Untreated cirrhosis can lead to cancer

Explain cirrhosis

Cirrhosis scars and damages the liver permanently.  This scarring replaces healthy liver tissue and impairs liver function.  As scar tissue grows, the liver's ability to absorb blood, digest nutrients, and filter pollutants decreases.

Cirrhosis can be caused by drinking too much alcohol over a long period, hepatitis, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which used to be called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.  Cirrhosis moves from compensated, where the liver can still function, to decompensated, where liver function declines.

Cirrhosis won't exhibit symptoms early, but brain poisoning can induce lethargy, jaundice, leg and abdomen swelling, and confusion.  Cirrhosis can cause liver failure, portal hypertension, and liver cancer if untreated.

Cirrhosis

What are the main cirrhosis risk factors?

Cirrhosis risk factors injure livers in distinct ways:

* Chronic alcohol use damages liver cells and causes inflammation.  Such inflammation causes scar tissue to replace healthy liver tissue and hinders function.

* Viral Hepatitis: Chronic B and C infections induce liver inflammation.  The immunological reaction to the virus scars liver cells, causing cirrhosis.

* NAFLD: Steatohepatitis—inflammation and damage caused by liver cell fat accumulation—is a condition.  Chronic inflammation causes scarring and cirrhosis.

* Autoimmune Hepatitis: The immune system targets liver cells, producing inflammation and damage.  Continuous assault causes scarring and cirrhosis.

* Genetic Disorders: Hemochromatosis and Wilson's disease cause liver buildup of these chemicals.  This buildup causes cirrhosis by causing oxidative stress, inflammation, and liver cell destruction.

* Bile Duct Diseases: Primary biliary and primary sclerosing cholangitis can cause liver bile buildup.  Cirrhosis results from trapped bile inflaming, damaging, and scarring liver tissue.

* Other Factors: Diabetes and obesity increase NAFLD risk and cirrhosis.  Some drugs can harm the liver, causing scarring and cirrhosis over time.

Every risk factor damages liver cells and forms scar tissue in its own way.  Cirrhosis occurs when scar tissue affects liver function.

Also, read https://www.livertransplantsurgeon.co.in/liver-cirrhosis/.

Liver Cirrhosis Signs

Christina Lindenmeyer, MD, is a gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio, adds that early scarring may not cause cirrhosis symptoms.  “You can have cirrhosis with normal liver function”—“compensated cirrhosis”—she explains.  “Symptoms appear when the liver decompensates.” 

Cirrhosis is often discovered after a CT scan for another illness.  “Until the scan, they had no idea they had liver disease,” explains Lindenmeyer.

 Cirrhosis can induce symptoms like these:

•  Appetite loss
•  Fatigue
•  Sudden weight increase or loss
•  Itchy skin
•  Brown or orange urine
•  Yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice)
•  Leg, ankle, foot, or abdominal swelling
•  Nails are pale
•  Light-colored stools
•  Bloody stool

 Different scarring stages

 Cirrhosis scarring causes liver damage and functional impairment at different stages:

 * Mild Cirrhosis:

Early scarring occurs around the liver's blood arteries and ducts.  Most liver functions are still intact.

 * Moderate Cirrhosis:

 Description: Liver scarring expands.  Liver function declines, although it can compensate.

 * Advanced Cirrhosis:

 Description: More severe scarring impairs liver function.  Liver regeneration is hindered.

 * Compensated cirrhosis:

Despite extensive scarring and liver damage, the liver can execute most of its activities.  The body adjusts for liver weakness.

 * Cirrhosis decompensated:

 Description: The liver is highly damaged and dysfunctional.  Complications include portal hypertension, ascites, and hepatic encephalopathy.

Understanding these stages helps determine the best treatment and management options to halt cirrhosis progression and enhance quality of life.

 How to Diagnose Cirrhosis?

 The diagnosis of cirrhosis involves a medical history, physical examination, and various tests:

 * Medical History: Your doctor will ask about alcohol consumption, medications, liver disease family history, and symptoms.

 * Physical Exam: The doctor will search for cirrhosis symptoms such as jaundice, leg and abdominal edema, and liver size and texture abnormalities.

 * Blood tests: These can measure liver enzymes, bilirubin, and protein.  Reduced albumin and elevated liver enzymes and bilirubin may suggest liver injury.  Testing for hepatitis B and C and autoimmune liver diseases is also possible.

 * Imaging tests: Ultrasound, MRI, and CT scans show liver size, shape, texture, fat, and stiffness.  These tests measure liver scarring and damage.

 * Liver Biopsy: A liver biopsy may be conducted to evaluate a small liver tissue sample under a microscope.  This test can reveal liver disease and scarring.

 * Non-Invasive Tests: Transient elastography and acoustic radiation force impulse imaging evaluate liver stiffness.  Cirrhosis stiffens the liver.

 These diagnostic tools let clinicians assess cirrhosis severity and choose treatment and care.

What are cirrhosis treatments?

The video explains the treatment for cirrhosis

Treating cirrhosis involves managing the cause, preventing liver damage, and managing consequences.  Some common treatments:

 Changes in lifestyle

•  Drinking-related cirrhosis requires abstinence from drinking.
•  Diet: A balanced diet with many fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins.  
•  Limited salt consumption is also necessary.
•  Weight Management: NAFLD patients can lose weight to minimize liver fat and inflammation.

 Medications:

•  Antiviral drugs can treat chronic hepatitis B or C and minimize liver damage.
•  Immunosuppressants can lower liver inflammation in autoimmune hepatitis.
•  Treatments for bile duct illnesses may include drugs or operations to unblock clogged ducts.

 Manage Complications:

•  Diuretics: Reduce abdominal and leg fluid.
•  Beta-blockers lower liver-supplying vein blood pressure.
•  Lactulose reduces brain toxin buildup (hepatic encephalopathy).
•  Regular Monitoring: It's important to regularly monitor liver function and complications.
•  A liver transplant may be needed in extreme cases of liver failure.

These treatments slow cirrhosis, manage symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Which lifestyle changes assist in managing cirrhosis?

Lifestyle adjustments can manage cirrhosis and enhance liver health.  Some specific improvements can make a big difference:

•  Eat Healthy:
•  Eat a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
•  Salt restriction reduces fluid retention and edema.
•  Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
•  Achieve and maintain a healthy weight to reduce liver fat and inflammation, especially if you have NAFLD.
•  Exercise regularly to promote health and weight management.
•  Avoid Toxins: Avoid liver-damaging pesticides and home cleaners.
•  Vaccinate for hepatitis A and B to prevent liver-damaging infections.

These lifestyle adjustments can delay cirrhosis and enhance the quality of life.

 Monitor medications: 

Be careful with OTC, supplement, and prescription pharmaceuticals.  Before taking any new medicine, ask your doctor because some can affect the liver.

 Control Underlying Conditions: 

Diabetes, high blood pressure, and excessive cholesterol can harm the liver.

 Regular Check-Ups: 

Visit your doctor often to monitor liver function and catch problems early.

 Hydrate: 

Drinking water supports liver health and function. 

Liver Cirrhosis Prognosis

• The cirrhosis lifespan depends on severity and etiology.  Early detection, treatment, and slowing the cirrhosis may not affect mortality.
• If cirrhosis is widespread before diagnosis or treatment, or if the patient drinks alcohol or uses liver-toxic medicines after diagnosis (even if substance use wasn't the cause), the prognosis is poor.
• In 2021, the practice guidelines from the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases connected obesity to a poorer liver cirrhosis prognosis.
• Doctors utilize the Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CTP) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores to predict cirrhosis mortality.  Both can estimate a person's three-month mortality risk, and the CTP can estimate one- to two-year survival.

UNOS began using the MELD score in 2002 to prioritize deceased donor liver transplants.

Conclusion

It's not unexpected that a wide range of dysfunctions occur when the liver is injured and unable to filter blood or manage blood glucose levels. Your doctor or hospital should compute your score at each visit if you have cirrhosis to decide whether to refer you for a liver transplant examination.

Melatonin helps repair DNA damage during sleep.

Describe Melatonin

The pineal gland, a tiny brain gland, produces melatonin.  The endocrine system includes the pineal gland. Most research reveals that melatonin synchronizes circadian rhythms in diverse areas of the body.  Physical, emotional, and behavioral changes occur every 24 hours.  The sleep-wake cycle is the most well-known circadian rhythm.  Light and dark dominate these natural processes.  The pineal gland releases the most melatonin at night and the least amount during the day.

A lab can synthesize melatonin and sell it as a supplement.  Since the FDA doesn't regulate supplements, synthetic melatonin isn't FDA-approved for any purpose.  Consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking melatonin supplements.

Sleep in dark

Uses of Melatonin

• People with delayed sleep phase syndrome have problems falling asleep at night. 
• Melatonin used orally helps young people and children with this problem fall asleep faster.
• The patient suffers from a sleep-wake disorder that lasts for less than 24 hours. 
• Melatonin used orally at bedtime helps blind children and adults sleep.

Health benefits of melatonin

• Melatonin may help seasonal sadness, sleep, and eyes.  Children should not use it despite its safety and few adverse effects.

A recent study found a surprise extra health advantage to this popular sleep aid.

In America, melatonin is highly sought after. Between 1999 and 2018, the use of the popular "sleep" supplement surged fivefold, according to NIH data. Individuals use it to combat jet lag. fall asleep at night and lessen anxiety before medical procedures. These days, nearly two people out of every 100 say they use melatonin.   When you're overly wired, melatonin may do more than just help you fall asleep, according to recent studies.

The video about DNA regeneration

A study in the journal Occupational & Environmental Medicine suggests that melatonin may help some people repair DNA damage while they sleep.

* The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that your brain naturally creates the hormone melatonin in response to darkness.    Melatonin can help you fall asleep and control your internal clock, also referred to as your circadian cycles.

*  The DNA repair element, however, represents a novel health advantage. 

*  The results of the study and the potential causes, as recommended by medical experts, are listed below.

Learn about the expert:  

The hosts of the Sleep Unplugged podcast

Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University; 

Parveen Bhatti, PhD, a cancer control researcher and study co-author at BC Cancer Research Institute; 

W. Christopher Winter, MD, is a neurologist and sleep medicine specialist with Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine.

Also, read https://www.melatonin-research.net/index.php/MR/article/view/8.

What did the study find out?

* For the study, forty night shift workers were enlisted and divided into two groups.  One group took a melatonin pill before bed after work for four weeks.   The other group was given a placebo tablet.

* The researchers took urine samples and looked for a chemical called creatinine-adjusted 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OH-dG) to determine the body's capacity to repair oxidative DNA damage.   For those who don't know, oxidative DNA damage is a change in DNA that can be brought on by inflammation, chemical exposure, and poor diet.  It raises the chance of getting cancer and other serious illnesses.    Higher concentrations of this substance in urine, the researchers found, suggest that the body can more easily repair oxidative DNA damage.

* The subjects wore activity monitors to better measure their sleep duration.   The researchers also measured 8-OH-dG levels in the individuals' urine during the night shifts and after they went to bed.

* They found that the melatonin group had stronger DNA repair during the sleeping hours, as evidenced by the fact that their 8-OH-dG levels were 80% higher than those of the placebo group.

What does this mean? 

Because it disrupts the body's circadian cycles, working at night has been linked to several serious health issues, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.   Nonetheless, the findings suggest that taking melatonin supplements could lessen the adverse consequences of sleeping during the day and staying up late.

How much melatonin did the subjects take to get results?

The participants took three milligrams of melatonin before bed for the duration of the four-week trial.   According to the study's researchers, they chose this dosage because it was most likely enough to influence most respondents' sleep-wake cycles.

How does melatonin contribute to DNA repair?

Crucially, the study recently found a link between the use of melatonin and the synthesis of 8-OH-dG. ( 8-Hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a molecule that indicates oxidative DNA damage ). In actuality, it didn't show that people who took melatonin had better DNA repair.

Furthermore, Jamie Alan, PhD, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, says you can have "silent" mutations in your DNA that don't necessarily impact your health.   Alan also points out that the study was narrowly targeted and that further research is necessary before we can start gloating about the supplement's ability to repair DNA.

However, the findings are certainly interesting.

• The study found that when you work a night shift, your body suppresses the production of melatonin to help you stay awake.   But that makes it harder for your body to repair the oxidative DNA damage that constantly occurs in cells.   If left untreated, the damage can raise the risk of developing certain diseases and disorders.
• According to Charlottesville Neurology and Sleep Medicine neurologist and sleep medicine specialist W. Christopher Winter, MD, host of the Sleep Unplugged podcast, people might have reversed this trend by using melatonin to fall asleep, which would have increased DNA repair.
• "Even at the DNA level, our body is continuously looking for and trying to repair cellular damage," he says.    This is often considered in terms of oxidative damage, which certain drugs facilitate.   This study's findings imply that melatonin might help in this process.

Will melatonin help my body repair its DNA?

• It's hard to say at the moment.   The study's highly specific target population was night shift workers, who are vulnerable to issues with DNA repair.
• "These findings are very specific to night shift workers who are sleeping during the day and have lower circulating levels of melatonin," explains Parveen Bhatti, PhD, a co-author of the study and a cancer control researcher at the BC Cancer Research Institute. "Non-night shift workers tend to sleep at night and usually produce adequate amounts of melatonin.".
• It's uncertain if melatonin would have the same effect if you usually sleep at night and are awake during the day, based on the data.

Which supplements include melatonin?

Dr. Winter cautions against taking melatonin supplements daily because the majority of people produce melatonin naturally.   "I think this is an inappropriate use of the drug because most people use it as a sleep aid," he says.    However, he believes there might be a use for melatonin if you work the night shift and have trouble falling asleep or are suffering from jet lag.

Conclusion

This new study reveals that they may help you fall asleep and sustain DNA health. Melatonin isn't magical.  Cell protection requires proper sleep hygiene, balanced eating, and regular exercise. 

 

Deep Breathing is a Complete Guide to Relaxation

Overview

* Breathing is interesting because we do it without thinking. When aware of our breathing patterns, we can deliberately control them. We can manage our breath by slowing, speeding, or taking shallow or deep breaths.

* How we breathe influences health.  Baxter Bell, MD, a qualified yoga instructor and medical acupuncturist, says deep breathing or conscious breath control can benefit our bodies.  “First, we can lower our blood pressure and stress and think more clearly,” he explains.  According to him, deep breathing frequently promotes well-being by calming and centering.

* Read on to learn how deep breathing works and how it can benefit you. It requires no special equipment and can be done at any time of day.

Breathing Function.

• Inhaling and exhaling are the two phases of breathing. 
• The diaphragm—the large, dome-shaped muscle between your chest and abdominal cavities—contracts and descends when you inhale. 
• Extra room in the chest cavity allows the lungs to expand.  The diaphragm relaxes when you exhale because you breathe less air.
• Breathing is necessary for moving muscles, digesting food, and reading these words.
• These processes produce carbon dioxide, which the body exhales through breathing.

Deep breathing

 Define deep breathing.

• Deep breathing involves intentionally filling your lungs with air. 
• “You usually don't get that when you're breathing normally,” explains Cleveland Clinic Health System Center for Integrative Medicine doctor Yufang Lin, MD.
• Shallow breathing may indicate inadvertent stress or stress itself.  

• Dr. Bell says deep breathing naturally slows the breath. 
• “When sitting down or doing a nonstrenuous activity, most people breathe in for two seconds and out for two seconds,” he explains.  
•   This is a common respiration rate when we're not thinking about our breath.

• Megan Elizabeth Riehl, PsyD, a clinical assistant professor and health psychologist at the University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, advises relaxing your stomach region while deep breathing.  
• "We slowly fill the lungs with air and let them expand, which moves the diaphragm as it contracts.  
• She says, "We exhale all the air," as the diaphragm relaxes and the chest wall recoils.  She suggests we may slow our breathing by focusing on this procedure.

• Dr. Riehl adds that breath-focused meditation doesn't have to involve deep breathing, though yoga or mindfulness can include it.
• “Some yoga breathing is like diaphragmatic breathing, but sometimes it's different.  “ Some yoga breathing patterns require you to close your mouth,” she says.  
• She advises breathing in via the nose and out through the mouth in diaphragmatic, or deep, breathing.

• Breath-focused meditation can help you become conscious and embrace the present. 
• Riehl believes your breath is the only thing in the moment—you can't breathe ahead or backward.

• She says meditation and guided relaxation generally start with awareness of your breath as you breathe in and out, but you may not practice deep breathing or modify your breath pattern.  

It may be a reminder to breathe swiftly or gently.  Shallow or deep?  Riehl thinks mindfulness or meditation is different from focused diaphragmatic breathing.

Shallow Breathing Cons

* “Stress can shift our breathing,” Riehl explains.  Stress or tension can cause shallow breathing.

* She claims this is due to sympathetic arousal, which is activated by stress.  According to Riehl, hormones released during the "fight or flight response" increase respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure.  Whether an automobile swerves at you or you're talking to your employer about a raise, the sympathetic system prepares the body to survive.

* She says shallow breathing can tense your shoulders, jaw, hands, and back.  “ That tension increases GI distress.  Stress can cause shallow breathing, which can lead to greater stress, she explains.

Chest vs. abdominal breathing

The video about belly vs chest breathing

* All humans are deep breathers, explains Riehl.  Think about a baby sleeping.  Their small bellies rise and fall quietly and peacefully—you can see that,” she says.

* Riehl says we go from belly to chest breathing as we get older and exercise more.

* Dr. Lin believes chest breathing still moves air through our lungs, but it's shorter and shallower.  “When we breathe daily, most of us use the upper half or top third of our lungs.  She says when you take a deep breath, your chest rises, but most people's abdomens don't move.

* The diaphragm contracts to expand the abdomen and fill the lungs when abdominal breathing begins in the nose and proceeds to the stomach. Because it pulls down on the lungs, abdominal breathing is more efficient and brings in more oxygen than chest breathing. Breathing in increases chest cavity negative pressure, allowing more air into the lungs.

Possible Deep Breathing Health Benefits

• Bell claims that deep breathing reduces stress, which can cause various health issues.  Experts say deep breathing is safe for most individuals despite conflicting findings.

• This supplemental method may help you manage a health condition, whether done alone, as a meditation, or with yoga.

Deep breathing may help you to manage or improve:

• Lowering stress and anxiety can help GI problems like IBS. 
• High blood pressure
• Stress reduction and relaxation can help treat mental health illnesses like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, as well as sleep disorders like insomnia. 
• Lowering perceived stress helps pelvic floor issues, including overactive bladder. 
• Improves air circulation and quality of life in COPD and hyperventilation, lung function, and quality of life in mild to moderate asthma. 
• Reducing inflammation and psoriasis outbreaks may help skin diseases like eczema. 
• Autoimmune diseases like RA and lupus increase heart rate variability, a marker of heart health. 

 In advanced stages

• Parkinson's disease can induce dysphagia, breathing problems, and migraines.
• Hot flashes, fast heart rate, and other perimenopause symptoms can be distressing.  High blood sugar and oxidative stress accelerate type 2 diabetes.
• It aids COVID-19 recovery by increasing lung capacity, diaphragmatic function, and stress reduction.
• Riehl has seen that deep breathing helps her IBS and ulcerative colitis patients.  
• She thinks deep breathing reduces digestive system tension due to diaphragm movement.  “This can aid digestion and help with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), constipation, and diarrhea,” explains Riehl.  

Stress relaxed

• Deep breathing can help us feel and think better when we're overwhelmed.  “The more stressed we are, the harder it can be to think clearly,” she explains.
• Stress is linked to mental health illnesses despite their complicated causes.  Bell says persistent stress disrupts respiratory rhythm.  “That imbalance could cause anxiety, insomnia, or other problems.  He suggests conscious breathing activities to reset their breathing system.

Does deep breathing pose health risks?

Riehl argues that deep breathing is a low-risk intervention.  “When learning diaphragmatic breathing, people sometimes feel light-headed.  “They put more oxygen in their bodies than usual, which lowers carbon dioxide,” she says.  She says that it may change how you breathe, but it's safe.  Consult your healthcare staff if you experience pain or light-headedness before initiating deep breathing.

How to practice deep breathing? 

• Riehl suggests practicing deep breathing daily or if you're worried or overloaded.  Since deep breathing helps one sleep, doing it before bed can be useful.
• “In stressful times, you may hold your breath or gasp.  Deep breathing or another relaxation practice can help you activate our parasympathetic system, or relaxation response.  We can restore the baseline by doing that, she explains.

Simple Beginner Deep-Breathing Exercise

Deep-breathing beginners should start with this exercise, according to Riehl.

* Put one hand on your chest and one on your tummy. Breathe regularly; the top hand will likely move more than the bottom.  Riehl advises shifting it so the top hand stays static and the lower hand moves as the belly rises and falls.

* Relax your tummy while you breathe deeply through your nostrils.  She suggests counting to four to yourself to get into a rhythm by inhaling through your nose to four.  The belly will slowly rise and fall as you breathe in and out.  “Try to make your exhale last a second or two longer than your inhale,” advises Riehl.  Practice that for 6 to 10 breaths—you don't need 20 minutes if you're new to deep breathing.”

* She claims you can stop counting once you get used to it.  Just observe it takes a couple of seconds to breathe in and the belly to rise, and then a couple of seconds to breathe out and the belly to fall. Try to make your exhale last a little longer than your inhale.

* Bell adds that slowing down and managing breath during a stressful situation—whether you're apprehensive, have lower back discomfort, or something else—can make a difference.  “It can give us control in situations where we feel powerless.  He finds it empowering to have something you can use right away.

Conclusion

Deep breathing is easy but effective and can improve mental wellness. Modern science has confirmed this centuries-old method, which is employed in stress management and treatment.

The beauty of deep breathing is its simplicity and accessibility. Start at your speed, making little but major mental and physical health improvements.

Baldness may be a sign of heart disease.

Outline

Although age is a risk factor, heart disease can attack at any age.  Specifically, women aged 35 to 54 have been hospitalized for heart attacks more often in recent decades, according to a 2019 Circulation study.  This age group is at higher risk for heart disease due to obesity and high blood pressure, according to the CDC.  In reality, heart disease symptoms are more complex and subtle.

Heart disease signs vs. symptoms

Start with definitions. 

* Heart disease symptoms are bodily sensations, while signs are visible to your doctor.  Shortness of breath and chest pain indicate cardiac disease.  Your doctor will also check for typical heart disease symptoms during an exam or interview.

* Knowing heart disease indicators is crucial since you may have them before symptoms appear.  Telling your doctor about these indications may help you seek heart disease treatment early.

Foot/Lower Leg Swelling

• Fluid retention in the feet and legs is called peripheral edema.  
• Edema can leave "sock marks" on your legs and ankles after a day of tight socks or hose.  Mild peripheral edema is common.  
• Your doctor may check for such swelling by placing a finger on your ankle or shin bone for a depression or dent. 
• Pitting edema may suggest congestive heart failure.
• Edema may indicate heart failure because fluid from blood vessels leaks into surrounding tissues when the heart is not working adequately. 
• Edema often affects the legs and ankles due to gravity.

Also, read https://www.acs-mv.com/blog/the-link-between-edema-and-your-heart.

Manish A. Parikh, MD, Chief of Cardiology at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, says venous insufficiency or varicose veins can cause leg swelling.

When leg veins don't return blood to the heart, the leg feels heavy or swollen.

• Swollen or asymmetrical legs with abrupt pain and tenderness behind the calves or thigh may suggest a blood clot, which requires emergency medical attention, says Dr. Parikh.
• If you experience new or worsening leg swelling, see your doctor because edema might suggest several diseases.  “The swelling has a cause, but medications or lifestyle changes can help,” explains Texas Heart Institute general and interventional cardiologist Briana Costello, MD.

Baldness in Men

• Some evidence links AGA, a prevalent hair loss condition, to heart disease in men.  Men with male pattern baldness lose hair.
• One often-cited 2000 JAMA Internal Medicine study indicated that men with crown hair loss have a 23% higher risk of heart disease than those with full heads of hair.  Men with complete top-hair loss have a 36% higher risk, according to the findings.
• A June 2021 International Journal of General Medicine study linked baldness to heart problems in Chinese men.  Four hundred and two participants aged 28 to 75 with variable hair loss were tested for artery health.  Researchers identified the strongest link between heart disease and significant and early hair loss in men.

 However, scientists caution that other variables may be involved.

• "The relationship between male pattern baldness and heart disease remains unclear."  Dr. Costello says.  Early balding is linked to higher cardiac risk, but it may also be a sign of obesity and diabetes.
• Too much testosterone, which inhibits hair growth and hardens arteries, may be the cause, according to some studies.
• “Nonetheless, the final answer has not yet been reached,” Costello says.
• While baldness may not cause heart problems, it may suggest further evaluation for other symptoms.

Yellow Skin Bumps

• Xanthomas are subcutaneous fat deposits.  They may show as little yellow bumps or flat, wide plaques on elbows, knees, hands, feet, or buttocks.  Xanthelasma palpebrarum is an eyelid xanthoma.  These fat yellow deposits may indicate cardiac trouble.
• “Xanthomas can be a marker of very high blood cholesterol,” Parikh explains.  “This is linked to heart disease because deposits can build up in heart arteries.”

 Gum Disease

• Swollen, painful, or bleeding gums commonly indicate poor oral hygiene but may also indicate heart problems.
• According to Harvard Health Publishing, gum disease increases the risk of heart disease by 2–3 times, but the link is uncertain.
• Inflammation may be driving the relationship, according to a January 2021 Journal of Periodontology study.
• The inflammation caused by periodontal or gum infection can lead to heart problems, says Parikh.  “The same inflammatory process from gums that can cause similar artery or heart deposits.”
• Another possibility is that periodontal disease-causing gum bacteria move to blood vessels and cause inflammation or damage.

Other evidence showed smoking may cause gum disease and heart disease simultaneously.

• A 2018 European Journal of Preventive Cardiology study included over a million participants who had approximately 65,000 cardiovascular events, including heart attacks.  Poor dental health was linked to heart disease somewhat; however, adjusting for smoking status eliminated the link.
• "Work is ongoing to investigate this possible link between gum disease and heart disease, but in the meantime, I encourage all patients to maintain dental health and hygiene and schedule regular cleanings," Costello says.

Emotional Stress

• Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, or broken heart syndrome, is cardiac muscle weakness caused by acute emotional stress, grief, or loss, especially in women.  Surging stress chemicals, especially adrenaline, cause cardiac pain that feels like a heart attack, with heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and flushing.
• Costello says stress-induced cardiomyopathy is not a heart attack because the coronary arteries are not obstructed.  One theory is that an abrupt adrenaline spike "stresses" the cardiac muscle and causes malfunction.

The 2005 New England Journal of Medicine study first described broken heart syndrome.

• In October 2021, the Journal of the American Heart Association reported a sharp surge of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy in older women.  The study found that 88% of broken heart syndrome sufferers are women, and rates are 6 to 12 times higher in women aged 50 to 75.
• The American Heart Association says broken heart syndrome survivors can recover within weeks, but long-term implications are still being explored.

Heart Failure Signs

• Heart failure is poor heart function.  It doesn't indicate heart failure.  Heart failure is sometimes called congestive heart failure (CHF).
• “It is first important to realize that heart failure is a spectrum, and many patients with imperfect heart function may feel just fine,” Costello adds.  “It's also important to remember that heart failure's early signs can be subtle.”

Eventually, heart failure worsens.  Initial warnings may include:

The video explains that weight gain may be a sign of heart disease

* Weight Gain:  Parikh believes edema and abrupt weight gain might result from heart failure.

* Exercise Tolerance Change:  Heart failure may be indicated by a decline in exercise or performance.  Costello says shortness of breath occurs because the heart-pumping function is weakened, and you cannot improve oxygen transport to tissues as efficiently as previously.

* Frequent Urination:  Heart failure reduces kidney blood flow, causing fluid retention.  According to the Cleveland Clinic, this fluid may cause frequent urination.

* Nighttime Cough:  Costello says fluid buildup in the chest with heart failure makes it difficult to lie down owing to shortness of breath.  The condition may cause nighttime coughing.

Conclusion

Remember that these heart disease symptoms may have numerous origins.  They don't indicate heart disease.  They give your doctor the best chance to discover heart disease early and keep you healthy when combined with other heart disease symptoms, blood tests, and family history.

 Quickest way to get rid of earache

Overview

Earaches are more common in children, but anyone might experience them. Finding relief from severe, dull, or searing ear discomfort requires determining if it is caused by a regular cold or an ear infection. What comes to mind when you imagine an earache might be a wailing, uneasy, feverish, and sleepless toddler.

There are many reasons for earaches, and they can be painful. A set of facts regarding earaches is as follows:

Earache

Common Causes: Infections, trauma, or ear irritation are common causes of earaches. Ear infections, pressure fluctuations (like on a plane), earwax accumulation, and transferred pain from other conditions (such as a toothache or a sore throat) are common reasons. Sore throat, allergies, upper respiratory infections (sinus or throat infections), arthritis of the jaw, and ear injury caused by changes in pressure, such as ascending into high altitudes.  Object in the ear, Hole in the eardrum, Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), which causes pain in the jaw joints and surrounding muscles

Tooth infection

Common Symptoms: While the exact symptoms of an earache might differ from person to person, common signs in youngsters include fever, irritability, and trouble sleeping in addition to ear pain, poor hearing, and fluid leakage from the ear.

Home Remedies: If you're suffering from an earache, you can try one of numerous home remedies. Avoiding getting the ear wet, sitting up straight to ease pressure, using over-the-counter ear drops, taking pain medicines, and applying a cold washcloth are all things to consider.

Medical Intervention: Ear infections can be treated with eardrops or oral antibiotics prescribed by a doctor. If the pain doesn't go away or if other symptoms are severe, you should consult a doctor. 

If your child has an ear infection and experiences any of the following symptoms, seek immediate medical care:

High body temperature, Ear ejecting blood or fluid, Severe ear pain, Paralysis in the face.

Earache prevention: 

• Never put anything in your ear, always keep your ears dry, and know how to deal with colds and allergies.
• Having knowledge about the causes and treatments for earaches might help alleviate the discomfort they bring. 

When do people usually start to feel ear pain?

Earaches are most often caused by

• Viruses and bacteria are common culprits in ear infections, which can manifest in any part of the ear. Children often experience otitis media, an infection of the middle ear.
• A buildup and hardening of earwax can lead to a blockage, which in turn can cause pressure and discomfort in the ear canal.
• When the sinuses become inflamed and congested, it can cause referred discomfort to the ears, which is known as a sinus infection.

Ear Pain and Pressure Changes: 

• Barotrauma can occur in the ears as a result of sudden changes in altitude, like while scuba diving or taking a plane.
• Inserting foreign things into the ear can result in injury, pain, and infection overall.
• Referred pain to the ears can be caused by dental issues such as cavities, impacted wisdom teeth, jaw abnormalities, and infections.
• Tonsillitis and pharyngitis are throat infections that share nerve pathways and can cause earaches.
• A direct hit or puncture to the ear can produce excruciating pain and suffering.

Determining the root cause of an earache is crucial. Always seek the advice of a medical expert if you suffer from severe or ongoing ear pain.

How can you know if someone has an ear infection?

When you have an ear infection, you could experience many unpleasant symptoms. A few examples of them are:

• Pain in the ears, which can be moderate to severe, is the most obvious sign.
• Temporary deafness or ringing in the ears could be a symptom of hearing loss.
• The presence of pus-like fluid that drains from the ear canal is a telltale sign of an infection.
• A high temperature is a common symptom of an ear infection, particularly in children.
• Sleep Disorders: Discomfort and suffering could prevent you from getting a night's rest.
• Fussiness and irritability: This is especially true for children.
• Dizziness or problems with balance may result from an infection of the inner ear, which aids with balance.
• Ear infections can occasionally bring on headaches.
• Young children often express their pain when they are unable to speak by pulling or tugging at their ears.

Make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible if you or a loved one are suffering from any of these symptoms so that you can get the help you need.

When an ear infection occurs, how can a doctor determine a diagnosis?

Ear infections can be diagnosed in several ways. Typical procedures include the following:

* The patient's medical history will be reviewed by the doctor, who will inquire about the severity, length, and history of any ear infections or other illnesses.

* As part of a thorough physical examination, a doctor will use an otoscope to look inside the ear and look for any swelling, redness, or fluid behind the eardrum that could indicate an infection.

* Pneumatic otoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that examines the eardrum's movement by forcing a little puff of air into the ear. Fluid accumulation or illness can be indicated by limited mobility.

* In tympanometry, the eardrum's reactivity to changes in air pressure is measured. You can use it to find out if your middle ear is full of fluid.

* To determine whether the infection has caused any hearing loss, a patient may be required to undergo hearing testing.

* Lab Testing: A doctor may decide to extract some ear fluid to pinpoint the exact bacterium or virus responsible for a persistent or severe illness.

Also, read https://www.specsavers.ie/ear-health/earache.

Ear infections can be more precisely diagnosed and treated with the use of these diagnostic tools.

As a diagnostic tool, why is pneumatic otoscopy useful for ear infections?

For multiple reasons, pneumatic otoscopy is an excellent method for identifying ear infections:

* When air pressure varies, the eardrum's tympanic membrane can move. This process can be observed by clinicians using pneumatic otoscopy. A frequent symptom of an infection is fluid in the middle ear, which might be indicated by limited or nonexistent movement.

* One way that doctors can detect effusion (fluid buildup) in the middle ear is by watching the eardrum's response to pressure. Conditions like otitis media with effusion can be more precisely diagnosed with this method.

* Research has demonstrated that pneumatic otoscopy is more accurate than static otoscopy when diagnosing middle ear effusion. It improves diagnostic accuracy, which in turn improves treatment results.

* Pneumatic otoscopy is useful for the detection of infections, scarring (tympanosclerosis), and perforations in the eardrum.

In conclusion, pneumatic otoscopy is an essential tool for healthcare providers to properly identify and treat ear infections.

Possible Alternative Reasons for Ear Pain

There are a lot of things besides ear infections that can cause ear pain. Additional potential reasons are as follows:

* Ear pain and fullness can be caused by a common cold, which can lead to dysfunction of the Eustachian tube.

* A blocked Eustachian tube, caused by inflammation and fluid accumulation in the sinuses, might cause ear pain if you have a sinus infection.

* Irritation of the sinuses and the ears can be brought on by allergies, such as pollen or dust mites.

* A buildup of earwax can lead to pain and discomfort as it hardens and obstructs the ear canal.

* Feeling pressure or discomfort in the ears is a common symptom of abrupt changes in altitude, as those experienced during a flight.

* Redness, swelling, and pain are symptoms of swimmer's ear, an infection of the outer ear canal brought on by water being stuck in the ear canal.

* Intense agony and inability to hear might result from a ruptured eardrum.

* Pain in the ears may be a referred ache from a dental issue, such as a cavity or a problem with the jaw.

* Disorders of the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): Problems with the jaw joint can lead to discomfort in the ear canal.

* Pain in the Ear: Because of the similar neural pathways, throat diseases such as tonsillitis can cause pain in the ear.

Seek the advice of a medical expert for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of any ear discomfort that does not go away or that is very severe.

Relief for Cold or Infection-Related Ear Pain

Earaches from a typical cold might last as long as the symptoms. Ear infection pain may persist until antibiotics are administered. 

However, you can treat ear pain from a cold or infection.

The video explains that flying with ear pain is dangerous

• Treatments for earaches include chewing to relieve pain and pressure.
• A cold, wet washcloth on the outside of your ear for 20 minutes relieves pain.
• Resting upright reduces pressure.
• Pop your ears gently to balance the pressure. Simply squeeze your nose, close your lips, and slowly exhale.
• Consult your doctor before trying OTC options
• Anesthetic eardrops (only if the eardrum is intact)
• Tylenol and ibuprofen are painkillers.
• Topical antibiotics like ciprofloxacin may be prescribed if an ear infection ruptures the eardrum and drains fluid. This medication kills ear bacteria to treat infection.

Conclusion

Earaches and ear infections are prevalent medical conditions that frequently result in considerable pain. To properly manage and prevent them, one must be knowledgeable about their causes, symptoms, and treatment options.

Ear pain can have several causes, including but not limited to ear infections, earwax accumulation, sinus infections, and dental problems. Accurate diagnosis is crucial for determining the root cause and administering the right treatment. Tools such as pneumatic otoscopy are commonly used for this purpose.

For optimal care and rehabilitation, always seek the advice of a healthcare professional if you feel severe or persistent ear pain.

The best home remedy for sinusitis.

Explain sinus infections.

A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is inflammation or swelling of the sinus tissue. The bones around the nose and eyes contain hollow, air-filled sinuses. This membrane creates and pumps mucus into your sinuses and nasal passages to remove dust, particles, and bacteria from the air. Cilia whisk mucus to the back of your throat, allowing it to slip into your stomach. Bacteria, viruses, and fungus can cause sinus infections when sinuses are closed or filled with fluid.

sinus

Interesting sinusitis facts:

• Types of Sinusitis: Duration and Causation Divide sinusitis into four types:
• Acute sinusitis: Caused by viruses like the common cold and lasts less than four weeks.
• Subacute Sinusitis: 4-12 weeks.
• Bacteria often cause 12-week chronic sinusitis.
• Four or more episodes of acute sinusitis in a year, each lasting fewer than two weeks.

Important sinus infection facts:

Causes: 

• Colds, bacterial infections, fungal infections, and allergies can cause sinus infections.
• Sinusitis can also be caused by nasal polyps, deviated septum, or respiratory tract infections. 
• It can be caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, and allergies.

Common sinus infection symptoms include. 

Sinusitis symptoms include facial pain or pressure, nasal congestion, thick mucus, and diminished smell.

• Stuffiness in the nose
• Heavy, yellow, or green mucus
• Pain or pressure around the nose, eyes, and forehead
• Headache
• Reduced scent and taste
• Coughing
• Fever
• Fatigue

Diagnosis: 

Symptoms, physical exams, and imaging tests like X-rays or CT scans to see the sinuses help to identify sinus infections.

Treatment:

Sinus infection treatments vary by origin and severity. May include:

• Decongestants
• Nasal sprays
• Bacterial antibiotics
• Pain killers
• Saline nasal irrigation
• Rest and hydration
• and sometimes surgery.

Home treatments 

The video explains about sinus infection and its home treatments

Some sinus infection home treatments are effective:

• Drinking water, herbal tea, and clear broths thins mucus and encourages drainage.
• Steam inhalation opens nasal passageways and relieves congestion. Take a hot shower, or make a steam tent with a bowl of hot water and a towel.
• Nasal irrigation: Neti pots and saline nasal sprays can remove mucus and allergies from the nose. This requires distilled or boiling water.
• Warm Compress: A warm compress on your face helps relieve nasal pressure and pain. Use a warm, moist towel or heating pad.
• Rest: Resting helps your body fight infection and recover faster.
• A humidifier in your bedroom helps keep the air moist and avoid sinus irritation.
• Essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint can ease sinus congestion. A few drops in a bowl of hot water can produce steam that you can inhale or disperse.
• Due to its antibacterial qualities, diluted apple cider vinegar in water may alleviate sinus infection symptoms.
• Turmeric reduces nasal inflammation with its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Include turmeric in your meals or sip turmeric tea.

These home remedies can help, but if symptoms increase, see a doctor.

Also, read https://sinushealth.com/conditions/complications-of-sinusitis/.

Compare these cures to medical treatments.

Home cures and medical sinus infection treatments have pros and cons. A comparison:

Pros of home remedies:

• Steam inhalation, nasal irrigation, and warm compresses are natural, non-invasive home therapies.
• They're cheap and can be done with household things.
• Adverse Effects: Home cures usually have fewer adverse effects than pharmaceuticals.

Cons:

• Home treatments may not work for severe or chronic sinus infections.
• They focus on symptom alleviation rather than infection treatment.

Pros of medical treatments:

• Targeted Treatment: Antibiotics, nasal sprays, and decongestants help treat bacterial infections.
• Medications relieve symptoms faster than home treatments.
• Healthcare workers prescribe and monitor medical treatments.

Cons:

• Side effects: Drugs might cause sleepiness, stomach trouble, and allergic reactions.
• Prescription drugs and doctor appointments cost more than home cures.
• Overuse of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance, making subsequent infections harder to cure.

In conclusion, home remedies can help treat mild sinus infections or supplement medical treatment. For serious or chronic infections, seek medical advice and consider professional treatments.

Have home treatments been used historically?

Many civilizations have employed sinus infection home treatments for centuries. Some historical uses:

* Steam inhalation: Greeks and Romans utilized it to clear sinuses. They inhaled eucalyptus or mint-infused vapor from boiling water.

* Herbal Remedies: Magnolia flower and angelica root have long been used to treat sinus infections in TCM. Additionally, Indian Ayurvedic therapy includes anti-inflammatory medicines like turmeric and ginger.

* The practice of nasal irrigation, or "jala neti," has been part of Ayurvedic therapy for thousands of years. Saline water is used to flush the nasal passages with a neti pot.

* Honey and onion: Medieval Europeans treated sinus infections with honey and onion. Honey is antimicrobial, and onions may alleviate nose congestion.

* Garlic: Ancient Egyptians and Greeks employed garlic's antibacterial capabilities to treat sinusitis. Consuming mashed garlic with honey or oil was common.

* To ease nasal congestion and inflammation, several cultures use warm compresses on the face. This approach boosts circulation and reduces inflammation.

These ancient cures inspired numerous sinus infection home remedies today. These techniques are still employed, but chronic or severe sinus infections require medical attention.

Chronic sinusitis/infection types

Based on its origins and symptoms, chronic sinusitis (rhinostinusitis) can be divided into different kinds. The main types:

• Chronic Sinusitis without Nasal Polyposis: The most frequent variety is caused by airborne allergens, irritation, and infections.
• In chronic sinusitis with nasal polyposis, abnormal nasal growths are present. These polyps can block nasal passageways and cause chronic irritation.
• This type is chronic sinusitis with fungal allergies. Most people can safely breathe air with modest quantities of fungus. Some people develop chronic sinusitis from such exposure.

Chronic bacterial sinusitis causes inflammation and discomfort.

• This type causes persistent inflammation and sinusitis due to an allergic reaction to environmental fungus.
• People with cystic fibrosis are more likely to get chronic sinusitis because their bodies create thick mucus, which can obstruct sinuses and cause infections.
• These classifications help doctors choose the best chronic sinusitis treatment. Please ask if you need further info!

Sinus Infection Prevention

Some effective sinus infection prevention methods:

Maintain Hydration: Water thins mucus and aids drainage.

• Manage Allergies: Discuss allergy management with your doctor. Avoid known allergens and take allergy medicines.
• Good hygiene: Wash your hands often to avoid illnesses. Your nose and eyes should not be touched.
• Use a humidifier to keep your home's air moist and prevent sinus irritation. Clean the humidifier periodically to prevent mold.
• Avoid Smoking and Secondhand Smoke: Smoking and secondhand smoke irritate nasal passages and exacerbate sinus infections.
• Regularly cleansing your nasal passages with a neti pot or saline spray will help remove irritants and allergies.
• Avoid air pollutants like dust, strong scents, and chemical fumes, which can irritate the nasal passages.
• Maintain a strong immune system by eating well, exercising, and sleeping sufficiently. This approach aids infection defense.
• Quickly Treat Respiratory Infections: Manage a cold or other respiratory infection quickly to avoid a sinus infection.

Note: 

An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is dedicated to sinus issues. They are also known as otolaryngologists. 

These precautions can help you avoid sinus infections and improve sinus health.

conclusion

Maintaining health, staying hydrated, managing allergies, practicing excellent hygiene, using a humidifier, and not smoking can prevent sinus infections. If symptoms intensify, see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. 

 How can hip flexor pain make life difficult? 

Overview

The hip flexor is one of the most powerful muscles in the body and is constantly in use. Lifting your knee to your chest requires hip flexors on the front of each hip. Hip, groin, and lower back tugging, cramping, and acute discomfort can result from tight or weak muscles. This pain can occur with basic activities such as going up or down stairs, lifting the knee to the chest, bending over to pick something up, standing after prolonged sitting, or running or skating. Hip flexor discomfort can be treated and prevented, but it can make life difficult. 

Below are hip flexor pain causes, symptoms, exercises to strengthen and stretch this muscle group, and when to seek medical attention.

Causes of Hip Flexor Pain

Hip flexor pain

• The causes of hip flexor pain vary by lifestyle and activity. 
• Sedentary people may experience posture-related pain. 
• Athletes are particularly likely to suffer hip flexor strain, which causes pain.
• Hip flexor tears are muscular tears. 
• Sudden injury or prolonged overuse can cause hip flexor tears.
• Psoas syndrome, sometimes known as “jumper's hip” or “dancer's hip,” is a hip flexor muscle injury.

Illnesses and injuries

• Chronic illnesses like RA and fibromyalgia can induce hip and general muscle discomfort.
• Hip pain might also result from hip osteoarthritis. 
• Overuse injuries result from repetitive motions that cause muscle breakdowns and damages.
• Hip flexor injuries are particularly common in sports and soldiers.
• Poor posture or inactivity can lead to muscle weakening and imbalance, putting hip flexor muscles at risk of strain and injury

Hip flexor strain/injury symptoms

• The front of the hip feels pulled, cramped, and acute with hip flexor discomfort. 
• Serious hip flexor discomfort can cause spasms, bruising, and edema.
• Brett Shore, MD, an orthopedic surgeon in Marina del Rey, California, says, “Weakness or pain with active hip flexion, which is the hallmark of hip flexor pain, can have a significant impact on everything, from walking and getting into and out of the car to high-level athletic

Position distinguishes hip flexor discomfort from other hip pain: 

• Hip flexor pain is particularly noticeable in the front. 
• Lateral and posterior hip muscle strains produce hip side or rear pain.
• A labral tear or osteoarthritis can also induce frontal hip pain.

Common hip flexor discomfort symptoms:

• Weak hip muscles
• Limited mobility
• Top thigh bruise
• Swelling
• Limping while walking
• Spasms
• Top thigh bulge

Some hip flexor injuries create more severe symptoms. “Inability to bear weight is the warning sign that it may be more than a strain,” says Dr. Pinnello.

The video explains the fastest way to treat hip flexor pain

How to Treat Hip Flexor Pain

Hip flexor pain may usually be addressed at home, but serious injuries may require physical therapy, injections, or surgery.

Hip Flexor Pain Relief at Home 

• Stop the activities producing hip flexor pain and rest. 
• Applying ice or a clothed cold pack to the area for 20 minutes many times a day reduces swelling. 
• Soft bandages or compression shorts can keep the region from swelling.
• Over-the-counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) can reduce swelling and pain. 
• Tylenol relieves pain but not swelling. 
• Follow label instructions and contact a doctor or pharmacist about dosage.
• Resting and stretching gently can help your hip flexor muscle recover faster, but avoid pushing through intense discomfort. 
• In the coming weeks, gradually increase your stretches and activities.“If the hip flexor strain is an acute injury, rest, avoiding activities that exacerbate the pain, stretching, and NSAIDs usually work well in the short term,” explains Dr. Carbone. 

Also, read  https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325029.

A moderate injury or strain should improve within a few weeks, while a serious strain may take longer

Physical Therapy

• If your discomfort persists after several weeks of home care, a physical therapist can create a customized exercise regimen. 
• “Therapy can help these patients mobilize the tendon and improve core and gluteal strength, which can stabilize the area and speed recovery,” explains Carbone.
• Physical therapists will evaluate your injuries and determine what you can accomplish without pain in your first session. 
• Once they assess your mobility, they will teach you home and appointment exercises. 
• Your physical therapist will help you prepare to exercise at home and discharge you as your pain improves. 

Drugs and Injections

• NSAIDs are the only oral drugs indicated for hip flexor pain, but if it persists after NSAIDs and physical therapy, your doctor may consider corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation.
• If hip pain persists despite these treatments, Carbone recommends a cortisone injection, which is quite effective.
• For hip flexor problems, Dr. Shore notes that some doctors offer platelet-rich plasma injections. Plasma in your blood contains proteins and other components that aid in natural healing.

Surgery

• Carbone suggests further assessment and surgery if your discomfort persists after injections and physical therapy.
• Surgery for hip flexor pain is rare. Extreme hip flexor injuries can tear the tendon from the bone. You may require surgery to fix this.

Prevention of Hip Flexor Pain

• Regular stretching and strengthening exercises, excellent posture and ergonomics, and lifestyle adjustments can avoid hip flexor strain.

Warm Up and Cool Down to Avoid Injury

• Dr. Shore recommends daily stretching and a proper warm-up and cool-down before and after sports activities to prevent hip flexor strain.
• Warming up before exercise increases range of motion, muscle warmth, and heart rate to prepare the body for exercise. 
• After vigorous exercise, cool down with gradual, deep stretches to avoid muscle stiffness.
• Stretch daily: Sitting for long hours can tighten your hip flexors, so stretch daily. 

Try these simple hip flexor stretches:

• Half-kneeling hip Flexor Stretch 
• Kneel on the floor and bring your right leg in front of you, flat foot on the floor, right thigh parallel to the ground.
• Your left knee should be on the ground, and your leg should be straight backward.
• Cough on the ground. Maintain your back straight, engage your glutes (butt muscles), and shift your weight forward to stretch the front of your left thigh and groin with your hands on your hips.
• Switch legs again.

Hip Flexor Side-Lying Stretch

• Lie on your left side with your knees bent at 90 degrees.
• Right foot back, right hand on ankle; slowly drag your leg behind you. 
• Keep your back straight and move your leg, not your hips. 
• Roll and repeat on the opposite ankle; slowly drag your

Include Exercise in Life

• Keep your hips and surrounding muscles strong, flexible, and stable to limit hip flexor injury risk. 
• If you're new to exercising, choose low-impact activities like swimming to avoid hip stress. 
• Take the stairs whenever possible to strengthen your hip flexors.
• These basic workouts help develop hip flexors and stabilizing muscles at home:

Glute Bridges 

• Place your arms at your sides with palms up while lying on your back.
• Bend your knees and set your feet hip-width apart six to eight inches in front of your glutes, toes pointed straight ahead.
• Tighten your glutes and tummy and lift your hips as high as possible without arching your back. 
• Hold for 2 seconds, then slowly lower to the floor and repeat.

Clamshells

• Lie down on the left side, legs together, knees bent.
• Raise your right knee as high as possible with straight hips, then drop.
• After 15 times, switch sides and repeat.
• Side-lying leg raises.

Lay sideways. 

• Add support by bending your lower leg and rolling forward.
• Slowly lift and hold your top leg for 1–3 seconds with it straight.
• Gently lower that leg and repeat as many times as possible without pain.
• Repeat on the other side.

Eat healthy.

• A good diet reduces inflammation and maintains connective tissue like tendons. 
• Dark leafy greens, berries, nuts, and olive oil are anti-inflammatory. 
• Oranges and broccoli are beneficial foods that strengthen tendons.
• Proper Posture and Ergonomics

Hip flexors and their supporting muscles can be strengthened by excellent posture and ergonomics.

• On average, humans sit for nearly five hours every day worldwide.
• Too much sitting shortens your hip flexor muscle, causing stiffness.
• For hip strength and flexibility, adopt excellent posture and ergonomics:
• Get up and walk every hour.
• Keep your hips straight and your feet hip-width apart.
• Do not cross your legs while sitting.
• Unlean and keep your back straight.
• Try a standing desk, but don't stay still.
• Put on supportive shoes.

Visit a Doctor for Hip Pain

• Dr. Shore advises seeing a doctor for hip flexor pain. He advises contacting a doctor for pain:
• Interrupts daily life
• Gets worse or stays the same despite therapy
• You should also see a doctor if you have increasing difficulty moving your hip or leg.

Conclusion

Hip flexor discomfort should be treated early with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling and speed healing. If your discomfort persists or worsens after a few weeks, see a doctor.

You may prevent hip flexor pain and injury by stretching and strengthening your hip and supportive muscles every day.