Warning Signs That You May Have Lupus

Lupus is an autoimmune disease. Simply put, the one responsible for it is the immune system itself. Instead of attacking invading microbes that can cause diseases, the immune system also strikes healthy tissues of the body. Due to this, damage to the tissues and all sorts of illnesses take place.

Also known as systemic lupus erythematosus or SLE, lupus causes inflammation and so many other signs and symptoms. It’s for the fact that different organs or parts of the body can be affected by it. Some people who have this autoimmune disease may only encounter a few signs and symptoms, while others may have numerous ones.

Experts say that about 1.5 million people in the US suffer from lupus. It is a lot more common in women than in men, and Native Americans, Asians and Africans are at higher risk. By the way, those who have lupus tend to encounter flare-ups which involve the outburst of signs and symptoms, followed by remissions.

To date, there is no single test available that can determine whether or not a person has lupus. Everything needs to be taken into account by a physician — from the symptoms, family history to the results of laboratory exams — for lupus to be diagnosed. Oftentimes, a referral to a rheumatologist is done.

Wondering if the weird signs and symptoms you are currently experiencing can be linked to lupus? Continue reading. The following are some indicators that you may be suffering from the said autoimmune disease:

Fatigue

According to experts, up to 90 percent of people with lupus experience fatigue. For many, taking naps during the day can help boost their energy levels, although this usually robs them of having a good night’s sleep.

Thinning Hair

Inflammation is one of the primary symptoms of lupus, and it’s something that can affect the skin. Hair loss can happen if the scalp becomes inflamed. But it’s not just hair on the head that may shed off, but also elsewhere on the body. Hair strands end up breaking easily, causing a ragged look that is referred to as “lupus hair”.

Skin Rash

Up to 50 percent of people suffering from lupus exhibit the characteristic butterfly-shaped rash on the face. Usually, it appears after sun exposure of before a flare-up. Lupus may also cause lesions to appear on other parts of the body, although they usually do not feel itchy, experts say.

Recurrent Fever

One of the earliest warning signs of lupus is low-grade fever that goes on and off. It can be an indicator of an ongoing infection or inflammation. For many people with lupus, low-grade fever usually precedes a flare-up.

Shortness of Breath

When lupus causes the lungs to become inflamed, a person may experience shortness of breath as well as pain in the chest when breathing in, something that is called “pleuritic chest pain”. As time passes, lupus can actually make the lungs shrink, which is sometimes known as “shrinking lung syndrome” or “vanishing lung syndrome”.

Joint Pain

Lupus can make the joints painful and swollen. In the morning, it’s not unlikely for joint stiffness to be experienced. The good news is there are medications available that can help in managing these effects of lupus on the joints.

Hypertension

The kidneys may be attacked by lupus, too, causing nephritis (inflammation of the kidneys). As a result, the blood pressure may rise. Swelling of the legs and feet and frequent urination especially at night may happen, too.

Dry Eyes and Mouth

It’s possible for another autoimmune disease to strike when lupus is present, and it’s Sjögren’s syndrome. One of the telltale signs of this disease is dryness of the eyes and mouth as it affects the glands that secrete tears and saliva. Women who have Sjögren’s syndrome may also experience dryness of the vagina.

source: https://www.healthdigezt.com/

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Essential Oils for Various Digestive System Problems

You rely on your digestive system to have your body supplied with nourishment. Also, you count on it for the elimination of various toxic substances and waste materials within you.

Alas, the digestive system is prone to all sorts of problems due to the fact that it carries out a number of very important tasks on a 24/7 basis. From something as simple as indigestion to a more pestering one like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that comes with a number of symptoms, just about any problem concerning the digestive system can have a significant impact on your day-to-day living.

While there’s an assortment of pharmaceutical solutions to a wide variety of digestive system problems, there are also all-natural approaches around. Some of the best ones include the use of essential oils, which are aromatic compounds obtained from various plants and known to offer so many health benefits.

Got embarrassing excess gas, painful hemorrhoids or excruciating stomach ulcers? Fret not. You may count on the following essential oils to obtain much-needed relief:

Peppermint Essential Oil

An upset stomach may be experienced after having a large meal, or after consuming greasy and spicy foods. One of the best ways to attain relief from such digestive crisis is by consuming a cup of hot water with a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in it. This will help put an end to your really uncomfortable problem instantly.

Cardamom Essential Oil

The intake of cardamom essential oil is known to have antispasmodic properties, which make it beneficial for those who are bugged by an upset stomach. By the way, you may also rely on cardamom essential oil if you are suffering from mouth dryness or an embarrassing bout of bad breath.

Ginger Essential Oil

Everyone knows that ginger is an herb so effective against all sorts of digestive issues. Well, you can count on ginger essential oil whenever you are annoyed by the likes of indigestion and acid reflux. It’s also something that you may depend on for nausea and vomiting.

Black Pepper Essential Oil

Another all-natural remedy for nausea and vomiting that can provide results in no time is black pepper essential oil. You may also take it if you have flatulence or excess gas, which can bring about lots of discomfort and embarrassment. The intake of black pepper essential oil may be done, too, by those with diarrhea.

Cumin Essential Oil

You may also turn to cumin essential oil when too much gas in the abdomen is giving you a difficult time. Its intake as well as topical application can help in expelling trapped gas, leading to utmost relief. Cumin essential oil, based on numerous studies, may also help lower cholesterol.

Lemon Essential Oil

IBS brings about so many annoying symptoms, ranging from stomach pain, abdominal distention to constipation. A lot of those who are pestered by the said digestive issue rely on lemon essential oil for the attainment of relief. By the way, lemon essential oil is also sometimes used for encouraging regular bowel movement.

Fennel Essential Oil

Aside from increasing fluid and fiber intake, did you know that the intake of fennel essential oil can also help in dealing with constipation? It’s for the fact that this oil possesses laxative properties. Worry not if this essential oil is not around because you may also simply chew on some fennel seeds after every meal to ward off constipation.

Caraway Essential Oil

It’s no secret that there are good bacteria residing in the gut alongside bad ones. These friendly microbes actually help in the process of digestion as well as improving both immunity and mood. One of the many ways to encourage the multiplication of good bacteria is with the help of caraway essential oil.

By the way, it’s of utmost importance to use therapeutic-grade essential oils especially if you intend to take them orally in order to attain relief from all sorts of digestive issues.

source: https://www.healthdigezt.com

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Common Habits That Leave the Liver in Danger

Did you know that your liver process anything and everything that goes down your esophagus? And did you know that it’s also the one that helps neutralize toxins in your body?

Clearly, your liver is a very important organ that you have. Any problem concerning it can have considerable effects on your overall health. Needless to say, you should do everything necessary for keeping your liver in an excellent shape, thus saving you from dealing with an assortment of health concerns, a lot of which can be very serious.

Unfortunately, many of us are unknowingly damaging our livers by means of some very common habits. Anything from not getting enough sleep to drinking lots of alcohol can be bad for your liver.

Below you will find some habits that can certainly harm the liver. Check out which of them you are guilty of, and do your best to make some changes ASAP in order to keep your liver out of harm’s way.

Consuming Lots of Alcohol

Drinking lots of alcohol with your friends can make you smile a lot. But in the future, this habit of yours may give you a reason to frown for the rest of your life. Medical professionals say that excessive alcohol can definitely damage your liver, as well as considerably increase your risk of having liver cancer.

Smoking Cigarettes

Another liver-wrecking habit that a lot of people are guilty of doing is cigarette smoking. We all know that it’s something that can damage your health in a number of ways. Cigarettes introduce tons of toxins in the body, hurting the cells of your liver, the very organ that is designed to eliminate poisonous substances.

Failing to Get a Good Night’s Sleep

It’s no secret that it is while you are asleep when your body has the chance to intensively repair itself. Experts say that sleep deprivation can make the cells of the liver more susceptible to oxidative stress, leaving it incapable of carrying out its job effectively — and it’s a terrible thing when the liver is incapable of doing its task!

Having Bad Eating Habits

Just because the liver is designed to neutralize toxins doesn’t mean that it is okay for you to consume foods that contain chemicals not meant to enter your body. In this day and age, problems with the liver are a commonplace because many are guilty of consuming processed foods rather than whole and fresh ones.

Being Overweight

Everyone knows that carrying excess pounds is not a good thing. That’s because it can cause damage to your joints and so many organs, including your liver. If you are overweight or obese, fat accumulates in your liver. This results in the liver becoming inflamed and eventually scarred, keeping it from functioning.

Popping Drugs in the Mouth

Do you reach for a painkiller each and every single time that you feel a headache or joint pain? Then you may be damaging your liver big time. That’s because one of the functions of the said organ is to metabolize drugs. Introducing lots of drugs into your body causes your liver to become overworked.

Taking Lots of Supplements, Too

Supplements may seem friendly to your health, but too much of them can actually cause more harm than good. While they are not really classified as drugs, supplements are still processed by your liver as drugs. Make sure that you tell your doctor about your plan on trying a supplement for your own benefit.

Holding in Your Pee

Believe it or not, it’s not just your kidneys that you are harming if it’s your habit to delay going to the bathroom whenever you have the urge to pee, but also your liver! It has something to do with the fact that it hampers immediate elimination of toxins in the body. So the next time you feel like peeing, pee for the sake of your kidneys and liver.

source: https://www.healthdigezt.com/

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How to Reduce Tooth Sensitivity Naturally

Do you want to put a hole in the wall with your fist each time you take a sip of hot chocolate or put a spoonful of ice cream in your mouth? What you are suffering is actually a commonplace, and it’s called tooth sensitivity. Sometimes the problem resolves on its own if it’s minor, but there are instances in which only a trip to the dentist can put an end to it.

Tooth sensitivity happens when the protective covering of your tooth called “enamel” becomes eroded, exposing the layer underneath it called “dentin”. Aside from dentin, nerve fibers also become open to the elements. Each time those nerve fibers come into contact with food or beverage, the problem happens.

Anything that’s too hot or too cold can bring about a great deal of pain to someone like you who is suffering from tooth sensitivity. The same is true with the consumption of anything sour or acidic. Sometimes even sweet stuff can leave you writhing in pain. Indeed, there are a lot of foods that are a no-no if you have tooth sensitivity.

Brushing your teeth can also be a problem because pressure can also bring on the pain. Even exposure to cold air can be a real pain in the, well, mouth. Certainly, it is not a good idea for someone who has sensitive teeth to breathe through the mouth (or smile, laugh or scream, too!) whenever it’s freezing cold.

Again, stepping foot in the clinic of your trusted dentist can help in putting an end to your sensitive teeth. Then there are also certain things that you may carry out in order to reduce the problem, allowing you to lead a normal life. Below you will find some proven-effective tips on how you may deal with tooth sensitivity:

Try Toothpaste Formulated for Sensitive Teeth

On the current market, there are lots of toothpastes especially made for people with sensitive teeth. They deliver by sealing tiny holes in the dentin that expose nerve fibers. However, dental experts say that you have to keep on using such toothpaste. Otherwise, your tooth sensitivity will come haunting you once more.

Get Your Hands on a Soft-Bristled Toothbrush

It’s not enough that you are using toothpaste for sensitive teeth, but also employing the right toothbrush for the job. It is a good idea for you to use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Not only will this help keep pain at bay while you are brushing your teeth, but also keep getting more of the enamel of your teeth from becoming eroded.

Use an Oral Rinse with Fluoride

Most pharmacies and even supermarkets these days carry oral rinses that contain fluoride, and they can be very beneficial for people like you who have sensitive teeth. Can’t seem to come across one of those rinses with fluoride? Then simply go for mouthwash with the said mineral — non-alcohol is the best for the job.

Put on a Night Guard Prior to Hitting the Sack

In some instances, tooth sensitivity is brought about by teeth grinding. If you happen to be one of those people who grind their teeth while they’re in dreamland, consider wearing a night guard each time you go to bed to keep the problem from worsening. A night guard is available at most medical shops and especially your dentist’s office.

Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks

Definitely, anything that’s acidic can soften the enamel, making it so much easier to become eroded. This is the reason why you should try your best to steer clear from foods and drinks that are acidic. Not only will avoiding them keep your tooth sensitivity from progressing, but also save you from experiencing excruciating pain.

source: https://www.healthdigezt.com

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