The painfulness of your muscles and bones make you feel tired! Well, then you might be suffering from fibromyalgia. This type of pain spreads often affects a wide area of the body and causes fatigue, sleepiness, mood swing and even memory loss. The painful sensation may occur even when you are at rest and may interrupt the pain signals sent by the brain to the rest of the body. Studies have proven that both men and women can get this condition, yet women are more likely to be affected than men. In most of the cases, fibromyalgia is triggered by an infection, surgery or physical trauma. Excessive psychological stress may at times be responsible for the problem. The symptoms of fibromyalgia can be quite distressing at times. Yet, it can be managed effectively by following some simple tips. Manage your pain with yoga The health benefits of yoga have been proven time and again. You may like to know that researchers have proven the fact that yoga can help in controlling fibromyalgia pain significantly. Therefore, you can at once get an appointment with a yoga practitioner and try some gentle poses under his guidance. You can also practice different breathing exercises and meditation to improve your health. Group discussion can also help in the effective control of the pain, especially for people, who have got this as a result of stress or mental trauma. To get the best results, you should always discuss your problem freely with the instructor and abide by his suggestions. Anti-depressants can be useful While yoga plays an effective role in managing fibromyalgia pain, many people prefer anti-depressants for their relief as medications for fibromyalgia. A sound sleep after taking anti-depressants can rejuvenate your body and your brain can also start functioning in a better way.

Are you experiencing neck or back pain? If you experience tingling, burning, numbness, or weakness along this pain, you may have a pinched nerve. A pinched nerve occurs when surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles, or tendons, apply pressure on a nerve. The most commonly affected areas are the back and neck, but it can affect any nerve. The medical term for a pinched nerve is radiculopathy. A radiculopathy is caused when one or more nerves are compressed, and this causes loss or disruption of nerve function. In radiculopathy, the compression occurs at the nerve root, just as it exits the spinal cord. The compression of the nerve interferes with its ability to transmit signals. A pinched nerve commonly occurs in the back, neck, elbows, and wrists. The symptoms of a pinched nerve depend on the nerve that is compressed. The symptoms can be seen along the distribution of the nerve and can affect the muscles that are supplied by that nerve. With proper pinched nerve treatment, most people can recover within a few weeks. In some people, despite adequate pinched nerve treatment, the condition can develop a chronic condition. Symptoms of pinched nerve- The symptoms of a pinched nerve can be varied since it depends on the distribution and functions of the affected nerve. However, there are a few common symptoms that hint at a pinched nerve. The symptoms are- Numbness Radiating pain that can be shooting, stabbing, prickling, burning, etc. Paresthesias (abnormal sensations such as tingling) Localized muscle weakness Pinched nerve treatment aims to reduce the compression of the nerve. Thereby alleviate the associated symptoms. Commonly affected nerves are- Median nerve at the wrist, which is called carpal tunnel syndrome. Ulnar nerve at the elbow Common peroneal nerve compression at the knee Sciatica (pinched nerve in the lower back) Cervical radiculopathy (pinched nerve in the neck) Causes of pinched nerves- Pressure on a nerve causes damage to the protective covering of the nerve, called the myelin sheath.

You have strange bumps on your skin that are painful, and they aren’t a sign of a rash or isn’t pimples. So what could it be? Ingrown hair. Ingrown hair is a pain. Both men and women experience this when shaving is a constant routine. While shaving is the most common cause of ingrown hair, waxing and wearing clothes that are too tight can cause it too. Symptoms of ingrown hair – What does it look like ? An ingrown hair is similar to a pimple. The area around your skin is raised if there is an ingrown hair, and it might look like a red bump on your skin. Sometimes, it might look like a boil or a sore. They can be itchy, and some people complain that they feel like there’s a needle below their skin, poking them. Over time and if left untreated, the ingrown hair can produce pus. Men usually experience ingrown hair on their cheeks, chin or neck, because they shave these areas regularly. Ingrown hair for men could appear as a bunch of red bumps in and around these areas. For women, the common places that have ingrown hair include the arms, legs, pubic area, and armpits. What causes ingrown hair? Most of us experience ingrown hair often. Here are a few causal factors of ingrown hair: People who have coarse and curly hair are more prone to have ingrown hair as opposed to people who have straight hair. The reason for this is that curly hair can bend backward and grow into the skin, the result being an ingrown hair. Shaving can cause ingrown hair; it is one of the most popular causes of ingrown hair. Also known as razor bumps, using a blade or razor that is blunt can cause ingrown hair as well.

A hemorrhoid is often referred to as piles. It pertains to inflated blood vessels positioned in the soft muscles of the walls of the bottom portion of the rectum and anus. Hemorrhoids manifest in the following forms: · Mucus discharge · Anal itching · Painless rectal bleeding accompanied by bowel movement They grow internally and externally in the anus and rectum. Hemorrhoids are quite common these days and disappear on their own in a short period. It can lead to a certain degree of discomfort. You can fall back on home treatments to get instant hemorrhoid relief from pain. Internal and external hemorrhoids Internal hemorrhoids are located above the pectinate line. They are enclosed with cells that are identical to those in the intestines. External hemorrhoids appear below the line. They are wrapped with cells that look like the skin. Hemorrhoids become a topic of concern only in case they are inflammatory. This results in pain, itching, and likely profuse bleeding. Both internal and external hemorrhoids are easily treatable. They heal automatically. As an exception, hemorrhoid could produce a problem. Anemia can happen in event of unceasing blood loss from hemorrhoid. Anemia is a deficiency of red blood cells. Internal hemorrhoids can have their blood feed discontinued. This situation leads to strangulated hemorrhoids. This, in turn, causes acute pain. Causes of hemorrhoids Repeated strain within the anal or lower rectal veins caused due to the following reasons can be more prone to irritation: · Pregnancy · Fitness · Standing or sitting for long periods · Spending a long time on the toilet · Chronic constipation or diarrhea · Eating a low-fiber diet · Coughing · Sneezing · Puking · Holding your breath while straining to do physical labor This is an underlying presumption about the causes of hemorrhoids. 5 natural home remedies for seeking hemorrhoid relief Having the right treatment for enlarged hemorrhoids is of utmost importance since they worsen over time.

Did you know that few alterations in your life can help manage psoriasis symptoms much better? For those who are not acquainted with psoriasis, all you need to know is that it is an autoimmune skin disease that is characterized by elevated skin that is often itchy, inflamed, and flaky. The truth is that psoriasis has no single cure. The only thing that one can do in this case is to work toward reducing the frequency of the psoriasis flare-ups and try to find ways in which to manage the symptoms of the skin disease better. The good news though is that there are few simple daily habits and herbal remedies for psoriasis that will help in managing this skin condition better. Read on to find out about six such daily habits that one can use along with some other herbal remedies to ease the symptoms of psoriasis. Work toward building immunity – As psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disease, your immune system plays a great role in causing the disease in the first place. Though you cannot alter your genetics, you can aim for a strong immunity that will help you live better with the skin disease. The key to having a great immune system is eating right, indulging in physical activities, and staying fit. If you want to further enhance your immune system, then you can consider including immunity-boosting food items like garlic, onion, and turmeric that act as herbal remedies for psoriasis. These herbal remedies also help in soothing the inflammation that psoriasis brings along. Maintain a healthy weight – It is observed that people who are obese are at a higher risk of developing psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis as compared to the rest of the population. So, it is advised that you shed the extra pounds and maintain a steady healthy weight.

Joint pain can throw your life out of gear. People affected by joint pain find it difficult to carry out their daily chores. Their mobility is restricted, and each movement seems painful. Arthritis refers to a group of conditions that affect the joints due to inflammation. Its most common symptom is joint pain. Several varieties of arthritis exist such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and bursitis. The causes of these conditions vary with the type. Wear and tear of joints, immune system disorders, and other medical conditions are common causes of pain in the joints due to arthritis. Treatment for joint pain varies depending upon the symptoms and their severity. One can opt for medication or home remedies to treat joint pain. Some people also take supplements and vitamins to ease joint pain. If one wants to get the best supplements for joint pain, they need to consider a variety of factors. Before taking supplements, consultation with a physician is essential. These supplements are capable of providing a moderate improvement in the symptoms of arthritis and inhibit its progression. Some supplements also have an anti-inflammatory effect on the joints, which will reduce any pain. How to choose the best supplements for joint pain? When it comes to joint pain supplements, one size doesn’t fit everyone. The best supplements for joint pain work for you only if they are chosen based on your health needs. Here are some tips to help you choose the best joint pain supplements as per your requirements: Scientific evidence: Look for clinical evidence that supports the supplement’s effectiveness in reducing joint pain. Do not go by the product’s reviews on the company’s website. Expected results: Each supplement produces different effects on different people. You need to be clear about what you expect from the supplement, and then consider factors like side effects, long-term usage effects, and value for money before making a choice.

If you suffer from a burning sensation or acute discomfort that travels up from your stomach into your chest and the regurgitation of food that you recently ate along with a sharp and sour taste of acid, these symptoms are native to acid reflux. While the occasional experience of acid reflux need not worry you, if it becomes regular, more intense, and disturbs your sleep, you must visit your doctor. Food that enters the stomach is retained by means of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscular ring, and it must close immediately as it may become weak or damaged. If it doesn’t close fully or remains open too often, it causes digestive acids to move up into the food pipe or esophagus. This causes the typical symptoms of heartburn, sour taste in the mouth, regurgitation, dyspepsia or burning sensation in the stomach, nausea, upset stomach, bloated feeling, difficulty swallowing, burping, dry cough, and a sore throat. Sometimes, the symptoms are so severe that they can be mistaken for a heart attack. If symptoms persist and are left untreated, you can develop gastroesophageal reflux disease. Relationship Between Food and Acid Reflux Your diet has a significant impact on acid reflux. Foods that are acidic in nature contribute to the increase of acids in the stomach and there are more chances of these causing reflux through a weak or damaged LES. There are many such trigger foods, and along with the medication, exercise and lifestyle changes that your doctor recommends, avoiding such foods can help you manage and eliminate your symptoms. Eating heavy meals close to bedtime and lying down immediately after a meal can trigger an attack. Being obese or pregnant, bending over after a meal, snacking close to bedtime, smoking, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen and muscle relaxants, certain antibiotics, and blood-pressure medications can set off acid reflux symptoms.

A blood glucose test is required to measure the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood. This is an important aspect of diabetes care since the disease essentially hampers the proper absorption of blood sugar by the body. Let’s look at some of the fundamental aspects of a blood sugar test: Blood glucose Glucose is a simple form of sugar that is present in blood in the form of blood sugar. It is a vital source of energy in microorganisms like bacteria, plants and animals as well as in humans, in different forms. In humans, it enables the working of all the major organs like the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc. by providing them with the necessary fuel. Glucose is essential for the functioning of the brain and lower than normal glucose level affects the mental and psychological functions. It can also be stored in the body to be used when required. Sources of glucose Energy is released by the conversion of carbohydrates in our food into glucose. However, our food is a combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. All the carbohydrates we consume are immediately released into the bloodstream. Some of the proteins are converted into glucose and is stored in the liver for use later. Only very a very small quantity (less than 10%) of fats are converted into glucose and they are absorbed very slowly into the bloodstream. However, a diet high in fats results in the slower conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. That’s why many people who eat a high-fat diet may find their blood sugar levels spiking after several hours. Why is high blood sugar harmful? While glucose is vital for energy, hyperglycemia (excessive levels of blood glucose) or long-term presence of excess sugar in the blood can cause serious damage throughout the body.

Cholesterol is a type of fat molecule which is present in your blood. It is an essential component that helps to maintain and shape cell structures. It is vital to have a certain level of cholesterol in your blood, but high levels of cholesterol can be harmful to your health. High levels of cholesterol according to the cholesterol chart could mean that there are deposits of fatty substances in your blood. These fatty substances occur due to high cholesterol levels and make it difficult for your blood to flow through your arteries. It can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A cholesterol levels chart typically monitors your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in your blood. Types of cholesterol There are two types of cholesterols in your blood, namely high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol. HDL helps remove the excess cholesterol while LDL is the cholesterol that accumulates in your arteries. Cholesterol level charts for adults and children Cholesterol levels can be categorized as good, borderline, low, and high. The cholesterol level charts are different for children and adults. The total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglyceride levels are measured and then categorized as good, low, high, bad or borderline. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has defined the values indicated below. Cholesterol levels for children Good cholesterol corresponds to total cholesterol of 170 or less, HDL cholesterol of 45 or higher, LDL cholesterol of 110 or less, triglycerides of 75 for age group 0-9 years and less than 90 for the age group of 10 to 19. Borderline cholesterol suggests total cholesterol of 170 to 199, HDL cholesterol of 40 to 45, LDL cholesterol of 110 to 129, triglycerides of 75-99 for age group 0-9 years and 90 to 129 for the age group of 10 to 19.

Headaches are very common these days. Long working hours on the laptop and an excessive use of gadgets often lead to a headache. Most people ignore headaches or get temporary relief by taking painkillers. But, do you know that a headache can be the first symptom of a deadly disease? Whether it’s just a tension headache or a sinus problem, ignoring a headache is never a bliss. Headaches are one of the most common chronic pains (second only to back troubles). A headache could be a symptom of some anguished, life-threatening illnesses or it could be as simple as anxiety. So how do you identify what category your problem fits in? Although not all headaches are the same, they all share at least one thing in common—they cause pain. Many headaches also cause other unwanted symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. This article highlights the symptoms of one of the most common types of headache, which is a tension headache and looks at the treatment options for the same. A tension headache One of the most common types of a headache, a tension headache causes pain or discomfort in the head, the neck, and the scalp. It is often associated with tightness of muscles in these areas. Tension headaches are of two types, namely, episodic tension headaches and chronic tension headaches. Symptoms People with tension headaches generally complain of the following symptoms: Episodic tension headaches (they occur for less than 15 days per month) Pain is mild to moderate, a constant band-like pain or pressure Pain affects the frontal, top, or sides of the head. Pain generally appears gradually and regularly develops in the middle of the day Pain may last from 30 minutes to several days Chronic tension headaches (they occur for more than 15 days per month) Pain may fluctuate in severity throughout the day but is roughly always present.

A high level of cholesterol will increase the chances of heart diseases. Medications do help in keeping the cholesterol levels in check. However, instead of medications, if you can change your lifestyle, then it will be beneficial for you in the longer run. Before getting to know what kind of changes in your lifestyle will help, let’s see what the normal cholesterol levels are for your body. A blood test called lipid profile checks your cholesterol levels and generally reports the flowing things: Total cholesterol Triglycerides High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol What are the normal cholesterol levels ? The normal cholesterol levels depend on lot many factors but usually, they are universal for all. In order to get the perfect numbers or your cholesterol, it is highly recommended that you don’t drink (except water) or eat anything for about 9 to 12 hours prior to submitting blood samples. In the United States of America, the cholesterol levels are generally measured in mg/dl or milligrams (mg) of cholesterol in per decilitre (dl) of blood. Below are the various levels of measurement used for measuring cholesterol. Total cholesterol Below 200 mg/dl- Mostly desirable Between 200 mg/dl to 239 mg/dl- Borderline 240 mg/dl and above- High Triglycerides Below 150 mg/dl- Mostly desirable 150-199 mg/dl- Borderline 200-499 mg/dl- High 500 mg/dl and above- Very high HDL Cholesterol Below 40 mg/dl (men) or Below 50 mg/dl (women)- Poor 50-59 mg/dl- Better 60 mg/dl and above- Best LDL Cholesterol Below 70 mg/dl- Ideal cholesterol levels for those who are suffering from heart disease or diabetes Below 100 mg/dl- Highest for those people who are at risk of heart disease 100-129 mg/dl- Close to optimal if there are no heart diseases; high if the person has heart disease. 130-159 mg/dl- Borderline high if there are no heart diseases; high in case of heart disease.

Eczema causes rough, dry and inflamed patches to appear all over the body. It gives you annoying itchiness. This is the worst kind of skin disease to have besides psoriasis. Eczema tends to affect people the most during winters since dry air and cold weather conditions result in dry skin, which is what this disease is all about. However, you need not worry since here is a list of the 10 most effective solutions to combat eczema Skinfix Hand Repair Cream The moment you apply this cream on your hands, you get to relax. It has 1% of colloidal oatmeal, which is an effective ingredient to combat dermatitis, eczema, and itchiness due to extreme dryness. This formula works wonder on any skin disease. It is one of the best eczema creams and costs around $12. Aquaphor Healing Ointment This multi-purpose cream can be applied to every part of the body to soothe itchy, dry, eczema patches. It comes loaded with glycerin and panthenol, known to soothe and protect extremely dry skin, cracked hands and chapped lips, especially in the winters. This is one of the best eczema creams and costs around $10. Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream To deal with eczema, you need to find something which can offer intense moisturizing for the itchy skin. Find out the ointments containing hydrating lipids. This cream contains the lipid known as ceramide. It helps in restoring the protective barrier of the skin and prevents dry skin. This is one of the best eczema creams and also contains colloidal oatmeal, a calming ingredient, which minimizes any discomfort caused by eczema. It is available for $15 approximately. Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Cream This is a dermatologist-approved formula specially made for eczema-prone skin. It is one of the best eczema creams as it has a significant amount of licochalone and ceramide-3, which help soothe red and inflamed patches.