Effective Treatment Options for Nighttime Leg Cramps

Effective Treatment Options for Nighttime Leg Cramps

A leg muscle cramp refers to a severe and painful tightening or contraction of a muscle that strikes immediately. This lasts either for few minutes or just a few seconds. Some cramps can, however, last for several minutes. During night time, leg cramps are sudden spasms that occur in the calf muscles during the night time, and they may affect the foot or thigh as well. People often experience this problem when they are falling asleep, and some people become victims to muscle cramps when they wake up. Major causes of muscle cramps at night Identifying a clearcut cause for the pain is a difficult task. These issues are linked with nerve issues and muscle fatigue. As you age, the risk or the possibility of getting affected with nighttime leg cramps increases. Several pregnant women often have to deal with nighttime leg cramps. The common causes of this problem include exercise, injury, overuse of muscles, exposure to cold temperature, diabetic nerve damage, and kidney failure. If you are using some medications like specific diuretics, you always stand in with a chance of suffering from leg cramps in the might. A good number of people mistake restless legs syndrome (RLS) with leg cramps; this is a different condition. Other common conditions that make one vulnerable to leg cramps in the night include spinal stenosis, peripheral artery diseases, anemia, hyperthyroidism, Addison’s disease, diabetes, cirrhosis, osteoarthritis, Parkinson’s disease, diarrhea, and dehydration. Effective solutions to stop a muscle cramp You can find different types of methods to prevent a night muscle cramp. Every individual has to identify the best method that works for him/her. The simplest way is to massage and stretch the affected muscle. Another option is to take a bath using warm water for relaxing the muscle, and you can also place a heating pad to find relief.
9 Simple Tips to Lower the A1C Level of Diabetes

9 Simple Tips to Lower the A1C Level of Diabetes

Increased competition and fast-paced modern life have already started taking a toll on your health. While some are affected with conditions like obesity, there are others, who get irregularities in their thyroid, blood sugar, or blood pressure level. Medical examinations conducted in the recent past indicate that an increased number of people are suffering from type 2 diabetes. As the chronic disease is now affecting people irrespective of their age or sex, people all over are searching for remedies to lower the A1C level of diabetes. Unlike the common fasting and after meal diabetes test, A1C examination help in diagnosing the blood sugar level of the past two to three months. Therefore, a diet change for a week is not quite effective to lower the A1C level of diabetes. To keep a check on and lower the A1C level of diabetes, you can follow some simple tips mentioned below. Always eat on time – When it comes to Type 2 diabetes, the first and foremost thing that comes to mind is food restriction. Yet, just noting the restrictions is not enough. To keep diabetes under control, you need to eat consistently on time. Eat all your meals consistently and never skip your breakfast. In most of the cases, people who skip their breakfast have an irregular A1C level, as the blood sugar increases when the stomach is empty. Eat a balanced diet – Eating on time is not enough. To cope up with this chronic ailment, you need to eat a balanced diet. Your diet should contain carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and other essential nutrients in the desired amount. If you cannot keep a track of your regular intake, get a diet chart from a nutritionist and follow that. Also measure the amount of every serving carefully as eating in excess can be detrimental.
Simple Methods to Lower Uric Acid Levels in the Body

Simple Methods to Lower Uric Acid Levels in the Body

Uric acid is a waste generally carried in the blood, travels through the bloodstream, filtered out through the kidneys and finally excreted in urine. It is mostly produced by the natural breakdown of our body’s cells and foods which we consume. Uric acid is a by-product which is created during the breakdown of a naturally occurring compound like purines found in foods like beans, mushrooms, liver, etc. There are various causes of an increased level of uric acid in our body where kidneys won’t be able to filter out all of the uric acid or the level of uric acid will be too much for the kidneys to handle. Various medical conditions like hypothyroidism, leukemia, hypertension, obesity, and other genetic tendencies can lead to increased levels of uric acid. Moreover, certain medications, such as vitamins, diuretics, and cancerous drugs or drugs to suppress the immune system, often react with the body and affect the digestive system, thereby affecting the breakdown of uric acid. Sometimes eating wrong food or excess food like meat can cause an increase in the amount of uric acid as it contains a lot of purines. How to lower uric acid in our body A uric acid test helps measure the uric acid levels in our body. It’s a chemical that’s produced when our body breaks down purines during the natural breakdown of cells in the body. Most of the uric acid leaves the body through urination or defecation. When this natural process is hampered, the body produces too much or less of uric acid. If you are wondering how to lower uric acid levels, the following tips would be beneficial. Excess consumption of alcohol and caffeine can increase the uric acid level and promotes uric acid production. Vitamin C-rich lemonade or orange juice can reduce uric acid levels in case of a kidney stone.
All You Need to Know about Chronic Pain Management

All You Need to Know about Chronic Pain Management

Some kind of pains persists for a longer duration. Such pain might last for few months. This kind of pain falls into the category of chronic pain. There is no chronic pain management for certain types of pain but treatment will surely help the person get some much-needed relief. Before any kind of treatment is initiated for chronic pain, following things have to be considered. The duration since which the pain has persisted needs to be clearly understood. If there is some understanding on what is causing this pain, finding a relief becomes fairly easier. The chronic pain management techniques have changed over the course of years and doctors suggest many options which can help in getting relief from chronic pain. Radiofrequency ablation Radiofrequency ablation hits the nerves which usually deliver pain signal to the brain. The doctor uses a needle that has a tip which heats up. This needle is usually placed at a closer location to the nerve. The heat of the needle tip absorbs the pain and therefore the pain signal goes no further. A newer version of radiofrequency ablation by the name of cooled radiofrequency ablation has been developed which offers some guided relief to the pain. Further studies on the effectiveness of cooled radiofrequency ablation are yet to be done. Pain shots Pain shots are known to deliver medicines at the exact location in the body where it is needed. The location at which pain shots is needed is found out by the doctor through an x-ray. The doctor is thus the best person to decide which medicine is to be used through pain shot. They often use local anesthesia and steroids through these pain shots. Sometimes both local anesthesia and steroids are used together. However, both medications in pain shots have their distinct roles.
11 Easy Ways to Control Blood Sugar Levels

11 Easy Ways to Control Blood Sugar Levels

The high blood sugar levels can increase the risks of heart disorders, diabetes, eye problems, and other symptoms considerably. Therefore, it is necessary to check them regularly in a clinic for reducing major health problems. Those who are having high blood sugar should focus more on controlling them effectively in order to eliminate the risks. There are some ways available for controlling the sugar levels naturally which help to minimize potential threats. One can follow them properly for keeping health in a better condition. Moreover, they show ways to control blood sugar levels effectively to increase the quality of life. A majority of people these days face high levels of blood sugar affecting their normal lives considerably, and the following tips are useful for lowering them efficiently. Increasing the intake of fiber foods Fiber foods play an important role in slowing down the sugar absorption successfully which give ways for living a better life. The high fiber diet can help to reduce symptoms of diabetes by improving the blood sugar levels. Most vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains are rich in high fiber enabling people to focus more on their health. Monitoring blood sugar levels It is an important one to monitor the blood sugar levels regularly for controlling them without any troubles. Another thing is that it shows ways for determining the change of medications and diet plans for making a right decision. Ensuring enough sleep Lack of sleep and sleep deprivation might trigger high sugar levels. Therefore, one should focus more on having a good sleep for taking control over them efficiently. It is necessary to make sure that a person is getting a high-quality sleep in beds for gaining more advantages. Consuming mineral rich foods Foods that have a high content of minerals such as magnesium and chromium will help to control the blood sugar levels.
Picking the Right Rosacea Skin Care Products

Picking the Right Rosacea Skin Care Products

Among the various skin diseases prevalent today, rosacea is one that is not fully understood. As a result, the myths around it are too many while the facts and management tips are too few. In case you have been afflicted with the condition, stop going anxious. The main causes are under investigation, and medical experts have not fully pointed these out for sure. Moreover, there is no permanent cure found for the same yet. Instead of losing heart though, you can follow these tips to manage the condition better. Don’t Shy Away From Skin Products This is something you have to believe. You must not simply avoid skin products. Many rosacea victims thinking that just about any product could damage your skin. The truth is that despite your skin is sensitive, you have to use moisturizers. Moisturizing your skin is really important and will prevent fares due to the ability to keep irritants at bay. K.I.S.S The KISS policy applies to your skin care routine in case you’ve rosacea. The simplest of routines could work wonders. Limit the quantity of skin products and ingredients that your skin is subject to. Make sure you use products meant for sensitive skin. This will prevent allergies and skin breakouts. The idea is to have clean and supple skin, not skin that sees too much roughness of reactions. Sunscreen Up Sunscreen is that one thing you HAVE to have. While rosacea and its pathogens are not well understood, the role of the sun surely is. Therefore using sunscreen will protect your skin and curtail flares. Using sunscreen also reduces the risk of rosacea in patients considered susceptible. Track The Triggers Each patient will have a different trigger story for rosacea onset. There will be the similarity in general symptoms, but you will have to find the most specific cost first.
How Can You Control Blood Glucose?

How Can You Control Blood Glucose?

Diabetes is one of the most common diseases. Controlling diabetes will ensure that you live a normal and healthy life. What Is Normal Blood glucose level? To control your blood glucose level, you should know what the ideal glucose level is. Monitoring your blood glucose level on a daily basis is imperative. Also, make sure you check before your meal as well as after it. Before your meal, the recommended ideal level should be around 70-130 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter). After meals, the count should be a little less than 140 ml/dL. Based on this, you can control your blood glucose level. Tips For Blood Glucose Control Incorporate these tips into your daily life and control your blood glucose levels: Eat Consistently Do not skip meals. This is extremely unhealthy, more so for a diabetic person, as it can spike your blood glucose levels. Make sure you eat all your meals, especially breakfast. Skipping meals will send the wrong sign to the liver, and the liver will produce more glucose, considering the lack of energy in your body. Also, when you skip meals, you might end up overeating when you do eat. Have all your meals regularly and keep your blood glucose in check. Carbohydrates are your friends Depriving your body of carbohydrates can cause you to be constantly hungry, and deprive your body of all the necessary nutrients it needs. Your diet isn’t complete without carbohydrates, so make sure you include them in your diet. Also, carbohydrates increase A1C, HDL cholesterol levels, and triglycerides. A Cup Of Green Tea Can Make A Difference Green tea extracts can help flush out toxins in your body. It also helps prevent diabetes. Green tea improves your insulin sensitivity and works as a good antioxidant and antibacterial. Drink a cup of green tea every day.
All You Need to Know about Diabetes Reversal Treatment

All You Need to Know about Diabetes Reversal Treatment

The term diabetes reversal refers to an improvement in the condition of your body’s insulin sensitivity that sustains over a long period. Type II Diabetes 90% of adults have type II diabetes that tends to develop later in life. In type II diabetes, the body fails to produce enough insulin to cope up with the glucose levels in the body. As the body cells don’t react to the insulin, glucose remains in the bloodstream, which cannot be used to fuel energy. Type II diabetes mostly ends up becoming a chronic health condition that cannot be cured once it develops. It can only be supervised and managed by combining medication with a healthy lifestyle. Diabetes and fat Eating and drinking more calories than required by the body leads to excess calories that get stored as fat in the liver and under the skin in the abdomen – visceral fat. This visceral fat is a common factor that puts you at a high risk of developing type II diabetes. The fat build-up in the liver extends over into the pancreas eventually. Over time this fat accumulation becomes a hindrance to the organ’s functioning and prevents the pancreas from releasing insulin after meals. This is why, obesity is a more common cause of type II diabetes, which turns into a vicious circle of cause and effect. The pressure on the Pancreas to keep producing extra insulin damages the insulin-producing beta cells. Damage to the beta cells renders the pancreas unfit to keep sugar levels in check, and this turns into a chronic disease. It damages the kidneys, eye retinas and other organs over the passage of time. Diabetes reversal treatment The research for a cure to beat diabetes is still in its infancy, but there seem to be motivating developments in stopping the symptoms of type II diabetes.
Sleep Apnea Treatment For A Good Night’s Rest

Sleep Apnea Treatment For A Good Night’s Rest

Snoring is a very common phenomenon, and you see most people snoring at night. However, the snoring may just not be because of a long day at work. Sleep apnea can cause snoring and leave you feeling tired of the rest of the day. This will affect your mood and can be dangerous to your health. Sleep apnea treatments can help you sleep better and stay energetic for the entire day. The first step is to recognize the symptoms of sleep apnea. There are treatments that can be used at home or you can consult a doctor for sleep apnea treatment too. What is sleep apnea? Sleep apnea is a condition where your breathing is interrupted when you sleep. The short breaths will interrupt your deep sleep and leave you tired and dull. The interruption may not even be noticed by many. Action must be taken to treat it as it may hinder your productivity and leave you feeling exhausted all day. For treating sleep apnea, the first step is to diagnose the type. Types of sleep apnea There are three types of sleep apnea. The Obstructive sleep apnea is the most common. The soft tissue in the back of the throat becomes relaxed when you sleep and blocks the airflow thus making you snore loudly. The other type is central sleep apnea. This is not as common, and it involves the central nervous system. It happens when the brain loses control over the muscle that aids in breathing. This does not cause snoring as much as the first type. A complex sleep apnea condition is where the patient is affected by a combination of both conditions. Sleep apnea treatment methods There are many ways in which this condition can be treated. Once you identify it and the extent of the condition, you can either try a few home remedies or go to a doctor.
All You Need to Know about Cholesterol

All You Need to Know about Cholesterol

Cholesterol levels play a vital role in defining our overall health. It differs from person to person depending on their age, gender, and weight. Cholesterol levels change gradually, and we should check it frequently. Excessive cholesterol can adversely harm your health, and once you cross the age of twenty, you should check your cholesterol levels from time to time. Excessive cholesterol often results in plaque that blocks the arteries. Therefore, you should keep an eye on these levels. Recent studies have shown that nearly one million Americans die due to heart diseases, and one of the primary reasons for these diseases is excessive cholesterol. Why should one maintain healthy cholesterol levels? After getting a cholesterol test, one can check if their cholesterol levels are in the healthy range by consulting a cholesterol level chart, but there are some points that one needs to keep in mind while checking this chart. Generally, cholesterol is measured in three different categories that include total cholesterol, LDL or bad cholesterol, and HDL or good cholesterol. The primary challenge begins with the maintenance of these levels. Experts suggest keeping the total cholesterol and LDL levels low. High cholesterol can increase the risk of stroke and heart diseases among patients. Therefore, it is essential to maintain to maintain one’s cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of heart-related illnesses. The connection between age and cholesterol levels Cholesterol levels have a close relationship with an individual’s age. Excessive cholesterol can lead to several diseases. Moreover, unmanaged cholesterol is tough to treat. Hence, experts suggest maintaining healthy cholesterol levels from an early age. Cholesterol generally affects men after older than 20 years, and usually, children don’t suffer from high cholesterol. You don’t have to check a child’s cholesterol levels more than twice before they turn 18. It is quite rare for children to suffer from high cholesterol, and you should only monitor their cholesterol levels after consulting a doctor.
5 Effective Tips to Treat Dry Scalp

5 Effective Tips to Treat Dry Scalp

If you are suffering from dry and dull hair, and often see white dandruff flakes on your shoulder, then a dry scalp could be the reason behind it. Many people feel embarrassed due to the white flakes and the itching that dry scalp can cause. The irritation that dry scalp causes can sometimes be unbearable; therefore, it is important to choose effective treatment methods to treat it as soon as possible. If you ignore the problem of dry scalp, it can then turn into a chronic problem, which could be very hard to treat in the future. You can choose from the plethora of dry scalp treatments available in order to avoid this problem. What causes dry scalp? Dry scalp is caused when the oil-producing glands on the scalp are not active or underactive and are not producing enough amounts of natural oil. This natural oil helps keeps the scalp moist all the time. The following are some other causes of a dry scalp: If you are using harsh, chemical-filled shampoos, it can cause dry scalp When you are using hard water to wash your hair Fungal infections Extreme weather conditions like extreme heat or cold climates Improper diet Harsh styling products Not oiling your hair often or not using conditioners after shampooing To combat dry scalp, the following list provides some effective dry scalp treatments: Oil massage: One of the best and most proven methods for treating dry scalp is oil massage. You can take any oil that you use regularly and massage the scalp in circular motions. In this way, blood circulation will be promoted in the scalp and your hair will also start growing in a natural way. When using oil for massage, it is always efficient to heat it slightly. This means that you should use lukewarm oil to massage your scalp, and this can be especially helpful if the dry scalp is being caused due to some fungal infection.
Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Tips to Deal with It

Understanding Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Tips to Deal with It

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal disorder. The condition results in acute abdominal discomfort, gas, diarrhea, as well as changes in the patterns of one’s bowel movement. IBS with constipation is one of the most common scenarios that can greatly affect your quality of life. According to a study, the IBS affects more than 10% of the population in the country. The reason for the occurrence of IBS is unknown, which is why there is no specific cure for the condition. However, certain kinds of food items, stress, and hormonal changes are known to flare up the symptoms of this disease. Understanding these symptoms and following some basic steps that ease IBS can help to manage the condition in an effective way. Here are some ways to manage IBS. Making dietary changes Simple changes in the diet can help to relieve the troublesome symptoms of IBS. There is no specific diet for the same as some foods may cause IBS symptoms in one person whereas, on the other, they may not. Eliminating certain foods According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Disease, certain items have shown to trigger the IBS symptoms: Dairy products High-fat products Caffeine Alcoholic drinks Broccoli, beans, and cabbage Drinks containing artificial sweeteners Chocolate and nuts Increasing dietary fiber Increasing your fiber intake is especially helpful in alleviating the symptoms of IBS with constipation. Doctors suggest consuming 22 to 34 grams of fiber each day. There are plenty of food items that are rich in fiber such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, etc. It is important to note that fiber should be added gradually to the diet, little by little. For instance, 2 to 3 grams should be added each day. Adding too much fiber in one go can cause bloating and gas, and further, aggravate the IBS symptoms.