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.

There has been an exponential growth in the popularity of the usage of personal DNA testing over getting DNA testing done at hospitals or clinics. One of the major reasons for this is the affordable nature of this DNA testing technique. The comfort of getting the DNA test done in your own home is another strong reason for the popularity of this type of testing method. The DNA testing in hospitals and clinics is carried out using different technologies and various methods and tends to be expensive. DNA testing kits can be the most affordable form of DNA testing, but you must be well informed about its functionality before indulging in carrying out the test at home. Below is some information that you must know about the affordable DNA testing kits. A simple procedure – You might think that using a DNA testing kit at home can be a tough task and might include multiple complications, but that is not the case. All you need is a small sample of your saliva to perform the test. Seal a sample of your saliva in the provided container and send it to the lab. You can also swab the inside of your cheek for the sample. There are many different players in the DNA testing kit market and most of them offer affordable DNA testing. DNA testing kits from popular brands such as Family Tree DNA, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage DNA, Living DNA, and 23andMe have prices that start from $69 and go up to $199. The price for some brands depends on the type of test that has been chosen. You can always resort to the International Society of Genetic Genealogy’s list to check the companies’ offerings for DNA testing. The lab tests for genetic variations called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) – Once the sample of your cheek swab or saliva has been received, the DNA testing labs will look for certain genetic variations in your DNA.

One of the biggest concerns that trouble pet owners during summers are the flea and tick problem. While there are many over-the-counter and prescription products that help manage the infestation, it is always better to first explore homemade remedies made with ingredients found in the kitchen. Here are some common preventive measures that include homemade sprays, topical remedies, and even general hygiene that can help keep such infestations at bay. Vinegar spray Vinegar is one of the more effective ingredients among other natural remedies for dog flea and tick control prevention. Fleas and ticks cannot survive the pH levels of apple cider vinegar and are eliminated upon contact. Use the diluted homemade spray once or twice a month to prevent infestations. You can also prepare a cider-based vinegar shampoo by mixing some soap into the solution. Give lather baths twice or thrice a month to control flea and tick infestation. Lemon wash and baths Citrus fruits work as a potent repellent to counter flea and tick infestations. And lemon juice is one of the common suggestions for a topical spray. You can cut some lemons and keep them immersed in boiling water overnight. Strain the liquid the next day and use a simple spray applicator to spread the solution evenly over your pet’s coat. Cover the area under the fur, behind the ears, around the legs, and most importantly, all over the tail. If you prefer a lotion, simply mix some salt and dilute the lemons in boiling water. Apply this homemade lotion after shampooing and conditioning, and make sure you coat the fur properly. Essential oils Lavender, lemongrass, peppermint, rosemary, cedar, citronella, and eucalyptus essential oils are excellent herbal flea and tick repellents. Once you are sure that your pet is not allergic to any of these oils, you can prepare a strong shampoo or topical spray to counter the infestation.

Vertigo is a sensation of whirling which occurs without an accompanying movement. Usually, it’s caused by senses that tell the brain that the body is off balance, though it isn’t. In most cases, vertigo is a symptom of an underlying condition. Some forms of vertigo occur just once while others recur until the underlined problem is resolved. BPPV (benign positional paroxysmal vertigo) is a common kind of vertigo that’s caused by deposits which build up in the inner ear. The inner ear is responsible for navigation and these deposits adversely affect your sense of balance. Stroke, neck or head injuries, Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis are other conditions that may cause vertigo. Have you been searching for a suitable treatment for vertigo? If you’re experiencing this condition, you can rely on some home remedies to treat it. Ginkgo biloba According to several research studies, this herb can increase the flow of blood to the head and brain. Ginkgo biloba may be used to prevent or reverse the loss of taste or smell, tinnitus, short-term memory loss, and muscular degeneration. Ensure that you get a high-quality product that has 24% ginkgolides or ginkgo heterosides. Begin your treatment by taking 250mg of supplements daily until vertigo diminishes significantly in frequency and severity. You can then minimize the dose to 40-60 mg each day for maintenance. This herb is one of the best remedies for vertigo. Epley maneuver Also referred to as canalith repositioning maneuver, the Epley maneuver is an effective treatment for most people who experience vertigo. Studies show that the Epley maneuver is the perfect remedy for people with BPPV. Follow these simple steps to perform the Epley maneuver at home. Sit upright on a flat surface and place a pillow behind you. Make sure that your legs are stretched out.

A fiery sting is the best term that describes the bite of a fire ant. Living up to their name, these ants are the color of fire. When you are caught in an army of fire ants, they swarm onto your skin and pack a powerful, fiery sting that can be quite an ordeal! Symptoms of fire ant bites range from mild rashes to allergic reactions like breathing difficulty. Treatment for fire ants’ bite depends on the severity of the sting. You’d be surprised to know that a tiny fire ant can pack a sting that delivers a venom that contains 46 proteins at least! Fire Ants These ants come in different colors, like red-brown or black, and usually grow up to lengths of a quarter of an inch. They live in sand mounds that are built on lawns and pastures. Fire ants can get very aggressive when their nest is disturbed. If you accidentally disturb their nest, you will probably end up in a burning stream of painful stings. The sting causes pain and itching long after you are bitten by fire ants. Fire ants sting by clamping their mandibles on your skin; hence, it is difficult to remove ants that have actually latched onto you. You need to rub them off your skin with fingers or a rag. What do Fire Ant Bites Look Like? When fire ants are provoked, they swarm onto the skin and anchor themselves strongly with their mandibles. Once they latch onto your skin, they sting repeatedly injecting a toxin called solenopsin. Fire ant sting looks like a swollen red spot with a blister on top. Fire ant stings can be painful and itchy for nearly a week. As soon as you are stung by the ant, you will experience an intense pinching or burning sensation.

Toenail fungus or toe fungus is an infection of toenails that is contagious. If the toenail fungus starts in one nail of the toe, it can spread to the other toenails as well. Usually, dermophytes, a fungi group, is responsible for onychomycosis or toenail infection. This fungi group thrives on keratin which is the main component of nails and hair. When the fungus starts to grow, the patient’s nails get discolored and turn yellow, brown, or white. Eventually, the affected nails might harden, thicken, become brittle, and can even fall off. The treatment for toenail fungus can last for several weeks to several months. Various medications are available to deal with this contagious infection. However, it is always advisable to take medicines under the guidance of healthcare professionals as these medications might have several side effects depending on the person’s medical history. Here is a list of some of the most effective home remedies to treat a toenail fungus. Vinegar You can find vinegar in almost every household. It is a common cooking ingredient in a few cuisines. However, in some cases, you will discover this item in some home cleaning solutions as well. Although there is no clinical evidence to prove vinegar’s effectiveness in treating toenail fungus, there is a lot of anecdotal evidence to support its potential for curing this condition. Mix vinegar in a bowl of warm water. Now, soak your infection-affected toe in this mixture. The ratio of water to vinegar should be 2:1. Baking soda Various medical reports have shown that baking soda helps in soaking up excess moisture, which is one of the leading causes of toenail fungus. While doing a medical study, researchers found that baking soda can effectively prevent the growth of normal fungi by a considerable amount. One of the easiest ways to use baking soda is to put it inside your shoes and socks so that it can soak up the moisture.

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.

Toenail fungus is a common problem that begins with a white or yellow spot under the tip of your toenail. Nail fungus may cause your nail to discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edge as the fungal infection goes deeper. It can attack any nail. You may not need a treatment if your condition is light and not disturbing you. If the nail fungus becomes painful and makes the nails thickened, home remedies and medications may be effective. Nail fungus usually comes back even if the treatment is successful. Read on to know the symptoms nail fungus and methods on how to get rid of it: Symptoms Although the fungus mainly affects the toenails, nail fungus can affect any fingernail. If properly treated, fungal nail infections don’t usually lead to serious long-term problems. However, in certain individuals who have diabetes or a weakened immune system, they may be more serious. There is no pain associated with the infection, but if you find your nails thickened or show discoloration from white to yellowish brown, you may have fingernail fungus. Nails becoming brittle, crumbly, ragged or distorted in shape are also its symptoms. Debris may build up under the nail and make the nail dark. Sometimes, the nail may generate a slightly foul smell. Treatment Medications Usually, doctors prescribe antifungal medications that you can take orally or apply to the nail for fingernail fungus treatment . In some cases, the oral and topical antifungal therapies may be combined. Oral Antifungal Medication This is the best toenail fungus treatment as it clears the infection more quickly than anything else. However, the treatment success rates with these medications appear to be lower in adults over age 65. These medications stimulate a new nail to grow free of infection by slowly replacing the infected part.

Have you ever imagined that a bug that is not visible to the naked eye could cause serious allergic reactions? Dust mites that can only be seen through a microscope can cause allergies that may even lead to breathing difficulties! Belonging to the tick and spider family, dust mites can be found in warm and humid environments. Common places at home where these mites thrive are bedding, soft toys, upholsteries, and carpeting. These microscopic creatures feed on dead skin. On an average, around one and a half grams of skin is shed every day by an adult human. This is the best food for dust mites. A runny nose and sneezing fits are common dust mite allergy symptoms. Long-term exposure to these mites may result in asthma and sinus infections. What is a Dust Mite Allergy? Dust mites survive in any type of climate and almost any altitude. These are microscopic bugs that thrive in humid conditions and feed on the dead skin that shed by humans. As many as 20 million people in the country are affected by dust mite allergy. When people are exposed to the waste products of dust mites, the immune system is triggered. As a result, antibodies are produced against normal, harmless substances. Dust mite allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, watering eyes, sneezing, and itching are triggered due to the immune system’s response. Although your home may seem clean, dust mites may be dwelling in your mattresses, cushions, upholstery and stuffed toys! They thrive on mattresses and pillows. Dust mite allergy symptoms increase over time as you continue to breathe in the waste particles of dust mites. Symptoms of Dust Mite Allergy Dust mite allergy symptoms are similar to that of nasal allergies like sinus or rhinitis. Common symptoms of dust mite allergy are as follows:

Bed bugs are troublesome little pests that sneak into your bed, furniture, and furnishings. They bite you when you are sleeping. These small, oval-shaped insects have a reddish-brown color. They are approximately 1-7 millimeters long and do not have wings. Bed bugs feed on humans. They are most active at night where they bite their victims while they are asleep. If you see any signs of bed bugs in your house, you must hire a pest control service to stop these pests from feeding on you. What do bed bug bites look like? A lot of people do not experience any symptoms of a bed bug bite as their body does not react to it. Those who experience symptoms are most likely to exhibit the following signs of a bed bug bite: A raised, itchy bump with a dark red center and swollen surrounding area Bites grouped together in a small area Small red bumps in a line or zigzag pattern Development of hives or blisters at the site Areas of skin with flat or raised patches that may or may not be inflamed White or clear skin, shed by nymphs as they mature Bed bugs can attack any area of the body. However, bug bites mostly occur in exposed areas such as the arms, legs, and face. Some common symptoms and signs of bed bugs bite Bed bug bites do not cause any symptoms instantly. Sometimes, it may take a few days for any sign to appear. The most common sign of bed bug bites is that the bite site is quite itchy. It may also cause a burning and tingling sensation on the skin for a few days. If you scratch the area, it may result in a mild infection, causing bleeding and swelling. Before bed bugs bite into your skin, they excrete a small amount of anesthesia into the body, which is why a person doesn’t feel any discomfort while these pests feed on you.

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.