Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain often in the joint at the base of the big toe. Men are more likely to get gout than women who become susceptible after their menopause. It is a common prevailing condition in the UK, and one can’t escape gout without easy gout treatments. Here are certain symptoms of gout which you can check for in case of doubt: Joint Pain Sudden pain and swelling usually affecting the joint of your big toe is one basic symptom of gout. The whole area becomes red, and there is an unbearable pain for the first 4-12 hours after it begins. Inflammation The skin around the joint swells and the color changes to red or purple. You will find that the area will be warm compared to the rest of your body. Limited Mobility Gout leads to severe pain in the affected joint area, causing discomfort and limited mobility, and lasts for more than a week or so depending on the severity of the swelling. Below are other causes of gout. Uric Acid The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, a substance found naturally in the body as well as in certain foods. The acid dissolved in blood passes through the kidneys to leave the body as urine. When the body produces too much or the kidneys excrete too little acid, it turns into small crystals that settle in the joint. These crystals cause major swelling in the big toe. High Blood Pressure If the blood pressure is too high, it causes strain on your body and kidneys. This results in lack of flow of blood to your joints that may cause severe swelling, and thus gout. Family History Research shows that if one or two members of the family suffer from gout, there are higher chances of you getting it.

Probiotic word has been derived from the Greek words Pro, which means “promotion” and Biotic, meaning “life”. Our body has a vast amount of bacteria- both good and bad, which have been with us since birth. But what is important is the optimal balance of these in the body. A subsequent imbalance is called dysbiosis, which can cause diseases related to the intestinal tract. So, probiotics are actually bacteria or live microorganisms which help prevent or even treat some illnesses. While the idea of having bacteria in the body that help instead of harm is a bit difficult to take in, probiotics actually help promote a healthy immune system as well as a healthy digestive tract. The following are the health benefits of probiotics: Balancing the good bacteria in the body An imbalance between the good and bad bacteria in the body can cause allergies, obesity, mental health issues and more. Probiotics restore the natural balance of gut bacteria upon consumption. These live beneficial microorganisms prevent an imbalance that might have been caused by various kinds of medications, illnesses, poor diet and more. Diarrhea treatment One of the most common side effects of taking antibiotics is diarrhea. This occurs due to the antibiotics negatively affecting the balance between good and bad bacteria. But one of the probiotic benefits is to help reduce or prevent diarrhea, especially antibiotic associated diarrhea. Studies have also proven that they can reduce infectious diarrhea by an average of 25 hours and traveler’s diarrhea by 8%. But, the effect varies depending on the type and dosage consumed. Improving mental health conditions Gut health has been linked to mental and mood health often, and in accordance, probiotic supplements have been found to decrease some mental health disorders like anxiety, stress, depression, OCD, memory and more. Keeping the heart healthy Bile is a fluid mostly made up of cholesterol which helps with digestion.

Artificial tears are specialized products that have been designed to assist people who are suffering from dry eye syndrome. Most of these eye drops for dry eyes are available over the counter. The products are many, and it can become challenging to select the right one. Most people end up using several brands before they can find the ideal one. The problem, however, is that many people self-medicate and self-diagnose, and this is never recommended. Therefore, make sure you undergo a comprehensive checkup to determine whether you have an underlying medical reason for the dry eye syndrome before you can start using an eye solution for dry eyes. To make it easy to choose a suitable brand, we have created a list of the seven best eye drops for dry eye syndrome. NanoTears® MXP Forte This is a product that’s specially designed to address both evaporative and aqueous dry eye diseases. It uses patented nano-liquid technology to form a clear colloidal lipid solution for relieving burning, discomfort, and irritation caused by the dryness of the eye, particularly after exposure to the sand or wind. The lipid component in this product lowers tear osmolarity through the repair and respiration of the surface lipid layer. This reduces tear evaporation and allows for proper aqueous buildup including dilution. SYSTANE® ULTRA If you are searching for the ultimate eye drops for dry eyes for high performance, then this is your best option. This product is sterile, recommended by doctors, and is known for providing first symptom relief and extended protection that lasts longer. Once you use it, your eyes will feel refreshed and lubricated even if you have severe dry eyes. The eyes will feel comfortable with few interruptions in your daily life. This product is the latest brand created by Systane for dry eye syndrome treatment, and it will protect the entire ocular surface.

Alzheimer’s disease is known to affect over 5 million people in the country as per research conducted by the Alzheimer’s Association. It is the most common form of dementia and results in the loss of memory and the degradation of other mental abilities that affect the quality of life. It is most common in adults aged 65 and above. Signs related to Alzheimer’s begin to appear slowly and gradually. The decline in memory and reasoning skills is typically slow but varies on a case-by-case basis. 5% of the population suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Early-onset Alzheimer’s disease affects those in their 40s and 50s. These signs may seem to be a result of stress or age sometimes. You may be developing the disease if you are experiencing the following symptoms: You might suffer from extreme mood swings. This includes feeling confused and depressed. You may also experience anxiety and fearfulness. These changes in moods are noticeable and you may feel irritated if something is not done according to plan or if the normal routine of your day is not abided by. Here is another sign of Alzheimer’s, if you suddenly do not enjoy social gatherings anymore then you might be experiencing a symptom of Alzheimer’s. You try to avoid common social events, hobbies or work projects that were once important to you. You try to withdraw from attending these events and prefer to stay at home. You may demonstrate poor judgment. You may make bad financial choices and end up donating large sums of money or buying something which you normally would not buy. You may also not care about your personal hygiene as much as you used to. This may include you not taking regular baths or changing your clothes on a daily basis. You might not care about certain things and make rash decisions to get it over with, without thinking twice about its consequences.

Abdominal pain refers to the pain between your lower ribs and groin area. This pain can be caused by a number of conditions. It can greatly vary in severity, depending upon the cause. Abdominal pain usually arises from digestive disorders. The condition is usually no cause for concern and it is often possible to treat it at home using natural home remedies. The most common symptoms of abdominal pain include the following: Nausea Heartburn Gas and bloating Belching Coughing or hiccups Sour breath In the following, some of the best natural abdominal pain remedies to get prompt pain relief have been listed. Heat application Heat application is an effective natural remedy to cure abdominal pain. You can use warm rice compressors or a warm heated towel to relax the tense muscles. Cook one cup of rice in a sock for 1 minute in a microwave. Pour the rice in a plastic bag and cover it with a cotton cloth. Apply the bag on your abdomen to relieve the pain. Alternatively, you can heat a small quantity of salt and put it in a tube sock. Apply the sock on your stomach to improve abdominal blood circulation. It will offer quick abdominal pain relief. Ginger Ginger is a common and one of the most effective abdominal pain remedies. The spice improves the digestion capacity of the digestive system and helps reduce diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. You can add ginger to your food or drink it as a tea. You can also try some all-natural ginger ales to relieve the pain. Mint Mint contains menthol which helps to Prevent diarrhea and vomiting Relieve pain Reduce muscle spasms in the intestine Mint leaves can be consumed in the cooked or raw form. The best way is to boil the leaves and add it to your tea.

A cold sore appears as a blister that is filled with fluid beneath the skin surface on the lips or around the mouth. This source can break open and ooze. Sometimes it can last up to ten days, and during these days feeling uncomfortable and excess pain is common. How to get rid of cold sores? Cold sores are a symptom of the herpes simplex virus, even though HSV-2 also causes cold sores. When you first contract the virus, you will experience a break out in a few days, and sometimes the breakout is accompanied by a sore throat, headache, fever, as well as aches and pains. If the virus doesn’t leave your body after that initial breakout, it remains dormant in the nerve cells. Due to this, flare-ups occur at any time, and they can be triggered by surgery, hormonal fluctuation illness, fever, sun exposure, and stress. Although cold sores are unavoidable, you still have some things you can do to shorten the cold sore breakout duration. Listed below are some of the best cold sore remedies you can consider to help you get rid of cold sores. Tea tree oil One of the best cold sore treatments is tea tree oil because it contains strong antiviral properties capable of killing the HSV-1 and can fasten the healing process. Take a cotton swab, and apply some tea tree oil then apply it on the sore directly. Make sure you repeat this process several times throughout the day before you retire to bed. This will dry up the sore and make it disappear. Ice Ice is a remedy that works wonders for most simple irritations. It reduces the swelling and makes the cold sore heal. To get relief, rub an ice cube on the sore, and this will reduce the itching and swelling.

Neck pain can be quite a nerve-racking experience. It can throw your life out of gear and cause considerable pain even with the slightest neck movement. Stiff neck or neck pain limits one’s overall mobility. People experience a sharp pain while driving or sleeping or simply turning their head. Causes of neck pain could be many, ranging from injury to the wrong posture. Irrespective of the cause of neck pain, one needs to get rid of the pain at the earliest in order to restore normalcy in daily activities. The neck is supported by bones, ligaments, and muscles. An inflammation, abnormality or injury to this support system causes neck pain. Neck pain or strain occurs when one or more fibers in a neck muscle strain or tear. This is also referred to as a pulled muscle. The pain varies based on the extent and location of the damage to the neck muscle. Mild neck pain usually subsides on its own with rest, but sharp or severe pain may require treatment. Before knowing how to cure neck pain, it is important to know what causes it. Causes of stiff neck Neck pain is usually caused by a strain or injury to the ligament, tendon or muscles supporting the neck. The neck vertebrae extend from the base of the skull all the way up to the upper torso. The neck area is made up of a network of tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Neck pain results from a damage or strain or stretching of any of these parts. Here are the common causes of neck pain: Muscle tension or strain : Neck muscles can get stretched or strained due to a wear and tear, bad posture, wrong sleeping position or jerky movement during exercise. Injury : The neck is prone to injury. Accidental fall or sports injury or sudden jerky movements cause injury to the neck muscles.

Usually, the pain that lasts at least for 12 weeks is defined as chronic pain. It can be intermittent or steady. It can come and go without any apparent reason. It can be felt dull or sharp, causing an aching or burning sensation in the affected areas. Also, the pain can be felt differently in the affected areas. Lack of proper chronic pain management can reduce your strength, endurance, flexibility along with limiting your mobility. This definitely makes your daily life more challenging as it becomes difficult to get through various daily activities and tasks. According to various medical study reports, almost 1.5 billion people worldwide suffer from this chronic pain. In the country alone, almost 100 million people are affected by this pain. Here is a list of some of the common types of chronic pain: Postsurgical pain Headache Arthritis pain Post-trauma pain Neurogenic pain that is caused by any damage in the nerve Lower back pain Psychogenic pain that is not caused by an injury, nerve damage, or any disease Cancer pain Causes of Chronic Pain Without realizing the underlying causes of the pain, treating it or getting the right chronic pain management plan will be tough. Here is a list of some of the most common causes of it: Sometimes, normal aging can affect the joints and bones, causing chronic pain. Nerve damage or nerve injuries that have not been healed properly are another cause of this pain. Some types of chronic pain can have more than one influencing factor. For instance, back pain can be caused by either a single factor or can be caused by any combination of the following factors: Poor posture for years Being overweight that puts extra strain on the knees and back Carrying heavy objects or improper lifting of heavy objects Traumatic injury Degenerative changes in the spine due to normal aging Wearing high heels Any congenital condition like spine curvature Sleeping on the poor mattress Diseases like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis can cause chronic pain.

Our skin is nothing but a protective shell for our body, and it protects us from numerous toxic things like harmful chemicals, UV rays, and various cuts and scrapes. As a result of these factors, the skin often changes its texture and color, and at times rashes may also appear. Usually, skin inflammation causes these rashes, and there are numerous reasons behind this inflammation. You can see different patterns of skin rashes in conditions like granuloma annulare, eczema, pityriasis rosea, lichen planus, acne, razor burns, and so on. The article below highlights the different types of skin rashes and their treatments. Acne Acne is perhaps the most common problem that people face. Numerous factors lead to irritating red bumps on your skin. Heavy sweating, stress, humidity or consuming steroids can lead to skin rashes. Even if you maintain perfect personal hygiene, you may get acne because of washing your face too often. If you are facing this problem in your daily life, you should consult a general physician or a dermatologist to identify the underlying issue and cure it. You can also find numerous home remedies to deal with acne. Razor burn Men usually face this problem along with redness, blisters, and rashes due to shaving. To prevent this problem, you should be careful while shaving your face. You should wash your face with warm water and use sharp and clean blades. Nowadays, you can find different shaving gels and other lubricants which can help prevent these rashes. Moreover, you can also use aloe vera-based soothing lotions to soothe the skin and treat any skin rashes. Sunburn UV radiation could affect our skin and lead to rashes. Melanin protects our skin from UV radiation. You can take adequate precautions like using hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen, but the lack of vitamin E can result in painful sunburns.

Widespread pain that is typically followed by lethargy, depression, sleep disorder, cognitive impairment accompanying with digestive and urinary symptoms are the characteristics of a chronic disease called Fibromyalgia. Poorly understood disorders in which distress signals are processed by the brain appear to be excessive, augmenting the sense of pain in muscles and soft tissues. There are no tests to detect fibromyalgia; it is diagnosed by excluding other possible causes. Treatment might include over-the-counter painkillers, antidepressants, physiotherapy, self-care, and medications principally approved to treat fibromyalgia, such as Lyrica. Fibromyalgia is more than just muscle aches and joint pain. Being a chronic disorder, pain due to fibromyalgia can hit anywhere, at any intensity, and at any time. Several studies show that people who have fibromyalgia suffer more foot pain than other people. No matter the kind of pain, all are unpleasant. However, foot pain is worst as you need them for almost all day-to-day activities. The sensations that one might feel due to fibromyalgia are as follows: The soles feel like they are on fire, and these pains come and go at random intervals. Feeling of uneasiness when wearing any kinds of shoes. Unable to touch bare feet on the floor without wearing slippers. Experts believe that one in every four people who have fibromyalgia have foot pain, but many do not opt for treatment. Causes of F ibromyalgia Foot Pain A study by Arthritis Research and Therapy showed that out of 202 patients, half of them reported foot pain. The research on fibromyalgia foot pain has not gone very far, and there are no assured causes of the pain. Other common sources of foot pain might not be directly associated with fibromyalgia but may get intensified by this condition. One such example is Morton’s neuroma, which is the benign enlargement of a nerve that causes tingling and shooting pain.

Diabetes can take a toll on every organ of your body if not controlled. Diabetic foot pain is one of the complications of severe, uncontrolled diabetes. First, diabetes restricts the blood flow to your feet, which then deprives them of nutrients and oxygen. The second complication is numbness of feet due to peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes. Diabetic foot pain or sores, when left untreated, may even lead to amputation of the limb. Diabetic foot pain treatments are based on the severity of the condition and the causes. It is important to discuss diabetic foot pain and sores with your doctor in order to ensure it does not lead to serious complications. Most diabetics develop foot pain and ulcers, but good foot care measures can help prevent serious complications. What causes diabetic foot pain? Diabetic foot sores commonly occur under big toes and the balls of your feet. They are caused due to the breaking of skin tissue and exposure of layers underneath. Severe sores may even affect the bones of your feet. Infected foot sores may even lead to amputation of your feet. First signs of foot sores are drainage from your feet, unusual swelling, redness or irritation, and bad odor from one or both feet. Diabetic foot pain and ulcers are mainly caused due to a lack of healthy blood flow to the feet. This blocked blood flow results in the formation of a black tissue that surrounds the ulcer. Diabetic foot pain is usually caused due to the following. Poor blood flow – Poor blood flow is a vascular disorder that makes it difficult for wounds or ulcers to heal. High blood sugar – Hyperglycemia or high sugar levels hamper the healing of an infected foot ulcer. People with type 2 diabetes find it extremely difficult to manage infected ulcers.

Shingles, scientifically named as ‘herpes zoster’, is a viral infection that causes rashes in small sections of the body along with immense pain and is sourced from the same virus that causes chickenpox which is known as varicella-zoster virus (VZV). If you had chicken pox in your childhood, then there is a chance that at later stages, you can develop shingles. The first symptom of shingles is the immense pain. After a couple of days, you will see rashes and fluid-filled blisters in small sections of your body, while some people also experience fever, fatigue, and sensitivity to light along with painful blisters. Shingles usually last from two to six weeks. Complications Although shingles isn’t a life-threatening disease, some people develop a more serious condition due to this, known as postherpetic neuralgia when the nerve fibers get damaged. This condition can cause shingles pain to last for weeks and months even after the rashes clears out. Although there is no perfect treatment for Shingles, antiviral medications prescribed by your doctor can help to reduce its symptoms and shorten the time span of shingles. Read on to know the various at-home treatment options for shingles. Top treatments for shingles Take healing baths One of the most effective and top treatments for shingles that prevents the rashes from spreading to different parts of the body is thoroughly cleansing the body on a daily basis. Taking a shower with cold water along with antiseptic soap can help you to soothe your skin and body as the coolness of the water will reduce the pain and itchiness of the shingles blisters. You can also prepare a healing bath for yourself which is considered to be one of the top 3 shingles treatments. To prepare a healing bath, you need to pour 1 to 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal or cornstarch into lukewarm water and leave it for 10-20 minutes before taking the bath.