Shingles, scientifically named as ‘herpes zoster’, is a viral infection that causes rashes in small sections of the body along with immense pain and is sourced from the same virus that causes chickenpox which is known as varicella-zoster virus (VZV). If you had chicken pox in your childhood, then there is a chance that at later stages, you can develop shingles. The first symptom of shingles is the immense pain. After a couple of days, you will see rashes and fluid-filled blisters in small sections of your body, while some people also experience fever, fatigue, and sensitivity to light along with painful blisters. Shingles usually last from two to six weeks. Complications Although shingles isn’t a life-threatening disease, some people develop a more serious condition due to this, known as postherpetic neuralgia when the nerve fibers get damaged. This condition can cause shingles pain to last for weeks and months even after the rashes clears out. Although there is no perfect treatment for Shingles, antiviral medications prescribed by your doctor can help to reduce its symptoms and shorten the time span of shingles. Read on to know the various at-home treatment options for shingles. Top treatments for shingles Take healing baths One of the most effective and top treatments for shingles that prevents the rashes from spreading to different parts of the body is thoroughly cleansing the body on a daily basis. Taking a shower with cold water along with antiseptic soap can help you to soothe your skin and body as the coolness of the water will reduce the pain and itchiness of the shingles blisters. You can also prepare a healing bath for yourself which is considered to be one of the top 3 shingles treatments. To prepare a healing bath, you need to pour 1 to 2 cups of colloidal oatmeal or cornstarch into lukewarm water and leave it for 10-20 minutes before taking the bath.

Chronic pain can play spoilsport in our lives by affecting our job, daily routine, and relationships. The good news is that timely diagnosis and treatment can go a long way in eliminating this pain from our lives. The ideal chronic pain management aims at reducing or eliminating the need for pain medication and improving physical functioning. With the right treatment for chronic pain, you can lead a pain-free life. Any pain that spans over a few months or around 12 weeks is called chronic pain. The cause of pain may be illness, injury, joint-related disease or overuse of joints. Gone are the days when you only surgical options were available for the treatment for chronic pain. Thanks to the medico-technological advancements, patients now have numerous treatment options for dealing with chronic pain. Types of chronic pain Chronic pain can occur in different locations of the body and for a variety of reasons. The most common type of chronic pain occurs due to injuries. This injury may be sports-related or caused by accident. Back pain is another common type of chronic pain. Lower and upper back pain may result from incorrect posture, extended hours of sitting or standing, or damage to the spine. Joint pain due to arthritis or wear and tear of the joints are also some common types of chronic pain. Arthritis pain can occur at in joint of the body. Nerve-related issues may lead to diseases or illnesses that cause other types of pain. Non-surgical treatment options for chronic pain The right choice of treatment for chronic pain depends on its cause. Doctors evaluate this pain based on the following factors: Duration Intensity Cause Location Once they ascertain the parameters mentioned above, they will decide on the right treatment option. Pain management primarily focuses on minimizing the use of pain medication, improving physical flexibility, and strengthening the affected parts.

A fiery sting is the best term that describes the bite of a fire ant. Living up to their name, these ants are the color of fire. When you are caught in an army of fire ants, they swarm onto your skin and pack a powerful, fiery sting that can be quite an ordeal! Symptoms of fire ant bites range from mild rashes to allergic reactions like breathing difficulty. Treatment for fire ants’ bite depends on the severity of the sting. You’d be surprised to know that a tiny fire ant can pack a sting that delivers a venom that contains 46 proteins at least! Fire Ants These ants come in different colors, like red-brown or black, and usually grow up to lengths of a quarter of an inch. They live in sand mounds that are built on lawns and pastures. Fire ants can get very aggressive when their nest is disturbed. If you accidentally disturb their nest, you will probably end up in a burning stream of painful stings. The sting causes pain and itching long after you are bitten by fire ants. Fire ants sting by clamping their mandibles on your skin; hence, it is difficult to remove ants that have actually latched onto you. You need to rub them off your skin with fingers or a rag. What do Fire Ant Bites Look Like? When fire ants are provoked, they swarm onto the skin and anchor themselves strongly with their mandibles. Once they latch onto your skin, they sting repeatedly injecting a toxin called solenopsin. Fire ant sting looks like a swollen red spot with a blister on top. Fire ant stings can be painful and itchy for nearly a week. As soon as you are stung by the ant, you will experience an intense pinching or burning sensation.

Meningitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the meninges surrounding your spinal cord and brain. Its inflammation triggers several symptoms. Some cases of the disease can be treated in a few weeks while others can be fatal and require immediate antibiotic treatment. It is absolutely necessary to seek immediate attention if you suspect meningitis. Early symptoms of the disease may mimic influenza and it may take a few hours or several days for the symptoms to develop. Early treatment for meningitis is key to boosting your chances of survival and can avoid certain complications. Before discussing the treatment methods for the forms of the disease, let’s discuss the common symptoms of meningitis and ways to treat it. Symptoms Most cases of the disease in the country are caused by a viral infection. Other causes include fungal and bacterial infections. Cancer and autoimmune disease may lead to the onset of the disease as well. Here are a few of the common symptoms and signs of the disease for anyone aged 2 years and above. Stiff neck Seizures Severe headache Sudden high fever Sensitivity to light Loss of appetite No thirst Skin rashes Sleepiness or difficulty in waking up Nausea and vomiting Vaccination Getting yourself vaccinated is the key to protecting yourself from the three most common bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis. These bacteria commonly affect adults and children alike. Meningitis vaccines can cure certain meningitis causing viruses as well so do try them out. Getting vaccinated is one of the easiest forms of treatment for meningitis. These vaccines though cannot protect you from non-infectious causes of meningitis, which include autoimmune disorders and cancer. Bacterial meningitis and its treatment Antibiotics are generally used to treat bacterial meningitis. You will be treated with one or more antibiotics. These target the bacteria causing the infection.

An inflammatory lung condition which affects the passage of your lungs is called asthma. This condition is usually a chronic inflammation in the passage of the lungs. The airways of the lungs become narrow and start to swell, which in turn produce some extra mucus. This excess mucus makes it difficult for you to breath in a normal way and that will trigger wheezing, coughing and causes shortness of breath. For some people, an asthma attack is not a big problem as this does not disrupt their normal life. But for some people, asthma attacks are very common and that causes a problem in their daily activities as well. When you keep neglecting the problem of asthma, it can even become life-threatening as well. Proper treatments for severe asthma are very important and have to be done as quickly as possible. This is a condition which cannot be cured completely, but you need to make sure that you take proper treatment in order to control its symptoms and triggers. Causes of severe asthma The main and exact cause of asthma is not known, but there are many causes that trigger asthma. Based on the causes of asthma, the treatments for severe asthma are decided by the doctor. Some of the causes include: Excessive smoking Environmental factors like polluted air Inhaling some chemical or sprays to which you are allergic Breathing allergens like mold, animal dander, and dust Flu, cold, bronchitis or sinusitis and other upper respiratory infections Emotional stress Exposure to dry and cold weather Too much exercise Symptoms of severe asthma: The symptoms of severe asthma are more like mild to moderate asthma, but they are more intense and sometimes they are life-threatening as well. Some of the symptoms of severe asthma include: Shortness of breath, which worsens with time Tight and painful chest A severe cough Even after breathing treatment, the wheezing continues Difficult in speaking at a stretch Lips, fingernails, and face turn into blue color or pale yellow Even after using an inhaler, little change is observed in a severe asthma attack Difficulty in doing everyday activates Treatment options for an asthma attack Generally, it is termed as severe asthma just because it does not respond to any kind of treatments for severe asthma or medicine that is prescribed by the doctor.

Ulcerative colitis, commonly known as UC, is a chronic disease that affects almost 1 million citizens of the country. It is a disease of the colon (large intestine) that inflames the colon lining and the rectum. According to an epidemiological research report, people following a diet consisting of high-fat foods are at a higher risk of suffering from this disease. Also, the Ashkenazi Jews and the Caucasians have the most number of sufferers. Although the exact reason behind ulcerative colitis flares is still unknown, according to many healthcare professionals, this is a result of environmental, genetic and lifestyle factors. Treatments for ulcerative colitis flares Fortunately, a wide range of ulcerative colitis treatment options is available that can help to control UC. Achieving remission and getting UC under control are the main goals of these treatment processes. Immune system suppressors, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, inflammation and other UC symptoms controlling steroids etc. are some commonly used medications to deal with ulcerative colitis flares. Removing the rectum and the colon by undergoing surgery is also another process of treatment for UC. However, it is advisable to undergo a surgery only if your doctor suggests and when the medications are not being effective. Other than the medications, many medical research reports have reflected the fact that plenty of natural treatments are available to deal with UC. These nonmedical treatments include everything from herbal medicines to lifestyle changes. Read on and know some effective tips to treat and control ulcerative colitis flares in natural ways. A healthy diet Maintaining a healthy diet is very important while dealing with ulcerative colitis. Various medical studies have shown that people who consume fatty foods are more exposed to this chronic disease. Hence, you need to make your diet chart accordingly. Abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas, etc are some common problems faced by patients with UC.

The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that 20% of women live with the Candida fungus without developing yeast infections. However, for most women, yeast infections are a nuisance that occurs at least once in an average woman’s life. Men can also develop yeast infections. A yeast infection can be quite troublesome as it comes with symptoms like itchiness, a burning sensation, and an embarrassing discharge. Symptoms and types of yeast infections The Candida fungus is a commonly occurring fungus that lives in the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina. Usually, the body can keep its growth under control. However, when the fungi growth is uncontrollable, it leads to an infection. Vaginal candidiasis is the most common infection. It is also known as vulvovaginal candidiasis, vaginal candidiasis, or candidal vaginitis. Symptoms of this condition include: Soreness and itching in the vagina Unusual and smelly vaginal discharge Painful urination Painful sex Men experience the following symptoms: White shiny patches on the skin A white substance collecting in the folds of the penis A burning or itching sensation A yeast infection is termed as complicated in the following situations: When yeast infections happen more than four times in a single year When there are tears or sores When you are pregnant When a fungus other than Candida albicans causes the infection When you have low immunity. For instance, patients who live with diabetes or are HIV positive have low immunity levels. How to get relief from yeast infections? Yeast infections are treatable. You can get relief from yeast infections with some simple remedies. Here are some of the best remedies for getting relief from a yeast infection: Hydrogen peroxide It is a well-known antiseptic that is effective against a wide range of bacteria and fungi. Hydrogen peroxide can be safely applied topically (on the skin).

In the country, more than 18 million suffer from atopic dermatitis. This condition is a type of eczema which affects the skin. This condition commonly begins in childhood and can progress into adulthood. It is important for a person to know the right atopic dermatitis treatment plans for effective management of the condition. What Is atopic dermatitis? This condition is characterized by inflamed skin and itchiness. Although this condition is mostly seen in children, it can happen at any age. It is a chronic condition with periods of extreme redness and itchiness on the skin and asthma or hay fever may occur along with it. Signs and symptoms can differ from person to person but the most common ones include extremely dry or scaly skin, itching, red or brown patches all over the body, and tiny raised bumps or open sores due to scratching. In children, the first symptoms are usually dry and scaly skin patches that are seen on the face, forehead, and scalp. Atopic dermatitis pictures mostly show children with a patch or patches of reddened skin on the cheeks. Atopic dermatitis is a genetic condition that prevents the skin from retaining the moisture it needs. This leads to the skin easily getting affected by several environmental factors and allergies. Some children may develop the condition due to food allergies. Other conditions like hay fever or asthma can increase the risk of developing atopic dermatitis. How is atopic dermatitis treated? There is no cure for atopic dermatitis. However, with the right treatment, symptoms can be reduced and a person can experience a normal life. Atopic dermatitis treatment begins with examining a person’s skin and checking for a family history of the condition. As this is a chronic condition, treatment, and care over a long period of time can be effective in reducing the symptoms.

Before getting to know about the home remedies for heartburn, you need to understand the underlying causes. An unbearable pain occurs in the lower chest due to acid reflux. It happens when the contents of the stomach are pushed back into the esophagus. What are the home remedies for heartburn? It is vital to note that every mode of treatment comes with its risks, and hence it is advisable to consult a medical professional before deciding the best solution for yourself. If you are wondering how to stop or treat heartburn, you can read some of the tips and home remedies given below: Avoid overeating: When you overeat, you exert pressure on the esophageal sphincter which is a ring-like muscle that connects the esophagus to the stomach. It is similar to a valve, and thus, it prevents the stomach’s acidic content from going back to the esophagus. People with acid reflux have weak sphincters. Overeating causes acid to push into the esophagus. Losing weight: Acid reflux occurs when the pressure on the abdomen is high, particularly for those who are obese and for pregnant women as well. So to get relief from heartburn, one should try to lose weight. Excessive abdominal pressure pushes the esophageal sphincter upwards, causing the stomach acid to enter the esophagus, thus causing acid reflux. Low-carb diet: Carbs that remain undigested lead to bacterial overgrowth and increase the abdominal pressure. An excess of undigested carbs in the stomach is the main cause of gas and bloating. You might feel like belching because of this. Thus, following a low-carb diet is a good home remedy for heartburn. Controlling alcohol: The chances of getting acidity and heartburn rise due to the consumption of alcohol. Symptoms worsen as there is an increase in stomach acid. The esophageal sphincter becomes relaxed, and therefore, it cannot prevent the acid from entering the esophagus.