With the fast-paced world, getting a good night’s sleep is becoming harder. We often attribute sleep loss to external factors like stress or technology, but sugar can also be a culprit that we tend to overlook. Despite its seemingly harmless nature, sugar can negatively affect our sleep patterns and overall health. Many people are unaware of sugar’s harmful impact on sleep and its correlation with sleep disturbances and constipation. Here’s everything you should know. Disrupts the sleep-wake cycle Consuming excessive sugar close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle. Sugar stimulates insulin release, leading to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. This spike in energy can make it difficult for your body to relax and enter the sleep phase, causing insomnia or fragmented sleep. Promotes restless sleep Sugar can contribute to restless sleep by causing blood sugar fluctuations throughout the night. As your blood sugar levels rise and fall, your body may experience sudden awakenings or interruptions in sleep. These disruptions can leave you tired and groggy in the morning, even after a seemingly long night of rest. Increased risk of sleep disorders Studies have shown that high-sugar foods are associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring.

Getting a good night’s sleep is critical to having a productive and stress-free routine. The mind and body require adequate rest to recoup and revive after a tiring day. But have you ever thought about understanding the various sleeping positions you adopt subconsciously? Every position has a unique advantage and disadvantage and greatly impacts your sleep quality. So here are the best sleeping positions to try out and find a suitable posture. Sleeping on the side Sleeping on one side has a number of health benefits. Doctors suggest sleeping on the left side to improve digestion, as the angle of the stomach makes food move along the digestive tract easily. This further lowers the incidence of heartburn as the stomach acids cannot be churned up the esophagus due to the tipping angle. Sleeping on the side also lowers the pressure put on the neck and esophagus, preventing obstruction of the airways. However, sleeping on the side may cause the shoulders and jaw areas to become stiff due to the body weight shifting on one side. It’s best to support the position with multiple pillows to avoid pain and discomfort. Sleeping on your back This is a common position that is restful and promotes a good night’s sleep.

Day or night, making frequent bathroom trips can be annoying for any individual. A symptom of an overactive bladder, frequent urination can affect one’s work and personal life. However, with proper treatment, it is possible to control frequent urination. Various home remedies, including nutritional changes and behavioral therapies, can help retain the bladder and prevent the need for frequent bathroom visits. Keep reading to learn about a few such helpful home remedies. Kegel exercises Kegel exercises can be beneficial in managing frequent urination problems. They repeatedly contract and release the pelvic floor muscles, building their strength. The increased strength can help improve bladder control and lower urination frequency. Bladder training Bladder training goes a long way in helping patients with an overactive bladder. At first, patients might find it difficult to hold in their urine for longer than usual. However, maintaining this practice for weeks retrains the bladder and reduces the urination frequency. Eating healthy foods One cool trick to managing frequent urination is avoiding foods and drinks that act as a diuretic or could irritate the bladder. It could include caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, tomato-based foods, and even chocolate. Adding more fiber to the meal can help relieve constipation and frequent urination problems.

Most individuals, especially those with a sweet tooth, find it hard to avoid sugary foods from their daily meal plan because sugar is an integral part of various food items. However, excessive intake of sugar is associated with many health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and even cholesterol. Some easy and effective strategies to reduce sugar intake and its direct impact on one’s cholesterol levels are listed below. Types of cholesterol There are two types of cholesterol- LDL (low-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as bad cholesterol HDL (high-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as good cholesterol LDL causes plaque buildup in one’s arteries, creates blockages, hampers blood flow, and raises the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Meanwhile, HDL helps the body to get rid of bad cholesterol. HDL carries LDL to the liver, where it is eventually eliminated from the body. Effects of sugar on cholesterol levels Healthcare professionals recommend exercising and reducing the intake of saturated fats for individuals with high cholesterol. However, unbeknownst to many, sugar is another hidden contributing factor to cholesterol. Some studies have shown that people who consumed more than half a cup of sugar daily had low HDL levels in the body.

Sugar is one of the most commonly used condiments in daily cooking. In fact, most processed foods bought off the shelves in the supermarket contain some form of artificial sweetener added to enhance the taste. One example is the variety of carbonated beverages, flavored sodas, and fruit juices sold. A 12-ounce can of soda contains 10 teaspoons or 39 grams of sugar. Consuming sugary beverages affects one’s health in the following ways. Triggers type 2 diabetes Sodas are laced with artificial sweeteners that rapidly increase blood sugar levels in the body. Frequently consuming these sugary beverages causes healthy cells to become less resistant to natural insulin produced by the body. Insulin resistance combined with increased blood sugar severely increases the risk of diabetes. Leads to joint problems Fructose, a form of sugar, is one of the known risk factors linked to certain types of arthritis, mainly gout. It leads to the build-up of uric acid crystals in the big toe. Consistently consuming excessive amounts of sugar can trigger flare-ups associated with gout and worsen the pain. Causes dental problems Sugar left behind in the crevices of the teeth and healthy gums triggers problems like cavities and infections. That’s because the bacteria feed off excess sugar left behind after consuming sweetened juices, flavored sodas, and carbonated beverages.

Daily nutrition plays a critical role in maintaining overall lung health. Foods and beverages should be consumed in such a manner that ensures the organ receives the necessary nutrients to perform at optimal capacity. However, many foods and beverages lead to the development of chronic discomforts ranging from shortness of breath to pain in the lungs. Here are five foods to avoid or consume in moderation for better lung health. Processed cuts of meat Deli meats are infused with additives and even artificial coloring or flavoring to enhance the taste. So, all cuts of processed meats like bacon, ham, sausage, hot dogs, and lunch meats are not recommended for regular consumption. Furthermore, if anyone is already experiencing respiratory disorders, it’s better to avoid processed cuts of meat. Many cuts contain carcinogens like sodium nitrate released upon cooking on a high flame. This increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), increasing lung discomfort and causing breathing difficulties. Sugary foods and beverages Sugar is empty calories meaning adding sugar to daily foods and beverages only enhances the flavor. There is no additional nutritional value gained from adding it. On the contrary, research suggests a link between regular sugar consumption and mucus production obstructing nasal passage.

Huntington’s disease or Huntington disease results in a progressive breakdown or a degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. This is a rare disease, typically passed down through generations, which means it is inherited. It impacts the functional abilities of a person, leading to cognitive, movement, and psychiatric disorders. There is no treatment to cure the disease completely; however, there are options to help manage the symptoms. Here are common signs of the disease. Signs and symptoms of Huntington’s disease The symptoms vary from person to person, as there is a wide spectrum of signs to look out for. Here are some symptoms that can be observed in patients: Movement disorders This kind of disorder involves not just involuntary movement disorders but also impaired movement disorders. Examples include writhing movements called chorea or involuntary jerking. Muscle issues like rigidity or muscle contracture (also called dystonia), slow or unusual eye movements, difficulty with speech or swallowing, and impaired gait, posture, and balance are noted. These disorders may impact an individual’s day-to-day activities. As Huntington’s can affect one’s nerves and muscles, it may also adversely impact one’s digestive system and bowel movements, leading to constipation, incontinence, and diarrhea. Cognitive disorders The impairments associated with Huntington’s disease include difficulty in organizing, prioritizing, and focusing on tasks.

Bone cancer occurs due to abnormal cell growth in a bone, usually the arm, leg, or pelvic bones, but sometimes the skull, hips, and ribs. In its advanced stages, bone cancer may spread to other body parts, including the surrounding tissues, bones, and organs. On the bright side, patients with bone cancer can recover completely if the condition is diagnosed and treated early. Understanding some of its early signs can help with timely diagnosis and intervention. Swelling Most individuals with bone cancer experience inflammation and swelling over the affected area, leading to restricted mobility, mainly if the cancer occurs in a bone close to a joint. Fever In some cases, bone cancer may escalate to fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Although the underlying cause of such fever is unclear, some studies suggest that it may be due to certain toxins produced in the bodies of patients with bone cancer. Bone Lump Bone cancer sometimes leads to the development of a lump on the affected bone. This lump may grow with the progression of cancer and may sometimes cause pain. Anemia and fatigue The bones in one’s body govern the production of red blood cells (RBC), which supply oxygen throughout the body.