Blood pressure refers to the force of the blood flowing through your body which is pumped through by the heart. When this force exceeds the standard limit which is considered safe, the resulting condition is known as high blood pressure. There are varying levels of high blood pressure on a high blood pressure chart, and it is estimated that around 80 to 90 million people in the country suffer a variety of health problems due to this condition. These estimates are alarming because, among three adults over the age of 20, one of them is suffering from high blood pressure in the total count. Before we can try and understand how to read a high blood pressure chart, it is important to understand the five main types of blood pressure: It is important to understand the two categories of levels which indicate blood pressure, namely systolic and diastolic levels. Systolic levels are the numbers in the upper section which indicates how much pressure is being put on the walls of any artery when the heart pumps blood. Diastolic levels, however, are the numbers in the lower section which indicate the pressure on the walls in between heartbeats. So, both during heartbeats and in between, the upper and lower numbers together will indicate the overall blood pressure levels. Normal blood pressure: The standard range for blood pressure as calculated by medical associations is 120/80 mmHg. People who follow a lifestyle including a well-balanced diet and exercise will never have any problems relating to high blood pressure. This is the standard limit set for understanding the proper range of the analysis of a high blood pressure chart. Early stage high blood pressure: Also known as prehypertension, this field is constantly shifting from 120–139/80–89 mmHg. The first stage high blood pressure is a cause for concern since these are the initial indicators of a developing high blood pressure.

Gout is a type of arthritis condition that is caused by excess production of uric acid crystals in the joints. When metabolism breaks down the food, uric acid is produced from the cells and the food we eat. Kidneys filter the uric acid through the urine. A small part of the uric acid passes out from stool as well. So, if there is an excess production of uric acid, kidneys are not able to pass it out through urine or stool, and that is when it remains in the blood. The uric acid then gets deposited in the form of crystals in joints. When uric acid builds up in the body and gets deposited in joints, it forms gout. Gout is considered as one of the most painful forms of arthritis. Back in the day, it was a disease that occurred mostly in men who had crossed the age of 50, but now women and children too are affected by the same disease mainly because of the food habits and consumption of excess animal protein and fats. In most cases, it is the big toe that gets affected by gout first. When there is a gout, the person will feel immense pain in that area. There is swelling, redness, heat, and stiffness in joints. Gout can affect a person’s ankles, heels, knees, wrists, fingers, in steps, and elbows. The pain is usually very intense, and the affected person is not able to walk. There are ways to treat gout, but not all methods give immediate pain relief from Gout. However, here are some methods to get an immediate pain relief: Pain relievers When there is a sudden gout attack, none of the long term measures that you have been asked to take will help, especially when you have just started a new diet and other treatments.

All of us love our hair. No one has ever wanted to go bald out of choice. However, some do like it bald even though that is something they didn’t want in the first place. We get used to what we are given and try to find happiness in that. Though men can make do with being bald after an age, for women, it is their worst nightmare. Losing and thinning of hair is a bad thing in itself for women. Knowing what is normal and what isn’t is just as important as finding out effective hair thinning solutions. Here are some facts we want you to know before we move to finding thinning hair solutions. There is nothing wrong with losing some hair every day. It is very natural. On an average, a person loses 100 strands of hair each day while bathing, brushing and some of it just drifts away during the course of a day Losing 100 strands of hair every day will not decrease your hair’s volume Knowing when to pay attention: When you see or notice that you are losing more than just 100 strands every day and each time you comb, there is a lot of hair fall. You find your hair losing its volume When you find your body losing hair from other parts of your body without any other health related problems Habits to avoid to prevent hair thinning: Don’t use hair products that are too harsh for your hair Avoid towel drying your hair. Use a cotton t-shirt instead Don’t use hair dryer as that causes dryness and weak scalp Don’t comb fast. Be gentle while combing or brushing your hair as it may cause damage to your hair quality Don’t tie your too tight as that will cause them to break Avoid using styling products, especially when they stay on your hair for longer period There could be some medication you are taking that could cause your hair to fall and thin eventually Inevitable causes of hair thinning are as follows:

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.

Long before the world became familiar with the pills and other medications that are now used to cure different ailments, people sought solace for their ailments with whatever ingredients one could find in nature. And, true to nature’s nurturing ability, these ingredients did help people combat their ailments. Some of these ingredients are still actively used to cure ailments and with a certain degree of success as well. For instance, turmeric, which found its way into our food and at times in the milk, which we so religiously consume at night, was known to increase our immunity levels and came in handy when we suffered from cold and cough. Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin, which is known to be the reason behind its effectiveness. Turmeric curcumin is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties which come in handy and makes it one of the most effective home remedies. If you still aren’t convinced about the benefits of adding turmeric curcumin in your diet, here are some reasons why you should. Natural medicinal properties We are aware that the pills that we so recklessly pop can cause irreversible damage to the body in the form of side-effects. This is why nature gives us turmeric curcumin which is known to possess medicinal properties. Turmeric contains certain compounds called curcuminoids, out of which curcumin is the most potent one. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants which help in keeping the immune system protected. Natural anti-inflammatory agent Inflammation occurs when the body’s immune system goes haywire and attacks the healthy blood cells instead of the bacteria and viruses it is supposed to target. Instead of popping painkillers to reduce the pain caused by inflammation, or to prevent it from occurring, you can consume turmeric curcumin as a part of your daily diet. It has anti-inflammatory properties which can prevent such incidents from recurring in future.

It is normal not to have a bowel movement on some days. Even if you miss a bowel movement on a particular day, there is nothing wrong with it. If you have bowel movements at least three times a week, it would still be considered as normal or regular bowel movements. As long as you have a usual pattern of bowel movements, you do not have to worry about constipation or diarrhea. You will know it is constipation when the bowel movements are not frequent, and you feel some difficulty in passing. It is the opposite of diarrhea where stool is hard and dry and doesn’t come frequently or at your usual interval. Though constipation is not a life-threatening condition, it must be taken seriously when constipation is a part of other health and mental issues. Treatment for constipation is not complicated. Though in most cases the treatment for constipation is based on the underlying cause. There are many causes of constipation, such as Hypothyroidism, Parkinson disease, colon cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulitis, celiac disease, etc. Some more causes of constipation are: Fewer bowel movements Problems faced during bowel movements Hard stools Dry stools Feeling of incomplete bowel movement Nausea or vomit Swollen belly Abdominal pain Here are some of the causes of constipation to know the treatment for constipation better. If you are on a medication and it is an antacid medicine that contains calcium or aluminum, it can cause you constipation When your usual diet changes When there is a change in your usual activities If you have colon cancer, constipation becomes one of the symptoms If you eat or have eaten a lot of dairy products If you have an eating disorder Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis are such neurological diseases that can cause constipation If you are not active enough Lack of fiber in the diet also causes constipation Pregnancy Inactivity If there is a problem with the nerves and muscles of the digestive system When there is an urge to resist the bowel movement can lead to constipation Drugs, antidepressants and iron pill can cause constipation Hypothyroidism or underactive thyroid If you have constipation, here are some of the treatments for constipation you can try on your own.

You might have had that experience where you hear a sound such as ticking or ringing to continuous pure tone that is not from outside of your body. It is also known as ‘ringing in the ears.’ It can affect one in ten adults and is more likely in those over the age group of 60 years. This sound that you hear is tinnitus. Minor disorders of the ear and the body can be accompanied along with tinnitus. Tinnitus has two origins which are the psychological origin and the neurological origin. Sometimes excessive amounts of stress can also lead to the cause of tinnitus. A proper diagnosis of tinnitus can help you understand the underlying cause and thereby assist in the adoption of healing treatments that help cure tinnitus naturally. Some medications have also been proven to cause tinnitus and therefore, sometimes leaving an aid medicine can assist in curing tinnitus. The first step towards the care for tinnitus is prompt care of a ear infection, discontinuing any medication or TMJ problems. Tinnitus can be cured by Cognitive and Behavioural therapy. Cognitive therapy focuses on the perception towards tinnitus, whereas behavioral therapy uses the systematic desensitization approach. Cognitive therapy involves coping with tinnitus by inducing more positive thinking. Cognitive therapy includes counseling and cognitive restructuring. Behavioural therapy focuses on several methods that involve attentive control. Sound therapy and music therapy have also proved as an effective way to cure tinnitus naturally. Acoustic therapy helps you mask the noise in your ears. This is done by turning on a background music or sound that has elements of white or pink noise in it. Massaging and stretching the neck and masticatory muscles have shown significant improvement in tinnitus. Some form of foods has been beneficial in alleviating tinnitus. An effective home remedy for tinnitus is ginkgo biloba, a plant extract.

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.

Among the more common ailments prevalent today, the issue of burning foot pain ranks high on the list. However, most sufferers remain blissfully ignorant that this could be a cause for concern. Burning foot pain could arise from some nerve damage. Such nerve damage occurs in the leg and is medically referred to as neuropathy. There are many reasons besides this that could be a cause for such burning sensation. More often than not though, diabetes comes across as the culprit. The prime idea behind all treatments for such pain is related to controlling nerve damage as well as pain reduction. Neuropathy occurs when the damaged fibers of nerves misfire or become overactive. These nerves signal the sensation of pain to the brain. Therefore, despite the absence of a cut or a wound, the sensation of pain occurs. Nerves in the leg tend to get affected first, in patients with neuropathy. There could be accompanying numbness or tingly sensations along with burning foot pain. Burning pain in the foot could also be accompanied by excess sensitivity to touch on the foot area. The pain could be intense or mild from time to time. Burning sensation of the feet could also be linked to several other issues. A few of these include the following: Vitamin deficiency Uremia AIDS Amyloid polyneuropathy Hypothyroidism Lyme disease Erythromelalgia Drug side effects Sarcoidosis Metal poisoning Guillain-Barre syndrome Vasculitis There could be infections on the feet or even inflammations that could lead to burning pain in the feet. Athlete’s foot is a very common fungal infection that causes such pain. Moreover, in case the blood circulation in your legs is poor, you may experience burning feet, pain, and tingling especially when you walk around. Diagnosing the issue Identifying the prime cause of such an issue is important.

Eczema is a skin problem which causes blisters on the skin. It starts with red and itchy skin however the problem aggravates to flare-ups on the skin. Rashes, itching and bumpy skin are some of the symptoms of eczema. If you find the symptoms of eczema, visit the dermatologist. Share the problem with your dermatologist who will conduct a physical test to find out the allergies and other probable causes. Depending on that information he will suggest you the best eczema treatments. Some of the effective eczema treatments are: Emollients: Emollients are the moisturizers that prevent the water loss and protect the skin. The mild anti-inflammatory properties of emollients reduce the flare-ups in the skin. Different emollients are available to treat dry skin. You can use emollients instead of soap while others can be added to water when bathing. Wipe skin properly to apply the emollient after bathing. Topical corticosteroids: The topical corticosteroids reduce the flare-ups and inflammation in few days. They come as mild, moderate and strong corticosteroids depending on the severity of the skin infection. Hydrocortisone, Clobetasone Butyrate and Mometasone are the best topical corticosteroids. Topical corticosteroids must be applied after the emollient has been absorbed by the skin. The best time is to apply them during the night. Antihistamines: The antihistamines obstruct the production of histamine in the body. Antihistamines are both sedating and non-sedating and work effectively to relieve itching skin. Get the doctor’s recommendation for the usage of anti-histamines. Stay away from triggers: Your dermatologist will tell you about the probable triggers of eczema. Once you learn about them stay away from the triggers. For example: Avoid using soaps and shampoos that cause skin irritation. Certain fabrics may affect your skin. Always choose to wear cotton fabrics. Bandages: At times your dermatologist may recommend you to apply wet wraps, medicated bandages on the affected skin.

Everyone has suffered from itchy eyes at some point in their life without fail. Itchy eyes are a common problem and along with itchy eyes come itchy eyelids, which is more often more irritating than the itchy eyes. The base of the lashes – the difficult-to-reach area of the eyes often itches a lot. Itchy eyes may also lead to red eyes and swollen eyelids and the medical term for this condition is ocular pruritus. The word ocular stands to refer to vision. Itchy eyes require immediate relief, and often the very act of rubbing the eyes makes the problem worse. Causes of itchy eyes Usually, it is an allergy or a foreign body that is the root cause of the itchy eyes. Any irritating substance, also known as an allergen, which can be animal dander, pollen, dust or anything that a person is allergic to can cause itchy eyes. The reason behind this is the release of an anti-allergy compound that is known as histamine. It is released in the tissues around the eyes that causes swelling, itching, and redness as a response to the allergen. It is a defense mechanism of the human body. Rubbing itchy eyes often makes the problem a lot worse and eye allergies can be seasonal, or year long and can come in different shapes and sizes. For example, seasonal allergies often cause a problem called seasonal conjunctivitis. It usually affects a lot of people during the fall and the spring season. The main cause behind it is allergens like pollen, dust and animal dander, grass, weeds, etc. that float freely in the environment during the spring season. Year-long allergies, also known as perennial allergies, can occur anytime during the year due to allergens like dust and mold. It should be noted that every person is allergic to individual substances and not everybody may have an allergy.

There are various instances when the body refuses to function properly. This happens due to a variety of reasons, and also, the inability of the body’s immune system to protect it from the onslaught of various malicious agents in the surrounding. When the bacteria or viruses conquer the immune system, they wage a full-fledged war on the body and impact its functioning. What might begin as a common cold can be the harbinger of other health-related issues to come. Nasal congestion is one of the most common diseases that has inflicted almost every person at least once in their lifetime. Though it might not come across as a trivial affliction, it does cause a lot of discomforts until it is fully cured. People often confuse common cold with nasal congestion. It does share symptoms with cold, and it can have deeper impacts than cold. If you wish to know more about nasal congestion and acquire a fair idea about nasal congestion treatments, keep reading. What are the causes of nasal congestion? Another term for a stuffy nose is nasal congestion. Nasal congestion surfaces when the nasal passage is blocked, and this happens when the membrane lining of the passage becomes swollen due to inflammation in the blood vessels. Usually, the common cold is the culprit in cases of nasal congestion, but there are a few instances when the cause of nasal congestion isn’t common cold. The other causes of nasal congestion are as follows: – Various allergies are known to trigger nasal congestion. It irritates the nasal passage and causes the membranes to swell. This can lead to nasal congestion. – Hay fever is also known to cause nasal congestion. – Exposure to certain chemicals can lead to nasal congestion. – A deviated septum is also known to cause nasal congestion.