Pelvic floor muscles support abdominal organs including the rectum. Any problem with the pelvic muscles can interfere with the functions of the rectum and other organs such as the bladder and the vagina. In fact, pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a leading cause of constipation.

How PFD causes constipation?
PFD includes all the problems related to the proper abdominal and pelvic muscle movement during an evacuation. PFD consists of many disorders that cause problems with proper bowel functions.

• When pelvic muscles do not coordinate muscle movement (relaxation and contraction), the condition is called dyssynergia. When pelvic muscles lose the ability to relax during the bowel movement, the condition is termed as anismus. Both dyssynergia and anismus can be a cause of constipation.
• When pelvic muscles become weak due to any other medical condition, it can affect normal bowel functions and cause difficulty in elimination.

Diagnosis
If all anatomic, disease-related and dietary reasons for your constipation have been eliminated, your doctor may suggest diagnostic tests for PFD.

• Endoanal/endorectal ultrasound: This is used to create images of the anus and nearby muscles through an ultrasound probe.
• Anorectal manometry testing: This is used to check the health and functions of various anal and rectal muscles.
• Balloon expulsion: This is used to test the time and efficacy of the rectum to expel a water-filled balloon, which is placed inside the organ.

Treatment
Treatment of PFD is possible through non-surgical methods.

• Biofeedback training: This uses audio and visual aids to retrain patients to use their pelvic and anal sphincter muscles (muscles surrounding the anal canal).
• Kegel exercises: This can help strengthen pelvic muscles. To do these exercises, you need to consciously relax and contract your pelvic muscles a few times every day. If weak pelvic muscles are a cause of constipation, practicing Kegel exercises can be very beneficial in treating the condition.

When you have severe constipation, it helps to rule out all possible causes. When PFD is the cause of constipation, your doctor may guide you to the right treatment plan depending on the seriousness of your condition. Without treatment for PFD, your colon, rectum, and anus can suffer damage and worsen your constipation.

Sweaty hands can be an annoying problem. While you may want to find the causes of excessive sweating, the fact remains that it is essential to know how you can prevent sweaty hands. You may definitely not want yourself in a situation when you meet someone you want to really impress but fret due to excessive sweating.

In order to really find the causes of excessive sweating in your hands, you need to understand the condition in a little more detail.

Why do your hands sweat?
Typically, sweaty hands are the sign of stress and anxiety. This happens due to the concentration of the eccrine sweat glands on the palms. These glands are also present on the forehead and feet so if someone is usually stressed, you will notice sweat on their forehead and feet too. These glands are connected to the sympathetic nervous system of the body so they immediately react by producing sweat when the person is under some kind of stress.

Tips to prevent sweating in your hands

• Wash your hands as many times as you can. You may want to avoid using soap if your hands aren’t particularly dirty, as excessive use of soap may dry your skin.
• Carry paper tissues with you whenever you are traveling. This will help you to wipe off sweat at regular intervals.
• Pocket size hand gels or sanitizers are also a good option.
• Talcum powder is also good to absorb the sweat. So it is advisable to carry a small baby powder pack in your bag when you are out meeting important people.
• Lastly, try to avoid taking too much stress of any kind. Stay calm as this will prevent you to sweat excessively.

The above tips are simple and can be kept handy. However, if you are too troubled with sweaty palms, you can consult a doctor.

Frequent urination refers to the need to pass urine at least eight times in a day. Frequent urination problems can occur due to many reasons such as diabetes, weak pelvic muscles, bladder infections and other health problems.

In women, pregnancy and childbirth can lead to weakness in the pelvic region. During pregnancy, the uterus puts constant pressure on the bladder and increases the urine frequency. In men, an enlarged prostate is a leading cause of frequent urination. Bladder stones, bladder cancer, and radiation therapies can also cause frequent urination problems. Excess weight can also put additional pressure on the bladder and create the urge to urinate more often.

Prevention
It is possible to prevent frequent urination problems with healthy diet habits and exercises.

If you have experienced even mild bladder problems, you can take some precautionary measures to reduce its occurrence in the future. Or if you have any medical problem that can cause frequent urination, you can take better care of your diet to prevent any bladder problems.

• Reduce intake of caffeine, alcohol and citrus juices.
• Refrain from eating tomato-based foods in large amounts.
• Avoid the consumption of artificial sweeteners.
• Add more fiber to the diet.
• Begin a practice of kegel exercises to strengthen the pelvic muscles.

Treatment
There are several effective treatment options for frequent urination problems. Often, the treatment for the underlying cause treats the problem of frequent urination as well.

• If you need to urinate frequently because of diabetes, managing optimum levels of blood glucose can provide a lot of relief from the problem. The same applies to frequent urination due to infections in the urinary tract and bladder and prostate problems. For example, surgery to treat an enlarged prostate can also reduce the need for frequent urination.
• Medications to replace estrogen or treat an overactive bladder can be very effective in treating frequent urination.
• For severe problems in the bladder, surgery can be a treatment option.

A good diet plan and pelvic floor exercises are often adequate to treat frequent urination. Consult a doctor for best treatment plan as per your health needs.

The leg muscles are known as some of the strongest and largest muscles in the human body. This also makes these muscles susceptible to maximum wear and tear as well as conditions that emanate from the same. Leg muscle pain is a common problem which may be chronic or acute, depending on the cause. Let us find out more about this kind of pain.

Causes: There are some causes for leg muscle pain, which may affect the thigh, the calves, the ankles and the knees. These causes include general weakness or an injury which may have been sustained during a sports performance or an accident. Also, causes like arthritis, osteoporosis, and rheumatism, among various other, may lead to leg muscle pain. Depending on the cause, the pain may occur in one leg or even both. Nerve damage which may happen in chronic cases of diabetes may also cause the symptoms of leg muscle pain. Further, thrombosis and blood clots may also be one of the causes.

Symptoms: Some of the most common symptoms of leg muscle pain include a throbbing sensation along with a dull ache or shape pain, depending on the condition or the injury sustained by the patient. Further, one may also feel some amount of lethargy and fatigue, especially when it comes to walking or running. Cramps in various parts of the leg are the most common symptom of leg muscle pain, while some patients may also experience a tingling sensation.

Diagnosis: It would be helpful to get a physical examination along with X-rays in case the pain does not abate in a few days, as it may indicate a greater injury or a condition which may require medical attention.

Treatment: There are many ways in which one can treat leg muscle pain. It can be treated with the help of pain killers and medication aimed at the specific condition. Also, people suffering from chronic illnesses may also be put through physiotherapy to ease the pain and other symptoms of leg muscle pain.

Any long term pain in the leg muscles should be reported to an orthopedic doctor so that corrective action may be taken in time.

Eczema is a type of a skin infection, which causes your skin to erupt in red, patchy inflammations. Eczema symptoms can vary depending on the kind of infection you have, and this will also influence the type of medications that your doctor prescribes.

Eczema medications also depend on the intensity of the infection, and it could range from over-the-counter solutions to medications that need to be prescribed by doctors.

The following are the common types of eczema:

• Atopic Dermatitis: This kind is both chronic and inflammatory. While the cause is not known, it tends to occur when your immune system goes into overdrive. Eczema medications can easily control the itch and the inconveniences from this infection.
• Contact Dermatitis: This kind of eczema is typically seen where your skin touches an irritant or an allergen. There are several over-the-counter eczema medications, which can be taken to reduce the inflammation.
• Hand Eczema: This is typically seen as dry, cracked and itchy skin on the hands. This is also usually associated with irritants or allergens. There are strong indications that there could be a genetic factor involved as well.
• Dyshidrotic Eczema: This eczema presents itself as small, red and itchy blisters typically seen on the toes, fingers, palms, and soles of the feet. This could be triggered by several reasons such as allergies, stress, moisture or exposure to certain metals.
• Nummular Eczema: People with this type of eczema develop coin-shaped spots on various parts of their body triggered by insect bites or skin inflammations. The infection can aggravate to open and angry sores.
• Neurodermatitis: This is more distressing as it can be severely itchy leading to scaly and thick patches of skin. This is very much like atopic dermatitis because it causes severe itching.

These are some of the common types of eczema observed in people affected by this skin disorder. Eczema medications take care of the symptoms and the associated problems. While some of the symptoms may heal with over-the-counter medicines, some other types of infections will respond only to more aggressive medications.

The metabolic functions of the body are regulated by the thyroid gland through the production of hormones. When affected by thyroid cancer, one could experience health complications and should seek immediate treatment to remove the tumor. However, when treating the condition, it is critical to make better food choices. This can help reduce symptoms and avoid interfering with the treatment. So, here are some foods to choose from while undergoing thyroid cancer treatment:

Vegetables
Fresh vegetables, especially cruciferous and green vegetables, are crucial components of all meal plans. They are rich in magnesium and minerals, making them excellent nutrient sources. Green vegetables also help improve metabolism, particularly in the thyroid gland. So, people with the condition should opt for foods like spinach and lettuce. These vegetables can also help with symptoms like muscle pain, fatigue, and an irregular heartbeat due to their high magnesium content.

Fruits and berries
Many fruits, such as strawberries, tomatoes, raspberries, bananas, and apples, are high in antioxidants. These help with thyroid function and help fight toxic substances that can worsen thyroid-related issues. Thes fruits also support the body’s ability to stay healthy and fight diseases.

Nuts
Almonds, cashews, and pumpkin seeds are excellent sources of magnesium. These nuts are also high in plant protein, vitamin B, vitamin E, and other minerals that aid thyroid gland function. So, one should opt for these foods when undergoing thyroid cancer treatment.

Seafood
Seafood like shrimp, crab, and fish provide energy to the body, keeping it healthy. They also contain various thyroid-friendly nutrients, such as iodine, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, B vitamins, and selenium. Fish contains lean protein, amino acids, magnesium, and vitamin B. However, one should consult their doctor before opting for seafood, as some treatment procedures call for low-iodine meal plans.

Egg whites
Egg whites are high in protein and can help people maintain their strength and recover quicker when undergoing cancer treatment. Simply boiling eggs is the most efficient way of getting essential nutrients.

Fresh meat
While one should limit their processed meat intake, opting for limited portions of fresh and organic meat can help provide proteins. Chicken breast is one of the best options here. 

To avoid complications, consult your healthcare provider before adding or removing any item from your regular meals.

If you are familiar with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD, you are most probably aware of the fact that it is one of the worst pulmonary diseases you can attract. It causes breathing trouble and the condition gets worse over time. To treat this condition, Spiriva is a drug that is widely used. But it might lead to side effects and complications especially if you are suffering from glaucoma or an enlarged prostate. Hence, you should know all about Spiriva alternatives or medicines that can control COPD more safely.

How do Spiriva alternatives work?
There are some of the Spiriva alternatives that can be effective for COPD. These can bring relief to patients suffering from COPD by relaxing their airways and keeping them open. These medicines can also alleviate inflammation in airways, wheezing and the tightness you feel in your chest due to COPD. But you must consult a physician before taking any of them, to ensure the dosage. Taking these medicines can help you to:

• Breathe better and enjoy everyday life normally
• Reduce the risk of COPD flare-ups (also known as exacerbations)
• Improve the lung functions by opening up the airways
• Control the symptoms of COPD

Before you start taking them, remember to inform your doctor about any other medications you take. Also, one should always go for over the counter drugs and consult doctors.

Other Spiriva alternatives
Besides taking these medicines, you can also change your lifestyle for the better to control COPD. Firstly, if you are a smoker, quit it. It can make your condition worse, and even electric cigarettes can be harmful. Include more fruits and vegetables in your diet to get the necessary amount of minerals and vitamins.

Consume fishes rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and tuna. You should also drink sufficient water to flush out the mucus that often blocks airways in COPD. Ask your doctor to suggest some breathing exercises as well to improve your lung functions and capacity. These natural and homely Spiriva alternatives will help you keep your disease under check and prevent sudden flare-ups.

Eczema, scientifically known as atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition that leads to dry and itchy skin on the body. It is usually caused by inflammation. One can tackle this condition’s symptoms by eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones. The wrong foods can often trigger flares and worsen the condition. Read on to learn more about the foods that should be eliminated from your meals if you have eczema.

Cow’s milk
Cow’s milk is one of the most common eczema triggers in children. In rare cases, it can also cause flares in adults. However, completely removing milk and dairy products from a child’s meals can lead to vitamin and other deficiencies. Instead, this food should be avoided only in cases of severe eczema. Doctors can also suggest food substitutes for cow’s milk.

Eggs
Eggs are commonly known as eczema triggers in both adults and children. While the reason behind this is unknown, studies show that almost 70% of those who have eczema are allergic to eggs. Aside from this, long-term consumption of raw eggs can lead to biotin deficiency, triggering eczema.

Soy
Soy and soy products are rich in amines that can trigger eczema. Individuals suffering from eczema can avoid soy by reading the labels carefully because soy is present in many foods including chocolate and tea.

Tomatoes
Those suffering from eczema should avoid tomatoes and foods that contain tomatoes. Tomatoes are rich in salicylates, amines, and natural MSG. All these chemicals are known to trigger an eczema flare.

Peanuts
Peanut is one of the most common allergens across the globe. It is so common that people with eczema are more likely to develop a peanut allergy. It is crucial to avoid peanuts and foods containing peanuts to prevent an eczema flare-up.

Oranges, kiwis, and grapes
All three fruits are highly acidic and are rich sources of salicylates and amines. Salicylates are natural pesticides that are found in many fruits and vegetables. Those with eczema should instead opt for fruits with low levels of salicylates.

Gluten
There is no scientific evidence that shows that gluten can cause eczema. But those who suffer from eczema have found that gluten can exacerbate the condition. Try to avoid bread, candies, cookies, and other foods that contain gluten.

Dried fruits
All dried fruits, including dates, prunes, and even apricots, contain salicylates, sulfur dioxide, and amines. All of these promote itching and can worsen eczema symptoms.