6 FDA-approved asthma medications to know about There is no known cause of asthma; usually, a combination of genetic and environmental factors lead to the condition. Exposure to allergic substances and irritants can trigger asthma symptoms. The triggers and symptoms vary from person to person. Everything from airborne substances like pet dander, mold spores, the common cold, cold air, smoke, GERD, and stress can trigger asthma symptoms. These triggers can induce asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest tightness, chest pain, wheezing or whistling sound when exhaling, coughing attack, or wheezing attack. These symptoms can be alleviated and controlled using asthma medications. There are no complete treatments for asthma, but therapies and medications are used to prevent flare-ups and keeping the symptoms under control. For flare-ups, quick-relief inhalers are recommended. Long-term control of asthma symptoms can be done with certain FDA-approved asthma medications. Fasenra It is a medication used for the treatment of a type of severe asthma called eosinophilic phenotype asthma. This medication is usually prescribed to patients who are 12 years or older. Younger patients whose asthma condition is not under control with current medications have found relieve with the use of Fasenra. It is prescribed along with asthma maintenance medications. The medication lowers the number of severe asthma attacks that require hospital stay or emergency room visits. Additionally, taking Fasenra lowers the daily maintenance dose of oral corticosteroids. Zyflo Zyflo is a leukotriene inhibitor prescribed for the prevention of asthma attacks in adults and children above 12 years of age. Leukotrienes are chemicals released in the body whenever a person breathes in allergens. These allergens make the lungs swell and cause muscle tightening around the airways, triggering asthma symptoms. Zyflo prevents the effects of the allergens on the lungs and respiratory system, thus controlling asthma symptoms.

Cooking at home is one of the best ways to keep your little pup healthy and happy. It’s cost-effective, and you get the freedom to control the nutrients your dog gets. Moreover, homemade treats can be a lifesaver if you run out of your dog’s favorite store-bought food. But what can you prepare for your pet? Here are five tasty homemade dog food options that can be handy when your pooch is hungry. Turkey and rice Dogs love turkey. This homemade dog food recipe requires a pound of ground turkey , two cups of brown rice, water, and some of your pup’s favorite veggies. Mix turkey, rice, and water in a large saucepan evenly and bring it to a boil for 20 minutes. Add your dog’s favorite veggies and cook for another five to seven minutes until the vegetables have softened. Let it cool before feeding it to your dog. The preparation can be stored in the refrigerator. Beef and vegetables Beef and vegetable is one of the healthiest homemade dog food options that can be made in a jiffy. Boil cuts of beef liver and sweet potato, and cook ground beef separately. Boil lentils, add chopped spinach, diced carrots, and omega-3 fish oil, and mix well. Separate into individual servings and refrigerate anything that remains. Consult a vet to ensure these ingredients don’t negatively interact with your dog’s heartworm flea tick treatment. Brown rice and broccoli This all-vegetarian recipe has several essential nutrients for your little pooch. You need some brown rice, zucchini, broccoli, and sweet potato. Cook at least half a cup of brown rice and set it aside. Chop and steam zucchini, broccoli, and mashed sweet potatoes. You may also add spinach. Add the chopped-steamed veggies to the brown rice. Cook for another five minutes and then set aside to cool before serving it to your dog.

Every once in a while, there’s a question that even the most outgoing of individuals find uncomfortable discussing with a gynecologist. While it’s normal to feel that way out of fear of judgment, most gynecologists will tell you that these topics come up regularly and are vital to ensure that you are in good reproductive and vaginal health. Here are some of the most frequently asked “uncomfortable” questions at the gynecologist’s office: Should I groom my pubic hair before my visit? If it’s your first time visiting a gynecologist, or you’re meeting a new one, it can be a very intimidating experience and cause you to ponder whether you need to groom your pubic hair in advance. Instead of thinking of what gynecologists think about your grooming practices, it is best to go as you are as long as you feel comfortable and clean. Does everything look normal? Oftentimes, you end up thinking about how your vulva looks and how it compares to others. This is completely normal, but it is vital to remember that vulvas come in various shapes and sizes and look different for everyone. If you notice abnormal growth or abrupt changes, it may be advisable to talk about them with your gynecologist. Is vaginal discharge normal? The vagina is a self-cleaning organ, making discharge a completely regular part of its cleansing cycle. The color and consistency of your discharge change throughout your menstrual cycle and may even increase during pregnancy due to changes in hormone levels. However, if you begin to notice changes in your discharge pattern or an odor, it may be a sign of infection that you should have evaluated professionally. Why does my vaginal discharge smell? The vagina is a complex ecosystem of bacteria that can never fully be odorless. This is also impacted by one’s activity levels, lifestyle, and choice of undergarments.

Is it possible to prevent breast cancer? While there is no foolproof method that can eliminate the risk of breast cancer, there are some natural ways by which you may be able to protect yourself. There is nothing you can do about risk factors like genetics, age, etc. But, research suggests that there may be some remedial measures that you can adopt. These include: Diet One of the first things that you can do is tweak your diet and focus on eating more vegetables while cutting down on meat. What you need to do is include more colored vegetables and fruits in your diet. The plant pigments called flavonoids are known for their anti-cancerous properties. When you consume more of these flavonoids, you significantly reduce the risks of breast cancer. Some foods which contain flavonoids are oranges, apples, black tea, melons, chamomile tea, and aromatic herbs. Cut down on meat Not only must you add more fresh fruits and veggies to your diet, but you must also cut down on the consumption of processed meats like ham, sausage, hot dogs, bacon, bologna, etc., which are known to contain carcinogens. The relation between cancer and meat is the strongest in colorectal cancer, but it is also possible that excess processed meat consumption may cause breast cancer. Work out While a healthy diet can help, working out every day is recommended to reduce the risks of cancer in general. Physical inactivity is a key reason for nine percent of breast cancer cases. When you stay active physically, you can reduce the risks of cancers, osteoporosis, and heart diseases. It is recommended that you get at least 300 minutes of exercise each week. It could be any activity that you like doing like swimming, cycling, walking, or dancing. Post-menopausal care A good way to keep breast cancer at bay is to lose extra body fat, especially post-menopause.

Psoriasis arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin causing red patches, development of flakes and inflammation. Two to three percent of the world’s population has psoriasis, with about 8 million affected people from the US alone. Patients with psoriasis tend to develop an inflammatory form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. It affects about 1% of the population and can result in a poor quality of life. With that being said, here are seven lifestyle changes that can help improve psoriatic arthritis. Eat healthily Following a healthy diet is a lifestyle change that has to be incorporated into everyone’s life, be it someone suffering from psoriatic arthritis or not. Its importance cannot be reinstated enough with obesity being one of the rising concerns in today’s world. Eating healthy. Psoriatic arthritis patients should take care to consume food that is low in salt, sugar, and fat. Since psoriatic arthritis causes pain in the joints, being overweight does not help this at all. Drink lots of water and consume enough fruits and vegetables. Stay active An active lifestyle, similar to healthy eating is not specific to psoriatic arthritis patients but everyone in general. Daily exercise helps to reduce stiffness in the joints, which is one of its many symptoms. The rigor of the exercise should vary depending on the level of the symptoms. Exercising in groups or finding a physiotherapist can help ensure that there is no lack of motivation. Practice meditation Stress is one of the main triggers in Psoriatic Arthritis. Triggers usually cause flares, which cause a spike in the symptoms for a particular period. Practicing yoga and meditation can help reduce any possible stress triggers. Stop smoking and reduce alcohol consumption Smoking can aggravate breathing issues and also triggers psoriatic arthritis. Increased alcohol consumption also causes other issues that, when combined with psoriatic arthritis, can result in a very poor quality of life.

A blood glucose test is required to measure the amount of glucose (sugar) present in the blood. This is an important aspect of diabetes care since the disease essentially hampers the proper absorption of blood sugar by the body. Let’s look at some of the fundamental aspects of a blood sugar test: Blood glucose Glucose is a simple form of sugar that is present in blood in the form of blood sugar. It is a vital source of energy in microorganisms like bacteria, plants and animals as well as in humans, in different forms. In humans, it enables the working of all the major organs like the brain, heart, liver, kidneys, etc. by providing them with the necessary fuel. Glucose is essential for the functioning of the brain and lower than normal glucose level affects the mental and psychological functions. It can also be stored in the body to be used when required. Sources of glucose Energy is released by the conversion of carbohydrates in our food into glucose. However, our food is a combination of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. All the carbohydrates we consume are immediately released into the bloodstream. Some of the proteins are converted into glucose and is stored in the liver for use later. Only very a very small quantity (less than 10%) of fats are converted into glucose and they are absorbed very slowly into the bloodstream. However, a diet high in fats results in the slower conversion of carbohydrates into glucose. That’s why many people who eat a high-fat diet may find their blood sugar levels spiking after several hours. Why is high blood sugar harmful? While glucose is vital for energy, hyperglycemia (excessive levels of blood glucose) or long-term presence of excess sugar in the blood can cause serious damage throughout the body.

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition which affects the eyes. It occurs due to insufficient lubrication and moisture in the eyes. It is also called as dry eye disease or keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This condition affects a majority of people, especially during old age. What is dry eye syndrome? Dry eye syndrome occurs when the tears produced are inadequate to lubricate the eyes. Due to this, the eyes fail to shield against dust and impurities. This causes discomfort or irritation to the eyes. Tears play an important role in preserving the health of the eyes. It is also helpful in providing a proper vision to the eyes. What are the symptoms? Dry eye causes a lot of discomfort and irritation. It gives a feeling of having something in the eyes all the time and an itchy sensation. A few other common symptoms of dry eye syndrome are as follows: Pain in the eyes Heaviness of eyes Dry sensation Redness of eyes Blur vision Burning In a few cases, there are chances where the eyes may produce excess tears. The lack of dampness in the eyes irritates them. There is stimulation to produce tears in excess, as a defense mechanism. This condition is “reflex tearing” and is only a temporary disorder. What are the causes of dry eye syndrome? There are many reasons for the occurrence of the dry eye syndrome. But the major factor which causes it is the lack of tear production. It occurs when there is an increase in tear evaporation or an imbalance in tear composition. The other factors which cause dry eyes are: Age The risk of developing dry eye increases with an increase in a person’s age. It is a natural condition in one’s old age. This is because the tear production reduces when a person grows older.

With an alarming increase in the number of patients with adult onset asthma, it is important to have enough knowledge about the illness, its varied causes, prevention, and correct treatment. In general, asthma is detected in early childhood. However, in certain cases, an individual beyond the age of 20 years may be diagnosed with asthma, this condition is termed as adult onset asthma. Symptoms of asthma can occur at any point of time in life, and not necessarily only during childhood. Asthma is a disease where the sensitive airways have increased responsiveness towards various kinds of triggers such as allergens and irritants that obstruct the functioning of the airways. The muscles around the airways begin to contract and narrow the airway lining. The lining inside the airways experiences inflammation that causes the inner lining to swell up and secrete increased levels of mucus. This then causes extreme difficulty, and asthma symptoms such as coughing, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Depending on the severity of the illness, the types of adult onset asthma are categorized as: Mild intermittent asthma Mild persistent asthma Moderate persistent asthma Severe persistent asthma Adults have lowered lung capacity, which means that the volume of air that one can inhale and exhale within a second is much lower as compared to when they were younger. This also occurs due to the stiffening of chest walls and changes in the muscle structure after reaching middle age. Due to this decreased capacity, adult onset asthma often goes unnoticed by various doctors. Diagnoses can be done for adult onset asthma by investigating the patient’s medical history, clarifying the symptoms, and by using a spirometer to perform a lung functioning test. There are several triggers that lead to severe asthma attacks, such as climatic changes (dry/cold environments), vigorous exercises, hormonal changes, exposure to dust, animals, etc.

Flu is an illness that is not very easily detected among children as its symptoms are often confused with a cold. However, flu tends to develop faster and get more intense than a simple cold. Here’s everything you need to know about getting flu shots for children. Influenza (flu) is an infection that is caused by a virus called influenza. It is said that there is a specific time of the year that children are more susceptible to the infection. Pandemic is an instance where people across the globe and of all ages are infected by influenza, and fall sick for a couple of months. Pandemics are witnessed on very rare occasions. In general, children in the age group of 6 months – 5 years of age are at a higher risk of catching the flu. Many children get infected by the seasonal influenza that in certain rare cases may result in death. Influenza manifests in symptoms such as sudden cold and dry cough, fever, muscle pain, loss of appetite, fatigue, chills and shakes and sore throat. The impact of influenza worsens the health of the child over a span of 2-3 days itself. Influenza virus is generally found in the throat and nose. It is contagious, and can be caught from any infected person in the surrounding. Flu vaccines are safe to use, and may or may not have certain mild side effects such as slight fever and muscle pain for around a day or two. Vaccination helps in building the child’s immune system within 2 weeks so as to effectively fight the influenza virus. There are various types of flu shots given to children depending on their age and the severity of their condition. The following are the two types of vaccinations available for children, which include flu shots that use dead viruses, and nasal spray vaccines that use weak live viruses to help combat the disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious condition which makes breathing difficult. The lungs no longer function to their full capacity and this leads to COPD diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. There are 4 progressive stages of the COPD disease that worsen with time if not treated immediately. Here’s what you need to know. COPD is actually a lung disease that is life-threatening. This disease causes uncontrolled coughing and excessive production of mucus, shortened breaths, wheezing, tightening of the chest, and many other symptoms that cause difficulty in breathing. These symptoms of COPD worsen over time. The airways and air sacs of the lungs get damaged and inflamed as the alveoli of the lungs begin swelling resulting in excessive production of mucus. Generally COPD leads to the slow malfunctioning of the lung, and this condition could worsen if any of the symptoms are triggered. COPD is not contagious, and is often diagnosed among people from the age group of middle aged people to older adults COPD can be categorized into the following types: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Patients suffering from emphysema have difficulty in exhalation since the linings inside the air sacs of the lungs are damaged quite often due to smoking, excessive exposure to pollution or any other allergens. Depending on the severity of the illness the following are various progressive stages of COPD disease: Stage 1 – Mild COPD Patients having slight limitations in the airflow of the lungs enter the first stages of COPD disease. This stage is characterized by chronic cough along with an increase in the production of mucus. Often people who are in these stages of COPD disease are not even aware of it till their condition begins to deteriorate. In order to monitor the lungs, physicians conduct various nominal lung tests in this stage.

Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) is a technique or a diagnostic test that uses the various components of the internal system to detect the immune responses of the body. It includes an enzyme along with an antibody or antigen. The test is widely used to diagnose infections including food allergies and HIV. It is also known by the name of Immunosorbent Assay. Most patients are unaware of the ELISA test when they are asked to get it done by their doctor. Here is the basic information needed to be known about the same. What does an ELISA kit comprise of? An ELISA kit comprises of pre-coated polystyrene plates, chemicals for the test and antibodies for detection. However, specially made ELISA kits having substances can also be purchased by those needing it for medicinal purposes. What is ELISA test used for? ELISA test is used majorly for detecting protein in the cell, tissue, organ or body fluid. However, the substances detected using ELISA test includes viral antigens, hormones, and antibodies that the body makes as a response to infection or any type of vaccination. There are different types of ELISA tests done depending upon the requirement of the patient. What are the different types of ELISA tests? There are four types of ELISA tests and they are as follows: Indirect ELISA test The Indirect ELISA test consists of an addition of the antigen to the polystyrene plate. This is then trailed by a primary antibody which is followed by an enzyme-labeled antibody. This antibody can easily react to both primary antibody as well as the substrate. Direct ELISA test This consists of an attachment of the antigen to the polystyrene plate which is followed by an enzyme-labeled antibody which reacts to the antigen. It also allows the person to measure the substrate.

A gout is a form of arthritis that that causes inflammation in the joints because of high levels of uric acid in the blood. It usually affects the big toes, fingers, knees, and elbows and is characterized by symptoms of pain, stiffness, redness, and inflammation in the affected joints. If appropriate treatment for gout is not taken, then the attacks can occur consistently. When this condition remains unattended for a long time, it increases the risk of permanent joint and tissue damage. How is gout diagnosed? Your doctor will start by assessing your symptoms by conducting a physical examination. Sometimes, a sample of fluid from the joint is extracted to evaluate the uric acid crystals closely. It is the best method for diagnosing gout. Additionally, the doctor may also ask for a blood test for estimating the uric acid levels in your blood. What kind of medications are used for treating gout? The best treatment for gout is starting a course of medications to lower the uric acid quantity in the blood quickly. When it comes to the gout medications, they can be classified into two categories, i.e., short-term and long-term medications. Short-term medications for treating gout Short-term drugs provide relief from pain and they also lower the inflammation while having an acute attack. These types of medications also play a vital role in preventing the recurrence of a severe attack. One of the best treatment for gout includes the use of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Most common choices are naproxen, indomethacin, and ibuprofen. Your doctors might also recommend corticosteroids which are available in the form of pills or shots. During an attack, most doctors recommend a maximum daily dose of one or two medicines as a part of short-term treatment. This is a feasible type of treatment when the gout symptoms are not that severe.