A serene, natural and green environment is the best therapy that you need. But, one thing you need to be wary of is the poisonous plants that lurk around the corner, waiting to come in contact with you. Poison ivy is one of the most common allergies that Americans face, with over 50 million people suffering from it each year. Statistics show that about 85 percent of the population is allergic to poison ivy. Poison ivy contains urushiol, which is an oily resin that is responsible for causing an allergic reaction. Urushiol is found in the roots, stems, and leaves of the poison ivy plant, and when you touch or brush against this plant, you end up with a poison ivy rash. Symptoms of Poison Ivy: How can you tell? The symptoms of poison ivy allergy or rash include swelling, itching, and redness in the affected area. You might even experience difficulty in breathing. The rash might turn into blisters. Since the plant has sharp edges, the rash might look like a straight line, as you’ve most likely brushed against it. Poison Ivy Treatment Cold compress Applying a cold compress can help soothe your skin as well as decrease the itchiness and prevent the urge to scratch the affected area. When you scratch the rashes, you tend to make it worse as your skin will get damaged. A cold compress can also help soothe inflammation. Lemon juice Lemon juice is a natural astringent. Since the oily resin in the poison ivy plant is what causes the rash and allergy, lemon juice can work as an excellent poison ivy treatment. Make sure you apply the lime juice as soon as you come in contact with the poison ivy, and before the oily resin gets into your skin. However, lemon juice can irritate a few people.

Probiotics are microorganisms which supplement natural bacteria in the gut and help in balancing of intestinal flora. World Health Organization has also defined probiotics as live microorganisms which offer health benefits to users. A common use of probiotics is in the treatment of gastrointestinal ailments as inflammatory bowel diseases and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS is a condition which is usually poorly understood and the treatment options are little. Probiotics are useful in the treatment of symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Many research studies have been done in judging the role of probiotics in irritable bowel syndrome. Research has shown that Bifidobacterium infantis is effective in treating irritable bowel syndrome. Bifidobacterium infantis is known to reduce the pain in the abdomen, bloating and difficulty in bowel movements. It is available in pure form and is known by the name of Align. Probiotics can be taken safely as it considered as a food by Food and Drug Administration. Health benefits of Probiotics Probiotics have numerous health benefits for any individual. They generally help the friendly bacteria in the human digestive system and are thus known to aid the process of digestion. The role of probiotics in aiding and healing conditions related to diarrhea is also well documented. They are also known to keep the heart of a person healthy and play a vital role in maintaining the mental balance of a person. Probiotics have been appreciated in particular for reducing the severity of allergies and are known to treat conditions related to eczema in particular. Irritable Bowel Syndrome It is a condition which causes discomfort in the belly and causes trouble in bowel movements. It is not life-threatening but can result in weakness in a person and will certainly affect the daily life of a person. Typical symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating, Irritable bowel syndrome can be triggered by multiple factors including consumption of certain foods and medicines.

Peyronie’s disease is a penis related disease that occurs when a scar tissue shapes up inside the penis. This tissue is called plaque and is formed as a result of any injury inside the penis, that may cause internal bleeding. Some of the causes include Vitamin E deficiency, increase in serotonin levels and even due to the intake of beta B medications. In certain cases, the genetic disorder could also be a factor. The penis of a man may either bend upwards or even to either of the sides. Men suffering from Peyronie’s have trouble while having sex, like feelings of uneasiness and anxiety. Peyronie’s generally occurs in middle-aged men, and it’s a rare disease that occurs in around 1% to 8% men. Symptoms Of Peyronie’s Disease Symptoms of Peyronie’s disease include: Pain while getting erection Pain while having sex Bending of penis Soft erections Shortening of penis Incapability of having intercourse Stress Reducing The Risk Of Peyronie’s Disease There are certain lifestyle changes that need to be adopted, to keep away Peyronie’s Disease. They include: Give up smoking Exercise or Yoga Minimizing alcohol intake Stop the intake of any non-prescribed drugs Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Treatment for Peyronie’s disease may vary from person to person, depending on the magnitude of the problem they are experiencing. Sometimes if the pain is not severe, and erectile functioning is not much of a problem, doctors suggest doing nothing, but wait. Sometimes, this problem fades away with time. In case you don’t get any relief, other options can be tried. Penis Injections for Peyronie’s Disease Treatment Collagenase : This the only medicine that is FDA approved, for treating Peyronie’s disease. It is also known as Xiaflex and it can be prescribed to men with moderate, or severe bending of the penis. Though the effectiveness of this drug requires additional research, this type of injection helps in breaking down of collagen concentration, that causes the penis to bend.

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord. It can be a life-threatening condition. Therefore, the case of a person affected by meningitis falls under medical emergencies. Causes of meningitis The swelling may be caused due to viral or bacterial infections. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections can also cause meningitis. You may catch the infection while sneezing or coughing or kissing. Commonly, acute viral and bacterial infections cause the inflammation of tissues. Fungal meningitis is rare; it causes chronic meningitis. The signs of meningitis vary from person to person, depending on his/her age and the cause of the infection. Bacterial meningitis is a serious illness and can be deadly. It spreads to the brain through nasal mucus and throat secretions. It can build up in over a few hours or several days. In infants, the most common causes are Group B strep, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus) are often the causes of meningitis in adolescents. If left untreated for long, many complications may arise. The possible complications might include the following: Loss of hearing Epilepsy Brain damage Renal failure Gait issues Shock Hydrocephalus or fluid buildup and brain swelling Myocarditis or inflammation of heart muscles (only if the infection reaches the heart) These complications can be life-threatening. Viral meningitis is the most common type of meningitis and is often less severe than bacterial meningitis. There is no report of serious long-term issues associated with viral meningitis. Affected people recover on their own (without any medical treatment). There is no specific treatment for antibiotics do not help treat viral meningitis. However, they are crucial in treating bacterial meningitis. Viral meningitis is a communicable disease. The meningitis symptoms in children include cold, diarrhea, fever, blisters, sore throat, and influenza.

Meningitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. The second most common type of meningitis is bacterial meningitis. Acute bacterial meningitis is caused by several strains of bacteria such as Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus), Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus), Haemophilus influenzae (Haemophilus), and Listeria monocytogenes (listeria). What is strep meningitis? Strep Meningitis, also known as streptococcus meningitis or pneumococcal meningitis, is a disease caused by bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae. The Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria spread and multiply in the ‘meninges’ in the brain, hence, the name meningitis. The meninges are the membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord, filled with cerebrospinal fluid, to protect the brain tissues from damage. When the meninges are infected by any kind of bacteria, toxic substances are produced in the cerebrospinal fluid, which results in inflamed and swollen brain tissue. Types of Strep Meningitis Strep Meningitis can be of two kinds. The two types of bacteria responsible for strep meningitis are Group A Streptococcal, also known as GAS, and Group B Streptococcal, known as GBS. A Group A streptococcal infection is caused by GAS bacteria, found on the inside of the throat and the skin’s surface. GAS bacteria are less harmful than GBS bacteria and cause issues like a sore throat, skin, ear and sinus infections. When the bacteria penetrate the body, the threat becomes more serious as they can cause septicemia, or blood poisoning, or lung infection AKA pneumonia. Meningitis caused by gas is rare but is still a possibility. GBS bacteria are also called Streptococcus agalactiae. These bacteria are found in the vagina, intestines, and sometimes in the throat. There is a very slight chance of these bacteria being transferred from the mother to the child during childbirth. In newborn babies, this condition is called neonatal meningitis. Many of us are the carriers of bacteria responsible for strep meningitis.

While sweating is completely natural and, in fact, healthy, excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis can be caused by underlying health conditions like diabetes, menopause, and tuberculosis. Following a nutrient-dense food regimen plays a crucial role in keeping one healthy, and in this case, it can help one manage hyperhidrosis. On that note, here is a list of must-have foods one should eat daily to keep their body cool and decrease sweating. Foods to eat Water-dense fruits and vegetables Staying hydrated is a great way to manage excessive sweating. One can add water-dense fruits and vegetables to their meals in addition to drinking water and beverages that are low in sugar. Regularly eating watermelon, apples, oranges, peaches, pineapples, spinach, lettuce, cucumbers, bell peppers, strawberries, grapes, celery, eggplant, and red cabbage can reduce excessive sweating episodes. Calcium-rich foods like low-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt Calcium is an essential mineral that regulates the body’s temperature. Getting enough calcium through meals is vital for those dealing with excessive sweating. A few calcium-rich foods include milk, cheese, yogurt, and dark leafy greens. Those who have been told to decrease their fat intake due to health reasons can look for low-fat substitutes of yogurt, cheese, and milk. It is important to note that having low-fat foods can be beneficial for those with hyperhidrosis, as the body needs more energy to digest high-fat foods, leading to excessive sweating. Green tea Decaffeinated green tea is a great way to keep the body cool. This beverage is known to help calm the nerves, thereby reducing sweating. One can think of replacing their daily cup of Joe with tea. Magnesium-rich foods like almond, cashew, spinach, and soy Excessive sweating can cause a deficiency in magnesium, so it is important to include foods like spinach, almonds, soy, pumpkin seeds, cashews, and dark chocolate in one’s meals.

An extremely common complaint, heel pain has several common causes. It is vital to make an accurate diagnosis of the cause of the symptoms in order to get appropriate and timely treatment that is directed at the exact cause of the problem. Once the source of the heel pain is clear, a more targeted treatment plan can help in a speedy recovery. Furthermore, knowing the right and the exact cause of the symptoms may help in taking steps to prevent the condition from reoccurring. Below is some information about the common causes of knee pain and the treatment and remedial options. Causes Heel pain can sometimes be caused by an injury like a fracture or a sprain. The most common causes of heel pain are caused by medical conditions like: Plantar Fasciitis – The plantar fascia is a large ligament in the foot that stretches from the heel bone to the balls of your toes. Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of this ligament, causing pain in the underside of the heel. Achilles tendinitis – The Achilles tendon attaches the calf muscles to the heel bone. Overuse or stress of this muscle can cause wear and tear in this tendon, causing severe pain at the back of the heel. This condition can lead to a gradual degeneration of the Achilles tendon. Bursitis – Bursae are the fluid-filled sacs that surround the joints. Bursitis is a condition that causes inflammation in these sacs. The foot has 33 joints, so foot bursitis can cause severe pain. Stress fracture – A stress fracture is caused by heavy and rigorous activities involving the feet. Runners are prone to this condition. Continual stress to the feet weakens the muscles and their ability to act as shock absorbers. Eventually, the bones begin to feel the impacts directly, which can lead to tiny fractures.

Chronic myeloid leukemia or CML is a type of blood cancer caused due to genetic mutation of blood-forming cells called myeloid present in the bone marrow. Oncologists estimate that 15% of leukemia is of type CML. While there are treatments that can inhibit the disease, avoiding the following foods can help one better manage CML. Uncooked food Since leukemia is a type of blood cancer, it can cause various blood cell deficiencies like leukopenia and neutropenia. Unwashed, uncooked, or undercooked vegetables and fruits have dirt, pesticides, and other contaminants. Ingestion of the same can weaken the immune system. Blood deficiencies can make it difficult for the body to fight infections, making disease management difficult. Similarly, it is imperative to wash and cook raw meat properly to kill bacteria or any other pathogen that can be harmful to the body. Deli meat Deli meats such as sausages, ham, corned beef, beef jerky, bacon, and other frozen meats contain preservatives that increase shelf life. Oncologists suggest that these preservatives can be used by cancerous cells as fuel, which can accelerate their growth in the blood. This can be counterproductive even if the patient is undergoing treatment to suppress the growth of chronic myeloid leukemia. It is also recommended to avoid consuming raw eggs (runny yolk) and foods containing the same such as homemade mayonnaise and raw cookie dough. Processed foods Like deli meats, packaged foods such as chips, frozen pizza, ice creams, canned tuna, crackers, and even granola bars contain food additives like preservatives and taste enhancers. These lock their flavor for longer and increase their shelf life. However, these ingredients are harmful to a CML patient who is already suffering from blood deficiencies. Hence, it is highly recommended to eat freshly cooked food. Gluten Gluten is a type of protein found in whole grains like wheat, barley, and rye.

Vertigo is a sensation of whirling which occurs without an accompanying movement. Usually, it’s caused by senses that tell the brain that the body is off balance, though it isn’t. In most cases, vertigo is a symptom of an underlying condition. Some forms of vertigo occur just once while others recur until the underlined problem is resolved. BPPV (benign positional paroxysmal vertigo) is a common kind of vertigo that’s caused by deposits which build up in the inner ear. The inner ear is responsible for navigation and these deposits adversely affect your sense of balance. Stroke, neck or head injuries, Meniere’s disease, and vestibular neuritis are other conditions that may cause vertigo. Have you been searching for a suitable treatment for vertigo? If you’re experiencing this condition, you can rely on some home remedies to treat it. Ginkgo biloba According to several research studies, this herb can increase the flow of blood to the head and brain. Ginkgo biloba may be used to prevent or reverse the loss of taste or smell, tinnitus, short-term memory loss, and muscular degeneration. Ensure that you get a high-quality product that has 24% ginkgolides or ginkgo heterosides. Begin your treatment by taking 250mg of supplements daily until vertigo diminishes significantly in frequency and severity. You can then minimize the dose to 40-60 mg each day for maintenance. This herb is one of the best remedies for vertigo. Epley maneuver Also referred to as canalith repositioning maneuver, the Epley maneuver is an effective treatment for most people who experience vertigo. Studies show that the Epley maneuver is the perfect remedy for people with BPPV. Follow these simple steps to perform the Epley maneuver at home. Sit upright on a flat surface and place a pillow behind you. Make sure that your legs are stretched out.

Shingle is an infection which is caused by the same virus that gives you chickenpox and it appears as a painful rash which generally persists for 4 weeks at most. The condition causes an itching sensation, burning, all-around discomfort, and immense pain in its duration. While the symptoms of the disease are quite hard to handle, they can be managed and put to rest with effective treatment and by practicing home remedies. The best course of action is generally getting a cream to tackle shingles. Following the shingles virus, you may suffer from an extremely painful condition called post-herpetic neuralgia. The condition is characterized by pain occurring in the areas of the body where the rash was once present. It may or may not occur before the onset of the rash that characterizes shingles. The pain generally follows a nerve’s path on one side of the body. Here are a few ways you can manage nerve pain from shingles and lead a pain-free life. Pain from shingles To treat nerve pain that has preceded the appearance of the shingles rash, or which is ongoing during its appearance and treatment, it is necessary to manage shingles by following the below-mentioned methods first. Avoid scratching your blisters: When you are suffering from painful and itchy blisters, abstaining from scratching them is a task in itself. To effectively manage nerve pain from shingles, you need to try to keep from scratching your blisters. They will eventually crust over and fall off on their own terms. Scratching them only makes things worse as they will open up and become much more susceptible to infection. You may also end up spreading bacteria if you keep scratching your blisters. If you have accidentally scratched them, wash your hands immediately to avoid the spread of harmful infection-leading bacteria.

Both men and women produce testosterone. Low levels of testosterone in the body can be an indication of an underlying health issue. Having too low levels of testosterone can impact bodily traits in both men and women. The substance is responsible for traits such as strength, body hair and muscle mass. Too little of it in men can cause a reduction in these traits, while too much of it in women can cause these traits to be more predominant in appearance. If you are suffering from the symptoms of low testosterone levels in the body, you can choose to either visit a doctor to get yourself tested, or make use of testosterone test kits. Taking a test to determine your testosterone levels is recommended so that you can take a course of action to get it back on track as it can be having a telling impact on your day to day activities and routine. It may affect your mental health as well. In this article, we will explain the utility of testosterone test kits and why you need to purchase one today. Testosterone Test Kits There are several testosterone test kits available in the market today. These devices are used to test your testosterone levels at home before visiting a doctor to seek treatment in case your testosterone levels are low. Unlike tests conducted by doctors, testosterone test kits do not involve the drawing of blood. These test kits make use of your saliva for testing purposes and are just as effective as conventional blood testing procedures. You will need to collect saliva samples for testing and the number of samples you need may be dependent on the product you buy. Once you have collected saliva samples, you are required to mail these collections to a lab for testing.

The food one eats plays an important role in their overall well-being. Options such as green leafy vegetables, fruits, and nuts can significantly help curb or reduce the risk of developing untoward health conditions. However, when it comes to chronic conditions like cancer, food options become more limited, and while eating healthy may not cure the disease, it helps boost the immune system. This then aids in a faster recovery. 7 foods that helps fight cancer Berries Berries are nutritious and contain vitamin C, potassium, manganese, and folate, which help the immune system fight the cancer cells. A few examples of cancer-fighting berries are mulberries, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries. The fruits also contain antioxidants like gallic acid and chlorogenic acid, which promote anti-cancer agents. Garlic Apart from being a delicious addition to any meal, garlic also has health benefits. The vegetable is an anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial food with natural antioxidants that may benefit your overall health. Garlic also contains allicin, which is an active compound known to reduce potential stomach cancer. Tomato Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, vitamin A, C, E and possess other health benefits too. These properties help ward off any potential cancer risks. Additionally, lycopene is an antioxidant that may help reduce the risk of heart diseases. Grapes Grapes contain an abundance of resveratrol, which is a strong antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties known to prevent damage caused by cancer. Similarly, fruits like limes, lemons, and oranges can also help fight the effects of cancer. Broccoli Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable known for its anti-cancerous properties. It contains glucosinolates; a substance that produces protective enzymes as it moves through the digestive system. Further, these enzymes can negate harmful chemicals in the system and lower the risk of cancer. Apples Apples are rich in potassium, vitamins C, and calcium, making them superfoods for the human body.