Corn and calluses form on the skin due to continuous pressure or friction applied on the skin. They are thick and hard parts of the skin and a natural mechanism to protect the underlying sensitive skin. Calluses develop when continuous friction is applied to a particular part of the body, foot, for example, while the development of corns is attributed to bone pressure on the skin. They are conical or round in shape and show bumpy appearance on the skin. Corns and calluses generally occur on toes, toenail, either side of the foot and bottom of the foot. Morphologically, corns can be either hard or soft. The development of corn on the bottom of the foot interferes with the normal walking activity.
Foot corn and calluses appear due to excessive pressure or friction applied over the skin for a longer period of time. The best prevention method is to wear proper size shoes and to take rest in between walking. Several remedies for foot corn treatment, both allopathic and natural, require consultation with an expert before use.
Bulging disc is a condition where the discs between your vertebrae tend to bulge outwards. When the outer fibrous region of your disc weakens, it causes a bulging disc. If a bulging disc is left untreated for a long time, it can lead to the problem of disc tears, which is known as a herniated disc.
Causes for a bulging disc
The primary reason behind the problem of a bulging disc is that of disc degeneration. Degeneration refers to the gradual wear and tear of your body’s discs. With age, the water content in your spinal discs tends to go down. As a result, your spinal discs start to lose flexibility. At such times, even a minor strain or small twist can make you prone to ruptures or tears.
Lifting heavy objects can lead to the problem of a bulging disc as well. It occurs when you are not using your leg and thigh muscles, but the muscles of your back while lifting heavy objects.
Risk factors
Age is one of the risk factors behind the problem of bulging discs. With age, the water content in your discs tends to go down, and because of this, your discs become inflexible and brittle. As a result of gravity, the weakened cartilage tends to bulge towards your spinal cavity. Smoking cigarettes also put you at risk. Smoking leads to a weakening of your cartilage, thus causing your discs to bulge. In such instances, you will need the right treatment for a bulging disc.
People who have a family history of spinal problems are at a higher risk of developing this condition. Injuries caused by accidents during physical exercises and workouts, weightlifting, car accidents, slipping on the pavement or poor movements can also lead to a bulging disc.
Poor lifestyle choices also contribute to a bulging disc. Lack of physical exercises and weight gain, accompanied by a poor diet puts you at risk of several problems, including a bulging disc.
Poor posture, such as when your neck is forward and shoulders are slouching, can result in muscle imbalances and this can increase your chances of developing a bulging disc.
In all such instances, if you develop this condition, you need to get the right treatment on time, before the situation worsens.
Points to note before you start with your treatment for a bulging disc
Bulging disc is characterized by symptoms like pain and numbness. Typically, numbness and pain are experienced in a particular region of your spine. This tends to vary from case to case. You may also experience weakness and tingling. Bulging disc is accompanied by certain other symptoms such as muscle spasms or cramping.
A bulging disc may occur in the lower or upper part of your back. If it the upper part of your back, that is, the cervical area hurts, then your neck, arms, shoulders, and hands will be affected. In case your bulging disc occurs in the lower part of the body, you will experience symptoms like pain, weakness, numbness in your hips, legs, buttocks, and feet.
To diagnose a bulging disc, you may have to undergo imaging tests like X-rays to rule out other illnesses and conditions. A doctor may also recommend a CT scan. Your doctor may conduct MRI scans to identify the location of the bulging disc. These scans will also help doctors identify the affected nerves as well. A myelogram can be useful in detecting any pressure on the nerves or spinal cord.
Treatment options for a bulging disc
As a part of the treatment process for a bulging disc, you will most likely need to take rest, and your doctor may also prescribe some medications. You may also be asked to take up light exercise. Hot and cold compress are also recommended to deal with the pain and other symptoms associated with a bulging disc. You may also have to bring about some changes to your lifestyle to keep this problem at bay.
Physical therapy is one of the treatment options for a bulging disc. It involves exercises that strengthen your back muscles. Physical therapy exercises tend to include activities that make your muscles flexible. You can try out stretching exercises and aerobic exercises too. Your physical therapist may recommend walks or riding a bicycle as a part of the treatment process for a bulging disc. Massage therapy may help relieve the pain associated with this condition. The medical professional may also use electrical muscle stimulation to cope with the symptoms of a bulging disc.
You can opt for over-the-counter medications to reduce the pain associated with this problem. These may include naproxen or ibuprofen. Your doctor may also prescribe muscle relaxants to deal with muscle spasms.
You may need epidural injections when other treatments and management options for a bulging disc such as pain relievers, rest or physical therapy do not provide much relief. You also have the option to opt for surgery if none of these treatments help with the symptoms of bulging disc.
Most of us notice bags under our eyes when we are very exhausted. Many start getting bags under their eyes with growing age. This is not a medical problem that should cause you a lot of concern. Usually, home remedies are an effective solution. Lifestyle changes are also required and can be helpful in preventing it from occurring.
Symptoms
What causes bags under your eyes?
With age, the supporting muscles and tissues of your eyes become weaker. As there is sagging of the skin, fat in the orbit of the eye moves into this area. There could be fluid accumulation in the area leading to a puffy appearance. This could become worse with retention of fluid due to a salty meal, poor sleep, allergies, smoking or genetic reasons.
Ways to get rid of bags under your eyes
Salt intake: The region around your eyes is one of the places which have high sodium and water moves from the low-sodium areas to the high-sodium areas. Ensure that you don’t take additional salt while having dinner as this is one of the causes of puffy eyes.
Allergies: There is a direct correlation between puffiness of the eyes and allergies. However, over-the-counter medications for allergies not only stop a runny nose but also help in removing the puffiness of the eyes as well.
Neti pot: Using a neti pot, salt water can be poured in one nostril and then drained out through the other nostril. The additional moisture that accumulates from colds, seasonal allergies and infections is removed by this. The sinuses are irrigated and mucus, as well as other types of debris, are removed.
Sleep position: The way you sleep has a bearing on the puffiness of the eyes. Fluid accumulates under your eyes due to gravity. So, avoid sleeping on your side or your stomach. Ensure that your back is facing the bed and use an extra pillow to elevate your head.
Remove makeup: Be sure that all your makeup is cleaned before you go to sleep. It could lead to watering of the eyes causing morning-after puffiness. Wash it off with soap and water or keep a remover handy to clean it every night.
Alcohol intake: Puffiness around the eyes also results from excessive alcohol intake. Drinking in moderation, like an occasional glass of wine, is fine. Alcohol dehydrates your skin. This results in weakening of the area around the eyes and they sink into a sac. If you do have alcohol during the day, have plenty of water before you go to sleep. Using a moisturizer around your eyes would also help.
UV rays: Protection of your body, as well as your face from harmful UV rays, is extremely important. High exposure to the sun could result in sagging or wrinkling of the skin surrounding your eyes. Always use hats, sunscreen as well as well as sunglasses while going out in the sun.
Stop smoking: Giving up your smoking habit would have the added benefit of preventing the eyes from a droopy or wrinkled appearance. The facial skin becomes dry and weak due to smoking.
Cool down: Cooling your eyes with cold compresses is an effective remedy for swollen eyes. You could use tea bags, cucumber slices or chilled spoons. You could use anything else that works, the important thing is ensuring they bring down the temperature.
Eye cream: You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to options for eye creams. Find out the one that is most effective for you. However, hemorrhoid creams are to be avoided at all costs. This can cause irritation to the skin that is around your eyes. Retinol cream would be a better option.
Concealer: When you are troubled by dark circles, concealers can be effective in helping hide them. Try to find a concealer that is in sync with the tone of your skin. Make sure you apply it lightly and not rub it vigorously.
Treatment options when you have bags under your eyes
Medications: If the puffiness is due to some allergy, then consult a doctor regarding prescription allergy medications.
Therapies: Wrinkles can be treated through various therapies like laser resurfacing or chemical peels to improve the tone of the skin, make the skin tighter and give the bags under the eyes a rejuvenated look.
Surgery: If the cause of the bags under your eyes demands it, then surgery could be considered. The procedure is known as blepharoplasty. With this surgical procedure, excess fat is removed into the upper eyelid crease or in the lower lid. Dissolving stitches are then used to rejoin the skin. There could be side effects like dry eyes, pain, watery eyes, bruising, swelling and vision being blurred. Serious side effects that rarely occur are loss of vision, bleeding, eye muscles being injured, abrasion of the cornea as well as eyelid drooping.
Popular Posts
A severe mental disorder, schizophrenia impacts how an individual thinks, reacts to emotions, and perceives reality. It results in a variety of symptoms including delusions, hallucinations, and paranoia that can cause the patient to isolate themselves from the rest of the world. At present, roughly 1% of the total population suffer from this mental disorder.
Schizophrenia cannot be cured, however, it can be managed with the help of medications and therapy. This disorder can affect anyone. It typically develops in men during their late teens or early twenties. On the other hand, in women, the symptoms of schizophrenia begin to surface during their twenties or early thirties.
The following are some commonly observed symptoms of this condition:
The doctor will run a few tests of medical tests and conduct a physical exam to be sure of the condition and rule out other conditions. The patient then might be referred to a psychiatrist to evaluate the extent of this disease. symptoms are observed for more than six months, then the diagnosis of schizophrenia.
Causes of schizophrenia
Experts haven’t narrowed down the exact cause of schizophrenia. However, investigations have concluded that this mental disorder has a biological basis and is not necessarily a consequence of personal weaknesses or bad parenting. The following are some factors that can strongly contribute to the development of schizophrenia:
Treating schizophrenia
The objective of the treatment for schizophrenia is to inhibit the symptoms and reduce the possibility of a relapse. The doctor can use multiple antipsychotics that can help assuage symptoms like delusions, hallucinations, and cognitive issues. Another option is CSC (Coordinated Specialty Care) where a combination of medications and therapy is used along with employment and educational initiatives, and social services. The family of the patient is also actively involved in this kind of therapy.
To resolve various psychological, social, and occupational issues, the doctor may recommend psychosocial therapy that involves various learning techniques. These can help improve one’s attention, planning, problem-solving skills, and memory. Likewise, such therapy can also strengthen a person’s interpersonal skills so that they can function efficiently in professional and personal circles.
People dealing with severe symptoms of schizophrenia, like inciting suicidal thoughts, may have to get treatment in a hospital on an outpatient basis until the condition stabilizes. If medications fail or if the patient suffers from serious episodes of depression or catatonia, then ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) can be used. In this procedure, small electric shocks are delivered to the brain to improve thinking patterns and moods. This treatment is administered once every 2 to 3 weeks.
At the moment, research is underway about DBS (Deep Brain Simulation), a neurological procedure that is already used for severe cases of Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors. In this treatment, electrodes are implanted in specific areas of the brain that control functions related to thinking and perception.
Treatment plans and medications for depression
According to the World Health Organization, the estimated number of people around the world affected by depression are around 350 million. It is the most common illness worldwide and is a leading cause of disability. WHO states that it is a common mental disorder that is characterized by persistent sadness and a loss of interest in activities that a person usually enjoys, accompanied by an inability to carry out daily activities for at least two full weeks.
What causes depression?
While the cause of depression is not fully understood, it is likely to be a complex combination of genetic, environmental, and biological and psychosocial factors. Also, while depression can affect people of all ages from all walks of life, poverty, unemployment, life events like the death of a loved one or a relationship break-up, physical illness, and problems caused by alcohol and drug use are likely to increase the risk.
The symptoms involve losing interest in doing things that one would usually enjoy, change in appetite and sleep patterns, and feeling sad for at least 2 weeks.
Approaches to treat depression
If the symptoms persist for more than two weeks, patients are advised to get professional help from a therapist who can evaluate the symptoms and recommend the right approach for treatment. It is a condition that can be treated by therapy, medication, or both, and the treatment approaches vary depending on the type of depression. Here are some psychotherapy approaches to know about:
Apart from psychotherapy, patients might need medication to help them recover from this disorder. Here are some of the common medications to know more about:
These medications should be taken only with a prescription, so it is important to consult a professional psychiatrist to diagnose the condition and prescribe medication accordingly. Remember that help is always available, and you are not alone. Reach out.
Stomach gas and bloating are disorders that could seem as simple as typical discomfort. However, it could even be a symptom of a more serious, underlying condition. Gas accumulates in the body as a natural byproduct of the digestive process.
However, when this gas is not passed out through flatulence or burping, it builds up in the gut and causes bloating. Read on to find some tips to get relief from stomach gas and bloating.
Remedies to get relief from stomach pain due to gas
Quick relief
Avoid resisting the sensation of passing gas: Many people try to avoid passing gas so that they are not embarrassed in public. However, doing this will lead to the accumulation of gas and more bloating. It is advisable to try and find a somewhat private place and pass gas to stop any stomach pain. If you find it difficult to release gas, try taking a short yet brisk walk or lying down and relaxing your muscles.
Consume chamomile or mint tea: Both mint and chamomile can soothe the stomach and aid with digestion. One can consume these teas available in the form of tea-bags after steeping it in hot water.
Take activated charcoal supplements: These can relieve cramps due to gas and bloating. It is relatively more effective as compared to other remedies for stomach pain due to gas. However, it is advisable to consult a doctor before taking these, especially if you are on any other medications.
Apply a hot water compress: For immediate relief, lie down and place a hot water bottle or compress across your stomach. It will help relieve abdominal pressure due to gas and bloating. This remedy truly helps people get relief from pain due to excessive stomach gas and bloating.
Lifestyle changes
Avoid foods that tend to cause bloating: Several foods contain compounds that are difficult for stomach bacteria to break down. While not all of these foods cause gas in all people, it is advisable to take note of the following list of foods and examine how each of them affects your digestive system:
Change the order in which you eat different foods: The body naturally produces hydrochloric acid to break down proteins whenever you start a meal. If you eat carbohydrates first, the acid gets used up before you begin eating protein. Then, the undigested protein ferments and causes gas and bloating.
Thus, it is helpful to start with proteins like meat or fish before moving on to the carbohydrate portion of your meal. You can also take over-the-counter hydrochloric acid supplements which can provide relief from bloating and gas.
Eat less food at a time and chew food well: Quite often, people experience the sensation of bloating because they eat too much at one go. Eating smaller portions during meals can help. It is also necessary to chew your food well for two reasons:
Go gluten or dairy-free: Dairy products contain lactose, which is hard to digest for some people. Lactose-free dairy alternatives include almond or soy milk. Gluten is a hard-to-digest protein found in wheat, rye, and other grains, and one can substitute them with gluten-free options.
Cut down on sugar and simple carbohydrates: These are difficult for the body to digest. Going on a sugar-free diet may help you if you experience bloating after eating sugary food. However, one should not pick artificial sweeteners as well because this ingredient also leads to bloating.
Add healing herbs and spices to your diet: Several herbs and spices have carminative properties which means that it helps to expel gas from the system. Most prominent among them are ginger, peppermint, dill, basil, caraway, parsley, and cumin.
It is recommended to consume these foods in their original form rather than herbal supplements, as the latter may interact adversely with any medication that you are already taking.
Eat fermented foods: Fermented foods contain probiotics, which aid in digestion. Thus, it is one of the best remedies for stomach pain due to gas. Some foods that are rich in probiotics are kefir, kimchi, yogurt, sauerkraut, and tempeh. These probiotics are also available as dietary supplements.
Have digestive aids: Several over-the-counter medicines can help relieve bloating. Lactase drops or tablets are useful for those with lactose intolerance, and people should take it before consuming dairy products.
Beano is a supplement that contains alpha-galactosidase, a compound that helps break down beans and other hard-to-digest vegetables. One should take these digestive aids before the meal so that the body is ready to digest food by the time you start eating.
Other disorders that can lead to stomach gas:
Hand Picked
If you suffer from a burning sensation or acute discomfort that travels up from your stomach into your chest and the regurgitation of food that you recently ate along with a sharp and sour taste of acid, these symptoms are native to acid reflux. While the occasional experience of acid reflux need not worry you, if it becomes regular, more intense, and disturbs your sleep, you must visit your doctor.
Food that enters the stomach is retained by means of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscular ring, and it must close immediately as it may become weak or damaged. If it doesn’t close fully or remains open too often, it causes digestive acids to move up into the food pipe or esophagus. This causes the typical symptoms of heartburn, sour taste in the mouth, regurgitation, dyspepsia or burning sensation in the stomach, nausea, upset stomach, bloated feeling, difficulty swallowing, burping, dry cough, and a sore throat. Sometimes, the symptoms are so severe that they can be mistaken for a heart attack. If symptoms persist and are left untreated, you can develop gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Relationship Between Food and Acid Reflux
Your diet has a significant impact on acid reflux. Foods that are acidic in nature contribute to the increase of acids in the stomach and there are more chances of these causing reflux through a weak or damaged LES. There are many such trigger foods, and along with the medication, exercise and lifestyle changes that your doctor recommends, avoiding such foods can help you manage and eliminate your symptoms.
Eating heavy meals close to bedtime and lying down immediately after a meal can trigger an attack. Being obese or pregnant, bending over after a meal, snacking close to bedtime, smoking, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen and muscle relaxants, certain antibiotics, and blood-pressure medications can set off acid reflux symptoms.
Foods to Avoid with Acid Reflux
Some common foods that cause acid reflux symptoms are as follows:
Helpful Hints
Being diagnosed with acid reflux need not restrict your fun or enjoyment of good food. While it’s easy to manage these issues at home, it can be challenging while eating out at restaurants or at other people’s homes. It’s important to reduce drinking and stay with plain water. Eat smaller and more frequent meals. Add drinks like camomile tea and warm water first thing in the morning to reduce symptoms. You can also practice portion control and eat slowly, chewing well to allow the food to digest properly. If you’re hungry later, choose safer options like carrot/cucumber sticks, graham crackers, raisins etc. Hard candy is a good option to after-dinner mints but it could induce air-swallowing. Make sure that the last meal of the day is eaten at least three hours before bedtime.
Other useful tips are as follows:
Diet for Acid Reflux
The optimum diet for acid reflux is highly personalized. While the symptoms are common, each person’s trigger foods that cause acid reflux are unique to them. It’s important to identify and document the foods that set off your particular acid reflux symptoms. Generally, these are foods that do not cause the symptoms of acid reflux:
As this list is quite comprehensive, not too many dietary changes are required. They all promote weight loss and healthy eating. The aim is to get combinations of these foods and create a varied, tasty and balanced diet. Greasy and oily foods take a long time to digest and cause the food to remain in the stomach for longer periods, triggering off acid reflux.
Acid reflux affects millions of people. There are a variety of symptoms that crop up when you eat foods that cause acid reflux. Avoid the foods that cause the symptoms and make healthier food choices to reduces chances of increasing and developing acid reflux. Certain lifestyle changes can provide long-term benefits.
Aches and pains are almost inevitable no matter how hard you try to stay healthy. Pain can be caused due to a lot of conditions and even diseases. Moreover, it can be mild or can go on to be really troublesome. Thankfully, there are a variety of pain relievers available in the market today. These pain relievers can help you get through the pain and you can get on with your daily activities. Whether it is your back that is bothering you or a headache, painkillers always provide the much needed temporary relief.
TYLENOL® Extra Strength Caplets
This is the best pain reliever that you should have at all times. While this pain reliever comes in different formats and formulas, these tablets are highly recommended by the best doctors and are tried and tested. This tablet is specially made to treat pains as well as minor aches. However, if you have pain that is associated with swelling, then Tylenol is perhaps not the best option. You can go for this option when you are dealing with backaches, headaches and the like.
Aleve Caplets
If you are facing back pain, then Aleve is a great choice as it is considered one of the best pain relievers. It targets inflammation that often contributes to back pain. The medicine is perfect for back pain associated with arthritis. Just by taking one caplet, you can get rid of pain for 12 hours. It contains naproxen sodium that is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication and is indeed a powerful pain reliever. The drawback of Aleve Caplets is that they can cause stomach irritation in some people. Before consuming the caplets, you should carefully read the instructions and also consult your doctor. It is also very effective if you are facing toothache or menstrual cramps.
Excedrin® Extra Strength Caplets
According to a lot of customer surveys, nothing provides relief for a headache like the Excedrin Extra Strength Caplets. It has a high amount of coffee that tremendously helps with headaches and within the time span of 15 minutes, you can experience relief. So if you are suffering from headaches, then Excedrin is one of the best pain relievers out there. Be careful while taking it at night as it can potentially interfere with your sleep.
Pamprin® Maximum Strength
Periods can be really painful, and if you have an important task or a meeting on the same day, then painkillers provide the needed relief. Pamprin is really effective in dealing with the side effects of periods such as headaches, irritability, and cramps. It also helps with water retention and all the weight gain that happens due to it. Thus, if you are looking for pills for periods, then Pamprin is among the best pain relievers. Women have reported that this is indeed very helpful and say that they always carry one strip with them at all times.
Advil® Liqui-Gels®
Exercise is excellent for our health and is very crucial for the overall well being of the body. However, it can also cause muscle pain and when you feel as if you cannot take it anymore, then Advil can come in handy. It is known to help with not only the pain and headache but also inflammation. Loyal customers always buy Advil as it is proven for providing relief from pain. The liquid gels are very easy to swallow which is why people prefer them. Apart from helping with muscle aches, the liquid gel pain reliever also helps fevers and headaches.
Biofreeze Classic Pain Relief Gel
If you are suffering from arthritis, then having Biofreeze by the side will always be a good idea. It has a gel formula that is very easy to apply wherever you are feeling the pain. Whether the joint pain is due to weather, age, or due to any rigorous movement, you are sure to get pain relief. It is perfect for providing temporary relief and you do not have to go for prescribed medicines. You may also get it in a spray formula as it will be very easy to apply.
Excedrin® Migraine Geltabs
When it comes to migraines, Excedrin Migraine gel tabs are the best pain relievers. For most of the migraine cases, you might need a prescription, but Excedrin is a pill that you can get over the counter. Moreover, it can also help with sensitivity to light and sound as well as nausea. These symptoms are usually associated with migraines. It works quickly and taking the pills will provide you with instant relief.
Thus, the above-mentioned products are the best pain relievers available in the country. Whether it is menstrual cramps that you are experiencing or a headache, these medicines will help a lot in relieving the pain.
Find a doctor