Cold sore is the infection around the lips caused by herpes simplex virus. It creates tiny fluid-filled lesions on or around the lips. Usually, cold sores affect people in the age of 14 to 60 years. The most common symptoms of a cold sore are a burning sensation in or on the skin, accompanied by sore lips, tingling lips, or ulcer, blisters, rashes, ulcers, or redness. This virus can quickly spread through physical contact. Generally, self-diagnosable, this virus which causes cold sores are found in 90% of the population, but in most of the cases, it is harmless. When this virus becomes active, it causes oral herpes or cold sores. Even in its inactive state, this virus remains in the body. The infection caused by the herpes simplex virus can recur at any point in the future depending upon the levels of stress, hormonal imbalance, and various other factors. The treatment for cold sores aims to reduce or suppress the pain and discomfort, however, there is no cure for it. Read on to find out some at-home cold sore treatments to alleviate the symptoms. Ice packs Ice packs help you to reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by the cold sores by numbing the nerves in and around the affected area. This reduces the pain caused due to the blisters. Just apply an ice cube over the troubled area thrice a day to get instant relief. Do not extend the application for more than 20 minutes as it can cause damage to the skin. Aloe vera gel Aloe vera is the most commonly used cosmetic product which is anti-inflammatory and has soothing properties for the skin. The redness and itchiness caused due to the blisters can be calmed down by applying aloe vera gel topically. For best results, freeze a scoop of aloe vera in the refrigerator and apply this aloe vera ice cube to the affected part at least twice a day.

Personality disorders are on the rise. Generally, such disorders cause discomfort to the person suffering from such a condition. However, Sociopathic Personality Disorder also has damaging effects on the people around the patient, who suffers from this disorder. More prevalent in men than women, Sociopathic Personality Disorder is medically defined as a mental health condition in which a person exhibits antisocial behaviour without any care/concern for the people around him and with no intention to follow societal norms. This sort of a behaviour is exhibited in the long term with the intention to violate other’s rights. While it is not possible to pinpoint the exact cause of this personality disorder, an interplay of genes and environmental factors like child abuse, can lead to this condition. Identifying A Sociopath A sociopath can be identified through the traits exhibited. These are hallmark traits and the presence of 3 or more, can confirm that it’s a case of sociopathic personality disorder. Lack of concern towards other people and their feelings Not conforming to the rules and norms of society, thus violating the law Deceitfulness, with an intention to con and cheat people intentionally Easily builds relationships through deception, but cannot sustain the relationship Always putting the blame on others No remorse or feelings of guilt, for their actions Aggressive, very low tolerance levels, often culminating in violence Inconsistent behaviour Impulsive behavior, combined with the inability to plan ahead Sociopaths are deceitful people who con their way to people’s heart. If you’re able to identify someone who suffers from this personality disorder, here is how you can deal with him. Be emotionally strong in his company Sociopaths are known manipulators. So, be very careful and don’t let them take advantage of your emotional weakness. Stay composed and shut all your feelings out, when you are in the unavoidable company of a sociopath.

The term ‘neuropathy’ itself speaks about what it essentially means. Neuro means related to nerves or the nervous system and pathy denotes disorder in a specific part of the body. Hence, neuropathy, popularly known as peripheral neuropathy, refers to the disorder of nerves. This disorder could be caused when certain injury or disease damages your nervous system. Originating from your brain and spinal cord, these peripheral nerves extend to your muscles and tissues. The peripheral nervous system is the primary source of all communication between the body and brain in the form of electrical impulses. There are three types of nerves: Motor nerves Sensory nerves Autonomic nerves Each nerve comprises of neurons, which transmit information throughout the body in the form of electrical and chemical impulses at very high speeds. Thus, damage to the nerve cells results in damage to the communication link. Neuropathy is a rapidly growing condition which is being researched extensively to understand the various causes and treatments for the same. Did you know? The leading cause of deaths among senior citizens is due to accidental falls. Some people fall because of the condition of neuropathy and hence are unable to feel their feet. They try to stand but because of the numbness, don’t get a proper standing posture, and as a result trip and fall over. Causes of neuropathy There are a number of causes that could lead to the development of this condition in an individual. The most common causes include: Trauma Metabolic system anomalies Out of range glucose levels Inflammation of specific body parts, e.g. hands, feet Diabetes Chemotherapy Treatment for neuropathy The most significant concept to remember here is; it is essential to diagnose the underlying cause and provide symptomatic relief by eradicating that cause itself. Based on the root cause of the nerve damage, the treatments for neuropathy can vary.

Ulcerative colitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the colon or the large intestine. This inflammation usually begins in the rectum, which is located towards the end of the large intestine, ending in the anus. It then spreads in the colon and causes multiple problems such as painful bowel movements, stomach ache, and severe diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis generally occurs in multiple phases. The time when the symptoms are active, it is called ulcerative colitis flares. The alternating periods in between these active periods are called ulcerative colitis remission. While the causes of ulcerative colitis are unknown, research shows evidence that infection caused by certain virus and bacteria can cause inflammation of the anus, which can spread to the rectum and the colon. Some of the known symptoms of ulcerative colitis are: · Dehydration · Painful bowel movement · Blood in stool · Pus drainage · Stomach ache · Fever · Skin irritation and rashes If you are suffering from these symptoms, you should pay a visit to a doctor. The doctor will run certain tests to be sure if you have ulcerative colitis. The most commonly prescribed tests to diagnose ulcerative colitis are: Endoscopy The doctor will prescribe an endoscopy such as colonoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy to get an appraisal of the internal situation of the colon. Stool Test Stool samples are collected to check for any traces of blood in it, which is a classic symptom of ulcerative colitis. X-Rays, CT Scans, Or MRIs These tests are also prescribed to help your doctor decide if the disease has affected your bones and other parts of your body. Treatment Of Ulcerative Colitis Here is a list of some useful tips that you can follow while struggling with ulcerative colitis flares. Drink Plenty Of Water: Keeping yourself hydrated is very important during a ulcerative colitis flare.

Urinary tract infection or UTI is a disease that affects a portion of the urinary tract. It could be either the lower tract that leads to conditions like bladder infections, or it can be the upper tract which causes kidney infections. Symptoms due to infection in the lower urinary tract involves—urge to urinate often, pain while urinating, or even urge to urinate even when you are having an empty bladder. On the other hand, signs caused due to an infection in the upper urinary tract involve—fever and pain in the flank area. Blood in the urine is another symptom, however, it is quite rare. Various treatment options including medications such as antibiotics can help in treating UTI. However, different people react differently to them, i.e., some patients might experience side effects. Therefore these are only to be taken under a doctor’s guidance. How to cure UTI naturally? Water Drinking plenty of water is the remedy for several health conditions and it works well for UTI too. Water helps in flushing out the harmful bacteria from the system that are causing the infection. It also helps in diluting your urine which further helps in reducing pain and burning sensation during urinating. Make sure that you consume enough water throughout the day so that your body can quickly expel the UTI causing bacteria. Cranberry juice Cranberry is a popular natural remedy for treating UTI. Certain research regarding the effectiveness of cranberry juice suggests that having it regularly can minimize the count of UTI developments over a period of a year. Cranberry juice is believed to hamper the growth of bacteria such as E. coli that leads to UTI in most people. Vitamin C Consuming foods which are rich in Vitamin C helps in treating UTI naturally. Vitamin C is said to make the urine more acidic which in turn hampers the rise of E.

The human body’s urinary tract is known as the urinary or the renal system. This is the system that is used to excrete toxins and waste from the human body. The urinary tract is comprised of the kidneys, ureter, the bladder, and the urethra. An infection anywhere in the urinary system is known as a urinary tract infection, commonly referred to as a UTI. It can affect the ureter, the bladders, or even the kidneys. A bladder infection is known as cystitis. When your upper urinary tract or kidneys become infected it is known as pyelonephritis. A very common reason for such UTI is the E. coli bacteria. Other possible causes for a UTI could be frequent sexual intercourse, or intercourse with multiple partners, diabetes, a lack of hygiene, menopause, and even kidney stones. You could even fall prey to a UTI if you urinate in unclean public restrooms. An infection in the lower urinary tract could cause an urge to urinate frequently, even if the bladder is empty. In some cases, you may even experience pain when you urinate. A kidney infection, whether chronic or acute, is extremely dangerous and could leave lifelong effects and even become potentially life-threatening. So you need to take the necessary steps to make sure your kidney health is good and doesn’t become potentially life-threatening. The Best Treatment for UTI A urinary tract infection is a fairly common problem. Urinary tract infections are reported in women more often than men. A UTI is an infection that can be cured fairly easily, and has a large number of treatment options. There are a number of measures you can take to ensure you get the best treatment for UTI possible. These are just a few of them. Drink More Water – Drinking more water than usual is one of the simplest and most important ways to treat, and cure a bladder infection.

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord. Since it is a serious health condition, it requires immediate medical intervention. Causes of meningitis The swelling may be caused due to viral or bacterial infections. However, in some cases, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections can also lead to meningitis. Commonly, acute viral and bacterial infections cause the inflammation of tissues. Fungal meningitis is rare which causes chronic meningitis. The signs of meningitis vary from person to person, depending upon his or her age and the cause of the infection. Bacterial meningitis is a serious illness and can be life-threatening. It spreads to the brain through nasal mucus and throat secretions. It can build up in over a few hours or several days. In infants, the most common causes are Group B strep, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus) are often the causes of meningitis in adolescents. If left untreated for long, many complications may arise. The possible complications might include: Loss of hearing Epilepsy Brain damage which can cause learning disabilities in children Memory problems Renal failure Gait issues Hydrocephalus or fluid buildup and brain swelling Myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscles (only if the infection reaches the heart) Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis and is often less severe than bacterial meningitis. There is no report of severe long-term issues associated with viral meningitis. Affected people recover on their own (without any medical treatment). There is no specific treatment as antibiotics do not help viral meningitis. However, they are crucial in treating bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis is a communicable disease. Signs of viral meningitis are cold, diarrhea, fever, blisters, sore throat, and influenza. The most common virus that causes viral meningitis is a group known as enteroviruses or common stomach viruses.

Heart diseases are widespread today. The main reason for that is the unhealthy lifestyle we are living. Consuming foods at odd times and eating fast foods are a part of our lifestyle. To avoid this, the most important thing one should do is consume foods for healthy heart. It takes time and regular effort to keep the heart healthy and free from any disease. You can incorporate foods that benefit the heart into your diet. It is always better to be cautious than deal with the disease. Here a few foods that will help you keep your heart strong. Salmon Salmon is first on the list when you want to have foods for healthy heart. Salmon fish has many benefits because it is rich in omega three fatty acids. Salmon has an anti-clotting effect that will ensure that the blood flows without any interruptions. The fish is also known to lower the levels of triglycerides in the body. The triglycerides are the fats that are responsible for heart diseases. Make salmon a must have in your diet. You can have two servings of it every week for maximum benefits. Other foods that have high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids are trout, tuna, and sardines. Oatmeal Oatmeal is a recommended food to lower cholesterol. Doctors suggest that you should have a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast every day. Oatmeal has soluble fiber that soaks up the cholesterol so that it is eliminated from the body. This way the cholesterol won’t get into the bloodstream. Go for the natural oatmeal and avoid packed ones that have sugar in them. Whole grain foods like pasta, bread, and rice also help keep the heart strong. Walnuts Walnuts are considered to reduce your chances of acquiring a cardiovascular disease by half. Walnuts have the right kind of fats that are beneficial to the system.

Cataract surgery is a common surgery in today’s time. With cataract issues becoming more prevalent with people above 50 years of age and sometimes lesser, there has been a variety of medical breakthroughs in the field of ophthalmology. Laser cataract surgery is one of them. However, you need to understand the types of this procedure to manage the laser cataract surgery costs smartly. LASIK surgery has become safer than ever before, and the predictability, as well as accuracy levels, have improved. The medical term for the process is Refractive Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery, but popularly, this is known as laser cataract surgery. For the surgery process, the expert team employs the hand controlled surgical means with a femtosecond laser. Steps such as corneal incision, anterior capsulotomy, and lens cataract fragmentation are taken care of. Use of laser can enhance the reproducibility and accuracy of the surgery. Besides, it also lowers the risk involved and improves the cataract surgery outcome in the visual context. Corneal incision As per traditional cataract surgery processes, the maximum dependence is on the skill of the medical expert. The part where the cornea meets the sclera in the eye is the exact point where an incision needs to be made. The surgeon uses a knife or diamond blade for the same. This way, the internal eye areas are accessible to the surgeon. The cataract can then be removed to prevent vision cloudiness. The intraocular lens then replaces the cloudy lens. The trick of the doctor is to make the slit in such a way that there is no need to stitch the area. Whereas in the case of laser cataract surgery, there has to be a surgical plan made specifically for the incision using high-end 3D imagery. This is called the optical coherence tomography. The primary goal here is the creation of a location-based incision that comes with length, depth across all the planes.

Dental implants are the best option available to restore the look, feel, fit and function of your natural tooth. Although there are other options like dentures and bridges, they often interfere with speaking, eating and smiling. All these complexities can be avoided with implants. They would also last longer. Dentures may last for 8 to 10 years, and you need to replace them after this time frame. The cost adds up to such a situation. On the other hand; implants last a lifetime, and you just need some periodic adjustments to enhance the longevity of this dental procedure. In other words, an average cost of dental implants is much less compared to other types of procedures when you consider the long-term benefits. Cost for the X-Ray may add to the cost temporarily but saves money in the future. When it comes to implants, the initial consultation is vital. Most of the planning for the entire treatment is done during this stage. Your teeth and jawbone health is analyzed during the consultation stage and if forms an essential aspect of the treatment. You might have heard a few people saying that their implants have failed to live up to the expectations. If you everything is not done properly during the planning phase, you may not get the expected results. Experienced dental surgeons give utmost importance to the initial consultation to eliminate any future complication. Some people may want to combine the initial phase with the first stage of the treatment to save money. In such a situation, you need to remember that diagnostic imaging such as panoramic X-ray is essential, and it should never be avoided in the name of added cost. X-rays are critical for this procedure, and you should not choose a dentist who is willing to do an implant without an X-ray.

A skin infection caused by the Staphylococcus bacteria —MRSA or Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus is an infection that can occur in any part of the body. Characterised by mild symptoms like sores and boils, the infection can also graduate to severity by infecting surgical wounds, urinary tract, lungs, and bloodstream. The MRSA bacteria are resistant to commonly used antibiotics and that’s why it’s called the ‘ superbug’, making it difficult for the medical fraternity to treat this condition. Causes The Staph bacteria inhabit our bodies and do not pose much risk to healthy people. In fact, one-third of the general population have staph bacteria in their noses. The garden variety Staph is the most common. Staph can land you with a skin infection if it gets into your body. Such infections are minor and don’t call for any specialized treatment. In some cases, Staph can infect wounds or cause pneumonia ( when the bacteria infect the lungs ). Symptoms Of MRSA Staph infection leads to the formation of abscesses, furuncles or boils . These are pus-filled. The area where these boils or furuncles are present become red and swollen accompanied by intense pain. Drainage of the area is also a possibility. If the MRSA infection is moderate, the symptoms that show up are—headache, muscle ache, fatigue, fever, chest pain, and shortness of breath. You’ll experience a general feeling of sickness. When the MRSA infection graduates to become severe, the symptoms worsen. The patient suffers from joint pain, bone pain, muscle ache, chest pain, low blood pressure, fever and chills, fatigue, shortness of breath, painful breathing, headache, rash, and malaise. The above symptoms can be seen if the infection is restricted to the surface of the skin. If the infection reaches the bloodstream, it leads to septic shock , a life-threatening condition.

What Is Gout? Gout is severe pain experienced in the joints due to increase in uric acid levels. Increased levels of uric acid lead to the formation of crystals which are sharp needle-like structures around the joints. Gout can also be called as a severe form of arthritis. Purine is a naturally occurring compound in the body. When we consume foods that are high in purine, their breakdown leads to the formation of uric acid, and this increased level of uric acid leads to gout attacks. Gout normally occurs in the big toe, but other areas of the body that are vulnerable to gout include foot, ankles, knee joints or even the hands. What Is a Gout Diet? A gout diet is a diet that would help you with minimizing the uric acid levels present in the blood. Gout diet would not help in curing gout, but it can help in controlling the gout attacks and reducing the pain experienced in the joints to a great extent. What Are Gout Causing Foods? Gout causing foods is a kind of diet that contains high levels of purine which in turn leads to the formation of uric acid. The increased uric acid would further lead to gout pains. Gout causing foods should be avoided if you are suffering from severe joint pains. Since gout is a common problem in men and the people with excessive weight, they should avoid gout causing foods. Gout Causing Foods The following foods should be avoided for keeping Gout at bay: Fish Fishes contain a high level of purine. If you consume fish on an occasional basis, it may not cause gout problem, but if you eat fish regularly, it could be a problem. Types of fish that contain high levels of purine are salmons, herrings, cod, tuna, sardines, mackerel, carp, trout, anchovies and cod.