Influenza, or the flu, is a contagious respiratory condition that attacks the respiratory system, such as the nose, lungs, and throat. It may lead to symptoms like fatigue, chills, body aches, fever, and nasal congestion. The illness may range from mild to severe. Fortunately, symptoms can be brought under control by over-the-counter medications. If the condition is not as severe, home remedies and eating certain foods can help alleviate the symptoms of the flu. Foods to manage symptoms of the flu Chicken soup Chicken soup is one of the best foods to eat to manage the flu. The broth helps prevent dehydration, while its warm composition relieves congestion and a sore throat. Likewise, the chicken chunks, rich in iron and proteins, help boost the immune system. Yogurt Research shows that yogurt helps ease a sore throat and even boosts the immune system. It is a rich source of protein and probiotics that help fight off the flu. However, it is essential to avoid purchasing yogurt that has added sugar. Instead, choose unsweetened Greek yogurt. Leafy greens Green leafy vegetables are known to provide several health benefits to the human body. Leafy greens like kale, spinach, cabbage, and beet green contain vitamin C and E and iron.

Macular degeneration is a condition in which the center of the eye, also known as the macula, undergoes certain changes that lead to loss of vision. Since this condition is observed as a result of aging, it is also called age-related macular degeneration or AMD. This condition, if not managed properly, can lead to complete loss of vision and is one of the biggest causes of blindness in people over 55 years of age. Early warning signs There are some early warning signs that the elderly must look out for when suspecting macular degeneration. Some of them are as follows: Distortion and blurred vision If the vision starts to blur with age and one notices distortion or wavy lines in the field of vision, it is quite possible that one may be in the early stages of AMD. Those who are over 50 years of age should not ignore such blurred vision since they are more vulnerable to macular degeneration. Dark spots in central vision Generally, the central part of one’s field of vision ought to be the clearest with no blurriness or distortion. If one begins to notice shadows, white spots, or dark spots in this part, it is highly possible that one is suffering from AMD.

The development of certain conditions like ovarian, blood, lung, prostate, or breast cancer has been linked to the food we eat. While that is not the only cause, and no particular food treats cancer completely, making healthy food choices can drastically reduce the risk of developing cancer. This article provides some details on foods to eat and avoid along with information on (CAR) T-cell therapy to manage various types of cancers. Foods to avoid Red meat Red meat is typically preserved by curing, smoking, salting, or canning. Foods like hot dogs, salami, sausage, ham, and beef jerky are known to create carcinogens that are associated with colorectal and stomach cancer. It is recommended to replace processed meats with white fish, chicken, or turkey. Alcohol Alcohol, classified as a group 1 carcinogen, is linked with mouth, throat, esophagus, breast, liver, stomach, and bowel cancer. The risk of cancer varies significantly on the amount and frequency of drinking alcohol. A glass of wine now and then does not have much of a negative effect; however, frequent binge-drinking episodes can increase one’s risk of being diagnosed with cancer. Refined carbs and sugar Eating excessive refined carbs and sugar increases visceral fat and makes one susceptible to type 2 diabetes.

Lupus is a condition wherein one’s own body is attacked by its immune system in the form of inflammation and pain. The immune system becomes hyperactive during this condition and starts attacking healthy tissues, causing a numerous discomforting symptoms. The areas where lupus can affect the patient include kidneys, brain, heart, lungs, joints, and skin. This article discusses the early signs of lupus and a food regime that could help manage the symptoms.   The early indicators of lupus are Rashes The most common sign of lupus is facial rashes. Such a symtom may develop with time or suddenly take over the face. That being said, no two cases of lupus usually are similar to one another. Fever Inflammation in the body and the infection of lupus can easily result in a fever. Patients of this condition may get suffer from a fever that goes above 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Hair loss Hair loss is among the common tell tale signs of lupus. However, this symptom may not lead the patients directly to the root cause of this condition.  Fatigue Since the condition attacks the healthy red blood cells, it is natural for the patient to feel perpetually exhausted.   Here are some recommended foods to help manage lupus by slowing down the damage sustained:

The lung is entirely made of porous sponge-like tissue, which is designed to absorb oxygen. Pulmonary fibrosis results in the scarring of the tissue and causes respiratory problems. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is the most common form diagnosed among adults and currently there is no cure for it. The condition can be, at best, managed with healthy lifestyle habits, changes in food habits, and by exploring Esbriet® as a medication option for pulmonary fibrosis. Early Signs of Pulmonary Fibrosis One of the more obvious signs is shortness of breath that results in shallow breathing. A persistent dry cough could indicate the condition’s progress. Unexplained fatigue even after a good day or night of rest. Unexpected weight loss even if there have been no sudden changes in daily food regime. Best Foods for Pulmonary Fibrosis Foods rich in protein Lean meats and seafood options can provide proteins necessary for maintaining lung heath. Further, assorted nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds are also protein-rich choices that can provide healthy calories and essential nutrients to boost immunity. Foods rich in antioxidants Antioxidants help combat the oxidative stress that results in healthy tissue damage. One must eat vegetables like leafy greens, Brussels sprouts, carrots, squash, bell peppers, cabbage, and broccoli.

GERD is a digestive disorder where stomach acids travel upwards into the food pipe. While this can lead to chest pain and difficulty swallowing, heartburn is the most common symptom. It is characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, which can also be felt in the neck and throat. Thankfully, patients can control heartburn to a large extent at home by eating certain foods and following particular home remedies listed below. Chew gum Although unusual, chewing gum 30 minutes after a meal reduces heartburn and other GERD symptoms. When a person chews gum, the production of saliva increases and the excess saliva passes down the esophagus to cancel out the effect of stomach acid, the main culprit for GERD. Reduced stomach acid, in turn, decreases heartburn and other associated problems. Drink pineapple juice Since GERD is caused by excess stomach acid production, controlling the amount of acid can manage the problem. Pineapple juice helps do that. It has a group of valuable enzymes called bromelain that reduces stomach acid, preventing heartburn and other symptoms. Hence, patients can drink small amounts of pineapple juice every day. Eat peppermint Peppermint is a flexible herb that can relieve digestive stress. It can also reduce the length, severity, and frequency of abdominal pain.

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin condition. Though it’s common in children, it can affect people at any age. Since the condition is the result of inflammation in the body, eating anti-inflammatory foods and avoiding pro-inflammatory or trigger foods can provide relief from the symptoms to some extent. Herein, we look at foods to eat and avoid for managing atopic dermatitis. But, before that, let’s briefly discuss the early signs and symptoms of the disease. Early symptoms of atopic dermatitis In most cases, the signs and symptoms of atopic dermatitis begin before the age of five and may continue into adolescence and adulthood. However, one should be aware that the disease tends to manifest differently in different individuals. Some common early symptoms may include dry skin, itchy skin that worsens at night, tiny bumps, and red to brownish-gray patches on the limbs, upper chest, and eyelids. Foods to eat The following foods can help reduce atopic dermatitis symptoms: Salmon Salmon is a fatty fish and a storehouse of Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are healthy fats that can combat inflammation in the body, alleviating symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Yogurt Yogurt is rich in probiotics. These are healthy gut bacteria that can bolster the immune system and reduce flare-ups or allergic reactions.

Those suffering from Type 2 diabetes are at risk of being afflicted by certain eye diseases. This group of diseases includes diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular edema. Diabetic eyes are most commonly observed in working-age patients and are known to be the leading cause of blindness in such patients. Such diseases can be avoided by taking certain precautions. In this article, we talk about the effects of diabetic eyes and foods that aggravate such issues. Warning signs Some early warning signs to look for when suspecting diabetic eye disease are, Floating spots If you observe random floating spots in your field of vision, either intermittently or continuously, these symptoms are possible signs of diabetic retinopathy or diabetic eye disease. Floating spots occur as a result of the damage caused to the blood vessels that supply nutrition to the eye as a result of high sugar. Blurred vision Blurred vision is another common symptom that can indicate the beginning of diabetic eye disease in people. Such a symptom is the result of leaking blood vessels as a result of which, the fluid in the eye becomes cloudy, leading to blurriness. Sometimes, blood vessels may also leak into the central area of the retina called the macula, leading to extremely blurred vision.