Constipation means difficulty passing stools. A person suffering from constipation may experience strain and pass lump and hard stools. It is one of the most common health conditions in the country, with at least 14% of the population suffering from it. Sadly, this condition can lead to other complications, like hemorrhoids. But a few foods can help relieve the condition. Let’s take a look at some foods that can help relieve constipation. Apples Apples are a great source of fiber if eaten with their skin. They contain soluble fiber that is mainly in the form of dietary fiber called pectin. Gut bacteria rapidly ferment pectin, and this retains water in the colon, softening the stool and providing relief from constipation. Citrus fruits Citrus fruits such as grapefruit, orange, and mandarins are also a good source of fiber. Apart from pectin, they also contain a good amount of vitamin C and a flavonol called naringenin. A combination of these can ease constipation. Prunes Prunes or dried plums have been long used as a remedy for constipation. Like apple and other citrus fruits, prunes also contain high amounts of fiber. These produce short-chain fatty acids that help in increasing stool weight. Sweet potato Apart from being a great alternative to potatoes, sweet potatoes are rich in an insoluble fiber called cellulose and lignin that help add bulk to the stools, aiding easy bowel movement.

Heartburn, also referred to as acid reflux, is characterized by an uncomfortable burning feeling or pain in the chest. Occasional heartburn is common among adults and isn’t a major concern. If you’re wondering what causes bad heartburn, it’s usually certain trigger foods like chocolates, onions, and fatty foods. To relieve symptoms, it’s important to carefully choose your meals. Read on to learn about foods to eat and avoid to manage heartburn. 6 Foods to Eat and Avoid to Manage Heartburn Eat: Oatmeal Oatmeal is one of the best foods to consume for heartburn. Being a whole grain, it contains lots of fiber. Fiber helps absorb stomach acid, reducing the symptoms of acid reflux. So, make sure to enjoy at least a bowl of oatmeal each day. You can also try other whole grain options like brown rice and whole-wheat bread. Avoid: Fatty foods To effectively manage bad heartburn, it’s vital to eliminate all potential causes of the problem. Fatty foods are a common culprit of acid reflux and can also make the condition worse. They are slower to digest and relax your lower esophageal sphincter (LES), exacerbating heartburn. Steer clear of various high-fat foods like French fries, full-fat milk, and fatty cuts of meats.

Mycosis fungoides is a rare, slow-progressing, and chronic form of T-cell lymphoma of the skin. The cancerous cells can affect the skin and cause multiple lesions. The condition is further categorized into four stages. Each stage represents a more severe form of the disease. Aside from treatments for mycosis fungoides, studies show that even the foods you eat and avoid play a role in improving or worsening the symptoms. Foods to Avoid to Help Manage Cancers Processed meats Processed meats are those which are preserved through means of salting, curing, and smoking. The process, however, uses nitrates and nitrites to preserve the meat. Such chemicals may increase the chance of certain cancers and may even make you prone to mycosis fungoides. Alcohol Alcohol is another substance that can aggravate underlying health conditions, even lead to new ones. When you consume alcohol, it releases acetaldehyde, which is a chemical that may damage your DNA, and cause uncontrolled growth of cells, and lead to cancer. Sugar-sweetened beverages Sugar-sweetened beverages are high in calories and can make it difficult to balance energy levels. Excessive calorie intake may put you at a greater risk of gaining weight, even becoming obese. Such health conditions may drastically increase your chances of developing cancers.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive disease of the lungs. It occurs when the lung tissue gets damaged and scarred, causing shortness of breath, dry cough, fatigue, chest pain, appetite loss, and other discomforts. Unfortunately, there’s no complete cure for pulmonary fibrosis. However, proper nutrition can help manage the condition. This article lists the foods patients must eat and avoid, along with a few medications, including Esbriet®, as treatment options for pulmonary fibrosis. Foods to eat The following foods can help manage pulmonary fibrosis: Whole grains Whole grains like oats, quinoa, and brown rice are packed with fiber. They also have nutrients that can help lower cholesterol levels and decrease inflammation, improving the quality of life among pulmonary fibrosis patients. Lean protein Protein helps strengthen the chest and abdomen muscles, reducing breathing issues. One must choose high-quality lean proteins like skinless chicken breasts, eggs, and fatty fish. Some excellent plant-based protein sources include beans, peas, nuts, legumes, and tofu. Fruits and veggies Fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots, celery, spinach, berries, kiwi, and pineapple are loaded with a slew of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that help support lung health and ease pulmonary fibrosis symptoms. Plus, they’re high in fiber and can boost digestion.

Multiple sclerosis is an auto-immune disease that causes inflammation in the central nervous system. The immune system attacks the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the CNS, thereby causing inflammation in the myelin sheath, a protective layer around the neurons. While several treatment options are available to manage multiple sclerosis symptoms, eating and avoiding certain foods can also relieve the condition. Foods to eat Turmeric Turmeric is rich in curcumin, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent that can modulate cell signaling pathways, preventing autoimmune attacks. Adding anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric to one’s meals helps reduce inflammation, ease symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and prevent disease progression. Ginger Ginger contains 10-gingerol, an anti-inflammatory compound that regulates B cell-related immune responses. This helps manage multiple sclerosis symptoms. It reduces inflammation around the nerves and muscles, which causes stiffness and physical pain associated with the condition. Vitamin D-rich foods like eggs Fortified orange juice, mushrooms, salmon, tuna, eggs, and cereals are rich in vitamin D. Calciferol or ergocalciferol, an active form of vitamin D, is synthesized by the body. It circulates as a hormone, thereby reducing inflammation in the central nervous system. Research has shown that relapse rates decreased in patients with the condition after taking a higher dosage of vitamin D.

Osteoporosis is a disease in which the bones weaken and degenerate due to the loss of tissues. As a result, they become brittle and are largely vulnerable to pain and fractures, often leading to disability. There are certain food habits that hasten the process of bone degeneration in patients. Give below are five foods to avoid in the meals made for individuals suffering from osteoporosis plus certain medications for the condition. 5 Foods Osteoporosis Patients Need to Stay Away From Salt When the concentration of sodium in our blood increases, it leads to excessive loss of calcium through the kidneys, which can worsen the process of bone degeneration during osteoporosis. Thus, it is important to limit the amount of salt we consume or the amount of high-sodium foods we include in our meals. Carbonated beverages It has been observed that excessive consumption of carbonated beverages, such as colas and sodas, may have adverse effects on the bone density and bone health in an individual. These contain phosphorus, which has been linked to causing bone degeneration in people with osteoporosis. Moreover, the refined sugars present in such beverages are also considered harmful for bone health since they they cause excessive excretion of calcium through urine.

In a world where most ready-to-eat meals contain excess fats and calories, finding a balance becomes necessary. The food one consumes helps maintain overall health, reduces the risk of a disease, and hastens the recovery process. This is particularly true in the case of cancer. While no food can cure cancer, intake of certain vegetables, such as the ones given below, may reduce its risk. This article additionally touches upon options for cancer treatment. 7 Foods That Help Reduce the Risk of Cancer Berries Berries like blackberries, mulberries, strawberries, and blueberries are rich sources of vitamin C, folate, potassium, and manganese. They also contain a high amount of antioxidants, including ellagic acid, gallic acid, and chlorogenic acid, and have anti-cancer properties. Garlic Garlic is a vegetable that contains an active compound called allicin. One study concluded that people who ate a large number of allicin-rich vegetables such as garlic, onions, leeks, and shallots had a lower risk of stomach cancer. Tomato According to some experts, this fruit is a cancer-fighting superfood. Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is an antioxidant phytochemical that keeps away heart diseases. They are, additionally, a rich source of vitamin A, C, and E, all nutrients that help reduce the risk of cancer.

Around 25 million people in the country suffer from asthma, and it’s the leading chronic disease in children. While this condition cannot be cured, it can be managed by treating the symptoms and taking steps to prevent the triggers, risk factors, and causes of asthma attacks. Herein, we list 20 cities that have been named as the worst places for asthma patients, and 18 of these cities are on the East Coast. 20 cities with the highest asthma cases 1. Allentown, PA 2. Baltimore, MD 3. Richmond, VA 4. Milwaukee, WI 5. New Haven, CT 6. Cleveland, OH 7. Philadelphia, PA 8. Dayton, OH 9. Oklahoma City, OK 10. Tucson, AZ 11. Worcester, MA 12. Springfield, MA 13. Columbus, OH 14. Birmingham, AL 15. Detroit, MI 16. Louisville, KY 17. Hartford, CT 18. Boston, MA 19. Fresno, CA 20. Greensboro, NC The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), has listed a number of risk factors and causes that have driven these 20 cities to have the highest rate of asthma. These factors and causes are Poverty People in lower-income groups are more prone to having poor housing quality, polluted location (near highways), and inaccessibility to quality treatment, and they would consequently be more prone to being affected by asthma.