Arthritis is not one disease, but a set of diseases that share inflammation of the joints and mild to severe pain. Of the main types of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common. It is a disease characterized by a rather peculiar inefficiency of the immune system. The immune system starts to attack the inner lining of the joints. This has a telling impact on the body as it suffers from damage to synovial tissues, swelling of the joints, bone damage, cartilage damage, inflammation and permanent damage as a whole on its progression. The disease is incurable and the joints become stiff or cease to function if left untreated. Other forms of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis and osteoarthritis. The treatment for the disease includes medication that helps to reduce pain and inflammation. There are several anti-inflammatory foods that you can include in your diet as well. There are several foods to avoid with arthritis problem, as they may trigger joint pain. Here are a few of the best foods you should eat and a few food items you should avoid. Foods to avoid with arthritis Fried and processed food: To put it in simple terms, avoid eating junk food as far as possible. The body’s natural defences can be restored and inflammation reduced over time if you abstain from eating fried and processed food. Replace eating these with an increased amount of fruits and vegetables in your diet. This is one of the sure shot foods to avoid with arthritis. AGE: AGE is a toxin which appears in food items when they are grilled, fried, pasteurized or heated. These toxins damage certain proteins in the body which leads the body to release cytokines to break the AGEs. Cytokines are inflammatory messengers and an increased amount of AGES in the body can lead to onset of arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a lifelong condition that affects your quality of life by causing pain and discomfort in your joints. Relieve your rheumatoid arthritis pain naturally by using these remedies. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, in simpler terms, it occurs when the immune system of your body starts attacking the healthy joints. In rheumatoid arthritis or RA, joints on both sides of the body are affected such as both hands, both wrists, or both knees. More common in women than men, RA affects around 1.5 million people in the United States. As this form of arthritis progresses, it can also affect the other organs of the body, namely, lungs, heart, skin, eyes, and nerves. Even though the cause of RA is not yet known, there have been various theories that have been put forward to explain why the immune system attacks the healthy joints. Because RA causes inflammation in your joints, some of the common symptoms of this disorder are stiff joints, fever, swollen joints, fatigue, redness, reduced movement in the affected joints, and joint pain. The rheumatoid arthritis pain varies from one individual to another; some may find it debilitating, while others may describe it as just mildly irritating. There is no single specific test that can be used to diagnose RA, however, doctors do rely on the rheumatoid factor tests as an indication of RA. More than half the people suffering from this type of arthritis have ‘rheumatoid factor’ in their blood, but you cannot say that everyone will this factor will develop rheumatoid arthritis at some point in time. Therefore, it becomes necessary to use this test along with some others to reach an accurate diagnosis of RA. Your treatment plan for RA usually involves a combination of joint protection, medications, exercise, and in rare cases, surgery.

When you are diagnosed with diabetes, the blood sugar monitor test is an important part of your diabetes care. Learn more about the different things that must be considered before you choose a blood sugar monitor test. Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that affects how the glucose is processed in your body, increasing your blood sugar level. There are two types of diabetes, namely, type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Usually diagnosed in children and adolescents, type 1 diabetes is when your body does not produce insulin to break down the glucose. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, is when the body is unable to use the insulin properly, termed as ‘insulin resistance’. Whether it is type 1 or type 2 diabetes, it is a lifelong condition and you will need to follow up with your doctor often. Certain cases of type 2 diabetes can be controlled by weight loss, healthy eating habits, and increased physical activity, at least initially. Eventually, you may have to take diabetes medications orally or in the form of insulin injections. For type 1 diabetes, the treatment plan typically includes daily insulin injections as oral medications aren’t effective for this form of diabetes. The signs and symptoms of diabetes vary on the basis of the level of glucose in your blood. Some of these include extreme hunger, increased thirst, fatigue, frequent urination, irritability, unexplained weight loss, and blurred vision. Diabetes can also lead to hyperglycemia, when the glucose level in your blood is extremely high. This high glucose level can cause some significant damage to your organs, which then results in certain complications. The complications that are generally associated with diabetes are kidney problems, stroke, myocardial infarction, problems with scarring, and sexual problems like erectile dysfunction. In order to avoid these complications, it is important that you minimize the hyperglycemia risk by controlling your blood sugar level.

Human life would have been simpler if we weren’t threatened by the onset of diseases every once in a while. However, with the right kind of lifestyle that involves eating healthy food and exercising regularly, we can lead an “almost” disease-free life. The right kind of food and our attempts to maintain the perfect body weight goes a long way in strengthening our immune system. One can think of our immune system as the guardian of our entire system. A healthy immune system helps keep a lot of diseases at bay. Thus, we are capable of thwarting certain diseases with the help of a strong immune system. Have you ever given a thought what the consequences will be if our immune system is the one that becomes the cause of our misery? Well, if the immune system is the culprit of the misery inflicted on you, it results in allergies. What causes allergies? Certain harmless elements in the environment can trigger an allergy. The immune system is known to protect the body against viruses and bacteria. However, when these harmless elements enter the body, the immune system mistakes them for some malicious agents and begins attacking them. This reaction of the immune system is the root cause of allergies. The allergens are basically harmless elements, but it’s the immune system’s reaction to it that causes allergies. What are the most common allergens? The most common allergens are nothing but some of the elements that we come across so many times in our lives. Some of them are as follows: Certain foods can cause allergy. For example, nuts, fish, fruits, etc. If you own a pet, the cause of your allergy might be pet dander. Sometimes, certain medicines can trigger an allergic reaction in an individual. Pollen allergy is one of the most common kinds of allergies.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial in maintaining good health. The body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are bacteria that are beneficial as they promote a good and healthy digestive system. They also bring with them several benefits that are linked to an individual’s overall well-being and keep diseases away. There are several kinds of bacteria that are classified as probiotics. However, the two most common groups include the following: Bifidobacterium – This is a bacterium that is found in a few kinds of dairy products. It is beneficial in easing out the symptoms of several kinds of digestive conditions. Lactobacillus – Lactobacillus is one of the most common kinds of probiotics. It is widely found in food products that are fermented; however, a large portion is found in yogurt, a dairy product. It is extremely beneficial and aids in treating irregular bowel movements. Here are some of the health benefits that come with regularly consuming probiotics: Aids in weight loss – Probiotics help in making one feel fuller for longer. They also burn calories and prevent the body from storing fat. This is because it prevents the absorption of dietary fats and flushes out the same through one’s bowel movement. However, it is necessary to understand that not all probiotics aid in weight loss. There are some that can even lead to excess weight gain. Boosts the immune system – A strong immune system keeps infections and other diseases at bay. Probiotics help in boosting the immune system and increases the production of natural antibodies in the system. They also prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the gut. Helps in digestion – Many people suffer from digestive issues and probiotics have a good effect on the same. It is helpful for people who suffer from irregular bowel movements and conditions related to it such as bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain.

With the growth in technology, finding a doctor has become easy and can be done by the tap of a finger. Gone are the days when you had to track down doctors from their numbers, visit hospitals or get help from one of your peers for the same. In fact, there are so many websites that help you find a doctor that you get confused about settling on one. About 20 years from today, most of us relied on friends and family to give help us find a doctor. Visiting a doctor brings about many questions along with it, but with the power of databases and online availability of information, we have a better choice of getting the answers to our questions. With the number of doctor review sites rising every day, let us look at some websites that help us find a doctor as well as give us reviews for doctors. ZocDoc ZocDoc is a leading website, with the goal to reduce the waiting time at doctor’s clinic. You can not only find a doctor from this website but also get a review for the doctor and then decide accordingly. They have a searchable database that includes specialties, a range of services, photographs and office locations of the doctor, educational background as well as user-submitted reviews. ZocDoc helps you find a doctor as they pay fees to be a part of the listing on the website. Yelp Most of us know Yelp as a customer-driven reviews site; Yelp has an entire section dedicated to health and fitness as well as doctors and health practitioners. There is an average of 89 million users on the website, thereby making it really to trust the reviews provided subsequently making it easier for you to find a doctor. Along with the website, the reviews posted on Yelp also reflect on the Apple Maps, also giving it a high value in the mobile search.

Everybody has seen the occurrence of dark circles at one point or the other in their life. Now, what exactly are these dark circles? It is a condition where the skin under the eyes of an individual gets pigmented. Dark circles do not pose any serious threat to one’s health. However, they are believed to be aesthetically displeasing and may lead to low self-confidence. While the cause of these dark circles is often not dangerous, however, if these are persistent, there might be a serious ailment behind. The skin under the eyes is very fragile, because of which dark circles are prominent specifically in that area. The reason behind their appearance range from nonserious issues such as inadequate sleep, excessive consumption of alcohol, stress, allergies, old age to severe ones such as periorbital cellulitis, hyperthyroidism, and liver ailment. Dark circles may also be inherited from one’s parents. It is an arduous task to heal these dark circles. Hence, it becomes essential to have an improved lifestyle to prevent their development. The different ways in which dark circles can be treated are as follows: Potato juice – Yes, potatoes are not only meant for eating but also for healing purposes. Placing a cloth dipped in the juice of raw potatoes on the eyes for a few minutes daily makes this an effective dark circle treatment option. Slices of cucumber – Cucumbers are refreshing and known for their water content. Chilled cucumber slices, when placed on the eyes, provide a cooling effect, and these are also a great dark circle treatment option. Tea bags – This is an age old tried and tested remedy. The tea bags used to make your favorite green tea can be refrigerated and used as one of the dark circle treatments. Meditation – Insomnia is one of the major reasons behind the occurrence of dark circles.

Most diseases are characterized by pain as a common symptom. It aggravates the condition of the patient and complicates the healing process. This pain can also be long-lasting and may continue even after the ailment has been cured. There are a number of doctors out there who especially deal with pain management. They cater to different kinds of pain and how to effectively treat them. Pain is a vexatious feeling that causes intense discomfort. It hampers the productivity of the individual and may lead to temporary withdrawal from a normal lifestyle. Apart from being physically troublesome, it is also mentally exhausting. Acute pain starts as well as ends abruptly and can be very powerful. Chronic pain, on the other hand, is one which persists for a longer duration. The pain, at times, can be fixed by treating the underlying problem. However, when the pain is chronic, a group of specialists needs to work towards controlling it. Pain may be light, intense or acute depending on the type of injury or ailment and may require to be treated accordingly. Painkillers are widely used pills that provide immediate relief. It is often difficult to explain the type of pain and the body part affected by it. A pain specialist helps in identifying the probable pain areas and takes cues from the description to determine an appropriate cure. Physicians, physiotherapists, druggists, and psychologists come under the category of pain management doctors. Doctors that specialize in dealing with different parts of the human body do not treat the pain that arises because of a medical problem. They refer individual cases to specialists who focus on pain management. A pain management doctor is one who is an expert in detecting as well curing all sorts of pain and has undertaken exclusive training for the same.

The human skin, especially the one on our face, is repeatedly exposed to environmental factors like stress, pollution and climate change, among other irritants. This has led to increased aging patterns and skin problems. Coupled with poor lifestyle choices and lack of exercise, the skin in today’s time is set to suffer. One way to fight this problem is to use skin care products suited to the skin type. One needs to be educated regarding which brand or skin care product to use for maximum benefits as well as value for money. Since there are thousands of brands available in the market, it can be a confusing choice. In terms of ingredients, visibility, availability, budget and skin type, plus the added worry of fake or counterfeit brands. It is important to be educated regarding skin care products. Any skin care line backed by research and a dermatologist’s seal of approval can be picked off the shelves. Dermatologists have a deep understanding of the different skin types and skin conditions and the products and chemicals that would work for these. They are therefore equipped with the knowledge that can help an individual care for their skin in the best possible way and manage any challenges that the environment or daily living might throw. It is therefore imperative to understand one’s skin type and choose a skin care product that is suitable to solve the individual problems that a person faces. It is also important to not fall for the myths that surround skin care products. Let us discuss some of these myths and bust them. For oily and acne-prone skin Myth: Washing face frequently with an exfoliating facial cleanser is important. Fact: Washing the skin excessively with products not suited for the skin type can aggravate the problem. If a too-drying formula or a very abrasive formula is used on oily skin, it worsens the condition by making the skin produce even more oil to counteract the drying effect of the skin care products.

Meningitis vaccine shots are used to provide immunization against the bacteria called as meningococcus that can cause meningitis and meningococcemia. The bacterium is round, and it forms pairs. Hence it is also known as diplococcus. There are five serogroups of this bacteria: A, B, C, W, and Y. According to experts, at least 1 in 10 people is a carrier of this bacteria. However, they do not show any symptoms or signs of the disease. It has been observed that in nearly 10% of meningitis cases, there might be the possibility of developmental impairment. Risk factors of meningitis The following groups of people are at a high risk of contracting meningitis. Infants, teenagers, and young adults are more prone to meningitis. A large group of people, especially in a community setting such as a college campus or, are at a risk of contracting meningitis. People who lack a spleen in their body, have a deficiency of a complement component, or are infected with HIV have a high possibility of getting meningitis. The sub-Saharan African region is known common and frequent outbreaks of meningitis. People who travel to this area may be at a risk of getting this disease. How does a person contract meningitis? Meningitis can spread through saliva or spit, mostly through secretions from the throat or the respiratory system. The contact has to be close and for a long duration. It is does spread through breathing the same air as a person affected by meningitis or by casual contact. However, the people who live with the person with meningitis are at a high risk of contracting the disease. It is recommended that people, who are in the same living space as the person with meningitis, should receive antibiotics treatment to avoid contracting meningitis. Prevention of meningitis Meningitis can be easily prevented with antibiotics and meningitis vaccine shots.

Diets are no more just fads. They have been here for ages and perhaps will stay for some more time as well. For women, following healthy diets is important. Moreover, there are instances when women tend to follow the wrong diet that yields wrong results. However, what tends to be misinterpreted is the fact that women fail to understand that crash diets do just as the name suggests—crash down the body. What’s significant here is the fact that while women tend to balance family demands as well as external work, maintaining the best diet for women becomes tough. Do remember that the best diet for women is also a healthy diet. The right choice of food supports the mood, energy as a well as healthy weight. The right diet also helps enhance fertility, lessen PMS as well as leads to better overall health. Is a woman’s nutritional need different from a man’s? During the growing stage, the diet needs of both genders are similar. However, with the onset of puberty, there are some changes in the nutritional requirements of women. Women need lesser calories when compared to men. There arises the need to consume certain nutrients as a woman ages. There are few minerals that the body needs as well. This is attributable to the hormonal changes linked to menstruation, pregnancy as well as menopause at a later stage. Most often the best diet for women are ignored or do not meet their health requirements. There could be a thousand reasons for this such as the lack of time, lack of energy and too much muddle. This leads to wrong diets leaving a huge deficit in nutrients as well as mood swings. You do have to remember that the best diet for women is often vastly different from one woman to another.

People who suffer from unexplainable mood swings, or have difficulty in sleeping or feel tired most of the time should understand that the body is producing thyroid hormones in excess. This is an indication that the person is suffering from hyperthyroidism. The best course of action is to take natural thyroid supplements so that the elegant balance of thyroid is maintained in the body. Lemon Balm Lemon balm is from the mint family and is usually used for flavoring ice cream or tea. It is however known to aid the thyroid health and is thus considered among natural thyroid supplements. Lemon balm controls the condition related to thyroid through its unique mechanism. Lemon balm is known to inhibit the thyroid stimulating hormone from attaching to the receptors. Lemon balm blocks the synthesis of T4 and thus prevents T4 from being converted to T3. This dilutes the effect of thyroid stimulating hormone and thus prevents the antibodies from speeding up the functioning of the thyroid. 300 to 500 milligram of lemon balm juice can be taken on a daily basis for normalizing the functioning of thyroid gland. Lemon balm can also be combined with bugleweed natural supplement for effective results. Kelp It has been found out medically that lack of iodine can result in mental retardation and damage to the brain. World Health Organization has come out with a report that 30 percent of the world population is suffering from the deficiency of iodine. Consumption of excessive iodine can lead to hyperthyroidism and to keep the thyroid level under control, kelp can be taken as it does not have a large amount of iodine and thus will help in curing thyroid related problems. Kelp is also a rich source of minerals and vitamins. It is among great natural thyroid supplements and can be taken for overactive thyroid conditions.