Hepatitis C is an infection that affects the liver. Caused by the hepatitis C virus, it is quite prevalent. It spreads through the blood or bodily fluids of the person infected by the virus. There are quite a few symptoms that surface, and while it may be challenging, it is manageable. A huge part of this relates to stress, diet, and exercise. Here are some valuable hepatitis C management tips. 1. Shed excess weight The health of your liver depends on your weight. Managing your weight and keeping it at a healthy level will prevent the virus from acting up. When you are overweight, the fat buildup in the liver can increase. This may lead to a condition called nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Developing this condition when you have hepatitis C may increase the risk of getting cirrhosis. Further, many medications that are prescribed for hepatitis C may not be as effective if you are overweight. Among the many hepatitis C management tips, you will find combining a healthy diet with simple exercises is one of the top ones. 2. Lower alcohol consumption One of the best hepatitis C management tips is to refrain from consuming any alcohol. There is sufficient proof that excessive consumption of alcohol can damage the liver.

People with sensitive skin go to great lengths to protect their skin from harsh skincare products. However, they often overlook an important product: the laundry detergent. You might think that the detergent soap gets eliminated from the clothes in the rinse cycle. But that is not true. Some traces remain on the fabric that may react with sensitive skin. So, it is advisable to use organic detergents for sensitive skin to avoid allergic reactions and inflammation. 1. Seventh Generation Free & Clear Detergent This is a great detergent that is specially formulated for sensitive skin. It does not contain any artificial fragrance, brighteners, dyes, or harsh chemicals that make it non-allergic for all skin types. Also, it is USDA-certified, implying that most of its ingredients are plant-based and renewable. Thus, it is an eco-friendly detergent that will keep your skin safe. 2. All with Stainlifters Free Clear This is among the highly recommended organic detergents for sensitive skin. It is promoted by dermatologists and pediatricians because it contains zero traces of dyes, perfumes, or chemicals. Besides, the detergent is effective in eliminating all kinds of stains from the fabric. It even removes pollen and pet dander to reveal well-cleaned and hygienic clothes.

Nasal polyps grow on the lining of our nasal passages. Usually, they are soft and painless in nature. On the lining of nasal passages, nasal polyps hang down like teardrops or grapes. If nasal polyps are small and minute, then they do not cause any problems. But if they grow continuously, they can block your nasal passages and lead to breathing problems, loss of smell, and infections.  Nasal polyps are majorly the result of chronic inflammation associated with asthma, medication sensitivity, and certain immune disorders. Scroll down to know what causes nasal polyps. What causes nasal polyps? 1. Recurring sinus infections Chronic sinusitis or long-term sinus infections impact the quality of life. This is somewhat similar to various life-threatening conditions such as congestive heart failure. Some of the common symptoms of chronic sinus infections include nasal discharge, which are primarily thick yellow or green liquids, mucus dripping down the back of the throat, pressure or tenderness in the face, stuffy nose, headache, and lack of sense of smell. If these symptoms persist and go on for a long time, nasal polyps start developing in the linings of our nasal passages. 2. Asthma If you want to know what causes nasal polyps, you will also have to take into account the chronic symptoms of asthma.

Age is one of the most critical risk factors for breast cancer. As women hit menopause, there are several changes in the body, which increases the chances of a diagnosis. However, this risk must not be measured independently; it must be calculated based on other factors, such as a close family member diagnosed with breast cancer and a breast biopsy to remove a benign growth/disease. Here are some of the symptoms of breast cancer in menopausal women. 1. Lump on the breast This is probably one of the most common symptoms of breast cancer in menopausal women. This lump can appear on any part of the breast. While only 20% of such lumps are malignant, this number becomes significant and increases with age. So, the older you are, the higher is the risk. It is crucial to stay alert, do breast exams often, and contact your physician as early as possible. 2. Swelling or general soreness An early sign of breast cancer is swelling in the breast area, which may be accompanied by a general soreness too. It’s important to stay watchful as swelling may be significant enough to change the size and shape of the breast. The swelling may affect a small part of the breast or the entire breast.

Cold sores are fluid-filled blisters on and around the mouth that can prevent you from enjoying meals. These painful and irritating blisters are caused by a common viral infection with the herpes simplex virus. Several things can trigger recurrences once the virus enters the body, including foods and environmental or hormonal changes. Here are some of the common cold sore triggers that can lead to episodes. 1. Processed foods We often eat foods that suppress the immune system, and this increases the risk of another recurrence. Processed foods are some of the top cold sore triggers, so one should avoid consuming packaged snacks, frozen foods, canned foods, sugary cereals, and high-calorie snacks. 2. Acidic foods This is another group of foods that act as triggers for cold sores. It’s best to steer clear of citrus fruits, tomatoes, wine, soda, salads with vinegar, and pickles as they may trigger or aggravate cold sores. Instead, eat warm food and go light on the spices and salt. 3. Arginine-rich foods The herpes virus needs arginine to multiply, so lowering its consumption can reduce the severity or frequency of cold sores outbreaks. Some high-arginine foods to avoid are pumpkin seeds, chocolate, squash, peanuts, almonds, oats, and wheat.

Today, most of us do not get enough sleep due to various reasons. As per medical science, an adult should get at least 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep every day. Not having enough sleep can lead to various major health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, depression, and obesity. Sleep apnea is a sleeping disorder; it causes you to stop breathing for a short period while you are sleeping. Due to the shortage of oxygen in sleep apnea, people wake up in between, leading to a bad sleeping habit. Read on to know the popular treatment options for sleep apnea. 1. Positive airway pressure devices Positive airway pressure machines are widely used in the treatment of both moderate and severe sleep apnea. This machine contains a mask snugly worn over the nose, mouth, or both if needed. During sleep, the positive airway pressure machine supplies pressurized air that flows continuously or intermittently into the sleeper’s throat. Thus, the increased air pressure from the devices prevents the sleeper’s airway from collapsing. The pressurized air is supplied with the help of a flexible tube. There are various types of positive airway pressure devices available; some of these include CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure), BiPAP (bilevel positive airway pressure), and VPAP (variable positive airway pressure).

People with osteoporosis do not notice the symptoms until they have a bone fracture. Osteoporosis patients are prone to bone fracture and breakage, even with a mild fall or sometimes even a forceful cough or sneeze. Hence, one needs to understand the early warning signs of this disease. 1. Frequent cramps and pain in the bones This is one of the first signs and symptoms of osteoporosis. Frequent cramps and bone pain indicate a deficiency of vitamin D, an essential vitamin that builds our bones. Though cramps and pain could be caused by other reasons, too, ruling out osteoporosis, especially in the elderly, is not a bad idea. 2. Diminishing gums Bone loss is one of the common reasons for the receding of gums and is among the first signs and symptoms of osteoporosis. Our teeth are attached to the jawbones, and when the jaw bones start degenerating, the gums start receding, and we start losing our teeth. This happens in the lower jaw. Ask your dentist to report any bone loss he might come across during your oral X-ray. 3. Reducing grip strength Have trouble opening that bottle of pickle or opening a heavy door nob? Well, it indicates reduced grip strength.

The deficiency of healthy red blood cells is termed anemia. Several factors can cause it, but all types of anemia lead to certain early warning signs of anemia that can help diagnose and treat it in the early stages. Red blood cells carry oxygen to the tissues throughout the body, so their deficiency and any signs of anemia should not be ignored. Here’s what to keep an eye out for: 1. Pale skin Skin color can speak volumes about one’s health, and pale skin is one of the most common early warning signs of anemia. It’s a clear indication of a lack of oxygen and hemoglobin, and it requires a visit to the doctor. 2. Cold feet and hands One’s hands and feet are normally warm, but the limbs feeling cold to the touch may be a warning sign of anemia. This happens due to poor blood circulation throughout the body as patients lack healthy red blood cells to circulate oxygen-rich blood. 3. Fatigue and weakness Feeling tired after a long day or intensive physical activity is normal, but feeling fatigued even with minimum physical work or after a normal day is a cause of concern. This fatigue can result from a lack of energy due to less oxygen reaching body tissues, and this early warning sign of anemia shouldn’t be ignored.

Acid reflux and heartburn are common ailments that affect everyone from time to time. Although, there are many over-the-counter medications that can soothe heartburn and offer relief from the symptoms of acid reflux, following a few home remedies can also be helpful. These remedies tend to have have little or no side effects. 6 top home remedies for acid reflux 1. Use baking soda To a cup of water, add a teaspoon of baking soda. Stir it well and drink it. This will help to neutralize the acid in the stomach. This is an effective, natural and affordable way to get rid of acid reflux. However, if you are on a low-sodium diet for another health condition, you should consult your doctor before trying this remedy as baking soda contains sodium. 2. Drink aloe juice If you are looking for natural ways on how to cure acid reflux at home, then this is another effective method. If you experience acid reflux and heartburn regularly, then drinking half a cup of aloe juice before your meals should help. This natural drink helps to soothe the irritation in the esophagus caused by the back flow of stomach acids. 3. Chew sugar-free gum Increased saliva production can help to reduce and dilute the amount of acid secreted in the stomach, especially after a meal.

Risk factors of prostate cancer can be broadly divided into two groups: internal, unavoidable ones set and the other external, preventable set. Excess calcium consumption, smoking, exposure to certain chemicals, and obesity are the risk factors that can be averted. This article talks about the relationship between genetics and prostate cancer, which cannot be changed. Genetics and prostate cancer: The role played by hereditary aspects 1. BRCA2 gene mutations BRCA2 genes are found in all men on chromosome 13. These fall into the group of tumor suppressors, which help in controlling the growth of cells, thus preventing them from outgrowing their normal size. When there is a mutation in the BRCA2 gene in men, it will lead to the unchecked growth of cells, usually in the prostate region in several cases. This tumorous growth of cells leads to prostate cancer. However, the mutations might sometimes be acquired. This is why people with a family history of prostate cancer are automatically put in the cancer-risk group for the possibility of already carrying the mutated gene. 2. Cancer running in the family Family cancer syndromes are not uncommon. But genetic mutations or the sudden appearance of cancer even in people whose families have never had cancer cases is also normal.