Nail fungal infection is a common condition, and any person can be infected. But some people are more prone to getting infected with a nail fungal infection. Some factors may increase or reduce the risk of infection such as your age, health, and even your lifestyle. The risk of becoming infected increases as a person ages. This condition is most common in people of old age and least common among children. When you live in a place with a hot and humid climate, you have an increased risk of developing a nail fungal infection. It’s the same thing when you have the following health conditions: diabetes, a nail infection, poor blood circulation, psoriasis, a weakened immune system due to diseases like human immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV), athlete’s foot, and cancer and receiving chemotherapy.
What Causes the Infection?
What causes a fungal nail infection is a microscopic organism called fungi. Most people become infected due to skin-to-skin contact with someone who suffers from a nail fungal infection like athlete’s foot or ringworm. One other way of becoming infected with nail fungus is by walking barefoot in a warm and moist environment like the areas surrounding a swimming pool or locker. This is because fungi usually thrive in a warm and moist environment. It is also possible to get the infection from sharing an infected nail clipper or towel. The fungi usually infect a nail by getting into a crack in the nail, a small cut in the skin that surrounds the nail, and that space between the nail and nail bed.
What are some symptoms?
Nail fungal symptoms may spread slowly. A nail fungal infection may cause the nail to become white, yellow, or brown. It may also cause the nail to become thicker. The nail may become crumbly, split, or separate from the nail bed.
Treatment
When it comes to a nail fungus treatment, it can be an option among oral medications, topical nail medications, and laser surgery treatment.
1All about Guinea Corn
Guinea corn which is also called sorghum is a highly nutritious gluten-free cereal that belongs to the Poaceae grass family. It is one of the leading crucial cereal crops all over the globe. It is also the fifth-highest-produced crop in the world. Guinea corn originated from Africa. There it is a staple food and it is found in many homes. It also serves as the first option for weaning food for infants. It is known as dawa in Nigeria and as jowar in India. This crop is loaded with fiber and phenolic compounds that are known to prevent metabolic disorders and heart diseases.
Sorghum is often underrated as a nutrient-rich cereal grain. Half a cup of uncooked sorghum contains the following: calories, proteins, fat, carbohydrates, and fiber. This cereal grain is also rich in the following micronutrients: vitamin B6, copper, iron, vitamin B1 (thiamin), potassium, zinc, selenium, magnesium, and phosphorus.
As an Antifungal/Antimicrobial
Some sorghum grains are loaded with phenolic compounds which are known to have antimicrobial properties. The grain extract can be a natural antimicrobial alternative. A study done to determine the antimicrobial effects of sorghum showed that it has inhibitory effects on Campylobacter jejuni, Staphylococcus aureus, Campylobacter coli, and Enterococcus faecalis.
In another study, the methanol extracts of sorghum grains exhibited higher levels of antimicrobial activity compared to other fractions. These results indicated that sorghum extracts may function as a source of antioxidant and antimicrobial ingredients within the food industry.
Other Health Benefits
The following are some of the health benefits that you may enjoy when guinea corn is added to your diet:
Diabetes Prevention
Guinea corn is a superb food for people who suffer from diabetes. This cereal grain has a low starch digestibility. This is because the endosperm has high levels of resistance and is slow to digest starch. Furthermore, sorghum possesses condensed tannins. These tannins react with proteins and starch to form complexes within the gastrointestinal tract. These can give you the feeling of satiety or fullness, and they also lower the body’s glycemic response.
Improves Bone Health
Guinea corn has minerals that are beneficial to the bones like potassium, calcium, and magnesium, which can help in developing the bone tissues. Such essential minerals are quite significant since they help prevent bone-related diseases like osteosarcoma, rickets, and others.
Helps with Brain Functions
The mineral called phosphorus helps in proper brain functioning which is considered to be one of the major benefits that guinea corn can give to the body. Phosphorus is essential for cognitive growth and development, not to mention improvements in memory and general brain functions. Food items that are rich in phosphorous like guinea corn may prevent certain deficiencies in the body caused by a shortage of this mineral. With a phosphorous deficiency, the body may lead to brain malfunctions like dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other related mental diseases.
Helps with Weight Loss
Ideally, foods that are rich in fiber, as well as other nutrients, can make one feel full the whole day. This can help address your cravings for food. Guinea corn is one of these foods. Whole grains are among those food types that are loaded with fiber. These are required for those who are trying to lose weight since they can burn off body fats. You can lose weight faster when you include a portion of sorghum into your daily meals.
Helps with Anemia
Guinea corn contains all the essential elements like copper and magnesium that help prevent anemia like iron and other minerals that help in the body’s iron absorption. Copper and magnesium help develop red blood cells which can promote adequate blood circulation in the body which is essential for its general functioning.
Helps with the Digestive System
Sorghum is a major cereal grain food that is loaded with dietary fiber, which makes it great for the body’s digestive system. The amount of fiber in your diet aids proper food digestion when taken moderately. This may also help lessen the likelihood of developing digestive tract disorders and other concerns that may lead to constipation, cramping, and bloating.
Guinea corn is highly nutritional, but this can be poisonous when consumed by livestock, particularly when this is grazed during drought since this can produce cyanide or prussic acid.
