Effective food habits that can help manage migraine

Effective food habits that can help manage migraine

Most times, headaches cause major discomfort in our regular activities which can lead to a lack of interest in completing tasks. Migraines are a severe form of headaches that causes intense pain that could last from a few hours to days on end. It can also affect other physical activities as well. Migraines are usually caused due to a lack of food and sleep; however, the exact cause of migraine is still unknown. Besides other treatment options, there are some foods that can help manage the condition effectively. Food habits to follow: Intake of vegetables and fruits – Vegetables and fruits have many beneficial factors and help our body in many ways. Whole and natural foods that contain no artificial flavoring and preservatives keep us healthy and avoid conditions such as migraine. Different types of fruits and vegetables in any color can act as pain relief in case of migraine. However, it is important to avoid citrus fruits as it can trigger a migraine. Natural sweeteners such as vanilla extract and maple syrup can also be beneficial. Healthy fresh meat – Always go for fresh meat and avoid processed meat. Fresh meat such as chicken, fish, or red meat are considered to be safe for those suffering from migraines. Red meat and salmon contain a good amount of vitamin B2 that helps in relieving migraine pain. Smoked and processed meat, however, contain a high amount of salt, preservatives, and artificial coloring that can trigger a migraine. Eat mini meals – Hunger is one of the most common reasons for migraines. Eating three large meals can leave you hungry very often and lead to headaches. Eating foods in small portions during the day reduces hunger and helps eradicate migraine. Make sure you eat enough to stay active throughout the day. Drink lots of water – Water has many benefits and helps our body in different ways.
Be on the Lookout for These Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Be on the Lookout for These Prostate Cancer Symptoms

Prostate cancer is the cancer that starts in the prostate gland and is one of the most common cancers in American men. Here is a list of the prostate cancer symptoms that you should be on the lookout for. The prostate gland is the male sex gland that is responsible for producing the thick fluid that helps sperms propel out of the penis during sexual intercourse. It is almost the size of a walnut, and is located below the bladder, just in front of the rectum. You are diagnosed with prostate cancer when the cells in these glands become cancerous and start multiplying out of control. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects American men, and is the second leading cause of cancer death in them. According to the American Cancer Society estimates, around 221,000 new cases of prostate cancer are diagnosed every year. Prostate cancer is mainly diagnosed in older men, it is extremely rare for it to be diagnosed in men younger than 40 years of age. There are no known causes of prostate cancer, however, there are certain risk factors associated with it. These are your age, family history, ethnicity, diet, smoking, and obesity, exposure to toxins, vasectomy, and infections that are transmitted sexually. Even though the exact cause of this cancer is not known, you can still reduce the risk of developing it by managing the risk factors that are in your control. There are two diagnostic tests that are commonly used for prostate cancer, digital rectal exam and ‘prostate-specific antigen’ or PSA blood test. These are just the initial tests, the diagnosis is confirmed by performing a biopsy and examining the prostate cells. The treatment of prostate cancer does not follow the premise ‘one size fits all’. There are different treatment options available, and the one that is ideal for you depends upon your age, your overall health, size of your tumor, and the stage of the cancer.
Here’s What You Need to Know about TSH Levels

Here’s What You Need to Know about TSH Levels

The thyroid stimulating hormone, or TSH, is a type of blood test that is done to check the level of thyroid balance in the human body. TSH is generated in the body when the hypothalamus produces the substance thyrotropin. This hormone enables the pituitary glands to produce and release TSH. In simpler terms, it can be said that TSH is the hormone that regulates the functioning of the thyroid gland. It acts as the health index of the thyroid gland. In this article, we aim to find out and explore the TSH normal range in the human body. A brief overview of TSH The pituitary gland of the human brain is the originating point of TSH which controls the stimulation of other hormones—triiodothyronine or T3 and Thyroxine or T4—being generated in the thyroid glands. For the smooth functioning of our bodies, it is imperative that there is a balance in the quantity of these enzymes and hormones. This balance enables the other health aspects of the human body to be maintained well and is the wellspring of overall health for the body. TSH levels It is imperative that the TSH normal range is maintained in the human body. Investigations show us that in a healthy adult, the TSH normal range is between the ranges of 0.4–4.o mlU/L. There are also other organizations that have opined that level till 2.5 happens to be the ideal level that should be considered as the TSH normal range. Anything that is between 2.5 and 4, could be considered to be a higher level. However, this is a range that could alter, according to the age and the other health conditions of a person. The following are some of the variations that can be pointed out in the TSH range. – For a premature baby, 0.7–27 mlU/L is the TSH normal range.
Here’s What You Need to Know About Burning Foot Pain

Here’s What You Need to Know About Burning Foot Pain

A burning sensation in your feet is often related to nerve damage caused by certain underlying health conditions, out of which diabetes is one of the major causes. The feeling of pain can range from mild to harsh, and intermittent to constant. Sometimes you may get the feeling of hot, tingling or prickling pain or numbness in your feet which usually gets worse during the night. Causes of burning foot pain Sometimes, cases of burning foot pain have unknown causes. However, most of the times, doctors diagnose a wide range of conditions that lead to the sensation of burning foot pain. Here are some of the top causes: Diabetic neuropathy Uncontrollably high levels of blood sugar can gradually damage your blood vessels and nerves, leading to a reduction in the transmission of signals from the nerves. It can also weaken the blood vessel walls that are responsible for carrying oxygen and nutrients to nerves all over the body. Altogether, this can affect the ability to feel sensation in various parts of the body, including the feet. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, around 60-70 percent of people with uncontrolled diabetes have some nerve damage or neuropathy. Certain factors can increase the risk of neuropathy: Obesity High blood pressure Smoking Alcohol consumption When the nerve damage takes place in your legs and feet, it’s known as peripheral neuropathy. It is the most common form of diabetic neuropathy. Apart from the burning sensation in the feet produced by peripheral neuropathy, there are some other symptoms which are as follows: Numbness or tingling in your hands and feet Sharp and stabbing pains Weakness in your legs or arms Excessive sweating Small fiber sensory neuropathy (SFSN) SFSN is painful neuropathy which often leads to a painful burning sensation in the feet.
All You Need to Know about Hair Loss Shampoo

All You Need to Know about Hair Loss Shampoo

The pollution levels in most urban spaces are rising at an unhealthy level and this, while undoubtedly affecting your health, also leads to hair loss. Other factors that affect it are stress, usage of too many hair products that have chemicals, and bad maintenance. One major consequence of an unhealthy environment is hair loss. What is hair loss? On an average, a human being sheds around 100 strands of hair in a day. If there seems to be more loss or the following signs, it is a call for concern. Signs of hair loss Scalp and crown that has thinning hair (usually seen in men) A hairline that is receding quickly A pattern on the head that is located near the crown. It is usually of a horseshoe shape. Although in circumstances where hair loss is sudden and severe, you are advised to see a doctor. Treatment There are several treatments one could pick to combat this problem. But a lot of treatments can be very time-consuming. One of the easiest ways you could treat your hair is by incorporating the remedy into your existing hair care routine with a shampoo for hair loss. Here’s a way you could broadly pick out what is best for you. This will help you pick the best products for your hair care: First, analyze your hair’s condition and texture. Find a product which will be suitable for your hair type. Finally, change the brand you are using once in every few months. Shampoos are made up of ingredients which clean out the dirt, pollutants such as smoke particles and even its natural oils (sebum). Any general hair loss shampoo available in the market does just about that, although you should be careful with some low priced brands since the shampoo might be harsh and strip the hair of its vital lipid layer.
Tension Headache Symptoms and Home Remedies

Tension Headache Symptoms and Home Remedies

Headaches are very common these days. Long working hours on the laptop and an excessive use of gadgets often lead to a headache. Most people ignore headaches or get temporary relief by taking painkillers. But, do you know that a headache can be the first symptom of a deadly disease? Whether it’s just a tension headache or a sinus problem, ignoring a headache is never a bliss. Headaches are one of the most common chronic pains (second only to back troubles). A headache could be a symptom of some anguished, life-threatening illnesses or it could be as simple as anxiety. So how do you identify what category your problem fits in? Although not all headaches are the same, they all share at least one thing in common—they cause pain. Many headaches also cause other unwanted symptoms, including nausea and vomiting. This article highlights the symptoms of one of the most common types of headache, which is a tension headache and looks at the treatment options for the same. A tension headache One of the most common types of a headache, a tension headache causes pain or discomfort in the head, the neck, and the scalp. It is often associated with tightness of muscles in these areas. Tension headaches are of two types, namely, episodic tension headaches and chronic tension headaches. Symptoms People with tension headaches generally complain of the following symptoms: Episodic tension headaches (they occur for less than 15 days per month) Pain is mild to moderate, a constant band-like pain or pressure Pain affects the frontal, top, or sides of the head. Pain generally appears gradually and regularly develops in the middle of the day Pain may last from 30 minutes to several days Chronic tension headaches (they occur for more than 15 days per month) Pain may fluctuate in severity throughout the day but is roughly always present.
Signs and Symptoms of Metastatic Breast Cancer

Signs and Symptoms of Metastatic Breast Cancer

When a tumor or any other illness grows and spreads from its point of origin to other parts of the body, it is called metastasis. Similarly, metastatic breast cancer occurs when the cancerous cells from the breast spread to other body parts. In most cases, if breast cancer metastasizes, it is likely to appear in the following regions: Brain Bones Liver Lungs If the cancer is confined to the breast, several effective treatment options are available to cure it. However, if it spreads to the nearby areas, it becomes quite difficult to cure. Therefore, it is vital to spot the signs of metastatic breast cancer as soon as possible to ensure that suitable treatment can start immediately. Symptoms of metastatic breast cancer The initial stages of breast cancer typically do not exhibit any symptoms. Once the symptoms begin to appear, they are most likely to include a strange formation or lump in the breast or under the armpits. In the case of inflammatory breast cancer, the symptoms can include redness or swelling in and around the breast area as well as a mild sensation of pain. When breast cancer metastasizes, a patient may experience the following symptoms: Development of a lump Changes in the skin such as skin ulceration or dimpling Nipple discharge Pain or discomfort while moving the arms Swelling in the breast or arms Large, hard, and deep lymph nodes under the arm or the neck. Also, the most common signs of metastatic breast cancer are easily noticeable changes in the shape of the affected breast. Here are some advanced symptoms of the condition: Difficulty in sleeping Excessive fatigue Digestion problems Shortness of breath Anxiety or depression A feeling of pain or discomfort Some significant signs of metastatic breast cancer One of the most common signs of metastatic breast cancer is difficulty in breathing.
All You Need to Know about Sinus Infection Symptoms

All You Need to Know about Sinus Infection Symptoms

Symptoms of sinus infections are often confused with those of a common cold. They are more persistent than the symptoms of common cold and can take longer to get cured. Although sinus infections are not caused due to a common cold, it can sometimes be a foundation for sinus infections. Symptoms of a Sinus Infection The most common symptoms of sinus are as follows There is a pressure of the sinuses that is felt at the back of the eyes and cheeks. Infection of the eye socket is possible. This may be followed by loss of sight. There may be incidental fever as well as severe illness. The pain worsens when the person is bending over or lying down. A runny nose could persist for longer than a week. A headache that is worsening or a toothache might occur. There may be an infection in the forehead bones known as osteomyelitis along with other bones of the face. Fever, bad breath, and cough are clear sinus allergy signs. Problems with the middle ear may arise as well. With the nasal passages being congested, there is a possibility of infections that might occur in the middle ear. This is accompanied by dizziness as well as a sense of vibration and a heavy feeling in the head. There is secretion of yellowish-green mucus from your nose and there may be blood or pus in it. Fatigue that is not usually faced. A reduced sense of smell. Sinus Infections as per their Location The types of paranasal sinuses can be pairs of frontal, maxillary, ethmoidal as well as sphenoidal. There is a further subdivision of the ethmoidal sinuses into posterior as well as anterior sinuses. The maxillary sinuses cause pressure and pain in the maxilla or cheek. This results in headaches or toothaches.
You Will Not Believe This Common Condition Is One of the Brain Tumor Symptoms

You Will Not Believe This Common Condition Is One of the Brain Tumor Symptoms

You know about headaches and seizures, but did you know that this common condition is one of the brain tumor symptoms you ought to watch out for? Brain tumors manifest in symptoms for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, the brain is a very compact organ, and there is little to no space to accommodate the growth of other tissue inside the brain. Secondly, depending on exactly where they are growing inside the brain, these tumors push against and impose pressure on certain parts, and cause varying symptoms. Perhaps, the most common early warning symptom of brain tumors is a headache . Headaches may be severe to start off with, or may have a tendency to worsen early in the morning or after any activity. The second most commonly reported symptom of brain tumors is seizures or fits. Also known as convulsion, motor seizures are characterized by sudden involuntary movements of the muscles in a person’s body. Depending on the area that the tumor is pushing against, you may experience different types of seizures. The most common ones are myoclonic and tonic-clonic or Grand Mal seizures. Less common brain tumor symptoms include changes in sensory perceptions without being unconscious, personality/memory changes, nausea and vomiting and fatigue . Most of these brain tumor symptoms have been spoken about much, and there is plenty of awareness regarding these. However, there are rare brain tumor symptoms that you probably do not even know about. One of these rare brain tumor symptoms is a common condition that is known to affect millions of people across the globe. Secret Brain Tumor Symptoms A 54-year-old woman found herself enjoying daily activities lesser than usual. She ended up spending more and more time simply lying down in bed, unable to get up and just live her life.
Everything You Need to Know about Adult Onset Asthma

Everything You Need to Know about Adult Onset Asthma

With an alarming increase in the number of patients with adult onset asthma, it is important to have enough knowledge about the illness, its varied causes, prevention, and correct treatment. In general, asthma is detected in early childhood. However, in certain cases, an individual beyond the age of 20 years may be diagnosed with asthma, this condition is termed as adult onset asthma. Symptoms of asthma can occur at any point of time in life, and not necessarily only during childhood. Asthma is a disease where the sensitive airways have increased responsiveness towards various kinds of triggers such as allergens and irritants that obstruct the functioning of the airways. The muscles around the airways begin to contract and narrow the airway lining. The lining inside the airways experiences inflammation that causes the inner lining to swell up and secrete increased levels of mucus. This then causes extreme difficulty, and asthma symptoms such as coughing, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, and wheezing. Depending on the severity of the illness, the types of adult onset asthma are categorized as: Mild intermittent asthma Mild persistent asthma Moderate persistent asthma Severe persistent asthma Adults have lowered lung capacity, which means that the volume of air that one can inhale and exhale within a second is much lower as compared to when they were younger. This also occurs due to the stiffening of chest walls and changes in the muscle structure after reaching middle age. Due to this decreased capacity, adult onset asthma often goes unnoticed by various doctors. Diagnoses can be done for adult onset asthma by investigating the patient’s medical history, clarifying the symptoms, and by using a spirometer to perform a lung functioning test. There are several triggers that lead to severe asthma attacks, such as climatic changes (dry/cold environments), vigorous exercises, hormonal changes, exposure to dust, animals, etc.
Watch Out for These Strange Bleeding Disorders

Watch Out for These Strange Bleeding Disorders

Bleeding disorders can cause abnormal bleeding inside and outside the patient’s body. You probably do not know about these strange bleeding disorders. Bleeding disorders occur when the blood clotting process of the body is damaged. As a result of this breakdown, some patients may bleed profusely inside or from their joints, muscles, and other areas of the body. Platelets are a type of blood cells that stick to each other and form a plug in areas where injured blood cells are located. Proteins are the blood clotting factors that help in the formation of a fibrin clot called a gel plug which helps the blood platelets stick in place. Not only does this promote healing in the injured blood vessels, it also helps prevent the blood from escaping outside the blood vessels. Bleeding disorders are generally caused due to reasons like low red blood cells count, deficiency of vitamin K, anticoagulants (medicines that can interfere with the blood clotting process) and also as a result of certain after-effects of traumas or injuries. The following are the 2 most prevalent types of bleeding disorders in the world: Von Willebrand Disease This is a type of a bleeding disorder that is inherited. It occurs when the protein that helps in the clotting process (named the Von Willebrand factor in the blood) and which is also responsible for carrying other clotting properties is absent or not functioning properly. Von Willebrand bleeding disorders can be categorized in three types, namely type1, 2 and 3. Of these, type 1 is the mildest form of the bleeding disorder, while type 3 is the most severe condition. Women are more commonly diagnosed with this type of bleeding disorder, especially during menstruation. Intake of drugs containing aspirin and ibuprofen without a doctor’s approval is strictly not recommended for patients suffering this bleeding disorder as it may cause aggressive bleeding in the patient.
You Should be Aware of These Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension

You Should be Aware of These Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a form of high blood pressure that affects the pulmonary arteries that carry the blood from the heart to the lungs. Beware of these symptoms of pulmonary hypertension because it can ultimately lead to heart failure. Pulmonary hypertension occurs when the arteries that carry blood from the heart to your lungs, called pulmonary arteries, are blocked, narrowed, or destroyed. Because of this, it is harder for the blood to flow through your lungs, which increases the pressure in these arteries. When there is a constriction in the arteries, your heart has to work harder in order to compensate. This eventually leads to weakened heart muscles that ultimately stop, resulting in heart failure. It takes several months or even years for the narrowing in the arteries to be severe enough for the pressure to build up. This is the reason why it may take years for you to notice the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is an illness that becomes worse over a period of time, and can sometimes also be fatal. There is no cure for this serious disorder, but the treatment options available help reduce the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension, thereby improving the quality of your life. It is often difficult to diagnose pulmonary hypertension in its early stages because it cannot be detected in a regular physical exam. In its advanced stage, the symptoms of pulmonary hypertension are very similar to the symptoms of other lung and heart conditions. Some examples of the tests used to diagnose this form of hypertension are Doppler echocardiogram, chest X-ray, blood tests, and pulmonary function test. Once the diagnosis is done, the treatment plans require regular follow-up with your doctor. The doctor may even need to change your treatment method if it is not effective any longer. Some of the standard pulmonary hypertension medications include vasodilators, anticoagulants, diuretics, and high-dose calcium channel blockers.