Reports suggest that over 50 million people in the country suffer from different allergies each year, causing allergies to emerge as the sixth leading cause of chronic illness. Allergies may have many underlying causes, including hay fever, dust mites, medicines, certain foods, and pollution. Further, unfavorable environmental conditions can adversely affect individuals prone to allergies. Have a look at our list of the worst cities in the country for persons with allergies: Scranton Scranton has emerged as the allergy capital of the country, being ranked the worst city for people suffering from or susceptible to allergies. One of the primary causes of allergies in Scranton is the city’s higher-than-average concentration of spring and fall pollen. Several individuals react negatively to pollen, developing infections and allergies. Thus, individuals with allergies must avoid moving into Scranton for work. Bakersfield Bakersfield, with annual particular matter (PM) levels of 2.5, is classified as among the most polluted cities in the country. Studies have demonstrated that outdoor air pollution can exacerbate one’s allergies. Consequently, living in a city like Bakersfield can affect one’s health, particularly if one is vulnerable to allergic reactions. New Haven New Haven, which houses the prestigious Yale University, is another no-no for individuals with allergies, primarily due to its poor air quality and high humidity.

Airborne allergens are the main culprits that trigger seasonal and chronic respiratory disorders. A person can experience difficulty breathing, coughing, sore throat, wheezing, and inflammation of the nasal passage just to name a few of the discomforts. Some prescriptions can help manage moderate to severe symptoms of such allergies. Also, mild symptoms can be managed by avoiding these nine common allergens that are found in breeding indoors and outdoors. Some of them are: Pollution Particulate pollution has become one of the major triggers of respiratory disorders in urban cities. Any form of exhaust smoke, be it from vehicular or industrial pollution, can trigger inflammation in the nasal passages. This inflammation causes shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness, indicating an allergic reaction. Dust mites Dust and dust mites are two different things. Dust indoors is mostly dead skin cells and atmospheric residue that settles on surfaces. However, dust mites are microscopic bugs that breed on difficult-to-reach surfaces and multiply rapidly. Inhaling these microscopic particles can irritate and inflame the respiratory passage lining. Pollen Pollen is one of the most common airborne allergens in the country, accounting for most cases of respiratory disorders. Pollen is released by the male part of the flower to pollenate female flowers and produces seeds.

Sugar is a soluble carbohydrate that is often added to most of our foods. This is what makes delicacies like cookies, chocolates, brownies, and cakes delicious. However, eating too many foods rich in sugars can deteriorate your overall health. The compound may cause health conditions and complications like tiredness, build-up of visceral fat, diabetes, and heart disease. So, here are eight signs of excess sugar intake to look out for. Feelings of irritability Studies indicate that eating foods with too much sugar may lead to irritability, stress, and moodiness. Sugar-rich foods contain less protein and fats which may lead to spikes in blood sugar levels. In turn, the body will rush to process the compounds and cause the energy levels to crash. Foods don’t taste sweet anymore Sometimes you may feel that the sugar-laden foods you consume are not as sweet as it once was. It may be an indication that you are consuming too much sugar. You may also find yourself less satisfied when you consume foods with low sugar content. Excess visceral fat Sugar is also known to affect leptin, a hormone that signals the brain when you have enough to eat. And processed snacks are rich in sugar but low in protein, healthy fats, and fibers.

Eczema is a health condition that triggers dry, inflamed, and itchy skin. While it may occur at any age, it is more common in younger individuals. Moreover, it is a chronic disease that may also flare up on more than one occasion. There are various types of eczema that are less common in individuals and come with unusual signs that one ought to know about. Here are six uncommon eczema types and their symptoms. Nummular eczema Coin-like spots are the result of nummular eczema. This type of dermatitis occurs on the legs, hands, or forearms. Other signs of nummular eczema include dry skin between the patches. One may also develop tiny bumps that develop after a skin injury. These patches get crusty and merge to form scaly coin shapes, a clear indicator of eczema. Stasis dermatitis Sometimes individuals may experience stasis dermatitis, which is associated with blood flow problems like varicose veins. The condition occurs in the lower legs and around the ankles. One of the first signs an individual with stasis dermatitis may experience is dry, discolored skin over the affected veins. They may also experience itchiness that spreads to the top of the foot. Another symptom associated with stasis dermatitis is swelling or discomfort in the leg or ankle that subsides when the individual sleeps but worsens during the day.

Migraine headaches are physically and emotionally taxing. While a person can withstand a single migraine headache with resilience, frequent migrainous episodes can break even those with the strongest spirits. Often, the foods a person eats act as triggers causing such headaches. Therefore, migraine experiencers need to cut out certain foods from their daily meals to keep painful headaches at bay for longer. Here are the 5 foods to avoid for people with migraine: Coffee Caffeine is a major trigger of migraines. One may find it challenging to steer clear of caffeine, as it is found in several foods such as tea, coffee, and chocolate. Coffee contains massive amounts of caffeine. Therefore, one must avoid consuming excessive amounts of coffee during the day. Caffeine is not entirely bad for people living with migraines. However, such people need to consume coffee in moderation. Instead of coffee, one can consider consuming black or green tea, which contains relatively smaller amounts of caffeine. Teriyaki Fermented soy foods also rank highly on any list of foods to avoid for migraine experiencers. Teriyaki, like miso, soy sauce, or tempeh, is a fermented soy product. This means that teriyaki has large amounts of tyramine, which commonly triggers migraine headaches not long after consumption.

Menopause is a stage at which the woman stops going through menstrual cycles. It is only considered menopause if you have not had your period for at least 12 months. In the US, the average age for it to occur is 51, but it can start as early as your 40s. It is a biological process that occurs naturally but, due to certain symptoms it causes, it can lead to disruptions in your daily schedule and life. Stages of menopause Menopause has three different stages, as given below. Perimenopause Before the actual menopause starts, the women’s body goes into the process of shifting from natural menstruation and ovulation cycle to permanent infertility. This stage is known as perimenopause. It generally starts in your 40s, but some women may experience it in their 30s too. The symptoms include irregular periods, sleep problems, and hot flashes. Menopause If you have not had your period in one year, then the perimenopause is over, and the actual menopause stage begins. You cannot get pregnant once you enter this stage. Postmenopause The years that follow are the postmenopause stage. The physical and emotional symptoms of menopause start to subside in most cases. You start to regain your energy levels and feel more emotionally stable.