Human life would have been simpler if we weren’t threatened by the onset of diseases every once in a while. However, with the right kind of lifestyle that involves eating healthy food and exercising regularly, we can lead an “almost” disease-free life. The right kind of food and our attempts to maintain the perfect body weight goes a long way in strengthening our immune system. One can think of our immune system as the guardian of our entire system. A healthy immune system helps keep a lot of diseases at bay. Thus, we are capable of thwarting certain diseases with the help of a strong immune system. Have you ever given a thought what the consequences will be if our immune system is the one that becomes the cause of our misery? Well, if the immune system is the culprit of the misery inflicted on you, it results in allergies. What causes allergies? Certain harmless elements in the environment can trigger an allergy. The immune system is known to protect the body against viruses and bacteria. However, when these harmless elements enter the body, the immune system mistakes them for some malicious agents and begins attacking them. This reaction of the immune system is the root cause of allergies. The allergens are basically harmless elements, but it’s the immune system’s reaction to it that causes allergies. What are the most common allergens? The most common allergens are nothing but some of the elements that we come across so many times in our lives. Some of them are as follows: Certain foods can cause allergy. For example, nuts, fish, fruits, etc. If you own a pet, the cause of your allergy might be pet dander. Sometimes, certain medicines can trigger an allergic reaction in an individual. Pollen allergy is one of the most common kinds of allergies.

Hemorrhoids, also widely known as piles, are blood vessels that are part of the muscles making up the walls of the anus and rectum. It will be wrong to say that hemorrhoids are abnormal as it is part of the anatomy. However, when the hemorrhoids swell, it is a reflection of a problem. When too much of pressure is exerted on the small vessels that makeup hemorrhoids, they tend to increase in size and encompass excess of blood. A very common medical issue, a large population around the world suffers from this condition at least once in their lifetime. Hemorrhoids are either caused on the inside or outside the anus. Internal hemorrhoids develop around the inside lining of the anus and rectum and are only felt when they are very severe. In most cases, these kinds of hemorrhoids are only apparent during bowel movements as they cause bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids may also protrude and feel like moist pink skin. This causes pain around the anus; however, these hemorrhoids recede into the rectum after a while. External hemorrhoids, however, can be seen and felt during the course of passing stools. They are lower than the anus and are extremely painful as they can develop blood clots within. It is also likely to profusely bleed during the bowel movement routine. Therefore, it is essential to adopt one of some of the best hemorrhoid remedies available in the market. Both men and women are at the risk of suffering from this condition. A prevalence of hemorrhoid is likely to be seen among people who are above the age of 40. What are the causes of hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are caused by several factors and the lifestyle one leads can greatly impact the condition. Diet – The diet followed by an individual not only determines the overall health of a person but can have a big role to play in causing and preventing hemorrhoids.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a condition wherein a person experiences chronic inflammation in the joints. This autoimmune disease is caused when the immune system that protects the body from bacteria and viruses begins attacking the joints. The inflamed tissues cause the inside of the joints to thicken, thereby leading to severe pain. It can also cause bone erosion and joint deformity in the long run. The most commonly affected joints include the hands, elbows, ankles, and wrists. If the inflammation goes unnoticed, the condition can affect other body systems and cause severe physical disabilities. The cardiovascular and respiratory systems are usually affected. Rheumatoid arthritis disorder begins with minor signs that occur every once in a while; however, with each passing week and month, the symptoms progress and become more severe. The symptoms that one individual experiences may not be the same as another. Moreover, the signs tend to differ with each passing day. Here are rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that one may experience: Joint stiffness – Stiffness in the joints is one of the most common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms that people experience. This stiffness is often felt in the smaller joints, especially in the initial weeks. It begins with the hands and moves to the lower parts of the body, increasing rapidly over the course of two to three days. This stiffness can occur at any time, irrespective of whether one is walking down the street or wakes up from a nap. Pain in the joints – When the joints begin to feel stiff, the same is followed by pain in the joints during an activity or even while resting. This is also one of the most common rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. Most commonly, pain may occur in the fingers and knees. However, the pain may become severe and continue to grow in the shoulders and feet.

A fit or seizure is a medical condition characterized by unreasonably immoderate activity in the brain. There is a series of chemical reactions, which leads to an imbalance between the brain cells.Commonly, a seizure is a symptom of epilepsy. However, a person facing issues such as trauma, hypoglycemia, hypoxia or drug abuse may also have seizure attacks. Seizures often point at some disease in the brain that may stand undetected. Not all of them are noticeable and may affect individuals differently. People suffering from fits experience unrestrained movement or transitory loss of consciousness of the surroundings. Usually, electroencephalography is conducted to find out the level of electrical activity in the brain. A seizure goes through three stages. The first stage is known as the aura. It is a symptom that warns the occurrence of a seizure. The second stage is the ictal stage. This is marked by the actual escalation in electrical activity in the brain. The last stage is the postictal stage where the recovery takes place. It is not necessary that every person will pass through all the stages or experience the same duration. Following are the signs one needs to be aware of to detect the occurrence of seizures at the earliest. A headache accompanied by giddiness – Persistent headache along with the feeling to vomit all the time can be an essential symptom of seizures. Peculiar feelings – Déjà vu and Jamais vu are common feelings experienced before a fit. These can lead to jumbled thoughts and panic attacks. Unclear vision – Everything around can look blurry and confusing. Imaginary objects can begin to appear in front of the eyes (hallucinations). Blackout – The major symptom of seizures is the loss of awareness or loss of consciousness. One loses sight of the situation or can even faint temporarily.

Everybody has seen the occurrence of dark circles at one point or the other in their life. Now, what exactly are these dark circles? It is a condition where the skin under the eyes of an individual gets pigmented. Dark circles do not pose any serious threat to one’s health. However, they are believed to be aesthetically displeasing and may lead to low self-confidence. While the cause of these dark circles is often not dangerous, however, if these are persistent, there might be a serious ailment behind. The skin under the eyes is very fragile, because of which dark circles are prominent specifically in that area. The reason behind their appearance range from nonserious issues such as inadequate sleep, excessive consumption of alcohol, stress, allergies, old age to severe ones such as periorbital cellulitis, hyperthyroidism, and liver ailment. Dark circles may also be inherited from one’s parents. It is an arduous task to heal these dark circles. Hence, it becomes essential to have an improved lifestyle to prevent their development. The different ways in which dark circles can be treated are as follows: Potato juice – Yes, potatoes are not only meant for eating but also for healing purposes. Placing a cloth dipped in the juice of raw potatoes on the eyes for a few minutes daily makes this an effective dark circle treatment option. Slices of cucumber – Cucumbers are refreshing and known for their water content. Chilled cucumber slices, when placed on the eyes, provide a cooling effect, and these are also a great dark circle treatment option. Tea bags – This is an age old tried and tested remedy. The tea bags used to make your favorite green tea can be refrigerated and used as one of the dark circle treatments. Meditation – Insomnia is one of the major reasons behind the occurrence of dark circles.

Lifestyle changes and diet modifications are essential when lowering triglycerides is on your mind. Triglycerides are a type of fat which is present in the blood, and when it elevates to a certain level, it increases the incidence of heart diseases. The fats present in our food are also a form of triglycerides, and when an excess of sugar is taken, it is also stored in the fat cells in the form of triglycerides. Therefore, it is vital that a healthy balance of diet is managed so that triglycerides level in the body comes down. There are numerous choices in terms of the diet to lower triglycerides in the body, and if a combination of these is taken on a regular basis, the level of triglycerides will definitely fall and come to a healthy level eventually. Here are some foods one must include in their diet to lower triglycerides in the body. Fatty acids and fish Fish are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and can thus lower the triglycerides level in the blood. The level of triglycerides has been known to come down by 25 to 50 percent in a month’s time when around 3.4 grams of fish oil was used on a daily basis. This omega-3 fatty acid is known to reduce the number of triglycerides that is produced in the body and therefore fish is considered to be a key diet to lower triglycerides. Soy protein The effect of soy protein on triglycerides levels has also been studied, and some encouraging results have come out. In a study done in Canada, twenty people who had high blood lipid levels ate a diet containing 25 grams of soy protein for six weeks on a regular basis. After the desired duration when tests were conducted it was found that the triglycerides levels in these people had fallen by 12 percent.

Huntington’s disease where the mental ability of the individual gets affected is a genetic disorder. It is characterized by neurodegeneration that leads to a gradual loss of neurons. Uncoordinated body movement, degradation in the reasoning ability, and memory loss are other common symptoms of this disease. It is named after George Huntington, who conducted extensive research to give a more accurate description of this disorder. A dominant mutation in the Huntington gene causes this disease which belongs to the noncurable category. Proper treatment can only alleviate the problem and make it more manageable. The onset of Huntington’s disease usually takes place after the age of 30 years. However, a patient having a family history of this ailment may show signs even before 20 years of age. The symptoms of Huntington’s disease include: Initial stage – In the beginning, there can be slight uncoordinated movements, decreased cognitive ability, aggression, and depression. A person may make mistakes while performing even the simplest of tasks. This stage often gets ignored due to lack of awareness. Intermediate stage – By the time the individual finds out abnormalities in his behavior, the disease reaches the second stage. The symptoms get aggravated and include involuntary actions (chorea), sleep disorders, and distorted speech. Trouble in swallowing may also be experienced. Final stage – This stage is marked by complete dependence on caretakers. Acute weight loss, inability to speak, difficulty in comprehending the situation, and seizures are some of the symptoms in this stage. A person may also suffer from severe memory loss. It is extremely important to diagnose Huntington’s disease before it reaches the final stage. The following methods may be used to diagnose Huntington’s disease: Physical examination – It helps in gauging the outset of the disease through a thorough examination of the abnormalities in physical behavior such as chorea.

The sedentary human lifestyle has brought with it a baggage of newfound health issues resulting in weakening of the human body structure. Ensure to keep a constant track of changes in your body and maintain a regular body check-up schedule. Arthritis is a common health issue faced by youngsters today. What was earlier limited to people nearing their old age has now started showing up within the age group of 20 to 25. If you witness sudden pain and stiffness in your backbone, these are a few Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms. To precisely define it, ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that affects the bones and muscles of the spine thereby making it stiff, painful, and stooping. According to recent research, 0.1 percent to 0.4 percent of the total population is affected from ankylosing spondylitis. If classified gender wise, this medical issue is more common in males as compared to females. It is important to keep track of this form of arthritis as it escalates with every passing day. There is no proper medical clarification as to how and why ankylosing spondylitis affects your body. It has also been noted that people carrying a gene called HLA-B27 are prominently affected by this medical issue. However, there is no accuracy in these findings. There have been instances wherein people with the similar gene have not been affected by this form of arthritis. Following are a few ankylosing spondylitis symptoms: Recurrent pain and stiffness The first ankylosing spondylitis symptoms are constant pain and stiffness in your spine, lower back, and in pelvic bones. In the initial stages, there are random bouts of pain which eventually surge over a period. The constant rubbing of the muscles and bones result in extreme pain. If you witness prolonged pain in your back or the lower back muscles, it’s time to get yourself thoroughly checked to avoid further complications.

Diabetes has turned out to be a common problem that is suffered by a lot of people these days. If you are a diabetic patient and have been experiencing burning, shooting, and pricking feels in your hands and feet, then it is the case of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is also called as diabetic nerve pain. It is mainly caused due to poor diabetes management and is a common problem among people suffering from diabetes. Nerve pain is known to be a pain that is non-protective. It is caused due to damage to nerves due to injury or diabetes. The nerves send signals to the brain. Even though the nerve damage cannot be resolved, controlling of blood sugar can be done easily so that further damage can be avoided. It is important to talk to your doctor if you come across of the symptoms of this problem. Symptoms The usual symptoms of diabetic nerve pain include burning, shooting, numbness, feeling of pricking of needles or pins, feel of electric shock, tingling, throbbing, stabbing, stinging, sensitivity to touch and radiating. The patients could also experience urination problems, vaginal dryness among women and erectile dysfunction among men. Depression and weight loss are often combined with diabetic nerve pain. Causes Diabetic nerve pain is a complication relating to diabetes that has become common among people who have had diabetes for more than about 20 years. This problem is caused due to many factors mentioned below. Nerve inflammation due to an over-reactive immunity system Damage to the nerves due to trauma or medical complications like rheumatoid arthritis Inherited weakness to nerve damage Damage to the blood vessels, which supply oxygen and various other nutrients to the nervous system Factors like low insulin level, high blood pressure, high lipid levels etc. Lifestyle factors like smoking, excess alcohol consumption, obesity etc.

Diarrhea is a medical condition that lasts a few days. In some cases, it gets treated by itself needs no treatment. However, sometimes, diarrhea gets so serious that it can last longer. If not treated on time, this can become fatal. Therefore, it is recommended to see a doctor if symptoms of diarrhea will become severe. When it comes to medication for diarrhea, not all people know that a medication for an adult is not for a child suffering from diarrhea. It is advised to seek the advice of a pediatrician when buying a treatment for children suffering from this condition. Here are some ways listed for the treatment of diarrhea. Hydrate well A person suffering from diarrhea is most likely to dehydrate frequently. Diarrhea exhausts away most essential body liquids from the body. Thus, it is important to keep fully hydrated when suffering from diarrhea. If your child is suffering from this condition, try to provide him with liquid drinks such as water, juice, and other liquid forms to keep him hydrated. The major concern is water-like stools that cause weakness and loss of liquid content to a patient’s body. Let’s see how to keep a person well hydrated in a serious condition as diarrhea. Keeping hydrated is one effective way for the treatment of diarrhea. Drink sports drinks Sports drinks are high in essential nutrients and fluids sources that a body tends to lose when suffering from diarrhea. Moreover, they come is a variety of flavors. Presence of sugar and salt content in sports drink let body absorb such drinks well. One way to make sports drink at home is by adding a teaspoon of salt to a quart of apple juice. This salt content in the drink help the body absorb fluids. In addition, it is advised to keep the drink on room temperature.

The human skin, especially the one on our face, is repeatedly exposed to environmental factors like stress, pollution and climate change, among other irritants. This has led to increased aging patterns and skin problems. Coupled with poor lifestyle choices and lack of exercise, the skin in today’s time is set to suffer. One way to fight this problem is to use skin care products suited to the skin type. One needs to be educated regarding which brand or skin care product to use for maximum benefits as well as value for money. Since there are thousands of brands available in the market, it can be a confusing choice. In terms of ingredients, visibility, availability, budget and skin type, plus the added worry of fake or counterfeit brands. It is important to be educated regarding skin care products. Any skin care line backed by research and a dermatologist’s seal of approval can be picked off the shelves. Dermatologists have a deep understanding of the different skin types and skin conditions and the products and chemicals that would work for these. They are therefore equipped with the knowledge that can help an individual care for their skin in the best possible way and manage any challenges that the environment or daily living might throw. It is therefore imperative to understand one’s skin type and choose a skin care product that is suitable to solve the individual problems that a person faces. It is also important to not fall for the myths that surround skin care products. Let us discuss some of these myths and bust them. For oily and acne-prone skin Myth: Washing face frequently with an exfoliating facial cleanser is important. Fact: Washing the skin excessively with products not suited for the skin type can aggravate the problem. If a too-drying formula or a very abrasive formula is used on oily skin, it worsens the condition by making the skin produce even more oil to counteract the drying effect of the skin care products.

COPD is an acronym of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD describes lung diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, refractory or non-reversible asthma and some form of bronchiectasis. COPD is characterized by enhanced breathlessness. COPD takes time to develop and has several stages. In the early stages of the disease, the symptoms are not noticeable. The symptoms are more pronounced in the developed stages of the disease. Contact the doctor as soon as you notice COPD symptoms. Request your doctor for a spirometry test. Symptoms of COPD COPD is characterized by the following symptoms: – Enhanced breathlessness – Wheezing – Frequent coughing with or without sputum – Tightness in the chest The risk factors and the common causes of the disease COPD can occur because of the following causes: – Inhaling pollutants and that includes cigarette smoking (active or passive). – Chemicals, fumes, and dust found in the work environment contribute to the occurrence of the disease. – A person’s bad genes can be the cause of the disease. – To sum it up, smoking, environmental factors, and genetic factors result in the occurrence of the disease. Early detection of the disease and subsequent treatment is advisable for patients with COPD condition. – There are several stages of COPD. Early detection of the disease can prevent lung impairment or death. In this context, it is important to understand the way the stages are detected. There is the GOLD staging system, and there is the BODE index. Doctors use the BODE index as it helps to understand better the severity of the symptoms or how COPD affects your life. There are other types of lung function tests that help in identifying the various stages of COPD. The stages of COPD The stages of COPD vary from mild to severe. It affects different persons differently.