Multiple sclerosis is a condition in which one’s immune system attacks the central nervous system. It damages nerve fibers, thereby affecting the spinal cord, brain, and optic nerves. There’s no cure for multiple sclerosis, presently. But, a diet plan may help manage symptoms like fatigue, pain, and dizziness. Eating healthy foods will also boost the immune system and improve overall health. Let’s look at five dietary tips for those with multiple sclerosis. Eat fatty fish Fatty fish has omega 3 fatty acids, which can be beneficial for multiple sclerosis. Omega 3 fatty acids soothe inflammation, keep the heart healthy, and lower blood pressure. So, include fatty fish like sardines, mackerel and salmon in a diet plan to manage multiple sclerosis. Also, those who have this condition may have a deficiency of vitamin D. Fatty fish have vitamin D too. It regulates the body’s absorption of calcium and improves the function of the immune system. Have high-fiber food High-fiber foods include whole-grain bread, oatmeal, beans, dried fruits, and flaxseeds. Eating high-fiber food can help with one specific health problem associated with multiple sclerosis: constipation. It occurs when one’s pelvic floor muscles have reduced functioning optimally. High-fiber food can manage and also prevent constipation.

Most adults experience minor heartburn once a while, and need to seek out GERD  or bowel disease treatments, but Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) may be the cause if it occurs more than twice a week. This condition manifests as acid reflux, which causes stomach acids to flow up the food pipe, leaving a sour and metallic taste in the mouth and a burning sensation in the chest area. Here are a few foods you can add to your daily diet to manage GERD symptoms better: Fibrous foods The main advantage of eating fibrous foods is that even a small portion will leave you feeling full, which prevents overeating and heartburn. Fill up your plate with whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice. Sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, and other root vegetables (except onions) are also great choices. Some other vegetables rich in fiber are asparagus, broccoli, spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts. Alkaline foods Foods that have low acidic content are great for people with GERD, as they aid digestion and prevent an upset stomach. Fruits like muskmelon, watermelon, and honeydew have low acidic properties. Fennel also has low-acidic levels and soothing properties. Lettuce, celery, and sweet peppers, on the other hand, prevent heartburn and won’t cause excessive gas in your body.

Hemophilia is a condition where the blood lacks the blood-clotting proteins, resulting in prolonged bleeding and more than normal blood loss. In some cases, the bleeding can also be internal, usually in the elbows, knees, and ankles, which can have an adverse effect on your organs, resulting in a fatal outcome. This inherited disorder shows symptoms but may vary depending on the clotting protein. Read to know more about the early signs of hemophilia. Depending on the severity of the condition, the patient may experience bruising, internal or external bleeding and the signs are as below: Deep and large bruises Excessive bleeding from injuries, surgery or dental treatments Blood in urine or stool Stiff joints and muscles that lead to internal bleeding Bleeding in the brain after bumping your head Small cuts that cause heavy bleeding Nosebleeds There are two types of hemophilia, defined as A and B. Type A is associated with the lack of clotting factor VIII, and hemophilia B is associated with the lack of clotting factor IX. Hemophilia is further classified into three types of severity – mild, moderate, and severe that does not change with time since it’s an inherited disease. Mild hemophilia The first episode of bleeding may occur in adulthood, and only after a serious injury, trauma, or surgery.

Sleep apnea causes a person’s breathing to stop and start at intervals. To avoid it from turning potentially dangerous, one can make dietary changes to manage symptoms of sleep apnea. Avoiding certain foods can induce deep sleep and may help regulate breathing too. High-fat food and refined carbs can disturb sleep. This can further worsen one’s condition. Let’s look more closely at foods to avoid if one is diagnosed with sleep apnea. Bananas Eating fruits like bananas are often considered healthy. But this is not the case with those with sleep apnea. Bananas are instrumental in inducing more mucus production in the nasal tract. Especially the overripe and mushy ones. More mucus means more chances of the nose getting blocked. This can cause breathing problems while sleeping and worsen symptoms of sleep apnea. So, avoid eating bananas if diagnosed with sleep apnea. Junk food Junk food has refined carbs that can lead to unhealthy weight gain. This can increase sleep apnea symptoms. Junk food like crisps, fries, sweetened cereals, and pasta, should be avoided. Sodas and flavored candies should be kept at bay too. Refined carbs are also present in white flour and white rice, so they should be avoided as well.

Aside from the obvious reason of preventing pregnancy, birth control measures are recommended by doctors for teenage girls with irregular or heavy menstrual periods, severe menstrual cramps, hormonal acne, or mood-related disorders like Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) that accompany premenstrual syndrome PMS. Different types of birth control can be prescribed to cater to different needs. For purely contraceptive needs, the following methods of temporary contraception prove to be most effective. Progestin-releasing implant An implant is a small plastic rod that releases a specific amount of progestin. It is about the size of an ordinary matchstick and is placed under your skin, generally in the upper arm area. This hormone is effective in inhibiting the release of an ovum (egg cell) from the ovary. If an egg is released, progestin also does the job of thickening the mucus surrounding the cervix, making it difficult for the sperm to reach the ovum. Intrauterine Device (IUD) An intrauterine device is a tiny T-shaped device that is placed in the uterus by a doctor. The procedure is very simple and takes about 15-20 minutes. There are two types of IUDs – hormonal and medicinal. Hormonal IUDs secrete progestin when placed inside the body, and the effects last for about 3-5 years.

Asthma is a condition characterized by narrow airways that swell or tighten or inflame and are filled with mucus. This results in many respiratory problems, and the symptoms may vary in every individual. The symptoms may change with time, and knowing the signs is an important part of managing the illness and getting appropriate treatment. Keeping tabs on your symptoms to help guide your doctor is imperative. Read on to get some insight on early warning signs of asthma. Some may experience symptoms and asthma attacks only while physical exertion and some could have persisting symptoms. The common early sign of asthma include: Shortness of breath Coughing at night Wheezing Nasal congestion Sore or itchy throat Headache Feel nervous or sad Fatigue Easily tired while working out Tightness in chest Runny nose and watery eyes Dark circles Clammy skin Grumpy, restless Sleeping troubles Pain or pressure in the chest While these are the common symptoms, every individual may experience either of these or a combination of these at varied times. Similarly, the symptoms of an asthma attack vary with every episode. An asthma attack occurs when you have bronchospasm (tightened airways) due to inflammation and get swollen. It also produces thicker mucus, making it difficult for the patient to breathe or even talk.

Spinal muscle atrophy (SMA) is a disease imbibed in the genes and is recognized by limited or complete loss of nerve cells and motor neurons that help muscles move. These cells situated in the spinal cord cause difficulty in movement and weakness. There are various types of SMA but broadly classified as type 1, 2, 3, and 4, depending on age and symptoms. Read on to know more about the different types of spinal muscle atrophy. SMA Type 1 This is the most common type and also referred to as infantile-onset SMA or Werdnig-Hoffmann disease. Its symptoms can be seen when a child is born or it may occur within the first six months. Infants with this condition have weak limbs and have trouble raising their head. The typical lifespan of babies with this condition is 12 to 18 months. SMA Type 2 Also called intermediate SMA, this occurs in babies or toddlers who are about six to eighteen months old. They are able to sit without assistance but cannot stand up or walk. They also experience tremors and sometimes develop joint problems such as a curved spine. Babies with this condition suffer from acute respiratory challenges that can become worse as the condition grows.

The word “Hepatitis” literally means inflammation of the liver. There are 5 main types of hepatitis viruses, known as types A, B, C, D, and E. Hepatitis C is caused by the corresponding hepatitis C virus (HCV), has several symptoms, and is known to cause severe damage to the liver. Due to advancements in modern medicine, the condition can be cured with oral medications if it is diagnosed in the early stages. Patients with acute hepatitis C rarely exhibit any symptoms and the condition is often left undiagnosed for a long period of time, and is hence referred to as the silent epidemic. If the body is unable to get rid of the virus, the condition escalates to chronic hepatitis C. The following are some early signs and symptoms of hepatitis C. Loss of appetite People with hepatitis C are known to report a poor appetite. This is due to an abnormally functioning liver. Fatigue Since the liver is unable to perform the function of converting stored energy into usable energy, people suffering from the condition are known to display chronic signs of fatigue and may also sometimes experience nausea and dizziness. Jaundice This is the most common symptom of hepatitis C and should be reported immediately when observed.

Tired with a cold and congestion? Medications and home remedies didn’t help? The most possible culprit is nasal polyps. They’re non-cancerous swellings that develop in the lining of your nose and can grow in one or both nasal passages. Shaped like a teardrop at inception, they eventually grow to the size of a grape and result in very discomforting symptoms. Read on to find out more about nasal polyps. Causes of Nasal Polyps Nasal polyps may result from chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which is a wet layer inside the nose that humidifies the air we breathe and helps protect sinuses. Due to an infection or even allergy-induced irritation, the nasal mucosa swells and turns red. And if the irritation continues, the mucosa turns into a solid tear-shaped formation. Studies claim that men are more prone to this disease than women, and children under the age of 10 with cystic fibrosis are more likely to develop this illness. While the causes are backed by a weak immune system or the chemical formation in the lining of the nose, below are some risk factors that trigger nasal polyps. Recurring sinus infections Cystic fibrosis Hay fever Churg-Strauss syndrome, i.e., inflammation of blood vessels Intolerance to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications Nasal Polyps Symptoms Nasal polyps lack nerve sensation, making them painless growths inside the nasal passages.

A person with dry eyes often feels a burning and gritty sensation in that region. This may occur if the glands located in and around the eyelids don’t secrete adequate tears to keep the eyes moist. Dry eyes can be treated with special medicines, but there are alternative treatments that are natural too. These five treatments for dry eyes that one can try at home. Warm Compresses They can reduce inflammation of the eyes and also restore its natural moisture. This home treatment requires one to soak a clean cloth in warm water, then squeeze the cloth and place it over the closed affected eye. One must lightly tap the edge of the eyelids to squeeze the oil-making glands. This may open them up and restore their function. Do this regularly to ease irritation and moisten the eyes, even after you notice that the condition has improved. Create a Healthy Environment Certain irritants in the environment may worsen one’s condition of dry eyes. It may lead to reddening of the eyes and can be highly irritable. Creating a suitable environment is one of the best alternative treatments for dry eyes. Stay away from cigarette smoke and extremely windy areas as these may affect the eyes.