Pneumonia is an airborne disease that needs medical treatment to ensure complete recovery. It is a communicable disease that can be passed on from the diagnosed patient to other healthy people. Because of its lethal nature, one needs to deal with it carefully to ensure that it does not cause any further harm. The common symptoms of pneumonia include coughing, chest pain, chills, fever, shortness of breath, and muscle aches. Here are some home remedies that you can use to ease the symptoms of pneumonia. The body develops a cough while trying to expel the fluids to get rid of the infection. It is advisable to avoid using cough suppressants, and instead, you can use the following remedies to treat coughing caused by pneumonia. Eucalyptus and fenugreek tea If you are suffering from an itchy throat, then you can have warm herbal tea that can soothe the irritation. Herbal teas made from eucalyptus and fenugreek are immensely helpful in getting rid of respiratory tract infections. These herbs are known to break down the mucus and reduce the inflammation caused by pneumonia. According to recent studies, fenugreek seeds are found to be very effective in easing a persistent cough. Saltwater gargles You must have heard of the classic saltwater gargle remedy for a persistent cough. And as a matter of fact, it works quite well. A saltwater gargle helps in eliminating the germs in your throat. It prevents the mucus in the chest from causing more cough over time. This method can provide a lot of relief and is great for treating a cough caused by pneumonia. Chest pain is one of the most prominent signs of pneumonia. Here is a home remedy to reduce the pain. Turmeric or ginger tea Drinking a cup of hot turmeric or ginger tea can provide relief from a congested chest.

Cold and cough are not very serious health conditions but may be an indication of other illnesses. A person may experience a cough may be due to chest congestion or throat infection or allergies or tuberculosis, or even gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). An acute cough develops suddenly and lasts for short durations, while a chronic cough lasts for more than 3 to 8 weeks. A chronic cough that does not have any obvious cause and lasts for several weeks is a cause of concern. A chronic cough can cause a considerable amount of discomfort and be a hindrance to your work and home routine. A chronic cough can strain the muscles of your chest and leave your throat feeling raw and painful. There are chronic cough remedies which aim at eliminating the cause of cough. Cough due to cold can be cured through simple home remedies, while serious infections of the throat or lungs may require antibiotic medication. Mild throat infections may be treated by gargling with warm salt water. Causes of a chronic cough Cough occurs when dust, virus, bacteria, food particles or pollen irritate the nerve endings present in the airways between throat and lungs. The body tries to clear the blockage by coughing. Before moving on to chronic cough remedies, it pays to take a look at the various causes of a chronic cough. Common causes of a chronic cough are as follows: Postnasal drip Asthma, cough-variant asthma with a cough as the main symptom Chronic bronchitis Any type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Viral or bacterial infections of the throat or lungs Medications for treating other illnesses like high blood pressure Smoking Chewing tobacco Acid reflux. Other causes of a chronic cough that are less common include the following: Cystic fibrosis Lung cancer Heart failure Bronchiolitis A whooping cough Bronchiectasis Top 10 home remedies for a chronic cough Identifying the cause of a chronic cough is primary to decide on chronic cough remedies.

High cholesterol can lead to numerous cardiovascular conditions including heart attack and stroke. It is vital to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, cholesterol-lowering supplements are a great way to keep high cholesterol in check. In turn, this will lead to a healthy heart. Many cholesterol-lowering supplements are available, and this guide will help you choose the right mix of supplements to lead a healthy life. The best cholesterol-lowering supplements Fish oil These cholesterol-lowering supplements are useful in reducing triglycerides in the body by 30% due to a high content of omega-3 fatty acids. Consumption of this supplement has the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest. However, the increased mercury content in fil oil supplements has made people wary. These supplements also have side effects such as bad breath, feeling of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. They may also interfere with blood-thinning medication, and it is best to consult a doctor about the right dosage. Artichoke extracts These supplements may help reduce the total cholesterol levels, especially bad cholesterol, in the body. However, it may cause gas and trigger some allergic reactions. More studies are required to determine its long-term effectiveness. Niacin This B-vitamin helps to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and aids with the increase of good cholesterol in the body. However, one should only use it under the supervision of a medical practitioner as its side effects can range from a headache, flushing, and nausea to liver damage in rare cases. Red yeast rice extract This is one of the most popular cholesterol-lowering supplements. One of its main ingredients, monacolin K, decreases cholesterol in the body. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that it could be harmful as many red yeast rice products contain a medication called lovastatin, and there is no way to regulate the amount of lovastatin in these supplements.

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in all the cells of our body. It is essential for the proper functioning and production of hormones like vitamin D and pepsin. Cholesterol is also found in food items from animal sources like egg yolk, cheese, and meat. Even our body is capable of generating all the cholesterol it requires. The thing with cholesterol is to maintain its equilibrium as too much of it tends to combine with other food substances in the blood and form plaque which eventually sticks to the arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. This can subsequently cause multiple coronary heart diseases blocking up the blood flow through the arteries. But as it is said there is always a solution to a problem. Likewise, cholesterol can be easily eliminated by many methods. One being, use of prescribed drugs like statins that function by inhibiting an enzyme needed to produce cholesterol. But with the interaction of these drugs, specific food products can turn out to be very dangerous causing severe side effects like joint aches, muscle pain, vomiting, increased blood sugar, kidney damage and many unexpected neurological side effects. It has also been reported that statins can cause a breakdown in muscle cells leading to permanent muscle damage. Alternative to statins Cholesterol absorption inhibitors If statins are not your savior, then a common alternative to statins is cholesterol absorption inhibitor. These drugs function by preventing your small intestine from properly absorbing the cholesterol you consume. It is pretty evident that what is not absorbed cannot reach your bloodstream. One such inhibitor is “Ezetimibe” which when combined with a low-fat diet helps reduce cholesterol efficiently. Resins Other common alternatives to statins are sequestrants or acid-binding resins. They are efficient and function by binding itself with the bile in your intestines, blocking cholesterol absorption to a great extent.

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.

Neuropathy refers to a generalized disease or malfunctioning of the nerves due to a variety of causes. Nerves are present throughout the body and damage in any location of this system affects the related body part. What Is neuropathy? The word is a combination of “neuro” + “pathy” where “neuro” refers to nerve and “pathy” means suffering or feeling. This is a term that is used to describe injury, damage or disease to the nerves. As a result of such damage, there can be several effects – pain, loss of sensation, loss of function or movement, impairment of gland or organ function. These damages are based on the part of the nervous system that is affected. Classification Neuropathy may be classified according to: The number of nerves affected- mononeuropathy, polyneuropathy, mononeuritis multiplex Type of nerve fiber that is involved in motor, sensory or autonomic systems Damaged or injured nerves can cause compression or inflammation Other classifications include cranial neuropathy vs peripheral neuropathy based on whether cranial nerves or peripheral nerves( those outside the brain/spinal cord system) are involved, focal neuropathy where only a single nerve or one single area of the body is involved. Terms like distal symmetric neuropathy are used to describe how distant the affected nerves are from the brain and spinal cord (central nervous system). Symptoms of Neuropathy The malfunction of any nerves results in neuropathy. The symptoms of neuropathy depend on the type, location and number of nerves involved There are two types of neuropathy symptoms: loss of functions and gain of functions. Motor symptoms include weakness, tiredness, lack of balance, muscle atrophy, cramps, and muscle twitch Sensory symptoms include numbness, tingling, and pain In general, the sensory symptoms appear first before motor symptoms that’s why early diagnosis and intervention are crucial Autonomic neuropathy symptoms include dryness of the mouth, constipation, difficult urination, lack of balance or dizziness when you stand up, sexual dysfunction, feeling of bloating after meals, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, intolerance of heat, decreased sweating and hypoglycemia.

H Pylori or Helicobacter Pylori is a type of bacteria that enter your body and find accommodation in your digestive tract. These types of bacteria survive in your digestive tract for several years, and they develop sores known as ulcers in the upper area of your small intestine or the stomach lining. Over time, this infection can result in stomach cancer. Symptoms of H Pylori infection is pretty common, and many humans and animals have these bacteria in their bodies. In a majority of the people, they do not cause an ulcer. Even if this bacterium causes an infection, it can be treated with the help of medicines. Better sanitation and clean water offer protection against these germs. The following symptoms of H Pylori infection can help conduct a better and timely diagnosis of the same. Flatulence, bloating, diarrhea, and constipation Stomach acids play a critical role in the immune system. They kill the bacteria and other harmful parasites that are absorbed through food and drinking water. Other functions of stomach acids include promoting protein digestion and encouraging the pancreas to produce digestive juices. The H Pylori bacteria interfere with the stomach acids in your body to cause digestive issues. Therefore, you experience diarrhea, bloating, constipation, and flatulence as well. Vomiting and nausea When the digestive process becomes abnormal, the entire functioning of the body gets damaged. That is what happens when one begins to show symptoms of H Pylori infection. Several patients have to deal with nausea when they get affected by this bacterial infection. Some patients show a vomiting tendency as well. It is easily mistaken for morning sickness due to pregnancy. GERD and Heartburn Do you frequently suffer from GERD (Acid Reflux) or heartburn? If you experience these symptoms of H Pylori infection, you might be suffering from the same.

Increased competition and fast-paced modern life have already started taking a toll on your health. While some are affected with conditions like obesity, there are others, who get irregularities in their thyroid, blood sugar, or blood pressure level. Medical examinations conducted in the recent past indicate that an increased number of people are suffering from type 2 diabetes. As the chronic disease is now affecting people irrespective of their age or sex, people all over are searching for remedies to lower the A1C level of diabetes. Unlike the common fasting and after meal diabetes test, A1C examination help in diagnosing the blood sugar level of the past two to three months. Therefore, a diet change for a week is not quite effective to lower the A1C level of diabetes. To keep a check on and lower the A1C level of diabetes, you can follow some simple tips mentioned below. Always eat on time – When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, the first and foremost thing that comes to mind is food restriction. Yet, just noting the restrictions is not enough. To keep diabetes under control, you need to eat consistently on time. Eat all your meals consistently and never skip your breakfast. In most of the cases, people who skip their breakfast have an irregular A1C level, as the blood sugar increases when the stomach is empty. Eat a balanced diet – Eating on time is not enough. To cope up with this chronic ailment, you need to eat a balanced diet. Your diet should contain carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and other essential nutrients in the desired amount. If you cannot keep a track of your regular intake, get a diet chart from a nutritionist and follow that. Also measure the amount of every serving carefully as eating in excess can be detrimental.

We need to thank the Egyptians for introducing the hair removal idea into this world. Humans get hair growth everywhere on the skin for a reason, but today we are focused on getting hair from most areas removed. Individuals have hair growth on all over their bodies so that parasites can be detected and they remain free from any disease. If you peek into the history of human hair, you will find that women in the old and ancient times preferred hairier men to those who weren’t as hairy. This is because they preferred disease-free and clean men. Surprising, isn’t it? With the Egyptians and ancient Roman, who classified hairless bodies with people who have higher class, hair removal became a matter of aiming to look classier, richer, and cleaner. Romans considered pubic hair unhygienic and hence, if you see old Roman statues, you will find that most statues of females are depicted hairless. So now we know where and why we are so obsessed with removing hair. As time moved ahead, women started shaving the hair from legs, hands and private parts. Today if you see women, they prefer to have not a single hair below their nose. Most women would want to have hair on their eyebrows and head and nowhere else. Until the 1950s, men and women used razors as there were hair removal creams for women, but they caused irritation. Other tools like tweezers were used as well for shaping the eyebrows. It was in the 1960s when wax strips came into existence, and this method was accepted world-wide rather too quickly. This shows the obsession over getting unwanted hair removed from the body. The evolution of hair removing techniques was rapid over the decades. Today there are many ways to get your body and face hair removed.

Hemorrhoids often known as piles are a common disease among people. Every three out of four individuals suffer from hemorrhoids at different ages during their lifespan. Hemorrhoids are the swollen veins in the anus and parts of the lower rectum. There are several causes of hemorrhoids. During deliveries, high pressure is exerted on the veins which may cause piles. Excessive straining during the bowel movements is another cause of hemorrhoids. Some of the probable symptoms of hemorrhoids include bleeding, itching, and discomfort. Read the article below to explore the causes, symptoms, facts, diagnosis, and treatment of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be classified into two categories, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids Internal hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum walls. These hemorrhoids are less painful and don’t cause discomfort or irritation. In the beginning, people don’t even feel internal hemorrhoid. However, the enlargement makes them more obvious. In some cases, too much irritation and straining worsens the hemorrhoids and can even cause bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids can move to the anal opening due to high straining or increased pressure. The condition is known as protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoids. If you find pink skin around the anus area, it is a probable sign of prolapsed hemorrhoids. Prolapsed hemorrhoids cause much pain at times. This is because the anus has an intricate network of pain-sensing nerves. Protruding hemorrhoids can move into the rectum by itself. However, if they don’t, they can be moved back to the required place using medical treatment. External hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids occur on the outer skin around the anus. Thrombosed hemorrhoids: Thrombosed hemorrhoids result in the formation of blood clot. Though thrombosed hemorrhoids don’t have severe impacts, it can be painful at times and lead to inflammation and bleeding. Enlarged hemorrhoids: The enlarged hemorrhoids can be identified with the symptoms such as mucus discharge, burning sensation in the anus, improper emptying during a bowel movement, itching, and pain.

Bronchitis can be defined as an irritation or inflammation of the airways, also known as bronchial tubes, in the lungs. These airways are the tubes through which the air passes. When these airways get inflamed, thick mucus forms in them. The mucus covers up the airways thus making it hard for the air to get into the lungs. Persistent coughing is an indication of bronchitis and produces mucus. The sputum plugs up the airways and causes difficulty in breathing, resulting in a feeling of tightness in the chest. In this article, the symptoms along with effective treatment for chronic bronchitis have been outlined. Chronic means that the problem or condition lasts a long time ranging from a few days to several months. Chronic bronchitis is bronchitis that usually lasts more than 3 months and often occurs with emphysema. The combination of these disease causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symptoms of chronic bronchitis The most common symptoms of acute bronchitis: Sore throat Fever constant coughing accompanied by yellow or green mucus Chest congestion Shortness of breath Wheezing Chills Body aches Causes of chronic bronchitis Viruses are often blamed for causing chronic bronchitis. Viruses attack the coating of the bronchial tree and cause inflammation. The same viruses that are responsible for causing colds can also cause acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is contagious, i.e., the virus can be caught from breathing it in or through contact. Once the body starts fighting bronchitis causing viruses, swelling, and inflammation occur. The body needs time to kill these viruses and heal the damage caused to the bronchial tubes. Cigarette smoking is also said to be a major cause of chronic bronchitis. During smoking, tobacco smoke is inhaled into the lungs, this smoke causes irritation in the airways, and they start producing mucus. Regular smokers often develop acute bronchitis.

Medically referred as ‘lumbar spine,’ the lower back is a complex design of interconnected bones, nerves, ligaments, muscles, and joints. The lumbar spine provides structural support to the body, protect certain body tissues, and help with movement. Lower back pain is quite common in adults. Symptoms The common symptoms displayed when there is a pain in the lower back include: A dull, aching pain Pain gets worse after you’re in a sitting position for a long time Pain that moves down to the buttocks, legs, and feet Pain that’s very bad the moment you wake up and eases as you move around Pain that decreases when you change positions Causes Lower back pain can be caused due to any number of factors. Certain existing medical conditions and illnesses also can cause pain in the lower back. Lower back pain can be caused due to muscle or ligament strain, herniation (disk disease), and spinal stenosis (a tight spinal cord). Other causes include degenerative joint disease, osteoporosis with a compression fracture, and spondylolisthesis. Sometimes, pain in the organs can also cause lower back pain. Treatment The line of treatment is based on identifying the underlying cause of back pain. Mild to moderate pain in the lower back which is caused due to stress and exertion subsides on its own after you take rest. If the pain is chronic, then you need to visit a doctor for pain management. It involves medication plus enlisting the services of a physical therapist to chart an exercise schedule. Exercises For Lower Back Pain Staying active is the best way to combat lower back pain. Exercising on a daily basis helps to reduce back pain by releasing the stiffness, soreness and the tension in the lower back. Chart your exercise routine by incorporating the following lower back pain exercises.