Smelling bad can be embarrassing, and you’ll put the people around you in an awkward position. While mild body odor is something all of us experience, constant body odor, and too much of it, is not a good thing. What are the causes of body odor? While not having a bath regularly is one of the most basic reasons, there are a few other underlying causes that might contribute to the bad odor as well. Excess consumption of spicy foods Been indulging in too much spicy food? Your extra spicy street food and dishes could be one of the causal factors of body odor. You are what you eat. While this is an arguable statement, it does have a grain of truth to it. The spice you eat, when broken down, causes your body to release gases that contain sulfur. These sulfur gases are released through the pores of your skin, the smell of body odor. Does that mean you should stop eating spice? Not at all. Just lower the intake of spice, drink plenty of water through the day especially after a spicy meal, and avoid spicy foods the day before a party or date. A hot shower and deodorant can help too.

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and the spinal cord. It can be a life-threatening condition. Therefore, the case of a person affected by meningitis falls under medical emergencies. Causes of meningitis The swelling may be caused due to viral or bacterial infections. However, injuries, cancer, certain drugs, and other types of infections can also cause meningitis. You may catch the infection while sneezing or coughing or kissing. Commonly, acute viral and bacterial infections cause the inflammation of tissues. Fungal meningitis is rare; it causes chronic meningitis. The signs of meningitis vary from person to person, depending on his/her age and the cause of the infection. Bacterial meningitis is a serious illness and can be deadly. It spreads to the brain through nasal mucus and throat secretions. It can build up in over a few hours or several days. In infants, the most common causes are Group B strep, E. coli, and Listeria monocytogenes. Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Neisseria meningitides (meningococcus) are often the causes of meningitis in adolescents. If left untreated for long, many complications may arise. The possible complications might include the following: Loss of hearing Epilepsy Brain damage Renal failure Gait issues Shock Hydrocephalus or fluid buildup and brain swelling Myocarditis or inflammation of heart muscles (only if the infection reaches the heart) These complications can be life-threatening.

Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection goes deeper, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and crumble at the edge. It can affect several nails. There’s a lot about nail fungus on the Internet. However, the article focuses on how to cure nail fungus. Before delving into how you can cure nail fungus, it’s essential to analyze what causes this nail attack. Causes of fungus Just as the term suggests, nail fungus related infections are the result of the infestation of microorganisms called fungi on your nails. There’s this particular family of fungi by the name of dermatophyte which has a significant stake in the nail attack mafia organization. Age is a detrimental factor of nail fungus too. As the nails on your hands or feet age with time, they are prone to dry and become brittle; paving the way for fungi to enter your nails. In other cases, poor blood circulation in feet, and a weak immune system could be possible reasons for nail fungus. However, it is important to know the symptoms before knowing how to cure nail fungus.

Shingles is a disorder is also known as herpes zoster. It’s a viral infection that leads to a rash. One in three people in the country develops shingles at some point in their lifetime. The underlying cause of shingles is the VZV or the Varicella zoster virus. This is the same as the virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox in your childhood, shingles virus could be in your system. But it is likely that the virus would be in an inoperative state. It is also possible that the virus reactivates at a later point of time and forms a shingles rash. Risk of developing shingles increases with your age. Around half of people who develop shingles are over 50 years of age. While the rash could show up in any part of the body, it is likely to affect smaller areas. The first symptom of shingles is the pain. After a couple of days of onset of pain, a rash might appear over the afflicted section. Fluid-filled blisters might appear along with the rash. Some other symptoms that accompany with shingles include: Fever Over-sensitivity towards the light Tiredness Here are the top 3 shingles treatments. Taking a soothing bath This is one of the easiest and top 3 shingles treatments.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs), also known as cystitis, are fairly common, especially among women. In fact, half of all women in the world suffer from a UTI at some point in their lifetimes. UTIs occur when bacteria, that are usually found in your gastrointestinal tract and pelvic region, enter into your urinary system. The bacteria don’t have much to travel to infect the woman’s bladder. As a result, it causes the inflammation of the bladder. Although UTIs are mostly caused by bacterial infections, they can also be caused by several other factors, such as chemical irritants, fungal infections, foreign bodies (e.g., kidney stones), and trauma. Symptoms of urinary tract infections Typically, UTI symptoms include the following: – Suprabic pain, which is the pain in lower abdomen – Dysuria, which is pain or a burning sensation upon urination – Needing to urinate urgently and frequently – Sometimes, the urine could be bloody or even cloudy Having said that, the symptoms can differ by age. Infants suffering from a UTI usually develop a fever, become fussy or feed poorly. Moreover, the elderly might experience fatigue, become incontinent or may even develop dementia. Urinary tract infection treatment options Step 1: Diagnosis The first and foremost step for the treatment of a UTI is a positive diagnosis.

Potassium is the third highest amount of mineral present in your body cells. Too high or too low amount of potassium can be dangerous. In case of high or low levels of potassium, you may need to change your eating habit. Be aware of foods that are low or high in potassium. Thereby, you can control the amount of potassium you get in your diet. Why do we need the right amount of potassium? There are many reasons for you to consume an adequate amount of foods with potassium daily. Given below are those reasons: It helps proper working of your nerves, kidney, brain, and muscles. The right amount of potassium in your body also helps to keep your heart beating at a steady rate. It maintains fluid and electrolyte balance in your system. It keeps the body hydrated. It supports cellular function in conjunction with sodium. It lowers blood pressure. It reduces the risk of heart stroke. It Increases bone density. It decreases muscle cramps. It utilizes the carbohydrates you consume. Everyone requires potassium to build protein and muscle. Dangers of Low Potassium A deficiency in potassium is undesirable and can lead to: Tiredness Irregular bowels Losing temper Stiffness of muscles Weight gain Blood pressure abnormality Heart-beat anomaly Sickness Swelling of belly Dejection Rheumatism How Much Potassium Should You Be Taking In?

What comes to your mind when you first hear the word “bacteria”? Ailments, illness, and diseases! Yes, big-time most of us associate the word bacteria with various kinds of health problems. Our body is a complex and, at the same time, a fascinating machine. Investigations on our gut have revealed the fact that our stomach linings are infested with different types of bacteria. Now please do not go hyper! These bacteria are in fact friendly and rather beneficial for our systems. It has been proven that these bacteria can be much helpful for our digestive systems and can boost the health of our large intestines and our guts. Probiotics are supplements that provide the friendly bacteria so that they can thrive on the walls of the intestine and can balance the adverse effects of the bad bacteria. In most cases, we see that probiotics are taken in the form of supplements. They come in various forms such as tablets, capsules, drinks, and powders. They are intakes that come with a cost and are meant for long-term benefits. Research and investigations have proven the fact that probiotics are often good support elements and can contribute to improving your overall health and the digestive condition.

The human eye is a complex organ. The affliction of any eye disease can lead to temporary or permanent loss of vision. This delicate organ, which is our window to the world, needs to be well taken care of. In case of an eye infection or disease, it is best to consult an eye doctor and undergo a treatment following the diagnosis, to regain eye health. From minor itching in the eyes due to an allergy which can cause redness to more serious glaucoma and cataract, the eyes are susceptible to a number of infections. Eye diseases symptoms manifest in various forms. While some cause mucus discharge from the eyes, a few others can lead to partial vision loss. If you are experiencing any eye diseases’ symptoms, which do not subside in a short period, it is imperative that you consult an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. Here are some of the common eye diseases and their symptoms that are encountered by people. Cataract Cataract can form in one or both the eyes. When you’re suffering from cataract, your vision is blurred. You also tend to notice a glare or a halo surrounding the light source during night time. Cataract develops slowly and does not cause any pain or redness.

Statins are the first type of medication prescribed to bring high LDL cholesterol within normal limits. However, they can have varied side-effects, and even be ineffective, in case your cholesterol problem stems from a genetic disorder. Read on to know about the different alternatives to statins that can help treat high cholesterol. Medication Below are a few alternatives to statins that your healthcare provider might recommend. Bile acid sequestrants Sequestrants bind themselves to bile acid in the intestines and get flushed out of the body via the stool. The liver starts absorbing more cholesterol if it senses a drop-in bile acid content. This entire cycle ends in effective reduction of LDL (bad) cholesterol. Bile-acid-binding medicines include colestipol, cholestyramine, and colesevelam. Ezetimibe The second most recommended form of treatment – ezetimibe, is an inhibitor medicine that has a two-pronged approach to lowering your cholesterol. It first blocks proteins that facilitate the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine, decreasing the cholesterol levels reaching the bloodstream. Second, the inhibitors work to reduce the amount of cholesterol available to the liver. This forces the liver to make up for the loss, by absorbing cholesterol from the bloodstream. Together, these effects can successfully lower your cholesterol levels.

High blood pressure also known as hypertension is a medical condition where the pressure of blood running through the body’s blood vessels rises sharply. HBP as we may call it may lead to the damaging of blood vessels, which in turn can lead to diseases related to heart, kidney, or even the eyes. High blood pressure is dangerous as it does not have any symptoms associated with it. High blood pressure is categorized into two types: primary high blood pressure, and secondary high blood pressure. Primary high blood pressure is the most common type of high blood pressure. It is caused by a number of lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive salt consumption, alcohol intake, obesity, or even genetic disorders. On the other hand, Secondary high blood pressure is a rare type of high blood pressure, which may be caused by kidney disease, constriction of the arteries in your kidneys, taking birth control pills, or even an endocrine disorder. While medication certainly helps alleviate the symptoms of high blood pressure, it is important to combine this with the right high blood pressure diet. The right high blood pressure diet can tackle the problem at its root, instead of only alleviating the symptoms of the problem.