Both our knee joints have a meniscus, which is a cartilage that acts as padding between the femur and tibia. This piece of cartilage can be damaged or torn while performing activities that exert pressure on the knee joints. For people who play games like football, basketball, soccer, and tennis, a meniscus tear is quite common. However, it is not necessary that only athletes get a meniscus tear, just a sudden and careless movement of standing from a squatting position, a pivot turn, or heavy lifting is good enough to cause a meniscus tear. Meniscus tear treatment, of course, then depends on the severity of the injury, which may vary from home remedies to surgery. However, being a little careful while exercising or playing goes a long way to help prevent injury to the menisci. Who is more prone to a meniscus tear? Children, adolescents, as well as aged people, anyone can get a meniscus tear. Children and adolescents can injure their menisci while playing organized or competitive sports. As the meniscus also tends to weaken with age, tears are more widespread in people who have crossed the threshold of 30 years. Someone with weak menisci, weaker and thinner cartilage can even get it injured from squatting or misstepping. People with osteoarthritis are also at a high risk of injuring the knee cartilage. Symptoms of a meniscus tear are many, starting right from pain, swelling, difficulty in movement or bending the knee, knee giving way, and a knee locking and popping sound coming from the area around the knee joint. In case you find any of these symptoms, it’s advisable that you see your doctor. The diagnosis of a meniscus tear is done through various ways like a physical exam, image tests, knee x-ray, MRI, Ultrasound or arthroscopy depending on the condition of the knees and symptoms.

When too much fluid gets absorbed into the intestines, constipation usually occurs due to the lack of water in one’s stool. The lack of sufficient fluids makes the stool dry. The condition under which a person experiences fewer than three bowel movements in a given week is known as constipation. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse which is a part of the National Institutes of Health has provided this diagnosis. The entire process of expelling stool becomes unpleasant to endure since constipated stools are often hard, small and dry. Some people may pass stools multiple times a day while some may go only a couple of times every week, which means that everybody has a different system. Unless the symptoms last for weeks, treatment for constipation is seldom required. Chronic constipation help can be attained by following a lifestyle and diet change, as follows: Exercise gently every day by taking short, brisk walks. Increasing the walking schedule for up to 20 minutes every day. Consume sufficient quantities of fluids like water, ginger water, cucumber water, fresh juices etc. Consume non-caffeinated fluids. Beverages that increase dehydration, like alcohol based drinks and straight alcohol should be avoided. A doctor can recommend the amount of fluid that needs to be consumed to fix constipation. Foods that contain fiber should be increased the daily diet. Consumption of vegetables and fruits should be increased. A good breakfast may consist of cereal or bran muffin that gives energy as well as fiber. A piece of fruit as a midafternoon snack also helps keep up energy levels and add fiber. A regular daily routine that helps designate bowel movements to a given time every day also helps. The time designated to focus on bowel movements should be relaxed, unhurried and stress-free. The feet should be supported with a small step stool to help flex the hips and place the pelvis in a squat position when sitting on the toilet, to help ease the bowel movement.

The human neck is made up of vertebrae that extend from the skull right up till the upper torso. These cervical discs absorb shock that can occur between the bones. The ligaments, bones and muscles of the neck support the head and allow its motion. Neck pain relief will depend on the type of stiffness and neck pain can be caused by any inflammation, abnormalities, or injury. People experience neck pain or stiffness at different occasions. The most common cause of neck stiffness and neck pain is a bad, poor posture that eliminates lumbar support. Neck pain can also be caused due to an injury, a fall etc. that can occur during high impact physical activity. Most neck pains and stiffness are not a serious conditions, but if not treated and prevented, they can become chronic. Most of these can be fixed within days with effective neck pain relief medications and remedies, but sometimes neck pains and stiffness point towards a serious illness, injury or disorder and may require immediate medical care. Neck pain and stiffness that lasts for more than a week should be or is very severe should be treated by a doctor as a medical emergency. Causes of neck pain There can be a number of reasons that cause neck pain and stiffness. Muscle strain and tension Activities and behaviors given below cause muscle strain and tension: poor posture working at a desk for too long with no changing position jerking the neck during exercise Wrong sleep posture especially the neck region. health conditions like heart attack, meningitis or fibromyalgia A doctor usually performs a physical examination and takes into account the patient’s complete medical history. The doctor should be aware of all the symptoms and any prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications and supplements that have been consumed for providing effective neck pain relief treatment.

Shingles is a type of viral infection that causes highly painful rashes. They may occur anywhere on your body. Generally speaking, you can find them as a single stripe of blisters, and they wrap around the right or left side of the torso. The virus that causes shingles is known as varicella zoster, and you need to start taking treatment at the early stage to make the recovery truly effective. It is always advisable to choose the best shingles medication to enjoy the best results. Diagnosis of shingles This problem is often diagnosed on the basis of the history of pain experienced on the one side of your body, and the telltale rashes and blisters are taken into consideration. Tissue scraping may also be done, and, on certain occasions, blister culture is also performed laboratory. Early treatment is better Effective shingle treatment reduces the symptoms, and the condition improves within a period of two to four weeks. Seeking the help of your doctor is always advisable when you start experiencing the symptoms of shingles. Early treatment lowers the severity of the problem. Moreover, it reduces the risk of potential health complications. Self-care options for shingles You can come across a good number of ways to reduce the symptoms. The first thing you must do is to maintain the rash clean and dry. This will help protect you against the risk of the rash getting infected with bacteria. It is a good practice to wear loose clothes so that you can stay comfortable. If you use topical antibiotics or apply adhesives like plasters, the healing process becomes slower. You can use a dressing that does not stick to the rash, and it can be done to cover the blisters. A calamine lotion is not a bad option because it induces a cooling and soothing effect on the skin.

Lupus Skin Rash is a disease which causes inflammation, flare-ups and has several other symptoms. The improper functioning of the immune system damages the skin tissue and results in flare-ups. The symptoms of lupus skin rash start in the early adulthood from the age of thirty and worsen as the age progresses. Studies reveal the occurrence of lupus is high among women as compared to men. Lupus skin rash affects people in different ways. Some of them suffer from mild symptoms while other could have a severe problem. The disease can’t be cured permanently, however, treatment can reduce the intensity of pain. Common symptoms of lupus skin rash The main symptoms which characterize the lupus skin rash are fever, rash, hair fall, fatigue, kidney infections, and inflammation in joints, dried mouth, thyroid troubles and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Nail problems: You may have discolored and brittle nails due to lupus. The nails may crack and fall anytime. At times red spots are formed in the nail bed due to the inflammation of the blood vessels. Joint pain: Pain in the wrists, fingers, limbs, and knees are the initial signs of lupus. You can even suffer from muscular pain, which causes inflammation. Fever: People with lupus suffer from mild to high degree fever along with fatigue. They could feel exhausted throughout the day and find it difficult to walk. Butterfly rash: As the name indicates butterfly-shaped rash appears across the cheeks and Nose Bridge. Red spots, mouth sores, and purple rashes are some of the prime signs of butterfly rash. Hair fall: People may experience the falling of hair. The hair becomes thin on the scalp along with the development of flakes on the scalp. Sensitivity to light: Patients with lupus are highly sensitive to the sun. Spending a day in the sunlight can trigger the rashes.

A cough is a reflexive maneuver of the body that is caused involuntarily, to send out any fluids or irritants (foreign particles) from the throat. When coughing, the body inhales and then forces an exhalation in quick succession, against the closed glottis . With the release of air and the glottis opening, the throat produces a sound that we know as coughing. Coughing is one of the most common medical complaints for which people consult a medical health practitioner. The purpose of this reflex action is to obstruct irritants or allergens, which enter the respiratory tract and expel them out. Your state of well-being and quality of life becomes affected if a dry cough becomes sub-acute or chronic. Dry Cough Allergies When your body is not producing mucus, and yet if coughing persists, it is known as a dry cough. This is mostly caused by the allergens present in your immediate environment, that can cause inflammation or irritation of the pharynx— the rear region of the throat. Allergies are the most common cause of a chronic cough in almost all medical cases, except for people who smoke. When allergy causing irritants are removed from your environment, and if your exposure to their presence is decreased, the dry cough can be relieved. This type of a cough has a characteristic sound that is intense and forceful and lasts for a few minutes to days. You are at risk of developing dry cough allergies if: You have a family/hereditary history of having allergies You have a sensitive skin You have periodic bouts of coughing that extend and go away with/without treatment Causes Dry cough allergies involve the release of a chemical called histamine , that is formed as a part of your body’s immune response to an allergen/irritant. The overall reaction of your body to any allergen consists of an itchy throat, coughing, sneezing and runny eyes.

Meningitis refers to a medical condition in which the meninges or the membranes surrounding the spinal cord and brain get inflamed mostly due to viral infection. Fungal and bacterial infections may also lead to this health issue. Often characterized by the stiffness of the neck, high fever, and headache, meningitis can turn fatal, if not treated on time. In some rare cases, meningitis gets cured in a couple of weeks without any medication. However, it is never recommended to leave meningitis untreated and report to a doctor if you can find any of the below-mentioned symptoms of meningitis. General meningitis symptoms are- Symptoms of meningitis and flu are often quite similar, making it difficult to recognize at the very onset. However, some patients get many prominent meningitis symptoms in a few hours while others may take several days for developing the meningitis symptoms. Both adults and children have the risk of getting this infection. Anyone above two years of age is expected to show the following signs when infected by this disease germ. Getting high fever all of a sudden Neck stiffness, sometimes complete immobility of neck Developing concentration difficulty or confusion Difficulty in waking up, sleepiness in the daytime or excess fatigue Seizures or epilepsy signs Difficult to see in light or increased sensitivity to sunlight Low appetite and thirst Rad rashes on skin A severe headache accompanied by fever. In most cases, the pain is quite unusual than a normal headache. Many patients also get vomiting or nausea along with a headache Meningitis symptoms in babies below two years- Meningitis in infants below two years can be extremely difficult to diagnose and may turn fatal. Therefore, consult a doctor if you see any of the signs in your child. Constant crying accompanied by high fever. In most of the cases, the babies do not stop crying and might cry harder when trying to be consoled.

Diabetes and diets are closely linked; hence, they are one of the most important aspects to monitor. If you are diabetic, increase lean proteins and high fiber, while reducing processed carbohydrates in your diet. You must also increase your fruit, vegetable, and low-fat dairy food intake. Hypertension Stopping Diet This diet plan was designed to fight hypertension, but it is also found to be helpful in bringing down the risk of diabetes. Moreover, it may help in weight loss as this diet involves reducing portions and meal sizes. Blood pressure is the primary focus of this diet. It focuses on including nutrients like magnesium potassium and calcium, and includes the following foods. Seafood and poultry for protein Fresh vegetables (especially beans) and fresh fruits Nuts and seeds Fat-free or low-fat dairy products Whole grains Vegetable oils for healthy fats People on this diet should limit their sodium consumption to no more 1500 for a day. It is advisable to cut down on red meat and desserts. Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet derives itself from the traditional Mediterranean cuisine and is one of the best diets for diabetes. This diet contains a high amount of naturally available oleic acid. It has been proven to reduce fasting sugar level and helps manage weight. Moreover, it lowers the risk of metabolic disorders. The following foods are included in the diet. Chicken, eggs, and fatty fishes like salmon Fresh fruits and vegetables Nuts and seeds Olive oil and nuts Paleolithic Diet This diet is created on the assumption that current-day chronic diseases are caused due to modern agricultural practices. This diet includes foods that are possible to acquire by hunting and gathering, just like our ancestors acquired them. It is also considered as one of the best diets for diabetes and includes the following foods.

A type of degenerative condition, arthritis is a painful disease characterized by the inflammation and stiffness of joints. At the moment around 55 million adults in the country are diagnosed with this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis are some common types of arthritis. Medical professionals mostly treat arthritis with anti-inflammatory medicines and pain-relievers. However, due to the medications’ potent nature, their long-term use might not be suitable for all patients. In such a situation, individuals should also consider implementing healthier lifestyle changes like dietary modifications and exercise. Likewise, one can try using herbal remedies for arthritis pain mentioned below. These can help gain fast relief in case of any unexpected flare-ups. Eucommia – Native to China, Eucommia bark is an exotic herb that is used for alleviating arthritis symptoms, especially joint pain. Moreover, Eucommia benefits by fortifying the tendons, ligaments, and bones which makes it a useful herbal remedy for arthritis patients. Usually, Eucommia is consumed in the form of supplements. This herb can also be beneficial for regulating diabetes and preventing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. However, before consuming Eucommia one should seek their physician’s guidance, particularly, if they are suffering from blood pressure problems. Thunder god vine – Like Eucommia, thunder god vine is also a primitive Chinese herbal remedy. The extracts from the roots of this exotic herb encourage restraining an overactive immune system. Therefore, this type of herbal remedy of arthritis can be instrumental in managing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder. For gaining the best outcome, one should topically apply its extract to the inflamed joints. The long-term use of thunder god vine is not recommended as it could cause skin rashes. Likewise, individuals dealing with osteoporosis should abstain from using this herb as it could diminish the bone strength.

Cancer is a life-threatening condition that typically forms particularly in one area or region of the body and this region is known as the primary site. Cancer cells can travel to other parts of the body, breaking away from its primary site through the bloodstream or the lymph system and is called metastasis. Metastatic lung cancer occurs when cancer cells break away from a tumor formed in the lungs and travel to other parts of the body through the blood or the lymph system. Even though the cancer cells have traveled and spread to a new location in the body, it is still named after the body part from where it all started. It is common for lung cancer to metastasize even before it is diagnosed, as symptoms generally do not show up when the lung cancer is already present. The most common sites of metastasis for lung cancer are the other lung, adrenal gland, bones, brain, and liver. Metastatic lung cancer is very different from recurring lung cancer, as recurring lung cancer affects the same part of the lung after being treated rather than moving to some other parts of the body. A metastatic cancer is always caused by the cancer cells developing in some other regions and traveling to another part of the body. Symptoms of metastatic lung cancer The symptoms of metastatic lung cancer are related to the area to which cancer spreads and these symptoms can be general. These general symptoms are often confused with some other issues. Hence, this condition is very difficult to identify as it does not always cause discernible symptoms. However, we have listed some of the common symptoms which are related to the site where a new tumor has developed: Bones Patients with lung cancer have a 40 percent chance of developing bone metastases which include symptoms such as pain.

Pain in the lower back area could be the result of numerous factors. But is your lower back pain kidney related? Pain caused in the lower back may be due to kidney infection or kidney stones. Very often, when you have lower back pain, you may be confused about the exact cause. With this article, we will help you distinguish whether you have normal back pain or whether your lower back pain kidney related. If it is lower back pain induced by kidney related issues, you will experience sharp pain between the hips and flanks and ribs. Unlike normal pain in the lower back which is not very specific, the lower back pain induced by kidneys is concentrated around the hip area and below the rib cage or in the lower back sides. Difference between normal lower back pain and kidney-related lower back pain When the lower back pain is kidney related, it usually shows incidence in the form of specific, localized pain. A normal back pain, on the other hand, may tend to affect the areas from your neck to your back. If you experience a sudden, shooting pain in the lower part of your rib cage or on the lower sides on your back, it is pain induced by kidneys. Kidney pain may lead to pains in lower abdomen and inner thighs, whereas in the case of normal back pain, the pain may spread further to your hips, thighs, calves, or feet. Kidney-related lower back pain causes The most common causes behind lower back pain are kidney stones or kidney infection. Other causes behind the lower back pain include renal infarction, kidney cancer, glomerulonephritis. Kidney stones can be responsible for inducing pain in your lower back. When there is a movement of the stone in your left kidney, you tend to experience lower left back pain.

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.