Several diseases are included under the umbrella term of heart diseases and are also called cardiovascular diseases. They lead to the blood vessels becoming narrow or getting blocked, which, in turn, can result in a heart attack or stroke or cause pain in the chest. Other heart conditions affect the heart’s muscle, rhythm, or valve. Symptoms The symptoms vary according to the condition diagnosed. The symptoms of common cardiovascular diseases are discussed below. Symptoms of atherosclerotic disease Pain in the chest or feeling a sense of tightness or discomfort in the area Shortness of breath Limbs feeling numb or severely cold if the blood vessels have narrowed in the area, as it affects blood circulation Pain in the jaw, back, upper abdomen, or neck Symptoms of abnormality in the heartbeat or arrhythmia Fluttering sensation in the chest Racing or slow heartbeat Discomfort or pain in the chest Feeling dizzy or fainting Light-headedness Symptoms of heart defects or related conditions Skin color turning blue or pale gray Abdominal swelling or swelling in the area surrounding the eyes Shortness of breath while feedings in case of an infant Symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy Breathlessness Swelling in the legs, feet, and ankles Feeling a sense of fatigue and dizziness Irregular heartbeat Symptoms related to heart infections Fever Shortness of breath Feeling weak Change in the heart rhythm Persistent cough Skin rashes Causes The causes vary depending on the type of heart disease one is affected with.

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative condition that affects the movement of the individual. It affects the brain and the nervous system and leads to symptoms such as uncontrolled movement, stiffness, tremors, and loss of balance and coordination. Approximately one million people in the country have Parkinson’s disease. Read on to learn more about the effective ways to manage this condition. Here are the treatment options, foods to eat and avoid, and lifestyle changes to manage Parkinson’s. Treatment options Although Parkinson’s disease is not curable, there are many treatment options. These help slow down the progression of this degenerative condition and tackle the various signs and symptoms. Here are some of the common treatment options prescribed for Parkinson’s disease: Levodopa One of the most potent treatment options for Parkinson’s disease is levodopa. It can often cause nausea and vomiting. This is why it is usually prescribed or available in combination with carbidopa. Levodopa is a precursor of dopamine, and it is used to control the bradykinetic symptoms that affect movement. Carbidopa Carbidopa is a class of treatments called decarboxylase inhibitors. It focuses on preventing the breakdown of levodopa into dopamine before it reaches the brain. RYTARY® RYTARY® is an extended-release carbidopa/levodopa oral capsule.

The heart is the most crucial organ in the body and as the system will cease to function if the heart stops or loses momentum pumping fresh oxygenated blood. This is why it is vital to not neglect your heart health at all and responsibly maintain a healthy, stress-free, and more importantly, a happy lifestyle. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes that will help support a healthy heart function. Switch to a healthy diet Avoid eating foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats. Most foods you find on the shelves of the supermarket contain large quantities of one or the other. Instead, switch to low-fat high fiber alternatives to help manage cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases. The simple reason for this is that fats that normally block major arteries and blood vessels are eliminated from these foods choices. It is also advisable to limit the salt (sodium) intake to control blood pressure and sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes simultaneously. Change certain lifestyle habits Reduce the number of alcoholic or carbonated drinks you have regularly. For men, it is advisable to have not more than two drinks and day and women must have only one.

Skin diseases are conditions that affect our skin. They cause rashes, inflammation, irritation, and itchiness, affect your complexion, and lead to other changes in the skin. Some skin diseases can be genetic in nature, while others may result from lifestyle and environmental factors. There are many treatment options to tackle various skin conditions and their symptoms. But, you can always support the treatment by avoiding certain things. Read on to learn more. High intake of deep-fried foods Deep-fried foods taste incredible, and there is no denying that. But, these foods can take a toll on your skin, especially if you have a skin disease. Oily foods like fish and chips, chicken croquettes, and patties can increase the production of oil in the skin, which can change your complexion and lead to acne breakouts, irritation, and even allergies in worse cases. Also, hydrogenated fats are found in deep-fried foods. You can instead try healthier options like baked foods. Not adding enough healthy fats to the meals One of the most common mistakes many individuals make when tackling skin diseases and improving skin health is ignoring the right foods. Remember that not all fats present in foods are bad for you. Some are, in fact, necessary to build your immune system and maintain your overall health.

Huntington’s disease, also known as Huntington’s chorea, belongs to the group of neurodegenerative disorders that cause the progressive degeneration of the brain’s nerve cells. It is an inherited disease that can affect various aspects of an individual’s life, including physical movements, cognitive abilities, and emotions. There are two types of Huntington’s disease – Adult onset and Early onset – and there are many early warning signs that manifest differently for different people. Adult onset Early symptoms of Adult Onset Huntington’s include: Irritability Anxiety Difficulty in making decisions Mood swings Uncharacteristic clumsiness Unable to balance Restlessness Forgetfulness Memory issues Difficulty comprehending new information As time passes, symptoms may include: Muscle rigidity Mobility issues Cognitive decline Paranoia Breathing issues Involuntary twitching Trouble swallowing Early onset While Huntington’s itself is a rare condition, early onset of the disease is even less common, with symptoms usually starting to appear in childhood or adolescence. Also called Juvenile Onset Huntington’s Disease (JHD), it affects children and teenagers. Symptoms include: Drooling Clumsiness Changes in personality Slurred speech Rigid muscles Poor school performance that happens suddenly The progression rate of JHD is faster than adult onset HD. Huntington’s disease is caused by a defect in a single gene, marking it as an autosomal dominant disorder.

A debilitating neurological disorder, Parkinson’s disease, affects the nervous system. It is generally observed among those above the age of 60 years. In some cases, people below 50 also develop an early onset of the disease. It is common among those with a family history of the condition. Over time, the effect on the nervous system becomes apparent through several symptoms. There are warning signs of Parkinson’s that should not be ignored, which can help seek diagnosis and treatment. Temors in the hands This is one of the most noticeable warning signs of Parkinson’s. It is also known as rhythmic shaking. The tremors or shaking start to occur in the limbs of the hands or fingers. Sometimes, there is a pill-rolling tremor that causes a person to rub their thumb and forefinger against each other. The handwriting grows smaller It is normal for handwriting to change with age. However, Parkinson’s causes a person’s handwriting to become smaller, making it illegible over time. The words appear crowded, or the lines are not straight. This condition caused by Parkinson’s is also known as micrographia. The movements become slow Parkinson’s progresses over time to cause a person’s movements to become slower. They start to walk slower than their regular speed.

Mycobacterium Avium Complex (MAC) is a rare lung disease that leads to symptoms like persistent cough, fatigue, and respiratory distress. People with COPD or lung damage are more susceptible to this health condition. The main factors contributing to the disease are bacterial infections and compromised immune systems. However, recent studies increasingly recognize the potential influence of food choices on either alleviating or worsening the symptoms and progression of MAC lung disease. Foods to avoid for MAC lung disease Salty snacks Salty snacks, such as pretzels and potato chips, are particularly concerning for individuals with MAC lung disease. These snacks often contain high sodium levels, elevating blood pressure and fluid retention. Such symptoms can worsen respiratory distress and discomfort. Instead of indulging in salty snacks, individuals with MAC lung disease should opt for healthier alternatives like air-popped popcorn, which is lower in sodium, or raw, unsalted nuts and seeds for a satisfying crunch. One should also avoid packaged snacks, burgers, frozen meals, instant noodles, and processed cheese. Dairy products Milk and dairy products, while excellent sources of calcium and protein, may pose challenges for those with MAC lung disease due to the potential for increased mucus production. This excess mucus can worsen respiratory symptoms.

Huntington’s disease is a genetic disorder that affects the nervous system and causes progressive degeneration of brain cells. One of the common symptoms of this disorder is difficulty in swallowing. Due to this, extra care needs to be taken about the food considerations for people with Huntington’s disease. This includes removing certain foods from their food regimen which can be difficult to swallow. The following are a few foods that people with Huntington’s disease must avoid. Granola Granola might be a convenient snacking option. However, it might not be ideal for people with Huntington’s disease. This is because granola can be difficult to swallow due to its dry texture and can increase the risk of choking. Crumbly and sharp foods Along with dry foods, people with Huntington’s disease should also avoid crumbly foods, as they can irritate the throat. These include chips, crackers, and crusty bread. Due to their texture, they can also exacerbate swallowing problems. Raw fruits and vegetables While raw fruits are nutritious, they must be avoided by people with Huntington’s disease since they are difficult to swallow. Along with that, individuals with the disorder must also avoid raw vegetables as they pose the same problem. Nuts Individuals with Huntington’s disease may also experience reduced or loss of motor control in their face, which makes chewing difficult.

Our genes play a vital role in shaping our personalities, behaviors, thought processes, and appearance. However, they also act as contributing factors to the development of several health conditions. Genetic testing is an effective means of determining one’s genetic predisposition to a particular disease and preventing future risks of developing the condition. Here are some things to know about genetic testing, from the benefits of the process to the conditions one can test for. The benefits of genetic testing To take preventive measures Genetic testing is not the same as a diagnostic test — positive results do not imply that one has the disease. It only indicates the presence of the gene mutation causing the disease. Thus, testing for genetic vulnerability to a health condition allows one to take measures to prevent it if the result is positive. A sense of relief for families Family members are often worried about having passed on certain diseases to the future generations. Genetic testing can provide a sense of relief to family members in the case of negative results and reassurance in knowing that the disease can be prevented if the results are positive. A pathway to accurate diagnosis In many cases, genetic testing can be the first step to diagnosing a disease and starting the treatment course.

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.