The sedentary human lifestyle has brought with it a baggage of newfound health issues resulting in weakening of the human body structure. Ensure to keep a constant track of changes in your body and maintain a regular body check-up schedule. Arthritis is a common health issue faced by youngsters today. What was earlier limited to people nearing their old age has now started showing up within the age group of 20 to 25. If you witness sudden pain and stiffness in your backbone, these are a few Ankylosing spondylitis symptoms. To precisely define it, ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that affects the bones and muscles of the spine thereby making it stiff, painful, and stooping. According to recent research, 0.1 percent to 0.4 percent of the total population is affected from ankylosing spondylitis. If classified gender wise, this medical issue is more common in males as compared to females. It is important to keep track of this form of arthritis as it escalates with every passing day. There is no proper medical clarification as to how and why ankylosing spondylitis affects your body. It has also been noted that people carrying a gene called HLA-B27 are prominently affected by this medical issue. However, there is no accuracy in these findings. There have been instances wherein people with the similar gene have not been affected by this form of arthritis. Following are a few ankylosing spondylitis symptoms: Recurrent pain and stiffness The first ankylosing spondylitis symptoms are constant pain and stiffness in your spine, lower back, and in pelvic bones. In the initial stages, there are random bouts of pain which eventually surge over a period. The constant rubbing of the muscles and bones result in extreme pain. If you witness prolonged pain in your back or the lower back muscles, it’s time to get yourself thoroughly checked to avoid further complications.

Back pain can be caused due to lack of exercise or prolonged or frequent bending. In our 9 to 5 sedentary lifestyle, we tend to develop a poor posture by slouched sitting which can trigger back pain. Sitting and standing for long hours, a high and common demand of a working lifestyle is also a contributory factor to back pain. Poor footwear or wrong footwear has also revealed as a cause to back pain. A common phrase, ‘sitting is the new smoking’ is on the lips of the generation which succumbs to back pain. The chiropractor has warned of increased incidents of debilitating back pain. Moreover, many studies say that men experience back pain earlier than women. In a study conducted between the age group of 20 to 60 years, it was revealed that 69% of the patients were prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, 35% were given muscle relaxants, 12% narcotics and 4% acetaminophen. 20% received no medication. It was also seen that patients who were keen to receive medication were prescribed the same. The report concluded that Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, often augmented by muscle relaxants, are the primary care for back pain. The symptoms that you feel are a persistent ache in the back which does not go away with rest. In some cases, you may suffer from weight loss, fever and difficulty in performing daily tasks. In some cases, back pain may take several weeks to go away, but in some cases, it may persist. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are provided if the pain continues. These are also available over the counter and therefore are called OTC drugs. OTC painkillers for back pain can be bought without a prescription. Most health care providers would recommend Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the swelling around the swollen disc in the back. If these painkillers for back pain are taken in high dosages or for a long time, it may cause serious side effects.

IBS, irritable bowel syndrome is a condition that affects the colon. IBS is accompanied by pain in the abdomen and change in the bowel movements. It is diagnosed based on the severity of the symptoms of IBS. Since IBS is a collection of symptoms, therefore it is called a syndrome. IBS is of different types depending on its symptoms, such as IBS-D for diarrhea, IBS-C for constipation, IBS-M (both diarrhea and constipation) and IBS-U (neither diarrhea nor constipation). Signs of IBS: Diarrhoea, gas, bloating, rectal bleeding, weight loss, constipation, and muscle in stool are some of the probable symptoms of IBS. Causes of IBS: There is no specific reason for the IBS. It is assumed IBS is caused by an infection. The intestines swell up. The problem may even continue for a lifetime. In some cases, the intestine muscles contract and relax during the digestion process. The causes and effects of IBS are different among people. Contractions in IBS may cause bloating, diarrhea, and gas. Weak contractions make it difficult for the food to pass which causes constipation. Activators of IBS: Different factors such as stress, hormones, and foods cause IBS among individuals. Some food products such as cabbage, fats, beverages, alcohol, chocolate and milk products cause IBS problems. The IBS problems accentuate during stressful durations. Stressful situations at the workplace, home or office can cause IBS frequently. Women suffer from IBS more than men, and the problem worsen during the menstrual periods. Effects of IBS: Regular instances of constipation and diarrhea lead to the development of hemorrhoids. Restricting the intake of several food products can result in loss of essential nutrients. IBS worsens the life quality. People with IBS generally feel high stress and anxiety. Once if IBS is diagnosed, you need to visit the doctor for tests and treatments.

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disease. It makes the patient suffer from extreme pain throughout the body. Individuals suffering from fibromyalgia suffer from different symptoms such as difficulty in sleeping, exhaustion, high sensitivity to pain, and headache. Fibromyalgia causes deep muscle pain and hurting tender points causing difficult breathing and inactiveness. Fatigue, stiffness in muscles, mental problems (such as low concentration and memory), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) which brings stomach ache and irregular bowel movements are some other symptoms that probably indicate fibromyalgia. People with fibromyalgia sleep about 8–10 hours during the night with the need to sleep more. Adequate bed rest doesn’t prove helpful to them. If you experience symptoms of fibromyalgia, you should ensure to consult a doctor. There are several fibromyalgia treatments available. The common fibromyalgia treatments include medications, change in lifestyle habits, and natural remedies. Specialists may recommend anti-depressants to treat depression and anxiety related to fibromyalgia. Physical therapies, stress reduction, and relaxation exercises also work well to cure fibromyalgia. A single approach doesn’t fit for treatment for fibromyalgia. Medications along with alternatives give wonderful results. Popular fibromyalgia treatments available: Fibromyalgia treatments aim to reduce pain, fatigue, and ensure quality sleep. Exercises: Fibromyalgia indicates poor fitness. People with fibromyalgia are reluctant to do exercises. Practicing aerobic and conditioning exercises to get rid of pain, stress, and anxiety are effective fibromyalgia treatments. Physical therapy: Physical therapies relax the muscle tension and smoothen the body movements. Stiffness and pain due to fibromyalgia lessen with regular physical therapy sessions. Therapies result in neuroendocrine changes which allow the quick recovery of muscles. On visiting the physical therapist, they will administer the right exercises for muscle stretching as part of fibromyalgia treatments for the patient. Hydrotherapy, which includes ice or heat packs, relieves pain quickly and more effectively. Follow proper posture and sitting styles.

Nail fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is an unpleasant problem. It is caused by moisture, fungus, mold, and yeast. When moisture traps in warm and dark places, it allows the fungus to thrive. For example, a regular wearing of shoes causes fungus in the toenails. The nail fungus infection starts as a yellow or white spot at the tip of the nail. Gradually, the spot progresses and thickens and causes the nail to crumble/brittle. The nail color may change either turn dark or dull. In the worst case, nail separates from the nail bed resulting in onycholysis. Here are some of the best home remedies for nail fungus: Tea tree/orange oil: Tea tree oil has antibacterial and fungicidal and disinfectant properties. When the orange oil is mixed with tea tree oil, it gives wonderful results to treat fungus. Take one teaspoon of tea tree oil, half teaspoon of orange oil, and a half teaspoon of olive oil and mix them. After this, dip some cotton balls in the mixture and apply it on the nail affected by fungus. Allow the oil to dry. You can even add 4–5 drops of tea tree oil in water and dip your feet in it. Try both of these home remedies for nail fungus twice a day for better results. Coconut oil: Coconut oil works like a miracle and is one of the most effective home remedies for nail fungus. The fatty acids present in coconut oil absorb into the lipid layer of the fungal membrane and interfere with it. This causes the cells to disintegrate and destroy the nail fungus. Wear gloves and rub coconut oil on the affected nail. Allow the nail to absorb the oil and dry. Follow this two times a day to cure the nail. Baking soda and vinegar:

Constipation is one such problem that is suffered by most of the people after a certain age. The symptoms of this problem are often associated with IBS which is irritable bowel syndrome. One of the main symptoms of IBS is the problem of abdominal pain. This pain is related to the change in consistency or frequency of the bowel habit. The changed bowel habit could be repeated constipation or chronic or diarrhea. The bowel habit could change gradually. Apart from this, the symptoms could change as time passes. The symptoms could turn out be worse or could diminish as well. There are many ways in which constipation problem is defined. It is normally considered difficulty at stools, infrequent stools, or the feeling of not being completely empty during the bowel movement. Moreover, around 25 to 45 million people in the country suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Treating IBS and constipation IBS with constipation is mainly treated with a mix of various treatments for the sake of getting relief. This mainly includes making changes in medication, exercise, diet and stress management. The treatment should not only help in making the bowel problems easy but also to reduce the stomach pain, bloating etc. which are the common problems of IBS with constipation. It is important to note that you should not treat the problem of IBS with constipation by yourself. After noticing the symptoms, the doctor is the best person who can give the right medication. This is because the medicines are featured with health risks of supplements and laxatives. The below-mentioned tips will surely help you to deal with IBS with constipation in an effective way. Dietary changes: Fiber intake should be in good content as it reduces constipation. People should develop the habit of consuming fruits, vegetables, whole-grain bread, beans, and cereals on a daily basis.

At times, the ankle might get swollen due to various reasons. Swollen ankles are usually caused due to fluid retention. People usually experience slight pain during this time, and sometimes the pain could be worse. The cause of swollen ankles could be due to injury or any medical condition. The below-mentioned information will help you know the causes of and swollen ankles treatment options in detail. Prominent swollen ankles causes Injury – An injury to the ankle or the foot could lead to swelling. Even when there is a sprain, it leads to a swollen ankle. The best that can be done for this is to avoid walking and taking rest. It is important to take rest and use an ice pack covered with a towel at least for 30 minutes on the affected area. You can also make use of a compression bandage by wrapping the affected area and elevate the foot, preferably on a pillow or stool when you rest. Blood clots – When blood clots are formed in the veins of legs, it will cause the problem in the blood flow. This will result in swelling in the ankles and the feet. There are two types of blood clots. They are superficial and deep vein thrombosis. The former is caused in the veins right below the skin. The latter could result in blockage of one or more veins of the legs. It could be life-threatening as well. If you experience pain or fever due to this, then it is important to get medical assistance. Pregnancy complications – Swelling of feet or ankles is a usual thing during pregnancy. If there is unexpected or extreme swelling, then it is a sign of pre-eclampsia. Apart from this, if you experience other symptoms like a headache, abdominal pain, nausea, frequent urination or problem with vision, then you would need medical help.

There comes a time in the life of some people when they experience pain in the ankles or feet. Swelling in the ankles is a common condition among women who are pregnant. There is more than one reason that causes swelling in the ankles. Some of those include spending long periods walking or traveling that may hinder any moment of legs restricting blood circulation or surgery. Swollen ankles is not a serious problem. There are ways to deal with it. Swollen ankles and feet cause discomfort while walking or moving around. Podiatric physicians believe that there are ways to get rid of swelling and prevent the condition from occurring. The condition of swelling in the body is medically known as edema. It occurs when your body retains fluid in any part of your body. Retention of bodily fluid also occurs in the legs and feet. This causes the ankles to swell. There is no need to panic, as swelling in the ankles is not an emergency situation. The condition should be addressed with patience and care, as it can go away itself with the required care. Swollen ankle treatment options Swelling in the body, be in any part, would require attention in order to get relief from it. Following are a few effective, yet popular swollen ankle treatment options that can be considered to get relief from it. Compression socks Compression socks can be bought from a nearby pharmacy. Compression socks are a way to get relief from the pain and discomfort and also prevent fluid from collecting into your legs, feet, and ankles. They are found in all kind of weights: light, medium, and heavy. Always make sure that you buy a pair that fits well and is not too much tight. It is often recommended to buy lightweight socks that measure somewhere between 12–15 mm and 15–20 mm of mercury.

Migraines are characterized by throbbing headaches, mostly on one side of the head; this is accompanied by sensitivity to sound and light, nausea, and vomiting. Migraines include a stage known as aura, which makes the person go through visual disturbances like zigzags, splotches, flashes, blind spot, or shimmering color lights. Causes of migraines There is no known cause of migraines as admitted by the doctors themselves. However, researchers believe that the issue is hereditary and pass on generations after generation. It is also believed that migraines are related to the transformations in the brain. Some people also inherit the triggers that cause migraines like bright lights, fatigue, weather change, etc. Top treatments for migraines If you are prone to migraines, some stimuli are present which make them reoccur. You need to track your headaches and look for potential catalysts and patterns like the following which would help you decide the top treatments for migraines that would suit you best. Estrogen levels: Before menstruating, women experience a steep decline in their estrogen levels that spark migraines in some people. Low-dose contraceptives for estrogen can help in this. Alcohol: People who get a “hangover” just after having one drink are experiencing a migraine at that time. You must avoid the kinds of alcoholic beverages that give you a headache within eight hours of consumption. It may happen that vodka would be fine but consuming beer may not be so for certain people with migraines. Curbing the consumption of alcohol can be considered as one of the top treatments for migraines. Missed meals: Blood sugar level fluctuations result in a cascade of a pain setting off a migraine as well. Thus, it is always important to keep your blood sugar levels in control. One should not go beyond three hours without eating food.

If you are suffering from back pain for three months or longer, it is termed as chronic. You may have pain at times, while at other times, you may not experience any pain thereby enjoying temporary relief; this would be followed by frustration when the pain comes back again. These things happen when you suffer from chronic back pain. It is quite trying a situation especially if you do not know the reason for the pain. Causes Common causes of chronic back pain include: – Spinal stenosis – Spinal stenosis – Myofascial pain syndrome – Disc problems like bulging or herniated disc Before you opt for surgical procedures to get chronic back pain relief, you must opt for the non-surgical ones to see how it helps you. Nonsurgical treatments for chronic back pain relief include: Physical therapy Exercising is believed to be the first line of treatment in getting chronic back pain relief. You must go about the same only under the guidance of your physician and spine physical therapist. It is to be noted that the same set of exercise does not work for everybody. Thus, the same has to be tailor-made as per your specific condition and symptoms. This is the main reason why you should see a professional physician or physical therapist. It is important to continue with the exercise schedule at your house as well to accelerate relief from back pain. Physical therapies for a patient suffering from chronic back pain include: – Testing the limit of pain threshold – Retraining the posture – Aerobic exercises – Flexibility and stretching exercises – Core strengthening Meditation and mindfulness Chronic back pain is straining emotionally as much as it is physically. To manage the depression, irritability, frustration, and other psychological issues of people dealing with chronic pain, they may be referred to a rehabilitation psychologist.