Headaches are one of the most common discomforts experienced by individuals. There are many different types of headaches and several known triggers, ranging from side effects of prescriptions to external environmental factors. However, statistics indicate that women are three times more likely than men to experience frequent headaches or migraines due to hormonal changes. Here is a brief overview of how these headaches develop and what to do to manage them. Hormonal triggers of migraine headaches among women Menstruation, pregnancy, menopause, and even hormone replacement therapy are some of the known hormonal triggers of migraine headaches. Headaches experienced during menstruation Menstruation is the periodic shedding of the uterus lining and is a regular occurrence once a girl starts ovulating. During monthly menstrual cycles, estrogen and progesterone levels are at their lowest in the body. These hormonal changes can trigger migraine headaches. Headaches during pregnancy Some women may experience their first bout of migraine attacks early on in pregnancy. The body releases high amounts of estrogen to support the baby’s development. There is a lot of hormonal fluctuation between trimesters, leading to headaches. Headaches during menopause Menopause marks the end of regular menstruation. Some women opt for hormone replacement therapy to prevent or manage hot flashes and associated symptoms that develop during this time.

Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer. It is estimated that one in eight men is at risk, and the number gets higher in those above the age of 65. Thankfully, modern treatments and prescriptions have made it easier. Also, certain lifestyle changes, healthy eating habits, and effective measures for prevention lower the risk. Here is how early diagnosis, treatments, and simple suggestions can improve the quality of life. Prescription treatments Xofigo contains a radioactive element called radium RA 223 dichloride. The injection works well in a short-range radius to counter the spread of prostate cancer in the bone. Enzalutamide, marketed under the brand name XTANDI, is an alternative treatment option. Those who don’t respond well to hormonal or surgical treatments can consider these injections to lower and manage testosterone levels. XTANDI works by actively inhibiting androgen receptors to prevent or reduce cancer cell growth. Prescriptions aside, doctors suggest cryotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy for those who respond to regular treatments. However, the treatments vary depending on the spread of cancer and the severity of the symptoms. Best foods for prevention Tomatoes and watermelon are rich in lycopene and beneficial for prostate cancer prevention.

Overactive bladder or OAB is a health condition that causes frequent and sudden urge to urinate. Statistics suggest that close to 35 million people in the country suffer from overactive bladder. Some people also experience urinary incontinence or unintentional loss of urine. It can be embarrassing to deal with the condition, as it can limit one’s social and professional life. The following tips can be used to effectively manage an overactive bladder: Typical treatment options Before we discuss tips for managing an overactive bladder, it is important to be aware of some treatment options. GEMTESA (vibegron) is one such treatment option. It activates beta-3 receptors, thereby allowing the bladder to relax and provide relief from being overactive. Apart from this, Myrbetriq can also be used for treating an overactive bladder, as it smoothens the muscles around the urinary bladder, increasing its storage capacity. Other options include TOVIAZ and INVOKANA®. Add cranberries to your food regimen Cranberries are widely used to treat problems associated with bladder control. Similarly, other berries like strawberries and blueberries are also abundant in vitamin C, which can neutralize bad bacteria and prevent urinary tract infections. Berries also have high water content, which maintains hydration levels and helps manage bladder control.

Migraine is characterized by throbbing, lingering pain on either side of the head. It is common among those between 30 and 40 and more prevalent among women than men. According to research, at least 39 million people in the country live with migraine. Many people with this condition are sensitive to light and sound. Fortunately, lifestyle changes can reduce the frequency of migraines. Here are some effective ways that can help cope with migraines: Treatments People with migraines need to keep medications handy. Some of the common medicines used by adults for migraine attacks are UBRELVY™, Excedrin, Nurtec® ODT, and QULIPTA™. They block pathways in the brain that are responsible for migraine attacks. A doctor might also recommend preventive medicines if one experiences frequent and severe headaches that don’t respond well to treatment. These medications might reduce how often one gets an attack and reduce its severity. Foods to eat Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are high in antioxidants and fat and are great for keeping overall health in check. Magnesium-rich foods like avocados, apricots, almonds, cashews, and brown rice help the blood vessels relax and prevent headaches. Other items that help prevent headaches include leafy greens, dairy, and calcium-rich foods.

Around 10 million people in our country aged 50 and above have osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a bone disorder that occurs when the body cannot create enough new bone to replace old bone in time. As a result, bone density and bone mass decrease, and the bones become brittle. People with the disease are more prone to fractures. Here are some treatments, foods, and lifestyle changes for managing osteoporosis and improving bone health: Treatment options Most treatments for osteoporosis aim to prevent further loss of bone density. Two popular options are Prolia ® and EVENITY ® . Prolia ® is a treatment that helps increase bone mass, reducing the risk of fractures. It is mainly prescribed to women after menopause. However, one must not use Prolia ® if they have low blood calcium or are expecting. Common side effects include infections, bone and joint pain, and allergic reactions. Women may also experience back pain and the common cold. EVENITY® is another popular option for women with osteoporosis after menopause. It helps build new bone and reduce spine fracture risk within 12 months. EVENITY® can lead to serious side effects like an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The common side effects include allergic reactions, sore throats, burning eyes, infections, joint pain, and muscle spasms.

Eczema is a severe, recurrent skin condition with painful flare-ups. The symptoms associated with atopic dermatitis can hinder one’s day-to-day routine. The limitations can cause a lot of stress and, in turn, increase the frequency of flare-ups. Major symptoms, such as oozing blisters and flaky skin, can lead to extreme itchiness, resulting in skin infections and mental distress. Given below are various treatment and remedial options that can help in managing eczema: Treatment CIBINQO® CIBINQO® is an oral solution that blocks the enzymes that trigger eczema symptoms. Doctors prescribe CIBINQO® to patients when topical treatment solutions do significantly improve the patient’s condition. DUPIXENT® DUPIXENT® is a prescription treatment option for people with moderate to severe eczema. It is available in the form of pre-filled syringes and belongs to the monoclonal class of treatment options. RINVOQ® RINVOQ® is an upadacitinib-containing treatment option given to moderate to severe eczema patients who fail to respond to other treatment options. Apremilast (Otezla®) It is mainly used for the treatment of mild to severe plaque psoriasis. However, some studies suggest that it may reduce itching and severity of atopic dermatitis symptoms in adults. Foods to eat and avoid Here are some foods to eat to manage eczema:

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a health condition that affects about 30% of people affected by psoriasis, bringing the number of patients in the country to around 2 million. Just like psoriasis causes inflammation of the skin, Psoriatic arthritis results in inflammation of the joints. The best way to manage this condition is a combination of medical treatment and lifestyle changes. Here are some essential management tips necessary to manage psoriatic arthritis and reduce flare-ups: Treatment options Doctors might have to go through various treatment plans since finding one that suits the patient isn’t easy. That said, there are some options that show substantial results and are commonly prescribed. These include the following. OTEZLA® Approved by the FDA, OTEZLA® is a prescription treatment option for patients with psoriatic arthritis. It acts by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) enzyme that is the cause of the increased inflammatory response of the body. Regular use of OTEZLA® has proven beneficial for patients and can be combined with phototherapy or topical treatments. RINVOQ® RINVOQ® is an oral treatment option for active psoriatic arthritis patients. Doctors usually prescribe this treatment option when patients fail to respond to one or more tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers. It is an oral treatment option used for adult PsA patients only.

Hemophilia is a rare hereditary disorder that affects the blood’s natural ability to clot. It becomes difficult to stop the bleeding caused by even the slightest injury without clotting factor VIII proteins. According to the CDC, an estimated 1 in 5000 newborn males develops hemophilia. There’s no cure for the condition. But it’s possible to restart the clotting factor function with prescriptions, healthy food habits, lifestyle changes, and preventive care. Read on to know more: Treatment options for hemophilia Replacing the missing clotting factor is one of the best ways to treat hemophilia. Prescriptions like Hemlibra® reintroduce coagulation factors in the blood to help lower the risk of bleeding. The FDA has also approved the use of recombinant factor concentrates that are genetically engineered using DNA to make the human clotting factor proteins. Kovaltry® is another alternative prescription antihemophilic factor suggested for people with hemophilia A. Nutritious foods to eat regularly with hemophilia Iron is crucial for maintaining proper hemoglobin levels in the blood. Also, one must replenish all the iron lost due to abnormal bleeding triggered by hemophilia. Lean red meats, seafood, liver, beans, peas, eggs, spinach, kale, broccoli, Bok choy, fortified snacks, and even dried fruits are rich in iron.

About one million people in our country are affected by Parkinson’s disease (PD), with approximately 60,000 new cases each year. Parkinson’s causes progressive deterioration of the nervous system, leading to symptoms like tremors, stiff muscles, and difficulty balancing. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease, and it can only be managed. Read on to learn about the treatment options, foods to eat and avoid, and healthy lifestyle changes to cope with Parkinson’s disease: Treatments for Parkinson’s disease Parkinson’s is usually managed with treatments that have a combination of levodopa and carbidopa, such as ONGENTYS®, RYTARY®, and opicapone. ONGENTYS® is for people with PD who have “OFF” episodes. RYTARY® is a treatment option with a unique combination of time-release beads to keep LD levels steady for longer. Opicapone inhibits a natural substance called COMT, helping elements like levodopa and carbidopa work effectively to improve brain function. Foods to eat and avoid Certain foods help manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms. For instance, walnuts, blackberries, cranberries, tomatoes, and peppers are rich in antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress, which can make Parkinson’s worse. In addition, foods with omega-3 fatty acids like soybeans, flax seeds, kidney beans, and oysters can improve cognitive function. Some foods may also worsen the condition.

Asthma is an inflammatory disease caused by inflammation in the lungs’ airways. If statistics are to be believed, there are almost 25 million people in the country with asthma. Asthma patients are likely to be triggered by certain foods and environmental factors. However, this varies from patient to patient and depends on the severity of the condition. This article sheds light on some effective tips to help asthma patients keep their symptoms at bay. Keep these treatment options handy The best way to manage asthma is to seek medical intervention. Fasenra® and Nucula are two excellent medications. Fasenra® is used as one of the most effective asthma treatment options. It can be self-injected using an injection pen. Fasenra® is used to improve breathing in asthma patients and lower their use of oral steroids use. It is to be taken once every eight weeks. Mepolizumab or Nucala works by reducing the number of eosinophils in the blood, thereby reducing airway inflammation. Oher clinical treatment options include Tezepelumab, Xolair, and Zyrtec. Eat and avoid these foods Lifestyle changes like adding foods to one meal regimen and avoiding certain foods can also effectively manage asthma. Ginger should be added to daily meals because they are anti-inflammatory and can reduce asthma symptoms.