Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition  characterized by obstruction in airflow from the lungs. It is typically caused by chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or exposure to irritants or particulate matter. The symptoms of this condition include wheezing, difficulty breathing, cough, and mucus production. It is a progressive condition and, as the name suggests, chronic. However, you can manage it through lifestyle and dietary changes, and a good quality of life is within reach.  COPD and the immunity COPD is a complex condition affecting multiple organ systems. Though the illness can cause various complications like heart problems, high blood pressure, and lung cancer, the relationship between COPD and immunity is perhaps the most complex. Chronic inflammation is a complication of this condition and is a strong indicator of the immune system’s involvement in COPD. Chronic inflammation compromises immune functioning, allowing pathogens to make your lungs their new home. Since exposure to irritants is implicated, there is a natural response from both structural and immune cells in the lungs. Individuals with COPD are much more likely at risk of respiratory infections like colds, pneumonia, and flu, making breathing more difficult and damaging the lungs further. Managing COPD Though a diagnosis of COPD is not immediately life-threatening nor as scary as a cancer diagnosis, it will not be easy.

Asthma is a condition wherein a person’s airways become inflamed and swell, procuring extra mucus, making breathing difficult. Getting rid of asthma triggers from one’s house and workspace and protecting against external triggers outdoors are crucial factors in managing and treating asthma. In critical cases, doctors may suggest relocating to a new city with fewer asthma triggers. Since there is no cure for asthma, effective management becomes key in ensuring that the condition doesn’t worsen. What is uncontrolled asthma? When asthma symptoms become severe and start interfering with one’s everyday life, they might indicate uncontrolled asthma. These symptoms need urgent treatment. If left untreated, they could cause severe damage to one’s lungs.  Causes of uncontrolled asthma Stress Chronic stress could lead to flare-ups of asthma symptoms. One must make an attempt to reduce stress and anxiety in life. Meditation and yoga could help a person deal with stress. Underlying health conditions Certain health conditions like environmental allergies and GERD could lead to asthma flare-ups. Other respiratory conditions like sleep apnea could block the upper airway while sleeping, leading to an asthma flare-up.  Weather change Moving from warmer to colder air or drier to humid air can trigger an asthma flare-up.

After the COVID-19 pandemic began, people have started taking nasal congestion more seriously, and maintaining good health has become more of a priority to many. But it is important not to let this vigilance translate to frequent visits to the doctors. Instead, one must equip oneself with effective home remedies and develop healthy eating habits. The following are 5 remedies for cold and flu and 5 foods that will help relieve nasal congestion. Home remedies for cold, flu, and nasal congestion Taking a hot shower The most obvious remedy for colds is a hot shower. Even without the flu, a warm burst of water can majorly relieve nasal congestion. Apart from washing away tiredness, inhaling the steam relieves pain and reduces pressure in the sinus, allowing a person to breathe easily for a while. If one is too tired for a hot water shower, one can use an electric facial steamer, which is more convenient. One could use a towel to cover one’s head and the steamer to increase the vapor’s concentration.  Investing in a humidifier Most flu-causing viruses thrive in cold, dry environments. And humid air helps soothe irritated nasal tissue. Hence, nasal inflammation can be reduced by using a humidifier or cool-mist vaporizer.

If your kidneys are damaged, and their ability to filter waste from the blood reduces, you will probably be diagnosed with chronic kidney disease or CKD. The accumulation of waste as a consequence of this health impairment can crease several complications, including high blood pressure, weak bones, nerve damage, anemia, and malnutrition. Chronic kidney disease tends to increase the risk of other conditions related to the heart and blood vessels. Early detection and treatment can help slow the deterioration, but no cure exists. Thus, it is essential to acquire a good quality of life and prevent permanent kidney failure, which will necessitate dialysis or kidney transplants.  How to manage chronic kidney disease? The choice of treatment depends on the progression of chronic kidney disease, associated health problems, and current lifestyle. Prescription treatment typically helps to control comorbid conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, vitamin K build-up, water retention, and diabetes, among others. A nephrologist is likely to recommend a combination of options: lifestyle changes, prescription treatments for associated problems, and in later stages, dialysis or transplants.  Lifestyle changes for chronic kidney disease A doctor is also likely to recommend changes in your style of living. You can damage muscles and bones during the course of the illness, and hence exercising is vital.

Constipation refers to infrequent bowel movements or difficult passage of stools. It is diagnosed when you have fewer than three bowel movements a week. Constipation can cause excessive strain on the intestines and can have an adverse effect on your daily activities. It can be chronic when induced by other health conditions. Since constipation is a condition affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, food is the essential key to managing the condition. It is possible to alleviate or worsen constipation through the food. Eating the right food can help keep your intestines clear, but the wrong foods might bind the stools even further. Fiber-rich foods to eat for constipation Foods rich in fiber can help relieve constipation and keep your stool movements regular. The most common cause of constipation is the slow movement of food through the GI tract. This can be the result of prescription treatment options, diseases of the nerves, or psychological conditions. But most often, it is due to a poor food regime. Here are five fiber-rich foods that can help manage constipation. Prunes One of the age-old remedies for constipation is dried plums, or prunes, as they are commonly called. With three gms of fiber per quarter cup serving, prunes can increase the amount of water in stools, thanks to the insoluble fiber it contains.

Eczema is a generic term that refers to a group of skin conditions that cause irritation. These conditions can affect infants, children, and adults. Dry skin, redness, fluid-filled boils on the skin, severe itching, and rashes of various forms and shapes are typical characteristics of eczema. It is a chronic condition characterized by phases of flare-ups and remission. Managing this condition is important as it can cause discomfort and interfere with one’s routine. Early Warning Signs of Eczema The condition can affect anyone, but early signs of eczema can usually be seen in infancy. Infant boys and adolescent girls are more prone to the condition than others. Infants who develop such skin issues may get cured, and their symptoms may disappear as they age. However, the symptoms could return once they reach adulthood.  When suffering from this condition, a person can experience drastic changes in the way their skin feels and looks like. In its early stages, eczema can cause the skin to look bumpy or raised. The skin may also look inflamed, and one’s eyelids may appear swollen. Flaking or peeling of skin is another warning sign that appears early in eczema patients. Irrespective of the early warning signs, eczema can have a long-lasting impact.

Our eyes are one of the most complex organs in our body, with about 2 million working parts. They can see 30 to 60 frames per second, and our brains can process the complete images in about 13 milliseconds. To operate with such high precision and speed, every component of our eye needs to be healthy. However, it is uncommon for individuals to pay specific attention to their eye health unless they’re facing an issue. Six essential vitamins for maintaining eye health Consuming enough vitamins as part of your daily meal plan benefits your eye and overall health. If you have recently been diagnosed with an eye condition and started increasing the number of vitamins in your food, you may not see a dramatic or sudden improvement in your vision. Having a healthy and nutritious food regime from an early age can ensure that you can maintain your eye health as you age and prevent age-related eye diseases. While our health depends on a range of vitamins, nutrients and minerals, vitamins are more important for eye health. The six essential vitamins for maintaining eye health include: Vitamin A Vitamin A is an essential vitamin for eye health. Also known as retinol, vitamin A is a part of rhodopsin, a protein found in the retina.

Drinking water is essential to keep body organs functioning at their optimum best. However, drinking too much or too little can affect the body in many ways. Dehydration can often affect cognitive functions, memory, and physical performance. Therefore, drinking water the right way at the right time is essential. Although most people know the importance of water, they don’t know the best time to drink it. So, let’s look at the best times to drink water daily. When you wake up Though most people reach for a cup of coffee, it is best to drink one or two cups of water as soon as you wake up. It helps you hydrate after 8 hours of no water and food, which typically causes slight dehydration. The water in the morning helps get your fluids back to baseline levels.  When you sweat When you exercise or use a sauna, you naturally sweat and lose a lot of water. During such activities, it is ideal to drink not just water after your activity but also before and during your workout. Keep a one-liter bottle filled with flavored or regular water at all times. Sip between 6 and 12 ounces every 15 minutes when you are active.