Foods to eat and avoid to manage multiple sclerosis
Foods to eat and avoid to manage multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an auto-immune disease that causes inflammation in the central nervous system. The immune system attacks the brain, spinal cord, and other parts of the CNS, thereby causing inflammation in the myelin sheath, a protective layer around the neurons. While several treatment options are available to manage multiple sclerosis symptoms, eating and avoiding certain foods can also relieve the condition.

Foods to eat

Turmeric
Turmeric is rich in curcumin, an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent that can modulate cell signaling pathways, preventing autoimmune attacks. Adding anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric to one’s meals helps reduce inflammation, ease symptoms of multiple sclerosis, and prevent disease progression.

Ginger
Ginger contains 10-gingerol, an anti-inflammatory compound that regulates B cell-related immune responses. This helps manage multiple sclerosis symptoms. It reduces inflammation around the nerves and muscles, which causes stiffness and physical pain associated with the condition.

Vitamin D-rich foods like eggs
Fortified orange juice, mushrooms, salmon, tuna, eggs, and cereals are rich in vitamin D. Calciferol or ergocalciferol, an active form of vitamin D, is synthesized by the body. It circulates as a hormone, thereby reducing inflammation in the central nervous system. Research has shown that relapse rates decreased in patients with the condition after taking a higher dosage of vitamin D.

Foods to avoid 

Foods with saturated fats like butter
Foods such as marbled meat, butter, cheese, and high-fat dairy products are rich in saturated fats that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and aggravate multiple sclerosis symptoms. This increased inflammation can stimulate an immune response, thereby worsening the condition.

Artificial sugar
Cakes, pastries, cookies, and beverages that contain added sugars are low in nutrients and can cause inflammation in the body. They are responsible for the deposition of visceral fat and aggravating other symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

Milk
The protein present in the milk mimics a component found in the myelin sheath. The immune system mistakes the milk protein with the component and attacks the central nervous system to balance its level in the myelin sheath, thereby worsening multiple sclerosis.

Other treatment options like OCREVUS®
Medications like OCREVUS® are often recommended to patients with multiple sclerosis. Ocrelizumab or OCREVUS® is a suitable multiple sclerosis treatment option to prevent relapse. It is a form of infusion therapy, which can be done up to three times a year based on the severity of symptoms. Other medications include Avonex® and Betaseron®. Apart from this, oral medications like Aubagio® and Gilenya® are also recommended for managing multiple sclerosis.

  • Top 4 companies that give personal loans online

    Personal loans are great for people who do not have savings and need emergency funding. There are various providers of online personal loans and following is a list of trusted lenders who offer great rates:

    Discover
    One of the fastest sources of personal loans online, Discover offers a great deal because it does not have any origin fee. You may plan monthly fixed payments for up to 84 months and the annual percentage rates (APR) vary between 6.99% to 24.99%. Another great feature about opting for this lender is that you may pay your previous creditors, if any, directly.

    Lending Club
    Being one of the most popular peer-to-peer lending platforms, Lending Club has a lot of satisfied customers who have opted for personal loans online. With an attractive APR of 6.16% to 35.89%, you may definitely consider this option for any financial shortcoming in your life. Be it a house furnishing, marriage expenses, travel escapades, or even an expensive purchase, you may log on to their portal and get your application approved within two to three days.

    SoFi
    With a varying APR of 6.58% to 14.87%, SoFi has come up as one of the most popular options for online personal loans. They offer amounts between $5,000 to $10,000 for a term of three to seven years, making it easy for the borrower to plan the payments. Moreover, you may get the loan approval within the same day and the application process is very fast. They are a trusted name in the lending market and definitely offer great rates for personal loans.

    FreedomPlus
    When looking for a quick option for personal loans online, FreedomPlus fits all the bills. The application process takes only a few minutes and you get the decision of the creditor on the same day in most cases. The rest of the formalities like documents upload take around 48 hours, ensuring that you get your funding as soon as possible. FreedomPlus understands that when you apply for a personal loan, you might be running short on time. Considering this, they have created a super-fast process for procuring personal loans online. Secondly, they have options for two-year terms and three-year terms too wherein you may repay the loan amount as per your convenience for a minimal origination fee of 1.38% to 5% of the loan amount.

     

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  • Things to know before opting for dental veneers

    Teeth veneers are covers attached in front of your natural teeth to give them an enhanced appearance. They are wafer-thin shells permanently fixed to the teeth that are made of porcelain or resin-based composite. They are often used to hide chipped, broken, or discolored teeth or fill the gap between them.

    Here are some factors you need to know before opting for this procedure:

    • Cost
      Porcelain teeth veneers are more expensive than composite ones since they last anywhere between 15 and 20 years. This type of teeth veneer is less likely to stain. According to American Dental Association, they cost anywhere between $925 and $2500 per tooth. Composite veneers cost between $250 and $1500. They have a lifespan of five to seven years but can easily stain or break if proper care is not taken. The prices of teeth veneers may vary due to certain factors like geographical location, fees of the dental surgeon, the material used, and the number of teeth being treated. Most insurance companies do not cover the cost of teeth veneers since they fall under cosmetic surgery.

    • Procedure
      Teeth veneers take about two to six weeks to place. First, your dentist will diagnose and examine any oral health concerns you may have. You will get to choose your teeth color from a special shade chart. Next, your dentist will administer an anesthetic to minimize any pain, and the natural tooth will be minimally reshaped using a rotational device called a bur. For composite resin veneers, your dental surgeon will apply the shaded composite material on the tooth and harden it with a high-intensity light. In porcelain veneers, an impression of your teeth will be taken to build a mold. A temporary custom-fit will be made and tested on your teeth for any adjustments. After this, a final one will be permanently fixed to the teeth.

    • Result
      Individuals who do not have success with other dental procedures like retainers, braces, or teeth whitening typically opt for veneers to fix odd, crooked, or pointed teeth. They also help cover stains and decay. Teeth veneers are helpful for individuals who wish for long-term solutions. It can be a heavy investment but worthwhile for those who want to make their smile appear better. Their aftercare is important since broken veneers cannot be repaired.
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  • Tips to choose the best mattress for your back pain

    Back pain is a common problem that affects several people. One of the main reasons behind this could be the mattress that you may be using. It might be giving you a tough time at night. A mattress that is not comfortable can trigger more pain and you may get pressure sores. In this situation, you should not waste any time and get yourself a new mattress.

    The problem that often arises is the selection of the best mattress for back pain. It is normal to get confused about the kind of mattress to buy due to the availability of a vast number of options. Before you zero in on the best mattress, back pain affected individuals must go through some of the mattress features in detail. To ease you out of this confusing situation, here are three effective buying tips to find the best mattress for your overall well-being.

    Pillow top mattress: First and foremost, you need to choose a pillow top mattress which is ideal for your back. Always keep away from the soft euro top mattresses. The pillow top mattresses have a surface that is semi-firm and provides excellent support to the back. Often considered as the best mattress for back pain, patients may use this to correct spinal posture and conform to the shape of the back for a better support of the spine.

    Density: The next thing that you should confirm is that the mattress is of high-density foam. The higher the density, the firmer will the mattress be. It is advisable to check the topmost foam layer to get an idea of the level of density of the mattress, which is essential.

    Size: The size of the mattress matters a lot.  You must, therefore, select a mattress, which best matches your requirements. It is recommended that you should personally test the mattress by performing a trial sleep, if possible.

    Following the tips would make sure that you choose the best mattress for back pain which ideally suits all your needs and results in an easy relief from back pain.

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  • 4 ways in which big data analytics is making healthcare services efficient

    Since the last decade, big data analytics is slowly finding applications across multiple industries including healthcare. With a massive amount of patient data generated on a daily basis, the healthcare industry has a lot of potentials to use big data analytics’ predictive capability. This can help in predicting and preventing the outbreak of epidemics. Moreover, the use of big data analytics in the healthcare industry can bring down costs considerably and improve the quality of healthcare provided to patients. Here are a few ways in which the healthcare industry can use big data analytics to provide efficient services.

    Identification of patients who are at a high risk
    Often many healthcare facilities find that a large number of patients come into the emergency department over and over again. This increases the cost, which does not necessarily transform to quality healthcare services. Neither does the higher cost ensure a better outcome for the patient. Using big data analytics, patients who are at a high risk can be identified using the medical data about the specific patient available in the healthcare system. The patients then can be provided with customized care to prevent future ER visits.

    Prevention of errors related to incorrect medications
    One of the major problems in the healthcare sector is related to incorrect medications. A human error related to picking the wrong medication for a patient may lead to harmful consequences or even death. Big data can analyze a patient’s medical records in the background. This background analysis also includes checking the medications prescribed to the patient. In the case of wrong medication selection, the system can flag the error and send alerts. This will prevent any errors related to the dispensing of wrong medications.

    Improvement in patient engagement
    The number of patients opting for medical wearables is steadily on the rise. These wearables are physician aids that help in keeping track of heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, number of steps taken, and other health-related data. This data can be fed to the cloud, which can be then analyzed using big data analytics. This will help physicians monitor a patient’s health remotely and reduce the number of patient visits. The patient will become more independent and engaged in their healthcare.

    Prevention of data and security breach
    It has been observed that the healthcare is highly susceptible to data breaches. This is because healthcare systems contain personal data, which has high value. Big data analytics come with strong protection features, which can help in the prevention of security threats and data breaches.

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  • Causes of Kidney Cysts and How They Can be Treated

    A cyst is a round sac filled with fluid. This pouch of thin-walled tissue grows in the kidneys, the bean-shaped organs responsible for filtering waste out of the bloodstream. You may have one cyst on one kidney or many cysts on both the kidneys.

    There are two types of cysts:

    • Simple cysts
      Such cysts contain fluid and generally do not cause any harm.
    • Polycystic kidney disease
      This is a progressive disease that can eventually lead to kidney failure.

    Here, we will discuss some of the common causes and treatments of kidney cysts to help you gain a better understanding of the condition.

    Common Symptoms
    Before we get to the causes and treatments of kidney cysts, let’s look at some of the most common symptoms. It is important to note that a lot of times simple cysts do not cause any symptoms. They only occur if the cyst enlarges or gets infected.

    • Fever
    • Pain and swelling in the upper abdomen
    • Frequent urination
    • Pain in the back or side between pelvis and ribs
    • Dark urine
    • Blood in the urine

    Causes
    Each kidney contains thousands of tiny tubules that carry urine. In case these tubes become swollen or blocked, they fill up with fluid and result in the formation of a cyst. Generally, as one gets older, the chances of developing cysts increase. On the other hand, polycystic kidney disease is an inherited condition, often caused due to a change in genes.

    Treatment
    For an accurate diagnosis, you need to consult a urologist. He or she may take a blood or urine sample to see how well your kidneys are functioning. In addition, your doctor may get any of these three tests done:

    • Computed tomography (CT) scan
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan
    • Ultrasound

    If the size of the cyst is small, it may not require any formal treatment. However, if the size expands, the two common treatments done are as follows:

    • Sclerotherapy
      This is a simple procedure that involves draining the cyst. The doctor will insert a thin needle through the skin into the cyst and drain out the fluid.
    • Surgery
      A large cyst is removed by laparoscopy by trained surgeons under the effect of anesthesia.

    A lot of times, people mistake kidney cysts as kidney stones and begin with kidney stones treatment, which is extremely dangerous. However, it is important to understand the difference between the two and plan the line of treatment accordingly after medical consultation.

    Now that you have understood the causes and treatments of kidney cysts, consult a doctor whenever you experience any symptoms.

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  • Sears Tires and the Services and Coupons They Cover

    Sears is a famous chain of departmental stores that offer a diverse range of tires from all the major tire manufacturers for cars, SUVs and pickup trucks along with a wide range of other products. Budget-friendly and reliable, Sears has been serving its customers for many decades now and is a reliable place to look for tires and auto care services. Besides, the Sears tire coupons are a great way to save money on your next purchase of tires or services offered by Sears.

    Let’s take a look at some of the services and products on which you can avail Sears tires coupon. Sears Auto regularly releases coupons and promo codes that you can use to avail discounts on their products and services. Some of these, as you will see below, are even on offer right now!

    Tire services at Sears

    Maintaining tire health is important for your car’s or truck’s optimum performance. Sears offers a wide range of services to help maximize your tires performance and minimize its wear. They are:

    Tire evaluation

    Tire evaluation is important to understand if your vehicle needs a tire replacement or not. Services offered under tire evaluation are:

    • Rotation and balancing
    • Tire pressure check
    • Wheel alignment
    • Regular inspection
    Tire rotation

    A tire’s wear depends on a lot of factors like the driving conditions, state of suspension, and also your driving style. Tire rotation helps in the following:

    • Maximizing traction
    • Evening out treadwear
    • Extending your vehicle’s tires’ lifespan
    Tire balancing

    By getting your vehicle’s tires balanced on a regular basis, you can extend its lifespan and enjoy a comfortable ride throughout. It also eliminates uneven treadwear. You can opt for Lifetime Tire Balancing services at Sears.

    Flat tire repair

    Sears Auto experts inspect the tire to see if it can be repaired. The flat tires that these experts repair last as long as the tire lasts. Tire balancing is a complimentary service.

    Tire pressure monitoring system

    This is an electronic system to inspect if the tire pressure is low and unsafe. If the tire pressure monitoring system of your vehicle is not working, the experts here will find the cause and repair the system so that it works properly. Sears offers Sears tires coupon on these services from time to time. Keep checking their website and local newspapers for such coupons.

    Sears Tires

    Sire tire coupons are also available for the different kinds of tires sold by Sears. There are two kinds of tires that you will find here:

    Winter tires

    Winter tires are ideal for people who drive their vehicles on roads covered with ice, snow, and sleet. Winter or snow tires offer better traction control ensuring improved stopping and starting performance. They also offer better grip.

    All-season tires

    All-season tires, as the name suggests, are suitable for the dry summers, wet springs, as well as dry winters. Such tires have long tread life and offer year-round grip.

    Here is one among many Sears tires coupons that you can redeem while purchasing tires:

    You can get 25% off on RoadHandler or DieHard tires when you buy a set of 4. This offer is valid online only and installation of the tires is required for this offer to be valid. It expires on 4th August 2018. You can find similar offers on tires of other brands as well as Goodyear, Michelin, BFGoodrich, and Uniroyal. Many of these Sears tires coupons are refreshed every month and are only valid for a limited period, so keep visiting the promo section of the site and watch out for the offer expiry date!

    Wheel alignment

    Sears also offers wheel alignment services. You can opt for 6-month or 1-year wheel alignment services. It offers the following alignment services:

    • Inspection of suspension components, steering components, and tire components
    • Measurement and adjustment of angles alignment
    • Road test evaluation
    • Resetting steering angle sensor, if required

    Here are some of the Sears tires coupons available for wheel alignment:

    • Avail a discount of $20 when you opt for 1-year alignment services. Offer expires on 4th August 2018.
    • Customers opting for 6-month alignment services will get a discount of $10. The expiration date is 4th August 2018.
    • Free alignment checks till 31st December 2018.

    Redeem these Sears tires coupons and make great savings.

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  • Bladder Cancer, signs and treatment

    There are various kinds of cancer that can affect the system of many people around the globe. Bladder cancer is the kind that starts in the kidneys of the patient. This happens when there is a build up of abnormal cells in the kidneys, which leads to a host of symptoms. There are many signs of bladder cancer which can be used in order to take timely action in terms of diagnosis and treatment. Have a look at the bladder cancer signs and symptoms along with the treatment measures that may be followed.

    Urination Related Symptoms: Since the kidneys are the organs which hold the tissues that help in passage of urine, this disease will first show its signs in some changes when it comes to the urination patterns of the individual. The patient will experience the urge to urinate but will not be able to pass urine very easily every time the urge occurs. Also, there may be some amount of bleeding when it comes to urination, which can lead to pain during urination as well.

    Pain Related Symptoms: Apart from pain during urination, the patient will also experience pain in other regions of the body that surround this organ. The back and abdomen are the two regions that will experience a lot of pain and cramps due to the difficulties experienced while trying to pass urine. Also, the abnormal cells may extend from the tissue of this organ and spread towards these areas, which will also cause significant cramps and bloating as well as inflammation which will give rise to pain.

    Other Symptoms: Some of the other bladder control symptoms will include the increase in fatigue and stress levels of the patient. This will happen because the patient will not be able to pass urine in a normal way which can lead to a build of toxins and a feeling of fullness and pressure as well. This will also lead to a decline in one’s appetite which will further trigger weight loss.

    Diagnosis: The diagnosis of the condition will take place by way of lab tests that will seek to study the blood and urine samples taken from the patient. Also, the doctor will conduct a physical examination as well as other imaging tests like ultrasounds, X rays and even MRI scans so as to study the kidneys and the surrounding areas. A urinalysis and biopsy may also be conducted so as to find out how much damage has already been done and how it may be treated and contained. This will also help in showing the doctor the exact progression of the disease so that the proper corrective treatment measures may be taken.

    Treatment: Immunotherapy is one of the foremost methods of treatment followed by chemotherapy and surgery where a part of the kidneys may be removed so as to stop the progression of the cancer. This is called a radical cystectomy. There is usually a five year survival rate for most people who are suffering from stage 0 to stage 2 of this disease.

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  • 3 best refrigerators on the market

    Refrigerators are a must-have appliance in any kitchen. They keep groceries fresh and allow you to store meat and other items. But, shopping for a refrigerator is no easy task. There are many options, each with unique features, capacities, prices, sizes, designs, and more. So, if you are looking for a refrigerator and do not know where to start, here are the three top refrigerators on the market to consider.

    LG French Door LFXS2697 Refrigerator
    One of the top refrigerators right now is the LG 26.6-cubic-foot LFXS2697. It is well-built with plenty of space for food and other eatables. The bins of the LFXS2697 are big enough to fit gallon-sized containers, and the drawer at the bottom that spans the entire width is pretty handy. The fridge also features many outstanding design elements that make it stand out from the other refrigerators on the market. Its French doors allow easy access to items and have an inbuilt water and ice dispenser. You also get an additional ice maker in the freezer section.

    Being a smart refrigerator, the LG LFXS2697 offers Wi-Fi connectivity. You can sync your smartphone to the fridge through the LG ThinQ application. The app helps adjust the fridge’s temperature via your smartphone and receive alerts if the door has been left open. The model is available in two attractive colors.

    Whirlpool French Door WRF535SMH Refrigerator
    Whirlpool is a popular name when it comes to household electronics. The brand manufactures and sells different home appliances all over the globe, including refrigerators. One of their popular models is the Whirlpool French Door WRF535SMH. It is an excellent choice if you are looking for something basic. The model has a filtered water dispenser, gallon-sized bins, and other valuable features. But the best part is the storage space it offers. You get 25.2-cubic-foot of capacity and well-designed interiors. There is also a full-width temperature-controlled drawer to store specific foods, such as cheeses and meat.

    The Whirlpool WRF535SMH is not a smart refrigerator, so it does not have innovative features like  Wi-Fi and internet connectivity. It also does not have an external water and ice dispenser. But, you can get it for an affordable price. This model is available in multiple colors, including stainless steel, white, and black.

    Samsung Top-Freezer RT18M6215 Refrigerator
    Most refrigerators offer freezers on the bottom, but if you are looking for a model with an efficient top freezer, check out Samsung’s Top-Freezer RT18M6215. This is one of the more affordable and compact refrigerators on the market. The cost of top-freezer models is usually lower than French door models. Not to mention, single-door refrigerators take less space, making them suitable for apartments. But due to the small size, the RT18M6215 offers less than 18 cubic feet of capacity. Still, the interior design allows you to move around the shelves to make more space. The door is also completely reversible, and you get access to a full-width drawer.

    On the downside, Samsung’s RT18M6215 is not a smart refrigerator, so it does not have Wi-Fi and internet connectivity. The freezer, though, is top-notch and comes with FlexZone, which allows you to reduce the freezer’s temperature and simply use it as a fridge.

    It is advisable to do further research and compare different models before selecting a refrigerator that suits your needs.

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