Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs. According to recent statistics, roughly 1.5 million Americans have lupus. Further research shows that 90% of total lupus cases are diagnosed in women between 18 and 44 years old. Lupus occurs in periods of flare-ups of symptoms followed by remissions, with no symptoms. Lupus causes a wide range of symptoms, including: 1. Joint pain Lupus pain and swelling can affect any joint in the body, but primarily in the joints of the hands, wrists, and knees. These symptoms are often worse in the morning and can be accompanied by stiffness. In some cases, the joints may become deformed due to chronic inflammation. Also, if your kidneys are affected, your body won’t be filtering, causing fluids to collect, thus swelling. 2. Butterfly-Shaped rash across the face This butterfly shaped rash typically appears on the cheeks and nose and can be red or purple. Exposure to sunlight is a main trigger. However, only some lupus patients experience these rashes. 3. Fingers and toes that turn blue or white Lupus causes the blood vessels in the fingers and toes to constrict, reducing blood flow and causing the affected areas to turn white or blue.

Those with high blood sugar are at risk of heart disease, vision loss, type 1 diabetes, type two diabetes, diabetic neuropathy, and kidney disease. By lowering your blood sugar to your target range you can avoid the risks of high blood sugar and boost your energy plus your mood. Here are the easiest ways for you to lower your blood sugar: 1. Daily exercises Physical activity can lower your blood sugar up to 24 hours or more after your workout. This is because, when you exercise your body uses stored fats and sugars from your liver and muscles, the body replenishes these stores by using the sugar from your blood. The more regularly you exercise and the more strenuous the exercise is the longer your blood sugar will be affected. 2. Eat low carb foods Foods high in carbs raise the blood sugar levels of those who eat them meaning the body needs to produce more insulin to digest the extra carbs. It is recommended that you eat only 20–50g of carbs per day in order to lower your blood sugar levels. Some examples of low-carb foods include eggs, nuts and seeds, avocadoes, and more. 3. Get adequate sleep If you get too little sleep it can increase insulin resistance, make you hungrier the next day, and reduce how full you feel after eating.

Food is essential for our survival but it can also be expensive, especially in recent times. With so many options out there it can be easy to fall into the trap of spending lots of money on ordering food from food delivery services. If you want to save big on food costs you should try these easy ways to save: 1. Have your groceries delivered If you use a grocery delivery service you can actually end up saving money. While you do have to pay for any delivery fees and tip the delivery driver, in certain circumstances this can be cheaper than going to the grocery store yourself. For example, if you don’t have a car it can save you the money of ordering a cab to get your groceries home or the struggle of having to carry them all on a bus. If you believe time is money too, this is a big time saver, freeing you up to do whatever you want while someone else picks up your groceries for you. 2. Eat less snacks If you eat a lot of snacks throughout the day, then it could be eating away at your wallet. By eating less snacks and instead filling up during meals you can save money.

As the name suggests, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term, progressive lung disease that causes obstructed airflow to the lungs. While smoking is a major risk factor, non-smokers can also develop COPD, often due to exposure to pollutants or genetics. If you are a non-smoker, it’s important to be aware of the early warning signs of COPD. Here are five early symptoms to look out for: 1. Excessive mucus If you find yourself coughing up mucus on a regular basis, it could be a sign of COPD. This is because COPD causes inflammation in the lungs, which leads to an increase in mucus production. This excess mucus can make it harder to breathe and may even cause wheezing 2. Wheezing and shortness of breath Wheezing is a high-pitched whistling sound that occurs when you breathe. It can be a sign of COPD, especially if it’s accompanied by shortness of breath. You may find that you get out of breath more easily than usual, or that you have to stop and catch your breath after climbing a flight of stairs 3. Chronic cough A persistent cough is another early warning sign of COPD. This is because COPD irritates the airways, which can lead to a chronic cough.

Interactions between certain foods and medications or treatments can cause unwanted side effects and even harm to your health. It’s essential to be aware of potential interactions to avoid any risks. If you are currently taking any medications, and experience any adverse reactions—such as dizziness, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or digestive upset—please consult with an online doctor or online pharmacist to ensure you’re taking the proper dosage.  Here are six foods that can adversely interact with some medications or treatments: 1. Cranberries While cranberries are healthy, they can interfere with blood thinners like Warfarin, leading to a higher risk of bleeding. Consult your healthcare provider before adding cranberries to your diet if you’re taking blood thinners. 2. Dairy products Milk can interfere with some antibiotics, reducing their effectiveness. If you’re taking antibiotics, consult an online doctor or pharmacist about the best time to consume dairy products. Aged cheeses, in particular, may contain high levels of tyramine, which can interact negatively with some medications, including MAOIs. Consult an online doctor or pharmacist before consuming aged cheeses if you’re taking these medications. 3. Leafy green veggies Leafy greens like spinach and kale contain vitamin K, which can interfere with blood thinners like Coumadin.

Medicare is a government-run health insurance program that provides coverage for Americans who are 65 and older or have a disability. While Medicare covers a lot of medical expenses, there are certain things that it doesn’t cover—like cosmetic procedures, outpatient prescription drugs, and many new treatments and alternative treatments for chronic conditions, like cancer. Here are seven things that Medicare doesn’t cover: 1. Routine eye exams Medicare doesn’t cover routine eye exams unless you have diabetes or are at high risk for glaucoma. However, if you need surgery to correct your vision, Medicare will cover it. If you want routine eye exams, you can purchase additional coverage through a Medicare Advantage plan or a private insurer like Kaiser Permanente, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Humana, or Cigna. 2. Hearing aids Medicare doesn’t cover hearing aids, exams for fitting hearing aids, or exams for hearing problems. However, Medicare will cover diagnostic hearing and balance exams if your doctor thinks you need them. You can purchase additional coverage for hearing aids through a Medicare Advantage plan or a private insurer. 3. Routine dental exams Medicare doesn’t cover routine dental exams, cleanings, fillings, or extractions. However, Medicare will cover dental services if they are necessary for a covered medical procedure, such as jaw reconstruction after an accident.

Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus starts to grow outside the uterus. This can cause infertility as well as other symptoms such as fatigue or pain during ovulation. There are many treatments and medications that can help such as hormonal birth control which can help with getting hormones under control as well as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI) which can be used to combat infertility. Here are some of the warning signs of endometriosis to look out for: 1. Pain and swelling in the abdomen and pelvic area Pain and swelling in the abdomen and pelvic area are the most common symptoms of endometriosis. The pain typically occurs during ovulation, periods, or intercourse but can also occur outside of these triggers. The growths caused by endometriosis can swell and bleed in the same way the lining inside of your uterus does during periods. However, since the tissue grows and bleeds in an area it cannot easily get out of your body from, it can cause pain and swelling. 2. Abnormal bleeding Another red flag to look out for with endometriosis is abnormal bleeding. Sometimes the tissue outside of the uterus can bleed excessively causing a very heavy menstrual flow or bleed when you are not on your period causing bleeding to occur randomly.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are debilitating conditions affecting millions of individuals worldwide. As people age, it becomes increasingly important to recognize the early warning signs of these diseases, such as memory loss, and consider various care options including supplements, caregivers guidelines, independent living, assisted living, and medic alert bracelets to help manage the effects of progressive cognitive decline. In this article, we’ll explore the early warning signs of dementia and discuss some different care options available to individuals and their families: 1. Confusion about time and place Dementia can cause confusion, particularly when it comes to time and place. Patients may get lost in familiar surroundings, have difficulty following a routine, or forget the day of the week. 2. Changes in behavior Dementia can also cause changes in mood and behavior. Patients may become agitated, irritable, or withdrawn. They may also experience changes in personality or exhibit impulsive behavior. 3. Memory loss Memory loss is often one of the first signs of dementia. Patients may forget important events or appointments, have difficulty remembering names or faces, or struggle with new information. Supplements such as Omega-3 fatty acids, ginkgo biloba, and vitamin E may be helpful in supporting brain health. 4.

Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is a common condition that affects millions of men worldwide. The good news is that there are many things you can do to lower your risk of developing ED or improve your existing condition. In this article, we will explore tips to lower the risk of ED, including treatment options, medication, diet, stress reduction techniques—including tips for patients with peyronie’s disease; taking supplements and hormones (i.e., testosterone), and medications such as Viagra (Sildenafil), Cialis (Tadalafil), Levitra (Vardenafil), or Stendra (Avanafil), which work by increasing blood flow to the penis, helping you achieve and maintain an erection. If you are already experiencing ED, it’s important to seek medical advice from a professional about your treatment, medication and surgery options: 1. Medication Certain medications—like those for depression and diabetes—can increase the risk of ED. If you’re taking medication and experiencing ED, speak to your doctor about alternative options. Blood pressure medication, antidepressants, and antihistamines are among the drugs that may cause ED. Recreational drug use, such as cocaine, marijuana, or amphetamines, can also increase the risk of ED. Quitting or reducing drug use can help lower the risk of ED. 2. Diet Eating a healthy diet can reduce the risk of developing ED.

You would do anything for your furry friends, and you don’t stop from getting the best products for them, from cat food, cat treats, online veterinarians, pet insurance, pet medications, and Fresh Step litter. While you can buy them everything they need and more, are you well-educated on how to tell if your cat is sick? Here’s 6 telltale signs kitty isn’t feeling well that you can keep watch for: 1. Check their litter box If your cat’s litter box is full of diarrhea or has nothing in it, due to constipation, both are reasons to take your cat to the vet as they are indicators of disease. Small, dry stool is also a concern as it may indicate kidney disease. If you notice there is more urine than usual, it may be a sign that your cat is unable to conserve water properly and could be another sign of kidney or liver problems. Less urine may indicate kidney or bladder issues. If you notice any significant or consistent changes in your cat’s litter, you should take them to get checked out. 2. Eating and drinking habits change Sick cats will often change their eating and drinking habits by either increasing or decreasing the amount they eat and drink—any change is reason for concern.