6 best times to drink water for maximum benefits

6 best times to drink water for maximum benefits

A significant percentage of our body is made up of water, so there’s no denying that it is essential to our overall health. While most people understand that they must drink approximately eight glasses every day, they don’t know that there are certain times when the habit can be more helpful. So, understand when to drink water for maximum benefits instead of chugging multiple glasses whenever you feel like it. Immediately after waking up Drink a glass or two of water first thing in the morning. Supplying H2O to your body on an empty stomach has numerous benefits. It helps cleanse the bowels, flush toxins, boost energy levels, improve skin health, and even strengthen the immune system, among other things. Before and during meals A glass of water before a meal enhances the feeling of fullness and curbs the tendency to overeat. On the other hand, drinking water during a meal helps with digestion, especially if you’re eating high-fiber foods like beans, lentils, and oatmeal. That said, don’t drink too much, as it may dilute the natural juices that aid digestion. Before and after exercise For moderate-intensity daily workouts, drink a glass or two of water about 30 minutes before starting. The body loses both water and electrolytes through sweat. So, sip on another glass or two after exercising and an electrolyte drink to replenish the lost reserves. Midafternoon If you lack energy midafternoon, don’t reach out for coffee. While it can give an instant energy boost, coffee may disrupt sleep at night. You need to address the root cause of the midafternoon slump: dehydration. Drink a glass of water or more to fight fatigue and boost your energy and mood. Before bedtime Don’t hit the bed in a dehydrated state. Hydration before bedtime can lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Tips to Effectively Treat Constipation in Adults

Tips to Effectively Treat Constipation in Adults

Constipation is a disorder related to the digestive and excretory systems of the body. Constipation affects a lot of people in the country and many suffer from chronic constipation, for which they often seek a doctor’s help. The constipation treatment is a complicated process because it could very well be caused by the foods one consumes or avoids, or how the patient lives their life, or the medication they are under and so on. For chronic constipation treatment, many go for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines or laxatives these days. However, improving your lifestyle and what you consume can relieve you of constipation very easily. As a disease, constipation is often characterized by the most common symptom of it, which means less than three bowel movements per week. Enlisted below are some tips to treat constipation that can be tried by adults at home conveniently. Increasing one’s daily consumption of water Being dehydrated, that is, devoid of the proper amount of water required by the body on a regular basis can make anyone become constipated to a large extent. To stop this from occurring, it is important to drink enough water and stay hydrated all through the day, under all circumstances. When a patient is constipated, then the first treatment for constipation suggests that they should try finding relief by drinking some carbonated or sparkling water, which would help them to rehydrate and get things moving again. Some studies and surveys have pointed out that sparkling water at times can prove to be even more effective than tap water. This technique is effective for most people, which include people with chronic idiopathic constipation or another type, namely the irritable bowel syndrome. The chronic constipation treatment shows great results in this aspect. However, patients are not advised to drink a large number of carbonated drinks such as sugary soda as doctors claim them to be a bad choice for health and might make one’s constipation worse.
Adult ADHD – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Adult ADHD – Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

An adult who has ADHD may struggle with relationships at work, home, or school. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital for a person to lead a normal life. What is adult ADHD? Most people who have ADHD develop this disorder in their childhood. The symptoms of it may disappear in some children when they grow older, but studies show that it progresses into adulthood for about 60 percent of the patients. The severity of ADHD in an adult is often not taken seriously, but it can negatively impact many areas of a person’s life. Late diagnosis can also affect the recovery process. Some people may not receive a diagnosis in their childhood, and they only find out about it much later. Others may know about it but may find it difficult to deal with the symptoms. Adult ADHD affects both men and women. Adult ADHD – Causes and symptoms The exact cause of ADHD is not known, but researchers believe that it may be a combination of hereditary, environmental, and developmental factors. People whose family members have ADHD are more likely to develop this condition. Exposure to lead in the childhood and the improper functioning of the central nervous system during a child’s physical development are some other probable causes. The symptoms of ADHD go through a transformation as a person enters into adulthood. However, the signs may not be as distinctive as they are in children. Some of the symptoms may remain the same, but other aspects such as hyperactivity may be more contained. Adults with ADHD can experience problems like difficulty in following simple directions, an inability to concentrate on a task, difficulty in organizing tasks and recollecting information, an inability to complete work on time, impulsiveness, and impatience. For adults with ADHD, daily tasks may prove too difficult.
Watch Out for These Osteoporosis Symptoms

Watch Out for These Osteoporosis Symptoms

Osteoporosis makes your bones fragile and brittle by reducing the quality of your bones. Read on to know more about the different osteoporosis symptoms. Osteoporosis is a disorder that causes your bones to become so weak and brittle that sometimes, even activities like bending over or coughing can cause a fracture. Some of the most common fractures associated with osteoporosis happen in your hip, wrist, and spine. About 200 million women all over the world suffer from this debilitating disorder, and it is more common in white and Asian women. As the bones are living tissue, the old bones in your body are constantly being broken down to create new bones and this rebuilding process is termed as ‘remodeling’. However, when the remodeling pace does not keep up with the pace of the breaking down of the bones, the bones become weak, brittle, and fragile, leading to osteoporosis. It is clear how this disorder develops over a period of time, however, what is not clear is what exactly causes osteoporosis. There are, however, certain risk factors that are associated with the development of this disorder. These are your race, body frame size, age, family history, sex, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and eating disorders. Osteoporosis is typically diagnosed by a bone density test, which involves the use of X-rays to scan the body. The treatment methods that are generally used for osteoporosis mainly depend upon your risk of a fracture. If your risk is low, the treatment plan will mainly involve lifestyle changes and modifications that can reduce the risk factors related to osteoporosis. If you are at a higher risk of breaking a bone, the doctor will prescribe you medications like Actonel, Binosto, Boniva, and Fosamax. Osteoporosis is mainly regarded as a silent disease because there are no telltale signs and symptoms in its early stages.
Do COPD Breathing Machines Even Help?

Do COPD Breathing Machines Even Help?

COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is an illness where the respiratory system is damaged, causing difficulty while breathing. Unfortunately this disease has no cure, it only gets worse if not paid attention to. Hence it becomes important to understand what COPD breathing machines can do to save lives. COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that progressively causes difficulty in breathing. In this condition, the movement of air through your lungs becomes very difficult since the airways get damaged. The degree of severity of this disease worsens with age, if not treated immediately. COPD can be categorized into 2 types: Chronic bronchitis This is a condition where cough occurs regularly with excessive production of mucus, and lasts for a very long time. Chronic bronchitis is caused by excessive smoking or even by exposure to various bronchial irritants. Emphysema This is a condition where the lung tissues responsible for the passing of oxygen and carbon dioxide in and out of the body are damaged. This results in shortened breaths due to the over-inflation of the air sacs in the lungs which are known as alveoli. Emphysema is an obstructive lung disease where the airflow is slow on exhalation because of the over inflated alveoli which makes movement of air and exchange of gases difficult. As mentioned earlier there is no cure for COPD, but there are a few ways to treat the condition and make it manageable. The common treatment devices used are called COPD breathing machines that help by improving the symptoms and stopping the disease from getting too aggressive. There are various stages of COPD that determine the appropriate use of COPD breathing machines accordingly. The following are various types of widely used COPD breathing machines. Inhalers and nebulizers They help the medicines to reach directly into the lungs.
What Not to Do to Improve Overactive Bladder Symptoms

What Not to Do to Improve Overactive Bladder Symptoms

As you actively work to improve overactive bladder symptoms, ensure that you are not doing any of these things to worsen them. Having OAB or overactive bladder is an embarrassing situation for many people. The prospect of talking about a problem that is considered a private one is not something people look forward to. This is one of the reasons why many people with overactive bladder symptoms find it difficult to actually seek help from health professionals. Unfortunately, when your condition forces you to constantly look for restrooms when you are out of home, and makes road trips a scary prospect, it is important for you to do something about it. Overactive bladder symptoms can reduce your quality of life to quite an extent. While there are some things that are recommended for you to do in order to improve your overactive bladder symptoms, not many people tell you what not to do. There are certain things that you may be doing right now that are actively worsening your overactive bladder symptoms without your knowledge. Here’s what not to do if you want to see an improvement in overactive bladder symptoms. Do Not Give In Immediately Someone with overactive bladder symptoms is constantly wondering if they need to go to the bathroom, whether it would be a good idea to go now since a bathroom is visible, etc. Road trips and impromptu holidays are a strict no-no unless you know where and how many times you can stop for a bathroom break. It sounds like a solid policy then, to rush to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to go, right? Research does not agree. Physicians say that a better way to manage overactive bladder symptoms is to practice holding in your urine for a while before giving in to the urge.
Effective and Easy Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises

Effective and Easy Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercises

Carpal tunnel syndrome or CTS is a problem that affects the muscle of the lower palm and the wrist. In this situation, the person has numbness in their wrist and palms along with a tingling and burning sensation. You can also experience pain during this ailment. This is an ailment that must be treated with effective care and medical attention. Otherwise, the muscle of the lower palm could get severely damaged. Investigations and researchers have clearly identified the fact that along with medication, regular and proper exercises can also help prevent and treat the symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. This article will highlight the various carpal tunnel syndrome exercises that you can follow to fight this ailment and lead a healthy life. Some Effective Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Exercise Variations Doctors claim that all sorts of stretching exercises can be very useful for the muscles of the wrists and the arms in general. Such stretching of muscles can be highly useful for preventing carpal tunnel syndrome. We will now take a look at the different forms of carpal tunnel syndrome exercises : Warm-Up Stretch This is the exercise that you need to start and should be done at the very beginning. In this exercise, you have to rotate the wrists up and down and also sway it from one side to another. You need to repeat this at least 4 times. Then you need to attend to your fingers. You need to keep your fingers relaxed and also keep them apart. Then, you can do the stretching again. You can do this exercise in a set of four repetitions. At the end of it, you can relax your thumb muscles by stretching it as far as possible in the reverse direction and then holding it in that position for a while.
All You Need to Know about Sunless Tanning

All You Need to Know about Sunless Tanning

What is Sunless Tanning? Sunless tanning is known by other names such as UV-free tanning, spray tanning, fake tanning and even self-tanning. Sunless tanning is associated with applying chemicals onto the skin that generates effects, similar to what a suntan does. Our skin is made of two layers, epidermis which is the outer layer and dermis which is the inside layer. When self-tanning products are applied, the reaction occurs in the epidermis. The epidermis is further categorized into further layers. The lowermost layer is known as the basal layer, which is affected when sun tanning occurs, and in the case of sunless tanning, it is the layer of the epidermis that is affected. Sunless tanning is a popular trend that’s doing rounds currently, and there are many natural and artificial methods available to get a tan without stepping out in the sun. These methods can be adopted for getting a sunless tanning. There are a few natural ways of making your suntan at home or artificial methods like applying sun tanning products that are available on the market or even consuming tanning pills. The main ingredient in all the sun tans available is DHA ( Dihydroxyacetone), which is a form of a colorless sugar that reacts with the dead cells on the epidermis, and as this reaction occurs, the skin starts to change its color. Sunless Tanning Methods Carotenoids : It is one of the safest methods to undergo Sunless tanning through consumption of fruits, such as carrots and tomatoes, that have high antioxidant properties. These fruits can result in changes in the skin color when consumed in large quantities. The only drawback of this method is that it may take months to get the required skin tone, and so it does not provide immediate results. Bronzers : This comes in powder as well as gel forms, and is a sunless tanner that immediately turns your skin into the required color until washed off.
Seizure Treatment Guidelines You Should Be Aware Of

Seizure Treatment Guidelines You Should Be Aware Of

Seizure patterns can be of various types. This is a condition where the brain experiences a sudden wave of electrical activity that affects the ways a person behaves and acts. The most common form is known as status epilepticus. This is a situation where there is a continuous seizure activity for thirty minutes or even more. This is a situation of medical emergency and can even cause the death of the person. The American Epilepsy Society reveals that every year at least thirty adults and three children lose their lives due to seizures. Hence, the American Epilepsy Society (AES) has released new seizure treatment guidelines to hospitals, nursing homes, and medical caregivers so that such situations can be handled in an effective manner. AES-certified seizure treatment guidelines These seizure treatment guidelines can be used for adult and pediatric treatment. It provides a chart or a kind of algorithm so that the entire event can be divided into three different and distinct phases and the treatment can be carried out in an effective way for convulsive seizures. Stabilization phase This is the initial phase of the seizure activity. As per the seizure treatment guidelines of AES, this is the time when the first aid is to be extended to the patient who is under the attack of the seizure. This is when you must make an assessment of the situation and must keep a very close monitoring of the patient. Initial therapy phase This is the second phase of the seizure treatment guidelines which continues from the fifth minute and lasts up to twenty minutes of the seizure. This is the time when the caregiver finally decides that the seizure is such that it will require medical intervention. As per the seizure treatment guidelines, the first drug that can be used is a benzodiazepine that can be an IM midazolam, IV diazepam, or an IV lorazepam.
What Causes Leg Pain Behind The Knee

What Causes Leg Pain Behind The Knee

Leg pain behind the knee is also called posterior knee pain. There can be multiple causes of this pain. Arthritis, road accidents, muscle injuries, old age and faulty sports techniques, and the like are some of the major causes of posterior knee pain. Posterior knee pain can be mild and is only noticeable after a long day’s work or if you try to straighten your leg completely. It can also be severe, debilitating and can restrict your movement, making it difficult to sit and stand straight. In some cases, leg pain behind the knee can be accompanied by stiffness, tender and sore muscles, which can be painful to touch. Posterior knee pain is caused due to severe arthritis, tumors, and blood clots. Other conditions can cause compressed nerves which inflame the muscles behind the knee. Baker’s Cyst Baker’s Cyst is also referred to as Popliteal Cyst. Popliteal sac is a fluid-filled sac, present at the back of the knee. Often in arthritis patients, the fluid from the joints leaks into the popliteal sac, causing it to swell. Baker’s cyst can also be caused due to repetitive bending and flexing of the knees, which causes a fluid buildup. This fluid then forms a cyst which resembles a small balloon. The swelled popliteal cyst causes pain and inflammation at the back of the knee joint. Baker’s cyst can pose a problem in flexing the leg completely or while bending. It can be treated at home using ice packs or by electrotherapy. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) This is a condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the veins that are behind the knee. There can be one or multiple clots that can make it difficult to sit or stand properly. DVT can be serious because if the cysts burst they can cause a heart attack or blockage of arteries in the lungs.
Fibromyalgia Symptom Diagnostic Criteria

Fibromyalgia Symptom Diagnostic Criteria

A complicated disorder to detect, it is characterized by pain which may be accompanied by the lack of sleep, fatigue and memory or mood issues. The pain is caused by the painful sensations that change the way the brain would method the pain signals. It is difficult to say when these symptoms may begin but it is usually characterized and detected by a trauma, infection or psychological stress. These symptoms may not have a single event that may trigger the same and therefore accumulate over time, making it extremely hard to detect earlier. Women may identify fibromyalgia more often than men. Many people who have fibromyalgia may also have depression, anxiety, or several other disorders. What causes someone to suffer from the disorder of fibromyalgia is unknown, but Genetics may cause fibromyalgia as such disorders tend to run in families or makes one more susceptible to developing the disorder. Some infection or some illnesses may appear to trigger the disorder of fibromyalgia or may cause the disease to aggravate. Trauma or Psychological stress can sometimes trigger fibromyalgia. There are 18 points of check that can be helpful in detecting if one suffers from fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia can be identified if there is persistent pain that the person suffers from for more than three months, and there is no underlying condition that can be attributed to such pain. There are no blood tests that detect fibromyalgia, but the symptoms can be detected by several blood tests that may be recommended by the doctor. There is no cure for fibromyalgia and medications are given to control the symptoms. Exercise, stress reduction and relaxation methods have been known to be helpful to the process. When considering the symptoms, the following questions should be taken into consideration. What you have been feeling for the past one week; The current treatments you are taking; and Symptoms of other diseases or known illnesses should be excluded.
Enlarged Prostate Symptoms to Watch Out For

Enlarged Prostate Symptoms to Watch Out For

Most men are unaware of enlarged prostate symptoms. Learn what to watch out for to get early and effective treatment. The prostate gland is a gland that is the size of a walnut which surrounds the neck of the urinary bladder (urethra), and is located in front of the rectum and behind the bladder among males. The prostate helps in the production of semen, and is also responsible for carrying the sperm from the testicles during ejaculation. When the prostate gland grows in size, it creates an obstruction for the urethra, thereby posing difficulties while urinating. The size of the prostate gland increases with age, especially after the age of 40-50 years or so. In certain men, this problem may start at an earlier stage and may also result in an abnormally large growth of the prostate. This condition is medically termed as ‘benign prostate hyperplasia’ (BPH). Blockage caused due to the enlarged prostate can also cause urinary tract infections that could eventually lead to damage of the kidney or bladder. There are various enlarged prostate symptoms that you need to watch out for. If you notice one or more of these enlarged prostate symptoms, seek medical help immediately to avoid any further complications. The following are the enlarged prostate symptoms that must never go unnoticed: Nocturia Sleeping patterns change with age, and as one gets older, you may face difficulties in sleeping, for reasons unknown. Nocturia is a condition where the patient gets up more than two to three times in the night for urination. Disturbance or lack of sleep due to the frequent need to urinate is one of the initial enlarged prostate symptoms. Increased frequency of urination Early enlarged prostate symptoms include frequent visits to the toilet in the day. The frequency increases especially in the middle of the night.