A chronic respiratory disorder, asthma causes narrowing and swelling of the airways in the lungs due to the entry of allergens or irritants in the system. Therefore, the body reacts by producing excessive mucus which further leads to the onset of symptoms like coughing, chest tightness or pain, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. The effects of asthma differ from patient to patient. For some, the condition might be mild, whereas for others it could be severe, affecting the quality of life. Currently, doctors categorize asthma signs and symptoms into four categories, i.e., mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent.

Causes
Researchers aren’t sure what exactly prompts the asthmatic condition, however, they believe that it could be a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Moreover, the triggers for an asthmatic attack are different for everyone. Here are some of the common ones –

• Allergens like dust, pollen, spores, or pet dander
• Exercise or physical exertion
• Cold air
• Common cold
• Pollutants and irritants such as chemicals, gas, or smoke
• Certain types of medications like aspirin, ibuprofen or beta blockers
• Chronic stress
• Preservatives and sulfites added to food products
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Diagnosis
The pulmonologist will conduct a physical exam and inquire about your symptoms to rule out the possibility of other respiratory conditions. Along with these tests, he or she will also recommend tests like spirometry and peak flow to determine the amount of air that moves in and out of your lungs. Based on the results, they might also ask you to undergo additional diagnostic tests such as methacholine challenge, imaging tests, sputum eosinophils, allergy testing, nitric oxide test, and provocative testing for diagnosing asthma.

Treatment and prevention
Depending on the type and severity of the asthmatic symptoms a pulmonologist might prescribe a combination of drugs which might comprise –

• Long-term asthma medications like inhaled corticosteroids, combination inhalers, beta blockers and leukotriene modifiers.
• Rescue or quick-relief medicines such as short-acting beta agonists, oral or intravenous corticosteroids.

Bronchial thermoplasty can be advised to alleviate severe asthmatic symptoms.

Prevention remedies could include making some healthy lifestyle changes like getting regular exercises, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing GERD symptoms. You can diminish the chances of asthmatic attack by –

• Cleaning your home at least once a week to prevent mold spores and dust mites
• Using air conditioning at home
• Installing a humidifier to prevent dry air
• Getting your pets frequently groomed
• Covering your nose and mouth in cold environments

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition which constricts and swells up the lung airways. This leads to excessive production of mucus and sets off symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. Over 25 million people in the country which includes both, children and adults, suffer from this condition. However, the intensity of the symptoms varies across patients. Diagnosing asthma at times can get tricky as it emerges because of distinctive triggers. Understanding every type of asthma can help you adopt the right treatment and measures to keep the symptoms in check. Read further to know more about different types of asthma.

• Allergic asthma
  Commonly, an asthma attack triggers when allergens like spores, mold, pollen, or pet dander enter the system and cause inflammation in the lungs. On occasions, even food allergies related to dairy products, yeast or gluten can cause asthma.
• Exercise-induced asthma
  This form of asthma occurs due to physical exertion or exercise. Individuals with asthma might experience symptoms after working out. However, numerous people including athletes can develop this condition only while they are exercising.
• Cough-induced asthma
  This type of asthma is rather problematic to diagnose as it mimics symptoms of other health conditions such as post-nasal drip caused by hay fever, chronic bronchitis or sinus. At times severe coughing can be the only symptom due to which it can go underdiagnosed and undertreated for a long time.
• Occupational asthma
  Occupational asthma is described as a condition which is prompted by a specific irritant in a person’s place of work. It could either be chemicals, gases, smoke, fumes or dust. In this case, the asthmatic symptoms only arise when the patient is in such environment.
• Nocturnal asthma
  Nighttime or nocturnal asthma is a common type of this respiratory disorder. Usually, patients with asthma have a higher possibility of experiencing symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath during sleep. This is because asthma is strongly influenced by circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycle).

The medical treatment depends on the type of asthma one is suffering from. Doctors could prescribe the use of drugs such as inhaled, oral or intravenous corticosteroids, long or short-acting beta blockers, leukotriene modifiers, combination inhalers and allergy medications. If the symptoms are severe then bronchial thermoplasty will be used to ease its effects.

A chronic, mental condition that affects children, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) impacts one’s self-control, concentration, and social skills. These symptoms can grow through one’s teenage years and adulthood. As compared to adults, this condition is easier to diagnose in children. Primarily, because adults might have subtle or specific symptoms which often might be misunderstood as inefficiency, insincerity, tardiness or anger issues. The ADHD symptoms in children are categorized into three categories, i.e. inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

 Symptoms of ADHD

• Inattention
  Children with ADHD are often poor listeners, easily distracted, don’t follow instructions, face problems with organization, punctuality, and simple tasks. Moreover, they can also tend to daydream, lose things and can be forgetful.
• Hyperactivity
  Hyperactivity is a group of ADHD symptoms which comprises trouble staying in one place quietly, talking excessively or continuous movement.
• Impulsivity
  A child with impulsivity symptoms typically faces difficulty waiting for his or her turn, because of which they might interrupt others by blurting out answers in social settings.

Causes of ADHD
The experts aren’t sure what exactly triggers the ADHD symptoms, however, the following possibilities might be responsible for it:

• Genetic factors
  ADHD might be a hereditary disorder in some families.
• Challenges during pregnancy
  Any complications like health problems, lack of essential nutrition, drinking, smoking or substance abuse by the mother can impact the development of baby’s brain, leading to the onset of ADHD.
• Exposure to toxins
  If a child is exposed to harmful chemicals like lead, then it might affect their brain’s functions.
• Brain disorder or injury
  Damage to the frontal lobe of the brain due to any disease or injury can make way for issues which can cause emotional outbreaks or impulsivity.
• Chemical imbalance
  A child’s chemical makeup of the brain might be abnormal which can cause ADHD.

Treatment for ADHD
ADHD symptoms can’t be cured, however, they can be treated and managed well with medications and therapy. Doctors might prescribe a combination of antidepressants, stimulants or non-stimulants to control the ADHD symptoms. Likewise, therapy also plays a vital role in managing ADHD. Counseling for both, parents and children, special education, social skills training and behavior modification are some techniques that can be used to cope with ADHD. Moreover, parents and children can be a part of support groups for maintaining their emotional well-being.

A chronic condition, ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) affects children and typically continues into adulthood. It is characterized by three groups of symptoms known as hyperactivity, lack of focus, and impulsivity. Some of the common ADHD symptoms are disorganization, making careless mistakes in simple tasks, difficulty while paying attention, forgetfulness, distraction, restlessness, being excessively talkative, fidgeting or squirming when made to sit in one place and moving around all the time.

Parenting tips for managing ADHD symptoms
ADHD can’t be cured, however, with proper medical treatment its symptoms can be managed very well. Doctors can prescribe drugs like stimulants and antidepressants. However, it is vital that parents personally administer their child’s medications as there might be a risk of abuse and addiction. Moreover, doctors might also recommend parents and children with counseling and behavioral therapy as it will allow them to explore and resolve any communication barriers and negative attitudes.

Apart from professional assistance for ADHD, parents should also implement the following behavioral and supportive methods to motivate the child.

• Create a loving environment for your child
  Every child deserves an affectionate and safe environment. However, kids with ADHD symptoms require extra care as they are extremely sensitive. Therefore, refrain only admonishing their negative actions, instead, try frequently appreciating them for their talents and positive actions.
• Embrace simplicity while communicating
  Often children with ADHD can get easily upset with quick or multiple commands and heaps of information. Therefore, while directing them, give them your entire attention. Moreover, make it a point to maintain eye contact, and be slow and specific about the instructions.
• Discipline them
  Parents must convey the difference between right and wrong, and the consequences for every action. To make this work, observe their behavioral patterns during difficult situations. Make sure that you are persistent about the aspect of reward and punishment so that, they can work on their behavior and social interactions.
• Be calm
  If your child gets out of control, then don’t lose your temper as they will most likely react negatively. Instead, allow them to express their emotions. When they notice your calmness, they will too regain their cool.
• Maintain a regular schedule for everything
  Right from meals to bedtime, follow a regular timetable. Children with ADHD can have a hard time adjusting to sudden transitions or new schedules, therefore help them realize these changes in a gentle way. Also, ensure your kids get adequate rest and sleep to avoid the aggravation of their ADHD symptoms.

Caregivers often feel overwhelmed when they start out. Whether taking care of an ailing friend or family member, caregiving can be quite strenuous, emotionally as well as physically. If a caregiver is stressed out, it reflects on their interactions with the person they are taking care of. A strained atmosphere really makes it difficult to provide effective care. In order to make caregiving a rewarding experience for both the caregiver and the person being cared for, it is essential to be completely prepared. Here are a few tips for a caregiver to provide the best care to their loved ones.

• Have a conversation with your loved one
  Asking for help is not easy. Many people do not want to come off as being completely dependent on another person for their daily tasks. If you want to offer help as a caregiver to a loved one, start with a conversation. Ask them about the level of caregiving they may require. Involve them in the discussions and decisions regarding their caregiving.
• Make a list of priorities
  Being organized helps in reducing stress, staying in control of situations, and ensuring that your loved one has the best assistance possible. Make a list of things that need to be done and plan each task in advance. Make schedules and ensure that everyone involved in the caregiving process is aware of each and every detail of everything that needs to be done.
• Form a support network
  Being a solo caregiver can be quite exhausting. Even if you end up being the primary caregiver, enlist the help of family and friends. Delegate tasks and ask someone to step in. Take regular breaks from your caregiving schedule and re-energize yourself. Do not hesitate to ask for help whenever needed.
• Look for assistive services
  Apart from friends and family, you can also register with various assistive services that can help with caregiving. You can look for a service that offers home care, adult day care, meal deliveries, and laundry services.

Although the above list is not comprehensive, these tips can help caregivers get a head start.

Caregivers are people who are trained to look after people with disabilities or those who face mobility issues due to their growing age. It is difficult to put someone else’s needs before yours, but caregivers excel at this. They selflessly look after the ones they are employed to take care of and ensure that the person deals effectively with whatever health condition they are combating. However, being a caregiver isn’t an easy task; in addition to the training they receive, they need certain skills that are instrumental in establishing a healthy, understanding relationship between the patients and the caregivers.

Here are some skills that are internalized by every caregiver who takes up this noble profession.

• Patience
  We have often heard people saying that “patience is a virtue”, but here, patience is a skill. Caring for people who are differently-abled or are aging can be quite challenging; there is a high possibility that there can be a gap of communication. In such situations, it is imperative that the caregivers exercise patience; take a step back and think of new ways to communicate effectively.
• Empathy
  The most important skill that caregivers must possess is their ability to empathize with people they are caring for. Caregivers should understand the individual’s dilemmas, the challenges they face, and their aspirations, and this would help forge a stronger patient-caregiver bond that makes their job easier.
• Problem-solving abilities
  Caregivers don’t have it easy, it is not always a cakewalk. At times, they have to face certain unforeseen situations that require them to act immediately and thoughtfully. It can be canceled appointments, sudden rescheduling, or if the patient becomes sick, and so on, and caregivers have to be equipped to handle such situations efficiently. Problem-solving skills are a must for caregivers. Irrespective of what the situation is, caregivers are expected to remain calm and handle the situation accordingly.
• Communication skills
  Whichever job you apply for, communication skills are a must, even if you wish to become a caregiver. In order to create a trustworthy relation with the patient, you need to establish clear communication. Be it a simple task such as going through the schedule or a difficult one like assisting them in their activities, you need to communicate with them. If the patient doesn’t trust the caregiver, it becomes difficult for caregivers to perform their duties.

Being vegan is not easy, it does not matter if you have been one for a long time or are new to the fraternity. In any case, you will have to make significant changes in your diet and we all know how difficult that gets. For people who think that vegan food cannot be delicious, they are definitely living in a parallel universe. However, setting up a vegan meal is not all that easy, and can get slightly exhausting in the fast life. This is where vegan food delivery places come into play. Here is a list of vegan food delivery places that can help you enjoy sublime vegan meals, every day.

• Green Chef
  One can rely on Green Chef for their vegan food delivery, as they are a USDA-certified organic meal kit company. They are known for the sauces they create in-house; these sauces are the base for most of their vegan dishes, along with some special ingredients. Their menu includes scrumptious dishes like Hoisin BBQ Tempeh, Linguine Alfredo, and Mexican Cauliflower. Along with vegan food delivery, they also guide you with vegan recipes.
• Vegin’ Out
  They are an online vegan food delivery website based out of California. Their services include providing you with healthy, organic, and freshly prepared meals that are delivered to your home or office. The delivery speed differs based on the occurrence of a public holiday as well as the distance of the delivery. Once you place an order for a single weekly vegan meal, you are entitled to three vegan meal entrees, four side dishes, a soup, and a bag of cookies.
• Forks Fresh Meals
  Forks Fresh Meals offer a delivery service that delivers all the meals to your doorstep once or twice weekly. All of their meals are plant-based, low-fat and are made from fresh, seasonal whole foods created in-house by the chefs. Their web portal gives you a 24/7 access and you can also customize your meals according to your preference. They have a variety of meals that allow you to order five meals per week or even three meals a day.