Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis or renal lithiasis, are residual hard deposits of salts and minerals, which form inside your kidneys. There are several causes for kidney stones and it can affect any part of the urinary tract, right from the kidneys to the bladder. Many times when the urine gets concentrated stones are formed which then allows minerals to stick with each other due to crystallization. Passing kidney stones is a painful activity; however, the stones do not lead to serious permanent damage, if they are identified in early stages. Depending on the situation of the person, one might only be required to drink lots of water and take some medication for the pain to pass on the kidney stone. However, in complex cases where the stones get lodged somewhere in the urinary tract, it can lead to complications or even a urinary infection. In certain cases, surgery might be required to fix the condition. Your doctor will also tell you about some preventive methods to reduce the risk of developing them again. Let us look at a few methods using which you can dissolve kidney stones. Water – One of the easiest ways to treat or prevent kidney stones is by drinking lots of water. Most of the health experts recommend drinking 8 glasses of water/day or 64 ounces of water/day. People suffering from kidney stones should consider drinking around 12 glasses of water/day to ease out the passage or slow the growth rate of the deposits in the kidney. Lemon juice – Since lemons contain lots of citrates, a compound known to slow the growth and break down calcium deposits, they help dissolve kidney stones. You might consider having two 5 oz glasses early in the morning on an empty stomach and another after a couple of hours after dinner, to help break down smaller kidney stones.

Ear infections can be really troublesome and outrightly painful. More commonly reported among children, these ear infections can be caused to several reasons, such as bacterial or viral infection, sinus infections, cavities, wax build-up, allergies, tonsillitis, etc. But in most cases, simple and easy home remedies work wonders as ear infection treatment. These infections can occur in the outer, middle or inner ear. The body’s immune system fights off these infections that generally heal on their own. Here, we will discuss some effective home remedies for ear infections that will rule out the need for antibiotics. Garlic Garlic is one of the best ear infection remedies, owing to its antibacterial, antiviral and pain-relieving properties. When eaten, it boosts the immune system and helps to fight infection. You can also topically apply garlic oil to reduce the pain of an earache. Soak some crushed garlic in warm olive oil for 30 minutes. Strain the garlic and apply the oil into the canal. You can repeat the process up to 4 times a day. Cold or warm compresses This is a very effective way for alleviating pain. Warm compresses such as a heating pad or damp cloth and cold compresses such as ice packs can be used to get relief from ear pain. This method is safe and highly recommended for both children and adults. You can place the compress over the ear for 10-15 minutes and follow up with the next after an interval of 10 minutes. Sleep without putting pressure on your ear In case of an ear infection, certain sleep postures can aggravate the condition while some can help in getting relief from the pain. It is advisable to sleep with your affected ear facing upward rather than pushed downward against the pillow. This can help the ears in draining.

Hemorrhoids, or more commonly known as piles, are clusters of veins which lie just beneath the mucous membranes which line the lowest part of the rectum and the anus. This condition involves swelling and distension of those veins. Internal and external hemorrhoids are the two types of this condition. Internal ones occur in the lower rectum whereas the external ones develop under the skin around the anus. It is widely considered that external hemorrhoids are the ones which are the most painful and uncomfortable since the overlying skin erodes due to irritation. Moreover, if there is a blood clot on the inside of external hemorrhoid, then the pain can get much more severe. How can one recognize external hemorrhoids? Itchy or burning sensation around the anus A painful lump or swollen area near the anus Difficulty in sitting down Painful bowel movements Fecal incontinence There are different types of both homemade and surgical remedies available for curing external hemorrhoids. Some of the common ones have been explained in brief as follows: Witch hazel : Witch hazel is an astringent which causes tissues to shrink and reduce bruising. Along with this, it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. To use it, one has to add a small amount of witch hazel to a cotton ball and then dab it on the affected area to get relief from the symptoms. However, if there are signs of irritation, then one should go for a more indirect method. It is advised to not add alcohol to witch hazel in an attempt to dilute it as it can cause further irritation. Coconut oil : Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and can help with hemorrhoid symptoms like reducing irritation and swelling. Moreover, it can also reduce provide relief from the itchiness experienced. Aloe vera : Aloe vera is a popular anti-inflammatory plant which is used widely to treat wounds along with a variety of other issues.

Quite often, the most crucial parts of the body, such as the back and legs, are neglected for various reasons. It is also true that pain in the feet and the knees can be truly troublesome and interfere with your daily activities. However, you do not need to worry as some of the best ways of relieving foot pain are through home remedies, and we discuss a few herein. These are easy to follow and can often provide quick relief, depending on the severity. As visiting a doctor every time your feet hurt can be difficult, follow these tips to manage the condition. Ice Ice is perfect for soothing foot pain and inflammations and it is easy to find! Wondering how to to use it? All that you will need is a bucket of some cool and plain water and some ice cubes. Add some ice cubes to the water and dip your feet into it. You will notice some relief and soothing effects instantly. However, you need to make sure that you do not have your feet immersed in the bucket of the ice bath for more than 20 minutes or you might get a frostbite or your feet might feel numb. Peppermint Oil Peppermint oil  is one of the many essential oils that can help with foot pain. You can also use the essential oils of ingredients such as eucalyptus and clove for foot pain relief. Start by adding 10 to 12 drops of the essential oil to some lukewarm water and dip your feet. Since these oils have an anti-inflammatory component, known as menthol, the pain in your feet will vanish soon. Plus, these oils have a soothing fragrance that can easily uplift your overall mood. Epsom Salt Also known as magnesium sulfate, Epsom salt helps majorly in relaxing any swelling, pain or bruises on the feet.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland, which is a part of the male reproductive system, which wraps around the urethra. The main function of this gland is to add fluid that carries the sperm to the semen. The prostate has two phases of growth. It is during the first phase, during the teenage years, when its size doubles. It keeps on growing for the rest of a man’s life after 25 years of age. An enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or the BPH, is a common problem among men. The enlarged prostrate clamps down the urethra which affects the urine flow from the bladder. If one suffers from nighttime urination (nocturia), frequent urination, urinary hesitation, weaker urine stream, urinary tract infections, or having trouble in emptying the bladder completely, they may be diagnosed with BPH. There are different types of treatments available for treating an enlarged prostate. Some popular herbal treatments for treating enlarged prostate are as follows: Saw palmetto One of the most popular herbal treatments for enlarged prostate is the use of saw palmetto. There are several studies that indicate that saw palmetto helps reduce the size of the inner lining of the prostate by inhibiting the production of testosterone. African Plum Extract or Pygeum The African plum extract has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect on the urogenital tract because of the high amount of alcohols, fatty acids, and sterols such as the beta-sitosterol. Studies show that having around 100–200 mg of pygeum extract daily or splitting it into half and consuming it twice a day helps in reducing BPH symptoms. Zishen Yutai Pill or the ZYP The ZYP is an ancient Chinese mixture of three plants dating back to the 13th century. This is one of the herbal treatments for prostate enlargement that is still being studied for its effectiveness.

A hernia is a painful medical condition. It is the result of bulging tissues or viscera that move away from their natural position and push through weak and open areas of the muscles. This results in swollen pockets and extreme pain. A hernia can be deadly in certain cases. It affects millions of people in the country itself. The condition commonly affects the abdomen but can also take place in the belly button, upper thigh and groin regions. Medical attention is strongly recommended when it comes to seeking a cure for the disease. There are a number of natural remedies which aid in hernia pain relief as well. They reduce the risk of the onset of the disease and help as a whole. Here are a few of the best natural remedies for a hernia! Performing pull-up exercises is a great way to prevent spinal diseases. It is a very simple exercise which stretches the vertebrae and releases pressure on the nerves. This enhances blood circulation in the joints. You can perform this exercise at home and it is one of the best natural ways to provide for hernia pain relief. Workout twice a day in sets of 5. Each set should take 10-15 seconds. Avoid exercising too much as it can worsen your condition and increase the pain. Slowing down spinal degeneration is one of the most effective treatment methods for spinal disc herniation. The spine does not have the firmness it once had when it is degraded. The pressure on the spinal disk is suppressed completely and this leads to the onset of the disease. Add certain food items to your diet to restore cartilage joints and bones under the cartilage. This slows down the degeneration process and reduces pain. Eat tomatoes, cereals, soy, fish, meat, tubular bone, fresh milk, bananas green vegetables and fruits.

Restless legs syndrome is a very poorly understood disorder. It affects the nerves and causes several problems while you sleep. It includes twitching, burning, pain triggers, crawling, and tingling in the legs at night! Such is the sensation that sparks a desperate need to move your legs. This can cause serious sleeping disorders in intense cases. Putting aside its unpleasantness, it is a challenge to manage its symptoms. It has a tendency to sabotage the quality of life as it seeps into your sleep cycle. It affects over 10% of the population in the country and requires immediate attention in order to live a healthy and fulfilling life. Here are a few effective home remedies for restless legs syndrome. The best thing you can do at times is to keep your mind distracted. If you think about how the condition is going to hinder the activities of your life, it will have a greater impact than it already does. Do activities that will keep your mind at ease. Anxiety can worsen the condition so do not take any unnecessary stress. Stimulate your mind by solving puzzles, reading, knitting, or having meaningful conversations. If you let the condition take over your mind, it is likely to have a greater impact on the quality of your life than it already does. This is one of the best home remedies for restless legs syndrome. Train your brain to accept the symptoms of this condition. There is no need to panic before its onset. You may be in bed at night and anticipate the consequences of the condition. Train your mind to be calm during extreme situations and stress-free. There are several programs available for the same. If you are mentally prepared for the condition, it is likely that it will improve your sleep cycle and quality of life.

You are not alone in the struggle of losing belly fat. The Lancet recently reported that about 160 million people in the country are currently struggling with overweight or obesity. This is probably the biggest lifestyle health problem in the country. For many people, being a little overweight is of little concern, but belly fat is a big concern if you are image conscious. For people trying to lose weight, getting rid of belly fat is always the primary objective. However, this is usually easier said than done. A common false belief is that it is possible to target belly fat alone with exercises like crunches, but the fastest way to lose belly fat is with a comprehensive exercise and lifestyle adjustment program. There is no magic pill or routine to get rid of stubborn belly fat but a need to change your calorie intake and utilization. Here are some tips on how to lose stubborn belly fat at a faster rate. Create a 20%-25% Calorie Deficit A calorie deficit occurs when you take in fewer calories than you need. A calorie deficit helps burn stomach fat because the body has to fill the deficit by burning fat. A study was done at the University of Jyväskylä, which involved two groups of athletes. One group of athletes creating a 10%-12% deficit, or about 300 calories, while the second group created a 20%-25% calorie deficit (approx. 750 calories). After one month, the group with the larger deficit lost fat at an average of 4.4 pounds, while the first group had much less success. Creating a calorie deficit requires careful tracking of your diet including portion control. Consult a dietician as the first step in answering your question on how to lose stubborn belly fat. Create Weight and HIIT Workout Plans Creating an appropriate workout plan must be the head start in the fastest way to lose belly fat .

People become aware that they have a bad skin rash or itchy skin rashes or a skin allergy when their skin becomes extremely red and itchy in nature, with small bumps or other changes in the particular person’s skin color, appearance, texture or any other feature. In short, the skin does not behave like it normally does or looks. This kind of an aberration could be visible on any part of the body. This is more often than not caused by other problems of the skin like psoriasis, allergies, and a general low immunity of the skin, among other factors. Irritation from artificial products like shampoos, cosmetics, body washes or face powders can also lead to rashes because they are in direct contact with the skin. Wondering how to treat itchy skin rash? There are a few techniques to make sure that itchy skin rashes are kept in check. Some of them include the following, which you can try at home. Olive oil Olive oil is one of the essential oils which help in healing and promoting skin renewal because of the presence of vitamin E as well as antioxidants. It also facilitates the smoothening of the skin and reduces itching as a result. One should rub extra-virgin olive oil or a combination of olive oil and honey on their itchy skin rashes a few times daily until they finally start to heal. It is also advisable to add a pinch of turmeric powder to this mixture of olive oil and then one should apply it two to three times a day for a few days. Turmeric in itself is extremely rich in antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, which make sure that the rashes do not extend to an area more than they are already, and relieve itching. Apart from olive oil, the other oils which are effective include castor oil and coconut oil, both of which also help to heal rashes naturally.