Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a disorder that causes a change in the pattern of bowel movements. IBS with diarrhea is known as IBS-D and it causes acute abdominal pain. It can also be termed as a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that inflicts pain and discomfort. There are four types of IBS based on the combination of diarrhea and constipation, both or none. They are IBS-D, IBS-C, IBS-M, and IBS-U. Depression, anxiety, and chronic fatigue are the other common disorders associated with IBS. This disorder is diagnosed with the study of its symptoms. Symptoms Of IBS-D The symptoms of IBS-D are painful and embarrassing. Most common symptoms that occur in the case of IBS are: Abdominal pain Diarrhea Constipation Frequent and loose stools Nausea Bloating Gassiness Headache Fatigue Causes Of IBS-D The exact causes of IBS-D are still unknown. However, irregularities in the gastrointestinal movements trigger IBS. Intestinal infection, pain, food sensitivity, and genetics are some factors responsible for IBS-D. Excessive consumption of alcohol and substances that cause inflammation are also known to increase the chances of IBS. Home Treatment For IBS-D Add Fiber To Your Diet Including fiber in your diet brings drastic relief with IBS-D. Soluble fibers found in certain food items and vegetables soak up the extra liquid content in your intestines. Hence, it prevents diarrhea. Oatmeal, beans, and certain fruits like apples, strawberries, and grapefruit are excellent sources of soluble fiber. Insoluble fibers help in resolving constipation. Insoluble fibers are mainly found in wheat, bran, and salad greens. Keep yourself well hydrated to help the fiber move swiftly through your body systems. Fiber helps in smooth functioning of the digestive system. Intake of Yogurt Yogurt contains a high amount of active bacteria that help in slowly decreasing diarrhea. Daily intake of yogurt helps in preventing the growth of harmful bacteria which cause IBS-D.

The varicose veins are the blood vessels which carry the blood back from the legs to the heart. Many times you must have noticed the blue gnarled veins under the skin. This could probably be a varicose vein disorder. The National Institute of Health reveals that 60% of men and women suffer from the varicose vein problem. Varicose veins disorder starts with the development of spider veins. The spider veins are the soft red and blue tracing of veins that appear on the skin. They look similar to spider webs. Exposure to the sun breaks down the collagen level and worsens the problem caused by spider veins. The varicose vein disorder can be caused by several factors. Hormone disorders play a big part in the occurrence of varicose vein disorder. Birth control pills, puberty, menopause, pregnancy, and the consumption of estrogen and progesterone result in the weakening of vein valves. In pregnant women, blood circulation is increased to make sufficient blood available for the mother and fetus. This causes the veins to bulge. Sitting for longer time intervals on thighs obstructs the blood return to the heart. Generally, the varicose veins that arise during pregnancy subside after three months of delivery. Standing for long hours, aging, and excess weight gain are other causes of the varicose veins. There are many medications and treatments for varicose veins. Luckily, varicose vein treatment doesn’t involve bed rest and hospital stay. This is because varicose vein treatment involves less invasive procedures. Varicose vein treatment methods Sclerotherapy A solution that closes the varicose veins is injected into the varicose veins. The varicose veins fade in a couple of weeks. This varicose vein treatment isn’t painful and can be administered without anesthesia. Foam sclerotherapy A foam solution is injected into the larger veins to close the vein.

The total cholesterol or the total blood cholesterol is a measure of HDL cholesterol level, LDL cholesterol level, and other lipid components. Total cholesterol is not actually a type of cholesterol but a composite of the different types of cholesterol. Twenty percent of the triglyceride level plus the LDL and HDL cholesterol level score gives the total cholesterol score of a person. For anyone who is over the age of 20, cholesterol levels should be checked every five years to keep a track record of health. The test that used to screen the cholesterol levels is known as the lipid profile, and it is recommended by experts that women above the age of 45 years and men above the age of 35 years should get frequent screenings done to check for lipid disorders. The risk for heart disease is determined on the basis of the total cholesterol number by a doctor who can devise a medical health plan to lower the risk. Overall, regular routine checkups, an active lifestyle, and a clean diet with the minimum intake of triglycerides are said to help maintain healthy cholesterol levels. The aspects covered under the lipoprotein profile include the following. Total cholesterol LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, more famously known as “bad” cholesterol) HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, more commonly known as “good” cholesterol) Triglycerides (fats that are carried into the blood from the food that is consumed. Too much of alcohol, sugar or calories in the body get converted to triglycerides that are stored in the fat cells throughout the body.) The test report shows all cholesterol levels in a measure of milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). Total cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol are one of the many factors that are considered by a doctor to predict a 10-year risk assessment or a lifetime risk assessment in terms of heart disease like heart attacks or strokes.

Shingles is a disorder is also known as herpes zoster. It’s a viral infection that leads to a rash. One in three people in the country develops shingles at some point in their lifetime. The underlying cause of shingles is the VZV or the Varicella zoster virus. This is the same as the virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox in your childhood, shingles virus could be in your system. But it is likely that the virus would be in an inoperative state. It is also possible that the virus reactivates at a later point of time and forms a shingles rash. Risk of developing shingles increases with your age. Around half of people who develop shingles are over 50 years of age. While the rash could show up in any part of the body, it is likely to affect smaller areas. The first symptom of shingles is the pain. After a couple of days of onset of pain, a rash might appear over the afflicted section. Fluid-filled blisters might appear along with the rash. Some other symptoms that accompany with shingles include: Fever Over-sensitivity towards the light Tiredness Here are the top 3 shingles treatments. Taking a soothing bath This is one of the easiest and top 3 shingles treatments. By cleaning the blisters every day, you can reduce the risk of spreading the infection. A cool bath or a shower would also work towards soothing the irritated skin. While this reduces pain, it helps reduce the itchiness as well. You could devise a soothing bath for healing and treatment of shingles. Put 1 or 2 cups of cornstarch into lukewarm water. Let it soak for 15-20 minutes. Avoid hot water. This might worsen the shingles rash by increasing blood flow. After the bath, dry your body well.

We grew up hearing the about benefits of drinking a lot of water. Not only does it keep us hydrated, but it also keeps our bodily functions running smoothly. Water also flushes out the harmful toxins from the body via urination. Urinating frequently is usually a good sign. It helps you keep away from the diseases, but the constant urge to urinate and frequent trips to the toilet can become annoying. What is frequent urination? Frequent urination is the urge to pass more urine than usual, more often than usual. Frequent urination can be an irritating interruption to your daily routine, your sleep quality, and can also be a sign of more serious medical problems. Many people live with the problem of frequent urination. When someone urinates more than 3 liters in a day, it’s called polyuria. How do you identify if you have an overactive bladder? Your bladder can store up to 400-600 milliliters of urine. A healthy person visits the toilet between four to eight times in the day, and once at night. But, if you have the urge to visit the toilet more often than mentioned, or are unable to hold back your urine, and experience leakage during urination, or if you are urinating several times during the night, then you should immediately consult a doctor to diagnose your condition. How to stop frequent urination? The nature of treatment for frequent urination depends upon two factors: If the diagnosis indicates that you may have diabetes mellitus, then the treatment would aim to regulate and control your high blood sugar levels. In case of a bacterial kidney infection, the treatment would include either painkiller therapy or antibiotics. However, if you’re suffering from an acute case of overactive bladder, then medication such as an anticholinergic might be recommended. These would ultimately stop the abnormal and involuntary bladder muscle contractions from happening.

Estrogen is an important hormone that supports the growth of the female anatomy and helps regulate menstruation. When menopause sets in, the ovaries are unable to produce enough estrogen and as a result, the vaginal health deteriorates. This makes the vaginal wall drier, less elastic, and thinner. This condition is medically referred to as vaginal atrophy and generically called as vaginal dryness. Today, let’s take a look at methods of vaginal dryness treatments and how they work to fix the associated symptoms. Lubricants/moisturizers Lubricants, either in the form of a gel or liquid, can be applied to your vagina or the penis of your partner while having intercourse. This is a type of vaginal dryness treatments that is mostly used to provide relief from irritation or pain while having sexual intercourse by providing ample moisture to the vaginal lining. These can be procured from pharmacies and local stores without any prescription. Depending on their composition, there are four types of lubricants: Oil-based: Petroleum jelly, mineral oils, baby oils Water-based: K-Y Jelly, Summer’s Eve, FemGlide Silicon-based: Durex, Pure Pleasure, Pink Natural: Jojoba oil, aloe oil, coconut oil In case your vaginal dryness has become a constant irritant, which extends beyond painful sexual intercourse, vaginal moisturizers may be a more effective solution. These have a more long-lasting effect in comparison to lubricants and can be reapplied after regular intervals. Similar to lubricants, vaginal moisturizers are also available to the stores and you can buy them without a doctor’s prescription. Some well-known moisturizers for vaginal dryness treatment are Moist Again, K-Y Liquibeads, and Replens. One is, however, advised to not use oil-based lubricants, as these are known to cause the breaking of latex condoms during intercourse. Diet Studies have shown that low dose estrogens—phytoestrogens—that are found in certain herbs and foods can alleviate the symptoms of a dry vagina.

The A1C tests are performed to track the blood sugar levels in a person’s bloodstream. It is widely known to be the standard measure of diabetes and prediabetes. It’s carried out to determine the patient’s blood sugar levels, and so that they can be given the right treatment. The term ‘lower A1C levels’ means to lower your blood sugar levels. There are a number of measures that you can take to keep your body’s blood glucose levels low.. This article will point out the various ways through which you can lower A1C Levels and protect yourself. The Different Ways To Lower A1C Levels There are a large number of ways a person can lower their blood sugar or blood glucose levels. Here are a few of them: Plan ahead A plan to lower A1C levels is a plan to lower the amount of glucose that’s flowing into your bloodstream. You need to make a plan well in advance and stick to the plan. A plan to manage your blood sugar level must be well-rounded and target every aspect of your health that could result in your blood sugar rising. It won’t just include a list of foods that you should eat and shouldn’t eat, it’ll also include when you should eat these foods, in what quantity, what precautions to take, and so on. In addition to this, you need to carefully manage your weight. If you’re overweight or suffer from obesity, you’ll need to be doubly careful to ensure you bring your weight into a healthy range. A proper physical balance is essential and goes a long way towards lower A1C Levels. Diabetes medical plan A diabetes medical plan will include a large number of details such as the emergency numbers of doctors and nursing homes that must be contacted in case an emergency arises.

Bloated stomach is an unusual swelling that is noticed in the abdominal area due to the presence of gas. The stomach or the abdomen appears to project out of normal proportions. It also seems to be hard and is usually accompanied by cramps. You may also experience pain or growling in the abdomen area because of the bloating. This kind of pain is usually sharp and can change its’ locations quickly, i.e., at one point in time, you may experience pain in the stomach. However, after some time the pain may shift to your back, and you may experience chest pain. Some of the common causes of stomach bloating include overeating, weight gain, heartburn, constipation, visceral fat, ovarian cancer, irregular diet, dehydration, hormonal changes, infection, and gastric distension. There are many bloating stomach relief medications and treatments available. The suitable bloating stomach relief may depend upon the bloating one experiences and the relevant cause of it. Bloating Stomach Relief Methods • Probiotics : Probiotics are referred to as good bacteria, i.e., friendly bacteria present in the digestive system which help in killing off the bad bacteria. This, in turn, may be the source of stomach bloating in the first place. These probiotics are available in supplement form and are also present in foods like yogurt, coconut water, sourdough bread, sauerkraut, and probiotic chocolate. They are an effective way for bloating stomach relief. • Drink Luke Warm Lemon Water : Every morning after you get up, make it a habit of drinking lukewarm water with lemon on an empty stomach. It is one home remedy that will help you get away with bloating and the pain that follows. The lemon water contains acidity level that helps produce hydrochloric acid, an acid that helps in breaking down the food we eat. That means more the food breaks, less the bloating.

If your teenage daughter is moaning over her zits, wondering how to get rid of pimples and acne, you should help her find the best adult acne treatments. Adult acne is not an incurable condition. It is treatable, and with proper skin care and adult acne treatment, she can still have a blemish free face. And, yes, men can suffer from adult acne too. Adult Acne If you like numbers, a recent study revealed that around 50.9% of women in their 20s, and 42.5% of men in the same age group, suffer from adult acne. Women suffer more because of their menstrual cycles and periodic hormonal fluctuations. Adult Acne Causes In adults, acne occurs more around the mouth and jawline rather than the upper part of the face. Adult acne treatment includes creams that are specific for the skin type and other factors. However, what worked in your teens may not work on the breakouts you suffer from in your 20s. The Various Causes Hormonal Imbalances In both men and women, mainly hormonal fluctuations cause acne. As women have to go through monthly menstrual cycles, their hormones suffer from more chaos. Male hormones, called androgens , increase the production of skin oil. Overproduction of sebum can result in blocked pores and eventually breakouts. Stress Can Cause Acne When your body is stressed, your adrenal gland releases cortisol , and along with it, a little testosterone . So, there is an increased chance for blocked pores and breakouts. Have a Sweet Tooth? Don’t Indulge It If you crave sweets, the spike in sugar levels also raises insulin levels. Studies have shown that insulin, just like androgen hormones, can increase the production of skin oils, creating blocked pores and acne. Some Food Items Chocolates, nuts and other specific foods, might trigger acne breakout in certain individuals.

If you are like most, then you are in college or stuck at a 9-5 and simply can’t concentrate on your diet to incorporate enough proteins into it. Buying food from outside to meet your daily protein requirements isn’t a practical solution, and you aren’t in the position to start cooking your own food. If you belong to that category of people, protein powder is the thing for you. You can avail all the necessary proteins for bodybuilding using a drink or shake. However, it is important you choose the best protein powder on the market. Read on to know why: What is the role that proteins play in muscle formation? Proteins are composed of amino acids which are responsible for several processes including building, repairing and even maintaining your muscle tissues. Proteins contain high levels of Oxygen, Hydrogen, and Carbon and most important Nitrogen. Like how nitrogen (or nitrous) can speed up cars in a drag race, nitrogen plays a similar role when it comes to muscle formation as well. When you’re having sufficient amounts of protein, you have an ideal nitrogen balance (also referred to as a positive balance). This puts your body in the anabolic state (which is optimal for building muscles). On the other hand, insufficient consumption of proteins results in a negative or an unideal nitrogen balance. This is the birth of the catabolic state. In this case, your body gains energy right from your muscles. It’s analogous to self-destruction; all that effort you put at the gym, all those times you choose to lift a dumbbell over your Xbox controller, will go in vain. In addition to all those vital functions that proteins are responsible for, muscle repair is another critical operation that is slowed down in the presence of a low protein content.

The hormone testosterone is responsible for regulating the sex drive in a woman’s body. The production of testosterone increases the blood flow in the female genitalia. This makes it lubricated, plump, and sensitive. A decreased libido can be a result of a number of environmental and physical factors such as stress, hormonal imbalance, or even prescription medicines. Studies show that the instances of a decrease in sex drive are more in women as compared to men. Birth control medicines are also found to be a cause of decreased sex drive in women as the contraceptives alter the natural hormonal balance. There are many ways to improve your sex drive. Read on to find out how to increase libido in women. Try them out to spice up your sex life and give it a boost. Natural Fruits Some fruits such as avocados, figs, and bananas are considered natural sex drive boosters and help increase libido in women. These fruits help maintain a healthy diet, which will help you have a happy and healthy sex life. Fruits rich in vitamin C helps produce collagen in the body, which is responsible for a tight vaginal wall. It also helps maintain blood flow in the body. Broccoli, oranges, and lemons are some foods rich in vitamin C to maintain the collagen levels in the body. De-stress Yourself Stress is one of the most common factors behind a decreased libido and lack of interest in sexual activities. It has been medically proven that stress causes hormonal imbalances in the human body, especially in women, which leads to various problems like PCOS and obesity. The imbalance in the endocrine system leads to a decrease in sexual desires and eventually affects the sex drive. It is important to keep your stress in check and indulge in activities such as relaxation, meditation, and aerobics to keep your body and mind healthy.

Dietary changes to naturally treat amyloidosis Amyloidosis is a condition in which the protein amyloid is excessively produced and gathers in the organs. Till date, there is no known cure for this condition; there are, however, many ways to successfully manage this condition naturally. Here are some dietary changes you can make to successfully treat amyloidosis the natural way. Limit salt intake The heart and the kidneys are two organs that suffer major damage from amyloidosis. With this condition, the heart loses its ability to move and circulate blood efficiently. The kidneys lose their ability to retain sufficient protein. These problems can lead to swelling in the body. This swelling becomes most prominent in the hands and feet. A diet that is heavy in salt can worsen the patient’s health. It is always recommended to follow a diet that is low in salt to minimize the damage from swelling. Apart from adding less salt to your food, you would need to minimize your intake of processed snacks and pickles that are high in salt. Limit bowel irritants For those who have bowel problems as part of amyloidosis, doctors recommend limiting the intake of caffeinated beverages like coffee. On the other hand, certain research indicates that tea may have beneficial properties for the digestive tract in people suffering from this condition. Amyloidosis patients also need to minimize intake of spices. Avoid over-drinking water While we often focus on the issue of dehydration and drinking less water, only a few realize the opposite problem that may occur when people drink too much water. For patients suffering from amyloidosis, drinking excess quantities of water can worsen any swelling in the hands and feet. In fact, for people suffering from cardiac amyloidosis, the daily intake of water should not exceed one and a half liters at the most.