Most of us notice bags under our eyes when we are very exhausted. Many start getting bags under their eyes with growing age. This is not a medical problem that should cause you a lot of concern. Usually, home remedies are an effective solution. Lifestyle changes are also required and can be helpful in preventing it from occurring. Symptoms Mild swelling Sagging skin or loose skin Dark circles What causes bags under your eyes? With age, the supporting muscles and tissues of your eyes become weaker. As there is sagging of the skin, fat in the orbit of the eye moves into this area. There could be fluid accumulation in the area leading to a puffy appearance. This could become worse with retention of fluid due to a salty meal, poor sleep, allergies, smoking or genetic reasons. Ways to get rid of bags under your eyes Salt intake: The region around your eyes is one of the places which have high sodium and water moves from the low-sodium areas to the high-sodium areas. Ensure that you don’t take additional salt while having dinner as this is one of the causes of puffy eyes. Allergies : There is a direct correlation between puffiness of the eyes and allergies. However, over-the-counter medications for allergies not only stop a runny nose but also help in removing the puffiness of the eyes as well. Neti pot : Using a neti pot, salt water can be poured in one nostril and then drained out through the other nostril. The additional moisture that accumulates from colds, seasonal allergies and infections is removed by this. The sinuses are irrigated and mucus, as well as other types of debris, are removed. Sleep position : The way you sleep has a bearing on the puffiness of the eyes. Fluid accumulates under your eyes due to gravity.

Looking to lose weight? Here is a delicious way to shed those extra pounds and get back into shape. Sip your smoothie and lose weight! Not just weight loss, a healthy smoothie is a detox drink, immunity, and energy booster. Call them green smoothies or detox smoothies or simply fruit and veggie smoothies – they are packed with nutrients and MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids). Diet smoothie recipes are formulated to reduce body fat and tone up the body the way you want. Weight gain is usually a result of an unhealthy lifestyle, which is a combination of unhealthy eating habits, lack of exercise, and stress. Weight loss programs, therefore, need to address all of these contributing factors. Eating healthy is paramount to a healthy life. Nature provides a number of fruits and vegetables that accelerate weight loss. Combining these natural foods into a delicious smoothie is not just the best way to lose weight, but also the best way to boost immunity and energize your body. How to make a smoothie? A smoothie is essentially a blend of two or more fruits or vegetables combined with low-fat yogurt or milk. To make a smoothie, you just have to take the ingredients (cut into small pieces where required) into a blender, blend them till smooth, and consume immediately. You may have to add ingredients one by one to ensure smooth blending. In case your diet smoothie recipes contain greens, you should blend them first and then add fruits or vegetables as per the recipe. In case you want your smoothie cold, you can either blend frozen fruits or add a cup of ice while blending. Highly nutritious smoothies are the ones that use fresh ingredients as opposed to preserved or frozen food. It is important that you do not add sugar or salt to your smoothie, as it may bring down the nutritional value.

The knee is one of the biggest and most complex joints present in our body which is comprised of different types of bones such as the shinbone known as the tibia, the smaller bone that runs parallel to the Tibia is known as the fibula, the thigh bone known as the femur and the kneecap, which is known as the patella. Apart from bones, this knee joint is also a collection of different types of tendons, muscles, cartilage, and ligaments. The knee is considered to be one of the most injury-prone areas in our whole body, and that’s why most people experience leg pain behind the knee at some point in their lives. Sports and exercises can sometimes cause muscle strains, fracture the bones present in the knee joint, as well as some serious injuries to cartilages and ligaments. Some knee injuries gradually heal on their own over time, while some may require surgical treatments or other medical interventions. Whatever the case may be that’s causing a hindrance to your desired lifestyle due to knee pain, it shouldn’t be ignored. Thus, in this article we are going to talk about the major causes of knee pain, which are as follows: Leg Cramps A cramp is a condition in which people experience sudden tightening or contraction of muscles. Muscles present in the calves are very prone to this condition, but other leg muscles such as the muscles present in the back of the thigh near the knee can experience cramps too. Leg cramps are considered to be one of most common causes of leg pain behind the knee that mainly occurs during workouts or exercises. Pregnancy can be one of the common causes of developing leg cramps in women. There are several other possible causes of leg cramps that include: nerve problems in legs, dehydration, tetanus infections, the presence of toxins such as lead or mercury in blood and liver disease.

Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) are respiratory ailments that are often confused for each other due to overlapping symptoms and little understanding of the two conditions. The National Institute of Health (NIH) says that about 40% of people with COPD also have asthma. The NIH also estimates that 24 million Americans suffer from COPD though about half of them are not aware of it. If you suspect that you are suffering from any of these two conditions, it is important to understand the similarities and differences between COPD and asthma for better management of these conditions. What is asthma? Asthma is an allergic reaction that often develops in early childhood. Health experts have never pinpointed why people develop asthma, but only that asthma attacks are triggered by allergens. These include dust, dust mites, mold, pollen, strong perfumes, certain foods, and food additives. The allergic attack causes inflammation that constricts the airways. Asthma attacks differ in severity depending on exposure to the triggering allergen. An asthma attack is relieved using a bronchial dilator to expand the airways and allow free movement of air. What is COPD? COPD is a disease that develops later in life due to the effects of exposure to particulate irritants especially tobacco smoke. This is usually observed in smokers above the age of 40 years. COPD is a progressive disease whose effects are treatable but irreversible. It is characterized by progressive airflow limitation and degrading of lung functions. This leads to respiratory complications including shortness of breath, coughing, and frequent throat clearing. COPD is a leading killer in smokers, being attributable to the death of about 150,000 Americans each year. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are respiratory complications commonly observed in people with COPD. Chronic bronchitis happens when the bronchial tubes are inflamed leading to excessive coughing and mucus production.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder. The condition results in acute abdominal discomfort, gas, diarrhea, as well as changes in the patterns of one’s bowel movement. IBS with constipation is one of the most common scenarios that can greatly affect your quality of life. According to a study, the IBS affects more than 10% of the population in the country. The reason for the occurrence of IBS is unknown, which is why there is no specific cure for the condition. However, certain kinds of food items, stress, and hormonal changes are known to flare up the symptoms of this disease. Understanding these symptoms and following some basic steps that ease IBS can help to manage the condition in an effective way. Here are some ways to manage IBS. Making dietary changes Simple changes in the diet can help to relieve the troublesome symptoms of IBS. There is no specific diet for the same as some foods may cause IBS symptoms in one person whereas, on the other, they may not. Eliminating certain foods According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disease, certain items have shown to trigger the IBS symptoms: Dairy products High-fat products Caffeine Alcoholic drinks Broccoli, beans, and cabbage Drinks containing artificial sweeteners Chocolate and nuts Increasing dietary fiber Increasing your fiber intake is especially helpful in alleviating the symptoms of IBS with constipation. Doctors suggest consuming 22 to 34 grams of fiber each day. There are plenty of food items that are rich in fiber such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. It is important to note that fiber should be added gradually to the diet, little by little. For instance, 2 to 3 grams should be added each day. Adding too much fiber in one go can cause bloating and gas, and further, aggravate the IBS symptoms.

Chronic pain can play spoilsport in our lives by affecting our job, daily routine, and relationships. The good news is that timely diagnosis and treatment can go a long way in eliminating this pain from our lives. The ideal chronic pain management aims at reducing or eliminating the need for pain medication and improving physical functioning. With the right treatment for chronic pain, you can lead a pain-free life. Any pain that spans over a few months or around 12 weeks is called chronic pain. The cause of pain may be illness, injury, joint-related disease or overuse of joints. Gone are the days when you only surgical options were available for the treatment for chronic pain. Thanks to the medico-technological advancements, patients now have numerous treatment options for dealing with chronic pain. Types of chronic pain Chronic pain can occur in different locations of the body and for a variety of reasons. The most common type of chronic pain occurs due to injuries. This injury may be sports-related or caused by accident. Back pain is another common type of chronic pain. Lower and upper back pain may result from incorrect posture, extended hours of sitting or standing, or damage to the spine. Joint pain due to arthritis or wear and tear of the joints are also some common types of chronic pain. Arthritis pain can occur at in joint of the body. Nerve-related issues may lead to diseases or illnesses that cause other types of pain. Non-surgical treatment options for chronic pain The right choice of treatment for chronic pain depends on its cause. Doctors evaluate this pain based on the following factors: Duration Intensity Cause Location Once they ascertain the parameters mentioned above, they will decide on the right treatment option. Pain management primarily focuses on minimizing the use of pain medication, improving physical flexibility, and strengthening the affected parts.

Maintaining a healthy diet is necessary, to say the least. Processed and junk foods have become an integral part of our diet, and eating too much of it can lead to serious health issues in the long run. The number of people suffering from high sugar and salt levels in the blood has exponentially increased. To put it into perspective, over 100 million people in the country currently suffer from either diabetes or pre-diabetes. A large number of people are obese and hardly exercise. While this may not impact your health immediately, it will in the future. Nobody wants to live a life eating pills to control a disease. The best way out is to bring a radical change today to ensure that this never happens. This change is only possible if you follow an effective diet plan along with regular exercise. We have made the process of selecting effective diet plans much easier for you. Here are a few of the best diet plans of 2018 that actually work! DASH Diet Quite a fancy name for a diet right? The DASH diet is true to its name and it was designed to help people with high blood pressure. Needless to say, it is one of the best and most effective diet plans out there. Regulation of blood pressure is crucial when it comes to patients with hypertension, and the DASH diet aims at helping with the process. This diet comprises low-fat dairy products, lean protein, whole grains, vegetables, and a mix of fruits. If you are on this diet, try to avoid eating some harmful oils, full-fat dairy, sweets, sugary beverages, and saturated fat. You must also try to reduce your salt intake as a preventive measure against high blood pressure. Mediterranean Diet Another diet true to its name and origin is the Mediterranean diet.

Metabolism is the speed at which your body burns down the calories acquired from food. Slow metabolism rate leads to weight gain and fatigue. And no matter how much you exercise or consume a balanced diet, you won’t be able to get rid of that unwanted fat. Adding metabolism boosting foods in your diet can be a head start in solving this problem. There are several factors that affect metabolism, such as: Age Hormones Stress Gender In addition, metabolism is also affected by the foods we consume. Here are 15 metabolism boosting foods that improve body’s capacity to burn more calories: Chili peppers Chili peppers greatly accelerate metabolic rate by increasing thermogenesis, a process of heat generation in the body to melt the fat. Capsaicin, a chemical found in hot pepper, is known to raise the body temperature and boost metabolism. Coffee The caffeine in coffee is known to improve your metabolism. The dark and aromatic drink helps in quick fat oxidization by increasing the metabolic rate by up to 11%. Also, coffee is a great solution for improving your workout performance as it helps the body to burn fat for energy. Herbs Herbs such as oregano, cilantro, dill, fennel, thyme, and rosemary are packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants negate the effect of free oxygen radicals and improve the body’s metabolic rate. Apple These are a rich source of dietary fiber, flavonoids, and antioxidants. They do not only help in increasing metabolic rate but also reduce inflammation, cholesterol, and improve insulin sensitivity and lipid profile. Celery Popularly promoted as a negative calorie food, celery is one of the best metabolism boosting foods . When you consume celery, your body cells have to work really hard to break it down, thus increasing your metabolic rate. This means you burn more calories digesting it than the calories actually present in it.

Neck pain can be quite a nerve-racking experience. It can throw your life out of gear and cause considerable pain even with the slightest neck movement. Stiff neck or neck pain limits one’s overall mobility. People experience a sharp pain while driving or sleeping or simply turning their head. Causes of neck pain could be many, ranging from injury to the wrong posture. Irrespective of the cause of neck pain, one needs to get rid of the pain at the earliest in order to restore normalcy in daily activities. The neck is supported by bones, ligaments, and muscles. An inflammation, abnormality or injury to this support system causes neck pain. Neck pain or strain occurs when one or more fibers in a neck muscle strain or tear. This is also referred to as a pulled muscle. The pain varies based on the extent and location of the damage to the neck muscle. Mild neck pain usually subsides on its own with rest, but sharp or severe pain may require treatment. Before knowing how to cure neck pain, it is important to know what causes it. Causes of stiff neck Neck pain is usually caused by a strain or injury to the ligament, tendon or muscles supporting the neck. The neck vertebrae extend from the base of the skull all the way up to the upper torso. The neck area is made up of a network of tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Neck pain results from a damage or strain or stretching of any of these parts. Here are the common causes of neck pain: Muscle tension or strain : Neck muscles can get stretched or strained due to a wear and tear, bad posture, wrong sleeping position or jerky movement during exercise. Injury : The neck is prone to injury. Accidental fall or sports injury or sudden jerky movements cause injury to the neck muscles.

Sleep apnea is quite common, yet it is a serious disorder of sleep. It can occur when a person is sleeping and the upper airway gets blocked repeatedly. Sometimes, the brain along with the rest of the body does not get sufficient oxygen resulting in completely stopping of or reduction of the airflow. When you have this disorder, the airflow to the lungs stops for ten seconds or longer. This is the time when you do not breathe at all. Not only adults but this sleep disorder can affect children as well. There are various sleep apnea treatment options available, but first, let us have a look at the two main types of sleep apnea: Central sleep apnea is when the airway does not get blocked. Due to the instability in the affected person’s respiratory control center, the brain does not give any signal to the muscles for breathing. OSA or Obstructive sleep apnea is where the airway gets blocked. It usually happens when the soft tissue located at the back of your throat collapses while sleeping. This sleep disorder is treatable. Wondering how to cure sleep apnea? Well, before moving forward to the sleep apnea treatment part, here is a list of some of the most common symptoms of having it. Snoring accompanied with choking or gasping sound while sleeping (the main symptom) Poor concentration Depressed mood Constant tiredness Weight gain Night sweats Sexual dysfunction Lack of energy Urinating frequently at night Forgetfulness Well, it is better to keep in mind that all the above-mentioned symptoms are not always related to sleep apnea. Hence, to get the right diagnosis, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional. If you do not get the necessary remedies for sleep apnea, this disorder can increase the chances of other serious health issues including:

The other name of joint pain or inflammation is known as arthritis, which can affect one or more joints present in our body. Presently there are almost 200 different types of joint pain or arthritis, but among them, the most common types are as follows: Inflammatory arthritis Degenerative or mechanical arthritis Soft tissue musculoskeletal pain Back pain Connective tissue disease Infectious arthritis Metabolic arthritis Though the symptoms of arthritis develop over a long time, they can also appear suddenly out of nowhere. It is most common in adults over the age of 65 years, but sometimes it can also develop in children, teens or younger adults. Moreover, arthritis is more common in women than in men. Also, people suffering from obesity or other conditions related to being overweight have greater tendencies to develop arthritis. Arthritis or joint pain causes Though there are no single joint pain causes of all types of arthritis. These may vary according to the type or form of arthritis. Possible causes of joint pain may include the following factors: Injury, leading to degenerative arthritis Abnormal metabolism leading to gout and pseudogout Inheritance such as osteoarthritis Infections Immune system dysfunction Some forms of arthritis or joint pain causes are due to the reduction in the cartilage tissues amount. Cartilage is nothing but flexible connective tissues in your joints and the function of these cartilages is to absorb the shock and pressure created from motion and stress related to them. Normal wear and tear of the cartilage tissues cause joint pain or osteoarthritis, which is one of the most common types of arthritis. An infection or injury to the joints can aggravate the natural breakdown of cartilage tissues leading to the contribution of joint pain causes. Moreover, your risk of developing osteoarthritis will be higher if you have a family history of the disease.

Thick and voluminous hair seems like an elusive dream for most of us. Thinning hair and hair fall affect both men and women of all ages. Thinning hair or hair loss can occur due to a variety of reasons. Emotional stress, hormonal changes, unhealthy eating habits, side effects of medication and harsh hair treatment are some of the common reasons for thinning hair. Consultation with a dermatologist can help find the cause of thinning hair and help find the right thinning hair products. Using the most suitable thinning hair products and making appropriate lifestyle changes can help treat thinning hair and hair loss. Causes of thinning hair Before moving on to thinning hair products, it helps in understanding the various causes of thinning hair in order to find the right fit. Hair loss not only affects the scalp but the entire body as well. The common causes of thinning hair are as follows: Family history: People who have a family history of thinning hair are potential candidates for thinning hair or hair fall. Thinning hair usually occurs with aging in men and women. Receding hairline and bald patches in men, and thinning hair in women are very common. Hormonal changes: Pregnancy and menopause in women are phases where hormonal changes occur. During these phases, women are likely to experience thinning hair. Women with thyroid problems are also likely to have thinning hair. Scalp infections: Scalp infections such as dandruff, oily scalp or dermatitis also cause thinning hair and hair loss. Medical conditions: Health conditions like alopecia areata causes hair loss in patches. Scalp infections also cause hair thinning. Medication and supplements: Side effects of certain medication could lead to thinning hair. Consuming health supplements is another reason for hair loss. Radiation and chemotherapy: Radiation and chemotherapy are treatments for cancer.