For thousands of years, apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been used by many people throughout the world as a health tonic. Studies have shown that ACV has many benefits like lowering the levels of blood sugar. This post will explore research behind the apple cider vinegar weight loss abilities and also offer tips on how to include ACV in your diet. What’s ACV? Apple cider vinegar is created via a two-step fermentation procedure. To start with, apples are crushed or chopped then combined with yeast in order to convert the sugar in them into alcohol. Then, bacteria are added; this ferments the alcohol into acetic acid. Initially, the production of ACV took about 30 days, but now manufacturers have accelerated the process. ACV can now be manufactured in a day. Acetic acid, also called ethanoic acid, is the active component of ACV. This organic compound has a strong odor and a sour taste. About 6% of ACV consists of acetic acid, though it also contains traces of other acids like malic acid and water. A tablespoon (15ml) of ACV has about 3 calories and no carbs. Benefits of acetic acid for fat loss: This fatty acid dissolves into hydrogen and acetate in your body. According to animal studies, the acetic acid in ACV promotes weight loss in various ways. This includes: Lowering blood sugar levels Decreasing levels of insulin Improving metabolism Minimizing fat storage Burning fat Suppressing appetite Even though the studies conducted on animals look very promising, more research is required in humans to confirm these effects. Apple cider vinegar diet is also gaining popularity among the masses. How ACV increases fullness and reduces calorie intake? Wondering why apple cider vinegar weight loss plans are becoming common nowadays? Well, apple cider vinegar is believed to promote fullness, and this can decrease your calorie intake.

Formerly known as manic depression, bipolar disorder refers to a mental health condition wherein the patients have extreme moods swings, from emotional highs (bipolar mania/hypomania) to emotional lows (depression), with such mood swings occurring multiple times a year. Such mood swings (which are symptoms of bipolar disorder) tend to affect the patient’s ability to think clearly, perform daily activities, and exercise good judgment. It is typically diagnosed in the teenage years or early twenties. However, these bipolar mania symptoms can continue throughout the patient’s life. In bipolar mania, a person tends to demonstrate extreme behavior, particularly an abnormally good mood, strong bursts of energy, hyperactivity, and strongly increased creativity or aggression. The bipolar mania symptoms manifest differently in different people and can last for anywhere from days to a week. Sometimes, attacks might last as long as a few months; usually, they require hospitalization or medication to be kept in check. Manic episodes are often interspersed with periods of depression where the person suffers from exhaustion, hopelessness, and sadness, in other words, the opposite of mania. These are also strong symptoms to watch out for. Bipolar patients may also experience hypomania, which is a milder form of mania and, generally, a more manageable symptom. What are its causes? While some people have a genetic predisposition to developing bipolar disorder, research shows that there is no clear-cut cause for it. Some studies indicate that abnormal thyroid functioning, imbalances in neurotransmission, disturbances in the circadian rhythm, and high levels of the cortisol hormone could be the possible causes. There are also environmental and psychological factors that could trigger episodes of bipolar mania. Some of them are as listed: Substance abuse : While substance abuse does not actually cause bipolar disorder, drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine, and amphetamines can trigger attacks of mania.

Pneumonia symptoms, whether mild or severe, should be immediately examined by a physician. A medical professional will suggest the right tests for diagnosing this disease. One should strictly follow the post-treatment precautions recommended by the doctor. Symptoms of pneumonia The symptoms of pneumonia range from mild to severe. Other factors that affect the signs of this condition are the type of pneumonia, the age of the patient as well as the state of health. Here are some signs of pneumonia: Cough Patients experience incessant coughing. It is accompanied by mucus, which may be green or yellow. There might be traces of blood in the mucus. It is one of the classic symptoms of bronchitis or pneumonia. Fever Another symptom of pneumonia is a fever. It could range from mild to high fever. Chills along with shaking Patients who have pneumonia are likely to feel extremely cold, and they are also likely to shiver or shake with it. Labored breathing You might feel short of breath while climbing a flight of stairs. Sharp pain in the chest Deep breathing or coughing could induce sharp or stabbing chest pain. Headaches There might be headaches which are of different intensities. A high amount of sweating People report sweating and moistness of the skin. Poor appetite Patients have no desire to eat. They also experience reduced energy levels and a lot of fatigue. Confusion Senior citizens may experience a feeling of confusion with other symptoms of pneumonia. Types of pneumonia Bacterial pneumonia In this type of pneumonia, temperatures reach alarming levels of up to 105 degrees. It could be accompanied by an excessive amount of sweating. The intensity of breathing goes up, and so does the pulse rate. Because of a deficiency of oxygen in the blood, the lips, as well as nail beds, might turn blue.

Arthritis can be described as an autoimmune disorder that leads to chronic inflammation of the joints. Generally, body parts like the knees, hands, and fingers are mainly affected by this chronic disease. The disease begins with mild symptoms that often lead to a bigger systemic illness affecting the different portions of the human body. The arthritis pain symptoms differ from one individual to another, and it may change on a day-to-day basis. Arthritis pain can be identified with the help of its symptoms. You must remember that the symptoms may vary from person to person, and you have to get a detailed idea to deal with this chronic disease. Here are some of the basic symptoms and treatment methods of rheumatoid arthritis that’ll give you an idea of what it is. Fatigue Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis pain in almost all phases. Fatigue results from the active inflammation of joints, anemia, medication habits, and poor sleep. Patients feel uneasy and often report a lack of energy. Moreover, it can affect their emotions, occupation, sex drive, relationship, mood, happiness, creativity, productivity, and attentiveness. Many experts have revealed that fatigue and rheumatoid arthritis also have a connection with weight loss and poor appetite. Joint pain Joint pain is another common symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, and it results from the inflammation of joints. A large number of people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis often face severe joint pain, and you should consult a doctor if you feel joint pain due to any reason. It is important to remember that past rheumatoid arthritis can result in damaged ligaments, bone, and cartilage, and the patients feel severe pain while using the damaged joints. Joint tenderness A large number of people also face problems of joint tenderness in rheumatoid arthritis. The inflamed joint lining tissue irritates the nerves on the joint capsule, and this leads to pain.

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.

Pneumonia is the infection of the lungs, which can be caused by bacteria, viruses or even fungi. People suffering from pneumonia might experience heavy coughing, fever, and experience hard time breathing. It makes it difficult to transfer oxygen to the blood. Pneumonia is a condition that causes inflammation in the air sacs of the lungs, called the alveoli. In this condition, the alveoli of the lungs get filled with mucus or pus, which makes it very difficult to breathe. Before we head to find out the signs and symptoms of pneumonia, let us look at the causes of the same in brief. It usually starts when one begins to breathe in germs into the lungs. The onset of the disease usually begins after the person suffers from cold or flu. Cold and flu make it hard for the lungs to fight back, resulting in infections. Hence it becomes easier to get affected from the signs of pneumonia. Suffering from chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma, cancer or even diabetes can also lead to pneumonia. Signs and symptoms of pneumonia Signs of pneumonia can be mild to life-threatening. It depends on the severity of the infection. The most common symptoms of pneumonia include: Coughing that produces phlegm (mucus). Because the alveoli in the lungs get filled with mucus, it affects the immune system of the body and the person suffers from mild to high-grade fever, chills and also experiences sweating. And because of the same reason, there is little or no room for the inhaled air to occupy for the lungs, thus the person suffers from shortness of breath. These above-mentioned conditions eventually lead to one common symptom, which is chest pain. There are symptoms that vary according to the severity of the condition and is based on factors like age and general health of the individual.

Sleep is essential for the body to maintain good health; sleep affects not only physical health but also mental health. Getting adequate sleep can help to keep health complications such as obesity, diabetes, heart diseases, etc., at bay. Proper sleep also ensures a good appetite, lesser stress, clearer thinking, healthy weight control, better mood, good sex life, and immunity from diseases. Despite the obvious health benefits of good sleep, many people are suffering from unhealthy sleeping habits. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sleeping disorders have become “a public health epidemic.” In 2009, the CDC conducted a study among 74,571 adults in 12 states across the country. The study found that nearly 35.3% of the respondents had less than 7 hours of sleep every day. About 48.0% complained of snoring, 37.9% unintentionally fell asleep during the day at least once in the month preceding the study, and 4.7% of the respondents reported incidents of nodding off while driving at least once in the month preceding the study. Although this CDC study is not recent, the statistics are still relevant. One of the reasons for this is a skewed work–life balance. Also, due to an increased usage of personal devices such as smartphones, tablets, and laptops, the percentage of people with sleeping problems is on the rise. Unless the lack of sleep causes any significant health complications, almost all cases of sleeping disorders go unreported. In her book The Sleep Revolution , co-founder and editor-in-chief of Huffington Post, Ariana Huffington points out that we are a generation suffering from a sleep deprivation crisis. In this well-researched book, she dispels the notion that less sleep means more productivity and urges her readers to bring about a sleep revolution. The bottom line is simple: get sufficient sleep to be more productive and healthy.

Long before the world became familiar with the pills and other medications that are now used to cure different ailments, people sought solace for their ailments with whatever ingredients one could find in nature. And, true to nature’s nurturing ability, these ingredients did help people combat their ailments. Some of these ingredients are still actively used to cure ailments and with a certain degree of success as well. For instance, turmeric, which found its way into our food and at times in the milk, which we so religiously consume at night, was known to increase our immunity levels and came in handy when we suffered from cold and cough. Turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin, which is known to be the reason behind its effectiveness. Turmeric curcumin is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties which come in handy and makes it one of the most effective home remedies. If you still aren’t convinced about the benefits of adding turmeric curcumin in your diet, here are some reasons why you should. Natural medicinal properties We are aware that the pills that we so recklessly pop can cause irreversible damage to the body in the form of side-effects. This is why nature gives us turmeric curcumin which is known to possess medicinal properties. Turmeric contains certain compounds called curcuminoids, out of which curcumin is the most potent one. It possesses anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants which help in keeping the immune system protected. Natural anti-inflammatory agent Inflammation occurs when the body’s immune system goes haywire and attacks the healthy blood cells instead of the bacteria and viruses it is supposed to target. Instead of popping painkillers to reduce the pain caused by inflammation, or to prevent it from occurring, you can consume turmeric curcumin as a part of your daily diet. It has anti-inflammatory properties which can prevent such incidents from recurring in future.

If you want to prevent the symptoms of inadequate bladder control, organ prolapse, reduced bladder control, and urinary incontinence, you must perform Kegel exercises. These exercises, often known as pelvic exercises, provide the much-needed strength to your pelvic floor and also enhance your overall health. What is the best Kegel exerciser? In the following sections, a brief overview of the best Kegel exerciser has been given which would provide you with an idea of which one would suit your needs best. A good number of health experts are of the opinion that basic pelvic exercises are good enough to increase the strength of the pelvic floor. There is no need to use any Kegel exerciser to achieve the expected results. The most important aspect you need to realize is that these exercises deliver results after 8 to 12 weeks and notable changes can be seen only after this time frame. Many people do not have the patience for continuing exercising for such a long a time and they often tend to stop when there are no visible results within a few weeks. When you use one of the best Kegel exercisers, the exercise sessions become more fun and some of the devices come with a step-by-step program. Many of the best Kegel exerciser, such as the following, show your progress; this aspect keeps your motivation high. Step Free Weights One of the best Kegel exerciser for women is Step Free Weights. It is a highly-effective method for strengthening your muscles. They can be described as vaginal weights and these devices are uniquely designed to be hygienic. When you use these devices, better pelvic floor muscles control can be attained. As you achieve an increased controlling power, the cone weight increases gradually. Kegel weights do not offer the expected results when you use them while sitting or lying.

There are various treatment options for the common problem of asthma. It is a long-term disease that usually has no cure but can be dealt with minor adjustments, medications and lifestyle changes. Most people see that their asthma gets cured as they age, so most of the asthma treatment options involve controlling the disease. A proper asthma treatment plan helps: Prevent chronic and troubling symptoms like shortness of breath, tightness in chest and coughing. Reduce the patients need for medicines considered to be a quick relief. Maintain steady levels of lung function. Maintain a steady breathing rhythm to enable sleep throughout the night. Maintain normal levels of everyday activity. Avoid, monitor and prevent emergency asthma attacks that may need immediate attention. The best way to control asthma and manage it as a part of everyday life is to partner with the doctor completely and follow strictly the instructions and medications routines that are recommended. How can one take in active role in controlling and treating asthma? Here are some tips to control asthma. Be aware of the condition and how and when it affects you. Work alongside your doctor and identify and treat other health conditions that may potentially interfere with the management of the main problem of asthma. Avoid things and triggers that make asthma worse. Maintain a decent level of physical activity despite asthma as it is an important part of a healthy lifestyle and it helps prevent other health conditions apart from being good for mental health. There are medicines available that help an asthma patient stay active and pursue physical activities with ease. Work with health experts to follow a good action plan that helps manage the problem. An action plan aimed towards managing asthma involves receiving guidance on the medicines and exercises and lifestyle changes required, avoiding triggers of asthma, tracking the severity and level of the problem, actively responding to symptoms that are getting worse and seeking and receiving emergency care whenever required.

There are numerous holistic medicine schools in the United States that boast of offering high-quality education in overall wellness. A holistic program requires a long-term investment of time as well as effort, and therefore it is essential to have an awareness of what all should be expected from these schools. If you plan to get yourself enrolled in one of the holistic medicine schools, then here is some basic information that will provide you an overall understanding of the same. Holistic medicine schools aim to provide knowledge of the medicinal traditions and methods that have been used since ancient times in different parts of the world. If overall wellness interests you, then these educational programs provide interesting career options. These programs have started gaining attention only recently, particularly with the increasing shift in mindsets towards the importance of health in general. The value of yoga has increased magnanimously and faith of people in acupuncture has been restored. According to a report, customers for massage therapies have multiplied in the past few years. Today, holistic medicine is considered equally important by doctors, especially in physiotherapy treatments. Statistics have revealed that alternative approaches to medicine are being tried and tested by every individual. Holistic medicine schools have seen a surge in the number of students taking admission in the various courses offered by them. Given the enhanced importance of natural healing, opportunities for holistic medicine practitioners are growing at a fast pace. This has made students opt for the unconventional courses on naturopathy, chiropractic treatments, and others in holistic medicine schools. The kind of holistic medicine school you wish to choose will depend on the course you want to undertake and the field in which you want to work. While some holistic medicine schools offer courses focusing on one single specialty, others teach you a comprehensive list of age-old methods.

Snoring is the result of obstructed movement of air when a person breathes while sleeping. Some people snore loud, while others do not cause much disturbance. In the realm of medicine, the condition is characterized by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Snoring is one of the factors causing sleep deprivation. People suffering from OSA also suffer from irritability, drowsiness, and lack of attention. Loud snoring has been associated with heart attack and stroke in people. Snoring causes vibration that passes through the carotid artery that leads to carotid artery atherosclerosis in a person. This also leads to the development of atherosclerotic plaque. One in every 15 Americans is believed to have moderate sleep apnea. More than half of the population in the world is suffering from some degree of snoring. There are many solutions to treat snoring. There are many anti-snoring devices that help you get rid of that prolong habit of snoring while you sleep. Mouthpieces It is one of the most popular devices among snorers. They come with almost no side effects. They are proven and established. Chin straps They are not new, but effective. Chip straps work like jaw retaining mouthpieces in context their results. It is simple to use. It is used under the chin, over the top, and round the back. They are made using neoprene and nylon. The quality of chin straps is determined by the material it is made of. Pillows A type of snoring solution is an anti-snoring pillow. There are many types of snoring solutions that allow your head to lie in a position that does obstruct the airways and cause snoring. In other words, anti-snoring pillow corrects the wrong sleeping position that can otherwise cause snoring. However, they are not found to make much difference to the problem and thus are not much reliable for some people.