Tips to finding the right soap to manage eczema

Tips to finding the right soap to manage eczema

Eczema is a skin disease marked by flaky, red, itchy patches that can be quite uncomfortable and may bleed. People with eczema or other skin diseases should be cautious when using cleansers, such as soaps and body wash. The condition can worsen with use of harsh soaps and detergents, since they will further aggravate the flare-up. To keep the symptoms under control, you can use a mild, skin-friendly soap and avoid chemical irritants. Tips for finding the right soap if you have eczema While it’s important to use soaps that won’t irritate the skin or aggravate eczema, finding the most suitable one for your skin might be challenging. Here are the six most important tips for finding the right soap when dealing with eczema or other skin diseases: Avoid fragrances and other harsh chemicals Usually, people with eczema may find that their skin responds best to mild skincare items devoid of preservatives and perfumes. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology suggests using soap-free cleansers. The substance that causes soap to froth, sodium lauryl sulfate, is likely absent from several of these cleansers. Many soaps’ detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, rob the skin of its natural oils, causing tightness and itchiness.
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8 Medical Conditions That May Cause Severe Hair Loss

8 Medical Conditions That May Cause Severe Hair Loss

Hair loss or alopecia is a dreaded condition most commonly associated with middle-aged men, but unfortunately, it may even occur in young children. When you lose 50 to 100 hair each day, you would think it is not that big a deal. However, sometimes you may lose more, or perhaps new hair does not replace lost hair quickly. So let’s learn about hair loss and the medical conditions that trigger it. Signs to look out for Sometimes it can be tricky to differentiate regular hair loss from severe since even routine combing is bound to produce a handful of strands. For example, alopecia has the following symptoms – widening patches of scaling, receding hairline, loose hair, bald patches, and pain or itching on the scalp. Thinning of hair can take any form and sometimes may not appear on your head. Or, your drains may get clogged more, and perhaps your brush is full of hair if you suffer from alopecia. Medical conditions that trigger severe hair loss Most people do not talk about hair when they talk about their health. It is unfortunate since hair fall coincides with several health conditions. The following are some ailments known to trigger severe or noticeable hair loss.
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Hyperkalemia – Causes and Management Options

Hyperkalemia – Causes and Management Options

Hyperkalemia is characterized by increased potassium levels in a person’s bloodstream. For optimal health, maintaining adequate potassium levels is essential. Managing hyperkalemia by following a nutritious meal plan can help with this. As hyperkalemia can be deadly, it must be treated immediately after being diagnosed to prevent its symptoms. Below is a list of some of the nutritious foods that have helped lower potassium levels and some potassium-rich foods to avoid for managing hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia Potassium is an essential nutrient, but excess potassium in the body can lead to conditions like hyperkalemia. It can cause serious heart problems, so it is crucial to be familiar with all the details of the conditions. Hyperkalemia symptoms are typically mild and non-specific and thus easy to miss. Muscle weakness, tingling, nausea, and numbness are the usual symptoms of the condition. When the potassium levels are high, one may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations. Since sudden hyperkalemia can be life-threatening, it is better to seek immediate medical care if the symptoms arise. Causes of hyperkalemia One of the most prevalent reasons for hyperkalemia is kidney disease. The kidneys are tasked with the job of balancing electrolytes, including potassium. The kidney can compensate for high amounts of kalium when its functioning is only moderately impaired.
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Multiple Myeloma – Unusual Signs and Management

Multiple Myeloma – Unusual Signs and Management

Multiple myeloma is a rare cancer that attacks the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Myeloma occurs when one of the plasma cells starts malfunctioning or begins to divide uncontrollably. The initial symptoms of the disease can go unnoticed till cancer spreads to other parts of the body. Hence recognizing the uncommon signs will help identify the condition at an early stage. Read on to learn about the nutritional regime and lifestyle changes to follow. 5 unusual symptoms of multiple myeloma When the plasma cells become cancerous, they grow uncontrollably within the bone marrow, crowding out healthy blood cells like red blood cells and platelets. Some patients who receive treatment could show little to no change and reoccurring symptoms. When cancer does not respond to treatment or recurs, this condition is known as relapsed refractory multiple myeloma. One can also face other unusual symptoms like: Rib pain If the tumor is near or compressing the spinal cord, some may also feel a shooting pain that starts in the rib and passes through the leg.  Repeated fractures Myeloma damages the bones, making them weak and thin. It also causes lytic bone lesions leading to the loss of pockets of bone. Hence, repeated fractures are a symptom of multiple myeloma.
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Manage COPD With These 5 Immunity-boosting Foods

Manage COPD With These 5 Immunity-boosting Foods

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition  characterized by obstruction in airflow from the lungs. It is typically caused by chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or exposure to irritants or particulate matter. The symptoms of this condition include wheezing, difficulty breathing, cough, and mucus production. It is a progressive condition and, as the name suggests, chronic. However, you can manage it through lifestyle and dietary changes, and a good quality of life is within reach.  COPD and the immunity COPD is a complex condition affecting multiple organ systems. Though the illness can cause various complications like heart problems, high blood pressure, and lung cancer, the relationship between COPD and immunity is perhaps the most complex. Chronic inflammation is a complication of this condition and is a strong indicator of the immune system’s involvement in COPD. Chronic inflammation compromises immune functioning, allowing pathogens to make your lungs their new home. Since exposure to irritants is implicated, there is a natural response from both structural and immune cells in the lungs. Individuals with COPD are much more likely at risk of respiratory infections like colds, pneumonia, and flu, making breathing more difficult and damaging the lungs further. Managing COPD Though a diagnosis of COPD is not immediately life-threatening nor as scary as a cancer diagnosis, it will not be easy.
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6 Unfavorable Cities for Asthma Patients

6 Unfavorable Cities for Asthma Patients

Asthma is a condition wherein a person’s airways become inflamed and swell, procuring extra mucus, making breathing difficult. Getting rid of asthma triggers from one’s house and workspace and protecting against external triggers outdoors are crucial factors in managing and treating asthma. In critical cases, doctors may suggest relocating to a new city with fewer asthma triggers. Since there is no cure for asthma, effective management becomes key in ensuring that the condition doesn’t worsen. What is uncontrolled asthma? When asthma symptoms become severe and start interfering with one’s everyday life, they might indicate uncontrolled asthma. These symptoms need urgent treatment. If left untreated, they could cause severe damage to one’s lungs.  Causes of uncontrolled asthma Stress Chronic stress could lead to flare-ups of asthma symptoms. One must make an attempt to reduce stress and anxiety in life. Meditation and yoga could help a person deal with stress. Underlying health conditions Certain health conditions like environmental allergies and GERD could lead to asthma flare-ups. Other respiratory conditions like sleep apnea could block the upper airway while sleeping, leading to an asthma flare-up.  Weather change Moving from warmer to colder air or drier to humid air can trigger an asthma flare-up.
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10 Home Remedies for Cold, Flu, and Nasal Congestion

10 Home Remedies for Cold, Flu, and Nasal Congestion

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, people have started taking nasal congestion more seriously, and maintaining good health has become more of a priority to many. But it is important not to let this vigilance translate to frequent visits to the doctors. Instead, one must equip oneself with effective home remedies and develop healthy eating habits. The following are 5 remedies for cold and flu and 5 foods that will help relieve nasal congestion. Home remedies for cold, flu, and nasal congestion Taking a hot shower The most obvious remedy for colds is a hot shower. Even without the flu, a warm burst of water can majorly relieve nasal congestion. Apart from washing away tiredness, inhaling the steam relieves pain and reduces pressure in the sinus, allowing a person to breathe easily for a while. If one is too tired for a hot water shower, one can use an electric facial steamer, which is more convenient. One could use a towel to cover one’s head and the steamer to increase the vapor’s concentration.  Investing in a humidifier Most flu-causing viruses thrive in cold, dry environments. And humid air helps soothe irritated nasal tissue. Hence, nasal inflammation can be reduced by using a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer.
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Chronic Kidney Disease – Foods to Eat

Chronic Kidney Disease – Foods to Eat

If your kidneys are damaged, and their ability to filter waste from the blood reduces, you will probably be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or CKD. The accumulation of waste as a consequence of this health impairment can crease several complications, including high blood pressure, weak bones, nerve damage, anemia, and malnutrition. Chronic kidney disease tends to increase the risk of other conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. Early detection and treatment can help slow the deterioration, but no cure exists. Thus, it is essential to acquire a good quality of life and prevent permanent kidney failure, which will necessitate dialysis or kidney transplants.  How to manage chronic kidney disease? The choice of treatment depends on the progression of chronic kidney disease, associated health problems, and current lifestyle. Prescription treatment typically helps to control comorbid conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, vitamin K build-up, water retention, and diabetes, among others. A nephrologist is likely to recommend a combination of options: lifestyle changes, prescription treatments for associated problems, and in later stages, dialysis or transplants.  Lifestyle changes for chronic kidney disease A doctor is also likely to recommend changes in your style of living. You can damage muscles and bones during the course of the illness, and hence exercising is vital.
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Foods to Eat and Avoid for Constipation

Foods to Eat and Avoid for Constipation

Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools. It is diagnosed when you have fewer than three bowel movements a week. Constipation can cause excessive strain on the intestines and can have an adverse effect on your daily activities. It can be chronic when induced by other health conditions. Since constipation is a condition affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, food is the essential key to managing the condition. It is possible to alleviate or worsen constipation through the food. Eating the right food can help keep your intestines clear, but the wrong foods might bind the stools even further. Fiber-rich foods to eat for constipation Foods rich in fiber can help relieve constipation and keep your stool movements regular. The most common cause of constipation is the slow movement of food through the GI tract. This can be the result of prescription treatment options, diseases of the nerves, or psychological conditions. But most often, it is due to a poor food regime. Here are five fiber-rich foods that can help manage constipation. Prunes One of the age-old remedies for constipation is dried plums, or prunes, as they are commonly called. With three gms of fiber per quarter cup serving, prunes can increase the amount of water in stools, thanks to the insoluble fiber it contains.
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Eczema – Signs, Symptoms, and Home Remedies

Eczema – Signs, Symptoms, and Home Remedies

Eczema is a generic term that refers to a group of skin conditions that cause irritation. These conditions can affect infants, children, and adults. Dry skin, redness, fluid-filled boils on the skin, severe itching, and rashes of various forms and shapes are typical characteristics of eczema. It is a chronic condition characterized by phases of flare-ups and remission. Managing this condition is important as it can cause discomfort and interfere with one’s routine. Early Warning Signs of Eczema The condition can affect anyone, but early signs of eczema can usually be seen in infancy. Infant boys and adolescent girls are more prone to the condition than others. Infants who develop such skin issues may get cured, and their symptoms may disappear as they age. However, the symptoms could return once they reach adulthood.  When suffering from this condition, a person can experience drastic changes in the way their skin feels and looks like. In its early stages, eczema can cause the skin to look bumpy or raised. The skin may also look inflamed, and one’s eyelids may appear swollen. Flaking or peeling of skin is another warning sign that appears early in eczema patients. Irrespective of the early warning signs, eczema can have a long-lasting impact.
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