Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the lungs. Inflammation in the bronchial tubes results in the narrowing of the airway and obstructs the process of natural breathing. It is not a condition that should be taken lightly, as the symptoms, if left unchecked, can lead to hospitalization. Additionally, asthma is incurable and is usually treated with an inhaler to relieve and prevent frequent flareups. However, there are simple techniques and natural treatments that can help manage the mild to moderate discomforts caused due to asthma. Changes in the diet Some studies show that drinking coffee or black tea helps provide some relief. Caffeine compounds help open up the blocked and narrow airway of the lungs, thus improving breathing. You can also incorporate more ginger in your daily diet as it is rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Also, foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids help counter the inflammation. Include more fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C and manganese to ensure there is no dietary deficiency of nutrients that can trigger asthma. Kale, broccoli, tomatoes, oranges, and apples are rich in essential vitamins and minerals to supplement your daily requirements. Natural herbs Bromelain extracts taken from pineapples are rich in anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, a mixture of mustard oil with camphor creates a strong and potent homemade chest rub as a topical treatment. Air filters One of the more troubling symptoms of asthma is wheezing. This is a high-pitched coarse sound made when air passes the narrowed airways in the lungs. Inflammation, mucus, and even muscle spasms can obstruct the airway. Air pollution is also a major contributing factor to the discomfort; this is when air purifiers come in handy. Air purifiers rid the air of all potential allergens and help improve air quality in the surroundings.

The chronic lung disease asthma is known to trigger difficulty in breathing due to the inflammation of air passages. This condition is usually accompanied by the excess production of mucus in the lungs, which makes breathing a lot more difficult. A person suffering from asthma normally experiences shortness of breath. While medications are available to treat asthma, bringing about nutritional changes is equally important. Avoiding these foods may help prevent the frequency of attacks. Milk Drinking milk increases mucus production, which can worsen asthma symptoms. Hence, nutritionists and doctors advise against dairy consumption to avoid triggering an asthma attack. Switching to probiotic foods like Greek yogurt is usually recommended. Doctors also recommend steering clear from dairy products that contain preservatives. Eggs Eggs are rich sources of nutrients, but they can trigger asthma attacks. Asthma patients with egg allergies can suffer from an attack on consumption. Eggs can also cause asthma flare-ups in some people. Hence, asthma patients are advised to to rely on other protein source like soy, pulses, and tofu. Carefully read the labels of packed foods to make sure they do not contain eggs as an ingredient. Peanuts Another allergy-based food that asthma patients need to avoid is peanuts as an asthma attack can be triggered. An anaphylatic shock can cause impaired breathing due to swelling in the throat and a sudden drop in blood pressure. Such a reaction can make managing an asthma attack more difficult than usual and cause other severe symptoms like dizziness, fainting, and pale skin. Children suffering from asthma are more vulnerable to the allergens present in peanuts. Hence, steering clear from peanut-based foods is strongly recommended to keep asthma symptoms at bay. Shellfish Shellfish have high amounts of sulfites that are one of the most powerful triggers of asthma attacks. These allergens make steering clear from shellfish and other crustaceans like crabs, crayfish, lobsters, and shrimps all the more important.

Chronic fatigue can have many causes. It may also occur without any identifiable underlying cause like a medical condition or illness. Identifying the type of chronic fatigue can help doctors design better treatments. Chronic fatigue Chronic fatigue indicates fatigue that persists for a long time and does not go away quickly even with adequate sleep and rest. Physical fatigue is the inability to initiate or complete any physical activity. Mental fatigue involves cognitive difficulties, inability to focus, and so on. Chronic fatigue can involve both of these. Usually, fatigue or extreme tiredness goes away after a period of rest and good sleep. However, chronic fatigue is not so easy to shake off. Medical conditions that may cause chronic fatigue Many health conditions like diabetes, anemia, and cardiovascular diseases can cause chronic fatigue. Diabetes: When patients have diabetes, they may experience a sharp change in their blood sugar levels, which may cause extreme tiredness. However, diabetic patients may also suffer from fatigue that is not linked to their sugar levels. Cardiovascular diseases: Cardiovascular diseases weaken the heart muscles and impair the heart’s ability to pump blood. Thus, the regular blood circulation and oxygen supply are affected, leading to fatigue. Cancer: Extreme tiredness can be a symptom of cancer. This illness can cause chronic fatigue, especially in the advanced stages. Cancer-related fatigue may also be a side effect of treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Disorder of the nervous system: Patients who have suffered a stroke, or those who have Parkinson’s disease may also suffer from chronic fatigue. If muscle weakness is a prominent part of your chronic fatigue issues, then the cause might be a neuromuscular disorder like muscular dystrophy, immune neuropathy, or metabolic myopathy. Anemia: Anemia is a principal cause of chronic fatigue. In this condition, a patient has a low red blood cells count.

Atrial fibrillation, which is more commonly known as AFib, is a typical heart condition where the heart beats at a much faster rate than usual. More precisely, the heartbeat is often irregular and more than 100 beats or less than 60 beats per minute as compared to the normal heartbeat rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute, when you are in a resting and a relaxed position. Such fast heartbeats can cause serious complications like a stroke or a blood clot in the heart. Thus, it needs to be treated immediately before the situation goes out of the control. Thus, AFib treatment at the right moment is very important. In this article, we’ll discuss some important facts about AFib that can help you to take the right decision before it’s too late. Here are some foods to eat and avoid to reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib): Whole grains Whole grains contain fibers, which are known to improve cholesterol levels in the body. They also help reduce the risk of conditions linked to AFib, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Legumes Legumes such as lentils, beans, chickpeas, and peas contain healthy antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients. Together, these properties can help lower “bad” cholesterol and reduce the risk of AFib. Olive oil Unlike other unhealthy oils, olive oil is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and more that may help alleviate any symptoms related to AFib. Foods to avoid Avoid these foods in order to effectively manage AFib. Alcohol Studies have shown that consuming alcohol can contribute to AFib risk factors like hypertension and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB). Therefore, alcohol consumption must be avoided. Salt Salt is known to increase the chances of high blood pressure. In turn, it also puts you at risk of developing symptoms linked to atrial fibrillation.

An allergy is the response of the immune system to an irritating substance. These allergens could come from food, insects, pollen grains, drugs, and medications. When our body comes across any allergen, our immune system becomes active and creates specific antibodies called immunoglobulin to fight with the allergen. Immunoglobulins are present in our nose, throat, eyes, and lungs. These antibodies activate the mast cells in our body which cause the release of certain chemical substances in these zones called histamines. The release of histamine causes symptoms of an allergic reaction such as swelling in the nasal passage, runny nose, itching in the throat, burning eyes, and other such symptoms. Every person is different and so are their allergies. No two people are bound to have the same reaction to an allergen. A person can be allergic to one thing but might be completely non-responsive to the other. Though allergies are different in different people, there are be best allergy treatments people can use to cure all types of allergies. The allergies can also depend upon the amount of exposure. A limited amount of exposure might not harm an individual but if it crosses the threshold, it can cause the allergy to flare up. These reactions basically depend on upon our genetic disposition. If the parents have some kind of an allergy, the child having the susceptibility of having the same allergy might increase manifold. The most common causes of an allergy are mentioned below. Allergy from food – Food items like fish, nuts, and dairy products can cause allergic reactions in different individuals. These allergies could manifest itself in skin allergies or nasal allergic symptoms. Airborne allergies – Airborne allergies are the allergies which are spread through the air. The main causes of these allergies are pollen, that is shed by the trees during the springtime.

Nasal polyps are soft, noncancerous growths that line the nose or sinuses. Small polyps may not cause any symptoms, but larger ones can block the nasal passages. While multiple treatment options are available for nasal polyps, nutrition plays an important role in managing the condition and reducing the risk of nasal infections like sinus inflammation or sinusitis. Researchers have identified certain foods that can worsen nasal polyps and aggravate sinusitis. Here, we’ve listed some foods that people with nasal polyps must avoid. Dairy Dairy products increase mucus and phlegm production, which can worsen nasal congestion. Also, some studies show that people who are allergic to the protein found in dairy products can develop nasal polyps. So, it’s best to avoid full-fat milk, cheese, and yogurt when suffering from nasal polyps or sinusitis. Legumes Beans and lentils are nutritious and contain several beneficial compounds like salicylates. However, people who are hypersensitive to salicylates may develop nasal polyps as a side effect. This natural compound can also trigger nasal allergy or rhinitis and aggravate sinus inflammation. Foods like cauliflower, pickled vegetables, strawberries, watermelon, oats, corn, and rosemary contain salicylates. Tomatoes Tomatoes contain a compound called histamine. And while the body naturally produces histamine, the buildup of this compound causes sinusitis-related symptoms like sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and breathing difficulty. Apart from tomatoes, most processed meat, avocados, eggplant, raisins, apricots, aged cheeses, chocolate, and wine contain histamine. Refined sugar Foods high in refined sugar, such as pastries, candies, chocolate bars, and fruit juices, can cause inflammation and exacerbate sinusitis symptoms. Completely avoiding such foods may not be necessary, but it’s crucial to significantly reduce refined sugar intake. Red meat Consuming excessive amounts of protein-rich red meat can lead to the excessive production of mucus in the body. Such a buildup increases nasal congestion and worsens sinusitis symptoms.

Asthma is a respiratory condition where the airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus. These factors make it difficult for the person to breathe and trigger wheezing and coughing. Apart from treatment and home remedies, people with asthma tend to eat foods that can boost their recovery. But not all foods are suitable, and some may even worsen the condition. Here are seven such foods that may trigger severe respiratory symptoms. Eggs Eggs contain healthy nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals. However, asthma patients prone to egg allergies should avoid them. Egg allergies generally lead to reactions on the skin, such as hives. Eating eggs can also cause inflammation in the respiratory tract and lead to an asthma attack. Soda Soda produces gas, which may apply pressure on the diaphragm. The excessive pressure may make it difficult to breathe, worsening the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory disorders. Bread Bread is a wheat-based product that may also cause allergic reactions because of its gluten content. Those allergic to gluten are likely sensitive to albumin and globulin. These are amino acids that lead to inflammation in the respiratory tract and subsequently cause an asthma attack. Dried fruits Despite their healthy nature, people with asthma must avoid dried fruits. They contain sulfites that keep the food fresh. However, such preservatives may worsen respiratory symptoms in people with asthma. Milk People with asthma should avoid milk or milk-based products. Studies show that milk increases mucus production in the body. Since people with asthma already produce excess mucus in the lungs, milk will only increase their chances of severe respiratory symptoms. Shrimp Shellfish are likely to increase the risk of asthma attacks in people allergic to seafood. Shrimp contains sulfites, a property to which many asthma patients are sensitive. Other seafood options people with asthma should stay away from include clams and oysters.

An inflammatory lung condition which affects the passage of your lungs is called asthma. This condition is usually a chronic inflammation in the passage of the lungs. The airways of the lungs become narrow and start to swell, which in turn produce some extra mucus. This excess mucus makes it difficult for you to breath in a normal way and that will trigger wheezing, coughing and causes shortness of breath. For some people, an asthma attack is not a big problem as this does not disrupt their normal life. But for some people, asthma attacks are very common and that causes a problem in their daily activities as well. When you keep neglecting the problem of asthma, it can even become life-threatening as well. Proper treatments for severe asthma are very important and have to be done as quickly as possible. This is a condition which cannot be cured completely, but you need to make sure that you take proper treatment in order to control its symptoms and triggers. Causes of severe asthma The main and exact cause of asthma is not known, but there are many causes that trigger asthma. Based on the causes of asthma, the treatments for severe asthma are decided by the doctor. Some of the causes include: Excessive smoking Environmental factors like polluted air Inhaling some chemical or sprays to which you are allergic Breathing allergens like mold, animal dander, and dust Flu, cold, bronchitis or sinusitis and other upper respiratory infections Emotional stress Exposure to dry and cold weather Too much exercise Symptoms of severe asthma: The symptoms of severe asthma are more like mild to moderate asthma, but they are more intense and sometimes they are life-threatening as well. Some of the symptoms of severe asthma include: Shortness of breath, which worsens with time Tight and painful chest A severe cough Even after breathing treatment, the wheezing continues Difficult in speaking at a stretch Lips, fingernails, and face turn into blue color or pale yellow Even after using an inhaler, little change is observed in a severe asthma attack Difficulty in doing everyday activates Treatment options for an asthma attack Generally, it is termed as severe asthma just because it does not respond to any kind of treatments for severe asthma or medicine that is prescribed by the doctor.

Meningitis is a disease characterized by the inflammation of the meninges surrounding your spinal cord and brain. Its inflammation triggers several symptoms. Some cases of the disease can be treated in a few weeks while others can be fatal and require immediate antibiotic treatment. It is absolutely necessary to seek immediate attention if you suspect meningitis. Early symptoms of the disease may mimic influenza and it may take a few hours or several days for the symptoms to develop. Early treatment for meningitis is key to boosting your chances of survival and can avoid certain complications. Before discussing the treatment methods for the forms of the disease, let’s discuss the common symptoms of meningitis and ways to treat it. Symptoms Most cases of the disease in the country are caused by a viral infection. Other causes include fungal and bacterial infections. Cancer and autoimmune disease may lead to the onset of the disease as well. Here are a few of the common symptoms and signs of the disease for anyone aged 2 years and above. Stiff neck Seizures Severe headache Sudden high fever Sensitivity to light Loss of appetite No thirst Skin rashes Sleepiness or difficulty in waking up Nausea and vomiting Vaccination Getting yourself vaccinated is the key to protecting yourself from the three most common bacteria that cause bacterial meningitis. These bacteria commonly affect adults and children alike. Meningitis vaccines can cure certain meningitis causing viruses as well so do try them out. Getting vaccinated is one of the easiest forms of treatment for meningitis. These vaccines though cannot protect you from non-infectious causes of meningitis, which include autoimmune disorders and cancer. Bacterial meningitis and its treatment Antibiotics are generally used to treat bacterial meningitis. You will be treated with one or more antibiotics. These target the bacteria causing the infection.

Medullary Breast Cancer is a rare type of cancer with a better than average prognosis. Here’s everything you need to know about the disease. Similar to most other types of breast cancer, medullary breast cancer may not manifest in any type of visible symptoms during its early stages. This is a rare type of breast cancer that accounts for only about 5 percent of all breast cancer cases. However, the good news is that medullary breast cancer actually offers a better prognosis and survival rate as compared to other breast cancers . If you have been diagnosed with medullary breast cancer, here’s everything you need to know about its symptoms, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. What is medullary breast cancer? Medullary breast cancer is a rarely-occurring type of invasive ductal breast cancer. One of the pivotal risk factors of this cancer is a genetic mutation known as BRCA-1. People who are carriers of this genetic mutation have a higher chance of getting medullary breast cancer. Similar to other types of invasive ducal breast cancer, this type of cancer also starts in the milk duct of breasts before spreading to other tissues eventually. The word “medullary” comes from the fact that the epidemiology of the tumors of medullary breast cancer resemble the graying soft tissue matter in the medulla or the brainstem. How is medullary breast cancer different from other breast cancers? As compared to other types of ductal breast cancers, medullary breast cancer differs on a number of counts. The medullary tumors are actually smaller than average at about 2cms or so. Even though they are small, the cells of this cancer are high grade ones. This means that the cells look very distinct from normal cells, and are generally dividing very rapidly. Known as triple-negative tumors, these cells generally test negative for progesterone and estrogen receptors, as well as the protein HER2 or neu.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in your joints. Here is everything you need to know about the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation in your joints, usually, the small joints of your hands and feet. Affecting around 1.5 million people in America, this form of arthritis can lead to cartilage damage, if it is left unchecked. It is much more common in women and generally occurs in individuals over the age of 40. Apart from affecting the joints, rheumatoid arthritis can also cause problems in other organs of the body like the eyes, blood vessels, skin, and the lungs. Fatigue, fever, morning joint stiffness, swollen and tender joints, and weight loss are some of the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases of this type of arthritis, the symptoms are symmetrical. In other words, most often than not, the same joints are affected on both sides of the body. The rheumatoid arthritis symptoms vary in severity from one person to another. They also tend to come and go; the periods of the symptoms flaring up will alternate with periods when the symptoms go into remission. Over a period of time, as this disease progresses, it can cause the joints to shift out of place and deform. No known cause of rheumatoid arthritis has been found yet, therefore, the treatment plan basically focuses on easing the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis and the discomfort caused due to joint stiffness. The treatment plan can only go into action after the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is made. It can be quite difficult to diagnose rheumatoid arthritis because there are many conditions that cause joint inflammation and joint stiffness. Also, there is no single definitive test for this type of arthritis.

A sore throat is a great irritant. There can be numerous reasons for a sore throat, and allergies can be one of them. If the precise cause of an allergy is identified, it will help in devising an appropriate remedial treatment. Allergy as a cause for a sore throat It has been found out that allergy in cases of a sore throat has been linked to postnasal drip. This can occur due to exposure to an allergen and occurs when any kind of congestion in the sinus goes down to the throat. This drainage also results in coughing, swallowing, irritation in the throat, and difficulty in speaking. However, the fact to be considered here is that allergens such as pollen are seasonal. There are some also other allergens including cigarette smoke, dust mites, mold, and mildew. The symptoms of allergy that occur due to the abovementioned allergens include congestion, sneezing, coughing, and itchy eyes. A sore throat with fever and body aches is also a result of a cold, flu, and viral infection. Treatment of an allergy-induced sore throat Prevention of allergy is important if a sore throat or any other related symptoms are to be prevented. Limiting the exposure to irritants is the most important thing that should be done in such cases. Known irritants such as cigarette smoke should be avoided if the allergy is to be prevented. Windows should ideally be closed or a surgical mask should be worn by people who are prone to allergies when they come in contact with airborne allergens. However, sore throat allergies cannot always be prevented. It is during such times that use of medications is recommended. Over-the-counter medications such as Loratadine and Cetirizine can be taken when the symptoms of the allergy worsen. In such conditions, doctors usually recommend using a decongestant or nasal spray that helps in preventing postnasal drip, which is the usual cause of a sore throat.