Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an inflammatory disease. It leads to swelling, pain, stiffness, and loss of movements in the joints of the body. One of the main causes of this condition is the malfunctioning of the immune system of the body, as it starts attacking the membrane linings of the joints instead of defending the body. One should always consult a doctor in the case they are diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. This is essential as a proper and timely diagnosis will help with starting a treatment plan. Diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis The symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis vary from person to person, and it can range from mild to severe. For most people, the condition turns out to be chronic and often lasts for a lifetime. For certain people the symptoms remain constant throughout; however, for others, the intensity of the symptoms varies from time to time. How is the treatment plan decided? Doctors use a variety of methods to treat rheumatoid arthritis. These treatment options are administered to the affected individual through various combinations and sessions depending on the condition. Most of the time, the treatment plans are curated on the basis of the individual’s condition. Communication is key and treatment is effective only if the patient is completely honest with their doctors. The patient should make a note of all the flare-ups and other symptoms and report them to the doctor as it would be important to devise an effective treatment plan for rheumatoid arthritis. A few common doctor-recommended options have been listed below that can help in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Change in lifestyle and behavior There are different changes that one can make from their side to help improve and manage their condition. Some of the common options have been listed as follows: Make sure to exercise and rest:

Working out, eating right, and catching up on your beauty sleep yields wonderful results. However, stress and pollution can wreak havoc on your hair and skin. While there are numerous skin products available that can repair the damage inflicted by the environment, when it comes to hair treatments, people prefer opting for natural remedies. Moreover, certain hair types are more prone to damage than others, and that’s where natural hair treatments come to your rescue. Visiting the salon might be the only viable solution, but there are better options. The ingredients for your hair treatment can be found easily, and you can whip them up in no time. Here are some of the most effective homemade hair treatments that will leave you with a strong and lustrous mane. Fancy some black tea? Tea can have an amazing effect on your hair. If your hair has been looking dull lately, you can revitalize it with the help of black tea! For this homemade hair treatment, all you have to do is brew some black tea. Let it cool and pour the tea onto your hair. You’ll have to wait for ten minutes and then wash it off. Et voila! Your hair will be shinier than it has ever been. You can repeat this hair treatment twice a week for best results. Butter it up Butter is a perfect remedy for dry and frizzy hair. It is creamy and rich, and adds softness and moisture to your hair. This hair treatment is inspired by a practice prominent in Ethiopia, where people use butter to moisturize their hair and protect it from sun damage. This hair treatment works wonders even if you have curly hair. It enhances your natural hair texture, and adds moisture and sheen to it. Go bananas! Bananas are the powerhouse of nutrients and are high in potassium too.

Who would not love to have hair growth that is just not lustrous but healthy too? Our crowning glory, the quality of hair can be easily damaged due to the lifestyle that we lead today. From unhealthy diets to bad sleeping habits, many factors can have a negative impact on hair growth. Fortunately, there are several measures that you use to improve the natural sheen and growth of your hair. Here are five natural hair treatment ingredients that you use to protect your hair from further damage. They are extremely safe and naturally stimulate healthy growth for the most desirable results. Coconut oil A miracle therapy for maintaining quality hair growth, coconut oil massages revered since ages for its great effects. The oil is extremely high in fatty acid content that penetrates the hair shaft to reduce the loss of protein in the hair. Depending on the type of hair, the massage can be used before or after a hair wash. The oil must be gently massaged into the shaft or the hair and left until well absorbed. According to proven research, the oil can also improve the luster of your hair over time, making it a great treatment option. Onion Juice Onion juice may not be very fragrant, but it does offer some great benefits whenit comes to hair treatment. Onion juice acts as a great blood stimulator and is found to successfully treat alopecia areata. All you have to do is blend in some onion and extract the juice before applying it to your scalp and hair cuticles. Leave it for about 15 minutes before normally washing it off with a natural shampoo. Aloe Vera Aloe vera has one of the best reputations for treating skin and hair issues. Not only does it soothe the scalp but also unblocks hair follicles.

Treatment options and medications for managing rheumatoid arthritis A long-term, progressive and, disabling autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis causes inflammation, swelling, and pain in and around the joints and other body organs. It occurs when a person’s immune system mistakenly assumes the body’s healthy tissues as foreign invaders and, as a response, inflammation occurs in the target tissue or the organ. While this condition can occur in any joints, it usually affects the hands and feet in the initial stage. Treatment approaches for rheumatoid arthritis patients Unfortunately, currently there is no cure to treat rheumatoid arthritis, but there are treatment options that can help reduce inflammation in the joints, relieve the pain, and slow down the damage caused to the joints. Physical therapy The goal is to keep you moving, this therapy uses exercise and other methods that stimulate muscles, bones, and joints. Instead of planning your own personal exercise chart, it’s advisable to consult a professional therapist who is aware of the challenges occurring with rheumatoid arthritis patients and how to work around it to keep the patients fit. Occupational therapy Since rheumatoid arthritis can make daily tasks difficult to accomplish due to pain and swelling, this therapy comes as a rescue. The professional will determine the problems and provide solutions such as assistive devices or products that make activities like dressing, cooking, bathing easy. Surgery This is the last resort. If none of the alternative treatment approaches help you, a doctor will advise surgery to repair damaged joints, correct deformities and reduce pain. Medications The following medications have proven to be quite effective against rheumatoid arthritis. H.P. Acthar® A trade name for corticotropin, this medication is a hormone that is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Although corticotropin can only reduce the symptoms and is not a cure for this condition.

If your eyes feel gritty like they have sand stuck inside them, appear red, burn, and/or sting, then you could have dry eyes. Dry eyes occur when the tiny glands within and around the eyelids don’t produce enough tears to keep the eyes healthy and your vision clear. Healthy tears, which are produced by eyes, keep the surface of the eye hydrated, comfortable, and smooth, washing away debris and dust and protecting them from infection. However, factors such as age, medications, and certain diseases tend to result in the eyes producing fewer tears. A person can experience dry eyes when the eyes do not produce the right kind of tears for clearing out dust/debris particles or keeping the surface well-lubricated. While there are cases wherein the doctor might have to treat underlying diseases or issues for helping your eyes produce tears, there are also some natural home remedies for dry eyes that one can follow to find relief. Warm compresses Tears are made of mucus, water, and oil, all of which the eyes require for staying healthy and moist. Flaky, inflamed eyelids could end up clogging the oil-producing glands along the eyelid’s edge, resulting in dry eyes. To help loosen the clogged oils and ease the irritation, take a clean washcloth, wet it with warm water and wring it before placing it over your closed eyes for a minute. After that, gently press the eyelid’s edge with your finger for squeezing out the clogged oils. The heat and the moisture helps loosen up the glands that are clogged with oils. Warm compresses done every day also help lessen inflammation, long after your eyes feel better. Wash crusty lashes Crusty lashes need to be cleaned. Cleaning out the eyelids and the surrounding hair and skin helps get rid of any eyelid inflammation.

Learn more about the types of hepatitis C treatment medications, and whether you are eligible for the new hepatitis C treatment options. The number one cause of liver cancer, hepatitis C is also the number one reason people have to undergo liver transplantations. This medical condition is the result of contracting a virus by coming into contact with infected blood. Sometimes, hepatitis C can spread through sexual intercourse too. Though it is a curable condition, the rate of cure stayed at lower than 50 percent for the longest time. Most of the hepatitis C treatment options put the patient through a lot of pain and turmoil. Standard treatment options included painful injection of interferon medication as well as ribavirin pills. Instead of working on the virus that is causing the illness, these medications worked by boosting your immune system to fight off the virus better – but fight you had to. Times have changed since, and new hepatitis C treatment options are working in a quicker, safer, and painless way. Here is everything you need to know about hepatitis C treatment and what you can expect from it. Will You Be Treated At All? The first thing to understand is that you may or may not get any form of hepatitis C treatment depending on a number of factors such as how much damage has already been caused to your liver (is it worth saving?), how much of the HCV (hepatitis C virus) you actually have in your body, what other health conditions you are handling, and lastly, what genotype of the HCV you have. The problem is that the medication used in standard hepatitis C treatment tends to cause severe side effects, and may or may not even work for you. Acute Hepatitis C Treatment You can only get treated for a specific medical condition like hepatitis C if you know that you have the condition in the first place, or you suspect that you may have it and get diagnosed.

There have been recent advancements in research on COPD stem cell treatment. Here are the details about what this treatment is, and whether it can help you. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a blanket phrase used to refer to various diseases of the lung. COPD includes lung disorders like asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. It is a relatively common medical condition, and affects millions of people all over the world. There can be different reasons why a person develops COPD, but the chief causes of the disease are smoking and long-term exposure to pollution or chemical fumes. If you have COPD, you may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing, and persistent coughing. COPD is a progressive health condition that can cause severe damage, and has no cure. However, different types of treatments are available to help COPD patients manage the symptoms and breathe easy. In addition, some lifestyle changes and dietary modifications can help you keep your COPD symptoms under control. Another treatment method which is being researched on and tested is COPD stem cell treatment. This treatment has been used to help patients with autoimmune, orthopedic, neurological, cardio, and pulmonary disorders. There are patients who have found considerable relief after undergoing COPD stem cell treatment, although more studies are currently needed in this area. If you want to know more about COPD stem cell treatment, here are some frequently asked questions about the process, and the answers to them. What are stem cells? Stem cells in the human body are cells that have the ability to change into other cell types. Also described as “shape shifters,” these stem cells are being extensively studies under a new field of science known as ‘regenerative medicine.’ As such cells have the ability to convert into other specialized type of cells in your body, they can be effective in the treatment if various diseases, including COPD.

A prevalent digestive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) currently affects millions of individuals in the country. This chronic condition causes abdominal pain and distress in the large intestine causing unusual bowel movements. The common symptoms of IBS include diarrhea, constipation, diarrhea with constipation, intestinal cramps post meals, bloating, etc. However, these symptoms can vary from person to person. Interestingly, IBS is more common in women. However, the precise reason behind it is still not known. Although there is a combination of issues that can trigger IBS such as food allergies, pain sensitivity, bacterial infections, an imbalance in body chemicals, hereditary factors, psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, etc. There are three types of IBS, i.e., IBS with diarrhea, IBS with constipation, and IBS mix (diarrhea with constipation). You can seek the help of your doctor for irritable bowel syndrome treatment, based on the type of your IBS distress. To help you understand your options better, here are some of the common irritable bowel syndrome treatments implemented. The remedies mentioned below are a combination of medical assistance and personal initiatives to improve your IBS condition. Medications – Under your doctor’s guidance, you can begin a course of prescription drugs. These may include antispasmodics, antidepressants, antibiotics, etc., which can assist in alleviating some of your symptoms. Your doctor will recommend any one of these or a combination of medications. For instance, antispasmodic medicines are for relieving spasms and abdominal pain. Moreover, antibiotics will be apt for an irritable bowel syndrome treatment for controlling bacterial infections. However, always remember you should not consume any medications without your doctor’s knowledge. Apart from prescription drugs, there are certain over-the-counter medications which can aid in decreasing your digestive woes. Psychological assistance – If the onset of IBS has led to depression or anxiety, then you should visit a therapist who could counsel you about stress management.

Chronic constipation is caused when there are infrequent bowel movements on a usual basis. This condition makes it extremely difficult to pass stools for several days and can go one even for weeks. Constipation can be a condition on its own or can be a cause of a more severe disease. People experience constipation on few occasions and that is considered be normal. However, when constipation becomes chronic, it can disrupt one’s daily life and interfere with the ability to go about doing daily tasks. It also leads to discomfort due to extreme strain in order to have a bowel movement. There are several causes that may be responsible for chronic constipation. Not drinking enough water and follow a poor diet may be primary causes. However, there can be mechanical problems that lead to obstruction in the passing of stools. A blockage in the colon and rectum will hamper the smooth movement of stools and either slow down or stop the process altogether. The pelvic muscles that contribute to the movement of the bowels can be affected, causing chronic constipation. Diseases like diabetes and underactive thyroid or pregnancy in women too can lead to this condition due to an imbalance of hormones in the body. Chronic constipation brings with several complications such as: Anus fissure – If a stool cannot be easily passed, it can harden and tear the skin of the anus. Swollen anus veins – Chronic constipation leads to straining and forceful bowel movement. These stains can swell the veins that are present inside the anus and around it too. Hard stool accumulation – When stool is not naturally passed out, it begins to accumulate and harden. This hardened stool can get stuck in the intestine and cause severe complications. Rectal prolapse – A strained bowel movement can also affect the rectum.

Gout is a type of arthritis that is caused by the presence of excess uric acid in the body and extremely painful. The abnormal metabolism of uric acid results in the excess of it in the tissues of the body and blood. In case of an individual who suffers from gout, the body either produces too much of uric acid or the kidneys are unable to excrete it. Gout can be a primary condition or can be associated with other medical conditions. High levels of uric acid in the blood leads to the formation of urate crystals that get deposited in the joints. This causes excess inflammation and pain. Gout can affect anybody, irrespective of gender and age. However, men are more likely to suffer from this condition. Also, a large number of women are susceptible to gout after the period of menopause. Gout causes an attack that can be described as a string or severe burning. These gout attacks can occur at any time, however, they are more likely to spring-up in the middle of the night. During a gout flare, the skin looks red and there is severe swelling in the joint. The base of the big toe joint is the most common place for gout, followed by the ankle, knee, elbow, and wrist. The pain is in the joint can be so excruciating that the mere touch of the finger can send down a burning sensation. Gout comes with a few symptoms that begin with redness in the area and severe tenderness. A sudden attack can be the first sign and stop spontaneously after a while. The pain and swelling eventually disappear even without treatment but common returns after a few days in the same or another joint. As gout flares increase in frequency, the pain caused is much more severe and last longer.

Cellulite is a common problem faced by many women all over the world irrespective of their age. Some people assume that cellulite is a type of fat deposited in some areas of the body, such as the thighs, which makes the skin appear patchy and blotchy. There are many treatments for cellulite and research is being done to find new methods to reduce the occurrence of cellulite. Let us look at some of the procedures to reduce the occurrence and appearance of cellulite: Reducing cellulite through laser treatment There are various laser treatments available to reduce the appearance of cellulite. In a procedure known as Cellulaze, the laser has to be fired, as in this treatment procedure, a small laser fiber is placed under the area of the skin affected by cellulite. After the fiber is inserted, the cellulite is visible as the laser breaks the skin cells under the skin which are not visible. The laser treatment helps in transforming the thin skin to a thick one which helps in reducing the appearance of the cellulite. This is among the most popular and effective cellulite treatments; however, the results of this laser treatment do not last longer than six months. Cellulite may appear on the skin after 6 months of this treatment. Vacuum-assisted procedure for the bands of cellulite This is also among the most effective cellulite treatments. A dermatologist performs this procedure as it requires specialized equipment. This equipment contains small blades which break up the bands of the cellulite. The tissue is lifted upward as the bands of cellulite are cut which reduces the appearance of it. The effectiveness of this cellulite treatment depends up on whether the treatment gives a permanent solution to the problem. Through this effective cellulite treatment, the appearance of cellulite can be avoided or reduced till three years, and in some cases, more than that.

Indigestion and bloating are two of the most commonly suffered disorders among humans. Both children and adults often complain of acute abdominal pain, gas development within the stomach, and discomfort or burning sensation in the throat or chest. These are the common symptoms of acid reflux. The disorder needs to be controlled to sustain a healthy digestive system and a healthy body. Acid reflux treatment may include medication in severe cases. However, in normal cases, a healthy lifestyle and good eating habits are generally enough to curb the problem to a large extent. What Is Acid Reflux? The entrance of the human stomach has a lining of muscles that form a valve. This valve is called the Lower Esophageal Sphincter or LES. It closes once the food enters the stomach. But, in case the valve is open for a longer period, the acids developed within the stomach to aid digestion may enter the LES and move up to the esophagus. It causes discomforts like burning sensation in the throat and chest. Though this is commonly known as heartburn, it is actually acid reflux. If a person suffers from acid reflux for more than two days per week, he or she might be suffering from Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) and must undergo proper acid reflux treatment. Patients who have acid reflux complain of uncomfortable burning sensation, frequent burping, bloating or a foul acid taste in their mouth. In severe cases, one may also experience bouts of vomiting, bloody or black stool, nausea, sudden weight loss, hiccups, and wheezing or a sore throat. Lifestyle Changes As Acid Reflux Treatment Many doctors prescribe medication like antacids and pills to reduce acid production in extremely critical cases. However, some suggest certain lifestyle changes that can help curb the problem and act as simple yet effective acid reflux treatment.