5 Natural Remedies That Work for Dry Eyes
Health

5 Natural Remedies That Work for Dry Eyes

Dry eyes can be painful and uncomfortable, and the condition occurs when the eyes do not produce sufficient tears or the tears produced are of poor quality or evaporate quickly. Hence, the eyes are not properly lubricated and could become dry. This could eventually result in irritation and inflammation and even impact vision. A few natural remedies that you can try to soothe dry eyes are: 1. Include more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet Increase or include foods such as fish and flax seeds in the diet. These foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that boost the quality and quantity of tears. This nutrient can also help to soothe inflammation. Oily fish such as salmon and tuna, oils including soybean and palm, and nuts and seeds like flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. You can also get omega-3 fatty acids in the form of supplements. However, do check with your doctor before using any supplements. 2. Boost your vitamin intake A deficiency of certain vitamins in the body, such as vitamin A, D, and B12, could also make you more susceptible to developing conditions such as dry eyes. These vitamins are vital for ocular health and are found in many fruits, vegetables, dairy items, and meat.
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GERD Stages and How to Manage Them
Health

GERD Stages and How to Manage Them

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is also commonly known as GERD. It is a condition that occurs when the ring of muscle known as the lower esophageal sphincter does not function properly. This allows the acid from the stomach to flow back into the esophagus. Here are the stages of GERD and the treatment options that are available. 1. Stage 1 – Mild The symptoms of GERD are mild and are experienced once or twice a month. A few lifestyle changes and over-the-counter medications can be used to treat mild GERD. 2. Stage 2 – Moderate The symptoms of the condition are frequent, and patients would require prescription medications to cope with the condition. Patients who experinece the symptoms of GERD a few times a week are diagnosed with moderate GERD. If untreated, moderate GERD can have an impact on daily life or result in esophageal inflammation. 3. Stage 3 – Severe Patients with severe GERD would also require prescription medications to cope with their symptoms. Erosive esophageal inflammation is commonly seen in these patients, and surgical procedures to restore the proper functioning of the lower esophageal sphincter would be required to overcome this condition. 4. Stage 4 – Esophageal cancer Long-term untreated severe reflux could progress to this stage.
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Overactive Bladder – Nutrition and Lifestyle Tips
Health

Overactive Bladder – Nutrition and Lifestyle Tips

Overactive bladder, also known as OAB, refers to the state of frequent urination urges. Overactive bladder causes a frequent and sudden urge to urinate, which is usually difficult to control. People with overactive bladder always feel like they need to pass urine many times, day and night. Further, they are also likely to experience unintentional loss of urine. It is possible to manage the symptoms of an overactive bladder. It can be done through a host of simple behavioral strategies, including dietary changes, timed voiding, and bladder-holding techniques. Adoption of various nutrition and lifestyle regimens helps to fight the symptoms of overactive bladder. Across most cases, diet plays the needed supportive role towards control and prevention of the symptoms. 1. Monitor your fluid intake Monitoring your fluid intake is the key. You can start doing it by keeping a fluid diary. Write down how much and when you drink during the day and make it a point to do it consciously. Try to decrease your daily or regular fluid intake by at least 25 percent. Avoid drinking fluid or too much water before your bedtime. But, ensure that you are not drinking less than one liter per day. 2. Say no to carbonated beverages Carbonated beverages can trigger the symptoms of an overactive bladder.
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Prostate Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
Health

Prostate Cancer Causes and Risk Factors

The prostate is a small gland in men that produces seminal fluid. Prostate cancer is cancer that develops in this gland. When left unchecked, the tumor can grow and reach the vital organs. To minimize the chances of aggravation, here is a list of causes and risk factors of prostate cancer that you should know about. Causes of prostate cancer 1. Genes Like most other types of cancer, the exact cause of prostate cancer has not been identified yet. Most times, changes in specific genes can be the reason for developing tumors in the prostate gland. Certain tumor suppressor genes in the body prevent cells from abnormally growing and developing. In some instances, these genes may not function properly, leading to tumor cells. 2. Environmental effects Exposure to toxins either at work or at home consistently over a long duration can trigger the growth of cancer cells. 3. Lifestyle habits Smoking is a sure cause for developing all kinds of cancers, including prostate cancer. Risk factors 1. Age Older people are at a higher risk of developing prostate cancer compared to younger men. According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, only 1 in every 10,000 men under 40 develops this condition. However, 1 in every 14 men between the ages of 60 and 69 develops it.
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7 Warning Signs of Hepatitis C
Health

7 Warning Signs of Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. The disease usually spreads when someone comes into contact with blood from an infected person. Unfortunately, most people contract the disease without experiencing specific symptoms until the liver gets severely damaged. However, a few common early warning signs can help detect hepatitis C. Identifying these symptoms in the early stages is crucial for effective treatment and speedy recovery. 1. Itchiness Skin itchiness is a symptom that most people experience. It is mainly due to the excess accumulation of toxins in the body when the liver does not function normally. Patients may feel itchy on their hands and legs or all over the body. 2. Swollen legs Chronic hepatitis C can lead to fluid accumulation in the body, which appears as a swelling in the legs and ankles; however, it can affect any body party. This is also known as edema and is a severe symptom that requires immediate attention. 3. Loss of appetite As the virus wreaks havoc on the digestive system, some might notice nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. This, in turn, leads to a loss of appetite, and some people may lose body weight. Although appetite loss is a common symptom in many health conditions, it should not be ignored.
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The Relationship Between Nutrition and Erectile Dysfunction
Health

The Relationship Between Nutrition and Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction or erectile dysfunction can occur due to a number of factors, such as hormonal issues, stress and health conditions like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Although, there are medications to treat erectile dysfunction, they might be more effective with a few dietary changes. Here’s some information on how one’s nutrient intake can have an impact on erectile dysfunction. 1. Erectile dysfunction and food regimen It is known that a meals high in fat can cause blockage in the arteries. This prevents blood from flowing properly and could even affect blood flow to the penis. It has been seen that men who followed a Mediterranean style of eating were at a lesser risk of developing erectile dysfunction. This eating method includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish, and beans. 2. Red and processed meat Limiting or restricting the consumption of meat lowers one’s chances of developing erectile dysfunction. Red meat, including beef, pork, lamb, and processed meats, like as hot dogs, sausage, ham, bacon, and salami, should be avoided. One can choose chicken or fish instead. 3. Benefits of antioxidants According to research, eating foods that are high in flavonoids can reduce one’s chances of developing erectile dysfunction. These antioxidants help to increase blood flow and boost nitric oxide levels, both of which are key to achieving and maintaining an erection.
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6 Environmental Triggers for Migraine
Health

6 Environmental Triggers for Migraine

Migraine is primarily a headache with severe symptoms. A typical migraine leads to throbbing pain or a pulsing sensation on one side of the head. In some cases, migraine is also accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. The symptoms of migraine attacks can last for a few hours to days. A severe migraine attack can interfere with your daily activities. The symptoms of migraines can impact people of all ages. Environmental triggers for migraine A host of environmental factors can trigger a migraine attack. Such triggers include air quality, bright sunlight, barometric pressure change, flickering lights, and odors. 1. Weather Bad weather can have adverse effects on people who are prone to headaches. Various weather conditions such as grey skies, high humidity, rising temperatures, and storms can trigger headaches as well as migraine attacks. Such weather changes can trigger chemical and electrical changes in the brain, leading to migraine attacks and other symptoms of headache. 2. Bright lights Bright, flickering, or pulsating lights irate some people and are even likely to trigger the symptoms of migraines among some people. If you are already sleep-deprived, stressed, dehydrated, or experiencing low blood sugar due to skipping a meal, bright lights can immediately trigger a migraine attack.
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5 Prominent Physical Signs of Depression
Health

5 Prominent Physical Signs of Depression

For many, when they hear the word depression, they form a mental image of someone going through emotional distress – that is, if they believe that depression exists in the first place. Studies have proved that depression is a complicated mental disorder that causes both emotional as well as physical pain. And while many are aware of the emotional trauma, people are not aware of the physical symptoms that depressed people go through. So let’s take a look at some of the physical symptoms of depression: 1. Consistently Low Energy Levels If you have had a chance to come across anyone suffering from depression, then you might have noticed that they mostly seem fatigued and show really low energy levels. They are not enthusiastic about anything, have trouble maintaining concentration, and feel irritated very easily. This fatigue is caused by non-restorative sleep experienced by depressed individuals. 2. Decreased Pain Tolerance Various studies have shown a direct correlation between people who are depressed and decreased pain tolerance. People in depression can often complain about experiencing pain in the body without any physical reason. 3. Headaches While experiencing headaches is common for any adult given the stress of our everyday life, when it comes to people with depression, the headaches are often constant and occur daily.
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Best and Worst Foods for Bone Health
Health

Best and Worst Foods for Bone Health

The bones form the primary support system of the body as they impart structure and movement, and provide protection. They further assist in storing important minerals, safeguarding the heart, brain as well as other organs against any injury. The proper maintenance of bone and joint health requires including various superfoods and eliminating certain foods from the diet to prevent bone-related disorders. Here’s a list of few of them. 1. Best Foods for Bone Health These five foods do wonders for the bones and joints: Greens The inclusion of dark green leafy vegetables like kale, mustard greens, and more as part of the diet plays a significant role in ensuring better bone and joint health. This is due to the fact that these leafy vegetables contain large amounts of calcium and Vitamins that prevent the bone from depletion. Chicken and Fish Certain fish like tuna and salmon are accredited for their high Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids content that assists in processing calcium along the body and safeguarding bones. Additionally, the inclusion of lean meats like chicken ensures a good amount of protein in the body leading to better tissue growth and bone density. Dairy The consumption of dairy items like cheese, yogurt, and milk also helps in safeguarding bone and joint health, as these foods come rich in calcium as well as fat.
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Troublesome Cities for Asthma and Allergies
Health

Troublesome Cities for Asthma and Allergies

Asthma is can be managed with medicines and some lifestyle changes. But certain factors can worsen the condition despite all the treatments and precautions you take, such as the city you live in. Some cities have higher asthma prevalence, and there can be various reasons contributing to this problem. But if you suffer from asthma and allergies, you must stay away from these cities. 1. Milwaukee This Wisconsin city is one of the worst cities for anyone with asthma and allergies. This statement is based on the number of emergency room visits due to asthma. Milwaukee also has 20 percent of its population living below the poverty line. Such a disparity can contribute to the high prevalence of asthma and allergies. People living in poor conditions are at higher risk of developing asthma. Their houses may be located close to polluted roads triggering asthma and allergies. People living below the poverty line are highly likely to not get medical insurance. This results in poor treatment and bad lifestyle management of the condition. 2. Tulsa Among the strongest allergens found in the country, mountain cedar pollen ranks extremely high. And the state of Oklahoma is full of mountain cedar trees. Therefore, this type of vegetation found in the area leaves Tulsa and its residents exposed to this pollen found in high amounts.
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