Lower back can cause serious discomfort. You will have trouble performing your day to day activities. According to a report, almost 80% of the adults face lower back pain at some point in their life. There are several reasons as to why this happens. However, one must know the different ways to treat and get relief from this excruciating pain. There are several home remedies that you can try in order to manage your lower back pain. For low back pain relief, try these 7 best home remedies Apply ice on your lower back Applying ice on the area where you are experiencing the pain can certainly help you to improve the condition of your lower back. When you start having that pain, you should immediately apply ice on it because it will help you to get rid of that inflammation and get yourself relief. However, the best time to apply ice is the first 24 to hours from when you start getting that pain. After that, you can switch to applying heat since after a couple of days, applying ice will not give you the desired result. Whether you apply ice or heat, you need to do give your body rest for 20 minutes because otherwise, you may have skin problems. Keep your body moving When you have pain in your lower back, and you stop moving your body because of it, then you will find it tough to recover from your condition. That is why it is important to keep your body moving no matter how much pain you have in order to get relief from lower back pain. Therefore, don’t stop going to work, making your bed, and doing all the other daily activities you do. If you go to a gym or aerobics class, then don’t stop it either because these are some of the things that keep you active or help you to fight against your lower back pain.

Probiotics are the bacteria that naturally occur in the gastrointestinal tract. These are indeed an important part of the digestive system and are responsible for a lot of important tasks. These micro-biomes are extremely important for our life. Probiotics help in eradicating the bacteria that cause illness and infection. They also help in producing the enzymes that are required to break the food down and are known to produce nutrients as well. This might make you wonder how probiotics and constipation are related. Well, there is an important connection between the two. Having the right bacteria in the gut helps with the digestion process. The bacteria in colon and intestines break down the stool so that it can easily pass through. This also helps a lot with dehydration which makes the stools harder to pass. When the bad bacteria in your gut are more than the good bacteria, it can lead to a lot of bowel problems including gas. Therefore, probiotics are extremely important for proper digestion. Importance of probiotics Now that you know that probiotics are important and help with constipation, you might be wondering as to why you need extra probiotics when the body produces it naturally. The reason behind it is the sedentary lifestyle and the dietary habits of the modern world. We fail to maintain the crucial balance in the gut that is ideal. Moreover, most of us usually are too dehydrated and eat a lot of sugary foods that actually feed the bad bacteria. This is why we need extra probiotics to help us to keep the balance. These days, due to a lot of medication, the balance tends to be missing. A lot of antibiotics will kill both the good and bad bacteria in the gut. This is why there is nothing left to actually break down the food.

Most of us are unaware of the disease named deep vein thrombosis as it hardly has any symptoms. To begin with, this disease leads to the formation of blood clots in our veins. This blood clot can be found in any part of the human body but is especially found in the thigh area. This disease is closely related to some other types of health problems which include post-phlebitis syndrome, thromboembolism, and post-thrombotic syndrome. There can be several causes of this disease. However, the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis can differ with the intensity and cause of the disease. Here are certain causes of deep vein thrombosis. Paralysis:  Blood clots begin to form when our legs remain in a constant position for a longer period of time. If a person is a paralytic then he/she can easily fall prey to this disease. Pregnancy : During pregnancy, the pressure felt upon the veins of the legs or pelvis increases and this might result in a blood clot. In fact, a blood clot might remain for at least six weeks after delivery. Obesity: If you are overweight then the chances of a blood clot in your legs or pelvis might increase. Family history: Those who have a family history of deep vein thrombosis then there are chances that they might suffer from this disease. Each and every disease has some symptoms. Symptoms can give a clear idea about the occurrence of a disease. However, symptoms of deep vein thrombosis are very rare and only a few people can understand it. Nonetheless, there are some common symptoms that one may encounter if he/she suffers from this disease. Excessive pain in the affected areas of your leg and usual pain from the calf. The affected area becomes either bluish or reddish. The affected area seems to be quite warm in comparison to the surrounding areas of the body.

Postherpetic neuralgia is a complication of shingles, caused by the chickenpox virus. It affects nerve fibers and skin, causing burning sensations that last long after the rash and blisters of shingles disappear. The danger of postherpetic neuralgia rises with age, primarily concerning people older than 60. There is no permanent cure, but treatment can help to ease the pain. The signs and symptoms are limited to the first occurrence of shingles outbreak on your skin. The shingles mostly break around the trunk or usually on one side of your body. These three signs and symptoms can be of concern: You have been experiencing pain from the last three months or longer post the shingles rash has healed. One experiences burning, sharp and jabbing, or deep and aching pain. Skin becomes sensitive to touch. People often cannot stand the slightest of sensation or contact like cloth rubbing the affected area. Some experience Itching and numbness around the affected area. Diagnosis Most cases do not require any tests to be done. Doctors touch the border of the affected area on your skin to determine the severeness. Treatment No particular postherpetic neuralgia treatment can help relieve all people. For many affected patients, it takes a combination of treatments to reduce the pain. Lidocaine skin patches Small patches like bandages that contain the topical, pain-relieving medication lidocaine. These patches can be cut to fit the affected area, and these are available by prescription. Apply directly on the affected area where you experience pain and burning sensation to get temporary relief. Capsaicin skin patch High concentration from an extract of chili peppers (capsaicin) is another available skin patch option that is known to relieve the pain from postherpetic neuralgia. The patch is available only at a doctor’s clinic and has to be applied by trained professionals post using a numbing medication on the affected area.

A stroke is a condition that occurs when a part of your brain gets limited or no blood supply. At such a time, your brain is deprived of oxygen and other vital nutrients it needs to function normally. In just a few minutes, the brain cells start to die. What is a ministroke? It is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. The sooner a patient gets help, the lesser will be the damage caused by the stroke. However, one can prevent and treat strokes these days. Symptoms of a ministroke One needs to watch out for a few signs. If you manage to identify it in the early stages, you can prevent the damage from getting worse. By being aware of these symptoms, one can tell if anyone around them might be having a stroke. The time frame inside which one needs to identify the condition is crucial for proper treatment. Difficulty in speaking You may experience sudden confusion. It may result in slurring words and trouble with speech. This is one of the most common symptoms that victims of a ministroke exhibit. Numbness and paralysis A patient may experience sudden weakness or numbness in their leg, arm, and face. It generally occurs on only on one side of the body. One needs to try and see if they can raise their arms above the head at that time. If they find one arm falling, they might be having a stroke. One side of the mouth might also droop when they try to smile. Difficulty in seeing There are high chances that a patient may experience blurred vision suddenly. A patient may also have blackened vision. Some patients also see double when they have a ministroke. A headache A severe headache may occur. Other symptoms of a ministroke that come with this are dizziness, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

A blood glucose test is required to measure the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood. This is an important aspect of diabetes care since the disease essentially hampers the proper absorption of blood sugar by the body. Let’s look at some of the fundamental aspects of a blood sugar test: Blood glucose Glucose is a simple form of sugar that is present in blood in the form of blood sugar. It is a vital source of energy in microorganisms like bacteria, plants and animals as well as in humans, in different forms. In humans, it enables the working of all the major organs like the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc. by providing them with the necessary fuel. Glucose is essential for the functioning of the brain and lower than normal glucose level affects the mental and psychological functions. It can also be stored in the body to be used when required. Sources of glucose  Energy is released by the conversion of carbohydrates in our food into glucose. However, our food is a combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. All the carbohydrates we consume are immediately released into the bloodstream. Some of the proteins are converted into glucose and is stored in the liver for use later. Only very a very small quantity (less than 10%) of fats are converted into glucose and they are absorbed very slowly into the bloodstream. However, a diet high in fats results in the slower conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. That’s why many people who eat a high-fat diet may find their blood sugar levels spiking after several hours. Why is high blood sugar harmful? While glucose is vital for energy, hyperglycemia (excessive levels of blood glucose) or long-term presence of excess sugar in the blood can cause serious damage throughout the body.

The most common disorders of the nervous system are headaches—especially migraine headaches. Statistics show that nearly 15% of adults in the US experience severe headaches with an overwhelming majority of the people affected being women. One in four households has a person who is affected by a migraine. Americans who were surveyed reported that their migraine symptoms lasted between one to three days. It runs within the family genes and 90% of the migraineurs have a family history of the condition. Migraines are not just a headache It is a neurological condition with distinct debilitating neurological symptoms. Throbbing recurrent pain usually on one side of the head but both sides can be involved. Accompanying disabling symptoms include visual disturbances, heightened sensitivity to sound, smell, light, touch, numbness in limbs and face, weakness, nausea/vomiting, dizziness. Attacks may last between 4-72 hours. Impacts the quality of your life. Might be undiagnosed in children. Can cause depression, anxiety attacks, dependence on painkillers. A migraine as a disability The World Health Organization has classified severe migraine headaches as comparable to disabling illnesses like dementia, psychosis, and quadriplegia. Since it affects people largely in the age group of 18-55, the impact is on the productive years of a person’s life. 113 million workdays are lost due to a migraine and employers lose more than $13 billion annually. The annual economic burden for migraine sufferers in the US is approximately $78 billion. This means that chronic migraineurs must spend between $8500-9500 and episodic migraineurs must spend at least $2000 annually on medication, treatments, and healthcare. This figure also takes indirect costs into account such as—lost wages, productivity, etc. Treatments Mild attacks can be addressed with OTC pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, etc. Drugs like triptans are used specifically as remedies for migraines. Ergotamine/Caffeine combinations are also effective.

It is important to understand the blood pressure range and ideal blood pressure as per age to keep a track of your health. Your heart beats and pumps oxygen and blood to the organs. The pressure with which it pushes against the vessels is called blood pressure. High blood pressure can be an early sign of a major disease such as heart attack or stroke. It is very important to gain a basic understanding of a normal range of blood pressure. It also helps in taking preventive measures and keeping diseases at bay. Here is the blood pressure chart as per different ages, with readings that you can refer to. Everyone, between the age of 17 years and 60 years, as well as those who are above 60 years, should show the following readings if their pressure is normal: Low systolic – It should be less than 90 Low diastolic – It should be less than 60 Normal systolic – It should be less than 120 Normal diastolic – It should be less than 80 Elevated systolic – It should range between 120 and 129 Elevated diastolic – It should be less than 80 The blood pressure readings will naturally be a little different in the case of hypertension. Stage 1 – Systolic is between 130 and 139, while diastolic is between 80 and 89. Stage 2 – Systolic is above 140 in this case, and diastolic is above 90. Understanding blood pressure measurements You can read the blood pressure by understanding the two numbers i.e., systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure measures the pressure on the walls of the vessels as your heart contracts and beats. It is recorded as the upper number in your blood pressure reading. On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure is the pressure applied to the walls of the vessels when the heart is relaxing.

The flu or a cold runs its course in a couple of weeks. But sometimes an individual may suffer from bronchitis as well. That’s when the bronchial tubes that carry air to the lungs get infected and swollen. One ends up with a nagging cough and a lot more mucus. An individual may get bronchitis in other ways too, usually, they are of two types, namely, acute bronchitis and chronic bronchitis. Acute bronchitis is the more common type of bronchitis. The symptoms last for a few weeks, but it does not usually cause any more problems past that. Chronic bronchitis is more serious, and it keeps coming back or doesn’t go away at all. It’s one of the conditions that make up what’s known as the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis can be treated at specialized treatment centers for the condition. Understanding chronic bronchitis Chronic bronchitis is a persisting infection and inflammation of the bronchi—larger airways of the lungs. There are two main bronchi in the lungs, namely, the right bronchi and the left bronchi. These two bronchi divide from the trachea. Chronic bronchitis occurs as a part of the disease complex, COPD, which also includes small airways disease and emphysema. The bronchial tubes when inflamed produce a lot of mucus and this leads to difficulty in breathing and coughing. Chronic bronchitis refers to daily mucus production and a chronic cough for at least three months of two or more consecutive years. Smoking cigarette is one of the most common causes of chronic bronchitis. However, breathing in fumes, air pollution, or dust over a long period may also cause it. Chronic bronchitis is a long-term condition, which keeps coming back or never completely goes away. Risk factors for chronic bronchitis Chronic bronchitis can affect men and women of all ages, but it tends to be more common in middle-aged men.

No underlying disease triggers eczema. Eczema occurs when a patient’s immune system overreacts to some irritant. By taking some preventive measures, one can avoid or relieve the symptoms of this condition. Symptoms of eczema In most cases, eczema comes with itchy skin, irrespective of which body part is affected. One may also develop rashes on the face, behind the knees, hands, wrists or feet, and sometimes, this could be preceded by itching. The affected area has a dry, scaly or thickened appearance. Initially, it has a reddish appearance before becoming brown for people with fair skin. People with a dusky complexion may face a change in pigmentation. The affected area may either get lighter or darker. An oozing crust may also form on the skin, and in the case of infants, this symptom may appear on the face and scalp. Patches, however, can develop anywhere. Causes of eczema While the definitive cause for eczema is not known, it usually appears when the immune system overreacts to an irritant. People with a family history of allergies or asthma face a higher chance of developing this condition. Problems in the skin barrier allow germs and moisture to enter the skin, leading to eczema. Particular conditions or substances are also responsible for triggering itchy rash in some people. Itchiness can also occur when the skin comes in contact with coarse or rough materials. Other triggers include the feeling of excessive heat or cold, being exposed to harsh household items like detergent or soap. Animal dander can also lead to eczema flare-ups. An infection in the upper respiratory tract could also lead to rashes. These rashes could get worse due to stress. While there is no sure shot cure for eczema yet, patients can manage this condition with the help of medication as well as by avoiding irritants.