counsel of a podiatrist is always a great way to steer clear of any doubts. Medical intervention can also help you to evade any possible risks such as infections or permanent joint damage. Here are some of the common causes of foot pain: Sprains and strains A very common kind of foot injury, sprains and strains mostly affect the muscles and the ligaments. A sprain refers to a condition where one or more ligaments have twisted or bent. Moreover, a strain implies that muscle fibers are ripped or stretched. Usually, they occur when you suddenly move, fall, or collide with something. Apart from pain, these may result in inflammation and contusions. These can be administered at home with simple remedies such as cold compression, OTC medications, and rest. Plantar fasciitis Caused due to damage to the fascia, a ligament situated in the bottom of the feet, plantar fasciitis is extremely common in athletes and individuals aged above 40. It can also affect people who are constantly on their feet for long hours throughout the day. The discomfort is usually at its peak when you wake up in the morning. Along with home treatments, plantar fasciitis can be fixed with physical therapy, prescription drugs, and orthopedic footwear. Bunions These are a type of bone abnormality that occurs in the big toe, which makes it lean inward towards the other foot.

Have you ever experienced a chronic chest pain after eating a greasy meal? If you have felt like that, you know what heartburn is all about. In some people, it occurs occasionally, but some people may experience it quite often. It is also known as acid indigestion, and you have to experience intense pain and a burning feeling in the upper part of your stomach or middle area of your chest. The pain sometimes grows up in your arms, jaw, neck, and jaw and it may last only for a few minutes. At certain occasions, the pain may last for hours. Since this problem invites a lot of pain, many people might be deeply curious about heartburn relief. Leading causes of heartburn A muscle known as lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is situated at the entrance of your stomach, and it works like a gate in your body. When it opens, food gets into the stomach from your esophagus, and sometimes it is closed to prevent food and acid from getting out of the stomach. When the functioning of the LES gets disturbed like opening very often or not having the adequate tightness, stomach acid reaches the esophagus, and it results in a burning feeling. Common triggering factors Triggers differ from individual to individual. Anyhow, the common triggers are overeating, stress, maintaining bad body postures after eating food and increased intake of greasy, fatty and spicy foods. Some people are more susceptible to heartburn, and they include cigarette smokers, pregnant women, overweight people and hiatal hernia patients. What are the changes to be made in the diet to reduce or stop heartburn? You need to realize that certain drinks and foods aggravate heartburn and when you keep on consuming them, things get worsened. Some of the foods and drinks that worsen the condition are coffee, onions, alcohol, greasy foods, chocolate, fatty or fried foods, tomatoes, oranges, lemons, peppermint and sodas and other carbonated drinks.

Urinary tract infection or UTI is a disease that affects a portion of the urinary tract. It could be either the lower tract that leads to conditions like bladder infections, or it can be the upper tract which causes kidney infections. Symptoms due to infection in the lower urinary tract involves—urge to urinate often, pain while urinating, or even urge to urinate even when you are having an empty bladder. On the other hand, signs caused due to an infection in the upper urinary tract involve—fever and pain in the flank area. Blood in the urine is another symptom, however, it is quite rare. Various treatment options including medications such as antibiotics can help in treating UTI. However, different people react differently to them, i.e., some patients might experience side effects. Therefore these are only to be taken under a doctor’s guidance. How to cure UTI naturally? Water Drinking plenty of water is the remedy for several health conditions and it works well for UTI too. Water helps in flushing out the harmful bacteria from the system that are causing the infection. It also helps in diluting your urine which further helps in reducing pain and burning sensation during urinating. Make sure that you consume enough water throughout the day so that your body can quickly expel the UTI causing bacteria. Cranberry juice Cranberry is a popular natural remedy for treating UTI. Certain research regarding the effectiveness of cranberry juice suggests that having it regularly can minimize the count of UTI developments over a period of a year. Cranberry juice is believed to hamper the growth of bacteria such as E. coli that leads to UTI in most people. Vitamin C Consuming foods which are rich in Vitamin C helps in treating UTI naturally. Vitamin C is said to make the urine more acidic which in turn hampers the rise of E.

Hepatitis – types and contributing factors Hepatitis is described as an inflammation in the liver. Inflammation is essentially any tissue’s natural response to injury or irritation, and the general effects of inflammation are swelling, redness, and pain. There is a wide range of causes of the condition, but they differ based on the type of hepatitis that one is affected with. For example, various types of viral hepatitis involve viral infections rather than any other disorder in the body. Hepatitis can be acute or chronic depending on the severity, and there are various types: Types Hepatitis A This type of hepatitis does not result in chronic infections and typically involves no complications. It is one of the most common food-borne infections, and the liver takes approximately two months to properly heal from hepatitis A. In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to liver failure, which can be fatal. The most common prevention method for hepatitis A is vaccination. Hepatitis B Above 70% of all diagnosed occurrences of hepatitis B have been found in young people from the age of 15 to 39. It usually takes people 6 months to completely recover from the illness, but some may suffer from a life-long, chronic infection, which leads to ongoing liver damage. If an individual contracts hepatitis B at an early age, it has a higher chance of becoming chronic. Hepatitis C Hepatitis C is among the most common causes of liver disease in the country and also the biggest reason for people to get a liver transplant. Around 80% of patients suffering from hepatitis C develop a chronic liver infection as it is difficult to diagnose hepatitis C because it comes with no noticeable symptoms. Unlike the other types, there is no vaccine to prevent hepatitis C. Contributing factors to the development of hepatitis Contributing factors are simple incidents, habits, or occurrences that can increase one’s chances of contracting hepatitis.

Aging is a natural process that affects all life. Although we can’t chase our youthful self as the years go by, we definitely would want to relive those early days. Most of us fantasize about looking younger than and search for ways to get that look back. Nowadays, you can find cosmetic surgeries and other methods like botox injections to look younger, but there are certain natural ways too. Diet based solutions can be very effective to get your younger skin back. Vitamins play a major role in aging, and you can find several vitamins that are used from ancient time for healthy and hydrated skin. There are numerous vitamins available in the market to help with the anti-aging process. This article highlights some of the most effective anti-aging vitamins that you should try now for beautiful, younger-looking skin. Vitamin E Vitamin E has a significant role, and it is often called as the dry-skin defender for its numerous benefits. If your skin is dry, you should consume proper foods that include Vitamin E. You can easily get it from your multivitamins, and there is no need to overdo it as a supplement. Vitamin E is an effective fat-soluble antioxidant that helps to regain the natural moisture, and your skin looks younger and hydrated. Nowadays, you can get many oils and creams enriched with Vitamin E, claiming to easily fix scars, stretch marks, and burns marks. Moreover, you can apply it to protect cell membranes and to prevent oxidative damage to your skin. You can find it in seeds and nuts, avocados, and wheat germ. Vitamin A Vitamin A is yet another anti-aging vitamin that you must have heard of. The effectiveness of this vitamin is very high when it comes to treating spots and wrinkles from different sources. Retinoids, which is a synthetic form of vitamin A, can help treat various skin disorders like rough patches, acne, and psoriasis.

Shingles are painful itchy rashes caused by the herpes zoster virus. Various cures for shingles rash that can alleviate the symptoms and bring faster recovery are discussed below. If your immune system is weak, your shingles outbreak can get out of hand and spread to other parts of your body. Hence, it is essential to boost up your immune system by adding immunity enhancing foods to your diet and avoiding foods that can worsen your condition. An immune booster diet would include foods rich in: Vitamin A – The beta-carotene content of this vitamin helps to maintain your skin, membranes, and tissue linings. An enhanced intake of this vitamin helps in speeding the healing process of the shingles rash. Foods such as leafy green vegetables, carrots, and beef liver are a rich source of vitamin A. Vitamin B12 – This vitamin is essential for the functioning of the nervous system. It preserves the functioning of the nerves as well as protects the nerves from damage that can be caused by the shingles rash. Vitamin B 12 rich foods include sardines, lamb, eggs, and cottage cheese. Vitamin C – One of the most popular cures for shingles rash, vitamin C enhances the immunity levels in your body acting as an antiviral agent. It is recommended to increase the intake of vitamin C foods such as oranges, papaya, bell peppers, kiwis, throughout the infection and recovery period. Vitamin E – Vitamin E is known to accelerate the healing of the shingles breakout. It works towards protecting the nerves from damage and acts as prevention against scarring from the rashes. As vitamin E protects the cell membranes from the attacking virus, it can be applied directly onto the rashes. This provides relief to the burning sensation and also helps reduce the pain from postherpetic neuralgia (residual pain).

As we age, the body naturally begins to develop wrinkles on most parts of the body including the hands, face, and neck. The process is much likely to be noticed in areas that are exposed to the sun. Wrinkles are most seen post the age of 40 years as the skin loses its moisture and becomes thinner. Most people are highly concerned about wrinkles in the area around the eye. The most apparent cause of this development is sun exposure, however, several other factors such as smoking, and an unbalanced diet too can be contributors. There are several forms of medical treatments that can be employed to combat the development and reduce the appearance of under-eye wrinkles. However, you can also resort to several home remedies that have been found to be effective for this reason. Here are some effective natural ways that you must try before you arrive at which one works best for you: Consume probiotics Probiotics have been found to have the best effect on the reduction of wrinkles and boosting the health of the skin, overall. Probiotics are abundantly found in yogurt. However, they can also be consumed through formulated supplements. Some studies prove the good effects of probiotics when it is regularly applied to the skin as it reduces the level of sun damage. Consumption of vitamin C Vitamin C is one of the most important antioxidants and helps in the creation of collagen in the skin. There are numerous foods that are abundant in Vitamin C and they include rosehips, chili peppers, fruits, vegetables, kale and more. Vitamin C can also be applied topically through gels that are only formulated with nutrient and no additional ingredients. Olive oil massage Massage is believed to be one of the best ways to reduce under-eye wrinkles naturally.

A urinary tract is made up of bladder, kidneys, ureters and the urethra. An infection in any part of this tract is known as a urinary tract infection (UTI). In most cases, the infection is caused by two types of bacteria: Staphylococcus saprophyticus and Escherichia coli. However, sometimes, it can also be caused by a virus or fungi. UTI is more common in women than in men. This is primarily because the urethra, which is the tube that carries the urine out of the bladder, is shorter in women, making it more likely for the bacteria to enter and reach the bladder easily. Common symptoms of UTI In UTI, people generally experience the following: A burning sensation while urinating Frequent urination Dark colored urine with a potent odor Pelvic pain A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying In the case of any symptoms, it is imperative to consult medical help. Usually, antibiotics are used to treat the infection. But, a natural home treatment option for UTI that can also help in alleviating the agonizing symptoms. In this article, we will look at some effective home remedies to naturally treat UTI. Natural cure of UTI Consuming plenty of fluids Low fluid intake and irregular urination have been linked to increased chances of UTI. When one is adequately hydrated, the person passes sufficient urine that helps in flushing out the bacteria to prevent infections. Therefore, staying hydrated is the key to preventing the occurrence of UTI. To meet the fluid needs, it is best to drink water throughout the day. As per general recommendations, women should consume 91 ounces of water every day and men should take 125 ounces, which also includes water content from food. Increasing the Intake of Vitamin C This is another simple home treatment for UTI to speed up the recovery process.

What is gout? Gout is a type of arthritis that primarily attacks the joints and other body parts like the ears, wrists, knuckles, knee, ankles, and other small joints. It is often characterized by painful swelling, stiffness, and inflammation of these affected joints. The swelling and stiffness are mainly the results of excess levels of uric acid forming crystals in the joints. The pain is due to the inflammatory response to the crystals formed. The causes of gout may include lack of exercise, high levels of uric acid in the system, genetics, excessive consumption of meat, being overweight, menopause, excessive consumption of alcohol, stress, and excessive protein content in the body. It mainly affects the big toe, causing an increased swelling, inflammation, and redness in the affected area. The deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint causes inflammation and makes the movement of the joint agonizing. The elevated levels of uric acid in the system also causes the depositing of crystals in the kidney, which, in turn, leads to stone formation. Gout attacks An overweight or an obese person is more likely to suffer from frequent gout attacks. A gout attack generally results from years of having high levels of uric acid in your bloodstream. This condition is called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia might also lead to other diseases like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, kidney failure, and heart failure. The most common sign of a gout attack is the night-time swelling of the big toe followed by redness, tenderness, redness, and gut-wrenching pain. This attack might continue for days or even weeks before the pain goes away completely. Swelling causes pain and pain induces swelling. Hence it is important to address both. Diagnosis of gout attacks After doing a thorough physical exam, the doctor may also take a sample of the fluid from the swelling of the joint to look for uric acid crystals.

Our feet go through quite a lot each day; from helping you commute to various destinations, to putting up with the stiletto heels that you choose to sport, and from standing in queues at malls to rehearsing for your dance. Not only will you face difficulties in walking, but foot pain may need you to take painkillers, or compel you to stay in bed the whole day. However, foot pain can happen in a lot of places and can be triggered by many factors; starting from a fracture to stone bruise and a simple heel pain, to an irksome corn pain These can be treated to get some immediate relief from the severe foot pain. In this article, we take a look at the various foot pain relief therapies available, but first, it is important to analyze and diagnose the reason for your pain and what the main cause for the same. Most common types of Foot Pain and Healing Remedies Heel Pain: How Do I Get Complete Relief from It? In case you are suffering from heel pain, you might be having plantar fasciitis. Plantar fasciitis is actually an inflammation or irritation of the bonds of strong tissues, that are connecting the toes with the heel bones. The heel pain worsens during the morning when you hit the floor after waking up from your sleep. You might feel it in the arch, or in the heel. Treatment Let your footrest for a while. Do foot and heel muscle stretches. You can resort to painkillers. Try buying shoes that have a comfortable cushioned sole and also lends good support to your arch. Heel Spurs Heel spurs are simply a kind of foot pain and are characterized by strange bone growth on your heel’s bottom. Heel spurs are triggered by wearing a bad pair of shoes, an abnormal walking posture, or from running, as well.

Looking to lose weight? Here is a delicious way to shed those extra pounds and get back into shape. Sip your smoothie and lose weight! Not just weight loss, a healthy smoothie is a detox drink, immunity, and energy booster. Call them green smoothies or detox smoothies or simply fruit and veggie smoothies – they are packed with nutrients and MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids). Diet smoothie recipes are formulated to reduce body fat and tone up the body the way you want. Weight gain is usually a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, which is a combination of unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, and stress. Weight loss programs, therefore, need to address all of these contributing factors. Eating healthy is paramount to a healthy life. Nature provides a number of fruits and vegetables that accelerate weight loss. Combining these natural foods into a delicious smoothie is not just the best way to lose weight, but also the best way to boost immunity and energize your body. How to make a smoothie? A smoothie is essentially a blend of two or more fruits or vegetables combined with low-fat yogurt or milk. To make a smoothie, you just have to take the ingredients (cut into small pieces where required) into a blender, blend them till smooth, and consume immediately. You may have to add ingredients one by one to ensure smooth blending. In case your diet smoothie recipes contain greens, you should blend them first and then add fruits or vegetables as per the recipe. In case you want your smoothie cold, you can either blend frozen fruits or add a cup of ice while blending. Highly nutritious smoothies are the ones that use fresh ingredients as opposed to preserved or frozen food. It is important that you do not add sugar or salt to your smoothie, as it may bring down the nutritional value.

Hair loss is a common condition that affects thousands of men and women across the country. A person can experience it on the scalp or other parts of the body. Frequent hair loss can affect a person’s self-esteem and can be an indicator of underlying health conditions. It is vital to know about the essential vitamins for preventing hair loss that can help in controlling the condition. Why does hair loss happen? First, let’s take a quick look at the causes and symptoms of hair loss. This condition is often a result of medication, hormonal imbalances, lifestyle or hereditary factors. Male pattern baldness or excessive loss of hair from the scalp, commonly known as alopecia, is mostly a result of genetic factors. Different people may experience different types of hair loss. Men and women lose their hair in different ways. Some people may experience symptoms such as thinning of hair or bald patches while others may find clumps of hair fall after brushing or washing their hair. People who have gone through radiation or chemotherapy experience hair loss all over the body, although this hair grows back once the treatment is complete. Other factors such as age, traumatic experiences or nutritional deficiency can also result in hair loss. The intake of nutrients in the form of vitamins is essential for preventing hair loss. Essential vitamins for preventing hair loss Vitamin A This vitamin is one of the best options for controlling hair fall. The cells in the body need vitamin A to grow and develop. This vitamin also helps the glands in the skin release a greasy substance known as sebum which conditions the scalp and maintains the overall health of the hair. However, an excess quantity of vitamin A can cause hair loss. Vegetables such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, kale, and spinach are rich in beta-carotene which gets converted into vitamin A in our bodies.