Allergic reactions affect everyone. Kids, infants, and toddlers are no exceptions. Your child could suffer from any of the numerous allergies. Identify the trigger, and consult with your pediatrician to find the right treatment. What are allergic reactions? Allergic reactions are the first signs of the body’s defense mechanism, kickstarting its work. The immune system releases a chemical called histamine which stimulates the body to display signals in the form of allergic reactions like—sneezing, running nose, rashes, etc. Histamine might help the body block or kick out invasive substances, but severe allergic reactions can be harmful. That is why people with allergies are prescribed antihistamines, which suppress the reactions caused by histamines. Allergies in kids Allergic reactions in kids can include skin symptoms like hives and rashes. These are caused by allergens like insect stings, animal dander, etc. Allergies can also manifest themselves in the form of respiratory symptoms like—blocked nose, itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing. Severe reactions can trigger anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. Some common allergic reactions: Rashes or hives Itchy skin Bumpy, inflamed red spots Sneezing Running nose Nasal congestion Coughing Itchy, watery eyes Wheezing If the reaction is severe, and it develops into anaphylaxis, you might notice these symptoms: Swollen throat, tongue or face Dizziness Cramps, nausea, and vomiting Diarrhoea Your child may even become unconscious If you notice any of these severe symptoms, emergency medical attention is required, so rush your child to a hospital. Kids allergy relief Consult your pediatrician about your kid’s allergies, and try to identify the common triggers. Once you find what causes the reaction, do your best to keep your child away from triggers. Knowing the best kids allergy relief is of utmost importance. If your pet is causing allergies: You may have to consider giving your pets away If the allergy is not severe, you could give the pets frequent wash and brush to keep them free of dander Limit the contact the child has with animals If insect bites cause an allergic reaction:

If your body is functioning well and you are able to completely relieve yourself in the toilet every morning, everything goes well. However, if you are constipated, or if you are left feeling uneasy and bloated throughout the day, you have a problem. This also affects your general mood and work. Americans are reputed to spend more than $1 Billion each year on laxatives. So, if you suffer from constipation, you are not alone. Don’t fret. There are natural ways to stimulate your bowels and get the system functioning properly. Try these before you start searching for OTC laxatives. How to Treat Constipation: Simple Tricks to Try First If you are looking to how to treat constipation, put your feet up on a small stool while sitting on the toilet seat. This puts your body in a squatting position which is more natural and helpful for bowel movements. Drink a lot of water. Keeping your body hydrated can help in relieving constipation. Schedule regular times each day to go to the loo. This might help to train your system to relieve itself comfortably at those times. After a meal, take a walk. Don’t sit back and watch TV. Even a short walk can help the digestive system start its work, and you may find that eventually, your constipation problem disappears. How to Treat Constipation With Home Remedies If the above simple physical measures do not work, try some natural, food-based home remedies. We’ve picked a few for you. Olive or Sesame Oil Sesame oil and olive oil can act as lubricants in your digestive system, and they also aid in the digestion process. Consume a tablespoon of olive oil or sesame oil in the morning. You can also try sesame seeds instead of oil. You can add this flavorful seeds to salads, or add the crushed powder to your daily food as seasoning.

When someone looks at you, what they preferably look at first is your eyes, face or even smile. But your hair is the most distinguished part of your face and defines how you look. Hair is an essential part of your body that compliments your personality, and overall looks. More healthy the hair growth, more elegance it adds to your appearance. But sometimes due to stress, lack of vitamins, genetics, hormonal imbalance and other environmental factors, people suffer hair loss. Hair loss can take away your confidence and even add make you look dull. But as sayings go, there is a solution for everything. Nothing is impossible, and you just need to find the right remedies that can improve your situation. Vitamins—the best solution for treating hair loss, as it can fill in the deficiencies, that your body requires. Our lifestyle and eating habits are not good enough because of work pressure, hectic life and people adapting themselves to the unhealthy junk food. All of this leads to lack of vitamins that are necessary for proper functioning of the body. Vitamins not only help fill in the requirement of the body but also help in hair growth. There are certain vitamins that help in hair growth. You should consume these vitamins regularly before you go all in for other artificial methods for hair growth. They can sometimes lead to other unwanted side effects. Best Hair Growth Vitamins The best vitamins that would accelerate hair growth are: Vitamin A : Vitamin A is an essential vitamin that helps in increasing the cell count, which in turn helps in accelerating hair growth. Vitamin A generates sebum, which is natural oil in the scalp area, which provides the hair, the shining quality and keeps the hair from drying. Vitamin A should be included in your diet, but make sure that you consume it in limits because consuming an excess of the vitamin can lead to hair loss.

If you’ve experienced the unpleasant irritation of restless leg syndrome, you know how hard it is to manage. Home remedies for restless leg syndrome are the best option to get you a good night’s sleep. Restless leg syndrome is a neurological syndrome that causes an uncontrollable and irresistible need to move the legs. It is also called Willis-Ekbom disease and the attacks usually occur while the person is trying to sleep. Occasionally, the arms may also be affected but in most cases, this syndrome affects only the legs. Restless leg syndrome can be chronic, with periods of relative ease and no symptoms. Home remedies for restless leg syndrome is a great way to manage this long-term condition. These remedies are often combined with medications and therapy for a more holistic approach to treat the chronic condition. Symptoms Of Restless Leg Syndrome The characteristic symptom of restless leg syndrome is an urge to move the legs due to apparent feelings of discomfort or pain. The strange sensations subside when the legs are moved and resume when the legs are at rest. The sensations have been described as an ‘itch you can’t scratch’ deep in the legs. This symptom can occur with varying severity in different people, from a mild annoyance to cause major disruptions to a person’s life. This sensation is alleviated with movement and worsened with rest. Symptoms typically occur at night and not during the day. Causes Of Restless Leg Syndrome Most cases of restless leg syndrome have no discernable cause. This is known as idiopathic or primary restless leg syndrome. In 20% of cases, the condition is caused by an iron deficiency. Kidney failure is another common cause. This is called secondary restless leg syndrome. Restless leg syndrome also tends to worsen during pregnancy. Treatment for Restless Leg Syndrome The first step to treat a restless leg syndrome is to identify any underlying cause.

There can be many causes for swollen fingers, but when it occurs, it causes a lot of pain and discomfort. It becomes difficult to flex and move your fingers. Even simple tasks like picking up a pen, or writing becomes difficult. Swelling can occur due to injuries, allergies and also as symptoms of other diseases like arthritis. It can also be because of fluid retention. Blunt force injuries, injuries that cause a hematoma, a condition in which packets of blood accumulate outside the blood vessels after a finger trauma. Injuries can also occur if a thorn, a wood splitter or if other foreign objects penetrate your skin. Strains, fractures, sprains and other traumatic injuries on the hand, can also cause swollen fingers. Other causes may include – Animal bites on the finger can cause wounds and swelling. Insect bites and stings can also trigger finger inflammation. Tight gloves, rings that have become a tight fit on your finger, and other such constrictions can interrupt blood flow and cause swelling. Paronychia and Cellulitis are infections that can occur in the region of the hands and fingers, and cause swelling and pain. Septic Arthritis is caused by bacterial infection in the joints. This can also affect finger joints. Septic Bursitis can be another main cause. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs near your joints. These cushion the muscles, tissues, and tendons and prevent friction in the joint regions. When there is inflammation of the bursae, it is called bursitis. Bursitis in your finger joints can be extremely painful. Lymphedema is a condition, where the Lymph fluid does not drain out of your body properly and starts collecting in places like your feet and hands. This can lead to the swelling of your hands and fingers. Heat can cause blood vessels to expand, leading to inflammation, redness, and soreness in the fingers and hands.

What is Blood Pressure? Blood pressure is the force that transports blood through our circulatory system. It is a life force which pushes oxygen and nutrients around our circulatory system to feed tissues and organs. Blood pressure is also important because it distributes white blood cells and antibodies for immunity, and hormones such as insulin. The fresh blood that gets delivered also gathers the toxic waste products of metabolism along with the carbon dioxide we breathe out, and the toxins we clear through our liver and kidneys. The heart builds up blood pressure by pumping out blood when it contracts with every heartbeat. Biology Our blood pressure is highest at the commencement of its journey from our heart, and it is lowest at the end of its journey along smaller branches of arteries. That pressure difference is what causes blood to flow around our bodies. The condition of the arteries effect on the blood pressure and flow. What does Blood Pressure Values denote? Measurement of your blood pressure will give two readings. Your blood pressure will have two numbers, e.g., 120/80 mm. Hg. The number which appears on the left-hand side, being the highest number, is called systolic. The number which appears on the right-hand side, being the lowest number, is called diastolic. Systolic blood pressure denotes the highest pressure registered during the time your heart pushes the blood in your body system. Diastolic blood pressure denotes the lowest pressure registered, at the moment your heart rests between beats. Which number is more important? Typically, systolic blood pressure (the left side number) poses the main risk agent for cardiovascular disease for people over 50. In most people, systolic blood pressure rises incrementally with age due to the increasing rigidity of arteries. Blood Pressure Chart The blood pressure chart maps out levels of blood pressure at different times.

Prevention is better than cure, as the saying goes. There are steps one can take that might help prevent osteoporosis instead of having to treat it later. And should on already have it, he or she can still follow these steps to help reverse the disease. These include the following: Avoid having carbonated drinks. Champagne or any sort of fizzy drink causes calcium to seep out of your bones. The phosphate content in carbonated drinks increases the loss of the bone. Avoid too much of protein. It causes excess acidity which in turn leads to calcium being leached out of your body through your urine. Don’t block your stomach acids with drugs when you have a heartburn or hiatal hernia. Stomach acid helps absorb minerals that are significant for the well-being of the body including calcium. Acid blocking agents are to be taken for a few weeks, not for years together. Avoid caffeine. Studies say that with every cup of coffee, 150 mg of calcium leeches out of your body through your urine. If you have to have coffee, ensure you have an additional 150 mg of calcium every day. Make sure you take in the right kind of calcium. Tums, for instance, is a bad source of calcium because it has calcium hydroxyapatite which is not absorbed well and it decreases stomach acid. Remember, your body can absorb a maximum of 500 mg of calcium only at a time. Make sure you get some exposure to sunlight every now and then. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium and helps deposit it in the bones. Check your hormones regularly. In women, a decline in hormones after menopause leads to bone loss. In men, the equivalent of menopause is called andropause and it causes bone loss as well. Too much of cortisol, insulin, and parathyroid hormones are also culprits in bone loss.

Histamine is a chemical that triggers allergic reactions in the body as the immune system’s way of defending the body against foreign matter. It triggers symptoms like a scratchy throat, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Most allergy medications contain antihistamines to combat the symptoms. Apart from medications, certain foods contain nutrients that act as natural antihistamines and may help ease allergies. Here are a few foods that can help combat allergies. Vitamin C Among all natural antihistamines, vitamin C is one of the most effective ones when it comes to dealing with allergy symptoms. The vitamin also boosts the immune system as foods that contain it have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Adding foods like oranges, lemon, lime, kiwi fruit, and cantaloupe melon to the diet can help relieve allergy symptoms. Bromelain Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and is often useful for alleviating inflammation and swelling of the sinuses due to allergies. It also helps treat respiratory distress caused by allergic reactions. Bromelain is available as a supplement, but it is also naturally present in pineapples. That said, it is recommended to have pineapples in moderation as the fruit also contains histamine. Probiotics This is another highly beneficial group of foods that act as natural antihistamines. Foods with probiotics are good for the immune system and may also help ease allergy symptoms. Probiotic foods contain healthy microbes and are good for gut health and the digestive system. Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso are a few probiotics that can help soothe allergies like allergic rhinitis. Quercetin Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonoid that is commonly found in apples and onions. This natural antihistamine can alleviate respiratory distress that may occur due to allergic reactions. Dietary sources of this enzyme also include honey, raspberries, red grapes, cherries, green leafy vegetables, and citrus fruits. Quercetin is also available in the form of supplements.

Halitosis is the medical term used for the condition we commonly know as bad breath. It is also termed as Fetor Oris, where fetor refers to an unpleasant odor emanating from an individual. The condition may cause embarrassment in social situations, lead to increased anxiety and become a thought-irritant, playing constantly on your mind. Depending on the symptoms and the underlying cause, halitosis could occur as a singular incident – an acute condition or could persist over a longer period in a chronic form. It is the third most common reason for you to visit your dentist, the first being tooth decay and second, gum disease. Symptoms Of Bad Breath Bad breath goes unnoticed until someone comes nearby and points out the condition. When people around you – friends, relative, colleagues, start maintaining a physical distance it may be because of bad breath. Other signs may include: · An unpleasant/sour taste · Dry mouth · Changes in taste · Tongue coating Causes Of Bad Breath The condition of halitosis is one which all of us have to suffer through at some time. For some, it may cause significant distress and psychological anguish. Causes of Fetor Oris or bad breath include: · Food – A primary reason for bad odor from the mouth is food. Food stuck in the teeth, or its breakdown chemicals are often the cause of bad breath. · Dry Mouth –When the body fails to produce enough saliva; as a result, the mouth goes dry, and odors build up. · Tobacco – Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave breakdown chemicals in the mouth that carry their distinct odor. Smoking can also lead to other bad-breath causes like gum diseases or oral cancers. · Poor Dental Hygiene – To ensure that no food particle is left behind in the mouth, brushing and flossing the teeth is recommended for a good oral health.

Seasonal allergies and chronic breathing disorders that trigger inflammation or irritation are a recurring nuisance. However, they are treatable, and medications help control the symptoms to some extent. But besides medicines, you can also manage these conditions using several home remedies prepared with the following foods and condiments. Ginger Since inflammation is the number one symptom of most allergies, ginger is the perfect choice to counter the discomfort. It has anti-inflammatory pain-relief properties and can be used in various beverages and everyday meals. Having ginger tea or adding its extracts to your daily foods can help alleviate the symptoms significantly. The spice is readily available and has a long shelf life when refrigerated. Turmeric Turmeric is a popular ingredient used to prepare home remedies in many cultures. Its active ingredient is curcumin, a compound rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric helps alleviate the discomforts associated with different nasal allergies that trigger inflammation of the airways. It also has anti-allergic properties that counter the irritation and swelling associated with allergic rhinitis. Spicy condiments Spices are natural allergy medicines. They help break up congestion, allowing the thick mucus to flow freely. This helps clear your sinuses and nasal passage for better breathing and sense of smell. Hot mustard, anise, fennel, and horseradish are some of the best spicy foods that help clear the stuffiness. But what gives spices this property? Most spicy condiments contain capsaicin, the active ingredient that stimulates decongestion. You can observe this effect after tasting a bit of wasabi or horseradish. Your eyes would start watering, and the liquid from the nasal passage would get cleared. Thus, including a bit of heat or spice can help with congestion and pain relief. Tomatoes Citrus-rich fruits like tomatoes (yes, tomato is a fruit!) are loaded with both vitamin C and allergy-fighting compounds.

Cancer becomes harder to manage with each passing day. It impacts patients both physically and psychologically, making every day a battle. While it’s impossible to say which type of cancer impacts the worst, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is among the trickiest ones. This is because the disease is rare and isn’t treated like other types of cancer. Chemo and targeted drugs are two major treatment options, although both have painful side effects. Fortunately, you can manage GIST yourself and lower its consequences. Here are five tips that can help you. Eat smaller meals Digestion often becomes difficult after having surgery for GIST. However, you cannot skip eating either, as your body needs nutrition to heal. One way to address the problem is to lower the portion size of your meals. So instead of having three large meals in a day, break it down into 5-6 smaller meals. Avoid sugary foods and add more protein Sugary foods can increase acidity that might worsen symptoms. Proteins and carbohydrates, meanwhile, will have the opposite effect. Therefore, it makes sense to add more protein sources to your diet. That said, consult your doctor or dietitian before adding or subtracting foods from your diet. Don’t forget to exercise Cancer is definitely tiring and might make you feel fatigued. Staying in bed, though, is not the right thing to do as the condition will lead to emotional distress. Exercise will lift your spirits that can help your body recover faster. Begin with light exercise, and don’t increase the intensity without consulting your doctor. Get enough rest Compromising on sleep can adversely affect your symptoms. So ensure that you get at least eight hours of sleep at night. If possible, try and squeeze in a short nap in the afternoon as well. Seek help if you’re stressed Cancer is an extremely serious disorder that takes a toll on your physical and mental health.

Asthma and its triggers For people who suffer from asthma, one of their biggest nightmares is to come across asthma triggers. There are many common asthma triggers and each affects patients differently. Here are some triggers that may surprise you: Mold Breathing in mold can trigger an asthma episode. Inspect your house regularly for the growth of mold. Depending on the humidity and moisture in the air, mold can grow in various places. A dehumidifier or an air conditioner is one of the best ways to keep humidity under control. Additionally, you can also use a hygrometer so that the humidity levels don’t go higher than 50%. It is also recommended to fix the water leaks, which may lead to the growth of mold behind walls or under floors. Smoke exuded from burning plants The smoke that comes from plants or burning wood is made up of very small particles and harmful gases. When you breathe in too much of this smoke, you can get an asthma attack. It is one of the most common triggers that only a few know about. Avoid wood-burning entirely and if a wildfire causes poor quality of air in the area, keep a check on the news to avoid those areas. Physical infections Physical infections can also trigger asthma. These may be triggers associated with influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and even cold. Additionally, allergies, sinus infections, and acid reflux can result in an asthma attack as well. In some cases, external physical factors can be the main trigger for asthma. This may include bad weather, high humidity, or even thunderstorms. Medicines There are certain medicines which may trigger your asthma. It is recommended to avoid the use of over-the-counter medicines as much as possible. However, if you want to consume certain medications, consult your physician and take their opinion.