A low blood sugar level is a condition referred to as hypoglycemia. This condition is recognized when the blood sugar level drops below 70 mg/dl, and steps are needed to bring it back up to a healthy number. This type of blood sugar drop is especially common in type 1 diabetes. Some symptoms can help diagnose low blood sugar levels that impact health, and here are some observations to keep in mind. 1. Extreme hunger This is one of the typical signs and symptoms of a low blood sugar level. This is the body’s way of communicating that it needs food to raise its glucose levels. Some people may eat sugary substances to get that spike, but other foods can also help raise the glucose level. Carbohydrates help solve this issue; however, eating the right amount of carbohydrates to help in this situation is essential and can vary from person to person. So, always consult a nutritionist to know how to manage glucose levels when this symptom occurs. 2. Restless nights Nocturnal hypoglycemia is the term used to describe low blood sugar levels at night in a diabetic person. In this, the individual may experience signs and symptoms like night sweats, unrest, and confusion once awake, as well as episodes of waking up suddenly. Some experts suggest that taking a small snack before bed can help with these symptoms, but always consult a doctor to know what amount is recommended, as a sudden spike in glucose may be too much. 3. Tremors Tremors and shakes are other signs and symptoms that should be observed. Research suggests that low blood sugar levels activate the autonomic nervous system. 4. Anxiety According to research, when glucose levels go too low in the body, a hormone called epinephrine is released. This is also called adrenaline.

A refrigerator is an essential appliance, especially for big families with many members. However, they can be expensive, so one must tread carefully. When buying a fridge, it’s essential to consider the features, compare prices, and know which model best suits the house. Luckily, with Black Friday approaching, one may find a good product for a reasonable price. A look at last year’s Black Friday refrigerator deals can tell customers what to expect in 2023. GE GE is a popular brand for kitchen appliances like refrigerators. Last Black Friday, shoppers were spoilt for choice with so many high-end products on sale. Here are two deals that were trending: 1. The GE Profile 27.9 Cu. Ft. Smart 4-Door French-Door Refrigerator was on sale at The Home Depot for $3,918. Customers saved $1,001 on this model. By paying a little more, one could get a larger size. This fridge has an in-the-door ice maker, hands-free autofill capability, and other handy features. 2. Another popular GE product, the 25.3 Cu. Ft. Side-By-Side Refrigerator in Stainless Steel, sold at The Home Depot for $1,198. Shoppers saved $601 on this purchase. The model has edge-to-edge shelves, external dispensers, a bonus freezer shelf, and an easy-access icemaker. LG This is another famous brand that was popular among shoppers last Black Friday. Here are two expensive LG products that had a discount: 3. The LG 30 Cu. Ft. French-Door Smart Refrigerator in Stainless Steel was on sale for $3,498, helping shoppers save $601. It comes with a unique InstaView design, which allows users to simply knock on the door twice to see what’s inside the fridge through the glass panel. The door-in-door feature is great for dividing the drinks section from the food section. It also keeps the inner compartment cool, even after opening the glass door.

A good night’s sleep is as important as following a balanced meal plan and exercising regularly. Poor sleeping habits have an adverse effect on your hormones and the functioning of the brain. It can interfere with your cognitive functions as well as physical health. Tossing and turning every night causes sleep disturbance. There are many reasons for this, including poor sleep hygiene. Therefore, you need to follow a proper sleep routine to maintain your health.  Here are a few things that you should avoid for a healthy sleep cycle. Avoid making poor food choices before bedtime Don’t overeat or starve yourself before bedtime. It is best to avoid having a heavy meal three hours before bedtime. Overeating can trigger  heartburn , and this can cause delays in falling asleep. Also, try to avoid caffeine-based products as they have stimulating effects on your body, which may further interfere with your sleep. They will initially make you feel drowsy but later disrupt your sleep cycle. It is also said that such beverages can increase the symptoms of snoring, sleep apnea, and disrupted sleep patterns. Also, harmful substances can reduce the production of melatonin during night-time, leading to sleep deprivation. Late night binges on greasy, processed foods like pizza, and burgers may also affect your sleep.  Cut down on daytime naps Napping at the wrong time of day may be harmful if you habitually do it. Also, napping should be an hour at maximum. When you have a late-night work schedule, you might take a nap to make up for your sleep debt. Short power naps are important to keep yourself active throughout the day, but long and irregular naps can negatively affect your sleep cycle. By sleeping during the daytime, your body clock gets confused, causing you to struggle to sleep at night.  Don’t overheat the bedroom The temperature of your room plays an important role in maintaining your sleep cycle.

Traveling is an excellent way to unwind and discover new places and cultures. However, it comes with a few challenges, like budgeting, packing, and finding a suitable hotel. Even though you might face unpredicted difficulties, you can make the most of your holiday if you plan things properly. Here are some common travel mistakes to avoid, whether you’re a nomadic explorer or a first-time traveler heading to an adventurous location. Packing too many things Don’t use a heavy suitcase when packing your stuff for the vacation. A heavy suitcase will put you under unnecessary stress and drain your energy. Even worse, you might develop a sore back by the end of the trip because of carrying that heavy load all along. Instead, use a bag with a lightweight material, and ensure it isn’t larger than necessary. Start with a carry-on bag and select the items you need. When making a list of your stuff, narrow your selections to the bare necessities. Also, keep your travel outfits neutral so that anything can be mixed and matched. This way, your clothes can be used for multiple activities, and you’ll have to pack only a few items. If you carry too many outfits, your hotel room will become messy, not to mention there will be way too much laundry waiting for you after the trip. Not buying enough local currency at the airport If traveling to another country, you’ll need their local currency to buy food, pay for transport, book hotels, or shop. So, after reaching the airport, change your native currency into the local currency. If you’re caught in a situation where you don’t have the local currency, you’ll have to use your credit card to pay the bills. This can become an expensive affair due to the high conversion rates. Also, many places, like small shops or local markets, may not accept credit cards.

The kidneys play a key role in the body by filtering waste and excess fluid from the blood. Additionally, they control the production of red blood cells, make vitamins that control growth, and release hormones that regulate blood pressure. These vital functions can be affected by conditions like kidney cysts, stones, chronic kidney disease, and acute kidney injury. Although food cannot cure these conditions, certain superfoods can help manage kidney disease better. Top superfoods Food restrictions may vary, but people with kidney disease are often asked to limit their intake of sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. Damaged kidneys cannot effectively filter sodium, causing a spike in sodium levels. Experts recommend limiting its intake to less than 2,000 mg per day. Similarly, there is a risk of high potassium levels in the blood when dealing with kidney issues. Experts recommend restricting potassium intake to 2,000 mg per day. Further, impaired functioning of the kidneys may also impede phosphorus filtration in the kidneys. Elevated levels of phosphorus can damage other organs, too, so one should limit their intake to less than 800–1,000 mg per day. Here are a few superfoods low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus one can  add to their meals when dealing with kidney disease: Cabbage Cabbage is a rich source of vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folic acid, and fiber. It is also loaded with phytochemicals, which can break up free radicals to reduce oxidative stress on the body. The phytochemicals can also help protect against cancer and other diseases. Cabbage is a cheap and easily available cruciferous vegetable that is also low in sodium, potassium, and phosphorus. It can be incorporated into daily meals in the form of a salad or as appetizers such as cabbage rolls or wraps. Pomegranate Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, fiber, folate, and vitamins K, E, and B6.

Urinating is a routine body function that helps get rid of the waste fluids in the body. Urine generally contains water, urea, creatinine, uric acid, chloride, sodium, potassium, sulfate, ammonium, phosphate, and other ions. Most people urinate around 6–7 times per day. One may not think about it, but there are wrong and right ways to pee, which can help ensure optimal bladder health. Here are seven of the most common peeing mistakes to avoid: Holding it in for too long Holding urine in can sometimes be unavoidable, such as at a concert or on a long drive. However, making a habit out of it can stretch the bladder, causing loss of bladder function and leading to urinary infections. Contrary to popular belief, urine is not sterile. It contains a microbial system. Holding pee in for too long can make one more susceptible to infections as the bacteria multiply. To protect the bladder, it is important to keep drinking enough water and urinating when one feels the urge. Not fully emptying the bladder when peeing Sometimes, when one is in a rush, they may not fully empty their bladder. This stretches the bladder and also increases the risk of infections. Incomplete urination may not always be intentional. This is known as urinary retention and may be caused by other health conditions like an enlarged prostate, bladder outlet obstructions like urethral strictures, pelvic organ prolapse, urinary tract stones, constipation, tumors, fibroids, and polyps. Further, tight pelvic floor muscles, urinary tract infections, prostatitis, sexually transmitted infections, or trauma to the pelvis, urethra, or penis can lead to urinary retention. If one notices that their bladder does not empty fully after urination, they speak with a general physician or urologist. Some of the common symptoms of urinary retention include pain or swelling in the lower abdomen, frequent urinating in small amounts, having an urgent need to urinate, and having a slow stream.

An ophthalmologist, or an eye doctor, is a qualified expert who diagnoses and treats conditions to maintain optimal eye health. When one visits an ophthalmologist, they can ask specific questions, either about their particular health concern or general doubts. However, it is quite common to go entirely blank when at the doctor’s and forget half the things that need to be asked. So, here’s a brief checklist of vital questions to ask an ophthalmologist. Which tests will be performed? Whenever you visit a doctor, it is reassuring to know what procedures or tests they will perform or are considering. Most people visiting ophthalmologists are ridden with anxiety about this aspect, so asking this particular question can soothe your nerves and make future visits and eye exams less stressful. While eye doctors perform eye tests, you can also carefully view their instruments and ask why certain tests are being conducted. It is advisable to discuss any concerns about the health condition or probable side effects you may face since this will also help set your mind at ease about the future. Finally, this question is also helpful in making future preparations. So, if a particular test or eye exam will interfere with your eyesight or alertness for a few hours, you can arrange for someone to drive you home from the ophthalmologist’s clinic afterward. How can I tell if my child has a vision problem? Many parents tend to schedule regular check-ups for their children with their family doctor to be updated on any possible health issues, so annual visits to the ophthalmologist should also be the norm. An ophthalmologist can provide a detailed written summary of a child’s eye condition as an answer to this question. Moreover, the doctor will also inform the parents about specific long and short-term vision problems faced by their child, and whether any of those can affect their overall vision or health.

Cholesterol is a fatty wax-like substance produced by the liver. It is categorized into Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL), High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL), and Triglycerides. The body needs to maintain low LDL and high HDL levels to support overall health. Any imbalance in these levels can trigger high cholesterol, leading to chronic health complications like heart disease. While there are no direct symptoms, the complications mentioned below point toward high cholesterol in the body. Early signs of increasing cholesterol levels Cholesterol levels build up in the body undetected for a long time and are only noticeable when the buildup triggers health complications. Mild to moderate discomforts observed when the following problems develop are among the early signs of increasing cholesterol levels. Heart disease Cholesterol circulates in the bloodstream, carrying essential vitamins and minerals for cell maintenance. These nutrients also supplement essential functions for various organs. Blood circulation is continuous, so these cholesterol molecules repeatedly pass along the arteries and veins. An increase in bad cholesterol (LDL) causes plaque buildup and triggers blockage. Plaque buildup also results in the narrowing of arteries and veins, thus hindering natural blood flow. Chest pain, extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, and pain radiating in the neck and jaw are early signs of increasing cholesterol levels. These symptoms are indicative of the blockages causing plaque buildup and interrupting circulation. Eventually, plaque buildup increases the risk of coronary artery disease among adults. Stroke and blood clots Blood pressure is a critical function that is regulated by the circulatory system. The heart pumps freshly oxygenated blood from the lungs to all body parts. Adults usually have a normal blood pressure of 130/80 that increases or decreases with the slightest change in physical activity. Here again, plaque buildup due to high levels of bad cholesterol in the body increases the risk of clots and blockages in the arteries.

Cognitive disorders develop gradually and do not necessarily exhibit symptoms that are easily noticed. Several known discomforts overlap with other conditions making it difficult for doctors to diagnose the condition. However, one of the primary concerns associated with common conditions is changes in daily nutrition. Sugar intake is a specific risk factor that greatly determines the progression of these disorders. Here is how sugar can affect the overall outlook of living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia Dementia is not a disease but a general group of disorders that even covers Alzheimer’s, mainly exhibiting the following symptoms: Problems with memory Difficulty in problem-solving due to reduced analytical skills Difficulty getting tasks done Confusion and poor judgment Keeping track of activities Changes in mood triggered by emotional responses These are just the most common and noticeable signs of developing Alzheimer’s. There are many factors ranging from changes in daily nutrition to poor lifestyle choices, that impact the progression of these conditions. However, high blood sugar is a primary risk factor associated with a significant number of known symptoms. It’s one of the reasons people who develop type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing dementia over those who do not have diabetes. Signs of excessive sugar intake noticeable among affected patients Sugar is a widely and excessively used condiment that enhances the flavor of foods and beverages. However, consuming beyond the recommended limit will certainly trigger the following flare-ups that affect cognitive function. Problems with memory One of the earliest signs of cognitive decline is problems with memory. Experiencing difficulties processing information, reduced analytical abilities, and generally having trouble comprehending information are all clear signs of cognitive decline. As the blood glucose levels in the bloodstream continue to increase, it will further affect a person’s ability to retain short-term and long-term information.

Cancer that begins in the large intestine is known as colon cancer. Although it can affect people of any age, it occurs more frequently in older adults. Symptoms for colon cancer may not appear until the disease progresses to the second stage or later. However, recognizing some early warning signs can help with the early diagnosis and treatment of colon cancer. Treatments for this condition will vary by the stage and type of colon cancer. Signs and symptoms of colon cancer Stage 0 This is the earliest stage of colon cancer, where the abnormal cells are only noticed in the lining of the colon. It is also known as carcinoma in situ. Most people may not notice any symptoms during this stage of cancer. However, some early warning signs to watch out for include: Narrow ribbon-like stools Rectal bleeding that is bright or dark red Tenesmus, or a feeling of heaviness or having to pass stool, but nothing passes Anemia Persistent abdominal pain Stage 1 By this stage, the cancer has penetrated the lining of the colon or rectum and affected the muscle. However, it has not yet reached the lymph nodes or other body parts. Common symptoms one may notice during this stage include: Constipation Diarrhea Changes in the color of stool or shape Blood in the stool Bleeding from the rectum Excessive gas Abdominal cramps Stage 2 In this stage, the cancer has spread to the walls of the colon or rectum and affected some nearby tissues. However, it has not reached the lymph nodes yet. Symptoms for this stage are the same as those experienced in Stage 1. Stage 3 By stage 3, the cancer has affected the lymph nodes. In addition to the symptoms mentioned above, other signs and symptoms at this stage include: Excessive fatigue Unexplained weakness Changes in the stool that last for longer than a month Vomiting Stage 4 This is the last or final stage of colon cancer.

Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day. It kickstarts the body’s metabolism, supplies essential nutrients for organs, and provides energy for the tasks ahead. Individuals with cardiovascular health conditions are especially advised to be mindful of what they eat for breakfast and pick nutritious foods. This comprehensive guide explores a few heart-healthy breakfast ideas one can consider. It also explains the benefits of each recipe to help make informed choices. Oatmeal with berries Oatmeal is a heart-healthy breakfast superstar that is easy to prepare and digest. It is rich in fiber, which helps manage cholesterol levels in the bloodstream, lowering heart disease risk. Cook the oats with almond milk until creamy, add some fresh berries, and top it off with chia seeds. Oats contain beta-glucans, a soluble fiber that reduces LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol or “bad” cholesterol. Berries are loaded with rich antioxidants that actively combat oxidative stress and inflammation—risk factors linked to heart disease. Chia seeds additionally provide omega-3 fatty acids known to contain anti-inflammatory properties that support heart health. Avocado toast Avocado toast has gained popularity for good reasons. Avocado is a nutritious fruit with healthy fats that help lower bad cholesterol. This recipe needs the most basic ingredients, such as a couple of whole-grain bread slices, a fresh ripe avocado, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes to add some heat. Mash the avocado with lemon juice, spread it over a whole-grain toast, and sprinkle red pepper flakes. Voila! It is that easy to prepare. Avocado is full of monounsaturated fats, which can reduce LDL cholesterol levels. It is also a good source of potassium that helps regulate blood pressure. Whole-grain bread provides fiber that helps with digestion to control cholesterol levels further. Greek yogurt parfait Dessert for breakfast may sound odd. But this healthy dessert-ish recipe boasts some of the best nutrients and vitamins that, when combined, lower the risk of heart disease.

While beards have recently regained popularity, their significance has been recognized since prehistoric times. For example, ancient Greeks considered beards to be signs of wisdom and virility. They were also grown to provide warmth, and protection – particularly the mouth and lips – from harmful external agents. Today, beard grooming has become a breeze with the availability of kits and products. Here are some beard grooming mistakes to avoid for a well-maintained, debonair look: Not washing the beard and mustache before trimming Washing one’s beard and mustache before one starts trimming them ensures that the facial hair is well-hydrated, making it easier to cut. This process also gives one an idea of how the beard or stubble will appear once trimmed. Therefore, it is recommended to wash and dry one’s beard before trimming it. Overlooking the importance of a beard shampoo Since the beard surrounds one’s mouth, food particles can get stuck in it. It can also become a breeding point for natural oils and external pollutants, causing the accumulation of bacteria. A beard shampoo can help dislodge accumulated particles and ensure adequate personal hygiene. It is ideal to wash one’s beard once or twice a week and up to thrice a week for dry and oily skin, respectively. Finally, it is important to wash one’s beard with a beard shampoo to maintain the hair. Using a hair shampoo for the beard Contrary to popular belief, a hair shampoo should be used exclusively for the scalp hair and not for facial hair. This is because while a hair shampoo strips the hair off its natural oils and replaces them with the oils it contains, a beard shampoo retains the hair’s natural oils and nourishes it further with its constituents. It also helps enhance the beard’s smell. Not detangling knots while combing It is important to comb one’s beard and detangle its knots, preferably using a beard brush.