Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that particularly does not have a permanent cure. However, proper medications under the guidance of a medical expert may improve the Parkinson’s symptoms a bit. Here is a list of 5 early signs of this condition:

• Shaking and Tremors
  Are you experiencing tremors or slight shaking in the hand, thumb, finger or chin even while you are at rest? This is one of the most common Parkinson’s symptoms. After exercising, getting injured or when you are a bit stressed, such shaking is normal. If that is not the case, seeking medical attention is important.

• Loss of smell
  Are you losing your smelling sense for certain foods like licorice or dill pickles, bananas? Well, if you are suffering from a stuffy nose due to cold or down with flu, the sense of smell can be changed. However, if the smelling sense is not getting back ever after recovering from it, then it can be one of the early signs of Parkinson’s disease.

• Small handwriting
  Have you noticed any changes in the handwriting style? Are you writing the words without space or the letter sizes have become smaller than the way you used to write before? This is known as micrographia, a sudden change in the handwriting style which is one of the Parkinson’s symptoms at the earlier stage.

• Constipation
  If you are under any medication, or not having enough fiber or water in the diet, then suffering from constipation is quite normal. However, if you think there is nothing wrong in the aforementioned cases, you should talk to a healthcare professional as you might have the early signs of the progressive nervous disorder.

• Stiffness in moving and walking
  Do you feel your feet being stuck to the floor? Are your arms not swinging while walking? Any kind of stiffness in the legs, arms or body that is not the result of any injury or any illness like arthritis, it is advisable to seek medical guidance as you might be suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

Other than all the aforementioned Parkinson’s symptoms, the following are a few more early signs of having this nervous disorder:

• Trouble sleeping
• Fainting or dizziness
• Masked face
• A low or soft voice
• Hunching over or stooping

If you or someone you know starts having more than one of these symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional as soon as possible.

Are you aware of the fact that every time you take an antibiotic or a painkiller, it adversely affects the liver? In most cases, problems in the liver occur due to erratic lifestyle, wrong food habits, and uninhibited use of medicines.

The liver is the largest organ in the body and it helps in digesting food and removing toxins. It sends certain warning signals, in case its function is impaired. These signals should never be ignored.

Oversensitive skin, general feeling of being unwell and frequent headaches are some common signs of liver damage experienced by those affected. Read on to know the five warning signs of liver damage that should never be ignored.

Dark-colored urine
Change in the color of the urine is an important sign which should never be ignored. This is due to the presence of bile pigments which are not excreted. Instead, they build up in the blood and are released through urine.

Loss of appetite
Loss of appetite is one of the typical signs of liver damage. The urge to eat is significantly reduced and digestion becomes poor.

Vomiting
Vomiting and a frequently upset stomach are the initial signs of liver damage. Nausea, repeated incidents of acid reflux and vomiting are the warning signs and should never be overlooked. Many people experience acute indigestion and frequent diarrhea since the function of the liver is impaired.

Abdominal pain and swelling
The affected person experiences specific pain in the right upper part of the abdomen, right under the ribs. The pain is severe and intense. It may even radiate to the right upper shoulder or back. Many times, pain is experienced in the upper middle part of the abdomen and cramping can be felt in the lower abdomen. Swelling in the abdomen is also amongst the important warning signs of liver damage.

Fatigue
Always feeling tired and experiencing excessive fatigue is an indication of an impaired liver. Because the liver is not functioning properly, it impacts the breakdown of food and consequent release of energy. This results in toxins getting accumulated, which in turn, is why people feel tired. There is weight loss too, thus adding to the feeling of extreme fatigue.

It is very important to consult a medical expert and get proper investigation such as liver function tests and scan done for an appropriate diagnosis.

Swelling in the legs is often an indication of an underlying health condition. It can occur in any part of the leg, from toes to thighs. Fluid retention or build up is the main reason for swollen legs. The actual cause of leg swelling varies widely from injury to heart disease to kidney disease to prolonged sitting or standing.

Swelling in feet is medically referred to as peripheral edema. Unless caused by an injury, swollen feet are not painful. Fluid accumulation usually occurs in the lower parts of the body due to gravitational force. Frequent or continuous swelling of feet should be reported to a medical practitioner and the cause of leg swelling must be identified immediately.

Causes of swollen legs
Swelling to the foot, leg or ankle is a common occurrence in older adults. The swelling may occur in both legs or in one leg, and it may be accompanied by pain or be painless. Sometimes there are instances of only left leg swelling.

Here are some of the common causes of swelling in legs.

Swelling related to fluid buildup

• Acute kidney failure or chronic kidney disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Lymphedema
• Deep vein thrombosis
• Cirrhosis
• Pregnancy
• Standing or sitting for prolonged durations
• Prescription medication

Swelling due to inflammation

• Achilles tendon rupture
• Broken ankle or foot
• Osteoarthritis
• Gout
• Infection or injury in feet

Remedies for swollen legs
Remedies for swollen feet/legs depend on the underlying cause of the swelling. If the underlying cause is kidney failure or cardiomyopathy or liver failure or deep vein thrombosis, then the cause needs to be treated in order to reduce swelling. Leg and ankle swelling remedies during pregnancy are determined by the cause of the swelling.

Some leg and ankle swelling remedies when the swelling is not caused by other health conditions are as follows:

• Keeping legs in an elevated raised position for a short duration.
• Following a low-salt diet till swelling subsides.
• Taking breaks to exercise your feet while traveling
• Avoiding tight fitting footwear or clothing.
• Weight loss, if required.

Swelling of legs accompanied by other symptoms like breathlessness indicates an emergency situation that requires immediate medical help. The cause of leg swelling needs to be identified immediately in case of swelling occurs frequently or remains for a long period.

Pain in the leg is quite common these days. Some might have this pain due to an injury and some might for their weight or due to overexertion of the legs. Most of the time, this pain dies down after a short period of time and, in some cases, it can be eased up with some home remedies. However, if you are having chronic leg pain then you should consult a doctor. Sometimes, severe and persistent leg pain can be an indication for an underlying medical issue, though there are some possible causes behind chronic leg pain. Let’s have a closer look at them.

Muscle Strain
It is one of the more common causes of chronic leg pain. Due to overstretching of a certain muscle, the fibers in it tear, which results in the excruciating pain the leg. Mostly, this happens on the muscles that are larger in size. Calves, quadriceps, and hamstrings are some of those muscles that are prone to muscle strains.

Tendinitis
Tendons are those thick chords that connect bones to muscles. Tendinitis occurs when these tendons become inflamed. This inflammation makes the movement of the affected joint difficult. The tendons near the heel bone or hamstrings are more prone to tendinitis.

Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis is that condition in which the arteries get narrow and hard due to the accumulation of fat and cholesterol. The blood rich in oxygen gets carried by the arteries. If there is any blockage in it, the blood flow will reduce in various parts of the body. When the tissues in your legs don’t receive the required oxygen, it will result in pain and this could be one of the factors for your chronic leg pain.

Arthritis
Arthritis affects the joints in the hips and knees. It is an inflammation of these joints and will cause redness in the affected area, pain, and swelling. One of the primary causes of chronic leg pain is arthritis.

Gout
Gout is also a type of arthritis. It mainly happens when there is an excess amount of uric acid in the body. It will have the same effects as arthritis but on the lower part of the leg.

These are some of the medical conditions and injuries that could be the reason for chronic and severe leg pain. You can also consult your doctor to confirm that there is no underlying medical issue.

Dental care is a necessity. Processed food and food items high on sugar have a telling impact on our body and teeth. While many of us maintain good oral hygiene, quite a few do not. Whatever be the case, we do require regular appointments with the dentist to check on the health and status of our teeth. A dental implant costs a lot, and dental care as a whole is very expensive. Some of the economically less fortunate cannot shell out extravagant sums of money for the same. This does not mean that they have to sacrifice the health of their teeth. There are several fantastic dental clinics that provide free of cost services! Find below a few of the best free dental clinics in the country.

Best Free Dental Clinics in the Country

• North End Community Health Committee Inc.
  Located in Boston, North End Community Health Committee Inc. is one of the best free dental clinics in the country, it provides a wide range of services for adults and has been providing comprehensive, affordable and quality dental care and services since 1977. Their team is highly experienced and professional. To qualify for the sliding fee discount program, you have to show the proof of annual income of all family members living in the house. You need to provide a copy of any of the accepted forms of income verification. You are required to mention all sources of income before taxes. Do not hesitate from visiting this clinic as it truly is one of the best in the business and provides free care if you qualify for the program!

• HealthCare Choices
  Located in Brooklyn, HealthCare Choices is, without a doubt, one of the best free dental clinics in the country. Their sliding scale program encompasses all those individuals who are unemployed, do not have medical insurance or are uninsured. The care depends on your gross annual salary. The clinic offers integrated services and high quality of dental care. They are open only on four days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday.

Do not hesitate to seek dental care at the free dental clinics. Maintaining good, healthy teeth is necessary for good health. The above-mentioned clinics provide quality care at minimal prices, so avail their offers today!

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable disease. However, the treatment options help reduce the symptoms of the disease. Inhalers work wonders when it comes to soothing and relaxing the lungs. It helps you to breathe better and easier as the muscles in your airways are relaxed. There are several other medications which may come along with your inhaler to provide for extra comfort and ease the symptoms of the disease. The medications are directly delivered to the lungs and that is the main purpose and biggest benefit of using them. When used properly, there is no better solution to help in easing the symptoms of the disease than COPD inhalers. Here are the different types of inhalers and how they help.

HFA inhalers
HFA inhalers consist of a liquid medication which is delivered to the lungs through an aerosol spray. The medicine is stored in a pressurized canister. To use the device, close your lips around the mouthpiece and press down on the inhaler. Breathe in slowly and take in the medication. Using a spacer is another option. It makes the process of getting a full dose of medication to the lungs much easier.

DPI inhalers
A DPI inhaler suffices the same purpose as an HFA inhaler but releases a puff of dry powder instead of a liquid mist. Place your lips around the mouthpiece and inhale the medication steadily and rapidly. An important tip to keep in mind is to keep the device away from the mouth when exhaling. This will prevent humid air from entering into the device and clamping the powder medication.

SMI inhalers
SMI inhalers are a new type of inhalers that do not require you to breathe in fast or slow to deliver medicine to your lungs. A pre-measured amount of medicine is delivered to the lungs in a slow mist when you inhale the medicine. All you have to do is place your lips around the mouthpiece and press the button. This is one of the best COPD inhalers on the market.

Nebulizers suffice the same purpose as COPD inhalers but they have a significant disadvantage – they are not portable. Both these machines are available by prescription only. You may see bronchodilator inhalers being sold over the counter but restrain from using them. They could be risky for people with a history of certain health problems including heart diseases. If you are suffering from COPD, do not look beyond COPD inhalers as they indeed are the best option for COPD symptoms easing.

Getting a cold is one of the most frustrating things. You have to deal with a runny nose and a constant series of sneezing. Moreover, a cold may be accompanied by a cough or vice versa. It makes things worse when you have to go to school or office. You may end up contaminating the workplace and infecting a whole lot of other people. We sometimes confuse an allergy for a cold as an allergy too causes congestion in the nose and leads to a runny nose. If you are sneezing and coughing, the first thought that comes to mind is a cold. These symptoms could be a sign of an allergy as well. Confused whether it could be cold or allergies symptoms? Read on to know about the similarities in both conditions.

Similar cold and allergy symptoms
An allergy occurs when the immune system has an adverse reaction to a substance or a series of substances. When you are exposed to an allergy trigger (which varies from person to person), your immune system releases histamines. The release of histamines to counter an allergen leads to the symptoms of an allergy. While allergies and colds do share some common symptoms, they are entirely different. Wondering if there are any common cold or allergy symptoms? Yes, indeed there are. Here are a few symptoms that occur in both cases:

• Watery eyes
• Nasal congestion
• A runny nose
• A sore throat
• Coughing
• Sneezing

A common cold may cause some other symptoms, but it is not accompanied by rashes on the skin or a sensation of itchy eyes. Over 50 million Americans experience allergies every single year. Some of the most common allergens in the country are tree grass and weed pollen. These are seasonal allergens and may be difficult to detect at times. Other year-round allergens include the following:

• Certain food items like eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and milk
• Dust mite
• Animal saliva or dander (house pets like cats or dogs may cause this)
• Mold

If you are suffering from cold or allergy symptoms, visit a doctor immediately to figure out whether it is caused due to a cold or due to an allergen. It is best to determine what you are allergic to as soon as possible to avoid going through these episodes on a regular basis.