Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is the inflammation of joints, leading to cartilage degeneration. It is an autoimmune disease wherein the immune system attacks the body’s tissues and can be caused by the wear and tear of the joints. It is estimated that more than 20 percent, which is over 50 million people, get diagnosed with rheumatic conditions like arthritis. Here are some things to avoid in daily lives for better management of rheumatoid arthritis. Leading a sedentary lifestyle A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis. Lack of movement can weaken the joints, making it challenging to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors recommend doing some light intensity exercises to relieve pain due to arthritis and help build stronger joints. Bad posture Bad body posture can put excess weight on weakened joints, which can worsen rheumatoid arthritis. A good body posture reduces the pressure on the joints, thereby reducing other symptoms like excess joint pain and trouble walking or doing simple chores. Wearing high heels High heels can put a lot of pressure on the hips and knees. This can aggravate arthritis symptoms. The cartilage around the joints can get damaged further, resulting in pain and inflammation. Performing high-intensity exercises Joints tend to weaken with age, and performing specific exercises damages the weakened joints and aggravates rheumatoid arthritis caused by inflammation triggered by exercising. Consuming refined carbohydrates Refined carbohydrates such as white flour, rice, pasta, pizza, and many breakfast cereals have little to no nutrient value. Having too many sources of refined carbohydrates in one’s meals can increase and worsen arthritis symptoms. Consuming refined carbohydrates with refined sugar in the form of pastries and cakes can be even more harmful, as they can increase inflammation and pain. Eating processed foods Processed foods contain high amounts of preservatives in the form of MSG (monosodium glutamate).

A good night’s rest is crucial for good health. Many individuals invest in amazing mattresses to ensure that they sleep well. But even after purchasing the best mattresses from Tempur-Pedic, Saatva, Sleep Number, Serta Mattress, or Essentia Mattress, many struggle to sleep well. This is because there are many daily habits that affect the quality and quantity of sleep. Read on to find out what they are and why they should be avoided before bedtime: Blue light exposure One of the biggest causes of poor sleep is exposure to blue light from laptop or phone screens. Blue light is the visible light spectrum range and is emitted from all mobile and laptop devices. This light is very damaging. It can block the brain from releasing melatonin, which is responsible for maintaining the body’s natural sleep cycle. Without melatonin, the individual can have trouble falling and staying asleep. Aside from sleep, too much blue light exposure can also increase your risk of cancer, so it’s best to put your phones down for a few hours before you hit the sack. Drinking too much caffeine Beverages such as coffee and tea are great to help keep you awake and alert, thanks to the caffeine present in them. Caffeine increases the adrenaline in the body, making you function better and keeping your up longer. But, too much caffeine can wreck the body’s circadian rhythm. This means that it affects your sleep and can reset your body’s clock. When it comes to sleep, caffeine can reduce the number of hours you get to sleep. So, it’s best to limit your intake of foods containing this substance. Napping during the day Short power naps are great for the body. They enhance your memory, improve your cognitive functions, and even help you feel refreshed and recharged to tackle the rest of the day.

Lactating moms should fuel their bodies with the best foods so the child grows healthier. During the time of breastfeeding, the mother’s body is making milk 24 hours per day. Generally, breastfeeding moms feel hungry ever so often. This appetite comes from the energy the body polishes off for producing milk. High on energy and low on calories, these six superfoods offer adequate nourishment for the mother and the child. Avocados Avocados contain healthy fats that will not only provide you with necessary energy over the course of the day but also assist you in controlling your cholesterol levels. Avocados are also plentiful in protein, vitamin E, and folate, all of which assist in the improvement of your child’s focal sensory system. Nuts Nuts are full of essential minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin B, and vitamin K. They contain fatty acids and protein. Nuts are considered lactogenic in many parts of the world, meaning they are sometimes used to produce breast milk. Legumes or beans Legumes are a versatile food option for breastfeeding mothers, as they are a rich source of folate, iron, protein, vitamins, minerals, phytoestrogens, and fiber. Breastfeeding mothers require extra 25 grams of protein per day. You can snack on hummus or put extra beans in chili. Seafood Seafood is a powerhouse of omega-3 fatty acids, which is essential for brain development in the child. Include salmon, herring, pollock, sardines, and trout in your meals but avoid albacore tuna, swordfish, shark, and king mackerel, as they are high in mercury. Dairy Pregnancy and breastfeeding take away calcium from the bones, so it’s necessary to replenish it. Dairy products such as cheese, milk, and yogurt are good sources of calcium and vitamin D. Aim for a minimum of 3 cups of dairy products each day. Whole grains Lactating mothers should eat at least 8 ounces of whole grain per day if breastfeeding and 6 ounces if they are also formula-feeding.

Bleeding disorders can be quite dangerous and can lead to fatal consequences if neglected. In some instances, such as those with hemophilia, it is vital to know about the right diagnosis and treatment options available to ensure one’s safety and prevent accidents from occurring. This article discusses some tips on keeping a check on the symptoms of a bleeding disorder. These tips help manage the condition daily and prevent complications. Tips to prevent complications from a bleeding disorder Frequent check-ups It is vital to get frequent check-ups done every year, including checking the joints, muscles, and bones. Physical therapy is necessary to prevent any joint pain, and consider visiting a dentist every six months to a year. Get X-rays of the joints to eliminate any other hidden complications. Blood tests Getting a factor level check every once in a while is advisable as it will help with blood clotting function. Ensure to check for inhibitors as well, which can be done every year. Liver tests, complete blood count, and an immune system check are essential to ensure all the vitals are good. Additionally, check for Hepatitis A, B, and C, and if you aren’t vaccinated yet, get the vaccine if the results are negative. Education and awareness Staying aware of the preventive measures and educating those around you regarding bleeding disorders is another step in ensuring mishaps are kept to a minimum. Staying informed about basic treatment options and products as prescribed by the doctors, keeping factor at home during emergencies, maintaining dental hygiene, planning your medical insurance and finances to ensure treatments can be availed, and also keeping the family informed are some of the measures to be taken. While traveling, it is important to ensure that the doctor’s note, diagnosis, and treatment procedure are charted in the documents you carry to ensure the health professional in charge knows what to do in the case of an emergency.

Hemophilia is a rare genetic bleeding disorder that affects a fraction of the people in the country. According to the Centre for Disease Control, roughly 12 out of every 100,000 males are diagnosed with hemophilia A. The bleeding is caused by a missing factor VIII protein, responsible for the blood’s clotting function. This inherited disorder is challenging to manage, and one must take the following precautions, especially while traveling with hemophilia A. Consult with a specialist Always consult with a doctor to understand if traveling with hemophilia A is possible in the first place. One should reconsider if the bleeding symptoms are severe. Some vaccinations for hepatitis A and B are recommended for patients who plan to travel. Doctors also provide a travel letter that explains the disorder for security purposes. Only then can airport officials allow prescriptions and care package supplies on board with the passenger. Prepare a precautionary kit Understand that airline baggage restrictions are not applicable for doctor-approved prescriptions and emergency supplies. So, patients can pack everything conveniently into a carry-on bag. However, it is the patient’s responsibility to label and mark all supplies, as there are certain prescriptions or equipment that cannot be exposed to X-ray scanning at the airport. Also, travel delays can happen, so pack enough to ride out any contingencies. Checklist for supplies The regular checklist should include vials of the prescription, a diluent for preparing thin solutions, and a reconstitution device for mixing the factor VIII solution. Other things include disposable syringes, cleaning alcohol, cotton pads, disinfectant, and a container to dispose of all supplies carefully. Doctors may also recommend additional supplies that need to be packed with the emergency kit. The checklist should also contain a list of hemophilia treatment centers (HTC) along the planned route. National and global HTC directories are available online for reference.

Hemophilia is a rare disorder wherein the blood doesn’t clot as it should due to the lack of sufficient blood-clotting proteins. So a person affected by the condition will experience bleeds for longer spans before clotting occurs. Hemophilia can also trigger internal bleeding, especially bleeding inside the knees, elbows, and ankles that might be life-threatening. Though treatments cannot cure hemophilia, here are five tips to stay healthy when dealing with hemophilia. Eating specific foods The food we eat plays a vital role in providing the necessary nutrition to the body. It also improves one’s overall well-being. As for hemophilia, people affected by the condition must eat foods like oats, whole wheat, barley, brown rice, broccoli, spinach, and dried beans. These foods are abundant in protein, iron, vitamin C, vitamin B12, copper, vitamin B6, and folic acid, which are involved in red blood cell production. Maintaining oral hygiene Brushing teeth is essential for healthy living in patients with hemophilia. Those with the blood disorder can bleed heavily from injuries sustained to their teeth or gums. Therefore, brushing helps stay away from visits to the dentist that may result in gum bleeding. Maintaining oral hygiene also helps eliminate germs from the teeth and gums. Exercising regularly Simple exercises, such as swimming, walking, and cycling, are beneficial to improving a patient’s condition. These exercises promote muscle and bone strength and help maintain healthy BMI. However, contact sports, including football and basketball, are more likely to cause injuries and trigger excessive bleeding. Securing a child from hazards Most children love to play. Therefore, proper care is required when kids go out to play. Parents must ensure their kids wear safety equipment when they go cycling. Kids must also wear a seatbelt whenever they sit in the car. As for the home, avoid sharp corners on furniture or other hazards that may cause them to sustain injuries.

Headaches are quite common, even among children. But the degree of headache may be different during different events. If you’re prone to getting headaches often, it is advised to note the frequency and the degree of pain and symptoms. We emphasize paying close attention to these details as some signs of headaches can indicate an underlying medical condition. This article highlights signs of headaches that could pose a serious problem. Thunderclap This type of headache is characterized by a sudden onset of pain that peaks within 60 seconds. This symptom can have serious underlying issues, such as internal bleeding in the brain. This could easily lead to brain hemorrhage, leading to a stroke or aneurysm. Painkillers and sleep are not the only solutions to this issue. One should call 911 or head straight to the hospital if one experiences this symptom. High fever High fever accompanied by headache is an alarming sign that one needs to watch out for. It usually indicates an infection, run-of-the-mill sinusitis, among other conditions. The doctor would look for more signs before concluding the problem. If one experiences a stiff neck with headache and fever, it is quite possible that it could be meningitis. This complication may also cause confusion and difficulty talking, which needs to be treated immediately.  Pain behind or around the eye Headache with pain in or around the eye that compromises your vision may have an underlying medical condition. This symptom is a sign of acute glaucoma or a build-up of pressure in the eyes that cuts off its blood flow leading to blindness. Any signs related to these characteristics need to be shown to an eye specialist. Temple tenderness If people above 50 experience headaches that are concentrated around the temple area, they may be suffering from giant cell arteritis or temporal arteritis.

High blood sugar, also known as hyperglycemia, is a primary concern for people with diabetes. Diabetes is a chronic health condition affecting about 13% of the adults in the country. Maintaining healthy levels of blood sugar is vital, as raised blood sugar levels for long periods can lead to various complications, including heart, kidney, eye, and nerve diseases. Here are the most effective ways to lower blood sugar for diabetes management: Treatment These prescription treatments can help manage diabetes: GlucoTrust It’s an FDA-approved, 100% natural supplement for type 1 and type 2 diabetes treatment. INVOKANA® INVOKANA® helps control blood sugar and lower the risk of kidney disease in people with type 2 diabetes. Kerendia® This is a once-daily tablet for type 2 diabetics. It helps decrease the rate of kidney damage and the risk of cardiovascular, heart attack, and more. Another effective method to control blood sugar levels is insulin therapy. All people with type 1 diabetes and some of those with type 2 diabetes need to take insulin, which is typically administered through a shot or insulin pump. For better diabetes management, it’s advisable to use tools like the Dexcom G6 Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. It’s a modern, feature-rich device that helps manage diabetes without fingersticks or calibration. Things to avoid It’s crucial to avoid doing anything that can counter an individual’s effort to manage diabetes. This primarily includes steering clear of foods that can raise blood sugar levels and increase the risk of diabetes complications, such as French fries, margarine, white rice, flavored yogurt, and sweetened breakfast cereal. It’s also important to limit or avoid intake of refined carbs, such as cakes, candies, sodas, and fruit juices. One must also limit or avoid processed foods or meats as they’re full of salt and oil. In addition, one should not exercise on an empty or full stomach and try not to miss any oral prescription treatment. Apart from these factors, it is also crucial to avoid stress.

Migraines develop with a throbbing pulsating pain on one side of the head. People with such headaches also experience nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Migraine is the third most diagnosed condition in the world, with roughly 39 million people suffering from such headaches in the United States. While migraines cannot be cured, making changes in daily meals and lifestyle and including prescriptions can manage the symptoms. Here are four useful tips that help Get prescribed treatments Excedrin® belongs to a class of painkillers that counter inflammation and provide relief from severe pain. Nurtec® ODT is a fast-acting migraine relief oral prescription that is effective within the first two hours. Ubrelvy® belongs to a class of CGRP receptor antagonists prescribed for people with acute migraine with and without aura. And Qulipta® is mainly suggested for patients with episodic migraines; it works by actively blocking CGRP proteins known to trigger severe chronic headaches. Have the right foods Hypoglycemia, commonly known as low blood sugar, can trigger headaches due to a sudden decrease in metabolic activity. In this case, eating ripe bananas provides the body with energy and is beneficial for a quick recovery. Black beans help regulate blood sugar levels, and watermelon is an excellent choice that helps prevent dehydration from triggering migraine attacks. Doctors generally recommend including more magnesium-rich foods to counter nutrient deficiencies. Spinach, Swiss chard, avocado, tuna, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, and flax seeds are excellent sources of this mineral. Also, beverages like tea and coffee contain caffeine, an effective quick fix for migraine relief. Make some lifestyle changes A poor sleep cycle is one of the main triggers of migraine. One must take adequate rest and maintain good sleep hygiene. Regular exercise also boosts metabolism and increases energy levels. In fact, any form of physical activity helps release “feel-good” hormones called Endorphins that improve overall mood.

Prostate cancer develops in the prostate gland and spreads to other body parts. There are about 268,490 new cases of prostate cancer each year. Each person experiences varied symptoms, but erectile dysfunction and bone pain are two of the significant signs of the condition. If detected early, it is possible to slow the progression. Here are a few treatment options, food habits and lifestyle tips that may help manage the symptoms of prostate cancer: Chalk out a treatment plan with your doctors Once the cancer is diagnosed, it is imperative to start the treatment process immediately. Here are two prescriptions that may be recommended by the doctor to treat prostate cancer. Xofigo® (radium Ra 223 dichloride) It is administered as an injection to treat prostate cancer that no longer responds to hormonal or surgical treatment for testosterone reduction. Xofigo® is further given to individuals where prostate cancer and its symptoms have spread to the bone but not yet reached other parts of the body.  XTANDI® (enzalutamide) XTANDI® is administered orally to patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and those with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC). XTANDI® must be given once a day as per the doctor’s prescription. Erleada® Erleada® is an FDA-approved prescription suggested for managing prostate cancer that has spread to other parts of the body post metastasis. It is also prescribed for patients whose cancer has not spread beyond the prostate but who remain unresponsive to surgical treatments done for lowering cancer risk. 5 foods to eat Garlic Allium foods like garlic are rich in cancer-combating compounds like allicin, flavonoids, selenium, and allyl sulfides. These plant compounds together promote antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory responses to lower cancer risk. Berries Cranberries, blueberries, and strawberries are loaded with rich antioxidants that help fight free radical damage caused by cancer cells.

Osteoporosis is a condition in which people experience the weakening of bones. It causes the bones to turn porous and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures. An estimated 54 million people have this health condition. Although the condition is prevalent in both men and women, factors like menopause make women more susceptible. Read on to learn more about some management options that can help ease symptoms of osteoporosis and its treatment: Treatment EVENITY® EVENITY® is a commonly prescribed option for postmenopausal osteoporosis patients. It helps lower the risk of fractures by reducing bone loss and simultaneously increasing the formation of new bone. The recommended dosage is one shot every fifteen days to observe significant results. Prolia® Prolia®, a denosumab-containing injection, is used as a treatment option for osteoporosis. It is used to prevent frequent fractures in patients with low bone density. It works by improving the patient’s bone mass and slows down the bone degeneration process. Prolia® is available in pre-filled syringes of 1 ml dosage, which can be used once every six months. Foods to eat and avoid People with osteoporosis are advised to increase the intake of calcium and vitamin D-rich foods in their daily meals. This plays a crucial role in the effectiveness of their treatment. Additionally, foods provide the body with the necessary nutrients to fight the disease. Some foods to be added to regular meals are nuts and seeds, dairy products, vegetables, and lean protein sources. Similarly, wrong food choices can worsen the condition. To avoid any complications, people with osteoporosis are advised to decrease the intake of foods like refined carbohydrates and sugars, desserts, and salty snacks. Regular exercise Exercise is a crucial part of the routine, irrespective of the patient’s age. Regular activity helps keep the bones active and healthy. Physical therapists and health care professionals recommend low-impact activities like swimming, walking, and running.

Hemophilia is a rare, hereditary bleeding condition in which blood may not clot normally when wounded. People with this illness have prolonged or spontaneous bleeding and bruising after an accident, surgery, or other injuries. Even minimal trauma can cause continuous bleeding in hemophilia patients. It can also result in internal bleeding in joints, muscles, brain, or other organs. This article throws light on the ways to manage hemophilia: Treatment options Recombinant factor VIII (8) concentrate The most effective technique to manage hemophilia is to restore the deficient blood clotting factor, allowing the blood to clot normally. Earlier all factor replacement products were made from human plasma. But in 1992, the FDA approved the recombinant factor VIII (8) concentrate, which is genetically engineered through DNA technology and used to treat hemophilia.  Hemlibra® This may also be used to manage it. It works on replacing the function of factor VIII (8) rather than replacing the said missing clot directly. This treatment product is given to patients through an injection.  Kovaltry® Another treatment option is Kovaltry. It helps in replacing the missing clotting factor in adults and children. Kovaltry ®  reduces the frequency of bleeding episodes and is sometimes given after surgery. Foods to eat Hemophilia patients should fill their plates with fruits and vegetables. Dark and green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli, kale, bok choy, and fruits like strawberries, pears, and apples are excellent sources of vitamins, fiber, and minerals. Include orange juice, lean red meat, poultry, fortified cereals, raisins, and apricots as they are rich in calcium and iron.  Foods to avoid Avoid oily foods especially deep-fried meats, chips, and junk foods, as they contain saturated fats, which are unhealthy for the body. High sugar items like cookies, pie, soft drinks, energy drinks, candy, and chocolates should also be restricted. Fish oil and vitamin E supplements should not be consumed by hemophilia A patients as they can prevent the clumping of platelets.