Acne

Acne is a common skin condition that occurs when tiny openings in the skin, in which hair grows, become plugged with oil and dead skin cells. Plugged follicles may arrive.

Comedones: (Blackheads and Whiteheads)
Comedones occur at the skin surface and are called blackheads, due to their dark appearance. Comedones are closed and just below the skin surface, while whiteheads are open and just below the skin surface.

Papules: Small red and tender bumps that signal inflammation or infection in the hair follicles.

Pustules: Small red and tender bumps with white pus at their tips.

Nodules: Large, solid, painful lumps beneath the surface of the skin. Typically, they are the result of a buildup of secretion deep within the hair follicles.

Cysts: Painful, pus-filled lumps beneath the skin's surface are boil-like infections that can cause scarring.

Factors that contribute:

• Hormones, bacteria, certain medications, and heredity.
  

Home remedies:

• Zinc Supplements: The Mineral activates in wound healing and reduces inflammation.
• Glycolic Acid: A natural acid found in sugar cane, applied to skin, helps remove dead skin cells and unclog pores.
• Care for yourself: Lack of sleep and stress cause acne to flare. Always remember to breathe, meditate, and get plenty of sleep.

Arthritis

One of the most common medical conditions in the United States is arthritis, which encompasses over 100 different types, with numerous causes, symptoms, and signs, and various treatments. Common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis:
One or more joints, causing the articular cartilage to degenerate in your spine, hips, hands, or knees. Aging, obesity, injury, or genetics can increase your risk; this condition is often seen in people older than 50.

Signs and Symptoms:
Osteoarthritis commonly presents with symptoms such as joint pain after use, swelling, loss of joint flexibility, bony lumps at finger joints, and joint aches. Recognizing these signs early can help individuals seek appropriate treatment and manage their condition effectively.

Note From Dr.:
“While the disease doesn't go away, the pain and other signs and symptoms may come and go.”

Rheumatoid arthritis:
An inflammatory form of arthritis often develops in middle age but can occur in any age group. The cause is still unknown; it is classified as an autoimmune disease, where the immune system triggers inflammation in the lining of your joints and other areas.

Signs/Symptoms:

• Swelling in one or more joints.
• Prolonged early-morning stiffness.
• Recurring pain or tenderness in any joint.
• Inability to move a joint normally.
• Obvious redness and warmth in a joint.

Home Remedies:

• Rest is a powerful tool in managing arthritis. When experiencing pain or inflammation in a joint, rest it for 12 to 24 hours, and avoid activities that don't require the use of the joint repeatedly. Taking a 10-minute break every hour can make a significant difference in managing your condition. This knowledge empowers you to take control of your health and manage your condition effectively.
• Exercise is a popular and efficient way to manage arthritis. Different exercise techniques can achieve various goals, so it's essential to find what works best for you. For training flexibility, gentle stretching is advised. Simple walking, swimming, bicycling, and dancing are perfect examples of aerobic exercise that put low to moderate amounts of stress on your joints. The key is to find an exercise routine that you enjoy and that works for your body. This information can motivate you to stay active and hopeful about managing your condition.
• Heat and cold: Heat and cold are adequate in relieving joint pain. Such heat relieves stiffness, and freezing will reduce muscle spasms. Apply heat for 20 minutes several times a day using heating pads, hot water bottles, and warm jacuzzi baths. Joint pain with cold treatments, for instance, ice packs. Mostly effective for patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, finding relief by soaking their joints in warm water for four minutes and then in cool water for a minute.
• Being overweight or obese: Increased stress on weight-bearing joints, such as your knees and hips, can lead to health issues; even a small amount of weight loss can relieve pressure and reduce pain.

Dr. Notes:
Painkillers are available as gels, creams, patches, or lotions that are applied directly to the skin over affected joints. Hot or cold runs; contain ingredients that will irritate skin, thus distracting you from your arthritis pain, giving temporary relief. For example, ingredients such as menthol, oil of wintergreen, or eucalyptus oil produce a sensation of hot or cold, spirin-like pain relief. Topical analgesics contain salicylates, which give aspirin its pain-relieving quality, and also often reduce joint inflammation as they are absorbed into the skin. Thus, Benay, Aspercreme, Mobisyl, and Sportscreme are examples of topical analgesics. Chilli pepper seeds contain a compound called capsaicin, which creates a fiery sensation. These chilli peppers are the most effective for artists' pain in joints close to the skin surface, such as fingers, elbows, and knees (Capzasin and Zostrix).

Go Go Organic: Back Pain

In the lifespan of humans, one day you might have a back issue. Muscle tone and strength tend to decline with age, thereby weakening the back and increasing the risk of injury. Spines might stiffen, and intervertebral disks deteriorate over time, allowing space between the vertebrae to narrow, allowing bone to rub on bone. Change is common, but it doesn't always result in pain. Back pain also results from injuries or overexertion during an activity. It is difficult for doctors to pinpoint the cause of back pain due to the complexity of the back's structure. Due to your lower back carrying most of your weight, it often becomes the point of most pain. In contrast, strains and sprains can cause injury to any part of the back.

Common Causes:

• Improper lifting.
• Sudden, strenuous physical effort.
• Trauma from an accident, fall, or sports injury.
• Lack of muscle tone.
• Excess weight, especially around your middle.
• Daily stress and tension.
• Sleeping position (note if you sleep on your stomach).
• Poor sitting and standing posture.
• Sitting in a position for a long time or with a thick wallet in your back pocket, carrying a heavy briefcase, shoulder bag, or backpack.
• Holding a forward-bending position for a long time.
• Relaxation of muscles and ligaments during pregnancy.
  

Home Remedies:

• Proper care of a strain results in minor improvements within the first week of care. Many forms of acute back pain improve in four to six weeks. Sprained ligaments or severe muscle strains may take up to 12 weeks to heal.
• Applying ice: Cold packs initiate the process to relieve pain; proceed by wrapping an ice pack or a bag of frozen vegetables in cloth. Hold it on the sore area for 15 minutes, and repeat every 2 to 3 hours. Be careful to avoid frostbite.
• Rest/Breathe: Rest allows your back to heal. In contrast, prolonged rest counteracts the healing process, such as lying in bed for more than a day or two. Medium movement helps keep muscles strong. Avoid lifting, pushing, pulling, constant bending, and twisting to prevent worsening the injury.
• Stretch: Gentle stretching exercises, thus avoiding exercises that increase pain or require straining. Spending 10 to 15 minutes a day engaging in gentle exercises can help prevent back problems.
• Get A Massage: Involves systematically tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in your body. Progressive relaxation boosts your ability to recognize and counteract muscle tension as soon as it starts.

Dr. Notes:
When the back starts hurting, slow down to prevent further injury. Severe muscle spasms may last 48 to 72 hours, followed by several days or weeks of less severe pain. Most back pain vanishes within a few weeks after the initial injury. Regular exercise to help establish and maintain flexibility and strength, and to keep abdominal muscles strong, is essential to avoid back problems.

Cold Versus Hot Therapy:

• What it Does:
  Cold: Reduces inflammation, contracts blood vessels to limit bruising, and relieves pain by acting as a local anesthetic.
  Heat: Improves circulation to speed healing, reduces pain by relaxing tight or sore muscles, and helps restore range of motion.
• When to Use:
  Cold: For three days after an injury, apply cold for 15 minutes at a time, every two to three hours.
  Heat: Use heat once swelling has reduced; apply heat for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.