With the fast-paced world, getting a good night’s sleep is becoming harder. We often attribute sleep loss to external factors like stress or technology, but sugar can also be a culprit that we tend to overlook. Despite its seemingly harmless nature, sugar can negatively affect our sleep patterns and overall health. Many people are unaware of sugar’s harmful impact on sleep and its correlation with sleep disturbances and constipation. Here’s everything you should know. Disrupts the sleep-wake cycle Consuming excessive sugar close to bedtime can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle. Sugar stimulates insulin release, leading to a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. This spike in energy can make it difficult for your body to relax and enter the sleep phase, causing insomnia or fragmented sleep. Promotes restless sleep Sugar can contribute to restless sleep by causing blood sugar fluctuations throughout the night. As your blood sugar levels rise and fall, your body may experience sudden awakenings or interruptions in sleep. These disruptions can leave you tired and groggy in the morning, even after a seemingly long night of rest. Increased risk of sleep disorders Studies have shown that high-sugar foods are associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders such as sleep apnea and snoring.

Have you ever experienced a burning sensation in your chest after devouring a savory meal? This uncomfortable and sometimes painful condition is known as heartburn and affects millions around the globe. Although occasional heartburn is normal and poses no serious threat, persistent heartburn may indicate underlying problems and must not be overlooked. Surprisingly, many instances of heartburn can be linked to unconscious daily habits that we engage in. Let’s know some of them. Overeating It’s no secret that portion sizes have significantly increased, and many of us have fallen prey to overeating. Eating large quantities of food puts extra pressure on the stomach, causing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus and leading to heartburn. Opting for smaller, more frequent meals and practicing portion control can help minimize the risk of overeating-related heartburn. Eating spicy and acidic foods Spices add flavor and excitement to our meals but can also trigger heartburn in some individuals. Spicy and acidic foods like citrus fruits and tomatoes can irritate the esophagus and cause a familiar burning sensation. While it may be challenging to give up your favorite spicy dishes entirely, reducing the intake of these foods or finding milder alternatives can help manage heartburn symptoms.

Maintaining a healthy immune system is essential to prevent diseases and improve overall well-being. However, several factors can affect immunity, including genetics, environmental factors, eating habits, and infections. If such risks are left unaddressed, one could develop a weak immune system that is unable to keep infections at bay. So, one must recognize the common signs of a weak immune system and seek early treatment to protect themselves from diseases. Slow healing wounds When one gets a cut, scrape, or burn on their skin, the body sends nutrient-rich blood to the injury to assist in the regeneration of new skin. The healing process depends on healthy immune cells. So, if a wound does not heal quickly, it could indicate a complication in the immune system. High stress levels Long-term stress may weaken the immune response. Stress causes an excess release of cortisol in the bloodstream, which may lower the white blood cell (WBC) count. The lower WBC count may trigger a hormonal imbalance that negatively influences immunity. So, if one often experiences stress-induced sickness, it might be a sign of weak immunity. Fever When one has a slightly higher temperature than normal, it could be a sign that their immune system is starting to overwork.

Day or night, making frequent bathroom trips can be annoying for any individual. A symptom of an overactive bladder, frequent urination can affect one’s work and personal life. However, with proper treatment, it is possible to control frequent urination. Various home remedies, including nutritional changes and behavioral therapies, can help retain the bladder and prevent the need for frequent bathroom visits. Keep reading to learn about a few such helpful home remedies. Kegel exercises Kegel exercises can be beneficial in managing frequent urination problems. They repeatedly contract and release the pelvic floor muscles, building their strength. The increased strength can help improve bladder control and lower urination frequency. Bladder training Bladder training goes a long way in helping patients with an overactive bladder. At first, patients might find it difficult to hold in their urine for longer than usual. However, maintaining this practice for weeks retrains the bladder and reduces the urination frequency. Eating healthy foods One cool trick to managing frequent urination is avoiding foods and drinks that act as a diuretic or could irritate the bladder. It could include caffeine, carbonated beverages, spicy foods, tomato-based foods, and even chocolate. Adding more fiber to the meal can help relieve constipation and frequent urination problems.

Bladder cancer is the sixth most common cancer in the country, affecting around 80,000 people every year. Most often, it begins in the urothelial cells that line the inside of the bladder and the ureters. This condition is generally diagnosed at an early stage, improving the chances of recovery. However, despite successful treatment, the cancer may recur. Here are some early warning signs of bladder cancer one must be aware of. Blood or clots in the urine (hematuria) This is one of the first signs of blood cancer. It may occur regularly, or appear and disappear over a few days or weeks. In the early stages, this bleeding is not accompanied by any pain or discomfort. However, blood in the urine could also be a symptom of other conditions such as kidney stones, bladder stones, noncancerous tumors, or other kidney diseases. Consulting a healthcare practitioner for a proper diagnosis can help rule out the possibility of any other diseases or infections. Moreover, it is important to note that blood from menstruation can show up on a woman’s urine test, causing a false-positive. In such cases, the doctor may recommend repeating the test. Changes in urination The following changes in urination are generally a result of benign tumors, infections, bladder stones, or an overactive bladder in men.

Cancer is an aggressive growth of mass that destroys healthy tissue. The condition can develop in any organ or affect any function of the body due to an underlying genetic mutation. Eye cancer is one of the extremely rare forms of cancer that could develop in the eyeball, eyelids, or tear ducts. The condition is usually detected during a routine eye checkup or if one notices any of the following early signs of eye cancer: Changes in vision One of the first signs of eye cancer is changes in vision. As the cancer grows in the eye, it affects the optic nerves that process all visual information. So, one may experience light flashes, floaters, blurry, or even double vision when the field of view is affected. Cancer damages healthy cells in the eye, but the intensity of these symptoms can vary from person to person. Pigmentation or spots One may notice a small dark spot growing in their eyes. This type of pigmentation indicates a type of eye melanoma that starts around the iris. Dark spots may also develop in the conjunctiva and grow as cancer spreads. Upon noticing such changes, one should consult an ophthalmologist to determine the precise cause.

Most individuals, especially those with a sweet tooth, find it hard to avoid sugary foods from their daily meal plan because sugar is an integral part of various food items. However, excessive intake of sugar is associated with many health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and even cholesterol. Some easy and effective strategies to reduce sugar intake and its direct impact on one’s cholesterol levels are listed below. Types of cholesterol There are two types of cholesterol- LDL (low-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as bad cholesterol HDL (high-density lipoprotein), otherwise known as good cholesterol LDL causes plaque buildup in one’s arteries, creates blockages, hampers blood flow, and raises the risk of developing heart disease and stroke. Meanwhile, HDL helps the body to get rid of bad cholesterol. HDL carries LDL to the liver, where it is eventually eliminated from the body. Effects of sugar on cholesterol levels Healthcare professionals recommend exercising and reducing the intake of saturated fats for individuals with high cholesterol. However, unbeknownst to many, sugar is another hidden contributing factor to cholesterol. Some studies have shown that people who consumed more than half a cup of sugar daily had low HDL levels in the body.

Sugar is one of the most commonly used condiments in daily cooking. In fact, most processed foods bought off the shelves in the supermarket contain some form of artificial sweetener added to enhance the taste. One example is the variety of carbonated beverages, flavored sodas, and fruit juices sold. A 12-ounce can of soda contains 10 teaspoons or 39 grams of sugar. Consuming sugary beverages affects one’s health in the following ways. Triggers type 2 diabetes Sodas are laced with artificial sweeteners that rapidly increase blood sugar levels in the body. Frequently consuming these sugary beverages causes healthy cells to become less resistant to natural insulin produced by the body. Insulin resistance combined with increased blood sugar severely increases the risk of diabetes. Leads to joint problems Fructose, a form of sugar, is one of the known risk factors linked to certain types of arthritis, mainly gout. It leads to the build-up of uric acid crystals in the big toe. Consistently consuming excessive amounts of sugar can trigger flare-ups associated with gout and worsen the pain. Causes dental problems Sugar left behind in the crevices of the teeth and healthy gums triggers problems like cavities and infections. That’s because the bacteria feed off excess sugar left behind after consuming sweetened juices, flavored sodas, and carbonated beverages.

Huntington’s disease or Huntington disease results in a progressive breakdown or a degeneration of nerve cells in the brain. This is a rare disease, typically passed down through generations, which means it is inherited. It impacts the functional abilities of a person, leading to cognitive, movement, and psychiatric disorders. There is no treatment to cure the disease completely; however, there are options to help manage the symptoms. Here are common signs of the disease. Signs and symptoms of Huntington’s disease The symptoms vary from person to person, as there is a wide spectrum of signs to look out for. Here are some symptoms that can be observed in patients: Movement disorders This kind of disorder involves not just involuntary movement disorders but also impaired movement disorders. Examples include writhing movements called chorea or involuntary jerking. Muscle issues like rigidity or muscle contracture (also called dystonia), slow or unusual eye movements, difficulty with speech or swallowing, and impaired gait, posture, and balance are noted. These disorders may impact an individual’s day-to-day activities. As Huntington’s can affect one’s nerves and muscles, it may also adversely impact one’s digestive system and bowel movements, leading to constipation, incontinence, and diarrhea. Cognitive disorders The impairments associated with Huntington’s disease include difficulty in organizing, prioritizing, and focusing on tasks.

Bone cancer occurs due to abnormal cell growth in a bone, usually the arm, leg, or pelvic bones, but sometimes the skull, hips, and ribs. In its advanced stages, bone cancer may spread to other body parts, including the surrounding tissues, bones, and organs. On the bright side, patients with bone cancer can recover completely if the condition is diagnosed and treated early. Understanding some of its early signs can help with timely diagnosis and intervention. Swelling Most individuals with bone cancer experience inflammation and swelling over the affected area, leading to restricted mobility, mainly if the cancer occurs in a bone close to a joint. Fever In some cases, bone cancer may escalate to fever of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Although the underlying cause of such fever is unclear, some studies suggest that it may be due to certain toxins produced in the bodies of patients with bone cancer. Bone Lump Bone cancer sometimes leads to the development of a lump on the affected bone. This lump may grow with the progression of cancer and may sometimes cause pain. Anemia and fatigue The bones in one’s body govern the production of red blood cells (RBC), which supply oxygen throughout the body.