The genetic health condition called spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) affects that part of the nervous system that controls voluntary muscle movements. There is wide variability in the age of the onset, rate of progression, and even symptoms of the condition. For individuals diagnosed with SMA, it is not that easy to roll out of the bed and start the day. However, when a patient has a caregiver’s assistance along with the right medical equipment, it helps a lot to carry out daily activities like showering, dressing, going to the toilet, and even eating. Even though in the early stages of the condition, the family members themselves act as the primary caregivers for SMA patients, it is usually not so in the long run. This is because as the condition progresses, one does need professional caregivers for SMA patients as they help to take care of numerous things. When one is planning to hire caregivers for SMA patients through an agency, they need to ensure that the caregivers hired are trained professionals. Below are some tips that will help one hire a professional caregiver for SMA patients- Have a conversation with the insurance providers and social work departments One needs to realize how many hours will be allotted to the SMA patient by the government before hiring caregivers. While building a case, it is necessary to talk to the insurance provider and a qualified social worker. As the condition tends to vary from person to person, so does the level of help they need. There are some SMA patients that need 24*7 caregivers assistance while there are others who only need someone who can help them get up and get ready in the morning, and put them to bed at night. One needs to determine the level of care their family member needs and communicate the same to their social worker or any other type of independent living department with whom they are working.

Before you find ways of how to cure ED naturally, you need to know what the disorder actually is. Erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence is one of the most common male sexual dysfunctions. In the ED, a man does not achieve the desired level of erection or is unable to maintain the erection for a sufficient period of time during a sexual performance. The other associated symptoms include decreased desire to participate in sexual intercourse and lower libido. A person suffering from ED is generally not able to perform penetrative sex due to weak erection. A person is categorized as an ED sufferer only if the symptom of erectile dysfunction persists for several weeks or months. In a few cases, a man gets enough erection to perform penetrative sex but is unable to maintain the erection during the sexual intercourse. Causes of ED ED is a very common problem plaguing the health of males all throughout the world. Almost all groups starting from 20 years and going on till 70 years or more, can suffer from erectile dysfunction. However, if a man is above 50 years, he has a higher chance of suffering from ED. A few common causes associated with ED are lower levels of testosterone, age, high blood pressure, smoking, consumption of alcohol, a stressed lifestyle, cardiovascular disorders, and psychological problems. Treatments of ED If you are wondering how to cure ED naturally, a few common treatment options are available that do not involve medications. Though many men choose to use vacuum pumps to increase the erection, or go for surgical methods and implants, choosing natural methods is always safer. There are several herbal plants and natural supplements known to improve the ED symptoms. A brief summary of them is presented below: Panax ginseng (red ginseng) : It is commonly referred to as herbal Viagra.

Are you or someone you know suffering from chronic endometriosis pain? When the tissues of the lining of the uterus start to grow outside of the uterus, nodules or lesions appear on the nearby organs and tissues causing a severe pain. Well, even though this painful condition affects women both emotionally and physically, there are several ways to deal with severe pain. One of the main symptoms of this aching condition is chronic pelvic pain during, before or after the menstrual period. In our country, it affects around 1 in 10 girls and women between the ages of 12 years to 60 years. Most of the women experience cramping during their period, however, the endometriosis pain is worse than normal cramping. Till date, there is no proper cure for this chronic ache but there are some ways to cope with or to manage the chronic endometriosis pain. Read on to know more about the ways in which you can cope with the severe endometriosis pain. Regular work out If you engage yourself in regular work out, dealing with this severe pain becomes a bit easier. Regular exercise can help in: Maintaining oxygen and nutrient flow to all the body systems Encouraging the blood circulation to all the organs Reducing stress Decreasing the production of estrogen Releasing endorphins, the pain-relieving chemicals Swimming, running, cycling, biking etc., are high-intensity physical activities. Being engaged in such activities on a regular basis will help you to deal with chronic endometriosis pain. Maintain proper diet Estrogen activity, prostaglandin metabolism, inflammation etc., are closely linked to the endometriosis pain and a proper diet can deal with all these aforementioned aspects. Hence, having the right diet is one of the ways of reducing the suffering. Various medical research reports and studies have reflected the fact that the higher intake of green vegetables and fresh foods can diminish the chance of chronic endometriosis pain by almost 40%.

A fiery sting is the best term that describes the bite of a fire ant. Living up to their name, these ants are the color of fire. When you are caught in an army of fire ants, they swarm onto your skin and pack a powerful, fiery sting that can be quite an ordeal! Symptoms of fire ant bites range from mild rashes to allergic reactions like breathing difficulty. Treatment for fire ants’ bite depends on the severity of the sting. You’d be surprised to know that a tiny fire ant can pack a sting that delivers a venom that contains 46 proteins at least! Fire Ants These ants come in different colors, like red-brown or black, and usually grow up to lengths of a quarter of an inch. They live in sand mounds that are built on lawns and pastures. Fire ants can get very aggressive when their nest is disturbed. If you accidentally disturb their nest, you will probably end up in a burning stream of painful stings. The sting causes pain and itching long after you are bitten by fire ants. Fire ants sting by clamping their mandibles on your skin; hence, it is difficult to remove ants that have actually latched onto you. You need to rub them off your skin with fingers or a rag. What do Fire Ant Bites Look Like? When fire ants are provoked, they swarm onto the skin and anchor themselves strongly with their mandibles. Once they latch onto your skin, they sting repeatedly injecting a toxin called solenopsin. Fire ant sting looks like a swollen red spot with a blister on top. Fire ant stings can be painful and itchy for nearly a week. As soon as you are stung by the ant, you will experience an intense pinching or burning sensation.

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.

You are not alone in the struggle of losing belly fat. The Lancet recently reported that about 160 million people in the country are currently struggling with overweight or obesity. This is probably the biggest lifestyle health problem in the country. For many people, being a little overweight is of little concern, but belly fat is a big concern if you are image conscious. For people trying to lose weight, getting rid of belly fat is always the primary objective. However, this is usually easier said than done. A common false belief is that it is possible to target belly fat alone with exercises like crunches, but the fastest way to lose belly fat is with a comprehensive exercise and lifestyle adjustment program. There is no magic pill or routine to get rid of stubborn belly fat but a need to change your calorie intake and utilization. Here are some tips on how to lose stubborn belly fat at a faster rate. Create a 20%-25% Calorie Deficit A calorie deficit occurs when you take in fewer calories than you need. A calorie deficit helps burn stomach fat because the body has to fill the deficit by burning fat. A study was done at the University of Jyväskylä, which involved two groups of athletes. One group of athletes creating a 10%-12% deficit, or about 300 calories, while the second group created a 20%-25% calorie deficit (approx. 750 calories). After one month, the group with the larger deficit lost fat at an average of 4.4 pounds, while the first group had much less success. Creating a calorie deficit requires careful tracking of your diet including portion control. Consult a dietician as the first step in answering your question on how to lose stubborn belly fat. Create Weight and HIIT Workout Plans Creating an appropriate workout plan must be the head start in the fastest way to lose belly fat .

Fibromyalgia is a condition in which a person suffers from excess musculoskeletal pain and fatigue without having any physical injury or inflammation. The cause(s) of fibromyalgia is still unknown; however, many doctors suggest it to be genetics. The symptoms may develop after an illness, physical trauma or stress. There are various options for pain relief for fibromyalgia, but first, let us have a look at its symptoms. Symptoms of Fibromyalgia Common symptoms associated with fibromyalgia are as follows: Pain and localized tenderness Fatigue Difficulty in sleeping Problems in concentrating Depression or anxiety IBS, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Headaches Morning stiffness Tingling in the hands, arms, and feet Painful menstrual cramps Treatments for Fibromyalgia Pain Relief Fibromyalgia pain can be minor or acute enough to muddle with one’s everyday activities. Thankfully, there are some natural remedies as well as medical treatments that are helpful in acquiring fibromyalgia pain relief. Some of the most common ones are listed below. Painkillers There are many over-the-counter medicines available that help to reduce the pain associated with fibromyalgia, such as aspirin or naproxen. You can consult your doctor before taking any of these. However, their long-term use is not recommended. Generally, painkiller medicines help to reduce pain and inflammation, reduce the severity of muscular aches, and diminish sleep problems. Antidepressants Antidepressants are another alternative for relieving fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. However, these medicines can cause certain side effects such as nausea and vomiting, weight gain, and loss of sex drive. Thus, it is important to understand the potential risks and consult your medical professional before their intake. Narcotic Pain Medications Narcotic pain medicines, also known as opioids, alter the way your brain responds to pain. These medicines have been found helpful in treating different kinds of pain. However, these are generally addictive, and so, their limited use has been recommended.

The pain caused due to shingles can be very severe and it can affect your normal day-to-day activities as well. Shingles are often caused when the chickenpox virus known as Varicella Zoster is reactivated. The virus then travels through the nerve fibers to cause a painful skin rash. Usually, the pain goes away along with the rash but can also persist sometimes. You can treat the pain after shingles using the following measures. Always consult a doctor if you are not sure which remedy to follow, or if you are suffering from any other disease. Painkillers Shingles cause nerve damage that is permanent and the pain is an after effect of it. To ease the pain of the effects of shingles, you can take painkillers that will effectively help with reducing the pain. Painkillers such as tricyclic antidepressants can help in dealing with the pain. Thoracic epidural injections Shingles are caused due to the nerve damage and if you reduce the nerve root inflammation, then the pain can also be reduced. For this, the anti-inflammatory medicine can be injected into the space that is near the spinal cord. This reduces the pain. Thus, thoracic epidural injections can be used for the treatment of shingles. Membrane stabilizers You can use membrane stabilizers to treat the pain after shingles. You can ask your doctor to prescribe medicines that will act as membrane stabilizers and will help you with the immense pain caused due to shingles. The pain can prolong even after shingles are gone and therefore fighting the pain is the only way. Natural remedies for treating the pain after shingles Healing baths When you clean the blisters every day, then the infection is less likely to spread. The itchiness and pain after shingles can be reduced with cool water baths. Since heat increases the blisters, you should avoid taking bath with hot water at all costs.

Dealing with your kids’ allergy could be very challenging. There are some measures that could help you fight against your child’s allergy symptoms. However, before starting any treatment for your kids’ allergy, you should consult your doctor and get a confirmation if the symptoms are actually an outcome of allergy. Thereafter, you may try the following kids’ allergy relief tips. Make your kid stay inside the house One of the best ways to treat kids’ allergy is by making them stay inside the house. You need to make sure that your child is away from the pollens that cause allergy. There are certain times in a day when the pollen count increases such as when the wind is blowing, mid-morning, or in the early evening. It will be hard for you to keep your kids indoor all the time. However, make sure that you keep them inside in these times as the chances of getting affected by allergies increases when they are exposed to or in direct contact with the pollens. Use salt water for relief When your children have an allergy, you will see that their nose is plugged most of the time. One of the better ways to open that plugged nose is by using salt water. Older children may use a nasal irrigation solution available at medical stores that contains salt water solution. For younger children, you can make a solution by using 8 ounces of boiled water and a teaspoon of salt. Remember that you have to use non-iodized salt while making the solution. The salt water solution is an incredible process of kids’ allergy relief. Make sure that your kid stays hydrated One of the symptoms of seasonal allergy is continuous sneezing. When your kid is sneezing too much, he or she will become dehydrated.

Have you been battling with high cholesterol problems and are wondering how to lower LDL cholesterol levels? High cholesterol increases the risks of heart attacks and diseases. Although treatment may help improve your cholesterol levels, you still need to make essential lifestyle changes to boost the cholesterol-lowering power of the treatment. To help you make healthy lifestyle changes, some effective tips have been listed below on how to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Making some changes in the diet can help reduce the level of fat in the body and help enhance your heart’s health. The following changes can help you be on your way to having a healthy heart: Eliminate trans fats – Often labeled as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans fats are used in store-bought crackers, cookies, cakes, as well as in margarine. They raise the levels of cholesterol in your body and that’s why most hydrogenated vegetable oils are not recommended for use when the LDL levels in the body are high. Reduce saturated fats – Primarily found in full-fat dairy products and red meat, saturated fats can raise your cholesterol levels. By decreasing consumption of saturated fats, you will be able to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in your body. Increase the intake of soluble fiber – Foods that are rich in soluble fiber are great at lowering cholesterol levels naturally. The soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. Therefore, consider eating more fiber-rich foods such as barley, yams, oats, sweet potatoes, oat bran, and other types of potatoes. Beans or legumes like black beans, peas, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, and kidney beans are also excellent sources of soluble fiber. Vegetables are also rich in soluble fiber so consider including beets, eggplant, carrots, okra, and Brussels sprouts in your diet. Some good fiber-rich fruits are oranges, passion fruit, berries, apricots, apples, pears, and nectarines.

A hemorrhoid is a condition that is caused by the movement or swelling of tissues found in the rectum and anus. Although it can be uncomfortable and painful, the hemorrhoid is not dangerous. There are primarily three types of hemorrhoids: internal, external, and mixed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are found inside the rectum, and they do not cause pain because the area doesn’t have any sensory nerves. On the other hand, external hemorrhoids are found under the skin near the anal aperture. Usually, they are itchy and they can be painful particularly during a bowel movement. Mixed hemorrhoids are a combination of both external and internal hemorrhoids. So how can you reduce the discomfort and pains that are associated with hemorrhoids? Keep reading to know more about hemorrhoid causes and ways to get a relief. Causes of hemorrhoids Anyone can suffer from hemorrhoids regardless of their age though this problem occurs more in people who are aged between 45 and 65 years. In young people, hemorrhoids occur in pregnant women or ladies who have just given birth. Although the exact cause of hemorrhoid is unknown, numerous factors enhance their development. You are at risk of suffering from this condition in case of the following situations. Lifting heavy loads frequently Lack of fiber in the diet Constipation or straining when passing stool Pregnancy and post delivery Sitting for a long time Obesity Symptoms linked to hemorrhoids include light bleeding, inflammation, burning sensation or pain, discomfort, and itching. So, what helps with hemorrhoid relief? Below are essential tips to help ease hemorrhoids symptoms and promote healing. Tips for hemorrhoid relief Increase your fiber intake – To get a hemorrhoid relief and prevent constipation you need to add fiber to your diet as well as increase your fluid intake. The best way to accomplish this is to take foods such as vegetables and fruits.

The best diet for fibromyalgia usually contains foods that exclude dietary excitotoxins. They may be present in food additives or preservatives which are used in artificial sweeteners, processed foods as well as canned food. Avoiding these foods in your diet reduces the occurrence of fibromyalgia. How to choose the best diet for fibromyalgia To craft the best diet for fibromyalgia, one needs to determine the impact of dietary excitotoxins. Neurons in the brain get excited when one consumes chemicals like dietary excitotoxins, and excessive consumption could prove fatal. Food additives for making food sweeter or more flavorful are the most common types of dietary excitotoxins. Eradicating excitotoxins from the diet would be one of the most radical ways of reducing the symptoms of fibromyalgia. Here are some tips that will help you design the best diet for fibromyalgia: Avoid foods with added glutamate: A neurotransmitter, glutamate, is a chemical used by nerve cells to transmit signals to other cells. It is included in some foods as well. Sometimes, it is used to enhance the flavor of food. A common type of glutamate, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is found in some diets, and one should avoid the foods which use this additive at all costs. Monosodium glutamate is found in ingredients with hydrolyzed protein concentrate, autolyzed, or protein isolate. Monosodium glutamate is often used in Chinese foods, certain types of chips or snacks which are crunchy, canned vegetables and soups as well as processed meats. So, avoid buying foods if you see MSG on the ingredients lists or if they have a high glutamate content. Whole foods, not processed foods: When it comes to natural nutrients, whole foods are far better than processed foods like white pasta, white flour, or white rice. Processed foods contain more additives and fewer nutrients. If you need carbohydrates, then you should have whole grains such as quinoa, whole wheat berries, brown rice, whole wheat berries, sweet or plain potatoes.