Blood circulation is an essential function of the body. Organs would cease to function without the heart pumping fresh oxygenated blood to all body extremities. This is done by an intricate system of arteries and veins that carry the blood. However, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, unhealthy BMI, and even health complications can affect blood circulation. Doctors usually recommend incorporating the following foods daily to promote better circulation naturally. Beetroot Beets are superfoods highly recommended for improving blood circulation. This root vegetable is a rich source of nitrates. The body processes nitrates into nitric oxide, which helps expand blood vessels and simultaneously lowers inflammation. Beetroot also helps widen the arteries and lowers blood pressure. More importantly, it allows the blood vessels to absorb more oxygen and promotes better endurance as O2-rich blood keeps circulating in the system. Citrus fruits Oranges, grapefruits, and lemons are popular citrus fruits that should form part of daily foods for increased blood flow. These fruits contain vitamin C and antioxidants that lower the risk of oxidative stress to healthy cells, boost immunity, and lower the risk of inflammation. Certain citrus fruits contain active flavonoids that increase nitric oxide production to promote efficient circulation. Assorted berries Blueberries, bilberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and currants (red, white, or black) are the richest natural source of antioxidants. Berries also contain essential polyphenols, namely anthocyanins and phenolic acids with anti-inflammatory markers. These chemicals promote the release of nitric oxide and protect the walls of the arteries from getting damaged. Pomegranates This is another excellent fruit that promotes the release of nitric oxide and antioxidants to regulate favorable blood pressure levels. The nutrient-rich red seeds mainly help dilate the blood vessels to absorb oxygen better and improve circulation. Active oxygen-rich circulation counters muscle and tissue fatigue and boosts energy levels throughout the day.

Pain management doctors are physicians who specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating each type of pain. These doctors, because of their advanced training, treat almost every type of pain, from acute pain in the legs to pain related to cancer. They are also well versed with treating chronic pain lasting for three months or more. Chronic pain is not easy to diagnose and the patients suffering from chronic pain need one or more than one therapies for the treatment of chronic pain. Sometimes, it takes months, or even years, for the treatment to show results, and the patients need to take care throughout their lives. There are various types of pain that a pain management doctor treats, such as those listed here: Nerve pain Hip pain Neck pain Sciatica Arthritis Knee pain Lower back pain Fibromyalgia Head pain and migraines Complex regional pain syndrome What is the role of pain management doctors? For treating the pain of a patient, every doctor has to go through various steps in the treatment procedure. These are as follows: Diagnose the cause of the pain : This is the first step in the treatment process that diagnoses the exact cause of the pain and the conditions that lead to it. It is not easy to diagnose the reason behind the pain. Pain in the lower back may arise due to many conditions. For example, the musculoskeletal nature of pain can be attributed to long hours of sitting on the working desk or exercising in excess. In this pain, your forward-leaning head puts pressure on the neck, and this causes pain in the bottom of the back. Lower back pain may occur due to spinal stenosis and may relate to sciatica. In addition to that, it may also occur due to arthritis and degenerative disc disease.

A soft waxy substance found among the fats in the bloodstream is known as cholesterol. The main function of cholesterol is to form some hormones, cell membranes, while it is also necessary for some other functions as well. If the cholesterol starts getting deposited in the arteries in the form of plaque it can cause severe health issues like heart attack and blockage in the arteries. Maintaining an unhealthy lifestyle, genetics, smoking, and a lack of physical activity are some causes of rise in bad cholesterol levels. There are two types of cholesterol which are found in a combination of fats and proteins. High density lipoproteins (HDL) or good cholesterol Low density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol One can control the build-up of bad cholesterol by cutting down on foods which cause a rise in bad cholesterol levels and maintain good cholesterol levels by adding foods and snacks which help in lowering cholesterol levels. Dry fruits: Dry fruits like almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are healthy snacks which help in lowering cholesterol levels as they contain omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, vitamin E, and unsaturated fats. Consuming a handful of nuts helps in lowering cholesterol levels. Avocados: Avocados are rich in fiber and unsaturated fats which help in lowering cholesterol levels, triglycerides, and keep the heart healthy. The unsaturated fats destroy the bad cholesterol thus lowering cholesterol levels. Dark chocolate: A heart-healthy snack which helps in lowering cholesterol levels, dark chocolate is rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids contain antioxidant properties which help in lowering the build-up of bad cholesterol and helps in preventing heart diseases. Apples: Rich in pectin fiber, apples are a great snack for lowering cholesterol levels. They also contain antioxidant properties which help in lowering LDL or bad cholesterol levels. The bioactive compounds present in apples also help in preventing heart diseases.

One of the most common ophthalmological problems most people face is a cataract. Cataracts are a problem whose primary onset is rooted in age and is quite common among people around and above the age of 60. When you suffer from a cataract, the lens of the eye becomes clouded and opaque. This impairs the patient’s vision and leads to a multitude of problems. In most cases, doctors advise the patient to try medicines, eye drops, glasses and anti-glare screens first, before they suggest surgery. This is so that they can go on with their daily lives without the cataract affecting their routines. However, only when the problem has become acute and the patient is facing an overwhelmingly difficult time with their vision, that surgery is recommended. Details on cataract treatment The good news is that a cataract isn’t a condition that can lead to a permanent, irreversible loss of vision. This is one of the primary reasons that doctors often ask patients to wait for weeks, months, or even years before they recommend surgery. However, this doesn’t mean it isn’t a major inconvenience. Before suggesting surgery, doctors will first prescribe medicines and eye drops. These drops dilate your pupils, allowing more light to pass through, for better vision. Eye drops are commonly recommended for children at a very young age, who can’t undergo surgery. The drops help them retain their vision till their bodies are old enough to handle surgery. However, a large number of people choose to opt for surgery when faced with a cataract. A cataract surgery is a simple, safe procedure with little to no risk associated with it. It’s the same reason most people opt for surgery without hesitation. How much does cataract treatment cost? The fear that cataract surgery will be unbearably expensive can be a major deterrent for many people.

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.

Opioids (narcotics) are commonly found medicines to relieve pain. They can be really helpful if you are suffering from a short-term pain such as the pain you experience post-surgery for a broken bone. They also have the ability to ease off the excruciating pain one has to go through if they are suffering from cancer. Always keep in mind that unlike other medicines, opioids are strong drugs and are not recommended when treating long-term pains like frequent headaches, arthritis or lower back pain. Such long-term pains are known as “chronic” pain. If you are planning to take opioids to relieve long-term pain then you must consult with your doctor for his suggestions and also ask him whether there are other ways to treat the particular long-term pain. Let us check out why: Opioids are prescribed too often People generally visit doctors due to the chronic pain they suffer from and most of the time they have prescribed opioids as chronic pain medicine. In the past few years, the country has seen a tremendous increase in the opioid prescription for chronic pain which can have severe side effects. Opioids commonly include: Hydrocodone (generic and Vicodin) Oxycodone (generic, OxyContin and Percocet) Since opioids are not chronic pain medicines, they work well to treat short-term pains but whether they will work equally well in treating long-term pain is uncertain. Side effects and risks associated with opioids One of the most common issues related to opioids is that over the time the body gets addicted to this drug, as a result, the drug fails to function properly. Moreover, to get rid of the same, the body demands us to take more and more. Also, an increase in the dosage of such a strong drug may lead to some deadly side effects such as: Constipation Vomiting Nausea Itching Unable to pass enough urine Some serious breathing issues Mental instability and confusion As we know our body gets used to opioids so we must discontinue its usage in the long run.

Have you been searching for the best cure for toenail fungus? Toenail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a common fungal infection that affects your toenail. Usually, the most noticeable symptom is a brown, yellow or white discoloration on any of your toenails. If you do not find a cure for the nail fungus, the condition can spread and cause your nails to thicken or crack. Whether it is sandal season or not, you don’t want to see toenail fungus every time you look at your feet. Fortunately, you can cure nail fungus if you know the right treatments. Here are the top five nail fungus cures recommended by experts: ZetaClear ZetaClear tops our list of the top five nail fungus cures. ZetaClear is a product from Health Buy which is an effective over-the-counter treatment option for nail fungus. This product treats toenail fungus effectively and ensures customer satisfaction. The company uses carefully selected natural ingredients to produce a paste that guarantees to cure toenail fungus in 90 days. ZetaClear comes with a solution as well as a homeopathic blend which is sprayed under the tongue to stimulate your body’s immune system, thus helping you fight the infection naturally. You can pick this product from e-commerce websites like Amazon, as well as from a local pharmacy near you. If your fungal infection has just started, you can be sure that you will get relief from this problem in twelve weeks at the most. Laser treatment Laser treatment involves directly focusing a laser beam on the infected area of your toenail. This laser light passes directly through the nail and penetrates the nail bed to destroy the fungus that causes the infection. It works by killing the fungus without damaging your skin or nail. The treatment procedure lasts only for half an hour, and one can observe the results after approximately a month.

Multiple myeloma is a condition wherein plasma cells, which are a type of white blood cells in the bone marrow, become cancerous and start multiplying. This condition can damage the bones, immune system, and kidneys and the treatment for myeloma depends on the stage of cancer. Options include medication, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, and radiation; a stem-cell transplant may also be done. Cost of treatment There have been major advances in the last 15 years in the diagnosis and treatment of multiple myeloma. Overall, survival has remarkably improved during this period due to the research and introduction of new medications. But the costs of treating myeloma are very high, more than other oncology treatments. The cost is amplified in three ways: first, treatment requires a combination of multiple medications; second, treatment is usually done in the form of continuous or maintenance therapy, due to which costs are not temporary but continual; third, as survival through multiple myeloma has remarkably improved, the cumulative cost of care over the lifetime of a patient is very high. The costs for treatment for multiple myeloma can include approximately $150,000 per annum for medication and treatment, and around $100,000 per annum for maintenance and care after initial treatment. These costs not only affect the patient but also society as a whole. Introducing biosimilars to replace biologics – many of whose patents are due to expire – can result in huge savings, projected to be to the tune of $54 billion from 2017 to 2026. Comparing biologics and biosimilars Biologic medicines are transforming cancer treatment by targeting the key path that underlies the mechanism of the disease. They are more active and less toxic in the treatment of cancer than the previous generations of small-molecule medications. The research, manufacturing, and introduction cost of biologics is high, which explains why cancer medication is very expensive.

Pristiq antidepressant, also known as desvenlafaxine, belongs to a group of drugs called selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). Pristiq antidepressant is known to increase the serotonin and norepinephrine activity in the brain, thus regulating mood and helping people dealing with constant mood swings and depression. Prescribed to treat serious depressive conditions, Pristiq antidepressant should not be had if an individual is being already treated with either linezolid or methylene blue injection. It is best not to have Pristiq antidepressants 7 days before or 14 days after having had an MAO inhibitor, like methylene blue injection, isocarboxazid, linezolid, rasagiline, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, or selegiline. People starting a course of antidepressants may experience suicidal thoughts about suicide. What is important here is to be consciously aware of the mood shifts and report it to the doctor in order to get better medical help. Pristiq antidepressants should not be had if you are sensitive to desvenlafaxine or venlafaxine (Effexor). There are certain medications that have been observed to negatively interact with Pristiq antidepressants and can lead to a serious condition known as serotonin syndrome. It is best to be clear of the medications that you are taking and give a full note to your doctor if in case you are taking herbal products, opioid medicine, or other medication for depression or any other mental illnesses. Following are the points that should be clearly conveyed to your doctor or physician before starting Pristiq antidepressant. To be sure that Pristiq is safe for you, tell your specialist if you have ever had: – Heart disease, heart stroke, and/or high cholesterol levels – High blood pressure – Bipolar disorder (also termed as manic depression) – Depression – Suicidal thoughts – Liver or kidney disease – Glaucoma – Seizures or epilepsy – A bleeding or blood clotting disorder – Low sodium levels in the blood Women who are expecting and are in their third trimester should avoid taking Pristiq antidepressants as these cause problems in a newborn baby.

Dental implants are surgical components that attach a prosthetic tooth to the jaw or to the bone. Most modern dental implants are made of materials like titanium, that form a strong bond with the bone to ensure that the prosthetic stays in place. The procedure of implantation can be quite complex, so dental implant costs can vary. Dental implantation has to be carefully planned since the implant should be durable and be able to withstand considerable force involved during chewing. Overall, the initial dental implants cost may be high, but over time it is cheaper than other alternatives. Do You Need Dental Implants? Cost-Benefit Analysis The main purpose of a dental implant is to support a prosthesis . A prosthesis can be a crown (a single tooth restoration), a bridge (attaching a prosthesis to adjacent natural teeth), or dentures (false teeth). The process in which the implant integrates with the bone is called osseointegration . This process ensures that the implant lasts for decades. This durability justifies the dental implants cost, which can be quite high. Another reason for the relatively high dental implants cost is that the implant is usually made of titanium which is an expensive metal. Dental implants are customized to an individual’s mouth. This is why the dental implants cost can vary from person to person. Your age, pre-existing conditions, tooth health, and other factors play an important part in determining the dental implants cost. Even if the initial dental implants cost is high, the maintenance of dental implants is easy and cheap. They last for decades and doesn’t require too much care. Dental implants cost also depends on the number of teeth being replaced. Logically, the more the number of teeth to be replaced, the higher the dental implants cost. Apart from this, the dental implants cost is also affected by the health of the teeth surrounding the missing tooth, the health of the jaw, and the state of the gums.

Alcoholism is a drinking and alcohol abuse disorder, characterized by an uncontrollable urge to consume alcohol repeatedly. There are no known causes of alcohol abuse or addiction and the condition is influenced due to peer pressure and certain mental illnesses. In many cases, alcohol abuse is an indirect remedy taken up to counter the symptoms of depression or anxiety. Alcoholism is also a chronic condition and there is no proper cure. The condition can only be managed with proper treatment, medications, and therapy to avoid a relapse. In alcohol abuse, your genes can also boost the power of alcohol and simultaneously curb the symptoms of a hangover thus increasing your body’s resistance to these drinks. When resistance increases, addiction replaces habit and alcohol abuse can grow out of control. It is estimated that nearly 13% of the population suffers from mild, moderate, and severe symptoms of alcohol addiction. Symptoms of alcohol addiction The known symptoms of alcohol addiction will vary depending on the severity of the addiction. Here are some common warning signs you should look out when it comes to alcohol abuse. Increased tolerance to alcohol and reduced effects of a hangover Increased number of drinks consumed throughout your day Drinking out of control and blacking out as a result repeatedly Worrying about the quantity of alcohol left and restocking the bar more than usual Decreased productivity in many areas of life due to increased alcohol consumption Experiencing withdrawal symptoms while attempting to stay sober In case you experience any or even one of the aforesaid symptoms for prolonged periods, it is advisable to visit an alcohol addiction treatment center and assess the severity of the condition. Risks associated with alcohol addiction Alcohol abuse can result in several health complications including; Risk of developing a cancer Damage to the liver and internal organs Problems during pregnancy or complications during labor Homicidal and suicidal thoughts due to mental instability as a result of alcohol abuse Alcohol addiction treatment One in eight adults are addicted to alcohol and the number is increasing every year.

Opioids are a class of drugs that alleviate acute pain, such as the pain one experiences after undergoing a surgery. These drugs interact with the opioid receptors in the brain cells and mollify the feeling of pain and enhance the feelings of pleasure. They are produced using poppy plants or synthesized in a lab. When used according to the medical practitioner’s directions, opioid can spare the patients from pain while recovering from a health condition. However, at the moment, opioids are considered an epidemic, not only by medical communities but also by political and social bodies because of the rampant addiction cases. Since 2000, deaths because of narcotic prescription painkillers have tripled. On the other hand, over 600 thousand individuals are battling with heroin addiction. Like prescription painkillers, the deaths caused because of heroin overdoses have multiplied by 4 times since the early 2000s. A considerable chunk of people has switched from prescription painkillers to heroin as it is easier to access and cheaper. This clearly infers that the country’s opioid crisis has dramatically risen in a span of just 15 years. Lower doses of opioids can make the patient feel sleepy, whereas higher doses can slow down the breathing and pulse rate. As opioid releases endorphins in the brain, it keeps the person ecstatic for a while. When the drug’s effects start fading, one might crave to experience these feelings of pleasure again, which eventually can lead to addiction. Withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, irritability, insomnia, abdominal pain, tremors, diarrhea, and vomiting can make it increasingly tough for the person to maintain abstinence from opioids. Consistent opioid consumption in high doses can prove fatal too. Signs of opioid overdose Dangerously slowed breathing patterns and heart rate Pale face Sweaty hands Blue or purple fingernails and lips Vomiting Inability to speak or making gurgling sounds Unconsciousness Limp body If one notices these signs they should immediately contact 911.