Activated Charcoal Side Effects

Do you think activated charcoal is always beneficial? Then think once again. When carbon is treated with oxygen, activated charcoal comes out as a product. It is made from several carbonaceous materials such as coal, nutshell and wood. 

There are broadly two methods by which activated charcoal is produced, physical reactivation and chemical activation. Activated charcoal is processed in such a manner that it becomes extremely porous, soft and dark colored powder. These properties allow it to have larger area for absorption, which makes it able to bind unwanted and toxin substances in its gut. 

Activated charcoal absorbs chemicals such as chlorine from drinking water thus, filtering and cleaning tap water and converting it into a healthier drinking water. Apart from this, there are numerous other uses of activated charcoal. 

However, overdose of activated charcoal can cause poisoning or other severe problem. It can also cause constipation or intestinal obstruction. In the following lines, we have provided the side effects of activated charcoal.

Adverse Effects of Activated Charcoal:

1. When you use activated charcoal suspension, make sure to discuss its side effects with the doctor, as it may causes gastrointestinal side effects, which includes nausea, vomiting and constipation. Also, bowel obstruction, black colored stools, and perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and subsequent charcoal peritoneum is reported.
2. Activated charcoal may also cause severe allergic reactions, such as breathing problem, tightness in the chest, swelling of the face, lips, mouth or tongue, etc.
3. During laparotomy, charcoal is revealed throughout the peritoneum because of which a young female may develop a surgically acute abdomen. It has many side effects like abscess formation, persistent peritoneal charcoal deposits, small dowel resections, peritonitis, etc.
4. Multiple doses of activated charcoal may result in ileus. It may also generate a chalk-like taste in the mouth and tongue surface which can be unpalatable.
5. Activated charcoal also may have metabolic side effects when combined with sorbitol like dehydration, shock, hypernatremia (disruption of the electrolytes caused by increased levels of sodium within the blood), hypermagnesemia and electrolyte abnormalities. Multiple dose of charcoal may also result in these side effects.
6. Respiratory side effects are also caused by it, which includes empyema, bronchiolitis, adult respiratory distress syndrome, etc. Adult respiratory distress syndrome occurs because of a wrong administration of activated charcoal directly into the lungs of an adult. Empyema is basically a gathering of pus within the cavity between lungs and membranes in its surroundings. Bronchitis is a blocking of airways with granulation tissue.
7. Corneal abrasions are also one of the side effects of activated charcoal. If it comes in contact with the eyes, it may cause corneal abrasions, which mean scratches over the clear portion of the eye.
8. Activated charcoal’s excessive intake also has hematologic side effects, which include exacerbation of variegate porpyria. This condition sometimes culminates into increased lesions on skin, plasma and urine porphyrins.
9. Activated charcoal must be avoided by pregnant women, nursing women and aged.
10. Activated charcoal should never be used concomitantly with any medication or nutritional supplements.
11. So, the next time you plan to consume activated charcoal, make sure you consider its side effects, lest it causes any adverse condition.

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Yeast Infection Remedies

Yeast infection can appear anywhere in your body, right from your nail to armpit to dentures and every other dark and moist corner you can think of. Thanks to ‘candida albicans’, even your ‘below-the-belt area’ isn’t secure against this infection. In fact, it’s said that the vagina is the dream home of yeasts, which explains why more and more women complain of inflammation and itching in their private parts as opposed to their male counterparts. 

All said and done, even men aren’t all in all immune to fungal raids and can suffer from yeast infection as well. So, what causes yeast infection? Even though a small amount of yeast exists in every human body, it’s only when they overpopulate that the annoying symptoms of this infection comes to the forefront. Ask anyone who had had yeast infection and he or she will tell you how agonizing these infection tends to be.

Sadly, yeast infection is hard to stave out and tend to recur repeatedly. Thankfully, there are tried-and-tested cures for this predicament. Apart from taking preventive measures until the yeast clears up, you can try some ‘DIY’ remedies to help your body recoup from the infection. For more on yeast infection remedies, follow the write-up below.

Remedies For Yeast Infection:

Toil With Oil! 

Anything from a jock itch to vaginal thrush can make your days a big pain. To stave off candida albicans from wreaking havoc in your mouth, nail and nether parts, try treating the affected areas to the goodness of tea tree oil. This natural antifungal seeps deep into the cell membranes and wipes out the yeasts from its roots. Rinse your mouth with a solution of tea tree oil and water and see the rashes and plaques die down within a few days.

Likewise, if you have super-itchy vaginal yeast infection, then try using a concentration of 5 drops of tea tree oil mixed with a pint of water. Douse a tampon into the concentration and insert it into your vagina. Keep it overnight and dump it the next day. Repeating this for a couple of days should minimize the burn, itch and dryness. Tea tree oil works best when used in lower concentrations and is best used externally.

Go Garlic! 

Got super-itchy and super-awful yeast infection? If yes, go garlic! Garlic is indeed nature’s best weapon against yeast infection. Loaded with the goodness of anti-fungal properties, munching on a clove of garlic would give you instant relief from itchy oral yeast infections.

However, if you find the idea of ‘garlic-breath’ distasteful, you can always peel a garlic clove, wrap it in cheesecloth and insert it directly in your vagina to do away with itchy infection. Nonetheless, make sure that you don’t tip off the head of the garlic while inserting it or else you might end up with a burning sensation down there.

Where is The Honey? 

A jar of honey can happily keep all symptoms of yeast infection at bay! You don’t have to gulp gallons of honey or insert the sticky liquid internally. Just applying it topically on the affected areas will provide you relief in no time. Wash off the honey with lukewarm water and dry the areas with an absorbent paper. Repeat this process thrice a day and bid adieu to your yet infection ad infinitum.

Yo! Yogurt:

If you are a yogurt freak, you will probably know that yogurt contains good bacteria. But, did you know that something as good as yogurt can do wonders to your nasty yeast infection? Apart from including a bowl of yogurt in your meals, you can also douse a tampon in yogurt and push it inside your vagina for relief against singeing vaginal infection. Repeat this process twice a day and see the symptoms wear out within a couple of days.

Win Over With Vinegar:

Can’t stand the awful itching anymore? If yes, switch on to apple-cider vinegar and bid adieu to the stinging burn for good. This antifungal acetic acid can be used both internally and externally. Just add a cup full of vinegar to your bathtub brimming with warm water and douse yourself in it for about 20 minutes. Dry off the area and enjoy a day of great relief.

Just like your hair and skin, even the most delicate and private parts of your body need constant care and attention. Maintaining proper hygiene, wearing comfortable clothes, using anti-bacterial soaps should save you from the risk of fungal infections.

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What Causes Tiredness

You just found yourself in the middle of an open road, bounded in tightly constructed knots; with a rope that looks like it was used to keep the kraken at bay in the mythological times. While one end of the rope is tied to you, the other end is tied to a large truck that you need to pull and take it to the other end. You try to comprehend the situation but your mind has left for the day. That’s how tired you feel in this god forsaken place with the sun beating down hard upon you. A sharp lash beats on your bare back that brings you to your knees. 

You look behind and see a masked figure holding the lash and signaling you to continue pulling the truck. You apply all your strength and energy into it; the truck moves only but a little. Another whip from the lash gets you to your feet but alas, no respite; for the truck still hasn’t moved at all. Suddenly, you hear your name being called from a distance. The figure approaches close, calling out your name in frustration and you wonder why. 

This unknown figure suddenly seems recognizable. He calls out you for one more time accompanied by a push that brings you out of this hallucination and you find yourself sitting on your office desk, in a decomposed state. The figure was of your superior who now seemed displeased more than usual. But you couldn’t explain to him your state of tiredness; because you yourself don’t know why you’re so tired. Read below and find out what caused this tiredness that compromised your active state.

Causes of Tiredness:

• Feeling tired is directly related to many sleeping disorders. How’s your sleep working out for you? Sleeping too little or sleeping too much? It doesn’t make a difference as doing either of the two for a consistent period of time can make your body feel deprived of any real energy.
• Many diseases, from common cold to malaria can lead to feeling fatigued throughout the day. Many chronic illnesses like unfavorable heart conditions or cancerous formations and their medications have a sedation effect on the body that can make you feel more lethargic than what you actually are.

• Apart from physical factors like being overweight or underweight, psychological factors play an equal role in enhancing the state of lethargy in your body. Depression, anxiety, too much stress, consistent feeling of bereavement can affect you body’s energy levels, psychologically more than physically.
• Let alone alcohol and drug abuse, even little consumption of them can throw your energy levels off track and can make feel tired all day. Moreover, using alcohol and drug as an option for stress relief won’t help at all but will further alleviate your lethargic condition.
• Long working hours at work, constant shift changes, hard physical labor, stressful work environment, and even boredom at workplace only contribute to your level of tiredness. Having to concentrate hard on your work drains a lot out of you and can raise the stress and anxiety levels; further ruining the condition.
• Are you eating right? Ask yourself honestly! Not having a proper dietary schedule with all the food grades covered properly is sure to make your body long for more energy for whatever work you do. Lack of any physical activity or exercise can also take you towards a more inactive state of being tired.
• In women, pregnancy can lead to extreme tiredness as the baby growing inside withdraws its energy from the mother’s body, leaving her deprived of the much-needed nutrients. That’s why it is recommended for pregnant women to maintain a healthy and regular diet which will not only affect the baby, but the mother too in a positive way.
• Apart from these, causes for tiredness also include jet lag, some type of poisoning, boredom, inactive thyroid gland, burn out, alcohol or drug withdrawal, vitamins and iron deficiency, low blood pressure, and low blood sugar.

Tiredness can disrupt the daily routine of a person completely. As such, it is very important to find out the underlying cause for it and take proper care!

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What Causes Stomach Ulcers

What exactly is an ulcer? Ulcers are sores or boils that occur in the lining of your digestive tract. Gastric ulcers or duodenal ulcers are sores, which are found in the stomach or duodenum. Although this is neither contagious nor cancerous, when the condition becomes malignant then you have good reason to worry about it. 

Like all other things, it is better to prevent these sores from getting out of the hand than battling with a serious case of ulcers. Apart from spicy food and stress, results have also shown that bacterial infection can also cause stomach ulcer. The bacterium responsible for causing this infection is called “Helicobacter Pylori”. 

Alcohol abuse, overdose of certain medicines, smoking, burns, surgery and acidity are other significant factors that can lead to ulcer formation in the stomach. The symptoms that are sighted as a result of this condition include abdominal pain, loss of appetite, weight loss etc. Read this article for a more detailed overview on the causes of stomach ulcers. 

Causes of Stomach Ulcers:

Helicobacter pylori:

An infection caused by the bacteria, Helicobacter pylori also called as H. pylori, is known to be the most common cause of stomach ulcers. This bacterium is found in the stomach and can destroy the lining of the duodenum tissue and can cause inflammation and most of all several small or large ulcers.

It is not necessary that all individuals who possess this bacterium will develop peptic ulcers. H. pylori form the natural flora in the stomach. Only, when they start multiplying rapidly, do they damage the mucosal lining causing ulcers.

Pepsin and Peptic Acid:

These are powerful fluids that are produced on a normal basis in response to the food you have eaten. Pepsin and other acids are required for digestion. Usually, the stomach produces a lubricant that coats the stomach and shields the tissues.

It also produces bicarbonate to neutralize acid formation and most importantly, the blood circulation in the stomach can help in renewal and repair. But, when there are problems, formation of ulcers occurs.

Anti Inflammatory Medications:

Non-steroid anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium are commonly known to cause gastric ulcers. Leaving aside the fact that they are causes of ulcers, NSAIDs treat several diseases. The only way that they fail is when they make the stomach vulnerable to harmful side effects of pepsin by reducing the production of bicarbonate. They also betray the stomach when they cannot repair and diminish blood flow to the stomach.

Stress:

People who suffer from stress are at a higher risk of suffering from ulcers in the stomach. Physical stress such as injuries and burns are obviously one of the reasons for these blisters in the stomach. Mental trauma and stress can also be one of the reasons why people develop peptic ulcers or ulcers in the mouth. It is related to excess of heat being produced in the body. Those that have undergone surgery also have a chance of developing ulcers.

Alcohol And Smoking:

Alcohol has been believed to be one of the prime reasons of peptic ulcers although no concrete evidence has been found. The only thing that is said for sure is that people who suffer from liver cirrhosis (caused by alcoholism) have a high tendency of acquiring ulcers. Smoking increases the chances of developing painful boils in any part of the body as well as raises the incidence of recurrence of ulcers.

These are a few of the causes that contribute to the production of stomach ulcers. Beware of what you eat and drink!

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Uncontrollable Shaking

Tremor or uncontrollable shaking is an involuntary, muscle contraction and relaxation having to and fro movements of one or more body parts: hands, arms, eyes, face, head, vocal folds, trunk and legs. Some people have tremors because of some underlying neurological disorder, while others have also felt them at some point of time, caused by fear or excitement.

A common type of tremor is chattering of teeth which is caused by fear or induced by cold temperatures. This however, stops after few minutes. But uncontrollable shaking is a common symptom of disorders that destroy nerve tissues, such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis. Uncontrollable shaking may also occur as a result of stroke or head injury.

Tremors are also triggered by excessive stress or strong emotions, when a person is physically exhausted, or during certain postures or movements caused by improper functioning of the cerebellum the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. Therefore, it becomes all the more necessary to understand the types and causes of uncontrollable shaking to be sure of what you’re dealing with.

Types of Uncontrollable Shaking:

Cerebellar Tremors or Intention Tremors:

This type of tremor may occur in any external part of the body. It may happen because of some stroke which may damage the cerebella or due to excessive alcohol or withdrawal of it, and overuse of some drugs. It occurs slowly but for a broader period.

Dystonic Tremors:

People, who are suffering from dystonia, are most likely to have this tremor. They can happen to person of any age and can be relieved by a combination of rest and some medications.

Essential Tremors:

The most common of all tremors, essential tremors are progressive in some and non progressive in others. Hands are the most affected part in these tremors whereas other parts that may be affected include head, trunks, legs, voice and tongue.

Orthostatic Tremors:

These types of tremors strike a person immediately after standing and affect the legs and the trunk. And as there are no signs or symptoms present for such tremors, they are difficult to detect and treat.

Parkinsonian Tremors:

Parkinsonian tremors are caused due to damage in the brain, and mostly affect people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. They start from one part of the body and spread to another part of the body and usually strike after the age of 60.

Physiologic Tremors:

Though not visible by eye, physiologic tremors are experienced by everyone.  They are heightened by strong emotions, physical exhaustion, hypoglycaemia, hyperthyroidism, stimulants, alcohol withdrawal or fever.

Psychogenic Tremors:

Psychogenic Tremors can affect any part of the body. Usually they are sudden and involve a combination of postural, action, and resting tremors. They decrease with distraction and are a result of number of psychosomatic factors.

Causes of Uncontrollable Shaking:

• Too much coffee or other caffeinated drinks
• Stroke
• Stress, fatigue, lack of sleep, particular vitamin deficiency, and anxiety
• Neurological disorders or conditions like multiple sclerosis, stroke, traumatic brain injury, chronic kidney disease.
• Overactive thyroid is known to cause postural tremor
• Low blood sugar
• Brain tumour
• Various drugs and prescription medicines
• Excessive alcohol consumption or alcohol withdrawal can kill certain nerve cells, leading to the condition
• Body muscles traumatized by injury, disease, or as a result of systematic illness
• Withdrawal of tobacco may also induce the problem

Diagnosis of Uncontrollable Shaking:

The cause of uncontrollable shaking can be determined by CT scan, MRI scan, blood tests and/or a bunch of other tests.

Treatment of Uncontrollable Shaking:

Depending on the cause and its severity, the future course of treatment is decided. It may include medications, some lifestyle changes, and a possible surgery if it’s too severe a problem.

Medications:

Depending on the type and extent of tremors, following medications may be prescribed by the medical professional:

• Drugs prescribed for parkinsonian tremors may include any or few among the following: lovodopa, prammipexole, ropinirole, amantadine hydrochloride and anticholinergic.
• Propranolol or other beta blockers and primidone may be prescribed for treating essential tremors.
• For treatment of dystonic tremors, medical practitioner may prescribe drugs such as clonazepam, anticholinergic drugs, and intramuscular injections of botulinum toxin.
• Botulinium toxin may be prescribed for the treatment of head and other movement disorders.
• For treatment of orthostatic tremors, medicines such as clonazepam and primidone may be prescribed.
• Cerebellar tremors, however, do not respond to medical treatments.

Lifestyle:

Looking after one’s lifestyle can also decrease the severity of the problem to quite an extent. Triggers such as caffeine and other stimulants should be completely eliminated from the diet; proper amount of rest and sleep should be taken (a good 7-8 hours of sleep). In case the shaking is caused by stress, one should practice relaxation techniques like meditation, deep relaxation, or breathing exercises.

To improve muscle control and strength, physical therapy may also be advised to the patient. A physical therapist will teach the patient proper exercises related to the affected area which will help in improving the condition and lessening the extent of shaking uncontrollably.

Surgical Procedures:

For patients whose tremors are beyond control and are not responding to drugs or exercises, doctor may suggest surgical procedures (response of few procedures is known to be excellent). Surgeries such as Thalomotomy which involves the creation of lesions in the brain region called the thalamus and Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS), which uses implantable electrodes to send high frequency electricity signals to the thalamus, are very effective in treating serious tremors.

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These 5 Weight Loss Drugs Really Work but here's what Else you Need to Know

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association pinned five FDA-blessed medications against one another to test for their legitimacy. Researchers looked at 28 randomized clinical trials of nearly 30,000 overweight adults (yep, that's pretty solid). They found that, on average, each drug helped people lose 5 percent of their body weight after one year (about 10 pounds for a 200-pound person). All of the meds were equally effective.

Here, we break down the five drugs that were studied, and explain what you need to keep in mind before seeking out an Rx.

Orlistat:

How it works: Orlistat falls under the umbrella of medications called lipase inhibitors. Essentially, the medication prevents your intestines from absorbing some of the fat coming through your system. You might recognize orlistat by the brand name Alli, which was approved for over-the-counter sales in 2007.

Side effects: Eating high-fat meals (think: 30 percent of the calories come from fat) while taking the medication could lead to some nasty side effects.

Think: oily spots on your underwear, loose stools, and urgent needs to hit the bathroom. Ick.

Who could take it: Orlistat works best for people who need to lose less than 10 percent of their body weight, says Allen Rader, M.D., of Idaho Weight Loss. According to the National Institutes of Health, it’s also safe for people who have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or heart disease.

Naltrexone and Bupropion:

How it works: “Naltrexone is an opioid inhibitor, and bupropion is an antidepressant,” says Rader. Bupropion on its own can decrease feelings of hunger, but the medication also increases certain opioids in the brain that block satiety (a.k.a. you'll never feel full). But when bupropion joins forces with naltrexone, it blocks the stimulation of these opioids and the appetite-suppressing magic occurs.

Side effects: Nausea is a major side effect of naltrexone, says Rader. “It’s hard to be hungry when you feel sick, so it helps with hunger in that manner,” he says. Not surprisingly, the medication also has a high dropout rate (maybe because people don't want to feel like yacking all the time?).

Another red flag: Bupropion can lead to an uptick in suicidal thoughts for young people, according to the makers of Contrave, the brand name of these two meds.

Who could take it: Contrave works best for people with a BMI of 30 or higher (a marker of obesity) or people with a BMI of at least 27 who also have weight-related medical problems, like high blood pressure or diabetes. Got a history of seizures or anorexia? Steer clear, warn researchers from SUNY Upstate Medical University.

Lorcaserin:

How it works: According to the National Institutes of Health, lorcaserin, which is available by the brand name Belviq, works as a serotonin receptor agonist. Translation: It makes you feel full faster. When paired with a low-calorie diet and exercise, it generally helps people lose weight within three months.

Side effects: While you take it, you may deal with headaches, dizziness, and fatigue, says Rader. Another downside is that the medication helps with weight control only if you continue to take it. So once you cut it out, you could see the pounds creep back on.

Who could take it: Though lorcaserin is a derivative of the appetite suppressant fenfluramine, which was banned for causing heart problems, it doesn’t cause cardiac issues. So it’s a good choice for people who can’t tolerate the stimulant side effects of other meds, like a racing heartbeat and jitters, says Rader.

Phentermine and Topiramate:

How it works: Phentermine belongs to a group of appetite-decreasing meds called anorectics, and topiramate promotes feelings of fullness to keep you satisfied long after you eat, according to the National Institutes of Health. And when you're not as hungry, you eat less (at least in theory).

Side effects: “The major side effects are stimulation from the phentermine and confusion and sleepiness from the topiramate,” says Rader. Also, topiramate has been known to increase the risk of birth defects, so it shouldn’t be taken if you’re trying to get pregnant or already are.

Who could take it: The brand Qsymia contains a combination of the two medications. Like Contrave, it’s meant for adults with a BMI of 30 or higher who’ve tried to lose weight but end up feeling frustrated and hungry all the time. Adults with a BMI of 27 or greater plus a weight-related health issue, like high cholesterol or diabetes, could also be eligible. The researchers behind the Journal of the American Medical Association study found that people taking phentermine-topiramate lost the most weight, roughly 19.4 pounds after one year.

Liraglutide:

How it works: “Liraglutide was initially developed to help with the treatment of diabetes,” says Rader. But when patients using the drug unexpectedly started to lose weight, researchers developed a form of liraglutide specifically approved for weight loss.

The med works to control your blood sugar by increasing insulin release and suppressing glucagon, which leads to decreased sugar released by the liver, says Rader. It also slows the stomach-emptying process to help control hunger. A Journal of the American Medical Association study noted that it helps people achieve weight loss “by reducing appetite and caloric intake, rather than increasing energy expenditure.”

Side effects: Uneasy around needles? This injected medication might not be for you. On top of that, it's expensive and can cause life-threatening pancreatitis, says Rader.

Who could take it: Similar to other medications on the list, Saxenda, the brand name of liraglutide, is recommended for people whose BMIs qualify as obese (30 or higher) and have had trouble losing weight in the past.

The bottom line is that no weight loss med comes free of risky side effects. So make sure you know what you're getting into before you start trying to lose weight with the help of prescription drugs. 

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Spine Pain Causes

Spine pains are common problems that affect people of all age group. Some variants of this condition can be neck pain, back pain, lower back pain and waist pain. All these pains occur for the same reason spinal discomfort as the functioning of these areas is connected to the spinal cord or the back bone, as it is commonly called.

The spine, backbone or the vertebral column comprises of thirty three bones and all these bones have different functions to perform. An amazing statistic says that nine out of every ten adults in the world suffer from excruciating back pains. Bad posture, incorrect exercising techniques or even sleeping on wrong type of mattresses can all give rise to spine pains.

Depending upon the duration of the pain, there are three sub categories under which each these pains can be categorised. Less than four weeks is considered to be an acute pain. Sub acute pain is when the pain duration is from four weeks till twelve weeks while chronic pain lasts for more than twelve weeks. Diagnosis and treatment of the spinal pain can begin only after the causes are determined. 

Back Pain Causes:

Muscular:

During the day there are short bouts of muscular spasms which are also commonly known as muscle pulls that result in spinal pain. These last for only a short time and such attacks of back pain generally occur while bending down or lifting up a heavy object.

Strenuous physical activities result in muscular spasms and lower back pain. These usually cure on their own after taking the required amount of rest. If the condition persists then consult a physiotherapist to bring relief to your state.

Slip Disc:

Misalignment of the spine leads to a condition known as the slip disc. It is a common problem in nearly 20% of the world’s population but the good news is that only a few cases experience severe pains and need to undergo surgery. 

A slipped disc occurs when the soft area of the disc bulges through the circle of connective tissue. This prolapse may push on the spinal cord or on the nerve roots. The term 'slipped disc' is a misnomer the disc does not actually slip out of place, but bulges out towards the spinal cord.

Osteoarthritis:

Osteoporosis is a condition which is determined by the occurrence of weak bones and this leads to fracture. Post menopausal women often suffer from spine problems due to osteoarthritis. It is also commonly seen in aged patients and diabetics.

Ruptured Disc:

Ruptured disc or a herniated disc is another cause of severe back pain. A ruptured disc may occur due to rigorous exercise while playing sports or even in the gym. In this condition the central soft portion in the disc ruptures through the outer ring of the disc and comes out from the spinal cord. This rupture in the spine causes excruciating pain spasms frequently.

Aging:

As we age, the spinal channel constricts due to reasons like arthritis etc. Medically this term is defined as Spinal stenosis. Osteoarthritis is a common problem as we grow old. As our bones grow brittle and weak, the spine loses its ability to take on the body weight. Severe back pain and spine pain are noticed at this stage in life.

Accidents/Injuries:

Household chores like gardening, sweeping the floor and, most commonly, lifting heavy items can result in severe back aches. Slouching while sitting on the chair or even a freak accident can injure the spine easily. Neck problems are also commonly seen after an accident or an injury.

Spine pains are a bane to the existence. Good rest, massage and exercise are considered to be the popular treatments to get relief. Consult a doctor if the pain persists.

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Smoking Addiction

Ask a smoker to quit and he’ll either laugh it off or say he’s trying to. Smokers almost always tend to take this habit too lightly, barely realizing how much of a killer it is. Just take a look around you as you walk or drive down the streets of your city. From college going boys and girls, working men and women to even school kids, it looks like everyone seems to have a knack for sending their lives up in smoke.

If you happen to be a smoker and are yearning to get rid of that white and brown stick of death, you can do so with a certain amount of mental and physical effort. In the well defined realms of reality, if you just go ahead and make up your mind, realizing that you are stronger than your habit, it’s a bye to the cigarette and a hello to health. Read on to know how to quit smoking.

How to Quit Smoking:

Breathe, Again:

This one’s a very effective method that can be employed to keep cigarettes at bay. Every time the urge to light up creeps, all you need to do is breathe in as much air as your lungs can take and very slowly let it out. Breathe the air in through your nose and go ahead and let it out through your mouth. 

You can close your eyes as you let the air out and lower your chin too. This will help you feel relaxed almost instantly. Do this thrice or as many times as you think necessary. The perceived need to smoke will only fade away.

Gulp! Gulp! Guzzle!

No, this does not mean you gulp or guzzle down inconceivable amounts of alcohol. It, instead, means that you drink as much water as possible. Juices too are allowed. Fluids actually do help your body rid itself of nicotine and various toxins. Two to three glasses of juice and six to eight glasses of water should do the trick. 

Teetotaler Time:

With a desire to quit smoking, it is a must for you to stay away from catalysts. As far as smoking goes, alcohol really is a big catalyst. This also works the other way around. Apart from alcohol, you might also want to consider taking it easy on sugary foods, coffee and tea. All of these just increase your desire to smoke, ultimately causing you to give into temptation.

Daily Bread:

Believe it or not, but the food you consume actually plays a pivotal role in your desire to smoke. The more of junk you eat, the more intense does your need to smoke becomes. Stick to eating five healthy and small meals everyday and watch your cravings for nicotine take wings and fly right out of the windows of your life.

Fitness First:

If you are a smoker and you decide to get into fitness, right there you have made one of the best decisions of your life. When you indulge in strenuous physical activities, and you are struggling with the execution of whatever it is you are doing, the naked truth is bound to hit you. 

The naked truth here refers to nothing but the fact that smoking has led to all the struggles you experience when presented with physical challenges. When you realize this, dropping the cigarette and maybe never picking it up again, becomes quite easy.

Seek Help:

When you have a weakness, it does make you weak to admit that you have one. It, in fact, only makes you pretty strong. Surround yourself with loved ones and friends and speak to them about your desire to quit smoking. Who knows, with their help and unrelenting support, cigarettes may just be a thing of the past.

As for the loved ones and friends who happen to be smokers themselves, you can either request them to not smoke in your presence or stay away from them when they light up. 

That’s it; there really is nothing more to it. Follow all of the above mentioned pointers and before you even know it, tobacco, nicotine and cigarettes may become what you never thought they would: ‘things of the past’.

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Signs of Heart Blockage

Similar to the pipelines spread all through our building that supplies water to each of the houses from the tank, heart is connected to the other parts of the body with arteries that supply the blood pumped by heart to other parts. In order to ensure the free flow of blood throughout the body it is essential for the arteries to be free from any blockage or infection. 

However, it might so happen that these arteries get blocked due to several complications. Heart blockage is one such complication that is caused due to the narrowing of the coronary arteries due to the plaque formation. As and when the plaque keeps increasing, the artery keeps getting blocked thereby reducing the capacity of heart to transport blood and oxygen to other parts of the body. 

This interruption in the usual body mechanism can cause several signs and symptoms to occur which, when not recognized timely, can lead to other medical complications. Mentioned below are few common symptoms of heart blockage and the dangers each pose to the normal functioning of the human body.

Symptoms of Heart Blockage:

• Slow heartbeat is the most common and first of all signs of heart blockage in a person. Due to the narrowing down of coronary arteries in the heart, it becomes difficult for the heart to pump the required number of times, leading to bradycardia or slow heartbeat symptom in a person. 
• Another common symptom of narrowing of the coronary arteries of the heart is the irregular or discontinuous pulses experienced by a person. Due to the blockage caused by the plague, the heart skips few beats thereby threatening the patient. However, there is not much to worry if the blockage is diagnosed early.

• Arrhythmia is also one of the signs of heart blockage in a person. Arrhythmia is a condition that leads to insufficient pumping of the heart making the heart skip a beat or take an extra beat occasionally. The threat from this symptom again depends upon the seriousness of the blockage.
• Blockage of the arteries will also cause breathing difficulty in a person. A person suffering from heart blockage will experience shortness of breath and hence face difficulty in breathing which can be a life-threatening symptom. This symptom can further lead to complications like heart attack, pneumonia and pulmonary embolism.
• The patient will also find difficulty in breathing when taking part in any sort of exercise or other exertion activity. The blocked arteries holds back the flow of oxygen, thereby exhausting the person sooner than before, leaving him/her fighting for breath.
• Due to the lack of oxygen and blood flow throughout the body, the person might also get affected by viral fever which can further lead to breathing difficulty. The immune system of the body also weakens during the process.
• A person can also feel dizzy at times due to lack of flow of blood to all parts of the body. It is a condition in which a person feels excessively tired, giddy and unsteady. He/she may also experience a spinning sensation.
• The person will also start feeling weak if the blockage gets unnoticed for a long time. The person might either feel numb or weak in the muscles or his/her entire body might experience lack of strength. Weakness of the body can also at times make a person go unconscious.
• Another abnormal condition that a person can face while suffering from heart blockage is fatigue. The person can feel extremely tired, worn out, exhausted and low in energy. This is a symptom that can occur in any age group but is more common in old people.
• Extreme cases of heart blockage which go unnoticed and without proper medical care can even cause heart failure or congestive heart failure. This is one of the serious symptoms of heart blockage. The heart continues to beat in this condition, but is too weak to pump sufficient oxygen rich blood.

All the signs of heart blockage are not life threatening and pose little risk if diagnosed on time and provided relevant medical attention. However, if the condition of the blocked artery worsens, it leads to more serious symptoms that can very well lead to other complications. Therefore, it is essential on your part to understand the symptoms better in order to detect them on time.

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Side Effects of Sleep Deprivation

“If you can't sleep, then get up and do something instead of lying there worrying. It's the worry that gets you, not the lack of sleep.” Dale Carnegie. And most of us would know the truth behind this statement. The human body needs atleast eight hours of rest everyday to function in a proper and efficient manner. Rejuvenation of body cells and muscles are a must if you need to feel refreshed and for this our body requires the good old slumber therapy.

These days, the root cause of insomnia is a growing belief that we can complete the required sleep cycle within a period of four hours and feel perfectly normal later. But, this is untrue. Eventually the effects of this scarcity get to you and hamper your daily processes.

Under normal conditions, if you are not sleeping for 7-8 hours a day and are feeling lethargic as a result, then you are probably suffering from sleep deprivation. Insomnia is slightly different as it involves not being able to fall asleep under any circumstance while sleep deprivation means just rejecting sleeping for an ideal time.

Although some people can survive on very less sleep, you might still want to know about this condition’s syndrome just to be on the safer side.

Sleep Deprivation Side Effects:

Physical Side Effects:

• Headaches, blurred vision and dizziness are some of the first signs of sleep deprivation.
• It also leads to feelings of nausea and sometimes a weakening of the immune system. A person might feel feverish and develop colds and other illnesses rather easily.
• Chronic sleep loss can generally have an adverse effect on the overall health of a person and may lead to obesity, diabetes, hypertension and other lifestyle illnesses.

• Other, rather general effects, of sleep deprivation are: aching muscles, bags under the eyes, fainting, tremors, hernia, weight loss/gain, slurred speech, constant yawning and sometimes, as severe as the fatal familial insomnia disease leading to coma.
• They say hard work and staying up late, never killed anyone. But, think again! One of the possible side effects of continued lack of sleep is death. This is because the immune system is weakened without ample sleep and the body is bared open to all kind of infections.
• Lack of sleep leads to a significant decrease in the number and activity of the WBCs and hence growth hormone is also reduced. A scary statistic shows that people who sleep less than four hours per night are more likely to die sooner.

Mental Side Effects:

• Not only physical effects, but the mental effects also arise quickly owing to lack of sleep.
• Some of the effects include: lack of concentration, slow reaction time, hallucinations, memory loss, irritability and psychosis.
• Lack of sleep leads to stress and anxiety, which leads to a state of acute depression and despair.
• Mental confusion, extreme indecisiveness and a clouding of thoughts are all definitive signs of insufficient sleep.
• Research suggests that irrespective of the body sleeping, the brain, when tired, shuts down sending the individual in a state called microsleep (where the body is conscious but the brain shuts down) thereby adversely affecting cognitive function. This is the chief cause of road accidents on long routes.

Effects on Children:

• Surprisingly, children are the most prone to any of the above symptoms and the only potent solution is to nip the problem in the bud itself.
• Kids who fight sleep are most often the hyperactive ones and that also can be a disorder in itself. Surprised? Yes, when a child is bursting with energy all day long without rest, then he is probably in the danger zone. So, be careful.
• Another lesser known fact is that children who stay extremely active all day and show no signs of tiring even beyond their bedtime are most probably restless (and not energetic as you thought) from all the exertion of the day and are so fatigued that sleep doesn’t come easy to them.
• These are some of the side effects of sleep deprivation. To prevent and fight this disorder, simple steps like sleeping earlier than usual, relaxing a bit before bedtime and ensuring good physical health can be adopted as regular lifestyle choices. We hope that this article answered a few of your questions and made life a little easier for you.

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Rumbling Stomach

“Borborygmus” is the medical term used to describe growling or rumbling sounds caused by contraction of stomach and intestine muscles. This happens inside our body whenever we digest food but the sounds are clearly audible on an empty stomach because food would usually dampen this sound. Many people face this embarrassing problem especially when they are in silent places such as meeting rooms, examination halls, etc. 

Some people also experience abdominal bloating, belching and flatulence along with borborygmi but the latter two aren’t a cause for concern unless they occur very frequently or if it causes physical discomfort. Although hunger and indigestion are common causes for stomach rumbling, there can be many more causes that people aren’t aware of. 

It is always important to know at least the basic ingredients in your food so that you can identify any substances that you’re allergic to. Rumbling stomach can also be caused by dangerous digestive diseases so it’s best to consult a doctor if your problem persists.

Causes and Cures for Rumbling Stomach:

Causes:

Hunger is the most common cause for rumbling or growling stomach. When you’re very hungry or when your body needs food, your brain causes your stomach muscles to cringe to let you know that you are hungry.

Swallowing air (aerophagia) also causes borborygmi. This is why people are advised not to eat too fast or speak while eating because they will swallow a lot of air along with their food. When the food is digested, this air will settle above the food and will force the upper valve of the stomach open when the pressure increases beyond a limit. This is the process of belching.

The action of bacteria on food also releases air while the process of digestion continues as the food moves from the stomach to the intestines. This is another cause for borborygmi and results in flatulence.

Some people are intolerant to particular types of food, especially milk products. Consuming food that they are allergic to also makes their stomach rumble because their body will try to expel such food as soon as possible by cringing the stomach walls and forcing the food back out of their esophagus.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common bowel disorder that causes frequent and sometimes uncontrollable urge to excrete. This is accompanied by disorderly contractions of the intestines, diarrhea alternating with constipation, abdominal bloating, rumbling stomach, etc.

Functional dyspepsia which is commonly known as indigestion is another cause for borborygmi.

Symptoms:

Symptoms of borborygmi or rumbling stomach disorder include abdominal bloating, flatulence, belching, diarrhea, constipation and rumbling sounds from the stomach which may be accompanied by severe pain. 

Cures:

• Always drink plenty of water or hydrating liquids to stabilize the ph level in your stomach and prevent dehydration.
• If stomach rumbling is caused by acidity, use an antacid.
• Check for any trigger causes, such as lactose products, which could cause adverse reactions for those who are allergic.
• Avoid skipping meals or staying hungry for long hours.
• Avoid over-eating even at times when you know that you may have to skip your next meal. It is better to eat shorter meals more frequently than few large meals.
• If you are already suffering from borborygmi, avoid foods like sugar, coffee, onions, carbonated beverages, etc. as these are known to aggravate the problem.
• Ginger ale is known to reduce rumbling stomach problem and it also helps expel excess gas from the body.
• Eat your food slowly and chew it well. Avoid talking or drinking lots of water while eating.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking if your stomach is already rumbling because it increases acidity and can cause stomach ulcers which are very painful.
• Although rumbling stomach is a common problem, it is not one to be neglected. Sometimes it could be a symptom of an underlying disorder which could be dangerous or fatal if not cured at the earliest. Please consult a doctor if your symptoms persist longer than 24 hours.

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