A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is put on a nerve by the surrounding tissues like the bones, the tendons, the cartilage, or muscles. This pressure disrupts the nerve’s functioning and causes pain, weakness, tingling, or numbness. A pinched nerve can occur at a number of sites in the body. For example, a herniated disc in the lower spine may put too much pressure on the nerve root, causing pain that radiates down the back of the leg. Similarly, a pinched nerve in the wrist can cause pain and numbness in the hands and fingers (carpal tunnel syndrome). Nerves extend from the brain and the spinal cord, sending important messages throughout the body. When an individual has a pinched nerve, also known as nerve compression, the body may send warning signals like pain. It is important to not ignore these warning signals. The damage from a pinched nerve may be severe or minor. It may cause long-lasting or temporary problems. The earlier a diagnosis is made and treatment for nerve compression is started, the more quickly one will find relief. In some cases, the damage from a pinched nerve may not be reversed. But treatment options usually relieve pain and other symptoms associated with a pinched nerve. Signs and symptoms With a pinched nerve, sometimes pain may be the only symptoms. Or there may be other symptoms without any pain. Some of the common signs and symptoms associated with a pinched nerve are: Pain in the area of compressions, such as the lower back or the neck Weakness, especially during certain activities Radiating pain, such as radicular pain or sciatica A burning or a “pins and needles” sensation Tingling or numbness Sometimes, the symptoms may worsen when one tries certain movements, such straining the neck or turning the head.

Shingles is an infection caused by a virus. It is characterized by a painful rash. The same virus that causes chickenpox leads to this viral infection. It results in the development of a stripe of blisters, usually on one side of the body. This rash is very painful, and usually, patients need to adopt some remedies to get relief from shingles. Symptoms and diagnosis of shingles Shingles is characterized by pain and a burning sensation. You may also experience a tingling or numbing sensation in or under your skin. It may lead to the appearance of red blisters which are very painful. Shingles is also accompanied by other symptoms such as fever and headache. You may experience itching and irritation as well as fatigue due to shingles. Your doctor may diagnose shingles through its tell-tale symptoms and signs. When you have red blisters that tend to sting, itch and burn, you probably have shingles. These signs alone help your doctor in the diagnosis of this problem. It is essential to get the right diagnosis to find the right remedies and treatments for shingles. Risk factors The varicella-zoster virus which causes chickenpox is responsible for shingles as well. If you have had chickenpox at any point of time in your life, you face the risk of developing this condition. Once this virus enters your system, it stays dormant for a long time. It may get activated by exposure to infections when your immunity levels are low. Though shingles itself is not contagious, the varicella-zoster virus is communicable. Exposure to open sores of other shingles patients can put you at the risk of developing this infection. You are at high risk of developing shingles after you turn 50. Some diseases like HIV, AIDS, as well as cancer, can put you at risk of developing this problem.

The nervous system is one of the most complicated organ systems in your body, and the brain is the powerhouse of all your activities and emotions. Vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are needed within the optimal amount to keep your brain working efficiently and to keep you mentally healthy. However, if you are finding it hard to concentrate, are forgetting things too often or going through severe stress and depression, the reason is a deficiency of brain and memory vitamins. These vitamins not only help clear brain fog and confusion to keep your memory sharp, but they also help you focus and learn properly. Vitamin B Complex From brain aging to brain fogs, depression to memory loss, Vitamin B Complex is undoubtedly the best nutrient for your overall brain health and memory. It helps boost your mood and fight stress, hence the name “happy vitamins”. Vitamin B complex produces neurotransmitters to keep the brain active. B complex can be sourced from animal products like flesh, dairy, eggs, and fish as well as from legumes, leafy vegetables, potatoes, peas, carrots, bananas, and so on. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) In order to enhance the health of the nerve tissues and the brain, this is one of the best brain and memory vitamins that keep nerve impulses at bay. Thiamine works effectively in treating Korsakoff syndrome as well as chronic memory decline in AIDS affected people and alcoholics. Liver, beef, pork, eggs, milk, oats, orange, and nuts are common sources of vitamin B1. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) A vitamin effective in keeping a positive mood, B6 can be sourced from eggs, poultry meat, turkey, beef, fish, nuts, beans, peas, and seafood. It increases the Serotonin levels, which fights depression and boosts memory. By reducing Homocysteine levels, it stops the decay of memory cells. Vitamin B9 (Folic acid) It is found in great amounts in leafy vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and turnip greens, broccoli, asparagus, Brussels sprout, okra, lentils and legumes, and Avocado and citrus fruits.

Pneumonia symptoms, whether mild or severe, should be immediately examined by a physician. A medical professional will suggest the right tests for diagnosing this disease. One should strictly follow the post-treatment precautions recommended by the doctor. Symptoms of pneumonia The symptoms of pneumonia range from mild to severe. Other factors that affect the signs of this condition are the type of pneumonia, the age of the patient as well as the state of health. Here are some signs of pneumonia: Cough Patients experience incessant coughing. It is accompanied by mucus, which may be green or yellow. There might be traces of blood in the mucus. It is one of the classic symptoms of bronchitis or pneumonia. Fever Another symptom of pneumonia is a fever. It could range from mild to high fever. Chills along with shaking Patients who have pneumonia are likely to feel extremely cold, and they are also likely to shiver or shake with it. Labored breathing You might feel short of breath while climbing a flight of stairs. Sharp pain in the chest Deep breathing or coughing could induce sharp or stabbing chest pain. Headaches There might be headaches which are of different intensities. A high amount of sweating People report sweating and moistness of the skin. Poor appetite Patients have no desire to eat. They also experience reduced energy levels and a lot of fatigue. Confusion Senior citizens may experience a feeling of confusion with other symptoms of pneumonia. Types of pneumonia Bacterial pneumonia In this type of pneumonia, temperatures reach alarming levels of up to 105 degrees. It could be accompanied by an excessive amount of sweating. The intensity of breathing goes up, and so does the pulse rate. Because of a deficiency of oxygen in the blood, the lips, as well as nail beds, might turn blue.

Congestive heart failure is a disease characterized by a problem that affects the pumping power of the heart muscles. It is a chronic progressive disease and is also referred to as heart failure. Congestive heart failure (CHF) refers to the stage in which there is a build-up of fluid around the heart. This causes an ineffectiveness in pumping blood. The heart has four chambers. The lower half of the heart has two ventricles which pump blood to the body’s organs. The upper half of the heart, however, consists of two atria which receive the blood circulated back from the rest of the body. The ventricles cannot pump enough blood to the body due to congestive heart failure. This leads to blood and other fluids filling up the liver, lungs, lower body, and the abdomen. Treatment for congestive heart failure must be done immediately as the disease could be life-threatening. Causes Congestive heart failure may arise from other health conditions that directly impact the cardiovascular system. It is important to get check-ups on a yearly basis to determine the possibility of the onset of any such disease. Lowering the risks which cause heart health problems can go a long way in ensuring one does not develop the disease. Listed below are a few common causes of congestive heart failure. Hypertension leads to the narrowing of the arteries. This makes blood flow much more difficult and can result in the onset of congestive heart failure in the long run. Consider changing the diet if one is suffering from this disease to restore normality or to keep high blood pressure at bay. Valve conditions can directly impact the heart and could lead to its failure. The heart valves regulate the flow of blood to and from the heart by opening and closing the valves.

Have you been experiencing pain in your leg muscles? Pain in the legs may occur due to different conditions that affect the joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, tendons or skin. You may experience leg pain in the ankle, behind the knee, foot, thigh, at the back of the leg or any other part. It may occur while lying down at night or when you are exercising or running. Leg pain can also affect one or both legs depending on the cause. Usually, pain in the leg muscles occurs due to tissue inflammation caused by a disease or injury. Because a leg contains numerous structures and types of tissues, there are many muscle injuries and conditions that can lead to leg pain. When to see a doctor about pain in the leg muscles? Sometimes it becomes difficult to know when you should see a doctor about the muscle pain in your leg. However, you should consider scheduling an appointment if you start experiencing the following symptoms: Muscle cramps: Muscle cramps are one of the reasons behind leg pain, and several factors could trigger this type of pain. The cause can be dehydration, muscle fatigue, vigorous exercise, poor circulation of blood in your leg, sitting or standing too much, and not stretching enough among other reasons. These muscle cramps lead to intense leg pain. Swelling in both legs: If any of your leg muscles have been injured or fractured, you will experience pain and swelling. Pain while walking: You may find it hard to walk due to the pain in your leg muscles. It usually occurs when some tissues in your leg muscles overstretch. A tingling sensation: This sensation is not necessarily painful, and it can occur when you are resting or walking around. However, you should see a doctor as its cause may be nerve damage in the leg.

Occasional bowel movements that are watery and loose are not uncommon in most people. However, if this condition lasts for extended periods of more than a few weeks, it needs to be taken seriously and has to be treated accordingly. If left untreated, it can be life-threatening. Statistics show that at least two billion cases of diarrhea occur annually worldwide and it has been the cause of death of nearly 1.5 million children below the age of five. What is diarrhea? Frequently passing loose, watery or soft stools, with or without accompanying stomach cramps, flatulence, bloating, and stomach pressure, which is excreted suddenly is termed as diarrhea. This condition may also be complicated when there is blood in the stools, severe pain, fever, nausea, and uncontrollable urge to pass stools. It can happen to people of any age, but children and senior citizens are at a higher risk. Complications The most serious complication of diarrhea is dehydration—loss of water and electrolytes in the body—which happens because the water passes out from the body without getting absorbed by the intestines. Drinking copious amounts of water does not always compensate for the corresponding loss. Types of diarrhea The condition is classified into the following types: Chronic:  This typically lasts for more than two weeks Enteritis:  It involves the inflammation of the intestine Gastroenteritis:  It involves stomach flu, with nausea and vomiting Dysentery:  It involves loose stools with pus, mucus, and blood Common causes of diarrhea The most common chronic causes of diarrhea and acute diarrhea include microbial attacks by viruses, bacteria, or certain microorganisms that enter the intestinal tract. Viruses: They cause various mild to moderate symptoms. These may last for 3–7 days and comprise watery, frequent stools, stomach cramps, and a mild fever. Common viruses include rotavirus (common in children), Norwalk virus, cytomegalovirus, adenovirus, and hepatitis virus.

The food items we eat greatly influence our health. In today’s food market, processed and junk food is quite high in consumption. This leads to a variety of diseases including high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a waxy substance in the lipids in your blood. While cholesterol is a necessity when it comes to building healthy cells, having high levels of cholesterol in the body increases your risk of the onset of heart diseases. Cholesterol level diagnosis is a necessity when it comes to determining the cholesterol levels in your blood. The only way to determine cholesterol levels in your blood is a blood test. High cholesterol in your blood may lead to the development of fatty deposits in your blood vessels. These deposits hamper the flow of blood through your arteries. Having a decreased flow of oxygen-rich blood increases your risk of heart disease and may lead to a stroke as well. We have covered the course of cholesterol level diagnosis and treatment. Cholesterol level diagnosis LDL cholesterol level diagnosis – Mentioned below is LDL cholesterol level diagnosis. Having cholesterol levels below 70 mg/dL is best suited for people suffering from diabetes or heart disease. Having cholesterol levels between 100 mg/dL and 129 mg/dL is near optimal if you are not suffering from heart disease, and high if you are. Having cholesterol levels between 130 mg/dL and 159 mg/dL is borderline high if you are not suffering from heart disease and high for those suffering from heart disease. If your LDL cholesterol levels are between 160 to 189 mg/dL, it is considered to be high. If you are suffering from heart disease, these levels are dangerous. If your cholesterol levels are above 190 mg/dL, they are very high. You should seek immediate treatment for the same. HDL cholesterol level diagnosis – The lower the amount of LDL in your blood, the better it is for your health.

The hip joint is one of the strongest joints of the human body. It helps us to stand and walk and absorbs the impact when we jump. However, it is not immune to wear and tear. Hip bursitis or the inflammation of a bursa in the hip is one of the common causes of hip pain. Prescription medication is not always required for relief from hip bursitis. What is hip bursitis? Sacs filled with fluid that reduce the friction between tissues as they move are known as bursae. The major bursae are located at large joints such as the hips, shoulders, elbows, and knees. There are two bursae in the hip, the trochanteric bursa on the outer hip and the iliopsoas bursa on the inner side of the hip. Inflammation of the bursa is known as bursitis. This is not infectious but it may become infected. Causes of hip bursitis It becomes easier to seek relief for hip bursitis if one understands the factors causing it. The most common causes of hip bursitis are as follows: Injury to the hip Falling on the hip or banging the hip on a hard surface can lead to blood being filled in the bursa and inflammation of the bursa lining. While the blood may be later reabsorbed by the body, the lining stays inflamed for much longer. This is also known as traumatic bursitis. Repetitive hip trauma Sometimes even minor trauma to the hip can cause hip bursitis if it occurs repeatedly. These are known as mini-traumas . People who run or bike have a higher risk of hip bursitis caused by such mini-traumas . Gout and rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis affects the outer lining or the synovial membrane of the bursa. Similarly, gout causes the accumulation of urate crystals in the synovial membrane.

Heartburn is a condition that results from a disturbed digestive system. In this condition, the acidic contents of your stomach end up going back up through the esophagus pipe as a result of reflux. This leads to an uncomfortable feeling that is characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, which is commonly known as heartburn. Heartburn – Main causes, signs, and symptoms The lower part of the esophagus, or the food pipe, opens up to release food into your stomach. The lower esophageal sphincter, which is the lower part of the food pipe may sometimes end up opening abnormally to release acidic contents back into the esophagus. It could be caused due to indigestion of certain foods or even due to the consumption of spicy foods. This results in the feeling of a strange, burning sensation in your chest, which can be characterized as one of the main heartburn signs. In other words, every time the lower esophageal sphincter gets too relaxed, the stomach juices go upwards, thereby causing this condition. As mentioned above, the occurrence of heartburn signs and symptoms can be attributed to the intake of certain kinds of drinks and foods. The intake of spicy foods, in particular, can lead to the onset of heartburn symptoms. It can also be triggered by consuming certain fatty and fried foods. The lower esophageal sphincter ends up weakening as a result of consuming large meals as well. Certain foods like the tomato sauce and ketchup may also cause certain signs and symptoms of heartburn to appear. Certain citric products can also be responsible for causing heartburn symptoms. Beverages that have high caffeine content and alcoholic drinks are also known to be a leading cause of heartburn symptoms. Even peppermint and chocolate can be responsible for triggering heartburn. Typical heartburn symptoms and signs There are certain heartburn symptoms and signs that are characterized by a burning sensation and pain in the chest usually when you lie down or after eating.