How to deal with hair loss? This is a very common question for many people who are looking for a permanent solution for their hair fall woes. Not just older individuals, even young people are dealing with significant hair loss issues. However, to treat hair loss, one first needs to figure what is the root of the cause. Various factors are responsible for hair loss, some of them include genetics, diet, insufficient sleep, stress and hormonal variations. You can come across a lot of methods to treat hair fall. One of the simplest and effective ways of controlling and preventing hair fall is to make use of the right vitamins. If you can consume the best vitamins, hair loss can be prevented quite efficiently. Best vitamins to treat hair loss You can eat natural foods or vitamin supplements on a daily basis to strengthen the health of your hair and prevent hair loss. Some essential vitamins you must have are vitamin A, vitamin B5, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin E and biotin. They are known to improve the health of your skin and hair. Vitamin A Vitamin A is extremely good at regulating the synthesis of retinoic acid in the hair follicle and hydrates the scalp as well. It is especially beneficial for promoting skin health as well. What are sources you can depend on to get vitamin A? Food items like spinach, mango, carrot, sweet potatoes, dark leafy green vegetables, lettuce and tuna contain a high amount of vitamin A. You can increase the intake of these ingredients to stop hair loss. Vitamin A supplements are also available in the market. You need to choose the best one with right elements to keep your hair healthy. Vitamin B Vitamin B is one of the best vitamins that assist you in maintaining the health of your hair.

Hemorrhoids often known as piles are a common disease among people. Every three out of four individuals suffer from hemorrhoids at different ages during their lifespan. Hemorrhoids are the swollen veins in the anus and parts of the lower rectum. There are several causes of hemorrhoids. During deliveries, high pressure is exerted on the veins which may cause piles. Excessive straining during the bowel movements is another cause of hemorrhoids. Some of the probable symptoms of hemorrhoids include bleeding, itching, and discomfort. Read the article below to explore the causes, symptoms, facts, diagnosis, and treatment of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be classified into two categories, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids Internal hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum walls. These hemorrhoids are less painful and don’t cause discomfort or irritation. In the beginning, people don’t even feel internal hemorrhoid. However, the enlargement makes them more obvious. In some cases, too much irritation and straining worsens the hemorrhoids and can even cause bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids can move to the anal opening due to high straining or increased pressure. The condition is known as protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoids. If you find pink skin around the anus area, it is a probable sign of prolapsed hemorrhoids. Prolapsed hemorrhoids cause much pain at times. This is because the anus has an intricate network of pain-sensing nerves. Protruding hemorrhoids can move into the rectum by itself. However, if they don’t, they can be moved back to the required place using medical treatment. External hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids occur on the outer skin around the anus. Thrombosed hemorrhoids: Thrombosed hemorrhoids result in the formation of blood clot. Though thrombosed hemorrhoids don’t have severe impacts, it can be painful at times and lead to inflammation and bleeding. Enlarged hemorrhoids: The enlarged hemorrhoids can be identified with the symptoms such as mucus discharge, burning sensation in the anus, improper emptying during a bowel movement, itching, and pain.

The summer season brings along skin irritations and rashes. The heat rays finally get to your skin, and you can find rashes mostly in the areas covered by clothing. Everyone from infants to elders is susceptible to heat rashes. You need to first identify the rash. It will irritate and might get worse if you do not go for heat rash treatments. Many home remedies and medications can put a stop to it. What is more important is working on preventive methods so that it doesn’t happen again. You can enjoy the summer in peace once you have dealt with it. Heat rash is a fairly common problem, and it happens to most people, so there is no cause for alarm. If these methods don’t work, there might be another infection that is causing the rashes. In that case, it is best to consult a dermatologist. What is heat rash? The red or pink rashes on parts of your body that are covered by clothes are called heat rashes. It happens because the air ducts are blocked. They swell up due to the heat and cause itching. This is commonly found in babies. However, in hot climates, it can affect adults too. Heat rash occurs when the body is covered with too many clothes, and the skin is unable to breathe. Heat rash treatment involves treating the rashes. However, as a permanent solution, you need to make sure you are in a cool environment, and your body heat is under control. How to identify a heat rash? A heat rash is very easy to identify. It looks like dots or pimples all across the skin. It can appear in any part of the body. In sporadic cases when heat rash treatment is not done, a secondary infection may appear. So, it is best to identify it and treat it immediately.

Shingles is a condition caused by a virus called the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the same one responsible for chickenpox. In childhood, when a person is affected by this virus, it causes chickenpox. The immune system makes sure that the virus remains inert and hidden inside the body. It retreats to the two nerve cells near the spine. This virus becomes active again, in one-third of the total cases of chickenpox, and reaches the skin surface through a nerve and causes painful blisters and rashes. This virus attack is called herpes zoster, or shingles. Shingles is an extremely painful skin condition which causes blisters and rashes that cause sharp, unbearable pain, and crusty skin that might burst open. In most of the cases, this pain goes away on its own in few weeks. However, in 10 to 20 percent of the cases, the pain never ends and becomes a condition that lasts for months, weeks or for an entire lifetime. This pain is called Post Herpetic Neuralgia (PHN), which is a form of neuropathic pain that appears after an episode of shingles. The risk of developing this pain is around 50 percent in people above the age of 60. The symptoms of this condition vary from individual to individual. In some cases, the pain is mild but in others, it can be excruciating and the flare-up can be caused due to a slight touch, friction due to clothing or even a slight breeze. Some people experience an intermittent pain while others have a continuous stabbing, burning sensation in the affected area. Unlike chickenpox, shingles affect a specific part of the body which is connected to the inflamed nerve. The PHN also affects the same area of the skin. Preventing Postherpetic Neuralgia The causes of postherpetic neuralgia have been unknown to modern medical science.

Fighting wrinkles has been an age-old battle that both women and men have been fighting since time immemorial. We all want flawless, wrinkle-free skin, and with the right care and useful tips, this isn’t impossible. Preventing wrinkles is no herculean task, and you don’t need to go under the knife for it. A healthy lifestyle and these tips are all you need for a face that is worthy of the limelight: Too Much Sun Is Bad If you love sunbathing and getting a tan, you should know that too much exposure to sunlight won’t work in your favor. While the vitamin D from the early rays of the sun is great for your skin, the sun also produces ultraviolet rays that are no good for your skin. From wrinkles to cancer, the UV rays can prove to be harmful, so make sure you avoid exposing yourself to the sun. Give Up Smoking Quitting smoking is not just great for your lungs, it can work wonders on your skin as well. When you smoke, enzymes are produced. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down collagen and elastin. These are essential components that help in keeping your skin supple and maintaining elasticity. Research has shown that people who smoked showed early signs of wrinkles and aging as opposed to people who didn’t smoke. Beauty Sleep Is Necessary Getting adequate sleep is something you should work on if you want to stall the appearance of wrinkles and prevent them. Lack of sleep can produce a hormone called cortisol, and excessive production of cortisol can break down your skin cells. On the contrary, getting enough sleep can produce human growth hormones or HGH. These hormones can help produce new cells and keep your skin thick and elastic, preventing wrinkles. Sunscreen Is Your Best Friend A lot of people reserve sunscreen for only the sunny days, but you should know that the sun’s ultraviolet rays can reach you even on a cloudy day.

Vitiligo is a progressive skin condition characterized by depigmented patches of skin. The white areas (called macules) can develop on one’s forearms, hands, face, and feet. This unpredictable condition can be better managed with assistance from a healthcare professional. Individuals must focus on managing and controlling aspects of the condition within their reach. While there is no cure for the skin disease, adhering to expert guidelines can aid in preventing further progression of vitiligo. 1. Avoid tanning beds Tanning beds are not a safe way to achieve the desired sun tan. They can cause the skin to burn, especially on patches that lack pigmentation. Using tanning beds can also worsen vitiligo and lead to further progression. Instead of helping individuals achieve pigment or tanning on the affected skin patches , the device can make those patches more noticeable. 2. Look for shade Affected vitiligo patients are recommended to stay indoors or under shade as much as possible to prevent the condition from progressing. This helps protect the skin from getting sunburned or tanned. Finding shade outdoors is particularly vital when one’s shadow is shorter than the body, as this indicates that the sun’s rays are the most intense. Shorter shadows also mean the skin is more susceptible to damage from the sun’s rays. 3. Wear protective clothing Wearing the right clothes is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against skin damage due to vitiligo. Some types and fabrics of clothing are preferable to others when planning to spend time in the sun. Long-sleeved, light, and breathable clothes are best to stay protected from the sun’s harmful rays. 4. Use sun protection Sunscreen is a first line of defense against sun damage, but it’s often overlooked. To safeguard the affected skin , it’s important to apply a generous amount of sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to all the exposed areas.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in your joints. Here is everything you need to know about the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in your joints, usually, the small joints of your hands and feet. Affecting around 1.5 million people in America, this form of arthritis can lead to cartilage damage, if it is left unchecked. It is much more common in women and generally occurs in individuals over the age of 40. Apart from affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also cause problems in other organs of the body like the eyes, blood vessels, skin, and the lungs. Fatigue, fever, morning joint stiffness, swollen and tender joints, and weight loss are some of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases of this type of arthritis, the symptoms are symmetrical. In other words, most often than not, the same joints are affected on both sides of the body. The rheumatoid arthritis symptoms vary in severity from one person to another. They also tend to come and go; the periods of the symptoms flaring up will alternate with periods when the symptoms go into remission. Over a period of time, as this disease progresses, it can cause the joints to shift out of place and deform. No known cause of rheumatoid arthritis has been found yet, therefore, the treatment plan basically focuses on easing the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and the discomfort caused due to joint stiffness. The treatment plan can only go into action after the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is made. It can be quite difficult to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis because there are many conditions that cause joint inflammation and joint stiffness. Also, there is no single definitive test for this type of arthritis.

Parkinson’s disease affects a patient’s nervous system and their body’s movements. Most people have heard of this illness, but not many know about the stages of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive condition that worsens with time. One can consult a doctor to understand the stages involved in detail. This article will aim to give a brief overview of this condition’s stages. However, since this disease affects the brain, the stages and their symptoms may differ from one individual to another. Some patients exhibit severe signs while others can continue to function normally. The speed at which it progresses also differs. One can understand the stages briefly on the basis of the Hoehn and Yahr scale. Physicians also use this scale. It is quite easy to classify and treat patients according to it. Here are the five stages of Parkinson’s disease: The first stage The symptoms of the first stage differ for different patients. However, if one identifies the signs in the early stages, it becomes easy to treat the condition. One may only observe some symptoms in the beginning, and these occur on one side of the body. Known as unilateral involvement, it doesn’t hamper one’s ability to function normally. At times, these mild signs might go unnoticed by the doctor as well as the patient. The most common symptoms in the first stage are: Tremors Rigidity in the hand Clumsiness in the hand or leg Rigidity or clumsiness on one side of the face None of these symptoms are apparent, and hence, doctors might wait it out before diagnosing it as the first stage of Parkinson’s disease. The second stage The signs or symptoms may not be apparent even in the second stage of Parkinson’s disease. This stage is a part of the early stages, and therefore it isn’t all that obvious that one has Parkinson’s disease.

Pulmonary embolism is a common cardiovascular disease in the country. When the pulmonary artery in the lungs gets blocked by a blood clot, pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs. The pulmonary artery is responsible for supplying blood to the lungs. Due to the presence of the blood clot, the blood flow gets restricted resulting in decreasing levels of oxygen in the blood. PE is a serious and life-threatening condition that can not only damage a part of the affected person’s lungs but can also cause damage to other organs. According to various medical research reports, almost one-third of patients who have PE pass away because of no treatment or diagnosis. To avoid severe outcomes like permanent damage to the lungs, patients require emergency treatment. By recognizing the symptoms of pulmonary embolism, one can understand when they need to schedule an appointment with the doctor. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism The intensity of the symptoms of this cardiovascular disease can vary depending on the size of the blood clot along with the position where it lodges in the lungs. One of the most common symptoms of PE is shortness of breath. Typically, this symptom appears suddenly and gets worse with exertion. Some of the other symptoms of pulmonary embolism include: Sharp and unexplained chest pain: This pain can slowly extend into the other body parts including the neck, arms, shoulder, and jaw. It can feel like having a heart attack. The pain might get worse with deep breathing, eating, coughing, stooping or bending. With exertion, the pain would get worse. Even while resting, it will not go away completely. Tendency of fainting Excessive anxiety Rapid breathing Bluish or clammy skin Lightheadedness Irregular heartbeat Weak pulse Blood spitting up Restlessness If one notices any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially shortness of breath, they must seek medical attention immediately.

Shingles is an infection caused by a virus. It is characterized by a painful rash. The same virus that causes chickenpox leads to this viral infection. It results in the development of a stripe of blisters, usually on one side of the body. This rash is very painful, and usually, patients need to adopt some remedies to get relief from shingles. Symptoms and diagnosis of shingles Shingles is characterized by pain and a burning sensation. You may also experience a tingling or numbing sensation in or under your skin. It may lead to the appearance of red blisters which are very painful. Shingles is also accompanied by other symptoms such as fever and headache. You may experience itching and irritation as well as fatigue due to shingles. Your doctor may diagnose shingles through its tell-tale symptoms and signs. When you have red blisters that tend to sting, itch and burn, you probably have shingles. These signs alone help your doctor in the diagnosis of this problem. It is essential to get the right diagnosis to find the right remedies and treatments for shingles. Risk factors The varicella-zoster virus which causes chickenpox is responsible for shingles as well. If you have had chickenpox at any point of time in your life, you face the risk of developing this condition. Once this virus enters your system, it stays dormant for a long time. It may get activated by exposure to infections when your immunity levels are low. Though shingles itself is not contagious, the varicella-zoster virus is communicable. Exposure to open sores of other shingles patients can put you at the risk of developing this infection. You are at high risk of developing shingles after you turn 50. Some diseases like HIV, AIDS, as well as cancer, can put you at risk of developing this problem.

Crohn’s disease affects thousands of people in the country every year. This painful condition can be life-threatening if not treated in time. Knowing about the symptoms and diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, the treatment can go a long way in helping a person lead a normal life. What Is Crohn’s disease? This condition is categorized as an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this condition, the digestive tract gets inflamed leading to severe stomach pain, diarrhea, loss of weight, extreme tiredness, malnutrition, and other symptoms. The inflammation is not only contained in the digestive tract but goes deep in the layers of tissue in the bowels. A person with the condition experiences severe pain and incapacitation. If not treated in time, this condition can develop into deadly complications. The cause of Crohn’s disease is not known. An unhealthy diet and stress may worsen the condition, but doctors think a weakened immune system and hereditary factors have an important role to play in its occurrence. People with a family history of Crohn’s disease are at a greater risk of developing the condition, but this is not always the case. Other risk factors may include age, ethnicity and lifestyle factors. While the condition can develop at any age, Crohn’s disease is diagnosed in most people before they turn 30 years old. Caucasian and people of Eastern European Jewish descent seem to be at a greater risk of developing the condition. However, it affects people of all ethnicities. Cigarette smoking, taking certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and environmental factors such as living in a developed country can also contribute to the occurrence of this condition. Signs and symptoms of Crohn’s disease For most people, stomach pain and diarrhea are common conditions that go away after a few days. However, if the abdominal pain is severe and frequent, Crohn’s disease is most likely the cause of the same.

An ultrasound machine is a tool commonly known to monitor fetus movements. But it is also used to detect, diagnose, and treat minor and major diseases like gallstones, heart conditions, and cancer. First invented in the early 1900s, the ultrasound machine produces images of the inside of soft tissues by using high-frequency sound waves. Today, it has evolved from a large, bulky machine to a small, portable device. Let’s look at the benefits of portable ultrasound machines. Timely and accurate diagnosis Earlier, patients needed to be moved to the location of the ultrasound machine to get a diagnosis. This would lead to a delay in the initiation of treatments creating stress and anxiety in patients. With the invention of the portable ultrasound machine, there was no need to transport patients anymore. Timely and accurate diagnosis could be provided at one’s doorstep, resulting in speedy diagnosis in patients. It is convenient and reduces wait time for reports, which is extremely beneficial for faster recovery. This machine is also helpful in the Emergency Department, as it is portable, quicker, and uses better technology. Increased patient involvement In today’s time, patients want to get more involved in their diagnosis and treatment options and are willing to expose themselves to the machine’s sound waves. A portable ultrasound machine helps patients understand what they are undergoing and how the treatment plan will help them recover. It makes them more aware of what they are and will experience in the long run. Increased patient involvement reduces treatment time, improves the chances of recovery and patient satisfaction. Reduces cost The cost of ultrasound was quite expensive, as they were not available at every clinic or hospital. Higher demand and reliability are reflected in the patient’s medical bills. Also, trained medical staff need to handle an ultrasound with care, as the cost of replacing or fixing damaged parts is very high.