Do you have digestive problems? Or do you know someone who is suffering from digestive problems? This is one of the most common problems faced by people in the country. If you or someone close to you is having digestive problems or unexplained abdominal pain, then a low FODMAP diet is the best solution. This is going to help in reducing the discomfort that you have in your stomach every day. Find below information on low FODMAP diet plans. What is a low FODMAP diet? A FODMAP eliminated diet or low FODMAP diet is a diet where the food compounds that belong to FODMAP will be extremely low or not consumed. FODMAP stands for the following. Fermentable – A food compound that can be easily broken in the large intestine with bacteria. Oligosaccharides – This means less sugar. Disaccharides – A kind of sugar that is formed with the help of two different sugars. Monosaccharides – Simple or single sugar molecules. And Polyols – Means sugar alcohols. So, in simple words, diet plans, low on FODMAP mean the kind of diet which places restriction over certain carbohydrates. These carbohydrates are the ones that do not get absorbed into the small intestine and hence can cause gas and other issues in the stomach. What happens when a high FODMAP diet is taken? When you are eating a high FODMAP diet, carbs present in the food do not get absorbed by the small intestine. These travel to the colon for fermentation by bacteria. This will, in turn, give rise to a number of problems like nausea, bloating, bowel changes, gas, headache, abdominal pain, indigestion, constipation, fatigue, diarrhea, acid reflux, and muscle pain as well. How do the low-FODMAP diet plans work? Basically, there are two phases in these diet plans. Phase 1 In the first phase, which lasts for a duration of three to six weeks, you need to eliminate all the food that has high FODMAP.

Having HIV and having AIDS does not mean one and the same thing. Learn how to tell one from the other. What is the exact difference between HIV and AIDS? Are they the same disease? These are a few of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to HIV. It is understandable that these terms confuse a lot of people, especially since they are often used in an interchangeable manner. However, the truth is that there is a difference between HIV and AIDS. Simply speaking, HIV is the virus that could lead to a medical condition called AIDS. What is HIV? The Huma Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV is a virus that is infectious in nature. As the name suggests, this virus only affects human beings, and its primary focus is on attacking the immune system so as to cause it to malfunction, and eventually shut it down. When it comes to most other viruses, our immune systems are well-versed with recognizing the foreign presence, and then working hard to annihilate it. However, the story is not the same in the case of HIV. For some reason, our immune systems seem completely unable to put up a fight against this virus. Scientists are still stumped as to why our immune systems are unable to attack HIV. While we cannot defeat HIV, it can be controlled very effectively with the use of medications. What is AIDS? Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS is a condition or syndrome. If you are infected with HIV, the chance of you developing AIDS exists. Once the HIV has caused severe enough damage inside the immune system, AIDS rears its ugly head. This syndrome affects and manifests in different people differently. Causing myriad varied symptoms in different people, AIDS symptoms are caused by the fact that the immune system is so compromised that it can no longer protect itself against any infections.

With so many new multiple sclerosis treatment options being made available, it is important to know which ones are proven effective. Multiple Sclerosis or MS is a chronic disease of the nervous system. This debilitating disease affects the myelin sheaths that cover all the nerves in the human body. If you are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, it means that the myelin in your body is progressively thinning and deteriorating. When the myelin sheath on your nerves begins weakening, it causes a whole world of unpredictable problems. Not only do the nerves stop functioning normally, but the speed of nerve signal transmissions also get reduced. Multiple sclerosis causes different symptoms and effects in different people. This means that the MS treatment plan needs to be tailored to suit the specific needs of the person suffering from the disease. While there is no one-cure-fits-all for this disease, there are a number of new multiple sclerosis treatment options that are made available for people who receive their diagnosis. MS Symptoms New multiple sclerosis treatment options are focused on minimizing the severity of the condition, reducing the chance of flare-ups, as well as slowing down the overall progression of the disease. Symptoms such as mobility problems, balance issues, slurred speech patterns, muscle spasms and stiffness, loss of vision, tingling in the body, loss of cognitive functioning, and loss of memory, can severely reduce the quality of the patient’s life. New multiple sclerosis treatment medications are used in tandem with behavioral therapy to alleviate the stress caused by the condition in every way possible. Other than this, there are also a number of support groups that bring together people suffering with MS so you can get the much-needed emotional and practical guidance on how to combat this disease. New Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Options There are a number of new multiple sclerosis treatment medications/drugs and therapies that are now being used to effectively treat this condition.

Dual diagnosis is a combination of two illnesses. These illnesses usually comprise either depression or bipolar disorder or any mental illnesses and an issue (or addiction) related to substance abuse. The problem is a combination of two illnesses and both illnesses require separate treatments. This means that a person suffering from dual diagnosis requires consulting a specialist who is capable enough to treat both the illnesses separately. Even though it is an extreme condition, it is not rare. Often it is found that a person with a mental disorder also suffers from an addiction or vice versa. What people don’t usually realise is that this combination is very dangerous. It is also not a rare occurrence that people suffering from dual diagnosis often attempt suicide. Hence, the treatment of this illness needs to be done carefully and thoroughly. Moreover, to treat it, it becomes all the more necessary to identify where the majority of symptoms of dual diagnosis are coming from, the mental disorder or the addiction. Therefore, the treatment for dual diagnosis should be commenced at the earliest as the patients are high-risk ones. No time must be spared to initiate the treatment as the results can be fatal if dual diagnosis not treated in time. Since precaution is always better than cure, it is understood that proper treatment should begin even before the condition turns into the illness of dual diagnosis. If a person is suffering from any mental disorder, chances are that it won’t be long before it is combined with an addiction to drugs, alcohol, gambling, or sex. However, this situation can be avoided if proper and timely treatment of the mental disorder is done. Another important thing that must be kept in mind is that most of the drug rehabs are not capable enough to deal with the issue of dual diagnosis.

Eczema is a skin condition that causes discomfort due to itching and rashes on the skin. The treatment for eczema has to be done for the conditions such as itching, flares on the skin, and infections of the skin. The treatment for this skin conditions depends on the intensity of the symptoms. The remedies for this skin condition depends on each individual patient; sometimes, a combination of treatments have to be given so that the patient recovers from the condition. Some of the medicines prescribed for eczema are corticosteroid solutions, creams, ointments, etc. The treatments include medications such as hydrocortisone steroids, which help in relieving the itching and inflammation. There are many over the counter medications for this eczema. Let us look at some of the over the counter medication for that helps treat eczema: Hydrocortisone is the over the counter medicine that is prescribed commonly for eczema. The dosage prescribed for this condition depends on the intensity of the symptoms such as more redness, flakes, or irritation on the skin. However, the medication should be taken on the basis of the prescription; self-medication or excess dosage may lead to many side effects such as thin skin and irritation. Over the counter ointment for eczema is NSAID ointment. The ointment called crisbarole, and it is nonsteroidal as well as anti-inflammatory, which is very effective in curing the skin condition. These ointments are generally prescribed to treat eczema if the symptoms are not serious. Another variety of over the counter medicine for eczema is the barrier repair moisturizers. These moisturizers help in locking the water in the skin decreases the dryness and redness by repairing the skin. If you are allergic to any scents used in the moisturizers, you can choose moisturizers without scents. Some ointments and lotions have to be massaged into the skin gently to cure eczema.

Parkinson’s disease is a brain and movement disorder that is caused when the production of dopamine is reduced severely or ceased by the nerve cells. Dopamine is an essential chemical compound that aids the body in normal motor movements. The symptoms include body tremors, uncontrollable movements, imbalance, slowing down of reflexes and movements. The onset of Parkinson’s disease is usually gradual and unnoticeable in the earlier stages and it cannot be diagnosed by just one definitive test but only by a series of clinical tests. These tests then determine the stage of the disease ranging from Stage one to five. Stage I being the first stage of the onset of the disorder and Stage V being the last stage. The initial symptoms are subtle and when considered individually often go unnoticed. Some of the most common symptoms predicting the onset of the disorder are: Tremors or shaking. Reduction in the size of your handwriting. Loss of smell. Difficulty in walking and standing. Masked face (Having an expressionless or serious face when your mood is not so). These symptoms are just some of the many that require the physician’s consultation and expertise to determine if the onset of Parkinson’s disease is imminent or not. Although there is still no direct cause identified for the origin of this disease in a patient, but there is one strong theory of the disease being hereditary. Studies have also shown that men have 50% higher risk of living with the disorder than women. Various studies have concluded that the life expectancy of patients with Parkinson’s disease is almost the same or slightly less, as that of the general population of the same age. One must understand that even though Parkinson’s disease does not have a cure yet, it is not a fatal illness and hence does not have an adverse effect on the life expectancy of the patient directly.

Tennis elbow is a painful inflammation of the tendon that occurs on the outer border of the elbow as a result of overuse of lower arm muscles. It is a common problem and is treated with the help of an elbow brace or tennis elbow strap. These straps are available widely in the market in different sizes, forms, and types. To choose a suitable elbow brace, one needs to try it out to see how the different types of braces work. Choosing elbow braces There are some primary factors you need to consider before buying elbow braces. Mainly, there are three varieties of elbow braces available in the market: Epicondylitis clasp Tennis elbow strap Elbow sleeve Epicondylitis clasp The Epicondylitis clasp is usually the more expensive variety of tennis elbow supports and needs to be fitted properly to be effective. Such straps come with a clip or plastic clasp which fits around the arm and is secured with a strap with a pressure point that coincides over a muscle just a couple of centimeters below the point of pain that is near the elbow. The pressure on the tendon or muscle that is attached to the lateral epicondyle absorbs the impact that is transmitted to the tissues causing the injury. The angle at which the tendon works also changes according to the direction of the forces, thereby relieving symptoms of golfers elbow and tennis elbow. Benefits of an epicondylitis clasp type tennis elbow brace: If fitted accurately, they can be applied precisely to the point required which can help ease the bothersome symptoms. Disadvantages of an epicondylitis clasp type tennis elbow brace: Can be pricey Difficulty in placement A fair chance of moving out of place An epicondylitis clasp elbow brace is usually recommended for skilled tennis players who need precision support for high impact forces.

The types of dyskinesia The causes of dyskinesia vary but most cases are due to altered brain chemistry. Dyskinesia is caused due to medication and injury or trauma to the region of the brain known as the basal ganglia. Brain damage is also a major cause when it comes to dyskinesia. The basal ganglia is the region where voluntary movements are learned and controlled. This article examines the types of dyskinesia. Parkinson’s dyskinesia A high number of people, around 50% of patients with Parkinson’s who are being treated with levodopa, develop dyskinesia. Levodopa alters the dopamine levels in the brain, and this rise and fall of dopamine levels causes dyskinesia. The common symptoms of dyskinesia are fidgeting, head bobbing, swaying of the body, wriggling, and writhing. About half of the people who develop dyskinesia do not find the need to seek help and may continue to live healthy lives as the condition is mild and poses no challenge. Tremors Rhythmic movements are used to classify tremors. Some of the familiar types are: Resting or static tremors wherein tremors occur on a limb that is completely supported and is relaxed. These tremors may be associated with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s. Action and intention or kinetic tremors occur when the muscle is in motion and is normally seen during movement of an upper-body part, which includes the hand or the arm. Doctors usually attribute these tremors to MS, cerebral degeneration, vascular diseases, or a tumor. Tests are conducted to reveal the cause. Postural tremors occur when the muscle is not being moved but continue after it is moved. They are the result of alcohol abuse, heavy metal poisoning, and other physiological factors. Sometimes they may be caused by abusing antidepressants. Neurological conditions like Wilson’s disease have also been associated with tremors of this sort.

5 effective home remedies for amyloidosis Amyloidosis is a condition in which the body is unable to process the protein amyloid correctly. Excess amyloid gets distributed through the body and can often impair organ health and functioning. Amyloidosis affects people in different ways depending on which organ is impacted. The different types of amyloidosis are renal, cardiac, and gastrointestinal amyloidosis. There is no known cure for this condition, but it can be managed with a balance of home remedies and medicines. Here are five effective home remedies to help control the symptoms of amyloidosis. Heart-healthy foods The heart is one of the main organs that gets impacted by improper protein processes in the body. Thus, it is essential to follow a low-fat and low-cholesterol diet for heart health. Foods that are good for your heart include green leafy vegetables, avocados, walnuts, tomatoes, beans, nuts and seeds, garlic, onions, and dark chocolate. Also, make sure to get sufficient potassium in your diet through bananas, oranges, prunes, and dried fruit. Omega-3 diet Including these healthy fatty acids in your diet prevent complications from amyloidosis from reaching the heart and affecting the circulatory system. Omega-3 can be found in walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and linseed oil. Compression stockings Water retention from amyloidosis can lead to severe swelling in the legs and feet. This swelling is often accompanied by severe pain. Wearing compression stockings can go a long way in relieving this pain. You can request your doctor to recommend the best compression stockings suited to you. Alternatively, try to get foot massages done regularly. These will help to improve blood circulation in the affected areas. Many online shopping sites offer foot massage machines for purchase. Rest adequately Getting adequate rest is often overlooked and yet this is a crucial component of managing the symptoms of amyloidosis.

5 snacks that help ease rheumatoid arthritis pain Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that damages the health of the joints and affects their ability to function efficiently. In this lifelong inflammatory disease and people experience a lot of pain in the joints of their hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, stiffness, inflammation, tenderness, and weakness in the joints. The excruciating rheumatoid arthritis pain can be extremely difficult to cope with. However, by incorporating certain food items in the diet, you can alleviate this pain. And the best way to do so would be by having healthy snacks that help avoid any further problems. Herein, we discuss some of the snacks you can try making at home. Fruit salad Fruits like cherries, raspberries, oranges, and grapefruit are packed with potent antioxidants and vitamin C that enable them to combat the pain in the joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Berries contain anthocyanins that reduce the inflammation and eases the associated discomfort. Put all these fruits in a bowl and mix to enjoy your very own pain-relieving snack. Edamame Feast on Edamame, which is immature soybeans served with salt, for that boost of fiber and protein to the body. The incredible nutritional value of edamame makes it an amazing snacking item for those suffering from the unpleasant and painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Instead of reaching out for unhealthy food items when hungry, try the super healthy edamame snack with soy sauce or wasabi to enhance the flavor. Crackers with salmon The easy to make crackers with salmon recipe can be prepared within a jiffy. Enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, salmon helps effectively alleviate pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis. It also reduces stiffness and inflammation in the joints that make it difficult to move around or stay active. Have the incredible combination of crackers and salmon and add olive oil to the preparation to further enhance its taste and effectiveness.

Diet for schizophrenia: What to eat and what to avoid? Schizophrenia is a mental illness that can cause delusions, paranoia, social and cognitive problems, and hallucinations. While the most common method of this condition is medication and psychotherapy, those who have schizophrenia can benefit from following a proper diet. Certain food items must be avoided, while there are a few that would be good for schizophrenia patients. What to avoid There are certain food items that a schizophrenia patient should avoid as can cause various health problems that can aggravate the condition. Sugar Schizophrenia patients need to be in good physical health to ensure their mental health improves. Maintaining blood sugar levels is important and for this, sugar and food items containing sugar must be avoided or eaten in moderation. Carbohydrates A diet that has high carbohydrate content needs to be avoided. Instead, a diet that has low carbs and helps in keeping blood sugar in check should be preferred. It also helps in weight control, which is required for those suffering from schizophrenia. Gluten Gluten needs to be removed from the diet for schizophrenics. Most people are allergic to gluten found in wheat, rye, and barley. Studies have shown a link between gluten and aggravated symptoms of schizophrenia. What to eat A healthy and well-balanced diet helps improve both physical and mental health. The following food items and nutrients are essential for someone who has schizophrenia. Omega-3 fatty acids Omega-3 is a very powerful fatty acid that has multiple health benefits. It has been found to be useful in improving mental health. Fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 and if one doesn’t have access to these varieties of fish, fish oil capsules and omega-3 supplements can also be consumed. Omega-3 is also found in nuts and seeds like flaxseed and pumpkin seeds.

Migraines are a chronic form of headaches, which are caused by several environmental, physiological, and psychological factors. With close to 1 billion cases worldwide, nearly 40 million people in our country suffer from this condition. While there are medications that provide relief from migraine symptoms, regularly consuming certain foods can also help manage the same. Here is a list of some of the top food items that can help you keep the pain in check. Caffeine While having excess caffeine can aggravate migraines, caffeine is one of those foods that can help get rid of a headache or migraine attacks naturally. Beverages such as tea and coffee contain caffeine, which, when consumed with specific over-the-counter medications, can help relieve a headache. Bananas Bananas are not only a great source of energy, but the magnesium present in the fruit can help treat migraines and headaches effectively. Apart from this, bananas have more than 70 percent water. They, thus, help in improving the body’s hydration levels, providing further relief from headaches. Watermelon Dehydration is one of the primary risk factors for headaches and migraines. Watermelons contain more than 90 percent water. So, a couple of slices of this fruit can provide relief from the condition. Apart from this, the natural sugars present in the fruit can also replenish the energy levels of the body. Seeds and nuts Magnesium is one of the key nutrients that can provide relief from aches and pains. Seeds such as flaxseeds, sprouted pumpkin seeds, and chia seeds are rich in magnesium, and a handful of them can help effectively manage migraines and headaches. Additionally, walnuts and cashews are magnesium-rich too and can be used to control the flare of symptoms. Peppermint It is yet another one of those foods that can help get rid of a headache or migraine attack naturally.