Are you or someone you know suffering from urinary tract infection? Well, first, do not panic! This infection is common and curable. In some cases, just simple home remedies can treat it. Sometimes, medical attention is necessary to prevent further complications. However, it is always advisable to consult a doctor or a healthcare professional for the best treatment for UTI. A UTI (Urinary Tract Infection) is a bacterial infection of the urinary tract that is composed of urethra, kidneys, ureters, and bladder. This entire system is responsible for the process of urine formation and urine expulsion from the body. Hence, any infection in this system is bound to cause some physical uneasiness. The E. Coli (Escherichia coli) bacteria is the main reason behind most of the UTI cases. However, this infection is not contagious. Few causes of UTI The bacteria may reach the urinary tract while having sex. Also, using an unhygienic bathroom may cause this bacterial infection. Any person having kidney stones can suffer from this infection if the stones block the urinary tract. There is a high chance that people with diabetes get this infection as they do not have a strong immune system. If a person is going through medical treatments like urinary catheter, chemotherapy etc., UTI may occur. If someone keeps holding the urine for too long, chances of occurring UTI increase. Parkinson’s disease, injuries in the spinal cord, or any structural abnormalities in the genitourinary tract. The best treatment for UTI is only possible when it is diagnosed properly. According to various medical research reports, women get urinary tract infection more than men. It is because women’s urethra is shorter in size and it is located closer to the rectum. Signs and symptoms of UTI Here are some symptoms that will help you understand if you are suffering from the infection or not, and you can then consult a doctor to get the proper urinary tract infection treatment.

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collection of progressive lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory asthma. These COPD-based lung diseases cause trouble in breathing and limit the airways. Chronic bronchitis narrows down the bronchial tubes and causes inflammation. Also, it builds up mucus. In emphysema, slowly the air sacs in the lungs get destroyed. Well, until date, no sure cure for this disease is available. However, a proper and timely treatment can help to ease the COPD-based lung disease symptoms along with lowering the complications and improving the overall quality of life. In the country, almost 24 million people suffer from this chronic disease. The more worrisome fact is that almost half of these people or more simply remain undiagnosed. According to various research and medical studies, smoking is one of the major reasons, causing this fatal disease. However, studies have also reflected the fact that 1 in 4 people, who are suffering from COPD lung disease symptoms, has never been into smoking! Here is a list of the various symptoms of this disease along with the treatments available to ease them and help the sufferers lead a better life. Symptoms of COPD Lung Disease Now, this chronic lung disease has several stages. In the earlier stages, the COPD lung disease symptoms can be a bit mild. There is a high chance of confusing it with a cold. Here are some of the symptoms of COPD at the earlier stages. Occasionally, feeling shortness of breath. This can especially be experienced after exercising. Feeling the need for clearing throat every now and then. Having a mild cough that is recurrent as well. You might think that making subtle changes such as avoiding stairs or skipping some physical activities can actually help you but these symptoms can not only become progressively worse but also can become very hard to ignore.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disease which restricts your diet immensely. There are different types of the disease and irritable bowel syndrome varies from person to person. You need to keep track of the food items that may trigger the syndrome. This can help you prevent it and lead a better, healthier life. The food items which make your symptoms flare up are called triggers. The IBS diet plans mentioned below will help you avoid problems with diarrhea, belly pain, bloating and constipation. It is all about making the right plan and following it to your best ability. Irritable bowel syndrome constipation There are several food items that can make IBS constipation worse. You need to avoid eating these food items and stick to a healthy diet plan. Here are a few food items you need to avoid at any cost. Coffee Carbonated drinks Alcohol Dairy products (especially cheese) Breads and Cereals Made with Refined Grains Processed Food Items High-Protein Diets Minimize or nullify your intake of these food items and you will have a great IBS diet plan to go. This does not necessarily limit you to eating peanuts all the time. You can boost your fiber intake by 2-3 grams per day to increase the likelihood of you reacting better to IBS constipation. Try to eat 25-38 grams of fiber per day and reap its benefits. There are several good sources of fiber. These include whole-grain bread, beans, fruits, cereals, and vegetables. You can also eat food items such as dried plums and prune juice. These are rich in sorbitol which is also a substitute of sugar. Eat this in moderate amounts. Drink plenty of water on a daily basis and you should see improvements soon. Irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea Frequent visits to the washroom are certainly draining for a patient suffering from diarrhea.

Corn and calluses form on the skin due to continuous pressure or friction applied on the skin. They are thick and hard parts of the skin and a natural mechanism to protect the underlying sensitive skin. Calluses develop when continuous friction is applied to a particular part of the body, foot, for example, while the development of corns is attributed to bone pressure on the skin. They are conical or round in shape and show bumpy appearance on the skin. Corns and calluses generally occur on toes, toenail, either side of the foot and bottom of the foot. Morphologically, corns can be either hard or soft. The development of corn on the bottom of the foot interferes with the normal walking activity. Causes of corn development : A person can develop foot corn if he wears tight shoes. Moreover, during a long walk, pressure due to body weight is continuously borne by the feet. This constant friction can lead to the development of corn on the bottom of the feet. Even arthritis can lead to corn development. Typically, most of the corn and calluses disappear when the pressure or friction responsible for causing them stops. Treatment of corn and calluses The following tips are recommended for foot corn treatment. Warm water The corn or callus can be soaked in warm water for 5-10 minutes to soften the skin. Wear proper shoes A common reason for corn development is wearing shoes which are not of right size and shape. Do not buy too tight shoes to avoid excess pressure or friction. Keep your feet dry and wear soft cotton socks with properly fitted shoes. Avoid wearing socks made up of synthetic fibers to avoid any irritation to the skin. Apply moisturizing cream It softens the skin around the corn and helps in cases where cracks have been developed in the corn.

A lot of people experience postnasal drip at some point in their lives. The nose and throat naturally produce mucus to moisten the nasal membranes, clear the nasal passage, and fight infection. However, in case the body starts producing extra mucus, it might get collected in the back of the throat. You may also feel a leaking sensation, where the mucus drips down your throat from the nose. This is termed as postnasal drip. Some of the most common symptoms of postnasal drip are as follows: A bad cough that gets worse at night Bad breath Sore throat Nausea An uncomfortable feeling that you constantly need to clear your throat Common Causes of Postnasal Drip Sometimes, the mucus produced cannot be properly cleared away, resulting in a postnasal drip. Also, conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease and GERD can trigger swallowing troubles that result in the buildup of liquids in the throat. Other common causes are as given below: Allergies Colds and flu Sinusitis or sinus infection Pregnancy Certain blood pressure medications Object stuck in the nose Changing weather or excessively cold temperatures Fumes from cleaning products, smoke, perfumes, etc. Deviated septum Certain foods, especially spicy foods Best Postnasal Drip Treatment The best postnasal drip treatment depends upon the cause. They can be caused due to bacterial and viral infections. In case of a bacterial infection, taking antibiotics can be helpful in finding relief. Moving on, nasal decongestants and antihistamines can help in treating cold and virus infections. Conventional, over-the-counter antihistamines such as chlorpheniramine and diphenhydramine are not ideal postnasal drip treatment options as they tend to thicken the secretions. On the other hand, newer medicines such as cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine, and fexofenadine are more suitable and also have fewer side effects. It is important to note that all these medicines can cause dry mouth and drowsiness.

Gone are the days when yogurts used to be pretty simple and available in unpretentious small containers. Today, the shelves are flooded with overt varieties of Greek yogurts, shakes, and smoothies, spurted into fancy-looking cups and pouches, all set to make you drool. Besides, the ice cream aisles also feature a variety of frozen yogurts and popsicles to choose from. It is important to mention that some of these yogurts serve as excellent sources of probiotics and offer a range of health benefits, whereas the others only serve as dessert. So, with so many choices, how do you choose the best one? Before we understand how to select the best probiotic yogurts, let’s discuss some important benefits of eating a yogurt. Yogurt and your health Yogurts are made by the bacterial fermentation of milk. The bacteria which are used for preparing yogurts are called yogurt cultures. These ferment the natural sugar present in milk to produce lactic acid. There are two specific types of bacteria that should be present in order to consider a yogurt healthy – Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Now, we will look at some science-based health benefits of eating the best probiotic yogurts. It’s rich in nutrients Yogurt is a storehouse of nutrients, such as protein, vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium as well as some essential fatty acids. All these nutrients are beneficial in maintaining a good health. It’s high in protein Yogurt contains an impressive amount of protein, i.e. 10 g/100grams. Protein improves overall body metabolism by increasing the number of calories you burn throughout the day. Also, it helps in regulating the appetite as it enhances the hormone production that signals fullness. This helps in cutting down on the calories consumed, thus helping you to manage your weight in an effective way. It improves digestive health Some of the best probiotic yogurts contain active live cultures that significantly improve digestive health.

Shingles is a type of viral infection that results in a painful rash in the form of blisters. It is caused by the varicella zoster virus that is the same virus that causes chickenpox. After a person encounters chickenpox, the virus lies dormant in the body in the nerve tissues near the brain or spinal cord. After several years, this virus may reactivate in the form of shingles. Although this rash can appear anywhere on the body, it mostly occurs as a strip of sore blisters either on the right or left side of the upper body. It is best to get vaccinated for shingles in order to prevent the occurrence of the condition. Common symptoms of shingles In most cases, the symptoms of shingles can only be seen in a specific part of the body. These symptoms include the following: Pain, numbness or tingling in a specific body part A red rash that develops after a few days of the pain Fluid-filled blisters that crust over Itching in the affected area Sensitivity to touch Apart from these, some people also experience Fever Headache Excessive fatigue Sensitivity to light Usually, one of the first symptoms of shingles is the pain. In some cases, it can be really excruciating and severe. Because the rash mostly occurs on the torso, shingles pain is generally mistaken for a pain of the heart, kidneys or lungs. Sometimes, shingles also develop around the eye or on either side of the face and neck. Effective treatment for Shingles Medications There is no cure for this condition. However, some medications can help in reducing the severity of the symptoms of shingles: Antiviral medicines Antiviral medicines such as famciclovir and acyclovir help to reduce pain and aid the recovery process. Anti-inflammatory medicines Medicines such as ibuprofen and aspirin help to reduce pain and swelling.

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located below the liver. It collects and stores bile, which is produced by the liver and releases it into the small intestine to aid the process of digestion. Majority of people seldom give a thought to the health of their gallbladder. Although unlike the liver, heart and the kidneys, the gallbladder isn’t really necessary for maintaining body health and proper functioning, yet it is an important body organ. There are varieties of foods that keep the gallbladder healthy while there are some that increase the likelihood of problems like gallstones or inflammation. These problems can trigger agonizing symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, bloating and abdominal pain. Such a scenario often leads to surgery, where the gallbladder is removed. Therefore, it is important to consume a healthy gallbladder diet to promote good health and keep problems at bay. Although diet doesn’t have a direct impact on gallbladder problems, watching what one eats and maintaining a healthy body weight can help to prevent the formation of gallstones and consequently, avoid the discomfort they cause. Diet and gallstone risk Diets that are high in fat and cholesterol and low in fiber are more likely to result in gallstones. Also, the risk of gallstones is much higher in people who are overweight and obese. If one is overweight and wishes to lose the extra pounds, then it should be done gradually. Following crash diets can also cause the liver to release more cholesterol into the bile, upsetting the normal balance of bile salts and cholesterol. This extra cholesterol can form crystals, leading to gallstones. Diet for a healthy gallbladder A healthy gallbladder diet is full of fruits and vegetables. Both are extremely rich sources of nutrients and fiber, the latter of which is essential to promote gallbladder health.

Dealing With A Sore Throat From Allergies A sore throat is one of the most irritating throat problems that cause a lot of discomforts. Most of the time, it is a sign of a cold and fever. A sore throat usually occurs because of viruses. The virus infected sore throat cures on its own, over a few days. What is a sore throat? A sore throat is a condition which causes irritation and itchiness in the throat. It is a painful and a dry feeling that occurs in the throat. Sore throats are generally caused by viruses. It can be treated through home remedies. A sore throat causes scratching and burning sensation in the throat. The symptoms cause a lot of trouble while swallowing. Sometimes, a sore throat can cause fever and swelling of the lymph nodes. In such situations, one must consult the doctors. Causes There are many causes of a sore throat. The most common causes are as follow. Virus There are different viruses which cause a sore throat. These viruses cause colds and other respiratory infections. The viruses responsible for flu and other infections also cause a sore throat. Bacteria A few bacterial infections like strep throat and diphtheria can cause a sore throat. Toxins and Irritants Sometimes, factors like pollution and chemicals are the reasons for a sore throat. Allergies A sore throat can also occur due to allergies. A sore throat from allergies is more irritating than the normal one. It may not be possible to cure the allergy through home remedies. It is necessary to find out the exact cause behind the allergy to treat a sore throat. In case of a sore throat from allergies, post nasal drip plays a major role. The postnasal drip occurs when there is exposure to an allergen.

A stroke is a condition that occurs when a part of your brain gets limited or no blood supply. At such a time, your brain is deprived of oxygen and other vital nutrients it needs to function normally. In just a few minutes, the brain cells start to die. What is a ministroke? It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. The sooner a patient gets help, the lesser will be the damage caused by the stroke. However, one can prevent and treat strokes these days. Symptoms of a ministroke One needs to watch out for a few signs. If you manage to identify it in the early stages, you can prevent the damage from getting worse. By being aware of these symptoms, one can tell if anyone around them might be having a stroke. The time frame inside which one needs to identify the condition is crucial for proper treatment. Difficulty in speaking You may experience sudden confusion. It may result in slurring words and trouble with speech. This is one of the most common symptoms that victims of a ministroke exhibit. Numbness and paralysis A patient may experience sudden weakness or numbness in their leg, arm, and face. It generally occurs on only on one side of the body. One needs to try and see if they can raise their arms above the head at that time. If they find one arm falling, they might be having a stroke. One side of the mouth might also droop when they try to smile. Difficulty in seeing There are high chances that a patient may experience blurred vision suddenly. A patient may also have blackened vision. Some patients also see double when they have a ministroke. A headache A severe headache may occur. Other symptoms of a ministroke that come with this are dizziness, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Stye, also called hordeolum, is a kind of tiny red bump resembling a pimple that appears on the edge of the eyelids. It is a prevalent eye problem and more or less every human being has suffered from the condition once in his life. A stye is caused by clogging pores of the eyelids due to dust and bacterial infection. In most of the cases, styes are normal with little bearable pain, soreness and itchiness with increased tear formation in the eyes, and they get healed in a few days. In some sporadic cases, a doctor’s consultation is needed if there is a feeling of excessive pain, blurred vision, and nausea. Majority of the people are not aware of how to get rid of a stye with ease. Following are 8 effective remedies through which one can have a speedy recovery from a stye. Use of warm compress When the question of how to get rid of a stye is raised, then the application of warm compress is one of the most effective remedies. Warm compress helps to dissolve the pus and drain the stye easily. Always use a clean cloth and make sure that the warmness of the water is such that our skin can tolerate. After wetting the washcloth in warm water, wring it gently and place it over the affected eyelid for about 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat the process 3 to 4 times daily for effective healing. Cleaning of the eyelid The appropriate cleaning of the eyelid is beneficial for the healing of a stye. This reduces bacterial infection and also prevents the reoccurrence of the same. A tear-free baby shampoo can be used with warm water using the cotton swab or clean washcloth to clean the eyelid with gentle wipes. Saline water can also be a good option to clean the eyelid.

When people talk about skin issues, they often forget to consider scars. Most people are preoccupied with breakouts and zits, or they worry about superficial damage to the skin. However, acne can leave behind scars and dull spots. Several people start feeling conscious of the way they look because of these scars. If you have facial scars, you need to make sure that you get the right treatment for it. It all starts with picking a scar cream that addresses the issues which lead to the formation of these marks in the first place. The best scar cream is one that works slowly but provides a permanent solution. Here is a brief guide to the different types of scars, and some tips to help you pick the best scar cream for yourself. What are scars and how do they form? Scars are a signature of an injury or damage caused to the dermis, which is the skin’s second deepest layer. This damage can be self-inflicted if you pick your skin, or it could be a leftover mark from surgery. Scars form due to your skin’s ability to heal fast. Whenever you get a wound, your skin immediately goes to work by fixing that wound. It starts with clotting the blood in the area of injury to prevent bleeding, and it forms a barrier on the cut to protect it from the external world. We see this as a scab. Scabs are fragile and easily broken. However, as soon as the scab forms, the dermal layer starts producing fibroblasts. It helps to fix the collagen on the skin to form a smooth, pink layer that we see on the surface. The problem starts at this point. The fibroblast is produced at a fast rate, and the collagen isn’t laid out evenly.