Let’s start off this article with a critical piece of information that people often do not get right – What is cholesterol? It is an essential element that your body requires to build and replace cells. Seems an important function right? Then the question is why it is conceived to be bad for your health. Well, the fact of the matter is that there are two types of cholesterol Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL (High-density lipoprotein) or we can just put it as a bad cholesterol and a good one respectively. Now the issue arises with your health when you don’t have enough of the good kind or excess of the bad kind. So now let’s discuss how this cholesterol affects your body when in excess or deficit. Though high cholesterol may not have any symptoms by itself, it may lead to very critical problems affecting the blood circulation and heart like a stroke, repeated chest pains and a fatal heart attack, which may also lead to death. Again here one more misconception that needs to be cleared is a difference between a heart attack and a stroke. A stroke is caused when the blood flow is blocked to any part of your brain through a blood clot, on the other hand, a heart attack occurs when blood flow to any part of your heart is blocked through a clot. So if you have a cholesterol problem, what cholesterol treatment options do you have? The answer lies in the mix of things that cause the imbalance of cholesterol levels in your system, focus on them, and you can bring it down to your natural recommended levels. Let’s look at some of the issues what cause cholesterol imbalance and how to control them – Exercise – Lack of proper exercise in your daily routine increases the chances of a cholesterol imbalance in your body.

Diarrhea is a type of infection that leads to irregular bowel passing, accompanied by abdominal pain, liquid stools, bloating and weakness. Diarrhea is related to the issues in the gastro-intestinal system that may occur due to a viral infection, unhealthy food consumption, consuming certain antibiotics, food allergies, or due to the intake of contaminated water. Diarrhea can be acute diarrhea, which usually lasts for 2-3 days, or it can be chronic diarrhea which usually lasts longer than normal diarrhea symptoms. If you are suffering from chronic diarrhea which may be related to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), or any other diarrhea-related diseases, it is advisable for you to consult a doctor. There are a number of medications available for treating diarrhea, but most of them are accompanied by side effects that you may want to avoid. Natural home remedy for diarrhea proves to be a boon, when you do not feel the need to see a doctor. Best And Proven Home Remedies For Diarrhea Stay Hydrated : This is the best and the most effective home remedy for diarrhea. Drinking sufficient liquids is the best way to get rid of diarrhea. Some of the recommended liquids include: Water : Drink at least 2-3 glasses of water every hour, to avoid dehydration. Bone Broth : This is a healthy soup made with bones of animals and added herbs or vegetables. Drinking bone broth will help you get your needed dose of amino acids and electrolytes. Herbal Teas : Drink more of herbal teas like ginger tea, chamomile tea, orange peel tea, caraway tea, pomegranate tea, fennel tea, or even peppermint tea. Coconut Water : Coconut water does not suit everyone, but is found to be a good source of electrolytes. Fresh Vegetable Juice : Drink more of fresh vegetable juices, like carrot juice, as it will provide you with the required nutrients and energy and will also keep you hydrated.

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.

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.

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.

Pets are sensitive to different allergies. Two types of allergies are common in pets – environment allergy and food allergy. Food allergies in pets are least common but it prevails in almost 10% of US households. The reasons for the allergies include- low immunity, bowel syndrome, genetic issues, allergen contents, among others. Symptoms of top food allergies in cats and dogs include licking of paws, chronic itching, diarrhea, bad gut, puking bile, rashes on the body, chronic gas, bad breath, blood in gums, and bumps all over the body. The root cause for food allergies to occur in pets is the unhealthy diet. How to test for food allergy? There is no proper test that holds perfect for your four-legged friends. There are blood and saliva tests but as of 2019, there are not enough studies to back it up. The best way is to test certain food items on your pets. If one of the foods is allergic it will reflect massively on their body. You can wait for three to four days based on the condition. If it the condition persists, you need to consult the vet immediately. Some pets are born with epi, liver malfunction, kidney issues, and heart problems which make the pet owners switch to a better diet that is good for their health and at the same time not allergic. This happens when a sudden switch of protein has happened. Reasons for the occurrence of food allergies in dogs and cats Unable to digest a certain protein Having a bad immunity due to which the body looks at protein as a harmful substance Ingredients like corn, soy, legumes being present in dry food Having processed foods every day due to which there’s loss of immunity Not having the protein based on body mass Pet owners not helping animals to strengthen their gut Associated food that causes food allergies in dogs and cats Chicken, beef, dairy, fish, and eggs Exposure to stale food Presence of plant-based like peas, legumes, and potato Gluten allergies like wheat, oats, and certain types of grains Kibble that is high in coloring and red meat Solutions to top food allergies in cats and dogs It is advised to contact a nutritionist for finding out top allergies in your dogs and cats.

You must have tried special shampoos, altered grooming routine and also tried medications; but your dog has not stopped itching, scratching or biting fur. But have you considered working on your pet’s diet? Similar to humans, dogs too have food allergies. Dogs can experience severe itching, irritation, swollen face, among others due to food allergies. There is no age bar in dogs for developing food allergies. Symptoms of dog food allergies Your dog may have developed food allergies if you notice the below symptoms. Itchy skin Allergic dermatitis or itchy skin is one of the common outcomes of dog food allergies. The irritation of itchy skin can occur in various parts of the dog’s body such as ears, paws, rear end and stomach. Hives Hives are primarily itchy red bumps. These are also known as urticaria. Hives may surface within 6 to 24 hours if your dog consumes any food which he or she is allergic to. If the hair or fur of your dog is short, they are easily visible. Stomach trouble Gastrointestinal issues such as gas, vomiting, and diarrhea are also the outcomes of dog food allergies. Swollen face Dog food allergies can lead to swelling of lips, eyelids, or ear flaps. Paw infections Sometimes your dog may have repeated infections in his or her paws or ears. These are the result of certain sensitivity towards certain food ingredients. What are the common allergens? Every dog owner should understand the difference between food sensitivity and food allergies. The prime difference is food allergy triggers an immediate immune system response. But the reaction of food sensitivity is gradual. Most of the common allergens which trigger food allergies in dogs include chicken, beef and dairy products. On the other hand, corn, wheat, rice, barley and oats are some of the less common allergens.