Vitiligo is a health condition that causes depigmented patches of the skin. A patient develops vitiligo when the immune system starts attacking melanocytes or the melanin-producing cells. While there is no cure for vitiligo, doctors generally recommend undergoing certain procedures for repigmentation of the skin to those who want to deal with the impact of the condition. Opzelura (ruxolitinib) is an FDA-approved topical repigmentation cream that can help treat vitiligo. Vitiligo progression Vitiligo is present in more than 1% of the world’s population. In most patients, the patches become apparent before the age of 25. But, the condition can occur in patients of all ages and genders. Moreover, people with autoimmune conditions like anemia, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, thyroid, psoriasis, and Addison’s disease are at a higher risk of developing vitiligo. The condition begins with a few patches or macules before starting to spread to the rest of the body. Hands, feet, forearms, and face are common parts of the body that first show the presence of vitiligo. The condition can also impact the patient’s mucous membranes, eyes, and inner ears. How Opzelura works For treating vitiligo, doctors can recommend using Opzelura—a prescription cream that helps restore the pigments in the macules and patches.

Asthma, a disorder of the respiratory system, is caused by inflammation in the body’s airways. This condition is mostly caused due to external factors; however, asthma can also be a hereditary condition. When the airways get inflamed, the path narrows down, which makes breathing difficult. The muscles around the airways start to spasm and the mucous membrane that lines the airway begins to swell. Sometimes, due to the accumulation of mucus in the airway, one could experience shortness of breath. As a result, the body begins to wheeze or cough to spit out the mucus. This attack can be mild or severe and can affect young and old people alike. Triggers of asthma Allergens like pollen and continuous exposure to polluted environments and hazardous chemicals are all common triggers of asthma. It is highly likely that most people with asthma are also allergic to dust particles like dust mites or cockroach droppings. Mold, grass, strong fragrances, and animal dander can also trigger asthma. There is no conclusive proof that certain food habits increase the risk of asthma, but studies indicate certain food certainly trigger the condition. Many studies have proved that diets which include more processed meats, refined grains, sweets, and rich dairy products can all increase the risks of inflammation in the body.

It is estimated that more than 85% of the population in the country have access to some form of healthcare insurance, either through their employer or through private insurance providers. Most of these are primary healthcare insurance offerings which include reimbursement of your medical and hospitalization expenses. There is a range of individual and family healthcare plans based on the size of your family, lifestyle, and budget. However, they do not cover living or medical expenses in case of any critical illnesses. If you are not prepared or if you have limited savings and a family member falls critically ill, the stress of managing such a situation could be huge. Critical Illness insurance plans by UnitedHealthcare help protect you from such unexpected and unforeseen health emergencies. Critical Illness Insurance pays a lump sum amount if you are a policyholder. You can use the amount to pay for living expenses. Purchasing a critical care cover is akin to setting aside an emergency fund. All regular living expenses along with your healthcare bills could put a strain on savings; and with critical care insurance, you can get all this covered. Difference between primary healthcare and critical illness insurance A primary healthcare policy only covers those illnesses that are covered under the plan and does not include critical and dreaded illnesses.

Around nine out of ten individuals would state reliable healthcare as being a priority in their lives. We have noticed that healthcare costs, despite major discoveries and scientific advancements, are not getting any cheaper. It is, therefore, not surprising, that every family earmarks a portion of their income for healthcare. With healthcare costs becoming prohibitive, not all families can afford to pay from their pockets, especially if it is a large family. Getting health insurance is a great way to manage the costs related to healthcare as a premium will have to be paid to an insurance company, and the company reimburses the costs either to the customer or directly to the healthcare provider when when medical expenses are incurred. Today a healthcare insurance plan is necessary because of the following reasons: It is mandated by law. As per the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, every individual should have health insurance. It ensures that the family has access to healthcare and is not denied access during medical emergencies. Today, you can buy insurance plans for yourself, your family, and if you are a business owner, you can even choose healthcare plans for the benefit of your employees.

Individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes are always advised to get onto the right diet plans as a first step for keeping the blood glucose levels in check for the long term. A balanced diet would include vegetables, fruits, and all forms of healthy proteins. This type of a well-planned diet is not only useful for boosting overall health but also avoid any form of complications in the future. When you have been diagnosed with diabetes, the next step is to identify the type – type 1 or type 2. In addition to this, you must consult a dietician so that you can work out the right food for diabetes. A balanced diet plan will help curb the effects of diabetes. Picking the right food for diabetes There is no rule or a need to cut down on what you like when you have been diagnosed with diabetes. The idea is not to deprive oneself of food but to work out a balanced diet that will include healthy food choices and cut down or limit the consumption of unhealthy food items. Two main components that end up causing the blood sugar levels to rise are carbohydrates and sugar, consequently, a balanced diet plan will not eliminate them in totality but allow for moderate consumption in alternative forms.

IBS, or Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is a gastrointestinal disorder that leads to the manifestation of symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and pain. The exact cause of IBS is not yet known, but the condition leads to changes in bowel habits, constipation, urgent need to defecate, and a feeling that the bowel does not empty completely. One of the most important points to consider is that those who are diagnosed with IBS may face flare-ups of symptoms due to the consumption of some foods, while some other food items may help in soothing the symptoms. For IBS patients, what are the foods that trigger the symptoms and should be avoided? Each individual reacts to food in different ways, and some foods may not affect one person the way they affect another with the same condition. On the other hand, certain food items have been identified as general triggers for IBS, and avoiding them is the best way to ensure that the symptoms are not triggered or worsened. Knowing these types of foods can also go a long way in helping to know how to plan the diet consciously and avoid foods that cause discomfort. If one is unsure of what the trigger foods for IBS are, a good place to start is by maintaining a food journal and identifying how each of the foods consumed is affecting the body over a period of time.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, leads to constant changes in bowel movements. While some individuals suffer from constipation, others experience diarrhea. This may be accompanied by abdominal pain and cramps, leading to difficulties in everyday life. Medical intervention is of utmost importance for IBS to help one deal with the symptoms, but some diets can also help manage the symptoms by avoiding foods that trigger the symptoms and adding foods that are good for IBS. Here’s a list of the best diets that have been suggested by experts to help ease one through the symptoms and avoid foods resulting in being triggers for IBS: High-fiber diet One of the most common elements needed to enable better bowel movement is fibers. On average, an adult should consume about 20-35 grams of fiber each day, but reports show that only about 5-14 grams are consumed as part of the daily diet by a majority of people. The best way to prevent constipation is to add in large amounts of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains so that the body gets ample nutrition. If high fiber intake leads to bloating, the type of fibers consumed should be soluble, and one should avoid grains. Low-fiber diet As stated earlier, some people experience diarrhea and gas as a major symptom of IBS rather than constipation.

When you have been diagnosed with diabetes, the first thing that almost anyone ever recommends or even utters to you is to control your food. Diabetes is one condition that is directly related to the food you eat. While you may be following a balanced diet, you always need to ensure that what you are eating is indeed right for you. Having certain food for diabetes can end up wreaking havoc in the long run. Here is a list of food for diabetes that you avoid and certain food for diabetes that you should consume under each category: Vegetables This is the most important food items that a diabetic must include in their daily diet plan. It is a great choice as it loads you with fiber. Make sure you do not add any fatty items or salt in it. However, two ingredients that are loaded with carbs are – potatoes and corn, which need to be in moderation and out of your everyday diet. Tips Best way to integrate vegetables into your diet is to eat them fresh and raw or you can also steam, roast, or grill them. If you are going for frozen vegetables, stick to steaming them.

A healthy diet that is focused on improving arthritis not only improves specific symptoms of arthritis but also helps in the overall wellbeing of the patient. This diet helps a person to reduce weight, reduce blood pressure, and reduce cholesterol levels. They are then at lesser risk of being affected by many cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Including food items that are a rich source of Calcium and Vitamin D can help repair damage to the bone and strengthen the muscles and tissues around the affected joint. Here are some of the foods that can help you manage arthritis much better and reduce pain. Fish Fish is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids which have been unanimously accepted and recommended as food that reduces inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids are potent fighters that reduce swelling within the body. Include 3 to 6 servings of fish; particularly, salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel every week. Choose smaller fish rather than the larger ones as they are more likely to have mercury. Vegetables A plant-based diet is the most widely recommended change for persons with arthritis. Make them the centerpiece of your diet. Vegetables are full of antioxidants and nutrients. Green yellow and orange – if you see these colors – just pick them up.

Arthritis is the inflammation of joints and the fibrous tissues around it and the resulting pain in those joints. Earlier referred to as rheumatism, inflammation causes stiffness and pain in those joints and restricts movement over time. Arthritis refers to about 100 types of joint diseases. It affects about 53 million adults and 300,000 children in the country every year. It might stay on for some and disappear in a few days but is degenerative in most. If it affects the knee joint, walking and climbing stairs are severely impaired. If it affects fingers, they can get wobbly and simple jobs like holding, kneading and writing can become overwhelming. Although most types of arthritis affect limbs and joints, some types of arthritis can also affect the eyes, heart, kidney, and lungs. Some types of arthritis and examples are Degenerative – Osteoarthritis Inflammatory – Rheumatoid and Psoriatic Arthritis Infectious – Triggered by organisms Salmonella, Shigella or Hepatitis B, Lyme Disease Metabolic arthritis – Gout Despite the high prevalence of arthritis worldwide, doctors and scientists have till date not been able to find the cause and hence a cure. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that there is no cure for most types of arthritis.