Gout is a complex form of arthritis that can affect anyone. However, sudden and severe attacks of the initial symptoms mostly affect men, while women become more susceptible to this inflammatory condition post menopause. Acute episodes of joint pain and swelling are some of the first signs and symptoms of gout. When the body is unable to process high levels of uric acid produced, the acid buildup leads to the formation of monosodium urate crystals in the joints and surrounding tissue. These sharp needle-like crystals accumulate over time to cause intense pain and inflammation. Obesity, dehydration, stress, and side effects of certain medications are risk factors that can cause gout. A rich diet and frequent consumption of alcohol will also lead to an increase in the uric acid levels to trigger a gout attack. You are more likely to develop this disorder if other members of your family have previously experienced the symptoms. A gout attack most commonly affects the base joint of your big toe. Older people might experience symptoms in other places such as ankles, knees, wrists, hands, and elbows. Note that frequent and persistent symptoms of gout can lead to health complications like erosion and destruction of the joints, formation of Tophi (heavy deposits of Monosodium Urate), and kidney stones.

Gingivitis or gum disease is a type of infection in the tissues that holds our teeth in place. Gum disease is usually caused due to poor dental habits that result in formation of plaque that forms on the surface of the teeth and hardens with time. Causes of gum disease The primary reason of gum disease is the formation of bacteria along with mucus and other particles. Other factors that contribute to this type of periodontal disease are mentioned below: Poor dental and oral hygiene such as not brushing on a daily basis, making it easier for gum diseases to develop. Smoking makes it difficult for the gum tissues to repair on their own, aggravating the condition A family history of dental disease can also be one of the risk factors for development of gingivitis or gum disease. Certain illnesses also affect the health of our gums. Diseases such as HIV, diabetes, and cancer also lead to gum disease as a result of a weakened immune system. Anticonvulsant and anti-angina medications also cause an abnormal growth of gum tissues Some studies also suggest that hormonal changes occurring during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopausal period make gums sensitive and susceptible to developing gum disease The disadvantage of developing gum disease is its painless progression with few obvious signs even in the later stages.

Hair loss can occur in any part of the body, yet, it is more common and prominent on the scalp. There can be numerous causes of hair loss including hormonal changes, family history, health conditions, and consumption of certain types of medications. Typically, an individual loses 50 to 100 strands of hair every day which doesn’t cause any visible thinning of the scalp as the follicles keep sprouting new ones. However, when this normal cycle of hair growth and shedding is disturbed, the follicles suffer damage which triggers hair loss. Symptoms of hair loss Hair loss can unfold in different ways, i.e., it can be gradual or sudden. Moreover, it can be temporary or permanent based on its cause. Read further to know more about the hair loss symptoms. Abrupt loosening of hair An emotional or physical trauma can lead the hair to loosen suddenly. While combing or washing your hair, a handful of it will just easily fall off. Usually, such form of hair loss results to overall thinning of hair rather than targeting specific patches of the scalp. Thinning on top of the head A common type of hair loss, thinning on the top of head affects both women and men as they grow older.

Alopecia or baldness refers to hair loss from a part of the head. The severity of hair loss depends upon the cause of hair loss. Some common causes of hair loss include imbalanced diet, psychological stress, underlying health condition, and side effects from medications that are consumed to treat a different ailment. Following are some of the treatment options for hair loss- Natural remedies You can use natural oils such as sunflower, canola, or olive oil that can be used as hot oil treatment for moisturization and hair growth stimulation. Some studies suggest antioxidants in green tea prevent hair loss. Brew a couple of green tea bags in one cup of water and let it cool before applying it on your hair. Leave the tea in your hair for an hour and then rinse thoroughly. Include high-protein foods in your diet. Food products such as lean meats, fish and soy contain omega-3 fatty acids that help maintain a healthy crop of hair. Vegetables rich in zinc, biotin, iron, selenium, vitamin C, Vitamin A and E also help in preventing hair loss. Since stress is one of the factors for hair loss; take steps to reduce the same. Practicing meditation or exercising for 30 minutes to one hour daily also helps in reducing stress.

Body hair removal has become more common in the past few years. It is not only women who are concerned about their body hair, even men take body hair removal seriously. For most people, the driving factor for hair removal is hygiene. However, no matter what the driving factor is, the safety of your skin is of paramount importance. Furthermore, there are many different kinds of hair removal techniques that you can adopt; similarly, the safety measures for them also differ. Here are some safety tips for different techniques used for body hair removal. Laser treatment If you are opting for a laser hair removal for getting rid of the unwanted hair on your skin, you must make sure that you do not wax, pluck, or epilate prior to treatment. The results of your laser treatment will be positive only if the dark melanin in the hair is present. If you wish, you can wax, pluck, or epilate post treatment to smoothen the skin. You must avoid waxing and plucking, but you can shave. In fact, shaving your hair before a day before your laser treatment is ideal. Shaving does not extract the hair from the skin, it merely cuts it from slightly above the root.