Eating healthy foods and getting the right nutrients are important for maintaining a healthy metabolism and supporting vital organ functions. Food is fuel for the body. However, the types of foods and beverages consumed lack essential nutrients and cause health conditions. For example, many foods can worsen symptoms of chronic conditions like neuropathy, which is why eating the right foods is essential. Here are the top foods to avoid for neuropathy: Sugary snacks like chocolates Excess sugar consumption can dangerously spike blood glucose levels and trigger complications like diabetes-related flare-ups linked to neuropathy. In fact, hyperglycemia is one of the main causes of neuropathy. This is why one must eliminate sugar or moderately consume sweets like chocolates and pastries, starchy foods like potatoes, and simple carbohydrates like fruit juice concentrate. These food groups lead to an insulin imbalance, causing blood glucose to spike. Even condiments like artificial sweeteners and beverages like fruit juices and flavored sodas should be eliminated to manage neuropathy better. Salty foods like potato chips High sodium levels in the bloodstream can restrict blood flow and trigger numbness in certain areas where neuropathy affects the limbs. Limiting salt consumption and avoiding processed foods that contain excess salt, including potato chips, fatty foods, fried foods, deli meats, and canned foods preserved in a salt base, is recommended.

Dental implants are implanted into the jaw to restore one’s ability to chew. They offer support for bridges and other artificial (fake) teeth, such as crowns. Those who don’t want to wear dentures after losing multiple teeth and can afford to pay for a complete set of implants can consider this procedure, which promises a hassle-free long-term solution. Here is a guide to dental implant brands, types, materials, and procedures. Popular brands Although dentists recommend the best dental implant types, it doesn’t hurt to know more about the companies that manufacture premium ones. Buying from the right brand and company ensures patients don’t get cheap knockoffs or poor-quality implants since the market is flooded with hundreds of alternatives. Types – Titanium or zirconia Zirconia is a metal-free implant widely used due to its durability and affordability. While it may not be the cheapest, zirconia is still more favored as it does not corrode. The material is similar to ceramic and is non-conductive. Titanium implants are the alternative to zirconia; they are more expensive but durable and can last for decades. However, there is a risk of allergic reactions to the metal that some patients may develop owing to its properties.

Tardive dyskinesia causes involuntary movements in the body. It is usually a side effect of treatments used for schizophrenia and other mental health disorders. While this side effect does not manifest in everyone, when it does, the symptoms remain permanent. Tardive dyskinesia can affect one’s ability to perform simple everyday tasks and lower their quality of life. Patients should speak to a doctor, notify them about their symptoms, and learn how to manage them better. Symptoms of tardive dyskinesia While some get mild symptoms that may go unnoticed, others develop severe symptoms that influence their daily life. The intensity of impact can change over time. Some symptoms to look out for include: Involuntary facial movements Patients develop irregular facial movements that are not rhythmic. The problem is also called orofacial dyskinesia or oro-bucco-lingual dyskinesia. The involuntary facial movements may include: Smacking of the lips Moving the jaw, mouth, or tongue uncontrollably Puffing out of the cheeks Blinking the eyes more than usual Unusual facial expressions Jerky body movements The patient may also manifest involuntary, jerky body movements. A few examples include: Moving or tapping the hands or feet Flapping of the arms Writhing or squirming of fingers Irregular hip movements Thrusting out the pelvis Swaying from side to side Movement in the upper body When involuntary movements are noticed in the arms, legs, toes, or fingers, it is called dyskinesia of the limbs Muscle spasms Some people with the condition develop muscle spasms, where their muscles tighten.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies or ANCAs are a type of autoantibodies in the body. When ANCAs attach to certain white blood cells called neutrophils, they can begin damaging small blood vessels, causing vasculitis—inflammation of the blood vessels. In most cases. ANCAs are detected through blood tests conducted to check for autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, and vasculitis. Additionally, here are a few common symptoms of ANCA vasculitis  that can be observed: Blood in urine ANCAs that cause blood inflammation most commonly affect the kidneys. As a result, blood may be observed in the urine. Further, the urine may appear foamy and discolored, taking on a brownish hue. A sign of ANCAs is the presence of protein in the urine, usually detected during diagnostic testing. High blood pressure ANCAs may start to attack the small blood vessels, making them become inflamed and swollen. This results in high blood pressure. Fatigue The presence of ANCAs in the blood weakens the vessels. Further, they can become narrower, leading to a deficiency of oxygen and nutrients in various organs relying on blood for the supply. This results in extreme fatigue. Respiratory problems The ANCAs in the blood can also affect the lungs, causing several respiratory problems.

Ensuring good health involves both following a healthy lifestyle and taking necessary precautions, such as scheduling regular health checkups to screen for illnesses. Some of the most essential screenings today are used to determine different types of cancer. There are over 18 million cases of cancer diagnosed each year, which makes screening extremely essential. On that note, below is some essential information about cancer screening kits. At-home tests Those who are considering an at-home cancer screening test should note that it might fall under one of three categories. These include: Self-test Individuals are required to perform the entire process of collecting and interpreting the results. Most tests render results within an hour or less. Self-collection test The patient collects a sample and sends it to the laboratory for analysis. The results are later sent to the person electronically. Home-ordered test In this type of test, the individual orders a test online or over the phone. However, the sample collection and analysis are conducted in a laboratory. MCD screening kits While some tests are dedicated to detecting one type of cancer, these days, experts may recommend multi-cancer detection tests (MCD) to measure biological signals in body fluids that are likely triggered by cancer cells.

Kidney cancer occurs when the cells in the organ mutate and spread uncontrollably. While there are different types of kidney cancer, renal cell carcinoma is one of the most common among adults. Our kidneys remove toxins from the blood and flush out excess fluids. Cancer can affect these functions and lead to several other complications. Here are a few silent yet concerning signs of kidney cancer that one must never ignore. Hematuria The kidneys’ primary function is to remove toxins from the blood. However, cancer can damage the organ’s tissue and affect this function. Consequently, the kidneys can release blood that gets mixed with the urine, causing it to turn dark red, pink, or cola-colored. It is one of the first signs of kidney failure caused by progressive cancer. Pain on one side The kidneys are located in the lower back. When the organ is damaged, it may unexpectedly trigger sharp pain in this region. If one does not have injuries or underlying health complications that could cause this pain, they should get checked for kidney cancer. The pain can develop on either side as two kidneys function simultaneously. Swelling A swelling in the ankles and feet is one of the more visible signs of kidney damage.

The extent and duration of periods differ from person to person. While periods usually last anywhere between 3 and 7 days, sometimes they may last longer. In either case, menstrual bleeding can bring with it a range of symptoms like painful cramps, discomfort, and uneasiness that make it harder for one to carry out daily activities. So, here are a few ways to alleviate the symptoms associated with menstrual bleeding:  Resting One of the most common remedies for menstrual pain is getting enough rest. Doing so helps restore the energy lost due to bleeding. It may also help in restoring hormonal balance when dealing with heavy periods or period pain. Making better food choices Nutritious foods, such as those rich in manganese, like walnuts, almonds, and pumpkin seeds, may help reduce excessive cramping. Additionally, one can opt for papaya, which is rich in vitamins, and olive oil, which contains vitamin E. The vitamins can help relieve menstrual pain. One could also include foods like brown rice, chicken, fish, and leafy green vegetables in their meal regime, which may help ease menstrual inflammation. Staying hydrated Drinking enough water throughout the day is a simple yet effective way to tackle menstrual cramps.

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that lead to muscle mass and progressive muscle and body weakness. The abnormal or mutated genes interfere with producing healthy proteins that make up the muscle. There is no permanent cure for muscular dystrophy, but there are treatment options that help in managing the symptoms and also help in slowing down the spreading of the disease. Here are the types and symptoms to be aware of. Types and symptoms Depending on the type of muscular dystrophy, the symptoms can vary. However, progressive muscle weakness is one of the disease’s most common and most significant indicators. Duchenne-type muscular dystrophy It is the most common type of muscular dystrophy and is usually much more common in boys than girls. Some of the symptoms of this type include: Frequent falls Trouble jumping and running Learning disabilities Waddling gait Difficulty in rising from a sitting or lying position Walking on toes Large calf muscles Muscle pain and stiffness Delayed growth Becker muscular dystrophy Becker muscular dystrophy This form has signs and symptoms similar to Duchenne’s. However, the signs and symptoms are milder, and the disease tends to progress more slowly than in Duchenne. While the symptoms may start in early teens, they are not visible until mid-twenties or even later in some cases.

Eosinophilic esophagitis, or (EoE) is a rare, chronic allergic condition affecting the esophagus. In this, several white blood cells, known as eosinophils, are found in the inner lining of the esophagus, where typically there are none. These cells release inflammatory substances, resulting in symptoms such as difficulty in swallowing dry or dense solid foods and loss of appetite. Although EoE is not curable, these innovative eosinophilic esophagitis treatments have been developed to manage the symptoms. Prescriptions This treatment involves the use of prescription-based antibodies, which are administered intravenously. This helps in lowering the inflammation caused by EoE. Furthermore, it improves the ability to swallow foods. This eosinophilic esophagitis treatment is usually used to treat persons above the age of 12 years or older. Dilation As EoE progresses, it causes the esophagus to become narrower. Over time, severe narrowing makes it difficult to swallow liquids as well. This is also referred to as stricture. In such cases, a person with EoE undergoes the process of dilation. In this procedure, a balloon is passed to the esophagus via an endoscopy. It is inflated in the area of the esophagus where the narrowing is severe. The inflation is large enough to stretch the esophagus just a bit without rupturing it.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is an inflammatory lung disease involving the obstruction of air passage to the lungs. COPD is an umbrella term that comprises several progressive lung conditions, such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Research data suggests nearly 16 million adults nationwide grapple with COPD. Besides consulting a pulmonologist early, a healthy lifestyle is essential to combat the disease. Here are some foods one should avoid to manage COPD symptoms better. French fries One medium serving of French fries has about 260 mg of sodium, which comes from its high salt content. Salty foods elevate one’s blood pressure, increasing one’s risk of pulmonary hypertension, a common complication associated with COPD. Moreover, since it is deep-fried, it can aggravate stomach inflammation and worsen COPD symptoms. Hence, it is best to avoid French fries and other foods containing high salt levels while healing from COPD. Cured meats Studies indicate that cured meat sources like sausages, hot dogs, and bacon can increase one’s risk of COPD and lung dysfunction. It is possible that the presence of nitrites, i.e., preservatives contained in cured meats, are triggers of COPD. Thus, patients with COPD should replace processed or cured meats with fresh lean meat sources like chicken and turkey breast.

Dental implants have become a practical, safe, and effective way of replacing missing or damaged teeth with artificial tooth roots. This solution has enabled people to maintain oral health and restore functionality. Every year, about 3 million people get dental implants in the country. The success and longevity of an implant depend not just on the surgery and execution but also on its aftercare. Here are some common mistakes to avoid to ensure a successful implant. Skipping evaluation It is crucial to undergo a comprehensive health check-up before getting dental implants. Some patients may have underlying oral health problems, such as gum disease or bone loss, which must be treated before the implant placement. It is also important for those with diabetes or undergoing other treatments to inform their dentist. Assessing the patient’s suitability before the procedure is essential for the success of the implant. Being unaware of other options Before jumping into a dental implant procedure, exploring all the tooth replacement options is essential. Dental implants may not be suitable for everyone, and alternative treatments like bridges or dentures might better meet one’s needs. Consulting with one’s dentist to discuss these options can help one make an informed decision.