Leg cramps, also known as charley horse, occur when muscles of the leg contract all of sudden with a force. Usually people experience the cramps in the calves, but you can also get them at the hamstrings or the quadriceps. These cramps do not last very long, usually under a minute. Some people regularly get leg cramps while sleeping in the night and this is mainly seen in seniors and middle aged people. Night leg cramps occur due to bad circulation to the lower limbs.

Usually the cause for legs cramps is not drinking sufficient amounts of water. Water helps to transport nutrients to all the parts of the body and if you do not drink enough water, then nutrients supply is hampered. Also, the muscles have to be properly hydrated in order to function normally.

Another reason for experiencing cramps in the legs is deficiency in minerals. Usually low levels of calcium, potassium and magnesium can cause cramps in the legs. If you are suffering from calcium deficiency, you will initially experience tremors and twitching in the muscles that will then progress to cramps. Potassium and magnesium help to maintain the electrolyte balance in the body and also aid in the controlling and building muscles. So, deficiency in potassium and magnesium can cause severe cramps in the legs. Sometimes, even over exercising or doing too may different exercises can lead to cramps in the legs.

Some of the other causes for experiencing legs cramps are dehydration, being overweight, having an imbalance in electrolytes, muscle fatigue, or taking medications like statins or prednisone.

If you are experiencing legs cramps, make sure that you eat foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. Try to incorporate foods like bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, broccoli, and citrus fruits in your daily diet. In addition, drink around 6 to 8 glasses of water and reduce your caffeine and sugar consumption. If you get a sudden attack of cramps, try massaging the area, doing some stretching movements or applying a hot compress. The massage should be in circular movements to loose the muscles in the affected region. If you regularly experience leg cramps in the night, drink a glass of warm water or take a warm bathe before retiring to bed.

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When it comes to colon health and the diverticular ailments, one of the most common issues is diverticulitis. Diverticulitis occurs when pockets are generated on the colon and become irritated. The medical term for the pockets are diverticulum (when there is one} and diverticula (when there is more than one).

In some cases, which are not uncommon, these pockets can actually move and push out the area where the lining has been thinned out on the colon. This condition is referred to as diverticulosis. If they are pushing on the wall of the colon and are irritated, the diagnosis is going to be diverticulitis. Just about twenty five percent of those who get diverticulosis come down with diverticulitis.

It is not yet known why this inflammation or irritation occurs, even though it has been thoroughly researched. The main cause is assumed to be fecal matter or bacterium that is caught in the pockets or diverticula.

Diverticulitis and diverticulosis are rare in third world countries. This is probably because many people in the industrialized nations are not getting the proper dietary fiber.

Common Diverticulitis Indicators

Some of the common indications of diverticulitis are stomach aches, which include a pain in the left side of the lower stomach area. In some cases, it can begin instantly without any warning. Other times, pain can be a gradual increase in the affected area. It may take a week for the pain to become severe.

Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on the following symptoms:

• High temperature
• Throwing up
• Sick to the stomach
• Cramps in the abdomen
• Blocked stool

The stronger these symptoms are, the more severe the infection is.

Those who have diverticulitis may experience the following:

• Unusual bleeding
• Infections for no reason
• Tears in colon tissue
• Blocked stool

A physician should be consulted as soon as these indications appear. In some cases, it can take a surgical consultant to see if an operation is going to be needed to alleviate the damage. If left untreated, these symptoms can become worse and can lead to even more severe health issues.

How to Treat Diverticulitis

The treatment will depend upon the severity of the case. Sometimes, it may require simply drinking fluids. But at other times, an operation and a hospital stay may be necessary. When operated on, the affected area of the colon is removed and stitched back together.

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Scientifically, Epsom salts is known as magnesium sulfate heptahydrate. The main ingredient of Epsom salts is magnesium. The salt is named after the city in England where it was first discovered. Besides being used for cleaning purposes in the house, Epsom salts also has many medical uses.

If your diet is deficient in sulfate and magnesium, you can get a variety of health problems like poor circulation of the blood, malfunctioning kidneys and several heart ailments. If you increase your magnesium intake, it will help tonormalize your electrolyte levels and also enhance the level of serotonin in the blood. If serotonin levels are increased, it helps in de-stressing the body and improving the quality of sleep. If sulfate levels are normal in the blood, toxins are flushed out easily from the body. Also, sulfate is known to help with migraines.

There is ample evidence to show that magnesium and sulfate present in the salts can be absorbed by the body through external sources. So, after a long tiring day, you can rejuvenate your body by soaking yourself in a warm bath. However, make sure that you add a cup of Epsom salts into the bath water. Miraculously you will notice the tiredness and aches and pains disappearing.

If you have arthritis, make sure that your bath water contains the salts. It will help to increase the circulation of the blood and reduce inflammation of the joints. You can even try lotions that contain Epsom salts to help with the stiffness and swelling of joints.

The salts is also used as exfoliating agent. Take around a teaspoon of the salts and mix it with your cleansing lotion or cream. Then gently massage it into your skin. It will help to get rid of dead skin and also reduce the blemishes.

If you are suffering from constipation, then having some salts will help you out. However, make sure that you consult your doctor before trying this remedy out. Athlete's foot and ringworm infections can be treated to some extent through Epsom salts. Make a paste and apply it on the infected part. It will help to alleviate some of the symptoms.

Epsom salts can also help avoid pre-term labor and pre-eclampsia. However, in these conditions, it is best to consult the obstetrician before taking the salt.

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Although hydrogen peroxide is a weak acid, it has very powerful oxidizing properties. The acid looks very similar to water. The concentrated form of peroxide is quite dangerous, but its diluted form is quite useful. It is strong bleaching properties and is used to whiten paper. It is also used as an antiseptic, disinfectant and oxidizer.

In nature, the chemical is present in both snow and rain. Plants produce this acid during photosynthesis; and even fruits and vegetables are known to contain it. However, the maximum production takes place in the ocean via planktons. It is even present in humans and is one of the ingredients in human milk, especially colostrum. It helps to enhance the immune system of a newborn baby.

For commercial use, hydrogen peroxide is produce in a variety of grades depending on the use. Usually pharmaceuticals use 3.5 percent hydrogen peroxide, while beauticians tend to use the 6 percent one. In rocket fuel, 90 percent grade is used. For internal medical use, only the 35 percent grade is advisable.

While it is used in many industrial processes like paper making, textiles, leather, electronics, purification of drinking water, treatment of waste water, mining, medically it is used for various ailments.

According to some health experts, the chemical is an important metabolite. Right after the First World War when an epidemic of pneumonia struck people, dilute hydrogen peroxide was given intravenously to those who had contracted the disease. Many studies indicate that hydrogen peroxide can be an effective treatment for various bacterial-related mental ailments and also poliomyelitis.

Even today, hospitals use peroxide to sterilize ambulances, toilets and bathroom due to its antiseptic properties. Also, surgical and medical equipment are sterilized with it. The US FDA has approved hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash and you can get many dental and oral products that contain it.

Certain skin-related conditions like acne, cold sores, insect bites, pimples and small burns can be healed with the help of hydrogen peroxide. It is also used to treat arthritis as it kills anaerobic bacteria that cause the arthritis by supplying oxygen. It can be effectively used to treat viral infections, bacterial infections, fungal infections, yeast infections, allergies, gingivitis, ulcers, pneumonia, sinusitis, certain problems with the digestive tract and also anemia.

Besides these, there are many other medical uses of hydrogen peroxide.

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The best way on how to lower triglycerides is to lower bad cholesterol intake. Unwanted cholesterol containing foods are those rich in oils, trans fat and toxins. The toxins are usually found in caffeine and alcohol. On top of that, desserts rich in sugars and dairy are also the criminals in the world of cholesterol.

To lower bad cholesterol, make certain that the proper foods enter the system rather than pure dieting as a treatment for high cholesterol levels revealed in the blood tests. A gradual weaning of the body from the toxins is a great way to start and this will make certain that there is no sudden drop in either weight or fluids exiting the body. A sudden drop of 10 pounds in less than one week is very dangerous.

Be it a serious diet or a gradual one, there is one thing that is certain: junk foods, alcohol, caffeine and high dairy content desserts are not part of it. These foods are not only dangerous in their high triglyceride content, but continuing to ingest them is not going to lower bad cholesterol at all, it will just increase them. To lower bad cholesterol, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, water and fish, accompany that with a good workout regimen and you are on your way to good health. Just make sure that you do not overly exercise as this is also not good for the body.

Although dieting will lower bad cholesterol, it is also a known fact that people get hungrier when they work out. The secret to a good diet includes instructions that you can eat from 4 to 6 meals a day, as long as the required daily allowance is taken in. Also, the water will stave off the hunger pains when doing exercises.

They always said that if there is a way to lower these unwanted cholesterol, then there should be a way to increase the good ones. This is definitely true with the proper diet and exercise regimen which should be done under the guidance of the doctor, nutritionist and the workout instructor. These three people are the ones to trust for guidance and they will make sure that you will not overdo yourself.

Other people look surprised when they see dedicated dieters not only lower their cholesterol levels, but that they look good and healthy and young for their ages. Of course! When you lower bad cholesterol, all the toxins are washed out, sure you'll look good.

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