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Gout – causes, symptoms, and treatment
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Gout – causes, symptoms, and treatment

Gout is a medical condition caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals. It is a form of arthritis affecting the joints, especially the ones at the feet, as has been recorded frequently throughout history. Gout affects almost anyone, appearing quite suddenly, followed by incredible pain and swelling around the affected joint. Considering its vast impact on the population, it becomes crucial to understand it from ground level. What are its causes? As alluded to earlier, gout is caused when the concentration of uric acid in the blood is too high. Urate crystals thus form, leading to accumulation and subsequent swelling in the joint. Uric acid is a byproduct released by the body after breaking down purines—a chemical compound found in foods and drinks. In most cases, uric acid dissolves in the bloodstream and is easily excreted by the kidney. However, if that doesn’t happen, uric acid accumulates in the blood and deposits in joints or tissues, developing into sharp, needle-like structures that cause pain and inflammation. Genetics, obesity, chronic decreased kidney function, and a diet rich in red meat and organ meat, among other substances, are also common causes of this condition. What are its symptoms? The most apparent hint of gout is when an individual experiences intense pain in the joint.
5 key features you need to look for when buying a hearing aid
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5 key features you need to look for when buying a hearing aid

With a variety of feature-loaded hearing aids in the market, choosing the best one has undoubtedly become difficult. But before choosing the right product, knowing the nature of hearing loss and its severity may be helpful. One can also take help from his or her audiologist or hearing aid specialist to guide them through all the critical considerations. So, here are some essential features to look for when shopping for a hearing aid. Style Hearing aid comes in many different styles, such as behind-the-ear, in-the-canal, in-the-ear, and others. When buying a particular type, one must consider the ease-of-use, functionality, and budget. It’s also imperative that one selects a hearing aid that fits appropriately. It’s good to speak with a hearing professional, as they can help further understand what more one needs to consider when selecting a specific aid. Directional microphones This is a significant feature to look for in a hearing aid, as it allows to converse correctly in noisy surroundings. Directional microphones amplify people’s voices and diminish the noise from the rear or sides. They work the best when the person with a hearing aid is closer to the sound source. Generally, hearing aids with the mentioned feature come with the ability to switch between directional and omnidirectional settings automatically, depending on the surrounding.
Medical conditions that can trigger severe hair loss
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Medical conditions that can trigger severe hair loss

The body loses and replenishes hair regularly. It is a natural cycle that happens without you even noticing the hair fall. A few strands will get replaced by new growth every day. However, some people may experience severe hair fall, and this can be a cause for concern. Causes can range from vitamin deficiencies to more troubling medical conditions for which it is advisable to book an appointment with the doctor. Herein, we shall explore the most common medical conditions that trigger severe hair loss. Androgenetic Alopecia Also known as male or female pattern baldness, Androgenetic Alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss. This condition can trigger hair fall right after puberty hits and can worsen over a short period. While men tend to lose hair in more concentrated spots around the temple and the back, women lose hair all over the scalp, gradually leaving a thinner growth. Women may also experience rapid alopecia after experiencing menopause. The body undergoes hormonal changes during the transition and can trigger several uncontrollable chemical responses that can lead to hair loss. Telogen Effluvium Telogen is the body’s natural phase during which shedding happens in a normal growth cycle. Under any circumstances, the old hair falls out to make room for new follicles.
Here’s how a proper nutrition can help you stay fit
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Here’s how a proper nutrition can help you stay fit

Whether it is merely jogging or playing an outdoor sport such as football, active people or athletes must eat a nutritious and balanced diet. Adequate nutrition ensures ample fuel for the body. Proper nutrition, like any sports activity, has basic ground rules. Following these rules and getting plenty of practice can help people lead a healthy life. This article sheds light on the importance of both fitness and nutrition. A well-balanced diet is crucial, as it provides the required energy in the form of carbohydrates, fats, essential protein, vitamins, and minerals. But, what is a well-balanced diet? Several health experts and nutritionists suggest that a diet containing 55-60% of calories from carbohydrates, around 20% of calories from fat, and the remaining (about 10-15%) from protein can help you stay at the pink of your health. The calorie percentage translates into eating a variety of foods every day: fruits, vegetables, beans, low-fat dairy products, and lean meats. The base of the diet must comprise starches and sugars. Water and other fluids are also an essential part of the winning combination. The fluids not only help transport nutrients throughout the body but also avoid dehydration. Lack of hydration can stop even the fittest individual from playing his or her best game.
Decoding certain myths about heart disease
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Decoding certain myths about heart disease

Heart disease can affect people of any age. So, it is essential to understand the underlying conditions and take the requisite steps to improve heart health. However, there are many misconceptions about the triggers of heart diseases and certain myths that need some elucidation before one can seek medical advice. Here are five common myths about heart health decoded to clarify the situation. Myth 1: Leading a sedentary lifestyle Often people would say one must take it easy, especially when suffering from heart disease. The assumption being since the organ is already in a delicate state, any form of exertion increases the risk of heart failure. However, leading a sedentary lifestyle due to fear of effort can do more harm as one’s physical condition deteriorates quickly. Inactivity can result in blood clots at vital points throughout the body. To avoid this, staying active helps strengthen the heart muscle that, in turn, promotes healthy blood circulation as the organ will pump blood more efficiently. Myth 2: Heart disease affects only older people Heart disease or any cardiovascular complication can happen due to several factors. Studies show that lifestyle choices have a significant impact on a person’s overall cardiovascular health, irrespective of age.
Top FAQs on GERD and heartburn
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Top FAQs on GERD and heartburn

A lot of people in the country suffer from GERD, and it’s pretty common to experience heartburn once in a while. But how does one differentiate between the two? And how do you know when it’s time to see the doctor? Learning to identify the difference between the two is of key importance and it goes a long way in getting the right treatment at the right time. So, let’s begin by understanding what GERD and heartburn are. What is GERD? Heartburn and GERD are two completely different medical terms. GERD, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a long-term and long-lasting form of acid reflux. If a person is experiencing acid reflux more than twice a week, chances are that they have GERD. Heartburn is a symptom of this GERD and acid reflux. What are the symptoms of GERD? As we know, GERD is a more chronic form of acid reflux. So, it tends to have similar symptoms, such as Heartburn Regurgitation Pain in the chest Swelling in the mouth Trouble with swallowing food Bad breath Damaged teeth Dry cough Of these, most of the people who suffer from GERD tend to have heartburn and regurgitation compared to other symptoms. What is heartburn?
Six types of joint conditions you must know
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Six types of joint conditions you must know

Joint conditions can sprawl from any injury that has a direct impact on the joints. Joint conditions can occur due to underlying disease, deficiency of nutrition, or simply aging. Some of these joint conditions are short-lived and can be treated with simple physiotherapy exercises. Others can be chronic, painful, uncomfortable, and require orthopedic intervention or surgery such as joint replacement. It is estimated that joint conditions such as arthritis are a leading cause of disability in the country. Arthritis is usually used as an umbrella term for different types of joint conditions. Some common joint conditions are listed below: Rheumatoid Arthritis RA or Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the synovial lining between the joints. In this type of condition, the immune cells or lymphocytes start accumulating in the joints. This leads to inflammation of joints, which eventually leads to damaging the cartilage and bone. Being an autoimmune disorder, this type of joint disease can occur at any age. Osteoarthritis This is one of the most prevalent types of arthritis among the elderly in their 60s. Osteoarthritis is the wear and tear of the cartilage that acts as cushions between the joints. The cartilage damage leads to stiffness and can cause immense pain especially during movement.
All you need to know about the human immune system
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All you need to know about the human immune system

We might be familiar with how important the immune system is and that we need to eat certain types of foods or do certain types of exercises to boost the immune system. But some of us might be unfamiliar with the functioning of the immune system, and how it is linked to immunity. That’s no reason to worry. Given below are some important things to know about the immune system. What is immunity? In simple terms, immunity is the ability of the body to remove foreign objects and to tolerate internal systems. The internal systems and organs can be referred to as “self” whereas external or foreign objects can be called “non-self.” This ability of the body to realize the difference between self and non-self materials is what helps us stay alive. There are two primary systems through which immunity can be achieved — active and passive. Active immunity is the immunity produced by the body. On the other side, passive immunity is introduced to the body in the form of medication or injections. What is the immune system? We know that our body has immunity but how does it implement this to know the difference between healthy tissue and viruses.

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