Bed bugs are pesky little insects that infect the soft furniture in a household like beds, sofas, couches, and other such places. They like to hide in dark places like the corners of drawers, seams of the mattresses, the bed box below the mattress and in the space between cushions. Although they do not cause any serious diseases, their presence can certainly be discomforting as they feed on human blood. Bed bugs bite humans, which sometimes causes red rashes and spots. These skin rashes, if scratched too hard, can cause breaks in the skin, causing bacteria to enter and infect it. The presence of bed bugs does not mean that your sanitation techniques should be questioned but they could have come from some other infested place like a hotel or a theatre through luggage, clothes or any other item. Bed bugs are extremely tiny in size and therefore are very hard to spot. But once you find their hiding spots, you can make use of any of some home remedies to get rid of those pesky little creatures hiding in your home. The following are some of the best ways to kill bed bugs, which you can make use of. Vacuum Cleaning Who knew that using your very own vacuum cleaner could be a simple fix making it one of the best ways to kill bed bugs? Just make sure to use your effective vacuum cleaner to reach all the hidden places like the corners of the drawers, behind the cushions, under the mattresses, along its seams, the space between the headboard and the mattress, behind the AC fittings, behind the wallpapers, in the bed box, and other such susceptible places. Make sure to clean all the places effectively and thoroughly so that no egg or larvae remain behind to restart the infestation process.

Potassium is the third highest amount of mineral present in your body cells. Too high or too low amount of potassium can be dangerous. In case of high or low levels of potassium, you may need to change your eating habit. Be aware of foods that are low or high in potassium. Thereby, you can control the amount of potassium you get in your diet. Why do we need the right amount of potassium? There are many reasons for you to consume an adequate amount of foods with potassium daily. Given below are those reasons: It helps proper working of your nerves, kidney, brain, and muscles. The right amount of potassium in your body also helps to keep your heart beating at a steady rate. It maintains fluid and electrolyte balance in your system. It keeps the body hydrated. It supports cellular function in conjunction with sodium. It lowers blood pressure. It reduces the risk of heart stroke. It Increases bone density. It decreases muscle cramps. It utilizes the carbohydrates you consume. Everyone requires potassium to build protein and muscle. Dangers of Low Potassium A deficiency in potassium is undesirable and can lead to: Tiredness Irregular bowels Losing temper Stiffness of muscles Weight gain Blood pressure abnormality Heart-beat anomaly Sickness Swelling of belly Dejection Rheumatism How Much Potassium Should You Be Taking In? The recommended intake of foods with potassium for male and female adults is 4,700 milligrams per day. Foods with Potassium Potassium is available in wide range of foods. You can choose from a wide variety of foods with potassium as one of the means to maintain your potassium intake. The list given below highlights the potassium content in various foods (expressed in mg per 100g): Fruits & Veggies The potassium content for some of the common fruits and vegetables are:

It is very easy to lose sight of your health in today’s life. With increasing cases of various diseases, it becomes vital to use every opportunity to remain healthy. Diet and exercise are two vital components to lead a healthy lifestyle. A diet is considered the single most crucial aspect of a healthy routine. Maintaining a balanced diet is extremely difficult and getting the right kind of nutrition while eating the right quantity of food can be a tricky balancing act. A well-balanced diet should have small servings of fiber, complex carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and protein. You should not overcompensate one aspect of the diet for another, e.g., substituting carbohydrates for protein. Each element of a diet has an importance that cannot be substituted with another. Understanding a diet includes understanding the nutritional value of the food consumed per meal. The ideal ratio for any meal would be high value and quality to low quantity. Quality of life also plays a major role in the type of diet that should be adopted. A sedentary lifestyle can be balanced with a diet consisting a list of high fiber foods; an athletic lifestyle requires a diet that consists of a list of high-protein foods. Managing meals in most diets is tricky. Listed below is a recommended meal plan based on the athletic diet, each meal has a list of high-protein foods. Breakfast Breakfast is considered the first important meal of the day. A healthy breakfast can keep you fresh and energetic throughout the day. An ideal breakfast has high doses of complex carbohydrates, protein, polyunsaturated fats complemented with lower doses of minerals and vitamins. Here is our recommended breakfast plan: Steel-Cut Oats Oatmeal is considered one of the best breakfast. Oats are filling and have a high nutritional value. Oats are rich in complex carbohydrates, fibers, magnesium, and thiamin and are on the list of high-protein foods.

Most men are unaware of enlarged prostate symptoms. Learn what to watch out for to get early and effective treatment. The prostate gland is a gland that is the size of a walnut which surrounds the neck of the urinary bladder (urethra), and is located in front of the rectum and behind the bladder among males. The prostate helps in the production of semen, and is also responsible for carrying the sperm from the testicles during ejaculation. When the prostate gland grows in size, it creates an obstruction for the urethra, thereby posing difficulties while urinating. The size of the prostate gland increases with age, especially after the age of 40-50 years or so. In certain men, this problem may start at an earlier stage and may also result in an abnormally large growth of the prostate. This condition is medically termed as ‘benign prostate hyperplasia’ (BPH). Blockage caused due to the enlarged prostate can also cause urinary tract infections that could eventually lead to damage of the kidney or bladder. There are various enlarged prostate symptoms that you need to watch out for. If you notice one or more of these enlarged prostate symptoms, seek medical help immediately to avoid any further complications. The following are the enlarged prostate symptoms that must never go unnoticed: Nocturia Sleeping patterns change with age, and as one gets older, you may face difficulties in sleeping, for reasons unknown. Nocturia is a condition where the patient gets up more than two to three times in the night for urination. Disturbance or lack of sleep due to the frequent need to urinate is one of the initial enlarged prostate symptoms. Increased frequency of urination Early enlarged prostate symptoms include frequent visits to the toilet in the day. The frequency increases especially in the middle of the night.

The most common disorders of the nervous system are headaches—especially migraine headaches. Statistics show that nearly 15% of adults in the US experience severe headaches with an overwhelming majority of the people affected being women. One in four households has a person who is affected by a migraine. Americans who were surveyed reported that their migraine symptoms lasted between one to three days. It runs within the family genes and 90% of the migraineurs have a family history of the condition. Migraines are not just a headache It is a neurological condition with distinct debilitating neurological symptoms. Throbbing recurrent pain usually on one side of the head but both sides can be involved. Accompanying disabling symptoms include visual disturbances, heightened sensitivity to sound, smell, light, touch, numbness in limbs and face, weakness, nausea/vomiting, dizziness. Attacks may last between 4-72 hours. Impacts the quality of your life. Might be undiagnosed in children. Can cause depression, anxiety attacks, dependence on painkillers. A migraine as a disability The World Health Organization has classified severe migraine headaches as comparable to disabling illnesses like dementia, psychosis, and quadriplegia. Since it affects people largely in the age group of 18-55, the impact is on the productive years of a person’s life. 113 million workdays are lost due to a migraine and employers lose more than $13 billion annually. The annual economic burden for migraine sufferers in the US is approximately $78 billion. This means that chronic migraineurs must spend between $8500-9500 and episodic migraineurs must spend at least $2000 annually on medication, treatments, and healthcare. This figure also takes indirect costs into account such as—lost wages, productivity, etc. Treatments Mild attacks can be addressed with OTC pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. Drugs like triptans are used specifically as remedies for migraines. Ergotamine/Caffeine combinations are also effective.

People should get tested for food allergies to eliminate foods that could leave them with compromised digestive systems. Those who have recently suffered an infection or have been recommended powerful treatment can also experience changes in their gut microbiota. It is yet another case where digestive problems can arise. Some common signs of poor digestive function include difficulty swallowing, painful swallowing, or chest pain while eating. Individuals with digestive trouble must avoid trigger foods. Processed foods Fiber helps regulate the digestive system. Processed foods are not only low in fiber but also high in salts, preservatives, and food coloring. It makes things difficult for people with sensitive stomachs. Fiber deficiency leads to increased constipation, while the additives cause issues like gas, bloating, indigestion, and acid reflux. Artificial sweeteners Foods and beverages prepared with artificial sweeteners cause a change in the body’s natural gut bacteria. This can lead to gastrointestinal tract problems. Sugar-free drinks, candies, and gums are the best examples. They are loaded with refined sugar alternatives like xylitol, maltitol, and sorbitol, which cause gas, bloating, and other digestive and laxative effects. They can also cause the body to produce more acid than it needs, leading to stomach ulcers. Spicy foods Although spices are believed to help with digestion, they can trigger digestive problems in people with sensitive stomachs. High amounts of spices or heat can cause acid reflux and heartburn. Therefore, avoiding foods that stimulate the digestive tract is essential. Dairy Research has shown that milk and milk products are common inflammatory foods. While dairy is essential, the problem arises when it is made a part of daily meals. Some might not be lactose intolerant, but their stomach presents sensitivity to milk compounds. Prolonged digestive tract inflammation can lead to problems like a damaged stomach lining. People with a condition called eosinophilic esophagitis experience symptoms similar to an allergy after eating trigger foods.

Most people do not think much about urination, a common bodily function. However, maintaining good bladder health is essential for overall well-being. Issues like restricted flow or infections in the urinary tract often lead to other health conditions that are hard to manage. From controlling the urge to not emptying the bladder fully, here are some common peeing mistakes to avoid to achieve good bladder health and avert potential health complications. Holding the urge to pee The bladder can stretch to accommodate more urine, but putting off the urge to pee repeatedly for prolonged periods may cause bladder damage, leakage, foul-smelling urine, and a loss of control. To avoid this, one should take regular bathroom breaks at work, school, or anywhere else. Peeing too often Peeing too often or each time one leaves the house, even when there is no urge, is a mistake that can lead to an overactive bladder. This condition reduces the bladder’s capacity to hold urine and leads to leakage, disrupting one’s daily life. Straining while urinating Sometimes, people strain their muscles to increase the pressure on the bladder and speed up the urination process. This habit can lead to prostate swelling, weakened pelvic muscles, weak urine flow, or bladder outlet obstruction. Peeing should happen effortlessly, and a healthy bladder works best when one’s muscles are relaxed. Not staying hydrated The appearance and smell of a person’s urine can speak a lot about their hydration levels. A well-hydrated body produces clear, water-like urine, while dehydration can cause urine to appear dark yellow and emit a strong odor. Dehydration can also cause kidney stones, urinary tract infections, bladder stones, and other health concerns. Not emptying the bladder fully When one does not pee fully during a bathroom break, the urine gathers in the bladder, increasing the risk of infections and other health problems.

When there is an excess amount of uric acid in the bloodstream its crystals are formed in the joint, and that condition is termed as gout. Uric acid is present in many foods that we consume. When the body cannot handle the uric acid that is present in the bloodstream, the crystals formed can give rise to many health issues such as arthritis. These crystals block the kidney filter tubules, causing stones to form in the kidneys, which can also lead to the failure of kidneys. Gout is basically of two kinds: Primary gout if it occurs on its own it is called. Secondary gout if it is due to other medical conditions. Gout arthritis can cause sudden pain as well as red and hot swelling near the joints, especially near the toes. This kind of problem is more likely in men who have crossed the age of 40; some of the symptoms of gout are as follows. Symptoms of Gout You will feel pain in the joints of the affected area, along with red and hot discoloration, swelling, and tenderness. Most commonly, you will experience gout near the small joints of your toes. It might also affect other areas like ankles, wrists, knees, elbows, and fingers. The pain can be so intense in some people that even a feather touch can cause a lot of pain. This pain can last from a few hours to a day also, irrespective of whether you take medication. In very rare cases, the gout attack can also last for a week. Diagnosis of Gout When a patient reports frequent attacks of arthritis, especially in the toes, knees, or ankles, then the patient is tested for excess uric acid and uric acid crystals near the affected joints. Usually, some fluid is extracted from the joints of the patient using a needle and it is sent for testing.

Heartburn causes a lot of discomfort to those who experience it. It occurs when your stomach acid travels back up into the esophagus, thus causing an irritating and burning sensation. Apart from a burning sensation, one would most likely experience chest pain since the fluid tends to linger in the esophagus. The symptoms of heartburn may last for a long time. Before we can go on to understand heartburn signs and symptoms, here are a few facts: Acid reflux is a primary indicator of heartburn which leads to a burning feeling in your chest. This is one of the prominent heartburn symptoms. Acid reflux normally occurs after the consumption of certain foods or drinking certain beverages which did not get ingested properly into the system. Heartburn signs and symptoms generally include difficulty in swallowing, chronic cough, pain in the upper abdomen, sore throat, the regurgitation of anything you just ate or drank (which is the acid being thrown up into the esophagus with stomach fluid), or even persistent laryngitis. It is important to understand what causes a heartburn in order to diagnose it correctly and on time: A valve, known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), located below the rib cage keeps the stomach acid from being sent up the esophagus, leaving gravity to deal with the rest of it. The LES mainly functions to open the tube to allow food to be ingested into the stomach or allowing you to belch. It closes both times automatically. The only reason stomach acid tends to seep into the esophagus or gets thrown up due to some reason is the improper functioning of the LES. The causes of LES malfunction can be anything from obesity, pregnancy, constipation, or anything that tends to put too much pressure on your stomach forcing the valve to open.

Hemorrhoid which is also known as piles is a medical condition in which vascular tissue in and around the anal area gets swelled. This leads to inflammation and tenderness in an area around the anus. This medical condition also leads to the development of discomfort in the bowel movement. There are numerous hemorrhoid relief creams available in the market which can be used for immediate relief from this problem. However, before these hemorrhoid relief creams are used, the application technique of these creams should be known, else it can result in some other medical complication. Following are the hemorrhoid relief creams available in the market which can be used to control the development of hemorrhoid. Anesthetic cream for hemorrhoid Hemorrhoid ointment (Benzocaine) Pramoxine hemorrhoid ointment H hemorrhoidal cream Fast hemorrhoid relief cream Homeopathic hemorrhoid cream Anusol hemorrhoid cream Lidocaine hemorrhoid cream Venapro hemorrhoid cream Avatrol hemorrhoid cream In addition to these creams, some more hemorrhoid relief creams are popular and are used by patients on a regular basis. These include: RectiCare Anorectal Cream This cream is used in case of external and internal hemorrhoid. This offers instant relief from itching, pain, and burning which might occur in the case of hemorrhoid. The key advantage of this cream is that it is odorless and does not have any color and thus can be applied without anyone being aware of the same. These creams can ideally be used for curing any itching, swelling and other such discomforts that might occur in the case of hemorrhoid. These hemorrhoid relief creams, when used on a regular basis, will lead hemorrhoid to shrink and thus will help the person to get an immediate relief. Process of using the hemorrhoid creams When the hemorrhoid relief creams are to be applied externally, the affected area has to be cleaned with soap and water.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a technique or a diagnostic test that uses the various components of the internal system to detect the immune responses of the body. It includes an enzyme along with an antibody or antigen. The test is widely used to diagnose infections including food allergies and HIV. It is also known by the name of Immunosorbent Assay. Most patients are unaware of the ELISA test when they are asked to get it done by their doctor. Here is the basic information needed to be known about the same. What does an ELISA kit comprise of? An ELISA kit comprises of pre-coated polystyrene plates, chemicals for the test and antibodies for detection. However, specially made ELISA kits having substances can also be purchased by those needing it for medicinal purposes. What is ELISA test used for? ELISA test is used majorly for detecting protein in the cell, tissue, organ or body fluid. However, the substances detected using ELISA test includes viral antigens, hormones, and antibodies that the body makes as a response to infection or any type of vaccination. There are different types of ELISA tests done depending upon the requirement of the patient. What are the different types of ELISA tests? There are four types of ELISA tests and they are as follows: Indirect ELISA test The Indirect ELISA test consists of an addition of the antigen to the polystyrene plate. This is then trailed by a primary antibody which is followed by an enzyme-labeled antibody. This antibody can easily react to both primary antibody as well as the substrate. Direct ELISA test This consists of an attachment of the antigen to the polystyrene plate which is followed by an enzyme-labeled antibody which reacts to the antigen. It also allows the person to measure the substrate.

A sore throat is a great irritant. There can be numerous reasons for a sore throat, and allergies can be one of them. If the precise cause of an allergy is identified, it will help in devising an appropriate remedial treatment. Allergy as a cause for a sore throat It has been found out that allergy in cases of a sore throat has been linked to postnasal drip. This can occur due to exposure to an allergen and occurs when any kind of congestion in the sinus goes down to the throat. This drainage also results in coughing, swallowing, irritation in the throat, and difficulty in speaking. However, the fact to be considered here is that allergens such as pollen are seasonal. There are some also other allergens including cigarette smoke, dust mites, mold, and mildew. The symptoms of allergy that occur due to the abovementioned allergens include congestion, sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. A sore throat with fever and body aches is also a result of a cold, flu, and viral infection. Treatment of an allergy-induced sore throat Prevention of allergy is important if a sore throat or any other related symptoms are to be prevented. Limiting the exposure to irritants is the most important thing that should be done in such cases. Known irritants such as cigarette smoke should be avoided if the allergy is to be prevented. Windows should ideally be closed or a surgical mask should be worn by people who are prone to allergies when they come in contact with airborne allergens. However, sore throat allergies cannot always be prevented. It is during such times that use of medications is recommended. Over-the-counter medications such as Loratadine and Cetirizine can be taken when the symptoms of the allergy worsen. In such conditions, doctors usually recommend using a decongestant or nasal spray that helps in preventing postnasal drip, which is the usual cause of a sore throat.