Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that affects the spine. This chronic disease is caused due to inflammation of the joints in the spine and usually affects young men. It causes the vertebrae to grow or fuse together, causing a rigid spine. Actually, it affects the discs in between the vertebral column. These discs get swollen, causing a limitation of spine motility. It is an autoimmune disorder and its symptoms are lower back pain and stiffness, which usually moves to the legs.

The deformity due to AS can be mild or severe. In extreme cases, the patient gets a stooped spine. 
Early diagnosis can prevent significant deformity as well as help in controlling the pain and stiffness.
Allopathy doesn t really know the real reasons for this disease and here is where Ayurveda scores.
According to Ayurveda, AS is caused due to aggravated vata or wind, which causes an imbalance in vata dosha.
Ayurvedic treatment
Ayurvedic treatment starts with detoxification and elimination of toxins. It relies heavily on the right diet and lifestyle as well as Ayurvedic herbal preparations. The panchakarma techniques called kati vasti, sarvangadhara and patrapinda svedana are very beneficial too. The basic explanation for the disorder is that AS occurs due to an accumulation of ama or toxins in the body. Where ever ama deposits in the body, pain is caused. Ayurvedic treatments aim at digesting the ama by using herbs as medicine and balancing the aggravated vata.

Herbs used in the treatment of AS are dry ginger (saunth), guggul, turmeric, fenugreek, ashwagandha and giloy. Gugul, curcumin, amlaki, haritaki, and ashwagandha are all very effective in treating AS.
Avoid getting constipated and ensure proper evacuation of bowels.
Include ghee in your diet for lubrication and for lowering the vata dosha.
Apply heat on the affected areas to control the pain and stiffness.
Eat light foods and strictly avoid oily foods and curd which increase ama.
Avoid sleeping during the daytime.
Yoga asanas like pawana muktasana, bhujangasana, dhanurasana, paschimottanasana and vakrasana should be practised regularly.
The practice of pranayamas such as and shodhana, chandrabhedi sheethali and bhramari also helps.
Chewing 2 3 raw garlic buds on an empty stomach in the morning with water helps in alleviating lumbar pain in AS.
Use a powdered preparation of dried ginger root, celery seeds and cumin seeds in equal quantities with rock salt for taste, and have one teaspoon of this mixture with warm water at bedtime to reduce flatulence as well as lumbar stiffness.

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) - Ayurvedic Remedies That Help You Treat It!

Do you switch off the lights a certain number of times before going to bed? Do you clean your windows even after they have been cleaned more than once in the day? Do you check your locks again and again before stepping out? If yes, then chances are you that are suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD is something which is difficult to overcome. However, the great thing is that it is not something that happens to be untreatable.

OCD is something which affects a range of people and to varying degrees. To some, it may have the effect of making their lives a little unusual, and to others it can go some way in greatly mitigating the pleasure they get out of living their lives. A person who suffers from OCD keeps on doubting his or her actions, especially when it comes to the possible repercussions of him or her not doing what he or she was supposed to do. This could include a person asking himself or herself whether he or she has put the gas off, or turned the tap off in the bath tub before to leaving the house.

Taking control of the obsession

In order to reduce the adverse impact that OCD has on the life of a person, it is important to exercise regularly. This is because OCD is an issue which has a lot to do with the nervous system, along with the brain, and the benefits of exercise on the nervous system can have a meaningful impact.
A lot of the problems a person experiences with respect to his or her health has to do with the amount of sleep he or she gets. It should really not come as a surprise in that case that it is not much different in the case of OCD. When a person does not get as much sleep as he or she normally should, it can cause issues by way of thoughts and ruminations in a mind that is not rested to an extent that is adequate.
Many people seek to control their OCD by trying to avoid the fears they face. However, it should be noted that this is not a good way to go about with it due to the fact that avoidance is very likely to compound the level of fear. Instead, a person who suffers from OCD should make an effort to follow a ritual which involves making sure whatever he or she is afraid of is incorporated in it.
OCD is something which has the potential to scare a lot of people. However, adequate effort and treatment can make sure that it no longer should.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Can You Manage It?

Throat cancer is as common as breast cancer and more than prostate cancer. In cause of throat cancer, keep smoking as first cause followed by alcohol. 
It occurs when abnormally dividing cancerous cells form growth like tumors in the voice box, vocal cords & other parts of the throat like the tonsils, and the pharynx which is the hollow tube that runs from behind the nose to the top of the windpipe.

The common symptoms of throat cancer include coughing, trouble swallowing, hoarseness, and swollen lymph nodes. There are two primary types of throat cancers according to where they start in the throat- pharyngeal cancer and laryngeal cancer. Pharyngeal cancer forms in the pharynx while laryngeal cancer forms in the larynx or the voice box.

Causes of Throat Cancer
Recognizing potential signs of throat cancer in the early stages of the disease is not easy. Hence, it s critical to know the causes and risk factors for developing this type of cancer in order to be able to diagnose it at a relatively early stage of the disease and prevent a fatality. Common risk factors and causes of throat cancer include:

Gender   Men are up to five times more likely to get throat cancer as compared to women.
Age - Now even young persons in their twenties and thirties are coming with throat cancer.
Exposure to certain chemicals like Asbestos, Nickel, and Sulphuric acid fumes.
The common  lifestyle  causes for throat cancer are smoking or chewing tobacco, as per WHO there is no minimum safe limit of alcohol, vitamin A deficiency due to a diet deficient in green vegetables, and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes cervical cancer in women and occurs due to unsafe sex.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and poor dental hygiene are also some of the known causes.

The association of throat cancer with HPV infection, a sexually transmitted virus is very interesting. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America has stated that HPV infection is a risk factor for certain oropharyngeal throat cancers.

Cancer Research UK also warns that oral sex, especially with multiple partners, leads to oral cancers due to HPV infection. It further states that men are also more prone to get infected with HPV through oral sex than women and HPV infection is more common in men who have oral sex with multiple partners.

Apart from this, throat cancer has also been linked to other types of cancers like esophageal, lung or bladder. So, if you ve been diagnosed with any of these, you are at greater risk of contracting throat cancer. These cancers also often have the same risk factors.

You can take a few steps to reduce your risk for throat cancer like stop smoking, reduce alcohol intake, maintain a healthy lifestyle   eat plenty of greens, reduce fat and salt intake, and lose excess weight by exercising regularly. You can also reduce your risk of HPV infection by limiting your sex partners and using condoms. Stop alcohol rather than reduce.

Throat Cancer - What Are The Most Common Causes Of It?

The sensitivity towards cold is different for all people and some people are much more sensitive to cold than others. They are more prone to common cold, cough and sinus problems. Homeopathy is an ideal for treatment of disorders caused due to cold or due to extra sensitivity to cold. Other than the symptoms, homeopathy effectively cures the underlying causes that cause the condition.

Here is a list of common homeopathic medicines, which are used to cure different conditions arising from cold sensitivity, along with the symptoms which appear based on which they are prescribed.

Aconite: Aconite is used when there is a sudden onset of cold due to exposure to dry and cold weather conditions. High fever is indicated. The patient is restless, extra sensitive towards light, and has a runny nose. Sneezing and headache prevail.
Allium Cepa: This homeopathic medicine is used when there is a burning nasal discharge which causes a burning sensation on the skin and upper lip. The eyes become red and burning is felt. There is a tickling sensation in the larynx and painful cough.
Arsenicum: When a person experiences thick, yellow and watery nasal discharge, which causes a burning sensation to the skin, arsenicum is used. The nose feels blocked with irritation and a tickling sensation. Violent, frequent sneezing and coughing are indicated. Headaches and chest pain are likely.
Belladonna: Belladonna is used in cases of sudden onset of cold accompanied with high fever, enhanced pupil size and a hot, dry sensation on the face. Extra light sensitivity develops, and the affected person has a sore throat and experiences throbbing headaches. A barking cough is observed.
Bryonia: Bryonia is used when cold moves onto the chest and is painful, spasmodic cough is experienced while breathing deeply, eating or drinking. The chest pain increases with movement. The patient becomes irritable, tired, feels sick and thirsty. He would want to be left alone.
Chamomilla: This homeopathic medicine is used when an earache occurs due to cold. The patient gets irritable and experiences pain. One cheek becomes red and hot while the other cheek remains cool and pale.
Eupatorium: Eupatorium is used where a person develops deep back ache and ache in the limbs due to cold. Severe headache is experienced, and the eyeballs become sore. Chills and fevers are very frequent. The patient feels thirsty and vomiting may be indicated.
Enhanced sensitivity towards cold makes a person prone to common cold and other related medical conditions. Homeopathy is a very effective treatment procedure for such conditions, and total treatment is ensured in a natural way.

Sensitive to Cold - 7 Homeopathic Remedies For It!

5 Symptoms that Indicate Your Heart is in Trouble!

Your heart gives you warning signs before the onset of a major problem. You may not even know that you are at risk of one or more heart diseases if you fail to notice these small signs that your heart sends out. Even a minor symptom, like chest pain, can indicate that your heart may be in trouble. While there could be many causal factors for a heart condition, here some symptoms, which are possible indications of a heart disease and should not be ignored in any case.

1. Chest pain or discomfort

This symptom is the most common one, which indicates that your heart is not healthy. It usually comes in the form of a pain, pressure or tightness in the chest and may happen due to a blocked artery. This may be an early warning sign of a heart attack and you should seek professional advice before it turns into a major problem.

2. Excessive sweating

If you often sweat without any valid reason, it might be a sign to be concerned for. The sweating experienced will feel more like the one that arises due to stress rather than common perspiration experienced due to any vigorous physical activity.

3. Difficulty in breathing

Shortness of breath is an indication that you are at high risk of getting a heart attack. The symptom includes having difficulty in breathing and feels similar to the panting experienced after a long run.

4. Nausea and frequent stomach problems

If you experience nausea, heartburn, indigestion or abdominal pain frequently, it may be the result of an unhealthy heart. Of course, these signs may be due to other diseases as well, but if you experience any of the other symptoms of heart problems too, it's highly probable that your heart is in trouble.

5. Exhaustion

If you fall into the high-risk zone of being a potential heart patient, you may feel exhausted after doing some simple chores, which didn't tire you earlier. Common examples may be climbing the stairs or carrying something from your doorstep inside the house to name a few.



5 Symptoms That Indicate Your Heart Is in Trouble!

Jaundice is a medical condition, which is characterized by the yellow coloring of the skin and eyes. It generally occurs when there is an excess of bilirubin in your system. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment formed in the liver by the breakdown of red blood cells. It normally gets discharged by the liver along with other dead red blood cells. So if you are suffering from jaundice, it usually indicates that you have some serious problems regarding the functioning of your liver, pancreas, or gallbladder.

Signs and symptoms
Signs and symptoms commonly associated with jaundice include:
1.  Yellow-tinted eyes and skin
2.  The whites of your eyes may turn orange or brown in color
3.  Dark urine
4.  Pale stools
5.  High fatigue and vomiting (in severe cases)

Causes
Jaundice, as mentioned above, occurs when there is an excess of bilirubin and the liver is incapable of metabolizing it along with the old red blood cells. It is more common in infants than in adults, because their livers are not fully developed. However, it is also a frequent occurrence in adults and could be a potential sign of any of the following problems:
1.  Liver infection
2.  Scarring of the liver, or cirrhosis
3.  Hepatitis
4.  Alcohol abuse
5.  Liver cancer
6.  Gallstones
7.  Pancreatic cancer
8.  Blood disorders, like hemolytic anemia
9.  Parasites in the liver
10. Abnormal reactions to or overdose of medication

Diagnosis
Diagnostic tests may include:
1. Jaundice is diagnosed primarily by taking blood tests, to help measure the amount of bilirubin as well as to trace the presence of other diseases like Hepatitis.
2. Liver function tests in order to make comparisons between levels of certain proteins and enzymes when the liver is in good shape and when it is damaged.
3. Liver biopsies, where samples of liver tissue are first extracted and later examined under a microscope.
4. Imaging studies, consisting of abdominal ultrasounds, computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images (MRI) tests.

Signs, Symptoms and Diagnosis of Jaundice

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