Despite its common occurrence, most people do not understand what causes depression. Understanding the causes is, after all, the first step toward the solution. Depression is a complex disease with several causative and exacerbating factors. This complexity often makes treatment difficult and prolonged. Here is a list of common trigger factors that could lie behind the onset of depression. Major setbacks – Temporary depression is often a natural consequence to major episodes of loss, such as the death of a loved one, a relationship breakdown, and experiencing a loss or sudden setback in career, business, or in important life goals. Events like these do not always lead to depression. Nevertheless, the sufferer should seek help to cope with his or her situation. Illness or hormonal imbalances – Chronic, debilitating illnesses tend to significantly impair the quality of life of the patient, leading to a sense of dejection, hopelessness, and anxiety about the future. Pain, discomfort, and loss of enjoyment naturally results in depression. Hormonal imbalances can also cause depressive symptoms; a classic example is hypothyroidism which, among other things, inhibits mood. When depressive symptoms present themselves, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about assessing your basic health indicators Recent childbirth – 1 to 2 out of 10 new mothers experience intense episodes of the “baby blues.” Expecting to be overjoyed with the new baby, but paradoxically experiencing intense sadness and dread can no doubt be extremely distressing for the mother and her family.

We all hate it when we get a cold, reduced by hacks and overtaken by coughing fits. During that time, anything feels better than a congested chest and blocked nose. Stuffy nose, scratchy throat, feeling cold and hot in turns, often accompanied by flu, and a general sense of discomfort, cold and cough is just not welcome. However, there are some great natural remedies that can banish your cold and cough faster. Vitamin C We all know that vitamin C can do wonders to how you feel. And this is no exaggeration because several studies show that vitamin C can boost your immune system, help fight cold and cough, and heal a sore throat. Pop a 1000 mg (or a dose recommended by a professional) vitamin C supplement when you get the sniffles. Ideally, four to five times a day. Alternatively, sip on warm water mixed with lime or lemon juice through the day and let it soothe a sore throat and drain a clogged nose. Elderberry syrup Another immune-boosting natural remedy is elderberry syrup. Native Americans have been using it extensively for centuries. A natural source of vitamin C, it is known for strengthening the immune system. It is a great way to treat colds and flu naturally.

Optimism can fuel the body’s immune system and trigger natural pain killers. The stress of dealing with a chronic pain day after day, week after week, can take a toll on the mental state and cause depression. Positivity is essential for good health, and there is growing evidence that any medical illness is caused by a negative mental state, pessimism, or stress that has a negative impact on the immunity, especially in the case of rheumatoid arthritis. The human brain has the incredible skill to create a tailor-made prescription to nurture and heal the body. The natural painkillers like gamma globulin, which strengthen the immune system, and interferon help combat infections produced by the brain. These endorphins are suppressed when we do not take care of ourselves, escalating rheumatoid arthritis. When depression sets, one forgets medication, forgoes exercise, a healthy diet, and loses sleep, which can affect the body’s normal mechanism. A bit of support from family and friends could help one deal better with the disease, both physically and emotionally. Being optimistic has a simple formula: avoid thinking about what might happen or what deformity may pop up. Hold on to positive thoughts even if you are not as strong as before.

Knowing that there is vast and you still wish to pursue your solo traveling dream, a little bit of homework won’t do any harm. To start with, solo travelers in the country must know their interests and expectations in terms of which places and how many days per place. You must see to it that medical health insurance is in place before you head out. Weather can be extremely dramatic across the country and hence solo travelers must keep a watch on the current and coming weather conditions. Since, solo traveling is all about being you and enjoying the best of your time, try to keep off during the busiest time such as New Year, Thanksgiving, Good Friday and Christmas. Getting anywhere in the country is a matter of accessibility and that’s equally applicable for the residents too. Knowing the nature of transport in the destination you are heading to is a must. Look for budgeted transport service such as rent a bike or bicycle, buses and trams to save those extra dollars. You see walking within a city in the country is not a bad idea, for you get to see the local culture, taste their local cuisines, enjoy some camaraderie with the local people and visit the nearest farmer and flea market.

Medications for pets are the next most important thing after ordering your own medication. There are many online sites which offer pet medicines at a discount; they have prescriptions drugs, nutrition, and supplements for all types of pets. They explain the pet anatomy, they offer a helpline for pet poison, explain many things to pet owners, and they have resources to find lost pet tags along with discounts for pet prescriptions. Information on pet poison is to make sure the pet stays healthy. Their aim is to prevent illness and injuries and any type of potential poisoning. The online pharmacies are licensed and accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The medications include all major medications that are sold at a vet’s office. They dispense US FDA and EPA approved medications. They honor all the guarantees offered by the manufacturers. The labels are tested to check if they are made from the best natural ingredients which are tested by third parties. They have a large number of veterinary pharmacists, they monitor drug interactions, make sure you are getting the proper prescriptions, they see that medication has not expired the valid dates, etc. It is no different than going to a physical pharmacist, they are accredited by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, and they also answer emails and take orders on phone calls in one business day.

Eczema is a common skin condition that makes the skin dry and itchy. Although there is no cure for this disease, the symptoms of eczema can be managed with proper treatment. To provide one with essential knowledge about the condition, some of the frequently asked questions about eczema and their answers have been given below. Are symptoms of eczema visible? Red, itchy spots or coin shaped rashes can appear anywhere on the body. The skin becomes dry and inflamed, scaly patches emerge along with raised bumps or blisters that can become thick, crack the skin, and in severe cases, even bleed. What is eczema is also known as? Eczema is also known as dermatitis. The various types of skin diseases associated with eczema include atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, dermatitis herpetiformis, dyshidrotic eczema, follicular eczema, hand eczema, nummular eczema, seborrheic dermatitis. How long does it take for symptoms of eczema to show up? Depending on the type of eczema affecting the skin, the symptoms can either show up immediately, within a few minutes, or can take up to 3 weeks (after exposure to irritants or allergens) to emerge. Is eczema is contagious? Eczema is a non-communicable skin condition that does not spread from one person to another.

Soft tissue sarcoma, a rare type of cancer, can develop anywhere in the body, like the abdomen, arms, chest, hands, head, hips, legs, neck or shoulders. Soft tissues are those that connect or support different parts of the body like the fat, muscles, blood and lymph vessels, tendons, nerves, synovial and skeletal tissues. The soft tissues can also be found in the internal organs. The incidence of this type of cancer is not very high in children; it is statistically found in less than 1,000 children every year in the country. While research is still being carried out to find the exact cause of soft tissue sarcoma in children, some of the common risk factors that could increase the chances of a child being affected are: Genetic disorders inherited from parents, or gene mutations that cause Neurofibromatosis, a disease that affects the formation and growth of the nervous system, or Li-Fraumeni syndrome that causes a natural inclination or tendency for the formation of cancers, and tuberous sclerosis, a rare genetic disease that causes the growth of tumors in vital organs in the human body. Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), also transmitted genetically, causes the formation of numerous adenomatous polyps in the large intestine.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract can present themselves with a myriad of symptoms. Many may not be a major concern at all. Gas, bloating and occasional diarrhea are not cause for alarm when they occur infrequently. Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder, many experts suspect, of function. There is often no overt disease or abnormality seen on endoscopy or colonoscopy in patients suffering from IBS (or irritable bowel syndrome). Let’s look at some differences as far as causes, risk factors, and symptoms for IBS vs. gastric cancer: 1. Symptoms The symptoms of IBS include gas, diarrhea, constipation or both at the same time. Patients complain of belching, feeling full quickly after eating and may or may not have relief after a bowel movement. Gastric cancer can mimic the symptoms of IBS. Irritable bowel syndrome is a very uncomfortable disease to have, but it is not serious and will not alone lead to cancer. Gastric cancer, or stomach cancer is a serious condition of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a malignancy of the cells in the stomach or stomach lining. Its symptoms are fullness after a small meal, persistent heartburn, vomiting, unexplained weight loss and severe indigestion. 2. Causes The causes for irritable bowel syndrome vs.

By nature, vaccinations or immunizations help protect us from the risk of certain illnesses (i.e., pneumonia, influenza, hepatitis C, and meningococcal meningitis, etc.). In other cases, we may require certain vaccinations in order to prevent certain diseases as we age, when traveling, due to our job circumstances, existing health, or if our lifestyle exposes us to certain illnesses. Although many of us equate vaccinations with children, many adults require a first time immunization. Others may require a re-vaccination, or what’s known as a “booster” as effectiveness may diminish with time. Despite much controversy, vaccines have been shown by health professionals to be the safest protection against disease transmission. Remember, getting vaccinated is always a safer option compared to the risk of contracting the actual disease: 1. Meningitis vaccine Meningococcal vaccines aim to safeguard individuals from bacterial meningitis infection. Each vaccination contains trace amounts of annihilated meningococcal bacteria, meant to help the body recognize the foreign antibodies and identify them for destruction if exposure should occur. Meningitis causes the inflammation of the protective tissues surrounding the spinal cord and brain. According to the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), the following populations should get a Meningococcal Quadrivalent or a Meningococcal C Conjugate (Men-C) vaccine to protect them against meningitis transmission:

Osteoporosis is a bone disease characterized by a loss of bone tissue. As we age, bones naturally lose calcium and other minerals, making them thinner and weaker. Yet osteoporosis can result in porous bones, resulting in stooped posture, hunched back, difficulty moving, and easily broken bones that are slow to heal. Older adults, especially postmenopausal women, are most at risk. Other osteoporosis risk factors include low physical activity, steroids, certain other medications, smoking, and insufficient calcium. However, simple changes that you can make to your diet and exercise routine can help prevent or slow the progression of this disease: 1. Supplement with vitamin D Vitamin D, also known as the sunshine vitamin, helps keep your bones strong and healthy. Just being outside in the sunshine causes your body to make this vitamin, but many of us do not or should not spend a lot of time in the sun. To ensure you have enough vitamin D, consider taking Vitamin D supplements, which can be purchased from your local pharmacy, grocery store, or online. However, you can get plenty of this vitamin from foods like milk, enriched almond milk, eggs, salmon, and prunes. 2. Get regular bone density screenings Bone density screenings help you to keep your bone health on track.