Viagra is the trade name of sildenafil which is a drug used to treat erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil assists in helping and maintaining penile erection. While Viagra has helped many men, it also comes with many side effects. These include headaches, flushing, indigestion, and congestion of the nasal pathway. What is erectile dysfunction? Erectile dysfunction is a condition when a man finds it difficult to get or maintain an erection hard enough for sexual intercourse. Most men will experience a bout of erection problems on occasion for multiple reasons. However, if you suffer from erection problems frequently, there may be an underlying cause for it. Alternatives to Viagra Many men have used Viagra to solve any issues they may be having with erections. However, there is a growing breed of men who are uncomfortable with the side effects of Viagra and are trying alternate, natural methods. Here are a few options that are considered to be natural Viagra that you must try. Supplements There exist many supplements that are well known for their ability to help boost libido. Here are a few supplements that you must consider if you are suffering from any erection problems. Remember to consult with your physician before taking any of them. Ginkgo Biloba is a herb that is traditionally used to boost memory. However, men who are suffering from erection problems due to antidepressants find that this herb helps with any erection issues. This herb works like natural Viagra. Arginine is an amino acid that increases blood flow. It is most beneficial to men who have any problems with blood circulation. DHEA helps our bodies make testosterone and estrogen. Yohimbe should be taken under advisement of your doctor. When not taken in its purest form, this herb can cause anxiety and high blood pressure. Food alternatives Many great natural foods can be used as natural Viagra.

A hiatal hernia is a condition when a small part of the stomach slides up through a weak spot in the diaphragm. The stomach acid is pushed into the esophagus causing heartburn and other associated issues. A gastroesophageal reflux disease is one of the most common symptoms of a hiatal hernia. Other symptoms include difficulty in swallowing, chest pain, and congestion. Most people don’t show any sign of a hiatal hernia and others who do, experience heartburn. Surgery is not required to treat this condition. Instead, doctors recommend patients to lead a healthy lifestyle by maintaining weight and eating small meals at a time. There are a few foods that must be included in the hiatal hernia diet and a few that should be avoided. The symptoms are sure to subside if you eat healthy food on a daily basis. Foods to include in your hiatal hernia diet Here is a list of foods that you must include in your diet. These foods are sure to help you find relief from the heartburn. Lean meats Lean meats must be preferred over fatty acids if you have a hiatal hernia. Meats that have high-fat content can aggravate the conditions. These include red meats and cold cuts. Go for lean protein sources like codfish and chicken breasts. Bake your meat instead of frying it and use less spice in your foods. Fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a balanced diet. You get all the necessary vitamins and minerals from them. Fruits that have antioxidants that can help reduce and prevent heartburns. Go for healthy options like raspberries, cherries, and apricots. Acidic and citrus fruits like oranges, tomatoes, and grapes must be avoided. Consume more vegetables to increase your immunity and increase your metabolism. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli have plenty of vitamin B and calcium.

There is a general misconception that cholesterol is bad for your health and heart. Fat is needed by the body to perform all metabolic functions. Not all cholesterol is bad. The fats that you consume, contain cholesterol in them (the levels differ depending on the food category). And it is the bad cholesterol that plays havoc with your heart health. A high level of bad cholesterol (LDL), low levels of good cholesterol (HDL) are a cause for concern. To maintain ideal cholesterol levels, wherein the levels of HDL is more than LDL calls for a proper diet and active lifestyle. What is good and bad cholesterol? HDL Good cholesterol or HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) is healthy cholesterol that is needed by the body. High HDL levels, not only help in lowering the levels of LDL, they also help in prevent heart diseases and stroke. In fact, when a blood test is done to verify the cholesterol levels, doctors first read the levels of HDL. As long as the HDL levels are greater in proportion, in total cholesterol levels, you’re on the safer side. Numerous studies have proved that low HDL levels increase the risk of heart disease. LDL LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) is bad cholesterol that causes plaque build up along the artery walls, causing blockages and resulting in heart attack. Higher LDL levels put you at a greater risk of having a heart disease. If your blood tests have high LDL levels, it’s time to take measures through diet and exercise which can help in lowering LDL levels. Triglycerides The most common type of fat in our body are triglycerides. The excess energy from the food that you eat, is stored as triglycerides. High triglycerides, low HDL, and high LDL is the potent combination that can lead to heart disease. Impact of cholesterol Excess amounts of cholesterol in the body forms a thick layer in the artery walls.

Diabetes is a chronic condition where the sugar levels in the blood become incredibly high. Today, diabetes is a widespread condition, mostly because of the kind of unhealthy lifestyle people lead.Contrary to popular opinion, having diabetes does not stop you from eating the foods you like, instead helps in including plenty of nutritious and healthy choices in your diet. A healthy diet is a foundation for the management of diabetes. A diabetes diet is the finest meal plan for almost every individual. It is a guide chart that tells you what kinds and how much quantity of foods you can pick to eat at different mealtimes. Paying heed to the guide chart is of high significance. Following your diabetes diet plan on a regular basis will help keep your blood sugar and weight in check. Start by with building and following diabetic meal plans. You must begin with breakfast followed by lunch and then dinner. Besides this, take two light snacks between the meals. A combination (combo) meal can give you about 1,400 calories each day. Consult with your dietician or doctor to figure out the best diabetic meal plans, so that you can keep your calories intake in check. How many calories you should consume ideally depends on your age, weight, health conditions, and lifestyle. Smart food choices for diabetes The 8 primary elements of diabetic meal plans are: Fruits Vegetables Low-fat or nonfat dairy products Yogurt Whole grains Beans Lean meats like fish and poultry Legumes including peas, lentils, and dried beans These heart-healthy foods are high in nutrients and low in calories and fats. A heart-healthy diet comprises a perfect balance of carbohydrates, fat, fiber, vitamins, and protein. It is the mainstay of medications and activity levels. Sticking to a daily diabetic meal plan may seem to be quite challenging at first, but once you have the meal plan in place, you will start enjoying it.

Cramps are a sudden and painful contraction of a muscle. Leg cramps, especially on the calf muscles, occur as you fall asleep or as you wake up. However, sometimes the cramps can be in the thigh or foot. Causes of Leg Cramps at Night Although exact causes of these cramps are not known, there are many reasons for it to occur. Some of them are: Sometimes, too much exercise, an injury or even excessive pressure to the muscle can lead to leg cramps Dehydration is another reason Pregnant women having deficiency of calcium and magnesium have high risk of leg cramps Cold environment or exposure to cold water may be one of the reasons for leg cramps Another reason might be deficiency of potassium and calcium in the bloodstream Sitting in a single position for hours, standing on hard surfaces for extended periods, or sleeping in awkward positions. Certain medications such as birth control, diuretics, antipsychotics, and steroids. Medical conditions affecting the kidney, thyroid, and multiple sclerosis. Treating Leg Cramps At Night There are many ways you can ease the cramp. Try these methods, and you will know how to treat leg cramps at night. Stretching Simply stretching the muscle that is cramping will give you instant relief. If you were sleeping in an awkward position, make sure you be aware of it the next time. Stretch the muscle gently by pumping your heel up and down and then hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat the process until the cramp eases up. This is one way how you can treat leg cramps at night. Heat Remedy Use a heat pack directly to the muscle, as it can be a very effective method to relax the muscle. You can use a heat pack on the muscle when you experience leg cramps at night.

The most common cause of back pain on the right side is the straining of muscles. Back pain could sometimes occur due to serious medical conditions. So it is very important to understand the root cause of the same. This would allow one to know whether this has occurred due to a serious underlying condition. Primary types of back pain on the right side: Acute Back Pain: Acute back pain occurs in specific situations. This is the most common type of back pain. It has a sudden onset and could be sharp and intense. Chronic Back Pain: Chronic pain afflicts one for a longer duration. It is often not as intense as acute back pain. This type may be consistent in some rare cases. What causes back pain towards the right side: An infection of the urinary tract: This is a common cause of back pain which occurs towards the right side. It occurs due to an infection in bladder, kidney or urethra. While back pain is a commonplace symptom, other symptoms include: Stress over the pubic bone A sharp sensation during urination Frequent urination Slight fatigue Reduction in urine output A scapular fracture towards the right side of the body: When one suffers from a scapular fracture towards the right side of the body, it leads to pain. Such fractures arise in the shoulder blade. But these seldom arise. In most cases, scapular fractures occur following an accidental fall. Some of the accompanying symptoms include: Reduction in movement of arm Swelling of shoulder Strain in the lumbar muscle: Strain in the Lumbar muscle could lead to a sharp back pain towards the right side. This often comes into play upon making a sharp movement. Or lumbar muscle strain could come to fore upon workouts such as lifting weights. This pain could be:

Inflamed joints are a painful condition. Joint pain due to arthritic conditions like gout is one of the leading cause of pain worldwide. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is characterized by the accumulation of uric acid crystals around the joints. The course of gout is recurrent with attacks of inflammation, followed by pain that starts a few hours later. The pain is often severe and of rapid onset. Gout is caused by various genetic and environmental factors. Gout occurs when there is a high level of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid forms crystals and these uric acid crystals deposit around bone joints, tendons, and supportive tissues. Gout was once called “the rich man’s disease” or “the king’s disease” since it was associated with excessively rich diets. With modern diets and prolonged life spans, gout has become increasingly common. Being overweight, eating too much meat, and drinking too much beer increases your chances of developing gout. Gout diet plans aim to ease the symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. Causes of gout The primary cause of gout is uric acid buildup. In most cases, the underlying reason for overaccumulation of uric acid is underexcretion of urate by the kidneys. Though uncommon, sometimes the reason could be an overproduction of uric acid. Genetic and dietary factors play a huge role in the development of gout. Diets with excessive amounts of meat, seafood, alcohol, and sweetened beverages, increase the risk of developing gout. Gout diet plans include consuming vitamin C, dairy products, and coffee along with moderate levels of physical exercise. Symptoms to watch out for The most defining symptom of gout is recurrent attacks of acute arthritis. The joints become red, inflamed, tender, hot to the touch, and even painful. In half of all cases, the joint of the big toe is affected.

Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a common disorder that affects the digestive system. Symptoms of IBS include abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, etc. Almost all symptoms of IBS are gastrointestinal. Irritable bowel syndrome has a significant negative impact on the quality of life. IBS can persist for years and may be interspersed with periods of no symptoms. Disorders such as anxiety, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome, are common in people with irritable bowel syndrome. Irritable bowel syndrome is characterized by changes in bowel movements without apparent cause. Based on this, irritable bowel syndrome is classified into four types depending on the type of bowel dysfunction, constipation dominant, diarrhea-dominant, both constipation and diarrhea, and neither constipation nor diarrhea. It is estimated that 10-15% of the global population is affected by irritable bowel syndrome. Signs and symptoms of IBS The signs and symptoms of IBS can vary from person to person. The primary symptoms of IBS are abdominal pain and changes in bowel movements. Symptoms of IBS tend to be acute with attacks that are experienced for a few days or weeks. These attacks eventually subside and may be recurrent. Other symptoms of IBS are bloating, gas, cramps, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea. Along with this, there may be a sense of urgency in bowel movements and a feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation. Abdominal distension may also be seen. People with irritable bowel syndrome also tend to suffer from gastric reflux, a loss of appetite, lowered libido, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, and headache. Since these symptoms are rather vague, irritable bowel syndrome is a diagnosis of exclusion. This means that there are more serious conditions that must be excluded before a diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome can be made. Signs and symptoms that point to a more serious disorder include blood in the stool, rapid weight loss, abdominal pain persisting at night, etc.

Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, means low blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. It usually occurs in people with diabetes. It can be a side effect of insulin or other types of diabetes medicines. Generally, the acceptable range of blood sugar is 70 to 100 mg/dL. In case of diabetic patients, 70 mg/dL or less indicates low blood sugar. However, diabetes medication is not the only cause of low blood sugar. Medications that don’t suit your body, or any exercise or diet, can lead to low sugar levels. Therefore, you mustn’t be careless about your sugar levels and should keep a thorough record to prevent its diminution below the permissible limit. Also, the brain needs glucose to function efficiently and low sugar can cause loss of energy for brain function, leading to poor attention and cognitive function. The brain senses the drop in sugar. This biochemical process then alerts the person that they need food or water—if neglected or left untreated, it can lead to coma or death. In worse case scenario, an injection of glucagon is given to the affected person as the person finds it difficult to eat anything in a normal manner. The glycogen immediately raises the sugar levels to relatively normal. There are many symptoms that can help you recognize low blood sugar levels (they differ from person to person). Symptoms of low blood sugar Anxiety: One of the symptoms of low blood sugar is anxiety. In anxiety or stress, the blood sugar consumption increases which cause an adrenaline rush. This, in turn, causes low blood sugar due to the fluctuations in the energy levels. Hunger: Mild hypoglycemia makes you feel hungry while high or severe hypoglycemia leads to unconsciousness. Food then breaks down into sugar that enables functioning of our body. The sudden hunger pangs are one of the major symptoms of low blood sugar.

High blood pressure also known as hypertension is a medical condition where the pressure of blood running through the body’s blood vessels rises sharply. HBP as we may call it may lead to the damaging of blood vessels, which in turn can lead to diseases related to heart, kidney, or even the eyes. High blood pressure is dangerous as it does not have any symptoms associated with it. High blood pressure is categorized into two types: primary high blood pressure, and secondary high blood pressure. Primary high blood pressure is the most common type of high blood pressure. It is caused by a number of lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive salt consumption, alcohol intake, obesity, or even genetic disorders. On the other hand, Secondary high blood pressure is a rare type of high blood pressure, which may be caused by kidney disease, constriction of the arteries in your kidneys, taking birth control pills, or even an endocrine disorder. While medication certainly helps alleviate the symptoms of high blood pressure, it is important to combine this with the right high blood pressure diet. The right high blood pressure diet can tackle the problem at its root, instead of only alleviating the symptoms of the problem. If you suffer from high blood pressure, incorporate the following foods into your diet. Leafy vegetables : Vegetables that are high in potassium are often advised on a high blood pressure diet. This is because potassium acts as a cleansing agent, i.e., it helps in cleaning out extra sodium accumulated in the body through urination. Leafy vegetables that contain good amounts of potassium include turnip, spinach, kale, broccoli, green beans, green peas, mustard greens, beet greens, coriander, romaine lettuce, and Swiss chard. Yogurt and milk : Yogurt is high in magnesium, calcium, and potassium, and helps in regulating high blood pressure levels to a great extent.

Pain is one of the mechanisms of the body which state a problem. It sometimes appears in an instant, but may build up over a passage of time. Pain could be: Mild Short-lived Sore Constant As compared to cancer or cardiovascular disorders, chronic pain impairs more people. If acute pain is not treated on time, it may turn into chronic pain. Identifying the type of pain For managing chronic pain, one must first identify if the pain is chronic or acute. Acute pain The onset of acute pain is often sudden. This is often brief but may last for weeks or even months. Upon rectifying the cause of acute pain, one is able to overcome the discomfort. Chronic pain Chronic pain is ceaseless. Causes of chronic pain could be: Wounding Infection Psychogenic, which means not caused by an injury Some beneficial chronic pain management tips Let’s take a look at some useful tips for chronic pain management. Stay hydrated If one does not stay hydrated, certain chronic disorders such as chronic headaches and chronic backaches could worsen. One of the best chronic pain management tips is to stay hydrated throughout the day is to regulate one’s consumption of coffee, carbonated drinks, juices as these have a diuretic effect, which does not make them good sources of hydration. Best foods for dealing with chronic pain For getting over inflammation, one must consume a diet which is easy to digest and low on processed foods. Some of the best foods for overcoming inflammation are: Leafy green vegetables Asparagus Soy products Foods which are low in sugar, such as cherries and cranberries Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts, chia seeds, and flaxseed oil Limiting consumption of certain foods One of the effective chronic pain management tips is to avoid consumption of any foods which increase swelling.

A hernia can be described as a condition most commonly occurred in the abdomen or groin area where an organ or tissue breaks or squeezes through a feeble opening in a nearby or surrounding connective tissue or muscle. This condition leads to a localized pain bulge and other types of discomforts. Hernia can be classified into different types of include inguinal hernia, hiatal hernia, umbilical hernia and incisional hernia. Most hernias do not cause any threat to your life, but they do not heal on their own. At certain times, surgery is needed for preventing possible dangerous complications. Other hernia treatment options are available to get rid of this problem in a fast manner. Leading causes of hernia The combined effect of muscle strain and weakness causes hernia. Muscle strain or weakness occurs due to several reasons. When the abdominal wall fails to close properly in the womb, you may experience hernia. Other reasons include persistent sneezing or coughing, age, surgery in the abdomen or groin, chronic coughing, fast weight gain, pregnancy related complications, abdominal fluid, severe constipation and lifting heavyweight. Prominent symptoms The initial symptom of a hernia is a lump or bulge in the area. When it comes to inguinal hernia, you can find a lump on two sides of the pubic bone. It can be felt through touch when you are bending down, coughing or standing up. In case of babies, you can feel the hernia when they are crying. Another symptom of a hernia is the pain in the lower abdomen (it becomes severe when you bend over) and it also worsens when you life something or cough. Other leading symptoms are a feeling of heaviness, pressure or weakness in the abdomen, a burning sensation at the bulge, acid reflux, chest pain and swallowing difficulty. In certain cases, hernias do not show any symptoms and you will come to know only when medical or physical examination is done for a different health problem.