What you need to know about the ring-shaped rash called lupus

Lupus is an inflammatory disease that is chronic in nature. It occurs when your tissues and organs are attacked by your body's own immunity system. The inflammation that this disease causes can affect the other parts of your body as well, like the joints, kidneys, skin, brain etc. It is often difficult to diagnose because it lacks distinct symptoms. However, one of the most identifiable symptoms of lupus is a ring-shaped rash on the face.

Lupus can be caused by a number of factors like:

1. Excessive exposure to sunlight
2. Susceptibility towards infections
3. Certain anti-seizure, blood pressure and antibiotic medicines

Symptoms

The symptoms are neither distinct nor regular. However, some common symptoms could be-

1. Fatigue and fever
2. Pain in the joints, stiffness and swelling
3. Ring-shaped facial rash
4. Skin lesions on exposure to the sun
5. Chest pain and shortness of breath

What else can lupus lead to?

Several complications may arise if lupus is left untreated. Some of them are-

1. Kidney damage and failure
2. Hallucination, seizures, strokes and several other problems associated with the brain and the central nervous system
3. Anemia, blood clotting, vasculitis etc.
4. Increased susceptibility to pneumonia
5. Increased risk of heart attacks and other cardiovascular diseases

Treatment

Lupus is a significantly dangerous disease and medical help should be immediately sought if you think that you have symptoms associated with it. Treatment depends on the signs and symptoms of individual patients.

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What You Need to Know about this RING-SHAPED Rash on Your FACE!

PMS is often treated as a joke but for many women, it is a monthly nightmare. Muscle cramps, headaches, bloating, breast tenderness, anxiety and depression are common symptoms of PMS. Though there is no set cure for PMS here are a few tips that will help you deal with it. 

Set yourself an exercise routine

Exercising not only helps you maintain weight but also helps dealing with PMS. You only need to set aside 30 minutes a day for a brisk walk, jog, swim or even dance. Aerobic exercises improve blood circulation, ease stress and help the brain release happy hormones. 

Change your diet

If you are feeling bloated and depressed, cut back on simple carbohydrates like sugar and fat and increase your consumption of complex carbohydrates like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Do not attempt a low carb diet to lose weight if you suffer from PMS. Reducing the simple carbohydrates in the body and increasing the complex carbohydrates keeps you body feeling full for longer and increases the serotonin levels in the body.
 
Quit alcohol and caffeine

Drinking a glass of wine or a cup of coffee may give you temporary relief from PMS symptoms but in the long run they aggravate your PMS symptoms such as headaches, breast tenderness and mood swings. Alcohol may also contribute towards lowering the magnesium levels in your body and thereby make you feel bloated. 

Relax

One of the effects of PMS is to make you feel anxious and tense. The easiest way to address this is by learning to relax. Try meditation or yoga for half an hour every morning. This will improve your overall health as well as soothe muscle pains. 

Take a few supplements

Research says that certain fatty acids like Omega 3 and linoleic acid can lower irritability and body aches associated with PMS. Calcium is also known to help ease PMS symptoms. Getting these nutrients in the required levels may not be possible only through your daily meals. Hence, you can also consider supplements to ease your pains. 

Use Birth control pills

Birth control pills with the drospirenone hormone can help ease symptoms of severe PMS. Menstruation
is often accompanied by a drop in estrogen levels that can lead to migraines. Birth control pills also regulates your hormones and hence avoids these fluctuations. It also keeps your ovaries from releasing eggs every month and hence reduces the intensity of the associated cramps. 

Talk to people

You are not alone when it comes to PMS. Instead of keeping quiet about your discomfort, talk to people who may be experiencing something similar. Sharing your problems will introduce you to new ways of dealing with it. You could also get online support through various discussion groups.

7 Ways To Deal With PMS

What is a hernia?

The presence of weakness or hole in a muscle, which permits tissues and organs to bulge through the defect, is termed as a hernia. Hernias can range from harmless or barely noticeable to life-threatening, depending on the organs involved and size of a hernia. In such cases, a surgeon to counter the presence of a hernia performs a hernia repair surgery. Otherwise, it might cause substantial organ damage.

How many types of hernias are there?

A hernia can occur in any part of your body. However, it is most commonly found in the groin and stomach region. Apart from that, listed below are the different types of a hernia-

  An incisional hernia- Occurs around the incision site, due to surgery
  An umbilical hernia- Occurs close to the belly button or umbilicus
  Congenital Diaphragmatic hernia (CDH)- Occurs during birth, that might cause the internal organs to move into the chest cavity
  An inguinal hernia- Occurs in the groin region, similar to a femoral hernia
  An epigastric hernia- Occurs between the chest and belly button
  A femoral hernia- Occurs in the groin region, like an inguinal hernia
  A hiatal hernia- A hiatal hernia can cause the stomach to move into the chest cavity

A hernia can cause many problems for you, not just physically but also from other aspects as well. If you do not go for treatment at the right time, it can interfere with your day-to-day activities due to the serious pain associated with it.

What are the factors or signs that call for a hernia repair surgery?

Hernias can sometimes take a long time to notice. Many people notice the presence of a hernia when they participate in any kind of physically taxing or strenuous work. The following symptoms will help you understand whether you need a hernia repair surgery-

  Discomfort or pain that intervenes with your daily activities
  Large-sized hernias
  If your hernia is gradually growing in size and getting worse, especially in the groin region
  When your hernia starts putting a lot of pressure on your nerves, which lead to numbness and irritation
  Long-term discomfort caused due to a hernia
  Vomiting and a piercing stomach pain

The process of performing a hernia repair surgery

Hernia surgery is done in the following two ways-

  Laparoscopic surgery - During this procedure, the surgeon will inflate your stomach with harmless gas, to have a clear look inside. After this, he will make small incisions near a hernia and put a thin tube with a minute camera. This will give him get a clear view inside your stomach and allow him to repair a hernia with a mesh.

  Open surgery - In this procedure, the surgeon will make a large incision and open up your skin. After this, he will slowly push a hernia back inside, tie it and then remove it. Once this is done, the incised site will be closed up with stitches. In case the hernia is considerably large, the surgeon will use some extra mesh, to keep a hernia in its place.

Medical advancements have made it possible and quite easy to perform hernia repair surgeries, with minimal pain. Hence, if you notice even a faint sign of a hernia, make sure that you consult a doctor and get the right treatment.

Hernia Repair Surgery - What Should You Know?

Constipation is a condition characterized by extreme difficulty in emptying the bowels. It is characterized by hardening of the feces. Ayurvedic remedies have been considered since a long time to support healthy bowel movements. Acute constipation can also be a sign of Crohn s disease or irritable bowel syndrome.

Symptoms of constipation:
1. Immense strain during bowel movements
2. Inability to have proper bowel movements
3. A feeling of being blocked up from within
4. Hard and dry feces

How can you get rid of constipation with Ayurvedic remedies?

Increase fluid intake: If you are suffering from constipation, it is vital to drink about 80 ounces of herbal tea or water per day. Warm fluids are the best way to keep your body hydrated. These fluids should be consumed at least 20 minutes before a meal or 1 hour after a meal.
Increase organic oils in your diet: High quality oil helps lubricate your body tissues, so that appropriate amount of fat or oil can remain in the stool. Most oils are healthy, but the healthiest oils include olive oil, ghee and sesame oil.
Eat plenty of healthy fruits: Fruits are fibrous, hydrating and generally pacifying to your body. Fruits such as peaches, soaked prunes, soaked raisins, peeled apples and bananas should be consumed. It is vital to eat the fruits about an hour before your meals. While consuming these fruits, you should chew on them properly to attain maximum benefit. Pineapple juice is also very effective in facilitating bowel movements.
Consume soaked flax seeds or milk with ghee: Before going to bed, you should drink a cup of boiled milk with ghee or a tablespoon of flaxseeds soaked in a glass of water. This is an ideal remedy for constipation.
Herbs:  Triphala  herb (a traditional Ayurvedic herb) are generally prescribed by the Ayurvedic practitioners. It can be taken either in the tablet form or powdered form with a glass of warm water. Psyllium husk is also a natural source of insoluble and soluble fiber. It serves as a bulking agent and a demulcent in the colon. This facilitates the regular passing of feces.

Ayurvedic Ways To Help You Get Rid Of Constipation!

Anemia, as known to many, is a medical condition triggered by low hemoglobin levels. More than often, iron deficiency acts as a catalyst giving rise to anemia. While fatigue, headache, palpitations, skin pallor, and dizziness are characteristic of anemia, many people also suffer from hair loss. Here too, the iron deficiency acts as contributing factor interfering with the healthy growth cycle of the hair. In some cases, the hair loss may mimic the male and female pattern baldness as observed in the case of Alopecia. While anemia and the related hair loss can affect anyone irrespective of their age and sex, women of reproductive age, as well as teenagers, are more susceptible to this. In this article, we will discuss the anemia and iron deficiency induced hair loss in brief and the preventive measures to deal with the situation.

Anemia-related Hair Loss
In anemia, there is a significant fall in the hemoglobin level. Hemoglobin acts as an oxygen carrier to different body cells and tissues, including those of the hair follicles to ensure healthy cell growth and repairment. Low hemoglobin levels result in inadequate oxygen supply, one of the prime factors responsible for hair loss.

Ferritin, a storage protein (cellular protein) for iron contributes significantly towards a healthy growth cycle of the hair (stimulates the anagen or the growth phase). In the case of anemia, to meet the iron requirements of the vital organs such as the heart, the body starts utilizing the ferritin stored in hair bulb and other non-essential tissues. This dip in the ferritin level affects the hair growth. A ferritin blood test often helps in the diagnosis of iron deficiency and anemia.

Preventive measures to deal with anemia related hair loss
With the iron deficiency and the associated symptoms being taken care of, the anemia triggered hair loss can be controlled and reversed. In addition to the medications and treatment, one also needs to take care of their general health and lead a healthy lifestyle.

Never go for self-medication. It will only worsen the situation. Two individuals can have the same medical problem but triggered by different factors. Always consult a doctor before trying any medicines.
Follow a healthy diet: People dealing with anemia and iron deficiency should enrich their diet with foods rich in iron such as lean meat, liver, spinach, beetroot, nuts and dry fruits (walnuts, almonds), prunes, parsley, broccoli (the florets), to name a few. Foods rich in vitamin C, almonds, are known to promote hair growth.
Avoid drinking tea between meals as this unhealthy practice is known to interfere with the absorption of iron.
Maintain a healthy hair care routine
Oil massage your hair at least twice a week.
Be gentle while combing the hair.
Try and use a mild shampoo (or as the doctor recommended).
Avoid excessive use of hair styling products and chemicals.

Anaemia And Hair Loss - What Should You Do?

Pilonidal Sinus is the small channel in your skin near the tailbone that may sometimes be filled with pus or fluid. This accumulated pus leads to the formation of abscess or cyst. Pilonidal cysts occur near the coccyx or tailbone, right at the top of the buttock crease. Pilonidal sinus consists of dirt, hair and debris that penetrates your skin, becomes embedded and thereby causes infection. Once the cyst gets infected, you may see blood or pus oozing out of the channel, which causes severe pain.
Pilonidal sinus usually affects men and young adults (after puberty). This type of skin disease is mostly observed in people who sit for a prolonged period, such as desk-job workers, truck drivers etc.

What are the causes and symptoms? 
Doctors suggest pilonidal sinus or cysts is caused due to factors such as - hormonal changes during puberty, friction resulting from wearing tight clothes, prolonged sitting, hair growth etc. The hair growing in the region is forced to burrow back beneath your skin. In certain cases, the patient may develop multiple sinuses which connect under the skin.

The signs and symptoms of pilonidal sinus include-

  Pain when standing or sitting for long
  Swelling of the cyst
  Redness and soreness around the affected skin
  Formation of multiple holes (sinus tracts) in the skin
  Foul odor
  Blood or pus oozing out of the abscess
  Hair sticking out of the lesion
Pilonidal sinus can be embarrassing and painful if left untreated for long.

What is the treatment for this condition?
Pilonidal sinus usually goes away on its own, without medical intervention. However, if the cyst becomes infected, it may have to be operated or drained. The commonly used treatment procedures are-

  Conservative treatment - if the condition is diagnosed at an early stage, your doctor will prescribe a broad-spectrum antibiotic to treat a broad range of bacterial infection. This will relieve you from the pain and discomfort resulting from infection.

  Lancing - this procedure involves using a scalpel to open the abscess. Your doctor will give you an anaesthetic prior to the operation. The channel is then cleaned properly to drain out blood, pus or hair. The wound is packed with a sterile dressing and left to heal. It usually takes about a month for the wound to heal, after which no further treatment is required.

  Phenol injections - for this procedure, first and foremost, your doctor will give you anaesthetic so that you don t feel any pain. A chemical compound known as Phenol is injected into the cyst. Phenol acts as an antiseptic and is used to harden and eventually close the lesion. This procedure needs to be repeated multiple times to achieve the desired result.

  Surgery - if the pilonidal sinus tends to recur, or if you develop multiple sinus tracts, the most preferred choice of treatment is surgery. The surgeon will open the lesion, remove the debris and pus, and then suture the wound. You will be given an anaesthetic prior to the surgery, and once the treatment is done, you will need to change the dressing more often.
If you suffer from pilonidal sinus, you will also need to maintain good hygiene. Make sure you clean and wash the area with a mild soap, and rinse properly. If your job requires you to sit for a prolonged period, take a break in between your work. Avoid wearing skin tight clothes. Adopting these measures will help prevent the occurrence of pilonidal sinus.

Treatment For Pilonidal Sinus!

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