Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, neurological condition. Doctors have yet to identify the cause of inflammation but attribute it to a complex link between genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. About 2.8 million people in the world were affected by MS in 2020, the number continues to increase worldwide. The condition can lead to loss of vision, immobility, chronic pain, muscle weakness, and other complications. How does MS develop? The function of the nerve cells in the body is to send and receive signals from the brain. Each nerve cell has three parts: the soma or cell body, the axon or the cell trunk, and the dendrites. Together they transport the nutrients necessary for the nerve cells, convert signals into electric impulses, and send them throughout the body. The organs and limbs receive these signals, make changes, and respond accordingly. A myelin sheath is a sleeve or a protective covering around nerve cells made of lipids, proteins, and fats. Multiple sclerosis occurs when our immune system becomes faulty and mistakenly attacks the myelin sheath in the brain and spinal cord. This damages the myelin or causes lesions, plaque, or sclerosis, disrupting the process of transferring a message from the nervous system.

Despite the widespread prevalence of diabetes and a lot of awareness about it, many myths and wrong information surround it. Patients tend to believe that only sugary foods can increase blood sugar and that avoiding sweets can help cure them. However, desserts are not the only source of sugar. Plenty of ordinary, seemingly healthy foods can also increase blood sugar. If you have diabetes, it is important to understand which foods to avoid. Five surprising foods that can increase blood sugar Aside from food, other factors that cause blood sugar’s sudden rise and fall are lifestyle, stress, certain underlying diseases, and prescription treatments. Lack of exercise, dehydration, and lack of sleep can also cause a spike in sugar levels. While most of us know that sugar and high-carb foods can cause fluctuation in blood sugar, here are five surprising foods that can increase blood sugar: Brown rice Brown rice captivated the hearts of fitness-conscious people as a superfood with many benefits. Many converted from white rice to brown rice. It is rich in fiber and antioxidants and helps in building immunity. However, it still has a high carb content that can be broken down into glucose, which enters the bloodstream after metabolism.

Psoriasis is a chronic, painful, and inflammatory disease that affects the skin and nails, leading to disfigurement and disability. It can happen to anyone, but people aged 50 and above are at higher risk than others. Genes and a weak immune system are considered to be the significant causes of psoriasis. Other triggers include sunburn, infections, trauma, underlying diseases, treatment side effects, and stress. This article will discuss ways to manage psoriasis effectively. Psoriasis and its impact on the body Psoriasis is caused by a dysfunction in the immune system resulting in inflammation. The inflammation causes lesions, bumps, raised plaques, and scales on the skin. When our immune system works well, our skin cells grow and shed once in fifteen days. When affected by psoriasis, the skin cells pile up instead of shedding, and the accumulated plaque build-up can burn, sting, or cause an itch. Psoriasis may affect both the internal and external organs. Externally it usually affects the elbows, knees, and scalp. Internally it can affect any tissues and our organs. In some, it may affect the joints causing psoriatic arthritis. People with psoriasis are also at risk for cardiovascular diseases, hyperpigmentation, Chron’s disease, psychological disorders, and uveitis. Since there is no cure, treatment aims to control the symptoms and prevent remission.

Psoriatic arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and skin, resulting in rashes and pitted nails. It is an autoimmune disease, which means that the body’s immune system unknowingly attacks healthy tissue. Roughly 30 percent of people with psoriasis (a chronic skin condition) will develop this condition. Psoriatic arthritis presently does not have a cure, but treatment options can help in managing the symptoms. Listed below are some foods that can help.   The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis (PA) are similar to those of other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. One can experience mild to severe symptoms like swollen, inflamed joints, particularly in the fingers and toes; swollen toes and fingers; pain in lower back and feet; nails that break away easily. Pain, swelling, and joint stiffness are some extremely common symptoms.  This condition can be challenging to diagnose as similar symptoms can be seen in other types of arthritis. However, imaging tests, like an X-ray procedure, can help determine certain changes in joints that can be seen only in PA patients. Depending on the diagnosis and the extent of joint damage, treatment can vary for each individual. But it generally involves making lifestyle changes and using treatment options.  What Triggers Psoriatic Arthritis?

Menstrual cramps are painful sensations that occur before or during a woman’s period. The intensity of such pain can vary among women, causing little discomfort to some while making it excruciating for a few others. The pain in the lower abdomen can be throbs, cramps, and spasms, while it could be a constant dull pain for some. Keep reading to learn more about the causes of menstrual pain and foods to eat to manage them. Causes of period pain Uterine contractions Uterine contractions are the contraction and expansion of the uterine muscle, which happens during the menstrual cycle. Contractions also happen during other times, but most women are unaware of or feel it except during their period and childbirth. Chemicals and hormonal changes in the uterus During periods when the muscular wall contracts, it compresses the blood vessels in the uterus lining and cuts off the blood and oxygen supply to the womb. The womb tissues release chemicals to trigger pain. Our body also produces prostaglandins, a chemical that makes the womb muscles contract more, resulting in further pain. Excessive buildup of prostaglandins could lead to stronger contractions and severe pain. The prostaglandins can also cause headaches, diarrhea, and nausea during periods.

The immune system makes inflammation a natural response for healing during an infection or injury. The affected area becomes swollen, and blood flow to that area automatically increases. However, the immune system may mistakenly cause inflammation without infection or injury. When such inflammation affects the joints, they become unstable and painful. This condition is called rheumatoid arthritis. This autoimmune disease can be managed with timely diagnosis and treatment options. Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis, or RA, impacts each person differently. While in some, it may advance slowly over time, it may progress quickly in others. The symptoms of pain and stiffness may be persistent or flare up occasionally and be dormant for some time. RA causes pain and stiffness in the affected joints, particularly in the morning or after staying in the same position for long durations. It can also cause a lack of appetite, low BMI levels, and fatigue. In some cases, RA can cause inflammation in the chest, causing severe chest pain. Complications of rheumatoid arthritis If left untreated for a long time, the disorder can lead to immobility and other serious health issues like: Carpel tunnel syndrome Inflammation in the heart’s pericardium Sjogren’s syndrome – inflammation of the eye Inflammation in the lungs causing COPD or pulmonary fibrosis Cardiovascular diseases Inflammation of the blood vessels Cervical myelopathy Joint damage Rheumatoid nodules Common mistakes to avoid if you have rheumatoid arthritis Getting treatment from a general physician A general physical may be able to diagnose RA, but they may not have the expertise in treating the condition.

Our immune system comprises many types of cells, like lymphocytes, which include T cells and B cells. Their primary role is to fight infections and prevent diseases. In this process, B cells get converted into white blood plasma cells. The plasma cells are mainly found in the bone marrow and make antibodies called immunoglobins. Multiple myeloma begins in the plasma cells, where these cells become cancerous and begin to divide and grow uncontrollably.  Impact of multiple myeloma A single defective plasma cell typically leads to multiple myeloma. It then divides over many years and months, increasing the number of myeloma cells. During cell division, the myeloma cells could enter the bloodstream, reach other bone marrow, and continue damaging the plasma cells. As myeloma begins to develop in multiple bone marrow sites, cancer thus formed is called multiple myeloma. The myeloma cells accumulate in the bone marrow, crowding the healthy cells. Instead of producing antibodies, the plasma cells produce abnormal proteins, leading to severe health complications. Multiple myeloma also can cause anemia and reduce platelet levels. Platelets are crucial for the blood to clot quickly. A person with multiple myeloma may suffer from frequent bruises and injuries due to a low platelet count.  The body keeps remaking bone cells regularly to keep them strong.

Recent studies show that the pandemic has led to increased cases associated with diabetes. Inflammation caused by the virus may replicate within the pancreatic beta-cells responsible for the body’s insulin production. This further affects the secretion and synthesis of the property. As a result, one may experience severe symptoms of diabetes. While the health complications associated with excessive sugar intake are well-known, this underscores the urgency of recognizing the eight symptoms of high sugar intake. 8 signs that indicate excess sugar intake Frequent urination When your body has extra sugar, i.e., about 180 mg/DL in the blood, the kidneys work much harder to flush it through urine. The higher the sugar levels, the more it tries to send it out through urine. If you suddenly make more than 20 trips to the bathroom during the day, it is one of the first indications of excess sugar intake. Heightened thirst Feeling extremely thirsty without an apparent cause could indicate excess blood sugar intake. Sugar builds up in your blood when you eat high-carb or high-calorie foods. The kidneys work extra to push out the sugar through urine. If there is insufficient water to pass the sugar out, kidneys drain water from our body tissues.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic, immune-mediated disorder that affects the esophagus. It is characterized by inflammation and the accumulation of eosinophils. EoE can cause significant discomfort, leading to difficulty swallowing, food impaction, and malnutrition. The elimination meal plan is a natural way to manage EoE and reduce symptoms. This article discusses an elimination meal plan and foods to eat and avoid for managing eosinophilic esophagitis. Read on to learn more. What is an elimination meal plan? An elimination meal plan eliminates certain foods and food groups to identify potential food intolerances or allergies. This type of meal plan helps to determine which foods are causing adverse reactions in the body and eliminates them from the meal plan for some time. During the elimination phase, foods are gradually reintroduced to determine which foods cause symptoms. The elimination meal plan is a safe and natural way to manage EoE and reduce symptoms. It can be used to identify and eliminate trigger foods and determine an individual’s nutritional needs. The meal plan is based on a process of elimination and reintroduction of different food groups. The benefits of an elimination meal plan The elimination meal plan has several advantages, including increasing general health, lowering inflammation, and removing food sensitivities.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a rare disease that causes scarring in the lung tissues, causing breathing difficulties. On the other hand, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a life-threatening, chronic, progressive disease of mucus glands. It primarily affects the respiratory system and digestive systems of young and adults. It can also affect the sweat glands and reproductive system. Both are lung diseases but have very different symptoms. Both diseases are progressive and chronic and eventually lead to fatalities. Impact of pulmonary fibrosis Pulmonary Fibrosis (PF) causes lung scarring, making it thicker and less elastic. As a result, patients with PF cannot take in enough oxygen while breathing. The scarring may also affect the air sacs, a lace-like structure that supplies oxygen to the capillaries, absorbs carbon dioxide and releases it during exhalation. Scarring in the air sacs prevents the lungs from expanding, preventing one from taking deep breaths, which directly limits the amount of oxygen that can enter the blood.  Allergens, side effects of prescription treatments, pollution, and family history, are said to be the causes of pulmonary fibrosis. Unfortunately, there is no definitive cure for the disease. However, the symptoms can be managed with treatments and lifestyle changes. And since it is a progressive disease, it mostly leads to fatalities.