Ticks are found in the outdoors, living in grass, leaf piles and shrubs. They have a strong affinity for humans and their pets and easily migrate from one to the other. While these bugs may seem tiny and harmless, in reality, they literally suck your blood for sustenance. Ticks attach themselves to the victim and bite, drawing blood till their appetite is sated, growing in size, sometimes as big as a marble. Tick bites are mostly harmless, but some tick bites can cause allergic reactions and even more serious diseases, both in humans and their pets. A rash from tick bites is a major symptom of a more serious reaction. While a rash from tick bites can cause irritation, itching and a burning sensation on the affected skin, it’s often an indicator of a more serious, harmful disease’s onset. Below, we’ve mentioned some of the other consequences and diseases that a tick bite can leave you with. If you experience a rash from tick bites, keep an eye out for these diseases. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) RMSF is the most serious of all tick-borne diseases. It’s more common in the south-eastern parts of the United States. It is not contagious, but it can pass through ticks bites, from humans to their pets, and vice-versa. The symptoms appear between 2 to 14 days after the bite, and include: High fever persisting for 2 to 3 weeks Chills Fatigue Abdominal pain Nausea Muscle aches A headache The characteristic feature of Rocky Mountain spotted fever is the rash from the tick bite. The rash comprises of small red spots on the palms, ankles, wrists, and soles. The rash starts 2 to 5 days after the bite and spreads across the torso. This is usually coupled with a high fever. After a week of the infection, a second rash can develop from the tick bite.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease which causes pain and swelling in different parts of the body. It has affected more than 5 million people worldwide so far. Treatment for fibromyalgia can be difficult since the exact reasons are not known for this condition. Due to lack of medications for treating fibromyalgia, many people have begun taking food items which have been listed as curative foods for fibromyalgia. Below are listed some of the food items which help in reducing the incidence of fibromyalgia- Fruits Fruits are known to be complex carbohydrates which give the required energy when taken on regular basis. Fruits like apple and bananas are filled with fiber and will help in treating conditions like fibromyalgia. These can be incorporated during meal times and can be a worthy replacement for dessert. Hence, fruits have to be a part of the best diet for fibromyalgia. Vegetables Similar to fruits, vegetables take little more time for digesting since they are also rich in fiber. These keep the blood glucose level in check and are a viable cure for fibromyalgia. These can be incorporated into the diet in different manners, and you can take spinach for breakfast, bell peppers for lunch and roasted broccoli can be taken as dinner. Eating vegetables on a regular basis will help you get rid of fibromyalgia. It has to be a part of the best diet for fibromyalgia. Salmon Salmon is a food rich in omega 3S and is a healthy brain food. Salmon can be taken on a regular basis and you can couple them with walnuts during lunch hours. Salmon is known to reduce fibromyalgia related inflammation and eases the pain also. Hence, it has to be a part of the best diet for fibromyalgia. Chicken and Fish Meat like chicken and fish are also a curative food for fibromyalgia.

A boil is a skin infection caused by the staphylococcal bacteria, also known as staph. Staph infections occur in the hair follicle or the oil gland under the skin surface. The bacteria enter through some breaks in the skin or travel through the hair follicle. At first, the skin becomes tender and swollen; after which, a puss pocket appears on the top of the skin, which is painful. While boils can easily be treated at home with natural methods, antibiotic medicines are another option to get rid of them fast. However, visit a doctor if the boils are accompanied by other symptoms like high fever, chills, or multiple boils, also known as a carbuncle. Read on to find out how to get rid of boils using common household ingredients. Try these remedies if you are wondering how to get rid of boils and clean your infection positively. Warm Compress This is the first useful way if you are thinking how to get rid of boils quickly. Make a hot compress by dipping a towel into warm water. Apply it to the affected area at least three to four times a day. Alternatively, you can also take a warm shower two to three times a day for a soothing effect. The warm water will soothe the inflamed area around the boils and help the puss reach the surface of the boil, causing it to burst and heal. Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil is one of the best natural antiseptics available to us. It is used extensively to treat all kinds of skin problems like acne, bacterial infections and boils. Take two to three drops of tea tree oil and put it directly over the affected area. The oil will soothe the skin and help prevent further damage. Tea tree oil drops can also be mixed with warm water in a bathtub before you soak your body in it.

Allergies occur when the body responses in an irregular manner to an external substance. Most commonly allergies occur in case of certain food items. Medically, the immune system of human being becomes hypersensitive to some external factor. This condition is called allergy. Generally, allergies occur from food, fur, dust or pollen. The substance that causes an allergy is called an allergen. Pollen allergies are found to be very common among the American population. Allergy due to pollen is called known as Hay Fever. Pollen is basically a powder type of substance that is found in the environment. It helps in fertilizing other plants of their same kind. Pollen is found in flowers, trees, grass, weed and the atmosphere at large. It is the main factor that helps plants reproduce. It is extremely light-weight and thus can travel by air. Humans may breathe in this powdery substance, thus resulting in an irritation in their immune system and thereby leading to an onset of the signs of pollen allergy. Allergies are usually neglected by most people since it is considered as not very critical. The severity of allergies, however, can range from mild discomfort to seriously fatal situations where one can even lose a life. Signs of pollen allergies Pollen is usually found to be harmless to the human body. However, people who are hypersensitive may be troubled by its presence in the atmosphere. Signs of pollen allergies can be identified, when the body starts producing chemicals to attack the pollen that may have entered the body. This chemical is called histamine. The mission of this chemical is to eradicate and remove the allergen from the human body. The symptoms of most allergies are quite similar. So, it becomes difficult to identify the actual allergen as pollen, even by most health experts.

When it comes to drug rehab facilities, most people fail to understand that rehab centers don’t just provide treatment for addictions, they also offer other holistic treatment approaches that will target your entire wellbeing. Still overwhelmed and don’t know what to expect from a rehab that you enroll for? Read this essential guide that will walk you through everything you need to know about drug rehab facilities. Different types of treatment programs Every drug rehab facility has its unique approach towards addiction treatment programs. Choosing the correct rehab center that has a treatment approach that suits you best, is essential for a speedy and complete recovery. Here are some most common treatment approaches that you must be acquainted with – Residential treatment This is the most common type of treatment that many drug rehab facilities across the country offer. In this kind of treatment, the patient is given round-the-clock treatment and he or she must stay in the rehab center until the completion of the whole course. The best thing about residential treatment is that since you are in a monitored setting, there is a high probability of you following sobriety and not giving in to your addiction. Furthermore, you get to decide whether you want to register for a short residential program that generally consists of 3-6 weeks of inpatient treatment plan and then an extended outpatient treatment phase, or a long-term one that may last for 6- 12 months. Outpatient setting If you have a social obligation that does not give you the luxury of signing up for a residential treatment, then outpatient services are your best option. In outpatient treatment programs, group counseling can be a major part of the treatment. Note that if you feel that your addiction is severe, then it is best to consider residential treatment over the outpatient services, as they are much more effective.

Cancer can affect any organ and all forms of cancer follow the similar modus operandi. However, the time taken for cancer to progress can vary according to the type of cancer. One of the deadliest forms of cancer manifests itself in the form of mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that affects the tissue lining of the internal organs and is considered to be quite fatal. Although there are several mesothelioma treatment options available, for those diagnosed at a later stage the treatment is rendered useless. Usually, mesothelioma only affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs (pleura), and this form of mesothelioma is known as pleural mesothelioma. The rare types of mesotheliomas affect the tissues in the abdomen, around the heart, and the testicles. When an individual is affected by mesothelioma, several symptoms start surfacing. The signs and symptoms of mesothelioma are as follows: Shortness of breath Chest pain under the rib cage Painful coughing Unexplained weight loss Presence of unusual lumps of tissue under the skin on the chest When these symptoms begin to surface and after a confirming the presence of this illness with a diagnosis, the doctor would recommend the patient to undergo either of the effective mesothelioma treatments depending on the stage at which the cancer is diagnosed and the location of the cancerous tumor. As mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer, a complete cure isn’t always possible. However, several mesothelioma treatment options are devised to control the patient’s cancer and make them more comfortable. The following mesothelioma treatments have proven to be effective in controlling cancer and relieving its symptoms: Surgery – When diagnosed at an early stage, the doctor might recommend removing the tumor through surgery. In some cases, this can even cure cancer. However, there are instances when removing the cancerous tumor is not possible, and in such cases, the doctor will ask the patient to undergo a surgery to reduce the symptoms of this deadly disease.

Sinuses are the area in the forehead just in the center of the eyes and behind the cheekbones. They are hollow air spaces whose primary function is to make mucus. This mucus keeps the inner side of your nose moist, thus protecting you from pollutants, allergies dust, and more. Hence, sinuses are not the cause of any problem. The problem occurs when you have a cold or any other allergy, and your nose gets swollen. This swelling blocks the sinus passage of your nose, making you feel uncomfortable. You may also find yourself unable to drain the nose. If you have a blockage in the sinus area of your nose, your speech is also affected. Let’s have a look at some of the common causes and triggers that can lead to sinus problems. Viruses Usually, sinus infections start with a cold. When you have a cold, your nasal tissues gets swollen, blocking the holes that drain the sinuses which leads to breathing difficulties. In case a virus is the cause of your sinus infection, then antibiotics are not capable of curing it as these medicines only kill bacteria, and not viruses. One should wash their hands regularly and keep themselves away from any sinus-infected person. Most of the times, a decongestant will cure you in four to five days. Allergies Allergies are one of the most common causes of sinus problems. People with a sinus infection can develop allergies, thus leading to aggravated sinusitis. If you are prone to allergies, avoid things that lead to an allergic reaction like dust, cockroaches, and so on. Prescribed nasal sprays can reduce chronic inflammation in the nasal lining that accompanies an allergy. Bacteria In case your sinus infection or cold does not get better in ten to twelve days, you may have a bacterial infection.

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.

All You Need To Know About Signs Of Pollen Allergies Pollens are a yellow, powdery substance emitted by plants. These get transported from one plant to another by birds or by wind or by insects and/or animals. About 10 million Americans get pollen allergies as a result of exposure to this powdery yellow substance. Signs of pollen allergies start appearing when you are exposed to grass pollens, tree pollens, and weed pollens. Common Causes Behind Pollen Allergies Pollen allergies are primarily caused by the exposure to pollen grains in the air. Certain plants and trees like oak trees, ragweed and grasses produce a fine yellow powder, pollens, as a part of the reproductive process of the plants. When these travel through the air, you may come in contact with these pollen grains leading to signs of pollen allergies. Your body has a tendency to produce antibodies to protect your immune system from harmful substances. Chemicals are released in the process in your bloodstream. These chemicals may cause your body to show reactions in the form of pollen allergy signs. Typically, signs of pollen allergies would develop or aggravate during only certain times of the year. Such allergies may be triggered by tree pollens in spring. These could also be caused by grass pollen around summer season and late spring season. Pollens from ragweed may cause you to develop pollen allergies during the fall season. Risk Factors The main risk factors associated with the development of pollen allergies are being in an environment where you get exposed to allergy-causing substances. So, if you are exposed to dust mites or to animal dander, you are at a risk of developing pollen allergies. If you have asthma or any other allergies, you can be more susceptible to pollen allergy symptoms. Even if you have a blood relative with a tendency to develop asthma or other allergies, you can be at a risk of developing the tell-tale signs pollen allergies.

The thyroid gland is located just below the Adam’s apple, on the front of your neck. This butterfly shaped gland produces thyroid hormones that regulates the body’s metabolism. Any disruption in the normal level of thyroid hormones in your body, can cause several symptoms associated with thyroid problems. Thyroid Hormone Production Hypothalamus is a section of the brain, that produces various vital hormones. The Hypothalamus secretes Thyrotropin Releasing Hormones (TRH), which travel to the pituitary gland. There, the TRH signals the pituitary gland to release Thyrotropin or TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone). The TSH sails through the blood vessels to the thyroid gland, where it boosts the release and production of two thyroid hormones— L-Thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). The thyroid gland needs an adequate supply of iodine to produce these two hormones. When the body detects that there is a good supply of the thyroid hormones in the blood, the production of TRH and TSH are reduced. This in turn reduces the production of thyroid hormones. Symptoms of thyroid problems occur when the regulatory mechanism of the hormone system is disrupted. Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism Hypothyroidism is the condition associated with the underproduction of thyroid hormones. The thyroid gland slows down and this causes the body metabolism to slow down too. Hyperthyroidism is the condition associated with the overproduction of thyroid hormones. This causes the metabolism to reach high levels.. Symptoms of Thyroid Problems Whatever kind of thyroid problem you have, there are various signs from which you can tell that your butterfly-shaped gland is not doing its job properly. Women are more prone to suffer from thyroid disorders than men. If you are a woman over the age of 35, you should regularly check for the signs of thyroid disorders. Here are some symptoms of thyroid problems: Exhaustion If you feel drained and tired even after a full night’s sleep, your body may not be producing enough thyroid hormones.

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.

Medigap plans are supplement plans purchased over your original Medicare insurance policy to provide additional medical coverage. Traditional Medicare plans may not provide complete coverage and medical benefits, which is why Medigap plans offered by private insurance companies are gaining popularity today. Medigap Plan F is the most popular option according to the recent shift in policy trends observed by the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance. This would come as a surprise since Medigap Plan F also happens to be the most expensive in the various categories from Plans A to N offered as supplement insurance. However, the major reason for many people opting for Plan F is the wide range of coverage it offers when it comes to healthcare costs. Experts agree that trying to save money on the premium payable for medical insurance is not a good idea since it will affect your health coverage in the long run. Age is also a factor which has to be taken into consideration above all since only people who 65 years and above can opt for Medigap plans, including the most popular Medigap Plan F. At this age, being insured for a complete healthcare cover is recommended and advised by medical professionals since costs can be quite substantial without health insurance. Things to look for while comparing Medigap Plan F with popular insurance companies: Medigap Plan F general coverage offers substantial medical coverage including Part A coinsurance and hospital costs over and above Medicare. Part B coinsurance or copayment. Blood packets, the first three pints for surgery, and transfusion purposes. Part A hospice care copayment. Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance. Part A and Part B deductibles. Foreign travel exchange, which will again differ accordingly compared to plan limits and insurance companies. Out of pocket expenses which will again depend on the type of policy and its insurance carrier.