Ulcerative colitis is a disease that can be treated but has no cure. This disease, which occurs in the bowel, makes the digestive region of the body become inflamed. Ulcerative colitis lies in the deep linings of the colon, also known as the large intestine. A patient with ulcerative colitis is at high risk of developing colon cancer. Less than 200 thousand American cases of ulcerative colitis occur each year, here are some common symptoms: 1. Diarrhea and constipation Symptoms of ulcerative colitis vary from individual to individual. However, since this disease impacts the rectum and large intestines, bowel difficulties such as diarrhea and bloody stools are major symptoms. The harshness of diarrhea and bloody stools relies on the level of inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine. The various forms of stools which occur with the disease are diarrhea, bright red or bloody pink stools, or dark tarry stools. The need for bowel movements may be urgent sometimes, while other times, the patient may have constipation. The constipation symptom is less common and occurs when the inflammation problem is only in the rectum. Halting inflammation is crucial to regulating bloody stools, and Physicians can prescribe antibiotics, corticosteroids, or immunosuppressive drugs.

High cholesterol (also known as hypercholesterolemia) is a condition that can limit blood flow increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. This condition is detected through a blood test. Although this condition is asymptomatic, it is common for people to experience heart attacks, peripheral artery disease, stroke, and aortic aneurysm due to high cholesterol. If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, here is a list of foods to avoid and why: 1. Fatty meats Fatty cuts of meat (i.e., Beef, Lamb and Pork): These meats have high amounts of saturated fat which can make cholesterol levels worse. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with high cholesterol like eating beef, lamb, or pork, it’s OK. These types of meat should be avoided most of the time but can be eaten sometimes or once in a while. 2. Whole or reduced fat dairy products Dairy products are known to have health benefits because they’re high in vitamin D, potassium, and calcium which help strengthen bones. However, consuming these products while having high cholesterol can result in unwanted health effects. Consuming whole or reduced fat dairy products continuously can increase LDL cholesterol levels which can be harmful.

Multiple sclerosis, or MS, is a degenerative disorder which impacts the central nervous system. Multiple sclerosis symptoms escalate as an individual’s immune system gradually attacks the protective layer which normally shields nerve tissue. Early signs and symptoms often vary tremendously depending on which part of a person’s nervous system is impacted by MS. The treatments for MS commonly prescribed by doctors may include relapsing-remitting medications such as Ocrevus, Enspryng, Mayzent, Gilenya, and Zeposia; as well as changes to diet and lifestyle to help reduce symptoms. However, there are a few symptoms which are common enough to be seen as an early sign of MS: 1. Vision problems Vision problems are one of the most easily recognizable signs of multiple sclerosis. Problems with vision typically arise due to the fact that it’s so reliant on the central nervous system. The exact nature of the problem will vary on a case by case basis. In early stages one will typically experience slightly blurred vision. This is the point where one should seek out medical attention. If left untreated this condition can escalate into full blindness. 2. Tingling and numbness Many symptoms of multiple sclerosis MS are difficult to diagnose due to the fact that they can arise from numerous different sources.

There is nothing worse than having to endure a severe migraine, which can cause a throbbing sensation and even nausea. Migraines vary in intensity, which can be triggered by certain foods, stress, sounds, lights, and even specific smells. Below is a list of the five most common odors that trigger migraines: 1. Cigarette smoke According to experts, there is a direct link between cigarette smoke and migraines, which also greatly increases the risk of cancer and heart disease. Smoking is considered a precipitating factor in migraine attacks. According to studies, nearly 30% of migraine sufferers are smokers, which may be caused by nicotine, the active ingredient in cigarettes. Nicotine constricts the blood vessels, which can cause altered brain activity and trigger migraines. The odor of cigarettes alone can trigger migraine symptoms, which is why many patients who suffer from migraines have difficulty tolerating second-hand smoke. Cranial autonomic symptoms(CAS), which are subconscious symptoms such as sweating, nasal congestion, runny nose, and the dilation of blood vessels. Smoking can often worsen symptoms of CAS, which affects 70% of migraine sufferers. 2. Food odors Surprisingly, certain food odors can also trigger migraine symptoms, which can be contributed to the chemicals in specific foods and drinks.

Eczema is one of the more common and difficult to manage skin conditions. It’s defined by symptoms that range in severity from light itchiness all the way to rashes, scales, and blisters sensitive enough to burst or tear. One of the most problematic issues associated with the condition is the fact that a variety of materials can trigger these symptoms. Soaps and body care products in particular are often a huge trigger for eczema patients. Avoiding the following soaps can help to reduce eczema symptoms and flare ups: 1. Soaps with strong or harsh fragrances Companies create fragrances by adding a number of different complex compounds. These are essentially chemical agents unrelated to cleanliness. Even natural fragrances can pose some serious risks as a eczema trigger, and many eczema and atopic dermatitis patients report a trend with natural substances causing big problems for skin health. If you suffer from either condition it may be best to look for soaps with no added fragrances. 2. Antibacterial soaps Antibacterial agents are used to kill germs instead of washing them off our body. This is generally a problematic approach since it leads to antibiotic resistant bacteria. While antibacterial agents only act as an eczema trigger for some patients, these ingredients are often harsh on the skin because they are meant to kill bacteria, however, they often end up also eradicating beneficial microorganisms, which keep our skin healthy.

With anemia, patients lack healthy red blood cells to carry enough oxygen to tissues, leading to possible symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, and an irregular heartbeat. There are different causes and types of anemia with common types including iron deficiency anemia, vitamin deficiency anemia, aplastic anemia and sickle cell disease. There are dietary changes that can alleviate symptoms, especially depending on the cause of anemia. Side effects of sickel cell disease, for instance, can be malnutrition. With all types of anemia there are foods to avoid so as to not further irritate anemic symptoms: 1. Foods that contain phytates or phytic acid Phytic acid is known to block your body’s ability to absorb some minerals. It bids to them, and this process creates phytates that we lack the enzymes to break down. This only occurs in large consumption, but if you have anemia, too many phytates can bind to what little iron you have, preventing your body from accessing it. Phytic acid is found in plant-based food that’s unprocessed and raw such as unprocessed grains, beans, seeds like sesame and sunflower, and nuts. 2. Tea and coffee Green and black teas as well as caffeinated coffee can have a negative impact if you suffer from anemia.

As cold and flu season approaches, everyone is on high alert to ward off these illnesses. Cold and flu symptoms are annoying, and everyone would rather avoid struggling with them. Common symptoms include fever, runny nose, body aches, fatigue, headache, sneezing, and coughing. Certain foods and drinks can alleviate these symptoms and help you recover faster. Here are a few foods and drinks that can be helpful when dealing with a cold or flu: 1. Lemons Lemon juice has been praised as a health booster and miracle detox drink. While these claims may be exaggerated, lemon juice certainly is beneficial! Lemons are loaded with vitamin C, which helps boost your immune system. Additionally, people have claimed that lemon juice can thin out mucus caused by a cold or flu and help you expel it from your body more quickly. 2. Chicken broth While this may seem like an old wives’ tale, chicken broth actually has many benefits that will ease symptoms of a cold or flu. It contains a protein called cysteine that breaks down into hydrogen sulfide in the body. This compound is known to thin mucus secretions, so they flow easily through congested nasal passages. In addition, chicken soup also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that can affect people in varying degrees. It’s not contagious, but it does have a genetic component (or familial link) and can be triggered by a variety of things. One of the most common triggers for plaque psoriasis flare-ups is soap, especially store-bought soaps that contain artificial fragrances or other harsh chemicals. Read on to discover six different types of soap that may trigger psoriasis symptoms: 1. Soaps with propylene glycol These soaps are known irritants that can trigger contact psoriasis. Common symptoms include erythema, dryness, scaling, stinging, burning, and itching. These soaps often contain other ingredients that are also irritants. Propylene glycol is also a known skin allergen, so soaps with this ingredient should be avoided by people with psoriasis or other types of skin allergy. The American Academy of Dermatology does not recommend using any products that contain this ingredient. 2. Antibacterial soaps Antibacterial soaps are known to trigger psoriasis flare ups. The most common symptoms when using these soaps are redness, itching, and blistering. Triclosan is a common ingredient in antibacterial soaps and has been linked to contact dermatitis (eczema), as well as psoriasis. Antibacterial soap is also known to be an irritant because it tends to be harsh and strip moisture from the skin.

Lupus is an autoimmune disease that involves the body attacking its own tissues. If you have lupus, your body will attack your heart, lungs, joints, skin, and blood vessels. Some of the symptoms that can occur with lupus include rashes, muscle aches, fatigue, and chest pain.  While there is no way to entirely prevent the development of lupus, some foods can contribute to the onset or growth of the disease or can cause the symptoms to flare up. Therefore, lupus patients should try to avoid the following 6 foods:  1. Alfalfa sprouts Alfalfa sprouts are grass seeds that you can grow easily in your kitchen garden. Most people usually slap them on their salads or eat them raw as a snack. Unfortunately, they also contain an amino acid called lysine that can trigger lupus. So, if you must eat sprouts, it is important to at least limit your intake and keep track of any symptoms that arise after consumption.   2. Fried foods Fried foods are high in fat and calories but low in nutrients. They have been linked to increased inflammation in lupus patients, which can have some serious consequences. For those with digestive issues caused by lupus, fried foods can make such problems worse and cause pain and discomfort during digestion.

Prostate cancer is a cancer that forms within the prostate, a tiny walnut-shaped gland in men that produces seminal fluid and sustains and transports sperm. It isn’t yet known what the exact cause of prostate cancer is; however, researchers link certain known risk factors to increased risk of prostate cancer. Moderating or avoiding the following cancer-contributing foods may help lower the overall risk of developing prostate cancer: 1. High fat dairy Male patients who eat a lot of dairy (e.g., cheese, ice cream, sour cream, whole milk, etc.) are more likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (or BPH)—which is prostate gland enlargement. Cutting out or cutting back on butter, cheese, and milk could help lower the risk of BPH. According to a study in the Journal of Nutrition, people who drink whole milk may be more likely to develop aggressive prostate cancer, compared to those who opted for skim or low-fat milk. If you like dairy, choose fat-free and low-fat options in moderation as they are better for your prostate health. 2. Cured and processed meats The World Health Organization claims that men who eat a lot of processed meats (e.g., bacon, sausage, hotdogs, etc.) may be more likely to develop prostate cancer.