If you are suffering from dry and dull hair, and often see white dandruff flakes on your shoulder, then a dry scalp could be the reason behind it. Many people feel embarrassed due to the white flakes and the itching that dry scalp can cause. The irritation that dry scalp causes can sometimes be unbearable; therefore, it is important to choose effective treatment methods to treat it as soon as possible. If you ignore the problem of dry scalp, it can then turn into a chronic problem, which could be very hard to treat in the future. You can choose from the plethora of dry scalp treatments available in order to avoid this problem. What causes dry scalp? Dry scalp is caused when the oil-producing glands on the scalp are not active or underactive and are not producing enough amounts of natural oil. This natural oil helps keeps the scalp moist all the time. The following are some other causes of a dry scalp: If you are using harsh, chemical-filled shampoos, it can cause dry scalp When you are using hard water to wash your hair Fungal infections Extreme weather conditions like extreme heat or cold climates Improper diet Harsh styling products Not oiling your hair often or not using conditioners after shampooing To combat dry scalp, the following list provides some effective dry scalp treatments: Oil massage: One of the best and most proven methods for treating dry scalp is oil massage. You can take any oil that you use regularly and massage the scalp in circular motions. In this way, blood circulation will be promoted in the scalp and your hair will also start growing in a natural way. When using oil for massage, it is always efficient to heat it slightly. This means that you should use lukewarm oil to massage your scalp, and this can be especially helpful if the dry scalp is being caused due to some fungal infection.

Irritable bowel syndrome or spastic colon is a health disorder that affects the colon or large intestine. This painful condition can strike anyone at any time. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. Remedies for irritable bowel syndrome focus on providing relief from symptoms such as pain and abdominal cramps. IBS causes pain and discomfort but does not cause permanent damage to the intestinal tissues. Since there is no known cure for IBS, those affected by it will need to make changes in their diet and lifestyle to control its symptoms. Women are more prone to IBS than men. Symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome Bloating, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and constipation are some common symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome affects as many as one in five adults in the country. IBS affects a patient’s digestion and causes abdominal pain and changes in normal bowel function. There can be many triggers for IBS such as stress, unhealthy eating habits, irregular meal timings, indiscriminate caffeine consumption, or side effects of medicines. Top ten home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome So far, there is no single remedy or treatment for irritable bowel syndrome. However, there are numerous remedies for irritable bowel syndrome that help combat its symptoms. Here is a list of top ten home remedies for irritable bowel syndrome. Before following these remedies, it is best to consult your physician. Slippery elm extract: Native Americans have used this herbal supplement for several generations. It soothes the intestinal lining and relieves diarrheal symptoms. It is available in bottles as a therapeutic extract. You should mix a teaspoon of this extract in a glass of warm water. Green tea: It is rich in antioxidants and has a relaxing effect on the intestines and colon. You can make a glass of green tea and have it along with two drops of freshly squeezed lime.

High blood sugar is a condition in which the sugar cannot be effectively transported from the blood into the cells. If left untreated, the condition can result in diabetes. As per a study, approximately 50% of the people in the country either have diabetes or are classified as pre-diabetic. Thankfully, there are some easy ways of controlling blood sugar levels to avoid all short-term and long-term problems. Here are some simple lifestyle and dietary changes to assist in diabetes. Blood sugar control measures can be taken to do that. Let’s have a look. Regular exercise Exercise is a great way to combat most illnesses. Indulging in regular exercise can help one shed off the extra weight as well as boost insulin sensitivity. This, in turn, helps the cells to better use the available sugar in the bloodstream. Also, exercise helps one’s muscles to use the blood sugar for generating energy and for muscle contraction. It is best to check blood sugar levels regularly to understand how well one’s body is responding to different activities. Controlling carb intake The body breaks down the carbs into sugar. Following that, the insulin transports this sugar into the cells. In case someone is consuming a lot of carbs or the insulin fails to properly perform its function, the entire process fails and blood sugar level spikes. So, in diabetes, blood sugar levels can be controlled by following a low-carb diet routine. This keeps the blood sugar level in check and prevents it from going up. Increasing fiber intake This is an effective way of diabetes blood sugar control. Fibers slow down the carb digestion and absorption of sugar, thus promoting a steady rise in blood sugar levels. In fact, a fiber-rich diet is known for managing type 1 diabetes. Moving on, there are two types of fibers – soluble and insoluble.

Neck pain can be quite a nerve-racking experience. It can throw your life out of gear and cause considerable pain even with the slightest neck movement. Stiff neck or neck pain limits one’s overall mobility. People experience a sharp pain while driving or sleeping or simply turning their head. Causes of neck pain could be many, ranging from injury to the wrong posture. Irrespective of the cause of neck pain, one needs to get rid of the pain at the earliest in order to restore normalcy in daily activities. The neck is supported by bones, ligaments, and muscles. An inflammation, abnormality or injury to this support system causes neck pain. Neck pain or strain occurs when one or more fibers in a neck muscle strain or tear. This is also referred to as a pulled muscle. The pain varies based on the extent and location of the damage to the neck muscle. Mild neck pain usually subsides on its own with rest, but sharp or severe pain may require treatment. Before knowing how to cure neck pain, it is important to know what causes it. Causes of stiff neck Neck pain is usually caused by a strain or injury to the ligament, tendon or muscles supporting the neck. The neck vertebrae extend from the base of the skull all the way up to the upper torso. The neck area is made up of a network of tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Neck pain results from a damage or strain or stretching of any of these parts. Here are the common causes of neck pain: Muscle tension or strain : Neck muscles can get stretched or strained due to a wear and tear, bad posture, wrong sleeping position or jerky movement during exercise. Injury : The neck is prone to injury. Accidental fall or sports injury or sudden jerky movements cause injury to the neck muscles.

The muscles that push the stool through colon might not be performing at times, and it results in irregular bowel movements. This condition wherein the stool becomes hard, dry, and almost impossible to pass is called constipation. It generally happens because too much water is absorbed from the food. It is an incredibly common problem affecting around 20% of the people in the country. Gradually, people have started considering it as a routine problem. The food one eats, the lifestyle one follows, and the medications one takes can cause constipation. Age is also an important factor when it comes to constipation. The symptoms include abdominal bloating, discomfort when going through bathroom, pain, and difficulty while passing stools, stomach cramps, and losing appetite. Read on to know more about how to relieve constipation. How to Relieve Constipation the Natural Way Breathing Exercises To relieve constipation in about a minute, exhale and pinch your nose. A normal person can hold breath up to 20 seconds, but one should try to hold it a little longer (about 30 or more seconds). Release your nose and inhale but make sure to inhale less air than before. Repeat this cycle each time, making breathing slower and with less air. Through this breathing technique, one can get a quick constipation relief within a minute. Drinking a Cup of Coffee Another method to get immediate constipation relief is through drinking coffee. Other hot drinks like herbal tea or hot water with lemon juice or honey also stimulate the colon. It might not work for everyone. However, for some people, it helps in getting the digestive system moving. Light Physical Exercise Moving the body stimulates the movement of the internal muscles. Many people who are looking for information on how to relieve constipation find this as one of the best solutions for constipation.

The primary sex hormone for men is testosterone. However, a small amount of testosterone is present in the female body as well. The production of this hormone takes place in the testicles of men and ovaries of women. At the time of puberty, testosterone plays a crucial role in hair growth, changes in voice, and other physical changes. It is essential to have the right amount of testosterone throughout one’s lifetime. Here are some of the top natural testosterone boosters. Healthy eating One of the most important natural testosterone boosters is a healthy diet. So, one has to take good care of their dietary habits. If you eat too much, then it will disrupt the level of testosterone in your body. However, increasing the protein, carb, and fat intake can boost your testosterone levels. Consuming whole foods that have a balance of protein, fat, and carbohydrates can help in optimizing the hormone levels and improving one’s overall health condition. The bottom line is that you cannot overeat or restrict your overall calorie intake. Rather, you must focus on having a balanced diet that gives you protein, fat, and carbohydrates. Lower cortisol and stress levels An increase in the level of cortisol in your body can reduce your testosterone levels. Cortisol and testosterone affect each other inversely. If one increases, the other will inevitably go down. Too much cortisol and stress will increase your food intake, and lead to the storage of harmful fats in various organs of your body. Thus, these factors also play a vital role in weight gain. All these factors will result in a lower level of testosterone. Try to change your lifestyle and avoid stressful situations in your daily life. All of this will help you lower your cortisol and stress level, and boost your testosterone.

Thick and voluminous hair seems like an elusive dream for most of us. Thinning hair and hair fall affect both men and women of all ages. Thinning hair or hair loss can occur due to a variety of reasons. Emotional stress, hormonal changes, unhealthy eating habits, side effects of medication and harsh hair treatment are some of the common reasons for thinning hair. Consultation with a dermatologist can help find the cause of thinning hair and help find the right thinning hair products. Using the most suitable thinning hair products and making appropriate lifestyle changes can help treat thinning hair and hair loss. Causes of thinning hair Before moving on to thinning hair products, it helps in understanding the various causes of thinning hair in order to find the right fit. Hair loss not only affects the scalp but the entire body as well. The common causes of thinning hair are as follows: Family history: People who have a family history of thinning hair are potential candidates for thinning hair or hair fall. Thinning hair usually occurs with aging in men and women. Receding hairline and bald patches in men, and thinning hair in women are very common. Hormonal changes: Pregnancy and menopause in women are phases where hormonal changes occur. During these phases, women are likely to experience thinning hair. Women with thyroid problems are also likely to have thinning hair. Scalp infections: Scalp infections such as dandruff, oily scalp or dermatitis also cause thinning hair and hair loss. Medical conditions: Health conditions like alopecia areata causes hair loss in patches. Scalp infections also cause hair thinning. Medication and supplements: Side effects of certain medication could lead to thinning hair. Consuming health supplements is another reason for hair loss. Radiation and chemotherapy: Radiation and chemotherapy are treatments for cancer.

Hemorrhoids are blood vessels that are located in the smooth muscles in the anal or rectum walls. The exact location of hemorrhoids is at the junction of small arteries and veins. When hemorrhoids swell up, they become painful, itchy and may cause bleeding. They can be extremely painful and cause a lot of discomforts while passing stools. Hemorrhoids can either be internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids develop within the rectum or anus, while external hemorrhoids develop outside of the anus or rectum. When pressure builds up in the small vessels that make up the hemorrhoids they swell up and engorge with blood. This buildup of pressure may be due to a number of reasons like diarrhea, obesity, colon cancer, constipation, or pregnancy. Hemorrhoid relief creams are the most commonly followed treatment method for relief from pain and itching due to hemorrhoids. Symptoms of hemorrhoids The symptoms of hemorrhoids vary with the severity of the condition. Common symptoms of hemorrhoids are as follows: Painless bleeding Itching Severe pain Swelling or inflammation Feeling a lump at the anal opening Difficulty in passing stools Treatment for hemorrhoids Treatment options for hemorrhoids depend on the severity of the condition. Internal hemorrhoids are classified into 4 grades based on the extent of prolapse below the pectinate line into the anus. There are a number of medical and natural treatment methods for hemorrhoids based on the grade of hemorrhoid. Grade I hemorrhoids can be treated with over-the-counter medications, warm Sitz baths, and by consuming less spicy food. Stool-softening medicines enable easy passage of stools by increasing the water and fat content of the stool. Hemorrhoid treatment creams are effective in reducing the inflammation or swelling at the anal opening. Over-the-counter suppositories are also available for reducing the inflammation at the anus. The severe form of hemorrhoids or Grade 4 hemorrhoids that do not clear with above remedies may require surgical treatment.

When you feel pain in your lower back, you will find it difficult to do some of the basic chores of your daily life like walking, bending your back to pick up something, or even climbing stairs. The condition of your lower back hip doesn’t have to be like this all the time. You can improve this condition with the help of some simple measures. Here is what you can do to control your lower back hip pain. Hot And Cold Treatment Using both ice and a hot water bag are very much beneficial as far as your lower back hip pain is concerned. You need to keep order if you need maximum results. After you have an injury, first you have to apply ice, and then you need to use a hot water bag. As you feel pain on your lower back, ice it for the first 24 to 48 hours. There are some ways you can apply ice and reap maximum benefits. Here is how you should be doing it: Buy a cool pack or get a plastic bag and fill it with ice. Now, wrap the ice pack or bag in a cloth to protect your skin. Apply the ice bag on the lower portion of your back for more than 10 minutes at a single time. Repeat this throughout the day when you feel the pain. Give yourself a break of at least 10 minutes before each application of the ice. You could get tempted to apply heat on the point where you feel pain at first. Doing so will increase more inflammatory compounds that might worsen the situation. After 48 hours of applying ice, you can start applying heat on that place of your pain. You should also be avoiding the application of heat all night because that might burn your skin.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria and live microorganisms that help to keep your brain and body healthy. Reducing depression, keeping heart health in good condition, improving digestive health are some of the benefits of consuming it. According to some medical studies and reports, probiotics can help you get better-looking skin as well. Here is a list of the probiotic foods that are very healthy and can be consumed on a daily basis. In case you are suffering from any health condition, consult a doctor before consuming these. Yogurt One of the best probiotic-rich foods is yogurt. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help you to stay healthy. Yogurt is made from fermented milk and bacteria like bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria help in that. Here are some stellar benefits of including yogurt in your diet. Beneficial for patients with high blood pressure Improves bone health Helps to diminish diarrhea in children caused by antibiotics Helps to relieve symptoms of IBS Yogurt is beneficial for those who are lactose intolerant Sauerkraut This food is rich in probiotics containing live bacteria and is made from shredded cabbage fermented by lactic acid bacteria. Apart from having probiotic qualities, this food is rich in vitamin K, B, and C, fiber, manganese, iron and, sodium. Also, antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein, which are beneficial for eye health, are available in Sauerkraut. Kefir It is a fermented dairy product and a unique amalgam of fermented kefir grains and goat’s milk. Along with antioxidants, Kefir is rich in bifidus bacteria and lactobacilli that are good for health. It is one of the best probiotic sources that contain different major strains of yeast and friendly bacteria. Kefir helps in improving bone health, protecting against infections and dealing with digestive problems. Lactose intolerant people can consume kefir without any problem. Kimchi It is a spicy, fermented Korean dish mainly made from cabbage along with other vegetables and mixed seasonings of scallion, garlic, red chili pepper flakes, ginger, and salt.

A hemorrhoid is a condition that is caused by the movement or swelling of tissues found in the rectum and anus. Although it can be uncomfortable and painful, the hemorrhoid is not dangerous. There are primarily three types of hemorrhoids: internal, external, and mixed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are found inside the rectum, and they do not cause pain because the area doesn’t have any sensory nerves. On the other hand, external hemorrhoids are found under the skin near the anal aperture. Usually, they are itchy and they can be painful particularly during a bowel movement. Mixed hemorrhoids are a combination of both external and internal hemorrhoids. So how can you reduce the discomfort and pains that are associated with hemorrhoids? Keep reading to know more about hemorrhoid causes and ways to get a relief. Causes of hemorrhoids Anyone can suffer from hemorrhoids regardless of their age though this problem occurs more in people who are aged between 45 and 65 years. In young people, hemorrhoids occur in pregnant women or ladies who have just given birth. Although the exact cause of hemorrhoid is unknown, numerous factors enhance their development. You are at risk of suffering from this condition in case of the following situations. Lifting heavy loads frequently Lack of fiber in the diet Constipation or straining when passing stool Pregnancy and post delivery Sitting for a long time Obesity Symptoms linked to hemorrhoids include light bleeding, inflammation, burning sensation or pain, discomfort, and itching. So, what helps with hemorrhoid relief? Below are essential tips to help ease hemorrhoids symptoms and promote healing. Tips for hemorrhoid relief Increase your fiber intake – To get a hemorrhoid relief and prevent constipation you need to add fiber to your diet as well as increase your fluid intake. The best way to accomplish this is to take foods such as vegetables and fruits.

Lower back pain is a problem that almost everyone experiences at some point in their life. Characterized by severe pain, it may need treatment until it subsides on its own. The severity of lower back pain may vary from case to case. Some people may experience a dull ache, while some other may get a sharp, shooting pain. Sometimes, the pain is so severe that you may find it difficult to stand straight or even stand-up. You may experience acute back pain due to injuries caused by sports or as a result of heavy lifting. If you face symptoms like loss of control over the movement of your bowels, inability to control your bladder, a fever, or pain while coughing or urinating, along with pain in the lower back, you must visit a doctor. Common causes of lower back pain If one experiences lower back pain, it is advisable to visit a doctor, especially if the patient has lost weight unexpectedly, has a family history of cancer, or other such complications. Lower back pain may result from a muscle strain that leads to bulged discs which will cause pain from your hips down to your legs. Lower back pain may also be associated with lifting objects every day, pulling things down and other such tasks which could a part of a patient’s job. At the same time, sitting at the same place for a long time, in a slouching posture, can also contribute to lower back pain. Going overboard while working out can also lead to lower back pain. People also face a high risk of lower back pain-related problems if they are overweight. One may need to perform exercises for lower back pain regularly if they have a sedentary lifestyle. Lower back pain can also be attributed to some chronic problems such as fibromyalgia and spinal stenosis.