BlogReads.net | Read More. Stay Updated!

Home - health - Avoid These 6 Foods To Manage Cold Sores Better

Avoid these 6 foods to manage cold sores better

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are painful blisters that appear on the lips and the surrounding areas. These blisters can be seen in groups of 10 or individually and are caused by the Type 1 or Type 2 herpes virus. The infections can be painful and make one feel sick for days at a stretch. These cold sores may be manipulated by the food eaten; hence some food items are better avoided.

Coping with cold sores – foods to avoid
Food and nutrient intake plays a vital role in overall health, including lip health. If one finds themselves prone to cold sores, it’s important to check the foods taken in because this condition results from various factors, and food can be one of the primary triggers.

Curry
In general, spicy foods should be avoided by patients prone to cold sores. One of the reasons is that a highly spicy meal may irritate the area around the mouth. It increases the discomfort caused by the condition and can heighten the problems suffered by the patient. Instead, one can try a stew, mashed potatoes, or even a mild casserole for the main meal.

Pickle
Salty foods rich in vinegar can cause irritating sensations in people suffering from cold blisters. Furthermore, the high sodium levels in pickles may interfere with the macrophages, cells that promote wound healing and decrease tissue inflammation. Additionally, vinegar is an acidic substance that may sting cold sores.

Salted peanuts
Like acidic foods, salty foods can also promote burning sensations after contact with a cold sore. It may be extremely painful and uncomfortable. Moreover, peanuts are rich in arginine, an amino acid that the herpes virus needs for replication to run its full course. Hence patients are advised to steer clear of arginine-rich foods such as peanuts, almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds, and sunflower seeds.

Pizza
During the advanced stages of cold sores, the blisters and scabs are prone to splitting open if one opens their mouth too wide. Moreover, the immune-compromised body demands nutrient-rich food to heal from cold sores. Hence pizza is one of the main foods that are best ignored. Instead, one can try alternatives such as eggs, spinach, and green beans to help boost the immune system.

Tomatoes
While dealing with cold sores, one must try not to aggravate them further. It can be done by minimizing the consumption of highly acidic foods such as tomatoes. Moreover, as the blisters run their course, approximately on the 4th day, they rupture, leading to open wounds that form crust-like scabs within a day. These are susceptible to cracking open, and contact with acidic food can lead to further discomfort for the patient.

Hot chocolate
Chocolate, mainly dark chocolate, may have many benefits, but patients dealing with cold sores should avoid it due to the presence of arginine in this metabolism-boosting food. Additionally, while healing, cold sores can get extremely painful and sensitive, causing immense discomfort if the wounds come in contact with hot food items.

In addition to making the changes mentioned above to the food plan, patients can also try home remedies, such as gently spreading petroleum jelly on the affected areas. Further, they can seek the advice of a medical expert as well.

Hyperkalemia – 10 foods to avoid

Potassium plays a huge role in the health of our heart muscles and nerve cells. And high levels of this element in the blood cause hyperkalemia. If you consume meals high in potassium, your doctor may advise you to decrease portion sizes and concentrate on fruits and vegetables with a lower potassium content. Here is a list of foods rich in potassium that must be avoided if you have hyperkalemia. Yogurt and dairy products A serving of nonfat yogurt weighing eight ounces has roughly 625 mg of potassium, making it one of the dairy aisle's highestÂ sources of potassium. Even reduced fat milk contains 366 mg of potassium in a glass of cow's whole milk. Ricotta and cottage cheese are also high in potassium. Goat cheese is a low potassium food, proving that not all cheeses are made equal. Likewise, About 131 milligrams of potassium may be found in a half cup of vanilla ice cream. Bananas When people consider foods high in potassium, bananas frequently come to mind. A banana normally contains 422 mg of potassium. Among all the fruit, bananas are athletes' favorite as they provide energy. However, it could be highly dangerous for someone suffering from hyperkalemia. Consult your doctor if you have hyperkalemia and stick to fruits such as apples and berries. Leafy vegetables About 420 milligrams of potassium can be found in only a half cup of cooked spinach. Raw spinach, young or mature, has roughly 167 mg per cup. Fennel, bok choy, beet greens, and Swiss chard are also high in potassium. You can opt for kale instead. Kale has more nutrients than these other dark leafy greens, but it has less potassium. 73 mg is present in one cup of raw kale. Fish Clams, which provide 534 mg of potassium in just 3 ounces, are the finest source of protein from seafood. Around three ounces of skipjack tuna offers 444 mg, another major source of potassium. One of the most popular fish, salmon, frequently has a lower potassium content. Keeping a check on what type of fish you are eating if you have hyperkalemia is a must. Kidney beans Beans are a balanced addition to any meal plan as they're rich sources of protein and fiber. However, according to data from the USDA, one cup of the kidney-shaped type has 713 mg of potassium. A half-cup of black beans has 489 mg of potassium. Avocado This creamy, green-fleshed fruit is packed with 690 mg of potassium and is high in fiber and heart-healthy lipids. Although it might seem good for your heart, you should avoid it if you have hyperkalemia. Potatoes Potassium is heavily concentrated in potatoes; 925 milligrams of potassium may be found in a baked potato. A three-ounce portion of french-fried potatoes has 470 mg of potassium and a lot of fat and calories. The potassium content in an ounce of potato chips is 465 mg. Indulging in fast foods like fries is adverse for those with hyperkalemia. Oranges A single orange has 240 mg of potassium, making it a food with a high potassium content. With 450 mg per 8 oz glass, orange juice is a more potent source of potassium. Fruits vary in their potassium content. Berries are a poor source of potassium and can be a decent substitute for oranges and orange juice. Another good option is apples. Dried fruits The nutrients in fruit, including potassium, that have been dried are concentrated. You get roughly 750 milligrams from half a cup of dried apricots. Also, even though raisins and dried plums make a fantastic snack, they should be avoided by someone with hyperkalemia. Legumes and beans Legumes are a significant source of potassium as well. White beans have the most, with 600 mg of potassium in a half cup. In half a cup serving, other legumes such as lima beans and pinto beans have between 300 and 350 mg.

Do not ignore these 5 early signs of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic condition that affects the nervous system. This includes the spinal cord, optic nerves, and the brain. The conditionâs symptoms may range from vision loss to muscle weakness and can differ from one person to another. Some people may experience mild symptoms, and in severe cases, it may result in paralysis. However, in most cases, the symptoms worsen during flare-ups and improve during the remission period. Early signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) Patients with multiple sclerosis may notice that no pattern of MS applies to everyone. Different symptoms are experienced at different times. However, the early signs of multiple sclerosis may be the same in both men and women. Hence, here are some early signs of the condition to look out for. Inflammation of the optic nerve One of the most common signs of MS, a person with optic neuritis may experience blurred vision, headache, and eye pain. Mainly, it occurs on one side and may lead to partial or total vision loss. Cognitive changes People with MS may experience a few cognitive changes, such as slowed processing. This might lead to difficulty finding words, short-term memory loss, and problems multitasking. Furthermore, one may also notice that they might have to read words a few times to understand them. Changes in bladder habits Another common symptom thatâs an early sign of MS includes changes in bladder habits. This can either increase the frequency of urination, or one may also experience hesitancy where they may feel like going to the restroom, but the bladder does not empty. Fatigue An extremely common early sign of MS, fatigue can also result from other medical conditions. Hence patients are advised to seek the advice of a healthcare expert at the earliest. This usually happens during the afternoon and can be accompanied by weak muscles, sleepiness, and slowed thinking. Dizziness MS patients may also have bouts of dizziness. This can happen due to the conditionâs impact on the patientâs equilibrium and ability to balance. Moreover, other symptoms, such as vision loss and sensory issues triggered by multiple sclerosis, can throw one off the kilter. Multiple sclerosis can begin due to a mix of factors such as lifestyle and environment. Hence patients noticing any early signs of the condition are advised to seek medical attention for a treatment plan.