Smoothies are so much more than just refreshment drinks, with their long list of health benefits almost always overlooked. One can concoct delicious smoothies for uses as varied as keeping the immune system healthy or strengthening one’s bones. In the cold and flu season, certain smoothies can help prevent the onset if consumed regularly. And the best part? The smoothies listed here are incredibly easy to make with daily groceries. Green tea and pineapple smoothie The first anti-flu smoothie combines an unlikely pair of green tea and pineapple to optimize the consumer’s health during the winter when most people are down with a cold or fever. To make this, one has to blend two cups of freshly-cut peeled pineapple slices, a tablespoon of honey, a cup of crushed ice, a cup of green tea made using loose leaves, and a finely chopped half ginger. One can serve this smoothie after decorating it with several different garnish combinations. Cold buster green smoothie As its name suggests, this smoothie contains loads of leafy green vegetables. To make this drink, one needs to blend 2 cups of spinach, three baby carrots, a banana, half an orange after peeling it, a cup of orange juice, half an apple slice, half a cup of ice, and half a cup of frozen pineapple.

An intrauterine device (IUD) is an effective and practical method of contraception used by many women across the world. However, some may experience side effects like irregular bleeding, cramping, and hormonal fluctuations. Although these reactions are usually brief and temporary, they can cause discomfort and uneasiness. In this article, we’ll offer five tips to tackle IUD side effects. If a side effect lasts for an unusually long time, one should speak to a doctor immediately. Use heat therapy If one is experiencing intense cramping or backaches after inserting an IUD, they can try using a heating pad. Using heat can help relax and increase the blood flow to the muscles that contribute to cramping, thus reducing any painful sensation. Although this method can be comforting, one should avoid hot baths for 24-48 hours after insertion, as it may cause IUD expulsion. Give your body time to adjust Giving yourself some time allows your body to adjust and make changes for transitioning to a new method of contraception. It’s normal for the body to get used to a new method like an IUD. During this period, a woman may experience mild side effects like bleeding, cramping, or discomfort. Generally, the body can take roughly six to eight months to completely adjust to an IUD.

Food allergies are unpredictable and can have mild to severe symptoms, such as bumps, rashes, choking, or breathing difficulties. One approach to managing food allergies is through adopting an elimination meal plan. This plan involves temporarily removing certain foods from your regime to identify which ones are causing your symptoms. There are several types of food-elimination nutrition plans for allergies. This article will discuss the most common ones that are used by individuals. Food elimination nutrition plans for allergies Traditional elimination plan The traditional elimination meal plan involves removing common allergenic foods from your meals for a while, typically for two to four weeks. These foods often include dairy, soy, wheat, corn, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. After this period, one food is reintroduced, and any reactions are noted. Then, you repeat the same for other foods. The traditional elimination nutrition plan is typically used for people with conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE), which is caused by an allergic reaction to certain foods. This condition may manifest as chest pain, heartburn, abdominal pain, vomiting, trouble swallowing, and stunted growth in children. Modified elimination plan The modified elimination plan is similar to the traditional one but more restrictive.

The human body has a complex network of veins and arteries that transport blood to different parts. It is a crucial function because blood contains oxygen and essential nutrients to keep a person healthy. Sometimes, clots can form in the veins and arteries, restricting blood flow and leading to severe complications. When this happens, doctors may recommend treatments, foods, and lifestyle changes to eliminate such clots and improve blood circulation. Signs of blood clots Identifying blood clots in time is vital to prevent the condition from worsening. Here are the signs to look out for: Swelling A swelling in the legs, arms, or other body parts that does not go away may be a sign of a blood clot. Pain or tenderness Pain or tenderness in the affected area may also be a warning sign. The pain may be localized or spread over a larger area. Warmth or redness Blood clots can cause warmth or redness in the affected area, which should not be ignored. Shortness of breath Blood clots in the lungs may cause shortness of breath, chest pain, and coughing. Dizziness or confusion Clots in the brain can cause dizziness, confusion, and difficulty speaking or understanding. Foods to manage blood clots Besides using the proper treatment, one may add the following foods to their meals to manage the condition after consulting a health expert:

One of the first things people notice in individuals is their smiles. However, the quality of one’s teeth can deteriorate due to multiple reasons. But, innovation in oral healthcare has helped one find solutions to almost every issue. For example, dental implants serve as a root for missing teeth, onto which orthodontists implant fixed or removable artificial teeth. Here are ten times dental implants become necessary and help one regain lost teeth function. Broken teeth One of the most obvious signs is broken teeth or chipping, which can ruin the overall appearance of one’s teeth and also affect confidence levels. Since teeth stop growing after a certain age, the broken tooth can be replaced only with artificial veneer. Tooth infection A bad infection can degrade the roots and gums, causing the tooth to fall out prematurely. Dental implants can be used to fill in this gap. Speech impairment Misaligned teeth cause speech impairment as it becomes difficult to enunciate certain words. Implants can fix this problem easily to overcome slurring, whistling, and improper pronunciation. Trouble chewing The upper and lower set of teeth work together to bite down on foods. However, misaligned and damaged teeth can affect this action. Here, dental implants can help align the teeth properly.

Your lungs play a crucial role in delivering oxygen to the rest of your body. Therefore, poor lung function can lead to several health problems, including respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases. The good news is that health experts have compiled a list of seven activities that help strengthen the lungs. These don’t require a lot of time, energy, or money. So, read on to know the secret to healthy lungs! Exercise regularly Regular exercise is one of the best activities that help strengthen the lungs, for example; aerobics increase lung capacity and improve lung function. Staying active can be as simple as going for a walk or a bike ride. Eat healthily A healthy meal plan is essential for overall health, including lung health. A balanced meal rich in lean protein, fruits, and vegetables, provides essential nutrients that help improve lung function. Practice deep breathing Deep breathing exercises increase lung function and capacity by increasing oxygen intake. They also help to reduce strain and anxiety. Try breathing deeply from the diaphragm instead of shallow breathing from the chest. Keep the air inside your home clean Poor air quality inside your home can cause or worsen lung problems such as asthma and allergies.

Psoriasis is one of the most commonly diagnosed skin disorders among adults. It is long-term with no cure and mainly causes rashes, scaly patches, and dry skin that cracks, causing a burning sensation. The skin condition causes inflammation, and these symptoms develop due to the persistent inflammatory responses that destroy healthy skin cells. People diagnosed with this skin disorder also develop one or more of the following conditions linked to psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) PsA is one of the primary conditions linked to psoriasis in many cases. The higher the severity of psoriasis, the greater the chances of developing psoriatic arthritis. According to many studies, PsA goes undiagnosed among 1 in 10 people until the later stages. Type 2 diabetes and hypertension Psoriasis triggers an imbalance in both blood glucose and blood pressure levels. Inflammation, one of the primary symptoms of the skin disorder, has been cited as a reason why comorbidities like diabetes and high blood pressure can develop simultaneously with severe psoriasis. Metabolic disorders Abnormal blood pressure, high blood glucose, and an imbalance in good cholesterol, bad cholesterol, and triglyceride levels increase the prevalence of metabolic syndromes with psoriasis. Cardiovascular diseases Prolonged severe psoriasis can trigger bouts of chronic inflammation.

If you have experienced debilitating headaches that have disrupted your plans for the day, you are not alone. Studies suggest that approximately 45 million people in the country deal with headaches every year. Usually, headaches are symptoms of some underlying health conditions; as a result, treating these conditions can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Keep reading to learn more about the underlying conditions causing or worsening headaches. Meningitis Meningitis is a health condition resulting from inflammation of the fluids and membranes around the brain and spinal cord, known as meninges. Such inflammation triggers headaches and symptoms like fever, muscle and joint pain, and neck stiffness. Headaches associated with meningitis spread rapidly across the head. Hypertensive crisis Headaches are relatively prominent among cases of hypertensive crisis, a condition characterized by a sudden, considerable elevation of blood pressure levels. Here, the BP reading is 180/120 mm Hg or higher. A hypertensive crisis is classified as a health emergency and requires immediate hospitalization. During a hypertensive crisis, patients often suffer from pulsing headaches felt throughout the head. Brain tumor A brain tumor is the growth and accumulation of abnormal cells in or around the brain. Among the common symptoms of brain tumors is brain swelling, which increases pressure in the head and culminates in severe headaches.

Knee pain is a common complaint among many people. It is usually caused due to the general wear and tear of the knee from everyday activities. The problem is far more prevalent among athletes who undergo severe and extreme physical strain and older people due to aging. Knee pain could also be a symptom of other health conditions and issues. Identifying the underlying cause can help manage the pain better and prevent it from reoccurring. Iliotibial band syndrome The iliotibial band is a strong band of tissue that starts from the hips and ends toward the knees. When this band of tissue becomes too tight, it rubs against the thighbone, leading to knee pain. Distance runners and cyclists generally suffer from this problem. Dislocated kneecap This is among the most common conditions linked to knee pain. A dislocated kneecap occurs when the patella, or the triangular bone at the front of the knee, moves from its usual location. It leads to severe pain in the affected knee during any movement. ACL injury The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, connects the shinbone to the thighbone. A sudden jerking movement can sometimes lead to a tear in this ligament. The knee pain-causing injury is generally observed among those who play sports like soccer and basketball.

If you have experienced debilitating headaches that have disrupted your plans for the day, you are not alone. Studies suggest that approximately 45 million people in the country deal with headaches every year. Usually, headaches are symptoms of some underlying health conditions; as a result, treating these conditions can help reduce the frequency and intensity of headaches. Keep reading to learn more about the underlying conditions causing or worsening headaches. Meningitis Meningitis is a health condition resulting from inflammation of the fluids and membranes around the brain and spinal cord, known as meninges. Such inflammation triggers headaches and symptoms like fever, muscle and joint pain, and neck stiffness. Headaches associated with meningitis spread rapidly across the head. Hypertensive crisis Headaches are relatively prominent among cases of hypertensive crisis, a condition characterized by a sudden, considerable elevation of blood pressure levels. Here, the BP reading is 180/120 mm Hg or higher. A hypertensive crisis is classified as a health emergency and requires immediate hospitalization. During a hypertensive crisis, patients often suffer from pulsing headaches felt throughout the head. Brain tumor A brain tumor is the growth and accumulation of abnormal cells in or around the brain. Among the common symptoms of brain tumors is brain swelling, which increases pressure in the head and culminates in severe headaches.