A headache disorder, migraine is characterized by frequent headaches that can be moderate to severe. Migraines are those types of headaches that are pulsating in nature and affect one-half of the head. Also, migraines can last for up to 72 hours. Migraines are believed to be a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. Changing hormones are said to be one of the top migraine triggers. A post-puberty migraine usually affects women more than men. People experience a migraine due to some reasons. Some of the reasons include food habits, strong scent, flickering lights, weather changes. Migraine triggers are different for different individuals. This makes it difficult and frustrating to narrow down causes of a migraine. There are four phases of a migraine. Prodrome is an onset of a migraine. It lasts for two hours or two days. Its symptoms include altered mood, irritability, depression, euphoria, and fatigue. The second phase is called an aura which causes visual disturbances and partial alteration in vision which might cause difficulty to the person to read, write or drive. Auras occur in 30-40 percent of the people who suffer from a migraine. Pain phase is a chronic headache that is unilateral, throbbing and severe in intensity. The onset is gradual, and It increases with more physical activity. This phase lasts for 4 to 72 hours in adults. The pain phase is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. Postdrome is a set of symptoms that a person experiences after the pain has subsided. People suffering from a migraine report a sore feeling after relieving from pain. Cognitive difficulties and gastrointestinal symptoms and general weakness are other forms of postdrome symptoms. Let us separate top migraine triggers based different factors: Environment A migraine can occur due to specific environmental conditions, both natural and man-made.

Shingles is a type of skin rash that is caused by the Varicella Zoster virus. It usually appears in the form of a band or a strip covering a small area over the face or other parts of the body. It is sometimes also referred to as herpes zoster. Older individuals who have a weaker immune system because of stress, injury, etc., usually suffer from this type of skin rash. Before we discuss the treatments for shingles, let us know what causes them. It occurs when the virus that causes chickenpox resurfaces in the body. After the patient starts recovering from chickenpox, the virus becomes dormant in the nerve roots. In some cases, the virus remains dormant forever. When the virus becomes active (normally due to a weaker immune system) and reacts to ongoing medicines, it causes shingles. There is no clear evidence that states the real cause of shingles; however, once the virus becomes active again, it causes shingles and not chickenpox. There is a minor possibility that a person who is infected with shingles can spread the virus to people who haven’t had chickenpox or a vaccination for protection against it. Following is a brief overview of the various available treatments for shingles: It is necessary to establish a fact that there is no cure for shingles. However, you can shorten the length of the illness and prevent further complications. One of the prominent treatments for shingles include antiviral medicines that will help in reducing the pain and duration of shingles. Other than this, medicines such as antidepressants and topical creams can help in relieving long-term pain. The initial treatments for shingles comprise antiviral medicines which are administered during the first three days from when the symptoms first began to appear. Undergoing this initial treatment, you might have a lower chance of further complications such as post herpetic neuralgia.

Back pain could be due to nerve or muscular problems. It could be due to a degenerative disc disease or arthritis. The back pain symptoms can be relieved with the help of medications or through physiotherapy (physical exercises), and chiropractic care. The back pain can be constant, mild, or debilitating based on its cause. Before we head on to back pain treatments, let us discuss symptoms of the same. Some of the back pain symptoms include: Aching and stiffness anywhere along the spine, from the base of the neck to the tailbone. A person might experience a chronic ache in the middle or lower back after long hours of sitting or standing. Back pain might be experienced radiating from the lower back all the way to the toes. Based on the symptoms, there are various back pain treatment options: There are many over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers. Acetaminophen, for instance, can be found in many pharmaceuticals. Some NSAID’s (Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen can be taken to get relief from the pain. Even though these drugs are present as OTC, they should be consumed only after consulting a doctor. This is because Using NSAID’s might increase the risk heart attack, stroke, and even stomach problems. There are topical pain relievers such as creams, sprays, and lotions are also available that can be applied on the skin to get relief due to sore muscles and arthritis. People seeking back pain treatment choose chiropractic treatment as one of the most common treatment options. Chiropractors manipulate the alignment of the spinal cord’s musculoskeletal structure. This adjustment helps the body to heal itself eliminating the possibility of any surgical procedure. Being a drug-free treatment, bio electric therapy is also one of the back pain treatments. It simply relieves the back pain by blocking the messages to the brain.

Most people do not consider snoring as a serious problem. The fact of the matter is that loud snoring and the subsequent daytime fatigue can be a symptom of sleep apnea. This is a breathing disorder where breathing stops and restarts in a repeated manner while sleeping. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you feel fatigued and exhausted during the daytime. This situation can make a negative impact on your mood and relationship. Moreover, it is harmful to your health. Sleep apnea can be divided into different categories and they include complex, obstructive, and central sleep apnea. The most common type of sleep apnea is considered to be obstructive sleep apnea. The soft tissue available in your back throat remains in a relaxed state during sleep and this situation results in the blockage of the airway. How to cure sleep apnea? There are several treatment options available to get rid of this problem and ensure sound sleep. First of all, you must try to overcome the embarrassment associated with your snoring. Secondly, you have to make efforts to identify the symptoms of sleep apnea. Most effective home treatments to cure sleep apnea are changing your sleep habits and introducing lifestyle changes. What are the lifestyle changes to be made? If you want to cure sleep apnea, you must strive hard to lose weight. Most health experts and doctors agree with this argument. If you are a person struggling with obesity or overweight and have sleep apnea, you have to think about nutritional counseling. Alcohol intake must be limited strictly. If you are using sedatives or sleeping pills, you must stop this habit immediately because it can easily aggravate the symptoms. Another effective option is to get a lot of sleep. The frequency of the apnea episodes increases when you are not getting adequate sleep.

Acid reflux is a severe health complication. It takes place when acid moves back to the esophagus from the stomach. The damaged lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is responsible for acid reflux. LES normally closes to avoid entry of stomach food to the esophagus. Our eating habits have a strong impact in the acid produced in the stomach. It is advised to take proper diet and some specific food products that prevent acid reflux. Acid reflux known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)is caused by the prolonged problem of acid reflux. Acid reflux has different symptoms amongst which heartburn is the most common. You may feel burning sensation in the stomach after taking meals. Some other symptoms include bloating, burping or sore throats. If you suffer from GERD you will realize that certain food products activate the symptoms of acid reflux. These food triggers for GERD vary for all people. It is difficult to describe a specific diet for all individuals. Due to this, all the patients with acid reflux must keep a track of their eating habits and the spontaneous acid reflux action. Check out the following: What do you eat? How many meals do you take in a day? What symptoms of GERD do you experience? Track the food items you eat for a week. This way you can find out which food products trigger acid reflux. Once you have found out the foods to avoid with acid reflux, change your diet plans. For better results get the recommendations of the doctors to have control of GERD. Given below is a list of the foods to avoid with acid reflux: Spicy food: Spicy foods contain large amounts of salts and spices which trigger heartburns. The spicy foods interfere with the stomach acid and worsen the condition. Reduce the spicy food from your diet and you will be at ease with acid reflux.

Hemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, is a disease characterized by swollen veins that are located in the lower rectum or around the anus. As per studies, nearly every 9 out of 10 people experience hemorrhoids from time to time. Therefore, it is necessary to know the symptoms along with different hemorrhoid treatments option that can help us tackle it efficiently. There are two types of hemorrhoids; they can either be external or internal. External hemorrhoids, as the name suggests, usually develop outside of the anus. Internal hemorrhoids, on the other hand, develop within the rectum or anus. External hemorrhoids are found to be more troublesome and pain causing. Before discussing different hemorrhoid treatments, let’s look at the symptoms first. Below mentioned are some of the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Itching coupled with pain around the anus. Irritation and swelling near the anus. Fecal leakage Extreme pain during bowel movements Blood discharge on the tissue after passing stool. Hemorrhoid treatments Pain relief – If severe pain is experienced, it is best advised to soak the affected area in a tub of warm water for a minimum of 10 minutes. This is a good option for relieving pain. Using a hot water bottle is also a good option to relieve pain caused due to external hemorrhoids. However, in case the pain becomes unbearable, an over-the-counter medicated suppository can be used to get relief from itching and burning. Fiber supplements – When suffering from constipation, it is best to use fiber supplement as it helps in help softening stool and makes bowel movement easier. Psyllium and methylcellulose are two common over-the-counter supplements of this type for hemorrhoid treatments. Home remedies Maintaining good personal hygiene is a must. Basic hemorrhoid treatments include cleaning of the anus with warm water every day while taking a shower.

There are various instances when the body refuses to function properly. This happens due to a variety of reasons, and also, the inability of the body’s immune system to protect it from the onslaught of various malicious agents in the surrounding. When the bacteria or viruses conquer the immune system, they wage a full-fledged war on the body and impact its functioning. What might begin as a common cold can be the harbinger of other health-related issues to come. Nasal congestion is one of the most common diseases that has inflicted almost every person at least once in their lifetime. Though it might not come across as a trivial affliction, it does cause a lot of discomforts until it is fully cured. People often confuse common cold with nasal congestion. It does share symptoms with cold, and it can have deeper impacts than cold. If you wish to know more about nasal congestion and acquire a fair idea about nasal congestion treatments, keep reading. What are the causes of nasal congestion? Another term for a stuffy nose is nasal congestion. Nasal congestion surfaces when the nasal passage is blocked, and this happens when the membrane lining of the passage becomes swollen due to inflammation in the blood vessels. Usually, the common cold is the culprit in cases of nasal congestion, but there are a few instances when the cause of nasal congestion isn’t common cold. The other causes of nasal congestion are as follows: – Various allergies are known to trigger nasal congestion. It irritates the nasal passage and causes the membranes to swell. This can lead to nasal congestion. – Hay fever is also known to cause nasal congestion. – Exposure to certain chemicals can lead to nasal congestion. – A deviated septum is also known to cause nasal congestion.

Pea-sized glands, lymph glands or nodes are present throughout the body. An integral part of the lymph system, these nodes carry lymph fluids, nutrients as well as the waste material between body tissues and bloodstream. Lymph glands are easily noticeable when they swell. People often complain of a swollen lymph node in neck, these usually swell up to the size of a marble or sometimes even bigger. Lumps can often be felt under the skin, especially the lymph glands in the neck. These glands become quite noticeable and can be easily felt when swollen. They can swell to the size of an olive or even bigger. Part of the immune system, the lymph system is an important part of body’s defense system against diseases. They act as filters trapping viruses, bacteria and foreign substances present in the lymph fluid.Usually found singly or sometimes in groups, swollen lymph nodes are felt in the groin, neck, and underarms. Causes of swollen lymph node in Neck Infection, injury or tumor developing near or in the lymph node results in swelling of the lymph node. Lymph gland close to an infection swell up easily and become tender and go back to their normal size when the infection is cured. This can take up to two weeks or more to subside as the immune system fights back the infections, bacteria, etc. Influenza (viral infection), chickenpox or infectious mononucleosis are viral and affect immunity of the whole body. Lymph glands in different parts of the body can swell up due to such infections or viral attacks. Let’s look at the following symptoms: Swollen lymph node in the neck is a result of tonsillitis, throat infections, common cold and tooth-related infections. Swollen lymph glands at the back of the head are due to scalp skin condition or lice.

Affecting 8% of the population who are over 55 years of age, neuropathy is not one single disease but a condition that results due to disruption or damage to peripheral nerves. Experienced as burning or shooting pain, it is often chronic. There are different neuropathy treatment options which depend on the type of symptoms, and the affect neuropathy has on three types of peripheral nerves. The human nervous system comprises of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. Peripheral nervous system is responsible for transmitting or transferring messages between the brain, spinal cord and rest of the body. Peripheral nerves are responsible for regulating a large range of functions including voluntary muscle movement, automatic organ activity and the perception of stimuli. Pain or burning sensation is due to malfunctioning or damaged nervous system. Causes of Neuropathic Pain Either genetic or acquired later in life, neuropathic pain usually cannot be pointed towards a particular cause. However, some causes can be said to give birth to neuropathic pain. These include alcoholism, amputation, diabetes, facial nerve problems, kidney disorder, chemical imbalance caused due to liver problems, Toxins from exposure to heavy metals, thyroid problems, syphilis, shingles, multiple sclerosis, cancers and tumors, chronic inflammation, blood vessel damage and blood diseases, and other hormonal imbalances that affect metabolic processes. Symptoms of Neuropathic Pain There are a variety of symptoms that indicate damage or malfunctioning of peripheral nervous systems. Neuropathic pain symptoms include: Nausea and vomiting coupled with dizziness Tingling and numbness Abdominal bloating after meals Shooting and burning pain Difficulty in urinating or constant feeling that the bladder is not emptied properly. Constipation or diarrhea Erectile dysfunction (impotence) in men Decreased ability to sweat or heat intolerance Distorted vision Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) Diagnoses of Neuropathic Pain There are physical exams conducted by doctors to diagnose the cause of pain, and accordingly, neuropathy treatment is suggested.

Often unnoticed, the thyroid gland is one of the most important parts of the body and controls almost all the primary functions. Though the gland does not gain much attention when it functions normally, a little irregularity in it can affect your life significantly. Responsible for managing essential functions like metabolism, body temperature as well as heartbeat, thyroid disturbance can hamper your day to day life in multiple ways. While some people get overactive thyroid, there are others, who complain of an underactive thyroid. Underactive thyroid or hypothyroidism is quite common these days. If you are also affected by this condition, you can take a peek at the diet suggestions that can help in dealing with the problem effectively. This diet for hypothyroidism can help you cope with symptoms such as fatigue, weight gain, digestive problems, dry skin, depression, and body ache. An apple a day Rich in pectin, apple can be a good choice for anyone diagnosed with hypothyroidism. It not only gives a boost to the metabolism and helps fight constipation but also limits the fat absorption ability of cells. This, in turn, helps you in reducing the excess weight fast. Apart from an apple, you can also include, oranges, grapefruits as well as peaches in your diet. Brazil nuts Taking a few Brazil nuts can help you to deal with hypothyroidism. A great source of selenium, Brazil nuts can protect the thyroid tissues, which in turn helps in treating the symptoms of hypothyroidism problems. However, do not take it in excess, as it can lead to severe side-effects like nail discoloration or hair fall. Yogurt A dependable source of Vitamin D, a spoonful of yogurt can help you in protecting against symptoms of hypothyroidism. It efficiently manages hypothyroidism and helps in controlling frequent hunger pangs. It also enables you to keep your weight in check and makes you more active.

Stomach pain is the occurrence of pain located in the stomach. Many conditions arise due to stomach pain which cannot be ignored. If stomach pain persists for long, with persistence thrice a week you should visit a doctor. Life-threatening conditions like cancer, gastritis or appendicitis may arise due to abdominal pain. Stomach pain is often experienced in the stomach region between chest and groin. Even though it is very common nowadays, pain and discomfort certainly makes you restless. To prevent any fatalities a doctor will diagnose preferring the exclusion method which eliminates life-threatening conditions. Abdominal pain can severely affect your health, in the long run. Sometimes, cardiac pain symptoms can also indicate stomach pain causes observed. Stomach pain can occur unexpectedly which may be severe and happens to be a persistent condition. Be it a mild pain, stomach cramps or a mild stomach ache, abdominal pain has various causes. Generally, treating stomach pain depends on its cause and severity involved underlying the same. Potential stomach pain causes: Abdominal pain often occurs due to impairment in a particular organ. The cause underlying the same is not consequential and can be managed and taken care of. Sensitivity to lactose: Millions of people around the world have lactose intolerance. The body finds it difficult to digest lactose, a sugar found in all dairy products which can lead to uncomfortable manifestation. Symptoms include bloating stomach, diarrhea, gas, and constipation and vary based on the level of sensitivity. It can be replaced with soy milk products. Medications: Abdominal pain includes side effects of drugs and prescribed medicines. Medications surely save lives but it always comes with some unwanted side effects. The side effects may vary from person to person depending on its dosage, age, weight, gender and overall health. Sensitivity to gluten : Some people from gluten intolerance, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye.

A lot of us have heard about people constantly moving their leg while sleeping. Restless leg syndrome is a disorder connected to the nervous system of the human body. It’s often referred as RLS. In this syndrome, a person feels a tremendous urge to move their leg. The urge can be very uncontrollable at times. If someone is suffering from this issue, he/she is unable to sleep well and can often develop sleep disorder as well. The urges person experiences can be unpleasant and cause discomfort. Restless leg syndrome is neurological sensorimotor disorder often studied in the fields of mental health. The RLS can cause very unpleasant sensations as well. Restless leg syndrome can sometimes spread to the arms, torso, genitals and even face, but this happens in very rare cases. The restless leg syndrome gets activated especially when the person is not moving or is placed in a fixed position. The most prevalent symptoms are restless legs at night time. People with RLS, experience very uncomfortable sensations and high urges to move their legs, the feeling can also be compared to an itchy or a creepy crawly sensation in legs. The sensations get worse when a person is sleeping, lying or resting. The severity of restless leg syndrome goes on from mild to moderate to severe or intolerable. Symptoms come and go, and so does the sensations, and it’s different from person to person. Any person suffering from restless leg syndrome may experience urges to get up if they are sitting, this also hinders with a person’s concentration levels and can have emotional effects as well as it can become embarrassing. The main reason for restless leg syndrome is unknown in most cases. There is no one specific reason for this to happen to someone. However, some causes that are associated with the syndrome are as follows: