Seven Magical Sore Throat Remedies for Fast Relief!

Having sore throat? Undoubtedly, it is irritating, but do you know sore throat can be one of the thyroid cancer symptoms? Hence, you need to cure it carefully and as soon as possible. And yes, it is not a difficult job. Read more about some simple and natural remedies here.

Though sore throat is associated with winter season, yet it can occur at any time of the year. Basically, it is a simple ailment which is said to be caused by inflammation of tissues, often along the ling of the larynx and tonsils. It can be little irritating in the beginning and later this inflammation can turn into a painful experience. Yes, it makes things difficult for you, such as it causes pain in swallowing of food.

As far as the reasons are considered, viruses and bacteria are said to be a major reason behind sore throats. You cannot ignore the problem caused by this inflammation as it can change into a serious problem. Hence, if you suffer from this ailment regularly, you need proper medications and expert advice. However, for mild cases, gargling with salt and water solution can be bit relieving. But, it is not a permanent solution. Let’s find out some easy remedies to cure sore throat effectively:

Honey: It is a boon for sore throat and can be consumed in various forms. You can either take it directly or mix it in a cup of green tea. A number of scientific studies have proved the effects of honey. Moreover, it is known to be an effective wound healer. Thus, adding it to your routine is beneficial not only for your throat, but for overall health.

 Sage and water: It is one of the highly effective and easy to do remedy. For years, sage has been known to the world for its soothing effect for a sore throat. Its usage will significantly ease the pain and the swollen nasal passages. All you need to do is just mix 1 teaspoon of sage, 3⁄8 cup of vinegar, 1⁄2 teaspoon of alum to 1⁄8 cup of water. You can add 1⁄4 cup brown sugar for pleasant taste.

Apple cider vinegar and salt: This one is extremely for you if your throat is left raw by a bad cough. The bottle of apple cider vinegar can save you instantly. Basically, the germs can't survive in the acidic coating, which the ACV forms on your throat. So, mix 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar with 1 teaspoon salt in a glass of warm water. Now you can use it several times a day to gargle.

Wheatgrass juice: A more natural solution is using the wheatgrass juice for sore throat. Actually, the juice is chlorophyll-rich, which help in fighting back the growth of bacteria, further relieving throat pain. Take a little amount of juice and keep it in your mouth for 5 minutes at least. It will give instant relief and also help your weakened gums and stop toothache pain.

Licorice water: A study stated that the post-operative patients who used a licorice solution to gargle were less likely to develop a sore throat post-surgery. And this is not new to the world. Licorice root have been used since long to treat sore throats. It is highly effective when mixed with water and used as a gargle solution.

Peppermint: Want a solution which offers fresh breath and throat? So, here it is. Peppermint is said to have menthol, which is help to thin mucus and calm sore throats. Even the study by American Cancer Society stated that the sprays containing peppermint oil relieves the sore throat ideally. It is due to the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties of peppermint, which are greatly helpful in healing.

Marshmallow Root: Another natural treatment can be having some of the dried marshmallow root added to a cup of boiling water. Take it as a tea for two to three times a day in order to help ease throat pain. The roots carry a mucus-like substance which simply forms a coat and soothe your sore throat.

Thus, now it is simple and easy to cure sore throat. So, don’t delay anymore and get well soon!

Adam Levine's Badass Tattoos All Over Him

The Maroon 5 front man, aka ‘the tattoo king’ has added some more ink onto him and this time it is a giant mermaid holding a skull. Sharing a photo on Instagram, the 36-year-old singer and the Voice coach praised his tattoo artist work.

Resting on his back, at the moment of the picture, Levine is actually getting a different tattoo, but the mermaid with skull in hand is clearly visible. Created by his go-to artist Bryan Randolph, the mermaid tattoo looks exquisite and has a certain vibe to it.  Captioning the photo Levine’s wrote on Instagram, 'If you ever want a tattoo and you do not get it from @bryanrandolph ...you are nuts. He's the DUDE.'

Proving to be a super hard dude who does not care about what other thinks of him, each tattoo on his body means and represents something.  Tattoo covering almost the entire back, it is nothing short to beautiful.

Still not known that what inspired the rocker to get this new ink or what is the meaning behind the new art, the giant mermaid tattoo rests with the other tattoos. Judge for the show The Voice, Levine is well known for his ink and has added many to his body steadily over the years; the mermaid has been there on his body at least a week ago.

Teasing the tattoo on social media for weeks with some close-up shots, the big reveal came last Sunday only, when he revealed the tattoo on social media. Even approved by his wife Behanti Prinsloo, as she also posted the same photo of his new tattoo on her Instagram account.

Titled  as People’s 2013 Sexiest Man Alive, According to Levine, the most meaning full tattoos to him are the  “222” on his forearm and the word “mom” in the middle of his another arm. Have to agree that Levine body simply display his journey and the tattoos simple represent that how memories can be collected by just inking them on your body. Highlighting his journey, each tattoo on Levine body hold some meaning and here are the tattoo’s Levine has been supporting on his body:

The Shark Tattoo

Devised as a means of facing his fear, according to Levine, the best way to get in touch with the fear was to tattoo it on the body.

The Eagle Tattoo

According to People, the eagle was part of a strange road map or narrative over the years.

The Sanskrit "Tapas"

Sanskrit word reading ‘tapas,’ is related to yoga and for him represents fire or determination for the practice.

The Tiger Tattoo

The tiger tattoo on his arm was inspired by his love for the amazing book of Tibetan drawings.

The X

X on his inner bicep is for celebrating Maroon 5’s 10th anniversary

The Los Angeles

The word of Los Angeles on his shoulder is simple representation of love for his hometown.

The Number 222

Inked on his inner forearm, 222, the angel number is a reference to the address of the first studio Maroon 5 ever recorded at.

The "Frankie Girl"

Tattooed on his back along with his brand new mermaid tattoo, the tattoo memorizes his golden retriever.

The Rose

Inspired by traditional Russian Tattoo, the roses on his shoulder is one of his few regrets.

The Heart and Flower with word MOM

Tattoo on his arm is dedicated to his mother, proving that even total badass people love their mum too much.While some might be upset with the new tattoo, but we have to agree that Levine’s latest tattoo is also best that represents feminism in such a badass way.

Things to learn about beauty from Moms

Moms are the BEST!!! “Learning from your mistakes is good, but learning from mothers is indeed eternal”. 

According to a study conducted by DOVE, it was found that moms are more likely to influence their child’s beauty habits, even more than their favorite celebrities. Plus, about half of the participants said that they learnt their first beauty from their mothers, and they still use a part of those teachings. 

From wearing stylish attires to applying mild make-up to keep natural, our mothers are great beauty tutors. 

Here we have compiled a list of few things that every daughter must learn from their mothers.

1. Wipe off your ‘fake look’  before BED

Whether or not you’re into the spirit after the party gets over, make sure to cleanse your make-up before going to bed. If you leave it over, probably the dust and chemicals will get you problems of pimples soon. At the very least, keep a pack of makeup wipes next to your bed.

2. Moisturize 

This is the most important beauty regime that every daughter should follow. Applying a moisturizer on a clean face before stepping out of the door or even peeping out of the window will keep your delicate skin soft and moisturized whole day. Those with dry skin should make it as necessary as eating. It’s really a MUST!!!

3. Say Hi to the Sun with a Sun-Screen!!! 

Sun damage is a like a curse for many people throughout the Globe. The harmful radiations of Sun can lead to skin problems like pigmentation, sun spots, etc. damaging the skin and beauty. Hence, mothers advice to apply a good sunscreen over the face, as well as hands and legs to protect them from the sight of solar radiations.

4. Use Moisturizer Not Sun Screen, 

If you’re a lazy ass, simply use a moisturizer or foundation with a good quantity of SPF content in it. No more extra efforts but equivalent result!!

5. Reshape Lip Stick

Mothers are not only good chefs but they also have many home-made recipes to help you in your beauty regimes. For instance, if your lipstick is out of shape due to frequent use, you can bring them back in shape by remolding over a flame.  

6. Clean Up Your Makeup Brushes

Reusing the makeup brushes, sharing them with friends, or not keeping them covered can make them dirty. Considering how many germs can collect on them, rubbing them on your face every day without cleaning is a pretty bad idea. To be honest, it is as important as wearing clean and washed clothes every day! Do it on regular basis!!

7. Take Care of Yourself!!! 

Every mother wants good health and hygiene of their children. And they even want their children to take care of themselves always. This is more of a life tip than anything! Make sure to take time out of your busy schedule for your skincare and even health. My mom wakes up an hour earlier than she needs to every morning, just so she can have some self-love time to herself.

Once A Week Diabetic Meds Are Effective And Safe

Taking the diabetic medicine in excess is considered harmful as these effect a patient’s other body organs like kidney, heart, etc. hence, it is advisable to take these meds once a week. According to the new review of existing evidence, there's little difference in the performance of five new once-a-week drugs to cure diabetes. 

Earlier studies of the drugs known as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists - or GLP-1RAs - have discovered that the medications improve blood sugar control and bring body weight down, but the review said no research had compared the various versions head-to-head.

"The main message is that today several drugs are available for the control of hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes, as never before," said Dr. Francesco Zaccardi, of the Diabetes Research Center at Leicester General Hospital in the U.K., "Therefore, it is even more important to know differences and similarities among drugs."

The body can't properly use or make enough of the hormone insulin to convert blood sugar into energy in type-2 diabetes. The drugs compared in the study stimulate insulin and have other significant effects such as reduced or improper digestion. All are taken once a week.

The American Diabetes Association and the European Association for the Study of Diabetes recommend GLP-1RAs as an alternate for people with type 2 diabetes who have tried other treatments including lifestyle changes and metformin that is a ancient oral drug used to improve blood sugar control.

Zaccardi and colleagues analyzed data from 34 trials for the new study that included a total of 21,126 contributors taking one of the five GLP-1RAs. They revealed that the drugs performed similarly in reducing blood sugar, as well as heart disease risk factors like cholesterol, high blood pressure and inflammation. The risk of dangerous blood sugar troughs known as hypoglycemia was also similar among people taking all the drugs.

However, the medications differed when it came to reducing weight and HbA1c- a measure of average blood sugar levels over three months. Dulaglutide 1.5 milligrams (mg) that is sold as Trulicity by Eli Lilly; once-weekly exenatide, sold as Bydureon by AstraZeneca; and taspoglutide 20 mg, which is in development by Ipsen and Roche, all these meds performed better on those albiglutide that is sold as Tanzeum by GlaxoSmithKline. Semaglutide, are in development by Novo Nordisk was not a part of this analysis.

The differences were yet small. HbA1c is calculated in percentages with normal being below 6 percent and 6.5 percent or above being considered diabetes. Zaccardi told Reuters Health that the greatest differences between the drugs were around 0.4 percent for HbA1c and about three pounds of body weight.

"The weight loss is instructive because a lot of people hear stories of people losing a lot of weight, but the mean weight loss is modest," said Dr. Sethu Reddy, chief of the Adult Diabetes Section at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston.

The researchers also found that taspoglutide 20 mg has the greatest threat of nausea. And once-weekly exenatide raised heart rate as compared to albiglutide and dulaglutide by 1.4 to 3.2 beats per minute.

Zaccardi said that few comparisons like this study have been done between similar diabetes drugs that limits their ability to compare the results to other types of treatments. "I believe that the study underlines the necessity to perform direct comparisons among drugs of the same class to better clarify the pros and cons of each drug," he added.

Reddy, who wasn’t a part of the new review also warned that the findings are based on a comparison of existing data from separate studies. "It's not the 'real deal' so to speak in that there are no trials comparing these drugs to one another," he said.

Dr. Numb for Flu Vaccination

Flu is a common disease which is known to affect millions of people every year especially during the fall season. Flu leads to sneezing, coughing and body weakness and in worst cases, the patient even needs to be hospitalized.

Due to the devastating health effects of Flu, doctors recommend flu shot or Influenza shot before the flu season comes. Before or during the flu season you will come across many advertisements in newspapers, magazines and television commercials encouraging you to take preventive flu shots.

How Flu Spreads?

Experts say that flu viruses spread due to droplets secreted by people while coughing, sneezing or even talking. Anyone coming in contact with these droplets can easily catch infection. The symptoms of Flu are visible sometime after the infection gets transferred.

People under certain age group and medical conditions are more vulnerable to catch infection than others. Older people, young children, pregnant women and people suffering from asthma, diabetes, or heart disease are potentially at higher risk than others.

Though no one can clearly predict Flu outbreaks during a season but everyone is well aware of the severe effects of flu. Flu resulted into 3,000 to 49,000 deaths between the years 1976 to 2006.  

Why Do We Need Flu Vaccination?

Flu not only causes sneezing and body cramps but also leads to viral respiratory infections, bacterial infections and further complications. Thus, it is important to treat flu on time else it can affect lungs and other body parts. Since prevention is better than cure therefore, it is advisable to go for flu vaccinations to save both your health and money.

The flu vaccinations can help to stimulate the production of antibodies and fight against the flu virus. So, this will nullify the affect of flu virus on vaccinated person by destroying the viruses which attack the person.

Who All Should Get Vaccinated Against Flu?

Doctors recommend that every individual above 6 months should be vaccinated for the flu. People with some specific medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, chronic lung disease, pregnancy should definitely go for flu vaccination as they are at higher risk of getting infected. Also elderly people (above 65 years of age) should also go for flu vaccination to avoid developing infections due to flu.  

Flu vaccinations

If you haven’t vaccinated yet against flu then it’s time to visit your GP and get your dose of flu vaccination.  Here are the common types of flu vaccinations to protect you against flu.

Trivalent flu vaccine helps to prevent outbreak of two influenza A viruses (an H1N1 and an H3N2) and an influenza B virus. 

The quadrivalent flu vaccine reduces risk of two influenza A viruses and two influenza B viruses.

Numbing Creams for Flu Vaccination

Immunization or vaccination involves pain because the needle is pricked into the person’s skin for injecting the vaccine. This makes it difficult for many children and people to go for vaccinations because of their high sensitivity towards pain. The vaccination can even result into swelling and pain which may last for a couple of days. But avoiding the vaccination just because of pain and discomfort is not a wise decision. So, a numbing cream is the best solution for all those who fear pain of injections.

A good numbing cream such as Dr Numb can numb the area where the vaccination is to be given and make it easier for the patient to bear the pain.  

Dr Numb is a popular numbing cream which is used in various dermatological procedures for a pain free treatment. Dr Numb cream is found to have 5% lidocaine which is the safest amount allowed permitted by FDA. You need to apply Dr numb cream 20 – 30 minutes before going for the vaccination. 

Benefits of Jojoba for Face, Skin & Hair

Jojoba Oil, the perfect ingredient for the ultra-purist’s makeup bag! This golden-colored liquid is extracted from the seed of the jojoba plant - a woody shrub covering 40,000 acres of desert in the south-west regions of U.S. It’s odorless, colorless, a cinch to apply, and has uncountable beauty benefits. 

Jojoba is a rich fruit containing almost all of the nutrients essential for a healthy skin and hair: Vitamin E, copper, B-complex, zinc, selenium, iodine, and chromium. Plus, jojoba is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin without causing any allergic reactions. Jojoba acts as a miracle when it comes to a shiny, unhelpful T-zone. This means that it caricaturists the activity of your body’s natural oils, hence your skin won’t overdo it.

Here are some of the best uses of this multi-purpose beauty must-have: 

Face Moisturizer

Use jojoba as your routine or overnight facial moisturizer. The jojoba oil may leave a slight sheen initially, but just blot away residual oil to lower excess moisture. 4-6 drops on skin are sufficient for a daytime moisturizer.

Hair Conditioner

Refill moisture and improve the texture of your hair with jojoba! Its oil is great for dry scalps and help get rid of dandruff in a short while. Apply it to add shine and softness to your hair naturally, or in place of an anti-frizz product to manage rough hair.  

Facial Cleanser

Jojoba can also be used as your daily face wash. Apply a few drops onto dry skin, allow it to set, and then rinse your face simply with water. This will help clear away all the impurities, which the oil extracts from the surface of your face and neck.

Scar And Stretch Mark Reducer

Ugly skin issues including scars, scabs and stretch marks may be minimized by doing massage with the vitamin-E rich oil into the affected areas. And, it may quicken the healing process of lesions and cause scars to fade over time.

Anti-Acne gel

Get clearer skin with jojoba’s anti-microbial properties. It contains iodine that may fight harmful bacteria growth causing pimples, blackheads, and breakouts.

Cuticle oil

For home manicure -pedicure, use jojoba as a natural alternative to cuticle oil and foot cream. Spread a few drops on the bottoms of your feet post-bath to soften any cracked or dry areas!

Anti-Aging Serum

Trust the powerful antioxidants in jojoba oil that help smooth fine lines and wrinkles. Just apply a few drops with a cotton ball and dab it around your eyes, mouth, and neck to get a more youthful glow.

Sunburn Relief Lotion

If you have the problem of sunburn, Jojoba can help you rid of. The oil has long been used in ancient medicine to treat sunburn, and other minor skin irritations. It makes you more comfortable and helps reduce flaking and peeling of the skin.

Body Lotion 

Try jojoba oil out as an alternate to your regular body moisturizer. Massage a few drops of the oil just after a bath. Lock in the hydration benefits by adding a layer of any natural cream over jojoba oil. This will help reduce winter itch and chapped skin, as the anti-inflammatory properties of the oil work to lower dryness and irritation.

Makeup Remover

Jojoba oil is a great makeup remover. Waterproof mascara and liquid liner can be wiped easily using jojoba as an eye makeup remover. It also helpful for clearing away foundation, powders, and stubborn lip and cheek stains.

Shaving Gel

Not only the beauty benefits of jojoba revolve around females, it is also of great use to the males. Apply the oil to soften the skin and provide a smooth landing for your razor. It makes for an easy shave and you’ll escape the pains of razor burn and skin redness.

Hair Regrowth Serum

Jojoba oil may de-block hair follicles that can in turn reduce hair loss and promote more hair growth. The antioxidant qualities of this oil may also help protect your scalp and hair from breakage, split ends, and future damage.  

De-Tangling Cream

If your hairs are pretty knotty, dry, or super curly, add a couple drops of jojoba oil onto your towel-dried tresses. It’ll help you get a comb through your locks, and they’ll be much more manageable.

How To Treat Sunburn Blisters?

The blisters that develop due to long exposure to the sun’s radiation are known as sunburn blisters. These are a result of severe sunburn. A blister is like a bubble that appears under the skin and is filled with fluid. Blisters are 

unappealing and are uncomfortable. The sunburn blisters are accompanied by swelling in the area of sunburn in some cases. These blisters actually defend the underlying tissue. Hence, it is important to keep blisters intact. The intensity of sunburn and the rise of blisters depend on

• The skin type of the particular person

• The intensity of the sun’s rays

• The time of exposure

• How long the exposure had occurred

Symptoms of Sunburn Blisters

The blisters can occur on any exposed part of the body, even on the lips.  It takes some time for the body to show the symptoms of sunburn blisters.

·         Reddish skin that is tender and warm to touch

·         Fever, pain, chills, rash swelling and nausea

·         Blisters that develop hours or days after exposure and cause itching

·         Skin Peeling in the burned areas after some days

While the symptoms of sunburn blisters may not last longer, the damages caused to the tissues are sometimes permanent. These in turn can produce serious health effect in people. Even sun burns are a major cause of skin cancer. The pain and discomfort will be more due to sunburn blisters between 6 and 48 hours after exposure.

Ways to Get Rid of Sunburn Blisters

1.   Act immediately

If you’re feeling that tale-tell tingling of a burn or see any sign of skin reddening on your skin, get out of the sun and get the treatment. "Sunburn tends to sneak up on us. It can take four to six hours for the symptoms to develop," says Barton Schmitt, a pediatrician at Children's Hospital Colorado and author of a new book, My Child Is Sick! Expert Advice for Managing Common Illnesses and Injuries, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The more time you take to treat it, the more aggressive and risky it’d be.

2.   Moisturize

After a cool shower or bath, apply a moisturizing cream or lotion to soothe the skin. Apply frequently to make flaking and peeling less evident. Plus, consider a product that contains vitamin C and vitamin E. This might help limit skin damage, says Shawn Allen, a dermatologist in Boulder, Colo., and spokesman for The Skin Cancer Foundation. You can also use a hydro-cortisone cream for a day or two; it will relieve discomfort. Avoid scrubbing, picking or peeling your skin or breaking blisters.

3.   Hydrate

During sunburn, drink extra water and juice for a couple of days and keep check on signs of dehydration, such as Dry mouth,reduced urination, thirst, headache, dizziness and sleepiness. Children are particularly susceptible, so check with a doctor if they appear ill.

4.   Don’t wait to medicate

Take a dose of ibuprofen as soon as you see any signs of sunburn blister and keep it up for the next 48 hours. This will prevent the swelling and soreness that is going to occur and also some long-term skin damage. This is like treating the severity of the symptoms and not just treating the symptoms. Acetaminophen will treat the pain, however does not have the same anti-inflammatory effect.

5.   Assess the Damage

While most sunburns blisters can be treated at home, yet if the blistering burn covers 20% or more of the body, you should seek medical attention. Plus, those with sunburn who is also suffering from fever and chills should also seek medical help.