A significant statistic was recently released on the number of Americans suffering from diabetes or pre-diabetes. Over 100 million Americans are suffering from one of these two conditions and this number is only expected to rise with time. Processed food and junk food does us more harm than good and sadly, many people do not know their limits. If you continue to consume junk foods, it will lead to weight gain and you might suffer from either high blood pressure or high levels of sugar in the blood. Why suffer from these diseases in the first place when you can control what you eat? Living a life dependant on pills and medications is not appealing and hence exercising and following a proper diet is essential. Of the many diet plans available in the market today, the 1200 calorie diet plan is quite popular and with good reason. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of this diet plan and help you determine whether it is worth taking up or not. What is the 1200 calorie diet plan? The 1200 calorie diet plan is believed to be very effective when it comes to tackling weight loss. Our bodies require a certain amount of energy to function and in order to maintain a healthy look. We get this energy from the food items we eat and following an intake of just 1200 calories per day encourages the burning of stored fats in the body. Hence, this way, your body will lose weight while compensating for your limited calorie intake. While maintaining the requirement of nutrients, avoiding junk food and maintaining a lowered calorie intake, the body should respond well and help you achieve the weight you dream of. While this will take time, the method is spot on. The details of the 1200 calorie diet are given below:

The cause of lupus is not certain, but most scientists consider it to be a genetical issue. However, genes are not the only factor in determining who gets lupus. There are several factors which might trigger the disease. So what is lupus? It happens when something goes wrong with the immune system. Instead of warding off foreign substances present in the body, the immune system launches an attack on healthy cells and tissues and damaging them which in turn results in illness. This reversal in the process might be the cause of damage in several parts of the body. The parts that are often affected are joints, skin, heart, lungs, kidney, digestive system and blood vessels. Lupus is of several kinds, and thus the manifestation of the symptoms of lupus may vary in different people. Though the disease can affect any gender, women get it more often than men. What are the symptoms of lupus to watch out for? It always pays to know what are the symptoms of lupus so that you can seek medical help quickly if you notice any of the indications of lupus. Fatigue Fatigue is a common symptom among people with lupus. If you are feeling exhausted without any reason, it’s time to consult your doctor. Reasons of lupus fatigue may be many starting from age, level of pain, medication, the condition of health, depression, smoking, lack of exercise and others. If taken care in time, some of the causes of fatigue can be treated. Mysterious fever If you have a nagging low fever for no good reason at all which persists for long, then it might be a good idea to go to your medical provider. The temperature in question can be anywhere between 98.5˚F and 101˚F. Do not neglect if you experience such kind of fever from time to time.

Cholesterol is present in your bloodstream and is classified as good and bad cholesterol. High levels of LDL or bad cholesterol leads to atherosclerosis, a plaque build up in the arteries which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases. These include angina, coronary heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. If your medical tests reveal, high LDL cholesterol levels, you need to take measures to bring it down. Listed below are ways that help to reduce LDL Cholesterol and keep them within a healthy range. Lose some extra pounds Being overweight can automatically lead to high LDL levels. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and other chronic health conditions. Studies have proved that reduction in body weight does lower the LDL cholesterol levels. Exercising gives your metabolism a boost, and thus increases the fat burning capacity. You can take up low-impact exercises such as jogging, swimming, cycling, and stretching. You can also take up aerobics and running. Following a regular exercise schedule can effectively lower the LDL cholesterol levels by 5% to 10%. Adopt a healthy lifestyle Smoking leads to the formation of oxidized LDL, a potent type of LDL that can lead to atherosclerosis. So quitting cigarettes can considerably reduce your LDL cholesterol levels. Some studies suggest that you will be able to lower the LDL cholesterol levels by almost 5% by kicking the smoking habit. Limited consumption of alcoholic drinks such as wine and beer has been found to reduce LDL cholesterol levels by 4% to 8%. However, binge drinking can put you at an increased risk of heart disease. Therefore exercise moderation when it comes to alcohol. Follow the right diet What you eat has a huge impact on your heart health. A nutritious and balanced diet, not only helps you to knock off the excess pounds but also improves your cardiovascular functions.

The methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, which is more popularly known by its abbreviated form MRSA, refers to a skin infection caused by staph bacteria. Though it appears as a regular staph infection, it does not get cured using regular antibiotics used for this kind of treatment. As the bacteria causing MRSA are often listed under the category of the superbug, it is difficult to be cured without amoxicillin or penicillin. Though this is actually listed among the rare diseases, it is now affecting a large number of patients, especially children. Unlike the adults, children do not hesitate to sit close to each other or play with anyone. They are also not afraid of playing on the floors or sharing their toys or belongings with others, which makes them prone to MRSA than adults. Treatment is available for MRSA in children, and you just need to start the diagnosis on time. MRSA causes Before proceeding to the diagnosis and treatment, it is important to learn the causes leading to this skin disorder. Like many other skin problems, MRSA too affects people with poor hygiene and is extremely contagious. While children can get it from any friends or adults with whom they interact closely, adults too can contract this disease as it is contagious. Many people complain of getting this infection from hospitals, especially when they go for a dialysis or any surgical treatment. It can also affect people who have artificial joints. Apart from this, healthy people too can contract this disease as one touches an MRSA patient through skin contact. How to treat MRSA becomes a very important question. MRSA symptoms Look out for the signs and symptoms of MRSA and start the treatment procedure without any delay. How to treat MRSA can be answered only if one knows the symptoms of the skin disorder.

‘Pain in the neck’ is a common phrase while describing an irritating situation, person, or event. However, when neck pain occurs, it can be extremely painful too. Often neck pain results from the nerves. Mild neck pain is tolerable and it goes away by itself with time. But severe neck nerve pain can cause serious discomfort to a person and one should visit the doctor at the earliest. When to worry about neck pain A bad or awkward sleep posture during the night is the most common cause that leads to a stiff neck, or neck pain in the morning. This kind of pain is usually a strain in the muscle that starts at one point in the neck and usually goes away with time. One can try simple remedies like taking adequate rest, applying a pain relief spray, or ointment, or hot and cold compress. But if neck nerve pain persists for a prolonged period, spreads from one to point to another, or in any way disturbs the day-to-day activities of a person, it is best to see a professional doctor at the earliest. The warning signs are when the pain from the neck spreads and moves down towards the shoulders and arms. Some common symptoms or signs of neck nerve pain are as follows: Stiff neck Excruciating or sharp pain Soreness Numb feeling Headache Tingling sensation Sneezing or coughing increases pain Difficulty or pain while lifting things All these are signs to consult a doctor as soon as possible for further treatment. Neck nerve pain can be categorized into three types. These are as follows: Acute : Pain persists for more than 4 weeks Subacute : Pain lasts between 4 and 12 weeks Chronic : Pain has been there for more than 3 months The intensity of the pain and the symptoms may vary from patient to patient.

Diabetes is a condition that causes a hike or a dip in your blood sugar or blood glucose levels. This is one of the most common diseases, what with 29 million people in the US suffering from it. If you take care of your body and lead a healthy lifestyle while following a good diet, you can keep a tab on your blood sugar levels, and lead a healthy and normal life. Here is a list of a few drinks for diabetes that you simply must incorporate to your diet. Water When in doubt, always drink water. Water is something you cannot go wrong with, so make sure you drink water through the day. Water keeps you hydrated, and this, in turn, helps maintain your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar levels can cause dehydration. Also, drinking water regularly can help your body eliminate any excess glucose. Make sure you drink about 8 to 20 glasses of water a day. If water is too plain for you, add slices of lemon, orange, or flavored herbs like basil, mint, or lemon balm. This is one of the best drinks for diabetes one can consider having. Chamomile tea Chamomile tea is known for its medicinal properties and makes for a great drink if you’re diabetic as well. With no calories, great flavor, and a good amount of antioxidants, chamomile tea is one of the perfect health drinks for diabetes. Research suggests that when you regularly drink chamomile tea, your blood sugar levels come down as well. Chamomile tea also helps prevent and treat a list of complications like kidney disease, blindness, circulatory disorders, and much more. Coffee Black coffee is a great drink if you’re suffering from diabetes. It has less than 20 calories and only about 5 grams of carbohydrates in every cup.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance present in every cell of the body. It is essential for the production of vitamin D, hormones, and other chemicals in the body that aid in digestion. Cholesterol is carried throughout the body by low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). For a healthy person, it is important to maintain a healthy balance between the LDL and HDL levels. LDL is also called bad cholesterol while HDL is called good cholesterol. The accumulation of LDL is considered unhealthy as it leads to accumulation of cholesterol in the arteries, blocking them. This, in turn, can lead to severe health conditions like heart attack, strokes, and other ailments like coronary artery disease. The increased level of HDL is considered good as they take cholesterol from other parts of the body to the liver, which removes it from the body. High cholesterol levels in the blood lead to the formation of plaque, which is made up of cholesterol, fat, calcium, and other substances found in the blood. This narrows the arteries and blocks oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart. This can cause heart attack and other severe health issues. How to reduce cholesterol levels Reducing cholesterol levels require a holistic approach, including healthy food, medication, and healthy lifestyle choices. Following are some of the ways which can help you reduce the cholesterol levels in the body. Eating healthy food Cholesterol can cause multiple health issues such as heart diseases, strokes, and heart attack. While medications can help in reducing the LDL cholesterol levels in the body, making healthy food choices can help the medicines work more effectively. For those who are looking to reduce dependence on medication, including healthy food in your diet is very important. Following is a list of some ‘cholesterol busters’ which can help you reduce cholesterol levels and some foods to avoid, which increases the LDL levels.

An overactive bladder can make one feel the urge to urinate about eight or more times every day. It can also lead to incontinence and leakage. Moreover, an overactive bladder could be a warning sign of an underlying medical condition. It is not just a medical condition, but it can also affect one’s professional and social life. However, there are some traditional remedies and ways to train the bladder and get it back under control. What causes overactive bladder? Medical conditions: Sometimes, diseases like diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, kidney failure, among others can cause OAB. Age: As you age, your muscles start to weaken. Older people, especially those above the age of 60, are more likely to have OAB. Menopause: Women going through menopause experience several changes in their body. Sometimes, they also face the problem of incontinence. The drop in estrogen levels is believed to be one of the causes of this condition. Pelvic muscle weakness: When your pelvic floor muscles are damaged or weakened, it can distort the bladder and can result in OAB. UTI: Urinary tract infections can also cause OAB. Sometimes, OAB can occur without any identifiable causes. Symptoms Urge to urinate several times a day, both during the day and night Incontinence Urine leakage OAB and your lifestyle Those who suffer from an overactive bladder and incontinence may feel its effects in many aspects of their lives. They may be embarrassed by the frequent trips to the restroom. Some patients may also suffer from constant anxiety. People start to avoid social gatherings, going out to the movies or any other public place, skip going on vacation, may even feel uneasy in their own home, with their own family. Common remedies for an overactive bladder OAB can be treated and controlled in the following ways: Medications: There are a few drugs prescribed for OAB that are known as anticholinergics.

Treatment options for dyskinesia Seeking treatment for dyskinesia may get complicated depending on the severity of the disease. Some people try going off the medication levodopa altogether as most doctors agree that this medication is the primary cause for the condition. However, if you are off levodopa, you face a new set of challenges. The tremors, stiffness, and rigidity start surfacing again — this may result in the doctor prescribing additional doses of levodopa. Most doctors think that it is important to find the right balance. Some people may have to go off levodopa for a longer period of time, but the aftereffects can be tough to handle. Other people may choose to stay on the drug for long to avoid the severe consequences of Parkinson’s disease and dyskinesia. Let’s examine some of the treatment options for dyskinesia. Medication Opt for a controlled release form of levodopa. This prevents you from experiencing peak levels of the medicine, giving you relief from dyskinesia. Another alternative is breaking down the daily dose of levodopa into smaller more frequent doses throughout the day so as to prolong the effects. Some people also use other drugs that slow down the breakdown of levodopa so that its effects are felt for a longer time. The dosage of dopamine agonists could also be significantly increased and the dosage of levodopa should be brought down to a minimum tolerable level. A gel that contains levodopa and carbidopa is also applied on the upper part of the small intestine, and this stabilizes dopamine levels in the bloodstream and allows for smoother control over your motor functions. Amantadine, which is also called a glutamate antagonist, controls glutamate, which has an effect on dopamine levels. It can be administered orally or intravenously. Motor diary A motor diary can be very useful for you and your doctor to check how your medications are working.

Contributing factors for hepatitis in children The liver is the body’s largest organ. It is a vital help in digesting food, storing energy, and eliminating toxins. Hepatitis is described as a condition where the liver experiences inflammation, which is, essentially, a tissue’s reaction to injury or irritation. Most cases of hepatitis are a result of being infected with viruses, and the types of hepatitis are named after the virus that is responsible for it. In some cases, the patient’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy liver cells, which leads to liver damage, among many other liver issues. Any of the types of hepatitis can affect people of all ages. Here are some contributing factors that lead to hepatitis in children. Understanding these can help in preventing the transmission and in maintaining hygiene: Hepatitis A The virus that causes hepatitis A is usually present in fecal matter. It can infect children in the following ways: Eating food cooked by an infected person who failed to properly wash their hands after going to the bathroom Drinking water that has been contaminated by infected feces Coming into direct or indirect contact with an infected person’s feces Traveling to areas with a common occurrence of hepatitis A Infections during blood transfusions Hepatitis B Hepatitis B is usually transmitted through blood and the most common way in which people contract this type is when an infected person’s blood is introduced into another person’s bloodstream. Getting injured through needle sticks and sharp instruments can also lead to hepatitis B. Another common way through which people contract hepatitis B is by sharing items of personal use like toothbrushes and razors with an infected person. If an expecting mother has hepatitis B, her baby may develop the illness. Children can contract this disease through cuts, scrapes, and different types of contact.

Melanoma is a type of cancer that starts in cells that affect the pigment melanin; these cells are called melanocytes. The unusual growth of these cells results in this type of cancer. This condition is a highly common yet highly serious type of skin cancer. It is mostly recognized by an unusual growth or change in the existing mole on the skin. Types of melanoma There are typically four types of melanoma. Each of the types comes from a different way in which cancer has affected the melanocytes. Superficial spreading melanoma Nodular melanoma Lentigo malign melanoma Acral lentiginous melanoma A high-fiber diet may help your gut A healthy diet is said to trigger a better response from the body when the patient is undergoing treatment for melanoma. Some studies have shown that fibers lead to a more diverse type of bacteria called microbiome which is a thriving gut bacterium. The gut microbiome has shown to trigger a strong response to immunotherapy in patients that have aggressive skin cancer. On average, a high-fiber diet may help your gut battle melanoma five times more if you start a high fiber diet at the beginning of your immunotherapy. Since a high-fiber diet may help your gut battle melanoma, you must make it an essential part of your routine. Like any other form of cancer, the chances of contracting this type of cancer is high due to factors like obesity. Maintaining a healthy weight is vital to prevent deadly diseases like melanoma. A high-fiber meal essentially has plenty of fiber and antioxidants. They are present in retinol rich foods like milk, eggs, leafy vegetables, fish and fruits that are yellow or orange. Antioxidants have a 20% chance of reducing the development of melanoma. Along with your vital fibers, vitamin D levels also need to be in check as they are associated with a risk of developing cancer, especially melanoma.

Arthritis is a medical condition where the musculoskeletal system, especially the joints where two or more bones meet, causing inflammation in the joints accompanied by pain, swelling, stiffness. There are various forms of arthritis- like bacterial, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. Family history, obesity, immune system disorder, injury in the joints are some of the causes of developing arthritis. Treatment of arthritis depends on the type of arthritis one is suffering from. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating healthy foods can help in preventing or easing the symptoms of arthritis. The following food items will help manage the symptoms of arthritis. Foods rich in Omega 3 Fatty fish like mackerel, salmon, and sardines contain anti-inflammatory properties which help in easing the symptoms of arthritis. Consuming foods rich in omega-3 helps in keeping the bones and muscles strong and is also good for a healthy heart and brain. It also helps in reducing the discomfort caused in the joints, especially weight-bearing joints like hips, knees, and feet. Intake of omega-3 also helps in improving flexibility and quick recovery from arthritis. Omega-3 supplements in the form of capsules are also available. Garlic Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, garlic is a great source to ease the symptoms of arthritis. Garlic not only adds taste to the food but also helps in lowering the pain caused due to arthritis because of the properties present in garlic. Not only does garlic helps in easing the symptoms of arthritis but it also contains properties which help in fighting cancer cells, strengthening the immune system and lowering the risk of heart diseases. Garlic can be consumed raw or can be added to food while cooking. Broccoli An important source of carotenoids, fiber and vitamin C, present in broccoli helps in easing the symptoms of arthritis.