What is deep vein thrombosis? Deep vein thrombosis or DVT occurs when a blood clot develops inside a deep vein. This condition can even be life-threatening. The common symptoms are pain and swelling, accompanied by tenderness, usually in your legs. The most common reasons for DVT include hormone therapy, immobility, and pregnancy. Can you prevent DVT? DVT can result in serious medical problems and can even turn out to be life-threatening. Which is why it is important to treat it right away. DVT once formed can block blood flow to your heart completely or partially and damage one-way valves inside your veins. At times the clot may even break free and move to large organs like the lungs, which can prove to be dangerous. Reports suggest that at least one out of ten patients suffering from DVT, usually succumb to it because of associated complications. As many as 350,000 DVT cases are diagnosed annually in the country. In many cases, people are not even aware of it. If you are at risk of developing DVT, there are a couple of things you can do to prevent it. Deep vein thrombosis prevention tips: Surgery, as well as some other medical treatments, heighten the chances of acquiring DVT.

Diabetes leads to elevated blood sugar levels. There are many types of the disease and following a certain diet can help keep the blood sugar levels in check. What is diabetes? Diabetes causes the level of sugar in the blood to increase. This occurs when the body cannot naturally break down sugar in the blood. High levels of blood sugar can cause many problems. Diabetes can also lead to complications in any of the body organs and eventually cause death. It can be controlled by medicine and lifestyle changes, which include exercise and diet. Importance of a diet in diabetes? The food we eat contains sugar in various forms. Not only sugar added to food, but glucose present in rice, wheat, and other foods also increases sugar levels in the blood. For a diabetic, it is extremely important to maintain a strict diet and regulate the consumption of foods that contain glucose. Following a diet along with exercise can help reduce blood sugar levels. Diabetic patients need to be extremely careful about the food they eat to prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar that could lead to problems. A diet to help fight diabetes A diabetic diet would include foods that do not have glucose or those that contain the least amount of glucose.

Eczema and atopic dermatitis are two skin conditions that are often confused for one another. If you wish to understand the difference between them, read on to know everything related to eczema vs. atopic dermatitis. What is eczema? Eczema is a common skin condition that leads to inflammation of the skin. It is estimated that at least 30 million people in the country suffer from this skin problem. It causes inflammation of the skin which makes it appear red and leads to itching. It appears as dark patches on the skin that may be rough and scaly. The skin could be flaky as well. It can lead to blisters that ooze fluid. It can also cause painful cracks on the skin. The intense itching can lead to scratching. Scratching the irritated skin can cause bleeding. Eczema does not spread from one person to the other. What is atopic dermatitis? Atopic dermatitis is one of the most common forms of eczema. It most commonly affects children, though adults could develop this condition as well. It leads to dry, inflamed skin that itches, leading to scratching and bleeding. It commonly affects the neck, wrists, face, back of the knees, and inner elbows.

Eyes are extremely sensitive parts in one’s body. They can easily get infected, red, and itchy. Some eye infections and diseases may be more serious than others. It is always best to get them checked as soon as a disturbance is felt. The most common eye infection symptoms are redness, itchiness, eye pain, watery eyes, discharge, photosensitivity, inflammation, dry eyes, and impaired vision. Types of eye infections There are a variety of eye infections and diseases one can contract, such as Pink eye or conjunctivitis Conjunctivitis is a highly contagious infection that can spread quickly through the air. It is quite common and is mostly present in children. It could be a bacterial or a viral infection. It is characterized by redness of the eyes and itchiness. Special eyeglasses are worn to prevent passing the infection to others until the pathogen is eliminated from the patient’s eyes. Keratitis It is an infection that is waterborne and affects one’s cornea. It is caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses. Fungal Keratitis is caused by a fungus called Fusarium fungi commonly present in organic material. This can enter one’s eye through a contact lens solution, penetrating injuries, etc. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a parasitic type of infection.

Eczema is a skin condition that causes redness and itchiness of the skin. It is also referred to as atopic dermatitis. It is more common during childhood but it can occur at any age. It is a chronic condition and though there is no permanent cure, the symptoms can be treated and measures can be taken to avoid flare-ups. Certain foods can also trigger or aggravate the condition. Being aware of the sensitive foods for eczema is an integral part of managing the condition. It is found that foods that trigger inflammation in the body also trigger eczema. Hence, avoiding unfriendly foods for inflammation helps reduce the frequency of eczema flare-ups. Unfriendly foods for eczema A person who is suffering from eczema must watch their diet and maintain a food diary to identify the trigger foods to prevent a flare-up. Some of the foods that have been known to be bad foods for eczema are: Certain fruits Citrus fruits have been found to be triggers for eczema in some people. Even dried fruits, grapes, kiwis, and avocados can be triggers for eczema. Dairy and eggs It has been found that a significantly large percentage of eczema patients are sensitive to eggs and dairy products.

IBS or Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a gastrointestinal disorder that results in diarrhea, bloating, and cramps. Although the condition has no definite cause, the diet followed can lead to a difference in the degree of risk of developing it. It is a common disorder that affects one out of every ten people in the country, and it can affect the quality of life significantly. Diet is one of the ways to manage the symptoms of this condition, and the most helpful method is to avoid the foods that increase the risk of the flare-up of the symptoms. The FODMAP Diet FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides Disaccharides Monosaccharides, And Polyol. Research shows that these are prevalent in the common diet, but they are not absorbed easily by the small intestine. They lead to gas and retention of fluid in the bowel. This further results in bloating, pain, and diarrhea. The FODMAP diet recommends avoiding the foods that trigger the symptoms. Studies have shown that more than 70% of those who followed this diet found it helpful in managing the symptoms of IBS. Here are the lists of foods to eat and avoid for those who are affected by IBS. Foods to avoid or eat moderately for IBS The following foods must be avoided as they can irritate the bowel and trigger the symptoms of IBS:

Our main source of energy is from the sugar that is carried in our bloodstream. This is also referred to as blood glucose. This blood sugar reaches one’s cells to be used for energy. The mechanism that performs this is controlled by insulin that is produced in the pancreas. If there is a problem with either the production or usage of insulin the blood sugar in one’s bloodstream doesn’t reach the cells and instead remains in the bloodstream causing high levels of blood sugar or diabetes. This can, over a period of time, cause serious health problems. Managing diabetes The glucose or sugar in our bloodstream comes largely from the food we eat. The easiest and most direct way to lower blood sugar levels is by changing one’s dietary intake of foods that raise sugar levels in the blood. One must also be aware of how foods manage diabetes and eat foods to help fight inflammation and other related problems that are caused by high blood sugar levels. Carbohydrates While the body does need carbohydrates for energy one must be more discerning as to which type of carbohydrates to retain in one’s diet. Always opt for healthier whole grains as opposed to processed grains and flour.

Cardiovascular or heart diseases mostly occur due to the blockage of blood vessels near the heart. These can also occur due to inflammation, high blood pressure, and increased levels of cholesterol. Making the right lifestyle choices, regularly exercising, and including the right foods to prevent heart diseases is advisable. Here are a few foods that help prevent heart diseases. Leafy green vegetables Most doctors believe that eating the correct foods prevent heart diseases. And among the most recommended foods for a healthy heart are green leafy vegetables. Spinach and kale are the best to keep your heart healthy as they are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. They promote proper blood clotting and regulate blood pressure. Whole grains Whole grains promote heart and overall health. Add whole grains such as oats, rye, barley, and quinoa that are rich in fiber to your diet in order to prevent heart diseases. These grains decrease bad cholesterol in your body, reducing the chances of cardiovascular diseases. Berries Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries play a vital role in promoting heart health. They are rich in antioxidants and protect the body against inflammation caused by stress. Also, blueberries help in blood clotting and regulating blood pressure.

A person’s diet can directly impact their health and reduce or increase the risk of developing diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. While there is no preventive superfood that completely protects against cancer, certain foods have been known to reduce the risk of cancer, while others actually increase one’s risk of developing the disease. Foods to reduce cancer risk are those that have a high amount of antioxidants. In addition to being mindful of one’s diet, one should also maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid overly processed foods, fried foods, unhealthy fats, sugar, and refined carbohydrates. Fruits and vegetables Fruits and vegetables are important as they have plenty of antioxidants that help fight cancer. Carotenoids are nutrients that are present in brussels sprouts, carrots, squash and other dark green leafy vegetables, and green and yellow fruits. The addition of these foods to one’s diet is thought to lower the risk of developing lung, esophageal, mouth, larynx, and pharynx cancers. A diet that is heavy on fruits reduces lung and stomach cancer risks while vegetables and fruits that are rich in Vitamin C reduce the risks of esophageal cancer. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene that is known for cancer-fighting properties. Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower are loaded with sulforaphane, which has been proven to reduce the size of tumors in mice.

Gout is a form of arthritis which is a condition of painful inflammation of the joints. Gout is characterized by the buildup of uric acid crystals in the joints causing extreme pain and inflammation. The most commonly affected part of the body is the big toe with the fingers, knees, heels, and wrists also being affected in some patients. Uric acid is naturally formed as a result of the body processing a chemical called purine. Purine is naturally found in the human body as well as in certain foods. Therefore, a person with gout should be careful to adhere to a gout diet that avoids intake of purines which in turn would limit the formation of uric acid crystals. Gout can be aggravated by being overweight and a gout diet should also help in achieving a healthy weight and be supported by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Foods to avoid on a gout diet Organ meats Kidneys, brain, liver, and sweetbreads are foods that trigger gout and are to be totally avoided. Fish and Seafood While certain types of seafood such as shellfish, anchovies, tuna, and sardines are very high in purines, others are good for health. So, instead of eliminating seafood from one’s diet entirely, a gout patient should be discerning in the type of seafood that they choose to eat.