Obstructive sleep apnea better known as snoring, is a potentially fatal disorder. It restraints breathing of the individual during sleep. People use Oral Appliances like mouth guards to control, or stop obstructive sleep apnea. This helps them sleep better and reduce various health risks associated with it. Risks of untreated or undertreated sleep apnea include heart attack, stroke, deadly heart rhythms, mood and memory disorder. So, it is important to take this seemingly harmless habit seriously and treat it before the condition worsens. Use Of Oral Appliances/Mouth Devices Oral appliances or mouth devices are an alternative to Continuous Positive Airway Pressure therapy(CPAP) or oral surgery for sleep apnea. Overweight individuals use it along with weight loss therapies. These mouth guards work by reducing the turbulence in airflow and inhibit snoring. These sleep apnea mouth guards or mouth pieces are most effective when the disorder is mild or moderate. These dental devices are adopted in the early stages of sleep apnea. A sleep study to diagnose the severity is recommended by the physician, before use. Another sleep study to understand the effectiveness of the appliance may also be recommended. Features Of Mouth Devices Or Dental Appliances Sleep apnea mouth guards are custom-made by dentists and laboratories to best suit your condition. The design is aimed at enhanced comfort and increased patient compliance. Sleep apnea oral devices or appliances reduce snoring, by increasing the air passageway between the jaws. The device pushes the lower jaw forward, over the upper jaw, to make the correction. Most sleep apnea mouth guards come with an adjustable feature. Allowing patients to make small increments for the increased airway. So they can personalize it to suit their comfort. Most common sleep apnea mouth guard features are: Adjustable position provided with a telescopic hinge. Free and full range of motion, allowing the patient to comfortably talk and drink.

Living with epilepsy can be challenging and it is essential to know how to manage it better. People suffering from this condition are constantly looking for ways to stay seizure-free. It is believed that a balanced diet that has the right amount of nutrients from various food groups can ensure that the brain and body function normally. So, a diet can help one control seizures and live with epilepsy efficiently. How diet affects epilepsy While no food can trigger an epileptic seizure, a well-planned diet can reduce the risks of seizures by maintaining good health. A balanced diet will give one the energy and important nutrients and better sleep and stamina for engaging in activities. These factors can help one live better; one becomes more positive and develops stronger focus and control to manage the condition. Top nutrition tips for living well with epilepsy When the body metabolizes fats, it produces ketones. So, following a Ketogenic diet forces the body to utilize more fats for energy production instead of glucose or sugar through a diet that increases fat intake and lowers carbohydrate intake. This diet plan can work in reducing seizures amongst kids and grownups suffering from epilepsy. But for this diet to work its magic, one will have to follow it without any breaks. So, the types of food and the respective amounts must be precisely measured. Preparing meals is bound to be a time-consuming affair. However, the diet may not work for kids. The MCT diet or medium-chain triglyceride diet is one where people use an oil supplement for their dietary fat intake instead of getting oil from foods. This is why this diet may be easier since one will be free to eat more carbs and proteins and one can get fewer fats from food. The Atkins diet is a low-carb, high-protein diet plan similar to the Keto diet, with some flexibility in fluid, proteins, and calorie amounts.

With an alarming increase in the number of patients with adult onset asthma, it is important to have enough knowledge about the illness, its varied causes, prevention, and correct treatment. In general, asthma is detected in early childhood. However, in certain cases, an individual beyond the age of 20 years may be diagnosed with asthma, this condition is termed as adult onset asthma. Symptoms of asthma can occur at any point of time in life, and not necessarily only during childhood. Asthma is a disease where the sensitive airways have increased responsiveness towards various kinds of triggers such as allergens and irritants that obstruct the functioning of the airways. The muscles around the airways begin to contract and narrow the airway lining. The lining inside the airways experiences inflammation that causes the inner lining to swell up and secrete increased levels of mucus. This then causes extreme difficulty, and asthma symptoms such as coughing, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Depending on the severity of the illness, the types of adult onset asthma are categorized as: Mild intermittent asthma Mild persistent asthma Moderate persistent asthma Severe persistent asthma Adults have lowered lung capacity, which means that the volume of air that one can inhale and exhale within a second is much lower as compared to when they were younger. This also occurs due to the stiffening of chest walls and changes in the muscle structure after reaching middle age. Due to this decreased capacity, adult onset asthma often goes unnoticed by various doctors. Diagnoses can be done for adult onset asthma by investigating the patient’s medical history, clarifying the symptoms, and by using a spirometer to perform a lung functioning test. There are several triggers that lead to severe asthma attacks, such as climatic changes (dry/cold environments), vigorous exercises, hormonal changes, exposure to dust, animals, etc.

A dry cough can be very troublesome. Not only is it irritating, but it takes a toll on your throat too. It feels like a thousand razor-sharp knives are piercing through your throat each time you cough. It is best to get persistent dry cough treated as soon as possible to get rid of the nuisance. In some cases, a persistent dry cough may be a result of inhaling some foreign substance. It is essential to consult a doctor straight away and a chest X-ray should be done to stay on the safe side. Some common causes and risk factors include medications, whooping cough, asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus problems and oesophageal reflux of stomach contents. Here are a few causes as well as treatments for persistent dry cough. Cause – If it was not already obvious, cigarette smoking is the most common cause of persistent dry cough. Treatment – Avoid smoking if you are suffering from such a cough and visit a doctor for further check-ups. Smoking is extremely harmful to the body. The onset of a persistent dry cough may be an indicator of other health problems. You can try nicotine patches to quit smoking after consulting a doctor. Cause – Asthma is another common cause of persistent dry cough. It is a disease of the airways and results in several breathing difficulties. Some asthma sufferers have persistent dry cough as their only symptom. This is often called cough-variant asthma. This may be further aggravated by exposure to air pollutants, pollen, and perfume. Smoke and cold air can further cause problems so be aware! Treatment – Steroids and bronchodilators are given to patients to relieve them of their symptoms. While these are inhaled variants, short-term oral steroids may be given as well. Cause – The acid reflux of the stomach content into the esophagus is another cause of persistent dry cough.

There may be various warning signs of diabetes, which you may have been ignoring till now. Knowing the common diabetes symptoms can help in early detection and treatment of the condition. Diabetes is a serious condition, and is not to be taken lightly. If a person has diabetes, it means that his or her body is not effectively producing or using the hormone called insulin. This hormone is necessary to help the body use glucose (sugar in your blood) and clear it from the bloodstream. When this malfunctions, the glucose starts building up in your blood and can cause various health complications and diabetes symptoms. In a few cases, people may have diabetes and yet not experienced any of the usual diabetes symptoms. Diabetes symptoms can vary depending on the type of diabetes (type 1 or type 2) you have. However there are some common diabetes symptoms that may be a warning sign for you to visit a doctor. Here’s a list of some diabetes symptoms that may often be subtle, but you still need to look out for. Noticing any of these diabetes symptoms as soon as they appear can help in early diagnosis of the disease and in deriving maximum benefits from the treatment. Frequent urination and increased thirst One of the classic diabetes symptoms, increased and frequent urination occurs because as excess amounts of glucose build up in your blood, the kidneys have to work overtime in order to filter out and absorb this sugar. When your kidneys are not able to keep up, the excess sugar in your blood gets excreted into your urine along with other bodily fluids. This causes frequent urination, and can make you dehydrated. This in turn leads to excessive thirst, and it becomes sort of a cycle. You drink lots of fluids to quench your thirst, and then have to urinate more frequently than usual.

Hair loss is caused as a result of various problems with genetics or even the onset of diseases or infections. However the good news is that there are a number of women hair loss treatments available in order to help in the improvement of hair growth in the patients. Excessive hair loss, especially for women is definitely the most frustrating and depressing of all things as often women’s hair is considered to be their best asset that adds to their beauty. There are different types of hair loss that occurs among women that include a gradual thinning of hair to going bald completely. Hair loss in women is caused because of some genetic problem, excessive levels of stress, any medical condition or even due to severe medical treatment. Female pattern hair loss (FPHL) is the most common type of hair loss found in women across the globe. This illness is caused among women that are diagnosed with androgenetic alopecia, a condition where women experience diffused thinning of hair in most parts of the scalp. In this type of hair loss, some women may also encounter diffused thinning of hair in combination with distinctive patterns of baldness as well. The following are various women hair loss treatments that are recommended to reduce hair loss, increase the strength of the scalp and promote healthy growth of hair. Minoxidil Minoxidil in pills or drugs was used earlier as an antihypertensive medication to treat high blood pressure. It was later observed that the intake of minoxidil pills caused patients to experience a side effect which involved excessive hair growth (hypertrichosis) which led to the discovery of its obvious use. Many women experienced a significant amount of thick hair growth, and gradual reduction in balding due to the use of minoxidil medication. Provided that the medication is continued, this type of women hair loss treatment can help in stimulating the scalp that promotes re-growth of hair.

Heartburn in the stomach is caused when the acids in the stomach move up into the esophagus area. This is a primary symptom of acid reflux which can cause burning sensation in the esophagus region which is a tube connecting the throat and stomach area. The intensity of pain depends upon the acid levels in the esophagus area. This condition of acid reflux can also cause nausea, sour taste in the mouth, chest pain, dry cough, sour taste in the mouth, etc. These conditions can cause Barret’s esophagus or esophageal cancer in some cases. A chronic and severe form of acid reflux is known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) Some of the factors like smoking, pregnancy, obesity and certain kinds of food can affect the functioning of the esophagus. The acid reflux in the esophagus can also cause a hiatal hernia and other complications in the stomach and esophagus region. Let us look at some of the home remedies for heartburn: Apple cider vinegar is readily available, and this can be used to treat the heartburn efficiently. It helps in digestion and balances the pH level in the stomach which helps in minimizing the acidity in the stomach. All you have to do is dilute a tablespoon of raw or unfiltered ACV in the water and drink it. This has to be followed as a routine for few months, and this needs to be done 30 minutes before having a meal. A cost-effective home remedy for heartburn, baking soda is also known as sodium bicarbonate is a natural antacid which is easily available. Sodium bicarbonate provides relief from heartburn and other symptoms of acid reflux. One teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate in a glass of water provides instant relief. However, people with high blood pressure should not take baking soda as there is a risk of raising the blood pressure.

It has been observed that those who have schizophrenia, a chronic psychological illness, usually have diets that are unhealthy, low in fiber and fruit, and high in saturated fats. Unhealthy eating habits typically lead to other health problems which can also put people with schizophrenia at high risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. According to research, dietary changes do really help manage schizophrenia. Here are some best and worst foods for schizophrenia. Foods to eat Fruits Many studies show that people with schizophrenia usually do not get enough fiber, and thus, need to eat fruits. Some of the best sources of fiber are apples, pears, and raspberries. Fiber not only helps reduce bad cholesterol but also helps in digestion, thereby reducing the chances of certain health problems associated with schizophrenia such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Vegetables Vegetables don’t have heart-heavy cholesterol, are packed with essential vitamins and fiber, and are low in calories and fat. Veggies like sweet potatoes, kidney beans, and lima beans contain potassium that could help in keeping blood sugar in check. The best food for schizophrenia is spinach as it is high in folate, which could help in easing symptoms of schizophrenia. Apart from spinach, folate can also be found in asparagus and black-eyed peas. Fatty fish Since omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced by the body, one needs to get them through food such as fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. Omega-3 fatty acids not only ease but also prevent the symptoms of schizophrenia and even slow down the progress of the disease. Vegetarians can intake walnuts and ask their doctor to prescribe omega-3 supplements. Crab and oysters According to research, there could exist a relationship between schizophrenia and low levels of zinc, which can be found in lobsters, crab, and oysters, as well as fortified cereals and beef.

Hemorrhoids, also widely known as piles, are blood vessels that are part of the muscles making up the walls of the anus and rectum. It will be wrong to say that hemorrhoids are abnormal as it is part of the anatomy. However, when the hemorrhoids swell, it is a reflection of a problem. When too much of pressure is exerted on the small vessels that makeup hemorrhoids, they tend to increase in size and encompass excess of blood. A very common medical issue, a large population around the world suffers from this condition at least once in their lifetime. Hemorrhoids are either caused on the inside or outside the anus. Internal hemorrhoids develop around the inside lining of the anus and rectum and are only felt when they are very severe. In most cases, these kinds of hemorrhoids are only apparent during bowel movements as they cause bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids may also protrude and feel like moist pink skin. This causes pain around the anus; however, these hemorrhoids recede into the rectum after a while. External hemorrhoids, however, can be seen and felt during the course of passing stools. They are lower than the anus and are extremely painful as they can develop blood clots within. It is also likely to profusely bleed during the bowel movement routine. Therefore, it is essential to adopt one of some of the best hemorrhoid remedies available in the market. Both men and women are at the risk of suffering from this condition. A prevalence of hemorrhoid is likely to be seen among people who are above the age of 40. What are the causes of hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are caused by several factors and the lifestyle one leads can greatly impact the condition. Diet – The diet followed by an individual not only determines the overall health of a person but can have a big role to play in causing and preventing hemorrhoids.

The simple act of breathing could be a challenge when one is suffering from cold and a congested nose and chest. One feels perpetually tired, no matter what the cause of the congestion is. Some of the most common causes of congestion include dealing with the flu, allergies, a sinus infection, seasonal changes, cold or an infection. A combination of things happens inside the head of a human when undergoing nasal congestion. Since the nose has a vast network of blood vessels with valves that keep opening and closing, they all get easily stimulated when irritated by an outside factor. When irritated, the nervous system responds to it and the valves open up, which results in increased blood flow inside the nose, causing swelling in the nasal passages that causes difficulty in breathing. Since colds, allergies and sinus infections bring with them tiredness, aches, increased body temperatures, fatigue and much more apart from the simple congestion, it is very normal to want to take several medicines and drugs to alleviate some, or all of the symptoms as quickly as possible. Bu it is often dangerous to take several medicines at once and most over the counter medicines do not provide cold and congestion relief. Decongestants Most decongestants available over the counter are mainly used to treat the symptoms like a headache, stuffiness, and discomfort that is caused by congestion. They do not treat the root causes of the cold and congestion and can make a person grow dependent on them, apart from causing other problems. For example, rebound swelling in the nasal passages is a common recurrence that happens due to the use of decongestants that are taken for more than 3 to 5 days. This rebound swelling in the nasal passages leads to a vicious cycle of rebound swelling that causes increased dependence on the drug, leading to the need of increased dosage to fix the problem, which in turn leads to increased dependency.

A blood pressure test indicates whether a person is suffering from low blood pressure or high blood pressure. The numbers indicated in this test need to be studied carefully to diagnose any potential problems. What is blood pressure? Blood pressure is the pressure of the blood in the circulatory system. A normal systolic falls to less than 120 and the corresponding diastole is less than 80. For prehypertension, systolic is 120-139 and diastolic is 80-89. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 1 systolic is 140-159 and diastolic is 90-99. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Stage 2 systolic is 160 or higher while diastolic is 100 or higher. Hypertensive Crisis(Emergency care needed) systolic is higher than 180 and diastolic is higher than 110. A medical professional needs to confirm the diagnosis of high blood pressure as well as evaluate any unusually low blood pressure. In general, it has been observed that low blood pressure readings and lower targets work for populations like the elderly, African-Americans, as well as patients who have underlying health issues like chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus. Categories of blood pressure The American Heart Association recognizes five categories of blood pressure: Normal blood pressure: Those who have normal blood pressure numbers that fall within the optimal ranges of being less than 120/80 mm Hg have a healthy level of blood pressure. Following heart-healthy habits like getting regular exercise and following a balanced diet goes a long way into maintaining normal blood pressure. Prehypertension: Prehypertension or early stage high blood pressure occurs when the blood pressure consistently ranges from 120-139/80-89 mm Hg. People who have prehypertension are more likely to develop high blood pressure unless they take appropriate measures to take it under control. Hypertension Stage 1: Hypertension Stage 1 is marked when blood pressure falls in the range of 140-159/90-99 mm Hg.

Over the past three decades, the chances of occurrence of male breast cancer have increased significantly. There are studies which show that the male breast cancer can occur in men between the ages of 5 to 93. If it diagnosed in the early stages, the chances of survival are 100%. The survival rate is 72-9% for the mid-stage male breast cancer. However, if male breast cancer isn’t diagnosed the chances of survival at the advanced cancer stages are reduced to 20%. It is advised to understand the causes, symptoms and diagnosis and proper treatment for the male breast cancer. Symptoms of Male breast cancer: If you find some changes in the breast you must not ignore them and consult your doctor. Some of the symptoms of breast cancer are nipple pain, inversion of nipples known as nipple retraction, feeling of a lump in the breast, blood or fluid discharge from the nipples, skin dimpling, sores in the nipples, redness of breast skin, enlarged lymph nodes, and formation of a coloured ring at the centre of the nipple. The lump could be painless initially, however, the consequences can worsen. The lymph nodes spread to the underarm, collarbone and can result in the formation of breast tissue. If you notice the above symptoms you must contact the doctors quickly. The above symptoms of male breast cancer can worsen over time. Cancer may spread to different parts of the body such as liver and lungs. You may feel shortness of breath, pain in bones and joints. Jaundice along with itching skin is also common among with men affected by male breast cancer. People with cancer exhaust quickly and feel tired all throughout the day. Causes of Male breast cancer: The cancerous cells arise due to a number of risk factors. Some of them are: