5 things to avoid doing before bedtime for quality sleep

5 things to avoid doing before bedtime for quality sleep

Sleep is crucial for good health. It refreshes the body and mind and provides energy to carry out daily tasks. But unfortunately, many people find it hard to get quality sleep, which affects their overall health. Several factors, such as ongoing treatment or underlying health conditions, can affect a person’s sleep. But for some people, an unhealthy pre-sleep routine is the cause. Here are five things to avoid doing before bedtime for sound sleep: Staring at a screen If you stare at your mobile, TV, or laptop screens before bedtime, you might struggle to sleep well. LED screens of digital devices emit blue and white light that lower a particular hormone released by the brain called melatonin. This hormone is required to feel drowsy and fall asleep. When the release of melatonin is reduced, sleep quality is hampered, and you cannot fall asleep quickly. Research says that exposure to any light before bedtime is unhealthy, but blue light has the most harmful effects on sleep. So, avoid it as much as possible before bedtime. Exercising Heavy exercises just before bedtime can harm your sleep quality. When our body prepares for bedtime, the temperature starts to fall, heart rate reduces, and the brain slows down.
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Leukemia – 3 ways to manage the condition

Leukemia – 3 ways to manage the condition

Leukemia, or blood cancer, originates in the bone marrow. It is a condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of white blood cells. It differs from other types of cancer that are marked by the presence of a tumor. There are four types of the condition – acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The condition is incurable, but following these tips can help manage the disease better:   Getting Treated The patient must be put on the right treatment immediately after diagnosing the condition. TASIGNA® (nilotinib) and BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) are two prescribed treatments for leukemia.    TASIGNA ® (nilotinib) This is advised for newly diagnosed adults with Philadelphia chromosome Chronic Myeloid Leukemia or Ph+ CML-CP. It is also recommended for adults who cannot tolerate or are not benefiting from other treatments. Children above 1 year who are newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia or those who are not benefiting from other therapies are also advised to try this treatment. It was approved in 2007 and has helped treat about 28,000 people in the US with the condition Ph+ CML-CP.   BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) This is advised for adults and kids with B-cell precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
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3 tips to combat cold and flu attacks

3 tips to combat cold and flu attacks

The common cold and flu are both viral infections that affect the respiratory tract. While the symptoms of the conditions are the same, the flu is more severe. Patients experience sore throats, congestion, coughing, chest pain, headaches, sneezing, and high fevers. Although the conditions are common, they can be fatal if not managed. Thankfully, there are many ways to control the symptoms of a cold and the flu. The top three ways are: Begin the treatment Once the symptoms start to show, you must consult with a certified health practitioner and start your treatment. Fever, aches, and chills are pretty common symptoms of the cold and flu. Two common treatments prescribed by the doctor, in this case, are XOFLUZA® and TAMIFLU®.    XOFLUZA® It is a prescription treatment that is advised for people aged over 12 years. It is advised for people exhibiting the symptoms for not more than 48 hours. It is also prescribed for people aged 12 years and older who have been in touch with someone suffering from a cold or flu since the virus is highly contagious. Doctors do not prescribe this treatment for children below 12 years of age as it is still unknown if it is effective for kids in this age group.   TAMIFLU® It is an antiviral treatment that fights the virus in the body, stopping it from multiplying.
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3 effective tips for dealing with melanoma

3 effective tips for dealing with melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can develop into a serious condition as it tends to spread quickly. It accounts for about 1% of all skin cancers in the country. The Skin Cancer Foundation suggests that 197,700 melanoma cases will be detected in 2022. However, it is a highly curable disease when detected in the early stages. Further, the disease can be managed through the following treatment options, food choices, and remedies: Choosing the right treatment options The disease is also known as black tumor and is an invasive kind of cancer. When detected, one should get a proper diagnosis to initiate the treatment as quickly as possible, as early detection and treatment can help cure the disease. It is imperative to follow the healthcare expert’s advice in this regard. They may recommend the following option: Opdivo: This treatment is recommended for adults with advanced melanoma. It is prescribed to treat melanoma, cancer of the lungs, kidneys, lymphocytes, urinary tract and bladder cancer, head and neck, colon or rectum, esophagus, and stomach. This is recommended for patients affected by melanoma that has advanced or spread to other organs. Here, surgical methods would have been ruled out. The option is administered to patients intravenously.
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4 effective tips to manage lung cancer

4 effective tips to manage lung cancer

Lung cancer is a form of cancer that starts in the lungs. All of us have two spongy chest organs via which we inhale oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Lung cancer is one of the world’s top causes of cancer deaths. Some lung cancer symptoms include trouble breathing, chest discomfort or pain, wheezing, a cough that does not go away, and hoarseness. Read the article to know more about lung cancer, and its management options: Treating Lung Cancer Here are some tips for managing lung cancer: Treatment Options Here are the three most common prescription treatments to manage lung cancer: Gavreto: It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment option for treating cancers caused by specific gene changes. It comes as capsules and is orally consumed. It is available in a single strength of 100 mg. Gavreto contains pralsetinib and is a RET inhibitor. Doctors prescribe Gavreto for metastatic NSCLC (Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer) that has rearranged RET genes or mutated. Doctors recommend a dosage of 400 mg once daily. It implies you will take four tablets at a time. Pralsetinib: It is another prescription remedy for treating metastatic NSCLC. Even patients with RET fusion-positive gene tumors also opt for Pralsetinib. Before prescribing Pralsetinib, the medical professional conducts a test to assess the RET gene fusion.
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Top causes for excessive sweating

Top causes for excessive sweating

Sweating is body’s way to cool down when you experience excess heat. You may also sweat when you feel afraid or nervous, primarily due to inactivity or an average temperature. This is called excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis, scientifically. While there are several reasons for excessive body sweats, there is no proper cure, although getting diagnosed at the right time may help. Learn more about the causes of excessive sweating and the possible treatments and therapies. Signs of hyperhidrosis Firstly, you may experience sweating even when you are inactive or if your body temperature is average. Most hyperhidrosis patients sweat on one or two body parts. These include hands, feet, head, or underarms. Other features of the body mostly remain dry. Another symptom related to excessive sweating is the amount of body sweat. More often than not, you are likely to find your clothes dripping wet, and you will have difficulty holding a pen in case of sweaty hands. As your body sweats for extended periods, your skin will likely turn soft, peeling, and wet. Besides, skin problems like jock itch are not uncommon in such conditions. Moreover, the social embarrassment you face due to uncontrolled sweating is worse.  Types of hyperhidrosis Hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating is mainly of two types:
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4 effective ways to manage hair loss

4 effective ways to manage hair loss

Alopecia, or in colloquial terms,  hair loss, is a condition impacting over 80 million people in the country. Several causes of hair loss may include genetics, excessive stress, hormonal fluctuations caused by menopause or pregnancy, harmful haircare like bleaching or perms, chemotherapy, fungal infections, thyroid disease, and many more. Even though not all types of hair loss  (like cicatricial alopecia) are reversible, here are some key ways to manage them. Consult a health professional without delay Shedding 100 strands per day is expected in humans. With new strands replacing the older ones, the loss of previous strands hardly makes any difference. However, receding lines or thinning regions can be observed on the scalp when little or no hair grows back to replace the lost strands. This is when the patient must consult a health professional to ascertain the cause of their hair loss and seek appropriate treatment. To identify the exact cause of alopecia, the doctor may inquire about the patient’s genetic history, hair care routine, and food habits. Besides that, they may also conduct a physical examination along with tests like a pull test, blood test, light microscopy, and scalp biopsy. Depending on the type of hair loss the patient suffers, the health professional will prescribe specific treatment plans comprising oral prescriptions and surgeries.
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3 fruit intake tips for people with diabetes

3 fruit intake tips for people with diabetes

Fruits are an important source of nutrients that humans need. Having these natural desserts is a delicious way of satisfying sudden bouts of hunger, which is a common symptom that people with diabetes experience. However, fruits may contain carbs and sugar. So, can diabetes patients have them to satisfy their sweet cravings and nutritional needs? While they can add certain fruits to their nutritional regimen, here are some tips that people with diabetes should follow: Choose the right fruits Adding fruits to one’s meals when affected by diabetes requires caution, as one has to avoid foods that can negatively affect their blood sugar levels. Nevertheless, one must try to opt for fresh fruits. Alternatively, people can choose frozen fruits or those packed in their juice. However, processed fruits in cans and jars should be avoided as they can come with added sugars, which can raise the glucose levels in diabetes patients. One should check the food labels to avoid buying food products with added sugar. Sugar can be added to a product in different forms, including cane sugar, corn sweetener, invert sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and dextran. Here are some of the safest and healthiest fruit choices for people with the condition:
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Alzheimer’s disease – 3 tips for caregivers

Alzheimer’s disease – 3 tips for caregivers

Alzheimer’s is a neurologic disorder that progressively causes the brain cells to deteriorate. This condition’s repercussions are dementia, which makes functioning independently quite cumbersome. One’s behavioral, social, and thinking skills are affected, and the country has about 5.8 million people over 65 suffering from the disease. Alzheimer’s worsens with age, as more than 80% of patients are aged 75 and above. Here are three tips caregivers should follow to slow the progression of this condition: Ensuring a balanced meal plan Caregivers need to remember that there is no special nutritional regime for patients in such cases. Healthy foods and a balanced meal plan are enough to keep them strong. The presence of certain nutrients that have neuroprotective effects. And leafy green vegetables like lettuce, cabbage, and kale can help against age-related cognitive decline. Vegetables like Brussels sprouts and cauliflower contain nutrients that act against Alzheimer’s symptoms, like vitamin B and carotenoids. Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cherries are rich in anthocyanin, which helps protect the brain cells and reduce cognitive decline. These berries are also rich in anti-inflammatory agents like antioxidants and vitamins. Whole grains are rich in vitamin E, which lowers the risk of dementia. Antioxidant elements in this food reduce the buildup of beta-amyloid proteins, one of the factors responsible for the disease. Beans are a recommended part of nutrition because they are rich in protein and fiber and low in fat and calories.
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3 tips that help manage depression

3 tips that help manage depression

Depression, one of the common mental disorders, affects about 5% of the global population. There are three stages of the disorder, namely mild, moderate, and severe. The moderate and severe forms can impact a person’s daily routine. In many cases, severely depressed people can feel suicidal. About 17.3 million people suffer from depression, and the disorder is more prevalent in females than males. These are the three ways to help manage mental disorders: Get treated   Although challenging and long-term, the illness is treatable. Getting the proper treatment at the right time can make a crucial difference to the quality of life. REXULTI and CAPLYTA are two proven treatment methodologies that have benefited many.    REXULTI This is a psychiatric treatment belonging to the atypical antipsychotics class and is used for treating certain mental illnesses, including depression. It typically re-instates some of the natural chemicals in the brain and helps deal with everyday situations by controlling thoughts, nervousness, and hallucinations. It also positively influences the person’s energy levels, enhancing appetite, mood, and sleep quality. Caplyta This is another treatment that has proven results in the case of bipolar and depression. It is advised for adults and is used for treating patients suffering from bipolar I and II.
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