Using a soap that lathers well and smells great gives a refreshing feeling after every shower. But too much lather and added fragrances might not always soothe those with sensitive skin. This is why people prone to eczema, atopic dermatitis, skin allergies and breakouts might benefit from using natural soaps to help calm their sensitive skin. These soaps are designed without harsh chemicals, keeping the natural oils intact in the skin. Following are the natural soaps for sensitive skin according to your requirments. 1. For facial cleansing – Peach Hydrating Facial Cleansing Bar If you need a gentle facial bar that would let you ditch those harsh chemical-laden face wash liquids, then this is a great choice. The ingredients, rosehip and coconut oil, in this bar, helps in hydrating dry skin. There is also a separate variant available for people with oily skin prone to eczema. 2. Hypoallergenic option – Gluten-Free Savonnerie People with gluten allergies like celiac disease would benefit from this gentle soap. It is also devoid of other common allergens like nuts, soy, and dairy products. It is formulated in a biodegradable formula free of perfumes and added colors. 3.  Mild fragrance – Aspen Kay Naturals Dead Sea Mud and Charcoal soap Another gluten-free soap on this list comes with mild natural citrus combined with a sweet mint scent.

One may develop breast cancer due to the presence of several factors. As a woman gets older, the risk of developing the disease increases. Experiencing a risk factor does not necessarily mean that you will get breast cancer. Some women may develop breast cancer even without any known risk factor. It is best to consult your doctor if you have one or more of the common risk factors for breast cancer mentioned below.  1. Genetic mutations Genetic mutations or inherited changes to certain genes such as BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are common factors for developing breast cancer. Women who have inherited these mutations are at a higher risk of cancer. 2. Reproductive history Reproductive history is one of the most common risk factors for breast cancer. Women who have started menstruating before the age of 12 and those who have started menopause after 55 have longer exposure to hormones. Other factors that can raise the risk of cancerous growth are first pregnancy after the age of 30, not breastfeeding, and never having a full-term pregnancy. 3. Having large and dense breasts Women with dense and large breasts are more susceptible to getting cancer. Heavy breasts are made of more connective tissue than fatty tissue.

Sleep apnea is a condition that affects your sleep cycle. The condition causes a block in the airway, which limits the airflow to the lungs. Snoring is often associated with those who have this condition. When oxygen is prevented from reaching your brain, it can cause breathing problems and sleep deprivation. Here are the types and risk factors of sleep apnea. Types of sleep apnea While studying the types and risk factors of sleep apnea, it is important to understand that the severity of the problem differs from patient to patient. 1. Obstructive sleep apnea This is the most common type of sleep apnea, and while quite a few people seem to suffer from it, most of them do not seek treatment for the condition. Generally, those who suffer from this kind of sleep apnea have anywhere between 5-14 breathing interruptions in an hour. Patients with advanced conditions may even suffer about 30 interruptions. Loud snoring, light sleep, morning headaches, and tiredness are the common symptoms of this condition. 2. Central sleep apnea This type of sleep apnea is seen in many patients. Central Sleep Apnea is more often a communication issue as the brain fails to communicate to the lungs that the person needs to breathe.

Our bodies release sweat as a way of cooling down. Body temperature can increase due to several reasons. We mostly sweat while performing strenuous physical activities, such as lifting heavy weights or running. However, in some cases, sweating could occur due to underlying health conditions as well, without any exertion. Here, we will discuss a few medical causes of excessive sweating. 1. Thyroid issues The thyroid gland plays a crucial role in managing the body’s metabolic rate. It produces two hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. When there is a high amount of these hormones in the body, one is said to have an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism. The body reacts to the increased hormone levels by functioning at a more-than-optimum level. This results in sweating. Besides sweating, people with hyperthyroidism could also experience a rapid heartbeat, weight loss, fatigue, and tremors. The thyroid gland could also get enlarged, resulting in a growth or lump known as goiter appearing on the neck. 2. Diabetes Diabetes is also among the common medical causes of excessive sweating. With diabetes, sweating can occur due to two primary reasons: low blood sugar and food ingestion. When the sugar levels fall below a certain level, the nervous system triggers sweating as an indicator of the same.

Having an overactive bladder can be embarrassing. It can also lead to urinary incontinence in some cases, a condition where a person loses control over their bladder. Planning an outing becomes a nightmare in such a situation. But what are the main causes of overactive bladder? Well, the problem could be due to many reasons. Knowing them will help a person prevent the triggers and avoid the urge to visit the washroom in odd situations. 1. Muscle weakness in the pelvic region By default, a person’s pelvic muscles can contract and relax as required to attain the desired bladder control. But due to childbirth, some women might be left with sagging pelvic muscles, which, in turn, results in a sagging bladder. This causes difficulty in controlling bladder functions. To tackle the problem and strengthen the pelvic muscles, women can take up pelvic floor strengthening exercises. 2. UTIs Urinary tract infections or UTIs could occur due to many reasons and affect the entire urinary tract, including the bladder, kidneys, and urethra. This is when the bladder activity becomes unpredictable, and one experiences frequent urination. 3. Hormone issues Menopause is one of the primary triggers for hormone fluctuations in women. And a sudden increase in bladder activity could be one of the many symptoms associated with abnormal hormone fluctuations.

The red blisters that are full of fluid and occur near the mouth or on other areas of the face are known as cold sores. They can last for two weeks or more and are caused by a virus known as herpes simplex. Listed below are some options that can be used in the treatment for cold sores. 1. Creams and Ointments One of the most common options that are used in the treatment for cold sores is the use of creams and antiviral ointments. These ointments contain penciclovir and can help to manage pain and promote healing. They are very effective if used as soon as the first signs of a cold sore are visible and need to be applied four or five times a day for four to five days. Over-the-counter creams that contain docosanol can also be used to treat cold sores. They need to be applied a few times a day. 2. Medications Another option that can be used in the treatment for cold sores is oral antiviral medications. This includes those with acyclovir, valacyclovir and famiciclovir. You would need to contact your doctor for these as they are available with a prescription only. Also, your doctor needs to advise you on the dosage.

Melanoma affects 1 in 5 people in the country post the age of 70. Did you know that when you have 5 or more sunburns, the risk of developing skin cancer doubles? Apart from the problem of developing tumors, do you know what are complications of melanoma? Read on. 1. Scarring Melanoma usually attacks the outermost skin tissues. For some people though, the tumor can develop deep into the skin’s surface and lead to permanent scarring of the skin. The development of large-sized abnormal moles in the skin also leads to skin scarring. 2. Risk of Wound Infections Melanoma affects the regular functioning of the skin and this can lead to an increased risk of skin infections. Bacteria and fungi easily enter the skin’s surface and infections range from simple acne and cellulite to even sepsis. If you have been taking treatment for melanoma, this can also increase the risk of skin infections. 3. Seroma Seroma is fluid buildup under the skin’s surface, which is usually a side-effect of surgery or skin cancer. This fluid is called serum, and it leads to swelling in the region and pain. Seroma is a very common complication of melanoma and needs to be treated right away to avoid complications.

When suffering from anemia, the body lacks healthy red blood cells to carry out sufficient oxygen to the blood tissues, hampering many functions of the body. Treatment varies from person to person, based on underlying diagnosis. However, before prescribing any treatment, we need to understand different types of anemia. Let’s try to understand them better through their symptoms, causes, and treatments. 1. Aplastic Anemia This kind of anemia occurs when a person’s body stops producing new blood cells in adequate quantity. Symptoms of aplastic anemia include fatigue, shortness of breath, irregular heart rate, pale skin, easy bruising, skin rash, dizziness, headache, and fever. Damaged stem cells that produce red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets are the cause of aplastic anemia. Stem cells can get damaged due to many reasons, and some of them are Radiation and chemotherapy treatments Exposure to toxic chemicals Use of certain medications Autoimmune disorders A viral infection Pregnancy 2. Iron Deficiency Anemia Iron deficiency anemia is the one of the most common types of anemia. This kind of anemia occurs when blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Lack of iron is the main cause of this kind of anemia. Symptoms include weakness, fatigue, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, prolonged headache, cold hands and feet, soreness of tongue, brittle nails, poor appetite, and unusual cravings.

Having a child is a big responsibility and you should be prepared for it mentally and financially. Contraception greatly reduces the risk of unplanned pregnancies. In that vein, we list below some of the most popular methods to prevent pregnancy (please note that no method of contraception, except abstinence, is 100 percent effective): 1. Condoms Condoms are one of the most common and popular methods to prevent pregnancy. These are small thin sheaths that are worn on the penis during intercourse. They can be made from a variety of materials, such as latex, plastic, or lambskin. They prevent pregnancy by collecting semen and disallowing it from entering the vagina. This stops the egg from getting fertilized. 2. Birth control pills These pills contain hormones, and one pill needs to be taken daily. If you take the pill regularly and consistently, then it can be effective in preventing pregnancy. There are two common types of pills—progestin-only pills, which, as the name suggests, only contain progestin; and combination pills, which contain both estrogen and progesterone. This widely used contraceptive option for women stops ovulation, thus preventing the egg from being released by the ovaries to be fertilized by the sperm. The hormones in the pill also thicken the mucus of the cervix, thereby preventing the sperm from coming in contact with the egg.

Deep vein thrombosis, also known as DVT, is an ailment in which one develops blood clots in the major veins of the body. Although it can affect anyone, there are certain people who are at a greater risk of getting DVT. If ignored, the blood clots can travel to one’s lungs and become life-threatening. This article talks about some risk factors of DVT and tips for its prevention. Risk factors for DVT Common risk factors for DVT include: 1. Age Although DVT can occur at any age, being above 60 years greatly increases its likelihood. 2. Sitting in one place for extended periods Sitting in one place for long hours does not let your calf muscles contract. Consequently, the absence of proper blood circulation increases the chances of DVT. 3. Surgery or deep injuries Many times, an injury to your veins or surgery in any body part can increase the risk of blood clots. 4. Pregnancy Often, pregnancy increases the pressure in the veins that run through your legs and pelvis. The risk of blood clotting during pregnancy can continue for up to six weeks after the baby is born. 5. Obesity This is one of the chief risk factors of DVT.