In most asthma cases, food allergies and intolerances will trigger inflammation or result in the narrowing of the lung airways. An estimated 19 million individuals in the country have mild to moderate asthma, and it is vital for them to monitor their food intake. Drastic changes in daily eating habits will not necessarily help; however, moderation lowers the risk of flareups. Here are 4 such foods that trigger breathing difficulties for those with asthma. Foods high in fat content Red meats are heavily processed and contain saturated fats, which leads to an increase in LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels in the body. Most saturated and processed fats tend to worsen symptoms like inflammation, causing difficulty breathing. The risk is especially high among people who suffer from conditions like asthma or COPD. Dairy foods and beverages Whole milk (the full fat variant) can trigger excess mucous production when the body breaks down the dairy product during digestion. Mucous buildup in the lungs increases the risk of infection and worsens the inflammation linked to asthma flareups. Preservatives and artificial sweeteners Most foods bought off the shelves in the supermarket are laced with preservatives and additives to increase their shelf life. These include different types of sulfites found in pickled foods and snacks, frozen seafood, and dried fruits or vegetables.

A person is said to experience shortness of breath when they have difficulty breathing normally. In most cases, the discomfort is mild and easily managed with simple steam inhalation to unblock nasal passages. Alternatively, it could be a complication that arises out of underlying conditions that needs timely intervention with prescription and lifestyle changes. Here are five effective suggestions to manage mild to severe shortness of breath at home and under professional care. Mindful breathing techniques Deep breathing exercises are largely effective and help manage shortness of breath in the short term. This is because deep breathing involves the use of the abdominal diaphragm muscles to expand more and allow the lungs to fill up with more oxygen. However, it is necessary to learn the correct technique to avoid the risk of hyperinflation due to excessive breathing. Another common technique is pursed lip breathing. Experts suggest keeping only a small gap between both lips while keeping them pursed to regulate the airflow. Adjusting sitting or standing posture Any sudden shortness of breath caused due to anxiety or overexertion can be managed by simply correcting your posture. For example, lying down with the knees and head supported by multiple pillows can help relieve airway pressure.

Most individuals experience headaches at some point in their lives. The condition can result in a pain that could be dull, sharp, constant, or throbbing. Also, there are different types of headaches that have multiple symptoms. While a permanent cure for headaches is yet to be determined, there are ways to help manage the condition. One can also combine these relaxation techniques with treatments to relieve headaches. Given below are a few that might help: Indulge in yoga Yoga is an ancient technique that combines calming meditation and breathing with body poses. Together, these aspects help individuals stretch and strengthen their tendons and muscles. Yoga can also reduce the frequency and pain of certain headaches. However, we recommend working with a professional yoga instructor to avoid unwanted muscle strains. Use a cold pack People suffering from migraines should apply a cold pack to their forehead. They can wrap a bag of frozen vegetables or ice cubes in a towel or have a cold shower to ease pains caused by migraines. They should keep the compress on their head for about 15 minutes, followed by an interval of 15 minutes before re-applying the pack. Be open to biofeedback The biofeedback technique utilizes electronic devices to measure an individual’s heart rate, breathing rate, skin perspiration, muscle tension, and other physical responses.

Finding it hard to sleep at night? Staying away from your phone and reducing psychological stress can help, but these are not enough. You also need to be wise when choosing foods late in the evening and before bedtime. Some foods have ingredients that can induce insomnia and cause tummy troubles, making it hard to sleep well at night. Below, we’ve listed seven such foods you should avoid eating before hitting the sack. Chocolate Post-dinner chocolate cravings are pretty common, but it’s not good when struggling to get proper sleep. Chocolates, especially dark chocolate, contain lots of caffeine, which can prevent you from getting deep, restful sleep. Coffee Talking about caffeine, it’s hard not to mention coffee. A shot of espresso is a go-to late-night drink for many, but it can hurt your objective of sound sleep. Coffee contains very high levels of caffeine, more than dark chocolate. So, it’s best to avoid any type of coffee at least six hours before bedtime. Potato chips Potato chips are fried foods loaded with unhealthy fats. Such foods take long to digest, cause indigestion, and can keep you up at night. Some studies even show that eating lots of fried, greasy foods can cause disturbing dreams.

ADHD, also called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is one of the most common neurodevelopment disorders in children. Most ADHD cases are diagnosed between the ages of three and seven. Albeit rare, the condition may also be diagnosed in adulthood. Its symptoms usually improve with age, but individuals may continue to face sleep and anxiety issues for a prolonged period. Read on to learn some of the uncommon symptoms of ADHD that are seen in children. 5 lesser-known ADHD symptoms observed in children Hyper-focus Individuals with ADHD, irrespective of age, are believed to have trouble focusing on tasks. But, what many do not know is that ADHD patients tend to hyper-focus. This means that they can focus only on a single task for periods of time. In such states of razor focus and concentration, it can be hard for the child to move from one task to the other. They may also lose track of time and forget about other important tasks. Mood swings Mood swings are commonly seen in children and adolescents. Massive and disruptive changes in mood (mania and depression) are often associated with bipolar disorder, but mood changes in ADHD are different. Essentially, ADHD patients have a trigger that causes a shift in moods, such as a reaction to their work or interests, whereas, for bipolar disorder, a mood shift occurs without a trigger.

Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens bones, turning them brittle and porous. It is often characterized by the presence of painful muscles and joints. Losing bone mass can also make one more susceptible to fractures. Fortunately, proper symptom management can help provide the person with a healthy lifestyle. However, to do so, it is crucial to be aware of the common symptoms and early warning signs of the condition and seek a timely diagnosis. Postural changes Changes in posture are among the common signs of osteoporosis. Patients often have poor spinal curvature and stoop when sitting. The loss of bone density in the body is a substantial contributing factor and results in weakened bones in the spinal cord. It also impacts the patient’s breathing due to compressed lungs. Change in height Shrinking with age is common. However, that is a change of an inch or two in the individual’s height. Whereas, the shrinkage of height in case of osteoporosis spans several inches and occurs in a shorter time. The height change is a result of bone loss in the vertebrae. Therefore, it is a must to seek timely checkup if the height changes. Brittle fingernails It might not seem like a significant issue, but brittle fingernails susceptible to breakage are a warning sign of osteoporosis, as it provides a peek at the internal health of a patient.