Gastroesophageal or GERD reflux disease is an ailment characterized by the recurrence of acid reflux more than twice a week. This is a painful illness, and when left untreated, it can cause serious complications. Luckily, like most digestive system diseases, some dietary modifications can ease the symptoms. Your diet can either prevent or lower the progression of this condition. Here are the top foods to eat and avoid, if you have GERD Foods to avoid Many foods can set off acid reflux symptoms, and if you have GERD, it means your lower esophageal sphincter or LES cannot retain food in the stomach. The following foods can set off these symptoms, and thus you must avoid them at all costs. 1. Fatty food Sadly this rules out most of the fast foods your tongue might crave. Fatty foods lower the pressure on the LES, thus increasing the risk of reflux. Many studies suggest reducing fat intake by avoiding French fries, sour cream, ice cream, cheeses, and anything deep-fried. High-fat cuts of red meat like prime rib and marbled sirloin increase the frequency of acid reflux in GERD patients. 2. Spicy foods Even with a well-functioning GI tract, spicy food can cause irritation and abdominal pain.

The colon, more commonly known as the large intestine, sits at the end of the digestive tract and is responsible for absorbing water and salts from food. Colon cancer, cancerous growth in this organ, is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the country. Read on to know about colon cancer, its causes, symptoms, and diagnosis. 1. Causes of colon cancer The exact cause of cancer is still a mystery. Some cells have “oncogenes” that put them at risk for developing into cancerous cells at a later stage in life. These cancerous cells can either be benign (or harmless) or metastatic (or migrating through the blood). However, certain risk factors have been identified. Polyps The most common cause of colon cancer is precancerous polyps in the large intestine. These could be adenomas or hyperplastic polyps. Adenomas are identifiable only using microscopes, while hyper-plastic polyps are typically benign. If identified in the early stages, surgeons can remove them before they develop and become metastatic. Lifestyle Colon cancer seems to have an affinity for people with obesity and individuals who smoke tobacco. Low fiber diets also seem to contribute to the development of the disease. Excess consumption of saturated fats, alcohol, and processed meat also puts you at risk of colon cancer.

Allergies are a common problem for over 50 million Americans. Allergies can trigger coughing, sneezing, rashes, and spark asthma, breathing troubles, and low blood pressure. There is no cure yet for allergies, and while treatment is possible, prevention is the best way to manage it. The cities you live in can do wonders for or worsen your allergic condition. The following are cities with many allergies and the reasons why you should avoid them. 1. Wichita, Kansas Wichita, Kansas, a Midwestern state known for its agriculture, is unfortunately also home to a lot of pollen. Wichita, Kansas, lies in the humid subtropical climate zone, characterized by humid summers and cold, dry winters. Severe weather conditions are also common in the region, like thunderstorms and hail. The higher temperatures make the growth season longer, resulting in pollen being prevalent for a prolonged time. Both spring and fall in this city are not conducive for people with allergies. Wichita also has a higher than average sale of over-the-counter allergy medication. Thus it is certainly not a friendly place for people with allergies. 2. Jackson, Mississippi There are so many reasons people with allergies avoid visiting Jackson, Mississippi. Humidity, rich foliage, and higher pollen count make the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) rank this city worse than average for pollen and medicine use.