Category: Health

This page is completely informative and to motivate readers for a healthy lifestyle.

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Health

Proven Tips to Maintain a Healthy Digestive System

healthy digestive system

The digestive system plays an important role in maintaining a healthy body. It is responsible for breaking down the food you eat and absorbing the essential nutrients required for your body. Due to fast pacing life, we’re unable to maintain certain strategies to have a healthy digestive system. The unhealthy lifestyle like eating too fast, drinking alcohol, eating too much junk foods, etc. often takes people to the doorsteps of medical practitioners. If we have a very unhealthy digestive system, it leads to possible diseases like stomach bloating, diarrhea, etc. Therefore, to make things run smoothly, we need to follow certain strategies to maintain proper digestion.

High-fiber diet

If you face digestive problems frequently, it is high time to analyze your diet plan. Do your eating patterns possess a high-fiber diet? According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, 30 to 38 grams of fiber each day is essential for men and 21 to 25 grams of fiber each day is essential for women. They stressed the importance of eating more high-fiber fruits and veggies. No matter whether it’s at breakfast, lunch, or dinner, High fiber foods are excellent sources of phytochemicals, disease-fighting nutrients, etc. Consuming these types of foods aid in weight management can help decrease the risk of heart diseases.

So let’s find out what is the connection between fiber and our body? What are fiber-rich foods? Fiber is a complex carbohydrate found in almost all plant-based foods. It can be processed only in the large intestine. Fruits, Vegetables, Legumes, Whole grains, Nuts, and Seeds are rich in fiber. Eating these regularly helps you feel full for a long time and helps in managing weight. High-fiber foods can also help in promoting gut health and reducing the risk of cancers.

Adding both soluble and insoluble fiber

There are two categories of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble, as the name implies, it dissolves in water. It forms a gel that improves digestion in various ways. It improves blood glucose levels that aids in reducing the risk of diabetes. On the other hand, an insoluble fiber food dissolves slowly. It promotes bowel health and prevents hemorrhoids.

It is a must to know that adding too much soluble and insoluble fiber can affect digestive health, so keep in control of what you eat. In case if you take too many fiber-rich foods then try following physical activities and drink more water to help relieve the symptoms like gas, pain, and bloating.

Adding lean meats to your diet

Lean meat is a broad category used to define “white” meat, fish, poultry, etc. that has lower calories. On the other hand, red meat has more cholesterol which in turn triggers heart diseases. Protein is the essential nutrient to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Skinless chicken and pork loin are healthy choices to fill your plate. These help in keeping your stomach healthy.

Limit fatty foods

Fatty foods slow down the digestive process, which in turn causes constipation. At the same time adding healthy fatty foods won’t affect your digestive health. So instead of taking only “fatty” foods, it is better to take fatty and high-fiber in your meal plan. Some of the low-fat, high-fiber foods are skinless chicken, whole grain cereals, bread, fish, vegetables, fat-free milk, low-fat yogurt, olive oil, etc. Make sure you follow three meal plans every day and can also follow low-fat snacking for a strong digestive system.

A super healthy probiotic diet

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that aids in maintaining a good digestive system, glowing skin, reducing depression, and promoting heart health. Let’s find out what are probiotic foods that we can add to our diet regularly.

Yogurt – This is the best source that is rich in friendly bacteria to improve bowel health.

Kefir – Kefir is mainly for people who have lactose intolerance. Kefir is a fermented milk drink made from cow or goat milk. It is rich in friendly bacteria and yeast, making it a better source of probiotic food.

Sauerkraut – Sauerkraut is a finely shredded cabbage fermented by lactic acid bacteria. This sour and salty tasted traditional food is often used as a side dish or used on top of sausages. This food is popular in Europe and is not only probiotic but also contains vitamins C, B, and K.

Kimchi – Kimchi is a very popular spicy Korean dish made from fermented cabbage. Kimchi contains lactobacillus bacteria which is well-known for benefitting healthy digestive system.

Miso – This traditional dish is made by fermenting soybeans with salt and a type of fungus called koji. Miso not only promotes digestive health but also reduces the risk of cancer and stroke in women.

Stay hydrated

Fiber pulls too much water into the colon to form softer and bulkier stools. This in turn dehydrates the body faster, so to maintain the water level in your body especially when you take too much fiber, it is a must to drink plenty of water.

This supports the digestive system to continue the normal digestive processes.

Maintain a healthy eating schedule

Following the same time, each day to have your breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks will help in managing your body clock properly. It is better if you follow healthy snacks and healthy meals every time.

Stay away from bad habits

Alcohols, too much caffeine, and cigarettes are very harmful to your digestive system. This leads to severe digestive tract problems like stomach ulcers and heartburn.

Stay active

Doing physical exercises regularly is necessary to reduce the risk of constipation and to improve bowel movements. Practice a weekly schedule to maintain bowel health.

Manage stress

Stress or anxiety is the biggest enemy of your overall health. Though these are unavoidable, it is better if you follow stress-reducing activities every day.

Summary

If you can follow just one, you are likely to see a difference. If you continue to follow one by one, then you can solve the entire digestive system imbalance completely.

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Health

Lung Cancer Disease – A Detailed Overview

Cancer is a life-threatening health issue that affects people of all ages. It denotes abnormal growth and spreading of cells across the body. Usually, our body cells die at a certain stage after their complete growth. However, in the case of cancer patients, cells are produced enormously before the existing ones die. This overcrowding of cells in the blood leads to abnormal functions of the organs. Cancer is a tumor (solid form) that forms anywhere in the body. There are various types of cancers like breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, blood cancer, and so on. In this article, we are going to discuss lung cancer disease in detail.

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a type of cancer that affects the lungs. The body’s cells in the lungs multiply uncontrollably. In the US, lung cancer is the third common cancer that causes death. These mainly lead to shortness of breath. It affects anyone but people who have the habit of smoking or having continuous exposure to smoke, exposure to chemicals in the workplace, etc. are likely to develop the disease in common.

Types of Lung Cancer Disease

Depending on the size of the cells as seen under a microscope, lung cancer can be differentiated into two types namely,

Small cell lung cancer

Non-small cell lung cancer

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

This is a type of pulmonary malignancy that affects both smokers and non-smokers. In non-small cell lung cancer, the malignant (cancer) cells are formed in the tissues of the lung. Depending on the types of cancer cells (as seen under a microscope), this disease is further classified into three types:

Adenocarcinoma – in this condition, cells that line the alveoli will become cancerous. They form substances called mucus all over the lung.

Large cell carcinoma – As the name implies, it mainly affects the large cells of the lung.

Squamous cell carcinoma – This type is also called epidermoid carcinoma, it begins in the thin, flat cells lining the inside of the lungs.

Who Are Vulnerable To Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinoma?

Anybody who smokes or has continuous exposure to smoke is at high risk of developing pulmonary cancer.

Long exposure to arsenic, asbestos, beryllium, chromium, nickel, tar, etc. in the workplace will also make anyone a lung cancer patient.

People who have gone under radiation therapy to treat other types of cancer like breast are likely to be vulnerable.

Having a family history of lung cancer disease can also develop lately.

Symptoms of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

People with lung carcinoma do not show any symptoms until they reach the last stage. However, some common complaints include:

Shortness of breath

Wheezing

A cough that gets worse over time

Chest pain

Hoarseness in the voice

Sudden weight loss

Blood in vomit

Feeling extremely fatigue

Inflammation in the veins in the neck

How to Diagnose Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

The examination can be carried out by using various test methods like

  • Imaging tests (CT Scan, X-Ray)
  • Understanding the lifestyle to check smoker/non-smoker or exposure to toxins & chemicals, etc.
  • Sputum cytology – in which a sample of mucus is examined under a microscope to check for malignant cells.
  • Thoracentesis – in which a needle is used to take a fluid sample of the lining of the chest and the lung. This fluid is then examined microscopically for cancer cells.

Stages of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Once the lung cancer is diagnosed, the staging of the cancer is identified by your doctor. The stages are described based on their severity and how far it’s been spread and affected other parts.

Hidden or Occult stage – This stage cannot be identified through imaging tests or bronchoscopy. However, cancer cells can be seen in mucus or a sample taken from the airways of the lungs.

Stage 0 – here the cancer cells are seen in the lining of the airways then it is called Stage 0.

Stage 1 – If a lung tumor is identified and it is under 4cm and not yet spread to other parts then it is called Stage 1.

Stage 2 – If the cancer cells have spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes and the tumor size is under 7cm, then you are likely to be in Stage 2.

Stage 3 – The cancer cells are spread throughout the lymph nodes and other parts surrounded by.

Stage 4 – This is life-threatening, it means the cancer cells begun to affect bones and brain, i.e. distant body parts.

Treatment Options for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Standard treatment options available to treat non-small cell lung cancer are as follows:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Chemotherapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted therapy
  • Laser therapy
  • Cryosurgery
  • Electrocautery
  • Photodynamic therapy

Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer is a type of lung malignancy in which cancer cells are formed in the tissues of the lungs. There are two types as follows:

  • Small cell carcinoma
  • Combined small cell carcinoma

Who Are At Risk, Symptoms and What Are The Treatment Options?

Like we discussed in brief for the previous type, people who are smokers or non-smokers, those who have long exposure to chemicals or toxins in the workplace, those who have undergone radiation therapy are vulnerable.

Similarly, the treatment options are common for both types of cancers.

Symptoms also remain the same for any type of lung cancer.

Stages of Small Cell Lung Cancer

Small cell lung cancer has two different stages as follows:

Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer – as the name implies, in limited-stage, the cancer cells are present only inside the lung or spread only to the lymph node.

Extensive-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer – as the name implies, the cancer cells are spread beyond the lungs or the lymph nodes.

Small cell lung cancer is recurring in patients who just recovered. It mostly affected the chest, brain, or other parts of the body. 

The treatment options available these days have side effects like hair loss, so talk to your doctor in detail. Similarly, discuss the survival rate before proceeding. 

Final Thoughts

The lung cancer information provided here is based on my studies and researches. It is a must to talk to your doctor, in case you doubt having the symptoms. Early-stage treatments have produced complete recovery from lung cancer. Do not panic; keep your mind calm and positive to come over this fatal disease with your doctor’s help successfully.

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Health

Hardening of Arteries – When to Worry?

Arteries play a vital role in the circulatory system of our body. They carry away blood from the heart whereas veins take blood into the heart from other parts of the body. Arteries are thick and more elastic than veins, as they carry blood at high pressure (pumped from the heart). Due to the unhealthy lifestyle, for some people, blood gets thick quickly. The high amount of proteins, calcium, red cells, white cells, platelets, etc. in the blood causes thickening. Such condition paves way for blood clots and damages to endothelium. What is endothelium? Arteries have endothelium (a lining in their walls made of cells) that promotes a smooth flow of blood from the heart to other parts of the body. Damages to this thin layer can cause the hardening of arteries. This condition is called atherosclerosis or arteriosclerosis.

What Causes Atherosclerosis?

Too much cholesterol and fat content in the artery wall is the major cause of this condition.

This deposition of substances is medically called plaque buildup in arteries. If plaque in arteries continues to collect, it can cause severe blockage and disrupt the blood flow. Sometimes, platelets gathered in the affected area and form blood clots.

Such clots can be life-threatening. It leads to heart attack and stroke.

What Are The Atherosclerosis Symptoms?

Atherosclerosis cardiovascular disease is more common in adults than in children. Usually, there will be no symptoms until plaque breaks out or when there is an interruption in blood flow.

The symptoms of arteriosclerosis vary depending on the type of artery affected.

Coronary arteries

Coronary arteries are located near the heart and when there is damage or hardening here, the blood supply to the heart fails. This causes heart attack and angina. Symptoms include:

Chest pain

Anxiety

Faintness

Coughing

Vomiting

Carotid arteries

These are present near the brain. Damages lead to stroke. Symptoms include:

Weakness

Headache

Paralysis

Difficulty in breathing

Facial numbness

Immediate medical attention is required, when a person has these signs.

Renal arteries

If the blood supply to the kidney got affected or limited, then renal artery blockage arises. This leads to chronic kidney disease and symptoms include:

Swelling of the hands and feet

Loss of appetite

Difficulty in concentrating

Peripheral arteries

These arteries supply blood to the pelvis, legs, and arms. Hardening of the arteries in the legs leads to Peripheral artery disease.

This condition increases the chances of stroke and heart attack. Severe damage to the tissues leads to immobility and pain in the limbs.

It also requires earlier medical attention to avoid life-threatening situations.

Who Is At Risk?

People who have poor lifestyles have a higher risk of getting affected with atherosclerosis. Certain health conditions include:

A family history of cardiovascular disease

Continuous tobacco smoking or high levels of alcohol intake

Low or no physical activity

Large intake of foods with “bad” cholesterol

A poor diet containing high levels of sugar, Trans fat, salt, cholesterol, etc.

Diabetes

High blood pressure

Stress

Sleep apnea

Atherosclerosis Prevention

Lifestyle changes like following a heart-healthy diet, foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, and soluble fiber are the only way for atherosclerosis prevention. It is possible to live a long life, even with atherosclerosis but when strictly managed with proper heart-healthy foods.

Maintaining a healthy weight and doing regular exercises avoid thickening of blood or formation of cholesterol in the blood.

Medication

Medications are suggested based on the individual’s needs. Common recommendations are for preventing blood clots, reducing sugar levels, and to lower blood pressure.

Surgeries are carried out in severe cases where your doctor may either remove plaque buildup or bypass surgery to carry blood flow effectively.

Final round-up

Atherosclerosis is a serious condition as it leads to life-threatening diseases like arteriosclerosis heart disease. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, a healthy diet, and healthy lifestyle choices are the few ways to reduce the risk of suffering from this disease. As this mostly affects elders, a regular checkup (as suggested by your doctor) can help avoid any diseases.

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Health

Wrist and Finger Pain – A Silent Disease to Note

In our day-to-day life, one of the frequent complaints we hear is wrist pain. A sudden stiffness in the wrist bones and especially on the fingers is the most common symptom. A question that arises is why there is a sudden pain and how to overcome it? Most of us would think of a quick home remedy to heal the pain but trust me there are various other causes behind this wrist and finger pain. Medical professionals recommend X-Rays to understand the severity of the cause. Let’s find out what triggers the pain in the wrist and hand.

Wrist Sprain

This condition occurs when the ligament is overstretched. For example, if we fell or bend the wrist backward, there is a great chance for the ligament to get affected. The treatment method involves resting the affected region for a minimum of 48 hours, compressing with a wrist bandage, ice, or hot water pack to reduce the inflammation. In worst cases, seek your doctor for quick healing.

Osteoarthritis

This is another cause for the sudden inflammation and pain in both hands and wrist. This condition occurs when bone cartilage wears off. Often, people who are in middle age and older suffer from osteoarthritis. Treatment methods include physiotherapies, pain killers, and in rare cases surgeries.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

This is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects the tissues in the joints causing swelling in the wrist and hand. The diagnosis involves taking a blood test to check the WBC count, C-reactive protein (CRP) level to identify the inflammatory process in the body. The other methods include imaging tests like X-Rays, MRI and ultrasound tests to help understand the severity of the disease in the body. There is no cure for rheumatoid arthritis; there are only medications to remit the symptoms.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome

Carpel tunnel syndrome or CTS mostly affects people between the ages of 45 and 64 years. It is more common in women than in men. CTS is described as nerve entrapment in which the body’s peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized. The widespread use of computers is the most common reason for this nerve damage in the wrist. Treatment involves simple home remedies like reducing pressure given on the nerves. It is often advised to “give rest” to reduce the pain in the wrist joint and to avoid hand movements repetitively.

Repetitive Motion Syndrome

This is more like we discussed earlier, the CTS. Overworking and Overpressure on the joints can cause them to swell and pain in finger joints and wrist. So if you’re typing or knitting too much, just give rest for some time to get a cure.

Tendonitis

This condition is more common among sportspeople. Putting too much strain on the tendons during sport may cause them to swell. For people who play tennis, often experience pain on top of hand and wrist. Simple remedies like giving rest to the working hand or doing simple self physiotherapies or ice/hot water packages can reduce the symptoms as well as pain over time.

Ganglion Cyst

Cysts are the major reason behind wrist hand and finger pain. These are often filled with liquid, gas, or semisolid. A blockage in the body’s drainage system is called a cyst. Treatment may depend on the type of cyst, size, location, and degree of discomfort caused. Cyst occurs in any part of the body. For very large cysts, your medical professional suggest surgical removal.

Wrist and Finger Pain Symptoms

Some people experience sharp pain whereas for others it is dull. It depends on the location of the problem.

Swelling and bruising are the common complaints in wrist and finger pain.

Other common symptoms include weakness in the hand, numbness, tingling, etc.

Immobility or stiffness in the fingers (this is common in rheumatoid arthritis).

When to See Your Doctor?

Often, if the complications are interfering in carrying out the everyday activities, then visit your doctor immediately.

Common Diagnosis for Wrist Pain

Imaging techniques like X-Ray, MRI, CT scan, etc. are used to study the severity and swelling of the affected region.

Arthroscopy is a diagnostic and treatment method in which a small camera is inserted through a small cut (like a buttonhole) in the wrist to get a high-definition image of the issue in the joint. This is widely used when the imaging techniques are left unanswered to your doctor’s several diagnostic questions. Conditions like torn ligaments, damaged cartilage are treated using this method. Typically this is recommended only if the “rest” have been a failure.

Prevention Is Much Better

Follow these simple lifestyle changes to avoid suffering from wrist or finger pain.

So, if you are using computers for long hours and involve too much typing works, consider buying wrist-friendly keyboards.

Keeping the wrist in a relaxed position and following a proper posture when sitting/working at a workstation help avoid severe pain in the wrist and joints.

Avoid putting too much stress when working or playing. Give ample rest in between your works to reduce overpressure on the nerves or the finger joints.

When playing use proper wrist and knee guards to avoid severe injuries or damages to the ligaments and tendons and even bones.

Wrapping It Up

Wrist pain is not a big headache unless it gives immobility to the entire hand. It is treatable and the costs are affordable. Early treatment at home is more than enough to treat the condition. If this persists for more than 48 hours, then never hesitate to get the right consultation from your doctor.

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Leukemia Cancer Treatment – Is it possible?

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth and spread of the body cells. Do you know? We all have cancer cells in our body but there is a natural defense system that keeps this under control. A nutritious diet is the only thing that can help us keep the body’s natural defense system healthy. Despite this, due to fast pacing lifestyle, many of us do not have time to maintain our health. In return, we develop cancer. There are various types of cancers like blood cancer or leukemia cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, skin cancer, and more. One of the most common cancers that affect around 60K people per year and around 20K deaths the same year is Leukemia. Is Leukemia cancer treatment possible? Let’s find out.

Leukemia is the type of cancer that mainly affects the bone marrow. Do you know? Bone marrow is the part of our body that produces blood cells. Just imagine this scenario, our body can produce a certain number of blood cells, it takes time for them to grow and spread, and finally, after its life span (it is 120 days in the case of RBC and 13-20 days in the case of WBC) gets destroyed in the spleen. But if you are cancerous, there will be a rapid growth of the cells. Uncountable and unimaginable increase of blood cells overcrowds the blood and affects the entire system from proper functioning. This is Leukemia Cancer.

What are the Risk Factors?

Various risk factors have a close connection in developing leukemia.

Before heading into that section, we need to know that this cancer affects people over the age of 55, but nowadays it is also found in teens and kids under 15. I wanted to research “cancer in teens” in particular to know more about what the causes are and how to prevent and protect those innocents.

Now, coming back to the topic of risk factors, here

Viruses – Viruses are dramatically changing our lifestyle for many decades (it is the coronavirus now). Human T-Lymphotropic Virus (HTLV-1) has a link with leukemia.

Identical twins – If your siblings develop leukemia then there is a low chance of risking this disease.

Radiation therapy – This is the most common treatment method to reduce or destroy cancer cells. As there is a high chance of destroying the normal cells too, our body becomes more vulnerable to other side effects and diseases.

Chemotherapy – Like we all know that this is another common treatment method to destroy cancer cells. People who have undergone this are prone to other side effects like hair loss, nausea, and weight loss.

Hair Dyes – Yes, benzene content in the cleaning products and hair dyes can cause leukemia over time.

Electromagnetic fields – People who work under electromagnetic fields for a long time are prone to develop this cancer.

Similarly, long-term exposure to diesel, pesticides, and gasoline can also likely be a risk factor for leukemia.

What are the types of leukemia cancer?

The type of cancer is usually determined by the part of the blood cell it affects and the stage of WBC when affected.

The 4 types include:

  • Acute
  • Chronic
  • Lymphocytic
  • Myelogenous

Acute leukemia – this type gives no time, here the blood cells multiply quickly and leaves the bone marrow before it even grows well. This overcrowds the blood and causing many severe health risks.

Chronic leukemia – unlike the acute type, the chronic affects the fully matured blood cells.

Lymphocytic leukemia – This type affects the white blood cells and or otherwise called lymphocytes. We all know that this plays a vital role in our immune system. This is dangerous too, as it targets the whole immune system.

Myelogenous leukemia – This type targets the part of bone marrow itself rather than the blood cells that are produced.

Symptoms of leukemia

Leukemia has symptoms related to other illnesses too therefore a thorough diagnosis is required to confirm the disease.

Anemia – there will be a decrease in the number of red blood cells which means not having enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin carries iron throughout the body and when it lacks causes shortness of breath and pale skin.

Frequent illnesses – as the types like lymphocytic mainly affect the WBC (our body’s military system), the person suffers from various other illnesses frequently. Even WBCs start affecting our body’s cells.

Improper blood clotting – Petechiae is a condition in which a person may develop red or purple spots all over the body. This happens when white blood cells overcrowd the platelets. The person bleeds easily and may not be able to heal quickly.

Other common symptoms are

  • Weight loss
  • Bone pain
  • Weakness
  • Fever
  • Chills
  • Nausea
  • Tiredness

What are the leukemia cancer treatment methods?

As we discussed earlier, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are the two different treatment methods used in leukemia cancer treatment but still, this depends on what type a person has.

Surgery – This method is opted to remove the spleen but this again depends on the type and severity.

Stem Cell Transplantation – destroying the infected bone marrow either using chemotherapy or radiation therapy, replacing it with new stem cells that generate the noncancerous cells. This method is likely to produce good results in young than in older people.

Targeted therapy – in this method, tyrosine kinase inhibitors like imatinib are used to target the cancerous cells and destroy them alone. So far, this gave 90% successful results.

Summary

With the progress in the medical industry, remission is possible in cancer patients. Remission means a condition with no signs of cancer cells but still, periodic bone marrow checkups and blood tests may be required.

Like I said in my initial paragraph, a nutritious diet helps us fight all illnesses. Hope I will write a detailed article on it very soon.

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Health

Maintain a healthy prostate

The prostate gland can be found in the male reproductive system. The main function of the gland is to provide an alkaline fluid called semen that is expelled during ejaculation. The healthy prostate looks slightly larger than a walnut and is located below the bladder. Enlargement of the prostate is the commonly found problem in men after retirement, resulting in abnormal functioning. Most of the time, it creates problems in urinating as it surrounds the urethra. So once you hit your 40’s, schedule regular checkups with your doctor to ensure that you have a healthy prostate. Prostate cancer is a reason behind major deaths in men! This is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the USA and UK. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men in the USA, next to lung cancer.

What are the causes of enlarged prostate and cancer?

We know that at the age of 40, the levels of prolactin of testosterone increase. This prolactin stimulates the enzyme 5-alpha reductase that naturally converts testosterone to dihydro-testosterones (DHT). This DHT is the major reason for the enlargement of the prostate and cancer. In addition to aging, we will discuss other causes of prostate enlargement and prostate cancer.

Genetics

The enlarged prostates can be inherited from generation to generation.

Cell-growth factor

Some people have enlarged prostate for whatever reason.

Hormone imbalance

A typical middle-aged person has increased abdominal fat and thin muscle mass, which is the main factor for causing hormonal imbalance in men. There are also other factors like stress, depression, anxiety that can cause changes in hormone levels.

Obesity

Researchers and recent studies show that excess amount of calorie consumption either directly or indirectly stimulates enlarged prostates. This is mainly due to changes in hormone levels because of the fat, as we discussed above.

Mineral deficiency

Zinc is an important mineral for the proper function of the prostate gland in our body. Due to aging or uncontrolled diet or excessive alcohol drinking, the zinc level will be deficient. This leads to abnormal function of the prostate gland.

Testosterone

Like we discussed earlier, there will be an increase in the conversion of testosterone to DHT which triggers prostate enlargement.

What are the symptoms of enlarged prostates?

Nocturia

Waking up at night several times to pass urine is what Nocturia is. It is more common in aged people and when there is an enlarged prostate then the condition will be worst.

Dysuria

Dysuria in men is the condition in which the person has painful urination because of the infection in the urinary tract. This condition will become complex when there is an enlarged prostate gland.

Epididymitis

Epididymitis is also caused due to an infection in the urethra or bladder. The symptoms include low-grade fever, high sensitivity to traction or pressure.

Asymptomatic

There are cases in which men with inflammatory prostatitis are asymptomatic.

How to prevent prostate problems?

Let us begin with some home remedies to avoid prostate-related issues.

Tomato

Tomato is rich in lycopene that helps in protecting the prostate. Do not eat raw tomato as it is hard to digest. Eating well-cooked tomatoes with dark green leafy vegetables is the best way to avoid prostate-related issues.

Grapefruit

Grapes contain high amounts of vitamin C and bioflavonoids that help to prevent prostate cancer, enlarged prostate, and heart diseases.

Bean

The high fiber content in beans helps the body to remove the excess level of testosterone thereby reducing the chances of prostate enlargement.

Papaya

The antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and flavonoids present in papaya have anti-cancer effects and are cardioprotective.

Fish

Coldwater fish contains Omega-3 fatty acids which significantly reduce prostate-related risks.

What are the treatments for enlarged prostates?

Drug treatment

This is the first and foremost treatment doctors tend to opt for. The medications suggested will be to get relief from the swollen prostates.

Invasive surgery

The majority of the surgery cases are designed to cause the prostate gland to shrink or remove the extra tissues surrounding the urethra region. This reestablishes the flow of urine from the bladder.

Full surgery

If both the options look not enough to solve the problem, then the doctor opts for full surgery. These are either operated laparoscopically or through the use of robot technology. Such surgeries require a week-long stay in the hospital.

Final thoughts

To maintain a healthy prostate, healthy eating is highly important. The prostate gland is like a filter, if you have poor eating habits, there is a high chance that it gets clogged. In this article, I hosted a lot of home remedies/food recommendations as preventive measures. It is always better to seek professional medical advice if you are facing serious health issues.

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Health

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

What is Hyperthyroidism?

The thyroid gland is an important organ that regulates the body’s metabolism. Metabolism is the conversion of calories we intake and oxygen we inhale into energy. And to do this process effectively, the thyroid gland must secrete a hormone called thyroxin. Thyroxin is an iodine-containing compound that makes all the tissues increases their cellular activity. This thyroid gland is located at the anterior portion of the neck and is the largest too. Despite having a healthy lifestyle, the thyroid gland may cause four basic problems which are due to hormone production level, over-growth of the gland, formation of lumps or nodules within, and cancer. In this article, we thoroughly look into “hyperthyroidism” which means the excess of thyroid hormone production and hyperthyroidism symptoms, causes, and treatment.

What Causes Hyperthyroidism?

There are many factors for hyperthyroidism, but one of the common autoimmune conditions called “Graves’ disease” is a major reason.

Graves’ disease

Graves’ disease occurs when the immune system alters the role of the pituitary gland which generally regulates the level of thyroxin production in the thyroid gland. This alteration happens by the antibody called TRAb (thyrotropin receptor antibody) which results in hyperthyroidism.

Symptoms of Graves’ disease

Diarrhea is a common complaint in many patients and some other symptoms include:

  • Fatigue
  • Reduced libido
  • Changes in Menstrual cycle

Graves’s disease has other conditions too, which are Graves’ dermopathy (specifically affects the skin causing red patches, thickness, etc.) and Graves’ ophthalmopathy (specifically affects the eyes causing dry/redness, bulging, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, blurry vision, etc.).

So, around 70% of thyroid issues are due to autoimmune disorders. How can the autoimmune disorder be treated?

What are the Hyperthyroidism Symptoms?

Let’s discuss the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism:

Anxiety and depression 

Losing mental clarity, suffering from anxiety and depression are the symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Abdominal Bloating

Changes in bowel habits, diarrhea, and bloating are common symptoms.

Menstrual patterns

In women, changes in menstrual patterns have been identified as a symptom. When there is a excess thyroxin, our body may lose its ability to convert testosterone to estrogen

Other symptoms include

  • Fatigue, weakness
  • Increased sensitivity to heat
  • Thinning of hair and skin
  • Sleeping disorder
  • Mood swings
  • Muscle pain
  • Changes in Blood Pressure levels
  • Changes in Heart Rate

What are the treatments for Hyperthyroidism?

Usually, a thorough diagnosis is made by your doctor and he suggests antithyroid medications or radioactive iodine therapy or in worst cases “surgery”. There are also natural treatments that require a strict “diet” plan.

Foods to Eat

It is a must to take food that will not trigger the overactivity of the thyroid gland. This includes whole grains, raw vegetables, meat, fruits, fresh spinach, Brussels sprouts, radish, etc.

Foods to Avoid

Any caffeinated drinks, Soy products as they are very dangerous to the thyroid gland. Stop eating foods that are rich in iodine (simply reduce salt), as they can make your thyroid overactive.

Final thoughts

Hyperthyroidism is not a simple health problem to neglect; it can result in more severe diseases. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment are highly recommended whenever you find the above-mentioned symptoms in your body. Try practicing a healthy lifestyle, live in control, only then these threatening diseases can be avoided.

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Health

Sleep Deprivation Effects and How to Overcome

Sleep is the most important part of our everyday life, when an individual sleeps the body repairs and refreshes itself. Therefore when there is a deprivation in sleep either for a short or long period, the body suffers as it didn’t get enough time to refresh itself. With most studies that say seven to eight hours per night is the optimum amount, sleep is far more important than we think. It is a wonder that most people do not achieve these and suffer from various sleep deprivation effects. The lack of sleep has a major effect on the clarity of thinking, memory, and learning capacity.

What Causes Sleep Deprivation?

Sleep deprivation is both voluntary and involuntary. There are three major causes of sleep deprivation:

Lifestyle

Living an unhealthy lifestyle is one of the major reasons for sleep deprivation. Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol right before going to bed disturbs the sleep pattern. To change this into a healthy lifestyle, one has to maintain and record a sleep diary, note down the foods you take during the day and the time you ate, what type of stress you dealt with, etc. Work on these and find a solution either by own or by consulting with a doctor.

Medication

The medication also has a major impact on a person’s normal rhythm of sleep. Taking sleeping pills to treat insomnia only changes the body’s sleep pattern and will not cure the disease.

Medical conditions

Most people suffer from severe health problems both physically and mentally. Depression and post-traumatic stress lead to sleep deprivation and result in a lot of other side effects over time.

What are the common sleep deprivation effects?

The common physical effects of sleep deprivation include:

Exhaustion – Feeling extremely “tired” both physically and mentally is the commonly found effect from most people. No matter how small the task is, you’ll feel like your entire energy is drained.

Discomfort – When you lack sleep, there will be discomfort throughout the day and night. It’s not exactly pain but a feel that makes you dull all over the day. Sitting, lying, walking, nothing will make you feel “okay” when you didn’t get enough sleep.

Blurred Vision – Getting brief moments of going blind for a short time is the major effect of having too little sleep.

Impaired reactions and movements – One cannot behave or react properly to any routine activities or situations. Sometimes, you do everything in slow motion.

How to overcome sleep deprivation?

Here are 8 tips to get great sleep:

Regular bedtime – Going to bed and waking up at the same time is the most effective method to maintain a proper rhythm of sleep pattern. This greatly helps in running your internal clock properly.

Regular exercise – Exercising for twenty to thirty minutes a day improves sleeping habits.

Don’t lie keeping your eyes open – Staying awake in bed for a long time interrupt the sleeping habit greatly. Therefore, it is better to do something else, getting out of your bed until you feel sleepy.

Good quality mattress – Mattress plays a major role in getting quality sleep. The body should get proper support and comfort when lying on the bed.

Avoid eating/drinking during bedtime – Do not eat or drink anything for two hours before bedtime, because digestion or urgency to pee at night interrupts the sleep heavily.

Avoid Caffeine – It is best to avoid caffeine completely or at least avoid taking it for 6 hours before bedtime. Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine contain sedatives which heavily disturbs the rhythm of sleep pattern.

Final thoughts

Not sleeping well is not okay and never will be. Sleep is essential for our overall health. It is necessary for healthy brain function, physical restoration, and mental wellness. The benefits of getting ample sleep are huge. It aids in living a healthier and happier life. Therefore, sleep well for a more balanced life.

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Health

Dust mite allergy – How to get rid of it!

Dust mites are the most common bugs found in almost all places even if your house is super clean. These creatures are microscopic resembling small bugs. They don’t leave bites on your skin but can cause skin rashes. Some of the other common symptoms include sneezing and postnasal drip. Dust mites are different from bedbugs that leave a bite on your skin. These beasts live in humid places and consume dead cells of the skin. They multiply easily on warm surfaces like beds, cushions, clothing, automobile seats, furniture, etc. Dust mites cannot spread diseases and never live near people but they can only cause dust mite allergy.

Dust Mite Symptoms

Sometimes when we wake up, we feel congested, itchy eyes, itchy skin, or a runny nose. These are the common symptoms when you’re likely allergic to dust mites. Not everyone is harmful to these dust mites but few have such bothersome symptoms. Continuous sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose are the common reactions from the immune system for any type of foreign invader into the body. It becomes worrying when you start having redness on your skin, itching, etc.

How to remove these dust mites

As these dust mites mostly live in the bedroom, it is best to start mite-proofing from there

Hot Water Wash

Washing bedding with hot water once a week is recommended for removing dust mites. For people with a severe dust mite allergy, it is better to wash pillowcases and sheets at a higher temperature every week.

Mite Detergents

Though common insecticides won’t work on these dust mites, there are products available in the market for anti-dust mites. They use a chemical called benzyl benzoate which is used in laundry additives to eliminate dust mites.

HEPA filter

Running a HEPA filter for your bedroom to remove airborne dust mites is recommended to mite-proof the bedroom. These air filters create relief from dust mite allergy and other symptoms that trigger asthma.

Vacuuming and cleaning carpets

Using steam vacuums instead of hot water vacuuming can greatly remove dust mites in carpets. This has to be done in a routine for every 2 months to see the best results.

Final tips to protect from dust mites

  • When vacuuming step outside for about 20-30 minutes and have someone do the job.
  • Never go to bed with damp hair or freshly-showered, as these increase the number of dust mites in the bed and create worse symptoms.
  • Instead of having curtains in your bedroom, try replacing them with bamboo or wooden blinds because curtains have to be washed often.
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Health

Asthma Symptoms – When to worry?

Asthma is a very common disease that affects around 235 million people worldwide. At present, this is an incurable disease and the medications are available only to keep the symptoms under control. In the case of severity, it will also lead to death. So it is better to consult a doctor when there is trouble in breathing and that resist you from doing your routine works. How does asthma occur? Environmental conditions like pollution, dust, etc are found to be the most common reasons. Some people are not prone to these conditions while others are getting affected due to their immune and poor lungs. Normal coughing is considered to be one of the asthma symptoms when it repeats for weeks, months, and even years.

How does it feel like?

It is a must to be aware of your body conditions to monitor the asthma presence. How to find out if you are suffering from asthma?

Trouble in breathing – this is the first thing that shows out. You may not be able to breathe normally if your environmental condition is too cold or dusty. It begins with wheezing (whistle sound) when you breathe and affects your day-to-day activities. This sound arises if your airways are either swollen or narrowed, which is what we name asthma, a chronic disease.

Chest pain – As the air passage got narrowed or inflamed, it disturbs the lungs from doing their work properly. This causes pain in the chest making you feel uncomfortable and is medically called an “asthma attack”.

Coughing during exercise or sleep – A continuous coughing during the night or when exercising is another feel that shows there is a problem in your lungs.

Too much mucus – Mucus is the naturally produced substance from the mucous glands. It is dangerous when there is too much secretion and that blocks the airways.

Types of asthma 

There are various types of asthma identified based on the occurrence or region affected.

  1. Exercise-induced asthma – as the name implies, the person gets the symptoms in 15-20 minutes of any physical activity.
  2. Allergic asthma – certain conditions like cold, mold, dust, pollen, and pets’ hair can create difficulty in breathing.
  3. Non- allergic asthma – irritants in the air like perfumes, air fresheners, cigarette smoke, burning wood, etc. can make the lungs weak.
  4. Genital asthma – sometimes it is your blood relatives from where you get affected and hence named inheritable.
  5. Aspirin-induced asthma – the symptoms were triggered due to certain medications like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.

What is the common treatment in practice?

Like we discussed earlier, asthma is incurable, only the symptoms can be controlled with the help of certain medications as prescribed by the doctor. An asthma inhaler is the commonly used treatment method that prevents blockage and gives instant relief from the difficulty in breathing. In the case of severe asthma, the bronchial thermoplasty method is used, in which the doctor will heat up the insides of the lungs using electrodes that will smoothen the muscles and reduce the tightening.

How to prevent it?

Here are a few tips to avoid asthma:

  • Keeping away from environmental conditions which caused the asthma symptoms earlier.
  • Getting vaccinated for pneumonia.
  • Staying away from allergens that cause breathing problems.

On a quick note, don’t panic if you get this disease. Following recommended dosage of medications prescribed by your doctor helps keep this under control. Natural treatments like breathing exercises are usually recommended to keep your lungs healthy. Do you know any other natural methods to control? Please let us know in your comments.

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