Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that currently affects around 5 million people in the world, out of which 1.5 million are in the people in the country with more than 16,000 cases being reported every year. This disease occurs when the immune system of the body can’t differentiate between the healthy tissues and harmful germs, leading to the creation of antibodies that attack healthy cells and tissues. Although the cause of the lupus is still unknown, research suggests that genes play an important role in the development of lupus symptoms in women as well in men. Lupus affects everyone differently and usually starts in early adulthood, anywhere between the teen years and the 30s. Some people are affected with mild symptoms, while others may have more severe symptoms of lupus. Early symptoms have some resemblance with other conditions, and this might make the diagnosis confusing. So, what are the symptoms of lupus? Let’s discuss them in the next context. Fatigue Almost 90 percent of people with lupus experience some level of fatigue. An afternoon nap can help fight people to deal with fatigue, but sleeping too much during the daytime can sometimes lead to insomnia at night. On the other hand, if you want to keep your energy levels high, then sticking to a daily routine and remaining active can be effective. Unexplained Fever An unexpected low-grade fever with no apparent reason is one of the early lupus symptoms. During this time, the body temperature may vary between 98.5 and 101 degrees Fahrenheit. This type of unexplained fever associated with lupus disease could be due to an inflammation, infection, or imminent flare-up which has a nature of frequent occurrences. However, if you are experiencing recurrent low-grade fevers, then making an appointment with a doctor is advisable. Hair Loss Hair loss or thinning of hair could be the result of inflammation of the skin and the scalp, which is often considered to be one of the early lupus symptoms.

If you are wondering whether a proper diet can help in reversing kidney disease, then the answer is a definite yes. Maintaining a healthy diet can help you in improving the kidney function. Kidney disease does not have any cure as such but you can definitely control it by making the right dietary changes. However, you should note that not every diet will work for you and you should consult your dietician as well as doctor to help you find the perfect diet. Below are some dietary tips that will help you to reverse kidney disease. Choose the Correct Vegetables When you have a kidney disease, choosing the right food is extremely important to bring in significant change. If you have kidney problems then you need to avoid vegetables that are high in potassium. The vegetable choices can include cabbage, eggplant, cucumber, pepper, yellow squash, and onions. The foods that you should avoid are tomatoes, pumpkin, and cooked spinach. The important aspect to keep in mind is to avoid eating foods that have a high amount of potassium. Choose the Right Fruits Eating fruits is a great way of maintaining a good diet. However, not all types of foods are suitable for you in case you want to know how to reverse kidney disease. Some fruits that have low potassium amount include cherries, apples, pineapples, watermelon, and berries. Including these fruits in your diet will surely do wonders for you. What you need to avoid is orange, kiwis, honeydews, and dry fruits as they are rich in potassium. Having raspberries and blueberries is also a good idea. Find Out about Your Protein Requirements In general, protein is an extremely important aspect of your diet. However, if you have kidney disease then limiting your protein intake is a good idea as it can be quite heavy on the kidneys.

A hernia is a condition where an internal body part pushes into an area where it doesn’t belong. The hiatus is an opening in the muscular wall which separates the chest cavity from the abdomen called the diaphragm. It is through the hiatus that the esophagus (food pipe) attaches itself to the stomach. The stomach bulges up into the chest through that opening in a hiatal hernia (also called hiatus hernia). There are two types of a hiatal hernia, sliding hiatal hernias and fixed or paraesophageal hernias. When your stomach and esophagus slide into and out of your chest through the hiatus, it is known as a sliding hiatal hernia. This condition is relatively common, and usually, doesn’t cause any symptoms. This type of hernia may not even require treatment. In a fixed hiatal hernia, a part of your stomach pushes through your diaphragm and stays there. This condition is not dangerous in most cases. However, if the blood flow to your stomach is blocked, then it could cause damage. Following are some treatment options for a hiatal hernia: Lifestyle and dietary changes A hiatal hernia occurs most commonly in people who are overweight or obese. Losing weight relieves the abdominal pressure that promotes herniation. Even though this won’t necessarily reverse a hernia, it may prevent a mild hernia from developing into a grave paraesophageal hernia. Consuming a low-fat and high fiber diet helps normalize bowel function and relieves constipation that contributes to herniation. Eating high-fiber foods is the most effective treatment for a hiatal hernia. Proper hydration can further reduce the risk of constipation and dilute the concentration of acid in the stomach. So, one must ensure that they drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Whatever your age may be, you should avoid trigger foods like red meat, fried foods, spicy foods, whole-fat dairy products, tomato-based sauces, citric foods, carbonated drinks, caffeine, alcohol, and excessive salt.

Hypothyroidism is a condition that occurs when the levels of thyroid in the body decreases. There are two thyroid hormones: thyroxine and triiodothyronine. You can face a lot of problems when the levels of either thyroid hormones are low. When this happens, a change in diet alone might not be enough. However, avoiding and eating certain foods as a part of your regular meals can improve the absorption of these hormones by the body. It is important to eat the right food as it impacts your health directly. Foods have the basic nutrients and minerals that keep the body working. It is the fuel that plays a big impact on how the body functions. The wrong foods can make the situation a lot worse. Nutrition-rich foods have health benefits that can treat thyroid. Foods to Include in a Hyperthyroidism Diet Selenium High amounts of selenium can be found in Brazilian nuts, sunflower seeds, and several other foods. It is required for the enzymes to check if the thyroid hormones are functioning properly. Tyrosine These are amino acids that the thyroid glands need to produce the T4 and T3 hormones. You can find plenty of amino acids in foods like dairy products, meats, and legumes. You can also take supplements for the same. However, it is best to consult a doctor before you do so. Antioxidant-rich Fruits and Vegetables One of the first signs of hyperthyroidism is weight gain. A healthy hyperthyroidism diet will have high-density foods that are also low in calories. Fruits and vegetables are a vital part of this diet. They also help in balancing the weight. You need to consume adequate amounts of these fresh fruits and vegetables every day. Tomatoes, blueberries, bell peppers, and several other foods are rich in antioxidants. They can improve the condition of the thyroid gland and are also good for health.

A balanced morning meal is highly essential and is also a great way to kick start and plan the day ahead. Research suggests that meals comprising of proteins can help you with satiety and even secure a toned body. Proteins are not meant only for bodybuilders anymore. For starters, there are several benefits of breakfast meals balanced with protein-rich foods. During its digestion, it breaks into different amino acids that trigger the increase in the levels of the gut hormone known as peptide YY. This hormone sends signals to your brain that you have eaten your fill. Moreover, protein slows down the rate of carbohydrate absorption, which in turn will help you to keep a check on your blood sugar level and will help you maintain your weight. So, it means that a protein-packed breakfast can keep you healthy and full until your lunch time. That’s why we have come up with different types of high-protein breakfast ideas, which are tasty as well as healthy. Yogurt-berry parfait You can opt for a 6-ounce non-fat yogurt, which contains 6 grams more protein than normal Greek yogurt as a morning snack to start your day. You can make it healthier by adding natural sweeteners like berries. You can also sprinkle seeds and nuts to increase the protein content further. Adding fiber-rich cereals is also a good idea. To make a yogurt-berry parfait, combine 6-7 ounces of nonfat yogurt with half a cup of berries and half an ounce of chopped walnuts. You can use cinnamon powder and honey to top the parfait. This yogurt-berry parfait can be one of the best high-protein breakfast ideas that will give you a protein punch of about 24-27 grams. Black bean southwest omelet Eggs are good sources of protein. When mixed with black beans, they make for a breakfast that has a high protein and fiber content and will be delicious and satisfying.

According to various medical research reports, over 70 million adults in the country suffer from high cholesterol. People who have high cholesterol are more likely to get a heart attack or develop different heart diseases as compared to the people with right or controlled cholesterol level. Different medications are available for high cholesterol treatment. However, according to the healthcare professionals, some healthy lifestyle changes and maintaining a good and healthy diet can help you to keep your cholesterol level within the normal levels. Read on to know the natural ways that help in keeping your heart healthy and fit by controlling the cholesterol levels. Include heart-healthy foods in your diet Eat foods that contain rich omega-3 fatty acids – The foods that contain high omega-3 fatty acids help in reducing the blood pressure along with keeping your heart in good health. The best sources for these omega-3 fatty acids are the wild-caught oily fishes such as mackerel, salmon, sardines, and tuna. The more you add these oily fishes to your diet the better you can maintain your cholesterol level. Include more foods having soluble fiber in it – The soluble fiber helps in reducing the cholesterol absorption into the bloodstream. Kidney beans, oatmeal, apples, pears, Brussels sprouts etc. are rich in soluble fiber. Hence, people who are undergoing high cholesterol treatment should include these foods in their diet list for effective results. Avoid foods having trans-fats in it – Various medical research reports have reflected the fact that trans-fats increase the overall levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Hence, medical experts advise avoiding such foods that contain trans-fats to the people suffering from high cholesterol. Foods such as store-bought cakes, crackers, and cookies are rich in trans-fats and while going through the high cholesterol treatment, these foods should be avoided.

Diabetes is a chronic disease that can cause several other complications if not treated on time. It can lead to kidney failure, blindness, and other such serious conditions. If diagnosed in the initial stages, diabetes can be fought with. You certainly cannot change certain factors like age and genes but you can definitely reduce the risk of diabetes. Here are 10 diabetes control measures that you can use to keep the condition under control. Cut sugar as well as refined carbs from your diet You are more likely to develop diabetes if you eat high-sugar foods and refined carbs. The body tends to burn down this sugar rapidly which are then absorbed by the bloodstream. The rise in blood sugar prompts the pancreas to produce insulin. However, in those who have prediabetes, the body cells become resistant to the action of insulin. Therefore, the sugar remains in the blood. In response to this, the pancreas produces insulin. This goes on until both the blood sugar and insulin level increase in the body. Eventually, it leads to diabetes. This is why you should keep the consumption of carbs and sugar at the minimum. Exercise One of the most effective diabetes control measures is exercise. Regular physical activity can help in preventing diabetes. Exercise increases insulin sensitivity by over 85% when it is high-intensity. Aerobic exercises, strength training, and other such types of physical activities help a lot. It is advised to go for exercises that you actually enjoy and can stick to in the long run. Drink a lot of water Whenever you feel thirsty drink water instead of any other beverage. This will naturally help you stay away from any other beverage that might contain sugar. Drinking sugary beverages is linked to an increased risk of diabetes. It is a great idea to simply cut down from any type of sugary beverage so that you can only have healthy fluids.

The Talented Mr. Ripley, Becky Sharp in Vanity Fair, or lago in Shakespeare’s Othello —are fictional characters, but they’re drawn from real life templates. If they ever visited a psychiatrist, they’d be diagnosed with a sociopathic personality disorder or antisocial personality disorder. They share certain unmistakable symptoms and traits that mark this personality disorder. The sociopathic personality disorder is a category of mental disorders that are identified by distinctly harmful and maladjusted patterns of behavior, cognition, and inner life that deviate from the person’s culture. People suffering from these disorders experience disruption and deviation in their personal, social, and professional life. Antisocial personality disorder People affected by this condition display consistent behavior patterns that usually involves difficulty in differentiating between right and wrong. They show no awareness, sensitivity, or empathy for the feelings of the people they interact with. Their interpersonal dealings are conducted with either indifference or disregard for emotions. There is no feeling of guilt or remorse when they hurt people. For this reason, many of them end up becoming criminals and they are unable to fulfill normal roles in the family, society, or at work. These behavior patterns generally emerge in childhood and develop through adolescence and adulthood, where it affects the person’s quality of life and functioning. Traits There are different categories of sociopathic personality disorder. They are classified under three main categories: Odd/Eccentric Dramatic/Emotional/Erratic Anxious/Fearful Each of these categories has its own cluster of behavioral traits. Psychiatrists and psychologists also use many other classifications to distinguish one type of antisocial personality disorder from another. Common traits may include aggressive/cruel behavior towards vulnerable people/children/animals, deceit/theft/lying, disregard for rules, destruction of property, etc. Some may be narcissistic, obsessed with wealth acquisition, feel that they are self-important, can easily change demeanor to suit the occasion, and don’t take responsibility for their actions.

It is important to understand the blood pressure range and ideal blood pressure as per age to keep a track of your health. Your heart beats and pumps oxygen and blood to the organs. The pressure with which it pushes against the vessels is called blood pressure. High blood pressure can be an early sign of a major disease such as heart attack or stroke. It is very important to gain a basic understanding of a normal range of blood pressure. It also helps in taking preventive measures and keeping diseases at bay. Here is the blood pressure chart as per different ages, with readings that you can refer to. Everyone, between the age of 17 years and 60 years, as well as those who are above 60 years, should show the following readings if their pressure is normal: Low systolic – It should be less than 90 Low diastolic – It should be less than 60 Normal systolic – It should be less than 120 Normal diastolic – It should be less than 80 Elevated systolic – It should range between 120 and 129 Elevated diastolic – It should be less than 80 The blood pressure readings will naturally be a little different in the case of hypertension. Stage 1 – Systolic is between 130 and 139, while diastolic is between 80 and 89. Stage 2 – Systolic is above 140 in this case, and diastolic is above 90. Understanding blood pressure measurements You can read the blood pressure by understanding the two numbers i.e., systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The systolic blood pressure measures the pressure on the walls of the vessels as your heart contracts and beats. It is recorded as the upper number in your blood pressure reading. On the other hand, diastolic blood pressure is the pressure applied to the walls of the vessels when the heart is relaxing.

The number of kidney patients has increased by the time because of various lifestyle issues. In chronic kidney diseases, the organ cannot function the way it is naturally supposed to. It is neither considered as kidney failure nor fully functional. A moderate problem occurs in the glomerular filtration rate known as GFR, which leads to the stage 3 kidney disease. However, at this particular stage, the necessity to transplant a kidney or undergo dialysis treatment is not operational. It is better to detect as early as possible so that medication and proper diet control can prevent the disease to increase further. How is stage 3 kidney disease diagnosed? When a patient starts complaining about urination, pain in legs, and pain in the kidney areas and finds difficult to do regular household jobs, then one must go for a blood test on doctor’s recommendation. A perceptive analysis executed for kidney function, i.e., GFR. There are specific measures used for the particular test such as- age, race, sex, serum, and creatinine. A blood test is utilized to determine the creatinine and serum levels in the body. The kidneys do not function properly when the creatinine levels are higher than expected and a waste of the body such as fluid can’t be removed easily. Hence, the stage 3 kidney disease is divided into two segments- Stage 3 A The range of GFR is 45-59mL/min (moderate chronic kidney disease) Stage 3 B The range of GFR is 30-44mL/min (mild chronic kidney disease) What are the primary symptoms? People suffering through stage 3 kidney disease may get alarmed with specific symptoms. Some significant warning signs listed below- Excessive fluid retention The loss of protein is higher through urine, and that is the reason why kidneys can’t determine the amount of fluid that should retain. This malfunction of kidney results in fluid retention.

High cholesterol can lead to numerous cardiovascular conditions including heart attack and stroke. It is vital to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the body. Along with a healthy diet and exercise, cholesterol-lowering supplements are a great way to keep high cholesterol in check. In turn, this will lead to a healthy heart. Many cholesterol-lowering supplements are available, and this guide will help you choose the right mix of supplements to lead a healthy life. The best cholesterol-lowering supplements Fish oil These cholesterol-lowering supplements are useful in reducing triglycerides in the body by 30% due to a high content of omega-3 fatty acids. Consumption of this supplement has the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular heart disease and sudden cardiac arrest. However, the increased mercury content in fil oil supplements has made people wary. These supplements also have side effects such as bad breath, feeling of nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. They may also interfere with blood-thinning medication, and it is best to consult a doctor about the right dosage. Artichoke extracts These supplements may help reduce the total cholesterol levels, especially bad cholesterol, in the body. However, it may cause gas and trigger some allergic reactions. More studies are required to determine its long-term effectiveness. Niacin This B-vitamin helps to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and aids with the increase of good cholesterol in the body. However, one should only use it under the supervision of a medical practitioner as its side effects can range from a headache, flushing, and nausea to liver damage in rare cases. Red yeast rice extract This is one of the most popular cholesterol-lowering supplements. One of its main ingredients, monacolin K, decreases cholesterol in the body. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that it could be harmful as many red yeast rice products contain a medication called lovastatin, and there is no way to regulate the amount of lovastatin in these supplements.

Back pain is one of the biggest chronic conditions affecting a majority of people across the country. It is one of the toughest medical conditions to deal with. It is very difficult to treat and cure this condition. The National Institute of Health states that close to 80% of people in the country suffer from back pain in some form or the other. There are many causes of back pain. It includes sprains, accidents and spinal degeneration. Poor posture and lack of exercise also cause an increase in back pain. It is also more common in the case of people who work in the same sitting posture for a long time. How do mattresses help with managing back pain? One of the major causes of back pain is sleeping on surfaces which are hard and uneven. It is one of those common problems which may cause a disability in people. The efforts to prevent back pain focuses on a person’s habits and lifestyle changes. It is also important to consider reducing back pain while sleeping. There are a lot of implications on the back while a person is sleeping. The spine and the muscles rest while a person is asleep. Thus, proper support and alignment are necessary to reduce soreness during sleep. The mattress people choose to sleep on has a major role to play in this regard. According to studies, sleeping on the right kind of mattress helps in reducing the symptoms of back pain to a large extent. The best mattresses for back pain will ensure proper alignment of the spine to reduce back pain. There are different types of mattresses which are suitable for back pain. One has to look for various factors in choosing the right mattress. The main factors to consider are firmness and the material used in the mattress.