Testosterone, a hormone generated by the testicles, is required for boosting masculinity and muscle development. An increase in the levels of this hormone during adolescence is the reason why boys develop male characteristics such as facial hair and a deep voice. In addition to this, testosterone promotes red blood cell production, strengthens the bones, uplifts mood, and fosters mental capabilities. The levels of testosterone in the body peak during early adulthood and they begin to decline after the age of 40 years. Beyond the age of 50 years, men may complain of the symptoms of low testosterone levels such as alterations in sexual drive, impotence, anxiety, fatigue, gain in body weight, lowered muscle mass, and anemia. Although a reduction in the testosterone levels occurs as one grows old, it may occur owing to other health conditions such as infections, injuries, cancer treatments, hormonal or steroid drug consumption, stress, obesity, alcoholism, and severe illnesses. Normally, testosterone levels in the body range between 300 and 1000 nanograms per deciliter of blood. Men with levels less than this lower limit are deemed as suffering from low testosterone. This is a major concern for men. Hence one must consider consulting a doctor for low testosterone treatment. Who Needs Low Testosterone Treatment? Every individual diagnosed with a low testosterone level does not require treatment. Indeed, doctors say that low testosterone therapy is needed only when accompanied by several associated symptoms that are severe. Since treatment of low testosterone involves certain risks such as increased disposition towards blood clotting, breast enlargement, acne, and stroke, physicians prefer to identify the cause of reduced blood testosterone levels. If an individual suffers from unnatural weight gain, thyroid disorders, or side effects of certain medications are determined as the cause, these reasons are addressed and treated as a priority. Similarly, if men do not suffer from important symptoms such as decreased energy levels and sexual desires, doctors do not immediately recommend therapy.

Ear infections are most prominent in individuals during the rainy season. High outdoor temperatures such as those exceeding 38 o C could induce ear infections. Children are more vulnerable as compared to adults getting an ear infection. Ear infection symptoms often come into effect in little time. Timely treatment must be considered in case of severe ear infections. Different ear infections have different treatment methods. Symptoms of Ear Infection Pain in the ear Feeling unwell Low energy levels Inaudibility Discharge from the ear Feeling of fullness inside the ear Flaky skin both, in and around the ear Children and babies can have some other symptoms when they have an ear infection. These include: Irritability Restlessness Difficult in maintaining balance Disinterested in eating Tendency to rub or pull ears Let’s run through some of the key differences between inner and outer ear infections. Inner Ear Infections: Children are more vulnerable towards getting an inner ear infection. Most common causes are flu and colds. These affect the ear canal or the tube that connects the eardrum to the outer ear. Outer Ear Infections: Adults are more vulnerable, particularly in the age group of 45 to 75 years. The underlying cause is often something that irritates the ear canal. This may include swimming or a skin disorder like eczema. Outer ear infections affect the eustachian tube. This is the tube that runs from behind the eardrum right up to behind the nose. Basic Do’s and Don’ts while Healing Ear Infection: In most cases, ear infections would heal by itself within 2-3 days, but this depends on the severity of the infection. In the meantime, there are certain things you could do to reduce the discomfort. Do’s If you need to go for painkillers, use paracetamol or ibuprofen. Children below six years should avoid using aspirin.

Glowing skin is an indication of perfect health condition and also the fact that your health is not declining with the passing phase of time. Yet, the efforts that are usually being made to retain the suppleness of the skin are more with an eye on appearance, rather than health reasons. Interestingly to win over the inevitable process of aging, most of us believe and rely on various types of cosmetics. In fact, there is bountiful of beauty products in the market that claims to contain various antioxidants that can help you reverse the cycle of aging. Investigations and researchers in the beauty space have however claimed that such products rarely provide any effective result! Hence, are anti-aging vitamins a myth? Simply no! However, they act better when consumed as dietary nutrients, rather than creams that are to be applied to the skin! Three anti-aging vitamins can do wonders for your skin and can help you fight the process of aging. In this article, we will examine their benefits. Selenium One of the prime anti-aging vitamins that we talk about here, is selenium. This is one of the elemental nutritive intakes that can help a person prevent the dreaded disease of skin cancer. This element enters the body and prevents the adverse effects that can be caused due to being exposed to the sun’s ray for a long time. Selenium is also great for providing extra elasticity of the tissues. This is an aspect that reduces the rate of aging that occurs in the body. It also prevents the process of hardening of the tissues. One can get excellent quality of selenium through regular intakes of eggs, garlic, seafood, and cereals. Research has revealed that selenium is better absorbed by the body when it is consumed through dietary intake, rather than through application on the skin.

If the changing seasons make you sneeze your head off, instead of putting a spring in your step, you might have a pollen allergy. Pollen allergies or hay fever is an allergic reaction to the pollen released by plants. Pollen is a fine powder released by plants during their reproductive cycles. Pollen is fine enough to travel through the air, which helps plants to reproduce. However, the protein in the pollen can be easily inhaled or ingested via the nose, mouth, ears, or eyes which can trigger an allergic reaction in some people. Approximately 30% of adults have some level of pollen allergy. Pollen is not only released by flowering plants but also by grass, trees, and weeds. Flower pollen allergies are more common in spring. Grass pollen allergies are more common in summer, and in autumn, pollen allergies from weeds are predominant. This makes pollen allergies a year-round ordeal for some people, that can be quite uncomfortable and impedes their daily lives. Pollen allergy signs and symptoms If you have a pollen sensitivity, every time you breathe in or come in contact with pollen, you might notice pollen allergy signs such as: Sneezing Itching Redness of the eyes A runny nose Coughing Watering eyes Difficulty breathing Pollen allergy signs can also include worsening of asthma and other respiratory conditions in people who are predisposed. Allergens such as pollen, trigger an immune response in the body. The immune system releases a chemical called Histamine, that works to eliminate this allergen, which is perceived as a threat to the body. Histamine causes the blood vessels to dilate which produces pollen allergy signs such as sneezing, runny nose, and redness of the nose and eyes. The nasal blood vessels also expand which can cause nasal congestion and sinus infections. Conversely, the veins of the face constrict in response to histamine, which causes characteristic pollen allergy signs called ‘allergic shiners’ like dark circles under the eyes.

Any type of allergy can be exhausting. Most allergies can make the strongest of us feel weak and worn down. Sinus allergies are some of the most excruciating ones. These allergies can overwhelm most people and can make even the most trivial day-to-day tasks seem overwhelming. Studies have shown that allergies if left untreated can worsen. This can cause infections as well as complicate the functions of the body in numerous ways. These range from stomach ailments to complicated heart issues. This is why doctors recommend treatment as soon as possible. The recommended approach towards allergies has always been prevention. Protecting the body means preparing and understanding allergies. The first crucial step towards combating allergies would be to understand what the possible sinus allergy signs are. Once the sinus allergy signs have been identified, the next step is symptomatic treatment. This means treating the symptoms to help weaken the overall allergy. The ideal situation for this form of treatment is that the allergy itself will become manageable and heal itself. However, if the body doesn’t recover naturally, medication is recommended. It is crucial to identify key sinus allergy signs by recognizing the symptoms of the possible allergy when it begins to manifest at an early stage. Here are some of the key sinus allergy signs. Nasal identifiers The first sign of any allergy is any kind of irritation inside the nose. These irritations can manifest in different ways. Watch out for any itching inside the nostrils. This itchiness can escalate to sneezing which is the second sinus allergy sign. Provided the itch and sneezing persist, the third sign of an allergy is a stuffy nose. Sinus allergy signs initially are similar to those of a common cold. The final nasal identifier for sinus allergies is a runny nose. If all four symptoms persist over a period of time, it might be an indication of an allergy.

The healthy vagina hosts a small number of yeast fungus along with other bacteria. When the number of yeast increases, it is called a yeast infection. Yeast infections can occur multiple times and for many reasons. Primarily, when the balance of the bacteria in the vagina is affected, the number of yeast cells increases. Causes of yeast infections Not keeping your vaginal area dry: If the moisture level of your vaginal area increases, the yeast cells will find the perfect conditions to multiply. Not changing your tampon or pads regularly keeps moisture around. Even wearing tight underwear that doesn’t allow for airing out the vagina can cause moisture to build up. Taking antibiotics: Antibiotics do not discriminate. Taking antibiotics can destroy all the good bacteria in your vagina. These bacteria keep the yeast cells in check. Without them, the yeast cells will multiply. High blood sugar levels: Yeast requires sugar for energy. High sugar levels guarantee to make the yeast cells stronger. Having sex with an infected partner: Yeast is contagious. If you engage in sex with a partner who has oral yeast, or even penile yeast, you can get infected easily. Having sex often with an uninfected partner can change the pH of your vaginal area. This could be detrimental to the good bacteria. What are probiotics? Probiotics are a collection of healthy bacteria and yeasts. They replace any good bacteria that you may have lost and restore balance. They are useful for disorders of the gut, as well as other conditions in the body. Probiotics for yeast infections are specifically beneficial. Probiotics also aid in weight loss, improved digestion, healthy skin, and a stronger immune system. Probiotics are good for your health and you need to consume them on a daily basis. Here are some probiotics for yeast infection you must consider especially if you have a vaginal yeast infection:

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that play a vital role in keeping the human body functioning properly. It has many functions and the most important is waste removal. If the kidneys fail, it can put your life in danger. This is where kidney dialysis comes in. The kidneys are located on either side of your spine, in the upper abdominal cavity. The right kidney is situated at a slightly lower level than the left because of the space occupied by the liver above it. The function of the kidneys The kidneys filter out waste, maintain body fluid levels, regulate acidity levels in the body, and aid in the formation of red blood cells. Filtering out wastes and toxins: The kidneys filter out urea, excess salt, and toxins from the blood. Urea is one of the waste products created during cell metabolism. The wastes are passed out of the body through urine. Regulating body fluid levels: The kidneys monitor and react to all changes in the body fluid level throughout the day. If the fluid level rises, they pass out more urine, if the fluid level falls, the kidneys pass out less urine. Red blood cells creation: When the kidneys do not get enough oxygen, they signal the bone marrow to produce more RBC, by sending out a hormone called erythropoietin. Kidney failure When your kidneys stop functioning properly, it affects all the above-mentioned functions, but mainly removal of body wastes and maintenance of proper fluid levels in the body. Most people can get along very well if even one of the kidneys does its job. However, if both the kidneys fail, it is time to look for an alternative plan—a way to take over the function of removing waste. Kidney dialysis Kidney dialysis is the artificial process of cleaning out the blood.

Cold sore is the infection around the lips caused by herpes simplex virus. It creates tiny fluid-filled lesions on or around the lips. Usually, cold sores affect people in the age of 14 to 60 years. The most common symptoms of a cold sore are a burning sensation in or on the skin, accompanied by sore lips, tingling lips, or ulcer, blisters, rashes, ulcers, or redness. This virus can quickly spread through physical contact. Generally, self-diagnosable, this virus which causes cold sores are found in 90% of the population, but in most of the cases, it is harmless. When this virus becomes active, it causes oral herpes or cold sores. Even in its inactive state, this virus remains in the body. The infection caused by the herpes simplex virus can recur at any point in the future depending upon the levels of stress, hormonal imbalance, and various other factors. The treatment for cold sores aims to reduce or suppress the pain and discomfort, however, there is no cure for it. Read on to find out some at-home cold sore treatments to alleviate the symptoms. Ice packs Ice packs help you to reduce the swelling and inflammation caused by the cold sores by numbing the nerves in and around the affected area. This reduces the pain caused due to the blisters. Just apply an ice cube over the troubled area thrice a day to get instant relief. Do not extend the application for more than 20 minutes as it can cause damage to the skin. Aloe vera gel Aloe vera is the most commonly used cosmetic product which is anti-inflammatory and has soothing properties for the skin. The redness and itchiness caused due to the blisters can be calmed down by applying aloe vera gel topically. For best results, freeze a scoop of aloe vera in the refrigerator and apply this aloe vera ice cube to the affected part at least twice a day.

The most common cause of back pain on the right side is the straining of muscles. Back pain could sometimes occur due to serious medical conditions. So it is very important to understand the root cause of the same. This would allow one to know whether this has occurred due to a serious underlying condition. Primary types of back pain on the right side: Acute Back Pain: Acute back pain occurs in specific situations. This is the most common type of back pain. It has a sudden onset and could be sharp and intense. Chronic Back Pain: Chronic pain afflicts one for a longer duration. It is often not as intense as acute back pain. This type may be consistent in some rare cases. What causes back pain towards the right side: An infection of the urinary tract: This is a common cause of back pain which occurs towards the right side. It occurs due to an infection in bladder, kidney or urethra. While back pain is a commonplace symptom, other symptoms include: Stress over the pubic bone A sharp sensation during urination Frequent urination Slight fatigue Reduction in urine output A scapular fracture towards the right side of the body: When one suffers from a scapular fracture towards the right side of the body, it leads to pain. Such fractures arise in the shoulder blade. But these seldom arise. In most cases, scapular fractures occur following an accidental fall. Some of the accompanying symptoms include: Reduction in movement of arm Swelling of shoulder Strain in the lumbar muscle: Strain in the Lumbar muscle could lead to a sharp back pain towards the right side. This often comes into play upon making a sharp movement. Or lumbar muscle strain could come to fore upon workouts such as lifting weights. This pain could be:

Inflamed joints are a painful condition. Joint pain due to arthritic conditions like gout is one of the leading cause of pain worldwide. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis that is characterized by the accumulation of uric acid crystals around the joints. The course of gout is recurrent with attacks of inflammation, followed by pain that starts a few hours later. The pain is often severe and of rapid onset. Gout is caused by various genetic and environmental factors. Gout occurs when there is a high level of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid forms crystals and these uric acid crystals deposit around bone joints, tendons, and supportive tissues. Gout was once called “the rich man’s disease” or “the king’s disease” since it was associated with excessively rich diets. With modern diets and prolonged life spans, gout has become increasingly common. Being overweight, eating too much meat, and drinking too much beer increases your chances of developing gout. Gout diet plans aim to ease the symptoms and reduce the frequency of attacks. Causes of gout The primary cause of gout is uric acid buildup. In most cases, the underlying reason for overaccumulation of uric acid is underexcretion of urate by the kidneys. Though uncommon, sometimes the reason could be an overproduction of uric acid. Genetic and dietary factors play a huge role in the development of gout. Diets with excessive amounts of meat, seafood, alcohol, and sweetened beverages, increase the risk of developing gout. Gout diet plans include consuming vitamin C, dairy products, and coffee along with moderate levels of physical exercise. Symptoms to watch out for The most defining symptom of gout is recurrent attacks of acute arthritis. The joints become red, inflamed, tender, hot to the touch, and even painful. In half of all cases, the joint of the big toe is affected.