Diet Tips to Lower Triglyceride Levels

Diet Tips to Lower Triglyceride Levels

Triglycerides are a specific type of fat found in the body. Having high triglyceride levels can increase the risk of heart diseases. Our body breaks down food and converts the extra calories into triglycerides. It stores them in fat cells to generate energy later. While one needs these fat cells to supply energy to the body, having excess triglycerides can increase an individual’s risk of developing a heart condition. What one eats plays a crucial role here, one must make sure that they follow a diet to lower triglycerides. Several reasons can lead to high triglyceride levels such as obesity, regular consumption of alcohol, kidney disease, uncontrolled diabetes, or eating a high-calorie diet. Around one in every five people in the country suffers from high triglyceride levels. Understanding triglycerides numbers The regular level of triglyceride in the body is under 150. The higher the number, the greater are the chances of heart disease. Here are some numbers you should pay attention to: Standard triglyceride – lower than 150 mg/dL Borderline triglyceride – between 150 and 200 mg/dL High triglyceride – over 200 mg/dL Very high triglyceride – over 500 mg/dL. Food plan to control triglyceride levels High triglyceride levels often lead to problems such as diabetes, thyroid disease, obesity, and more. So, as the first line of treatment, one’s doctor will try to control the condition by bringing down the triglyceride levels. Moving on, one must consume a healthy diet to lower triglyceride levels and keep other medical conditions in check. Here are some easy tips to keep one’s triglyceride level within the stipulated level by choosing the right foods. Limiting the sugar intake According to the American Heart Association, an average individual should not consume more than 6-9 teaspoons of added sugar every day. The most common sources of sugar are sweets, fruit juice, and soft drinks.
Foods to Eat and Avoid for Patients with Eczema

Foods to Eat and Avoid for Patients with Eczema

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that makes one’s skin itchy and dry. Although the exact cause is unknown, some studies have linked this condition to an overactive response of the nervous system to an irritant. Although topical creams and other types of medications can help manage the condition, doctors may recommend certain types of foods and lifestyle changes to coexist with the condition efficiently. Who are at risk of developing eczema? People who have a family history of eczema are at risk of developing the condition. Moreover, children and infants who are born into families having a history of allergic diseases such as asthma or hay fever are also at an increased risk of suffering from eczema. Which are some foods that can be beneficial for patients with eczema? Since people with eczema often develop food allergies, one will need to examine their personal food preferences to make sure there are no further risks of the same. Some of the most common allergy triggers are usually associated with food items such as eggs, cow’s milk, gluten, soy products, fish, nuts, and shellfish. However, not everyone with eczema responds in the same way to these food items. It is important to understand that eating certain foods will not cause eczema per se, but it may trigger flare-ups in those suffering from this condition. So, it is recommended to follow an eczema-friendly diet to help manage the condition in a better way. No two patients with eczema will have the same reactions to certain types of foods. Some of the important components of an eczema-friendly diet are almost the same as an anti-inflammatory diet. Fish is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids which are capable of fighting inflammation effectively. Some examples of fish that have high levels of omega-3 acids include tuna, mackerel, salmon, sardines, and herring.
Causes of Constipation and Natural Fiber Supplements That Can Help

Causes of Constipation and Natural Fiber Supplements That Can Help

Constipation is an uncomfortable problem that affects almost more than 20 percent of the adult population in the country. According to a survey, more than 2.5 million people visit doctors and clinics for treating the problem of constipation. It often affects more women than men. In addition to difficulty with passing stools, people often face other symptoms throughout the day such as bloating, gas, stomach pain, lower back pain, anxiety issues, and fatigue. The good news is that constipation is curable with the help of fiber supplements. These natural remedies can solve your gut problems with minimal effort. So, in this article, we are going to discuss certain natural fiber supplements that can help improve the bowel movements in your body. But, before we start with the remedies, let’s understand what constipation is, and what its causes are. What is constipation and what are its causes? Constipation is often defined as a difficulty in emptying the bowels. In other words, in constipation, your body takes more than the usual amount of time and effort to move food waste through the large intestine tract. According to the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), someone has constipation if he or she experiences fewer than three bowel movements in a week or has a hard or dry stool that is difficult to pass and often painful. Constipation is usually caused by a combination of several external and internal factors, including some that are related to your diet and body movements as well as your levels of stress. Low intake of fiber is often the leading cause of constipation. Insufficient water consumption is another reason for this problem. Sometimes, dealing with emotional stress can also lead to constipation. Let’s have a look at the factors that are responsible for causing constipation.
Here Are a Few Things to Know about Psoriasis

Here Are a Few Things to Know about Psoriasis

Psoriasis occurs when your immune system is too weak. It is a disease of the skin that is unfortunately chronic. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where the skin cells multiply at an uncontrollable rate. It results in scaling and flaky skin. The disease has no cure and will occur multiple times during one’s lifetime. It mostly starts as a person enters adulthood. The scaly and flaky skin usually occurs on the knees, scalp, and elbows. The scaling could be limited to a few patches or can cover the entire body. Causes of psoriasis There is no particular reason for the occurrence of psoriasis. Some common causes of psoriasis include genetic disposition and environmental factors. If psoriasis runs in your family, then there are high chances that you will also develop this disease. A compromised immune system is also one of the major causes of psoriasis. Gene theory One-third of the people who have psoriasis have a relative who has the same disease. However only 2-3% of the people who have a gene which causes psoriasis report of suffering from the disease. Over 10% of the American population carries one or more of these genes. Environmental factors While the gene for psoriasis may be present in many, only a few suffer from this disease. Environmental factors play a large role in triggering these genes, which makes the disease ‘active.’ Some of the triggers that are also causes of psoriasis include the following: Cold weather accompanied with dryness. This type of weather will dry up your skin, prompting a flare-up of psoriasis. Many patients have reported that a flare-up usually occurs due to stress they might be experiencing. Paradoxically, having psoriasis itself can be a cause of stress. Infections like strep throat and tonsillitis can result in a flare-up of a particular type of psoriasis.
How Probiotics Keep You Healthy

How Probiotics Keep You Healthy

The probiotic market has been on an expansion spree during past few years. Though doctors have been prescribing the use of probiotics since long, it is only recently that people have begun using these. People who have started using probiotics have not only enjoyed its benefits but have also have been able to maintain good health. The most effective probiotics have many benefits including improvement in digestive functions, weight loss among people who were aspiring for the same, lowering of cholesterol, and the normalization of blood pressure. It is, however, a tough task to find the best probiotics given the fact that all probiotic manufacturers claim that their products rank among the most effective probiotics. Before you shortlist a probiotic for yourself, the following five factors need to be kept in mind. Price aspect: This factor is predominately the most important and anyone will purchase a probiotic which falls within an appropriate price range. Potency factor: Potency is another key factor that should be considered while buying a probiotic. Around 50 percent of brands in the market do not have a live culture. Potency is measured by some live cultures present and should be considered as relevant. Colony forming units: This is referred to as total count of bacteria which are available in the probiotic. This is also a key factor which makes probiotic relevant to the buyer. Strains: This refers to a total number of bacteria which are present in each of the probiotic. Strain also affects some benefits which a user can derive from probiotic. The purity of strain: The functional quality of an active culture or the ability to perform a specific job is also measured as a sign of success for the probiotic. Health benefits of probiotics Balance the friendly bacteria: Probiotics contain good bacteria. These provide health benefits when taken on a regular basis.
All You Need to Know about Diabetic Nerve Pain

All You Need to Know about Diabetic Nerve Pain

Diabetes has turned out to be a common problem that is suffered by a lot of people these days. If you are a diabetic patient and have been experiencing burning, shooting, and pricking feels in your hands and feet, then it is the case of diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which is also called as diabetic nerve pain. It is mainly caused due to poor diabetes management and is a common problem among people suffering from diabetes. Nerve pain is known to be a pain that is non-protective. It is caused due to damage to nerves due to injury or diabetes. The nerves send signals to the brain. Even though the nerve damage cannot be resolved, controlling of blood sugar can be done easily so that further damage can be avoided. It is important to talk to your doctor if you come across of the symptoms of this problem. Symptoms The usual symptoms of diabetic nerve pain include burning, shooting, numbness, feeling of pricking of needles or pins, feel of electric shock, tingling, throbbing, stabbing, stinging, sensitivity to touch and radiating. The patients could also experience urination problems, vaginal dryness among women and erectile dysfunction among men. Depression and weight loss are often combined with diabetic nerve pain. Causes Diabetic nerve pain is a complication relating to diabetes that has become common among people who have had diabetes for more than about 20 years. This problem is caused due to many factors mentioned below. Nerve inflammation due to an over-reactive immunity system Damage to the nerves due to trauma or medical complications like rheumatoid arthritis Inherited weakness to nerve damage Damage to the blood vessels, which supply oxygen and various other nutrients to the nervous system Factors like low insulin level, high blood pressure, high lipid levels etc. Lifestyle factors like smoking, excess alcohol consumption, obesity etc.
Here Is a List of Top 12 Migraine Triggers

Here Is a List of Top 12 Migraine Triggers

A headache disorder, migraine is characterized by frequent headaches that can be moderate to severe. Migraines are those types of headaches that are pulsating in nature and affect one-half of the head. Also, migraines can last for up to 72 hours. Migraines are believed to be a mixture of environmental and genetic factors. Changing hormones are said to be one of the top migraine triggers. A post-puberty migraine usually affects women more than men. People experience a migraine due to some reasons. Some of the reasons include food habits, strong scent, flickering lights, weather changes. Migraine triggers are different for different individuals. This makes it difficult and frustrating to narrow down causes of a migraine. There are four phases of a migraine. Prodrome is an onset of a migraine. It lasts for two hours or two days. Its symptoms include altered mood, irritability, depression, euphoria, and fatigue. The second phase is called an aura which causes visual disturbances and partial alteration in vision which might cause difficulty to the person to read, write or drive. Auras occur in 30-40 percent of the people who suffer from a migraine. Pain phase is a chronic headache that is unilateral, throbbing and severe in intensity. The onset is gradual, and It increases with more physical activity. This phase lasts for 4 to 72 hours in adults. The pain phase is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, sound, and smell. Postdrome is a set of symptoms that a person experiences after the pain has subsided. People suffering from a migraine report a sore feeling after relieving from pain. Cognitive difficulties and gastrointestinal symptoms and general weakness are other forms of postdrome symptoms. Let us separate top migraine triggers based different factors: Environment A migraine can occur due to specific environmental conditions, both natural and man-made.
Cough from Allergies – Tips and Cure

Cough from Allergies – Tips and Cure

Coughing and sneezing are some of the common illness symptoms in children. Yet, it affects the adults as well. Though coughing is commonly associated with cold and flu diseases, it can be an allergic symptom as well. Therefore, before taking any medicine, it will be ideal for you to diagnose the condition properly and find the underlying cause. Some simple tips and care suggestions for coughing from allergies have been mentioned below: Air pollution- Increased level of pollutants in the air is a major cause of different diseases and one of them is coughing. Irritants and pollutants present in air can at times cause coughing or even choking symptoms. It may also lead to lung irritation or phlegm in some. Medical attention is generally not needed in case of short-term coughing. Yet, for prolonged coughing or breathing difficulties, patients may need to seek the help of a doctor. Allergy from molds- Coughing can also be intrigued from mold allergies. Generally, coughing from mold allergies also cause wheezing symptoms and is common in people, who have mold infestation in their house. It is also a common problem observed in flood or storm hit regions. Asthmatic allergy- Long bouts of cough along with tightness of chest, wheezing and shortness of breath can be an indication of asthmatic allergy. This type of a cough starts as soon as the person is exposed to the allergen and it’s severity increases till the condition is treated. Asthma can begin at any age. Yet, in most of the cases, it starts from the childhood and gets cured as one grows up. However, the condition can trigger at any time. There can be varied factors triggering asthma, pollution and dust being the most common. Pollen, pet dander and even exposure to strong smell for a prolonged period of time can lead to asthma.
5 breast cancer medications approved by the FDA

5 breast cancer medications approved by the FDA

Among women, breast cancer is known to be the most diagnosed cancer after skin cancer. It develops in the cells of the breasts. Although it can occur in both men and women, breast cancer is known to be more common among women. There are no known exact causes of this type of cancer; most often it is genetic. In some cases, environmental factors can also cause breast cancer. Regular mammography and physical examination by a physician can help in early detection of breast cancer. Certain symptoms and signs include formation of a breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue, change in the size, shape, or appearance of a breast, changes to the skin over the breast, a newly inverted nipple, and peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the areola or breast skin. There can be redness or pitting of the skin over the breast. Depending on the stage at which it is detected, it is possible to completely recover from breast cancer. Make sure you consult your doctor regarding the same. Treatments often include the use of certain medications including the following: Afinitor® Also known as Afinitor Disperz ® , this breast cancer medication works by interfering with the growth of cancerous cells. It slows down the spread of the cancer cells in the body. Along with using it for the treatment of breast cancer, Afinitor ® is also used for certain types of kidney cancer and brain tumor. Additionally, this medication is prescribed for certain types of progressive or advanced tumors of the pancreas, stomach, and intestines. Furthermore, Afinitor ® is used in the treatment of specific types of seizure and non-cancerous tumors of the brain or kidney in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex. Piqray® With the chemical name Alpelisib, Piqray ® belongs to class PI3K inhibitor.
Understanding the link between nasal polyps and allergies

Understanding the link between nasal polyps and allergies

Nasal polyps are noncancerous growths that occur in the nose or sinuses. These growths are shaped like tear drops, and can be found in the area where the sinuses meet the nasal cavity. Those that are small in size usually cause no trouble and need minimal treatment. Large nasal polyps can often affect breathing and block the drainage from the sinuses. Nasal polyps occur due to long-term inflammation in the nasal cavity and sinuses. Genetic predisposition is another factor that plays a role in the development of nasal polyps. Common symptoms of nasal polyps Those who suffer from nasal polyps can experience a wide range of signs and symptoms. These include blocked nasal passages, sneezing, a runny nose, headaches, and losing sense of smell, among others. Individuals may also develop sinus infections and allergies that can arise from a number of factors, such as sensitivity to dust and fumes. In certain cases, individuals with nasal polyps have also been known to develop allergies to aspirin and certain dyes. A severe case of nasal polyps can even cause long-term sinusitis and nose deformities. How do nasal polyps affect allergies? Nasal polyps are often linked to allergies. Studies have shown that those who have nasal polyps experience breathing troubles that are usually a result of allergies, chronic sinusitis, and even asthma. There has been some speculation about the connection between allergies and nasal polyps. In fact, some experts think that the symptoms and signs of allergies can lead to the development of nasal polyps. Two of its key symptoms include sneezing and an itchy, runny nose. Treating nasal polyps There is no fixed cure for nasal polyps, but there are certain modes of treatment that help keep the signs and symptoms at bay. Doctors usually prescribe nasal corticosteroid sprays that help shrink the size of the polyp in the nose.
Natural Ways to Treat Allergic Disorders

Natural Ways to Treat Allergic Disorders

Allergies can be of many types, such as skin allergy, dust allergy, pollution allergy, food allergy, animal allergy, drug allergy, and many more. As per a study of the American population by the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, it has been found that around 25% of the American population suffers from allergic disorders. Well, there are many medications available in the market that may help you get instant relief from an allergy, but they do not help you remove the substance of allergy from your system. The symptoms of allergic reactions Most allergy symptoms may occur when your body or the immune system reacts to allergic elements. Allergic elements are the substances that the body is not able to adapt to naturally, which may cause an allergy, such as dust mites, insects’ stings, plant pollen, molds, pollution particles, certain types of food, and more. Some visible symptoms of allergic reactions are as follows: Low energy level or dizziness Feeling fatigue, which may also be extreme at times May get a hay fever in which you may experience a runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion Eczema Asthma Nasal drip Improper digestion or an upset stomach Skin rash or redness Feeling nausea and vomiting sensation Dryness as in dry skin, dry mouth, or more Anaphylaxis Natural allergy treatments It has been found that 50% of the population rely on or try the natural allergy treatments more than any other remedies according to the different types and causes of allergies. It is best to use natural allergy treatments that may not help in getting you instant relief but that help in removing the allergic substances from your body with some natural elements. Here are some preventive and natural allergy treatments that may surely provide instant relief from your allergies: Change your diet regime One of the simple and easiest natural ways of allergy treatment is to adopt a healthy lifestyle with a change in diet.
Here’s How to Boost Your HDL Cholesterol Levels

Here’s How to Boost Your HDL Cholesterol Levels

There is a general misconception that cholesterol is bad for your health and heart. Fat is needed by the body to perform all metabolic functions. Not all cholesterol is bad. The fats that you consume, contain cholesterol in them (the levels differ depending on the food category). And it is the bad cholesterol that plays havoc with your heart health. A high level of bad cholesterol (LDL), low levels of good cholesterol (HDL) are a cause for concern. To maintain ideal cholesterol levels, wherein the levels of HDL is more than LDL calls for a proper diet and active lifestyle. What is good and bad cholesterol? HDL Good cholesterol or HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein) is healthy cholesterol that is needed by the body. High HDL levels, not only help in lowering the levels of LDL, they also help in prevent heart diseases and stroke. In fact, when a blood test is done to verify the cholesterol levels, doctors first read the levels of HDL. As long as the HDL levels are greater in proportion, in total cholesterol levels, you’re on the safer side. Numerous studies have proved that low HDL levels increase the risk of heart disease. LDL LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) is bad cholesterol that causes plaque build up along the artery walls, causing blockages and resulting in heart attack. Higher LDL levels put you at a greater risk of having a heart disease. If your blood tests have high LDL levels, it’s time to take measures through diet and exercise which can help in lowering LDL levels. Triglycerides The most common type of fat in our body are triglycerides. The excess energy from the food that you eat, is stored as triglycerides. High triglycerides, low HDL, and high LDL is the potent combination that can lead to heart disease. Impact of cholesterol Excess amounts of cholesterol in the body forms a thick layer in the artery walls.