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7 tips for living better with rheumatoid arthritis
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7 tips for living better with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-lasting, autoimmune condition that causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. Over time, rheumatoid arthritis can lead to loss of joint function and other bodily damage. To manage the symptoms and cope with the illness, one can try home remedies and lifestyle changes alongside receiving professional treatment to reduce inflammation. Here, we’ve shared some of the best tips to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Maintain a healthy BMI A crucial step in managing rheumatoid arthritis is shedding extra pounds. Fat cells release cytokines, a protein that causes inflammation, exacerbating symptoms. Besides, excess fat puts a lot of pressure on the joints, making symptoms worse. Studies have also found that maintaining a healthy BMI can reduce the risk of some complications and increase the chances of remission. Besides, an imbalanced BMI can reduce the efficacy of certain other rheumatoid arthritis treatment options. Avoid red meat Many cuts of red meat, such as beef, pork, and lamb, are loaded with saturated fats. This type of fat can aggravate inflammation and contribute to an imbalanced BMI. Furthermore, red meat contains omega-6 fatty acids, promoting inflammation if consumed in excess. People who can’t do without red meat should choose lean cuts of the meat, as it offers protein and other nutrients without causing inflammation.
5 before-bedtime habits to avoid for better sleep
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5 before-bedtime habits to avoid for better sleep

A good night’s rest is crucial for good health. Many individuals invest in amazing mattresses to ensure that they sleep well. But even after purchasing the best mattresses from Tempur-Pedic, Saatva, Sleep Number, Serta Mattress, or Essentia Mattress, many struggle to sleep well. This is because there are many daily habits that affect the quality and quantity of sleep. Read on to find out what they are and why they should be avoided before bedtime: Blue light exposure One of the biggest causes of poor sleep is exposure to blue light from laptop or phone screens. Blue light is the visible light spectrum range and is emitted from all mobile and laptop devices. This light is very damaging. It can block the brain from releasing melatonin, which is responsible for maintaining the body’s natural sleep cycle. Without melatonin, the individual can have trouble falling and staying asleep. Aside from sleep, too much blue light exposure can also increase your risk of cancer, so it’s best to put your phones down for a few hours before you hit the sack. Drinking too much caffeine Beverages such as coffee and tea are great to help keep you awake and alert, thanks to the caffeine present in them.
5 common foods to avoid for better bladder health
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5 common foods to avoid for better bladder health

The bladder is an organ in the urinary tract system that stores and evacuates urine. Its muscle walls expand and contract to collect and release the urine periodically. However, certain health complications can affect this function, resulting in increased urge, frequency, or urinary incontinence triggering an overactive bladder. Some common foods can also irritate the organ and trigger such symptoms. Thus, it is important to avoid these foods for better bladder control. Citrus fruits Lemons, limes, and oranges contain active citric acid that makes it difficult for the bladder to control urine output. Citric acid is a type of irritant that can worsen the symptoms among patients suffering from overactive bladder. It can lead to flare ups, triggering pain, uncontrolled urgency, increased frequency, and even urinary incontinence if the symptoms go unnoticed for prolonged periods. Even tomatoes and grapefruits are high in citric acid and should be avoided for better bladder control. Eliminate tomato products like salsa, sauce, and ketchup since they are a more concentrated form of the fruit. Salty, spicy, and processed foods Any spice used in foods to enhance the flavors can also irritate the bladder lining. It can even trigger chronic pain, so it’s best to avoid hot peppery spices that rank high on the Scoville Scale.
When to drink water for maximum benefits
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When to drink water for maximum benefits

It does not matter if the temperature outside is warm or cool. Drinking lots of water during the day is rewarding to your body. Not drinking enough fluids can lead to dehydration and symptoms like low blood pressure, confusion, and dizziness. In this article, you will find tips on the ideal time to drink water. Following these tips can help your body make the best use of the life-saving liquid. Drink water before and during meals Drinking a glass of water 30 minutes before a meal can help control the overconsumption of food. When you drink water, you may feel full and can resist the urge to overeat. Furthermore, drinking water while eating a meal, especially foods rich in fibers, helps with digestion. The fibers move through the digestive system and absorb water. Down a glass when you wake up There is no water entering the body when you are asleep, and you may wake up dehydrated. Therefore, drinking water when you get up in the morning can help you stay hydrated. Consuming the healthy liquid when you wake up also ensures the flushing of harmful toxins before eating the first meal. Drinking warm water before a bath benefits your blood pressure While it may seem odd at first, drinking warm water before a bath can work wonders for your body.
4 vitamins important for eye health
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4 vitamins important for eye health

Vision is one of the most important senses, and it allows us to see the world and enjoy all the sights that it has to offer. Despite eyesight being essential, eye health is often overlooked. These complex organs require tons of vitamins and other nutrients to function properly, especially as people age. One of the best ways to keep them healthy and prevent eye diseases is by adding vitamin-rich food to one’s nutritional regimen. Vitamin A One of the most important vitamins for eye health is vitamin A. It plays a crucial role in helping one maintain a clear vision by ensuring a clear cornea. The cornea is a protective layer that covers the outside of the eye, including the iris and the pupil. It is transparent and allows light to enter the eyes. Vitamin A is also essential for producing rhodopsin—a protein that helps us see clearly in low-light conditions. Insufficient vitamin A in the body can affect one’s ability to see. In some cases, it can also lead to the development of rare and severe conditions such as xerophthalmia. This is a progressive eye disease that starts with night blindness and eventually leads to loss of vision. One can get their daily dose of vitamin A from the right sources, such as sweet potatoes and other green leafy vegetables.
Avoid these 7 foods when dealing with Crohn’s disease
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Avoid these 7 foods when dealing with Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract, which can lead to abdominal pain, irritation, and malnourishment. People with Crohn’s disease can experience symptoms like diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal aches. The disease does not have a permanent cure, and its treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms. Additionally, one should avoid certain foods that can trigger a flare-up to make the management of the disease easier. Dairy products Dairy is a common food intolerance in people with Crohn’s disease. Dairy products contain lactose, which may trigger symptoms such as abdominal pain and diarrhea in people sensitive to lactose. People with lactose intolerance may also suffer from intestinal problems. Also, intolerance levels vary from person to person. If one has milk and other dairy products in excessive amounts, it could worsen Crohn’s symptoms. Whole grains Avoiding whole grains is necessary to prevent worsening Crohn’s disease symptoms. Whole grains can cause inflammation in the digestive tract, and they contain fibers that can make it harder for nutrients, including iron and folate, to get absorbed from food. Whole grains contain some anti-nutrients, which can cause digestive issues, constipation, and bloating. Spicy foods Spicy foods should usually be avoided by people with Crohn’s disease because such foods can trigger severe flare-ups.
6 foods to avoid when dealing with bronchitis
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6 foods to avoid when dealing with bronchitis

Bronchitis is a condition in which inflammation causes the bronchial tubes to swell, making it difficult for the air to move, resulting in breathing issues. Bronchitis usually begins after an infection in the chest and can occur in two forms: acute bronchitis, where the inflammation lasts for a short period, and chronic bronchitis, which lasts for several years. The condition can be managed through better food choices. So here are foods one should avoid: Top foods to avoid When one is affected by bronchitis, fatty, sweet, or even salty food can be tempting as it can seemingly soothe the cough, congestion in the throat and chest, and wheezing that usually accompanies the illness. However, certain foods with excessive sugar or salt can increase inflammation and slow recovery. Nutrient-poor foods are also not recommended in this condition. As bronchitis is an inflammatory disease, one should opt for food that helps fight inflammation and avoid those that cause inflammation, such as red meat. In addition, as per a review published in Nutrients Journal, a Mediterranean meal regimen can offer protection against respiratory disease, and the western nutritional regimen may aggravate symptoms of respiratory diseases like bronchitis. Here are foods that people with bronchitis should avoid:
Avoid these food items to fight hyperkalemia
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Avoid these food items to fight hyperkalemia

Your body mandates minerals and nutrients to function correctly, but higher concentrations of potassium, can prove harmful. Potassium is one such essential mineral your body needs to function, but at times, it excessively gets built up in your blood which can be fatal. Normal potassium levels in your blood should remain within 3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L. But when the potassium level goes above this range, it will trigger a condition called hyperkalemia.  This becomes dangerous and even deadly. I n such cases, the muscles responsible for controlling your heartbeat and breathing will not function properly. This will result in several complications like irregular heartbeat and sometimes cardiac arrest. High levels of potassium also lead to Digestive issues Prickling Numbness One of the most advocated ways to manage the potassium level in your body is to follow a low potassium food plan. A healthy adult requires 2,600 to 3,400 milligrams of potassium daily. If someone is advised for a potassium-restricted nutrition diet, they will be allowed 2000 milligrams per day. Potassium is present in several foods; in some, it comes in excess. It is also present in meat, chicken, dairy, and fish. Foods that one should restrict if diagnosed with hyperkalemia When you are diagnosed with hyperkalemia, your doctor will recommend focusing more on fruits and vegetables that are low in potassium and decreasing the portion size if you consume food rich in potassium.

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