Migraines are severe headaches that are often accompanied by extreme sensitivity to sound and light. People who deal with migraine attacks may also experience nausea, fatigue, vision-related issues, and headaches that can last for days. The exact cause is unknown, but triggers include certain smells, bright lights, loud sounds, foods, stress, and hormonal changes. While there is no permanent cure for the condition, migraines can be managed with treatment options, foods, and lifestyle changes. Treatment options Popular prescription options for migraines include: Nurtec® ODT: This is a common treatment option that helps prevent migraine attacks. Its effectiveness is highly dependent on when a dose is ingested. The tablet is quick to dissolve and takes about 60 minutes to relieve the symptoms. Nurtec® is the brand name for Rimegepant, which helps prevent and treat symptoms of attacks when taken every alternate day. Ubrelvy®: This is a rapid-action oral treatment prescribed for migraines. Ubrelvy® is designed to block migraine-triggering proteins, thereby preventing attacks. Research suggests this treatment option can be effective even after the onset of an attack, helping patients who have been dealing with symptoms for hours. Excedrin® Migraine: This is an oral treatment option containing two pain-relieving components—acetaminophen and aspirin—which help manage pain and symptoms like fever.

Diseases like asthma affect the lungs, interfering with airflow and causing inflammation. Several treatment options help manage the symptoms like difficulty breathing and cough associated with these conditions. However, doctors and nutrition experts who treat patients also recommend lung-friendly meal plans to complement ongoing treatment. Some foods are bad for the organ and can worsen existing conditions. Below are a few such unhealthy foods that can prove detrimental to lung health: Processed meat Processed meats are the ones preserved by curing, salting, canning, or drying. Makers of such meat add salts, sugar, and synthetic preservatives to increase the product’s shelf life, retain its original color, and ensure the meat cooks faster. The most common chemical additive is nitrites, which can damage the lungs. Processed meat also contains advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs, which can cause inflammation and oxidative stress. Some examples of processed meat are ham, cured bacon, corned beef, beef jerky, sausages, salami, hot dogs, canned meat, and dried meat. Adding a lot of processed meat to the meal plan can lead to poor lung function and an increased risk of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). Carbonated beverages Health experts list carbonated beverages as one of the things to avoid with lung and respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD.

Diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus, is characterized by increased blood sugar or blood glucose levels. It is among the most prevalent ailments affecting more than 37 million people in the country. The condition could result from several factors, including age, family history, and genetics. While some might not show symptoms, those experiencing constant urination and thirst should get checked. Here are the treatment options, foods, and lifestyle changes to help manage high blood sugar: Treatment options There is no cure for diabetes. Available treatments only help control blood sugar fluctuations, prevent complications, and slow the condition’s progression. Here are a few options to treat diabetes: INVOKANA® It is an oral treatment to lower blood sugar levels in individuals over 18 years with type 2 diabetes. INVOKANA® is used with changes in foods and an exercise routine for maximum benefit. Besides lowering blood sugar, this treatment option can reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and end-stage kidney disease that can result from the ailment. Note that INVOKANA® should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes as it can increase the risk of ketoacidosis. The severe side effects of this treatment include a high risk of amputations, dehydration, ketoacidosis, vaginal yeast infections, and yeast infections around the penis.

Arthritis is a group of bone-related disorders that include gout, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PA), and osteoarthritis. A person with arthritis is susceptible to inflammation, which triggers pain and other associated symptoms. The underlying cause is inflammation which eventually affects the tissues around the joints, leading to chronic conditions like heart diseases and diabetes and worsening the arthritis symptoms. Here are eight foods and beverages to avoid with arthritis: Salt The sodium content in salt is required for the body to perform innumerable functions. However, over intake of salt calls for a lot of trouble. Several researchers point out that one mostly uses way too much salt than is required. Excess salt intake is associated with greater inflammation levels which can also trigger pain and other symptoms related to arthritis. Make sure you look for foods with no added salt. Use spices or herbs to garnish food. Omega-6 fatty acids These polyunsaturated fatty acids, when used in excess, cause inflammation. Some common sources of omega-6 fats include sunflower oil, canola oil, nuts, and meat. Opting for olive oil would be a smarter choice as it contains primarily monounsaturated fat. Sweetened beverages Sweetened drinks like fruit juices, soda, and other sweetened drinks contain a high amount of sugar.

The prostate gland, found below the bladder, helps make and transport semen. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the gland grow uncontrollably, eventually forming a tumor. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men in our country. Trouble urinating and blood in the urine are common symptoms, and the condition is curable if detected early. Here are the treatments, meal plans, and lifestyle tips that help prevent and manage prostate cancer: Get the right treatment Treatment is vital to kill harmful cells and stop the disease from spreading. Popular treatment options for prostate cancer are: Xofigo It is an FDA-approved option for treating metastatic prostate cancer in cases where the disease has spread to the bones but not other organs. Xofigo binds with bone minerals, delivering radiation directly to bone tumors. Doing so reduces damage to the nearby normal tissues. Its most common side effects include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Enzalutamide It helps treat prostate cancer in men, where cancer has spread to other body parts. Enzalutamide is mainly used for those who do not get better with hormone therapy or other surgical treatments for lowering testosterone levels. It works by blocking the effects of a male reproductive hormone called androgen, which, in turn, stops cancer growth and further spread.

Nearly 33 million people in the country suffer from an overactive bladder condition (OAB). Patients often struggle with a sudden urge to urinate and may experience long-term incontinence. Several risk factors are linked to OAB symptoms, including neurological disorders, diabetes, urinary tract infections, hormonal changes, and even an enlarged prostate. But, it is possible to manage the condition via changes in food habits, lifestyle modifications, the correct prescriptions and treatment methods. Prescriptions to overcome an overactive bladder Mild to moderate overactive symptoms can be managed with prescriptions including Gemtesa®, Myrbetriq®, and Toviaz®. Here is more on the options typically prescribed for OAB treatment: Gemtesa® It belongs to a class of beta 3 adrenergic agonists that help activate beta-3 receptors in the bladder muscles. This allows muscles to relax and hold more urine efficiently. Myrbetriq® This prescription works in a similar fashion to Gemtesa® by relaxing the detrusor muscles in the bladder, allowing the organ to hold more urine and help overcome problems linked to incontinence. Toviaz® It is an alternate prescription that belongs to a class of urinary antispasmodics used to control the urge to urinate. It helps block certain receptor signals in the bladder to relax the muscle walls and allows better control over spasms that could trigger incontinence.

Rheumatoid arthritis is quite a painful inflammatory condition, generally classified by the presence of stiffness, soreness, and pain in the hands, wrists, and feet. With the help of treatments, one can alleviate physical stress, reduce inflammation, and keep complications under control. Today, we’ll be discussing the various prescription options, foods that patients should include and avoid on a regular basis, and some management tips that can prove effective for relief: Treatment options These prescriptions are known to provide quick action against rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: ACTEMRA® This treatment for rheumatoid arthritis contains tocilizumab and is effective for patients with moderate to severe symptoms. The mode of action is based on the blockage of the IL-6 compound that causes inflammation in the body. Actemra® injections can be used as a weekly treatment. On the other hand, the IV infusion is used once every month or as prescribed by the doctor. Planquenil® Planquenil® is a prescription option used for addressing inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The primary component is hydrocholoquine, which is sometimes even on its own for certain conditions. Common side effects of Planquenil® include headache, vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite. Foods to eat and avoid Here are some foods to include in a rheumatoid arthritis meal plan:

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive nervous system disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide. The first signs of the disease typically include unintended or uncontrollable movements, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. The exact cause of Parkinson’s isn’t known yet, but low levels of dopamine in the brain may be responsible for its development. Here are some treatment options, meal plans, and lifestyle changes that can help manage Parkinson’s disease: Explore treatment options Doctors typically explore several treatment methods to manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms. These include: Carbidopa-levodopa This combination treatment is one of the most effective remedies for Parkinson’s disease. It can help combat common symptoms such as shakiness, stiffness, and difficulty in moving. While levodopa helps replace the missing dopamine, carbidopa helps prevent levodopa’s side effects—nausea and vomiting. Another function of carbidopa is to prevent levodopa from getting converted into dopamine too early, so more of it can enter the brain. This combination treatment is sold under the brand name Rytary®, among others. Rytary® is an extended-release treatment that reduces the amount of “off” time each day in people with Parkinson’s while improving the performance of motor functions. Some common side effects include nausea, dizziness, headache, and insomnia.

Asthma is characterized by respiratory problems that cause narrowing and swelling of the airways, making breathing feel labored. Chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, and irregular sleeping patterns are common symptoms. The cold and cough mainly trigger attacks, which cause excess mucus formation. According to the WHO, around 262 million people in 2019 were affected by asthma. This article shares the effective treatment options, meal plans, lifestyle changes, and tips to manage asthma: Treatment options The symptoms of asthma can be managed with the help of effective treatment options, such as Tezepelumab This treatment option is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine responsible for the inflammatory response. Tezepelumab is known to reduce annualized asthma exacerbation rate in severe asthmatic patients. FASENRA Severe cases of eosinophilic asthma are treated with this prescribed option. FASENRA targets the eosinophils, which helps patients breathe easier and reduces the frequency of asthma attacks. NUCALA NUCALA contains mepolizumab, an intravenously administered treatment for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. This prescription targets the eosinophils in the bloodstream that are responsible for causing flare-ups. XOLAIR® This prescription option works against Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is the main culprit of allergic reactions that trigger asthma.

Sleep is a natural state of rest, essential for maintaining physical and mental health. Doctors recommend that one must get at least eight hours of sleep every day. But sometimes, an individual may not be able to sleep well despite returning home exhausted after a long day’s work. It could be because of certain unhealthy practices right before bedtime. Below are four habits to avoid before bed to improve sleep: Drinking coffee Beverages like coffee, energy drinks, and chocolates are laden with caffeine. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and increases alertness, making a person feel full of energy and more awake. Therefore, drinking these beverages a couple of hours before bedtime can make it hard to fall asleep, disrupting one’s sleep cycle. The tiredness and sleepiness that follow the next day may compel the person to drink more coffee to stay awake for work, thus entering a never-ending cycle of poor sleep. Therefore, cutting down or avoiding coffee, especially a few hours before bedtime, is advisable. Other foods that may affect one’s sleep pattern are spicy foods, those with added sugars, fatty foods, packaged products, and processed foods. Staring at a screen Many people claim that they do not get sleep unless they watch a movie on television or browse through their smartphones in bed.