Why is it important to know the food and lifestyle changes that help alcohol and substance abuse? The reason is that any kind of addiction, whether it is substance abuse or alcohol is bound to have a huge impact on our bodies. Recovery is not going to be a speedy process; it will need a lot of patience, hard work, and commitment. And a big part of this recovery process is knowledge about the foods and lifestyle changes that help alcohol and substance abuse. What are the food and lifestyle changes that help alcohol and substance abuse in addicts? The main factors responsible for addiction are biochemical abnormalities, psychological weaknesses, environment, and genetics. So, those who are anxious, socially-distant, and depressed are more likely to be substance abusers. Alcohol and certain intoxicants are commonly used to alleviate such negative feelings since these heighten dopamine activity, boosting one’s mood. Substance abuse can lead to people suffering from mineral and vitamin deficiencies threatening their mental and physical health, damaging vital organs, and even the nervous system, and compromising their immune systems. So, it is important to provide addicts with calorically-appropriate, well-balanced meals. It is important to rectify nutritional deficiencies and take care of any medical condition because instability and malnutrition will heighten disease-related risks and trigger cravings for alcohol and certain substances.

What are nasal polyps? Nasal polyps are the non-cancerous, soft, and painless growths found in the inner lining of the nasal passage. These polyps are caused due to chronic inflammation and are often associated with recurring infections, asthma, sensitivity to certain medications, allergies, and some immune disorders. Knowing the causes of nasal polyps and common treatments can help the patient deal with this condition. Causes of nasal polyps and its treatment Scientists do not completely understand why nasal polyps occur and why people have long-term inflammation. It is strange why swelling or irritation triggers nasal polyps in only some people. It is believed that people with polyps have a distinct immune system that responds differently. They also have different chemical markers inside their mucous membranes than people who do not get polyps. The truth is that nasal polyps may develop at any time, although one will find them mostly in middle-aged people and youngsters. People having nasal polyps may not have had nasal problems in the past but there can be certain triggers like: Asthma Chronic sinus infections Cystic fibrosis Allergic rhinitis or hay fever Sensitivity to NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen Churg-Strauss syndrome When one knows the common causes of nasal polyps and common treatments, they have no reason to fear.

To date, there isn’t a cure for multiple sclerosis. The treatment options for multiple sclerosis help to manage symptoms, reduce multiple sclerosis progression, and helps one recover quickly from the attacks. Attack-related treatment There are two treatment options for multiple sclerosis that are focused on helping the patient recover from this condition. These are corticosteroids and plasma exchange. Corticosteroids are useful for helping reduce inflammation. Examples of corticosteroids include intravenous methylprednisolone and prednisone. Plasma exchange or plasmapheresis is used when one is experiencing new symptoms that are severe. It is used when the body hasn’t responded well to steroids. The process of plasma exchange involves removing plasma and then separating the blood cells. Albumin is then mixed with these blood cells and then put into the body. Progression-related treatment The patient can opt for progression-related treatment options for multiple sclerosis. The doctor might recommend ocrelizumab for primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. At present, this is the only FDA-approved DMT that exists. This can lower the risk of multiple sclerosis progressing compared to those who don’t receive this treatment. The doctor might recommend relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis therapies such as follows. Numerous oral treatments can be recommended. Teriflunomide helps reduce the rate of relapse.

For diabetics, picking out a healthy sugar-free snack can post quite a challenge, but it is necessary to keep the blood sugar levels in check. The snacks should be rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats to help diabetics maintain a healthy weight and manage the condition to lead a quality life. Studies show that when diabetes patients combine a healthy, fiber- and protein-rich, low sugar diet with doctor prescribed medical treatments such as insulin pumps and injections, blood sugar improves significantly. Also, talk to your doctor about the many treatments and tools that can help you achieve a better quality of life—such as the daily monitoring of your blood sugar levels with help of medical glucose monitors and meters, islet cell transplant for type 1 diabetes (which involves transplantation of islet cells from a donor pancreas), and options for weight loss surgery or reducing weight via exercising and managing your diet. Remember that keeping your blood sugar levels in check by consuming oral diabetes medications prescribed by your healthcare professional at the proper dosage is imperative to your ongoing health. Read on for some naturally sugar-free snack options for diabetics: Hard-boiled eggs:  Eggs are packed with nutrients, are extremely good for overall health, and make for a great naturally sugar-free snack for diabetics.

Like with other systems in the human body, the brain thrives on a healthy and nutritious diet. Severe dysfunction of a group of neurotransmitters in the brain contributes to schizophrenia, and people diagnosed with this condition usually trod on a path of unhealthy eating habits. Multiple research studies indicate that the intake of saturated fat, red meat, excessive dairy products, and refined sugars leads to the progression of schizophrenia. Also, studies suggest that prevention or management of the condition can be achieved through positive changes in the dietary patterns of people afflicted with this chronic mental condition. Here’s what people should choose to eat when they have schizophrenia: Fruits An intake of colorful fresh or frozen fruits is a good place to begin. Boosting one’s fiber and vitamin C intake with oranges, apples, pears, bananas, and colorful berries helps keep other health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity at bay. A variety of vegetables Eating a variety of low-fat, vitamin-rich vegetables introduces all the micro- and macro-nutrients essential for the effective functioning of the brain. Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, potassium, folate, and vitamin B complex are essential nutrients, and excellent sources of these are leafy greens, sweet potatoes, soybeans, sunflower seeds, almonds, blueberries, and curcumin.

Patients experiencing gout attacks must be wary of what they eat as the foods they eat can either ease the pain associated with the condition or aggravate it. Certain foods are a definite no for gout patients, while other foods are beneficial for them. Also, being overweight increases the risk of gout, so it is important to follow a balanced and healthy diet. An ideal diet for gout patients decreases uric acid levels in the body, preventing painful uric acid deposits in the joints. This article includes a list of what to eat and what to avoid when one has gout to lead a healthy life. Drink plenty of water Hydration keeps the levels of uric acid in check by flushing out excess uric acid from the body. Drinking two to three liters of plain water decreases the chances of gout attacks by forty percent. However, it is advisable to avoid sugary sodas, energy drinks, and soft drinks. Eat fruits Fruits provide the body with essential fiber and nutrients that help manage body weight effectively.  Fruits rich in vitamin C, like pineapples, strawberries, kiwi, papaya, oranges, grapes, and tangerines, help prevent pain as they balance the uric acid levels. Cherries are effective remedies for easing gout pain as they have anti-oxidant properties.

Food allergies happen not just in humans but in dogs too. When your canine’s immune system mistakenly identifies a regular animal/plant protein as a threat, produce antibodies, and kicks off an immune response, it is called a food allergy. However, unlike what commercial dog food manufacturers would like you to believe, food allergies in dogs are not common; they are quite sparse. It is best to permit a qualified veterinarian to diagnose and treat your dog for whatever symptoms are bothering him, whether it is his skin or his stomach. Sometimes signs of other health issues could be similar to that of a food allergy. So learn to recognize the common traits of food allergy. In case it is confirmed that your dog does have a food allergy, here are four most common foods that cause allergies in dogs. Chicken Most dogs that develop allergic reactions do so commonly to poultry like chicken even if they have been eating it for many years. Turkey and duck are alternative foods for dogs that are allergic to chicken. These are used as a novel protein source to check if the immune system’s sensitive reactions to food allergy in your dog are lessened.

If you are a cat parent, you should be well-informed about the poisonous plants for your furry friend. While this is not an exhaustive list, given below are four plants that are fatal to cats. Make sure you do not grow or bring any of these plants into your home for the safety and good health of your cats. Oleander Oleander is an outdoor shrub or a small tree that has very pretty pink, rose, white, or yellow color flowers. Even in small doses, all parts of this plant are extremely dangerous for your cat and can kill him. Believe it or not, the water in which this plant is kept in is also poisonous to cats. Symptoms of oleander poising include abdominal upset and digestive problems, gastrointestinal tract irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea, excessive drooling, lack of coordination, depression, hypothermia, or sudden fall in body temperature, tremors, seizures, and irregular heartbeat. The cardiac glycoside toxins in this plant trigger adverse effects on the heart muscle and cause heart abnormalities and death. Keep this plant away from your garden and your flower vase too. Sago Palm Sago palm, also called the cardboard palm, is found outdoors in tropical climates and sunny spots inside homes.

If you have pets at home, then fleas and ticks follow inevitably. These can transmit diseases to both pets and humans and hence is harmful to all. Safeguarding yourself, your children, your home, and pets from these blood-sucking creatures is important. Here are six products that protect your dog from these parasites, and save them from discomfort. Oral flea pills NexGard Chewable Tablets, these prescription medicines are oral insecticides. One of the best oral flea pills for dogs, these oral pills help kill not only adult fleas, but larvae, and eggs as well. This can be given to dogs older than eight weeks as a preventive medicine to avoid infestation by fleas and ticks. Once a month, you can give your pets this flavored chewable tablet like a treat because they will happily gulp it down. Topical application Bayer K9 Advantix, an effective flea medicine that can be applied onto your dog’s body, the Bayer Advantix kills and repels a wide range of parasites. Within 10 minutes of application, all stages of fleas, ticks, lice, and even mosquitoes are destroyed. This is a waterproof formula that can be used on dogs older than 7 weeks and is effective even after the dog bathes or swims.

The cases of feline diabetes are on the rise. As the percentage of obese and overweight cats is at an all-time high, so is the risk of these cats being prone to diabetes. In cats, diabetes mellitus can cause complications if it is not noticed and taken care of immediately. If the condition is not treated in time, the consequences can be pretty serious. Therefore, the moment any diabetes symptoms are noticed in a cat, clarity should be obtained on the kind of food that should and should not be added to the cat’s diet plan. While many brands make food to fit precisely what should be added into the diet plan of a diabetic cat, the foods that should be avoided can be blurry. Following are some of the guidelines indicating what foods to avoid for cats with diabetes mellitus. Foods with high carbohydrate content Unlike human beings, processing carbohydrates can be a challenging task for cats. Cats do not have the compound amylase in their saliva, which is known to process the carbohydrate in humans. In addition to that, the digestive system of cats lacks high digestive enzyme activity in the small intestine required for the digestion of carbohydrates.