Learn How to Choose Caregivers for SMA Patients

Learn How to Choose Caregivers for SMA Patients

The genetic health condition called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affects that part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movements. There is wide variability in the age of the onset, rate of progression, and even symptoms of the condition. For individuals diagnosed with SMA, it is not that easy to roll out of the bed and start the day. However, when a patient has a caregiver’s assistance along with the right medical equipment, it helps a lot to carry out daily activities like showering, dressing, going to the toilet, and even eating. Even though in the early stages of the condition, the family members themselves act as the primary caregivers for SMA patients, it is usually not so in the long run. This is because as the condition progresses, one does need professional caregivers for SMA patients as they help to take care of numerous things. When one is planning to hire caregivers for SMA patients through an agency, they need to ensure that the caregivers hired are trained professionals. Below are some tips that will help one hire a professional caregiver for SMA patients- Have a conversation with the insurance providers and social work departments One needs to realize how many hours will be allotted to the SMA patient by the government before hiring caregivers. While building a case, it is necessary to talk to the insurance provider and a qualified social worker. As the condition tends to vary from person to person, so does the level of help they need. There are some SMA patients that need 24*7 caregivers assistance while there are others who only need someone who can help them get up and get ready in the morning, and put them to bed at night. One needs to determine the level of care their family member needs and communicate the same to their social worker or any other type of independent living department with whom they are working.
Best Treatment Methods for External Hemorrhoids

Best Treatment Methods for External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids also known as piles affect the veins present outside the anus, resulting in bleeding, itching and cracking. These cause the veins to swell and get inflamed due to an increase in pressure in the lower rectum. There are a variety of reasons which can cause hemorrhoids like sitting on the toilet for long periods of time, being obese, anal intercourse, low fiber diet, straining to have bowel movements, pregnancy, poor posture and more. Here’s how to treat hemorrhoids with some home remedies: Eating high fiber food Fruits, whole grains and vegetables soften the stool and increase its bulk, which aids in avoiding the straining that can worsen existing symptoms of hemorrhoids. Apart from this, adding fiber to the diet will also aid you in avoiding problems with gas. Also, make sure to drink lots of water and avoid caffeine. This is one of the best hemorrhoid treatments. Witch hazel This hemorrhoids treatment with its anti-inflammatory properties can reduce pain, swelling, and itching which are the two big problems of hemorrhoids. It can be found in liquid form as well as wipes too. Aloe Vera Used historically as a treatment of hemorrhoids, Aloe Vera has anti-inflammatory properties which may help in reducing irritation. It is advisable to use pure Aloe Vera and one of the ways of getting it is by harvesting the inside of an Aloe plant’s leaves. If you want to check if you are allergic then just rub a small portion on your forearm and wait for 24 to 48 hrs for reactions. Cleaning the affected area The affected area should be cleaned using warm water or with moist towelettes. Don’t use dry toilet paper, perfumed or alcohol-based wipes since they can irritate the area. Apply cold Use cold compresses or ice packs on the anal area to reduce swelling and get relief from irritations.
Best Diet Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Best Diet Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is a disease which restricts your diet immensely. There are different types of the disease and irritable bowel syndrome varies from person to person. You need to keep track of the food items that may trigger the syndrome. This can help you prevent it and lead a better, healthier life. The food items which make your symptoms flare up are called triggers. The IBS diet plans mentioned below will help you avoid problems with diarrhea, belly pain, bloating and constipation. It is all about making the right plan and following it to your best ability. Irritable bowel syndrome constipation There are several food items that can make IBS constipation worse. You need to avoid eating these food items and stick to a healthy diet plan. Here are a few food items you need to avoid at any cost. Coffee Carbonated drinks Alcohol Dairy products (especially cheese) Breads and Cereals Made with Refined Grains Processed Food Items High-Protein Diets Minimize or nullify your intake of these food items and you will have a great IBS diet plan to go. This does not necessarily limit you to eating peanuts all the time. You can boost your fiber intake by 2-3 grams per day to increase the likelihood of you reacting better to IBS constipation. Try to eat 25-38 grams of fiber per day and reap its benefits. There are several good sources of fiber. These include whole-grain bread, beans, fruits, cereals, and vegetables. You can also eat food items such as dried plums and prune juice. These are rich in sorbitol which is also a substitute of sugar. Eat this in moderate amounts. Drink plenty of water on a daily basis and you should see improvements soon. Irritable bowel syndrome-diarrhea Frequent visits to the washroom are certainly draining for a patient suffering from diarrhea.
Top Pain Relievers in the Country

Top Pain Relievers in the Country

Aches and pains are almost inevitable no matter how hard you try to stay healthy. Pain can be caused due to a lot of conditions and even diseases. Moreover, it can be mild or can go on to be really troublesome. Thankfully, there are a variety of pain relievers available in the market today. These pain relievers can help you get through the pain and you can get on with your daily activities. Whether it is your back that is bothering you or a headache, painkillers always provide the much needed temporary relief. TYLENOL® Extra Strength Caplets This is the best pain reliever that you should have at all times. While this pain reliever comes in different formats and formulas, these tablets are highly recommended by the best doctors and are tried and tested. This tablet is specially made to treat pains as well as minor aches. However, if you have pain that is associated with swelling, then Tylenol is perhaps not the best option. You can go for this option when you are dealing with backaches, headaches and the like. Aleve Caplets If you are facing back pain, then Aleve is a great choice as it is considered one of the best pain relievers. It targets inflammation that often contributes to back pain. The medicine is perfect for back pain associated with arthritis. Just by taking one caplet, you can get rid of pain for 12 hours. It contains naproxen sodium that is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and is indeed a powerful pain reliever. The drawback of Aleve Caplets is that they can cause stomach irritation in some people. Before consuming the caplets, you should carefully read the instructions and also consult your doctor. It is also very effective if you are facing toothache or menstrual cramps. Excedrin® Extra Strength Caplets According to a lot of customer surveys, nothing provides relief for a headache like the Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets.
All You Need to Know about Erection Problems

All You Need to Know about Erection Problems

Erection problems occur when a man cannot achieve or maintain an erection firm enough to have sexual intercourse with a partner. While this is not a life-threatening issue, one should still consult a medical expert if they are unable to achieve an erection for one-quarter of the time to find out the underlying cause for this problem. Erectile problems are also known as: Sexual dysfunction Impotence ED or erectile dysfunction Common causes of erection problems It is necessary to understand why this problem occurs to get the right treatment. According to various medical reports, the most common causes of erection problems are psychological, physical, or a combination of both. Some research studies state that older men suffer from erectile dysfunction due to various physical reasons. The blood vessels and nerves responsible for an erection may be affected by this disorder. On the other hand, some medical studies indicate that most of the times, psychological effects and lifestyle concerns cause erectile dysfunction in young men. Here is a list of the probable physical causes that lead to erectile dysfunction in men. Note that these causes may vary from one person to another. Diabetes Heart disease along with the narrowing of the blood vessels High cholesterol High blood pressure Metabolic syndrome and obesity Multiple sclerosis Parkinson’s disease Peyronie’s disease (anatomical or structural penis disorder) Hardening of the arteries Substance abuse Kidney or liver disease Alcoholism Treatment processes for the prostate issues Congenital genitalia issues Excessive tobacco use Hormonal disorders like testosterone deficiency and thyroid conditions Radiation therapy in the pelvic region Injuries to the spinal cord or pelvic area Surgical complications Almost 90 percent of the erection problems are the result of physical causes. Psychological causes lead to fewer cases. If there is no identifiable physiological issue or anatomical deformity, the following psychological factors could be the cause of erectile dysfunction:
How to Choose the Best Probiotic Yogurt

How to Choose the Best Probiotic Yogurt

Gone are the days when yogurts used to be pretty simple and available in unpretentious small containers. Today, the shelves are flooded with overt varieties of Greek yogurts, shakes, and smoothies, spurted into fancy-looking cups and pouches, all set to make you drool. Besides, the ice cream aisles also feature a variety of frozen yogurts and popsicles to choose from. It is important to mention that some of these yogurts serve as excellent sources of probiotics and offer a range of health benefits, whereas the others only serve as dessert. So, with so many choices, how do you choose the best one? Before we understand how to select the best probiotic yogurts, let’s discuss some important benefits of eating a yogurt. Yogurt and your health Yogurts are made by the bacterial fermentation of milk. The bacteria which are used for preparing yogurts are called yogurt cultures. These ferment the natural sugar present in milk to produce lactic acid. There are two specific types of bacteria that should be present in order to consider a yogurt healthy – Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. Now, we will look at some science-based health benefits of eating the best probiotic yogurts. It’s rich in nutrients Yogurt is a storehouse of nutrients, such as protein, vitamin B12, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium as well as some essential fatty acids. All these nutrients are beneficial in maintaining a good health. It’s high in protein Yogurt contains an impressive amount of protein, i.e. 10 g/100grams. Protein improves overall body metabolism by increasing the number of calories you burn throughout the day. Also, it helps in regulating the appetite as it enhances the hormone production that signals fullness. This helps in cutting down on the calories consumed, thus helping you to manage your weight in an effective way. It improves digestive health Some of the best probiotic yogurts contain active live cultures that significantly improve digestive health.
7 Herbs that Naturally Increase Testosterone levels

7 Herbs that Naturally Increase Testosterone levels

Testosterone is a steroid hormone which is the main sex hormone in men. But females also have a small amount of it. These are produced in men’s testicles, and for women, it is in their ovaries. A small amount of testosterone is also produced by adrenal glands. The physical changes that experienced in boys during their puberty phase like the change in voice, hair growth, and muscle development are due to the testosterone hormone. Having an optimal level of testosterone during adulthood and old age is vital. Healthy levels of testosterone in adults are important for their body composition, sexual functioning, and for avoiding risks of diseases. In addition to that, increasing the testosterone levels helps you to gain muscle mass and vitality within weeks. Testosterone plays an important role in the well-being of female sexual and physical health. Making your endocrine system work properly helps in optimizing the performance and maintain a healthy sex drive. Following are some of the recommended herbs to increase testosterone levels naturally and to maintain a healthy endocrine system. Tribulus Terrestris Tribulus Terrestris is the most common herbs that help increase testosterone levels. It is found in almost all the supplements that are designed to boost the men’s hormones and increase the sex drive. Studies have shown that Tribulus increases the body’s production of luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones. These hormones signal the testicles to produce testosterone. DHEA, another powerful androgen and precursor to testosterone, is also produced dramatically by Tribulus. Pine Pollen Unlike other herbs, this one increases the testosterone levels directly. Pine pollen is the only herb that provides the body with an externals source of testosterone and other phyto-androgens that supplement the body’s own production. It comes in powdered, tincture, and capsule forms. Among these, the tincture form is the most efficient and powerful in giving increased levels of testosterone.
Top Treatment Options for Pityriasis Rosea

Top Treatment Options for Pityriasis Rosea

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.
Probiotics – What you need to know about them

Probiotics – What you need to know about them

Recently, there has been a lot of hype on the role of probiotics in promoting health. Almost everyone with a digestive problem is prescribed probiotics. They are essentially bacteria which are good for your health. Probiotics contain good bacteria that are very similar to the bacteria found in the human gut. Certain types of bacteria like lactobacillus and bifidobacteria are present in the intestinal flora and the gut lining. The lower digestive tract is home to complex and varied strains of healthy bacteria that are more in number than the cells in one’s body. These healthy bacteria help with digestion of food and also enhance immunity against infections. What are probiotics made of? They are foods that contain bacterial strains having similar properties as the healthy bacteria present in the intestinal lining. FDA regulations treat probiotics as foods and not medications. Probiotic foods Infection of the intestinal tract or consumption of an unhealthy diet that destroys healthy bacteria in the gut generates more “bad” bacteria than “good” bacteria. This imbalance may lead to weight gain, diarrhea, constipation, and other chronic health conditions. Probiotics are prescribed to restore the balance. Popular natural foods containing probiotics are as follows: Certain yogurts Yogurt is the most popular source of probiotics. Yogurt is known to ease out lactose intolerance. Other digestive issues like diarrhea, gastric trouble, and constipation can be eased out by consuming yogurt. Some types of cheese Fermented cheese like Gouda is loaded with probiotics. Compared with other types of cheese, Gouda cheese is robust enough to retain probiotics all through the journey from the stomach to intestines. Sourdough bread This bread packs consist of probiotics that enhance digestion. Sauerkraut The unpasteurized type of sauerkraut is the best way to retain good bacteria in sauerkraut. Pasteurization process kills the good bacteria, hence, unpasteurized sauerkraut is the best source of probiotics.
Different Ways to Get Rid Of Boils

Different Ways to Get Rid Of Boils

Boils, also known as abscesses, are basically red-colored bumps that develop beneath the skin. These bumps are not always painful, but as they grow larger and accumulate more pus, the tenderness and pain increase. Also, they do not drain until they are fully saturated. Boils are those kinds of skin infections that initiate at the root of the oil glands or the hair follicles of the skin. Boils can be very painful and warm when touched since they penetrate into the deeper subcutaneous layer of the skin. In case of small insignificant boils, it can be treated at home giving warm compresses. The repeated soakings will drive the pus to the head of the boils and it bursts to release the same. Whatever might be the case; boils should never be pricked with a needle for draining the pus as this can make the infection even worse. Due to infection, the base of the oil glands or the hair follicles and the area of the skin associated with the infection become red. The reddish appearance indicates that an inflammation has occurred. Immediately after, a soft painful coagulum develops from that place. It takes a maximum of 4 to 7 days for the clump to accumulate enough pus and turn white. for those who do not know how to get rid of boils, a hot compress is an effective home remedy. In case the pus does not drain even after applications of repeated hot compresses, it should be understood that the sepsis has metastasized to the deeper layers of the skin. In such a condition the boil is termed as furuncle or an abscess. Causes of Boils There are multitudes of bacteria’s present on our skin’s surface. Some are beneficial for our skin and some are bad. Boils are caused by Staphylococcus that resides on our skin.
Know Your Knees Better with This Knee Replacement Guide

Know Your Knees Better with This Knee Replacement Guide

All of our body parts are necessary to perform several activities, and knees are something without which we cannot move even an inch. Knees are an indispensable part of the body as the knee joints enable us to walk, jump and do everything that we can’t do by being static. Hence, it is of paramount importance that we take extreme care of our knees. However, if you get into a situation that leaves you with a damaged knee joint, you should seek the medical assistance of an orthopedic doctor. If you are not sure whether or not your problem is a serious one, you can go through the knee replacement surgery videos on the Internet to know better about your condition. In a knee replacement surgery, the damaged part of the knee is replaced by an artificial part. Most of the times, doctors try to avoid the surgery by administering medicines to the patient, but if none works, then surgery is the ultimate option. Knee joints can get damaged due to several reasons such as meeting with an accident while doing house chores or getting injured during road accidents or while playing sports. People suffer from knee problems on account of age as well. Aging leads to wearing of cartilages in the knees which makes it difficult to walk. It can be really troublesome when you are not able to walk. For those people who want to know more about such problems, several knee replacement surgery videos on the Internet can help them understand the situation well. If you are also one of those facing knee pains and are concerned about the same, consider adopting the following changes: Weight loss: Most of the people tend to suffer from knee problems because they do not exercise much which makes their body parts habitual to lying static.
5 Natural Remedies for Pain Relief

5 Natural Remedies for Pain Relief

If you continuously suffer from body aches right from a backache to a toothache, it’s impulsive that your first action will be to reach for a pill. Numerous people rely on medicines which have a long list of side effects. The end result is that you can become addicted to taking the dose or a drug interaction may harm the body. On the other hand, few depend on natural remedies to cure pain. Several herbs, shrubs, and spices are known to treat swelling, inflammation and other kinds of pain. There are various active ingredients in natural substances that are the very good pain relievers. Listed below is an assortment of pain relief treatments which are helpful to take away your pain. Willow bark Since ancient times, most of the people are using willow bark as a resource for getting relief from pain. For centuries it is known to ease inflammation which is the main cause of pain and ache. Methodology: Following are the various ways to intake willow bark: It can be used topically Willow bark tea is available at various stores As a distilled tincture Turmeric Turmeric is one of the best products or spices that can be used to get rid of various kinds of pain. It is helpful in preventing pain in the joints due to inflammation or other unknown reasons. Methodology: Turmeric can be taken in numerous ways; the important ones are discussed below: One can drink golden milk or turmeric tea One can use it in the form of paste on the joints One can have it in the form of a supplement (250 mg per day) Add it to salads Make its use as a spice in various food items Cloves Clove is used worldwide in various food items. It is also a part of various medicines in either a powdered or an oil form.