Sinuses are empty cavities lined up with a thin layer of mucus called mucous membranes. This
membrane is responsible for producing mucus. Sinusitis causes the lining to swell up which
leads to building up of mucus in the cavities behind the face. This inflammation makes the
drainage of mucus difficult which leaves pressure on the sinuses. This pressure on the sinus is
responsible for the pain felt around the nose, cheeks, and above the eyes.

Sinusitis is most commonly caused by bacterial/viral infections or allergies. Some people might
get sinus pain and congestion due to abnormal tissue growth inside the nose called nasal polyps
or due to a growth of an uneven wall of tissue between the nostrils called deviated septum.
Sinus pain due to an infection can go away in a few weeks and that due to an allergy might
recur.

Prolonged pains and symptoms which last for more than a week must be consulted with a
doctor. However, there are a few methods to make people feel better from sinusitis pain.

1. Rest
Rest is very important during sinusitis as the sinus pressure causes tension in the head,
neck, and face. Sleeping in the right posture can lessen the pain to a big extent. Elevate
the head up above the heart with pillows while sleeping to avoid sinus build-up and to
have a good sleep.

2. Hydrate
Dehydration can dry out the sinus passages which in turn can induce more pressure and
pain on the face. Staying hydrated throughout the day is crucial to reduce blockages in
sinuses. Intake of fruits and vegetables with high water content will also be helpful.

3. Steam inhalation
Steam inhalation helps in opening the passages in the nose. This, in turn, reduces the
sinus pressure. Another best thing about steam inhalation is that it is as easy to do at
home as much as it is effective.

4. Heat Up
Just like getting direct steam into the nose, taking a hot shower also helps. Steam
increases moisture in the air and thus moistens the sinus passages too. Placing a warm
cloth followed by a cold cloth over the painful areas can reduce the pain. Using a
humidifier can also help with the congestion.

5. Nasal spray
Inhaling saline solution directly into the nose can clear up the nose clogged with mucus.
Nasal saline sprays are available at drugstores or can be made at home with distilled
water, baking soda, and iodine-free salts.

6. Neti pots
This is a very popular sinus pain relief method. Netipots are usually used to drain the
nose and to keep the moisture in the mucous membrane. This method of draining
mucous is commonly known as nasal irrigation and is a tried and proved technique to
reduce sinus pain.

7. Exercise
Physical activity helps in blood circulation which reduces the recovery time. Yoga is the
best as there is a pose where the head is elevated which will help the body feel better
without much pressure on sinuses.

In case the sinus pain worsens or if there is a change in colour of mucus or prolonged fever with
nausea/vomiting, then the patient must be taken immediately go to a doctor. Also, if the home
remedies are not working out, it is always advisable to seek medical help ASAP. However, most
of the sinus pains can be brought down to a large extent with these small hacks.

Periods can be emotionally and physically draining. The level of pain caused by periods can vary
from woman to woman. According to studies, periods are painful for multiple reasons, the most
common one being menstrual cramps. The regular pain which occurs during the process of
menstruation is called primary dysmenorrhea. Secondary dysmenorrhea is when the pain
occurs due to other medical problems like endometriosis, uterine fibroids, or pelvic
inflammatory diseases.

If the pain is not caused by secondary dysmenorrhea then the most common reason behind the
pain must be menstrual cramps. When the muscles of the uterus contract and relax to shed the
lining, it can get pressed against the blood vessels. This can end up in pain and cramping. Pain-
triggering chemicals are produced in the body during this process which leads to nausea,
diarrhoea, and headaches.

Women below 20 years, especially those starting puberty at eleven years or at a younger age
are more prone to period pains. However, there are homemade remedies which can instantly
help women in pain.

1. Hydrate
It is very important to stay hydrated during the menstruation period. Consuming foods
like cucumber, watermelon, tomatoes, etc. with high water content is also advisable.
Dehydration can be a major cause of muscle cramps.

2. Exercise
Although this task sounds like a hard egg to crack, it isn’t. And it works. Since exercise
helps one to release their endorphins, it can come as pain relief. Yoga is a gentle
exercise that will be perfect as it helps in preventing menstrual symptoms and cramps.
At the same time, it is also important to restrain yourself from vigorous exercises during
this period.

3. Heat
Another effective pragmatic approach to deal with menstrual pain is by applying heat to
the abdomen, lower back and on the painful areas. Hot water baths also help in

relieving pain. If heating pads or hot water bottles are unavailable, one can always go
for DIY heating pads which are easy to make.

4. Diet
A proper diet helps a lot in alleviating menstrual cramps. Add a lot of vegetables into
your diet and reduce fatty foods from your diet. It is advisable to avoid caffeine and
embrace tea with ginger/lemon/mint. Cutting off alcohol and smoking from the daily
routine can benefit the diet. It is better to avoid overly salty and sugary food items. It is
also important to gain enough vitamins through the food or through vitamin
supplements.

5. OTC medications
If none of the home remedies is working, it is advisable to seek medical help. However,
over-the-counter painkillers can be an instant relief to inflammation and unbearable
pain. Periods with prolonged pain should be consulted with a gynaecologist
Although menstrual cramps are common, they are painful for most women. Sleep is another
highly recommended remedy during this period. Good rest along with the home remedies will
reduce the pain to a large extent.

If you often feel a burning sensation in your chest after a meal, it is likely to be heartburn, a common symptom of acid reflux. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid flows up through the food pipe causing the oesophagus to be inflamed causing a burning sensation to the area around it. Some people even report feeling the pain reach their neck and throat. Apart from heartburn, other common symptoms of acidity include burping, nausea, vomiting, dry coughs and a sour acid taste at the back of the mouth

Acidity is a common condition that is usually a result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Making healthier choices can help do away with symptoms of acidity and many other conditions. It is important to evaluate what your acidity triggers are to help ease the symptoms.

Here are some of the lifestyle causes of acid reflux:

1. Eating habits:

The food we eat and how we consume it can trigger heartburn along with other symptoms of acid reflux. Doctors tell us to avoid too much spicy food and oily food to avoid getting an upset stomach. Many foods increase stomach acid and should not be taken all together in order to avoid acid reflux. These foods include carbonated beverages, chocolate, citrus fruits, tea, coffee, fatty or fried food, tomato (and it’s by-products), garlic, onions, mint and spicy foods. Right after consuming these foods, especially when taken in large quantities may result in symptoms of acidity. Having large meals or lying down right after a meal can also trigger heartburn. It is best to lie down after 2-3 hours after your meal to prevent acidity symptoms.

2. Weight-related issues:

If you are overweight or obese, it may trigger frequent heartburns due to the excess abdominal pressure which makes the upward flow of acid more likely. This is why tight clothing can also be a trigger. The first thing a doctor would recommend you do to defeat acidity is to lose weight. Remember not to eat before a workout or it might make symptoms worse.

3. Smoking:

To add to the long list of reasons why smoking is an unhealthy lifestyle choice, it is also a major contributor to acid reflux. The nicotine in the tobacco relaxes the lower esophageal sphincter, which makes it easier for acid to move through the valve and up the esophagus. There’s more damage that smoking can cause including impairing the muscle reflexes in the throat, increasing acid secretion and damaging mucus membranes. It can also increase the risk of esophagus cancer. Quitting smoking will help reduce symptoms.

4. Alcohol consumption

Alcohol produces more acid than usual and is also a cause of acidity. The more alcohol you drink, the greater your risk of esophageal cancer. If you smoke as well, the risk of cancer is even greater.

Apart from lifestyle causes, there are also other causes that could be causing those acid burps and heartburn. These include:

1. Hiatal hernia:

This is a stomach abnormality which can occur in people of any age. The condition happens when the upper part of the sphincter and the lower esophageal sphincter move above the diaphragm allowing acid to enter the esophagus. When this wall works correctly, it prevents the acid from entering the esophagus.

2. Pregnancy:

Increasing hormone levels in pregnant women can cause acidity in them even if they have never experienced it before. It usually gets worse during the last trimester and will go away after delivering.

When acidity occurs frequently, it is important to know the cause in order to avoid it. If lifestyle changes and prescribed medication does not cure your symptoms of acidity, it is best if you get a doctor to look at the situation thoroughly. A couple of tests may be recommended to eliminate major concerns.

If you or a loved one is experiencing frequent heartburn and other symptoms of acidity, you can book an appointment with a gastrologist at our hospital using the link: https://www.vikramhospital.com/

When a man is unable to impregnate a fertile female, he is said to be infertile. In around 40% of infertility cases, the man is infertile and it is often due to problems in sperm delivery or production. Another symptom of male infertility would be the inability to deliver a live-born infant. Finding the right cause for infertility will require some blood tests and sperm tests. Majority of male infertility cases can be treated medically or surgically to make natural conception possible. A proper diagnosis will help treat the patient with the right kind of treatment.

Here are some treatments for male infertility:

1. Surgery:

Surgery for treating male infertility can be done in an outpatient procedure. The patient will be under general anaesthesia or IV sedation. While pain after surgery is often mild, recovery and follow-up might vary. Surgery is recommended for repairing blockages in the tubes of the reproductive system such as the epididymis and the ejaculatory duct. Varicocele, a condition where the veins of the scrotum are enlarged, and an obstructed vas deferens can also be repaired through surgery. Previously done vasectomies can also be reversed. In some cases, their ejaculate may not contain the sperm. Surgery can get the sperm directly from the testicles using sperm retrieval surgeries.

2. Antibiotics for infections:

With a semen test, the doctor will be able to identify if there is an infection in the genital tract. An infection can lead to a high white blood cell count in the semen which affects the chances of the sperm being able to fertilize an egg. Moreover, infections can cause problems for the sperm’s health as well as it’s production. They can even cause blockages and inflammations that can cause problems for the sperm’s transportation. Antibiotics can be used to treat these infections, but it is important to discuss this with your doctor as they may also affect fertility.

3. Prescription for sexual intercourse problems:

Though erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation may or may not be caused by male infertility, the end result still remains the same – the sperm is not able to fertilise the egg. Doctors can prescribe counselling and certain medication to help improve fertility in conditions like these.

4. Hormone treatments and medications:

While evaluating the cause of a man’s infertility, the doctor may also want to check for high and lows of the male hormones. These certain hormones are needed for the production of sperm. In some cases, the body may not be using these hormones properly. To fix these hormone-related issues, the doctor may recommend hormone replacement or medication.

5. Assisted reproductive technology (ART):

When all other infertility treatment fails or cannot be done, ART is another way to get a woman pregnant but without sexual intercourse. The best quality sperms are taken for this procedure. This technology transfers sperm to the woman using microsurgical methods. First, the sperm needs to be obtained from either surgical extraction or ejaculation, which can be used fresh or frozen (to be used at a later time). The collected sperm can be directly inserted into the female genital tract or used to perform IVF, IUI or ICSI (a variation of IVF).

A thorough evaluation is important before deciding on any treatment plan. Doctors will look at the man’s health history, past injuries, recent high fevers and childhood diseases. Certain medical conditions can also affect a male’s fertility such as diabetes, spinal injury and even mental illnesses. Even if an exact cause cannot be found, the doctor will offer treatments that may have improved fertility in the past.

If you know someone who is struggling with male fertility issues, you should get him checked with the urologist. To book an appointment, please visit: https://www.vikramhospital.com/

A change in the weather can take a toll on the body for each season requires a different diet to help produce more energy and metabolism. Likewise, winters also affect our body experiences and here is a quick list of what you should include in your diet these winters.

Go nuts for the dry fruits - Cashews, almonds, dates, walnuts should be a must-have in your diet. The nuts help ignite heat within the body and help generate energy in the body to fight with the laziness and comfort.

Add in Greens- Make friends with winter special green leafy vegetables that are high in vitamins and protein. Spinach especially is an anti-oxidant that helps in maintaining energy levels and is high on vitamins A and C and zinc too. Green leafy vegetables also are great for skin and hair for the winters.

Increase the intake of Fish and Eggs - Fish, eggs, cheese, and milk are a great source of calcium and vitamin B12 that helps in maintaining the immune system and helps fighting tiredness and fatigue.

Vegetables and Soups - Keep off the comfort food or the so-called fast food in the winters especially when there is no physical activity. The sugar-laden diet is a complete no-no during winters. Switch to soups and rooted vegetables which taste great along with garlic and ginger.

Make friends with Porridge and Oatmeal - Make your breakfast extra special by adding porridge to your meal. It is a healthy slow-release breakfast that will keep you full of energy and good vibes. you can top up your porridge bowl with lots of fruits, nuts, and dates.

Guard yourself with Broccoli and Cauliflower - Winter sickness is a hard thing to beat and the cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower can help you build a great defence against sickness.

Winters can be a treat if your body keeps fine and is not immune to cough and cold. Eating right and having a healthy diet can help you stay active during this lazy season of winters. Swear to include sprouts, carrots, red cabbage and kale in your diet these winters. Make sure you consume home-cooked food, add on the protein to your diet, keep moving, stay hydrated and indulge in mindful eating. Get enough sleep, make fun plans, go for a walk in the morning or walk after a heavy dinner to keep your body do fine completely.