Food cravings are completely normal, as is indulging in them occasionally. However, when food cravings lead to overindulgence, they can be quite harmful. Moreover, battling food cravings becomes even tougher when one is trying to cut down on unhealthy food or switch to a healthier lifestyle. In trying to fight these cravings, one often makes mistakes that can exacerbate them. Here are ten common mistakes that can worsen food cravings and should be avoided: 1. Switching to bland or boring foods When one thinks of switching to healthier food options, they often start incorporating bland food. Thinking that healthy food options need to be bland is a misconception. In fact, when one does not enjoy their food, it only makes them crave better-tasting food even more. So, instead of depriving oneself of taste, focusing on adding flavor and variety to the meals is better. For instance, incorporating spices, herbs, and seasonings can make the dishes more enjoyable. Savoring flavorful meals can then reduce the desire for unhealthy snacks. 2. Skipping meals One of the biggest mistakes individuals often make in their daily routine is skipping meals, especially breakfast. Skipping meals makes one crave food even more. In fact, it leads to intense hunger later in the day, triggering cravings for high-calorie foods because the body needs to get its energy levels back up.

Bad breath or halitosis can often be troublesome when it comes to oral freshness. The primary cause is usually poor oral hygiene. Other probable factors, like underlying health issues, can contribute to this issue. However, there are natural solutions found in everyday foods that provide an alternative to pharmaceutical remedies. Adding these foods to the routine can help improve overall health and gut microbiota that can help fight bad breath. Apples Apples are a remarkable natural aid in the battle against bad breath. Their high water content stimulates saliva production, aiding in the rinsing of the mouth. Moreover, the gentle abrasiveness of apples helps minimize the buildup of plaque. Additionally, malic acid actively encourages saliva production while maintaining an optimal pH balance within the oral environment. Whether enjoyed as a convenient and refreshing snack or added to salads, the satisfying crunch of apples promotes oral health. Carrots Packed with beta-carotene and fiber, carrots are ideal for maintaining oral hygiene. The act of chewing on raw carrots not only stimulates saliva flow but also neutralizes acidity, reducing the risk of bacterial growth. Essentially, carrots serve as natural cleansers, fortifying oral health. One can enjoy carrot sticks as a refreshing snack or integrate them into salads and soups.

Geographic Atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which leads to irreversible vision loss. As its name suggests, it directly affects the macula, the part of a person’s eye responsible for central vision. While currently, there is no known cure for geographic atrophy, there is a proactive approach that people can take to delay its progression. This includes altering nutritional intake, adding some foods to the daily routine, and subtracting others. Foods to eat for geographic atrophy Leafy greens Leafy greens like spinach, kale, lettuce, and Brussels sprouts are rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful pigments, in high amounts of leafy greens. These pigments are powerful antioxidants that can help protect the macula, the central part of the retina affected by GA. An excellent way to incorporate these leafy greens into the nutritional routine is by adding them in salads, smoothies, or lightly sauté for a side dish. Green vegetables Besides leafy greens, the pigments lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in high amounts in other green vegetables, such as avocados, green bell peppers, peas, and broccoli. These vegetables can also be easily included in salads or other sandwiches. Avocados can also be added to smoothies, spinach, and kale to make it even better for the eyes.

Vasculitis, or angiitis, is an autoimmune health disorder. It damages the blood vessels due to the severe inflammation that leads to their swelling and hardening. Therefore, the blood is unable to flow smoothly, resulting in organ and tissue damage. Although vasculitis is not preventable, one can delay symptom progression and prevent complications by watching out for the early signs. Here are some of the types, early signs of vasculitis, causes, diagnosis, and treatment options. Types of vasculitis There are more than 30 types of vasculitis. Depending on which blood vessels are affected, a doctor will determine the vasculitis type. Some of the known types include the following. Behcet’s disease Buerger disease Churg-Strauss syndrome Cryoglobulinemia Giant cell arteritis Granulomatosis with polyangiitis Henoch-Schonlein purpura Kawasaki disease Takayasu’s arteritis Early signs of vasculitis Some of the early signs and symptoms are common across all types of vasculitis. Breathing difficulties When vasculitis reaches the lungs, tears begin to develop in the healthy tissues. This can cause disruption in the respiratory function. Over time, this leads to pneumonia-like symptoms as well as breathing difficulties, wheezing, and coughing. These symptoms may worsen after any physical activity, such as climbing stairs, running, and lifting a heavy object.

A healthy smile plays a big part in one’s appearance. However, many common foods can be detrimental to teeth health, leading to the formation of plaque and cavities. Plaque is a thin, sticky, and invisible layer of bacteria and other substances that contribute to oral health problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. Over time, plaque formation can break down the enamel, and give rise to several dental problems. To prevent these issues, it is important to take proper care of one’s teeth and avoid these 12 foods that can harm teeth health: Candies Candies such as lollipops, mints, and others contain high levels of sugar. Chewing or biting on such hard candies can also cause chips or cracks in one’s teeth, increasing the risk of decay. Further, sour candies contain not only more sugar but also acids. These can be extremely tough on one’s teeth, and lead to enamel erosion. Due to their sticky nature, the candies stay on the teeth for a long time, increasing the risk of tooth decay. It may be safer to switch to chocolate instead of sour candy and rinse the mouth immediately after. Bread When chewed, the starches in bread are broken down into sugars by the saliva.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. It results in the loss of muscle control and tends to worsen over time. The exact causes of the disease are yet to be identified, but experts can recommend certain treatments and therapies that help improve the quality of life of those affected. Following are 11 early warning signs of ALS. Muscle weakness Someone who develops muscle weakness out of the ordinary might be at risk of ALS. One may notice the development of symptoms in a specific limb, leg, or arm. Motor neurons are gradually lost, due to which the muscles controlled by them gradually become weak and non-functional. This results in weaker muscles and disability, which eventually turn worse. The loss of muscle strength could also affect everyday tasks, such as climbing stairs, lifting objects, or holding a cup. Trouble swallowing The process of swallowing involves a number of muscles that work together, including the tongue, jaw, lips, and throat. If they are affected by ALS, it could disrupt the harmony and make it tedious for them to swallow, which is termed dysphagia.

Certain factors can make any city a hotspot for migraines. Lifestyle elements such as the average overtime hours worked, frequency of air travel, lack of vigorous exercise, insomnia, and sunburn can all play a role in causing or worsening migraines. Additionally, environmental factors and the food consumed by the people living in the city can also contribute to migraines. Here are a few cities deemed migraine hotspots and why they are on this list. St. Louis, Missouri St. Louis is a booming metropolitan city that is densely populated and forever bustling with people. Its dense population and traffic make it one of the worst cities for people with migraine. Also, certain studies have found that people in this city exercise very little. People of St.Louis mostly commute or drive themselves to work every day. On top of all these, St. Louis has unpredictable weather and occasions on which the temperature is incredibly high. Apart from these factors, the people of this city frequently and excessively consume inflammation and migraine-inducing foods such as hot dogs, sausages, smoked meat, chocolate, coffee, cheese, and junk food. All in all, factors such as low frequency of exercise, poor choice of foods consumed by the city’s people, erratic and inconsistent weather, and the dense population make St.

MAC lung disease refers to a lung infection caused by a bacteria group called Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), which is part of a large group of nontuberculous bacteria (NTM). Thus, MAC bacterial infection is the most common cause of NTM lung disease in the country. Typically, MAC lung disease occurs when one inhales these bacteria, commonly found in soil and water. Here are some warning signs of this condition that should not be ignored: Warning signs of MAC lung disease Chronic cough Patients with MAC lung disease may experience chronic cough and may sometimes cough up blood or mucus. Chronic cough is classified as the most common symptom of MAC infection. Swollen lymph nodes The body’s lymph nodes typically swell up when it tries to fight off germs or bacteria. Consequently, swollen lymph nodes among patients with MAC lung disease may be a sign that the body is trying to fight against the infection. Inability to clear mucus In some cases, MAC lung disease may lead to a condition called bronchiectasis, which involves damage to the bronchial tubes. Patients with this condition may not be able to clear mucus easily, causing them to experience constant discomfort in their throats. Changes in appetite Patients with MAC lung disease may experience loss of appetite, abdominal pain, or diarrhea if the infection spreads to other parts of the body.