The term “arthritis” covers more than 200 types of conditions that affect the joints and surrounding tissues. Though arthritis is generally assumed to affect older people, it can affect people of all age groups. Though there is no single known cause of arthritis, it may be caused due to an injury, abnormal metabolism, inherited genes, bacterial/viral infections, or certain types of immune system dysfunction. According to the Center for Disease Control, this painful and debilitating condition affects more than one in every four people in the country. Inflammation and arthritis Inflammation is the body’s defense against anything that harms it, like infections or diseases. It attempts to heal itself in this bid, but specialists say that the inflammation caused by arthritis damages healthy tissues, ligaments, tendons and joints, causing pain, swelling and mobility issues. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s own immune system begins attacking connective tissues around the joints, leading to severe pain and degeneration. Foods to fight inflammation Modifiable factors like weight-loss in case of obesity, avoiding certain occupations/activities that put excessive strain on the joints, and avoiding smoking help alleviate the symptoms. Another very effective method of managing this condition is through a healthy diet. Food and nutrition management can help manage many types of the condition, especially gout.

A condition that leads to a spike in blood sugar levels, diabetes increases one’s risk of developing severe complications, including heart diseases., If not treated on time, high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels of the heart and other organs, leading to other health issues. There are different types of heart disease: Coronary heart disease This condition is caused due to a build-up of plaque in the blood vessels of the heart due to increased cholesterol levels in the blood. This buildup increases one’s risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Cardiomyopathy This refers to diseases related to the heart muscles that make it difficult for it to pump blood to the body. Heart failure A complication of cardiomyopathy, the heart is very weak in this condition and cannot pump enough blood to different body parts. Arrhythmia This condition is a side effect of cardiomyopathy and leads to the heart beating very fast, very slow, or irregularly. Having both diabetes and heart disease affects an individual in many ways, and it increases the risk of them suffering a heart attack or stroke, which can be fatal. It makes it difficult to perform daily activities. Taking appropriate self-care steps through dietary and lifestyle changes, along with following the prescribed medication and dosage, is important to manage diabetes.

Depression is a term used to describe a clinical condition leading to extreme mood swings and other symptoms. It is a continuous state of mind where one feels sad and gradually loses interest in the things that they liked earlier. It can cause a variety of emotional and even physical health issues. If left untreated, it can lead to a feeling of total despondency. As this condition worsens, it can also lead to the development of suicidal thoughts. So, it is important to understand the early warning signs of depression to help manage the condition better. The following are some of the early signs that can be helpful in identifying the condition and prove critical in approaching a professional health care advisor to treat it: Sadness If the feeling of sadness persists and causes negativity that spreads to all spheres of an individual’s life, it could be an early warning sign of depression. A tendency to break down into tears and a feeling of hopelessness are some other warning signs. Loss of interest Loss of interest in work or in things that seemed exciting earlier is also a sign of depression. Loss of interest in sex and low libido are also early warning signs of the condition.

When the acids in the stomach rise into the upper regions of the digestive tract, they can cause painful, debilitating symptoms. Acid reflux occurs when stomach acids frequently wash back into the esophagus that connects the stomach and food pipe. This is caused by excessive relaxation of the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES), a bundle of muscles that allows food and drink to flow downward into the stomach and then closes to prevent reflux. Relaxation of the LES allows a backwash of digestive acids. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD) is a chronic form of the condition faced by people who experience acid reflux and heartburn more than twice a week. Over-the-counter medications are the first line of treatment, but other medications are prescribed if the symptoms persist. Natural remedies and lifestyle changes Some natural remedies and lifestyle changes can also help manage acid reflux and GERD effectively. It is important to make large-scale lifestyle changes as typical causes of this condition are a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, eating trigger foods that cause reflux, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating habits resulting in poor nutrition. Here are some natural remedies for effectively managing acid reflux and GERD: Eat smaller meals It is wiser to eat smaller, more frequent meals rather than one big super-sized extravaganza or three large meals.

Did you know that almost anything can spark off a migraine attack? Whether it is a strong smell, weather changes, specific foods or drinks, or estrogen level fluctuations, it could trigger a migraine headache. If you’re one of the people who experience migraines frequently, you know that this condition can be debilitating and can hamper your daily life. When looking for home remedies for migraines, it is best to make some dietary changes and adopt a healthy diet to help manage the condition. Along with that, you must know the trigger foods to avoid to prevent flare-ups. A very helpful dietary tip is to eat fresh food as the consumption of food preservatives like MSG or monosodium glutamate goes down due to this. As a result, the chances and severity of the condition are decreased as these preservatives are the major triggers for migraines. Foods to eat to manage migraines Here are some foods to include in your diet to manage the condition: Flaxseeds, fruits, dry fruits, and soy have estrogen, which can also have the same effects as the estrogen that your bodies make. Consuming these can be especially beneficial for women who get frequent migraines during their menstrual cycles.