With a significant rise in cancer cases globally, it helps to take essential preventive measures. Many individuals might be unaware of this fact, but harmful chemicals can be present in common household products, such as cleaning products, makeup products, and so on. Knowing which ones can help you make conscious choices and select safer alternatives to carcinogenic items. Thus, here’s what you need to know to make your home environment healthier and safer for everyone. Know what are carcinogens A carcinogen can be a substance, an organism, or even a chemical agent that has the potential to cause cancer. These can be naturally occurring, such as the sun’s ultraviolet light and some types of viruses. Also, carcinogens are mostly human-generated, such as exhaust fumes, chemicals, and radiation. Some of these carcinogenic substances are often present in your everyday household items like air fresheners, cleaning agents, pesticides, and cosmetics too. Long-term exposure to these carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer. This happens because the carcinogenic substances may interact with the DNA of cells in your body. They damage the DNA through mutations and cause disruption in the normal growth of the cells, leading to the formation of cancerous cells and tumors.

Schizophrenia is a progressive psychiatric disorder that has no cure. It affects a person’s ability to process information, manage thoughts, and influence behavior. As a result, one struggles with many symptoms that affect the quality of life, ranging from physical discomfort to emotional distress. The disorder affects children and adults of all ages and progresses rapidly. Therefore, it is important to understand the first signs of schizophrenia and seek professional assistance from a specialist for treatment. Signs and symptoms Schizophrenia can develop either early in childhood or later in life. Here are some of the earliest signs that are indicative of the disorder: Delay in development Children develop motor skills, speech or language skills, and emotional skills in early childhood. However, children showing signs of schizophrenia will struggle with these developmental problems and withdraw themselves from social confrontations. The inability to learn these basic social skills also impacts their mental well-being and triggers anxiety or depression at an early age. Neglect in personal hygiene Schizophrenia causes behavioral changes that affect one’s personality. These changes are evident if the person has already experienced a psychotic episode or might have one in the future. In the initial stages, patients with schizophrenia stop caring about their appearance or personal hygiene.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a health disorder that causes a person’s heartbeats to become irregular. This happens because the regular rhythmic pumping of the atria or the upper chambers of the heart is disrupted. As a result, the heart’s function becomes less efficient. Although there is no permanent cure, treatments and lifestyle changes, such as the food one eats and avoids, can help. Here is a list of foods to avoid with atrial fibrillation and what to eat instead. Foods to avoid with atrial fibrillation High amounts of salt in foods Salt is an essential condiment for all meal preps since it enhances flavors. However, it should be had in moderation as too much salt increases the sodium level in the blood. This alleviates blood pressure and causes hypertension. As a result of this, the symptoms of AFib are triggered. Energy drinks One of the major ingredients of energy drinks is caffeine. In addition, these drinks contain an elevated amount of sugar or sugar substitutes. Over the long term, this combination is not only bad for overall health but also for AFib’s condition. While caffeine, as it is, has not been found to be bad for AFib symptoms, it drastically changes the heart’s rhythms when it is mixed with the other ingredients in energy drinks.

Maintaining good vision and overall well-being requires actively protecting the eyesight. While incorporating nutrient-rich foods into daily meals promotes eye health, it’s equally important to actively avoid certain foods that can have a negative impact. By understanding which foods to steer clear of, one can actively make informed choices to safeguard one’s precious eyesight. So, let’s learn more about nutrition and how to keep the eyes healthy by avoiding certain foods. Candies Candies are difficult to pass up. Who wouldn’t want to satiate their sweet tooth with a snack that can easily fit into the pocket and provide immense satisfaction immediately? However, this sugar rush could cost one eye health. Excessive intake of sugary foods and beverages has a negative impact on the eyes, teeth, skin, hair, digestion, kidneys, liver, and other vital organs. High sugar intake is linked to a higher risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy. It is best to avoid sugary treats like candies, cookies, sodas, and sweetened juices to protect one’s vision and overall well-being. French fries Consuming fried and processed foods on a regular basis can lead to a decline in overall health, including eye health. Most packaged foods come with unhealthy quantities of trans fats and sodium.

Skin cancer affects millions of people, and while most are aware of its more apparent signs, such as moles or unusual growths, there are also silent signs that can often go unnoticed. Early detection of these signs is highly critical to treat the condition. By being vigilant and proactive, one can protect one’s skin health and potentially prevent the progression of skin cancer. Here are some signs, as well as common causes and treatment options available for the condition. Common signs of skin cancer Persistent itching or tenderness Skin cancer can cause persistent itching or tenderness in the affected area, so it’s important to get sudden itchiness or tenderness checked by a dermatologist. Scaly or crusty patches One may mistake scaly or itchy skin for normal skin rash, allergic reaction, psoriasis, or eczema. But if basic treatments and home remedies do not seem to heal these crusty skin patches, it may indicate a more serious and deeper problem of skin cancer. Pimple that won’t heal Pimples or zits forming during adolescence are a common occurrence. Still, persistent pimples that do not fade or heal and fail to respond to normal acne treatments could be a sign of an underlying issue, such as hormonal imbalances or skin cancer.

Snacks are the ultimate hunger busters; these are foods that are not as wholesome as full-blown meals but just filling enough to keep food cravings away for a while. Although snacking from time to time is not particularly unhealthy, certain snack options can increase one’s cholesterol levels. These snacks are surprisingly (and dangerously) common foods eaten by millions around the world. Here are some such snacks that spike cholesterol levels and should be avoided. Granola bars Granola bars are often marketed as the ultimate hunger quenchers. While they certainly live up to that tagline, granola bars are also massive enhancers of cholesterol. These crunchy, chewy foods are layered with a large dollop of saturated fats, which ensure one feels full after having these bars. In fact, even the granola bars tagged “low-fat” contain moderate proportions of saturated fats (much higher than some cereals). To stay on the healthy side, one must eat granola that is sweetened through dried fruit, maple syrup, or honey and opt for bars that have at least 20 percent of the fiber value recommended by healthcare experts. Flour tortillas This snack is known for its juicy, crunchy texture and great taste, but it is also a major cause of high cholesterol.

Dementia is a mental health condition characterized by a persistent decline in intellectual functioning as a person ages. It leads to difficulty remembering things, abstract thinking, poor logical reasoning, confusion, and trouble starting and carrying forward conversations. The ailment also changes people drastically in terms of personality. For instance, the individual may get upset, worried, or angry more quickly. Here are the common warning signs of dementia that one should not ignore. Inability to recall actions and experiences Dementia impacts the brain’s memory center right from the onset. As a result, people with the condition tend to forget past conversations or experiences as if they never happened. It is one reason they often ask the same question multiple times despite repeatedly receiving an answer. Some patients repeat the same story to the same person in the same way over and over again. Speaking of memory, people with dementia struggle with remembering the minute details of an event or place they had visited recently. For example, they may forget they have been to a foreign country for a holiday a few days after returning. That said, they may recall specific events from their earlier life pretty clearly. Forgetting familiar names and faces Actions and experiences are not the only things individuals with dementia forget.

Living with arthritis can be a deeply uncomfortable experience. This is due to its myriad list of symptoms. Although there is no permanent cure for arthritis, healthcare professionals can work on a treatment plan for people to reduce pain and inflammation and improve their quality of life. To achieve those objectives, such professionals need to detect the earliest signs and symptoms of the condition. Here are some of the most common early arthritis signs: Morning stiffness Most people feel stiff in the morning when they wake up. This tightness is caused due to the overnight changing of lubrication in the joints and fascia. Another cause for morning stiffness is that the body’s natural Ibuprofen has not kicked in yet. However, this stiffness tends to go away when one moves and stretches out a little. Morning exercises are a great way to release this morning stiffness. In the case of arthritis, this stiffness and tightness simply do not go away. This happens because of the inherently deep nature of arthritis symptoms. Therefore, if an individual experiences stiffness for 30 to 45 minutes after waking up, it may be a sign of arthritis and should be checked by a medical professional. In fact, the stiffness does not occur only in the morning but also after one rests for a long time and then gets up from a comfortable position.