Red fire ants live in mounds and to protect their abode, they sting aggressively when they sense an intruder. The sting is quite painful and causes an allergic reaction to the skin like redness, itching, and even swelling. If you are not wearing proper clothes and protective shoes, there are higher chances of incurring a sting. Therefore, before going into ant prone areas, you should know the symptoms and treatment for fire ant stings. Several species of stinging ants are called fire ants. These ants bite when disturbed, and the bite causes allergies or skin problems. The two most problematic species in America are the following: Solenopsis Invicta: This is a native South American species and is found in about 13 states in the United States. They are not more than half an inch in size and are red or brownish. It is better known as Red imported fire ant. A group of red imported fire ants stun their prey with venom and can overcome much larger animals like box turtles. Solenopsis Richteri: It is a native South American species better known as Black imported fire ant. These are not as widespread as the red fire ants and are mostly found on the Gulf Coast and the Southeast. Both the species in variable defend their mounds and bite intruders in large groups. Gardeners, children playing outdoors, and pets are most often bitten by these ants. Once these ants start attacking, they do not stop until the intruder has left the mound. Fire ants attack feet and legs when people step on their mounds. These ants are feared since, unlike other species, they sting multiple times. Allergic reaction to fire ant stings When a fire ant stings, it usually causes an allergic reaction in the form of blisters. Some people develop a severe reaction that may include swelling, burning, or itching.

Bronchitis can be defined as an irritation or inflammation of the airways, also known as bronchial tubes, in the lungs. These airways are the tubes through which the air passes. When these airways get inflamed, thick mucus forms in them. The mucus covers up the airways thus making it hard for the air to get into the lungs. Persistent coughing is an indication of bronchitis and produces mucus. The sputum plugs up the airways and causes difficulty in breathing, resulting in a feeling of tightness in the chest. In this article, the symptoms along with effective treatment for chronic bronchitis have been outlined. Chronic means that the problem or condition lasts a long time ranging from a few days to several months. Chronic bronchitis is bronchitis that usually lasts more than 3 months and often occurs with emphysema. The combination of these disease causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Symptoms of chronic bronchitis The most common symptoms of acute bronchitis: Sore throat Fever constant coughing accompanied by yellow or green mucus Chest congestion Shortness of breath Wheezing Chills Body aches Causes of chronic bronchitis Viruses are often blamed for causing chronic bronchitis. Viruses attack the coating of the bronchial tree and cause inflammation. The same viruses that are responsible for causing colds can also cause acute bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis is contagious, i.e., the virus can be caught from breathing it in or through contact. Once the body starts fighting bronchitis causing viruses, swelling, and inflammation occur. The body needs time to kill these viruses and heal the damage caused to the bronchial tubes. Cigarette smoking is also said to be a major cause of chronic bronchitis. During smoking, tobacco smoke is inhaled into the lungs, this smoke causes irritation in the airways, and they start producing mucus. Regular smokers often develop acute bronchitis.

Lupus Skin Rash is a disease which causes inflammation, flare-ups and has several other symptoms. The improper functioning of the immune system damages the skin tissue and results in flare-ups. The symptoms of lupus skin rash start in the early adulthood from the age of thirty and worsen as the age progresses. Studies reveal the occurrence of lupus is high among women as compared to men. Lupus skin rash affects people in different ways. Some of them suffer from mild symptoms while other could have a severe problem. The disease can’t be cured permanently, however, treatment can reduce the intensity of pain. Common symptoms of lupus skin rash The main symptoms which characterize the lupus skin rash are fever, rash, hair fall, fatigue, kidney infections, and inflammation in joints, dried mouth, thyroid troubles and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Nail problems: You may have discolored and brittle nails due to lupus. The nails may crack and fall anytime. At times red spots are formed in the nail bed due to the inflammation of the blood vessels. Joint pain: Pain in the wrists, fingers, limbs, and knees are the initial signs of lupus. You can even suffer from muscular pain, which causes inflammation. Fever: People with lupus suffer from mild to high degree fever along with fatigue. They could feel exhausted throughout the day and find it difficult to walk. Butterfly rash: As the name indicates butterfly-shaped rash appears across the cheeks and Nose Bridge. Red spots, mouth sores, and purple rashes are some of the prime signs of butterfly rash. Hair fall: People may experience the falling of hair. The hair becomes thin on the scalp along with the development of flakes on the scalp. Sensitivity to light: Patients with lupus are highly sensitive to the sun. Spending a day in the sunlight can trigger the rashes.

Toenail fungus is the bacterial or fungal infection of your toenail or a part of it. When your toes are exposed continuously to a moist or damp environment, it becomes a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. If you leave this untreated, the infection could spread to your skin, so it is imperative that you get the toenail fungus treated on time. What causes toenail fungus? A number of factors cause toenail fungus, here are a few : Constant exposure to a damp and moist environment is the most common causal factor of toenail fungus. The type of fungus is usually a dermatophyte. If you already are suffering from athlete’s foot, then that can trigger toenail fungus as well. Weak blood circulation Sometimes, you can contract this infection from others. For example, by wearing the socks or shoes of a person who has toenail fungus can increase your chances of having it too. With old age, your blood circulation decreases, which can lead to toenail fungus. Excessive sweating Walking barefoot Contaminated public spaces such as swimming pools and gyms Psoriasis A weak immune system Wearing socks and tight shoes What are the symptoms of toenail fungus? The affected nail thickens. You might find it difficult to trim your nails. The thickness is caused due to the overgrowth of bacteria and fungi. Discoloration of the nail is one of the most common symptoms. The nail might turn white, yellow or brown. The nail turns brittle, crumbly and will break easily. The shape of your nail changes, it can get distorted and ragged. Owing to the buildup of debris under your nail, the nail bed becomes a dark color. Sometimes, the nail starts to emit a foul odor. Hyperkeratosis or scaling under the affected nail. Lateral onychomycosis refers to the white or yellow streaks that appear across your nails.

Are you suffering from acute body ache? Are you tired and feel fatigued most of the time? Do you have disturbed sleep or undergo severe mood swings? If so, you might probably be suffering from a serious ailment named fibromyalgia. Although the mentioned symptoms may also be similar to other diseases or sickness, given below are some of the common indications of fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disorder that accelerates a musculoskeletal pain throughout one’s body. It basically intensifies painful sensations that affect the brain’s ability to process signals related to pain. Till the last couple of years, pain relief for fibromyalgia was limited to prescribing simple painkillers. However, a patient suffering from pain due to fibromyalgia can be treated in better ways today. Doctors have a better understanding of the problem today and are able to recommend appropriate medication that focuses mainly on providing pain relief for fibromyalgia. Indications of fibromyalgia for diagnosis Doctors across the globe noted that women are found to be more susceptible to pain due to fibromyalgia compared to men. The reason, however, is yet unknown. Although most of the warning signs of this disorder may sound very similar to any other disease symptoms, doctors treating a patient suffering from fibromyalgia diagnose the disorder only after knowing the patient’s medical history. It has been observed that in most cases, the onset of this acute pain in the body happens after a major event in the patient’s life such as – Surgery – Infection – Psychological stress – Trauma However, health practitioners do not rule out the fact that this disorder may also occur gradually with time, with none of the above-mentioned triggering events being visible. Knowing the happenings of the patient’s health and the time since that person has been undergoing the pain helps the doctor to analyze the condition better and suggest measures for pain relief for fibromyalgia accordingly.

Gum disease is common and results in painful, inflamed, and swollen gums. The early stages of gum disease are called gingivitis. If gum disease isn’t tackled in early stages, then it progresses to periodontitis. The most common gum diseases are called by bacterial infections, that can spread and destroy the gums, and the tissue surrounding the teeth. The bacteria forms plaques around the teeth and gums. If this plaque isn’t removed, it can harden and form tartar. Most early cases of plaque buildup and gingivitis can be treated on your own. Natural treatment for gum disease is a great way to save yourself time, money, and pain of seeing a dentist. Natural treatment for gum disease includes maintaining good oral hygiene and overall health. Symptoms of gum disease Healthy gums are pink, fit securely around the teeth, do not bleed when you touch or brush them, and are not painful or inflamed. In some cases, the initial stages of gum disease are not painful, and there may be no recognizable symptoms. Eventually, as the disease progresses, the symptoms can worsen. The early stage of gum disease or gingivitis has fewer symptoms, and these tend to be nonspecific and vague. The most common early symptoms of gum disease are: Redness or purple discoloration of the gums Swelling Bleeding gums while brushing, eating, or on touching the gums. Painful gums Bad breath ( halitosis ) Natural treatment for gum disease is best initiated during early stages, to halt the progression into a more severe form of gum disease, i.e, periodontitis . The symptoms of advanced gum disease or periodontitis are: An unpleasant taste in the mouth Bad breath (halitosis) Loose teeth Difficulty chewing food Gum abscesses (collection of pus) Receding gums, which make the teeth appear longer. Deep pockets between the gums and teeth.

What is a rotator cuff injury? Rotator cuff injury occurs when the muscles and their tendons, in the shoulder get inflamed or irritated. A rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that play a vital role in stabilizing the shoulder and regulating its’ movement. Rotator cuff injury may occur either due to impingement (the swelling of rotator cuff muscle or due to a tear), or when the rotator cuff muscle or the tendon gets torn. The swelling or the tear may either result due to an injury, constant pressure over the shoulder muscles, or due to aging. The symptoms of rotator cuff injury include pain, swelling, and stiffness in the arm and shoulder area, weakness, inability to carry any weight. Also, you might notice a clicking sound when you raise your arm and feel pain whenever the arm is put to work. Rotator cuff injury treatment Once you are certain that the rotator cuff is the reason for uneasiness in your shoulder joint, the following treatments can be considered: RICE Technique : Try adopting the RICE technique, after an injury to the shoulder joint. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This is the initial treatment that’s recommended for treating rotator cuff injury. Rest : Rest is the best remedy for treating rotator cuff injury. You should rest for a while and restrict yourself from any activity involving the shoulder or the arm, so the problem settles rather than getting elevated. Ice : Apply the ice pack on the shoulder area where the problem exists, to reduce the pain or swelling. Apply the ice pack for 10-15 minutes, and repeat it at least twice a day. Compression : Wrap around a crepe bandage on the painful area, which helps in reducing both the pain and the swelling. Wrap the bandage loosely, so that the blood circulation doesn’t get affected.

Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, means low blood sugar (glucose) levels in the body. It usually occurs in people with diabetes. It can be a side effect of insulin or other types of diabetes medicines. Generally, the acceptable range of blood sugar is 70 to 100 mg/dL. In case of diabetic patients, 70 mg/dL or less indicates low blood sugar. However, diabetes medication is not the only cause of low blood sugar. Medications that don’t suit your body, or any exercise or diet, can lead to low sugar levels. Therefore, you mustn’t be careless about your sugar levels and should keep a thorough record to prevent its diminution below the permissible limit. Also, the brain needs glucose to function efficiently and low sugar can cause loss of energy for brain function, leading to poor attention and cognitive function. The brain senses the drop in sugar. This biochemical process then alerts the person that they need food or water—if neglected or left untreated, it can lead to coma or death. In worse case scenario, an injection of glucagon is given to the affected person as the person finds it difficult to eat anything in a normal manner. The glycogen immediately raises the sugar levels to relatively normal. There are many symptoms that can help you recognize low blood sugar levels (they differ from person to person). Symptoms of low blood sugar Anxiety: One of the symptoms of low blood sugar is anxiety. In anxiety or stress, the blood sugar consumption increases which cause an adrenaline rush. This, in turn, causes low blood sugar due to the fluctuations in the energy levels. Hunger: Mild hypoglycemia makes you feel hungry while high or severe hypoglycemia leads to unconsciousness. Food then breaks down into sugar that enables functioning of our body. The sudden hunger pangs are one of the major symptoms of low blood sugar.

Prostate impotence also termed as erectile dysfunction affects almost 30 million men. The impotence may result from a complete inability to achieve an erection, inconsistent ability to achieve an erection, or sustain a brief erection. The condition is brought about by physical problems mainly with respect to the blood supply to the penis. Advancement in medicine has opened up effective prostate impotence treatment options, which are safe and effective. Risk Factors As men age, they risk suffering from impotence. Other known risk factors for impotence include low testosterone levels, smoking, alcohol consumption, substance abuse, diabetes, hypertension, high blood cholesterol levels, and vascular diseases. Before we know about the prostate impotence treatment options, lets know about the causes of prostate impotence. Causes of Prostate Impotence A possible list of causes for erectile dysfunction include performance anxiety, depression, premature ejaculation, diabetes, venous leak, organic impotence, neurological causes ( like multiple sclerosis, spine and nerve injuries), Peyronie’s disease, drug-induced impotence, and hormone induced impotence. Treatment Options The line of treatment is drawn based on the age, general health, medical history of the patient, the extent of the disease, patient tolerance for specific medication, procedures, and therapies and the patient preference. Following are the specific treatment alternatives available for prostate impotence/erectile dysfunction. Medical Treatment Prescription drugs such as Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis have been administered to patients with prostate impotence as the first line of treatment. They are oral PDE5 inhibitors. The component like sildenafil citrate contained in Viagra is an oral drug that increases the response to sexual stimulation. Levitra which contains vardenafil citrate works quickly and improves sexual function in men across all age groups. It is particularly effective for men with diabetes and men who have undergone radical prostatectomy. Tadalafil citrate contained in Cialis is the one that stays in the body for the longest possible time.

Seizure patterns can be of various types. This is a condition where the brain experiences a sudden wave of electrical activity that affects the ways a person behaves and acts. The most common form is known as status epilepticus. This is a situation where there is a continuous seizure activity for thirty minutes or even more. This is a situation of medical emergency and can even cause the death of the person. The American Epilepsy Society reveals that every year at least thirty adults and three children lose their lives due to seizures. Hence, the American Epilepsy Society (AES) has released new seizure treatment guidelines to hospitals, nursing homes, and medical caregivers so that such situations can be handled in an effective manner. AES-certified seizure treatment guidelines These seizure treatment guidelines can be used for adult and pediatric treatment. It provides a chart or a kind of algorithm so that the entire event can be divided into three different and distinct phases and the treatment can be carried out in an effective way for convulsive seizures. Stabilization phase This is the initial phase of the seizure activity. As per the seizure treatment guidelines of AES, this is the time when the first aid is to be extended to the patient who is under the attack of the seizure. This is when you must make an assessment of the situation and must keep a very close monitoring of the patient. Initial therapy phase This is the second phase of the seizure treatment guidelines which continues from the fifth minute and lasts up to twenty minutes of the seizure. This is the time when the caregiver finally decides that the seizure is such that it will require medical intervention. As per the seizure treatment guidelines, the first drug that can be used is a benzodiazepine that can be an IM midazolam, IV diazepam, or an IV lorazepam.

Psoriasis is a disease of the skin, and it affects hands and feet, elbows, knees, scalp, eyelids, skin folds, or can appear anywhere on our body. Psoriasis is not limited to any specific part of the body, and it significantly affects the quality of our life. It is a chronic inflammatory cell-mediated disease mostly affecting skin and joints. Psoriasis is considered a very common and complex disease which can be cured with various treatments available. Chronic psoriasis is a rare and dangerous type of disease because they reduce the body’s ability to fight off the infections. It is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disorder with a strong genetic basis. Both men and women are affected with psoriasis. It can occur in any age groups but uncommon in children or early infants. Chronic psoriasis is caused due to various causative agents/ factors like environmental such as climate change, hereditary like psoriasis associated genes, frequent medications, the immune system of the host, etc. Psoriasis occurs when the cells of skin rise from below the skin surface and pile up on the surface before they shed off. T-cells often help to protect the body against various infections. In psoriasis, these T-cells are put into action by mistake, and they trigger other immune responses by being in an active state. Individuals with chronic psoriasis experience physical discomfort, itching, and pain. It interferes with a daily routine of walking, playing sports, self-care, looking after family members, sleeping, etc. Patients with chronic psoriasis become self-conscious about their appearance leading to depression and social isolation. Psoriasis is classified as mild, moderate and severe respectively. It is associated with several other conditions like diabetes, arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease and cardiovascular disorders, etc. Psoriasis is not a contagious disease and touching a person cannot pass this skin condition from one person to another.

Tear ducts are a complex system that carries tears out of the eyes and into the nasal canal. The duct begins in the eye sockets and continues down and back. Excess tears drain into the tear ducts and end in the inferior nasal canal. Tear ducts are also called the nasolacrimal ducts and they are important for healthy eyes. The nasolacrimal ducts provide a connection between the eyes and the nose, and even indirectly to the throat since the nose connects to the throat. This is why the nose gets stuffy when you cry, and that is why allergies cause watery eyes. This is also why you sometimes taste eye drops. Sometimes the tears ducts can get blocked or obstructed. This can happen at any age, and may even be present at birth ( congenital blocked tear ducts ). Blocked tear ducts can cause an overflow of tears, and congenital cases may evolve into a cystic expansion of the duct. Blocked tear duct treatment depends on factors like underlying cause, age, and severity. Structure Of The Tear Ducts The eyelids push tears across the eyes when they move, i.e., when a person blinks. The tears keep the eyes lubricated, and help to flush out dust and other impurities. These tears flow into drains found at the inner corner of the eye called puncta . Puncta are present both at the upper and lower edges at the inner corner of the eye. These drains empty into channels called canaliculi, that connect to the nose. The channels terminate at the lacrimal sac, that lies on either side of the nose. The lacrimal sac narrows to form the lacrimal duct, which enters the nostril through the nasal bone. Symptoms Of Blocked Tear Ducts Signs and symptoms that may indicate a need for blocked tear duct treatment are: