A form of inflammatory arthritis caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood, gout can be extremely painful and difficult to manage. It manifests when the uric acid forms sharp splinter like crystals within joints. There are numerous phases of gout. Some symptoms of this hard to manage disease include extreme pain in various parts of the body including the joints and ears, severe tenderness, excessive redness, and swelling. Gout is common and is associated with the lack of exercise, genetic disorders or an excessive consumption of protein. It can also be caused by extreme stress. Studies recently show gout can be considered a precursor to other illnesses like heart disease and kidney disorders. It is important to understand how it develops and what are the phases of gout. Hence, we present the stages of gout along with some easy gout remedies that can help with managing the pain with ease anywhere. Asymptomatic Hyperuricemia Asymptomatic hyperuricemia is the first phase of the initial stages of gout. There are no indications or symptoms during the manifestation of this stage. This stage is where uric acid predominantly begins to crystallize around the joints. The body has high levels of uric acid. This level of gout can be managed by implementing some easy gout remedies at home. Drink a couple of spoons of unfiltered apple cider vinegar with a teaspoon of honey and a wedge of lime mixed in water. Apple cider vinegar is highly acidic and helps relieve pain and balances out the high levels of uric acid. Adding a teaspoon of honey helps reduce inflammation as honey acts as a natural anti-inflammatory. Mix this combination in water and add a wedge of lime so your body recovers any electrolytes that it lost and stays hydrated. Spontaneous Gout Attack This is the second stage of gout.

Pain management doctors are physicians who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating each type of pain. These doctors, because of their advanced training, treat almost every type of pain, from acute pain in the legs to pain related to cancer. They are also well versed with treating chronic pain lasting for three months or more. Chronic pain is not easy to diagnose and the patients suffering from chronic pain need one or more than one therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. Sometimes, it takes months, or even years, for the treatment to show results, and the patients need to take care throughout their lives. There are various types of pain that a pain management doctor treats, such as those listed here: Nerve pain Hip pain Neck pain Sciatica Arthritis Knee pain Lower back pain Fibromyalgia Head pain and migraines Complex regional pain syndrome What is the role of pain management doctors? For treating the pain of a patient, every doctor has to go through various steps in the treatment procedure. These are as follows: Diagnose the cause of the pain : This is the first step in the treatment process that diagnoses the exact cause of the pain and the conditions that lead to it. It is not easy to diagnose the reason behind the pain. Pain in the lower back may arise due to many conditions. For example, the musculoskeletal nature of pain can be attributed to long hours of sitting on the working desk or exercising in excess. In this pain, your forward-leaning head puts pressure on the neck, and this causes pain in the bottom of the back. Lower back pain may occur due to spinal stenosis and may relate to sciatica. In addition to that, it may also occur due to arthritis and degenerative disc disease.

Arthritis has no age limit. Various people around the world suffer from this condition, irrespective of their age. Some studies show that even children at a very young age are prone to some forms of this disease. When this condition worsens, it can lead to some disability in the patient. Therefore, early prevention through exercise, diet plans, etc. is the best way to keep this dreadful condition at bay. It is saddening that some people suffer from this condition despite taking due care and caution. Did you know that you can minimize arthritis pain with knee braces? If you didn’t know about this, here is some detailed information about knee braces and how they could be your savior. The first thing that you need to know is that these knee braces for arthritis prevent the weight of your body from falling solely on the knee joints, and hence it keeps the pain away. Thus, you can purchase knee braces to get some much-needed relief from the pain caused by arthritis. Here is some detailed information about the various kinds of knee braces for arthritis that can help you with the pain. Note that all of these knee braces serve different purposes. Knee compression sleeve While it looks simple, it is one of the most effective options available. This brace is said to be the best for all the people who are suffering from mild or acute pain in the knee. Moreover, one does not need to apply pressure or put in a lot of effort to wear this knee brace. It is also suitable for people who have minor displacement injuries. Thus, it is one of the best knee braces for arthritis that you can buy. Pro knee brace Just like the name suggests, these knee braces provide professional levels of stability and support to the arthritic knees.

Caused by the varicella-zoster virus, shingles can be described as a painful skin rash. Also known as herpes zoster, it usually appears as a strip, band, or infects a small area on one side of the face or body. It is therefore imperative to know about the symptoms and shingles pain treatment options to be able to fight it effectively. Shingles is a painful nerve root infection that occurs when the chickenpox causing virus gets activated in the body. After chickenpox is treated, the virus becomes dormant in the nerves. Although this virus mostly remains dormant, in others, the virus becomes active, usually in old age when the body’s immunity is comparatively weaker. Also, certain medications can trigger this virus, however, once active, it is unable to cause chickenpox. Seniors or people with a weak immune system are prone to shingles. Stress, medications and injuries can make the immune system vulnerable causing the varicella-zoster virus to activate. Usually, people suffering from shingles get better and do not suffer from it again. However, there are cases where people can get shingles more than once. Although non-communicable, it can still be transmitted from someone who has shingles. However, this possibility is pretty rare, so the chances of shingles spreading from a person who has had chickenpox to the one who has not are negligible. Shingles pain treatment vaccines are available for adults. These medications help in lowering the chances of getting affected with shingles, it clears the rashes quickly and also helps to prevent long-term pain that usually occurs after shingles. Symptoms The symptoms of shingles show up in different stages. It begins with a headache or extreme sensitivity to light. Some people also experience flu but do not have a fever or high temperature.The second stage marks itching, pain, or tingling sensation in a particular area.

Scoliosis is a condition or a disorder where there is an abnormal curve in the spine or the backbone. Generally, a normal spine, when looked from the side, should have normal curves but should appear straight when looked from the front. People suffering from scoliosis are seen to have an additional curve on either side of the body, and the bones of the spine start twisting on each other, this twisting leads to the formation of a “C” or “S” shape in the spine. Curvature of the spine being the most common symptom, scoliosis treatment aims to prevent and avoid the spinal curve from getting worse. The goal of scoliosis treatment is to correct or stabilize and steady a severe spinal curve. The type of treatment depends not only on the cause of scoliosis but also its severity and the risk of curve getting worse. Scoliosis treatment options include bracing, observation, and surgery. Types of Scoliosis Treatments Surgical treatment With surgery, the curve can be decreased and the spine can be stabilized so that the curve doesn’t get worse. Nonsurgical treatment This includes either routine exams by a doctor who then recommends rehabilitation exercises to check for any curve progression. Bracing In order to stop the spinal curve from getting worse, the aim of bracing treatment is to apply corrective forces on the spine in order to release the load on the inner part of the curve and push this load on the outer part. Brace Options There are two general treatment options for scoliosis bracing: Full-time bracing It is designed to be worn 16-23 hours every day, these braces are to be worn at all times, except when bathing, exercising, and during skin care. Night-time bracing Nighttime braces use hyper-corrective forces that help put the body out of normal balance.

If you have diabetes, probably need to take special care of what you eat and drink. You need to keep a check on your carbohydrate consumption too as it can have an impact on your blood sugar levels. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes patients should only drink low-calorie or zero-calorie drinks to prevent sudden spikes in the blood sugar levels. Therefore, selecting the right beverage can help you manage your condition as well as avoid unpleasant side effects. Besides, low-calorie drinks are beneficial in maintaining a healthy weight, which is extremely important for people who have diabetes. Given below is a list of top ten drinks for diabetes that are not only healthy but also make for a delicious treat. Top ten drinks for diabetes People with diabetes should drink adequate amounts of water. With zero calories, carbs, and sugar, water can satiate your thirst without harming your body in any way. It can also help in keeping your blood sugar levels in control as drinking water can help eliminate excess glucose from the body via urine. It is advisable to consume 8-10 glasses of water every day. However, many people don’t prefer drinking water because of its tastelessness. Luckily, there are quite a few tastier options available. People with diabetes can prepare or get these refreshing drinks. These delicious treats fit into their diet perfectly and help to gratify any cravings. Let’s take a look at some of these beverages. Chamomile tea With plenty of antioxidants and zero calories, chamomile tea is perhaps one of the best drinks for diabetes. This tea offers a plethora of health benefits. It helps to lower the blood sugar levels as well as prevents various medical complications such as kidney disease, damage to the nerves and circulatory system, and blindness. Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar is a great ingredient that helps in controlling blood sugar levels.

Stomach pain is quite a common issue that generally causes restlessness and uneasiness across the chest and pelvic area. It ranges from a dull ache to sharp twinge, though the intensity depends on the severity of the problem. The intense wave or discomfort can churn up your stomach, and it can be an indication of a life-threatening disease knocking the door. There can be numerous reasons behind the sensation of pain across your belly area; however, if it originates from any organ toward the upper belly area, then the reason behind this could be anything from swelling of the stomach lining, inflammation in the gallbladder to serious liver problems. Why Location Matters? According to a survey, most of the time stomach pain is caused by food poisoning, diarrhea, constipation, or gas. However, overeating can be one of the prime reasons behind severe abdominal pain. To get rid of stomach pain, make a habit to eat small portions at small intervals rather than going for big bites and large meals at once. Upper Middle Section In case you are experiencing some pain across the upper abdominal cavity then you need to see a doctor on an immediate basis, as it can be an alarm for a serious ailment. In this case, an individual may require emergency treatment, generally catered in hospitals. The constant pain is also considered as a signal of a problem in the gallbladder, the upper part of the small intestine, pancreas, etc. Lower Middle Section Pain across the navel is a sign of appendicitis or due to infection in your small intestine. If the pain occurs in your lower or middle abdomen, it can be the presumptive sign of colon related problems. Especially, in the case of women, a urinary tract infection or pelvic inflammatory disease can also be the reason behind abdominal pain.

Helicobacter Pylori or H. Pylori is a common type of bacteria that usually causes the infection of the digestive tract. About 60 percent of the adult population of the entire world is affected by H. Pylori, and it is commonly seen in the western developed countries. “Helico” means spiral, and the name comes from its spiral shape. This shape makes it easy to penetrate the stomach lining, causing ulcers in the stomach. If the treatment for Helicobacter Pylori is not done on time, the complications can be life-threatening. Here are a few things related to the H. Pylori. The signs and symptoms of Helicobacter Pylori In about 85% of the cases of Helicobacter Pylori, there are no symptoms and complications. When there’s already an ulcer in the stomach, one can start feeling abdominal pain at night or a few hours after meals when the stomach is empty. This is a troubling pain that is timely, and it goes off on its own. Some other symptoms associated with H. Pylori infection are as listed: Excessive burping A feeling of bloating Nausea Heartburn Fever Decreased appetite Weight loss In the later stage of H. Pylori infection, some of the symptoms are trouble in swallowing, anemia, blood in the stool, vomiting, black spots on the face, and so on. Causes of Helicobacter Pylori The H. Pylori infection is known to spread from one person’s mouth to another. When a person does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom, there are chances of the infection spreading. Also, it can spread through contaminated food and water. The H. Pylori bacteria penetrates the stomach’s mucous lining and forms the element that neutralizes the stomach acid. This stomach acid irritates the stomach lining and causes stomach ulcer. Risk factors for the Helicobacter Pylori infection The risk of developing a disease of H.

Stomach acid and reflux problem is a condition that is characterized by the discomfort caused by the reversed flow of the acidic content from the stomach to the esophagus or the food pipe. This problem occurs when your lower esophageal sphincter becomes weak and opens up abnormally, which causes the contents of your stomach to move upwards. This problem can be dealt by using stomach acid remedies and various treatments depending upon your case. Symptoms of stomach acid and reflux Typically, patients who are diagnosed with reflux and stomach acid abnormalities show symptoms like heartburn, a burning sensation that you experience in your chest, the taste of a sour acidic liquid in the back of your mouth accompanied by pain in the chest, etc. You may also experience difficulties in swallowing your food. Remedies to treat acid reflux As a part of stomach acid reflux remedies and treatments, you may first be recommended to make some lifestyle modifications and changes in your diet as recommended by your doctor. You may also be recommended to try over the counter medicines during the initial stages. However, if you do not experience any relief from the treatment, you may be advised to go for surgery or prescription medicines. Antacids may be recommended by your doctor to get quick relief from the problem of stomach acid reflux. These may include Rolaids, Tums, and Mylanta. Certain medications that help in curbing acid production in your stomach, termed as H-2 receptor blockers may also be helpful in providing relief. These include famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine. Proton pump inhibitors are medications that may be taken to help block the production of acid in your stomach and to heal your esophagus. This treatment is amongst the most efficient stomach acid reflux remedies when compared to H-2 receptor blockers.

A headache disorder, migraine is characterized by frequent headaches that can be moderate to severe. Migraines are those types of headaches that are pulsating in nature and affect one-half of the head. Also, migraines can last for up to 72 hours. Migraines are believed to be a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. Changing hormones are said to be one of the top migraine triggers. A post-puberty migraine usually affects women more than men. People experience a migraine due to some reasons. Some of the reasons include food habits, strong scent, flickering lights, weather changes. Migraine triggers are different for different individuals. This makes it difficult and frustrating to narrow down causes of a migraine. There are four phases of a migraine. Prodrome is an onset of a migraine. It lasts for two hours or two days. Its symptoms include altered mood, irritability, depression, euphoria, and fatigue. The second phase is called an aura which causes visual disturbances and partial alteration in vision which might cause difficulty to the person to read, write or drive. Auras occur in 30-40 percent of the people who suffer from a migraine. Pain phase is a chronic headache that is unilateral, throbbing and severe in intensity. The onset is gradual, and It increases with more physical activity. This phase lasts for 4 to 72 hours in adults. The pain phase is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. Postdrome is a set of symptoms that a person experiences after the pain has subsided. People suffering from a migraine report a sore feeling after relieving from pain. Cognitive difficulties and gastrointestinal symptoms and general weakness are other forms of postdrome symptoms. Let us separate top migraine triggers based different factors: Environment A migraine can occur due to specific environmental conditions, both natural and man-made.

The food we eat is broken down by the digestive system so that the body can absorb the nutrients present. However, when the digestive system is unable to break down all the food, it leads to constipation. Constipation is a condition of disturbed bowel movements. The NIDDK revealed that 4 million people in the country suffer from constipation every year. There are many different ways to get quick constipation relief. Here are some natural remedies to get quick constipation relief. Oil : Olive oil is a tasty fat that helps stimulate the digestive system and gives quick constipation relief. Pure olive oil has a good texture which helps in regulating bowel movement and helps stool move through the colon. Regular consumption of this power oil helps prevent constipation. It is advised to have a tablespoon of olive oil on an empty stomach. You can also add some lemon juice to change the flavor. Fresh lime water : The acidity in lime juice is known to give quick relief from constipation. Lemon juice has citric acid in it which stimulates the digestive system, and also helps to flush out toxins. By adding the juice of one lemon in a cup of water, you can clear out all the undesired material stored along with the walls of the digestive tract. Molasses : A great savior, blackstrap molasses provide quick constipation relief. Blackstrap molasses is loaded with vitamins and minerals, such as magnesium, that is known to have constipation relieving properties. It is advised to add a teaspoon of molasses in a cup of warm water and consume it first thing in the morning. Coffee : coffee is a natural stimulant and helps clean the digestive tract. It keeps the system running and clear. Having a cup or two of coffee is fine.

The rising pace of sedentary lifestyle has brought with it a baggage of medical conditions which are weakening the human immune system. Many times, people tend to self-medicate their health issues thereby worsening their situation. One of the common health conditions found today is constipation. Exposure to fast food, lack of proper meal, an unhealthy lifestyle is all responsible for rising cases of constipation. Recent research has notified that people belonging to the age group of 20 to 27 suffer from constipation. When suffering from constipation, it is always advisable to consult a doctor and here are a few home remedies for constipation one can try to suffice the situation till you visit the clinic. Lemon We all are aware that lemon is high in vitamins and its citric value and numerous medical benefits. Mix a spoonful of lemon juice in a glass of warm water and consume it on an empty stomach. The citric elements of the lemon help in flushing out harmful toxins, thereby cleaning the digestive tract. In addition, it also helps smoothen the digestive process. This makes it one of the most popular remedies for constipation. Water Doctors have always advised that a human body needs to have minimum eight to ten glasses or at least four liters of water on a daily basis not just to keep themselves hydrated but also to strengthen the immune system. If you are suffering from constipation, then ensure that your water consumption is high. Water, being one of the best remedies for constipation, ensures to clean harmful elements from the digestive system and streamlines the intestinal functioning. Ginger or mint tea Go healthy by opting for something that is not only energizing but also good for the stomach. Ginger and mint have its own medicinal benefits which help keep constipation at bay.