Smokers who quit before age 35 showed a complete "reversal of risk" when compared to people who never smoked, according to a new national study. Researchers also quantified the benefit of quitting for those older than 35. The added risk of death associated with smoking was reduced by:
90% for those who quit before age 45
66% for those who quit at ages 45 to 64

Patients with both inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and obesity starting on new biologic therapies do not face an increased risk for hospitalization, IBD-related surgery, or serious infection, reveals a multicenter US study published online in American Journal of Gastroenterology.

@ankur There are several home remedies to this problem. A salt water mouth rinse can reduce bacteria on teeth and gums because it temporarily increases the pH balance of mouth and creates an alkaline environment in which bacteria struggle to survive. If the wisdom tooth pain is the result of swelling, applying an ice pack may be able to help. Take some clove oil and put it on a cotton ball or cotton swab and wipe directly on the gums immediately surrounding the tooth. Clove may be the best-kept secret when it comes to relieving tooth pain. Clove oil contains a chemical called Eugenol, which acts as an anesthetic and antibacterial agent. Clove oil is anti-inflammatory and antifungal. Onion is another effective option. Because it contains phytochemicals that target the germs responsible for the infection, giving you a much-needed break from the pain. The one thing that gives people pause about this remedy is the fact that you have to chew on a raw onion. More pungent the onion is, the better the pain relief will be. Mild onions, like the sweet onion, will provide relief, but you’ll find a much better result using red or yellow onions.

@rathin Sciatica can be an extremely painful health condition, but you should be happy to know that, in most cases, this condition resolves in a few weeks. Sciatica usually presents with pain, inflammation or numbness in the lower back and legs; this may be caused by a herniated spinal disk, bone spur or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal passage) that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body, originates in the lumbar region of the spine and travels down to the feet.
Heat and cold therapy—Ice and heat can alleviate many of the symptoms that accompany sciatica and accelerate the healing process. Applying ice for 15 minutes can numb the affected area, while heat will increase blood flow and improve healing. These applications can also reduce muscle spasms which are common among sciatica patients. Back exercises—it may go against your instincts to engage in physical activity while your back or legs hurt, but low-impact exercises like water aerobics, stationary biking and yoga can be quite effective at reducing symptom severity and strengthening your back to prevent future back issues. Stronger back muscles also help support the spine and alleviate pressure on spinal nerves which can reduce the frequency and intensity of sciatica episodes.

Hi, my nails are turning discolored and changing shape with slight pain sometime. Please guide.

@Anup There are several causes of diarrhea like infectious, inflammatory bowel disease like ulcerative colitis, functional, drug-induced or due to malabsorption. Among infection causes most the time it is viral which is self limiting within 24 hours. Oral rehydration with ORS is the mainstay of treatment along with keeping a watch on risky symptoms like fever or blood in stool. Consult your primary health care provider before any medication.

Hi, my brother's wife Reena is a 35-year-old woman. She is an social activist. She explains that she will be taking a last-minute trip with her husband to South Africa for a 1-week safari. They will leave in 3 days, and she knows they will be traveling to a malaria endemic area and will need medication for prevention. So she is in need of prophylaxis medication. Reena is worried because she heard that one of the medications can cause strange and vivid dreams and is concerned about this potential adverse effect. Can anybody help.

Hello, my 70-year-old granny is interested in learning whether fish oil supplementation could help lower her cholesterol. She reports no significant medical history but says she is interested in doing things that can keep her healthy. She eats well, exercises regularly, and takes several supplements that, she has read, can promote her health. A friend introduced her to fish oil, saying it might improve her heart health and lower her cholesterol, but she would like more information before deciding whether there are real benefits. Her physician indicated that she had borderline high cholesterol and that he would give her a trial of dietary modification for 3 months to determine whether this alone might address her issue. Can anybody recommend or suggest anything?

Hi, I am 30 years old, staying in a hostel for my education. Recently I have been contracted with urinary tract infection. But I have no pain, burning sensation and micturition. Although I am feeling malaise, low grade fever along with headache. I have also lost taste and willingness to have food. Can anyone suggest me some home remedies to treat UTI?

@leena
Diarrhea is tricky to treat because it can have so many possible causes. It could be a result of the body’s inability to absorb foods — as with celiac disease and foods containing gluten — or a disease or disorder, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Infections — often viral — and even parasites can also be to blame.
Besides making it difficult to carry on daily living, chronic diarrhea can be an indication of a more serious problem that may need medical intervention and should be evaluated by a medical professional.