• Health
    4 things you can do to keep heart diseases at bay

    Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S, accounting for over 600,000 deaths each year. The umbrella term heart disease refers to several types of heart conditions and can occur to people of all ages, including children. On a positive note, almost 80% of heart conditions, such as heart attack, heart failure, and stroke, can be prevented if you are willing to make long-term lifestyle changes. Here is what you need to do to keep heart diseases at bay.

    • Become physically active

    Being active for most part of the day is an effective way of keeping your blood pressure in check and preventing heart disease. Experts say that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity workout for five days a week is good enough to strengthen your heart. Becoming physically active is not only limited to exercise; you can go swimming, cycling, rowing, or engage in similar heart-pumping activities to keep your heart healthy. Remember, the more physically active you become, the better it is for your heart. Utilizing modern technologies such as digital watches and mobile apps to track the number of steps and your heart rate can keep you motivated.

    • Eat healthy

    Diet plays a key role in preventing heart diseases, even if you have a genetic predisposition for heart conditions. Changing your diet overnight is virtually impossible, so it’s best to start making little changes to your diet. Creating a diet plan that is rich in raw fruits and vegetables is a great place to begin. You can then include whole grains, olive, and foods rich in omega-3s such as fish. Experts strongly recommended to keep your red meat intake to a minimum or eliminate it completely, if possible, since it worsens your heart condition. You can replace red meat with legumes and nuts to meet your daily protein requirement.

    • Give up smoking

    For those who smoke, this is probably the most crucial step they can take to significantly lower the risk of developing heart disease. Smoking builds up fatty substances called plaque, in the arteries over time, which eventually leads to its hardening or atherosclerosis. It damages your body organs, lowers the amount of good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood, and increases your blood pressure, all of which lead to a heart attack or other heart conditions. People who quit smoking have soon observed their blood pressure levels getting under control. Furthermore, even oxygen supply and blood circulation in the body greatly improved.

    • Managing diabetes and other conditions

    Diabetes is a serious condition that can cause heart disease. If uncontrolled, diabetes can damage multiple organs in your body over time and can lead to peripheral artery disease, stroke, or other serious complications. The best way to manage diabetes is to visit your doctor regularly for checkups, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. Your doctor will likely put you on medication to limit the effects of diabetes and alleviate the risk of developing heart conditions.

    Other conditions like high blood pressure or hypertension, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar can also put you at a greater risk. You must see a doctor if you have either of these conditions and bring them under control so that it does not lead to any heart conditions.

  • Health
    6 foods that boost your immune system

    Your immune system needs to be strong to fight off diseases. A weak immune system will not be able to fight allergies, infections, disorders, and other health problems. Right from fighting and managing common cold to severe health disorders, a strong immune system is essential for a healthy life. To boost the immune system, it is essential to supply the body with important nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin b12, and iron. The body absorbs these nutrients from food, making the inclusion of certain foods in your diet necessary. Read on to know more about the foods you should include in your diet to boost your immune system.

    • Red bell peppers

    Bell peppers are rich sources of Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps you quickly recover from the common cold, flu, and other infections and allergies. Adding red bell peppers to your meals in a day can provide the body with this essential vitamin. Moreover, bell peppers are rich in beta carotene, which is converted to Vitamin A in the body.

    • Citrus fruits

    Vitamin C produces white blood cells, which fight infections and allergies. Citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C. Since the body does not retain vitamin C, it is recommended to have vitamin C-rich food daily. Fruits such as grapefruit, oranges, clementines, tangerines, lemons, and lime are rich sources of vitamin C. Include at least one of these fruits in yo8ur daily diet to boost the immune system.

    • Garlic

    A highly effective immunity booster, garlic is packed with allicin, a sulfur-containing compound. This compound can immensely strengthen your immune system. Adding garlic to food will not only enhance its taste, but also help the body in fighting infections and diseases.

    • Broccoli

    Broccoli is packed with all essential nutrients and vitamins such as antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins A, E, and C. Rather than stir-frying or making it any other way, steaming broccoli will help retain all its nutrients, providing the body with all its health benefits.

    • Spinach

    Rich in a number of antioxidants, beta carotene, and vitamin C, spinach is a supercharged vegetable. Including spinach in the diet increases your immune system’s infection-fighting ability. Similar to broccoli, spinach should not be over-cooked. Eating blanched or raw spinach will provide the body with all the essential nutrients.

    • Yogurt

    A rich probiotic source, yogurt is good for not only the immune system, but also the gut and digestive system. Yogurts with active and live cultures stimulate overall health by giving a boost to the immune system. By taking care of the gut, yogurt also gets rid of toxins from the body. Yogurt fortified with vitamin D builds up the body’s natural defense system and regulates the immune system as well. Avoid packaged yogurt that is sweetened or has any flavor.

  • services
    5 factors to consider while choosing an internet service provider

    With numerous internet service providers out there today, picking the best one for your home or office can get confusing. Many of them promise to deliver the fastest speed, but you must consider other factors as well. Factors like customer services are tricky to judge beforehand, but they contribute to your overall experience with the service provider. Here’s what you must look out for when choosing the best internet services in your area:

    Speed

    A high-speed internet connection is a must in the present times. If you’re going to use the Internet mostly for streaming movies and TV shows, good download speed is essential. Netflix, the world’s leading entertainment streaming service, recommends a download speed of 3 Mbps for streaming content on the platform in SD quality, 5 Mbps for HD quality, and 25 Mbps for Ultra HD quality. However, if you regularly upload videos on YouTube or other websites, you must be more concerned about the upload speed. You may also want to consider switching from a DSL internet connection to cable internet or a fiber-optic connection if you want a better speed.

    Reliability

    A fast internet connection is worthless if it can’t be used when required. You must be able to seamlessly stream the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows, or upload a video or file at the right time. So the reliability of the internet connection is just as important as the speed. Checking the online reviews of internet services can help you understand how reliable a provider is. If you can’t find online reviews, you can personally ask around in your neighborhood.

    Additional costs

    You might want to take a detailed look at any costs beyond the monthly or yearly payment for internet services. Companies can charge for anything from setting up the internet connection to providing add-ons. Some require you to rent a router from them, while others give it for free with the connection. This cost is usually hidden, so ask for the cost break down from the service provider. Also, you might want to avoid purchasing add-ons like antivirus software or firewalls, if they try to sell them. It is recommended that you buy such things from the online market, or use good, free antivirus software for your system.

    Data limitations

    Check whether there is a monthly limit on how much data you can use. You must know that streaming or uploading videos uses up a lot of data, so choose a plan that provides unlimited data usage. However, if you primarily use the Internet for web browsing and emails, a monthly plan with a lower data limit should suffice.


    Customer service

    Excellent customer service ensures long-term satisfaction, but customer support services can be very difficult to judge, especially if the service provider is new. It’s not easy to find a source that can give an unbiased opinion on a particular internet service provider. However, experts suggest looking for survey-based customer service feedback to get a list of the best internet services in your area.

  • Health
    3 common mistakes to avoid for healthy weight management

    The first thought most people have when trying to chalk up a plan for their weight management journey is consuming fewer calories. A close second is to get in some exercise into their routine. Fewer calories, more exercise, perfect plan! But as perfect as that sounds, it’s not all that simple. Just like everything else, weight management comes with a dos and don’ts list.

    While we would all like to think we’re smart enough to plot and plan our weight management journey without any mistakes, it’s surprising how many of us make common mistakes. Read on to know about three mistakes you should definitely avoid the next time you hop on the train to weight loss.

    Weight is just a number
    Weighing oneself on a regular basis might seem like the right way to go, but is it? Regular weight checks are bound to make you feel frustrated, as weight loss is a slow process and might not always go the way you want it to. Plus, there are multiple factors that could affect the daily changes you expect to see on the scale, like muscle gain or menses.
    Instead of standing on the scale looking down on your decisions every day, try weighing yourself once every week. You can also add in tape measures to your routine to really know your progress.

    Restricting and skipping meals
    A new fad diet pops out every now and then on the Internet—the modern-day encyclopedia—these days. Different diets have varying requirements, while some ask you to give up fats, some cut out carbs, and so on. A few diets even require you to bulk up on protein or healthy fats, like they are depleting sources of life. But here’s the thing, fad diets are just that—a fad.
    The sensible approach to weight management is to manage your diet the right way, and include the right amount of macro and micronutrients without compromising on your vegetable and fruit intake. It is essential to choose healthy sources, but treat yourself to some of your guilty pleasures to avoid a binging episode when you succumb to your cravings.

    Overdoing the right things
    When we decide to put our running shoes on, we tend to go the extra mile way too often. The extra mile might just be the cause of damage. Too much of anything is not good, and that’s something we all need to learn. Cardio exercise might seem easier to follow than strength training, but going overboard with cardio won’t get you the results you’re looking for. Likewise, overeating healthy food is not building your health.
    Strength training helps build muscle mass and improves the body’s metabolic activity. So, include a variety of physical activity in your weight management plan to get the kind of results you want. Instead of going all in on those healthy munchies at once, plan your meals and focus on the portion sizes to stay on track. Keep in mind that irrespective of the sources, calories are still calories.

  • Health
    Beneficial and harmful foods for Parkinson’s disease patients

    Parkinson’s disease is a neurological disorder that occurs due to damaged nerve cells, which causes an imbalance in the dopamine levels in the brain. Nearly 1 million Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s, a condition closely related to the dopamine levels. So, apart from being aware of the symptoms and the treatment options for the disease, it is imperative for patients to make the right dietary choices to get relief from the symptoms.

    Foods to eat with Parkinson’s disease
    Here are some foods that should be eaten to keep the symptoms at bay:

    • Foods rich in antioxidants
      Eating foods rich in antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress, which is defined as the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidant defenses. When a person has Parkinson’s disease, the reduced dopamine levels can result in tissue damage, but foods rich in antioxidants can help alleviate this. Some antioxidant-rich foods that should be included in the diet are tree nuts, walnuts, Brazil nuts, pistachios, pecans, blueberries, goji berries, blackberries, cranberries, spinach, and kale.
    • Omega-3-rich foods
      Foods like salmon, oysters, halibut, soybeans, kidney beans, and flaxseeds are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help improve cognitive function. Regularly consuming these can help relieve symptoms like confusion and dementia, which are commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease.
    • Calcium-rich foods
      Osteoporosis is a condition that causes the bones to become weak and fragile, and it is also one of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Increased severity of the neurological disorder is also linked to osteoporosis, so experts suggest vitamin D and calcium intake to help build stronger bones. Some foods that are great sources of calcium are sardines, canned salmon, beans and lentils, almonds, broccoli, and leafy greens like spinach and kale.
    • Co-enzyme Q10
      The enzyme is naturally present in small amounts in a wide range of foods like oily fish, soya oil, offal, and beef and can help relieve the symptoms of this neurological disease.

    Foods to avoid with Parkinson’s disease
    It is also important to know which foods to stay away from to avoid worsening the disorder. The following is a list of foods that one should keep off their plates if suffering from Parkinson’s disease:

    • Dairy
      Studies have shown that Parkinson’s disease patients who consume dairy products like cheese, yogurt, and milk face a higher risk of worsening the symptoms. Medical researchers suggest that consuming dairy could reduce uric acid levels, which increases the risk of Parkinson’s.
    • Iron
      It can bind with Parkinson’s disease medications, reducing the amount of medication absorbed by the system.
    • Vitamin B6
      The nutrient can interact with Parkinson’s disease medications and reduce their effects. However, health experts suggest that this might not be possible if an individual is taking a combination of medications to fight the disease.

    The symptoms can vary from one person to another, so the type of diet and treatment approach also differ accordingly. It is imperative to discuss which foods should be included in or left out of the diet to help ease the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

  • Health
    Type of rosacea and how the skin condition can be treated

    Rosacea is a long-term skin condition that affects over 16 million people in the country, most of whom are middle-aged women. Although it’s not a life-threatening disease, living with rosacea can cause distress among many. In most cases, it affects the skin on the nose, cheeks, and forehead. This skin problem is often characterized by tiny, red, pus-filled bumps that appear on the skin during flare-ups, which occur in cycles.

    Types and causes

    The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has classified rosacea into four main types:

    • Erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR): This type is characterized by redness and flushing of the skin with dilated blood vessels in the center of the face. For some, it can result in the skin becoming sensitive and swollen, while it becomes dry, rough, and scaly for others.
    • Papulopustular rosacea: This is associated with redness, swelling, and acne-like breakouts. It can also result in the affected person having oily and sensitive skin, with broken, visible blood vessels.
    • Phymatous rosacea: It’s a rare type that mostly affects men and results in the thickening of the nose skin. It causes a person’s skin to develop a bumpy texture, large pores, and visibly broken blood vessels, and they may also have thick skin on the chin, forehead, cheeks, and ears.
    • Ocular rosacea: All symptoms of this type are centered around the eye area. This includes bloodshot and watery or dry and itchy eyes, diminished vision, cysts on the eyes, broken blood vessels on the eyelids, and a burning or stinging sensation in the eyes.

    The exact causes of rosacea are yet unknown, but experts suggest that it mostly affects people with fair skin. Abnormalities in facial blood vessels and a family history of the condition contribute to developing it, and several factors can make this skin problem worse. These include extreme temperatures, vigorous exercise, and certain emotions like stress, anger, and embarrassment.

    Treatment

    There’s no specific treatment that can cure this skin problem, and treatment can only provide relief from the signs and symptoms of rosacea. A combination of lifestyle changes and medications tends to provide good results, so a doctor is likely to prescribe topical and oral medications.

    • Topical creams are applied to the skin once or twice a day and help reduce redness and inflammation. They are often combined with oral antibiotics with anti-inflammatory properties to provide quick results.
    • Laser treatment is typically recommended for people with visible blood vessels, which is also called spider veins. It uses intense pulse light to diminish the redness caused by blood vessels.

    Another effective treatment method for this skin problem is to manage its symptoms, as they can aggravate if one is not cautious. It is advisable to wash one’s face with gentle cleansers and oil-free, water-based products and stay away from skincare products that contain alcohol, menthol, witch hazel, and exfoliating agents. Keeping a note of the food one eats and the cosmetics they use can help them figure out what makes the condition worse. Other potential triggers that should be avoided include stress, sunlight exposure, extreme weather conditions, certain types of spicy foods, and alcohol and hot beverages.

  • Health
    3 must-know sexual conditions that affect women

    A healthy lifestyle is a culmination of physical and mental health with many other aspects of life, including sexual health. It is essential for an individual to pay equal attention to their sexual health, including getting regular check-ups, just like for the brain or other vital organs. Awareness about sexual conditions and their causes, symptoms, treatment options, and preventive measures is also necessary.

    Having trouble establishing physical relationships is not all that uncommon, but sexual conditions are not something one needs to be ashamed of. One might not be comfortable discussing it with family or friends, but they definitely need to open up to their doctor about it. Here are a few common sexual conditions that plague women:

    Inability to orgasm
    Anorgasmia is a condition that defines the inability or difficulty to have an orgasm. Studies suggest that a significant number of women have either never achieved an orgasm or are no longer able to do so. The reasons behind this are a varied mixture of mental conditions, and the issue may also be related to a past sexual experience that induced trauma.
    While an orgasm might not be necessary for some women to enjoy intercourse, it does count for others. Therapy has been said to help overcome this sexual condition as it helps ease worries and relax.

    Dyspareunia
    Persistent painful intercourse is a prominent sign of dyspareunia. The causes of this condition vary widely and can range from physical to psychological. The pain can range from moderate to severe, and it can lead to issues in a person’s health and relationships. In some women, menopause is also known to cause dyspareunia. The treatment options for this sexual condition include therapy, medications, and/or estrogen therapy.
    Dyspareunia also includes vaginismus, which is the painful involuntary contraction of the vaginal muscles due to spasms.

    Decreased libido
    Decreased libido or sex drive might not commonly be a permanent occurrence, but it is so for a few women. No matter how common or uncommon, it is a sexual condition that everyone needs to be aware of. Women with active libido might also experience a low sex drive at times due to hormonal changes or as a result of stress.
    Fall in a woman’s libido can be attributed to conditions like diabetes, a malfunctioning thyroid gland, alcohol consumption, depression, and physical and/or mental traumatic experiences.
    A fall in testosterone—a hormone produced in the adrenal gland and the ovaries—levels can also significantly affect a woman’s sex drive, which means the removal of the ovaries can also manifest in the said sexual condition.

    The above-mentioned are just a few of the various sexual conditions that women are faced with, but most conditions have treatment options available these days. Instead of suffering in silence and compromising on the relationship with their partner, one should seek help from a professional. Therapy can be useful for overcoming these hindrances that keep women from enjoying a healthy intimate relationship.