Being the outermost layer of the body, the skin protects the body against injury and harmful substances. It also prevents loss of moisture, controls body temperature, and stores blood. Health conditions pertaining to the skin can affect such functions and cause significant discomfort. Itchy skin is a prevalent skin problem, with 22% of individuals experiencing chronic itching at some point in their lives. Here are some causes and remedies for itchy skin: Causes of itchy skin Food allergies Itchy skin and rashes may be caused by food allergies such as shellfish, soy, dairy, wheat, and peanuts. Eliminating specific foods or food groups one by one can help identify what food may be the allergen. Exposure to insects and pollen Some individuals may develop skin allergies and itching from exposure to pollen or certain insects, such as wasps, fleas, bed bugs, pinworms, and ants. Swimming Sometimes, skin itching may be caused as a reaction to parasites living in oceans, lakes, and other water bodies. This condition is referred to as swimmer’s itch. Age As one ages, the skin tends to lose moisture and become drier, which can lead to discomforting itching. More than 50% of older adults experience chronic itchy skin.

Day or night, making frequent bathroom trips can be annoying for any individual. A symptom of an overactive bladder, frequent urination can affect one’s work and personal life. However, with proper treatment, it is possible to control frequent urination. Various home remedies, including nutritional changes and behavioral therapies, can help retain the bladder and prevent the need for frequent bathroom visits. Keep reading to learn about a few such helpful home remedies. Kegel exercises Kegel exercises can be beneficial in managing frequent urination problems. They repeatedly contract and release the pelvic floor muscles, building their strength. The increased strength can help improve bladder control and lower urination frequency. Bladder training Bladder training goes a long way in helping patients with an overactive bladder. At first, patients might find it difficult to hold in their urine for longer than usual. However, maintaining this practice for weeks retrains the bladder and reduces the urination frequency. Eating healthy foods One cool trick to managing frequent urination is avoiding foods and drinks that act as a diuretic or could irritate the bladder. It could include caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, tomato-based foods, and even chocolate. Adding more fiber to the meal can help relieve constipation and frequent urination problems.

Most individuals, especially those with a sweet tooth, find it hard to avoid sugary foods from their daily meal plan because sugar is an integral part of various food items. However, excessive intake of sugar is associated with many health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and even cholesterol. Some easy and effective strategies to reduce sugar intake and its direct impact on one’s cholesterol levels are listed below. Types of cholesterol There are two types of cholesterol- LDL (low-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as bad cholesterol HDL (high-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as good cholesterol LDL causes plaque buildup in one’s arteries, creates blockages, hampers blood flow, and raises the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Meanwhile, HDL helps the body to get rid of bad cholesterol. HDL carries LDL to the liver, where it is eventually eliminated from the body. Effects of sugar on cholesterol levels Healthcare professionals recommend exercising and reducing the intake of saturated fats for individuals with high cholesterol. However, unbeknownst to many, sugar is another hidden contributing factor to cholesterol. Some studies have shown that people who consumed more than half a cup of sugar daily had low HDL levels in the body.

Sugar is one of the most commonly used condiments in daily cooking. In fact, most processed foods bought off the shelves in the supermarket contain some form of artificial sweetener added to enhance the taste. One example is the variety of carbonated beverages, flavored sodas, and fruit juices sold. A 12-ounce can of soda contains 10 teaspoons or 39 grams of sugar. Consuming sugary beverages affects one’s health in the following ways. Triggers type 2 diabetes Sodas are laced with artificial sweeteners that rapidly increase blood sugar levels in the body. Frequently consuming these sugary beverages causes healthy cells to become less resistant to natural insulin produced by the body. Insulin resistance combined with increased blood sugar severely increases the risk of diabetes. Leads to joint problems Fructose, a form of sugar, is one of the known risk factors linked to certain types of arthritis, mainly gout. It leads to the build-up of uric acid crystals in the big toe. Consistently consuming excessive amounts of sugar can trigger flare-ups associated with gout and worsen the pain. Causes dental problems Sugar left behind in the crevices of the teeth and healthy gums triggers problems like cavities and infections. That’s because the bacteria feed off excess sugar left behind after consuming sweetened juices, flavored sodas, and carbonated beverages.

Huntington’s disease or Huntington disease results in a progressive breakdown or a degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. This is a rare disease, typically passed down through generations, which means it is inherited. It impacts the functional abilities of a person, leading to cognitive, movement, and psychiatric disorders. There is no treatment to cure the disease completely; however, there are options to help manage the symptoms. Here are common signs of the disease. Signs and symptoms of Huntington’s disease The symptoms vary from person to person, as there is a wide spectrum of signs to look out for. Here are some symptoms that can be observed in patients: Movement disorders This kind of disorder involves not just involuntary movement disorders but also impaired movement disorders. Examples include writhing movements called chorea or involuntary jerking. Chorea is a movement disorder that occurs due to an overactivity of dopamine in brain areas that control movement. This overactivity leads to sudden, involuntary, irregular, and uncontrollable jerky movements, which can occur in the arms, legs, and facial muscles. Muscle issues like rigidity or muscle contracture (also called dystonia), slow or unusual eye movements, difficulty with speech or swallowing, and impaired gait, posture, and balance are noted.

Bone cancer occurs due to abnormal cell growth in a bone, usually the arm, leg, or pelvic bones, but sometimes the skull, hips, and ribs. In its advanced stages, bone cancer may spread to other body parts, including the surrounding tissues, bones, and organs. On the bright side, patients with bone cancer can recover completely if the condition is diagnosed and treated early. Understanding some of its early signs can help with timely diagnosis and intervention. Swelling Most individuals with bone cancer experience inflammation and swelling over the affected area, leading to restricted mobility, mainly if the cancer occurs in a bone close to a joint. Fever In some cases, bone cancer may escalate to fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Although the underlying cause of such fever is unclear, some studies suggest that it may be due to certain toxins produced in the bodies of patients with bone cancer. Bone Lump Bone cancer sometimes leads to the development of a lump on the affected bone. This lump may grow with the progression of cancer and may sometimes cause pain. Anemia and fatigue The bones in one’s body govern the production of red blood cells (RBC), which supply oxygen throughout the body.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung condition. This common disorder affects over 12 million people in the country, causing an obstruction in the airflow in the lungs. Recognizing early signs of COPD can lead to a quicker diagnosis. This allows for better management of the condition, reducing the risk of lung function loss. This article sheds light on the early signs and management of COPD: Signs Here are some of the early signs of COPD: Shortness of breath with mild physical exercise such as walking, using the stairs, or performing daily activities Difficulty taking a deep breath Wheezing Chest tightness Chronic cough that may produce clear, white, yellow, or greenish mucus Frequent respiratory infections Lack of energy or fatigue that lasts for more than a day Swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs Change in color, thickness, amount, or odor of sputum (mucus) Presence of blood in sputum Frequent morning headaches or dizziness Fever, especially with cold or flu symptoms Restlessness, confusion, forgetfulness, or slurred speech COPD treatment COPD treatment is focused on symptom management, such as relieving coughing, easing breathing problems, and reducing the risk of respiratory infections. Commonly prescribed treatment methods include the following:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition affecting millions worldwide. It is the third most significant cause of death in patients, claiming more than 3 million lives in 2019. However, it often remains undiagnosed until it reaches advanced stages, making early detection crucial for better management and improved quality of life. To do so, exploring the early signs of COPD and taking the necessary actions to mitigate them is essential. Chronic cough Chronic cough is among the earliest indicators of COPD. The persistent cough is commonly dismissed as a symptom of a minor infection or inhalation of allergens. It is typical for the cough to linger around for months. The primary cause for this persistent cough is the prolonged exposure of the respiratory system to chronic inflammation or irritation. Long-term exposure to environmental irritants like chemicals, dust, and other air pollutants can trigger it. Increased mucus COPD patients experience increased mucus production, often accompanied by persistent coughing. The mucus produced in such patients is thicker and stickier than in minor infections. Usually, the lungs produce mucus to protect the airway against irritants. The mucus traps pollutants that enter the respiratory system and eliminates them. When exposed to high levels of irritants, the body produces more mucus to fight off the invaders.