Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can cause chronic inflammation of the joints and other areas of the body.

While early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can actually be mimicked by other diseases, the symptoms are very characteristic of rheumatoid disease. Rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and signs include the following:

• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Joint tenderness
• Joint swelling
• Joint redness
• Joint warmth
• Joint stiffness
• Loss of joint range of motion
• Limping
• Joint deformity
• Many joints affected (polyarthritis)
• Both sides of the body affected

Best Fruits For Snacking

Fruits are the best snacks for anyone who wants to eat healthy, real food full of natural carbohydrates and feel full without consuming empty calories. 

Fruits provide us with the best form of natural sugars, so they are good for a snack if you are feeling low on energy or if you are an active person. But all fruits are not created equal, and there are some that are better than others for their low carb content and also for their antioxidant content and nutrients. Here's a list of the super fruits - or in other words - the best fruits that you could snack on.

Berries 
Blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, huckleberries, salmon berries and gooseberries - they're all packed with antioxidants and vitamins. These little fiber bombs are the smartest, most nutritionally-dense fruit you can eat. Aim for a half-cup to one cup daily. Keep in mind that these fruits, especially strawberries and raspberries, are excellent on grilled meats and in salads, so go ahead and experiment!

Cherries 
Cherries are similar to berries in terms of their antioxidant value. They have a bit higher natural sugar content, but they're still very low-carb and are an excellent source of important fiber. Cherries are amazing with bacon, feta and greens; or try them smothered atop pork chops. Hungry yet?

Apples and pears 
They're low in sugar and contain a respectable amount of fiber. While antioxidants aren't exactly overflowing from your average apples (and pears), they are still a great way to satisfy a craving for sweetness without terrorizing your pancreas.

Grapefruit 
Most citrus fruits are quite high in sugar, but grapefruits are not. In fact, their effect on blood sugar is less than apples and pears at only 25. Just don't ruin a smart thing with a sprinkling of sugar on top! Grapefruit is excellent in salads, especially when paired with avocado slices.

Apricots and peaches 
With similar nutritional value as apples and pears, these stone fruits are a smart way to get a good dose of vitamin C and fiber. Avoid nectarines, which are much higher in sugar and are more akin to mangoes and papayas.

Figs 
Figs seem to get lumped into the dates and raisins category, but figs are just as low in sugar as strawberries, and are packed with fiber (all those tender, tiny seeds). Enjoy these fresh whenever they're in season.

Bananas 
Easily available all through the year, filling, nutritionally dense and a power house of energy, the excess sugar in these fruits is easily forgiven when clubbed against all the positives that the simple banana brings.

Grapes 
Again, easy to find through out the year, take our pick from green, black and red grapes. Grapes are a good fruit during flu season to help build immunity and also power pack those nutrients.

Gout Sign and Symptoms

A disease in which defective metabolism of uric acid causes arthritis, especially in the smaller bones of the feet, deposition of chalk-stones, and episodes of acute pain.

Common Sign and Symptoms

• Warmth, pain, swelling, and extreme tenderness in a joint, usually a big toe joint .this symptom is called podagra. The pain often starts during the night. It may get worse quickly, last for hours, and be so intense that even light pressure from a sheet is intolerable.
• Very red or purplish skin around the affected joint. The joint may appear to be infected.
• Limited movement in the affected joint.
• Peeling and itching of the skin around the affected joint as the gout gets better.

Good Foods and Herbs for Gout

1. Pineapple
2. Cherry juice
3. Lemon
4. Ginger
5. Watercress
6. Turmeric
7. Hot peppers
8. Karela juice

What Is Fibroids????

• Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus.

• It is unclear why fibroids develop, but several factors may influence their formation, such as hormones and family history.

• About 70 to 80 percent of women experience fibroids by the age of 50.

Causes of Fibroids

It is unclear why fibroids develop, but several factors may influence their formation.

Hormones

Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones produced by the ovaries. They cause the uterine lining to regenerate during each menstrual cycle and may stimulate the growth of fibroids.

Family history

Fibroids may run in the family. If your mother, sister, or grandmother has a history of this condition, you may develop it as well.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy increases the production of estrogen and progesterone in your body. Fibroids may develop and grow rapidly while you are pregnant.

Women are at greater risk for developing fibroids if they have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Pregnancy
• A family history of fibroids
• Being over the age of 30
• Having a high body weight

Symptoms of Fibroids

• Heavy bleeding between or during your periods that includes blood clots
• Pain in the pelvis and/or lower back
• Increased menstrual cramping
• Increased urination
• Pain during intercourse
• Menstruation that lasts longer than usual
• Pressure or fullness in your lower abdomen
• Swelling or enlargement of the abdomen

14 Foods That Cleanse the Liver

1. Garlic
2. Grapefruit
3. Beets and Carrots
4. Green Tea
5. Leafy Green Vegetables
6. Avocados
7. Apples
8. Olive Oil
9. Alternative Grains
10. Cruciferous Vegetables
11. Lemons & Limes
12. Walnuts.
13. Cabbage
14. Turmeric

Foods That Help In Indigestion & Heartburn

• Fill up on fibre to prevent constipation
• Drink plenty of fluids to aid digestion
• Cut down on fat for a healthy gut
• Go easy on the spice to avoid tummy troubles
• Beware gut problem triggers
• Choose the right drinks to ease digestion
• Try tummy-friendly yoghurt

To curb heartburn, build your meals around naturally low-acid foods like:

• Melons and bananas
• Oatmeal
• Bread
• Rice and couscous
• Green veggies
• Lean poultry and meats
• Potatoes
• Fish
• Egg whites

Eat To Beat Gallstones

Symptoms

People with gallstones may experience indigestion or an upset stomach, often noticed after a rich or heavy meal. Many people, however, have gallstones but experience absolutely no symptoms at all.

Diet in gallbladder stone ---

Eating particular foods will not make gallstones disappear but can certainly lessen your pain whilst you are waiting for your operation.

• Steer clear of fatty, oily or fried foods which are most likely to cause pain or feelings of sickness. These high-fat foods ‘activate’ the gall bladder to release bile (needed to digest the fat) and so make your symptoms worse.

• Avoid concentrated fats like oil, butter, margarine, fat on meat or avocado, but you don’t have to eat completely fat-free. Often it’s a case of trial and error while you work out how low in fat you need to go.

• A low fat diet includes a wide range of foods such as vegetables, potato and legumes such as lentils and kidney beans, all varieties of bread, pasta and rice with oil free sauces, grilled or steamed fish or skinless chicken, grilled lean meat and low fat milk or soy drinks.

• Drink plenty of water (eight to ten glasses a day).

• Avoid alcohol

Causes of gallstones

1. Obesity

Being even moderately overweight increases the likelihood of developing gallstones because overweight people create more cholesterol and secrete more of it into their bile which is stored in the gall bladder.

2. Family history

Having close family members with gallstones also increases the chance of developing gallstones and so does having a large number of children.

3. Too little fibre and vegetables

Slow transit time (the time taken for food to pass through the digestive tract) and constipation encourage the formation of gallstones.

4. Diabetes

People with diabetes generally have high levels of triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood). These increase the risk of gallstones.

5. Female hormones

Too much estrogen from hormone replacement therapy or contraceptive pills alters the composition of the bile and decreases gallbladder movement, both of which can make you more prone to gallstones.

6. Too-rapid weight loss and/or fasting

During rapid weight loss the body burns fat, causing the liver to secrete extra cholesterol into bile. Fasting slows down the movement of the gallbladder, which further concentrates the bile which can lead to gallstones. It also leaves you constipated which only encourages bile formation.

Dietary tips to reduce risk of gall bladder stone ----

• Maintain a healthy weight by following a balanced diet and keeping up an achievable exercise plan. Make sure you eat plenty of fibre (bran cereals, grains, whole meal bread) and vegetables.

• Try to keep your cholesterol under control with diet, rather than resorting to medication.

• Avoid cleansing fasts, detox or crash diets that cause rapid weight loss - it is impossible to maintain the weight loss in any case.

What Is Hernia?

A hernia occurs when an organ pushes through an opening in the muscle or tissue that holds it in place. For example, the intestines may break through a weakened area in the abdominal wall.

Hernias are most common in the abdomen, but they can also appear in the upper thigh, belly button, and groin areas. Most hernias are not immediately life threatening, but they don’t go away on their own and can require surgery to prevent potentially dangerous complications.

What Causes a Hernia?

Hernias are caused by a combination of muscle weakness and strain. Depending on its cause, a hernia can develop quickly or over a long period of time.

Common causes of muscle weakness include:

• Failure of the abdominal wall to close properly in the womb, which is a congenital defect.
• Age.
• Chronic coughing.
• Damage from injury or surgery.

Factors that strain your body and may cause a hernia, especially if your muscles are weak, include:

• Being pregnant, which puts pressure on your abdomen.
• Being constipated, which causes you to strain when having a bowel movement.
• Heavy weight lifting.
• Fuid in the abdomen, or ascites.
• Suddenly gaining weight.
• Persistent coughing or sneezing.

Preventing a Hernia

You can’t always prevent the muscle weakness that allows a hernia to occur. However, you can reduce the amount of strain you place on your body. This may help you avoid a hernia or keep an existing hernia from getting worse. Prevention tips include:

• Not smoking.
• Seeing your doctor when you’re sick to avoid developing a persistent cough.
• Maintaining a healthy body weight.
• Avoiding straining during bowel movements or urination.
• Lifting objects with your knees and not your back.
• Avoiding lifting weights that are too heavy for you.

9 Reasons To Eat Mint

1. Improves oral health.
2. Quick & effective remedy for nausea.
3. Relieves symptoms of acne.
4. Helps lose weight in a healthy way.
5. Promotes digestion.
6. Helps to prevent cancer.
7. Natural stimulant , relieves from fatigue and depression.
8. Clears up congestion of nose , throat & lungs.
9. Promotes good memory retention & alertness.

15 Healthy Foods for People with Kidney Disease

1. Red bell peppers

1/2 cup serving red bell pepper = 1 mg sodium, 88 mg potassium, 10 mg phosphorus.

2. Cabbage

1/2 cup serving green cabbage = 6 mg sodium, 60 mg potassium, 9 mg phosphorus.

3. Cauliflower

1/2 cup serving boiled cauliflower = 9 mg sodium, 88 mg potassium, 20 mg phosphorus.

4. Garlic

1 clove garlic = 1 mg sodium, 12 mg potassium, 4 mg phosphorus.

5. Onions

1/2 cup serving onion = 3 mg sodium, 116 mg potassium, 3 mg phosphorus.

6. Apples

1 medium apple with skin = 0 sodium, 158 mg potassium, 10 mg phosphorus.

7. Cranberries

1/2 cup serving cranberry juice cocktail = 3 mg sodium, 22 mg potassium, 3 mg phosphorus

1/4 cup serving cranberry sauce = 35 mg sodium, 17 mg potassium, 6 mg phosphorus

1/2 cup serving dried cranberries = 2 mg sodium, 24 mg potassium and 5 mg phosphorus.

8. Blueberries

1/2 cup serving fresh blueberries = 4 mg sodium, 65 mg potassium, 7 mg phosphorus.

9. Raspberries

1/2 cup serving raspberries = 0 mg sodium, 93 mg potassium, 7 mg phosphorus.

10. Strawberries

1/2 cup serving (5 medium) fresh strawberries = 1 mg sodium, 120 mg potassium, 13 mg phosphorus.

11. Cherries

1/2 cup serving fresh sweet cherries = 0 mg sodium, 160 mg potassium, 15 mg phosphorus.

12. Red grapes

1/2 cup serving red grapes = 1 mg sodium, 88 mg potassium, 4 mg phosphorus.

13. Egg whites

2 egg whites = 7 grams protein, 110 mg sodium, 108 mg potassium, 10 mg phosphorus.

14. Fish

3 ounces wild salmon = 50 mg sodium, 368 mg potassium, 274 mg phosphorus.

15. Olive oil

1 tablespoon olive oil = less than 1 mg sodium, less than 1 mg potassium, 0 mg phosphorus.

14 Foods That Cleanse the Liver

1. Garlic

2. Grapefruit

3. Beets and Carrots

4. Green Tea

5. Leafy Green Vegetables

6. Avocados

7. Apples

8. Olive Oil

9. Alternative Grains

10. Cruciferous Vegetables

11. Lemons & Limes

12. Walnuts.

13. Cabbage

14. Turmeric

Dehydration Symptoms

Recognizing dehydration symptoms starts by understanding how dehydration works. Patients don't have enough fluid (water) in their blood to get nutrition and oxygen to their tissues. You can become dehydrated by sweating too much, by urinating too much, or by not absorbing water through illness. All of these must also be accompanied by not replenishing the lost fluid. In many cases, patients can correct dehydration simply by drinking water.

Dehydration Causes

Dehydration is always caused by more fluid leaving the body than entering it. Water only leaves the body one of three ways: you can sweat it out, breathe it out or pee it out.

Sweating can be from exercise, heat or both. Some medications can make sweating worse.

Breathing heavily during exercise or when short of breath for long periods of time pulls a remarkable amount of water out of the body. Indeed, when you exercise, a lot of that water weight you thought you were sweating out is actually lost by breathing heavily.

Excessive urination can lead to dehydration very quickly. Some of the most common causes of excessive urination are diuretic medications (water pills), alcohol and medical conditions such as high blood sugar (hyperglycemia, a condition seen in untreated diabetes).

Vomiting and diarrhea are also common causes of dehydration. If you are vomiting or experiencing diarrhea, your body is not appropriately absorbing fluids.

Dehydration Symptoms

It's important to recognize dehydration symptoms early. Untreated, dehydration can develop into shock. The signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Dark urine (may have a strong odor)
• Inability to urinate
• Dry mouth and nose
• Weakness
• Nausea and vomiting

Dehydration Symptoms in Children

• Dry mouth and tongue
• No tears when crying
• No wet diapers for 3 hours or more
• Sunken abdomen, eyes, or cheeks
• High fever
• Listlessness or irritability
• Skin that does not flatten when pinched and released

Dehydration Symptoms in the Elderly

Dehydration symptoms in the elderly can be different than in younger adults and children. Medications that the elderly take are much more likely to lead to dehydration in that population. One particular symptom of dehydration that is more pronounced in the elderly is poor skin elasticity. When the skin is pinched, it holds its form rather than returning to its normal shape.

Treatment for Dehydration

The best cure for dehydration is prevention: stay hydrated. Get enough water through drinking and eating. Your total water intake for the day (all liquids and foods, including coffee, water, milk, soup, etc.) should be about half a gallon. Remember, some substances make you pee, which leads you to lose more water than you gain. Alcohol is the number one culprit for excessive urination.

When dehydration gets bad enough to cause symptoms, water might not be enough to make you feel better.

Dehydration occurs when the body has lost too much fluid and electrolytes (the salts potassium and sodium). Dehydration is particularly dangerous for children, who can die from it within a matter of days. Although water is extremely important in preventing dehydration, it does not contain electrolytes.

To maintain electrolyte levels, you could have broth or soups, which contain sodium, and fruit juices, soft fruits, or vegetables, which contain potassium. Sports drinks, like Gatorade, can help restore electrolytes.

The Role of Food in IBS

A healthy diet generally consists of eating a wide variety of nutritious, low-fat foods in moderation. However, you may notice an influx in symptoms after you eat certain foods if you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Because symptoms can vary between patients, there’s not one list of off-limit foods. However, by avoiding some of the most common culprits of IBS symptoms, you may notice more regularity as well as less cramps and bloating.

Insoluble Fiber

Fiber adds healthy bulk to the diet. It’s widely available in whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. However, fiber also aggravates diarrhea. Eating too much insoluble fiber in the form of grains can increase your trips to the bathroom.

Focus on soluble fiber instead. This includes vegetables and fruit. Keep in mind that insoluble fiber may relieve constipation, but it can make you feel bloated.

Grains

While the insoluble fiber content in whole grains may be a culprit in IBS symptoms, certain grains cause other problems. Products containing rye, wheat, and barley contain gluten. This is a type of protein that can damage your intestines and worsen symptoms of IBS. While an allergy to gluten is known as celiac disease, at least half of IBS patients are also gluten-intolerant.

Luckily, more gluten-free products come onto the market every day. If you can’t do without pizza, pasta, cakes, or cookies entirely, you can always substitute with gluten-free ingredients.

Milk

Milk is problematic for two reasons. First, milk contains fat, which can increase diarrhea. You may need to switch to low-fat or non-fat milk to minimize symptoms.

Second, many IBS patients are lactose intolerant. This means their systems can’t digest lactose in milk products. You may still eat yogurt, but you might have to switch to soymilk and cheeses instead.

Make sure you talk to your doctor about a calcium supplement if you decide to avoid dairy entirely.

Fried Foods

French fries and other fried foods are a staple in the typical American diet. Not only do they cook quickly, but they’re downright tasty. Moderation is the key with fried foods. The high fat content may be especially hard on the system for IBS patients.

This doesn’t mean you have to give up your favorite foods. Consider grilling or baking them instead for a healthier option.

Beans

Beans: the more you eat, the more you—well, we all know how the rest of that saying goes. Beans are generally a great source of protein and fiber, but they can be a source of bathroom nightmares if you have IBS.

While the food can increase bulk in stool to help constipation, it also increases gas, bloating, and cramps. If you’re like most IBS patients, you’ll want to mark this item on your list of foods to avoid.

Coffee

Some people swear by their morning coffee for regularity. But it has a stimulating effect on the intestines that can increase diarrhea in others. Coffee and other beverages that contain caffeine are off-limits for people with IBS.

If you need a pick-me-up, consider eating a small snack or going for a quick walk.

Eating Tips for Better Living

Not everyone with IBS experiences the same symptoms. Consider using the elimination approach to find out which foods affect you. Make a list of possible culprits, then avoid one food at a time for 12 weeks. Take frequent notes to assess if eliminating a certain food makes any difference.

You can also help decrease symptoms of IBS by eating breakfast every day and eating smaller meals instead of three big ones.

Makhana (Lotus Seeds / Fox Nuts) Nutrition Value & Its Benefits

Nutritive Value of Makhana

100 gm Makhana Contains:

350kcal energy

9.7gm easily digestible protein

77gm carbohydrate

12.8gm moisture

0.1gm fat

90mg phosphorus

1.4mg iron

Health Benefits

• Makhana helps in Cardiac Protection.
• It helps in building action in dysentery, frequent urination.
• Makhana is anti-oxidant.
• It is digestive for all age groups.  Due to its astringent property, it is relieves one from diarrhea and helps improve appetite.
• 25 gram makhana a day means a healthy food/diet for the whole family.
• Lotus seeds benefit the spleen, kidney, and heart. 
• The seed also has calming properties that alleviate restlessness, palpitations, and insomnia.
• It is also rich in calcium. 
• Makhana regulates blood pressure, relieves numbness and aching near waist and knees.
• It is suitable for arthritis, impotence and premature ageing .
• They help to detoxify the spleen, reinforce the kidneys and nourish the blood. 
• It can also treat insomnia, palpitations and irritability.
• It is also recommended for the women during pregnancy and post natal weakness.

What Triggers Migraine Headaches?

Some people who suffer from migraines can clearly identify triggers or factors that cause the headaches, but many cannot. Potential migraine triggers include:

• Allergies and allergic reactions.
• Bright lights, loud noises, flickering lights, smoky rooms, temperature changes, strong smells and certain odors or perfumes.
• Physical or emotional stress, tension, anxiety, depression, excitement.
• Physical triggers such as tiredness, jet lag, exercise.
• Changes in sleep patterns or irregular sleep.
• Smoking or exposure to smoke.
• Skipping meals or fasting causing low blood sugar.
• Dehydration.
• Alcohol.
• Hormonal triggers such as menstrual cycle fluctuations, birth control pills and menopause.
• Tension headaches.
• Foods containing tyramine (red wine, aged cheese, smoked fish, chicken livers, figs, and some beans), monosodium glutamate (MSG), or nitrates (like bacon, hot dogs and salami).
• Other foods such as chocolate, nuts, peanut butter, avocado, banana, citrus, onions, dairy products and fermented or pickled foods.
• Medication such as sleeping tablets, the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy.

DIET IN LACTOSE INTOLERANCE

Lactose intolerance, also known as lactase deficiency, is a common problem that occurs when the body cannot digest lactose, a natural sugar found in dairy products and milk.

Symptoms of lactose intolerance include:

• Abdominal cramping
• Bloating
• Gas
• Diarrhea

These strategies can help you manage dairy in your diet:

• Divide and conquer. Try dividing your daily lactose intake into 4-ounce to 8-ounce servings and spacing them out during the day.

• Make it part of a meal. Solid food slows down emptying of the stomach and allows extra time for lactase to break down lactose. For example, have a small glass of milk along with a full lunch.

• Take steps before you eat. Lactase tablets help digest lactose and are available over-the-counter. “Taking these pills approximately 30 minutes prior to ingesting dairy products should control most symptoms associated with lactose intolerance. You can also opt to drink a brand of milk that contains pre-digested lactose, such as Lactaid.

• Go for yogurt. Yogurt with live and active cultures is low in lactose and may not give you any problems. The bacterial cultures in yogurt pre-digest lactose, making it a suitable food for many people with lactose intolerance.

Avoiding Lactose

There are many different words that are used to describe the different forms that lactose may come in. Read food labels, and stay away from foods with any of the following ingredients:

• Milk
• Skim milk powder
• Skim milk solids
• Lactose
• Whey
• Caseinate
• Curd

Lactose-Free Foods

Following are lists of lactose-free foods, and foods to avoid:

Food Group	Enjoy	Avoid
Beverages	Teas, regular iced tea, regular carbonated beverages, soy milk, cocoa powder, Nestle's Quik	Milk (all types), powdered milk, sweetened/condensed milk, instant hot cocoa, instant iced tea, Ovaltine, chocolate drink mixes, cream, half-n-half and diet soda
Breads/Cereals/Crackers	Vienna bread, French bread, Jewish rye bread, Italian bread, graham crackers, soda crackers, Ritz crackers, hot or cold cereals without added milk solids (read the label)	Breads/rolls containing milk, prepared baking mixes (muffins, biscuits, pancakes, etc.), Zwieback, corn nuts, instant cereal with added milk solids
Potatoes and Starches	Items prepared without milk or milk products: macaroni, noodles, rice, spaghetti, white/sweet potatoes	Products with milk added, such as instant potatoes, frozen French fries, Scalloped/au gratin potatoes, macaroni and cheese mixes
Vegetables	Fresh, frozen, and canned vegetables without added milk products	Creamed or breaded vegetables or vegetables with margarine added
Fruit	Fresh, canned or frozen fruit not processed with milk/milk products	Any canned or frozen fruit processed with milk or milk products
Meat and Meat Substitutes	Plain meat, fish, poultry, eggs, Kosher prepared meat products, soybean meat substitutes, dried peas, beans, lentils, and nuts	Breaded or creamed eggs, fish, meat or poultry, luncheon meats, sausage, hot dogs containing cheese or cheese products
Fats and Oils	Bacon, shortening, Miracle Whip, milk-free margarine, diet imitation margarine, salad dressings without milk products, vegetable oils, olives, mayonnaise, Coffee Rich and Rich's Whipped Topping	Sour cream, cream cheese, chip dips, sauces and salad dressings made with milk products and peanut butter with added milk solids
Soups/Combination Foods	Bouillon, broth, vegetable soups, clear, soups, consommes, homemade soups made with allowed ingredients	Chowders, ream soups, canned and dehydrated soups containing milk products
Seasonings	Pure monosodium glutamate (msg), soy sauce, carob powder, olives, gravy made with water, Baker's cocoa, pure seasonings and spices, sugar, honey, corn syrup, jam, jelly, marmalade, and molasses	Condiments with milk solids or lactose added
Desserts	Angel food cake, homemade cookies, cakes or pies made from allowed ingredients, tofu desserts, pure-sugar candies, marshmallows, and gelatin	Desserts prepared with milk/milk products, pudding, sherbet, ice cream, custard, frozen yogurt, toffee, peppermint, butterscotch, chocolate, caramels, reduced-calorie desserts made with sugar substitute, or chewing gum made with lactose.