The human body requires cholesterol to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances required for digestion. But it’s important to keep the cholesterol levels in check as high cholesterol can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. High blood cholesterol can be prevented or treated with medications and healthy lifestyle and dietary choices. Medication to control cholesterol Doctors often prescribe medications when the cholesterol levels are alarmingly high and the affected individual needs immediate medical attention. The best treatment option for cholesterol at this time is statins. Along with bad cholesterol, statins also lower the levels of triglycerides—a type of blood fat—and mildly increase the good cholesterol levels. While medicines can improve an individual’s condition, they may have some side effects including intestinal problems, liver damage, and muscle inflammation. To avoid these side effects and lower cholesterol in a natural way, one must switch to a healthy diet and lifestyle. Lifestyle and dietary changes to lower cholesterol levels Poor diet, obesity, lack of exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, and diabetes are some common causes of high cholesterol. It is essential to keep a check on these factors and take some steps to control the condition. Limit smoking and alcohol: To treat cholesterol, one must cut down or limit smoking and alcohol consumption as far as possible.

Caused by the inflammation of joints, arthritis is a debilitating health disorder with no permanent cure. It causes pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected joints. Inclusion of certain foods can help in managing arthritis. Whole grains Enriched with fiber, whole grains help in maintaining a healthy body weight. Additionally, whole grains help in lowering the levels of inflammatory proteins in the blood. However, the gluten content of whole grains may trigger inflammation in some people. Therefore, it’s recommended to have these foods with caution. Foods made from the entire grain kernel are usually recommended to those with arthritis. These foods include whole-wheat flour, brown rice, oatmeal, bulgur, and quinoa. A daily serving of 3 to 6 ounces of whole grains is recommended. Nuts and seeds A daily intake of 1.5 ounces of nuts is recommended for those with arthritis. A handful makes one ounce of nuts. Nuts are packed with monounsaturated fats that have inflammation-fighting properties. Moreover, nuts have a high content of protein and fiber. These keep a person satiated and keeps hunger pangs at bay. Snacking on a handful of walnuts, pine nuts, almonds, and pistachios can help in easing the symptoms of arthritis. Beans Packed with fiber and phytonutrients, beans help to lower inflammation of joints, an effect which is similar to those of RA medicines for pain relief.

Atopic dermatitis or eczema is a condition that makes the skin red and itchy. Mostly observed in children, it can occur at any age and is a chronic disease that flares up periodically. It can be accompanied by hay fever or asthma in many cases. There is no permanent cure for atopic dermatitis. However, eczema treatment in adults and even in children go a substantial way towards lowering the intensity of the flare-ups. Additionally, there are certain foods that help in alleviating the symptoms of eczema. Here are a few foods that help in the natural treatment of eczema in adults: Fatty fish : With a high content of omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish are an essential part of a diet to fight against a host of diseases, including eczema. Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and alleviate the symptoms of eczema and prevent flare-ups. Eating about an ounce of fatty fish such as salmon and herring daily can be beneficial for those with the condition. Fish oil supplements can also be taken instead of fatty fish. Probiotic-rich foods : These include yogurt, sourdough bread, miso soup, naturally fermented pickles, Gouda, unpasteurized sauerkraut, kefir, and tempeh. These probiotic-rich foods contain live cultures that strengthen the immune system.

At some point many of us will experience minor eye issues (i.e., dry eyes, inflammation or Uveitis, eye strain, floaters, color blindness, excess tears, night blindness, and slight degrades in eye sight. problems at one time or another, especially as we age. While many minor eye issues can be treated with home remedies and over the counter eye drops, more serious eye issues will need to be treated under the care of an optometrist or ophthalmologists supervised care. Here’s a list of the most common eye diseases: 1. Conjunctivitis  More commonly referred to as pinkeye, conjunctivitis occurs most often due to eye irritation or eye infection. Symptoms can be extremely uncomfortable and include itching, burning, redness, excess tears, eye discharge, a feeling that something is stuck in the eye all due to inflammation of the sclera (or rear eyelid tissues). 2. Glaucoma Glaucoma occurs when excess pressure builds up so much inside the eye that it may press upon and cause damage to the optic nerve. Glaucoma may cause few symptoms or pain in the early stages so any eye inflammation or vision changes should be brought to the attention of your optometrist immediately. Glaucoma is treated using prescription eye drops, or in severe cases, surgery.

Studies have observed that an increased consumption of processed foods and the lack of sufficient fruits and vegetables in the diet could one of the triggers aggravating the symptoms of severe asthma. Although there are no specific dietary recommendations for asthma, a diet rich in essential nutrients can help in alleviating and avoiding serious symptoms. Here are a few dietary tips for those undergoing treatment for severe asthma. Best foods for severe asthma treatment It has been observed that a diet rich in vitamins C and E, flavonoids, magnesium, selenium, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids can help to lower the risk of asthma. Foods rich in these nutrients can help to lower inflammation, protect cells from damage, and strengthen the immune system. These are some of the best foods for those undergoing treatment for severe asthma. Carrots Apples Cantaloupe Avocado Berries Spinach Pumpkin seeds Pomegranates Tomatoes Kale Banana Sweet potatoes Broccoli Eggs Milk Salmon Fortified orange juice Swiss chard Dark chocolate According to research, nearly 70% of people suffering from asthma may also have GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder). This makes the condition more difficult to manage due to additional dietary restrictions caused by GERD. Apart from medications, an effective way to alleviate the symptoms of GERD is by maintaining a healthy weight.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition that results in the inability of a man to sustain or get an erection. There are several causes of the condition, and it can affect men of all ages. It can also lead to other health complications if not checked in time. While there are medications to treat ED to some extent, one can make simple lifestyle changes and explore natural treatments for erectile dysfunction. 1. Exercise There has been extensive research done in this field to conclude that exercise can help overcome the issues faced on account of ED. According to a study conducted by Harvard, walking for thirty minutes every day reduces the chances of developing the condition by 41%. Moderate exercise is also a treatment for erectile dysfunction to restore one’s vigor and improve performance in middle-aged men who are also suffering from obesity. 2. Proper diet One can incorporate more fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains in their daily diet to supplement proper nutrition. Also, reducing the consumption of red and processed meat and refined grains reduces the likelihood of suffering from the condition over a period. 3. Sleep and rest It may come as a surprise for many, but poor sleeping habits and patterns can increase the risk of suffering from ED.

According to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, one in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer within his lifetime inside the United States. The prostate is a gland located below the bladder, as part of the male reproductive system and typically affects men who are over the age of 50. Amongst the more at risk are those men who have an immediate relative with the disease. The most telling symptoms of prostate cancer is problems with urination; including weak or interrupted urination stream, the patient incurring pain or burning during urination, or having to urinate more frequently. There can also sometimes be traced semen or blood found in the urine. Other symptoms include pain during ejaculation or consistent pain in the back, hips or pelvis. If a man is experiencing any of the symptoms, he should consult a physician as he may have one of the most serious of men’s cancers. Although there are several prostate cancer treatments, the best way to combat the threat of prostate cancer is related to one’s diet. Experts agree that including the following foods on a regular basis can reduce the risk of prostate cancer: 1. Cruciferous Vegetables Broccoli, kale, collard greens, cabbage, and other cruciferous veggies are healthy green leafy vegetables that are low in carbohydrates, and which have shown to have links to cancer cells.

There are a large number of people who suffer from the effects of ulcerative colitis. This is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes long lasting ulcers and inflammation in the digestive tract. It affects the innermost lining of the large intestine and the rectum. The symptoms of ulcerative colitis generally appear over time, and not suddenly. The disease can be debilitating, and some of the complications can be life threatening. There is no known cure for this disease, but treatment can help reduce some of the symptoms, and often bring long term remission. Avoiding certain foods will also help reduce symptoms: 1. Whole grains An ulcerative colitis diet is basically a low fiber diet. Patients with this disease should avoid high fiber foods because they can be difficult to digest, especially during a flare up. Whole grain foods like breads, pastas, and cereals should be avoided. This also includes brown rice, quinoa, oats, and buckwheat. 2. Nuts Nuts are another food that those suffering with ulcerative colitis should avoid. These may be wholesome snacks for many people, but they, too, are hard to digest and may cause pain or other symptoms to flare. Seeds like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, pine seeds, and wild rice are fibrous foods that should be on the do not eat list.

Nasal congestion is one of life’s most common annoyances. We all know the feeling of waking up in the morning, only to realize that you can’t breathe as well as you should be able to. Common causes of congestion include allergies, a low-level sickness like the cold or flu, inflammatory diets, and poor rest. For long-term relief, medical advice and lifestyle change may be necessary. For immediate relief, however, here are a few quick fixes: 1. Neti pot A Neti pot is a great way to clean out the nasal airway! This relatively quick and easy method is probably the singular most effective therapy for simple congestion, particularly for those suffering from allergies. A neti pot is a simple pot filled with a lightly saline solution of about a half teaspoon of iodide-free salt for every eight ounces of water. Slightly warmed water is best, as it is easiest to dissolve salt in and is most comfortable. The single most important thing in this intervention is to not use water that is too hot! You can burn yourself! Simply warm the water, mix it with the salt, and pour through one side of your nose, letting the water run out the other nostril–definitely do this over a sink.

Liver cancer is the result of cancerous cells growing and spreading in and around the liver. The cancer that begins in the liver is referred to as primary liver cancer. For example, HCC or hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the primary liver cancers. Metastatic liver cancer spreads from organs outside the liver. Statistics show more than 30,000 people in the US diagnosed with this cancer every year. It is more common in men than women. Here are some must-know facts about liver cancer: 1. Causes of liver cancer  Like with any other cancer type, some people are more likely to have liver cancer than others. Some of the common risks and contributing factors include, but are not limited to: Excessive use of alcohol and tobacco Exposure to or having Hepatitis B and C infection. This disease is linked to liver cancer as a result of cirrhosis, a chronic liver disease that causes inflammation and degeneration of normal liver cells. Obesity, diabetes. fatty liver disease are a few other causes of liver cancer. Here the liver abnormality takes place which may increase the probability of cancer. Coupled with other infections it may lead to liver cancer. Exposure to aflatoxins, a type of fungi that are found in certain crops such as maze, almonds, cotton seeds and tree nuts Liver diseases and autoimmune diseases may also cause liver cancer.