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What You Need to Know about Gout
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What You Need to Know about Gout

Gout is a form of arthritis that causes sudden and severe pain often in the joint at the base of the big toe. Men are more likely to get gout than women who become susceptible after their menopause. It is a common prevailing condition in the UK, and one can’t escape gout without easy gout treatments. Here are certain symptoms of gout which you can check for in case of doubt: Joint Pain Sudden pain and swelling usually affecting the joint of your big toe is one basic symptom of gout. The whole area becomes red, and there is an unbearable pain for the first 4-12 hours after it begins. Inflammation The skin around the joint swells and the color changes to red or purple. You will find that the area will be warm compared to the rest of your body. Limited Mobility Gout leads to severe pain in the affected joint area, causing discomfort and limited mobility, and lasts for more than a week or so depending on the severity of the swelling. Below are other causes of gout. Uric Acid The body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, a substance found naturally in the body as well as in certain foods. The acid dissolved in blood passes through the kidneys to leave the body as urine. When the body produces too much or the kidneys excrete too little acid, it turns into small crystals that settle in the joint. These crystals cause major swelling in the big toe. High Blood Pressure If the blood pressure is too high, it causes strain on your body and kidneys. This results in lack of flow of blood to your joints that may cause severe swelling, and thus gout. Family History Research shows that if one or two members of the family suffer from gout, there are higher chances of you getting it.
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Here’s How to Identify a Skin Rash
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Here’s How to Identify a Skin Rash

Skin rashes can be uncomfortable, unsightly, and downright embarrassing. A skin rash might affect you for multiple reasons and knowing the cause or trigger for your skin rash will go a long way in treating and preventing their occurrence. A rash can be identified based on the appearance of the skin affected. The skin could be red, have bumps, become scaly and itchy. Moreover, there are a host of other ways to identify a skin rash. Make sure to take note of all the symptoms and the appearance of the rash. You can get a rash due to a multitude of reasons. The main reasons for rashes include: Allergens Medications Cosmetics Certain diseases Allergic contact dermatitis This condition covers any rash that occurs when the skin comes into physical contact with an allergen. Knowing what you are allergic to is imperative as you can then take care to avoid it. Sometimes, you can be allergic to multiple things. Taking an allergy test is the best way to tackle this type of rash. In case you still do not know the cause of your allergy, it is best you do not touch the rash. Use warm water and a mild soap over it. In most cases, the allergen sticking to your skin will wash away with this step. If the rash persists, you can use a hydrocortisone cream over the rash. If your rash is accompanied by blisters, then a cold compress can do wonders to relieve the pain. Use this compress three times a day until the blisters disappear. Drug rashes Drug rashes are any rashes that are caused due to the body’s reaction to certain medication. Drug rashes vary from being mild to life-threatening. Drug rashes can appear instantaneously or can even appear weeks later. There are three types of drug rashes:
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New and existing treatments for psoriatic arthritis
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New and existing treatments for psoriatic arthritis

Know about the New and Existing Treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease that is a type of inflammatory arthritis. It causes a long-term condition in most people and may become worse with time, especially if left untreated. When the person suffering from this disease is not given proper treatment or when the treatment is prolonged, it can cause serious damage to the joints in the body. To avoid serious and permanent joint damages, it is important to get an early diagnosis. Learning and knowing the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis is hence important to get the right diagnosis and timely treatment. Psoriatic arthritis may develop post a psoriasis disease. Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes scaly patches that develops on the skin. Not all types of psoriasis lead to psoriatic arthritis; however, in some cases of psoriasis can lead to an onset of psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint in the body. When psoriatic arthritis occurs in the spine, the condition is called spondylitis. It causes a stiffness in the neck or back, causing difficulty to the person while bending. People who have psoriatic arthritis may also get tender spots in the tendons. This causes a pain in the feet or the back of the heel. Most people fear a permanent joint damage that could be caused by psoriatic arthritis; however, it is not entirely true. Psoriatic arthritis can cause permanent joint damage; however, this can only happen when it is left untreated or when the treatment is provided too late. An early diagnosis and treatment can cure psoriatic arthritis and not cause any harm to the joint. There are different types of treatments available to cure psoriatic arthritis. To know about them, read on! Existing treatments for psoriatic arthritis Patients with psoriatic arthritis undergo several types of treatments, some of them include doses of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medicines.
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Eczema – Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
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Eczema – Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

The skin is the largest organ of the body by weight making about one-sixth of our total body weight. It’s a complicated structure and consists of three layers namely; epidermis the outermost one, the dermis which is a layer beneath the epidermis and the subcutaneous layer the deepest one. Eczema commonly called as ‘dermatitis’ is a skin disorder characterized by inflammation and intense itching. People suffering from eczema have extremely dry skin which is highly susceptible to bacterial, fungal or viral infections. The affected skin is not a smooth, protective barrier but patches of skin with rashness, red lumps or blisters. Eczema can affect people of all age group from infants or adults and continue to have symptoms throughout their life depending on the severity. Normally in infants, itchy rashes appear on the skin. The eczema photos show that these rashes can produce oozing, crusty condition majorly on the child’s scalp and face. Eczema is a recognizable health condition among a number of skin diseases and can be prevented by keeping the skin moisturized, nourished and healthy. Types of eczema Eczema is not considered as a contagious disease and cannot catch when in close contact. While the exact cause of eczema is unknown, researchers suggest that people develop eczema because of a combination of genes and environmental triggers. When an allergen gets activated, skin cells behave like a foreign agent causing an eczema flare-up. There are eight different types of eczema like atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dyshidrotic eczema, hand eczema, neurodermatitis, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, and stasis dermatitis. It is possible to identify the types by looking for eczema photos online. Atopic dermatitis, which is severe and long-lasting is the most common one and can occur in combination at a time. All types of eczema cause itching, redness or blisters.
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6 Effective Herbal Remedies for Anxiety and Insomnia
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6 Effective Herbal Remedies for Anxiety and Insomnia

People are so engrossed in surviving in this stressful world that they forget how to live; everything is centered around survival these days. In a bid to acquire all the luxuries-turned-necessities, they have accepted physical and mental exhaustion as a part of their lives. The main repercussions of leading such a stressful life manifest itself in the form of anxiety or insomnia, which is familiar to modern-day individuals. The major parts of life that trigger anxiety and insomnia are money, work, family, health, and love. Thinking about these things can get someone’s heart racing, their breathing becomes shallow and rapid, and they start experiencing a sense of impending doom that may or may not be accurate. This is what a full-blown anxiety attack feels like. Similarly, all these factors can also keep one up at night, and this is not the regular “I slept in the afternoon, so I can’t sleep at night” thing. People often get addicted to sleeping pills because they are desperate for a good night’s sleep. However, sleeping pills are not the answer to insomnia, especially not in the long run. The modern-day individual faces a “devil and the deep blue sea” situation with anxiety and insomnia perched at different ends. If someone isn’t keen on popping different pills, they can try various herbal remedies for anxiety and insomnia that are known to yield desirable results. Chamomile Chamomile is one of the most effective herbal remedies for anxiety and insomnia. Even if a person is feeling jittery, a cup of chamomile tea can set things right again. Chamomile is known to contain some compounds that bind to the brain receptors like the medication Valium does, and has a similar calming effect. Chamomile supplements also work wonders for patients diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); such patients have displayed a notable decrease in anxiety symptoms as compared to those taking a placebo.
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Popular Herbal Remedies for Psoriatic Arthritis
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Popular Herbal Remedies for Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes itching and scaly red patches to appear on the skin or scalp. Psoriatic arthritis is an advanced form of psoriasis that affects the small joints in one’s body. There are five known types of psoriatic arthritis that exhibit different symptoms with varying levels of severity. These include symmetric arthritis, asymmetric arthritis, distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP), spondylitis, and arthritis mutilans. Inflammation is one of the major triggers that can result in the condition worsening with time. Complications develop over time, and some of its symptoms can be managed with a simple combination of everyday ingredients to make herbal remedies for psoriatic arthritis. Here are five powerful herbal remedies for psoriatic arthritis. Apple cider vinegar It is one of the most versatile ingredients when it comes to treating skin disorders and diseases. Apple cider vinegar is effective against the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis as it is a natural anti-itch agent. Apple cider vinegar can be applied gently on the scalp and other affected areas on the body to counter the itching sensation. However, one must avoid direct application of raw apple cider vinegar in areas where the skin has blistered, or where there are visible cracks and signs of bleeding. Aloe vera Aloe vera gel has been commonly used to treat skin conditions and disorders for thousands of years. It is an affordable option when it comes to using herbal remedies for treating psoriatic arthritis. Aloe vera is particularly effective to treat skin burns and counter the irritation caused by inflammation. It is rich in glucomannan that accelerates healthy skin cell growth and healing of the affected area. Inflammation is one of the most persistent symptoms of psoriatic arthritis and the aloe vera gel’s naturally soothing properties cool the affected area. The gel soothes inflammation to reduce abrasions and burns.
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6 Popular Herbal Remedies for Arthritis Pain
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6 Popular Herbal Remedies for Arthritis Pain

A type of degenerative condition, arthritis is a painful disease characterized by the inflammation and stiffness of joints. At the moment around 55 million adults in the country are diagnosed with this condition. Rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout, and psoriatic arthritis are some common types of arthritis. Medical professionals mostly treat arthritis with anti-inflammatory medicines and pain-relievers. However, due to the medications’ potent nature, their long-term use might not be suitable for all patients. In such a situation, individuals should also consider implementing healthier lifestyle changes like dietary modifications and exercise. Likewise, one can try using herbal remedies for arthritis pain mentioned below. These can help gain fast relief in case of any unexpected flare-ups. Eucommia – Native to China, Eucommia bark is an exotic herb that is used for alleviating arthritis symptoms, especially joint pain. Moreover, Eucommia benefits by fortifying the tendons, ligaments, and bones which makes it a useful herbal remedy for arthritis patients. Usually, Eucommia is consumed in the form of supplements. This herb can also be beneficial for regulating diabetes and preventing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia. However, before consuming Eucommia one should seek their physician’s guidance, particularly, if they are suffering from blood pressure problems. Thunder god vine – Like Eucommia, thunder god vine is also a primitive Chinese herbal remedy. The extracts from the roots of this exotic herb encourage restraining an overactive immune system. Therefore, this type of herbal remedy of arthritis can be instrumental in managing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disorder. For gaining the best outcome, one should topically apply its extract to the inflamed joints. The long-term use of thunder god vine is not recommended as it could cause skin rashes. Likewise, individuals dealing with osteoporosis should abstain from using this herb as it could diminish the bone strength.
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6 Well-known Herbs and Spices for Cancer Prevention
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6 Well-known Herbs and Spices for Cancer Prevention

Also called the emperor of maladies, cancer affects nearly 1 million people in the country. It is also the second leading cause of death globally, heart disease being the leading cause. Most of the time, cancer affects those people whose family has a history of cancer. Genes carrying cancer-triggering cells are passed down from one generation to the next. In other cases, prolonged exposure to radiation or toxic substances can chemically induce cancer. This exposure can be a result of occupational hazards, lifestyle choices such as smoking, or due to radiation therapy. Cancer can be of many types. We have listed 4 types of cancers below: Carcinoma is a type of cancer that mainly affects the epithelial tissue lining that covers most organs and the internal pathways and forms the skin layer. Major organs at risk include the esophagus, lungs, stomach, breast, pancreas, colon, rectum, and gland cells. Sarcomas mainly affect the bones and soft connective tissues in the body. There are over 70 different types of sarcomas that mainly affect the muscles, blood vessels, nerves, tendons, fat deposits, and also the lining of the joints. Leukemia is not a single cancer but a broad category of cancers that affect blood cells. Leukemia can either be acute or chronic, depending on whether white or red blood cells are affected and cancer’s progression. Lymphoma, on the other hand, develops and affects the lymphatic system of the body that stores and transports white blood cells to fight infections. Lymphoma is primarily classified as Hodgkin’s, where cancer spreads from one lymph node to the other, and non-Hodgkin’s, where cancer can randomly affect any part of the lymphatic system. In all of these cases, cancer prevention is very difficult unless all the risk factors are eliminated. But, more often than not, this is practically quite difficult.
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