Geographic Atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which leads to irreversible vision loss. As its name suggests, it directly affects the macula, the part of a person’s eye responsible for central vision. While currently, there is no known cure for geographic atrophy, there is a proactive approach that people can take to delay its progression. This includes altering nutritional intake, adding some foods to the daily routine, and subtracting others. Foods to eat for geographic atrophy Leafy greens Leafy greens like spinach, kale, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful pigments, in high amounts of leafy greens. These pigments are powerful antioxidants that can help protect the macula, the central part of the retina affected by GA. An excellent way to incorporate these leafy greens into the nutritional routine is by adding them in salads, smoothies, or lightly sauté for a side dish. Green vegetables Besides leafy greens, the pigments lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in high amounts in other green vegetables, such as avocados, green bell peppers, peas, and broccoli. These vegetables can also be easily included in salads or other sandwiches. Avocados can also be added to smoothies, spinach, and kale to make it even better for the eyes.

Vasculitis, or angiitis, is an autoimmune health disorder. It damages the blood vessels due to the severe inflammation that leads to their swelling and hardening. Therefore, the blood is unable to flow smoothly, resulting in organ and tissue damage. Although vasculitis is not preventable, one can delay symptom progression and prevent complications by watching out for the early signs. Here are some of the types, early signs of vasculitis, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. Types of vasculitis There are more than 30 types of vasculitis. Depending on which blood vessels are affected, a doctor will determine the vasculitis type. Some of the known types include the following. Behcet’s disease Buerger disease Churg-Strauss syndrome Cryoglobulinemia Giant cell arteritis Granulomatosis with polyangiitis Henoch-Schonlein purpura Kawasaki disease Takayasu’s arteritis Early signs of vasculitis Some of the early signs and symptoms are common across all types of vasculitis. Breathing difficulties When vasculitis reaches the lungs, tears begin to develop in the healthy tissues. This can cause disruption in the respiratory function. Over time, this leads to pneumonia-like symptoms as well as breathing difficulties, wheezing, and coughing. These symptoms may worsen after any physical activity, such as climbing stairs, running, and lifting a heavy object.

A healthy smile plays a big part in one’s appearance. However, many common foods can be detrimental to teeth health, leading to the formation of plaque and cavities. Plaque is a thin, sticky, and invisible layer of bacteria and other substances that contribute to oral health problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. Over time, plaque formation can break down the enamel, and give rise to several dental problems. To prevent these issues, it is important to take proper care of one’s teeth and avoid these 12 foods that can harm teeth health: Candies Candies such as lollipops, mints, and others contain high levels of sugar. Chewing or biting on such hard candies can also cause chips or cracks in one’s teeth, increasing the risk of decay. Further, sour candies contain not only more sugar but also acids. These can be extremely tough on one’s teeth, and lead to enamel erosion. Due to their sticky nature, the candies stay on the teeth for a long time, increasing the risk of tooth decay. It may be safer to switch to chocolate instead of sour candy and rinse the mouth immediately after. Bread When chewed, the starches in bread are broken down into sugars by the saliva.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It results in the loss of muscle control and tends to worsen over time. The exact causes of the disease are yet to be identified, but experts can recommend certain treatments and therapies that help improve the quality of life of those affected. Following are 11 early warning signs of ALS. Muscle weakness Someone who develops muscle weakness out of the ordinary might be at risk of ALS. One may notice the development of symptoms in a specific limb, leg, or arm. Motor neurons are gradually lost, due to which the muscles controlled by them gradually become weak and non-functional. This results in weaker muscles and disability, which eventually turn worse. The loss of muscle strength could also affect everyday tasks, such as climbing stairs, lifting objects, or holding a cup. Trouble swallowing The process of swallowing involves a number of muscles that work together, including the tongue, jaw, lips, and throat. If they are affected by ALS, it could disrupt the harmony and make it tedious for them to swallow, which is termed dysphagia.

The teeth serve various functions in the human body, including helping us to chew and digest food. However, for some people, tooth sensitivity is a chronic issue that causes pain and discomfort while eating, drinking, and brushing. To deal with sensitive teeth and improve oral health, one may try to adopt techniques that could worsen the condition of teeth. So, here are a few errors to avoid when dealing with sensitive teeth: 1. Using regular toothpastes One may find their teeth more sensitive than usual after brushing their teeth. Sometimes, the reason here could be regular toothpaste, which contains abrasive materials that may hamper the tooth structure and trigger sensitivity. So, one should instead opt for toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth. These products come with ingredients that could temporarily fill up tiny holes in the enamel and dentin. This prevents pain or cold sensations from triggering the pain sensors in the teeth. 2. Using hard brushes The types of toothbrushes one uses could also be the cause of heightened sensitivity one feels after brushing their teeth. For starters, stiff bristles are rough on the enamel, which could lead to more microscopic holes, consequently increasing sensitivity. Such toothbrushes may also worsen gum recession and expose dentin and sensitive nerves.

Maintaining eye health is often overlooked despite our vision playing a crucial role in our daily lives. We must take proactive steps to ensure that our eyes stay healthy. Even if one has no vision problems, adopting a few healthy habits can go a long way in preserving vision and reducing the likelihood of developing eye issues. This article will provide ten tips to help one maintain healthy eyes. 1. Do not rub the eyes Our hands are exposed to bacteria, dust, and dirt. These can transfer to the eyes whenever one rubs or touches them. So, one must avoid touching their eyes without washing their hands. 2. Go for a regular eye examination Getting assistance from an eye specialist is imperative to maintain healthy vision. Depending upon any ongoing health condition or one’s current eye health, an optometrist may advise how often one must get a vision examination and recommend some measures to shield one’s eyes. 3. Eat healthy, balanced foods Maintaining sound eye health requires paying attention to what one eats. A diet that includes a variety of vegetables and fruits, mainly green, leafy, or deep yellow, can provide the essential vitamins needed for healthy eyes. Additionally, incorporating Omega-3 fatty acids from flax and chia seeds can supply the vital nutrients and vitamins necessary for good eye health.

Certain factors can make any city a hotspot for migraines. Lifestyle elements such as the average overtime hours worked, frequency of air travel, lack of vigorous exercise, insomnia, and sunburn can all play a role in causing or worsening migraines. Additionally, environmental factors and the food consumed by the people living in the city can also contribute to migraines. Here are a few cities deemed migraine hotspots and why they are on this list. St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is a booming metropolitan city that is densely populated and forever bustling with people. Its dense population and traffic make it one of the worst cities for people with migraine. Also, certain studies have found that people in this city exercise very little. People of St.Louis mostly commute or drive themselves to work every day. On top of all these, St. Louis has unpredictable weather and occasions on which the temperature is incredibly high. Apart from these factors, the people of this city frequently and excessively consume inflammation and migraine-inducing foods such as hot dogs, sausages, smoked meat, chocolate, coffee, cheese, and junk food. All in all, factors such as low frequency of exercise, poor choice of foods consumed by the city’s people, erratic and inconsistent weather, and the dense population make St.

MAC lung disease refers to a lung infection caused by a bacteria group called Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), which is part of a large group of nontuberculous bacteria (NTM). Thus, MAC bacterial infection is the most common cause of NTM lung disease in the country. Typically, MAC lung disease occurs when one inhales these bacteria, commonly found in soil and water. Here are some warning signs of this condition that should not be ignored: Warning signs of MAC lung disease Chronic cough Patients with MAC lung disease may experience chronic cough and may sometimes cough up blood or mucus. Chronic cough is classified as the most common symptom of MAC infection. Swollen lymph nodes The body’s lymph nodes typically swell up when it tries to fight off germs or bacteria. Consequently, swollen lymph nodes among patients with MAC lung disease may be a sign that the body is trying to fight against the infection. Inability to clear mucus In some cases, MAC lung disease may lead to a condition called bronchiectasis, which involves damage to the bronchial tubes. Patients with this condition may not be able to clear mucus easily, causing them to experience constant discomfort in their throats. Changes in appetite Patients with MAC lung disease may experience loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or diarrhea if the infection spreads to other parts of the body.