An allergic reaction is what occurs when your body is extra sensitive to a given substance and the immune system reacts to it. People can have a food allergy, asthma, pollen allergy, and environmental or seasonal allergy. Substances that cause an allergic reaction are called allergens, and they can cause inflammation of the skin, sinuses, digestive system, or swelling of the airways. Allergies and their severity vary from person to person. The severity of an allergy can range from a minor redness or irritation to a life-threatening emergency. There are different allergies and all of them broadly fall under the following types: Food allergies Insect allergies (i.e., bee or wasp stings) Animal or pet allergies (i.e., fur or dander) Drug allergies Respiratory and eye allergies (i,.e., exercise or environmental allergy) Skin allergies. Food allergies An important part of treating allergies is getting tested for an allergy. In other words, diagnosing the allergies one is an important part of the treatment. Diagnosis of chronic allergy is the first step in knowing which area needs treatment. To diagnose an allergy, doctors as questions about the signs and symptoms of an allergy in detail. Doctors also aim to identify allergens that trigger asthma in people.

Uric acid is a chemical our body creates when it breaks down the purines, a substance naturally produced by the body and found in certain foods and drinks. Uric acid gets dissolved in the blood and reaches the kidneys, from where it passes out of the body through the process of urination. It is essential for the uric acid to pass out of the body as when it remains in the blood, it can lead to a condition called hyperuricemia. Hyperuricemia is a condition that can further lead to gout. Gout is a form of arthritis that causes painful flare-ups in the joints, especially in the big toe. Along with painful flare-ups, gout also causes swelling and pain the ankles, feet, wrists, and elbows. Treating gout becomes an essential part of the illness as it can alter one’s quality of life and cause permanent damage to the joints and kidneys. While a person is undergoing treatments for gout, they can start following a certain type of diet that supports the treatment and provides relief from the pain gout causes. An excess of uric acid in the blood causes gout; uric acid is created when purines are broken down. Given that purine is a substance that is also found in certain foods, it is important to understand that foods that contain purine in large quantity can cause the excess formation of uric acid in the body.

The food we eat is converted into energy to run cellular processes and into building blocks for carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acid. This process is held out by a phenomenon known as metabolism. Metabolism is controlled by the thyroid gland, which is a small butterfly-shaped gland placed in the center of the lower neck, right under the voice box. The gland mainly produces two types of hormones namely, T4 and T3; which command the cells in the body to control metabolism. In other words, these hormones tell the body cells how much energy to use. Coming to problems related to thyroid, there are essentially two main types of thyroid problems that occur when the gland overproduces or underproduces thyroid hormones. Overproduction of thyroid hormones leads to hyperthyroidism and underproduction of the hormones causes hypothyroidism: 1. Hyperthyroidism When the overactive thyroid gland produces too many hormones and causes hyperthyroidism, a person can experience anxiety, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, excessive sweating, troubled sleep, and weight loss. One common cause of hyperthyroidism includes an autoimmune disorder, Grave’s disease. Grave’s disease causes the production of an antibody that provokes the thyroid gland to produce excess thyroid hormone. Another common cause is a multinodular goiter, that is tiny lumps in the gland that cause the gland to produce more thyroid hormones.

Dyskinesia is a condition that causes abnormal, uncontrolled, and involuntary movements. It appears as writhing, fidgeting, wriggling, body swaying, or head bobbing. These episodes of involuntary movements can last from a few seconds to about 15 minutes. Under normal circumstances, the episodes resolve without the use of any medication or therapy. But as time passes, the frequency and severity of the episodes may increase. In most cases, it just affects one part of the body initially. Dyskinesia can affect either the head, arm, or leg. However, it can also spread across the entire body. It mostly occurs when Parkinson’s tremors are controlled by medication. Generally, a long-term use of medications causes the involuntary movements. In Parkinson’s patients, excitement and stress only aggravates dyskinesia. Despite the discomfort caused by this condition, many find it easier to deal with its symptoms than the debilitating symptoms of Parkinson’s. Yet, for many others, dyskinesia can be quite painful and difficult to manage. Often, the symptoms disrupt their personal and social activities. In such cases, it becomes necessary to treat dyskinesia. The following are some ways in which dyskinesia can be managed: 1. Adjusting medication dosage Taking high doses of Parkinson’s medications on the long run triggers dyskinesia symptoms.

Eating small portions and more frequently can alleviate the symptoms of ADHD hyper attention disorder. Smaller and frequent meals can keep the blood sugar levels steady over the day. In addition, ADHD medications tend to curb a person’s appetite, and they tend to skip meals. So, eating regular and healthy snacks can keep a person with ADHD full throughout the day. Additionally, small portions of healthy snacks can help with attention, memory, and filtering distractions. Here are a few healthy snack ideas for adults with ADHD. Smoothies : Fruit-based smoothies not only taste delicious but are also quite filling. They win when it comes to both taste and nutrition. Organic, non-dairy smoothies are the best healthy snacking options for adults with ADHD hyper attention disorder. Also, the addition of fruits like berries makes the smoothies rich in antioxidants and vitamins. These nutrients increase dopamine levels in the brain. Eggs : Eggs are the most versatile food and are enriched with essential nutrients. Hard-boiled eggs are the easiest and quickest snacking options. Make them the sunny side up style, poach them, scramble them, or cook an omelet or fancy frittatas, eggs will always taste good. This protein-rich snack option can help improve concentration and make ADHD medications work more effectively.

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder characterized by unpredictable seizures affecting children and adults. The cause of these seizures is unknown and the condition is chronic in nature. The symptoms can only be managed with a combination of medications, common treatments for epilepsy seizures, and alternative therapies for a better life. One can also try ketogenic and Atkins diet that have been proven to be effective in seizure control according to recent studies. The body converts fats into energy on these diets as opposed to converting carbohydrates into fuel for essential functions. Here is a quick overview, comparison, and associated benefits of the same. Ketogenic Diet A keto diet is considered among one of the oldest forms of treatments for epilepsy seizures. The diet consists of foods that are rich in fats, moderate in proteins, and low in carbs. Often, medical professionals recommend a ketogenic diet for people who are suffering from severe symptoms of epilepsy. Note that the foods that form part of a keto diet are effective for managing the symptoms in both children and adults. Studies have shown that the frequency of seizures can be controlled and, in most cases, reduced by way of fasting. A ketogenic diet mimics this state of fasting by incorporating only those foods that are low in carbohydrates, contain moderate proteins, and are rich in fats.

Manic depression is a condition that is associated with unexpected mood swings. The depression can range from manic highs to depressive lows that may last for a couple of weeks or months, depending on the condition’s severity. There are medications and several new depression treatments that have proven effective in recent times. However, one can also incorporate essential foods in their diet and make a few lifestyle changes to manage the varied symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder treatment, and associated mental conditions. Herein, we discuss the top foods that help in dealing with depression. Avocados Fruits are a great source of fiber, low in cholesterol, and rich in monounsaturated fats. These good fats ensure optimal health for the receptors in the brain responsible for boosting mood. The compounds help increase and maintain optimum serotonin levels to help one feel good, stay happy and relaxed to overcome any developments that can trigger depression. Spinach Among common nutrient-rich vegetables, spinach is one of the best natural sources of vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin E, and several antioxidants essential for optimal neural function. They help maintain dopamine and serotonin levels, two of the primary neural transmitters responsible for vital body functions. A proper diet filled with these nutrients will help ensure chemical balance to reduce the chances of developing the symptoms of bipolar depression and associated health conditions.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, nearly 54 million adults have been diagnosed with arthritis. More common in women than men, arthritis affects most people aged around 18 to 64 years. Although there is no permanent cure for this health disorder, treatment plans such as the intake of RA (rheumatoid arthritis) medicines such as Rinvoq, Xeljanz, Humira and often prescribed, and over the counter Advil and Voltaren are often recommended by doctors to alleviate the symptoms. Additionally, there are certain foods that can ease the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis. Fish Fish that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties. People with rheumatoid arthritis can get a lot of relief from joint swelling, pain, and morning stiffness when fish is added to their diet. Best sources of omega-3 fatty acids are salmon, tuna, herring, anchovies, sardines, cold-water fish, and scallops. Taking fish oil supplements can also be beneficial. Three to four ounces of fish or consuming fish twice a week is recommended. Soybeans Another rich source of omega-3 fatty acids is soybeans. Along with easing the symptoms of arthritis, soybeans also help fight heart diseases. It can be added to the diet in the form of edamame, which is immature soybeans.

The word “cholesterol” may sound fearsome, but in reality it might not be that bad for the body. As there are two types of cholesterol — good and bad — what one should fear is the high amount of bad cholesterol in their body. The good cholesterol is also called high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. It helps lower the risk of heart diseases by removing other forms of bad cholesterol from the bloodstream. The bad cholesterol, on the other hand, is called low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart diseases and stroke. If you recently got your cholesterol checked and are worried about the number, then you are at the right place. There are plenty of ways to decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol. If you want to see a positive change in cholesterol levels, then focus on your diet and lifestyle. Here are some tips you can incorporate into your diet to lower your cholesterol levels. Switch to soy foods – Foods containing soy are packed with protein, vitamins, and minerals; they are also low in saturated fat. Along with this, they are highly effective in lowering your cholesterol levels. You can try two servings of soya foods every day to consume the optimum amount required for balancing your cholesterol.

Recent statistics indicate that 16.5 million Americans suffer with eczema, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). Eczema is characterized as a type of atopic dermatitis, a series of inflammatory skin conditions that result in swollen patches of dry, scaly, itchy, red skin. While most eczema patients seek out doctor-prescribed or over-the-counter topical barrier creams, moisturizers, and corticosteroid and NSAID ointments to treat their eczema symptoms, many find these leave skin even more dry, irritated, and damaged. In fact, many eczema patients utilize the following gentle yet effective natural home remedies: 1. Coconut oil  The meat of a coconut holds a bounty of juicy, moisturizing benefits, which is why many eczema sufferers apply coconut oil topically to boost skin moisture safely and naturally. In fact, experts from the National Eczema Association recommend the use of coconut oil for topical application for a number of skin conditions, and for it’s natural antibacterial benefits as a preventative method for infection in eczema skin that’s prone to cracking, dryness, and oozing. 2. Apple cider vinegar Apple cider vinegar is a superfood often used to treat a number of skin and digestive ailments. Yet eczema patients note this natural vinegar is particularly beneficial for treating skin disorders such as eczema.