High blood pressure is a hazardous condition that is unfortunately prevalent today. If left untreated it can cause a stroke and heart disease. If your blood pressure reads above 140/90 mmHg, then you have a high blood pressure. The cause for high blood pressure cannot be tracked in some cases. However, you can control it if you follow a strict regime for an extended period. You can control your blood pressure naturally with a proper diet and healthy lifestyle. You will not have to take medications either. By following these suggestions, your blood pressure will be under control in no time. These remedies will also not have any adverse effects on your body. Healthy Body Weight Losing weight is one of the most efficient ways to control your blood pressure. Excess body weight has shown to increase the blood pressure. Sleep apnea is a common condition in those who are overweight. Disrupted sleep can also cause a rise in the blood pressure. Obesity is known to cause stress in the joints and poor blood circulation. It adds stress and affects the blood pressure. Losing weight is the first thing you should do if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure. Exercise Regularly Any physical activity for a minimum of 30 minutes, 4 to 5 times a week will help you reduce your blood pressure level. It is best not to overdo it either as it may have adverse effects. For best results stick to a regime and exercise regularly. However, do not stop with the exercise as it may cause your blood pressure to shoot up again. If you have mild hypertension, you can prevent it from getting worse with a regular workout. On the other hand, if your condition is severe, you can reduce the levels and bring it to a safe level.

Living with pets can be a pleasure. Their company helps you relax and enjoy life as they do, by living in the moment. However, there is always the possibility that you or someone in your family might have an allergic reaction to pets. Common pet allergies symptoms Pet allergies symptoms can affect the respiratory tract and manifest themselves in the form of common cold symptoms. You may also develop allergic reactions on the skin, which is also known as dermatitis if you come into contact with an animal. If you suffer from asthma, pet allergies could also aggravate the symptoms. Regular pet allergies symptoms Sneezing Nasal congestion Runny nose Itchy, watery eyes Facial pain due to congestion Coughing Dark patches under the eyes Dermatitis symptoms caused due to pet allergies Skin inflammation Itching Rashes or hives Pet allergies symptoms in asthma patients Disturbed sleep Chest tightness Breathing problems Wheezing Repeated inflammation of the nasal passage can create obstructions in the sinuses. This increases the chances for bacterial infections like sinusitis. Pet allergies can also be a serious threat to asthma patients. It can aggravate their problems to such an extent that it might need emergency medical attention. Confirm your allergy While a large number of people suffer from pet allergies, cat allergies are estimated to be twice as common as dog allergies. However, there are more pet cats than dogs in American households. If you feel you are allergic to dogs or cats but want to get a pet, you can try spending a day with a friend’s dog or cat. You can spend a day in the company of that animal to see how you react over a period of 24 hours. Get a medical test confirmation You can consult with an allergist who can help you make sure whether you have an allergy to a dog or cat.

Diarrhea is a condition that causes frequent bowel movements with a loose, watery stool. It can have many causes. Unless it is a severe condition caused by an infection or an underlying disease, a patient can treat it by making a few dietary changes and taking OTC medications. Causes of diarrhea Several factors can lead to diarrhea Infections: Stomach flu, bacterial gastroenteritis, and parasitical infections like intestinal worms can lead to this condition. Food poisoning: Adverse reactions to food can cause diarrhea. Medical conditions: Conditions like ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or irritable bowel syndrome or IBS can cause chronic diarrhea. Medicines: Some medications like NSAIDs and antibiotics can be the cause. There are other causes of diarrhea as well. Your doctor will get all the details of your condition, consider the medicines you are consuming, and check for any underlying ailment that could cause diarrhea. They may also ask you to go for blood and stool tests if you have severe diarrhea. Treatment of diarrhea Most of the times, diarrhea goes away on its own after three or four days. Some over-the-counter medicines like bismuth subsalicylate and loperamide can help. If you have severe diarrhea due to a bacterial infection, you may have to take antibiotics for treating the condition. If some other ailment like celiac disease or IBS is the cause, you may have to consult a gastroenterologist who will provide you with a treatment plan for chronic diarrhea. What should diarrhea patients eat and drink? When you have diarrhea, you have frequent bowel movements, and this causes dehydration. So, you should drink a lot of water. Your doctor may also suggest some special drinks like a sports drink to replace the electrolytes lost from your body. Stick to a balanced diet and avoid spicy foods. Usually, the diet plan followed for treating diarrhea is called BRAT.

Sciatica is a painful problem that begins somewhere near your lower back. In most cases, this pain is able to shoot itself up toward the legs or even the feet. In our body, there is a nerve called the sciatic nerve that, when getting compressed or pushed by say a bone-like herniated disk, results in a pain so sharp and intense that it literally worries people. While a common issue by itself, some people also experience tingling, weakness and numbness in their back or the legs, which can last for moments to days. There are multiple treatment options available that are both invasive and non-invasive. Here’s everything you need to know about sciatica pain treatments and its remedies: Stretching and Exercising Majority of the sciatica cases are treatable at home. People who are middle-aged and do not exercise at a higher risk. Visiting a physician or a trainer who can provide you with a physical routine to follow will help relieve you off of some symptoms. Exercising and stretching in certain postures has helped many treat the problem at home. About half the patients suffering from sciatica have been able to recover within 6 weeks without any invasive or surgical procedure required. Hot and Cold Treatment Making hot and cold packs and their application to the affected area will not only help in reduction of swollen parts and numbness but also provide relieve people of the pain associated with the disorder. This treatment is coupled with three days of bed rest, i.e., off your feet. Yes, we are asking you to stay in bed for roughly three days straight in a firm position on a good mattress. This will help straighten out the problem. Therapy Acupuncture treatments, yoga, physical workout, massage as well as biofeedback all have proven for temporarily and sometimes, even permanently eliminating the issue.

There comes a time in the life of some people when they experience pain in the ankles or feet. Swelling in the ankles is a common condition among women who are pregnant. There is more than one reason that causes swelling in the ankles. Some of those include spending long periods walking or traveling that may hinder any moment of legs restricting blood circulation or surgery. Swollen ankles is not a serious problem. There are ways to deal with it. Swollen ankles and feet cause discomfort while walking or moving around. Podiatric physicians believe that there are ways to get rid of swelling and prevent the condition from occurring. The condition of swelling in the body is medically known as edema. It occurs when your body retains fluid in any part of your body. Retention of bodily fluid also occurs in the legs and feet. This causes the ankles to swell. There is no need to panic, as swelling in the ankles is not an emergency situation. The condition should be addressed with patience and care, as it can go away itself with the required care. Swollen ankle treatment options Swelling in the body, be in any part, would require attention in order to get relief from it. Following are a few effective, yet popular swollen ankle treatment options that can be considered to get relief from it. Compression socks Compression socks can be bought from a nearby pharmacy. Compression socks are a way to get relief from the pain and discomfort and also prevent fluid from collecting into your legs, feet, and ankles. They are found in all kind of weights: light, medium, and heavy. Always make sure that you buy a pair that fits well and is not too much tight. It is often recommended to buy lightweight socks that measure somewhere between 12–15 mm and 15–20 mm of mercury.

Blood glucose levels are primarily controlled by the hormone insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas. After a meal, blood glucose rises due to the digestion of the food. This triggers the release of insulin from the pancreas, which promotes glucose absorption until it reaches the normal level. But, in individuals with defective functioning of insulin, the blood glucose level remains higher for a longer period. Chronic uncontrolled blood sugar or hyperglycemia damages various body organs, nerves, and eyes. As a diabetic, it is extremely important to keep your blood sugar level always in check. Blood sugar range : In a healthy person, the normal blood sugar levels are below 100 mg/dL after fasting, but can spike to 140 mg/dL 2 hours post meal. However, in a diabetic, the fasting blood sugar itself can reach to up to above 200 mg/dL. How to keep the blood sugar under check? A proper diet and exercise plan is a must to manage a diabetic’s blood sugar level . Moreover, a diabetic must monitor the blood sugar level on a regular basis for effective management of sugar levels. A few common tips to keep the blood sugar under check are as follows: Diet : A well-planned diet is a must for the management of high blood sugar. Carbohydrates : The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a proper monitoring of carbohydrate intake in a meal to control blood sugar levels in diabetics. Include healthy carbohydrates such as milk, fruits, legumes, grains, and yoghurt, which do not cause a sudden spike in blood sugar levels. Avoid highly processed or refined carbohydrates like candy, white rice, and white bread because they rapidly increase the blood sugar levels. A well-balanced diet must be designed after consulting a doctor to maintain the healthy blood sugar levels. Offset carbohydrates with fat and protein :

Irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon is a health disorder that affects the colon or large intestine. This painful condition can strike anyone at any time. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. Remedies for irritable bowel syndrome focus on providing relief from symptoms such as pain and abdominal cramps. IBS causes pain and discomfort but does not cause permanent damage to the intestinal tissues. Since there is no known cure for IBS, those affected by it will need to make changes in their diet and lifestyle to control its symptoms. Women are more prone to IBS than men. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome Bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation are some common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome affects as many as one in five adults in the country. IBS affects a patient’s digestion and causes abdominal pain and changes in normal bowel function. There can be many triggers for IBS such as stress, unhealthy eating habits, irregular meal timings, indiscriminate caffeine consumption, or side effects of medicines. Top ten home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome So far, there is no single remedy or treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. However, there are numerous remedies for irritable bowel syndrome that help combat its symptoms. Here is a list of top ten home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome. Before following these remedies, it is best to consult your physician. Slippery elm extract: Native Americans have used this herbal supplement for several generations. It soothes the intestinal lining and relieves diarrheal symptoms. It is available in bottles as a therapeutic extract. You should mix a teaspoon of this extract in a glass of warm water. Green tea: It is rich in antioxidants and has a relaxing effect on the intestines and colon. You can make a glass of green tea and have it along with two drops of freshly squeezed lime.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder. The condition results in acute abdominal discomfort, gas, diarrhea, as well as changes in the patterns of one’s bowel movement. IBS with constipation is one of the most common scenarios that can greatly affect your quality of life. According to a study, the IBS affects more than 10% of the population in the country. The reason for the occurrence of IBS is unknown, which is why there is no specific cure for the condition. However, certain kinds of food items, stress, and hormonal changes are known to flare up the symptoms of this disease. Understanding these symptoms and following some basic steps that ease IBS can help to manage the condition in an effective way. Here are some ways to manage IBS. Making dietary changes Simple changes in the diet can help to relieve the troublesome symptoms of IBS. There is no specific diet for the same as some foods may cause IBS symptoms in one person whereas, on the other, they may not. Eliminating certain foods According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disease, certain items have shown to trigger the IBS symptoms: Dairy products High-fat products Caffeine Alcoholic drinks Broccoli, beans, and cabbage Drinks containing artificial sweeteners Chocolate and nuts Increasing dietary fiber Increasing your fiber intake is especially helpful in alleviating the symptoms of IBS with constipation. Doctors suggest consuming 22 to 34 grams of fiber each day. There are plenty of food items that are rich in fiber such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. It is important to note that fiber should be added gradually to the diet, little by little. For instance, 2 to 3 grams should be added each day. Adding too much fiber in one go can cause bloating and gas, and further, aggravate the IBS symptoms.

A toothache or tooth pain can sometimes be a painful problem that disrupts your routine and prevents you from functioning normally. Moreover, it can ruin the pleasure of eating or even force you to stop talking. People often experience the most severe form of tooth pain at night which makes the patients sleepless as they suffer from extreme discomfort. If you are experiencing a toothache, it’s vital to find out the root cause of the discomfort so that you can know the best way to deal with its pain, swelling or other symptoms. Several natural remedies can help you cure a severe toothache. Apart from trying out an effective natural remedy for a severe toothache, you should also consult a dentist if you are suffering from tooth pain for more than three days. However, it may take days or even weeks to get an appointment with the dentist. So, in the meantime, you can try to heal a severe toothache with the help of some effective natural remedies that can provide immediate relief. First, let’s take a look at the types of tooth pain that most people have. Types of tooth pain Mainly, there are two types of tooth pain that people suffer from — dull pain and sharp pain. Sharp tooth pain Sharp or acute tooth pain is mostly short-term, and it appears while eating or speaking to someone. Sometimes, the pain occurs for no reason. Here are some factors that can give you acute tooth pain: Teeth or gum decay A gum infection A broken tooth Grinding or clenching your tooth while you’re asleep Poor installation of a filling or crown Cold beverages or foods This sharp tooth pain can become a serious chronic infection over time. So, it is advisable to seek medical help immediately. Doctors will investigate the nature of your tooth pain and determine whether a filling or fixing is required at a later period.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in all the cells of our body. It is essential for the proper functioning and production of hormones like vitamin D and pepsin. Cholesterol is also found in food items from animal sources like egg yolk, cheese, and meat. Even our body is capable of generating all the cholesterol it requires. The thing with cholesterol is to maintain its equilibrium as too much of it tends to combine with other food substances in the blood and form plaque which eventually sticks to the arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. This can subsequently cause multiple coronary heart diseases blocking up the blood flow through the arteries. But as it is said there is always a solution to a problem. Likewise, cholesterol can be easily eliminated by many methods. One being, use of prescribed drugs like statins that function by inhibiting an enzyme needed to produce cholesterol. But with the interaction of these drugs, specific food products can turn out to be very dangerous causing severe side effects like joint aches, muscle pain, vomiting, increased blood sugar, kidney damage and many unexpected neurological side effects. It has also been reported that statins can cause a breakdown in muscle cells leading to permanent muscle damage. Alternative to statins Cholesterol absorption inhibitors If statins are not your savior, then a common alternative to statins is cholesterol absorption inhibitor. These drugs function by preventing your small intestine from properly absorbing the cholesterol you consume. It is pretty evident that what is not absorbed cannot reach your bloodstream. One such inhibitor is “Ezetimibe” which when combined with a low-fat diet helps reduce cholesterol efficiently. Resins Other common alternatives to statins are sequestrants or acid-binding resins. They are efficient and function by binding itself with the bile in your intestines, blocking cholesterol absorption to a great extent.

According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, about eight percent of Americans have an allergy that occurs in a particular season. Seasonal allergies occur when your immune system overreacts to an outdoor allergen (something that triggers an allergic response), such as pollen. The pollens that spread seasonal allergies are from wind-pollinated plants, such as trees, grasses, and weeds. The insect-pollinated plants are too heavy to remain airborne for long, therefore they are less likely to trigger an allergic reaction. The plants release their pollen at different times of the year. You may experience seasonal allergies in more than one season depending on where you live and your allergy triggers. There are some of the best seasonal allergy medicine options that you can opt for, but let us first take look at what triggers a seasonal allergy. Seasonal allergy triggers The most common seasonal allergy trigger is ragweed, a wild plant that grows especially on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Ragweed blossoms and discharges pollen from August to November. Some other plants that trigger seasonal allergies are Burning Bush, Cocklebur, Lamb’s-quarters, Pigweed, Sagebrush and Mugwort, Tumbleweed, and Russian Thistle. Climate factors can influence how badly your seasonal allergies are triggered. Tree, grass, and ragweed pollens grow during warm days and cool nights. Molds develop swiftly in heat and high humidity. Pollen levels tend to rise in the morning. Even though the rain washes the pollen away, pollen counts can rise after a rainfall. Airborne allergens are grounded on a day with no wind. The pollen counts rush when it is a windy and warm day. Symptoms of seasonal allergies Symptoms of seasonal allergies vary from very mild to severe. Some of the most common symptoms are sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, postnasal drainage, watery and itchy eyes, itchy sinuses, throat, or ear canals and ear congestion.

Back pain can be caused due to lack of exercise or prolonged or frequent bending. In our 9 to 5 sedentary lifestyle, we tend to develop a poor posture by slouched sitting which can trigger back pain. Sitting and standing for long hours, a high and common demand of a working lifestyle is also a contributory factor to back pain. Poor footwear or wrong footwear has also revealed as a cause to back pain. A common phrase, ‘sitting is the new smoking’ is on the lips of the generation which succumbs to back pain. The chiropractor has warned of increased incidents of debilitating back pain. Moreover, many studies say that men experience back pain earlier than women. In a study conducted between the age group of 20 to 60 years, it was revealed that 69% of the patients were prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 35% were given muscle relaxants, 12% narcotics and 4% acetaminophen. 20% received no medication. It was also seen that patients who were keen to receive medication were prescribed the same. The report concluded that Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often augmented by muscle relaxants, are the primary care for back pain. The symptoms that you feel are a persistent ache in the back which does not go away with rest. In some cases, you may suffer from weight loss, fever and difficulty in performing daily tasks. In some cases, back pain may take several weeks to go away, but in some cases, it may persist. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are provided if the pain continues. These are also available over the counter and therefore are called OTC drugs. OTC painkillers for back pain can be bought without a prescription. Most health care providers would recommend Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling around the swollen disc in the back. If these painkillers for back pain are taken in high dosages or for a long time, it may cause serious side effects.