5 mistakes to avoid before bed for better sleep

5 mistakes to avoid before bed for better sleep

Have you ever woken up feeling tired and lethargic despite sleeping for seven to eight hours at night? It could be due to poor sleep quality. Disturbed sleep influences the rest of your day: how you think, your performance at work, and other tasks. The causes of poor sleep are many, including a faulty mattress, distractions in your room, or a heavy dinner. Avoiding the following mistakes before bed can help you sleep better: Staring at a screen Using gadgets close to bedtime is probably the most common mistake in the digital age. The blue light emitted from screens affects the production of a specific hormone responsible for inducing sleep and regulating the circadian rhythm. Apart from the blue light emission, the television or mobile phone sound can be a distraction that keeps you awake. High noise levels create lots of mental stimulation and disturbance, preventing the brain from shutting down. Hence, it is advisable to avoid using phones, televisions, and laptops for at least an hour before bed. Exercising Exercise is among the best solutions for good health, but you must do it at the right time. Physical activity late in the evening or at night hampers sleep patterns by increasing stress and raising body temperature.
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Migraine – Ways to manage the condition

Migraine – Ways to manage the condition

Migraine headaches are a devitalizing experience. It completely saps the person of energy and prevents them from being productive during these episodes. There is usually a build-up to a migraine attack which is different for every individual. The phase before the actual migraine attack is known as the aura, and people may report seeing flashes of light or experiencing a tingling sensation. Below are some options for treating migraine headaches: Treatment options Nurtec Nurtec is a treatment option that helps relieve some symptoms of migraines. It reduces the severity of headaches and sensitivity to light. Nurtec is usually taken on alternate days to prevent migraines and other pain associated with the condition. Ubrelvy Ubrelvy, a fast pain-relief, is a treatment option that blocks calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the body. CGRP is associated with migraine attacks, and suppressing it goes a long way in treating the condition.  Excedrin This pain reliever does not just treat migraine headaches but also pain in other parts of the body. Excedrin provides fast pain relief to the patient. Qulipta Qulipta is a treatment option that helps prevent migraines over a more extended period. However, medical professionals do not recommend this treatment option to people suffering from kidney or liver problems.
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6 household plants that are toxic to dogs

6 household plants that are toxic to dogs

As a pet parent, you probably pet-proofed your home before getting a dog or a cat. You ensure that the animals have no access to the chocolates, the antifreeze, the repellents, and even put all the hazardous toys out of their reach. But, most of us forget about plants. Read on to know how those seemingly safe and aesthetic potted plants in your home or yard can be toxic for your pet dog: 6 household plants to keep way from your dogs Sago palm The sago palm plant is a very common sight in households worldwide. Its leafy green aesthetic makes it the perfect addition to your indoor plant collection. It is also effortless to care for, making it a popular plant choice for homes. But, you may want to remove it or steer clear of it if you have a dog. This is simply because sago palm is toxic to dogs. It contains an element known as cycasin, which, if consumed, can lead to a wide range of symptoms or be fatal. If your dog has ingested this plant, you may note symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, loss of balance, and even seizures. In worse cases, consuming the sago palm plant can also lead to liver failure or death.
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4 useful ways to manage Parkinson’s disease

4 useful ways to manage Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s is a nervous system disorder that affects around seven to ten million people worldwide. It occurs due to damage to specific nerve cells in the brain. The condition inhibits movement and leads to symptoms like tremors, stiffness, balance problems, and slurred or soft speech. These emerge gradually and may not be noticeable at the start. While the disease has no cure, the following treatments, meal plans, lifestyle tips, and therapies help manage Parkinson’s symptoms: Treatment options Treatment is necessary to manage the condition and must be started immediately after diagnosis. The popular options are: RYTARY RYTARY helps manage Parkinson’s symptoms like difficulty moving, shakiness, and stiffness. It contains two compounds: carbidopa and levodopa. Levodopa increases the levels of dopamine in the brain, a hormone necessary for normal brain function. On the other hand, carbidopa prevents levodopa   breakdown. It also helps lower levodopa side effects ,  like vomiting and nausea. The dosage of RYTARY is usually thrice a day, but one must consult a doctor before using it. It should not be chewed or crushed but swallowed as a whole to lower the risks of side effects. ONGENTYS ONGENTYS is an oral treatment usually used once daily at bedtime or as the doctor recommends. It has a substance called opicapone that improves the effects of levodopa and allows the brain to get more of it.
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Atopic dermatitis – 4 ways to manage the condition

Atopic dermatitis – 4 ways to manage the condition

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic skin disorder identified by itchy, dry, and inflamed skin. This condition begins in childhood and sometimes lingers through adulthood. Unfortunately, there is no clarity on the cause of atopic dermatitis. During a flare-up, the symptoms and inflammation can get worse when scratched. Despite no definitive cure, some treatment options can manage the symptoms. Let us look at the treatment methods, meal plans, and natural remedies to ease the condition: Treatment options DUPIXENT ® It is a prescription treatment that can help treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis signs. You can use it alone or with other treatment measures. It is an interleukin inhibitor. You can find the  DUPIXENT ® injection as a preservation-free, sterile, slightly opalescent to clear, yellow or colorless solution. But, this treatment option can result in severe side effects like pink eye, injection site reactions, new-onset or worsening eye symptoms, cold, and headache. This treatment option should be administered under professional care and supervision. In addition, consult the doctor for the recommended dosage. Upadacitinib and Eucrisa It is an oral Janus kinase (JAK)1-selective inhibitor that helps with severe atopic dermatitis, especially in patients who did not respond to other treatment measures.
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4 ways to relieve constipation

4 ways to relieve constipation

When constipated, one’s bowel movements become difficult and infrequent. People with constipation find it challenging to pass stool and can experience hard stool, bloating, or even nausea. Not having enough fiber or fluids can cause constipation, and factors like pregnancy, traveling, sedentary lifestyle, and stress can also increase the risk of developing this condition. Constipation is usually treatable and can be managed using the following treatment options, foods, and lifestyle changes: Treatment options Doctors can prescribe laxatives and other such options based on the severity of the condition. Here are a few popular options to treat constipation: Linzess:  This increases the fluid content in the intestines, which accelerates the food movement through the gut. It also helps improve stool consistency and eases symptoms like discomfort, abdominal pain, straining, bloating, and feeling of incomplete bowel movements. Doctors recommend taking Linzess orally, at least half an hour before one’s first meal. Movantik:  This option is prescribed to cure the kind of constipation that is a side effect of other treatment options that target non-cancer pain. Movantik curtails the impact of the other prescription treatments on the gut without blocking their effect on pain. This is an oral prescription treatment that should be taken on an empty stomach   an hour before a meal or two hours after one.
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3 effective ways to manage high cholesterol levels

3 effective ways to manage high cholesterol levels

Cholesterol is a fatty substance in the blood that helps the body function. But excess, usually over 240 mg/dl, is harmful. High cholesterol affects nearly 40 percent of our country’s adult population. The leading causes include a meal plan high in saturated fat, a sedentary lifestyle, and stress. The ailment has no symptoms, making it hard to detect without a blood test. Here are the treatments, meal plans, and lifestyle tips for managing cholesterol levels: Treatment options There are two types of cholesterol: good cholesterol (also known as high-density lipoprotein or HDL) and bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein or LDL). High levels of bad cholesterol are more harmful, and most treatments aim to reduce its amount in the blood. Two popular treatment options are: LIVALO® LIVALO ®  is an FDA-approved option for adults. It helps lower bad cholesterol by limiting the liver’s ability to produce it. The treatment works best with a healthy nutrition plan and exercise. The recommended dose for LIVALO ®  is 2 mg daily, but it can go up to a maximum of 4 mg. Patients should consult a doctor to determine the correct dosage. It can have side effects like back pain and constipation. Repatha® Repatha® helps lower bad cholesterol by limiting the ability of a particular protein responsible for regulating the amount of cholesterol.
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5 foods that can play a role in lowering cancer risk

5 foods that can play a role in lowering cancer risk

Cancer is an umbrella term that covers a wide range of conditions that are caused due to the rapid multiplication of abnormal or damaged cells in the body. The condition can originate in any part of the body and the cells usually spread or invade nearby organs, tissues, and muscles. While the exact cause of cancer is unknown, following specific food plans, as given below, can help reduce the risk of developing this condition: 5 foods that can help lower the risk of cancer Broccoli If you’re looking for a superfood that can help you lower your chances of cancer, you could try broccoli. An integral part of many healthy recipes, broccoli contains tons of antioxidants and vital nutrients that keep the body healthy. It also contains sulforaphane, which is known to have many strong anti-cancer properties. Studies conducted by the National Institute of Health have shown that sulforaphane can reduce the size as well the number of cancer cells in the breast by almost 75%. They also found that treating mice with sulforaphane reduced the prostate cancer cells and the volume of the tumor by greater than 50%. More research is needed to understand the role of sulforaphane in the fight against cancer.
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Best and worst foods for age-related macular degeneration

Best and worst foods for age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration is an eye disease that affects the macula, a part of the retina at the back of the eye. The disease becomes worse over time and leads to blindness. While foods cannot correct macular degeneration-related vision changes, certain foods can help slow vision loss and maintain eye health. Similarly, certain foods are bad for eye health. Some of the foods to eat and avoid are as follows: Foods to eat Here are some of the best foods one can eat to combat macular degeneration: Salmon This fatty fish is high in two types of omega-3 fatty acids: EPA and DHA. These fats help fight inflammation, which is thought to play a role in the disease. In addition, they can also help reduce bad cholesterol levels, which are associated with the development of this eye condition. Besides salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, and tuna, are also high in omega-3s. Spinach Among other beneficial nutrients, spinach contains plenty of carotenoids, especially lutein and zeaxanthin. These carotenoids are also found in the macula, where they help protect the cells necessary for vision. A great way to boost the number of carotenoids in the eyes is to load up on spinach and other leafy greens like kale, collard greens, and broccoli.
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8 foods that trigger arthritis flareups

8 foods that trigger arthritis flareups

Arthritis is a leading cause of joint problems among adults across the country. Such a collection of conditions usually results in pain, stiffness, swelling, and inflammation in the vital joints. Many trigger factors of arthritis, including certain foods and beverages, could worsen the symptoms to a level of intolerance. Here are eight common food triggers that should be taken in moderation or eliminated to manage arthritis in the long run. Fatty foods Processed foods bought off the shelves in the supermarket contain omega-6 fatty acids, saturated fats, and trans fats. For example, corn, hydrogenated vegetable, safflower, and sunflower oils contain excess amounts of omega 6. These are some of the most commonly used products in daily cooking, meaning unhealthy fats are indirectly taken. Also, meat and dairy products contain saturated fats that could trigger cholesterol problems. And most of the prepared foods and snacks contain traces of trans fats that add flavor to the food but make it very unhealthy to have regularly. Any form of processed fat can trigger inflammation among those suffering from arthritis. It is best to limit or moderate having these foods. Sugar and sugary products Sugar triggers inflammatory pain in people with arthritis, which does not always mean the sugar added to tea, coffee, or when used as a condiment for popular foods.
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