Body odor, specifically underarm body odor, is caused by sweat produced by the apocrine glands. Apocrine glands are present, in large numbers, in the armpit. The sweat produced by apocrine glands mixes with the bacteria on the skin and results in body odor. Often offensive in nature, underarm body odor not only hampers one’s confidence but also has a negative impact on the way a person carries themselves. To be able to treat underarm body odor effectively, it is first important to know how underarm body odor occurs. Not only sweat secretion by apocrine glands causes body odor but also poor hygiene, and insufficient bathing are known to cause the bad odor. To prevent extreme sweating and underarm body odor, stick to the following home remedies that can be easily followed to keep the skin clean and fresh. Shaving your underarms – Hairy underarms can create a moist environment, thus creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Since human hair is porous, it absorbs the odor, thus causing slow evaporation of body sweat. It traps odorants located in the armpits, thus causing it to smell. To get rid of underarm body order, the first step is to shave the underarms so that the bacteria is not trapped in the armpits. Applying vinegar – Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, also known as ACV, helps in lowering the pH level of the skin. Because of the acidity in the vinegar, bacteria are unable to survive. Splashing a little apple cider vinegar in your armpits help dissipate the body odor and kills the bacteria causing body odor. However, remember not to use vinegar on freshly shaved armpits as it can cause irritation on the broken skin. Using witch hazel – A natural sterilizer, witch hazel is a natural antiseptic that is known to reduce the Ph level of the skin thus reducing underarm body odor.

Belching, burping, passing gas in odd social situations may be embarrassing. Although it may seem funny to others, it is a severe problem for someone who is suffering from gas and related feeling of bloating. Intestinal gas and the feeling of bloating are unpleasant and a common cause of physical discomfort. There is nothing abnormal in having a certain amount of intestinal gas; it becomes a problem when it goes beyond the occasional gas to a persistent problem! The good news is, there are several steps which can be taken to combat these adverse digestive symptoms. Gas in the intestine may build up due to various reasons. The most common cause of gas in the intestine are gas that forms as an outcome of digestion of some foods and swallowed air. In most cases burps push out a maximum of the swallowed air, and the remaining is either absorbed by the body or is released through the rectum. Most of the gas is produced as a result of the breakdown of food by the intestinal bacteria, and the wrong kinds of food can play havoc. Here are some gas and bloating relief tips meant to keep the ‘gas level’ low. Avoid swallowing air It is not possible not to swallow air at all, but it can be minimized by following few simple steps. People who eat at a fast pace tend to gulp down more air, so cut down on the speed of eating, eat slowly! Steer clear of chewing gum and hard candies because as you chew on them, you tend to swallow more air. Quit smoking because that’s when you gulp down plenty of air. Watch what’s on your plate Avoid foods that cause gas! These are foods that break down in the intestine to produce plenty of gas.

More than 1.5 million people report cases of rheumatoid arthritis in America every year, and this condition is three times more common in women than in men. It is one of the most common diseases of the joints which generally occurs in aged people. However, there are simple ways you can recognize the symptoms of this condition before it gets worse. Read on to find out more about them. What is rheumatoid arthritis? Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease which results due to an adverse reaction of the body’s immune system. The immune system in your body is meant to protect you from dangers and illnesses, but in this case, the immune system mistakes the joints to be a threat and attacks them, resulting in an autoimmune disease. This condition affects a particular tissue which acts as a lining on the inner sides of your joints and causes swelling and pain in them. This tissue (called Synovium) is responsible for generating a fluid which lubricates the joints to keep them functioning smoothly. When the inflammation is left untreated, it causes damage to the cartilage, the tissues that cover the ends of your joints, and also the bone. This leads to loosening of joints making them unstable and painful. If this condition is diagnosed at an early stage, it is possible to reverse this loss in stability and get your joints to function properly again. It is important that you take care to not miss any of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned below, consult a doctor immediately. Common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis Fatigue One of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is fatigue, especially when there is inflammation. This occurs because your body reacts to the inflammation along with poor sleep, medications, and anemia.

The pain caused due to shingles can be very severe and it can affect your normal day-to-day activities as well. Shingles are often caused when the chickenpox virus known as Varicella Zoster is reactivated. The virus then travels through the nerve fibers to cause a painful skin rash. Usually, the pain goes away along with the rash but can also persist sometimes. You can treat the pain after shingles using the following measures. Always consult a doctor if you are not sure which remedy to follow, or if you are suffering from any other disease. Painkillers Shingles cause nerve damage that is permanent and the pain is an after effect of it. To ease the pain of the effects of shingles, you can take painkillers that will effectively help with reducing the pain. Painkillers such as tricyclic antidepressants can help in dealing with the pain. Thoracic epidural injections Shingles are caused due to the nerve damage and if you reduce the nerve root inflammation, then the pain can also be reduced. For this, the anti-inflammatory medicine can be injected into the space that is near the spinal cord. This reduces the pain. Thus, thoracic epidural injections can be used for the treatment of shingles. Membrane stabilizers You can use membrane stabilizers to treat the pain after shingles. You can ask your doctor to prescribe medicines that will act as membrane stabilizers and will help you with the immense pain caused due to shingles. The pain can prolong even after shingles are gone and therefore fighting the pain is the only way. Natural remedies for treating the pain after shingles Healing baths When you clean the blisters every day, then the infection is less likely to spread. The itchiness and pain after shingles can be reduced with cool water baths. Since heat increases the blisters, you should avoid taking bath with hot water at all costs.

Eczema is a common type of skin problem that could cause itchiness and redness to your skin. Sometimes, the condition of eczema is referred to as atopic dermatitis which is an allergy. Those who have this issue will generally have asthma and allergies along with the red and itchy skin. Eczema is not a contagious disease. However, the exact cause of eczema is still to be procured. Types of eczematous dermatitis Atopic dermatitis This is one of the most common types of eczematous dermatitis . Although it generally starts in childhood, it will go away as one becomes an adult. Hay fever, asthma, and atopic dermatitis form a triad which means someone who has atopic dermatitis will have the other two conditions as well. Symptoms Rashes in elbows and knees Rashes turning lighter or thicker or even darker The appearance of small bumps which could start leaking once you scratch them Rashes on the scalp or the cheek of the babies Contact dermatitis If the itchiness and the redness of your skin are due to a reaction caused by a substance you touch then you might be having contact dermatitis. This type of eczematous dermatitis has two other types which are allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. Symptoms Skin tuning red and itches, burns, and stings starting to appear Hives appearing on your skin Blisters filled with fluids Scaly and leathery skin Dyshidrotic eczema Dyshidrotic eczema is a common type of eczematous dermatitis seen more in women than men. It will cause the formation of small blisters on your hands and feet. Symptoms Blisters filled with fluids The blister that will hurt and itch Scaly skin with crack and flake Hand eczema This type of eczematous dermatitis only affects your hands. If you are a hairdressing or a cleaning expert, then you might get hand eczema.

Post nasal drip cough is a common condition among children and adults. This condition can affect the normal functioning of a person’s life by causing sleeplessness and severe exhaustion. With the right diagnosis and early treatment, this condition can be brought under control. What is post nasal drip cough? The glands that line the nose, airways, throat, and the stomach produce mucus every day. Mucus helps keep foreign objects away from the nose and throat by trapping and destroying any bacteria or viruses. It also greases and cleans the passages leading from the nose to the body. Usually, this mucus mixes with the saliva and trickles down the throat, and a person might barely notice it. However, when the body produces more mucus due to an allergy or infection, the mucus begins to thicken. The excess mucus comes out of the nose, and this condition is commonly referred to as a runny nose. Some of the mucus drains at the back of the throat, resulting in a condition known as post nasal drip. A post nasal drip cough occurs due to the thickened mucus blocking the throat. It can affect a person for eight weeks or more if not treated properly. It is important to check with your doctor about the best treatments available. Symptoms and causes of post nasal drip cough A post nasal drip cough can cause severe irritation to the throat and nose. You may constantly experience a feeling of clearing your throat, and this feeling may be accompanied by pain while swallowing, headaches, an ear infection, a sinus infection, a hoarse voice, a scratchy feeling in the throat, a shortness of breath, and, in serious cases, it may even lead to coughing up blood. There are several possible causes for this condition. Some of the causes are flu, allergies, sinus infection, certain types of medications for treating blood pressure and birth control, changing weather, dry or cold air, an object caught in the nose of a child, spicy food, or inhaling smoke or chemical fumes.

There are various ways to resolve neuropathy foot pain including medication and several therapies, but it is important to identify the underlying cause first. It occurs when there is damage to any of the peripheral nerves. Symptoms of Neuropathy foot pain Neuropathy foot pain is a result of some affected nerve of the peripheral system. The type of nerves that are involved include: Sensory nerves Sensations such as pain, temperature, touch, vibration through the skin are picked up by the sensory nerves. Motor Nerves The movement of the muscles is regulated by these nerves. Autonomic Nerves The heart rate, blood pressure, bladder, and digestion are controlled by the autonomic nerves. The signs and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are as follows: Numbness or tingling A feeling of numbness or tingling that starts at your hands/feet and radiates to your arms and legs. Pain A feeling of sharp, burning, throbbing or freezing pain. Sensitivity You become extremely sensitive to light touch. Coordination Problems with balance occur as a result of poor coordination and sometimes you could fall. Muscle weakness If there is an impact on the motor nerves, there could be a resultant weakness of muscles or paralysis. Heat intolerance This occurs if there is an effect on the autonomic nerves. The sweating pattern is altered. Digestive problems Another side effect of the autonomic nerves that are affected is digestion problems. Bowel and bladder problems also arise. Dizziness Affected autonomic nerves are also responsible for dizziness along with changes in blood pressure. When only one nerve is affected due to peripheral neuropathy, it is referred to as mononeuropathy. When there are multiple nerves involved, it is known as polyneuropathy. Causes of Neuropathy in feet Neuropathy in feet can occur due to the presence of multiple diseases. The reasons for neuropathies are: Alcoholism There are vitamin deficiencies due to poor choice of diet in the cases of people suffering from alcoholism.

Shingles is a type of skin rash that is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. It usually appears in the form of a band or a strip covering a small area over the face or other parts of the body. It is sometimes also referred to as herpes zoster. Older individuals who have a weaker immune system because of stress, injury, etc., usually suffer from this type of skin rash. Before we discuss the treatments for shingles, let us know what causes them. It occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox resurfaces in the body. After the patient starts recovering from chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the nerve roots. In some cases, the virus remains dormant forever. When the virus becomes active (normally due to a weaker immune system) and reacts to ongoing medicines, it causes shingles. There is no clear evidence that states the real cause of shingles; however, once the virus becomes active again, it causes shingles and not chickenpox. There is a minor possibility that a person who is infected with shingles can spread the virus to people who haven’t had chickenpox or a vaccination for protection against it. Following is a brief overview of the various available treatments for shingles: It is necessary to establish a fact that there is no cure for shingles. However, you can shorten the length of the illness and prevent further complications. One of the prominent treatments for shingles include antiviral medicines that will help in reducing the pain and duration of shingles. Other than this, medicines such as antidepressants and topical creams can help in relieving long-term pain. The initial treatments for shingles comprise antiviral medicines which are administered during the first three days from when the symptoms first began to appear. Undergoing this initial treatment, you might have a lower chance of further complications such as post herpetic neuralgia.

Every individual could suffer from leg muscle pain. There are different kinds of leg pain problems such as muscular pain, joint pain, leg cramps, nerve pain, and blood clots. Some of the types of leg muscle pain are as follows: Muscle cramp: It causes sudden pain in the lower leg; this is also known as a Charley horse. A muscle cramp can occur anytime during the day or when sleeping. Tired or dehydrated muscles cause leg cramps. Massage the cramped area or stretch it gently to cure the tensed muscles. A high water intake is beneficial for leg cramps. Shin splints: The shin splints occur in the upper front calves. The muscles in the shin bone get inflamed which hurt when running or jumping. If you have flat feet or outward turned feet, you may probably suffer from shin splints. Ice works wonders to reduce the pain of shin splints. It numbs the nerves sensing pain. You can even try antibiotics such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen. Wear comfortable shoes and avoid moving or running on hard surfaces. If you feel some stretching in the legs, it is advisable to take some stretch. See the doctor if the problem prevails. Tendinitis: Pain in the lower calf or at the back of heel indicates Achilles tendon which causes the tendon to tear apart, stretch or swell. It is also one type of leg muscle pain. Excessive walking or climbing stairs can cause tendinitis. Put some ice to sooth the pain. You can even take anti-inflammatory medications. If you experience less pain, stretching the legs can prove to be helpful. Severe pains indicate the tearing of Achilles tendon which can be treated by surgeries. Sprains: Twisting of ankles result in mild sprains. The RICE treatment which is an acronym for rest, ice, compression, and elevation is effective for sprains.

There are various instances when the body refuses to function properly. This happens due to a variety of reasons, and also, the inability of the body’s immune system to protect it from the onslaught of various malicious agents in the surrounding. When the bacteria or viruses conquer the immune system, they wage a full-fledged war on the body and impact its functioning. What might begin as a common cold can be the harbinger of other health-related issues to come. Nasal congestion is one of the most common diseases that has inflicted almost every person at least once in their lifetime. Though it might not come across as a trivial affliction, it does cause a lot of discomforts until it is fully cured. People often confuse common cold with nasal congestion. It does share symptoms with cold, and it can have deeper impacts than cold. If you wish to know more about nasal congestion and acquire a fair idea about nasal congestion treatments, keep reading. What are the causes of nasal congestion? Another term for a stuffy nose is nasal congestion. Nasal congestion surfaces when the nasal passage is blocked, and this happens when the membrane lining of the passage becomes swollen due to inflammation in the blood vessels. Usually, the common cold is the culprit in cases of nasal congestion, but there are a few instances when the cause of nasal congestion isn’t common cold. The other causes of nasal congestion are as follows: – Various allergies are known to trigger nasal congestion. It irritates the nasal passage and causes the membranes to swell. This can lead to nasal congestion. – Hay fever is also known to cause nasal congestion. – Exposure to certain chemicals can lead to nasal congestion. – A deviated septum is also known to cause nasal congestion.

Affecting 8% of the population who are over 55 years of age, neuropathy is not one single disease but a condition that results due to disruption or damage to peripheral nerves. Experienced as burning or shooting pain, it is often chronic. There are different neuropathy treatment options which depend on the type of symptoms, and the affect neuropathy has on three types of peripheral nerves. The human nervous system comprises of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nervous system is responsible for transmitting or transferring messages between the brain, spinal cord and rest of the body. Peripheral nerves are responsible for regulating a large range of functions including voluntary muscle movement, automatic organ activity and the perception of stimuli. Pain or burning sensation is due to malfunctioning or damaged nervous system. Causes of Neuropathic Pain Either genetic or acquired later in life, neuropathic pain usually cannot be pointed towards a particular cause. However, some causes can be said to give birth to neuropathic pain. These include alcoholism, amputation, diabetes, facial nerve problems, kidney disorder, chemical imbalance caused due to liver problems, Toxins from exposure to heavy metals, thyroid problems, syphilis, shingles, multiple sclerosis, cancers and tumors, chronic inflammation, blood vessel damage and blood diseases, and other hormonal imbalances that affect metabolic processes. Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain There are a variety of symptoms that indicate damage or malfunctioning of peripheral nervous systems. Neuropathic pain symptoms include: Nausea and vomiting coupled with dizziness Tingling and numbness Abdominal bloating after meals Shooting and burning pain Difficulty in urinating or constant feeling that the bladder is not emptied properly. Constipation or diarrhea Erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men Decreased ability to sweat or heat intolerance Distorted vision Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) Diagnoses of Neuropathic Pain There are physical exams conducted by doctors to diagnose the cause of pain, and accordingly, neuropathy treatment is suggested.

Every person suffers from diarrhea at some point. Loose and regular bowel movements are the main signs that a person is suffering from diarrhea. In normal cases, diarrhea lasts for few days. However, in case this lasts for more time it indicates the presence of a more serious disorder like inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome. Signs and symptoms of Diarrhea Some of the key signs and symptoms of diarrhea include loose and watery stools, cramps in the abdomen, blood in the stool and urgent need of having a bowel movement. In case these symptoms persist treatment from a doctor should be sought. In addition to these, the assistance of doctor should be sought when diarrhea persists beyond two days; a person becomes dehydrated; a person has severe abdominal pain, the stools are bloody and black, and the fever is above 102 F. Causes of Diarrhea Diarrhea is caused by numerous disease conditions including: Virus infection Virus infection also causes diarrhea. Some of the virus which causes diarrhea includes viral hepatitis, Norwalk virus, and cytomegalovirus. In addition to this rotavirus also cause acute diarrhea in children. Bacteria and Parasites Contaminated food or water can also result in diarrhea symptoms in human beings. In addition, the presence of parasites as Cryptosporidium and Giardia lamblia also cause diarrhea. Bactria as campylobacter, salmonella and Escherichia coli also result in diarrhea. Lactose intolerance Lactose is a natural sugar which is found in dairy products and milk. People who are not able to digest lactose suffer from diarrhea when they eat any of the dairy products. Treatment of Diarrhea In most cases, diarrhea gets better in few days on its own, but severe diarrhea treatment might need medical intervention. Natural Cure for Diarrhea Natural remedies that provide severe diarrhea treatment can be tried for curing diarrhea as these also help in the effective treatment of basic causes of diarrhea.