Heartburn is an unpleasant condition often characterized by a burning sensation in the throat and chest. Most of the times, it is triggered by the food we consume, especially acidic, fatty or spicy foods. Heartburn and indigestion are often used interchangeably. But, it is important to understand that heartburn is a symptom of indigestion. Eating certain foods can cause some discomfort in the belly, resulting in digestive pain and heartburn. In a lot of cases, heartburn is also caused due to acid reflux, a condition in which some of the stomach’s content is forced back up into the esophagus. If the acid reflux happens more than two times a week, it is called gastroesophageal reflux disease. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, approximately 15 million Americans experience heartburn every day. Common causes of heartburn If one experiences occasional heartburn, then it is generally not a cause for concern. Persistent acid reflux may result in the diagnosis of GERD, which can have serious consequences for health or may indicate another underlying health issue. However, conditions such as digestive motility disorders, hiatal hernia, diabetes or asthma can also lead to excessive heartburn. Certain medications, such as anti-anxiety pills, steroids, antibiotics, and narcotics, can also trigger heartburn. Some ways to prevent heartburn There are plenty of ways to prevent this unpleasant and discomforting condition from occurring, such as the following: Avoid excessively acidic and spicy foods Maintaining a healthy body weight Not wearing very tight clothes, especially around the waist Eating regulated portions of food Avoiding smoking Avoiding constipation Getting adequate rest and reduce stress Consuming warm liquids after meals Waiting for 3 hours after eating before going to the bed or lying down Treatment of heartburn Treatment for heartburn and indigestion usually begins with making certain lifestyle and dietary modifications. In case, one experiences occasional bouts of heartburn, one can take some over-the-counter medicines for getting instant relief.

Home Remedies and Medical Treatments to Cure Pityriasis Rosea There are several infectious diseases that make us their host on account of our negligence. One such disease is pityriasis rosea, which is a viral health condition that leads to the occurrence of rashes on the body. It is usually faced by individuals falling in the age group of 10-35 years. Most of the times, the rashes disappear on their own in 6 to 9 weeks. However, the root cause of this medical problem is not known. The maximum time that a person can suffer from pityriasis rosea is 12 weeks. Sometimes, it can be followed by a flu-like situation as well. Once a person suffers from the disease, there are high chances that they would not fall prey to the same condition again in the future. People who are looking for pityriasis rosea treatment for themselves or others should first consider relying on home remedies. The following home-based treatments for pityriasis rosea can be of great relief: Aloe Vera The antimicrobial properties of aloe vera can be significant to deal with the germs present on the body, which ultimately leads to faster cure of the disease. For better and faster results, apply aloe vera three times a day on the affected area. Avoid Hot Showers A person suffering from pityriasis rosea must be kept away from excessive heat as it can cause itching around the rashes. Hence, the patients must be aware that they must not take bathe in a hot shower or a bathtub. Coconut Oil Dry skin leads to itching and if the person is suffering from pityriasis rosea, and it only worsens the condition. Applying coconut oil moisturizes the skin and prevents itching. Lotion for Inflammation Rashes caused by pityriasis rosea often set about inflammation, which is worsened by itching.

A bunion or hallux valgus is a bump that is formed at the joint of the big toe to the foot. As a result of the deformity, the big toe is pointed toward the small toes while the joint is inflamed and pushed outward. Causes of this condition are often cited as genetic, wearing tight shoes, and rheumatoid arthritis. Bunions may result in pain while walking, inflammation of the joint, and shift of the big toe toward the smaller toes. Although a complete cure may not be possible without surgery, there are treatments to bunion that can be availed in order to get rid of pain and reduce the overall growth. Types of treatment Surgical procedures are mainly aimed at the realignment of the bones of the big toe and the joint and the repair of the soft tissue around it. This will help correct the deformity of the foot and relieve the pain. Depending on the extent of the deformity, the surgical procedure may vary. Ligament and tendon repair Sometimes the ligaments and tendons may be too tight on one side or too loose on the other side, which ends up pulling the toe sideways. Surgery is the only bunion treatment in this case, which is advised to loosen the tight tendons and ligaments and shorten the long tendons and ligaments, thereby getting the big toe to its correct position again. Osteotomy In Osteotomy, as the name of the bunion treatment suggests, part of the bone in the toe is removed and fixed with metal pins and screws. At times, a wedge of the bones is removed to allow the big toe to be straightened. Osteotomy is accompanied by the repair of ligament and tendon as well to relieve the inflammation in the area. Arthrodesis This bunion treatment is mainly used for arthritic patients who have had previous bunion surgery.

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.

Your shoulder is a combination of many joints. The joints meet the muscles and tendons of the arm to provide a full range of motion to the arm. The shoulder facilitates thousands of activities in everyday life. These vary from scratching one’s back to bowling, to carrying bags, and even driving. But your shoulder’s mobility may deteriorate over time, leading to issues such as instability & soreness. It may even affect the functioning of the bones or soft tissue in the shoulder, resulting in pain. The pain could be consistent and chronic, or you might feel the pain only when you move the shoulder. If the pain is temporary, it is easy to deal with, but if it lasts for a long time, this may call for medical attention. We need to understand the anatomy of the shoulder to understand shoulder pain in a better way. Anatomy Of The Shoulder The shoulder comprises of three major bones. They are as follows. Humerus, or the upper arm bone Scapula, or the shoulder bone Collarbone, or the Clavicle There is a round socket in the shoulder blade called the glenoid. The top part of the humerus, or the upper arm bone, fits into the glenoid. A host of muscles and tendons works toward keeping the arm bone stable in the glenoid. This is called the rotator cuff, and it covers the top of the humerus, and it attaches the humerus to the shoulder blade. Let’s go through the top four common types of shoulder problems: Tendon inflammation or tendon tear, also known as bursitis or tendinitis Loss of stability Broken bones or a fracture Arthritis Some other problems, which are rarer, but can cause shoulder pain, are: Tumors Infections Issues involving nerves Let’s run through some of the treatment options you have at your disposal for treating shoulder pain:

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the anal canal. External hemorrhoids refer to enlarged veins beneath the surface of the anal skin. You can see and feel external hemorrhoid as the blood clot surrounds the surface of the anus. External hemorrhoids are not serious but are very painful. The most common causes of external hemorrhoids are prolonged sitting on the toilet, chronic constipation and straining during the bowel movements. All of these cause enlargement of the veins outside the surface of the anus, causing external hemorrhoids. They disturb the blood flow to and from that area resulting in swollen blood vessels. Constipation tightens the muscles of the anal canal that are smooth. This strain causes pain and bleeding during the bowel movement. The connective tissue that connects the anus muscles also weaken with age, thereby increasing the swelling outside the surface. When you pressurize the veins of the pelvic and rectal area, it can also lead to external hemorrhoids as the muscles tighten. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids There are four main symptoms of external hemorrhoids: The first and foremost is itching around the surface of the anus. This is because hemorrhoids cause swelling and irritation in the rectal area, and develop an urge to itch. But the symptom gets worse with itching as disturbing the swelling makes the anus grow further. There is constant pain around the anus. The external hemorrhoids result in affecting the anus and rectal areas. The pain is not severe but can get unbearable at times. Swelling of the anal skin causes lumps. These lumps are blood clots that cause swelling and pain. Lumps, when inflating with pus around the anus, make the symptoms worse. One another major symptom is bleeding while using the washroom. If you find thick blood stains on the stool, then you are probably suffering from external hemorrhoids that are mainly caused due to a weaker digestive track.

The summer season brings along skin irritations and rashes. The heat rays finally get to your skin, and you can find rashes mostly in the areas covered by clothing. Everyone from infants to elders is susceptible to heat rashes. You need to first identify the rash. It will irritate and might get worse if you do not go for heat rash treatments. Many home remedies and medications can put a stop to it. What is more important is working on preventive methods so that it doesn’t happen again. You can enjoy the summer in peace once you have dealt with it. Heat rash is a fairly common problem, and it happens to most people, so there is no cause for alarm. If these methods don’t work, there might be another infection that is causing the rashes. In that case, it is best to consult a dermatologist. What is heat rash? The red or pink rashes on parts of your body that are covered by clothes are called heat rashes. It happens because the air ducts are blocked. They swell up due to the heat and cause itching. This is commonly found in babies. However, in hot climates, it can affect adults too. Heat rash occurs when the body is covered with too many clothes, and the skin is unable to breathe. Heat rash treatment involves treating the rashes. However, as a permanent solution, you need to make sure you are in a cool environment, and your body heat is under control. How to identify a heat rash? A heat rash is very easy to identify. It looks like dots or pimples all across the skin. It can appear in any part of the body. In sporadic cases when heat rash treatment is not done, a secondary infection may appear. So, it is best to identify it and treat it immediately.

It is quite hard to deal with nail fungus. It starts off as a yellow blemish and spreads to the entire nail if it is left untreated. It can cause discomfort, pain, and tenderness. Many home remedies can help you treat this issue, and the most popular item among them is hydrogen peroxide. Why is hydrogen peroxide effective at treating toenail fungus? Hydrogen peroxide is a household item that is applied to sanitize minor injuries and wounds. Its antifungal properties destroy the fungus, allowing the broken part of your nails to grow back again. This liquid has numerous applications as an antiseptic, disinfectant, oxidizer, bleaching agent, and as an antifungal agent. Depending on the severity of the infection, you can restore your nails within weeks or months with constant use of hydrogen peroxide. To prevent further fungal infections, it is advised to keep practicing this therapy for a few months even after your nail has recovered. Even though there aren’t many scientific studies proving the effectiveness of hydrogen peroxide for treating toenail fungus, several people have tried and tested this home remedy. Here are some treatments for toenail fungus that use hydrogen peroxide: Soak your feet in a hydrogen peroxide solution You will require 3% hydrogen peroxide, distilled water, plastic tub, and tissues for this method. Stir equal amounts of hydrogen peroxide and distilled water in a plastic tub. Make sure that the hydrogen peroxide that has a concentration of 3% or less, otherwise it may damage your skin. Dip the infected nails in this solution and wait for 30 minutes until they are soaked. Wipe and dry your nails with a tissue. Make sure that the affected nails are dry before you cover them. Repeat this method every day, even after the problem subsides. Getting relief from nail fungus is not that simple and will require a lot of patience and persistence.

While summer is a welcome break for many, it can also become a dreaded time for those who suffer from prickly heat rashes. These reddish, itchy spots can cause a lot of irritation if you don’t resort to the right preventive and curative measures. Heat rashes or sweat rashes commonly occur in tropical, humid climates. Prickly heat rash can occur in adults, children, or even infants. Timely heat rash treatment and preventive measures can help combat the condition effectively. Mild prickly heat rashes usually clear up by themselves, if you reduce your exposure to the sun and maintain good hygiene. The face, neck, chest, back, groin area, under the breasts, and shoulders are likely to be affected by heat rashes. Heat rashes occur when the sweat glands are blocked and the sweat is unable to reach the skin surface to evaporate. This clogging of the sweat pores causes inflammation or rashes. Common causes of heat rashes include the following: Over-exposure to the sun Poor personal hygiene Heavy creams or lotions Wearing tight clothing Symptoms of heat rash Prickly heat is also referred to as miliaria rubra. They are characterized by tiny red bumps on the skin that are accompanied by an itchy or prickly feeling. The prickly sensation feels like a sunburn. The tiny blisters look like beads of sweat or bubbles. Heat rashes may spread to other parts of the body as well. However, it is not an infectious skin condition that could spread to others. There are mainly three types of heat rash: Clear or miliaria crystallina – This is the mildest form that usually disappears on its own Red or miliaria rubra – This occurs on the outer skin layer in the form of tiny red bumps Deep or miliaria profunda – It occurs due to repeated bouts of heat rash that may inflame deeper skin layers.

No one would like to spot some blue or dark purple colored veins on his or her legs or any other body parts. If you find such veins sneaking through your skin, you should talk to a dermatologist. This disorder is known as varicose veins and they form due to some faulty valves that pass blood in the wrong direction. The disorder can be found in adults and aged people. Apart from this, pregnant women are vulnerable to this vein disorder. Spider veins, swollen ankles, and aching legs are some of the symptoms one can experience when under the varicose vein disorder. Various treatments are available for varicose veins. You can opt out for home remedies, but if the condition is beyond your control, you should talk to a specialist, as the disorder can lead to varicose ulcers on your skin. Here, we will talk about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for varicose veins. Symptoms In most of the cases, patients do not experience any pain at the beginning for their varicose veins disorder. Have a look at some of the most common symptoms of varicose veins. Twisted and lumpy and swollen veins Minor injuries lead to heavy bleeding Legs feel heavy after any physical activity Swollen ankles Skin discoloration in affected areas Venous eczema Leg cramps after prolong standing Restless legs syndrome Skin shrinking Diagnosis of varicose veins The process of diagnosis involves a physical examination by doctors, where they will check for swelling. If you have any aching or hard pain in your legs, you should mention it during the process. Doctors can also perform an ultrasound test to ensure proper functioning or valves in the veins. They will also search for the evidence of blood clot in your veins. In a noninvasive test, experts will use a hand-held device against your skin or the affected area to examine the cause of this disorder.

All of a sudden one experiences extreme pain in the big toe or other joints. The pain is excruciating and occurs at any time of the day. Such symptoms are typical of gout. Gout pain is a complex type of arthritic pain that occurs due to the build-up of uric acid in the bloodstream. The accumulation of uric acid forms sharp crystals in bone joints. The most common location where gout occurs is the big toe. A gout attack can occur to anyone. A gout attack typically lasts for 10 days, out of which extreme pain occurs during the initial three days. Gout attack starts at one joint and spreads to other joints when not treated. Pain relief for gout can be achieved by reducing the inflammation. Prompt treatment of gout foot pain results in the reduction of inflammation and pain and prevents spreading to other joints as well. Symptoms of gout pain Symptoms of gout pain vary with the severity and build-up of uric acid. Extremely painful gout pain is caused when the uric acid accumulates to the extent where crystals are formed at the joints. The common symptoms of gout pain are: Excruciating pain in the joints : Big toe is the most common joint that is affected by gout pain. It can also spread to other joints like elbow, ankle, wrists, and fingers. The first two to three days of a gout attack are most painful. Swollen joints : Gout is caused by the accumulation of uric acid at joints. This accumulation manifests as a swelling or bulge at the joints. Excessive uric acid deposits form crystals at the joints, which appear like tiny nodes under the skin. Moderate discomfort : After the extreme pain reduces, moderate to mild pain lingers at the joints. This discomfort lasts for weeks.

Apple cider vinegar is a very common weight loss remedy among people active about weight loss. Apple cider vinegar has a number of health benefits and must be included by most of us in our diets. It helps in leading a probiotic life, acts as a tonic for your body, and allows you to lead a healthy life. Even as many people did not trust apple cider vinegar for weight loss in the beginning, it has grown in popularity. Apple cider vinegar weight loss plans are being used widely by people, and it has also proved to be a strong method for gradual weight loss. Apple cider vinegar belongs right in your weight loss plan as it is high on acetic acid, and acetic acid has many properties that lead to weight loss. Acetic acid dissolves into acetate and hydrogen in the human body as it is a small-chain fatty acid. Here is why and how apple cider vinegar could be the protagonist of your weight loss plans. Lowers blood sugar levels : Acetic acid is said to improve the sugar taking ability of the liver and muscles. This, in turn, reduces the blood sugar levels. Effectively reduces insulin levels : Lower insulin to glucagon is said to result in body fat burning; acetic acid reduces insulin levels to glucagon. Higher metabolism : A higher metabolism means that your food gets digested faster than usual and you burn a lot more calories; acetic acid contributes to speeding your metabolism thereby inducing weight loss. Minimal fat storage : Acetic acid, in a study, proved that it could help in increasing the expression of genes that reduce belly fat storage. It also reduces the liver fat, hence leading to evasion from obesity. Reduces appetite : In a study performed to test acetic acid, there was a claim that acetic acid has the ability to push down centers in the brain that control appetite, hence reducing your food intake.