6 foods that help manage nasal polyps

6 foods that help manage nasal polyps

Nasal polyps are benign growths along the lining of the sinuses. These growths can interfere with airflow, leading to breathing problems and chronic inflammation. Nasal polyps could result from various factors, including nasal allergies. Irrespective of the cause, patients must follow healthy nutrition because the nutrients in some foods can fight nasal polyps and relieve the symptoms. Here are six foods to eat while also using other treatment options for nasal polyps. Warm fluids Excess mucus in the nasal passage can increase the risk of nasal polyps because mucus attracts allergens. Drinking plenty of warm fluids dilutes and loosens mucus, preventing it from accumulating in the nasal passage. Fish Doctors say that inflammation is one of the primary triggers of nasal polyps. Fishes, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can naturally counter inflammation and help manage the symptoms. Honey Microbial activity is another risk factor for nasal polyps. Honey has anti-microbial properties that help prevent and treat polyps. Moreover, its anti-inflammatory properties relieve the symptoms, making it one of the effective natural treatment options for nasal polyps. Berries Berries like raspberries, cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries are rich in vitamins crucial for protecting the membrane of the sinus lining. They also contain other nutrients like antioxidants that fight free radicals, preventing nasal polyps and relieving the symptoms. Kale Kale is yet another food among the natural treatment options for nasal polyps. Many nasal polyp growths result from increased free radicals in the body. Kale contains natural antioxidants that fight free radicals that cause cell damage and help boost immunity. Cayenne peppers Cayenne peppers contain capsaicin, which helps relieve inflammation and open the nasal passages to stimulate better breathing and de-clog the congestion. It is one of the best foods to overcome sinus infections with nasal polyps.
5 common signs of myasthenia gravis

5 common signs of myasthenia gravis

Myasthenia gravis is a condition that weakens the voluntary muscles, making them tire easily. It develops when the communication between nerves and muscles breaks down. While there is no permanent cure for myasthenia gravis, treatment can help ease the symptoms. Further, recognizing the signs and seeking an early diagnosis can help one better manage the condition. So, here is a look at some of the key signs of myasthenia gravis: 1. Drooping eyelids More than half of those with myasthenia gravis experience eye-related issues as the first sign of the condition. Here, drooping of one or both eyelids, called ptosis, can be a common sign. One may also experience other symptoms associated with the eyes, like diplopia (double vision), which could make one see dual horizontal or vertical images. 2. Difficulty with speech Speech-related issues could indicate the onset of myasthenia gravis. This could include a hypernasal voice or slurred speech (dysarthria), which is usually observed in younger people diagnosed with the condition. 3. Trouble chewing Difficulty eating or chewing can be a sign of myasthenia gravis. Here, the muscles that help one chew food can tire halfway through a meal. This symptom can seem more prominent while eating something hard to chew, like a steak. Another symptom associated with the face includes a change in expressions; say, a smile can look like a snarl. 4. Breathing issues Myasthenia gravis can cause weakness of the chest wall muscles, leading to breathing problems. Here, one may feel like they are not getting enough air or find inhaling uncomfortable. If one notices persistent breathing issues without any physical exertion, they should consult a doctor. 5. Trouble walking Another common sign of myasthenia gravis is a change in how one walks. As the condition causes weakness in the arms and legs, it could make walking difficult, changing the gait.
Healthy Diet Plan for Patients with Crohn’s Diesease

Healthy Diet Plan for Patients with Crohn’s Diesease

You can use bacteria for fighting bacteria! Confused? Some health disorders that are caused by bad bacteria can be directly treated or the symptoms can be eased to a large extent by consuming good bacteria, commonly referred to as probiotics. Before you know how they can help manage Crohn’s disease, you must know what it is all about. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the functioning of the intestines. The immune system of those affected by this disease starts attacking the good bacteria present in the gut, resulting in a steep depletion of good bacteria. The term probiotics can be split into “pro” meaning for, and “biota” meaning life. Probiotics play a key role in the replenishment of good bacteria in the gut, which in turn improves digestion and overall health. Hence, consuming probiotics for Crohn’s disease may be considered as an effective treatment method. The role of good bacteria The bacteria present in our digestive system play a key role in digestion and immunity. A healthy gut maintains a delicate balance of good bacteria. This balance is essential for proper digestion and assimilation of food. Digestive disorders like Crohn’s or intake of antibiotics tend to upset this balance, resulting in inflammation of the intestines and poor digestion. Due to the depletion of naturally occurring good bacteria in the gut, there is a need for external replenishment by consuming probiotics. Probiotics for Crohn’s Disease A typical symptom of Crohn’s disease is alternating periods of flare up and inactivity. This is an autoimmune disease that has no cure, but symptoms can be managed by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Consuming probiotics for Crohn’s disease helps in managing the symptoms effectively. Ensuring a good supply of nutrients to the stomach and intestines helps bring about remission. Crohn’s disease diet plan must include probiotics, which have proven digestive benefits.
Vitamin Supplements That Provide Relief from Fibromyalgia

Vitamin Supplements That Provide Relief from Fibromyalgia

Technological advancements have taken healthcare to a new level. Diseases that were once fatal now have effective cures, thanks to medical breakthroughs. However, for some disorders, natural therapies show better results than conventional medicine. Fighting health disorders the natural way is the best option for such ailments. For diseases such as fibromyalgia, natural supplements can help fight aches, inflammation, and stiffness. Vitamins for fibromyalgia, derived from herbs and other natural supplements, help reduce pain significantly and provide relief to patients. Living with fibromyalgia Fibromyalgia affects the soft tissue and muscles of the body. Those affected by this syndrome experience chronic muscle pain, sleep problems, fatigue, and painful trigger points. Fibromyalgia is known to exhibit as many as 39 symptoms, which are often mistaken for other diseases. One can get relief from these symptoms by making changes to their lifestyle, taking medications, and managing stress levels. Physical therapy can also help manage the pain and stiffness caused by fibromyalgia. Living with fibromyalgia requires changes in the daily routine. Compulsory physical exercise, good sleep routine, stress management, and nutrient-rich diet are some of the lifestyle changes that help to manage the symptoms of fibromyalgia. People affected by fibromyalgia often suffer from vitamin deficiency as well. One can combat these deficiencies by including vitamin supplements in their diet. These supplements are herbal formulas that help ease the pain and stiffness caused by fibromyalgia. Vitamins for fibromyalgia While undergoing tests to diagnose fibromyalgia, one might discover several vitamin deficiencies as well. No single vitamin can cure the disorder. However, a combination of vitamins can help manage symptoms of fibromyalgia. From vitamin D supplements to seaweed extracts, there is a whole list of vitamin supplements available in the market that provide relief from the symptoms of fibromyalgia. But what vitamins should one take if they have fibromyalgia?
Best Treatment Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Best Treatment Options for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Health disorders that trigger a change in one’s bowel movements and habits are annoying. Frequent visits to the loo are no fun at all. People who work in an office or attend classes at school or college experience greater discomfort as these bowel problems are quite embarrassing. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition that impacts and restricts one’s diet. This gastrointestinal disorder presents itself as a group of symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, gas, nausea, etc. There are several types of this disease, and the condition varies from person to person. One needs to maintain a list of food items that trigger the syndrome so that they can avoid its consumption. In this way, one can lead a better and healthier life in the long run, devoid of the symptoms that encompass the scope of the disease. Triggers are those food items that cause a flare-up of symptoms and lead to the onset of the disease or its aggravation. Seeking treatment for irritable bowel syndrome is the best course of action. When it comes to choosing a treatment option for irritable bowel syndrome, here are some of the best options available. Treatment options for irritable bowel syndrome Here are some of the best ways to maintain and treat irritable bowel syndrome: Avoiding certain foods If one is suffering from IBS diarrhea, they should avoid the consumption of large amounts of insoluble fiber in their daily diet. Fiber found in the skin of vegetables and fruits are insoluble. One should also avoid taking sorbitol, fructose, caffeine and chocolate drinks. If one is suffering from IBS constipation, they should not eat food items that further trigger the condition. One should avoid processed food items, especially cheese, high-protein diets, bread and cereals, dairy products, coffee, and carbonated drinks at all costs.
Best Treatment Options to Consider for Neuropathy

Best Treatment Options to Consider for Neuropathy

The human body has a peripheral nervous system that connects the nerves from the brain and the spinal cord with the rest of the body. They are connected everywhere including hands, legs, mouth, face, and internal organs. These nerves deliver signals of physical sensation back to the brain. Neuropathy or peripheral neuropathy refers to a disorder that occurs due to the malfunctioning of the nerves. If they get damaged or destroyed, they send wrong signals, like signals of pain when there is no pain and no signal when there is a pain. An injury, infection, inherited disorder or systemic illness may cause peripheral neuropathy. This disorder is a troublemaker and obviously uncomfortable, but with proper diagnosis and treatment, it can be cured. For the accurate neuropathy treatment, it is of utmost importance to find the root cause as the causes are different for different people, and their treatment is also different. Types and symptoms of neuropathy There are around 100 different types of neuropathy. Each of them has unique symptoms as well as treatments. They are classified into two types based on the type of nerve damage involved. The three types of peripheral nerves are sensory nerves that connect with the skin, motor nerves with muscles and autonomic nerves with the internal organs. Peripheral neuropathy affects one or all nerve groups. Mononeuropathy is the condition of one damaged nerve; on the other hand, multiple nerves are damaged during polyneuropathies which are more common. Various symptoms can be noticed like tingling and numbness in hands and feet, sharp stabbing pain, buzzing sensation, drop of blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, thinning of skin, diarrhea, and difficulty in digestion, constipation, and excessive sweating. When you go to the doctor, make sure to tell him about all the symptoms to get proper treatment. Diagnosis In order to determine the required treatment, it is important to diagnose the causes behind the disorder.
Treatment Options for a Hiatal Hernia

Treatment Options for a Hiatal Hernia

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.
Signs of Liver Damage That You Should Never Ignore

Signs of Liver Damage That You Should Never Ignore

Have you ever thought about taking care of the liver, the largest solid organ in your body? In most cases, we do not care about it until our doctors ask us to do so. More or less, you should learn about the functions of the liver and signs that can indicate any dysfunction. Before we initiate a discussion, we should know how vital the organ is for us and how it helps our body to work healthily. The liver carries out some critical functions such as generating essential fats, protein, and carbohydrates. Our liver also helps our body to remove harmful biochemical wastes and detoxify toxins, alcohol, and drugs. An under-performing liver can cause plenty of disorders. Here we will discuss the liver damage signs that you should learn early to prevent further damage. Some important facts about the liver Our liver comes with a number of special features. The liver is connected to the intestines and gallbladder by some tubes. Bile produced by the liver transports to the gallbladder through these tubes. The bile comes to the gallbladder when we do not take meals and later it goes to the intestine to help with the digestion process. Our liver is located at an appropriate place in our body, and it receives blood coming from the intestines. During the process of metabolism, the liver absorbs nutrients. Since the liver performs a number of biochemical functions, it is often called the biochemical factory of the human body. In addition, our liver comes with dual blood supply system. One supply comes through the portal vein while the other comes through the hepatic artery that also brings oxygenated blood from the lungs to the liver. Oxygenated blood carried by the hepatic artery nourishes the liver cells and bile tubes. Following a number of vital processes, the liver finally sends the blood back to the heart and lungs through hepatic veins.
A Complete Guide to Stomach Pain and its Causes

A Complete Guide to Stomach Pain and its Causes

Stomach pain is quite a common issue that generally causes restlessness and uneasiness across the chest and pelvic area. It ranges from a dull ache to sharp twinge, though the intensity depends on the severity of the problem. The intense wave or discomfort can churn up your stomach, and it can be an indication of a life-threatening disease knocking the door. There can be numerous reasons behind the sensation of pain across your belly area; however, if it originates from any organ toward the upper belly area, then the reason behind this could be anything from swelling of the stomach lining, inflammation in the gallbladder to serious liver problems. Why Location Matters? According to a survey, most of the time stomach pain is caused by food poisoning, diarrhea, constipation, or gas. However, overeating can be one of the prime reasons behind severe abdominal pain. To get rid of stomach pain, make a habit to eat small portions at small intervals rather than going for big bites and large meals at once. Upper Middle Section In case you are experiencing some pain across the upper abdominal cavity then you need to see a doctor on an immediate basis, as it can be an alarm for a serious ailment. In this case, an individual may require emergency treatment, generally catered in hospitals. The constant pain is also considered as a signal of a problem in the gallbladder, the upper part of the small intestine, pancreas, etc. Lower Middle Section Pain across the navel is a sign of appendicitis or due to infection in your small intestine. If the pain occurs in your lower or middle abdomen, it can be the presumptive sign of colon related problems. Especially, in the case of women, a urinary tract infection or pelvic inflammatory disease can also be the reason behind abdominal pain.
Effective Treatment Options for an Overactive Bladder

Effective Treatment Options for an Overactive Bladder

An overactive bladder (OAB) is a bladder disorder that causes an abnormal urge to urinate. The urge may be difficult to stop and sometimes leads to involuntary loss of urine which is referred to as urinary incontinence. This syndrome affects many elderly people in the country and is equally prevalent in both, men and women. An overactive bladder majorly impacts the quality of life of the sufferer, forcing people to avoid social gatherings and outings. However, fortunately, there are several treatment options for overactive bladder. With medications or behavioral changes, or sometimes, a combination of both can help in treating the condition. If any symptoms are noticed, one should visit the doctor for a thorough examination and obtain a suitable line of treatment. Natural treatments for overactive bladder Pelvic floor exercises and bladder training are great non-medicinal remedies that prove to be largely beneficial for a lot of people. There are many other treatments used to manage an overactive bladder and even urine incontinence. Read on to know more. Bladder training: This is the most common overactive bladder treatment that seeks to alter the way one uses the bathroom. This means instead of going whenever one gets the urge, they urinate at fixed times during the day. This is also known as scheduled voiding. In this process, one can learn to control their urge to urinate, by waiting for a couple of minutes initially to gradually increasing the interval to up to a few hours. Pelvic floor exercises: Also known as Kegel exercises, these pelvic floor exercises are a special set of exercises that help one strengthen the muscles that control urination. With the help of a special training, known as biofeedback, one can learn to tighten, hold, and relax the muscles that are vital to starting and stopping urination.
Common Causes of Pain and Tightness in the Chest

Common Causes of Pain and Tightness in the Chest

Many people experience chest pain due to various reasons. In extreme cases, chest pain can be an indicator of a heart attack. But it can also be a sign of respiration issues, digestion problems, and other conditions. Chest pain should be taken seriously as it can lead to life-threatening conditions. Below are a few of the reasons why you might be experiencing chest pain. Angina : It is a condition wherein you feel pressure in your heart as if it is being squeezed. The blood is still flowing to the heart but its supply is exponentially reduced. You might experience dizziness or pain elsewhere in the upper body. Angina is very similar to a heart attack but does not cause permanent damage to the heart tissue. It is one of the common causes of chest pain. As soon as you feel the symptoms, you should consult the doctor to get professional medical help. Heart attack : When you feel a very sharp pain in the heart, then it is most likely a heart attack. A heart attack is caused when one of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle is blocked. There might be a sharp stabbing sensation along with pressure or tightness in the chest. Some other symptoms are shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweat, a lump in the throat, and numbness in the arm or hand. A heart attack is a medical emergency and the sooner you see a doctor the lesser will be the damage. Collapsed lung : A collapsed lung is the condition when the air gets in between the chest and the lung walls. This can cause a feeling of pressure when you inhale. In case of a collapsed lung, breathing in becomes really difficult. If you suspect this you should immediately see a doctor.
Tips to Prevent Heart Disease in Women

Tips to Prevent Heart Disease in Women

Even though heart disease is popularly associated with men, more women than men die of heart disease every year in the US. Here are a few tips that help prevent heart disease in women. Heart disease is the number one cause of death of both men and women in the US, and it affects 1 in every 4 women. For a woman, the older she gets, the greater her chances of developing some type of heart disease. The most common type of heart disease is coronary heart disease or CHD, which is caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries. Some of the other heart diseases that affect women include the broken heart syndrome and coronary microvascular disease. Coronary microvascular disease affects the tiny arteries in your heart, while broken heart syndrome is caused by extreme emotional stress that leads to heart muscle failure. The most common symptom associated with heart disease is discomfort, pressure, or pain in the chest. However, this may not be the most prominent symptom in women or the most severe one. Women are more likely to experience heart disease symptoms that are not related to chest pain, than men. Some of these symptoms include sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, discomfort in your upper back, abdomen, neck, or jaw, lightheadedness, and fatigue. Since these symptoms are subtle, women tend to overlook them till the damage is already done. So if you experience any of these symptoms, it is recommended that you book an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. The risk factors associated with heart disease in women are mental stress, depression, diabetes, smoking, metabolic syndrome, lack of physical activity, pregnancy complications, and low levels of estrogen. Although the symptoms of heart disease are different in men and women, the standard methods used to treat them are similar.