A dazzling smile is not just aesthetically pleasing but also a reflection of good oral health. However, certain habits can wreak havoc on our teeth, leading to dental problems and compromising our pearly whites. Numerous things can impact your teeth, from sugary indulgences to neglecting oral hygiene. However, some practical tips may benefit individuals striving for strong and healthy teeth. But eliminating the following unhealthy habits can safeguard dental health and maintain radiant smiles. Extra sugar Intake of excessive sugar is one of the primary culprits that cause tooth decay and cavities. And it’s not just a common cause of dental trouble for children. Adults that are used to eating too many desserts and continually attached to sugary beverages show the same outcome. Therefore, limiting sugar intake, be it via food or drinks, is crucial. Also, it is essential to rinse the mouth with water after sugar intake to minimize its impact. Overlooking oral hygiene Neglecting proper oral hygiene is another bad practice that leads to unhealthy and damaged teeth. However, regular brushing and flossing will free them from plaque and prevent harmful bacteria buildup. Therefore, establish and diligently maintain a healthy oral hygiene routine to maintain sound oral health. This, combined with regular dental check-ups and timely replacement of toothbrushes, will go a long way in helping you avoid frequent dental procedures for a long time. Clenching teeth Over time, grinding or clenching teeth can severely damage your dental health. Bruxism can wear down the dental enamel and may even lead to issues like sensitivity, jaw pain, or other similar complications. Identifying the triggers for bruxism and exploring techniques that help relieve such triggers is important. For example, the dentist might even prescribe you to wear a nightguard that will help protect your teeth while you sleep. Other usage Many people put their teeth to extra use by tearing open packages or even uncapping bottles.

You might be doing your best to achieve a clean and shiny toilet. But chances are you might not be seeing the desired results. Despite scrubbing the toilet every now and then, your toilet might still have stains and odor. This can be due to some mistakes made unintentionally that could be keeping your toilet dirty. In order to get a germ-free, clean-as-new toilet, listed below are some mistakes you need to avoid. Rushing the process Disinfectants need time to be effective. When you spray the toilet with a disinfectant and immediately wipe it off, you are allowing germs to grow. It is important to let the disinfectant or solution stay on the surface for some time. Wiping and rinsing the solution off should be the last step in your cleaning routine. Putting away wet toilet brushes Washing your toilet with the brush or a wand and then putting them into their holder while still wet can cause problems. The humid environment is the perfect breeding ground for microbes to grow and multiply. Using the same brush to clean the toilet will only lead to the spread of more germs. Irregular cleaning habits When it comes to toilet cleaning, the germs pile up upon every visit. To prevent the spread of infections, you will have to be fairly regular with your cleaning schedule. It is important to wash your toilet brush every time you clean your bathroom. Overlooking hot spots There are spots outside the toilet that could be harboring multiple germs. These places include toilet seats, the area behind it, faucets, and the flush handle. Ignoring these germ-ridden spots is a common cleaning mistake that should be avoided. Since these spots are often in your contact, you might end up carrying these germs and getting infected. Using the wrong tools Toilet brushes can come in various types.

A rare but severe lung disease, pulmonary arterial hypertension, or PAH, results in narrowed blood vessels, making it difficult for the heart to pump blood. PAH can increase the risk of heart failure. While there are medications to decrease the severity of disease, incorporating the following foods in daily meals can keep the heart healthy by preventing the progression of PAH and its symptoms. Consult a nutritionist before making any changes in your meal plans. Dark leafy greens Pulmonary arterial hypertension limits the arteries’ ability to transfer oxygen-rich blood from the lungs to other parts of the body. Dark leafy greens such as spinach and kale have high amounts of iron, which can increase red blood cell count, thereby increasing its efficiency in carrying oxygenated blood. This can also decrease the risk of heart disease. Other iron-rich foods include lean red meat, shellfish, legumes, pumpkin seeds, and quinoa. However, doctors recommend limiting leafy greens if patients take blood thinners. Berries Inflammation can worsen pulmonary arterial hypertension as it can reduce the elasticity of blood vessels. Hence, it is important to incorporate foods that help reduce inflammation. Berries like blueberries contain lycopene and flavonoids, improving elasticity and blood flow. Other anti-inflammatory foods include watermelon, olive oil, salmon, and dark chocolate. Citrus fruits Incorporating foods rich in iron may not be sufficient as other nutrients are required to absorb the iron for improving its effectiveness. Citrus fruits such as orange, pineapples, and kiwis are rich in vitamin C, which helps blood absorb iron, thereby improving its oxygen-carrying capacity. Other foods rich in vitamin C include tomatoes, broccoli, and red and yellow bell peppers. Garlic Restricted blood flow in the lungs is one of the major causes of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Hence it is important to include foods in daily meals that facilitate blood flow in the lungs.

The colon is the longest part of the large intestine. It is responsible for absorbing nutrients and storing solid waste before transporting it to the rectum. The formation of tumors in the colon is known as cancer. The tumors lead to symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, weakness, and irritable bowel syndrome. There are multiple methods to manage colon cancer. However, these treatments depend on the stage and location of the growth. Diagnoses at home Identifying colon cancer in the early stages can help ensure a more effective treatment plan. Colorguard is one such tool used to diagnose colorectal cancer at home. The kit is available with a doctor’s prescription. It can be used to screen for cancer in adults 45 years of age and older by detecting specific DNA markers and blood in the stool. FDA-approved treatments There are several FDA- approved treatments prescribed by doctors to manage colon cancer. A few of them are include: Avastin (Bevacizumab) The injection is approved to treat metastatic colorectal cancer in case the colon cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. The treatment is combined with intravenous fluorouracil-based chemotherapy. Xeloda (Capecitabine) The FDA-approved treatment is prescribed when colon cancer may have spread to the lymph nodes close to the colon after surgery. It is also prescribed if cancer has spread from the colon to other body parts. Foods to manage colon cancer Foods may not eliminate cancer. But having proper nutrition may prevent additional tumor growth. A few healthy foods are: Fruits Apples, bananas, blueberries, and oranges are beneficial for colon cancer. These fruits contain antioxidants, fibers, and phytochemicals known to protect the patient from digestive complications. Nuts Nuts like cashews, almonds, pistachios, and hazelnuts are rich in fiber, flavonoids, and healthy fatty acids. These properties may reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.

The skeletal muscles connect to the bones and help move the face, arms, and legs. Autoimmune conditions like myasthenia gravis can weaken these muscles, making it difficult to perform various tasks, like blinking, making facial expressions, chewing, or walking up the stairs. Muscle weakness can worsen after physical activity and improve after a while of rest rest. While myasthenia gravis may not go away, treatment can help control its symptoms. Signs A person with myasthenia gravis might experience various signs. Fatigue Droopy eyelids Limited facial expressions Trouble speaking, chewing, or swallowing Trouble walking Causes The condition usually develops when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself. Some experts believe this happens because specific immune system cells in the thymus gland have trouble differentiating threats like viruses or bacteria from healthy body components. Sometimes, genetic changes can result in a specific form of the condition called congenital myasthenia gravis. Similarly, children who receive antibodies from a birthing parent during pregnancy might be affected by neonatal myasthenia. Treatment options Those with myasthenia gravis might need to follow various expert-recommended treatment options to control the symptoms. Plasma exchange In this procedure, a machine is used to remove unwanted antibodies from the blood plasma and replace them with donor plasma. Sometimes, doctors suggest replacing existing plasma with a plasma solution. IV or SC immunoglobulin Some may receive infusions of donor antibodies or immunoglobulin over two to five days through the intravenous (IV) or subcutaneous (SC) route. This treatment may help manage specific types of the condition and even certain complications. RYSTIGGO® Healthcare professionals may use UCB’s RYSTIGGO® ( rozanolixizumab-noli ) to manage generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) in adults. In this type, harmful anti-AChR or anti-MuSK antibodies may interfere with signals between nerves and specific receptors on muscles. The complication may trigger a loss of signaling in the neuromuscular junction, where the nerves and muscles meet.

4 asthma triggers you probably didn’t know about Many know of the external factors that trigger asthma but only a few know that emotional stress can also trigger episodes of asthma. In fact, any extreme emotion may lead to an onset of asthma. These could be emotions of sadness or even excessive joy. This is why people suffering from asthma often try to contain their emotions. Some of the uncommon emotional triggers of asthma include: Emotional events In a single experiment, researchers measured a section of the lung and how it functions after showing people pictures depicting extreme emotions. It was proven that people in the study group who looked at the images of injuries, catastrophes, and sad events found it harder to breathe than others. Later, the people from the same group were asked to rate their moods thrice a day. This experiment continued for three weeks. Here, the lung functioning was measured with the help of a peak flow meter. While the study was significantly small, it reflected that negative emotions could deteriorate the functioning of the lungs. Additionally, it was observed that it was even worse for asthmatic patients to endure over the long run. Stressful events There have been many studies conducted which showed that severe life events were often associated with asthma attacks. Children and adults were admitted for asthma complications around the time they faced serious life issues. Additionally, it was also observed that everybody involved in the study, irrespective of them having asthma or not, reported having aggravated respiratory symptoms. Ongoing depression and panic attacks It has also been observed that both anxiety and depression are a lot more commonly found in people who are affected by asthma. Patients who have a mental health disorder along with asthma may have no to little control over their asthma symptoms and frequent asthma attacks, Moreover, they are more likely to visit the emergency department.

Gout is a particular type of arthritis that is prevalent in the country and leads to severe pain and swelling in the joints, along with redness and tenderness. Excess uric acid in the body that is not excreted gets deposited in the joints in the form of crystals and leads to inflammation and swelling. People with gout are seen with swollen fingers, wrists, toes (especially the big toe), heels, and knees. When the uric acid content in the body goes up, it results in gout attacks that may last for 3 to 14 days. If left untreated, the condition can also lead to joint damage and deformity. This is extremely painful, but it can be managed with medication and a proper diet. Some foods trigger attacks as they raise uric acid levels, and this needs to be kept in mind while following a diet to manage the condition. Let’s take a look at the best diet for gout, including what foods to eat and what to avoid. What to eat The foods one is planning to eat should be low in purine and fructose as both of these can increase the risk of gout and trigger gout attacks. The best foods to include in the diet of gout patients are as mentioned: All kinds of nuts and seeds All types of legumes are safe like tofu, soybeans, lentils, and such Whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and barley Plant-based oils like coconut, flaxseed, olive, and canola oil Any kind of dairy products are safe, but low-fat versions are better options All vegetables Beverages like green tea, coffee, and tea All herbs and spices All fruits, and cherries even help prevent gout attacks as they reduce inflammation and uric acid levels What not to eat High-purine foods should be avoided, along with high-fructose foods, as they are major threats to gout attacks.

Liver functioning is an essential process of the human body. The liver is required to help detox your body, break down carbohydrates, make glucose, store all the nutrients and produce bile. Bile liquid is required to absorb all the nutrients and digest them by giving a proper metabolism to the body. Taking care of your liver is part of a holistic nutrition hence you should be aware of what destroys your liver and what helps its healthy functioning. For your overall health functioning the ability of the liver to do all the above is a necessity. Any kind of liver dysfunction can lead to bodily disorders like type 2 diabetes, metabolism issues, and other liver diseases which could also lead to death. It is possible to manage the risk factors once the liver dysfunction starts by making sure you have a healthy intake of food and drinks that are good for the liver. Plant foods A large number of plant foods like avocado, bananas, barley, broccoli, beetroots, carrots, figs, lemons, papayas, chard, kale, celery, and watermelons are foods that are good for the liver. Grapefruit Naringenin and naringin are the two main antioxidants present in grapefruit which is one of the foods that are good for the liver. Grapefruit reduces the toxic build up in the liver. This helps protect the liver cells and reduces inflammation. Garlic Reducing body weight is a great index to a healthy liver. Garlic helps in reducing the fat content near the liver. Coffee Studies have found that around 50 percent of the population consumes coffee. Coffee is one of the drinks that are good for the liver. It protects the liver’s protective tissues. Coffee definitely has other potential hazards but it reduces chronic liver problems to a good extent. Oatmeal Oatmeal has fiber and beta glucans that are essential for protecting fatty liver tissues.

Women who consume a lot of vegetables, especially cruciferous vegetables, are less likely to develop ovarian cancer. This cancer is one of the major causes of deaths. Since the symptoms are barely noticeable in its initial stages, people often get the required treatment after the condition has reached its advanced stage. Currently, there are no screening methods that can detect cancer at an earlier stage. Cruciferous, along with other vegetables, completely eliminates the odds of developing ovarian cancer. Cruciferous vegetables are plants that grow in the cold conditions and get their flowers with 4 petals that are in the shape of a crucifix or a cross. Some examples of these vegetables include kale, bok choy, daikon, mustard leaves and seeds, collard greens, turnips, arugula, wasabi, horseradish, watercress, rutabaga, Brussels sprouts, kohlrabi, cauliflower, radish, and cabbage. Moreover, cruciferous veggies possess high amounts of phytochemicals. When these phytochemicals are broken down, they transform into isothiocyanates. There are many studies that prove that isothiocyanates help stop the development of many types of cancers by inhibiting the growth of tumors. These vegetables have been proven to reduce inflammation that can assist in the prevention of cancer or diseases related to the heart as well. Those who love eating fresh fruits and vegetables have a possibility to lead a better life. However, when consumed in excess, like any other food, these too can be fatal. Always consult a doctor about your diet and the quantity of food one should maintain. Sadly, people who eat more of cured, processed, and red meats are more likely to develop ovarian cancer. This has been found in many on-going experiments as well. Studies proved that individuals who eat more cruciferous and yellow veggies experience a lot of benefits than those who do not. Additionally, women who consume milk of any kind may have a shorter survival period as compared to those who did not have milk.

It has been observed that those who have schizophrenia, a chronic psychological illness, usually have diets that are unhealthy, low in fiber and fruit, and high in saturated fats. Unhealthy eating habits typically lead to other health problems which can also put people with schizophrenia at high risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and more. According to research, dietary changes do really help manage schizophrenia. Here are some best and worst foods for schizophrenia. Foods to eat Fruits Many studies show that people with schizophrenia usually do not get enough fiber, and thus, need to eat fruits. Some of the best sources of fiber are apples, pears, and raspberries. Fiber not only helps reduce bad cholesterol but also helps in digestion, thereby reducing the chances of certain health problems associated with schizophrenia such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Vegetables Vegetables don’t have heart-heavy cholesterol, are packed with essential vitamins and fiber, and are low in calories and fat. Veggies like sweet potatoes, kidney beans, and lima beans contain potassium that could help in keeping blood sugar in check. The best food for schizophrenia is spinach as it is high in folate, which could help in easing symptoms of schizophrenia. Apart from spinach, folate can also be found in asparagus and black-eyed peas. Fatty fish Since omega-3 fatty acids cannot be produced by the body, one needs to get them through food such as fatty fish like salmon and mackerel. Omega-3 fatty acids not only ease but also prevent the symptoms of schizophrenia and even slow down the progress of the disease. Vegetarians can intake walnuts and ask their doctor to prescribe omega-3 supplements. Crab and oysters According to research, there could exist a relationship between schizophrenia and low levels of zinc, which can be found in lobsters, crab, and oysters, as well as fortified cereals and beef.

The food we consume plays an important role in keeping our body fit and healthy. So including foods that are rich in nutrients should be included one’s diet. Healthy snack ideas that offer the perfect combination of fiber, protein, and fat are the right way to go about a perfectly healthy diet . A huge variety of processed snacks are available in the market which will help fill up your kids’ stomach but will not be healthy. Kids are fussy eaters, so it is very important to balance their diet by introducing foods offering a perfect balance of nutrients in the form of tasty snacks. Some snack ideas that offer the perfect combination of fiber, protein, and fat are discussed herein. Popcorn An absolute favorite among kids, popcorn has a lot of nutritional value as it is made of whole grain. Popcorn is rich in polyphenols, which is a great source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which helps in preventing the body from different types of diseases. A great source of fiber popcorn in keeping the bad cholesterol levels low. Nuts A handful of nuts consumed regularly helps in the growth and overall development of kids. Regular consumption of nuts also helps in regulating bowel movements, blood pressure and also helps in lowering bad cholesterol levels. Cheese Cheese makes an excellent snack for growing kids as it provides a great source of proteins, fats, and calcium. A variety of flavors are available to savor the taste buds. Intake of cheese helps in keeping the bones strong and healthy. Eggs A great source of protein, minerals, and vitamins, eggs make a perfect snack for kids. Eggs also contain amino acids that help in the growth of healthy hair and nails. There are various ways in which egg delicacies can be prepared and enjoyed by kids as snacks.

A crucial organ of our body, the liver performs some central functions to keep the body healthy. It filters the blood that comes from the digestive tract and sends it out to the rest of the body. It breaks down carbohydrates to form glucose and also bile. The function of the bile formed is to assimilate food and nutrient absorption. This organ is crucial to the human body and should be taken care of with utmost care. As a result, it is pertinent to consume foods and drinks that are good for the liver. Food and drinks that are good for the liver Dysfunction of the liver can lead to many complications, causing severe medical conditions. Thus, one should be careful of what they consume and make an effort to include healthy foods into their diet. Some of the foods that they should consume regularly include: Oats Oats are rich in fiber, which helps in the process of digestion immensely. Including oats in your diet regularly will have good effects on your liver. Beans Beans, another food item that is rich in fiber, helps maintain a healthy liver. It is also a great source of protein. Grapes Among fruits, grapes are ideal for a healthy liver. This fruit contains a good amount of antioxidants which results in the reduction of inflammation of the liver, preventing it from damage. Fish oil supplements In addition to fish oil supplements, one should also consume fish regularly as it is a good source of protein and other nutrients. Additionally, fish oil supplements help with one’s overall health as well. Yogurt Probiotics, a gut-friendly bacteria, is abundant in yogurt. This helps keep the liver healthy. Fish As mentioned earlier, fish constitutes omega-3 fatty acids which aid to reduce inflammation. They assist in the maintenance of enzyme levels in the liver.