Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis with symptoms like swollen or painful joints. Gout or gouty arthritis can affect both men and women, but it is a common form of arthritis in men over the age of 40 years. Gout mostly starts as swelling or pain in the big toe or the feet, and a lot of times it starts developing after a trauma or an illness. Gout symptoms, if treated in the primary stage, can be treated effectively. This can also reduce the risk of irreversible damage to the joints. Causes The main reason why gout is caused is high levels of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid gets collected near joints in needle forms which cause pain in the affected areas. Sometimes gout symptoms are also triggered by the intake of high-sugar energy drinks or food items like high-fructose corn syrup. Some of the risk factors that increase uric acid levels are excess alcohol intake, obesity, and a purine-rich diet. Diagnosis While rheumatologists are the main specialists for diagnosing and treating gout, there are other specialists like orthopedists and general physicians who can take care of gout cases that are relatively uncomplicated. Gout treatment also involves nephrologists who administer medications for reducing the uric acid level.

Gout is a form of inflammatory arthritis that is caused mainly by high levels of uric acid in the blood. The disease is characterized by swelling and pain in the joints. While it affects both men and women, it is more common in men. There are a number of factors that can trigger gout symptoms, such as intake of high-sugar food or beverages. Sometimes the onset of the symptoms is also seen after a trauma or an illness. A number of other factors can increase the risk of a person developing gout. These include medical conditions (heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes), diuretic medications, and bypass surgery. Managing life with gout can be easy by making some lifestyle changes in diet and by following the course of treatment well. Here are some tips to help patients with gout to avoid triggering or aggravating the condition. Gouty arthritis can be prevented by ensuring intake of food that helps lower uric acid levels in the blood and avoiding food that increases uric acid levels. Food items and beverages that are rich in purines should be avoided. Foods that help gout attacks include cherries, items rich in vitamin C, and coffee.

Oral hygiene is essential not just to maintain overall health but also to enjoy the little things in life like sipping on a soda, eating an ice cream and biting into a burrito. Unfortunately, many Americans suffer from gum disease and sensitivity of teeth and are in constant distress. As an overview, gum disease (gingivitis) and sensitive teeth are disorders that cause acute pain and discomfort. Gum disease or gingivitis is when one’s gums become inflamed and often bleed while brushing teeth. Many people suffering from gingivitis also complain of their gums receding from the teeth. Gingivitis is one of the earliest stages of gum disease and is caused by excessive plaque on the teeth. Plaque is a soft, sticky, and sometimes smelly bacterium that grows on the teeth and gums. The food that gets stuck in your teeth and on your gum acts as fodder for the plaque. Plaque must be removed from the teeth by brushing one’s teeth every day. However, if brushing one’s teeth is not part of one’s daily routine, they may be at risk of developing gingivitis. Plaque, when left on the teeth and gums for too long, creates toxins that irritate gums and cause gingivitis.

Hair loss in men is both common and normal. It affects one in three men by the time they are 30 years and almost 50 percent of men have experienced at least some form of hair loss by the time they reach 50 years of age. With the advent of science and technology, hair loss can be prevented if the early signs and symptoms are noticed and taken care of. Let’s start by understanding the signs and prevention of hair loss. Early signs of hair loss A receding hairline is the first sign of hair loss. Along with this, visible scalp also indicates that hair is being lost more rapidly than it is growing. Most men start to notice that now they can see their scalp in between hair at the back. In the front, it is always the old M-shaped hairline that indicates that hair is moving back. Prevention of hair loss The problem with genetic hair loss is that it cannot be prevented. It can be helped only with some hair regrowth medications and in most cases, it comes down to hair transplant. Prevention is possible only for hair loss, which has been caused by stress, as a side effect of some medicine or, due to over usage of hair products.

High cholesterol is a common condition found not only in middle-aged and elderly people but also in the younger generation. It may lead to a number of heart-related and other problems, and hence it is important to fight it. But, let us first understand the disease. Here’s an overview of high cholesterol. What is high cholesterol? Cholesterol is a kind of waxy substance found in the blood. Our cells require cholesterol. That requirement is fulfilled by our body. However, we also get cholesterol from various food items like red meat, eggs, butter, and cheese. When the amount of cholesterol in the blood increases, it starts building up in the arteries. This is the beginning of heart and blood flow-related issues. What are the types? There are majorly two types of cholesterol: Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and High-Density Lipoproteins (HDL). While LDL is considered to be the bad cholesterol, HDL is referred to as good cholesterol. An excess of LDL cholesterol is a major concern. What are its symptoms? High cholesterol may often lead to severe problems like heart attack and stroke. Some of its common symptoms are chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, numbness in the extremities, back or upper abdomen pain, and extreme fatigue.