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.

A short-term increase in the body temperature is referred in medical terms as pyrexia. Commonly known as fever, it is a common occurrence in both adults and children. As the temperature of your body becomes higher than the normal temperature, it becomes indicative of an underlying illness which may be an infection in some part of the body such as the throat or stomach. Having high fever is an important sign that some changes are occurring in the body. The temperature of our body is regulated by the hypothalamus which is present at the base of the brain. The state of fever is experienced by almost every human being at some point of time irrespective of sex or age. Many medical experts are of the opinion that fever is a natural defense of the body against infection. Relevant treatment for fever is recommended by medical experts after assessing the symptoms carefully and conducting certain diagnostic tests. Causes of high fever in adults Diseases such as malaria, upper and lower respiratory tract infections or flu, cold, bacterial infections, gastrointestinal infections, urinary tract infections or skin infections etc Excessive heat exposure Abnormalities in the brain or malignant tumors Disease of the endocrine which is associated with a hormonal or glandular system of the body Inflammation caused by tissue injury Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis which is the inflammation of the lining of joints Side effects of certain medicines Common symptoms High fever comes with a lot of physical discomforts. It is only after adequate treatment for the fever that you can feel better. High fever is typically characterized by a rise in oral temperature as it soars above 100°F (37.8°C) to touch 103°F. Temperature in adults can be measured with a thermometer placed under the tongue. General symptoms that accompany high fever include:

Probiotics are ideal for resolving the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. These symptoms include bloating, abdominal pain, and bowel movements. Probiotics contain microorganisms that supplement the natural bacteria of the intestine. What are probiotics and IBS? Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) refers to a common ailment of the intestine which is quite challenging to treat. It is characterized by diarrhea, constipation, or a combination of both. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, protruding belly, and excretion of abnormally hard stool. Probiotics help in restoring the balance of the intestinal flora. The natural bacteria of the intestine are supplemented by microorganisms known as probiotics. These probiotics are available as supplements. Probiotics with a strain of bacteria known as Bifidobacterium infantis seem to be the most effective when it comes to resolving symptoms of IBS. Categories of probiotics for treating the symptoms of IBS One cannot only depend on probiotics for treating IBS. They should use it in combination with regular medication before or after following a FODMAP diet. Probiotics are bacteria which are beneficial for our health. There are bacteria in our gut or large intestine known as gut microbiota. These microbiota comprise numerous species of bacteria which are further made up of individual strains. Probiotics can contain a single species or strain or multiple species and strains. It is vital to understand the correlation between the species of bacteria present in your gut and the species that you are consuming. As far as IBS is concerned, the best probiotics are: Bifantis® (Bifidobacterium infantis 35624): This bacteria is supposed to be present in the intestine, and the strain required is 35624. A lot of people don’t have this strain of Bifidobacterium infantis in their large intestine. VSL#3®: This probiotic mixture consists of eight strains including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium infantis, and Lactobacillus casei. Several clinical trials have proved its effectiveness.

If one is looking to identify the early signs of diabetes, it is important to note that diabetes is a metabolic disorder. When the food digested by the body is not properly converted to be used for growth as well as energy, this phenomenon is what triggers diabetes. What are the early signs of diabetes? The early signs of diabetes are generally mild and mostly ignored by most people. A higher than average level of glucose is found in the blood. With type 2 diabetes, there are no significant manifestations until the effects of long-term damage are felt. As far as type 1 diabetes is concerned, there are early manifestations that occur within a couple of days or weeks. The severity is more complicated as well. Early signs that are common to both types of diabetes Hungry or fatigued The glucose needed by the cells come from the food that we eat. The body converts food that we eat into glucose. However, to ensure that the glucose reaches the cells, insulin is required by the body. When the body cannot manufacture enough or any insulin at all, or if the insulin present is resisted by the cells, they don’t get the glucose they need. Thus, leaving one with no energy. This could lead to one to feel more hungry and fatigued. Thirst and frequent urination The frequency of urination for normal people is between 4 and 7 times a day. This frequency goes up much higher in patients who have diabetes. The reason this happens is that there is complete glucose reabsorption by the body when passing through the kidneys in normal cases. The blood sugar levels rise due to diabetes. There is greater urine production by the body, and hence, more fluids are needed by the system. It is a vicious cycle, as one can feel more thirsty and so they drink more water resulting in frequent urination.

Pulmonary embolism is a common cardiovascular disease in the country. When the pulmonary artery in the lungs gets blocked by a blood clot, pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs. The pulmonary artery is responsible for supplying blood to the lungs. Due to the presence of the blood clot, the blood flow gets restricted resulting in decreasing levels of oxygen in the blood. PE is a serious and life-threatening condition that can not only damage a part of the affected person’s lungs but can also cause damage to other organs. According to various medical research reports, almost one-third of patients who have PE pass away because of no treatment or diagnosis. To avoid severe outcomes like permanent damage to the lungs, patients require emergency treatment. By recognizing the symptoms of pulmonary embolism, one can understand when they need to schedule an appointment with the doctor. Symptoms of pulmonary embolism The intensity of the symptoms of this cardiovascular disease can vary depending on the size of the blood clot along with the position where it lodges in the lungs. One of the most common symptoms of PE is shortness of breath. Typically, this symptom appears suddenly and gets worse with exertion. Some of the other symptoms of pulmonary embolism include: Sharp and unexplained chest pain: This pain can slowly extend into the other body parts including the neck, arms, shoulder, and jaw. It can feel like having a heart attack. The pain might get worse with deep breathing, eating, coughing, stooping or bending. With exertion, the pain would get worse. Even while resting, it will not go away completely. Tendency of fainting Excessive anxiety Rapid breathing Bluish or clammy skin Lightheadedness Irregular heartbeat Weak pulse Blood spitting up Restlessness If one notices any of the symptoms mentioned above, especially shortness of breath, they must seek medical attention immediately.

Let’s take a brief look at yeast contagions and other fungi contagions, along with their prevention measures Fungi are everywhere. There are almost a million different species of fungi all over the world. It’s almost a miracle that only a handful of them actually cause humans any form of contagion. Microscopic fungi are often the cause of fungal contagions, and they tend to live in the environment, potentially anywhere. They have only a certain set of requirements to survive. So, it’s almost impossible for us to truly avoid them. Here’s everything you need to know about fungi contagions and most importantly, yeast contagions, probiotics for yeast infections, and other things you can do to prevent these diseases. Syndromes: How it can look or feel Mild fungal contagions can resemble cuts or rashes. If we were to take up the example of ringworm, a skin contagion that is caused by a fungus, you might already be aware of how it looks. Fungal contagion inside the body parts like the lungs can be more serious. It can cause syndromes that may be identical to tuberculosis or flu. These include mild to high fever and coughing. The most common type of fungi contagion is yeast contagion. This generally affects the genitals, and this syndrome is more common in women than it is in men. The syndromes of this contagion include itching, burning, or irritation in the genitals. In women, the itching is felt near the vagina or beside the vulva. Pain or soreness in the genitals is also common, and this pain can also involve burning sensations. In the case of men, the syndrome is generally limited to itching and serious rashes. In women, it can also lead to a white odorless or watery discharge. Swollen skin or redness is also common in both the sexes.

We all go through an average level of stress and hardship every single day. After the day’s workload, everyone needs an average sleep time of 7-8 hours in order to prepare their brain and body for the next day. Our brain has a massive influence on our day-to-day activities and hence training our brain to tolerate the high pressure and stress level is a must in order to succeed in what we do. Although having a well-balanced diet, regular exercises and having plenty of sleep are always the best ways to maintain body energy levels naturally, but with our ever-growing demands of life, these things don’t come into play. Well, there are both natural and artificial substances available in the market that not only benefit our body but these supplements also enhance our thinking capability, focus, and energy and also have a positive effect on our mental performance by restoring the support for memory and recalling pieces of information. Without further discussion, let’s jump into the list of best energy supplements that can boost our energy levels. Caffeine Caffeine is one of the best energy supplements for the body and brain that occurs mainly in tea, coffee, and dark chocolates. Caffeine is best known for stimulating the central nervous system as well as the brain to enhance the energy and alertness of our body. An average amount of 200-400 mg of consumption of caffeine daily can improve our memory, reaction times as well as enhance our general energy levels. Acetyl-L-carnitine It is an amino acid that is considered to be one of the best energy supplements and is produced naturally in our body that plays an important role in maintaining our metabolism as well as producing energy in our body. Moreover, this can decline the slow deterioration of our brain function as well can treat patients with mild Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

A soft waxy substance found among the fats in the bloodstream is known as cholesterol. The main function of cholesterol is to form some hormones, cell membranes, while it is also necessary for some other functions as well. If the cholesterol starts getting deposited in the arteries in the form of plaque it can cause severe health issues like heart attack and blockage in the arteries. Maintaining an unhealthy lifestyle, genetics, smoking, and a lack of physical activity are some causes of rise in bad cholesterol levels. There are two types of cholesterol which are found in a combination of fats and proteins. High density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol Low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol One can control the build-up of bad cholesterol by cutting down on foods which cause a rise in bad cholesterol levels and maintain good cholesterol levels by adding foods and snacks which help in lowering cholesterol levels. Dry fruits: Dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are healthy snacks which help in lowering cholesterol levels as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamin E, and unsaturated fats. Consuming a handful of nuts helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Avocados: Avocados are rich in fiber and unsaturated fats which help in lowering cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and keep the heart healthy. The unsaturated fats destroy the bad cholesterol thus lowering cholesterol levels. Dark chocolate: A heart-healthy snack which helps in lowering cholesterol levels, dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids contain antioxidant properties which help in lowering the build-up of bad cholesterol and helps in preventing heart diseases. Apples: Rich in pectin fiber, apples are a great snack for lowering cholesterol levels. They also contain antioxidant properties which help in lowering LDL or bad cholesterol levels. The bioactive compounds present in apples also help in preventing heart diseases.

You need expert help when a good night’s sleep no longer works – here are the best dark circle treatment options that you may not be aware of. With the fast-paced lives we lead, every meeting drags on for hours, the concept of work-life balance is a myth, and most of our work was due yesterday. In such a situation, it is understandable that our bodies suffer quite as much, and perhaps a little more, than our tired minds. We have all reached a place in our lives where the mirror is full of surprises, and not all pleasant ones either. It is common to see a tired face complete with humongous dark circles staring back at us when we look in the mirror. When a good night’s sleep is not enough to alleviate the dark circles, the need to look for best dark circle treatment options rears its head. Why Do You Have Dark Circles? Most cosmetic solutions available to you are quick-fix ones that serve to reduce the dreadful appearance of dark circles in a marginal and temporary manner. In order to get rid of dark circles for good, it is important for you to understand what is causing the dark circles in the first place. Genetic Anomalies Perhaps the most common cause of dark circles is just bad genetics. If you are fair skinned or have inherited thin skin in the under-eye area, dark circles become more visible and obvious. Lack of sleep causes slow blood circulation, which in turn causes the blood to pool in the area under the eyes. This accumulation results in the stretching and leaking of the fragile capillaries in the under-eye area. And these are the puffy eyes that are making you look for best dark circle treatment options. Seasonal Allergies For some people, seasonal allergies are the culprit.

Statistics show that 1 out of 24 persons are at risk of getting colon cancer. Early diagnosis is paramount for a good prognosis – these are the colon cancer symptoms you should watch out for. Colon cancer is formed due to the growth of cancerous cells inside the large intestine. The longest part of the large intestine is called the colon, and its primary function is to extract water and salt from the solid wastes that exit the body through the rectum to be excreted from the anus. Colon cancer is also termed as rectal cancer, but that depends on where the tumor begins to spread. The inner lining of the colon or rectum is termed as a polyp, it is from here that most colon cancers begin to grow. There are two types of polyps – ‘adenomatous polyps’ (also known as ‘adenomas’, they are sometimes cancerous in nature) and ‘hyperplastic polyps’ (also known as ‘inflammatory polyps’, commonly found but are not pre-cancerous in nature). There are various factors that cause colon cancer such as polyps, mutations in the DNA, family genetics, and diet. These malignant tumors once fully formed then travel through the blood and spread in other body organs. Colon cancer cells continue to grow and multiply instead of experiencing programmed cell death. If the polyps are not removed during colonoscopy, they grow into malignant cancerous cells overtime. Metastasis (spread of the cancerous cells) results in a severe condition where the disease damages and invades the other healthy cells of the body which is extremely difficult to treat successfully. Gradually the uncontrolled growth of colon cancer cells leads to the shutting down of the system functioning, eventually leading to death. Quite often colon cancer symptoms appear after the cancer has begun to spread. Symptoms such as inflammatory or irritable bowels syndrome, infections, hemorrhoids, may be a result of some other illness altogether.

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Knowing the early signs and ovarian cancer symptoms can help you seek treatment at the earliest. When malignant (cancerous) cells are formed in the ovaries, a woman develops ovarian cancer. Although the exact cause of this disease is unknown, it is a life-threatening condition that affects around 23,000 women each year in the United States alone. What makes fighting this disease difficult is that the early signs are easy to overlook. Ovarian cancer symptoms are often mistaken for pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) or other not-so-serious health problems like bowel problems. According to the American Cancer Society, early detection of this cancer happens only around 20 percent of the time. Owing to this reason, the cancer goes undetected often until it has already metastasized to the abdomen and pelvis. If the disease is diagnosed when still limited to the ovaries, it is more likely to be treated successfully. One way in which you can ensure prompt diagnosis when ovarian cancer is still in its initial stage is by keeping an eye out for early ovarian cancer symptoms and signs. For this, you need to know these symptoms, and if you notice any changes in your body that are persistent, consult a doctor immediately to determine whether they are ovarian cancer symptoms or something else. Here are five of the early ovarian cancer symptoms and signs that you should watch out for. 1. Abdominal bloating and constipation Any bloating and constipation are generally disregarded as a stomach upset or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). If these signs are occurring around the time of your period, you may tend to brush them off as PMS signs. However, if these symptoms occur more than a few times a month and particularly if you are above the age of 40 years, a gynecologist visit may be the right thing to do.

Though the human body’s immune system is strong enough to keep malicious agents at bay, it sometimes fails in protecting the body from an onset of ailments caused by bacteria and viruses. Many times, people develop allergies to certain things that, though harmless, can incite severe reactions from people. One such relatively harmless by-product of nature are pollens, but the number of people allergic to pollen is quite high. Around 30% of the total adults and 40% of the child population in the US are allergic to pollen. What is pollen allergy? Pollen allergy is an airborne infection that triggers symptoms such as continuous sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, nasal congestion, etc. Pollen is a harmless powder that is produced by trees, flowers, plants, grasses, weeds, etc. Its purpose is to fertilize other plants of the same species. Even though these pollens are considered harmless, when they come in contact with the body’s immune system, it mistakes it for lethal invaders and produces chemicals that fight these pollens. This allergic reaction triggered by the overdrive of the immune system indicates that the person is allergic to pollen. Home remedies for people allergic to pollen Certain medications help in reducing the severity of pollen allergy. However, if the individual isn’t keen on taking medications, they can always opt for home remedies that treat pollen allergy. Here are some effective home remedies that can aid people who are allergic to pollen. Butterbur Butterbur is one of the most effective methods used to treat people who are allergic to pollen. Butterbur is a traditional herb that is known to cure a variety of ailments, such as fever, ulcers, stomach pain, cough, hay fever, etc. Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it can provide a cure for those allergic to pollen. Butterbur extract helps to keep pollen allergy at bay by controlling the symptoms of pollen allergy.