With advancements in medical sciences, oral or genital herpes can be kept under control by timely medical intervention. It is imperative to seek medical advice and counselling during the initial outbreak. Antiviral medication, used as the standard treatment against herpes infection, helps in relieving the symptoms and reduces the duration of the outbreak.
In some cases, the virus causes serious eye infections that may blind you permanently. Other complications include herpes Encephalitis, which may damage your brain cells. Herpes makes you more susceptible to HIV infections and can cause cervical cancer.
There are several treatments which are in pipeline and scientists hope to find a medication, which will be able to kill the herpes Virus. However, research is still in developmental stage and may take some time before it becomes available to consumers. Microbicides work by killing microbes before they enter the body, are being developed as a possible line of treatment. Scientists are also working on a vaccine that protects against HSV-2. However, there are several alternative treatments for herpes. Some of them are listed below!
- Echinacea plant extracts: Extract of the echinacea plant strengthens our body’s immunity to fight with genital herpes infection. Several studies claim that the extract heals the sores rapidly.
- Propolis ointments: Ointments containing propolis (a substance produced by honeybee) is also known for healing sores caused by genital herpes.
- Oleuropein: Another popular alternative treatment is Oleuropein, which contains extracts of olive leaf. The leaf extract boosts the immune system. It is highly recommended as an effective medication that kills both types of herpes virus by interacting with the protein shell of the virus. Olive oil capsules or tincture are sold by several brands and are easily available at stores.
- Herbs: Studies on Prunella vulgaris and gypsy mushroom have found they contain chemicals that fight herpes simplex type I and herpes simplex type II virus. Pure oregano oil is a powerful natural antibiotic. Pure oregano oil contains Carvacrol that kills the Herpes virus.
- Foods: Orange and red vegetables, foods rich in Lysine, lean meat and fish help in combating herpes outbreaks.
- Natural remedies: Some other natural remedies for herpes include lemon balm, Liquorice roots, tea bags and Epsom salt.
These treatments have not been approved by the FDA, but there are studies and recommendations from real consumers who claim their effectiveness. Most of these products are easily available at online websites and retail stores. Since the alternative medicines rely on natural extracts, the chances of contraindications are remote. But you should exercise caution while using any such product and check recommendations of real users before trying them.
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Here’s what you need to know about osteoporosis tests
Read moreOsteoporosis is a form of arthritis that causes the bones to weaken, which makes them increasingly fragile and highly prone to fractures. It is estimated that around two million fractures are caused by this condition annually. Although osteoporosis can affect any bone, it is usually observed in body parts like wrist, spine, and hip. Almost 80 percent of the osteoporosis patients are postmenopausal women. This is because, during menopause, a woman’s body experiences a significant hormonal change. Therefore, it is essential for women over 65 to get osteoporosis assessments on a regular basis.
How often should you get screened for osteoporosis?
The osteoporosis testing frequency depends on multiple factors like age, gender, underlying medical conditions, medical and family history. For example, if you are a woman in your 60s in the post-menopause phase with vitamin D deficiency, then you should get osteoporosis testing done every year. On the other hand, if you are a healthy woman in your postmenopausal phase, then you should get osteoporosis testing done in every two years.Moreover, osteoporosis testing is not only valuable for identifying the condition but also for monitoring it. If you are already dealing with osteoporosis, then the doctor might ask you to get screened in every few months to keep an eye on the progress of the condition and how well are the treatments working against it.
What does osteoporosis testing involve?
After you have discussed your symptoms, medical and family history with the doctor, a physical exam will be performed. If the doctor suspects any anomalies, she or he will recommend you with the following two tests for osteoporosis.- Bone density evaluation Like the name suggests, the bone density evaluation (DEXA test dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) gauges if the mass inside the bone tissue has reduced.
- Urine and blood exam Such type of tests allow the doctors to verify if bone loss is occurring due to an underlying health condition.
Likewise, QCT (quantitative computed tomography) is typically used for assessing any changes in the spine, however, it can detect bone changes in any part of the body. QCT for bone loss is done to review the effectiveness of the osteoporosis treatments.
Do insurance companies cover osteoporosis testing?
Yes, insurance providers like Medicare will cover expenses for osteoporosis testing like DEXA in every two years for:- Women who are 65 years or above
- Men who are 70 years or above
For younger patients, any private insurance company will cover the screening costs if they:
- Have suffered a low impact fracture in past.
- Are battling a disease linked to bone loss.
- Have been taking medications associated with bone loss.
- Are already fighting osteoporosis.
- Are receiving cancer treatments.
- Are eligible for an osteoporosis treatment.
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3 effective tips to quit smoking completely
Read morePeople pick up unhealthy habits due to a variety of reasons; it can either be peer pressure or some personal issue that forces them into developing this habit. One such addiction that claims 480,000 lives every year is smoking. Smoking is a highly-addictive habit that poses a great threat to the individual who smokes and those in the vicinity of smokers. In fact, passive smoking or secondhand smoking has resulted in about 41,000 deaths every year.
So, if a loved one is trying to kick the butt, they’ll need all they can get. Here are some handy tips that will help people quit smoking effectively.
Gear up before going “cold turkey”
One cannot quit smoking simply by throwing away the cigarettes out. Smoking is an addiction and it affects the brain as well. The brain becomes addicted to the nicotine, and without it, the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms. Which is why it is imperative to make arrangements in advance as the individual will need support to get through this phase. So, it is sensible to ask the doctor for ways to cope with the withdrawal symptoms, or join some quit-smoking classes, establish a solid support system, counseling, or opting for hypnosis or medication.Opt for nicotine replacement therapy
When someone decides to quit smoking, the nicotine withdrawal can give them headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. The craving will hit them hard, and the urge for “one last drag” will make all the efforts futile. If this is the case, opting for nicotine replacement therapy can help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy includes nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and lozenges, and these will improve one’s chances of quitting smoking successfully.Avoid alcohol and other triggers
Alcohol is known to weaken one’s resolve as people under the influence of alcohol aren’t capable of making sound decisions. It is harder to stick to the goal of quitting smoking if one consumes alcohol. So, it is imperative to try and limit the alcohol intake in the beginning, and stop it completely as the journey to quit smoking progresses. Instead of drinking alcohol, one can switch to tea for a few weeks and the urge to drink will subside eventually.Adhering to these tips to quit smoking will require a lot of conviction and willpower, and even if the individual fails the first time, the resolve to kick the butt should make them try harder the next time.