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.

Every wise old grandmother has said this, “Prevention is better than cure.” With UTIs, this is especially true because of how uncomfortable such infections are and the embarrassment associated with them. While there is no need for such feelings, people turn a little pink when talking about peeing. Here are some simple ways to prevent UTIs or urinary tract infections. 1. Drink a lot of water This tip is an obvious one. When you think about kidney and bladder health, keeping yourself hydrated is obvious. That it will make you pee more often is how bacteria get flushed out of the urinary tract. Try to stick to just drinking water, a minimum of eight glasses a day. But you can also increase fluid intake with sparkling water, milk, smoothies, decaffeinated teas, coconut water, and fresh fruit juice. Remember to avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks as they can irritate the bladder. 2. Eat cranberries Cranberries are a well-known home remedy for preventing UTIs. Chemicals like proanthocyanidins are present in this berry. They prevent E.Coli bacteria from sticking to the tissues of the urinary tract. Vitamin C in cranberries increases the acidity in the urine, making it a bad environment for bacteria.

When it comes to breast cancer, which is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, there are certain risk factors that we can control. However, there are some factors that we cannot change. Thankfully, incorporating healthy habits into your lifestyle and following a balanced meal plan can reduce the risk of both premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer. Here are some lifestyle habits that can reduce the chances of breast cancer. 1. Exercise Physical activity is the surest way to help you maintain a healthy weight, which then helps to build a healthy defense mechanism. You must aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity in a week. Moreover, introduce strength training and stretches to the exercise routine. Try to do yoga combined with aerobic exercises to help you keep your body flexible and maintain your weight and BMI at an optimal level. Studies have found a consistent link between optimal physical activity and reduced recurrence of malignant breast cancer and dying from the disease even among breast cancer survivors. 2. Have healthy meals Studies have found that eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains, chicken, and fish reduces the risk of breast cancer, even in those genetically prone to breast cancer.

Chemical-based detergents are a leading cause of skin-related problems and allergies as they come into direct contact with our skin. However, many organic and plant-based detergents are available these days that are entirely free from chemicals. Makers of such products use plant-based enzymes and essential oils for fragrances instead of chemicals, making them safe for use. So, if you’re prone to frequent skin problems, try one of these natural detergents for sensitive skin. 1. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Lavender Laundry 98 percent of Mrs. Meyer’s concentrated formula ingredients are derived naturally from plant-based enzymes and don’t have any harsh chemicals or fragrances. The smell comes from essential oils, including lemon verbena, lavender, basil honeysuckle, geranium, and bluebell. A 64-ounce bottle can wash 64 loads and costs $15.99. The effects of detergents on sensitive skin cannot be ignored, and the brand understands that clearly. It’s one of the highest-rated and reviewed products by users. 2. Grove Care and Renew Liquid Laundry Detergent Renew from Grove is a concentrated and powerful formula made from plant-based ingredients. It’s certified by Environment Protect Agency’s Safer Choice Program and is available in rosemary and lavender scents made from essential oils. A 24-ounce pouch can wash 33 loads of laundry and costs $10.95.

Erectile dysfunction is pretty common in old age. But lately, many youngsters are also reporting the problem. It’s a cause of concern when a young person cannot sustain an erection during sexual activity. In young people, the disease could be due to an accompanying health condition or psychological factors. There are medications to treat erectile dysfunction, but patients can also manage the ailment by adopting the lifestyle changes and natural remedies mentioned here. 1. Exercising Erectile dysfunction usually occurs when there’s poor blood circulation in the pelvic muscles and penis. Exercising is the quickest way to improve good blood flow. Being overweight can also prevent an erection, and exercise can help with that too. If a person’s waist measures 42 inches or more, they’re at risk of erectile dysfunction, and exercise can be the right thing to do with double benefits. 2. Eat nitric acid-rich food Eating healthy can delay the onset of the condition. One should have fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants and nitric acid. The latter helps relax blood vessels, allowing better blood flow to the penis. Spinach, kale, carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, grapes, strawberries, and raspberries are best for boosting nitric acid production. Watermelon is another fruit with compounds that can relax blood vessels.

Many feel the urge to urinate right after a trip to the restroom. However, some feel a similar urge even when the bladder is not full. This condition is known as an overactive bladder. In some cases, the urine may leak involuntarily, and the condition is called urinary incontinence. Few may also have muscle spasms while urinating. If you are experiencing one or more symptoms, it is important to visit the doctor. The doctor will then do some tests to identify the type of overactive bladder and begin treatment. Let’s understand the condition better. What are the types of overactive bladder? Doctors classify OAB into two: wet and dry OAB. Wet OAB is when you have an urgent need to urinate, and there could be involuntary leakage. Dry OAB is when there is a frequent need to urinate, but there is no leakage. Between the two types of OAB, wet OAB is the more common condition. Doctors will begin treatment once they diagnose the type of OAB. 1. Change in lifestyle Doctors may recommend a change in diet and lifestyle to reduce the urge for frequent urination. Important changes in lifestyle required to improve OAB are: Avoid food that irritates the bladder, including tomatoes, soda, caffeine, and chili.

Prostate cancer is one of the common cancers that affect men. Prostate cancer rarely produces obvious symptoms in the early stages, though a few signs may signal that there is some problem in the prostate. If you note and check the signs early, you can detect prostate cancer in the early stages, increasing the chances of recovery. Warning signs of prostate cancer Frequent urination at night Blood in urine or semen Difficulty in stopping or starting urination Weak urine flow Pain around the prostate while sitting Swelling in the lower part of the body, back, hips, or bone Abnormal bowel movement Unexplained weight loss If you are experiencing either one or more signs of prostate cancer, make sure you promptly consult a physician. You should take even non-cancerous conditions like prostate enlargement seriously and get timely medical attention. Stages of prostate cancer Staging prostate cancer is a complex process that involves multiple tests. Doctors use the results of the tests to help determine the stage of cancer or how far it has progressed. The staging of prostate cancer is determined based on the TNM system developed by the highly recognized American Joint Committee on cancer. The three key components of the system are as follows.

Food is one of the primary triggers that can worsen symptoms of arthritis. Any person affected with arthritis has to know what food is good and what they should avoid. Since processed food is a key trigger of inflammation, doctors and dieticians recommend eating fresh food over processed food. They can also include seasonal fruits and vegetables rich in calcium and other nutrients and contain anti-inflammatory properties. Fall is a great season for some fresh and locally grown vegetables and fruits. Listed below are some foods that can help strengthen bones, fight inflammation, and reduce symptoms of arthritis. 1. Pumpkin Pumpkin is one of the known fighters of inflammation. It is rich in fiber and low on calories. It also has nutrients like beta carotene, vitamin C, and magnesium, which can fight inflammation. You can make soups, gravies, and pies and include them twice a week in your menu. 2. Apples Apples contain a compound called polyphenols that can help reduce inflammation. They also have multiple phytonutrients that can help reduce joint pain and aches. It can be an ideal snack. You can add it to salads or wraps or stew them. An apple a day is the way to go for those with arthritis.