Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is a condition where you feel extreme tiredness and it does not go away even after you rest. The fatigue associated with this condition may worsen with mental or physical activity. 

As no specific cause has been identified for CFS yet, it is difficult to diagnose. You may require multiple tests. It is most common among women in their 40s and 50s but it can affect anyone.

Causes

If you have CFS, you may be fatigued easily by routine physical activity. This might be triggered due to certain factors or a combination of the following factors:

Some people may develop CFS after suffering from a viral infection. Some suspicious viruses include mouse leukaemia virus and Epstein-Barr virus

You may experience abnormal secretion of hormones in the pituitary, adrenal and hypothalamus glands

A weakened immune system is also an important factor for CFS

There are certain risk factors that may increase the chances of CFS:

High levels of stress or difficulty in managing stress

People between the ages of 40 and 50 have higher chances of developing CFS

Women are more likely to get diagnosed with the condition than men

Genetic predisposition

Symptoms 

The most common symptoms of CFS are as follows:

Feeling tired after a night s sleep

Insomnia

Reduced concentration

Sleeping disorders

Loss of memory

Frequent headaches

Orthostatic intolerance, where you might start feeling lightheaded when seated or lying down

Muscle pain

Joint pain without swelling

Swollen lymph nodes in armpits and neck

Feeling extremely exhausted lasting for more than a day after engaging in mental or physical exercise

These symptoms may suddenly disappear completely. But, they may return later. In general, if you experience excessive fatigue then you should consult a doctor.

Treatment

CFS can be treated with a special Ayurvedic treatment procedure called Panchakarma. This is a complete rejuvenation procedure that consists of steam baths, oil massages, diet purification and cleansing enemas. The aim is to detoxify your body and get rid of all impurities that may later cause illnesses such as CFS.

It is a five-step procedure consisting of the following:

Vamana   Therapeutic vomiting

Virechana   Purgation

Vasti   Herbal oil enemas

Nasya   Nasal irrigation or clearing the nasal passage from mucus 

Raktamokshana   Bloodletting or withdrawal of blood to cure an illness

The procedure is very effective in improving your sleep patterns and reduces sleeping disorders. It improves the digestive system, reduces stress levels and relaxes the body. But you have to maintain a strict diet that consists of:

Kitchari made of rice and lentils that are low cooked in herbal oils

Tea but no coffee or other beverages

No salads, smoothies, meat, bread or sugar

No processed foods

Lifestyle changes can help you fight CFS. Reduce your daily caffeine intake to sleep better and reduce insomnia. You must avoid nicotine and alcohol too. Try to avoid taking naps during the day. Consult your doctor if you still face problems. 

Panchkarma For Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - Know More!

The entire concept of worshiping a deity lays down to the path of faith and belief which helps human life to progress and hold on to their hopes. Navaratri is one such festival, the roots of which delves deep into the minds of Hindu psychology. Navaratri is a nine-day festival that is celebrated all over India in various forms and different rituals. It focuses on the worship of goddess Durga and worshiping the nine avatars or reincarnations. During these nine days, the entire country is lit up with happiness, homecoming, love, friendship, bonding over cultural heritage and obviously food.

Navaratri requires fasting and for this with the festival knocking at the door here are some great mouthwatering fasting dishes-

Let s start with something sweet- Desserts stimulate a refreshing feeling. Low-fat makhana kheer recipe made with nuts is the best dessert you can consume during navaratri. Makhana is an excellent source of carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, fiber, potassium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and zinc. Low in calories and high in fiber, it facilitates weight loss. Indulge without bothering about weight gain.
A colorful platter- Mixed fruit salad with apples, berries, apricot, avocado, cherries is the best fruity dish to include in the diet plan for navaratri. This mixture is suggested to eat during the daytime. You can add combinations of berries such as blueberries and strawberries, with this. This is because berries are great choices when it comes to maintaining glucose and cholesterol levels.
Banana and Walnut lassi- Charge up with this healthy drink, a Lassi made with the goodness of, bananas, yogurt nuts, and honey. Walnut is full of essential nutrients that the body requires, and Yogurt gives infuses diet with, zinc, calcium, protein, and phosphorus. Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, folate, vitamins B6 and C. Hence, lassi is a refreshing drink filled with goodness.
Sabudana khichdi or tapioca porridge- A quintessential fasting dish which has been there for decades and never goes out of the beat. With a dash of your favorite vegetables, some butter it can fill your stomach for hours apart from falling under a sumptuous meal recipe. These include a less level of saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. It is also a superb source of dietary fiber and boosts energy.
Samvat Rice or Barnyard Millet Rice- This rice with cashews, almonds, coriander leaves, is a special dish served during navaratri. Almonds contain dietary fiber that is good for health. Also, cashews and almonds are healthy and rich in vitamins and minerals. This can be served as an excellent meal which serves both tastes as well as the nutritional requirement. Barnyard millet is gluten-free and includes proteins and carbohydrates to give energy through navaratri fast which is much needed.
Equipped with these simple recipes filled with numerous health benefits, this navaratri celebrate the festival with health and happiness! In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

5 Healthy Navratri Fasting Dishes!

The urinary tract starts from the kidneys to the urethra where urine is passed out. Given the rich concentration of minerals and toxic wastes, it is highly prone to multiple infections. UTI, as urinary tract infections are often referred to, is one of the most common infections. In women, especially, every 1 in 2 women is affected by an UTI. Whichever part of the tract is affected, the symptoms and treatment are mostly the same. Read on to know some of the most common symptoms and treatment options for these.

Symptoms

A burning sensation with urination
Pain with urination
Burning sensation or pain in the urethra or vagina
Frequent urge to urinate, though not much urine is passed out
Sense of incomplete emptying of the bladder
Pain in the lower back on the sides of the spine
Change in the urine characteristics color, smell, or appearance
Fever or chills, maybe associated with shivering, nausea and vomiting
Causes

Most urinary tract infections are bacterial in nature, and these could find their way into the body through multiple ways.

The most common is through the urethra, which could happen due to unclean toilet habits.
Women especially are advised to wipe the urethra after each toilet visit. The bacteria from the feces can also enter the urethra due to close proximity
Use of unclean public toilets is another reason for UTIs
Tests

Though most often UTI does not require specific testing, the following are useful in confirming the diagnosis.

Culture and sensitivity: The urine is sent for a culture to identify the exact organism that has caused the infection. It also helps identify the right antibiotic which will help bring the infection under control.
Treatment:

UTIs are very common infections and though there is nothing to worry, it should be cleared completely.

Antibiotic course to get rid of the infection. Though you begin to feel better, the complete course should be completed to clear the infection.
Following culture testing to ensure the infection is cleared
Improve water intake to get rid of the toxins
Fever and pain to be controlled with medications
Healthy hygiene habits to ensure clearing of infection
Prevention:

Recurrent UTIs is a common problem, and the following can help prevent.

Ensure complete emptying of the bladder
Drink adequate water
Safe toilet habits, including before and after sex
Comfortable and clean underwear to prevent infection

Urinary Tract Infection - 8 Signs You Are Suffering From It!

Mosquitoes might be tiny creatures, but are responsible for some of the most dreadful diseases, one of them is malaria. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted through mosquito bites directly or from mother to unborn baby and through blood transfusions. Very widely spread in the Asian and African continents, people travelling here are very cautious of this disease. In areas that are notorious for mosquito infestations, the local people also take preventive measures to ensure mosquito breeding is prevented or at least minimised.

Spread of the disease: When a mosquito bites an infected person, it picks up the parasite from the person and when it next bites another person, the infection is also transmitted. From there, the parasite travels to the liver and into the bloodstream before reaching another individual. While all people are prone to getting the infection, elderly people, children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people are at greater risk. Also, new travellers are at greater risk than local people, who are to some extent immune to mosquito bites.

Symptoms: The disease is characterised by moderate to severe shaking chills which are more common in the evening, high fever, profuse sweating, headache, vomiting, and diarrhoea. Quite often, there is about a 4-week gap between the time of the mosquito bite and the onset of symptoms. However, in many people, the disease could lie dormant and symptoms manifest when the immunity is severely lowered.
With the gradual progression of the disease, more severe symptoms could evolve as below, and that is when malaria becomes life-threatening.

Cerebral malaria: Once the parasites enter the bloodstream, they can block the minor blood vessels in the brain leading to cerebral oedema and even brain damage. It could eventually result in coma.
Anaemia: There is large-scale destruction of red blood cells, leading to severe anaemia and weakness and fatigue
Breathing problems: Similarly, accumulation of fluid in the lung spaces can lead to pulmonary oedema which causes difficulty breathing and lung failure.
Organ failure: Blood flow blockage to other vital organs like kidneys, liver, and spleen are also possible. The spleen may rupture leading to severe haemorrhage.
Low blood sugar: The malarial parasite per se and the most commonly used medicine (quinine) are both known to cause low blood sugar levels. This can result in coma and even death.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment usually consists of chloroquine, Mefloquine, quinine sulfate, or hydroxychloroquine. There are various drug-resistant forms of malaria, and they may require combination therapy.
Prevention assumes greater significance with travellers going for vaccines prior to visiting these areas. Even the local people should find ways to avoid breeding of mosquitoes, use mosquito repellents and nets to avoid the infection.

Malaria - Signs You Must Not Ignore!

Hiatal hernia takes place when the upper portion of the stomach pushes itself through an opening in the diaphragm, into the chest cavity. The diaphragm is a wall of thin muscles, which separates the chest cavity and the abdomen. In most cases, a small hiatal hernia doesn't cause problems and you may never know you have a hiatal hernia unless your doctor discovers it when checking for another condition.

But a large hiatal hernia can allow food and acid to back up into your oesophagus, leading to heartburn. Self-care measures or medications can usually relieve these symptoms, although a very large hiatal hernia sometimes requires surgery.

Causes

Hiatal hernia is primarily or most commonly caused due to the increase in pressure in the abdominal cavity. Sometimes, a lot of pressure may be felt around the stomach accompanied by coughing, vomiting, strain during bowel movements. For people born with an abnormal hiatus, the chance of getting hiatal hernia is more.

The two common types of hiatal hernia are:

 Sliding hiatal hernia, which occurs during the sliding out of the stomach and oesophagus into and out of the chest through the hiatus. This type of hiatal hernia is less intense and has no symptoms.
 Fixed hiatal hernia or paraoesophageal hernia is an uncommon type of hernia where a part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm and stays there.

Symptoms

Usually, no symptoms are experienced during hiatal hernia. Some symptoms are experienced that happen due to stomach acids, bile or air, which enters the oesophagus. Some common symptoms include:

 Heartburns which become worse when a person lies down
 Chest pain, better called epigastric pain
 Problem in swallowing food
 Belching

Tests for diagnosis

Several tests can be carried out for the diagnosis of hiatal hernia. They include:

 Barium x-ray, where a person is made to drink a liquid filled with barium before the x-ray. The x-ray provides a clear image of the upper digestive tract region and the location of the stomach can be seen. If it is protruded out, hiatal hernia is signified.
 Endoscopy is another test for detection of hiatal hernia. A thin tube slides down the throat, which reaches up to the oesophagus and stomach. This will determine whether the stomach is pushing through the diaphragm or not.

Treatment

Medicines, which are used to cure a hiatal hernia may include antacids for neutralizing stomach acid, h2 receptor blockers to lower acid production and proton pump inhibitors. Sometimes fundoplication surgery is required for the treatment of hiatal hernia, although it is rare. Some common surgical techniques are rebuilding of oesophageal muscles or a surgery to put the stomach back in its actual place. Laparoscopic surgery methods are used. Hiatal hernia may reoccur even after surgery; so general precautions should be taken. You should:

 Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight
 Avoid lifting heavy objects and ask for help
 Avoid any kind of strain on the abdominal muscles

Hiatal hernia is a disorder, which is more common among people over the age of fifty. Necessary precautions and treatment should be adopted in case of hiatal hernia.


All About Hiatal Hernia

The Churg-Strauss disease is a rare medical condition, which causes abnormal and painful swelling of the blood vessels thereby obstructing normal blood flow to the different body organs and tissues. The Churg-Strauss disease generally attacks the blood vessels of the intestine, nose, heart, lungs and the sinuses. In rare cases, this abnormal swelling can damage the kidney and the body joints. If not diagnosed timely, Churg-Strauss disease might lead to further complications such as heart disease, nerve damage, and kidney damage.

Causes
1. As of now, the accurate causes of the syndrome have not been detected; although doctors suspect that hereditary factors and a long-term exposure to allergens might be responsible for the syndrome.

2. Also, the syndrome can be caused as a result of side effects of prescribed medications for asthma and allergies. However, many people who have been diagnosed with allergies do not show the symptoms of Churg-Strauss syndrome.

3. The chances of suffering from this condition increase if you suffer from episodes of chronic asthma, sinusitis (inflammation of the nasal passage cavities) or any other form of allergy in the nose. This syndrome has been generally observed in people within the age group of 30-50 years.

Symptoms
The symptoms of Churg-Strauss syndrome vary among people depending on the affected organ. However, the possible symptoms of the disease are but not limited to:

1. There might be a significant pain in the joints and abdomen along with fever, asthma, sinusitis, and a loss in body weight.

2. Development of scars on the body along with the presence of blood in faecal matters coupled with a tingling sensation in the limbs along with a feeling of numbness if the syndrome happens to attack the nerves.

Treatment
Churg-Strauss disease is an incurable medical condition, but a prescribed dosage of corticosteroids or chemotherapy medications can regulate the symptoms.

All About Churg-Strauss Disease

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