Caused by a virus that infects the liver and spreads through the blood, hepatitis C has been known to affect approximately 3 million people in the country as per studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, nearly 75% of the affected people are unaware of the presence of hepatitis C virus in their body. A virus can be present for years or decades before any symptoms become evident. This is the reason why hepatitis C is also known as the “silent killer.” Since the virus remains undetected for a long time, the disease is often diagnosed at a late advanced stage. The CDC estimates that nearly 15,000 of people die every year due to liver disease related to hepatitis C. This mortality rate due to hepatitis C is more than that of HIV. Here are some common hepatitis C FAQs. What does hepatitis mean? This is a common hepatitis C FAQ as many aren’t aware of what hepatitis C is. The inflammation of the liver is called as hepatitis. Hepatitis can be caused by viral or bacterial infection, excess consumption of alcohol, exposure to toxins, and certain medications. The group of viral infections that damage the liver is known as hepatitis. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C are the common types of hepatitis. Each of these types of hepatitis is caused by different factors, and each of these has different symptoms. What is the difference between hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C? Hepatitis A: Hepatitis A is caused by the consumption of contaminated food, specifically food contaminated by raw shellfish and fecal matter. There is no permanent liver damage caused by hepatitis A, and there is no occurrence of chronic disease. Once diagnosed and treated, recovering from hepatitis A is possible in three to six weeks.

With growing age comes a string of other health issues that are known to give never-ending problems to an individual. One of the common issues that more than half the older section of the population suffers from is joint pain. However, the younger lot too can be affected by joint pain if they were ever injured in an accident or suffer from certain degenerative diseases. Joint pains can occur in any part of the body, and as the name suggests, causes excruciating pain in the joints. The joints are what connects the bones throughout the body, and facilitates easy movement. Imagine a person’s plight if he cannot move around due to the excruciating pain in the joints. And the very fact that every joint in the body is susceptible to this condition makes it worse. Usually, it’s the process of aging or the onset of certain diseases that triggers joint pain in individuals. Which diseases are characterized by joint pain? Arthritis, gout arthritis, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, sprains, fractures, and other injuries can lead to severe joint pain. Since the pain becomes unbearable, people resort to taking Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) that are known to provide quick joint pain relief, but it comes with certain drawbacks. For instance, prolonged use of NSAIDs leads to the body becoming immune to its effects, or it can weaken the bones as well. As a result of this, people prefer going natural for gaining quick relief from joint pain. Here are some amazing home remedies that will provide quick joint pain relief to the individual suffering from the same. Hot and cold compress Usually, the pain in the joints is due to inflammation, an effective way of reducing the inflammation is by using hot and cold compress simultaneously. The heat will loosen the joints and get rid of the joint stiffness, and the cold compress will reduce the inflammation and swelling in the joints.

Pneumonia is the infection of the lungs, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses or even fungi. People suffering from pneumonia might experience heavy coughing, fever, and experience hard time breathing. It makes it difficult to transfer oxygen to the blood. Pneumonia is a condition that causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs, called the alveoli. In this condition, the alveoli of the lungs get filled with mucus or pus, which makes it very difficult to breathe. Before we head to find out the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, let us look at the causes of the same in brief. It usually starts when one begins to breathe in germs into the lungs. The onset of the disease usually begins after the person suffers from cold or flu. Cold and flu make it hard for the lungs to fight back, resulting in infections. Hence it becomes easier to get affected from the signs of pneumonia. Suffering from chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma, cancer or even diabetes can also lead to pneumonia. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia Signs of pneumonia can be mild to life-threatening. It depends on the severity of the infection. The most common symptoms of pneumonia include: Coughing that produces phlegm (mucus). Because the alveoli in the lungs get filled with mucus, it affects the immune system of the body and the person suffers from mild to high-grade fever, chills and also experiences sweating. And because of the same reason, there is little or no room for the inhaled air to occupy for the lungs, thus the person suffers from shortness of breath. These above-mentioned conditions eventually lead to one common symptom, which is chest pain. There are symptoms that vary according to the severity of the condition and is based on factors like age and general health of the individual.

Diarrhea is a disorder caused due to irregular bowel movements. A quite common digestive system disorder, diarrhea is caused due to food allergy, bacterial infection or due to eating something that is not digested properly. Often, diarrhea can occur as part of other diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome. It lasts for two to three days with loose and watery stools occurring throughout the day. Common symptoms of diarrhea Some of the common symptoms of diarrhea are as follows: Occasional bouts of nausea and a tendency to throw up Sudden weight loss Presence of mucus or blood in stool Cramps and pain in stomach and bloating Frequently visiting the bathroom to clear the bowels Although diarrhea goes away after two-three days, it is necessary to consult a doctor if the symptoms become severe and persist for a longer period. Dehydration, fever above 102 F, severe rectal or stomach pain and presence of blood in stools are some of the indicators that diarrhea has become severe. In such cases, it is necessary to receive medical treatment to prevent any further health complications. Treatment for diarrhea For mild cases of diarrhea, it is enough to take off the diet. There are certain foods for diarrhea that alleviate the discomfort. Even in the case of severe diarrhea, it necessary to avoid certain foods and eat only that helps the healing process to progress faster. A careful diet comprising of essential food for diarrhea should be followed along with doctor-prescribed medications. Food for diarrhea that you should avoid Certain types of food are difficult to process for the digestive system. These aggravate the symptoms and make diarrhea worse. So, these categories of food must be avoided when suffering from diarrhea. Food with fats: Food that has been fried and is greasy can make the symptoms worse.

Kidney stones can usually be found in the urethra, a membrane tube that originates from the bladder and discharges the urine and semen from your body. These stones build up over a period when they do not get dissolved within your system. If they remain unattended, they will keep growing without making any external effects. Small stones pass through with urine, but the bigger ones remain in your system. The larger stones are pushed into the narrow ducts called ureters, and they get stuck in this are to cause smooth urine passage. When your body makes an effort to discharge these stones, you experience severe pain in your genitals, abdomen, groin or back. Other symptoms of a kidney stone include nausea, vomiting, abnormal urine color and blood in the urine as well. How to dissolve kidney stones using home remedies You can make use of different methods to dissolve kidney stones. If you are wondering how to dissolve kidney stones naturally, here are the most effective natural methods to dissolve kidney stones. Drink a lot of fluids As a first step, you can drink plenty of water. Doctors advise patients to drink about 2 liters of water a day. Some stones can be thrown out when you drink a lot of water. This is essentially the first for removing stones. The most preferred option is distilled water because it is 100% pure and the pure water easily mixes with the buildup of the waste. The tones are broken down by the water, and it dissolves them properly. Phosphoric acid is another effective choice available to dissolve the kidney stones, and the soft drinks available in the market contain phosphoric acid. Drink apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar is highly rich in citric acid. It dissolves the kidney stones effectively. You can use cider vinegar even to prevent the formation of stones because of the alkalizing effect it creates on the blood and urine.

Plantar fasciitis causes pain and discomfort. Over a million people in the world suffer from this illness. Though there are no easy and quick solutions to cure this, you can surely do something to prevent or decrease the discomfort that you would face. You can choose to wear the New Balance shoes for plantar fasciitis since these shoes have shown useful results in controlling pain. The most important factors include arch support for choosing insoles and shoes for plantar fasciitis. Following is a list of the most popular New Balance shoes for plantar fasciitis shoes for both men and women: WW759 Country Walking Shoe: This pair is going to give you all the comfort as it has excellent cushioning features. This is for the neutral feet as it has minimalistic features for pronation corrections. This shoe is designed for hill-top hikes. It’s thicker midsole offers extra durability, thereby helping it provide a great arch support. It is waterproof as well. Gore-Tex layer on this shoe is there for protection and breathability. This lining offers protection against uncertain weather conditions as well. The breathable mesh fabric at the top and ABZORB cushioning as its insoles make everything so comfortable. It is one of the popular New Balance shoes for plantar fasciitis. W1340v2 Optimum Control Running Shoe: This is a great option if you are looking for a running shoe. It employs the Stabilicore medial support system to offer a comfortable and healthy run. There is polyurethane, multi-density insert, offering comfort, flexibility, and support. The rubber outsole is there to offer excellent grip at all time. This pair has en-suite rubber compound, mainly for those areas, which experience the maximum impacts. WL574 Outside in Pack Classic Running Shoe: If you have a tough training schedule to maintain, this is the shoe you should opt for.

Are you among those people who suffer from an inferiority complex for the small size of their penis? Well, you are not the only one experiencing this condition. Many men complain of similar experience and search online for male enhancers that work. Along with the increasing demand, many companies have now come up with different male enhancers that work. All of them are not equally effective and getting a wrong product can leave you frustrated. Therefore, instead of getting misled by the advertisements and promises, it is better to learn some tips to find male enhancers that work. Shop for free trials – Whether you are shopping male enhancers for the first time or have experienced failures earlier, it will be wise for you to look for products that come with free trial options. Companies, which have tested their enhancers for the promised results offer free trials to buyers, as they are quite confident about its sell. However, if you do not think the product is offering promised result, you can always discontinue its use and save your time as well as money. Go for the herbal products – There are several cases where male enhancers that work have gone wrong and have left severe side-effects to the user. That is why it is always recommended to stay away from the artificial pills or chemical products. If you want a safe and satisfactory result, it is always better to look out for herbal enhancement products. Herbal products may be a bit expensive than the chemically formulated products, yet it is worth the money. Seek doctor’s approval – In many cases, it has been found that people make their purchase decisions by getting attracted towards the advertisements and fall prey to scams. If you also do not want to be among them, it will be wise for you to look out for doctor’s recommendation before purchasing a male enhancer.

People who have high cholesterol levels are at a higher risk of having heart diseases. However, it is always in a person’s hand to maintain a healthy outlook. The bad or LDL cholesterol can always be lowered while the good or HDL cholesterol can be raised. This can be done by adopting the few measures listed below: Reduce intake of trans fats Consumption of trans fats increase your LDL level and lower the HDL. This also increases the chances of a person suffering from stroke and other heart complications. Fried food and baked goods contain a fair amount of LDL. You can certainly attain a lower LDL cholesterol level by avoiding these food items. Lose the extra pounds People who tend to be overweight have a lot of bad or LDL cholesterol. Having a balanced diet rich in fiber will help a person reduce weight and attain a lower LDL cholesterol level. Exercise regularly People who exercise for the duration of 2 to 2.5 hours in a week tend to raise their HDL and lower LDL cholesterol levels. For people who have never tried this option beginning with a mild exercise schedule of 10 minutes can bring a viable change in their body. The duration of exercise can be slowly increased, and this will help them to attain a lower LDL cholesterol level. Take fiber-rich diet If a person has higher cholesterol level, it is advised that they include food items like apples, beans and soluble fiber in their food. People who tend to consume up to 10 grams of this healthy food than other people lower their LDL cholesterol levels. Moreover, if a person includes more fiber in the diet it will make them feel fuller, and they will have less craving for snacks and other junk food. However, it is advised that a person should go slowly when consuming fibers as taking an excess of fiber can result in abdominal cramp formation.

What is a fever? It is an increase in body temperature. Fever can also be described as a symptom of infection. Health experts say that is usually harmless and even helpful. Common fevers do not need to be treated. The normal body temperature of the human body is 98.6°C (37°C). However, body temperature can vary between 97°F (36.1°C) and 99°F (37.2°C), and based on your activity levels and time, the temperature may vary a bit further. It has been found that the body temperature of older people is low compared to that of younger ones. When can you say that you are having a fever? You can make use of a fever temperature chart to learn about the temperature levels associated with fever. When your temporal artery, ear, or rectal temperature reaches 100.4°F or 38°C or above, then you are affected with fever. If your oral temperature reaches 100°F or 37.8°C or your armpit temperature reaches 99°F or 37.2°C, you are having a fever. Is there any need for treating a fever? When you are taking treatment for a fever, the primary purpose is to eliminate fatigue and other discomforts. Treatment also promotes rest. Treating a fever does not reduce or extend the course of the illness. How to treat fever in children? Most children with comparatively high fevers do not often feel sick. You have to decide the treatment according to the amount of discomfort. When your child becomes uncomfortable or restless, you can motivate the child is uncomfortable or restless, you can encourage him/her to take a lot of fluids. Lightweight clothing must be used, and you can make use of a light blanket in case the child feels chills. Giving ibuprofen or acetaminophen is advisable, but you must follow the guidelines provided on the label. If you have a baby that is under six weeks old, you should not give acetaminophen and ibuprofen should not be given to children under six months.

Fat tummy is a matter of serious concern for several people. If you have a fat belly, it always bothers you. You might have felt jealous of people having a flat belly. The sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy eating habits make people overweight, and your belly is the most vulnerable area for the fats to thrive. Do you want to know how to lose belly fat in 1 week? Hard work and persistence are the prerequisites when you start your journey, and you must also set realistic goals. It is not an impossible task but not an easy task as well. If you want to know how to lose belly fat in 1 week, here are the best methods that can help you with the same. Take a lot of nuts and berries You cannot find better fat-fighting foods than berries. The berries prevent fat cells from turning bigger, and they assist fat cells in creating a hormone known as ‘adiponectin’ that lowers inflammation as well as blood sugar. This process aids fat loss in the best manner. Nuts are also a good option to achieve a flat tummy. The most important aspect is that nuts are loaded with proteins, fibers, monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants and, they lower your cholesterol levels to make the weight loss fast and effective. Consume small portions regularly Eating small portions more often will help you to lose belly fat in 1 week. You can divide your meals into small portions instead of overloading your digestive system by eating 3 or 4 full meals. When you divide your meal into small portions and consume within a gap of 2 to 3 hours, you can improve your digestion. It prevents fat stores in and around the belly, and the metabolic process can be supercharged to burn more fat.

Uric acid is a waste generally carried in the blood, travels through the bloodstream, filtered out through the kidneys and finally excreted in urine. It is mostly produced by the natural breakdown of our body’s cells and foods which we consume. Uric acid is a by-product which is created during the breakdown of a naturally occurring compound like purines found in foods like beans, mushrooms, liver, etc. There are various causes of an increased level of uric acid in our body where kidneys won’t be able to filter out all of the uric acid or the level of uric acid will be too much for the kidneys to handle. Various medical conditions like hypothyroidism, leukemia, hypertension, obesity, and other genetic tendencies can lead to increased levels of uric acid. Moreover, certain medications, such as vitamins, diuretics, and cancerous drugs or drugs to suppress the immune system, often react with the body and affect the digestive system, thereby affecting the breakdown of uric acid. Sometimes eating wrong food or excess food like meat can cause an increase in the amount of uric acid as it contains a lot of purines. How to lower uric acid in our body A uric acid test helps measure the uric acid levels in our body. It’s a chemical that’s produced when our body breaks down purines during the natural breakdown of cells in the body. Most of the uric acid leaves the body through urination or defecation. When this natural process is hampered, the body produces too much or less of uric acid. If you are wondering how to lower uric acid levels, the following tips would be beneficial. Excess consumption of alcohol and caffeine can increase the uric acid level and promotes uric acid production. Vitamin C-rich lemonade or orange juice can reduce uric acid levels in case of a kidney stone.

Spinal stenosis refers to abnormal narrowing of a bone channel related to the spinal cords or nerves. Some people have a perfect form, but a lot of people become vulnerable to spinal stenosis related discomforts due to a degenerative cascade. A good number of people may not experience any narrowing effects while many will have to deal with radiating pain because of the aging process. In addition to pain, patients experience numbness and weakness. What are the most popular spinal stenosis treatment options? Modification of the activities Certain activities worsen the symptoms of spinal stenosis. That is why doctors recommend eliminating activities that aggravate the condition of the spine. If you are suffering from lumbar stenosis, you can be more comfortable with flexed forward movements. For instance; the most commonly advocated modification activity walking while bending over. Other activities include sitting in a recliner in place of sitting on a chair with straight back position, stationary biking by leaning forward on the handlebars in place of walking as a part of the exercise and leaning on a walker in place of walking upright. These types of modification activities offer great relief for the patients and help them control the pain and other discomforts. Performing the right exercises Every spinal stenosis treatment program includes exercise and physical therapy and this aspect suggests that how effective exercises are. You cannot describe spinal stenosis exercises as a cure, but it is very critical for you to stay active. They make you more tolerant to this health condition, and you get better protection against getting debilitated due to inactivity. Best exercise programs incorporate a combination of stability, endurance, strengthening and range of motion related exercises to offer maximum relief. Proper exercises improve the blood flow to the back, and they bring the much-needed oxygen and nutrients to the affected area.