Here’s What You Need to Know About Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs

Here’s What You Need to Know About Alcohol Rehabilitation Programs

Alcoholism is the severe dependency and inability to control on consumption of alcohol by an individual. This type of addiction is irrespective of legal and health issues. Alcohol rehabilitation program provides services and recovery treatments to people who are addicted to alcohol. The addiction could be to the point that they might start experiencing health deterioration due to overconsumption of alcohol and withdrawal symptoms on quitting alcohol even for a brief period of time. Goals of an alcohol rehabilitation program The first and foremost important goal of an alcohol rehabilitation program is to end alcohol abuse. It can be achieved by making gradual psychological, personal and interpersonal changes that can help you remain abstinent from alcohol. The rehabilitation program also aims to improve overall health and explain the benefits of sobriety, aiming to reduce future health risks. Being addicted to alcohol comes with its set of psychiatric disorders and psychological problems. This is because the person has been addicted to alcohol for a significant amount of time. This could be because of an underlying psychological trauma and psychiatric disorder that might have stemmed from the previous physical or mental abuse. The program also aims to make the person completely addiction-free and integrate back into the society. These programs help the rehabilitees and former alcoholics to meet educational and employment needs. They also help them resolve legal issues that they might have had before rehabilitation. How does an alcoholic rehabilitation program work? Alcohol rehabilitation program works on the idea of keeping the person under observation until they are free from addiction. As it has been mentioned in the previous section that, a person addicted to alcohol might be due to an underlying condition, there is a high possibility that the person might quit the program and resume to their old routine.
6 Effective Herbal Remedies for Anxiety and Insomnia

6 Effective Herbal Remedies for Anxiety and Insomnia

People are so engrossed in surviving in this stressful world that they forget how to live; everything is centered around survival these days. In a bid to acquire all the luxuries-turned-necessities, they have accepted physical and mental exhaustion as a part of their lives. The main repercussions of leading such a stressful life manifest itself in the form of anxiety or insomnia, which is familiar to modern-day individuals. The major parts of life that trigger anxiety and insomnia are money, work, family, health, and love. Thinking about these things can get someone’s heart racing, their breathing becomes shallow and rapid, and they start experiencing a sense of impending doom that may or may not be accurate. This is what a full-blown anxiety attack feels like. Similarly, all these factors can also keep one up at night, and this is not the regular “I slept in the afternoon, so I can’t sleep at night” thing. People often get addicted to sleeping pills because they are desperate for a good night’s sleep. However, sleeping pills are not the answer to insomnia, especially not in the long run. The modern-day individual faces a “devil and the deep blue sea” situation with anxiety and insomnia perched at different ends. If someone isn’t keen on popping different pills, they can try various herbal remedies for anxiety and insomnia that are known to yield desirable results. Chamomile Chamomile is one of the most effective herbal remedies for anxiety and insomnia. Even if a person is feeling jittery, a cup of chamomile tea can set things right again. Chamomile is known to contain some compounds that bind to the brain receptors like the medication Valium does, and has a similar calming effect. Chamomile supplements also work wonders for patients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); such patients have displayed a notable decrease in anxiety symptoms as compared to those taking a placebo.
Causes and Triggers of Sinus Problems

Causes and Triggers of Sinus Problems

Sinuses are the area in the forehead just in the center of the eyes and behind the cheekbones. They are hollow air spaces whose primary function is to make mucus. This mucus keeps the inner side of your nose moist, thus protecting you from pollutants, allergies dust, and more. Hence, sinuses are not the cause of any problem. The problem occurs when you have a cold or any other allergy, and your nose gets swollen. This swelling blocks the sinus passage of your nose, making you feel uncomfortable. You may also find yourself unable to drain the nose. If you have a blockage in the sinus area of your nose, your speech is also affected. Let’s have a look at some of the common causes and triggers that can lead to sinus problems. Viruses Usually, sinus infections start with a cold. When you have a cold, your nasal tissues gets swollen, blocking the holes that drain the sinuses which leads to breathing difficulties. In case a virus is the cause of your sinus infection, then antibiotics are not capable of curing it as these medicines only kill bacteria, and not viruses. One should wash their hands regularly and keep themselves away from any sinus-infected person. Most of the times, a decongestant will cure you in four to five days. Allergies Allergies are one of the most common causes of sinus problems. People with a sinus infection can develop allergies, thus leading to aggravated sinusitis. If you are prone to allergies, avoid things that lead to an allergic reaction like dust, cockroaches, and so on. Prescribed nasal sprays can reduce chronic inflammation in the nasal lining that accompanies an allergy. Bacteria In case your sinus infection or cold does not get better in ten to twelve days, you may have a bacterial infection.
Best Treatments for Allergy Cough

Best Treatments for Allergy Cough

Coughing can be caused by cold or flu, but it can also be a symptom of an allergic reaction. To treat a cough that’s caused by allergies, you can try traditional remedies. In fact, these remedies can sometimes be effective in treating cough caused by flu and cold. Allergy Cough Treatment Whether caused by cold or allergies, a bad cough can be irritating and chronic coughing can cause pain and tiredness. Medications You can try decongestants, cough suppressants, and expectorants. Decongestants help by drying up mucus, reducing inflammation, and opening up air passages. Cough suppressants soothe the throat and block the cough reflex. Expectorants thin the mucus, making it easy for you to spit it out. Decongestants can increase blood pressure, so those with cardiac issues should consult a doctor before using decongestants. Hot Shower The heat can help decongest your nose and reduce post nasal drip that tickles your throat and causes coughing. Lots of Water Always stay hydrated as it helps prevent many ailments and helps clear toxins from the body. It also helps to thin out the mucus and prevent throat dryness that can also cause coughing. Mentholated Syrup A mentholated cough drop or syrup can help to soothe and numb the throat. It can also ease the pain and irritation. Best Home Remedies for Allergy Cough Treatments Many traditional remedies have been used for several years, to treat a cold and allergic cough. Here are a few of the best allergy treatments that you that can try: Honey Honey is a traditional remedy for a cough. It lubricates the throat and acts as a natural cough suppressant. Take a spoonful of honey and swallow it slowly, one sip at a time and let it go down your throat slowly. Mix a tablespoon of honey in warm water and drink it slowly.
12 Tips to Relieve Stomach Pain Due to Gas and Bloating

12 Tips to Relieve Stomach Pain Due to Gas and Bloating

Stomach gas and bloating are disorders that could seem as simple as typical discomfort. However, it could even be a symptom of a more serious, underlying condition. Gas accumulates in the body as a natural byproduct of the digestive process. However, when this gas is not passed out through flatulence or burping, it builds up in the gut and causes bloating. Read on to find some tips to get relief from stomach gas and bloating. Remedies to get relief from stomach pain due to gas Quick relief Avoid resisting the sensation of passing gas: Many people try to avoid passing gas so that they are not embarrassed in public. However, doing this will lead to the accumulation of gas and more bloating. It is advisable to try and find a somewhat private place and pass gas to stop any stomach pain. If you find it difficult to release gas, try taking a short yet brisk walk or lying down and relaxing your muscles. Consume chamomile or mint tea: Both mint and chamomile can soothe the stomach and aid with digestion. One can consume these teas available in the form of tea-bags after steeping it in hot water. Take activated charcoal supplements: These can relieve cramps due to gas and bloating. It is relatively more effective as compared to other remedies for stomach pain due to gas. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking these, especially if you are on any other medications. Apply a hot water compress: For immediate relief, lie down and place a hot water bottle or compress across your stomach. It will help relieve abdominal pressure due to gas and bloating. This remedy truly helps people get relief from pain due to excessive stomach gas and bloating. Lifestyle changes Avoid foods that tend to cause bloating:
Causes of Bad Breath and Ways to Cure It

Causes of Bad Breath and Ways to Cure It

Halitosis or as it is commonly known, bad breath, is an embarrassing condition. Gum, mints, mouthwashes, and other products designed to fight bad breath are only temporary measures as they don’t address the cause of the problem. Some food items, health conditions, and habits are the main causes of bad breath. You can cure bad breath with proper and consistent dental hygiene. The malodor may vary depending on the underlying cause. If self-care techniques don’t work, it is best to see your dentist or physician to make sure that it isn’t a symptom of other serious condition. Symptoms Some people may have bad breath and don’t know about it. Other people worry too much about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor. It is hard to self-assess your breath. Therefore, ask a close friend or relative to check if you have bad breath. Causes There are many probable causes for bad breath. They are: Food The breakdown of food particles in your mouth increases bacteria and causes a foul odor. When you eat certain foods like onions, garlic, and spices, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs, and affect your breath. Tobacco products Smokers and oral tobacco users are prone to having gum diseases, which could lead to bad breath. Tobacco has an unpleasant odor as well. Poor dental hygiene Food particles remain in your mouth and cause bad breath if you don’t brush and floss daily. Plaque, a colorless and sticky film of bacteria, forms on your teeth. This plaque can irritate your gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums if you don’t brush regularly. Not only your teeth, but the tongue can also trap bacteria that produce odors. Dry mouth or xerostomia Saliva helps cleanse your mouth. If you have a problem with your salivary glands, it may result in chronic dry mouth.
Popular Elements in and Types of Diets for Multiple Sclerosis

Popular Elements in and Types of Diets for Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a deadly disease in which immune system attacks the covering of the nerves. It is a disorder which involves central nervous system mainly brain and spinal cord. MS is a life-threatening condition and is incurable once developed. Mostly optic eye nerves located in the brain are most affected than others. MRI scans reveal swelling or inflammation as white dots called plaques in such disease. Multiple Sclerosis is usually diagnosed in adults and uncommon in childhood. Immediate blood relatives like children, brothers, sisters, and non-identical twins are at the higher risk of acquiring MS than the unrelated ones. The body’s repair system depends on its extent of recovery. Women are at a higher risk to be exposed to MS than men. There is no specific cause of MS, and it mostly develops because of genetic and environmental factors. MS is considered to be an autoimmune disease in which immune system starts to attack healthy tissues. The prevalence of Multiple Sclerosis varies extensively between geographical locations. MS has been known for years, but its pathogenesis is still unknown. MS does not affect the peripheral nervous system, but it affects myelin sheath of the central nervous system in particular. Patients having MS experience enormous physical and physiological disturbances. MS is a neurological condition which occurs when our immune system is not working properly. Common symptoms include vision problems, cognitive problems, bladder and bowel problems, paralysis, erectile dysfunction, tremors, muscle spasticity, painful involuntary muscle contractions, fatigue, urinary retention, etc. Diet for Multiple Sclerosis Diet for Multiple Sclerosis can help to cure the condition to a greater extent rather than using stronger medicines or drugs. Even the most advanced modern drugs cannot provide complete relief from the progression of the disease. Eating exact amount of food, right nutrients in right amounts can help to lower down the symptoms of the disease.
Foods to Avoid if You Have Arthritis

Foods to Avoid if You Have Arthritis

Arthritis, in simple language, refers to joint disease causing joint pain. Arthritis is not a single disease; doctors have been able to discover more than 100 types of arthritis. Arthritis is not age-specific, which means it can happen to anyone, at any age, any sex, and any race. In America, it is the major cause of disability where more than 300,000 children and 50 million adults suffer from arthritis. The body of a person suffering from arthritis is in an inflammatory state. Certain foods are to be avoided with arthritis as they not only increase inflammation but also push the person towards obesity and other chronic diseases such as heart attack and disabilities. Even though arthritis does not have a specific diet cure, certain foods to avoid with arthritis have shown to trigger inflammation, affect bones, and damage the immune system. There are different kinds of food that have the ability to promote or control inflammation. When anti-inflammatory food options are made a part of daily diet, pain resulting due to arthritis can be crushed to a great extent. Certain inflammation triggers in foods that can lead to arthritis and attached pain and swelling. Here is a list of foods to avoid with arthritis. Fried and processed foods – Researchers have proved that by lowering consumption of fried food and frozen meals, inflammation can be reduced and natural defenses of the body can be restored. Red meat – Red meat is loaded saturated fats well as omega-6 fatty acids and can trigger inflammation. This food should be avoided if you have arthritis. Patients have reported that after avoiding red meat, they have noticed a drastic improvement in the symptoms. Sugar and refined carbs – High sugar level results in inflammation. It is best to avoid processed food, candies, cakes as well as cold drinks loaded with soda.
6 Effective Home Remedies to Treat Post-Nasal Drip

6 Effective Home Remedies to Treat Post-Nasal Drip

When nasal mucosa produces mucus in excess, it causes PND or post-nasal drip. It is a common problem under such circumstances. All the glands in the lining of your throat, nose, and airways produce mucus continually. These glands work toward cleaning and moistening the nasal membranes, clears and traps inhaled foreign particles, humidifies the air in the airways, and fights with infections. You do not realize its presence, but you swallow it unconsciously all through the day. However, when mucus production happens in abundance, it starts dripping from the back of your nose thereby causing post-nasal drip. The symptoms of post-nasal drip include coughing, sore throat, congestion, feeling weak, and difficulty in swallowing. A lot of things can trigger post-nasal drip. These include flu, common cold, sinus infection, allergies, excessively dry air, cold temperature, medications, spicy food, hormonal changes, perfumes, chemical fumes, smoke, cleaning products, and other similar irritants. You can treat most cases of post-nasal drip with home remedies. You would find all the ingredients in your kitchen to get rid of it. Following are certain ways of treating post-nasal drip: Salt water gargle The best way to relieve the uneasiness caused due to post-nasal drip is gargling with salt water. It thins out the mucus that lets you get rid of the same. It also flushes out the irritants from the nasal passages. Process for this treatment option for post-nasal drip: – Mix ½ teaspoon of salt and 1 cup of warm water together – Keep stirring until the salt dissolves – Gargle a couple of times daily with this solution for 2–3 days Steam inhalation You can use steam post-nasal drip treatment with or without essential oils to prevent the production of mucus in excess which causes post-nasal drip. The process of steam inhalation: – Boil water and transfer it to a bowl – Add a few drops of essential oil if you have any – Cover your head with a towel and hold your face over the bowl of hot water – Inhale the steam deeply for around 10 minutes and then blow your nose – Follow this process a couple of times till you completely recover Taking a warm shower also helps in breaking up the mucus.
Common Causes of Swollen Feet and Ankles

Common Causes of Swollen Feet and Ankles

Swelling can cause pain in any part of the body. Your feet and ankle support your whole body weight as you stand or move around. If your feet and ankles suffer from inflammation and pain, look for possible causes and consult your doctor on how to treat the condition. Causes of swollen feet and ankles There can be many reasons for your feet and ankle to become swollen and painful. A few of them are listed below: Pregnancy Pregnancy puts pressure on the abdominal region and causes various pains and discomfort. One of these can be fluid retention in the legs. It is a normal occurrence. However, if there is excessive inflammation, consult your doctor. It could indicate a condition called Preeclampsia. Preeclampsia could lead to high blood pressure and buildup of protein in the urine. If your ankle swells and you experience headaches and abdominal pain, you need immediate medical attention. Infected wounds If you have injured your feet resulting in open wounds, these could get infected and cause swelling. In addition to this, if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, it can complicate matters further. Diabetes can cause nerve damage which can affect the sensation of pain. So, wounds may go unnoticed, and then the swelling and infection can advance quickly. Therefore, always inspect your feet for injuries. Chronic diseases A heart, kidney or liver condition could also cause swelling in your feet and ankles. Heart diseases can lead to fluid retention in the body, especially in the extremities. Kidney failure is another cause of fluid retention. The kidneys get rid of wastes and toxins in the body through urine. When they fail, a fluid buildup occurs. The liver produces a special protein called albumin. Albumin prevents fluid from leaking out of blood vessels. When the liver does not produce albumin, fluid leaks outside from blood vessels.
Home Remedies For Treatment Of Plantar Fasciitis

Home Remedies For Treatment Of Plantar Fasciitis

One of the most common types of heel pain is caused by a condition called Plantar Fasciitis, which is the swelling of a ligament called Plantar Fascia on the underside of your foot. A whopping 10% of the people in the entire world suffer from this condition. Sometimes, the pain can even become chronic. However, there are simple ways to deal with it. Read further to find out treatment of plantar fasciitis at home. Plantar Fasciitis: An Overview This condition is caused whenever you put excessive strain on your feet. It is most common in middle-aged people, but it can also affect younger adults who are on their feet for long periods, like athletes. Repeated straining can cause small tears in the ligament which can lead to chronic pains. Home Treatment Of Plantar Fasciitis Even when you visit a doctor, the first solution they give you is steps you can take to treat the pain on your own. Some of these are mentioned below. Rest Your Feet: Ensure that you give your feet ample amount of rest. If any activity is causing pain, avoid it. Support Your Feet: The best way to do this is by wearing supportive footwear that has a good heel cushioning and arch support. You can even buy shoe inserts to put into your footwear instead of buying expensive shoes for treatment of plantar fasciitis. Use A Cold Pack: Using ice or a cold pack can reduce the inflammation and ease the pain. Don’t apply ice directly on your feet, always wrap it in a towel. You can also alternatively use frozen peas or grapes wrapped in a towel for the same effect. Give It Some Heat: If ice doesn’t help with the symptoms even after two or three days, you can try a heating pad or a hot water bag to relieve pain.
Causes And Cure for Swollen Finger Pain

Causes And Cure for Swollen Finger Pain

There can be many causes for swollen fingers, but when it occurs, it causes a lot of pain and discomfort. It becomes difficult to flex and move your fingers. Even simple tasks like picking up a pen, or writing becomes difficult. Swelling can occur due to injuries, allergies and also as symptoms of other diseases like arthritis. It can also be because of fluid retention. Blunt force injuries, injuries that cause a hematoma, a condition in which packets of blood accumulate outside the blood vessels after a finger trauma. Injuries can also occur if a thorn, a wood splitter or if other foreign objects penetrate your skin. Strains, fractures, sprains and other traumatic injuries on the hand, can also cause swollen fingers. Other causes may include – Animal bites on the finger can cause wounds and swelling. Insect bites and stings can also trigger finger inflammation. Tight gloves, rings that have become a tight fit on your finger, and other such constrictions can interrupt blood flow and cause swelling. Paronychia and Cellulitis are infections that can occur in the region of the hands and fingers, and cause swelling and pain. Septic Arthritis is caused by bacterial infection in the joints. This can also affect finger joints. Septic Bursitis can be another main cause. Bursae are small fluid-filled sacs near your joints. These cushion the muscles, tissues, and tendons and prevent friction in the joint regions. When there is inflammation of the bursae, it is called bursitis. Bursitis in your finger joints can be extremely painful. Lymphedema is a condition, where the Lymph fluid does not drain out of your body properly and starts collecting in places like your feet and hands. This can lead to the swelling of your hands and fingers. Heat can cause blood vessels to expand, leading to inflammation, redness, and soreness in the fingers and hands.