Don’t ignore these 15 warning signs of esophageal cancer

Don’t ignore these 15 warning signs of esophageal cancer

Esophagus is the muscular tube that connects the throat and the stomach. Esophageal cancer is a form of cancer that affects this muscular tube. It is rare cancer that can also lead to life-threatening complications. Most patients are diagnosed with this condition in its advanced stages as this type of cancer does not show symptoms in the initial stage. Keep reading to learn more about some common alarming signs of esophageal cancer. Warning signs of esophageal cancer Difficulty swallowing Also known as dysphagia, facing trouble swallowing is one of the most common signs of esophageal cancer. Dysphagia can occur because of a tumor that makes it difficult for food to pass through by obstructing the esophagus. The pain and difficulty in swallowing may be because of damage to the nerves that control the movement of esophageal muscles. Alternatively, it can also happen because of physical obstruction. As the tumor grows, the patient might experience increasing pain and difficulty swallowing solid food and eventually face problems with liquids. However, this symptom can also be attributed to several other health conditions. Acid reflux Acid reflux is considered one of the common indicators of esophageal cancer. It occurs when the contents of the stomach or the hydrochloric acid in the stomach go back up into the esophagus. It can cause irritation and inflammation of the food pipe. Chronic acid reflux can result in Barrett’s esophagus. It is a condition in which the esophageal lining changes, making it more susceptible to developing cancer. Chest pain Another symptom of esophageal cancer is chest pain. This results from cancer cells have invaded the chest or the back wall. This chest discomfort can be constant, or it may come and go. Some might even experience worsening pain over time. However, various other conditions share this symptom, so it is important to have yourself examined by a health expert immediately.
3 alarming side effects of not drinking enough water

3 alarming side effects of not drinking enough water

All living organisms require water for survival. Regular hydration guarantees multiple health benefits to humans as water keeps their circulatory system in good shape. It also helps to nourish one’s skin and flush out toxins from within the body. Unsurprisingly, not drinking adequate amounts of water can result in severe health risks in the long term for individuals. Some of the major side effects of not drinking enough water are listed below. Bad breath Water supports the salivary glands to produce large amounts of saliva throughout the day. It helps to keep the mouth lubricated and avoids dry mouth-related issues. A key function of saliva is also to kill harmful bacteria in one’s gums and teeth. These benefits are of no use when one does not drink enough water throughout the day. One of the most significant side effects of insufficient saliva production is bad breath triggered by a dry mouth. However, it is also a problem that can be resolved easily. By drinking adequate amounts of water daily, one can keep their mouth wet and moist at all times to avoid bad breath. Thickening of blood Water is a crucial contributor to the circulatory system. When the body lacks enough water, an individual’s blood tends to become thicker. It directly results in blood circulation to different body parts getting slower and more labored eventually. As a result, the heart has to utilize a lot more energy than usual to pump blood to all parts of one’s body. It is why people who do not drink adequate amounts of water (about 3 to 4 liters) are more likely to develop cardiovascular disorders. Low energy and fatigue Due to slowed blood circulation, major organs, such as the brain, lungs, and kidneys, receive less oxygen and nutrition. This results in people who do not drink enough water daily to feel constantly tired and lethargic.
5 natural antihistamines that help ease allergies

5 natural antihistamines that help ease allergies

Histamine is a chemical that triggers allergic reactions in the body as the immune system’s way of defending the body against foreign matter. It triggers symptoms like a scratchy throat, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Most allergy medications contain antihistamines to combat the symptoms. Apart from medications, certain foods contain nutrients that act as natural antihistamines and may help ease allergies. Here are a few foods that can help combat allergies. Vitamin C Among all natural antihistamines, vitamin C is one of the most effective ones when it comes to dealing with allergy symptoms. The vitamin also boosts the immune system as foods that contain it have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Adding foods like oranges, lemon, lime, kiwi fruit, and cantaloupe melon to the diet can help relieve allergy symptoms. Bromelain Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and is often useful for alleviating inflammation and swelling of the sinuses due to allergies. It also helps treat respiratory distress caused by allergic reactions. Bromelain is available as a supplement, but it is also naturally present in pineapples. That said, it is recommended to have pineapples in moderation as the fruit also contains histamine. Probiotics This is another highly beneficial group of foods that act as natural antihistamines. Foods with probiotics are good for the immune system and may also help ease allergy symptoms. Probiotic foods contain healthy microbes and are good for gut health and the digestive system. Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and miso are a few probiotics that can help soothe allergies like allergic rhinitis. Quercetin Quercetin is an antioxidant flavonoid that is commonly found in apples and onions. This natural antihistamine can alleviate respiratory distress that may occur due to allergic reactions. Dietary sources of this enzyme also include honey, raspberries, red grapes, cherries, green leafy vegetables, and citrus fruits. Quercetin is also available in the form of supplements.
Follow these food tips to manage hemophilia

Follow these food tips to manage hemophilia

When suffering from hemophilia, it is vital to care for your overall health and pay attention to your nutrition. The point behind this is to stay healthy and ensure that your body is getting a sufficient amount of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that it needs. Here are some dietary tips that’ll help you stay healthy and keep your hemophilia at bay. Add foods and veggies to your daily diet Foods and vegetables are a great addition to your diet. Not only do they promote a healthy mind and body, but they also help those who have hemophilia. Dark green leafy vegetables are a great source of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and other essential nutrients that you need. Fruits also make for a great source of fibers that will help maintain intestinal health. To ensure that you are eating enough veggies and fruits, ensure that you fill one half of your plate with them. Try veggies such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, and more. Make healthy cooking choices One of the essential elements of a healthy lifestyle is eating the right way when suffering from hemophilia. What does this mean? It means that you should stick to cooking modes such as baking, grilling, and even boiling instead of frying foods. This will ensure that your foods retain all their nutrients and stay clean and healthy. Steer clear of meat One of the other tips that’ll help with hemophilia is having meat-free diets. Instead, opt for beans, nuts, and other sources of protein. You could also try eating leaned meats such as fish, chicken, turkey, and even eggs twice a week for maximum protein intake. When eating out, keep your portions small Another important thing to keep in mind when eating should be the portion size. Eating smaller portions, especially when eating out, helps prevent you from eating stuff without knowing what’s in them.
Nutrient-dense foods to eat during pregnancy

Nutrient-dense foods to eat during pregnancy

Eating the right kind of food when pregnant is very important for both you and the baby. That being said, finding the right foods that are healthy and satisfy your cravings can be difficult without a proper meal plan. So, if you’re deciding on your eating plan and do not know where to start, here is an essential guide that can help with foods that are good for pregnant women. Read on to learn more. Dairy products like yogurt It’s incredible how the human body is capable of creating new life. Of course, to do this, the body requires tons of extra protein and calcium that support the child’s growth. To ensure that you are getting your fill of all these essential nutrients, you can try to add dairy products to your meals. This includes milk, cheese, and yogurt. These dairy products will provide you with high-quality protein like casein and whey. They are also a great source of vitamins, magnesium, calcium, and other minerals. Whole grains like oats Whole grains are packed to the brim with essential fibers and plant compounds that can keep the body healthy and even promote the health of the unborn child. They also contain some amounts of protein, vitamin B, and magnesium. You could try adding foods such as oats, brown rice, barley, and quinoa to your everyday meals. It is best to replace white bread and white rice with their healthier counterparts. Foods rich in omega-3 like salmon Studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids play a vital role when it comes to the development of the fetus. In fact, they are known to build the brain and eyes and even help increase the duration of gestation. To ensure that you are getting your fill of omega-3 fatty acids, you should switch to seafood such as salmon.
4 dietary tips for managing hemophilia

4 dietary tips for managing hemophilia

When suffering from hemophilia, it is vital to care for your overall health and pay attention to your nutrition. The point behind this is to stay healthy and ensure that your body is getting a sufficient amount of nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that it needs. Here are some dietary tips that’ll help you stay healthy and keep your hemophilia at bay. Add foods and veggies to your daily diet Foods and vegetables are a great addition to your diet. Not only do they promote a healthy mind and body, but they also help those who have hemophilia. Dark green leafy vegetables are a great source of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and other essential nutrients that you need. Fruits also make for a great source of fibers that will help maintain intestinal health. To ensure that you are eating enough veggies and fruits, ensure that you fill one half of your plate with them. Try veggies such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, and more. Make healthy cooking choices One of the essential elements of a healthy lifestyle is eating the right way when suffering from hemophilia. What does this mean? It means that you should stick to cooking modes such as baking, grilling, and even boiling instead of frying foods. This will ensure that your foods retain all their nutrients and stay clean and healthy. Steer clear of meat One of the other tips that’ll help with hemophilia is having meat-free diets. Instead, opt for beans, nuts, and other sources of protein. You could also try eating leaned meats such as fish, chicken, turkey, and even eggs twice a week for maximum protein intake. When eating out, keep your portions small Another important thing to keep in mind when eating should be the portion size. Eating smaller portions, especially when eating out, helps prevent you from eating stuff without knowing what’s in them.
Manage osteoporosis symptoms with these foods

Manage osteoporosis symptoms with these foods

Bones make up the entire skeletal structure that supports the body. Conditions like osteoporosis can result in bone health deterioration and increase the risk of fractures significantly. Since it is a progressive disorder, the symptoms only get worse with increasing age. This condition cannot be fully treated. At best, changes in daily food habits, home remedies, and prescription medications like Prolia® or Evenity® can help improve quality of life. Listed below are few important things to remember while managing osteoporosis symptoms. Foods for calcium Calcium is a crucial nutrient required to maintain bone health. It helps build new bones and prevents bone mineral density loss. Research suggests that adults must get at least 700mg of calcium per day. Greens and leafy vegetables are a natural source of calcium. Popular choices include broccoli, kale, okra, Chinese cabbage, mustard greens, dandelion greens, collard greens, and turnip greens. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are also loaded with the nutrient. Those who are lactose intolerant can get their calcium requirement from soya beans, tofu, and soya drinks. Sardines and salmon are other good sources of calcium. These foods combined with medications like Prolia® can help manage osteoporosis symptoms in the long run. Foods rich in Vitamin D Vitamin D helps the body better absorb calcium directly from nutritional and organic grown foods. It is possible to get some vitamin D from sunlight but the rest must be supplemented with daily foods. Fortified dairy products contain a healthy concentrate of vitamin D. Fatty fish like tuna, salmon, and mackerel are great seafood options. Research indicates full grown adults need at least 10 micrograms of Vitamin D. Certain types of breakfast foods, breads, snacks, juices, soy milk, and rice milk are also fortified with this vitamin for daily intake. Other essential nutrients Magnesium (for increasing bone strength), potassium, and Vitamins C and K (for reducing risk of fracture) are all essential bone building nutrients.
4 breakfast options to help maintain blood sugar levels

4 breakfast options to help maintain blood sugar levels

It is vital to eat better to ensure one’s overall health is maintained. In cases where someone has diabetes, it becomes more crucial to choose the right foods to control the blood sugar. Rapid and unchecked changes in its levels can lead to complications. One of the simplest ways to maintain blood sugar is by choosing the right breakfast food; accordingly, here are some of the top breakfast options a person with diabetes can have. 4 breakfast foods that help maintain blood sugar levels Eggs Eggs are a healthy and reliable source of essential nutrients, including proteins, for the body. Paired with sauteed vegetables or a slice of toasted bread topped with seed seasoning, eggs never fail to make for perfect breakfast food. Its high-quality fat and abundance of nutrients also ensure that the blood sugar level is controlled without erratic spikes and dips. Chia seed pudding Chia seeds are known for their high omega-3 fatty acid content and their ability to soak up to ten times the quantity of water in comparison to their weight. This promotes a feeling of fullness, and the high fiber content keeps the blood sugar control maintained. Add your choice of nuts, fruits, and/or seeds to soaked chia seeds. Unflavored yogurt or milk can also be used as a base for the pudding. Conversely, chia seeds can also be added to the bowl of oatmeal to increase its nutritional value. Avocado toast Like chia seeds, avocado, too, is a rich source of fiber, monounsaturated fatty acids, and other nutrients deemed important for the body. It also helps one feel full for longer. Avocados can be inculcated into breakfast menus in the form of avo toasts, a bowl of guacamole, avo oats, and/or smoothies containing avocados. One can also have sliced avocado with some lime juice and seasoning to control their blood sugar levels.
Food to Eat to Control Inflammation

Food to Eat to Control Inflammation

What you eat can heal you or make your suffering a lot worse. Chronic inflammation can lead to further complications. So, knowing what food to eat and what to avoid can help prevent inflammation. Anti-inflammatory food Inflammation is an immune response. Injuries, infections, and so on result in inflammation because that is one of the ways the immune system alerts your body’s defense mechanism. The inflammation shows where the action needs to be taken in order to begin the healing process. This is good because it helps you fight off diseases and heal injuries. However, inflammation can also be triggered unnecessarily. There can be causes other than injury or infections. Stress, long hours of work without adequate sleep, heredity, and autoimmune disorders can all cause persistent inflammation without a good cause. Another possible cause is the food you eat. What food to avoid When you are not careful about the healthiness of your diet, you are not only risking obesity, but you may also be making yourself vulnerable to chronic inflammation. Refined sugar and grains, fried food, processed meat, preservatives, artificial color, and flavor additives in your food can contribute to causing inflammation. This type of food can lead to weight gain. The food also has an impact on the good gut bacteria, reducing them and promoting the chances of improper digestion and several other problems. They can also induce inflammation. Chronic inflammation has been linked to an increased risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and so on. They can also worsen conditions like arthritis, causing excessive pain. What food to eat There are many types of food that several research studies have shown to help reduce inflammation. In fact, if you stick to an anti-inflammatory diet, it can give you better results than anti-inflammatory medicines. Here are some food items that fight inflammation:
8 noticeable signs of excess sugar intake

8 noticeable signs of excess sugar intake

The number of diabetes cases has risen over the past few years. Research suggests specific contagious viruses can replicate within the beta cells of the pancreas that produce insulin, affecting the hormone’s synthesis and secretion. Moreover, the mild inflammation triggered by these viruses worsens diabetes by causing insulin resistance. While people know the general health risks of eating too much sugar, there is an urgent need to identify the eight signs of excessive sugar intake. Increase in appetite Sugary foods are rich in calories. But they do not have the nutritional value that the body otherwise gains from proteins, fiber, and antioxidants found in healthy foods. Empty calories cannot satiate a full-grown adult. So, to fill this void, many people turn to compulsive snacking throughout the day. Excess fatigue People who eat sugary foods and beverages regularly might experience frequent bouts of fatigue. Excess sugar triggers abnormal changes in insulin levels, and energy levels drop rapidly as the body tries to process the extra calories. Acne and skin problems One of the most noticeable signs of excess sugar intake is adult acne and skin problems. This is mainly because of blood glucose imbalance since the body’s glycemic levels influence skin health. Digestive problems Sugar is an underlying irritant that can result in many digestive problems. People may experience stomach pain and cramping. Diarrhea is also a significant risk factor for those with gastrointestinal issues. Dental problems Having sugary foods and beverages every day increases the risk of cavities. The bacteria in the mouth thrive off particles left behind in the molars, leading to cavities and other dental problems. Joint pain Sugar is also an inflammatory trigger, so those suffering from joint problems will experience more pain with increased inflammation. Trouble sleeping Glycemic levels in the body also influence sleep cycles.
You must avoid these foods to effectively manage hemophilia

You must avoid these foods to effectively manage hemophilia

Healthy eating is easier said than done. The difficulty multiplies when you are living with a chronic disorder. Likewise, depending on the type of hemophilia someone has been detected with, the patient may or may not need to switch to an alternative diet. For hemophilia A patients, it might not be that big a deal. But that does not discount them from choosing healthy. Since making changes to the diet is difficult yet crucial to one’s health, it helps to start small. Here are some food groups, the absence of which in the diet can benefit hemophilia patients Saturated fats Common knowledge suggests that everyone should steer clear of saturated fats to maintain their health. It stands truer for patients with severe illnesses, including hemophilia. Saturated fats consumption can affect the patient’s heart, kidney, digestive system, and liver. Not to mention that obesity only adds to the potential risks associated with all these illnesses. Therefore, hemophilia patients should swap saturated fats with mono or poly unsaturated fats. Full-fat dairy Thanks to the calorie-conscious folks out there, everyone has access to low-fat foods. This has proven beneficial for more than just the weight-watchers. Substituting full-fat dairy products with low-fat goodness will have the added perks of multiple vitamins, minerals, and probiotics that they come with. It also saves people from the unrequired extra fat consumption. Goodbye to the loaded goods What we are talking about here is the foods that add to the calorie count. At the top of this list are fried foods that we all so dearly love. But, what we fail to realize is that the crispy fried wings and chicken popcorns we readily consume provide nothing more than empty calories. Apart from fried foods, you must steer clear from rich and creamy gravies and dressings. Sugar is nice or not?
Foods to add and avoid for gastrointestinal stromal tumor

Foods to add and avoid for gastrointestinal stromal tumor

A gastrointestinal stromal tumor begins in the glandular cells present in the body’s digestive system. An accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure the right treatment is provided for this condition. There are several side effects to the treatment, such as nausea, vomiting, and bowel obstruction. All these issues make it harder for a person to consume the required amount of food in the day. To ease this problem for those dealing with GIST, we have put together a list of foods you must eat and those you must avoid. Foods to add to your diet for GIST Cruciferous vegetables These vegetables are rich in vitamins, fiber, and folate. They are also popular for their cancer-fighting ability. Cruciferous vegetables should be consumed for every meal. Broccoli, Brussel sprouts, kale, cabbage, etc., are a few of the many cruciferous vegetables you can consume. Fruits Fruits are delicious, healthy, and full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These provide roughage for the colon, is light on your stomach, and has anti-cancer effects. Apples, bananas, and oranges are healthy for those with GIST. Probiotic foods Your body can benefit from probiotics in many different ways. They can reduce diarrhea, IBS, and overall digestive health. Yogurt, kefir, and buttermilk contain probiotics. Omega-3 rich foods Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to your body. Flax seeds, chia seeds, fatty fish, walnuts, etc., contain omega-3 fatty acids, and other essential vitamins and nutrients. Foods to avoid for GIST Red meat Red meat contains more saturated fats and chemicals that can affect the bowel cells. You can consume leaner proteins like chicken, eggs, beans, and salmon instead. Baked goods Baked goods contain too much sugar and saturated fats, harmful for people dealing with cancer. Salt Everything, including table salt, salt added to your food, and other salty foods like chips and canned food, should be eliminated from your diet.