The neck is one of the most flexible parts of the human body allowing the head to move in many directions. It is highly muscular part of the body with only the vertebrae at the back providing stability. When the neck flexibility decreases, we often call it a stiff neck. Usually there is pain which worsens with moving the head and neck. Neck stiffness affects almost every person at some time or the other in their life. In most instance it is acute and passes in a few days with minimal treatment. Chronic cases need proper diagnostic investigation and medical treatment as there may be serious underlying muscular, joint and bone problems.

continue reading How to Ease a Stiff Neck

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs are tiny insects belonging to the Cimicid family of parasites. These bugs survive by feeding on the blood of mammals like humans. The most common of the bed bug species is Cimex lectularius which has a preference for human blood. These insects are commonly referred to as bed bugs as they tend to hide in mattresses, headboards and bed frames during the day. They emerge at night to feed on sleeping human hosts. The oval-shaped adult bed bug is about 4 to 5 millimeters long and up to 3 millimeters wide. It has a light brown to reddish brown color.

Bed bugs feed for between 3 to 10 minutes on a person. After fully feeding it becomes engorged and then retreats. Usually bed bugs live in close vicinity to humans but does not reside on the human body. Its bite and subsequent feeding causes red spots on the skin which are usually orientated in a line or clusters. The site of the bite is typically itchy. Bed bugs more often feed on the face, neck, arms and hands and to a lesser degree on the legs. It can feed at any site on the body and the location of the bite depends on where it can easily gain access and the warmth of the area.

continue reading Pictures of Insects that Feed on Humans and Cause Diseases

Itching of the groin is as common as itching anywhere on the body. For most of us it is an occasional itch that quickly subsides and is not a persistent problem. An itchy groin is often more distressing than itching elsewhere on the body largely due to social component of it being unacceptable to scratch or touch the groin in public. However, many of the same causes of itching at other sites of the body are also responsible for an itchy groin except for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) which are often isolated to the groin area.

Why does the groin itch?

Firstly it is important to understand the area that the word ‘groin’ refers to. The groin is actually the crease between the torso and thighs on either side of the genitals. However, most people refer to the groin as the entire lower pubic area, including the crease, genitals and upper parts of the thigh. Commonly the groin is thought to be the area at the front of the body that is covered fully by underwear.

continue reading 7 Common Causes of Itchy Groin and Skin Rash

Ear infections are common, especially in children, but many cases of outer ear infections can be prevented with a little vigilance. The ear like any part of the body has various mechanisms in place to prevent infection apart from the fact that the immune system can fight off an infection when it occurs. As the age old saying goes ‘prevention is better than cure’ and a few simple measures are sometimes all that is necessary to prevent an ear canal infection.

The ear is a complex organ that is made up of several structures. It extends well beyond the outer appendage that we see on the side of the ear (auricle or pinna). The ear is actually divided into three parts, the outer, middle and inner ear. The outer ear starts from the auricle (pinna), extends to the ear canal and ends at the outer surface of the eardrum. An outer ear infection can involve any of these parts but most commonly involves the ear canal.

continue reading Ways to Prevent Ear Canal Infections

Acid reflux is the most common upper gastrointestinal problem in people across the world. It occurs when the acidic stomach juices flow upwards into the food pipe (esophagus) and sometimes even as high as the throat, mouth or even nose. We all may experience acid reflux every now and then in life especially after overeating and heavily indulging in alcohol or spicy foods. But sometimes the condition is chronic meaning that it occurs non-stop or recurs on a very frequent basis. Acid reflux is more correctly known as gastroesophageal reflux disease. This means that it is a disease where the stomach (gastro-) contents flows backwards (reflux) into the food pipe (esophagus).

continue reading Foods and Drinks Causing Acid Reflux