Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is an unpleasant problem. It is caused by moisture, fungus, mold, and yeast. When moisture traps in warm and dark places, it allows the fungus to thrive. For example, a regular wearing of shoes causes fungus in the toenails. The nail fungus infection starts as a yellow or white spot at the tip of the nail. Gradually, the spot progresses and thickens and causes the nail to crumble/brittle. The nail color may change either turn dark or dull. In the worst case, nail separates from the nail bed resulting in onycholysis. Here are some of the best home remedies for nail fungus: Tea tree/orange oil: Tea tree oil has antibacterial and fungicidal and disinfectant properties. When the orange oil is mixed with tea tree oil, it gives wonderful results to treat fungus. Take one teaspoon of tea tree oil, half teaspoon of orange oil, and a half teaspoon of olive oil and mix them. After this, dip some cotton balls in the mixture and apply it on the nail affected by fungus. Allow the oil to dry. You can even add 4–5 drops of tea tree oil in water and dip your feet in it. Try both of these home remedies for nail fungus twice a day for better results. Coconut oil: Coconut oil works like a miracle and is one of the most effective home remedies for nail fungus. The fatty acids present in coconut oil absorb into the lipid layer of the fungal membrane and interfere with it. This causes the cells to disintegrate and destroy the nail fungus. Wear gloves and rub coconut oil on the affected nail. Allow the nail to absorb the oil and dry. Follow this two times a day to cure the nail. Baking soda and vinegar:

A sedentary lifestyle coupled with obesity has put extra weight on our hips as well as heels. Comprising of 33 joints 26 bones, and over 100 tendons, the heel is the largest bone in the foot. Overusing any part of the body can cause injury and the same holds for heels as well. With increasing weight, extra weight is put on the heels, thus affecting blood circulation in heels. Pain usually experienced on the underside of the heels can make it difficult to perform daily tasks with same vigor. In this article, the causes along with different heel pain remedies are discussed. A common foot problem, heel pain is usually felt in the arch of the foot, at the bottom of the heels and increases with body movements. Heel pain is usually worse in the morning and can be due to several reasons. For instance, wearing flat shoes or worn-out shoes can cause discomfort and trigger the pain. Causes of heel pain There are some of the common causes of heel pain, such as: Plantar fasciitis: When too much pressure is put on the heels, it causes stiffness and damages plantar fascia ligament. It is a web-like ligament, which connects the heel to the front of the foot. If this ligament is injured, it causes severe pain, and the person finds it difficult to move. Sprains and strains: Extreme physical exercises with proper guidance often cause sprains and internal injuries.Sprains usually occur at joints and can have a negative effect on ligaments connecting bones. Fracture: A case of medical emergency, fracture implies a broken bone. A fracture is a broken bone. It usually occurs when a person has experienced a fall, accident, or injured themselves while playing sports. Achilles tendonitis: In Achilles tendonitis, tendon attaching the calf muscles to the heels get swollen up and cause severe pain.

When there is constant, stabbing pain toe that just cannot stop hurting, it means you are suffering from gout. In the US, millions of people suffer from gout. The condition is more common in men than the women. Gout is a condition caused by the development of uric-acid in the body. When uric acid crystallizes in joints and causes inflammation and unbearable pain, this indicates the gout attack. Simple measures to cure gout are listed below. Pain relievers Medications the help in pain relief for gout are generally the effective over-the-counter pain medications that help one prevent the attack. Some examples of these medications are anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen or naproxen. It is better to ask a medical practitioner for safe medication. Prescription drugs Taking prescription drugs helps in pain relief for gout. If you had gout attack in the past, it is better to take the similar medications in pain as recommended before. There are many kinds of stronger medication such as codeine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone. A corticosteroid can be either taken orally or through injection in the affected joint. There is one more oral medication known as colchicines is helpful in gout. It has been observed that this medication helps in pain relief for gout and reduce inflammation within 24 hours of a gout attack. Ice One home remedy for gout is the application of ice on the affected joint. Cold therapy can be a great method for pain relief for gout and would act as an anti-inflammatory agent to suppress the pain. Elevation of joint An affected foot usually can be treated with elevation joint that involves RICE therapy. RICE stands for rest, compression and elevation. It can be a great way to relive a pain of gout attack. Rest Giving your joint a comfortable time during the attack helps minimize the pain.

Formally defined as manic depression, bipolar disorder is a form of a major affective or a mood disorder that is usually characterized by manic or hypomanic episodes. These episodes cause a change in one’s normal mood accompanied by high energy states. Bipolar mania symptoms are often the result of the very serious bipolar disorder that plagues people. This bipolar mania can affect an individual for many days, which may include other symptoms like long-term sleeplessness, psychosis, hallucinations, paranoid rage, or superlative delusions. Moreover, research shows that depressive episodes may be more devastating and harder to treat in people who never have manias or hypomanias. Bipolar disorder and mania Thought to stem from a combination of genetic and non-genetic factors, bipolar disorder is a complex disorder. It is divided into two parts based on the severity: bipolar 1 and bipolar 2. Bipolar 1 comprises mood episodes that are associated with clinical depression or mania. Mania refers to the condition of high energy and extreme elation with interspersed periods of normal mood and energy in between the episodes. The severity of the mood swings may range from very mild to extreme. They may develop over time or can occur very suddenly and unexpectedly. Rapid cycling is the process wherein discrete mood episodes occur over four or more times per year, and it should not be confused with very frequent moment-to-moment based changes in the mood. The latter often points towards bipolar disorder or another disorder known as the borderline personality disorder. Patients with bipolar disorder may additionally have disturbances in thinking apart from or along with manic or depressive episodes. Impairment in social functioning and distortions of perception may also occur. Causes of bipolar disorder The causes of bipolar disorder, much like other mood disorders, are not known very well. The only concrete information available is that bipolar disorder involves the deregulation of brain functioning and may have a genetic component since it can run in families.

As you age, your testosterone levels come down. It is a natural process and all men have to have to go through this phenomenon. Nevertheless, reduced testosterone levels can be linked with men of younger age as well. You can easily smell an underlying health problem if your testosterone levels decrease unnaturally and it can be an injury, obesity, an issue in the pituitary gland or some other health disorders. Patients undergo cancer treatments also have low testosterone levels. Most common symptoms of reduced levels of this hormone are concentration problems, reduced sex drive, hot flashes, erectile dysfunction, physical fatigue, reduced body hair growth, decreased sex drive and lowered muscle mass. You have to see your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms. How can you confirm that testosterone levels are below the standard levels? That is where the importance of testosterone test kits comes in. How to check testosterone levels without a blood test? If you see a doctor, you have to undergo a physical examination to check the hormone levels. The doctor will assess the symptoms and then, you will be asked to undergo a blood test determine the hormone levels. The hormone levels fluctuate throughout the day and they will be at the highest point during the morning time. That is why doctors take the blood sample in the morning. Even without taking a blood test, you can come to know whether you are experiencing low levels of testosterone with the help of test kits. Home test kits You can come across different types of testosterone test kits to check your hormone levels at home. All these testosterone test kits check your saliva instead of blood and the sample can be collected at home with great ease. The method of collecting saliva and the number of samples to be taken rely on the specific product you purchase.

Post nasal drip cough is characterized by a condition in which the mucus runs from the nose to the back down the throat. Postnasal drip can cause a cough. The mucous has lubricating properties that help clean the nasal passage. In fact, the mucous get swallowed unintentionally. An allergy can increase the level of mucus development. Allergy such as cold or sinus in people can lead to a generation of a cough that reflexes. At night, it can get even worse. Thus, it is essential to tackle the problem as soon as possible. The condition is also is called upper airway cough syndrome. A cough that just cannot leave and is coupling up with nasal congestion and dripping of a cough down back the throat indicates that a person is suffering from post nasal drip cough. This article discusses ways through which one can get relief from this cough. Post nasal drip is a common symptom of cold, sinusitis, respiratory flu, acid reflux, and rhinitis. Other causes of post nasal drip cough include birth control pills, pollen, smoke, dust, and allergens. Mucus falls back the nasal passage into the throat. It can be caused by mucus that can be very thick, which can be difficult to get rid of. Normally, mucus can be cleared by swallowing. When mucus is swallowed, the body’s defense system fights harmful bacteria and flush them out of the body. Cold can sometimes lead to allergies and myriad of problems. If there is too much of mucus build-up, it may be difficult to clear it completely. A cough can start dripping down the back of the throat. Post nasal drip cough can cause an irritating sensation. It can also cause a sore throat, continuous cough, and infection in the ear. Sinusitis is a much serious cause of post-nasal drip.

Leg cramps often tend to abruptly wake a person up in the middle of the night. It may also happen during physical activities such as running or cycling. These cramps cause a lot of pain and it can last up to 10 minutes. Some cramps may last only for a few seconds. What are the best remedies for leg cramps? Table salt This is one of the popular home remedies for leg cramps. This method eases cramp pain. A small portion of table salt must be taken into the palm of your hand and you need to lick it up. Salt gets engaged in the process of replenishing the reduced electrolytes available in the body. Since salt is easily available, this is one of the easy remedies for leg cramps. There are sports drinks available in the market containing electrolytes and you can drink them to get relief from cramps. Stretching your leg and walking a bit Nobody can predict when would leg cramps strike. The immediate step you can do is to stretch your legs out and the toes should be directed towards your chin. If you are lying down on the floor, you must get upright and walk some distance. These simple steps bring immediate relief from cramps. Massage the leg and apply a hot water bottle on the affected area When a leg cramp occurs, one of the simple things to do is to massage the tightened muscle in a gentle way. You can also apply a hot water bottle on the cramped area to make the contracted muscles relax. If you are worried about leg cramps in the night, take a hot a hot shower before going to bed for preventing the occurrence of the cramps at night. Chamomile tea If you are experiencing leg cramps frequently, you can drink five cups of chamomile tea during the daytime for two weeks.

Hemorrhoids, or piles, are one of the most common conditions experienced by people in the US. Causing mild to severe discomfort, hemorrhoids affect the veins present in rectum and anus. People suffering from this condition get swollen veins in the affected area and complain of rectal bleeding, itching, as well as pain. Though both external and internal hemorrhoids lead to discomfort, internal hemorrhoids are slightly difficult to heal. Yet, proper diet along with some home remedies can help in curing the condition in a short time. If you are looking for simple ways to treat hemorrhoids, the following few tips can be helpful. Aloe vera – Having an aloe vera plant in your garden is a great boon. Fresh aloe vera gel obtained from the leaves can work wonders to treat hemorrhoids. Extract the gel from the leaves and apply on the affected region to get a soothing effect. The anti-inflammatory properties of the gel will help in curing the condition in a few days, if applied regularly. Though obtaining fresh gel from plants is always a better choice, you need not be disappointed if you cannot find one in your garden. You can go to the medical stores and get aloe vera gel for your treatment. Cold compress – Sitting can be a great ordeal for people suffering from hemorrhoids. Yet, the condition can be relieved to some extent by applying ice packs on the affected area. Ice packs can be applied for multiple times in a day. Therefore, you can get it any time you want. Witch hazel – This is also another excellent home remedy to treat hemorrhoids and also the pain as well as itching associated with piles. Rich in anti-inflammatory properties, it can help in reducing the swelling faster than any other home remedies. To get the best results, you need to apply the liquid properly on the affected region.

Urinary incontinence is a severe bladder problem. Some urine may leak out while laughing or sneezing of one is suffering from urinary incontinence. The problem of urinary incontinence has affected more than 12 million people worldwide. Many people who suffer from urinary incontinence are generally embarrassed to share their problem with family and friends. However, there is nothing to worry about. Visit the urologist, and they will help you overcome the problem with effective medication and treatment. Bladder control products are hygienic products which can prove helpful to manage the problem of urinary incontinence. Absorbent products tarp the leaks and soak up the moisture from the skin. You don’t feel wet. Disposable underwear, pads, liners, and reusable underwear are some of the popular bladder control products. Thus, you can wear them for long durations and stay dry. The absorbent products have saturation points which reveal how much liquid they can hold. All the above-mentioned products have different tendencies to absorb the moisture. It is difficult to define a standard absorbent product. Different brands provide absorbent products. You can try different products and choose the best which works the best for you. The disposable absorbent products have a waterproof backing. The durable waterproof backing prevents the leakage of the liquid to the clothes. A breathable plastic cover is the latest waterproof backing technique used to prevent liquid reach to clothes. It is soft and prevents skin irritation. How to choose the right bladder control products? There are different makes and models of bladder control products. The right fit for you depends on your lifestyle and body shape. The pads are curve shaped. Pads have elastic which keep them in fixed positions and prevent the leakage from the edges. Liners are long and broader as compared to pads. They are more comfortable and give strong front-to-back protection.

Acid reflux is a severe health complication. It takes place when acid moves back to the esophagus from the stomach. The damaged lower esophageal sphincter (LES) is responsible for acid reflux. LES normally closes to avoid entry of stomach food to the esophagus. Our eating habits have a strong impact in the acid produced in the stomach. It is advised to take proper diet and some specific food products that prevent acid reflux. Acid reflux known as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD)is caused by the prolonged problem of acid reflux. Acid reflux has different symptoms amongst which heartburn is the most common. You may feel burning sensation in the stomach after taking meals. Some other symptoms include bloating, burping or sore throats. If you suffer from GERD you will realize that certain food products activate the symptoms of acid reflux. These food triggers for GERD vary for all people. It is difficult to describe a specific diet for all individuals. Due to this, all the patients with acid reflux must keep a track of their eating habits and the spontaneous acid reflux action. Check out the following: What do you eat? How many meals do you take in a day? What symptoms of GERD do you experience? Track the food items you eat for a week. This way you can find out which food products trigger acid reflux. Once you have found out the foods to avoid with acid reflux, change your diet plans. For better results get the recommendations of the doctors to have control of GERD. Given below is a list of the foods to avoid with acid reflux: Spicy food: Spicy foods contain large amounts of salts and spices which trigger heartburns. The spicy foods interfere with the stomach acid and worsen the condition. Reduce the spicy food from your diet and you will be at ease with acid reflux.

Obesity or excess weight gain is a major problem experienced by the people of the United States. The extra flab not only dampens the look but also paves way for different health complications, including cardiac diseases, joint pains, breathing difficulties etc. Therefore, before it takes a toll on your health, it is wise to find some effective measures for losing the stubborn belly fat. Maintain a strict diet is not always necessary to lose your belly fat. If you are wondering how to lose stubborn belly fat, you can opt for various measures mentioned below and flaunt a slim tummy in a few weeks. Movement is important – Walking is one of the best exercises when it comes to losing stubborn belly fat. However, you can also opt for some jogging, cycling as well as freehand exercises to remove the extra pounds that have collected in your time. Belly fat deposition is mostly seen in people who remain stationery for a prolonged period of time. If you too sit at a place for several hours, make sure to take a break and walk for some time. This will prevent the fat deposition in your belly area and you will be able to showcase a slim figure in just no time. Workout post pregnancy – Post pregnancy tummy is one of the common problems faced by young mothers after their first child delivery. If you are also facing the same problem, it is recommended for you to follow the designated workouts to reduce post pregnancy fat. Though it is always better to practice the workouts under the guidance of a trainer, you can also practice it on your own. DVDs for different exercises are now available in stores. You just need to select the right one for your practice. Know what to avoid – Just sweating out the excess fat is not enough if you want to get a slim and trim body.

What is meningitis? An inflammation of the membranes and fluids that cover the spinal cord and brain is known as Meningitis. According to statistics, over 1 million people every year get affected by different types of meningitis. The most common cause of meningitis is the infection, and this infection can be caused by different kinds of germs like parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria. What are the different types of meningitis? Bacterial meningitis Bacterial meningitis is an aggressive type of meningitis that can develop quickly – often within a few hours. Bacterial meningitis is so dangerous that it leads to death or permanent disability within a few hours. In 10-20% of the cases, bacterial meningitis is fatal, accounting for about 170,000 deaths around the world every year. Most of these deaths occur within 24-48 hours of the onset of the symptoms. Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus), Neisseria meningitidis (the meningococcus) and Haemophilus Influenzae Type B (Hib) are the main causes of bacterial meningitis. These bacteria are divided into groups of three that are known as serotypes or serogroups. To state an example, 95% of meningococcal meningitis and septicemia cases are caused by meningococcus serogroups A, B, C, W, and Y. Septicaemia, also known as blood poisoning, is a potentially life-threatening infection that is caused when meningitis-causing bacteria gets into the bloodstream. The infection can occur on its own or in addition to meningitis. It is very common to find meningitis bacteria in the throat and nose area in people. The bacteria that live in these areas of the human body usually cause no harm and help build immunity against infections. In case the bacteria invade the body, in a rare case, the disease manifests itself. Through respiratory droplets released through coughing, sneezing and making close contact, the bacteria becomes contagious as it can spread from person to person.