Shingles is a troublesome infection that is caused by the same virus—varicella zoster (VZV) virus—that is responsible for causing chickenpox. It appears as a painful rash and persists for at least 2 weeks. While it goes away in a maximum of 4 weeks, it causes immense pain, itching, burning, and all-around discomfort. The symptoms can be tough to handle, but there are a number of ways one can make themselves feel more comfortable during its outbreak. There are a number of home remedies available for treating shingles pain. When one is affected by shingles, after a consultation with the doctor, they can look for the best cream for shingles pain. Ointments for treating shingles pain are readily available in the market and provide great relief. Some of the popular creams for treating shingles pain have been listed as follows. Calamine lotion Calamine lotion is a topical anti-itch lotion. It has astringent and skin protecting properties which can help one get relief from the itching sensation caused due to shingles. They also slow down the growth of bacteria and prevent the infection from getting even worse. Calamine lotion soothes the skin and can be considered as one of the best creams for shingles pain. Lidocaine Lidocaine is a numbing medicine that is used to control and alleviate pain. It comes in a variety of different forms which include the likes of sprays, powders, patches, and lotions. It is generally used in the lotion form and is quite effective. One can apply this lotion moderately on affected areas to get relief from the pain caused by shingles. Capsaicin cream Capsaicin is mainly found in chili peppers. It is the ingredient which makes the mouth burn when one has too many chili peppers. Capsaicin creams help relieve one of the pain experienced due to shingles.

Everyone experiences pain and swelling in their fingers at some point in time. There are several reasons for this pain and swelling, such as injuries and medical conditions that are known to cause pain in the fingers. Swollen finger pain is generally accompanied by redness, a burning sensation, tenderness, stiffness, numbness, a tingling feeling, swelling, color change, and such other conditions. Arthritis is one of the major causes of swollen finger pain. It can also be caused due to an infection or inflammation. Causes of swollen finger pain: Swollen finger pain may be caused as a result of injuries due to strenuous physical activity, actively participating in contact sports such as soccer, football, or baseball. Performing recreational activities that require a lot of efforts, such as skiing or playing tennis. Operating heavy machinery at home or work. Carrying heavy loads for a long period of time. Active participation in fist fights or punching. Performance of repetitive movements such as typing, writing, and stitching for a long period of time. As a result of the compartment syndrome, which leads to severe swelling of the fingers; it covers the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Patients who are suffering from the compartment syndrome should be attended to immediately and under the supervision of a doctor. Arthritis also causes inflammation accompanied by swelling, pain, redness, and stiffness. Trigger finger happens when you are unable to straighten out your finger as the tendon in your finger has become swollen or inflamed. Dupuytren’s Contracture is a condition where your hand becomes tighter and does not enable free movement as the tissue becomes inflamed. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes swollen finger pain as pressure is exerted on the nerves of the fingers, causing severe pain, swelling, and numbness. The Raynaud phenomenon causes swollen finger pain as the blood flow to the fingers is blocked, and the patient suffers from swelling, numbness, stiffness, and cold fingers.

Sciatic Pain Cure refers to the treatment of the symptoms such as tingling in the leg, pain, weakness or numbness radiating through the sciatic nerve. The pain that occurs along the path of this nerve is known as sciatica. Sciatica is not a disease, it essentially points to an underlying medical condition. How can you cure sciatic pain? The cure for sciatic pain begins with the identification of medical conditions such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc, spondylolisthesis, or degenerative disk disease. There is an inflammation of the sciatic nerve which becomes worse if there is no medical intervention. Sciatic pain can be cured nonsurgically as well as through regular exercise. There are alternative treatments for sciatic pain such as consulting chiropractors or undergoing massage therapy. Various methods to cure sciatic pain Though there are non-surgical methods to cure Sciatic pain, in extreme cases surgical intervention is required. The root of the sciatic nerve is compressed and this is the reason for the neurological symptoms that include pain. The various methods of non-surgical treatment are: Heat/ice Applying heat or ice to the affected area normally helps in reducing the pain in the leg. Ice and heat should be used alternately for 20 minutes, and the process is repeated every two hours. Medications for sciatic pain There are some prescribed medications that can reduce or relieve sciatic pain. You could get nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications or oral steroids that help in relieving sciatic pain. Narcotics or muscle relaxants can also be used for a short period of time for pain relief. Epidural steroids In severe cases of sciatic pain, epidural steroids should be administered. The injection has a direct impact as it penetrates into the area surrounding the sciatic nerve thereby reducing the inflammation. In addition to this, these epidural steroids also help patients by supporting them in exercises and conditioning programs they might be undergoing for treating the pain.

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition which affects the eyes. It occurs due to insufficient lubrication and moisture in the eyes. It is also called as dry eye disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This condition affects a majority of people, especially during old age. What is dry eye syndrome? Dry eye syndrome occurs when the tears produced are inadequate to lubricate the eyes. Due to this, the eyes fail to shield against dust and impurities. This causes discomfort or irritation to the eyes. Tears play an important role in preserving the health of the eyes. It is also helpful in providing a proper vision to the eyes. What are the symptoms? Dry eye causes a lot of discomfort and irritation. It gives a feeling of having something in the eyes all the time and an itchy sensation. A few other common symptoms of dry eye syndrome are as follows: Pain in the eyes Heaviness of eyes Dry sensation Redness of eyes Blur vision Burning In a few cases, there are chances where the eyes may produce excess tears. The lack of dampness in the eyes irritates them. There is stimulation to produce tears in excess, as a defense mechanism. This condition is “reflex tearing” and is only a temporary disorder. What are the causes of dry eye syndrome? There are many reasons for the occurrence of the dry eye syndrome. But the major factor which causes it is the lack of tear production. It occurs when there is an increase in tear evaporation or an imbalance in tear composition. The other factors which cause dry eyes are: Age The risk of developing dry eye increases with an increase in a person’s age. It is a natural condition in one’s old age. This is because the tear production reduces when a person grows older.

Plantar fasciitis is a common condition that affects several thousand people in the country. This painful condition that affects the heel of the foot can cause great discomfort and impairs the daily functioning of a person. Wearing the right plantar fasciitis insoles can go a long way in alleviating symptoms and living a normal life. What Is Plantar Fasciitis? First, let’s take a look at this common condition and understand its causes, signs, and symptoms. Plantar fasciitis is characterized by pain and inflammation in the band of tissue that connects a person’s heel to the toes. It is caused due to extreme stretching or tearing of this band of tissue that provides support to the arch on a person’s heel. This is where plantar fasciitis insoles can provide relief and help a person walk normally. The most common symptoms of plantar fasciitis are intense pain near the heel that usually worsens after waking up in the morning, after long periods of standing on your feet, and when you rise up after sitting for a long time. A person generally does not experience pain during exercise but there may be a pain right after. This condition is generally seen in runners, ballet dancers or individuals who participate in activities that put pressure on the heels. People who are obese, individuals who do not wear shoes with adequate support, those who regularly wear high heels, and people with flat feet are at a higher risk of developing this condition. People whose jobs tend to keep them on their feet are also vulnerable. Plantar fasciitis is more common in women, but men can also develop it. How Is Plantar Fasciitis Treated? This condition is self-diagnosable, but it is best to consult a doctor about the severity of the condition. A physical examination of the affected area and some imaging tests may be required to point out the exact location of the pain and inflammation.

There are certain common medical conditions that are specifically linked with osteoporosis bone loss. Here’s what you need to watch out for. The bone is a living tissue, and as such it is constantly being broken down to create new bone. However, when the rebuilding process is slower than the breaking down process, the bones become fragile and brittle. This is what happens when you develop osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is more common in women than men, and affects about 200 million women all over the world. Even though this disorder affects women of all age and races, it is more common in older white and Asian women. When you are suffering from osteoporosis and it reaches an advanced stage, fractures become a part of daily life. The fractures that are associated with osteoporosis usually occur in your spine, hip, and wrist. The bones become so brittle that even everyday activities like bending over or stepping on to the pavement can result in fractures. Early stages of osteoporosis do not show any symptoms, but when it reaches an advanced stage, symptoms like loss of height, back pain, neck pain, fractures, and stooping posture can be seen. A simple bone density test that shows the extent of osteoporosis bone loss is used when you want to diagnose this disorder. Some of the risk factors of osteoporosis include body frame size, age, family history, race, sedentary lifestyle, sex, and eating disorders. Your treatment plan will include a combination of medications, lifestyle modifications, and dietary changes, and mainly depends upon your risk of breaking any bone. But what exactly causes osteoporosis bone loss? There is no definite answer to this question. However, there are some common medical conditions that are linked with osteoporosis bone loss either because of the medications used to treat them or because of the disease itself.

Have you been experiencing some changes lately but not sure what those are? Your body may be displaying low sugar symptoms. Hypoglycemia, a condition referred to commonly as low blood sugar, occurs in your body when the amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood dips below the normal levels. As glucose is a vital source of energy in the human body, having this condition may affect the functioning of your muscles and brain cells owing to the lack of sufficient energy. In most people, the onset of hypoglycemia means that their blood sugar level is below 70 mg/dl. Low blood sugar is usually found in people who have diabetes, and it can happen even if you are taking care to manage the disease. It is especially common in people with type 2 diabetes, and in those who are taking insulin to treat their diabetes. In most cases, hypoglycemia is mild and you can treat it easily by consuming a small amount of food that is rich in glucose. Having low blood sugar levels in your body can lead to other health complications, both short-term and long-term. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause clumsiness, confusion, and fainting spells, while long-term complications of the condition include coma, seizures, and even death. This condition can occur quite suddenly, leaving you confused and worried. Here are some of the low sugar symptoms that you need to know and keep an eye out for. Extreme hunger : Have you been noticing that you have been feeling hungry even though you might have just eaten? It may be one of the low sugar symptoms that you are experiencing. You may feel ravenous hunger at all times, or suddenly feel like you are starving. This is an indication that your body needs more glucose. You can promptly treat this low sugar symptom by having four ounces of fruit, two tablespoons of raisins, or some hard candy.

If you have diabetes, food plays an important part in managing your symptoms. Here’s how you can put together diets for diabetes patients. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it means that you have high levels of glucose (blood sugar), which can cause further health problems. There are different types of the disease—chronic diabetes includes type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, while prediabetes (high blood sugar levels, but does not qualify as diabetes) and gestational diabetes (occurs when a woman is pregnant but can dissipate after delivery) are the types of potentially reversible diabetic conditions. Noticing any diabetes symptoms and reporting them to a medical professional at the earliest is vital, as early detection means you can start your treatment early, and thus achieve optimum results from the treatment. In addition to conventional diabetes treatments, there are certain natural remedies and lifestyle changes that can ease the symptoms and provide significant relief to people suffering from the disease. Diets and diabetes go hand in hand, as what you eat and don’t eat plays a major role in your diabetes treatment. The medical term for a diabetes diet is medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for diabetes, which entails eating different foods that are high in nutrition, moderate quantities of food, and sticking to mealtimes. There are many myths about diets for diabetes patients, such as—you cannot eat sugar at all, you cannot eat any carbohydrates, and that you need to eat only special diabetic meals. But the truth is that if you carefully plan diets for diabetes management, you can enjoy your favorite foods and keep your diabetes symptoms in control at the same time. There are certain approaches to creating diets for diabetes patients, and these diets are aimed at lowering the glucose level in your blood and keeping it within a normal level.

Learn more about the herbs, supplements, and alternative treatment methods that form part of the natural treatments for Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes refers to a group of diseases in which elevated glucose (blood sugar) levels in your body occurs due to deficiency or ineffective use of the hormone insulin. There are two types of this disease– Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 2 diabetes, your body does produce insulin, but it is either not adequate enough or not used efficiently to ensure proper functioning. It is important that any type of diabetes is promptly treated by a doctor, as in the absence of treatment your diabetes can cause serious health complications. Seeking medical help to treat Type 2 diabetes is vital; but you can also consider trying some natural treatments for Type 2 diabetes. An increasing number of people are trying such remedies to battle their diabetes symptoms the natural way, and many studies done in recent years have shown potential links between the use of such natural treatments for Type 2 diabetes and improvement in blood sugar levels. Here are some of the natural treatments for Type 2 diabetes that can be effective in maintaining desired levels of glucose in your blood. Chromium Several studies indicate that taking chromium supplements can help insulin work well. It has been found that chromium improves glucose tolerance in people with Type 2 diabetes, and may also help reduce your risk of developing heart diseases. American Ginseng The consumption of this herbal remedy was found to lower blood sugar levels in people who have Type 2 diabetes. However, further research is needed to establish American ginseng as one of the sure shot natural treatments for Type 2 diabetes. Bilberry Bilberries contain flavonoids called anthocyanosides, which are strong antioxidants that can strengthen the capillaries in your body.

You do not have to pop pills or use chemical ointments all the time to keep your psoriasis symptoms in check. Some simple home remedies can do the trick too. Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder that manifests itself in the form of scaly, flaky, and red patches of thickened skin. While not a life-threatening condition, psoriasis is a chronic disease that can be quite frustrating to live with. Psoriasis symptoms vary for every person, and can range from being mild to quite severe with nasty and frequent outbreaks. For those who experience worsening of their psoriasis symptoms at the slightest of triggers such as sunburn or a skin injury, going out of home and other everyday activities may become a cumbersome task. Added to that is the fact that psoriasis has no cure; however, there are various medications available that can help reduce your psoriasis symptoms and control the intensity of eruptions on your skin. The good news is that there are some simple remedies available that can help you lessen your psoriasis symptoms naturally. These easy do-it-yourself (DIY) solutions are things that you can do right at home and with ingredients that are available in most household kitchens. Here are some such natural remedies that can be effective in controlling your psoriasis symptoms. Aloe vera Apply aloe vera gel to the affected areas on your skin to lessen psoriasis symptoms such as scaling of the skin and rashes. Tested by dermatologists, this natural remedy can bring about a significant change in your psoriasis symptoms in just 3-4 weeks. All you need to do is apply the soothing gel of this plant to your skin at least thrice every day. Fish Oil Omega-3 fatty acids have been proven to be a solution for flaky and patchy skin, one of the psoriasis symptoms that you have to face regularly.

Did you know that you can manage your GERD symptoms by making some small changes in your everyday life? Here’s what you can do. Most of us have heard about heartburn and acid reflux, which are both common problems that people face quite often. These aren’t life-threatening conditions, but if the symptoms persist and are occurring at least twice a week interfering with your everyday life, it may have progressed to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This is a chronic disease that affects your digestive system. GERD occurs when the stomach acid (or even contents of your stomach, at times) move back up into your esophagus (food pipe) and irritate the lining. In the United States, approximately 25- 40 percent of all adults suffer from some form of GERD. What are the usual GERD symptoms? You may experience a number of GERD symptoms, and some of these may even be painful as the disorder interferes with the normal functioning of your digestive system. The most common symptom of this health condition is heartburn, although not everyone who has GERD experiences this symptom. Some of the GERD symptoms that you need to look out for include: A sensation of burning in your chest (heartburn). This can sometimes spread to your throat, and leave a sour taste in your mouth. Hoarseness or a sore throat, which occurs when your stomach acid enters the throat. Pain or discomfort in the chest Difficulty in swallowing (dysphagia). You may even find it troublesome to swallow things like ice cream and water. Dry cough that can be persistent. Regurgitation of food that you have eaten or sour liquid (acid reflux) A feeling of a lump in your throat This happens in people with GERD because acid reflux irritates the airways. An unexplained increase of saliva Earaches Bad breath Can you control your GERD symptoms naturally?

Meninges are membranes that cover or envelope the brain and the spinal cord. There are three meninges—dura mater, arachnoid, and pia mater. The meninges protect the central nervous system. When bacteria affect these membranes, the condition is then called meningitis. Meningitis is of three types—bacterial, fungal, and viral. Bacterial meningitis is life-threatening and can also spread among people when they come in close contact with each other. Viral meningitis, however, is not as dangerous as bacterial meningitis and can be recovered without treatment. Fungal meningitis, on the other hand, is one of the rare forms of meningitis that occurs in those who have a weak immune system. Some of the causes of meningitis are: – Syphilis – Tuberculosis – Fungal infection – Autoimmune disorders – Cancer medications These are not the common causes but can trigger meningitis. Meningitis is more likely to attack people aged under 5, between 16–25, or over 55 years. If you do not know about this disease, then there is a good chance you will miss out on the symptoms and that is not good for a patient suffering from the same. The symptoms of meningitis can easily be confused with common cold, cough, and fever. Besides back ache, loss of appetite, and pale skin, here are some symptoms that should not be ignored when spotted: Light sensitivity If the eyes are suddenly sensitive to light or anything bright, it can then be a symptom of meningitis. If there has been a problem with bright light for a long time, then it does not necessarily have to be because of meningitis. However, if this is a new thing that you are seeing or something that suddenly started happening, then there could be a problem. Cold/common cold Common cold with other symptoms like fever, vomiting, or muscle pain can be a sign of meningitis and should be checked.