How Diabetes Causes Foot Problems

How Diabetes Causes Foot Problems

Diabetes is a medical condition associated with the lack of insulin which is a hormone released by the pancreas. Insulin helps convert glucose from food into energy. Due to the lack of insulin, glucose stays in the blood; high glucose levels can cause health problems. A diabetic person can develop various health issues such as heart diseases, eye problems, and nerves damage. A common health problem that is faced by diabetic people is diabetic foot pain. Your blood vessels get damaged due to the lack of insulin. Diabetes also results in damage to peripheral nerves that can cause diabetic foot pain. It’s not only the nerve damage but also decrease in blood flow that causes pain. It delays the healing process of an infection, which might become affected by gangrene; in the case of gangrene. the leg or the affected part may need to be amputated. Here, we’ll look at diabetic foot pain in detail. Diabetes can cause foot pain in two major ways. Firstly, it reduces blood flow, thereby leading to the lack of flow of oxygen and nutrients to the leg. Due to this, you become prone to cuts and damages on the feet. Secondly, there is a diabetic nerve called peripheral neuropathy that causes numbness in your feet and increases the chances of soreness and infections. Problems associated with diabetic foot pain Fungal infection in nails : Fungal infection in nails is caused by bacteria, and this causes irritation and redness. The infection also leads to a change of color (yellow) of the nails along with inflammation and pain. When left untreated, the fungus becomes worse and infects your other toenails, the skin on your feet, and even your fingernails. In severe cases, the infection can impair your ability to walk or cause painful ingrown toenails. Muscle and joint problems :
Understanding the Various Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of Shoulder Pain

Understanding the Various Causes, Symptoms and Treatments of Shoulder Pain

Your shoulder is a combination of many joints. The joints meet the muscles and tendons of the arm to provide a full range of motion to the arm. The shoulder facilitates thousands of activities in everyday life. These vary from scratching one’s back to bowling, to carrying bags, and even driving. But your shoulder’s mobility may deteriorate over time, leading to issues such as instability & soreness. It may even affect the functioning of the bones or soft tissue in the shoulder, resulting in pain. The pain could be consistent and chronic, or you might feel the pain only when you move the shoulder. If the pain is temporary, it is easy to deal with, but if it lasts for a long time, this may call for medical attention. We need to understand the anatomy of the shoulder to understand shoulder pain in a better way. Anatomy Of The Shoulder The shoulder comprises of three major bones. They are as follows. Humerus, or the upper arm bone Scapula, or the shoulder bone Collarbone, or the Clavicle There is a round socket in the shoulder blade called the glenoid. The top part of the humerus, or the upper arm bone, fits into the glenoid. A host of muscles and tendons works toward keeping the arm bone stable in the glenoid. This is called the rotator cuff, and it covers the top of the humerus, and it attaches the humerus to the shoulder blade. Let’s go through the top four common types of shoulder problems: Tendon inflammation or tendon tear, also known as bursitis or tendinitis Loss of stability Broken bones or a fracture Arthritis Some other problems, which are rarer, but can cause shoulder pain, are: Tumors Infections Issues involving nerves Let’s run through some of the treatment options you have at your disposal for treating shoulder pain:
The Problem of Neck and Shoulder Pain

The Problem of Neck and Shoulder Pain

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.
Simple Remedies For Corns And Calluses

Simple Remedies For Corns And Calluses

Foot corns are an irksome skin condition that can be painful. In areas of excess pressure, these create a thick skin. In medical science, hyperkeratosis is the name for this thickened skin. These are often classified as corns and calluses, each of which is distinct. Corn is more localized and thicker. It is often in a conical or circular shape and could have a translucent appearance. A callus is a section of thick and flat skin. This is often stiffer than corn. Corn could occur somewhere on the feet or the fingers. Some of the most frequent locations wherein corns occur are: On the sole. Most often over the ball of the foot. Often, corns appear on the little finger of the foot because of the friction between the foot and the shoe. At times, corns occur between the fourth and fifth fingers of the toe. If corn appears between the fingers, then it is more likely to be whitish. Such corn may seem slimy and are known as soft corns. Why Do Corns Develop: Corns are thickening of the skin. This thickening takes place to form a natural protection mechanism. Corns come into existence in places where the skin becomes tough. This is to counter high levels of friction. Here are some of the reasons why corns form: At times, corns come to prominence owing to foot or toe distortions. A bony elevation over the foot could lead to corn formation. Tight footwear which puts pressure on the skin could cause a formation of corns. If one has an aberration in movement, it increases the pressure applied to certain areas of the foot. So the odds of developing a corn increase. Finger corns do not occur at locations which are normal areas of friction. These often come into prominence because of using tools.
3 Healthy and Sweet Breakfast Recipes

3 Healthy and Sweet Breakfast Recipes

Often because of the morning rush, you might be tempted to empty a packet of processed cereals and pour some milk over it for breakfast before you rush to work or school. But the next time you do this, pause and think. Are these cereals healthy or do they contain artificial sweeteners? The truth is that many people like to have something sweet for breakfast and there is no harm in indulging these cravings occasionally. However, it is vital that these recipes are healthy and don’t contain any added sugar. Don’t know how to prepare healthy and sweet recipes for breakfast? Here are three easy dessert recipes that you can make for breakfast. Strawberry banana oatmeal muffins Can you think of a healthier breakfast recipe than one that contains eggs, fruits, and oats? To make this mouthwatering muffin, you will need strawberries, banana, oats, eggs, brown sugar, baking soda, butter, and cinnamon. Firstly, preheat the oven to 425° F degrees. Grease some muffin cups and keep them aside. To make the oatmeal streusel topping, which is nothing but the crumbly topping on the muffin, grab a small bowl and mix the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. To make the muffin batter, whip the butter and sugar together until they are light and fluffy. Take another bowl, beat the eggs, and add the sugar and butter mixture to this bowl. Add mashed bananas and strawberries to it. Now take all the dry ingredients like flour, baking soda, and salt and carefully sift them into the bowl which contains the mixture. Later, pour this prepared mixture into the muffin cups and add the streusel toppings on each of the muffins. After 5 minutes of baking, reduce the oven temperature to 350° F and continue to bake for the next 15 minutes.
Phases and Symptoms of Chronic Migraine You Should Not Ignore

Phases and Symptoms of Chronic Migraine You Should Not Ignore

A pulsing sensation or severe pain can always be associated with a migraine. The pain begins on just one side of the head, and you may experience high sensitivity to light and sound, vomiting, and nausea as well. When it comes to chronic migraine attacks, many patients experience a considerable pain for several hours or days, and sometimes, the pain can even become unbearable. There are some warning symptoms also called aura that might occur before or with a headache. The most common warning signs are tingling sensation on the leg, arm, one of the face, blind spots, and flashes of light. Medications can offer relief and prevent some migraines, and the pain can be controlled as well. You need to consult your doctor about various migraine treatment choices if you find it difficult to find relief using self-help remedies. The most effective option is to combine right medications, lifestyle changes, and natural self-help remedies and such a combination of approach methods offer excellent relief. What are the most common chronic migraine symptoms? Migraines quite often start in childhood, and in some people, it starts with early adulthood or adolescence. Various research studies show that migraines develop through four phases. These phases include prodrome, aura, headache, and post-drome. It is not necessary that all migraine-affected people go through all these four stages. Learn about prodrome and its symptoms When you are going through the prodrome stages, you may have to deal with subtle changes that act as warning signs of an impending migraine attack before one or two days before the actual occurrence. The most common symptoms associated with prodrome phase are neck stiffness, constipation, food cravings, increased thirst, mood changes progressing from depression to euphoria, frequent yawning, and a constant urge for urination. This is one of the phases of chronic migraine symptoms.
Rashes from Tick Bites – Diagnosis, Consequences and Remedies

Rashes from Tick Bites – Diagnosis, Consequences and Remedies

Ticks are found in the outdoors, living in grass, leaf piles and shrubs. They have a strong affinity for humans and their pets and easily migrate from one to the other. While these bugs may seem tiny and harmless, in reality, they literally suck your blood for sustenance. Ticks attach themselves to the victim and bite, drawing blood till their appetite is sated, growing in size, sometimes as big as a marble. Tick bites are mostly harmless, but some tick bites can cause allergic reactions and even more serious diseases, both in humans and their pets. A rash from tick bites is a major symptom of a more serious reaction. While a rash from tick bites can cause irritation, itching and a burning sensation on the affected skin, it’s often an indicator of a more serious, harmful disease’s onset. Below, we’ve mentioned some of the other consequences and diseases that a tick bite can leave you with. If you experience a rash from tick bites, keep an eye out for these diseases. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) RMSF is the most serious of all tick-borne diseases. It’s more common in the south-eastern parts of the United States. It is not contagious, but it can pass through ticks bites, from humans to their pets, and vice-versa. The symptoms appear between 2 to 14 days after the bite, and include: High fever persisting for 2 to 3 weeks Chills Fatigue Abdominal pain Nausea Muscle aches A headache The characteristic feature of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the rash from the tick bite. The rash comprises of small red spots on the palms, ankles, wrists, and soles. The rash starts 2 to 5 days after the bite and spreads across the torso. This is usually coupled with a high fever. After a week of the infection, a second rash can develop from the tick bite.
5 breast cancer medications approved by the FDA

5 breast cancer medications approved by the FDA

Among women, breast cancer is known to be the most diagnosed cancer after skin cancer. It develops in the cells of the breasts. Although it can occur in both men and women, breast cancer is known to be more common among women. There are no known exact causes of this type of cancer; most often it is genetic. In some cases, environmental factors can also cause breast cancer. Regular mammography and physical examination by a physician can help in early detection of breast cancer. Certain symptoms and signs include formation of a breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue, change in the size, shape, or appearance of a breast, changes to the skin over the breast, a newly inverted nipple, and peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the areola or breast skin. There can be redness or pitting of the skin over the breast. Depending on the stage at which it is detected, it is possible to completely recover from breast cancer. Make sure you consult your doctor regarding the same. Treatments often include the use of certain medications including the following: Afinitor® Also known as Afinitor Disperz ® , this breast cancer medication works by interfering with the growth of cancerous cells. It slows down the spread of the cancer cells in the body. Along with using it for the treatment of breast cancer, Afinitor ® is also used for certain types of kidney cancer and brain tumor. Additionally, this medication is prescribed for certain types of progressive or advanced tumors of the pancreas, stomach, and intestines. Furthermore, Afinitor ® is used in the treatment of specific types of seizure and non-cancerous tumors of the brain or kidney in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. Piqray® With the chemical name Alpelisib, Piqray ® belongs to class PI3K inhibitor.
Ovarian cancer – what you should eat and avoid

Ovarian cancer – what you should eat and avoid

Women who consume a lot of vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables, are less likely to develop ovarian cancer. This cancer is one of the major causes of deaths. Since the symptoms are barely noticeable in its initial stages, people often get the required treatment after the condition has reached its advanced stage. Currently, there are no screening methods that can detect cancer at an earlier stage. Cruciferous, along with other vegetables, completely eliminates the odds of developing ovarian cancer. Cruciferous vegetables are plants that grow in the cold conditions and get their flowers with 4 petals that are in the shape of a crucifix or a cross. Some examples of these vegetables include kale, bok choy, daikon, mustard leaves and seeds, collard greens, turnips, arugula, wasabi, horseradish, watercress, rutabaga, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower, radish, and cabbage. Moreover, cruciferous veggies possess high amounts of phytochemicals. When these phytochemicals are broken down, they transform into isothiocyanates. There are many studies that prove that isothiocyanates help stop the development of many types of cancers by inhibiting the growth of tumors. These vegetables have been proven to reduce inflammation that can assist in the prevention of cancer or diseases related to the heart as well. Those who love eating fresh fruits and vegetables have a possibility to lead a better life. However, when consumed in excess, like any other food, these too can be fatal. Always consult a doctor about your diet and the quantity of food one should maintain. Sadly, people who eat more of cured, processed, and red meats are more likely to develop ovarian cancer. This has been found in many on-going experiments as well. Studies proved that individuals who eat more cruciferous and yellow veggies experience a lot of benefits than those who do not. Additionally, women who consume milk of any kind may have a shorter survival period as compared to those who did not have milk.
Lifesaving Testicular Cancer Treatment Options You Should Know About

Lifesaving Testicular Cancer Treatment Options You Should Know About

The development of cancerous cells in the testicles, generally observed as a lump in the testicles, is called testicular cancer. Testicular cancer is disease that can be fatal. Here are the lifesaving testicular cancer treatment options you should know about. *body* Testicular cancer can be described as a disease where cancerous cells are formed in the testicles. The testicles are testosterone and sperm producing glands which are placed in the scrotum sac (loose skin that is located below the penis). The spermatic chord consisting of numerous blood vessels and nerves holds the testicles inside the scrotum sac. Most testicular cancers begin from the germ cells which produce premature sperms that flow through tubules and get stored as matured sperms. Cancerous cells affect the healthy cells, and multiply causing various kinds of symptoms such as painful or painless lumps in the testicles, discomfort, sense of heaviness in the lower abdominal area, enlargement of the testicles, collection of fluids in the scrotum sacs, excessive pain in the back and groin area, etc. There are various testicular cancer treatment options such as chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy, however there are certain drawbacks or side effects that may or may not occur depending on the stage of cancer that the patient is on. Side effects may include infertility and problems in the sexual functioning of the patient. The following are different kinds of testicular cancer treatment options that are made available for the patients diagnosed with this disease. Radiation Therapy Radiation therapy is characterized by the use of external beam radiation directed at the infected areas. The radiation causes irritation among the infected cells, the normal cells have enough time to recover from the damage caused while the cancerous cells are weak and do not recover from the damage. Hence there are a number of sessions arranged for testicular cancer treatment through radiation therapy.
Do Not Ignore These Kidney Cancer Symptoms

Do Not Ignore These Kidney Cancer Symptoms

Kidney cancer is one of the cancers that may or may not cause kidney cancer symptoms in the initial stages of the condition. This makes early detection and a good prognosis difficult. Be aware, and do not ignore these kidney cancer symptoms. Kidney cancer is a result of your kidney cells becoming malignant (cancerous). These cells then begin growing abnormally out of proportion to form a stubborn tumor. The medical term for this disease is ‘renal cell carcinoma’. In most cases, kidney cancers appear in the minute tubes of the kidney. The good news is that if detected at an earlier stage, before the cancer has metastasized (spread) to other organs, the chances of successful surgical treatments are much higher. However it is also true that the exact cause of this disease is unknown. This means that a very important piece of this Big C puzzle is missing. Added to this, there are little to no kidney cancer symptoms in the early stages. Furthermore there are some kidney cancer symptoms that you may mistake for signs of other conditions. Keep an eye out for these kidney cancer symptoms, and do not delay seeking help from a doctor at the earliest if you notice one or more of these symptoms. Weight loss The clue is to notice any kind of unexplained weight loss. If you have not changed your diet or appetite recently, but are still experiencing a drastic weight loss (about 5 to 10 percent of overall body weight), get off the weighing scale and get to your doctor to check for signs of kidney cancer symptoms or other conditions. Intermittent fever If you keep getting fever that lasts for a long time, and that has not been caused by any other infection such as cold, flu or any other disease, it may be one of the elusive kidney cancer symptoms.
Natural Treatment For Overall Health of Your Gums

Natural Treatment For Overall Health of Your Gums

Gum disease is common and results in painful, inflamed, and swollen gums. The early stages of gum disease are called gingivitis. If gum disease isn’t tackled in early stages, then it progresses to periodontitis. The most common gum diseases are called by bacterial infections, that can spread and destroy the gums, and the tissue surrounding the teeth. The bacteria forms plaques around the teeth and gums. If this plaque isn’t removed, it can harden and form tartar. Most early cases of plaque buildup and gingivitis can be treated on your own. Natural treatment for gum disease is a great way to save yourself time, money, and pain of seeing a dentist. Natural treatment for gum disease includes maintaining good oral hygiene and overall health. Symptoms of gum disease Healthy gums are pink, fit securely around the teeth, do not bleed when you touch or brush them, and are not painful or inflamed. In some cases, the initial stages of gum disease are not painful, and there may be no recognizable symptoms. Eventually, as the disease progresses, the symptoms can worsen. The early stage of gum disease or gingivitis has fewer symptoms, and these tend to be nonspecific and vague. The most common early symptoms of gum disease are: Redness or purple discoloration of the gums Swelling Bleeding gums while brushing, eating, or on touching the gums. Painful gums Bad breath ( halitosis ) Natural treatment for gum disease is best initiated during early stages, to halt the progression into a more severe form of gum disease, i.e, periodontitis . The symptoms of advanced gum disease or periodontitis are: An unpleasant taste in the mouth Bad breath (halitosis) Loose teeth Difficulty chewing food Gum abscesses (collection of pus) Receding gums, which make the teeth appear longer. Deep pockets between the gums and teeth.