Eye-related complications need to be taken quite seriously. According to a survey, many people are not too serious about their eye health, as only 30% of the population go for eye check-ups regularly. Apart from weak vision, various other conditions that can lead to eye-related problems. Below is a list of some of the most common ones. Different types of eye conditions Glaucoma The increased intraocular pressure (IOP) in your eyes can lead to many complications, which are known as glaucoma. It is a group of diseases of the eye. The optic nerve of the eye is affected due to the increased IOP. This can also lead to a complete loss of vision. Cataracts It is a cloudy lens that forms in your eye. Even though this condition does not cause any pain, cataracts lead to blurry vision. While aging is the most common cause of this condition, it can also be a result of diabetes, certain medications, trauma, and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Retinal detachment Your eye health can be seriously affected by a detached retina. The retina is a tissue located at the back of your eyes. Sometimes, it can get separated from its underlying structures.

The joints in our bodies are constantly working while we move our limbs. Hence, it is understandable that with time we may develop certain joint conditions that lead to pain and compromised mobility. One of the very common forms of these conditions is arthritis. It leads to joint inflammation. A condition that mainly affects people over 65 years of age, it can be more commonly seen in women. Different stages of arthritis There are many different types of arthritis, but the two most commonly occurring ones are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages. Stage 1 During this stage, inflammation occurs in the joints. Swelling, stiffness, and joint pains are common symptoms of this stage. The joint tissues swell up, too. Stage 2 During this time, the joint lining, synovium, is inflamed even more and results in cartilage damage. The joints’ motion capability is compromised due to this, leading to pain. Stage 3 In this stage, the severity of the joint condition becomes even more harmful. Rheumatoid arthritis leads to bone damages. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. Stage 4 This is the end stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling.

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1 : At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2 : The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3 : At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4 : This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression:

Alzheimer’s disease, one of the most serious medical conditions, affects one’s memory, ability to think, language skills, problem-solving ability, mobility, and personality. This disease is a progressive condition that worsens with time. The symptoms and progression rate may vary from person to person, but the trajectory is almost the same for everyone. Stages of Alzheimer’s disease The progress of Alzheimer’s disease can be broken down into seven stages. Stage 1 Cognitive decline does not occur in this stage, and the disease remains undetectable. Stage 2 During this stage, one starts to forget little things, like where they kept certain things. However, it is hard to detect the condition at this stage as most people start to forget things as they age anyway. Stage 3 The third stage of Alzheimer’s disease results in forgetfulness, and one may find it hard to concentrate or find the right words when having a normal conversation. Sometimes, work performance also deteriorates. Stage 4 Early-stage dementia occurs in patients during this time. They start to forget more things, including recent events. Focusing on something becomes harder and they cannot manage to perform challenging tasks. Socialization becomes harder during this period, too. Stage 5 Stage five is when one starts to forget important things, like their contact information and address.

Diabetes is a chronic health condition characterized by unstable blood sugar levels. While treatment and lifestyle changes help manage the disease, eating the right foods is essential. So, are fruits healthy for diabetes? Well, fruits have a lot of nutrients and phytochemicals, which are necessary for the body. But, they are also rich in sugar. Hence, diabetes patients must understand how to add fruits to their everyday meals. Here are some diabetes fruit intake tips. Understand how fruits affect blood sugar Fruits have a natural sugar called fructose, which breaks down quickly and gets absorbed by the liver. However, fructose can bypass a signal that indicates when the cells have consumed too much sugar. This is problematic for diabetic patients as the sugar levels can increase significantly after eating a lot of fructose. The amount of fructose differs among fruits. So, certain varieties may raise sugar levels faster. But, it is challenging to measure sugar responses in patients. For some, eating bananas may not be an issue, but it may cause blood sugar levels to rise for others. Therefore, it is best to consider the fruit’s glycemic index (GI), which shows how quickly it will affect blood sugar. The numbers vary depending on how the fruits are prepared.

Sugar can be an addictive ingredient in food and drinks. With all the processed and fast food available at every store, it becomes difficult to avoid this component. While some are strict about their diet, some do not keep a tab on their daily sugar intake. Let’s look at some of the signs and symptoms that may point toward excess sugar intake in a diet. Weight gain Sugars tend to be used up by the body very quickly, leaving it hungry for more. Most processed foods and sugary treats do not have anything nutritious content in them – no protein, fiber, or healthy fats – to keep the body full and satiated. So consuming sugary foods or drinks is like consuming empty calories with no benefits. According to research, it was also observed that sweet beverages promoted weight gain in adults as well as children. High blood pressure Research suggests that too much sugar in the diet can lead to hypertension or high blood pressure in individuals. Studies observe that high glucose levels could be responsible for damaging the lining inside the blood cells, making it vulnerable for cholesterol to stick to them. This can cause the vessels to narrow down, making it difficult for blood to flow.

Diabetes is a condition affecting millions of people worldwide. It interferes with the body’s ability to process blood sugar, or blood glucose. Every single diabetes patient probably knows that they must eat healthy to maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, the problem is that many foods marketed as healthy and considered diabetes-friendly can actually cause a spike in blood sugar levels. In this article, we’ve listed foods many people don’t know are bad for diabetics. Brown rice When thinking of healthy rice, brown rice is the first thing that comes to many people’s minds. It is a whole grain that has the bran, germ, and endosperm intact. Indeed, brown rice is healthier than white rice, thanks to its rich fiber content. But it also contains a high amount of carbohydrates, which quickly break down into glucose, sending blood sugar levels soaring. Before making a brown rice recipe, it’s important to watch the portion size to prevent a spike in blood sugar. Dried fruits Many people have the habit of noshing on dry fruits. But these fruits, particularly raisins, are bad food choices for those with diabetes. When a fruit is dried, it loses all water, resulting in a higher concentration of its various nutrients, including sugar and carbohydrates.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common health condition that leads to pain, swelling, loss of function, and joint stiffness. While the exact cause of RA is not known, healthcare experts say that factors like the environment, genes, and hormones influence the condition. Some people experience the disease for a short period, while others experience chronic symptoms. In either case, it is always good to learn a few ways to manage and avoid rheumatoid arthritis. Regular exercise Gentle exercises regularly will help strengthen the muscles around the joints. Speak to your doctor about the exercises suitable for your condition. Starting with a simple walk and then moving on to biking will also benefit your muscles. Learning relaxation techniques Other than exercise, involving yourself in relaxation activities can also help improve rheumatoid arthritis. Guided imagery, muscle relaxation, yoga, and guided imagery are a few relaxation methods to help soothe the pain. Practicing  Tai chi The method is preferred to relieve stress in a person’s life. Studies have further revealed that Tai chi helps improve mood and quality of life in people with rheumatoid arthritis. The method combines gentle exercises, stretching, and deep breathing. Be sure to learn from a professional instructor, and avoid any movements that may increase your pain.

Many people use high-quality mattresses from well-known brands like Tempur-Pedic, Saatva, Sleep Number, Serta, and Essentia. But that may not ensure a good night’s sleep. That’s probably because they have a few unhealthy pre-bedtime routines that not only prevent quality sleep but also adversely affect their physical health, mood, and social life. Here, we’ve listed five habits one must steer clear of before bedtime for a restful sleep on a comfy mattress: Late-evening exercise Regular exercise helps us stay fit, but indulging in this activity an hour before going to bed can be problematic. Heightened heart rate and a boost in energy levels may prevent you from falling asleep. According to studies, the best time to exercise is three to four hours before bedtime. A rise in body temperature during a workout followed by its natural drop will help you fall asleep for the required amount of time. Studies also suggest taking a hot bath before bed to increase blood flow and decrease your core temperature when you need to sleep. Screen time You might enjoy watching something on your phone, laptop, or TV before bed. Sadly, the screens of these devices emit blue light that can be bad for your eyes.

For a 20/20 vision, one must fulfill their daily requirement of vitamins. This becomes even more important as one ages and is at an increased risk of developing vision-related issues. Poor vision can also be brought on by excessive exposure to screens and poor hygiene and food choices. Certain eye issues can be corrected using eyeglasses or contact lenses, however, to maintain good eye health, proper vitamin intake through food or supplements is required. Vitamin A Vitamin A is one of the basic nutritional requirements for good eye health. Rhodopsin found in sources of vitamin A helps one maintain clear corneas and a strong low-light vision. As it is commonly found in most foods, vitamin A deficiency is a rare occurrence today. However, if left untreated, it can gradually lead to xerophthalmia—an eye disease. Vegetable sources like sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, and pumpkins are great for eye health and can be added in different forms to meals and salads. Animal sources of vitamin A include eggs, poultry, and seafood. Vitamin B Research suggests that several vitamins belonging to the B-complex family are great for eye health. These vitamins are crucial for the prevention of age-related macular degeneration or AMD. Patients with this condition may experience issues like a blurred vision as it causes the retina to deteriorate.

Bronchial tubes are the passageway that carries air to the lungs. Coughing is how the body gets rid of harmful things in the lungs. However, excessive coughing can lead to a severe condition called chronic bronchitis, where the bronchial tube can become irritated, and inflammation can last longer. It can be of two types – acute and chronic. Chronic bronchitis is more contagious than acute, however, therapy and lifestyle changes can reduce symptoms. Therapy Health specialists mostly recommend prescriptions for bronchitis. However, chronic bronchitis can cause severe damage to the lungs and can lead to lower blood oxygen levels. In such instances, a therapist will inform you about an oxygen prattle machine; they also suggest specialized recovery programs for protection during extreme cases. Meanwhile, therapists would also recommend revising the nutritional regime to cope with the symptoms. Nutritional regime A good meal plan is always related to a healthy lifestyle. Changes in lifestyle and food habits will lessen the symptoms. A disease is not severe when it is acute. In today’s world, one has to take precautions to fight such conditions. This is why one has to avoid certain foods to prevent triggering the condition or throat pain. Sodium Avoid salty food items because sodium can increase the chances of high blood pressure.