Urinary tract infections or UTI are among the most common to affect both men and women. However, it is more common in women. This infection is often treated with antibiotics. Also, there are preventive measures that you can follow to prevent the development of this condition. That said, you must be aware of the causes and risk factors of UTI. Causes When the bacteria that cause UTI to enter and multiply in the bladder, it results in infection. The common areas affected are the bladder and urethra. 1. Cystitis This infection occurs in the bladder and is caused by the Escherichia coli or E. coli bacteria that are found in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. 2. Urethritis This infection affects the urethra and is caused by GI bacteria from the anus entering the urethra. In some cases, sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia can also result in UTI. Risk factors Some of the factors that increase the risk of  UTI  are as follows: 1. Anatomy A shorter urethra in a woman makes it easier for bacteria from the GI tract to reach the bladder and cause infection. Hence, women are more susceptible to this infection than men. 2.

Dry eyes can cause a lot of discomforts. In most cases, it can easily be treated, but the key is to keep the eyes hydrated and prevent dryness. Dryness sometimes leads to itchiness and irritation, making it difficult to concentrate on regular work. Here are the risk factors of dryness in the eyes and ways to prevent it. Risk factors of dry eyes 1. Medications Some types of medicines can dry your eyes. Sleeping pills and medicines used to manage Parkinson’s disease have this effect on some people. Allergy medications or antihistamines can also cause dry eyes. 2. Hormonal factors Hormones are often attributed to changes in the tear secretion levels in the body, especially in women. Hormonal changes could be due to menopause or pregnancy. For the very same reasons, people who take hormone replacement therapy are also at a higher risk of experiencing dry eyes. 3. Lifestyle factors Staring at screens like mobiles, tablets, and TVs for a long time could be one of the main causes of dry eyes . People who work at a computer all day long are known to experience dryness and redness often. This could also be because you are blinking too little while looking at these screens.

Migraine is a headache accompanied by sensitivity to light and sound, nausea, and intense pain around the head. Some people get multiple episodes of migraines in a month, making them very difficult to handle. Here is a list of herbal remedies that may help bring down the intensity of the condition. 1. Peppermint One of the readily available herbs that can help treat headaches is peppermint. The active ingredient in this herb is menthol. Menthol can cool down the body and help bring down the intensity of the throbbing and pain. You can apply peppermint oil in the temples or make fresh peppermint tea and sip on it. 2. Willow The bark of Willow has pain-relieving properties and can be used to treat headaches, especially migraines. The bark of this tree contains an anti-inflammatory chemical called salicin. The bark extract is available in capsule form and can be used to regular pain medications. 3. Ginger Another of the readily available herbs that can treat migraines and their symptoms is ginger. Ginger is especially great for handling nausea that accompanies migraines. You can make fresh ginger tea and sip it during your flare-up. Dry ginger or ginger supplements are also available in the market.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that prevents a man from having an erection or sustaining one when sexually aroused. There could be a lot of physical and mental conditions that lead to ED. Factors like one’s age, mental health, and physical exhaustion could be a few causes. Some studies show that certain kinds of exercises can help deal with the condition. Here is a list of exercises you can try to manage ED. 1. Aerobic exercises ED is mostly a result of insufficient blood flow to the penis. Problems like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure can lead to circulatory problems and end up causing erectile dysfunction. Aerobic exercises can bring down body weight and regulate blood sugar levels and blood pressure. This can make a difference in handling the condition. 2. Kegel exercises One of the best exercises for ED is kegel. Kegel can strengthen the bulbocavernosus muscles. These muscles help the penis retain the erection. It has to work correctly during sex to sustain an erection. By strengthening the bulbocavernosus muscles, you can handle ED effectively. All doctors suggest kegel as the first treatment towards managing ED. Kegel is easy to do, and it takes just a few minutes of your time every day.

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a severe autoimmune disease that damages the brain’s nerve cells. It affects brain-body communication, leading to lack of mobility, vision loss, slurred speech, among other symptoms. MS is a progressive disorder that can be categorized into multiple stages. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the condition, and medication can only help control the symptoms. This article discusses the leading causes and warning signs of MS. Causes of multiple sclerosis There are no definitive causes for MS, but certain factors are known to increase the risk of the disease: 1. Vitamin D deficiency Studies suggest that a lack of vitamin D in the body can lead to MS. Therefore, people living far away from the equator in colder regions are more prone to the condition. Exposure to the morning sun and eating vitamin D-rich foods can be beneficial. 2. Viral infections that damage the immune system Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease. Hence, the risk increases when the immune system becomes weak due to infections. The Epstein-Barr virus infection and cytomegalovirus infection are linked with increased MS risk. 3. Genetic factors MS is not strongly linked with family history, and direct hereditary risks are often not reported.

An overactive bladder (OAB) can be a very embarrassing problem. It is characterized by a frequent and sudden urge to pass urine that may be difficult to control. One may feel like they have to urinate many times during the day and night. There are a few factors that increase the risk of developing an overactive bladder. Age is one of them. Having certain conditions like an enlarged prostate and diabetes can also cause OAB. While there are certain medications and other treatment methods available to keep the condition controlled, one can try a few herbal remedies to manage the condition. Some of these popular herbs to control an overactive bladder are mentioned below. However, it is essential to talk to a doctor before using these to manage the condition. Here are some of the top widely used herbs to manage an overactive bladder: 1. Hachi-mi-jio-gan It is a concoction made up of eight natural herbs. This herb mix can relax the stressed-out bladder muscles and prevent contraction. 2. Cleavers Cleavers are herbs that are native to North America. These are usually boiled in water and consumed as tea. Cleavers have medicinal properties and have the ability to control an overactive bladder.

Asthma and allergies can often occur together because they both tend to be triggered by pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. These triggers   are mostly seasonal but they can be region-specific too. Hence, it is advisable for people suffering from asthma or allergies to look for places that are low on the allergen scale. Given below is a list of US cities that have the lowest cases of seasonal allergies that you can consider if you want to move out. 1. Des Moines, Iowa The residents of Des Moines enjoy very good quality weather and air. The city’s weather poses little to no risk for anyone who wants to venture outside. 2. Boise, Idaho Boise offers a smaller metro living experience with great outdoor attractions nearby and a healthy air quality index. Living in Boise, you do not have to worry about itchy eyes and a runny nose. It is one of the best cities in the country with lower-than-average pollen levels in spring and fall. 3. Tampa, Florida Though spring is one of the worst seasons for allergens regardless of the city, the overall weather in Tampa helps those with allergies and asthma. The city has low pollen levels in the air along with warm weather and long stretches of beaches.

The organ present under the bladder responsible for producing semen is the prostate. The development of cancer in organ is very common in the country. To lower one’s risk of getting the condition, eating the right kind of foods combined with an active lifestyle will help in lowering the risk of the disease and maintaining good prostate health. Here are some diet tips to lower the risk of prostate cancer: 1. Tomatoes The inclusion of fruits and vegetables in one’s meals plays a significant role in lowering the risk of prostate cancer. For instance, tomatoes are rich in an antioxidant known as lycopene. This antioxidant aids in lowering cell damage and production of malignant cells. 2. Brocolli The cruciferous vegetable comprises various complex compounds that are recognized for lowering the risk of prostate cancer . Additionally, the presence of phytochemicals like sulforaphane in the vegetable aids in selectively preying and executing cancer cells while keeping the healthy prostate cells intact. Furthermore, this compound is even present in vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. 3. Berries The addition of fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries also aids in preventing the condition, as these fruits have various kinds of phytochemicals along with vitamin C and vitamin K, which aid in safeguarding the cells against damage.

Nasal polyps are extra growths of tissues on the linings of the nasal cavity or the sinuses, and these keep triggering symptoms of cold like runny nose, congestion, sneezes, and stuffy nose. Though not dangerous, these polyps can definitely be irritating. Here are ways to diagnose and treat nasal polyps. Diagnosing nasal polyps 1. Nasal endoscopy This is the simplest way to diagnose a polyp in the nasal cavity. An endoscope with a light source at the end is sent through the nasal passage and the camera helps see the passage. Most of the polyps can be identified this way. 2. CT scan If at times, an endoscopy cannot identify the excess growth, then your doctor may ask you to get a CT scan done. A CT scan uses X-rays to capture the insides of the nasal cavity and the sinuses. Minute  nasal polyps  can also be identified this way. 3. MRI scan If the polyp is very deep inside or is hidden by other layers of tissues, then an MRI scan gives a better and more precise view of the growth. 4. Allergy and blood tests Sometimes, your doctor may suspect your symptoms to be because of a combination of polyps and general allergies.

Hepatitis C is caused due to an infection that leads to the inflammation of the liver. It might take longer for a person infected with hep C to experience any signs or symptoms. Due to this, many symptoms get unnoticed, prolonging the treatment process. However, a few early warning symptoms of h epatitis C  should never be ignored, and these are listed below. 1. Abdominal pain The liver is located near the abdomen on the upper right side. As h epatitis C  is an infection that affects the liver, it can result in pain in the abdomen. However, pain in the abdomen can also be caused due to other health conditions such as gallstones, chronic liver disease, or issues with the pancreas. If you experience persistent pain in your stomach, consult your doctor at the earliest. 2. Changes in appetite As h epatitis C  progresses, it affects or impairs the functioning of the liver. This causes a buildup of fluid in the stomach known as ascites. This could cause your abdomen to become balloon-shaped, or you might feel full even though you might have eaten only a little or not at all. Abdominal discomfort, including bloating, is most often an indicator of digestive issues, and you should consult your doctor.