Sickle cell anemia is a condition in which the red blood cells become hard and sticky and change their shape to a C form like that of a sickle’s. Hence, the name of the illness. These deformed red blood cells die early, leading to a shortage of these important cells. Due to their peculiar shape, they get stuck in blood vessels and clog the blood flow, leading to serious issues like stroke, infection, or acute chest syndrome. Nutrition and sickle cell anemia Nutrition plays a huge role in managing this illness. According to research, patients with sickle cell anemia require more than average amounts of calories and micronutrients. Especially kids with SCD (sickle cell disease) show signs of lean body mass and reduced fat-free mass, which is a sign of deficiency of essential micronutrients. A balanced diet of whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables is advised over a typical western diet, which focuses more on meat-based meals, according to findings published in PCRM’s Nutrition Guide for Clinicians. Foods to eat Those suffering from anemia need food that is rich in iron or can help absorb iron. Apart from that, as suggested before, a balanced meal can help manage the symptoms of the disease to a great extent.

Parkinson’s is a progressive degenerative disease that impacts a person’s brain and motor functions. It is characterized by unexplained and unstoppable tremors, loss of balance, and changes in gait. Fortunately, the symptoms of Parkinson’s can be managed with the right intake of nutrition. Similarly, eating certain foods can exacerbate the condition. This article sheds light on the foods to eat and avoid and medications that help manage Parkinson’s.  Foods to eat Berries These fruits provide numerous benefits and are high in bioactive ingredients like anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid rich in antioxidants. Flavonoids are known to protect the brain from damage. Berries are counted among the best fruits for Parkinson’s patients, as foods rich in antioxidants help reduce the amount of oxidative stress experienced by the brain and body. Berries are also rich in vitamin C, which acts as an immunity booster and plays a significant role in preventing secondary infections and conditions. Berries have other essential minerals and vitamins that keep the immune system healthy.   Foods packed with omega-3 fatty acids It has been a long-held belief and scientifically proven that omega-3 fatty acid is helpful in the improvement of cognitive functioning. Since Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder, this compound can help slow down the cognitive impairment of patients.

The early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease can be subtle enough and can be easily overlooked by those suffering or those around the patient. It is, therefore, essential to spread awareness about the condition. Knowing the signs and conditions can help with timely treatment. Attention plays a crucial role in early detection, treatment, and ultimately in Parkinson’s relief options. Here are some signs and symptoms that should not be overlooked: Tremor Tremors are one of the most distinguishable early signs of Parkinson’s disorder. The initiation is with slight twitching of hands, thumbs, fingers, and/or chin. The tremors caused as a result of the onset of Parkinson’s are often referred to as “rest tremors.” This is because tremors are usually experienced by patients while they are resting. As the condition progresses, the intensity of the tremors also progresses. Loss of smell Loss of smell or olfactory dysfunction is yet another early symptom of Parkinson’s. Although this symptom is not related to any motor function, it is one of the signs that can appear years before the onset of the disorder. People that go through olfactory dysfunction experience permanent dulling of senses. This is different from the loss of smell or stuffiness experienced during cold or flu.

Melanoma is one of the most aggressive cancers. It is considered such due to the rapidity with which it metastasizes if not treated in an early stage. However, it is difficult to detect since it rarely shows symptoms, and more than 70% of melanoma cases were detected in normal-looking skin. The following article lists some foods to eat and avoid for melanoma and other types of cancer, along with medication for melanoma. Foods to Have for Those Suffering from Melanoma and Other Cancers Plant-based Foods – Sweet Potatoes and Barley Cooked vegetables are easier to digest than raw ones. Therefore, one should eat plant-based foods such as oats, barley, bananas, turnips, sweet potatoes, and pears. Cruciferous Vegetables – Cauliflower and Broccoli Cruciferous vegetables like Brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and bok choy, among others, may affect the progression of cancers like melanoma. Cancer cells damage normal cells and DNA for mutation. Cruciferous vegetables protect these normal cells and DNA from damage from malignant cells. Moreover, these vegetables also protect the cells from damage occurred due to cancer treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. Fruits – Strawberries and Raspberries The presence of free radicals is one of the risk factors that increases the risk of an individual suffering from melanoma and other forms of cancers.

Cancer triggers an abnormal growth or mutation of cells in the body. These cells can potentially destroy healthy tissue in the vicinity and travel to distant organs, using the lymph nodes after metastasis. A genetic mutation is the main cause of this condition, and, sadly, there is no cure. The condition can at best be managed to improve quality of life by making healthy changes in food and lifestyle and exploring medications/treatments. Foods that help reduce the risk Processed meats Meats are a good source of protein, especially leaner low-fat cuts. However, most types of meat are preserved by curing them in salt and spices or smoking and even packing the meat into cans. This prolongs the shelf life of meats like beef jerky, ham, corned beef, sausage, salami, and even hot dogs and increases the risk of carcinogens in the food. Cured and processed meat is linked to colorectal cancer. Red meats, like beef, pork, lamb, and veal, that are not cured increase the risk of cancer due to the number of additives and nitrates present in the raw cuts. Salty, fried, and processed foods The body needs to maintain a perfect sodium balance to promote the healthy function of vital organs.

Asthma is an autoimmune disease caused when there is an inflammation in the airways of the lungs. If statistics are to be believed, there are almost 25 million people in the country with asthma. Asthma patients are likely to be very sensitive to particular things. However, this varies from patient to patient. The following article lists causes, treatments, and preventive measures to manage asthma and help asthma patients live better lives. Causes Allergens Allergens are a common trigger of asthma. Common allergens present in the air that can cause asthma attacks to include dust mites on pillows or carpets, pollen from plants, molds or fungi in the air, pet hair, insect droppings, or rodents. Smoke Second-hand smoke and polluted air can lead to severe coughing, wheezing, and even an asthma attack. This can be in the form of burning wood, strong fumes, vapors, odors from perfumes, fresh paint, gasoline, and scented soaps or candles. Health conditions Certain health conditions such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), pregnancy hormones, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, nasal polyps, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sinusitis, and rhinitis can also cause asthma. Weather Changes in the weather are a common cause of asthma. Hence, it is recommended to avoid stepping outside during high pollen seasons like spring and fall.

Unresectable rectal cancer is another term for metastatic rectal cancer that has been rendered inoperable or one that cannot fully be removed by surgery. This generally occurs due to the size or location of the tumor. It is diagnosed in nearly 15% of rectal cancer cases and may require other interventions to manage symptoms. When cancer cannot be removed by surgery, oncologists may recommend one or more of the following therapies: Laser removal of the rectal tumor Lasers may be used in the early stages of diagnosis to remove any polyps that may become cancerous in the colon and rectum. Generally, CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers are used to shrink or destroy tumors in the body with the help of an endoscope. Cryotherapy Some studies have also reported using cryotherapy (treatment with extreme cold) for palliation to reduce tumor bulk in the body. This led to improvements such as more effective control of bleeding, relieving the obstruction, and avoiding colostomy. This is a form of ablation therapy used for small tumors (4 cm or less). Elective colostomy to bypass the tumor (diverting colostomy) A colostomy is an opening that is made in the abdominal wall during surgery. The end of the colon is brought through this opening to form a stoma that allows fecal matter to be removed from the body.