Also called the emperor of maladies, cancer affects nearly 1 million people in the country. It is also the second leading cause of death globally, heart disease being the leading cause. Most of the time, cancer affects those people whose family has a history of cancer. Genes carrying cancer-triggering cells are passed down from one generation to the next. In other cases, prolonged exposure to radiation or toxic substances can chemically induce cancer. This exposure can be a result of occupational hazards, lifestyle choices such as smoking, or due to radiation therapy. In all of these cases, cancer prevention is very difficult unless all the risk factors are eliminated. But, more often than not, this is practically quite difficult. However, the field of alternative medicine recommends the use of certain herbs and spices for cancer prevention. Although there is no reliable scientific proof regarding the effectiveness of these herbs and spices, adding them to one’s diet may lower the risk of certain types of cancer. Here are some well-known herbs and spices that help prevent cancer. Black pepper Black pepper contains a chemical known as piperine. This chemical is known to prevent the growth of cancerous cells, especially in the case of breast cancer.

Lungs, an integral part of the respiratory system, hold oxygen which is then supplied to the rest of the body through the bloodstream. It is essential to keep the lungs healthy to maintain optimum oxygen intake. However, there can be things in the environment that can trigger lung damage. This article lists five such household factors that can trigger lung damage, which can, in turn, cause diseases. Let’s check them out. Mold Mold is a type of fungus that grows on damp surfaces and corners. It is common in houses with issues of leaking pipes. The fungus releases spores in the air and can trigger a severe reaction in those allergic to mold. The response is relatively severe in people with lung damage and diseases like asthma and COPD. Carpet Carpets add to the allure and warmth of our homes. But there are some other harmful things that they add. Carpets can act as a storage space for dust mites, cockroach droppings, mold, dander, pet hair, and other allergens. These are released back into the air often. As a result, it is advisable to clean and vacuum carpets multiple times a week to ensure they do not work as carriers for lung-damaging components.

Asthma is a respiratory condition where the airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus. These factors make it difficult for the person to breathe and trigger wheezing and coughing. Apart from treatment and home remedies, people with asthma tend to eat foods that can boost their recovery. But not all foods are suitable, and some may even worsen the condition. Here are seven such foods that may trigger severe respiratory symptoms. Eggs Eggs contain healthy nutrients, including proteins, vitamins, and minerals. However, asthma patients prone to egg allergies should avoid them. Egg allergies generally lead to reactions on the skin, such as hives. Eating eggs can also cause inflammation in the respiratory tract and lead to an asthma attack. Soda Soda produces gas, which may apply pressure on the diaphragm. The excessive pressure may make it difficult to breathe, worsening the symptoms of asthma and other respiratory disorders. Bread Bread is a wheat-based product that may also cause allergic reactions because of its gluten content. Those allergic to gluten are likely sensitive to albumin and globulin. These are amino acids that lead to inflammation in the respiratory tract and subsequently cause an asthma attack. Dried fruits Despite their healthy nature, people with asthma must avoid dried fruits.

Finding it hard to sleep at night? Staying away from your phone and reducing psychological stress can help, but these are not enough. You also need to be wise when choosing foods late in the evening and before bedtime. Some foods have ingredients that can induce insomnia and cause tummy troubles, making it hard to sleep well at night. Below, we’ve listed seven such foods you should avoid eating before hitting the sack. Chocolate Post-dinner chocolate cravings are pretty common, but it’s not good when struggling to get proper sleep. Chocolates, especially dark chocolate, contain lots of caffeine, which can prevent you from getting deep, restful sleep. Coffee Talking about caffeine, it’s hard not to mention coffee. A shot of espresso is a go-to late-night drink for many, but it can hurt your objective of sound sleep. Coffee contains very high levels of caffeine, more than dark chocolate. So, it’s best to avoid any type of coffee at least six hours before bedtime. Potato chips Potato chips are fried foods loaded with unhealthy fats. Such foods take long to digest, cause indigestion, and can keep you up at night. Some studies even show that eating lots of fried, greasy foods can cause disturbing dreams.

The foods we eat play a significant role, and that dictates how our organs function. The eyes are vascular, and it is necessary to eat nutritious foods to keep the blood vessels in good health. Eating unhealthy foods may block the veins that provide the eyes with the essential nutrients and oxygen. Such restrictions may affect one’s vision. Keeping this in mind, here are five foods that can worsen eye health. Margarine Margarine is considered a healthy alternative to butter, as it is made from vegetable oils. However, it still contains trans fats. These fats may increase a person’s cholesterol levels and put them at risk of heart diseases and eye problems. Red meat Red meat contains preservatives like salt, cholesterol, and fat, making them tasty and increasing their shelf life. However, these chemicals may harm one’s health and lead to high blood pressure. Such pressure spikes can lead to Choroidopathy, a fluid buildup below the retina. Fish Several fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and may offer health benefits. However, fish also contain hints of mercury. People who eat lots of fish may be at risk of eye damage because of the chemical element. Coffee Coffee contains caffeine, an energy-boosting component that helps people stay active.

Quite a few things can cause bad eyesight, and one of these major factors is aging. However, there are some day-to-day choices we make and activities we partake in that slowly but surely impact our eyesight. This article discusses some obvious and not-so-obvious things that weaken our vision and force us to visit an ophthalmologist. Most of these causes are rooted in lifestyle habits and linked to preexisting health conditions. Too much screen time Sitting on the computer for extended hours is quite detrimental to eye health. The majority of the population spends time staring at their laptops, phones, or television. Screen pixels on the screen emit blue rays. While these rays are not as harsh on the eyes as UV rays, they have a better penetrative range and can end up causing deeper damage. Other side-effects of extended screen time include dry eyes, pricking of the eyes, strained eyesight, and headaches that can result in progressive worsening of the condition. Rubbing the eyes Rubbing the eyes can be an unconscious reaction for those dealing with dry eyes. It’s difficult to control the urge when allergies trigger itchy eyes. This can damage the cornea and increase pressure on the eyes.

You may experience nights where no matter how tired you feel, your mind refuses to let you sleep. This could happen despite going to bed at a reasonable hour after a tiresome day. You might even buy a mattress from popular brands like Tempur-Pedic, Sleep Number, Saatva, Essentia, or Wilderness RV Mattress and yet lack eight hours of sleep. So, if you want a good night’s rest, avoid doing these five things before sleeping: 5 things to stay away from before going to bed Using electronics Nine times out of ten, people scroll through various social media sites after getting into bed. The blue light from the gadgets and the constant stimulation from the media keep your mind awake and make it difficult to fall asleep early. Instead of reaching for your phone or laptop before bed, reach for a calming book to get a good night’s sleep. Eating a large, heavy meal Consuming an entire pizza or a couple of tacos may not be the best idea to eat right before hitting the bed. Our digestive system is meant to rest while we sleep. The process of digestion is also the slowest at night, and a heavy meal can cause complications like disturbed sleep.

In most asthma cases, food allergies and intolerances will trigger inflammation or result in the narrowing of the lung airways. An estimated 19 million individuals in the country have mild to moderate asthma, and it is vital for them to monitor their food intake. Drastic changes in daily eating habits will not necessarily help; however, moderation lowers the risk of flareups. Here are 4 such foods that trigger breathing difficulties for those with asthma. 4 foods that worsen breathing issues in asthma Foods high in fat content Red meats are heavily processed and contain saturated fats, which leads to an increase in LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels in the body. Most saturated and processed fats tend to worsen symptoms like inflammation, causing difficulty breathing. The risk is especially high among people who suffer from conditions like asthma or COPD. Dairy foods and beverages Whole milk (the full fat variant) can trigger excess mucous production when the body breaks down the dairy product during digestion. Mucous buildup in the lungs increases the risk of infection and worsens the inflammation linked to asthma flareups. Preservatives and artificial sweeteners Most foods bought off the shelves in the supermarket are laced with preservatives and additives to increase their shelf life.