Shingles is a troublesome infection that is caused by the same virus—varicella zoster (VZV) virus—that is responsible for causing chickenpox. It appears as a painful rash and persists for at least 2 weeks. While it goes away in a maximum of 4 weeks, it causes immense pain, itching, burning, and all-around discomfort. The symptoms can be tough to handle, but there are a number of ways one can make themselves feel more comfortable during its outbreak. There are a number of home remedies available for treating shingles pain. When one is affected by shingles, after a consultation with the doctor, they can look for the best cream for shingles pain. Ointments for treating shingles pain are readily available in the market and provide great relief. Some of the popular creams for treating shingles pain have been listed as follows. Calamine lotion Calamine lotion is a topical anti-itch lotion. It has astringent and skin protecting properties which can help one get relief from the itching sensation caused due to shingles. They also slow down the growth of bacteria and prevent the infection from getting even worse. Calamine lotion soothes the skin and can be considered as one of the best creams for shingles pain. Lidocaine Lidocaine is a numbing medicine that is used to control and alleviate pain. It comes in a variety of different forms which include the likes of sprays, powders, patches, and lotions. It is generally used in the lotion form and is quite effective. One can apply this lotion moderately on affected areas to get relief from the pain caused by shingles. Capsaicin cream Capsaicin is mainly found in chili peppers. It is the ingredient which makes the mouth burn when one has too many chili peppers. Capsaicin creams help relieve one of the pain experienced due to shingles.

According to a study by The John Hopkins University, over 60 million people in the country do not get enough sleep and over 40 million of the country’s population struggles with sleep disorder symptoms. Lack of sleep can affect a person’s daily routine and it is important to know about natural sleeping aids that can help you increase the quality of your sleep. Why do you need to sleep well? An individual ideally requires between seven to eight and a half hours of sleep each night, but this figure can differ based on a number of factors. Every person has a natural internal clock or circadian rhythm that controls sleep patterns and helps a person know when to sleep and when to wake up. Moving away from this pattern can cause sleep deprivation that can negatively affect a person. The effects of sleep deprivation range from poor physical and emotional health to difficulty in concentration and memory. It can also lead to major health conditions such as depression, heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It is important for a person to enjoy good sleep quantity and quantity and natural sleeping aids can go a long way to boost this process. The most beneficial natural sleeping aids Melatonin Melatonin is a hormone released by the brain that helps in regulating a person’s circadian rhythm. Studies have shown that this hormone helps in improving sleep patterns and can also help increase the length of sleep. Melatonin has also been found to be effective in decreasing the jet lag levels while traveling. However, just like many other natural supplements, melatonin supplements are is tested and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and it is best to consult a doctor to know if it is suitable for you. Valerian Extracted from herbs, this is one of the most popular natural sleeping aids in the treatment of insomnia and anxiety.

Neuropathy is a kind of nerve damage which may occur in folks who have diabetes. It can damage or weaken nerves of the person’s body. What are the symptoms of neuropathy? Loss of sensation in the feet Tingling or Numbness of the feet Burning sensations or pain What are the causes of this disease? Genetic factors Alcohol abuse and Smoking Inflammation in the nerves Let’s explore some effective natural treatment for neuropathy, which will give you quick relief. Treatment options for Neuropathy Warm water bathing The warm water bath is one of the ways which can give you relief from the neuropathy. The heat provides the warmth which helps in treating the pain. When heat received in the body, it increases the blood circulation and hence provides the blood to the damaged nerve. You can put Epsom salt in your water for better results. Do it once or twice a week. This will help you more in getting your pain away. Have long shower for about 15 minutes to get relief from the pain. Control your blood sugar Levels Keep a check on your blood sugar levels and don’t let it reach a level which is not good for your health. By keeping your blood sugar levels in control you can reduce the risk of nerve damage by 60%. So, keep a check on your diet and do exercises to control your sugar level in your blood. Capsaicin compound This is an active compound which is found in hot peppers. It is actively used in massaging cremes as massaging with this ingredient makes the part of the body (which has gone through the nerve damage) less sensitive to pain. So, when you suffer from the neuropathy, massage the body part with the product having Capsaicin compound. The massaging creme is available at chemists shop.

Everyone experiences pain and swelling in their fingers at some point in time. There are several reasons for this pain and swelling, such as injuries and medical conditions that are known to cause pain in the fingers. Swollen finger pain is generally accompanied by redness, a burning sensation, tenderness, stiffness, numbness, a tingling feeling, swelling, color change, and such other conditions. Arthritis is one of the major causes of swollen finger pain. It can also be caused due to an infection or inflammation. Causes of swollen finger pain: Swollen finger pain may be caused as a result of injuries due to strenuous physical activity, actively participating in contact sports such as soccer, football, or baseball. Performing recreational activities that require a lot of efforts, such as skiing or playing tennis. Operating heavy machinery at home or work. Carrying heavy loads for a long period of time. Active participation in fist fights or punching. Performance of repetitive movements such as typing, writing, and stitching for a long period of time. As a result of the compartment syndrome, which leads to severe swelling of the fingers; it covers the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves. Patients who are suffering from the compartment syndrome should be attended to immediately and under the supervision of a doctor. Arthritis also causes inflammation accompanied by swelling, pain, redness, and stiffness. Trigger finger happens when you are unable to straighten out your finger as the tendon in your finger has become swollen or inflamed. Dupuytren’s Contracture is a condition where your hand becomes tighter and does not enable free movement as the tissue becomes inflamed. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes swollen finger pain as pressure is exerted on the nerves of the fingers, causing severe pain, swelling, and numbness. The Raynaud phenomenon causes swollen finger pain as the blood flow to the fingers is blocked, and the patient suffers from swelling, numbness, stiffness, and cold fingers.

Arthritis is not one disease, but a set of diseases that share inflammation of the joints and mild to severe pain. Of the main types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common. It is a disease characterized by a rather peculiar inefficiency of the immune system. The immune system starts to attack the inner lining of the joints. This has a telling impact on the body as it suffers from damage to synovial tissues, swelling of the joints, bone damage, cartilage damage, inflammation and permanent damage as a whole on its progression. The disease is incurable and the joints become stiff or cease to function if left untreated. Other forms of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis. The treatment for the disease includes medication that helps to reduce pain and inflammation. There are several anti-inflammatory foods that you can include in your diet as well. There are several foods to avoid with arthritis problem, as they may trigger joint pain. Here are a few of the best foods you should eat and a few food items you should avoid. Foods to avoid with arthritis Fried and processed food: To put it in simple terms, avoid eating junk food as far as possible. The body’s natural defences can be restored and inflammation reduced over time if you abstain from eating fried and processed food. Replace eating these with an increased amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. This is one of the sure shot foods to avoid with arthritis. AGE: AGE is a toxin which appears in food items when they are grilled, fried, pasteurized or heated. These toxins damage certain proteins in the body which leads the body to release cytokines to break the AGEs. Cytokines are inflammatory messengers and an increased amount of AGES in the body can lead to onset of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a lifelong condition that affects your quality of life by causing pain and discomfort in your joints. Relieve your rheumatoid arthritis pain naturally by using these remedies. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, in simpler terms, it occurs when the immune system of your body starts attacking the healthy joints. In rheumatoid arthritis or RA, joints on both sides of the body are affected such as both hands, both wrists, or both knees. More common in women than men, RA affects around 1.5 million people in the United States. As this form of arthritis progresses, it can also affect the other organs of the body, namely, lungs, heart, skin, eyes, and nerves. Even though the cause of RA is not yet known, there have been various theories that have been put forward to explain why the immune system attacks the healthy joints. Because RA causes inflammation in your joints, some of the common symptoms of this disorder are stiff joints, fever, swollen joints, fatigue, redness, reduced movement in the affected joints, and joint pain. The rheumatoid arthritis pain varies from one individual to another; some may find it debilitating, while others may describe it as just mildly irritating. There is no single specific test that can be used to diagnose RA, however, doctors do rely on the rheumatoid factor tests as an indication of RA. More than half the people suffering from this type of arthritis have ‘rheumatoid factor’ in their blood, but you cannot say that everyone will this factor will develop rheumatoid arthritis at some point in time. Therefore, it becomes necessary to use this test along with some others to reach an accurate diagnosis of RA. Your treatment plan for RA usually involves a combination of joint protection, medications, exercise, and in rare cases, surgery.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial in maintaining good health. The body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are bacteria that are beneficial as they promote a good and healthy digestive system. They also bring with them several benefits that are linked to an individual’s overall well-being and keep diseases away. There are several kinds of bacteria that are classified as probiotics. However, the two most common groups include the following: Bifidobacterium – This is a bacterium that is found in a few kinds of dairy products. It is beneficial in easing out the symptoms of several kinds of digestive conditions. Lactobacillus – Lactobacillus is one of the most common kinds of probiotics. It is widely found in food products that are fermented; however, a large portion is found in yogurt, a dairy product. It is extremely beneficial and aids in treating irregular bowel movements. Here are some of the health benefits that come with regularly consuming probiotics: Aids in weight loss – Probiotics help in making one feel fuller for longer. They also burn calories and prevent the body from storing fat. This is because it prevents the absorption of dietary fats and flushes out the same through one’s bowel movement. However, it is necessary to understand that not all probiotics aid in weight loss. There are some that can even lead to excess weight gain. Boosts the immune system – A strong immune system keeps infections and other diseases at bay. Probiotics help in boosting the immune system and increases the production of natural antibodies in the system. They also prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut. Helps in digestion – Many people suffer from digestive issues and probiotics have a good effect on the same. It is helpful for people who suffer from irregular bowel movements and conditions related to it such as bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain.

With the growth in technology, finding a doctor has become easy and can be done by the tap of a finger. Gone are the days when you had to track down doctors from their numbers, visit hospitals or get help from one of your peers for the same. In fact, there are so many websites that help you find a doctor that you get confused about settling on one. About 20 years from today, most of us relied on friends and family to give help us find a doctor. Visiting a doctor brings about many questions along with it, but with the power of databases and online availability of information, we have a better choice of getting the answers to our questions. With the number of doctor review sites rising every day, let us look at some websites that help us find a doctor as well as give us reviews for doctors. ZocDoc ZocDoc is a leading website, with the goal to reduce the waiting time at doctor’s clinic. You can not only find a doctor from this website but also get a review for the doctor and then decide accordingly. They have a searchable database that includes specialties, a range of services, photographs and office locations of the doctor, educational background as well as user-submitted reviews. ZocDoc helps you find a doctor as they pay fees to be a part of the listing on the website. Yelp Most of us know Yelp as a customer-driven reviews site; Yelp has an entire section dedicated to health and fitness as well as doctors and health practitioners. There is an average of 89 million users on the website, thereby making it really to trust the reviews provided subsequently making it easier for you to find a doctor. Along with the website, the reviews posted on Yelp also reflect on the Apple Maps, also giving it a high value in the mobile search.

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.

Most diseases are characterized by pain as a common symptom. It aggravates the condition of the patient and complicates the healing process. This pain can also be long-lasting and may continue even after the ailment has been cured. There are a number of doctors out there who especially deal with pain management. They cater to different kinds of pain and how to effectively treat them. Pain is a vexatious feeling that causes intense discomfort. It hampers the productivity of the individual and may lead to temporary withdrawal from a normal lifestyle. Apart from being physically troublesome, it is also mentally exhausting. Acute pain starts as well as ends abruptly and can be very powerful. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is one which persists for a longer duration. The pain, at times, can be fixed by treating the underlying problem. However, when the pain is chronic, a group of specialists needs to work towards controlling it. Pain may be light, intense or acute depending on the type of injury or ailment and may require to be treated accordingly. Painkillers are widely used pills that provide immediate relief. It is often difficult to explain the type of pain and the body part affected by it. A pain specialist helps in identifying the probable pain areas and takes cues from the description to determine an appropriate cure. Physicians, physiotherapists, druggists, and psychologists come under the category of pain management doctors. Doctors that specialize in dealing with different parts of the human body do not treat the pain that arises because of a medical problem. They refer individual cases to specialists who focus on pain management. A pain management doctor is one who is an expert in detecting as well curing all sorts of pain and has undertaken exclusive training for the same.

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.

Diets are no more just fads. They have been here for ages and perhaps will stay for some more time as well. For women, following healthy diets is important. Moreover, there are instances when women tend to follow the wrong diet that yields wrong results. However, what tends to be misinterpreted is the fact that women fail to understand that crash diets do just as the name suggests—crash down the body. What’s significant here is the fact that while women tend to balance family demands as well as external work, maintaining the best diet for women becomes tough. Do remember that the best diet for women is also a healthy diet. The right choice of food supports the mood, energy as a well as healthy weight. The right diet also helps enhance fertility, lessen PMS as well as leads to better overall health. Is a woman’s nutritional need different from a man’s? During the growing stage, the diet needs of both genders are similar. However, with the onset of puberty, there are some changes in the nutritional requirements of women. Women need lesser calories when compared to men. There arises the need to consume certain nutrients as a woman ages. There are few minerals that the body needs as well. This is attributable to the hormonal changes linked to menstruation, pregnancy as well as menopause at a later stage. Most often the best diet for women are ignored or do not meet their health requirements. There could be a thousand reasons for this such as the lack of time, lack of energy and too much muddle. This leads to wrong diets leaving a huge deficit in nutrients as well as mood swings. You do have to remember that the best diet for women is often vastly different from one woman to another.