Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), also called spastic colon, is a type of gastrointestinal (GI) disorder that affects the large intestine. IBS is a long-term disorder that causes symptoms of cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea or constipation, or both. Another surprising fact to note is that IBS symptoms may change over time. IBS with constipation (or IBS-C) is very common and often accompanied by abdominal discomfort or bloating. Constipation is a condition wherein one doesn’t pass stools more than thrice a week. Though it is healthy to pass stools every day, there is no reason to be alarmed or panic if it doesn’t happen daily. It is only when stools are passed less than 3 times a week that one has reasons to worry. Bowel movement in people with constipation may be accompanied by straining, and sometimes a lump or blockage might be felt while passing stools. While passing stools, a person with constipation may have to press some body part or change position to empty bowels, and the stools can be hard and lumpy. Though IBS-C is not life-threatening, it can affect a person’s quality of life. Treatment aims to reduce the symptoms of pain, bloating, and constipation.

Perimenopause (the phase leading up to menopause) refers to a distinct phase in every woman’s life. While a lot of things you may have heard about menopause are untrue, the fact is that millions of women in the country experience differing symptoms that affect their lives, both physically and mentally during menopause. To reduce these symptoms, many doctors recommend dietary changes in addition to any medications or therapies they may have prescribed. However, what you don’t eat also plays View post an impactful role during perimenopause. This article lists the foods that can worsen your symptoms (i.e., hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings, migraines, sleep loss, etc.) during perimenopause: 1. Spicy foods Night sweats and hot flashes, two common symptoms of menopause, increase considerably when you consume spicy foods. Spicy foods like chili or cayenne peppers and jalapeños not only increase your body temperature but also your blood pressure. Replace them with spices like turmeric or fresh herbs. If you are looking to burn fat during menopause, consider drinking green tea that is rich in antioxidants. It helps strengthen your bones, thus reducing the risk of fractures and promotes better sleep. 2. Alcohol The second most troubling problem, after hot flashes, faced by women going through menopause is insomnia.

Whether it is someone’s birthday or you are simply in the mood to meet with friends and family, preparing snacks that children like can be quite a difficult task. Along with the taste, you would also have to ensure that they get the required nutrition. Try following these lip-smacking party snacks for children if you, like most parents, have a hard time choosing appropriate snacks: 1. Crispy cheese triangles Get a large batch of phyllo pastry sheets from the grocery store and prepare the mixed cheese filling. Pack the filling in the phyllo sheets, make the triangles and store them in the freezer for up to a week. Simply bake these in the oven on the day of the party. This list of ingredients makes approximately 20-25 cheese triangles. It requires half an hour to prepare the filling and takes about 20 minutes to bake: 1 lb. phyllo pastry sheet pack, thawed slowly in the refrigerator 8oz feta cheese 8oz ricotta cheese 4 oz mozzarella cheese 4 oz parmesan cheese 20 shallots, cut finely 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter 2 eggs, lightly beaten 2 tablespoons black pepper, freshly ground Salt to taste Preheat your oven to 350 °F. Line a few baking trays with parchment paper or grease them lightly.

Crohn’s disease is a type of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and painful symptoms along different areas of the digestive tract (i.e., fatigue, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, weight loss, and malnutrition). If you have Crohn’s disease, the choice of what you eat and drink may be complicated. Often, dietary habits may trigger the symptoms of the disease, which is why doctors often recommend certain foods that may provide added energy and help prevent the symptoms of the disease. The following are the foods that help manage Crohn’s disease symptoms: 1. Poultry Poultry such as chicken and turkey are rich in protein. These foods can be cooked in many ways and are also easy to digest, which makes it a good source of food for people suffering from Crohn’s disease. 2. Oily fish Oily fish such as tuna, salmon, and herring have an anti-inflammatory effect, and are also rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. However, it is best to prepare these foods with simple recipes to avoid any aggravation of the disease. 3. Eggs Eggs are a great source of easily digestible protein, which is highly recommended for people with Crohn’s disease, especially during a flare-up. Scrambled, hard-boiled, or omelet – eggs can be cooked in various different ways to keep things interesting.

In the busy humdrum of modern life, maintaining good heart health is often an afterthought. Fortunately, the road to a healthier lifestyle is not as complex as one might think, and a change as simple as tweaking your diet, daily exercise, and regular blood pressure monitoring can bring about impressive improvements. Science shows us that the foods we consume can significantly affect our well-being, particularly if you are already taking doctor-prescribed PAH-specific medications like oral, inhaled and intravenous treatment drugs. Incorporating nutrient-rich foods like those listed below can work wonders in helping to lower your blood pressure. This article offers a closer look at these six superfoods that can help manage blood pressure: 1. Leafy greens Leafy green vegetables are packed with nitrates, which help in reducing blood pressure by dilating blood vessels. Spinach, kale, lettuce, and collard greens are some of the options you can incorporate into your meals for this benefit. They are versatile and can be included in salads, smoothies, or as a side dish with your main meal. 2. Berries Berries are tiny powerhouses of healthful nutrients. They are rich in flavonoids, a type of antioxidant known for its heart health benefits. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries – any kind will do!