Sugar is often a large part of daily meals due to its widespread use in sweetened beverages and processed foods. While sugar can have a legitimate place in balanced meals, its overindulgence can have negative effects on the body. Recognizing and addressing these telltale signs of excessive sugar intake is important for safeguarding health and well-being. This can also help one prevent other associated health issues linked to high sugar intake. Signs of high sugar intake Fatigue: Experiencing recurrent bouts of fatigue and a persistent lack of energy can be linked to excessive sugar intake. Although sugar can lead to a swift energy spike, it is typically short-lived. This is because the fluctuations in blood sugar levels cause energy spikes that are followed by abrupt crashes. Over time, this cycle can result in chronic fatigue and a persistent lack of energy Persistent sugar cravings: Consistent, high sugar intake can bring out further sugar cravings. The body becomes accustomed to the frequent influx of sugar, leading to heightened urges to indulge in sweet foods and beverages. Breaking free from this cycle becomes challenging as the body starts to depend on sugar for a rapid energy boost. Compromised immune function: A sugar-rich food regimen can impair the immune system’s ability to fight infections.

Breakfast, considered to be the most important meal of the day, needs to be highly nutritious. However, with busy lifestyles and morning rush, it can often take a backseat. But there are numerous quick and easy breakfast options that can fuel one’s body even on the busiest of mornings. Here are eight such delicious and versatile breakfast choices that not only take limited time to cook but can also be easily made by beginners. Scrambled eggs and toast Scrambled eggs are a breakfast classic. They are incredibly quick and easy to prepare. With a few eggs, a spoonful of milk, and a pinch of salt and pepper, this delicious and protein-packed meal gets ready in under five minutes. One can pair it with toasted bread. Peanut butter sandwiches Spread peanut butter or any other available nut butter between two slices of whole-grain bread for a protein-rich breakfast in minutes. Add a drizzle of honey or a few banana slices for a touch of sweetness and turn it into a tasty and energy-boosting breakfast option. Pancakes Those with a little more time on hand can make pancakes with flour mixed in butter, milk, eggs, salt, sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of baking powder.

Prurigo nodularis is a chronic skin condition involving the development of itchy, hard bumps on the skin’s surface. These bumps, known as nodules, typically appear due to constant itching and rubbing of the skin, a common symptom of this condition. It has affected 72 per 1,00,000 persons nationwide and is a rare but distressing skin ailment that requires prompt intervention. Recognizing the early signs below of this disease can help seek timely treatment: Signs and symptoms Persistent itching Prurigo nodularis begins with intense, uncontrollable itching and rubbing of the skin. The cause of this symptom is unclear and usually triggers or aggravates the other symptoms of the disease. Development of hard, itchy bumps The constant itching characterizing this condition leads to hard, itchy bumps all over the skin, typically on the arms, legs, upper and lower back, abdomen, and buttocks. These nodules may be brown, red, or pink or, sometimes, of the same shade as one’s skin. Dark or light spots throughout the skin Individuals with prurigo nodularis may experience the development of dark or light spots on the skin as the itchy bumps clear. These spots may be lighter or darker than one’s original skin shade. Sleep issues Chronic itching and the development of itchy bumps may cause sleep issues among persons with prurigo nodularis.

According to CDC reports, asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects over 25 million people in the country. It is marked by chronic inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Along with treatments, doctors often recommend certain changes in food choices to help manage its symptoms and reduce the frequency of asthma attacks. Here are some foods to avoid for asthma. How certain foods affect asthma While studies regarding this are not entirely conclusive, certain foods have been shown to hinder or help one’s ability to breathe. For example, antioxidants and healthy fats are beneficial, while sugar and saturated fats can exacerbate breathing issues. When the body metabolizes food for energy, it requires varying oxygen levels. But foods high in carbs demand more oxygen and also generate more carbon dioxide, potentially impacting breathing. Conversely, healthy fats require less oxygen and produce less carbon dioxide, promoting better respiratory function. Foods to avoid for asthma Some foods that may trigger the condition include the following: Shellfish Shellfish is a common allergen that may trigger asthma symptoms, especially in individuals who are sensitive to these foods. Vinegar Vinegar contains sulfites, which can worsen bronchoconstriction and inflammation in individuals sensitive to these compounds.

Hemophilia is a health condition in which a person’s blood does not clot properly. Individuals usually inherit this disorder from their parents. Hemophilia results from lower levels of certain proteins in a person’s blood. These proteins, known as factor VIII and factor IX, facilitate blood clotting if people sustain cuts or wounds. To diagnose this condition, doctors look out for certain typical indicators in a person’s body, some of which include: 1. Wounds that do not heal The central problem in hemophilia is the body’s inability to heal wounds quickly. This is why people with this condition will lose a lot of blood whenever they sustain any kinds of bruises, cuts, or wounds. Additionally, the wounds and bruises in such individuals’ bodies remain fresh and, as a result, cause a lot of pain for extended periods. As this condition is primarily caused by a marked deficiency in factor VIII and factor IX levels in the body, treatments for this health condition also involve attempts to restore those levels for quick and efficient blood clotting. 2. Frequent cuts and bruises While cuts, wounds, and bruises are common in most people’s everyday lives, someone with hemophilia experiences them much more frequently than others without the condition.

For most people, overpowering or intense odors may just be a mild annoyance, but strong smells are prime triggers for those with migraines. Multiple studies have found that up to 95% of individuals with migraines also have osmophobia, a distinct sensitivity to specific smells, a condition that triggers or worsens migraine flare-ups when such individuals are exposed to certain odors. Keeping that in mind, here are some common smells that trigger migraine episodes in people: Cleaning products Cleaning products such as bleach and disinfectants have strong antibacterial and deodorizing properties. These properties give such products a strong, instantly identifiable smell that can be sensed from several meters away. The frequent use of bleach to clean homes, offices, auditoriums, and party spaces means its overpowering smell has become commonplace. Unfortunately, these powerful fumes are a prime trigger for migraine attacks in vulnerable people. It is not uncommon for someone with a migraine to feel a strong headache building up as soon as they breathe in the smell of cleaning products around them. In this way, the deodorizing elements in cleaning products ironically make them hazardous to migraine sufferers. Scented candles Scented candles contain several components and elements that trigger migraines. For example, heated sage or jasmine oils are among the chemicals that release irritants that cause sinus inflammation and nose and throat issues.

Contact lenses can be a lifeline for those who find wearing glasses regularly too cumbersome. They negate the need to clean the lens constantly and need barely any upkeep. Some might even prefer its aesthetic advantage, like allowing one to change the eye color. However, as contact lenses are closer to the eyes, one must take more precautions to maintain eye health. So, here are four ways to protect one’s vision while wearing eye lenses. Travel tips while wearing eye lenses When traveling, it is better to avoid wearing glasses all the time since they could prevent one from participating in activities like adventure sports and get fogged up or dusty. What one needs, thus, are eye lenses. However, if one isn’t careful, one may have to constantly deal with red, watery, and itchy eyes due to one’s contact lenses. Before one leaves on one’s travels, it is advisable to visit the eye care provider and ensure the prescription is up-to-date. During the trip, remember to take out the contact lenses before showering or swimming. Removing them prevents germs in the water from getting into the eyes. Also, replacing the contact lenses as often as one’s eye lens provider advises is essential.

Migraine is a medical condition that leads to severe, throbbing headaches, usually felt on one side of the brain. It may be accompanied by other symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, sensitivity to light, and dizziness. They may be a result of hormonal changes, emotional triggers, eating habits, and environmental factors. Based on the prevalence of triggers, here is a curated list of some of the worst cities for individuals with migraines. These include: Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Cincinnati has a combination of triggers that grant it the top position on this list. The city is known for its erratic lifestyle, with factors such as high commute times, overtime work hours, and high stress levels. This is coupled with high levels of intake of trigger foods, and changes in weather (such as winter warming, heavy rains, and floods), increasing the likelihood of a migraine attack. Madison, WI Madison experiences several temperature changes around the year. This is known as seasonal temperature variance, and it could be one of the reasons behind more frequent migraines. The city also has high recorded levels of trigger food intake, such as chocolates and pizzas, leading to an increased frequency of migraines. Little Rock-North Little Rock, AR The city of Little Rock experiences rapidly changing weather and frequent changes in barometric pressure.