Anxiety has become very common in today’s age. Almost everyone feels anxious from time to time. It is a normal response when faced with testing times or a significant life change. But, if you are often anxious without any reason, it might be a cause for concern. Chronic anxiety can affect relationships, work performance, and a person’s general nature. Some common anxiety disorders include panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social anxiety disorder. What are the symptoms of anxiety disorder? The most common signs include irritability, restlessness, uncontrolled worry, unusual fatigue, muscle tension, and frequent sleep issues. Those who experience these symptoms frequently should visit a professional. Health experts recommend a combination of treatments and cognitive therapy sessions depending on the severity. How to manage anxiety? Besides visiting a professional for expert guidance, here are a few things you can do at a personal level to feel relaxed: Try deep breathing When anxious, stop for a moment and engage in deep breathing; sit up straight, take a long breath through your nose, and exhale slowly. This can help relax the muscles of your nose, shoulders, jaw, and abdominal area. It can also slow down the heart rate and lower blood pressure.

The kidneys are bean-shaped organs that perform various critical functions inside the human body. They help filter blood, eradicate waste through urine, maintain fluid balance, balance minerals, and produce hormones. However, certain conditions may affect kidneys’ functioning, leading to more severe health risks. Certain risk factors are associated with kidney disorders, the prominent ones being high blood pressure and diabetes. Some common symptoms, causes, and management of kidney disease are detailed below. Common symptoms More than one in seven adults, or nearly 37 million people in the country, suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD) – a type of kidney disorder. Initially, it is challenging to find out the symptoms. Some early indicators and symptoms of kidney disease are fatigue, sleeping troubles, dry and itchy skin, breathlessness, muscle cramps, vomiting and nausea, changes in urination patterns, loss of appetite, and swelling in the ankles and feet. As kidney disease progresses and leads to kidney failure, the symptoms that develop include rashes, fever, nosebleeds, severe abdominal and back pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Causes Multiple causes are associated with kidney disease, including high blood pressure, diabetes, vasculitis, cardiovascular diseases, genetics, age, and autoimmune diseases. High blood pressure High blood pressure is a prominent cause of kidney disease as it damages the blood vessels and reduces blood supply to the kidneys.

Macular degeneration is a condition that affects a person’s vision and develops as people age. This progressive eye disorder involves the deterioration of the macula, which is a part of the eye’s retina. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older adults and may develop in one or both eyes. This condition is of two main types – dry and wet. Read further to learn about the disorder, its causes, and its types. Dry macular degeneration People are more likely to have dry macular degeneration than wet form. It is also less severe and develops when tiny yellow protein deposits under the macula. These deposits dry and thin the macula, causing gradual central vision loss while the peripheral vision remains intact. In the advanced stages, the dry form can progress to the wet form. People with dry macular degeneration need to test their eyes daily at home using an Amsler grid. One must consult a health expert immediately if any vision changes are observed. Wet macular degeneration In this condition, the blood vessels grow beneath the retina and macula and cause blood and fluid to leak into the retina. This build-up of fluid results in scarring, leading to permanent loss of central vision.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is an eye condition that affects one’s central vision. The condition mainly affects the macula—a part of the retina at the back that regulates central vision. The condition is common among people over 50. People with macular degeneration are unable to perceive objects or people right in front of them, however, they don’t experience a complete loss of vision and can have good peripheral vision. Here are key facts about AMD: Types Dry (atrophic) : About 90% of macular degeneration patients are affected by the dry (atrophic) form of the condition. Dry AMD develops when drusen, tiny yellow protein deposits, accumulate under the macula. The deposits make the macula thin and dry. Here, one can experience gradual vision loss, however, most people do not lose their core vision completely. In rare cases, the dry type can give way to the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. Wet (exudative) : The development of abnormal blood vessels under the retina and macula leads to wet AMD. The vessels can leak blood and liquids, which is a condition called choroidal neovascularization. As a result of the buildup, the macula develops a bulge, leading to dark spots in the center of one’s vision.

Most people experience anxiety and chronic stress at some point in life. It has been found that anxiety affects around 18% of grown-ups every year in the country. Anxiety may be considered the natural response of the body to stress. The symptoms are restlessness, rapid breathing, and increased heart rate. However, it presents itself differently for different people. There are various ways to treat the mental condition. Let us elaborate on five natural remedies for anxiety management. Regular exercise Exercise is considered one of the best ways to shed anxious energy, and thoughts and research have supported this. Regular exercise and staying active are not just about physical health, but it also helps in dealing with anxiety and stress. It is because staying active helps divert your attention from the thoughts that make you anxious. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), regular exercise is beneficial in treating mood disorders and anxiety in the same way as antidepressants. The experts have also depicted that regular exercise and staying active leads to the promotion of willpower and concentration in human beings and hence is helpful for treating specific anxiety symptoms. Various relaxation exercises may help to manage the condition. However, the type of exercises depend mainly on personal choice and healthcare advice.

Ulcerative colitis is an unpredictable and highly inflammatory bowel disease. People with this condition frequently experience ulcers in their colon, a part of the large intestine. Additionally, diarrhea, bloody stools, abdominal cramps, and constipation are common indicators of this disorder. Such symptoms may worsen once in a while, known as flare-ups, while on other occasions, one may experience none. Here are some simple and effective ways to manage ulcerative colitis symptoms: Reducing fiber intake Surprisingly, fiber-rich foods can trigger ulcerative colitis flare-ups in people with the condition. Fiber is a good option for people looking to improve their bowel health and regularity. However, too much fiber has been found to aggravate ulcerative colitis flare-ups. To offset this, patients can consume low-fiber foods such as butter, tofu, eggs, fish, refined carbohydrates (white bread, white rice, white pasta), fish, juice with no pulp, and a few cooked fruits with no seeds or skin. Exercising regularly Following a regular exercise routine is always advisable due to the range of health benefits it brings into a person’s life. Daily workouts also help reduce the symptoms and complications associated with ulcerative colitis. When a person living with this disorder exercises regularly, they can counter some of the more extreme symptoms, such as a weakened immune system, decreased bone density, stress and pain, and the emotional turmoil that all these bring.

Atopic dermatitis (or eczema) is a skin disease that causes constant itching or redness. It can affect adults but is more common among children and infants. The goal of treatment in infants (pediatric eczema) is to ease inflammation and itching, increase moisture, and prevent infection. Multiple factors play a role in the development of atopic dermatitis. Although not contagious, it is a chronic condition, so one can experience multiple flare-ups during their lifetime. Symptoms The skin disease may develop anywhere on the body, and its signs can differ from one person to the next. The condition often surfaces before age 5, and its symptoms can last well into one’s teen and adult years. Some individuals may even experience flare-ups that clear up for a few days, months, or years. The most common symptoms of eczema are Pruritus or itchiness Rashes or swollen skin, which can differ in appearance based on the color of the skin Dry or cracked skin Thickened skin Crusted, scaly patches Oozing skin discharge Raw, sensitive skin due to scratching Tiny bumps Darkening of the skin around the eyes Causes and triggers The exact cause of atopic dermatitis is yet to be determined. But the skin disease could result from genetic mutations that affect the skin’s ability to protect itself.

Breast cancer begins in the cells of the breasts, and it is the second most common type of cancer affecting women, the first being skin cancer. While the condition can affect both men and women, it is more prevalent in the latter. There are several types of breast cancer, and each case develops differently. Early detection and proper treatments can highly increase the chances of survival. Let’s look at this condition in detail. Causes and symptoms When the breast cells begin to grow abnormally in the tissue, it leads to forming a lump or a mass. This can spread through the breast to other lymph nodes and the rest of the body. Some of the symptoms to look out for are: A breast lump or mass surrounding the tissue that feels abnormal. Change in the size and appearance of the breast. Change in the skin texture on the breast. Pitting of the skin over the breast or a constant redness. Any peeling, flaking, scaling or crusting of the skin around the pigmented area of the skin that surrounds the nipple region. A noticeable inverted nipple Types of breast cancer There are several types of breast cancer, and treatment for these types differs according to the diagnosis by the health professional.

White teeth can be a confidence booster and enhance one’s smile. But the teeth may lose their shine and become dull due to aging, plaque accumulation, acidic food intake, and poor hygiene. Besides, gum diseases and genetics also play a role. Therefore, many treatments claim to whiten teeth, but natural remedies are safer and help maintain optimal oral health in the long run. Below are some effective natural remedies that can help whiten one’s teeth. What causes teeth to discolor? The outermost covering of one’s teeth, called enamel, serves as a protective white layer for the deeper tooth structures. When the enamel wears off, the yellow-brown bone tissues underneath it, called dentin, begin to show. Enamel eroding can lead to discoloration, tooth sensitivity, and cavities. Ways to protect enamel and white teeth naturally Brush twice a day Toothbrushing is a simple and common oral hygiene task that ensures the longevity of one’s teeth and their whitening. Doctors recommend brushing twice daily for a couple of minutes in a circular motion into all the cracks and crevices. It’s important to brush gently so one does not affect the enamel or accidentally hurt the gums. One is advised not to brush immediately after consuming acidic foods and drinks since the acids can brush away the enamel.

Uncontrolled sugar intake can pose many risks to the human body’s healthy functioning in the long run. Due to busy schedules, many people opt for packaged foods as their food items, and not to mention desserts are always a source of joy. Therefore, avoiding sugar from one’s daily meal plan is hard. However, there are many ways in which a person can ensure that their daily sugar intake is under control. Going through product labels Earlier, food labels would indicate the number of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, sugars, and vitamins a particular food carries. However, recent amendments mandate brands to specify in such labels the amount of added sugar each packet contains. It gives a customer a clearer picture of where the sugar is coming from. Furthermore, it allows us to know whether or not the food we eat is naturally sweet or made so. The added sugar section of food labels helps us identify the actual quantity of sugar we are taking in and help us find alternatives that are healthier for our mind and body. Avoiding sugar in drinks Beverages are one of the most common sources of excessive sugar intake. It is postulated that a single can of soft drink packs about ten spoonfuls of sugar, which is higher than the recommended quantity permitted daily.