5 simple home remedies and tips to help dry eyes

5 simple home remedies and tips to help dry eyes

Dry eye syndrome is a condition characterized by the tear glands not producing adequate fluid to keep the eyes lubricated. This condition can lead to symptoms such as scratchy eyes, eye fatigue, heavy eyelids, pain, light sensitivity, and even blurred vision. These can disrupt one’s daily schedule and be very painful, causing further distress. This article shares some home remedies that one can try to relieve the symptoms of dry eyes. 5 Tips and Home Remedies to Manage Dry Eye Syndrome Use warm compresses Warm compresses basically stimulate the tear glands to promote the production of tears. This can be a regular practice and can provide great relief when done every day. Have a good night’s sleep Lack of sleep can instigate dry eyes and eye fatigue in people who would not have the condition otherwise. It is recommended to take short breaks between screen time and get some shut-eye. Use a humidifier People who reside in a region that is dominated by dry and cold weather must invest in a humidifier for it retains the moisture in the air and helps relieve the discomfort caused by the dry weather. Stay hydrated An adequate intake of water is essential for everyone, but it’s especially important for patients with dry eye syndrome. Having enough water can further help to keep the eyes lubricated, which helps in soothing the dry eye symptoms. Use eye drops or ointments Any over-the-counter eye drops available can help soothe the dry eye syndrome and provide temporary relief. You can also opt for eye drops that induce artificial tears to lubricate the eyes; however, remember to buy the ones without preservatives. Foods to Have for Dry Eye Syndrome Foods that are a potent source of omega-3 fatty acids significantly help relieve the symptoms of dry eyes when eaten over a period of time.
Top 10 Supplements That Can Help Boost the Brain

Top 10 Supplements That Can Help Boost the Brain

Everyone goes through an average level of stress and hardships every single day. After the day’s work is done, everyone needs an average sleep time of 7-8 hours in order to prepare the brain and body for the next day. Our brain has a massive influence on our day-to-day activities and hence training our brain to tolerate the high pressure and stress level is a must in order to succeed in what we do. But how do we train our brain? That must be the question for you right? Well, there are both natural and artificial products available in the market known as Nootropics that not only benefit our body but these supplements also enhance our thinking capability, focus and energy, and also have a positive effect on our mental performance. They help by restoring the support for memory and recalling pieces of information. So, take a look at the products that feature on the list of top 10 brain supplements that can boost our brain power. Resveratrol It is an antioxidant that is a rich source of red and purple fruits like grapes, raspberries, and blueberries and is considered to be one of the top 10 brain supplements. Consuming Resveratrol on a daily basis can slow down the deterioration of the ‘hippocampus’ of our brain which is related to memory functions. Taking an average of 200 mg of Resveratrol per day for 26 weeks can relatively increase your memory power. Caffeine It acts as a natural stimulant for your brain and is found mainly in tea, coffee, and dark chocolates. Caffeine is best known for stimulating your central nervous system as well as your brain to enhance your energy and alertness of your body. An average amount of 200-400 mg of consumption of caffeine daily can improve your memory, reaction times as well as your general brain function.
Foods to Include and Avoid in Your Diet for Diabetes

Foods to Include and Avoid in Your Diet for Diabetes

The problem with food items available today is that most of them are processed. The sugar and salt content in several food items is very high. Even if the sugar content is moderate in some sweets, we consume too much of it and end up harming ourselves and spoiling our health. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the country and these numbers are only expected to rise. While we cannot reverse the effect of diabetes, its early detection is the key to survival. There are diet plans we can follow to maintain our health. Here are a few of the best diets for diabetes which you must follow every day: What to avoid There are certain food items that need to be avoided no matter what. You may be tempted to consume these food items but remember, your health comes first. Processed carbohydrates are a strict no. Food with sugar content needs to be minimized too. This includes your all-time favorite candy, soda, potato chips, and other packaged or processed snacks. Artificial sweeteners need to be avoided as well. While these will not spike the sugar content in your blood the same way sugar does, they could have a telling impact in the way your body reacts to insulin. It is better to avoid it as a whole to be on the safer side. Do not consume too much of anything with little to none sugar content as too much of anything can be bad for you as well. Avoid eating bacon, beef jerky, hot dogs, sausages, and pepperoni. These foods inhibit the body’s response to insulin and increase the resistance to insulin. Best diets for diabetes Do not be disheartened. There are many healthy and tasty foods you can eat. Lean proteins are low in saturated fat and are perfect for people with diabetes.
Healthy Food Items that Help Lower Cholesterol Levels

Healthy Food Items that Help Lower Cholesterol Levels

Wondering how to naturally lower LDL levels? Well, you should first know that cholesterol is an essential substance which helps the human body to build cells. It travels through the blood on proteins which are called lipoproteins. These proteins are classified into LDL or Low-density lipoprotein and HDL or High-density lipoprotein. HDL or good cholesterol absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver, excess of which is flushed out of the body. On the other hand, LDL or bad cholesterol make up most of the body’s cholesterol. When our body has LDL in excess, it can build up on walls of blood vessels, making it narrow. These narrow blood vessels blocks flow of blood to and from the heart, thus causing a heart attack. A lesser known fact is that HDL can lower risk for heart disease and stroke. The LDL particle concentrations are typically categorized by percentiles and the optimal range is 0 – 20% in adults. What causes LDL? Cholesterol is vital to the human body, and hence it is produced naturally. But there are some foods that can only increase the LDL level, more than the body actually requires. Unhealthy food habits or a diet rich in saturated and trans fats, lack of physical activities, exposure to smoking and excess weight are the main reasons for high cholesterol levels. Some people inherit genes from their previous generations too. How to naturally lower LDL? Cholesterol enters our body through two sources. The liver makes all the cholesterol which is required by the body. The remainder of it comes from food from animals and dairy products. There are lifestyle changes that can improve cholesterol levels. So, if you are wondering how to naturally lower LDL in your body, include these in your diet. A variety of fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables are the main source of soluble fibers which absorbs cholesterol in intestines by binding it with bile.
15 Metabolism Boosting Foods to Include in Your Diet

15 Metabolism Boosting Foods to Include in Your Diet

Metabolism is the speed at which your body burns down the calories acquired from food. Slow metabolism rate leads to weight gain and fatigue. And no matter how much you exercise or consume a balanced diet, you won’t be able to get rid of that unwanted fat. Adding metabolism boosting foods in your diet can be a head start in solving this problem. There are several factors that affect metabolism, such as: Age Hormones Stress Gender In addition, metabolism is also affected by the foods we consume. Here are 15 metabolism boosting foods that improve body’s capacity to burn more calories: Chili peppers Chili peppers greatly accelerate metabolic rate by increasing thermogenesis, a process of heat generation in the body to melt the fat. Capsaicin, a chemical found in hot pepper, is known to raise the body temperature and boost metabolism. Coffee The caffeine in coffee is known to improve your metabolism. The dark and aromatic drink helps in quick fat oxidization by increasing the metabolic rate by up to 11%. Also, coffee is a great solution for improving your workout performance as it helps the body to burn fat for energy. Herbs Herbs such as oregano, cilantro, dill, fennel, thyme, and rosemary are packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants negate the effect of free oxygen radicals and improve the body’s metabolic rate. Apple These are a rich source of dietary fiber, flavonoids, and antioxidants. They do not only help in increasing metabolic rate but also reduce inflammation, cholesterol, and improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profile. Celery Popularly promoted as a negative calorie food, celery is one of the best metabolism boosting foods . When you consume celery, your body cells have to work really hard to break it down, thus increasing your metabolic rate. This means you burn more calories digesting it than the calories actually present in it.
6 Tips to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally

6 Tips to Lower Your Blood Pressure Naturally

The amount of processed food and junk food consumed today has led to an unprecedented rise in the number of diabetic cases and cases of high blood pressure in the country. While enjoying a little sugar and spice in your lives is not forbidden, you must prioritize your health first. Maintaining a healthy diet can go a long way in ensuring that you do not have to depend on medications and tablets all your life. Excessive intake of processed food and salty food items leads to high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. The regular blood pressure range for adults is more than 90 over 60 mmHg and less than 120 over 80mmHg. If your blood pressure is anywhere above that, you probably have high blood pressure. You must take steps to reduce your blood pressure before it is too late. Avoid eating salty food items, and you should be good to go. There are several other blood pressure remedies you can adopt to improve your overall health. Here are some tips that will help you lower your blood pressure naturally. Remedies for high blood pressure Here are some of the best blood pressure remedies. Lose weight: Being overweight is often associated with a rise in blood pressure. Thus, one can lower their blood pressure by losing weight. To put it into perspective, for every kilogram of body weight one cuts, their blood pressure lowers by 1mmHg. Moreover, carrying too much weight around the waist area puts individuals at a higher risk of blood pressure. Men with a waist measuring more than 40 inches, and women with waist measurements of 35 inches and above face a higher risk of blood pressure problems. Exercise: Regular exercise can help one overcome high blood pressure naturally. Exercising for 30 minutes a day, or for at least 150 minutes a week can lower one’s blood pressure by up to 8mmHg.
5 Tips to Help You Sleep Better

5 Tips to Help You Sleep Better

Nothing can refresh you as much as a good night’s rest. It rejuvenates your body and gets you ready for working hard the next day. Sleeping well is as important as your diet and exercise. However, many people all over the world face sleep deprivation. Inadequate sleep will result in weight gain and increase the risk of falling ill due to low immunity. At the same time, sleeping well will ensure that you have a hearty appetite, it will improve your health, and increase your stamina. It is crucial to remember the importance of adequate sleep. Let’s discuss five ways to help you sleep better. Get your smartphone out of the bedroom The first thing you have to do to sleep well is to make sure that you don’t use your smartphone in your bedroom. Remember that the bedroom is only for sleeping and resting. When you get to your bed after a long day, your body will want to sleep. However, when you browse the internet and use various apps on your phone, you’re making sure that your body does not get enough rest. The white light of your smartphone’s screen sends signals to your brain indicating that it’s not the time to sleep. In this way, your body doesn’t get the sleep it requires, and in turn, it increases the risk of diseases due to fatigue. If you want to prevent your body from becoming vulnerable, then you have to stop using your smartphone at least one hour before you need to go to sleep. Most smartphones have an option of a nightlight. Turn that on as it will give signals to your brain indicating that it is time to sleep. Thus, reducing your mobile usage is one the ways to help you sleep better. Avoid caffeine late in the day Caffeine has a lot of benefits, and almost 90% of the population consumes it to boost their energy, focus, and performance.
Shingles – Symptoms and Treatment

Shingles – Symptoms and Treatment

The virus varicella-zoster that causes chickenpox is also responsible for causing shingles. It is a viral infection that causes painful rashes on the skin. Usually, those who have been infected with chickenpox are more likely to acquire shingles. It appears as a stripe of blisters typically on the neck, face, or torso. In most cases, shingles take two to three weeks to clear up. Usually, if a person gets shingles once, it rarely happens again. According to various medial study reports, shingles is so common in the country that it affects almost one in the three people at some point in their lifetime. Here is a list of some of the most common symptoms of this viral infection along with the ways of how to treat shingles. Symptoms of Shingles The most common symptom of this viral infection is burning and pain. It can be a constant gnawing, stabbing, or sharp pain that comes and goes. Along with this pain, the affected person may experience blistering skin rash. The characteristics of the rashes may include red patches, itching, rashes on the ears and face, rashes wrapped around the torso starting from the spine, and blisters filled with fluid that breaks out easily. Some shingles-affected patients can experience symptoms beyond these rashes and pain. Some of these symptoms are chills, fever, fatigue, headaches, muscle weakness, and sensitivity to light. Other than all these abovementioned signs and symptoms of shingles, it can involve some rare as well as serious complications. Intense pain in one of the ears or loss of hearing, loss of taste on the taste buds, dizziness etc. All these can be the symptoms of the Ramsay Hunt syndrome. Rashes and pain, which involve the eye. To avert permanent damage of the eye, it is important to know how to treat shingles.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure and How to Lower It Naturally

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure and How to Lower It Naturally

People suffering from the issue of high blood pressure are constantly looking for some easy home remedies on “how to lower blood pressure naturally?” Here, we have compiled some effective home remedies for lowering the blood pressure and keeping your body in the best possible shape. But first, let us understand some key facts about high blood pressure. What is high blood pressure? Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure occurs when the level of blood pressure increases to extremely high and unhealthy levels. The measurement of blood pressure includes taking into account the amount of blood passing through the blood vessels and the amount of resistance it faces while the heart is pumping. When the arteries narrow down, the resistance increases. If the problem of high blood pressure is not accurately treated, it can cause serious health issues such as heart disease. According to research, nearly half of adults in the country are diagnosed with the problem of high blood pressure. Common symptoms of high blood pressure Before we address the most significant query “how to lower blood pressure naturally?”, let us have a look at some of the most common symptoms of hypertension: Headaches Nosebleeds Shortness of breath Chest pain Dizziness Flushing Urine in the blood Visual changes It is important to note that a lot of people do not experience any symptoms at all. So, it is best to get regular blood pressure readings taken. How to lower blood pressure naturally? Here are some easy home remedies you can perform to keep your blood pressure in control. Let’s have a look. Exercise Incorporating at least 30 minutes of exercise into your daily routine is a significant aspect of healthy living. It not only lowers your blood pressure but also helps to control diabetes and has a positive effect on your mood and strength.
7 Measures to Get Relief from Neck Pain

7 Measures to Get Relief from Neck Pain

The root cause of a stiff or hardened neck is a debilitating pain in the neck muscles due to a patient’s age or because of poor body posture. Research suggests that around 70-80% of Americans face the issue of neck pain at some point in their lives. Neck pain predominantly impacts your daily routines and also causes discomfort while working. Hence, we will talk about a couple of reasons behind a stiff neck and the measures which help provide relief from neck pain. Causes of neck pain Numerous circumstances can cause neck pain. It’s imperative that you consult a qualified specialist to have the problem examined so that you can get to the root of the problem. When you know the cause of the pain, it’ll be easier to treat it. Some reasons for neck pain are as follows: Poor working posture while working on a PC or laptop. Sitting for long hours leads to bad posture. Neck strain or different types of neck injuries Common diseases or infections that may result in swollen lymph nodes Stress as it can cause pressure in the neck region Squeezed nerves Fibromyalgia Degenerative disk problem An uncomfortable sleeping position Measures to treat neck pain If neck pain persists due to bad posture, sleeping in an uncomfortable position or due to any pressure while exercising, you will not need serious medical attention. Try the methods listed below to get instant relief from neck pain: Use the perfect pillow If you are facing this problem due to your sleeping habits, then it is best to change your pillow and get a new one that offers excellent support to your neck while sleeping. Make use of a feather or memory foam pillow which provides a contouring effect to your head while sleeping. Avoid using high and heavy pillows.
10 Best Multivitamins for Women

10 Best Multivitamins for Women

Getting the recommended dosage of vitamins is essential for overall health maintenance. Having a wholesome and a healthy diet alone does not ensure an adequate supply of essential vitamins to our body. All of the vitamin and mineral requirements of our body are not met by natural, whole foods. Hence, doctors recommend multivitamin supplements to bridge this nutritional gap. Given the fact that the nutritional requirements of women differ from that of men, choosing the best multivitamins for women requires careful evaluation of the nutritional needs and other factors. Intake of multivitamins needs to be done after a detailed evaluation of the nutritional gaps and consultation with a physician or a registered dietician. Essential vitamins for the proper functioning of the body Here is a list of vitamins that are essential for the proper functioning of the body. Vitamin A Vitamin B1/B2/B3 Vitamin B5/B6 Vitamin B7/B9/B12 Vitamin C Vitamin K Vitamin E Choline Who needs to take multivitamins? Those who do not have healthy eating habits require multivitamins to fill the nutritional gaps. People who have a poor appetite due to health complications or illnesses need them too. Pregnant women and nursing mothers require an additional supply of vitamins and minerals, which are provided by multivitamin supplements. Those on diet restrictions may also need multivitamin supplements to make up for lack of nutrients. Senior citizens require multivitamins to compensate for depleted nutrients due to old age. How to choose the right multivitamin for women? What are the factors to be considered before choosing the best multivitamins for women? Although each multivitamin brand varies slightly based on the ingredients and the quantities, the main vitamin and mineral content remains the same. The rate of absorption of the contents of multivitamins is the differentiating factor between various brands of multivitamins. Women should scrutinize the contents of the multivitamins before consumption.
Diagnosis and Treatments of Postherpetic Neuralgia

Diagnosis and Treatments of Postherpetic Neuralgia

Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles, caused by the chickenpox virus. It affects nerve fibers and skin, causing burning sensations that last long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear. The danger of postherpetic neuralgia rises with age, primarily concerning people older than 60. There is no permanent cure, but treatment can help to ease the pain. The signs and symptoms are limited to the first occurrence of shingles outbreak on your skin. The shingles mostly break around the trunk or usually on one side of your body. These three signs and symptoms can be of concern: You have been experiencing pain from the last three months or longer post the shingles rash has healed. One experiences burning, sharp and jabbing, or deep and aching pain. Skin becomes sensitive to touch. People often cannot stand the slightest of sensation or contact like cloth rubbing the affected area. Some experience Itching and numbness around the affected area. Diagnosis Most cases do not require any tests to be done. Doctors touch the border of the affected area on your skin to determine the severeness. Treatment No particular postherpetic neuralgia treatment can help relieve all people. For many affected patients, it takes a combination of treatments to reduce the pain. Lidocaine skin patches Small patches like bandages that contain the topical, pain-relieving medication lidocaine. These patches can be cut to fit the affected area, and these are available by prescription. Apply directly on the affected area where you experience pain and burning sensation to get temporary relief. Capsaicin skin patch High concentration from an extract of chili peppers (capsaicin) is another available skin patch option that is known to relieve the pain from postherpetic neuralgia. The patch is available only at a doctor’s clinic and has to be applied by trained professionals post using a numbing medication on the affected area.