Joints are essential parts of the skeletal system that knit all the bones inside the body into one single structure. They are of paramount importance as they are responsible for the smooth movement of limbs. Most joints are freely movable, like the knee. Some allow minimal or no movement, such as those in the brain. Also, there is a particular type of fluid present between the bones that are united in the joint region, to prevent friction. An individual suffers from joint pain when these joints get damaged due to various reasons. The severity of the pain depends on the type and level of inflammation. Injury to the joints is a common phenomenon experienced by those who regularly participate in sports and other physical activities. Temporary conditions such as sprains and strains can be easily cured, whereas, conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and bursitis can turn into lifelong ailments. Joint pain can cause a dip in the level of body movement followed by complexities in executing daily chores. Moreover, exertion can exacerbate the illness. Usually, muscular activity is restricted until the joint pain subdues to prevent the condition from getting aggravated. The problem of joint pain stems from a number of reasons such as: Obesity People who are obese face a higher probability of contracting arthritis. Obesity or increased body weight can exert pressure on the joints making them weak over time. Osteoarthritis is a common type of joint inflammation encountered by obese individuals. It becomes essential to fight obesity as it saves the individual from other lethal diseases as well. Old age As an individual grows old, his/her joints and ligaments tend to get fragile. Senior citizens wearing cervical collars is a common sight. Also, with old age, the synovial fluid diminishes. This contracts the cushion between cartilages resulting in increased abrasion between the bones.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) is a common problem that affects both men and women. Let’s look at some of the causes of this infection. Urinary system comprises urethra, which is responsible for carrying urine out of the bladder. UTI happens when infection-causing bacteria can make their way up the urethra. There are a number of reasons that cause UTI. If UTI gets worse, it is best to see your doctor as the infection can spread to the kidneys and cause serious problems. Before the situation turns nasty, it is better to fight the bacteria at the beginning itself. In this article, we have discussed some home remedies for UTI’s that not only kills bacteria but also help pee flow painlessly and smoothly once again. It is never good to control the natural flow of urine. Controlling urine can also be one of the causes of UTI. When you hold it for a longer period, it gives bacteria a chance to grow and multiply. This will cause an infection. In case you are suffering from UTI, peeing help in flushing more of that bacteria out of your system. Here are some remedies that can be used to treat UTI at home and to get over signs of a urinary tract infection. These remedies do not require any prescriptions and can be easily done at home along with any other method/methods recommended by your doctor. However, be cautious when using Uti at home remedies and speak to your doctor before starting a new treatment plan. Water The foremost thing when suffering from UTI is to drink lots of water. Water helps in flushing out not only toxins but also bacteria. By drinking water, you give your system a helping hand to get rid of that nasty bacteria. Vitamin C It is beneficial to consume everything that is loaded with Vitamin C as large amounts of it can make the urine acidic thus hindering the growth of unwanted infection-causing bacteria.

A serene, natural and green environment is the best therapy that you need. But, one thing you need to be wary of is the poisonous plants that lurk around the corner, waiting to come in contact with you. Poison ivy is one of the most common allergies that Americans face, with over 50 million people suffering from it each year. Statistics show that about 85 percent of the population is allergic to poison ivy. Poison ivy contains urushiol, which is an oily resin that is responsible for causing an allergic reaction. Urushiol is found in the roots, stems, and leaves of the poison ivy plant, and when you touch or brush against this plant, you end up with a poison ivy rash. Symptoms of Poison Ivy: How can you tell? The symptoms of poison ivy allergy or rash include swelling, itching, and redness in the affected area. You might even experience difficulty in breathing. The rash might turn into blisters. Since the plant has sharp edges, the rash might look like a straight line, as you’ve most likely brushed against it. Poison Ivy Treatment Cold compress Applying a cold compress can help soothe your skin as well as decrease the itchiness and prevent the urge to scratch the affected area. When you scratch the rashes, you tend to make it worse as your skin will get damaged. A cold compress can also help soothe inflammation. Lemon juice Lemon juice is a natural astringent. Since the oily resin in the poison ivy plant is what causes the rash and allergy, lemon juice can work as an excellent poison ivy treatment. Make sure you apply the lime juice as soon as you come in contact with the poison ivy, and before the oily resin gets into your skin. However, lemon juice can irritate a few people.

Most commonly known as piles, hemorrhoids are swollen veins that occur on the anal opening or the canal. They can be painful and irritating most of the times. It is sometimes accompanied by symptoms that include bleeding during bowel movement. The first thing that people tend to do when they learn that they have piles is to take OTC medication. There is an ugly side to this method of treatment due to the side effects. Don’t fret. There are a lot of home remedies that are proven to be effective external hemorrhoids cure. The following are some proven natural ways for external hemorrhoids cure: Apple cider vinegar Natural and pure apple cider vinegar is one of the best and most beneficial methods in treating this condition. If you’re someone who has external hemorrhoids, you can take a cotton ball and then apply apple cider vinegar directly on the affected area. This can provide instant relief from the pain. Apple cider vinegar might cause stinging for some people, but it reduces itching and pain significantly. If you have internal hemorrhoids, you can take a teaspoon of water combined with the apple cider vinegar. Applying cold compress If you’re looking for a natural remedy that can help your hemorrhoids shrink in size, cold compress is the right choice for you. People with hemorrhoids have trouble passing stools. Applying a cold compress might provide a soothing sensation and makes it easier to pass stools. The best way to apply a cold compress is by taking a clean cloth that’s wrapped up with ice and applying it directly over the hemorrhoids. If this is done at regular intervals, there is a good chance that your hemorrhoids would reduce. Soaking in hot water Lying in the hot water tub can be relaxing and can be beneficial for people with hemorrhoids.

Crohn’s Disease also known as Ileitis is a chronic disease that affects the bowels. Crohn’s disease is known to cause acute inflammation of the digestive tract and measurably deteriorates the quality of your life. This disease is named in honor of Dr. Burill B. Crohn who in 1932 first identified the complication. About half a million Americans suffer from the Crohn’s disease. Symptoms Of Crohn’s Disease Diarrhea Fatigue Pain in the abdominal region usually accompanied by stomach cramps Presence of blood in your stool Sudden loss of weight Reduction in appetite If you’re experiencing sudden or persistent changes in your bowel movements, do visit a doctor as soon as possible What Causes Crohn’s Disease? Accurate causes of this disease remain untraceable. Earlier diet and stress were suspected to be causes, but doctors today believe that they are just factors that may aggravate the condition; not primarily be the reason behind it. Other factors including heredity and a dysfunctional immunity system are considered to be causes as well. Immune System At times, a particular bacteria or virus may trigger the Crohn’s Disease. Just like how the immune system deals with infections, the bacteria or virus are attacked by the immune system. During this period of self-defense, the immune system has a probability of viewing cells in the digestive tract as infectious cells and starts fighting these cells (which are actually necessary, non-infectious cells). Heredity The process of passing on genes from one generation to another could be one of the reasons behind the Crohn’s Disease. However, that’s not the case always. There are situations when a person comes down with Crohn’s in spite of the fact that none of his family members had such a disease in their medical history. There are several methods or approaches to dealing with Crohn’s Disease, one of which includes Probiotics.

Scoliosis is a condition or a disorder where there is an abnormal curve in the spine or the backbone. Generally, a normal spine, when looked from the side, should have normal curves but should appear straight when looked from the front. People suffering from scoliosis are seen to have an additional curve on either side of the body, and the bones of the spine start twisting on each other, this twisting leads to the formation of a “C” or “S” shape in the spine. Curvature of the spine being the most common symptom, scoliosis treatment aims to prevent and avoid the spinal curve from getting worse. The goal of scoliosis treatment is to correct or stabilize and steady a severe spinal curve. The type of treatment depends not only on the cause of scoliosis but also its severity and the risk of curve getting worse. Scoliosis treatment options include bracing, observation, and surgery. Types of Scoliosis Treatments Surgical treatment With surgery, the curve can be decreased and the spine can be stabilized so that the curve doesn’t get worse. Nonsurgical treatment This includes either routine exams by a doctor who then recommends rehabilitation exercises to check for any curve progression. Bracing In order to stop the spinal curve from getting worse, the aim of bracing treatment is to apply corrective forces on the spine in order to release the load on the inner part of the curve and push this load on the outer part. Brace Options There are two general treatment options for scoliosis bracing: Full-time bracing It is designed to be worn 16-23 hours every day, these braces are to be worn at all times, except when bathing, exercising, and during skin care. Night-time bracing Nighttime braces use hyper-corrective forces that help put the body out of normal balance.

One’s eyes have to face the brunt of the consequences of one’s daily adventures. Be it dust storms, heavy rainfall, freezing temperatures or the extreme heat; the eyes have got to bear it all. All this tends to take a toll on the windows of our soul. The cause of red eyes may vary from an infection to a foreign substance or object entering your eyes, an allergy, or the blood vessels on the eye’s surface dilating or expanding, and sometimes, they may even burst. Red-eye is mostly temporary and clears up quickly, but one must understand the causes for it before starting with the red eye treatment: Conjunctivitis (pink eye) This is an inflammation of the eye, which appears in three forms: allergic, viral and bacterial, and is highly contagious. Your doctor will diagnose the specific cause and advise you on how to treat it. Allergens Pollen, mold and pet handlers are some of the most common allergens that affect one’s eyes. Histamines are released by the body that dries the eyes, causing blood vessels to swell. Blepharitis Blepharitis is a common inflammatory disorder that also causes red eyes. It may also cause burning, flaking, and itchiness. Subconjunctival hemorrhage Similar to a minor bruise that one experiences on the skin, it is a blood-colored patch in the eye caused by coughing, sneezing or a minor bump. The use of blood thinners and high blood pressure increases the chances of its occurrence. Different Methods of Red Eye Treatment Red-eye treatment depends on the cause of the red eye and involves the following practices: Warm compress Use a towel soaked in warm water and ensure to wring it out well. Keep the temperature at a reasonable level, as the area around the eye is sensitive. Cover your eyes with the towel for 10 minutes.

An individual’s eyes are highly sensitive and are the first ones to react to any sort of allergy. The most prominent symptoms include a peculiar burning sensation, redness, and watery discharge from the eyes. Allergies are temporary in nature and can be avoided by staying away from the potential source. If triggered, home remedies work best to cure them. However, if the symptoms persist for a considerable period of time, it is sensible to give your doctor a quick visit. Watery eyes caused by allergies can be experienced as a result of the body’s reaction to a particular allergen that is found specifically during a change in the seasons. Hence, these are called seasonal allergies. For example, allergy caused by pollen during the season of autumn. Moreover, an individual might be allergic to basic, day-to-day substances such as dust, perfumes, smoke, etc. Such type of allergies are known as perennial allergies as their causes cannot be dispensed with and hence, they keep on triggering an allergic response. The eyes discharge a typical watery liquid as a reaction to irritation, especially for cleanliness purposes. Moreover, since the eyes are connected to the nasal cavity, any type of nasal allergy also initiates a watery discharge. The antigen can either be a virus or pollen. Following are some of the ailments that cause watery eyes from allergies: Hay fever – This is a type of nasal allergy that is activated by an immune response to a very commonly found allergen such as dust. Seasonal changes aggravate the allergy. It results in watery eyes along with sneezing and a running nose. Conjunctivitis – Conjunctivitis or eye flu, turns one or both the eyes watery and gives a deep pink color. This happens when the outermost layer of the eye, known as conjunctiva, gets inflamed and infected.

Diabetes is a disease which should not be ignored as it can lead to a number of complications owing to high blood sugar having an effect on the body. It can also lead to leg cramps and it can be safely said that diabetic leg pain signs can worsen if care is not taken in time to prevent the development of these. These leg cramps occur as elevated sugar levels lead to excessive urination and thus cause subsequent dehydration. Limb pain is another sign that diabetes has started to show off its symptoms and should be taken care of under the supervision of a trained doctor. Leg pain or cramps should not be taken as a simple sign of dehydration. Instead, the combination with arm and leg pain are a sign of diabetic neuropathy which occurs due to damage to nerves due to the presence of high blood sugar levels. These nerves are sensitive and change in temperature, light touch and vibrations cause damage to them resulting in leg pain which has evolved due to the diabetic condition of a person. The relation of diabetes with leg pain gets strengthened if the below-listed symptoms become evident. Numbness in feet and lower leg This numbness in feet and lower leg is one of the most common diabetic leg pain signs and indicators of the developing symptom. Numbness can cause a buzzing or a shocking sensation. If a person is suffering from diabetes and feels any of these sensations in the lower limbs or legs, it is a clear sign that ill effects of diabetes have percolated to the level of the legs. Impaired Sense of Touch Sensory nerve damage is also related to diabetes. Impaired sense of touch becomes forces the person to experience a semnsation of layergin on the epidermas.

Shingles also called herpes zoster is a type of viral infection and a painful rash can be associated with this disease. At some point, a large number of people develop shingles and the varicella zoster is the virus that causes this infection and it is the same one that causes chickenpox. If you had suffered from chickenpox during your childhood days, the shingles virus will stay dormant in your body and it reactivates after a certain period to cause a shingles rash. The rash can affect any part and the first symptom of the shingle is the pain. In addition to the rash, you can find fluid-filled blisters within a few days and there can fatigue, light sensitivity or fever as well. You cannot find a magical solution for shingles. Anyhow, antiviral medications are available for reducing the symptoms and you can find several types of shingles ointments to treat this condition. Baking soda or cornstarch paste A past can be made with the help of water and cornstarch or baking soda to reduce the itching tendency involved with shingles. You have to add two parts cornstarch into a cup and one part water must be added to get the expected consistency. This mixture can be applied to the rash and it can be washed off after 15 minutes. This process has to be repeated many times in a day. Zovirax ointment Zovirax is a very popular prescription ointment cream for addressing the symptoms of shingles. It contains acyclovir, an anti-viral medication, and this shingles ointment is commonly used for treating cold sores and genital herpes found in your mouth. This product also offers good results when it comes to healing the skin lesions and you can use it to prevent the spread of the virus. All lesions need to be covered with Zovirax ointment and the only area you need to avoid is your eyes.

The dark coloration of the skin under the eyes is referred to as dark circles. They are relatively common. Dark circles under the eyes are very unpleasant to deal with. Losing a good night’s sleep even for a day or two can bring them about. In fact, if you are swamped with work, the stress is bound to tire you out and leave dark circles under eyes. Dark circles are fairly common, and almost all of us have had them at some point or the other. They leave you looking tired and weary. However, the good news is that you can get rid of dark circles under eyes very easily. Major reasons behind dark circles under eyes There are many reasons behind dark circles. Some of them can be due to aging or they can even be hereditary. If the reason is dry skin or stress, then something can be done to prevent it. Otherwise, there are ways through which the dark circles can be removed. Dark circles are caused if a person sits in front of the computer for long hours or because of crying for too long. Other primary reasons for dark circles under eyes were found to be unhealthy diets and lack of sleep. Dark circles as such is not a skin problem. It arises due to external or mental factors. It is unhealthy to let it go on and it is best to fix it immediately with simple home remedies. Home remedies to get rid of dark circles under eyes Here are a few remedies that will take just a few minutes from your daily routine. These will help you get rid of them in no time. Almond Oil This is one of the most suggested methods for removing dark circles under eyes. It is a completely natural method, and so you will not have to worry about any side effects.

Overactive bladder is a condition in which you experience involuntary contractions of the muscles in the bladder wall. It is a syndrome where the convulsions make you feel a urgent need to urinate, which is overwhelming and difficult to suppress, even when the bladder may contain only a small amount of urine. This condition is also known as urinary urgency. In a few cases, an overactive bladder leads to urinary leakage where you are unable to quash the impulse to pee, medically referred as to urgency urinary incontinence. A common type of urinary incontinence found is stress incontinence. Sometimes the pelvic floor muscles, which are essential in supporting the bladder surrounding the urethra, are weak and lead to urinary leakage when there’s stress/pressure on the abdomen or pelvic region. Symptoms of an overactive bladder With an overactive bladder, you: feel a sudden urge to pee that won’t go away have involuntary loss of urine following an urgent need to urinate have urine leakage during physical activity like coughing, sneezing, and lifting have to urinate frequently, usually eight or more times a day experience nocturia where you wake up 2-3 times in the night to make a trip to the bathroom Causes of an overactive bladder Involuntary contractions in the muscles of the urinary bladder may occur due to a dysfunction of the nervous system where the brain may send impulses to the urethra muscles, even though the volume of fluid in your bladder is low. Common reasons for this neural system abnormality are: Injury to the spinal cord Back problems Brain strokes Parkinson’s disease Multiple sclerosis Dementia Neuropathy caused by diabetes Other causes of overactive bladder syndrome include: Infections in the urinary tract Stones in the bladder Prostate enlargement (BPH) Bladder tumors Excess consumption of caffeine or alcohol Declining cognitive function due to aging Treatments for overactive bladder An overactive bladder may have adverse effects on your life, mostly relating to your social commitments and mental health.