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.

Meningitis vaccine shots are used to provide immunization against the bacteria called as meningococcus that can cause meningitis and meningococcemia. The bacterium is round, and it forms pairs. Hence it is also known as diplococcus. There are five serogroups of this bacteria: A, B, C, W, and Y. According to experts, at least 1 in 10 people is a carrier of this bacteria. However, they do not show any symptoms or signs of the disease. It has been observed that in nearly 10% of meningitis cases, there might be the possibility of developmental impairment. Risk factors of meningitis The following groups of people are at a high risk of contracting meningitis. Infants, teenagers, and young adults are more prone to meningitis. A large group of people, especially in a community setting such as a college campus or, are at a risk of contracting meningitis. People who lack a spleen in their body, have a deficiency of a complement component, or are infected with HIV have a high possibility of getting meningitis. The sub-Saharan African region is known common and frequent outbreaks of meningitis. People who travel to this area may be at a risk of getting this disease. How does a person contract meningitis? Meningitis can spread through saliva or spit, mostly through secretions from the throat or the respiratory system. The contact has to be close and for a long duration. It is does spread through breathing the same air as a person affected by meningitis or by casual contact. However, the people who live with the person with meningitis are at a high risk of contracting the disease. It is recommended that people, who are in the same living space as the person with meningitis, should receive antibiotics treatment to avoid contracting meningitis. Prevention of meningitis Meningitis can be easily prevented with antibiotics and meningitis vaccine shots.

Chest pain can often be a cause of worry for everyone. A lot of people experience chest pain at some point in their lives. While it is a cause for concern, some causes of chest pain aren’t fatal. Here are a few causes of chest pain that you need to be aware of: Causes of chest pain that are related to the heart If your chest pain starts at the left and extends to the right side of your body gradually, it is probably a heart-related chest pain. A few heart problems that are associated with chest pain are the following: Heart attack : One of the first thing that comes to your mind when you have a chest pain is a heart attack. Heart attacks are caused due to a blocked artery or a clot in your heart that blocks or slows down the blood flow, preventing your heart from pumping blood to your body properly. Aortic dissection: This involves the aorta, which is one of the main arteries in your heart. When the inner layers of the aorta separate, the blood tends to flow between different layers. This, in turn, can cause the aorta to rupture. Aortic dissection can prove to be life-threatening if not treated as soon as possible. Angina : Angina takes place when there is a buildup of thick plaques in the inner walls of the arteries. When this happens, the arteries get narrower and the blood flow and supply gets restricted. Pericarditis: This heart-related problem takes place when the sac that surrounds your heart gets inflamed. Causes of chest pain related to the lungs As mentioned before, chest pain is not restricted to just heart-related problems. Issues with your lungs can cause chest pain as well. Here are a few causes of chest pain related to the lungs:

Peripheral neuropathy is the aftereffect of the damage to the peripheral nerves. It results in a great amount of pain; moreover, you have to deal with numbness and weakness. The pain is felt usually in your feet and hands. It affects other body parts as well. If your doctor senses peripheral neuropathy, he/she will refer you to a neurologist who will assess the history of your symptoms in a detailed manner. Signs of impaired reflexes, numbness, and muscle weakness will be investigated. Sometimes, blood and urine tests are needed for checking the underlying disease that causes peripheral neuropathy. What are the best foot neuropathy treatment options available? Nerve condition velocity and electromyogram tests Nerve condition velocity and electromyogram tests are needed in the case of some patients for the treatment of foot neuropathy. These tests are conducted for analyzing muscle, nerve function, and to measure the electrical properties of your nerves. With the help of these procedures, neurologists can identify the problematic nerves and they decide which area of your structure is damaged. Other types of tests Other procedures involving the diagnosis and treatment of foot neuropathy are muscle and nerve and biopsies. They give a clear cut idea about the type and cause of the problem. For determining inflammation or infection, doctors also advise a lumbar puncture or a spinal tap. If someone in your family was already diagnosed with neuropathy, the doctor may want to review medical records to explore the possibility of hereditary links. Treating the underlying reason in the key The prognosis and treatment of foot neuropathy have a lot to do with the underlying cause of the nerve damage. For instance, a neuropathy disorder can be an aftereffect of a vitamin deficiency. In this situation, this deficiency should be treated and reversed with the help of vitamin therapy and a healthy diet.

The neck is a vital part of the human body that connects the head to the rest of the body (specifically the torso). It is the region where the brain is linked to the spinal cord there by supporting efficient functioning of the central nervous system.Since the neck is flexible and can move in all directions, it is often affected by pain. Also, undue exertion can cause neck disorders. The shoulder, on the other hand, joins the arms to the torso and facilitates a great degree of movement.It consists of three bones that define the physical structure of the body.It enables motion in all directions and is therefore, more prone to injury and pain. The shoulder joint in particular is subject to strenuous activity which can lead to dislocation. Usually, neck and shoulder pain, both occur simultaneously.It is not an uncommon phenomenon for those who participate in sports. Inappropriately performed exercises at the gym may also hurt the neck and the shoulder. X-rays, MRI tests and CT scans are used to diagnose the reason behind the pain. Neck pain or cervicalgia–It can be triggered by the following causes: Spondylosis –Neck pain due to spondylosis is an ordinary ailment encountered by the elderly. Under this condition, the spinal column gets weak due to wear and tear that takes place in old age. Neck cancer –Though cancer originates in the nose, mouth or throat, it may lead to the development of a lump in the neck along with severe neck pain. Too much consumption of alcohol or tobacco can activate neck cancer. Spinal stenosis –Arthritis, aging or trauma can narrow down the spinal cavity stimulating spinal stenosis. Neck pain combined with numbness is an important symptom of this disease. Whiplash – Whiplash is an outcome of physical traumadenoted by an abrupt and forceful blow to the neck.Activities such as head banging can also cause neck pain.

Halitosis is the medical term used for the condition we commonly know as bad breath. It is also termed as Fetor Oris, where fetor refers to an unpleasant odor emanating from an individual. The condition may cause embarrassment in social situations, lead to increased anxiety and become a thought-irritant, playing constantly on your mind. Depending on the symptoms and the underlying cause, halitosis could occur as a singular incident – an acute condition or could persist over a longer period in a chronic form. It is the third most common reason for you to visit your dentist, the first being tooth decay and second, gum disease. Symptoms Of Bad Breath Bad breath goes unnoticed until someone comes nearby and points out the condition. When people around you – friends, relative, colleagues, start maintaining a physical distance it may be because of bad breath. Other signs may include: · An unpleasant/sour taste · Dry mouth · Changes in taste · Tongue coating Causes Of Bad Breath The condition of halitosis is one which all of us have to suffer through at some time. For some, it may cause significant distress and psychological anguish. Causes of Fetor Oris or bad breath include: · Food – A primary reason for bad odor from the mouth is food. Food stuck in the teeth, or its breakdown chemicals are often the cause of bad breath. · Dry Mouth –When the body fails to produce enough saliva; as a result, the mouth goes dry, and odors build up. · Tobacco – Smoking or chewing tobacco can leave breakdown chemicals in the mouth that carry their distinct odor. Smoking can also lead to other bad-breath causes like gum diseases or oral cancers. · Poor Dental Hygiene – To ensure that no food particle is left behind in the mouth, brushing and flossing the teeth is recommended for a good oral health.

The pollution levels in most urban spaces are rising at an unhealthy level and this, while undoubtedly affecting your health, also leads to hair loss. Other factors that affect it are stress, usage of too many hair products that have chemicals, and bad maintenance. One major consequence of an unhealthy environment is hair loss. What is hair loss? On an average, a human being sheds around 100 strands of hair in a day. If there seems to be more loss or the following signs, it is a call for concern. Signs of hair loss Scalp and crown that has thinning hair (usually seen in men) A hairline that is receding quickly A pattern on the head that is located near the crown. It is usually of a horseshoe shape. Although in circumstances where hair loss is sudden and severe, you are advised to see a doctor. Treatment There are several treatments one could pick to combat this problem. But a lot of treatments can be very time-consuming. One of the easiest ways you could treat your hair is by incorporating the remedy into your existing hair care routine with a shampoo for hair loss. Here’s a way you could broadly pick out what is best for you. This will help you pick the best products for your hair care: First, analyze your hair’s condition and texture. Find a product which will be suitable for your hair type. Finally, change the brand you are using once in every few months. Shampoos are made up of ingredients which clean out the dirt, pollutants such as smoke particles and even its natural oils (sebum). Any general hair loss shampoo available in the market does just about that, although you should be careful with some low priced brands since the shampoo might be harsh and strip the hair of its vital lipid layer.

What is gout? Gout is a type of arthritis that primarily attacks the joints and other body parts like the ears, wrists, knuckles, knee, ankles, and other small joints. It is often characterized by painful swelling, stiffness, and inflammation of these affected joints. The swelling and stiffness are mainly the results of excess levels of uric acid forming crystals in the joints. The pain is due to the inflammatory response to the crystals formed. The causes of gout may include lack of exercise, high levels of uric acid in the system, genetics, excessive consumption of meat, being overweight, menopause, excessive consumption of alcohol, stress, and excessive protein content in the body. It mainly affects the big toe, causing an increased swelling, inflammation, and redness in the affected area. The deposition of uric acid crystals in the joint causes inflammation and makes the movement of the joint agonizing. The elevated levels of uric acid in the system also causes the depositing of crystals in the kidney, which, in turn, leads to stone formation. Gout attacks An overweight or an obese person is more likely to suffer from frequent gout attacks. A gout attack generally results from years of having high levels of uric acid in your bloodstream. This condition is called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia might also lead to other diseases like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, kidney failure, and heart failure. The most common sign of a gout attack is the night-time swelling of the big toe followed by redness, tenderness, redness, and gut-wrenching pain. This attack might continue for days or even weeks before the pain goes away completely. Swelling causes pain and pain induces swelling. Hence it is important to address both. Diagnosis of gout attacks After doing a thorough physical exam, the doctor may also take a sample of the fluid from the swelling of the joint to look for uric acid crystals.

A toothache or tooth pain can sometimes be a painful problem that disrupts your routine and prevents you from functioning normally. Moreover, it can ruin the pleasure of eating or even force you to stop talking. People often experience the most severe form of tooth pain at night which makes the patients sleepless as they suffer from extreme discomfort. If you are experiencing a toothache, it’s vital to find out the root cause of the discomfort so that you can know the best way to deal with its pain, swelling or other symptoms. Several natural remedies can help you cure a severe toothache. Apart from trying out an effective natural remedy for a severe toothache, you should also consult a dentist if you are suffering from tooth pain for more than three days. However, it may take days or even weeks to get an appointment with the dentist. So, in the meantime, you can try to heal a severe toothache with the help of some effective natural remedies that can provide immediate relief. First, let’s take a look at the types of tooth pain that most people have. Types of tooth pain Mainly, there are two types of tooth pain that people suffer from — dull pain and sharp pain. Sharp tooth pain Sharp or acute tooth pain is mostly short-term, and it appears while eating or speaking to someone. Sometimes, the pain occurs for no reason. Here are some factors that can give you acute tooth pain: Teeth or gum decay A gum infection A broken tooth Grinding or clenching your tooth while you’re asleep Poor installation of a filling or crown Cold beverages or foods This sharp tooth pain can become a serious chronic infection over time. So, it is advisable to seek medical help immediately. Doctors will investigate the nature of your tooth pain and determine whether a filling or fixing is required at a later period.

The presence of dark circles under the lower eyelids is quite common among men and women. When you have dark circles, you may look much older than your actual age. This visible discoloration of skin is quite hard to eliminate. Most people will face this situation at some point in time. It is essential to know how you could prevent this and what are the various treatment options available. In this article, let’s have a look at the causes and treatment options for dark circles. Risk factors for dark circles Dark circles could affect anybody. Primarily, they affect the following people: People who are old People with a family history of dark circles Causes of dark circles Many people associate fatigue as the sole reason for the appearance of the dark circles. However, apart from fatigue, there are numerous reasons because of which dark circles could appear. Here are some of them: Age Aging is one of the causes of dark circles. When you start to get older, your skin naturally becomes thinner than before. You will start losing collagen and fat which are needed to maintain your skin’s elasticity. When this happens, the dark vessels inside your skin will become more and more visible. Because of this, dark circles will appear underneath your lower eyelids. Too much strain on your eyes When you work on your computer for about 10 to 12 hours per day, you tend to strain your eyes. Also, watching television for a long duration of time will put similar pressure on the eyes. Because of this strain, the blood vessels in and around your eyes will become enlarged. As a result of this, you start getting dark circles. Fatigue Fatigue is one of the more prominent causes of dark circles. Oversleeping, staying awake after your usual bedtime or being extremely tired could result in dark circles.

Sinuses always come in pairs of two and are found in four main areas of the face namely the frontal (in your forehead), ethmoid (between your eyes and across your nose), maxillary (in your cheeks), and sphenoid (behind your eyes and along the back of your head). If you feel a sharp sensation in the head and pressure around your eyes, forehead or even cheeks, a sinus infection could be one of the reasons. Sinus pressure mainly occurs due to seasonal allergies or a common cold. Pain due to sinus pressure is the outcome of blocked nasal passages. When your sinus cannot drain, it becomes hard, leading to swelling in the lining of the nose and sinus. In turn, this leads to inflammation and pain in your head, nose, and face. Home remedies to relieve sinus pressure Steam Pain due to sinus pressure could be a result of dry air which causes your sinuses to become drier. Steam adds moisture to the air and helps to soften your sinus passages and mucus that may have thickened over time. Sometimes, a hot shower can provide temporary relief from sinus pain. Breathe in the hot steam to reduce the pressure caused by a hard mucus layer inside your sinuses. You can also use a humidifier to relieve sinus pressure. To speed up your recovery, you can add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in your bathing water, as this oil contains cineole which is one of the main ingredients for healing acute sinusitis. Saline flush One treatment method for getting relief from pain due to sinus pressure and congestion is to cleanse your nose and sinuses with saline water. Saline water contains salt that helps to moisten your nasal linings and sinus pathways, and hence, it will reduce the sinus pressure. To make a saline spray at home, you will need an 8-ounce glass filled with distilled or sterilized lukewarm water.

Surgery is always a final resort when all other treatments fail to bear fruit. Spinal fusion surgery is recommended by doctors and medical specialists only after they have tried other treatment options. Let’s find out more about this procedure. What is spinal fusion surgery? It is a surgical technique that joins or fuses two or more vertebrae to restrict the movement between them. It is a neuro-orthopedic surgical procedure. It is usually recommended to reduce or eliminate spinal cord pressure and the resultant pain caused by worn out cartilage between the vertebrae. A patient may have to undergo surgery to decompress a pinched nerve-root or to stabilize a joint that causes pain. This surgery can help to heal spinal fractures and broken or damaged vertebrae that make the spine unstable. People undergo surgery if they have conditions like spinal weakness or deformity, herniated disks, spondylolisthesis, and other such ailments. Spinal tumor and degenerative spinal conditions are other situations where this surgery can be beneficial. It is a common surgical procedure, and statistics show that nearly 488,000 spinal fusion surgeries were performed in the country in 2011. Are you a candidate for this procedure? It is vital to identify and locate the exact cause of back pain before opting for surgery. There are cases where herniated disks may show up on a scan or X-ray, but the real cause of the back pain may lay elsewhere. At such times, undergoing surgery to fix the herniated disk might not solve the problem. A typical result is the FBSS (Failed Back Surgery Syndrome) in which the pain remains even after surgery. The most common reason for this is an incorrect diagnosis. Selecting the right surgeon is also crucial. A lot of surgeons can carry out the spine fusion surgery, so it’s important to know whether the surgeon you pick has specific expertise, experience, and training.