Foot drop or drop foot is a condition where your leg or calf muscles weaken either due to paralysis, or a serious injury. This affects your stride and causes you to drag your foot while walking because of your inability to lift it up. But there are ways you can avoid yourself from dragging your feet. Read further to understand how you can treat drop foot. What Is Drop Foot? As mentioned above, drop foot leads to difficulty in moving your feet. This is the result of an injury or paralysis and is not actually a disease. The simplest way to diagnose this condition is by trying to walk on your heels. If you find this to be difficult, you may have drop foot. Most commonly, a condition in your lower back affects your nerves that connect to your leg muscles and lead to a drop foot. Foot Drop Characteristics While it looks simple and straightforward, foot drop is actually a complex condition. Sometimes it can cure on its own, other times, it might require a detailed surgery. If you have a herniated disk in your back bone that results in drop foot, curing this can cure drop foot as well. But if you have consistent issues with the muscles that are attached to these nerves, then the drop foot will persist. Sometimes, you can be affected by this condition even without any other signs or symptoms beforehand. The dropped foot will be the only symptom and you’ll feel pain or a tingling or a burning sensation along with the drop foot. Foot drop causes lack or complete loss of balance while walking, making you unable to walk without assistance. Both your feet are equally prone to being affected by this condition. Foot Drop Treatment: Drop Foot Braces Drop foot treatment depends on the underlying cause that leads to this condition.

Osteoarthritisis a condition that is a result of wear and tear of the natural cushioning between joints. In this case, bones of the joints closely rub against each other since the cartilage has become weary its shock absorbing capacity is reduced. This close rubbing without the cushioning results in stiffness, swelling, pain and bone spurs. Although osteoarthritis of the knee is age-related, it can affect the young too. The degenerative process can be hereditary in some cases. It can also result due to infection, injury or obesity. The Arthritis Foundation states that more than 27 million people in the country suffer from osteoarthritis, with women being more prone to this knee problem than men. Causes of knee osteoarthritis Although age is a most common factor, there are several other factors that increase the possibility of developing significant arthritis at a young age. Weight – When body weight increases, pressure on the joints also increase. Every extra pound adds extra weight on the knee, thus disturbing the cushioning. Heredity – Also known as genetic mutations, knee osteoarthritisis also experienced by those who have a history of osteoarthritis in the family and have inherited bone deformities. Gender – Women falling in the age group of 53 to 55 years are more prone to knee osteoarthritis than men. Stress injuries – Usually job related, stress injuries are common with people whose job involves squatting, kneeling and lifting heavy loads. People with such jobs are more prone to osteoarthritis of the knee as these jobs put constant pressure on the knees and joints. Athletics – Sportspersonswho playtennis, soccer, etc. are at a risk of developing knee osteoarthritis. Nevertheless, it’s always good to exercise in moderation as it decrease the chances of developing osteoarthritis. Other illnesses – Metabolic disorders also results in weakening of muscles around joints.

Dry eyes are commonly found in people in their middle and old age. It is a common condition. Around 4.88 million people in the country are suffering from dry eyes in their 50s. Of the estimate, more than 3 million women and 1.68 million men are dealing with dry eyes. It is observed that women are more prone to dry eyes than men. Side effects of estrogen fluctuation could be one reason causing more number of women to suffer from dry eyes than their gender counterparts. Women those pregnant, taking birth control pills and those suffering menopause can suffer dry eyes. There are several other reasons for a dry eye to occur. Most prominent of all can be age and symptom of some other illness. An extreme dry environment or medications such as antihistamines can also cause dry eye in people. Through a serious health concern, dry eyes can be cured with proper medication, precaution, and care. Today, there are a number of eye solutions for dry eyes. Most popular method of curing dry eyes are eye drops. A doctor may recommend a patient suffering from dry eyes with over-the-counter eye solutions for dry eyes and a variety of prescription depending on the cause and intensity of the problem. There are multiple ways by which eye drops give relief to those suffering from dry eyes. Some of them are listed below. Use of artificial tears. To prevent dryness in eyes, use of artificial tears proves fruitful. However, it is important to find the right artificial tears to suit one. A type of eye drop is cyclosporine. It is designed to assist treatment of certain eye infection that results in dry eyes. Use of cyclosporine makes an eye produce excessive tears. Thus, this medication can provide great relief to the sufferer if applied twice in a day.

Hemorrhoids are informally known as piles. This condition is characterized by swollen veins in anus and rectum. A person suffering from piles often experience itching, pain, and rectal bleeding. Hemorrhoids can develop both inside and outside of anus and rectum. Thus, there are two kinds of hemorrhoids: internal and external hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids which are a common problem can be found in around 75% of Americans during their lifetime. The condition in some cases goes away for itself in few weeks. However, they can lead to discomfort ranging from mild to severe. But do not worry, the following sections will discuss the top hemorrhoids remedy options one can try at home to ease the condition. First, it is important to know that hemorrhoids can be prevented. So what can be done to avoid hemorrhoids from reoccurring? It is believed that changes to lifestyle practices and food habits are a great way to treat and prevent piles. Food that is high in fiber is ideal. Moreover, drinking a great amount of water change keeps the digestive system at ease and helps it processes well. Consumption of more water also prevents constipation. Others ways to keep the digestive system moving and hemorrhoids at bay is exercise. Sitting for long hours is bad for piles. Thus, it should be compensated with exercising on a regular basis. Never delay the going to the bathroom. Delay of bowel movement makes the bowel to absorb water from stool thereby making it firm. In certain cases, the problem becomes serious with time that a need to see the doctor for help arises. If you think, someone needs help; you should take them to doctor. Hemorrhoids become serious when it causes chronic blood loss and causes anemia to a sufferer. Anemia is a condition characterized by a shortage of red blood cells.

A yeast infection is an infection that results from the overgrowth of yeast that is a type of fungus. Yeast infections are commonly known as candida vaginitis or vulvovaginal candidiasis and are usually caused by the Candida albicans fungus. Other species of Candida may also cause yeast infections, like C. tropicalis, C. glabrata, C. parapsilosis, and C. krusei. Statistics show that about 75 percent of women tend to get a vaginal yeast infection at least once in their lifetime, while 40 to 50 percent of women experience more than one infection. Chronic or recurrent yeast infections are also common, as experienced by 5 to 8 percent women who may suffer from four or more yeast infections. Men too get yeast infections in their mouths, genitals, and other areas. The term yeast infection usually refers to a vaginal infection; however, it can also refer to non-genital yeast infections that are caused due to different types of candidiasis. Such yeast infections of the mouth are commonly known as thrush or oropharyngeal candidiasis. A yeast infection occurring on the skin in moist warm areas like folds of skin near the groin and armpits is known as cutaneous candidiasis. When the strain Candida manages to get into the bloodstream through for example the use of a contaminated intravenous catheter, the yeast can cause a deadly infection that is known as invasive candidiasis. On an average, yeast infections caused by Candida albicans are easy to treat, and there are other drugs available to provide yeast infection relief which may be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) or with a prescription. They may also be taken as a prescription cream like an anti-fungal cream, suppository, tablet, ointment, or medicated tampon. A class of anti-fungal drugs known as azoles is part of these medications which provide yeast infection relief and these include:

In the modern world today, many people don’t know about the importance of an insurance policy which leads to various problems. Insurance allows a person to ensure more protection from financial loss during critical situations. There are different types of insurance policies available in the markets which help to overcome risks in life. A medical insurance or health insurance covers expenses for injuries and illnesses that ultimately give ways for reducing the burden. It is a suitable one for individual, family, and employees to gain major benefits. Leading insurance companies offer health insurance plans with best premium rates to save money. The importance of having a family health insurance plan The medical treatments are becoming an expensive one, and many families find it difficult to afford them due to low income and other factors. A health insurance policy will ultimately help to manage them effectively for accomplishing goals in life. Another benefit is that it provides methods for reimbursing the amounts after undergoing treatment in a hospital. Some of the key features of a health insurance policy include cashless treatment, ambulance charges, tax benefits, medical check-up, no claim bonus, co-payment, pre and post hospitalization. A family health insurance plan covers all the members, and the costs are usually high than an individual plan. However, the costs may vary with the gender and age allowing them to receive better care services in hospitals. An indemnity plan can benefit a family a lot which gives ways for accomplishing goals in life. At the same time, it is a difficult one to choose a right plan that exactly suits a family. The following tips can help a family to select a plan at affordable rates. Determining the plan type Most insurance companies provide health maintenance organization (HMO), preferred provider organization (PPO), exclusive provider organization (EPO), and point of service (POS) plans to families at the best prices for reducing expenses considerably.

Having a cold and flu at the same time can be an exasperating condition, especially if you are down with a range of symptoms such as fever, muscle ache, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, headaches, sneezing, chest congestion, nasal stuffiness, nausea, loss of energy, diarrhea, etc. Therefore, it can undoubtedly interfere with your everyday activities. However, the good part is that there is a range of cold and flu treatments which can assist you in alleviating the discomfort. The following cold and flu treatments comprise the use of home remedies as well as OTC (over-the-counter) medications. The best aspect is that most of the home remedies can be easily found in your kitchen. OTC medications – Based on the signs, you can use OTC drugs to ease the distress caused by cold and flu. You can get a variety of medicines such as decongestants, antihistamines, cough suppressants, antipyretics, pain relievers, expectorants, combination medications, etc. For instance, if you are particularly suffering from a stuffy nose and fever, you can use nasal sprays, nose drops, antipyretics, combination medicines, etc. to get rid of the congestion. Likewise, if you are suffering from body ache and fever, you should opt for pain relievers and antipyretics to gain quick relief. You can get the mentioned cold and flu medicines in pharmacies. However, before consuming them seek the advice of your medical practitioner, especially if you have any existing allergies or are already on certain types of medicines. Similarly, if your child is suffering from a cold or flu, ensure that you don’t give them any medications without the doctor’s approval. Chicken soup or broth – Grandma’s secret recipe for swift recovery, a bowl of warm chicken soup or broth is a delicious way to bid farewell to cold and flu. It is especially beneficial for easing chest congestion.

If a pain lasts for as long as a few months, it can be considered as chronic pain. Not all types of chronic pain can be cured but treatment will definitely offer some relief in most of the cases. Getting chronic pain relief depends on a combination of factors which include a consideration of the fact that how long this pain has lasted or how bad it has been. An understanding of the root cause of this pain and which part of the body it has affected will also help in finding some viable cure to chronic pain. The treatment for chronic pain has also undergone a drastic change over the past few years and an increased number of options for chronic pain relief is now available. Radiofrequency ablation Radiofrequency ablation is known to target the nerves which send pain signals to the brain. A needle with a tip that heats up soon is used for this kind of treatment. Usually, this needle has to be placed at a close location near the nerve. This chronic pain relief treatment will help with multiple pain types including those arising from neuropathy and arthritis. Radiofrequency ablation is also known to offer relief in case of hip and lower back pain. Pain in the knees and neck also reduce when radiofrequency ablation technique is used. This chronic pain relief technique can help in relieving pain for around 8 months to one year. After this period, you might have to seek assistance from a doctor again. Pain shots As the name indicates, a pain shot is used to deliver medicine at the intended point in the body. A doctor can take help from X-ray in locating the exact place where pain shot will help. Only a trained medical practitioner is the best person to decide the best course of action in case a pain shot is used.

The rising amount of stress levels owing to unhealthy lifestyle is taking a toll on your body’s immunity system. Sedentary lifestyle brings with it series of medical conditions, which not just harm you physically but also exhaust you mentally. One such medical condition targeting people within the age group of 30 to 48 is IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). There is no single concrete reason as to why people suffer from this syndrome. However, experts believe it could be because of problems in the nervous system, infections, changes in the gut bacteria, weak muscle contractions or swelling of the intestines. These issues can be aggravated by excessive consumption of fast food, aerated drinks and other foods are primarily heavy on the stomach, which leads to an imbalance in the digestive system. This causes episodes or diarrhea, constipation or both leading to irritable bowel syndrome. The doctors can initiate the IBS treatment by recommending supplements, antidepressants, anti-diarrheal drugs, laxatives, etc. Apart from seeking professional help, here are some tips that can help supplement your IBS treatment. High-fiber diet A few changes in your regular eating habits will ensure a good healthy digestive system and will help in avoiding bowel irritation. Consume foods that are high in fiber content as it helps in steady digestion. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are high in fiber as well as easy on the gut. However, do not go overboard on consuming fiber as excess consumption might result in stomach crunches and bloating. Plan a regular intake amount of fiber and include it in your daily diet. If natural fiber leads to excessive bloating, then consult a doctor who could suggest you with fiber supplements which are available at drugstores. Regular home meals Home cooked food is the best measure especially when you are suffering from irritable bowel syndrome.

Toenail fungus is an infection that goes through the cracks in the nails; it may even cut the skin sometimes. The skin gets thicker than the normal skin, and the color of the toenail also changes. The fungus can be very painful and can cause immense discomfort. Since most of the time the toe area remains warm and damp, it gets easy for the fungus to spread. There are different kinds of fungi and yeast which can affect the nail area. If it is not appropriately treated, the infection can spread to various parts of the body. The infected part of the nails gets thicker and changes its color. The infection can make the nails fragile as well. If the fungus infects under the nails, it can separate it from the bed and spreads to the skin. Men are more prone to get this fungus than women, and the elderly population is at a greater risk of contracting this infection than the rest. Also, people with diabetes or a weak immune system have greater chances to catch fungus. Even, a person who has to stay a lot of time in water can also get affected by this fungus. People addicted to smoking, or if someone in the family suffers from this infection, the individual is also vulnerable to a fungus attack. Different types of toenail fungus cures If someone starts treatment at the early stage by approaching a physician for a proper consultation for taking care of the infected area, they can contain the infection. A specialist like a podiatrist or a dermatologist will give a better opinion on such matter. The doctor might advise the individual to go in for a lab test before prescribing medications. The sooner you opt for treatments, the quicker would you get the desired results.

The most important sign of aging is the lack of firmness in our skin. Our skin becomes loose, appears saggy and less elastic as compared to what we had in our younger years. Loosening of skin is a part of the natural skin aging process, and it is an issue of cosmetic concern for women who desire for a youthful appearance and beauty. Sagging skin is primarily evident on the face and neck. Sagging skin around the neck is a huge cause of concern for many people and can lead to facial disturbances. In addition to aging, other factors like genetics, the gravity of the sun, exposure to harmful UV rays or other artificial sources, weight fluctuations, etc. can also add up to the cause. Most people notice sagging skin around their neck in the mid-40s when the skin reduces the ability to bounce back or pull back as it loses its elasticity. With age, the skin loses its supportive connective tissue called collagen and elastin which helps to make our skin look plump, glowing and soft. This takes a toll on our facial muscles which can weaken with age. A wide range of treatment options are available to give a boost to our skin like topical creams, laser treatments, surgery, etc. Read on to know how to tighten loose skin on neck – Treatments to tighten loose skin on neck- The tightening of skin requires a combination of exercise, healthy diet and proper medication which can help to lift our skin. Exercise provides relief for our neck and lower facial muscles like stretching, chewing, skipping, etc. which can help to tighten loose skin on neck. Certain facial movements, expressions, and gestures where neck muscles are used should be avoided. Nutritionally well-balanced diet can help to tighten loose skin on neck, avoid wrinkles and maintain the elasticity of the skin.

A migraine is a headache that occurs due to physiological changes in the brain. It can be severe and is usually more intense than regular headaches. Most people who suffer from migraines complain of an intense pain on one side of the head. However, some people suffer from migraine pain on both sides of the head. Migraines last for hours and sometimes even days. It is associated with sensitivity to sound, light, and smell. Unfortunately, the experts have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of migraines. What they do know is that migraines are set off by triggers. Each person’s trigger is different. Sometimes, a person even can have multiple triggers. A migraine with aura Some people experience physiological signs before they have a full-blown migraine. This is known as the aura of a migraine. The signs can include flashing lights, nausea, and tingling. The aura usually starts several minutes before an actual migraine begins. It gives the patient enough time to take any preventive measures. Remedies for migraines The remedies for migraines are of two types. The first type is preventive, while the second one includes any treatment that is taken after a migraine begins. Preventive remedies for migraines Learn to cope (LTC) – It is a recent method of treating patients who suffer from migraines. In this treatment, patients are exposed to small measures of triggers. This way, patients can develop resistance to the triggers. Slowly, as the treatment progresses, the patient will find that they don’t suffer from migraines as often as they used to. Create a schedule and stick to it – Studies have shown that migraines can occur when a person has erratic lifestyle patterns. There have been cases where a patient will suffer from a migraine attack even if they wake up a few minutes before they usually do.