3 Reasons why People Prefer Functional Medicine These Days

A form of alternative medicine, functional medicines takes the holistic approach for the treatment of diseases by focusing on the interaction between the immune system, gastrointestinal system, endocrine system, and the environment. It has several benefits over traditional medicine, which is why people these days are visiting functional medicine doctors for the treatment. Let’s look at these benefits and reasons as to why people prefer functional medicine now:

It is About You

To put it in simplest form, functional medicine is for you and about you. It is personalized and is based on one-on-one treatment. It is a patient-centric and health-focused field of medicine, in which the patient and the doctor work together to find the real cause of the illness and then continue working together to treat it. Through this, the doctor not only examines the patient, but also their lifestyle, environment, and medical history. This gives a thorough data on the disease or condition and allows the doctor to treat it properly.

It Does Not Rely On Assembly-Line Medicine

The current healthcare system is heavily dependent on medicines. On top of that, some of these medicines are expensive and often either has side effects or does not have the desired impact. Functional medicine, on the other hand, does not include factory-produced. It offers long-term health benefits and even prevents several diseases.

It Takes Time but it is Effective

One of the key reasons why people actively go for functional medicine is that it is a long-term treatment. For functional medicine to fully work, it takes times. Functional medicine works by getting to the root cause of the disease and then working on treating that cause. If that root cause is countered, then all other symptoms of the disease will vanish subsequently. Therefore, functional medicine takes time. But, it is effective as well; because not only does it treat the disease from the root, but it also prevents it from recurring.

Functional medicine takes a holistic approach to ensure that the whole of your body and its organ systems are healthy and working in a normal condition. This is the foundation of the functional medicine, and that is what makes it so effective. People these days have started realizing the importance of functional medicine and are, hence, going for it.

3 Symptoms Your Thyroid May Not Be in Best Health

One of the important glands in our body is the thyroid gland. It is responsible for the management of metabolism, energy utilization, sleeping patterns, and weight management. Even a small imbalance in the production of hormones by the thyroid gland can have severe effects on health. This post talks about 3 early signs that your thyroid may not be in the best of health.

The thyroid gland is one of the important glands of our body. It plays a significant role in the management of metabolism, sleeping patterns, weight management, and energy utilization. Therefore, even if there is a slight imbalance in the production of hormones by the thyroid gland, it can have severe effects on your health. Its symptoms may not appear severe, however, if left unchecked, it may become severe and you may have to visit a thyroid doctor in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad or whichever city you live in. Here are the early signs of your thyroid not working properly:

Exhaustion

Having no energy and feeling tired is a symptom that is often associated with a lot of conditions, but it is strongly linked with hypothyroidism as well. Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland isn’t able to produce sufficient hormones required by the body. If you feel tired throughout the day despite having full night’s sleep, your thyroid may be underactive and you may have to visit a doctor.

LibidoLow 

Production of too little thyroid hormone can be a reason for a low libido. Because of low libido, you may have little or no desire to engage in intercourse with your partner. If you quite often experience this, it may be because of hypothyroidism. So consult your doctor about it.

Unpredictable Bowel Movement

Constipation is another early sign of imbalance in the thyroid. Although constipation may last a day or two generally, if it is chronic, then it may be because of a thyroid imbalance. 

Disruption in the production of hormones has a direct impact on the digestive process. Low hormone production leads to constipation, and high hormone production leads to diarrhea.

If you or anyone you know shows these symptoms, it is advised to visit a thyroid doctor in Delhi, Bangalore, Pune, or whichever city you reside in.

3 Ways to Prevent Obesity at Home

Obesity is one of the rising concerns in the present day. It is a disorder which is the result of the unhealthy lifestyle changes. Furthermore, it is hereditary as well. The disorder gets passed to children even if they do not have an unhealthy lifestyle. It is a disorder which is constantly growing and has no cure for it. However, it can be controlled and prevented by taking the right steps. And you can do this at home in 3 easy ways:  

1. Work Out

This is perhaps the first thing that you should do for the preventive obesity treatment at home. Even if you go for a jog every morning for 30 minutes, that is a good place to start with. Jogging, running, exercise, or any other form of workout burns calories, and it is an effective way to work on your obesity. Introduce and maintain workouts in your lifestyle and you will gradually start seeing the improvement in yourself.

2. Eat Lots of Vegetables

Maintaining a healthy diet is also a key point in controlling and preventing obesity. And one way to maintaining a healthy diet is to eat a lot of vegetables. Vegetables are generally low in calories. Furthermore, cooked vegetables are essential to prevent obesity as cooking unlocks many nutrients which are otherwise in dormant state in a raw vegetable. Thus, vegetables become even better to consume for your health after cooking.

3. Keep the Carbs Low

Although fruits are also a great way to eat healthy, they contain fructose. Fructose is a form of sugar and it contains carbs which are the last thing that you want to consume in order to prevent obesity. Similarly, it is also suggested to steer clear of potatoes and any food item that has high amount of carbs. Any nutrients that you may need to prevent obesity and improve your diet; you can also get them from vegetables too.

Getting preventive obesity treatment at home is not an easy task. However, you can do it if you incorporate these small changes in your lifestyle. Gradually, you will begin to see changes in yourself. However, in case you notice no change, you should consult a doctor.

Top 5 Remedies to Treat Chronic Pain Naturally

Those who suffer from chronic pain exactly know the kind of suffering one has to undergo. And most of us are left with only few options which include popping pills or seeking the help of some surgeons for surgery. However, there are some of the easier and more effective chronic pain remedies which are even preferred by the top pain management doctors. Here is a mention of some of the best treatments for overcoming the chronic pain naturally:

1. Massage

Massage is very effective for back pain, osteoarthritis, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, neck pain, as well as surgery-related distress. It is believed that these therapies when performed skillfully come with least side effects and increase the secretion of hormones like endorphins as well as serotonin in the body. These hormones act as a natural painkiller as well as help in regulating the mood which reduces the production of stress hormone. These therapies aim at molecular level and assist in turning on the genes which are related with certain inflammation or pain.

2. Acupuncture

Acupuncture is effective in treating the chronic back pain, migraines, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, sciatica, as well as rheumatoid arthritis. This method has been used since ages and is very effective in curing several disorders as it acts by focusing on correcting the energy imbalances inside the body. Adenosine is the amino acid which gets activated in the skin after the injury to reduce the pain and it is believed that acupuncture regulates the activity of this amino acid. And the use of this method to treat chronic pain naturally is preferred by most of the professionals, as it generally comes with least or no side effects. Also, the process improves the function of nervous as well as musculoskeletal systems of the human body.

3. Yoga

Lower-back pain, arthritis, as well as migraines are cured with yoga. Yoga not only helps in the treatment of such chronic disorders but also stimulates relaxation. Various researches are being conducted worldwide to know the exact mechanism which helps yoga cure these pains. However only thing which is known from these researches till now suggests that those who practice yoga develop mechanisms which help in coping up the stress. 

4.  Meditation

Meditation when performed accurately is helpful in curing the chronic pain as well as helps in managing the symptoms. Many researchers agree to the fact that meditation help in coping with the chronic pain. According to experts, even simple breathing exercise performed while meditation is very effective in treating chronic pain.  

5. Herbal Remedies

Some of the herbal remedies are effective in reducing the inflammation at initial stage, which if not cured can lead to further pain. However it is advisable that before you go for such herbs or herbal medication, consulting a physician is a must. Some of the most preferred herbal remedies include omega-3 fish oil supplements, anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric, ginger, black pepper and many more. Many studies have proved the positive impact of fish oil on reducing the pain due to rheumatoid arthritis.  

These treatments should be taken under the supervision of some physician, as every treatment or remedy works differently for every patient. Also, it is important that you mention the details related to the pain well, in order to get the right treatment. Before you visit the physician make sure that do substantial amount of research to reach the right place and get the desired solutions.

Your Guide to Understanding Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes or high blood sugar level condition that occurs during pregnancy. Usually diagnosed in the later stages of pregnancy, this condition stems from the various bodily changes occurring during pregnancy, predisposing the body to insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone formed by pancreatic cells and is responsible for metabolizing glucose which in turn creates energy. Insulin resistance leads to lower levels of insulin, in turn shooting up the glucose levels in one’s body.

Gestational diabetes affects around 6% of pregnancy cases worldwide, and the fact that makes it alarming is that it can create serious complications, not just for the woman, but also for the newborn.
Persistently high levels of glucose could cause the fetus to grow larger than normal or even lead to its death before or during birth. The newborn would be at a greater risk of jaundice, breathing issues, or low blood sugar.

Proper knowledge about the symptoms and treatment of gestational diabetes at the right time can however, save women from a lot of stress and trouble.

Risk Factors

As important as it is to know about gestational diabetes’ symptoms and treatment, you need to be aware of the contributing risk factors as well. There are certain factors that put women at a higher risk of suffering from gestational diabetes when pregnant. A few of these include –

• Obesity
• A case of pre-diabetes
• Record of types 2 diabetes in the family (parent or sibling)
• History of polycystic ovary syndrome
• A case of gestational diabetes in the previous pregnancy
• Age above 25 years

Oftentimes, ethnicity has also been considered to be one of the factors. As it seems, women of Asian American, African American, Indian American, or Hispanic origins are more predisposed to this disorder.

Symptoms

Gestational diabetes commonly does not have any apparent symptoms. The symptoms are either subtle or non-existent. Patients either ignore these symptoms or confuse them for the common side effects of pregnancy. These symptoms generally include – 

• Numbness or tingling sensation in the limbs
• Excessive thirst
• Blurry vision
• Frequent urination
• Excessive fatigue
• Slow healing sores

Screening

It is mostly around the 24th – 28th week of pregnancy that a diagnosis for gestational diabetes in pregnant women is prescribed.

There a few ways in which a woman can be tested for this ailment, the easiest one being a blood test. Another such test is the glucose tolerance test, wherein the patient is required to consume some sugary beverage an hour before some serum for the test is collected.

An oral glucose tolerance test can also be advised to detect gestational diabetes. The baseline blood glucose level of the individual is noted and then she is required to consume a sugary beverage. A couple of hours later, the blood glucose levels are again measured. If detected with a blood glucose level of 140 mg/dl or higher, the woman is diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

Glycosylated hemoglobin, also known as the HbA1C test, is another medical assessment for this condition. 

Treatment options

Gestational diabetes is treatable and the treatment begins with making healthy choices. When suffering from this condition, women should focus on taking a balanced diet, but with limited carbohydrates. They should check their blood sugar level from time to time. Taking to light exercises regularly will also help their bodies use up insulin. In case of very high glucose levels in the blood, patients may even need to take insulin shots.

If you are showing and symptoms or have any doubts, consult a doctor to clear them away and get help in forming a healthier routine, so that you can get back to your normal way of life as soon as possible.

4 Symptoms That Your Body has High Toxins

Several micro-organisms release toxins, which on consumption can be fatal. The level of toxicity is different in every toxin. For example, toxin from a bee sting is minor, whereas the botulinum toxin may lead to immediate death. Toxins react with cell receptors and enzymes to show their effect. It is, thus, essential to get the toxins removed from the body. Here are the four symptoms of high toxins in body:

1. Feeling Fatigued All Day Long

Feeling slightly tired throughout the day implies that either you are expending a high amount of energy or the body is not getting enough rest. If you feel that you constantly have to push yourself through the day, your body may have high toxins. It is advised to consult a doctor and get it checked out.

2. Fluctuations in the Weight

Gaining or losing weight is not a piece of cake. However, even after exercising and maintaining a healthy diet, if you are constantly gaining and losing weight, there might be a hormonal disruption. These hormonal disruptions are often the result of presence of toxins in the body.

3. Bad Breath

Bad breath can easily be countered by using oral hygiene products. However, if you have stinky or bad breath even after using oral hygiene products, this can be linked to digestive problems. It can also mean that your liver is trying to get rid of the toxins from the body. Whatever be the case, it is important that you consult a doctor regarding it.

4. Constipation

Constipation can lead to headache, body ache, tiredness, and an upset stomach. If your intestines are high in toxins and they are overworked, they may not function as they are intended to. The stored toxins hinder the digestion of the food, and lead to constipation.

If you or someone you know is facing the abovementioned symptoms, consult a doctor at the earliest before these symptoms get worse. Also, do note that it is of paramount importance to remove toxins from body naturally, otherwise these may have side effects on the body. Therefore, it is best advised by doctors to opt for the natural removal of toxins, to ensure not only effective removal but also better health.

Cancer: Know About Its Causes, Types, Symptoms and Prevention

A human body is made of numerous cells and they together form tissues of the body. Cancer is a condition, when abnormal white blood cells grow uncontrollably in the blood stream and obstruct the growth of normal red blood cells. Cancer is fatal than most of the other diseases and the human body, in normal circumstances, cannot defend against the disease.  

What are The Causes of Cancer?

Cancer is majorly related to lifestyle and environmental factors. Moreover, it happens as a result of multiple causes and not one. Therefore, it is nearly impossible to diagnose the prime cause of cancer in a person.

However, the common factors that contribute to the development of cancer in the human body are consumption of tobacco and alcohol, lack of a healthy diet, physical activity and in some rare cases, exposure to radiations, carcinogenic substances, pollution, genetic factors, and obesity, can be the cause.

What are the Different Common Types of Cancer?

There are more than 200 types of cancer, and the five most common types among them are:

• Breast cancer: It develops in breast tissues and is the most common cancer type in women.
• Lung cancer: The cells grow uncontrollably, forming a lung tumor in the lungs. Most of the deaths occur due to lung cancer.
• Colon cancer: Also known as Bowel cancer, it is developed in the rectum (part of the large intestine).
• Stomach cancer: It  develops in the lining of the stomach and is also called gastric cancer. 
• Liver cancer: Mostly, cancer is spread from other organs to the liver and is called liver metastasis.

What are Its Signs and Symptoms?

There are over 200 types of cancer, and the signs and symptoms of each type differ from one another. The symptoms of cancer are mostly visible on the affected body parts, but there are some generic cancer symptoms as well; such as tiredness, weight loss, vomiting, and others alike. The typical first signs of cancer are:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Cough and hoarseness
• Rashes or appearance of unusual texture on the skin
• Change in bowel habits and difficulty while urinating
• Abdominal pain

It is recommended that if any person experiences any of the above mentioned first warning signs of cancers, he or she should consult a specialist immediately and must not overlook the signs.

Can Cancer Be Prevented?

The exact answer to how cancer can be prevented is still evolving. There are no guaranteed measures that can prevent cancer; they can only reduce the risks of development of cancer cells in the body. Taking the causes of cancer in account, little lifestyle and environmental changes can make a big difference and reduce the chances of developing any type of cancer in the body. After all, it is always better to live a healthy and disease-free life!