Most Beneficial Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus

Most Beneficial Home Remedies for Toenail Fungus

Toenail fungus also called onychomycosis is a problem that affects a large number of people. Some of the symptoms of this problem are thickening of the nail, crumbling of the nail, yellowing, swelling and inflammation. If the infection does not spread, it does not cause any serious pain. The fungus that cause toenail fungus flourishes under specific conditions like weakened immune system, extended exposure to moisture, diabetes, faulty hygiene and abnormal pH levels. How to get rid of toenail fungus? If this problem remains untreated, toenail fungus result in splitting and cracking and, you may end up losing the toenail. There are a good number of natural remedies available and you can make use of them to get rid of this problem. Tea tree oil Tea tree oil is equipped with antifungal and antiseptic properties that assist in treating the toenail fungus. It can also be used for treating other types of skin infections. A few drops of tea tree oil should be mixed with one teaspoon of coconut oil or olive oil and this mixture needs to be applied on the affected area using a cotton ball. You have to leave this mixture for 10 minutes and a toothbrush can be used to scrub the affected nail in a gentle way. This method can be repeated two to three times a day until you achieve the expected results. Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar prevents this skin condition from getting worsened. It is mildly acid and the fungi or bacteria are killed by apple cider vinegar. Water and cider vinegar must be mixed in equal quantities and the toenail should be soaked in this solution for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, you must dry the toenail completely and it needs to be done in a daily manner to get the best results.
Everything You Need to Know About the Best Gout Treatments

Everything You Need to Know About the Best Gout Treatments

A gout is a form of arthritis that that causes inflammation in the joints because of high levels of uric acid in the blood. It usually affects the big toes, fingers, knees, and elbows and is characterized by symptoms of pain, stiffness, redness, and inflammation in the affected joints. If appropriate treatment for gout is not taken, then the attacks can occur consistently. When this condition remains unattended for a long time, it increases the risk of permanent joint and tissue damage. How is gout diagnosed? Your doctor will start by assessing your symptoms by conducting a physical examination. Sometimes, a sample of fluid from the joint is extracted to evaluate the uric acid crystals closely. It is the best method for diagnosing gout. Additionally, the doctor may also ask for a blood test for estimating the uric acid levels in your blood. What kind of medications are used for treating gout? The best treatment for gout is starting a course of medications to lower the uric acid quantity in the blood quickly. When it comes to the gout medications, they can be classified into two categories, i.e., short-term and long-term medications. Short-term medications for treating gout Short-term drugs provide relief from pain and they also lower the inflammation while having an acute attack. These types of medications also play a vital role in preventing the recurrence of a severe attack. One of the best treatment for gout includes the use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Most common choices are naproxen, indomethacin, and ibuprofen. Your doctors might also recommend corticosteroids which are available in the form of pills or shots. During an attack, most doctors recommend a maximum daily dose of one or two medicines as a part of short-term treatment. This is a feasible type of treatment when the gout symptoms are not that severe.
Things You Need to Know about Cholesterol Levels

Things You Need to Know about Cholesterol Levels

Cholesterol is essential in the body as it is found in the cells and membranes and is helpful in producing hormones, bile acids thereby aiding in digestion and vitamin D. The liver produces cholesterol. Bad cholesterol is often common in women. Women face the major issue of having a high blood cholesterol level as they tend to gain weight, especially around the waistline. One in every six adults has bad cholesterol. With the rise in obesity amongst children, the rate of bad cholesterol in children is also increasing. The body does need some cholesterol, and the presence of cholesterol in the body is normal, but bad cholesterol can clog and block the arteries. To maintain a healthy heart, a normal cholesterol level is required. If you are wondering what is the normal cholesterol level, read on. The normal cholesterol level is when the cholesterol is kept below 200 mg/dL in adults. 200 mg/dL of cholesterol is a borderline high-risk in developing bad cholesterol problems. A check-up of the cholesterol should be done every 5 years. Cholesterol levels are divided into two fat and protein packages referred to as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and the high-density lipoprotein (HDL). These levels are tested in order to determine the good or bad cholesterol. Although many people know what the normal cholesterol level is, they fail to maintain the same. Your diet plays an essential role in maintaining a good or bad cholesterol level. There are several studies that back the idea that deaths from heart disease can be countered by treatment of high cholesterol or bad cholesterol. This would also aid in the profiling of people that may test for bad cholesterol therefore making them prone to a heart disease. The process of bad cholesterol accumulation is made over the years when fats from food raise the blood level of cholesterol.
Peyronies Disease – A Complete Overview

Peyronies Disease – A Complete Overview

Peyronie’s disease is a penis related disease that occurs when a scar tissue shapes up inside the penis. This tissue is called plaque and is formed as a result of any injury inside the penis, that may cause internal bleeding. Some of the causes include Vitamin E deficiency, increase in serotonin levels and even due to the intake of beta B medications. In certain cases, the genetic disorder could also be a factor. The penis of a man may either bend upwards or even to either of the sides. Men suffering from Peyronie’s have trouble while having sex, like feelings of uneasiness and anxiety. Peyronie’s generally occurs in middle-aged men, and it’s a rare disease that occurs in around 1% to 8% men. Symptoms Of Peyronie’s Disease Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include: Pain while getting erection Pain while having sex Bending of penis Soft erections Shortening of penis Incapability of having intercourse Stress Reducing The Risk Of Peyronie’s Disease There are certain lifestyle changes that need to be adopted, to keep away Peyronie’s Disease. They include: Give up smoking Exercise or Yoga Minimizing alcohol intake Stop the intake of any non-prescribed drugs Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Treatment for Peyronie’s disease may vary from person to person, depending on the magnitude of the problem they are experiencing. Sometimes if the pain is not severe, and erectile functioning is not much of a problem, doctors suggest doing nothing, but wait. Sometimes, this problem fades away with time. In case you don’t get any relief, other options can be tried. Penis Injections for Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Collagenase : This the only medicine that is FDA approved, for treating Peyronie’s disease. It is also known as Xiaflex and it can be prescribed to men with moderate, or severe bending of the penis. Though the effectiveness of this drug requires additional research, this type of injection helps in breaking down of collagen concentration, that causes the penis to bend.
Paleo- A Diet with Assured Benefits

Paleo- A Diet with Assured Benefits

What is Paleo Diet? You must be wondering what Paleo diet is, and from where did it originate? The answer lies deep down the history lane, with our ancestors. The people, who lived in the old era, did not have any foods of the modernized world and had everything that was available naturally in their surroundings. This is the reason they stayed healthy and fit and even lived longer, unlike us from the modern world, where everything is available on the go like milk, eggs, pulses, green leafy vegetables. It is no surprise that we lack the stamina and the energy that our previous generations possessed. Today most of the food items we consume are processed or artificially made, that takes away the real nutrients that our body requires. The idea of the Paleo diet revolves around avoiding food like pulses, sugar, and dairy products like milk, eggs, yogurt, salt, legumes, etc. Paleo diet is the latest trend among health enthusiasts and is being successfully followed by millions, to maintain a healthy and an energetic life, eliminating different deficiencies and avoiding various diseases. Paleo also helps in maintaining a clear skin, reduces obesity, puts away laziness, prevents diabetes, supports a healthy heart, makes one immune to specific allergies, minimizes inflammation and provides a good quality sleep. To get the benefits out of a Paleo diet, pair it with exercise, intake of enough water, a good sleep and an active lifestyle. Paleo Diet Meals Vegetables : All vegetables are suitable for a Paleo diet until they are fresh and artificially processed. Vegetables provide us with vitamins and minerals. However, some vegetables contain high levels of carbs. One should stay away from them, in case they are adopting Paleo diet plan for weight loss. Vegetables suitable for Paleo diet: • Broccoli • Celery • Peppers or capsicum • Carrots • Spinach • Cauliflower • Green onions • Eggplant • Zucchini • Asparagus • Lettuce • Parsley • Avocado • Brussels sprouts • Sweet potato Fruits :
Treatment- Seizures and Epilepsy

Treatment- Seizures and Epilepsy

A seizure is a brief episode of abnormal brain activity. Seizures are also called epileptic seizures or fits. During a seizure, there is a burst of excessive or synchronous brain activity. This abnormal brain activity can manifest in many ways. A disorder in which a person has more than one unprovoked seizure is called epilepsy. An unprovoked seizure is one that is not triggered by a specific cause of low blood sugar, poisoning, infections, etc. Epilepsy is diagnosed by first ruling out other similar disorders like fainting or non-epileptic attacks and external causes such as a drug overdose, low oxygen saturation, alcohol, infections, etc. It is estimated that 1% of the global population is affected by epilepsy and 5-10% of the population will have a seizure by the time they’re 80. Epilepsy responds well to treatment in 70% of patients. In patients who have an inadequate response to treatment, seizures can be controlled by dietary changes, management of external stressors, surgery, or neurostimulation. In some cases, with adequate treatment, seizures can be reduced in frequency and severity over time. Types Of Seizures The majority of seizures are convulsive. Non-convulsive seizures are rarer and less likely to be detected since they last for a very short period of time. The difference between convulsive and nonconvulsive seizure is how much of the brain is involved in seizure generation. If both hemispheres are involved, then the seizure is said to be generalized . If the seizure originates from a particular region of the brain but does not include the entire brain, it is said to be a partial seizure. Generalized Seizure A generalized seizure is further classified into: Tonic-Clonic, Tonic, Clonic, Absence, Myoclonic, and Atonic. Absence seizures last for about 10-30 seconds and are characterized by a loss of attention and a decreased level of consciousness.
Causes and Signs of Preterm Labor

Causes and Signs of Preterm Labor

Preterm labor is also known as premature labor. It happens when you’re pregnant, and your body is ready to give birth earlier than it should. Labor pains are considered to be premature if they occur three weeks before the expected due date. There are many ways in which doctors can prolong an early delivery. The longer the baby grows inside your body, it is less likely that the baby can have problems after birth. There are many ways in which you can tell if you’re about to have preterm labor. Following are some of the signs of preterm labor that you should watch out for. Causes of preterm labor Many factors increase the risk of preterm labor. Some of them include: Smoking : If you’re a chain smoker, there is a very high chance that excessive smoking can be one of the reasons. Being overweight or underweight : Being overweight or underweight before your pregnancy can also be a cause. No proper prenatal care : The risk increases if you don’t get enough prenatal care. Alcohol : Consuming alcohol and other drugs are some of the factors that increase the risk. Health conditions : Some health conditions like blood clotting, blood pressure, diabetes, and infections can affect you. Birth defects : If you are pregnant with a baby that has congenital defects. The risk is also high if you have twins. Family history : A family history of premature labor. Signs of preterm labor Here are a few signs of preterm labor from which you can predict if you’re about to have preterm labor. Excessive vaginal discharge Vaginal discharge is normal if it’s in the normal levels. If you feel that the discharge is more than usual, then it is one of the signs of preterm labor. Change in type of discharge If you’re leaking watery discharge, or if your discharge consists mostly of fluids, it is a sign of preterm labor.
4 Ways to Treat Acute and Chronic Sciatic Pain

4 Ways to Treat Acute and Chronic Sciatic Pain

Sciatica is a pain in the leg that often affects one’s motions and activities. It is caused by the irritation in the sciatic nerve that arrives from each side of the lower spine and then goes through the pelvis and bumps. Next, the pain courses along the back portion of each leg and finally divides at the knee until it offshoots till the feet. Radiculopathy, which is a disease of the root of a nerve, is even worse than the back one as per doctors. It is usually caused by pressure on the nerve; the herniated disc forms a breakage and swells into spinal cord pinching the said nerve. The sensation of the pain is truly reflected by the word intolerable . It can result in numbness and a tingling sensation, apart from something like a burning sensation. Continuous sitting or standing, training, and weightlifting can be the originators. Sciatic pain treatment has a wide range, within which medicines, physiotherapy, etc. are present. Medicines for pain relief There are different sorts of medications available that are used by a clinical specialist to reduce the pain. Among oral medicines, acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen like Advil, Ketoprofen, and Naproxen are common. Doctors commonly prescribe some muscle relaxants for easing spasms. Usage of antidepressants is also relevant for acute pain in the lower back portion. It must be kept in mind that aspirin is dangerous for people under 18 as it may increase the chance of Reye’s syndrome. Sometimes, steroids are given through injections into a site near the spinal nerve. Injections result in modest relief in case of pain by herniated or damaged disc. Physiotherapy Despite the difficulty in activities, doctors don’t suggest complete bed rest. Rather, different types of physical therapies are recommended, which is very much comfortable. In case of not-so-severe, yet persistent pains that stay over a couple of weeks, this is the most useful method.
Popular Treatment Options for Hyperhidrosis

Popular Treatment Options for Hyperhidrosis

Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by excessive sweating of underarms, soles, palms, and other parts of the body. When sweating is limited to these areas only, it is termed as Focal Hyperhidrosis. If sweating occurs in large parts of the body or all over it, it is called Generalised Hyperhidrosis. Patients suffering from general hyperhidrosis should consult a doctor to find the best hyperhidrosis treatment course for them. Although hyperhidrosis is not a life-threatening condition, it can lead to embarrassing situations and degraded life quality when it poses problems in social interactions and daily life functions. Some people with hyperhidrosis refuse to shake hands, go to events, and engage in romantic relationships because of this embarrassment. In some severe cases, one might also need to change clothes frequently to avoid sweat and bacteria build up. No two people are the same, neither is the severity of hyperhidrosis. If you suffer from hyperhidrosis, it is best to try some natural and less expensive hyperhidrosis treatments like deodorants, antiperspirants, talcum powders to see what works best for you before getting any medical procedures done. Medical procedures are more effective but are invasive at the same time. Following is a compiled list of hyperhidrosis treatment options that will help you deal with excessive sweating. Read on to find out the best hyperhidrosis treatment options. Antiperspirants Antiperspirants are personal hygiene products that not only help in removing the odor from sweat but also blocks the sweat glands present beneath the skin so that the production of sweat is decreased. You can buy any over the counter antiperspirant to combat excessive sweating. They can be applied to underarms, hands, and, in some cases, even on the forehead. The antiperspirant products can be applied both in the morning and at night to help you create a blockage between your skin and the sweat glands to keep you fresh and dry.
8 High Protein Foods For a Healthy Body

8 High Protein Foods For a Healthy Body

The basic constituent of proteins is amino acids, attached to one another in the form of long chains. This long chain structure of amino acids is known as the polypeptide. A single long peptide, or a combination of peptide bonds, is referred to as a protein. Proteins are rightly known as the “the building blocks of our body”, as they help us in numerous ways. They provide the essential nutrients for our normal and healthy survival. Proteins help us in gaining muscle strength, it improves our immunity, contributes to weight loss, provides metabolism, and structure and support to the cells. It also helps in the repairing of cells, as well as the development of new ones, and transmitting signals between cells, tissues, or organs. With all these benefits, we know by now, that we need to consume protein in our everyday diet for healthy living. Consuming the right amounts of protein is essential for the body, and this does not limit a ‘non-vegan’, as their food already contains a lot of proteins. However, vegans have to follow a certain exclusive and extensive diet plan, that would provide them with the needed proteins. High Protein Foods For A Non-Vegan Turkey Breast Turkey Breast is a great source of high proteins and is low in calories and fat. You can have turkey for breakfast, lunch, and dinner or even as a snack. Turkey is a healthy diet option that keeps you full with no urge to eat more, for longer periods of time. An added benefit of including turkey is that it also prevents a person from getting cancer, as it is high in selenium. You could opt for organic or lean turkey, rather than processed turkey for assured benefits as high protein foods are very essential for the body. Quantity :
8 Effective Ways to Naturally Treat Hemorrhoids

8 Effective Ways to Naturally Treat Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the anal canal. External hemorrhoids refer to enlarged vein beneath the surface of the anal skin and internal hemorrhoids refer to an enlarged vein of the anal skin. You can see and feel external hemorrhoids as the blood clot surrounds the surface of the anus. A hemorrhoid is generally not serious but is a painful condition. The most common causes of hemorrhoids are long sitting in the toilet, chronic constipation, and straining during the bowel movements. These enlarge the veins of the surface of the anus causing hemorrhoids. This is because they disturb the blood flow to and from anus resulting in swollen blood vessels. Constipation tightens the muscle of the anal canal that is generally smooth in nature. This strain causes pain and bleeding during the bowel movement. The connective tissue that connects the anus muscle also weakens with age thereby increasing the swelling outside the surface. When you pressurize the veins of the pelvic and rectal area, it can also lead to hemorrhoids as the muscle tightens. There are four main symptoms of hemorrhoids Itching: Itching around the surface of the anus. This is because hemorrhoids cause swelling and irritation in the rectal area, making you itch to feel better. However, the symptoms get worse with itching as we don’t know how clean our hand is and disturbing the swelling makes the anus grow further. Pain: Constant pain around the anus. The hemorrhoids result in affecting the anus and rectal areas. Since they are external in nature, you will feel the pain outside during bowel movements or strain. The pain is not serious but can get unbearable at times. Swelling: Swelling of the anal skin causes lumps. These lumps are blood clots that cause swelling and pain. However, because they are external, they can be seen and felt.
Possible Side Effects of Probiotics

Possible Side Effects of Probiotics

Probiotics are the food supplements which are added to the diet for health benefits such as immunity, digestive functions, and growth. It is safe to include the dietary intake in proper doses. High dose of probiotics at times have a bad impact on health. The probiotics can be taken orally. Live microorganisms work effectively to boost human health; however, there are some side effects related to them. These side effects range from mild to severe. They can cause digestive complications such as bloating and gas in the stomach. In some cases, the usage of probiotics can cause infections that can be only treated using antibiotics. It can cause problems for people suffering from health complications and cause unusual metabolic responses. Although the probiotics are pretty good for the body, they may cause some rare side effects. These side effects are common among people with underlying medical complications. At times, the body responds badly to the good bacterial intake. Normally, the pH level in the colon must be between 6.7 and 6.9. The pH levels below 7.0 are said to be acidic, whereas pH levels more than 7.0 are said to be of basic nature. The colon must be acidic to combat the growth of pathogenic bacteria and promote the growth of good bacteria. Medications and other drugs make the colon environment alkaline. The consumption of the probiotic supplements makes the colon acidic. The change of the colon’s pH from acidic to alkaline causes a war between the good and bad bacteria. This tug of war causes bloating, abdominal pain, and complications in bowel movements. The side effects of probiotics don’t last for long. Discontinuation of the probiotic intake will help you get rid of the symptoms and prevent their worsening. Side effects of probiotics Stomach problems Stomach problems such as bloating, pain in the abdomen, and gas production are some of the side effects of probiotics.