Rheumatoid arthritis or RA is the inflammation of joints, leading to cartilage degeneration. It is an autoimmune disease wherein the immune system attacks the body’s tissues and can be caused by the wear and tear of the joints. It is estimated that more than 20 percent, which is over 50 million people, get diagnosed with rheumatic conditions like arthritis. Here are some things to avoid in daily lives for better management of rheumatoid arthritis. Leading a sedentary lifestyle A sedentary lifestyle is one of the biggest risk factors for rheumatoid arthritis. Lack of movement can weaken the joints, making it challenging to manage rheumatoid arthritis. Doctors recommend doing some light intensity exercises to relieve pain due to arthritis and help build stronger joints. Bad posture Bad body posture can put excess weight on weakened joints, which can worsen rheumatoid arthritis. A good body posture reduces the pressure on the joints, thereby reducing other symptoms like excess joint pain and trouble walking or doing simple chores. Wearing high heels High heels can put a lot of pressure on the hips and knees. This can aggravate arthritis symptoms. The cartilage around the joints can get damaged further, resulting in pain and inflammation.

Lactating moms should fuel their bodies with the best foods so the child grows healthier. During the time of breastfeeding, the mother’s body is making milk 24 hours per day. Generally, breastfeeding moms feel hungry ever so often. This appetite comes from the energy the body polishes off for producing milk. High on energy and low on calories, these six superfoods offer adequate nourishment for the mother and the child. Avocados Avocados contain healthy fats that will not only provide you with necessary energy over the course of the day but also assist you in controlling your cholesterol levels. Avocados are also plentiful in protein, vitamin E, and folate, all of which assist in the improvement of your child’s focal sensory system. Nuts Nuts are full of essential minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc, vitamin B, and vitamin K. They contain fatty acids and protein. Nuts are considered lactogenic in many parts of the world, meaning they are sometimes used to produce breast milk. Legumes or beans Legumes are a versatile food option for breastfeeding mothers, as they are a rich source of folate, iron, protein, vitamins, minerals, phytoestrogens, and fiber. Breastfeeding mothers require extra 25 grams of protein per day.

Immunization can be an important part of health, especially in our globalizing world, where one is exposed to many risks in the form of infections. Records for these risks are maintained by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and according to them vaccinations can help protect one from many of these diseases. Delaying or not choosing to vaccinate or be vaccinated could have some health and social implications. Here are the most common ones: Pregnancy complications Unvaccinated pregnant women may be at a higher risk of contracting infections or diseases and passing them on to their child. For instance, a woman who contracts rubella during the first trimester of pregnancy is at risk of transmitting congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) to her baby. CRS can cause heart defects, developmental delays, and even deafness. Potential risk to others Those who choose not to get vaccinated or not vaccinate their children against vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) also pose a health risk to others, especially those with compromised immune systems from cancer or auto-immune diseases. Social isolation Skipping vaccinations, especially for children, can also result in social exclusion. If an unvaccinated child is sick or dealing with a disease, they may need to be isolated from others and sometimes even the family.

Aches and pains can be tough to manage. An individual can experience many kinds of pain, including burning sensations, dullness, and even phantom emotions. It makes you feel irritable and indifferent. Managing discomfort becomes difficult when we are oblivious to our mistakes. It gets even more challenging when we do not improve it or bring a change in our lifestyle. Here’s how some behaviors and actions can lead to the worsening of chronic pain. Not consulting a doctor Ignorance is one of the leading causes of persistent aches and pains. Many people in pain put off seeing a doctor for months, hoping it will disappear. However, if you have pain or discomfort that lasts more than four days, you should consult a doctor instead of opting for self-treatment methods. Not considering alternative therapies If you are hesitant or are experiencing adverse effects, you may want to try alternative approaches to pain treatment. For example, acupuncture has been known as a natural treatment for sciatica, lower chronic pain, and osteoarthritis pain. Yoga and herbal remedies have also helped millions of people who suffer from pain. Unwilling to exercise Exercise can alleviate all types of suffering. A few exercises can assist in lubricating and strengthening your joints.

Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels is essential for overall health and well-being. Fluctuations in blood sugar can cause mood swings and energy crashes and even increase the risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, kidney failure, or cardiovascular problems. While lifestyle changes and prescriptions are commonly used to manage diabetes, incorporating certain foods into your meals can also positively impact you. Here are some superfoods that can help lower blood sugar levels. How does the body regulate blood sugar? When one eats, the carbohydrates in the food are broken down into glucose which enters the bloodstream. The pancreas releases insulin that signals cells to use glucose for energy, thus lowering blood sugar levels. If glucose is too high, the pancreas releases more insulin; if too low, it releases glucagon to raise it. This delicate balance maintains healthy blood sugar levels in one’s body. Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t produce or respond well to insulin. Besides diabetes, hormonal imbalances, stress, illness, poor lifestyle, or genetics can also affect blood sugar regulation. Seven superfoods to improve blood sugar levels Whole grains Whole grains like oats, quinoa, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread are high in fiber and magnesium. These foods can slow down the absorption of glucose in the bloodstream, prevent spikes in blood sugar levels, provide sustained energy, and reduce cravings.

Eczema is a health condition in which the skin gets extremely dry, leading to itchy patches. A disciplined lifestyle can help manage the symptoms, but since this is a chronic disease, it can get increasingly uncomfortable and overwhelming. Therefore, loved ones should provide those with eczema a safe space to share their troubles and educate others on the subject. Here are some facts about eczema to create more awareness and empathy. Eczema is not “just a rash” Unlike what most people falsely assume, eczema is more than just a rash. It is a chronic condition that needs extreme care and attention to be managed on a daily basis. This involves staying away from environmental triggers, soaps, shampoos, and any product that may lead to unprecedented flare-ups. Even food choices need a lot of screening. Itchy skin can cause insomnia Eczema flare-ups can also occur during the night. When that happens, it gets incredibly uncomfortable for patients to sleep due to itchy skin. This sleep disruption affects anywhere between 33% to 87.1% of adults and close to 83% of children with the condition. A lack of sleep, in turn, causes other complications like stress and irritability. Poor hygiene is not the cause Eczema is an auto-immune disease and does not occur due to poor hygiene.

Heavy periods are called menorrhagia in medical terms. Many menstruators often experience heavy periods in certain months of their menstruation cycle. It is quite normal to have heavy flow once in a while. Despite being infrequent, heavy flow can cause discomfort and inconvenience. It can disrupt carrying on routine everyday activities. However, there are ways to deal with heavy periods. Here are a few simple hacks to cope with a heavy flow. Keep sanitary products everywhere One of the ways to make it easier to cope with a heavy flow is stocking up on sanitary products. Ensure to buy the bigger sizes so that there is never any chance of running out. From sanitary napkins to tampons and menstrual cups, make sure there is enough backup for everything. Keep these in all the handbags that are used on a regular and not-so-regular basis. Ensure to keep extra supplies in the drawers at home and work, the bathroom, the bedroom, and every single bag. Wear period underwear Period underwears are an essential element that many are not aware of when it comes to dealing with a heavy flow of the menstruation cycle. Period underwear can come in handy for those struggling to wear extra-large menstruation pads.

Headaches are common and unavoidable. Many people might have experienced this painful sensation at some point in life. Headaches can vary in intensity; sometimes, they are more severe than usual, and otherwise, they will be mild. There are times when headaches last longer than the usual bouts of pain. If it happens, it indicates an underlying health concern necessitating treatment. Read further to learn about the common trigger factors of such long-lasting headaches. Migraine Migraines are headaches lasting anywhere from a few hours to a few days. People can experience migraine due to various trigger factors, including stress, lack of quality sleep, unhealthy nutritional habits, and hormonal changes. Common symptoms of migraines include light and sound sensitivity, visual disturbances, and nausea. Tension headaches Tension headaches are one of the most common types of headaches. These are usually caused by poor posture, tension in the shoulders and neck, and stress. Tension headaches can last for a few hours or sometimes even for days. Cluster headaches Custer headache is characterized by severe pain experienced on one side of the head. A rare form of headache, it is usually accompanied by symptoms such as watery eyes and nasal congestion and can last for a few weeks or even up to a few months.