Atopic dermatitis (AD) or eczema is a skin problem that affects adults and even young children. It causes the skin to be flaky, dry, and also bleed in the affected areas, which are commonly seen on the legs, arms, back, and face. It gets triggered when the surface of the skin is exposed to climate change, chemicals, and pollens. Here are some of the worst U.S. cities to live in with eczema. 1. Laughlin and Las Vegas, Nevada Some geographical boundaries make even the best climate ill-suited for the skin. The low humidity in the air, the hardness of water, prolonged exposure to the sun around this city is dehydrating, causing dryness and irritation such as red spots, itching, and eczema. 2. Chicago, Illinois Extremely cold and brutal weather conditions in the city make it one of the worst U.S. cities to live in with eczema. Prolonged cold winter conditions leave the air with little or no moisture that aggravates the dryness of skin and also triggers eczema. 3. Salt City Lake, Utah The air in Utah is damaging and dry. Being a desert, Utah tends to experience extremely hot and dry weather conditions leaving the air dehydrating even in winters.

Arthritis is a common illness that causes a person’s joints to swell, leading to mobility problems and recurring pain. Different types of arthritis affect patients differently. Some affect the joints, while others may damage the bones and other body parts. To keep symptoms under control, arthritis patients must avoid certain foods, some of which are listed below. 1. Added sugar Studies have shown that regular consumption of sugar can aggravate arthritis symptoms. It can lead to inflammation in the joints and cause significant pain. So, arthritis patients need to reduce or eliminate added sugar consumption from their diet. 2. Red meat Medical researchers have found that red meat significantly worsens the joint swelling in arthritis patients. Diets high in red or even processed meat have shown to have high levels of inflammatory markers such as Interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Homocysteine. 3. Gluten Arthritis patients must reduce their gluten intake. When consumed in large amounts through staple grains such as wheat and barley, gluten can exacerbate the condition. Medical researchers have shown that putting arthritis patients on a gluten-free vegetable diet could significantly improve the condition. 4. Alcohol Alcoholic beverages should make it to the top of the worst foods for arthritis, as it can cause rapid inflammation.

Imagine if you could choose to live anywhere in the country, and your choice depended on the city’s ability to curtail your migraine. If that is indeed one of your priorities, then you have come to the right place; because here, we enlist four cities that are not conducive for migraine patients: 1. Cincinnati, OH While it may not always be possible to prevent a headache, knowing about the triggers can help you stay away from it. Sometimes, changes in weather conditions can cause an imbalance in your brain chemicals, such as serotonin, which can trigger mild to severe headaches. Due to the city’s acute weather conditions, you are likely to experience a heightened risk of migraines. This is why Cincinnati shouldn’t be one of the last places on your mind if you want to live somewhere that helps you reduce the recurrence of migraines. 2. Madison, WI According to a 2006 study, Madison was ranked second after Cincinnati, in terms of the number of headaches per capita. The study said that citizens consuming chocolates, pizzas, and beer were encouraging migraine triggering behaviors. Due to these factors, coupled with Madison’s unfavorable weather conditions, the city has been rated unfavorably for those who are at a high risk of migraine.

In a study conducted by the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, it is estimated that the pollen issue will double by 2040 and affect up to 30% of adults with respiratory diseases. This is why the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) releases a yearly list of the country’s worst cities to live in with asthma and allergies to help citizens to get a head start on treatment. Here are seven prime examples: 1. Pittsburgh, PA Pittsburgh is a beautiful town teeming with stunning bridges and gushing rivers. However, it is also home to many pollen-producing trees like ragweed, box elders, elm, and cedars. Additionally, the increase in particle pollution caused by cars and factories, as well as mold problems exacerbated due to autumn, contribute to the allergies and related symptoms, making Pittsburg the 16th most polluted city in the country. 2. Oklahoma City, OK Oklahoma contains a high concentration of weed and mold that gets swept down the plains through southward winds, bringing pollens and allergens to your home. Due to its allergy-stimulating conditions, the city ranks ninth in the country. Moreover, Oklahoma has just the right climate for the allergens to reproduce and keep them afloat, affecting the people with asthma and allergies.

Spinal muscular atrophy affects infants and children, making it difficult for them to utilize their muscles. The condition, also known as SMA, is caused due to lack of communication between the spinal cord and brain. As a result, the individual’s brain stops communicating with the muscles to regulate their movement. If your child has SMA, then you must read this article to know about the diagnosis and treatment options for spinal muscular atrophy or SMA.   Diagnosis tests SMA is considered to be a hazardous health condition because its symptoms are hard to detect. To diagnose the problem, your doctor may ask you a few questions about your child. You will have to provide details, such as whether they have missed a milestone, if they have trouble sitting, do they struggle to breathe normally, or if anyone else in the family has suffered from similar symptoms. Additionally, the doctor will also order some tests to make a diagnosis. For example, they will take the child’s blood sample to look for missing genes that can cause SMA. Your doctor may also check for creatine kinase (CK), an enzyme that leaks from weak muscles. If the level of CK in their blood is high, it usually indicates damage to muscles.

One in four adults in the country struggles with arthritis. Since the condition is common, you may think that it will be easy to find decent healthcare for the condition almost anywhere. However, a recent report by ACR claims differently. Thus, this article shares the 5 worst U.S. cities for arthritis patients to help you make an informed decision when choosing where to live. 1. Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta is a lot more than sunshine. The city is known for its unpredictable changes in weather conditions that alter the barometric pressure. The other unpredictable factor in Atlanta is its healthcare system. The unfavorable ratio of arthritis patients means that not everyone can leverage the benefits of health insurance when they need it. It is advisable to stay away from this city if you want to avoid a painful joint situation and possibly substandard healthcare facilities for it. 2. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City is known to be one of the worst U.S. cities for arthritis. If you suffer from symptoms associated with the disease, then the near-tropical conditions and humidity can wreak havoc on your debilitating joints. Add to that the unavailability of arthritis specialists as opposed to the high number of patients in the city.

A risk factor in a condition or disease is one that increases one’s chances of risk of attaining the ailment. In this article, we will talk about some of the top risk factors for prostate cancer. Some of the risk factors can be changed, whereas others cannot be changed. In the case of prostate cancer, age and family history are some of the risk factors that can’t be changed. 1. Age Age is one of the top risk factors for prostate cancer. Men over the age of 40 are at a higher risk of getting prostate cancer, and the chances rise faster after the age of 50. It is seen that 80% of people with prostate cancer are over the age of 65. 2. Family history If anyone from a particular family has had cancer, someone from that family also may be at a higher risk of attaining prostate cancer. For instance, if more than one of the first-degree relatives (son, father, or brother) has had prostate cancer, one might be at risk of developing it. Also, if another family member has had some sort of cancer in the past, it increases the risk of getting prostate cancer. 3. Exposure to agent orange or chemicals As listed by the US Department of Veteran Affairs, prostate cancer can be caused by exposure to Agent Orange, which was a chemical used during the Vietnam War.

Leukemia is caused due to excessive production of white blood cells. In people aged 55 and above and below 15, leukemia is the most common form of blood cancer. It has several types and the symptoms can vary based on the type of leukemia a person has. There are 4 most common types of leukemia: acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia. Let’s discuss the symptoms of the different types. 1. Symptoms of acute lymphocytic leukemia The most commonly found symptoms of this type of leukemia are caused due to a lack of sufficient blood cells. This results from leukemia cells outnumbering the normal cells that produce blood found in the bone marrow. The lack of normal blood cells can be found during a blood test. They also cause symptoms, including the following. Fatigue or tiredness Weakness Dizziness or feeling lightheaded Breathing difficulties Pale looking skin Recurring infections that do not go away easily Easy bruising of the skin Frequent bleeding from the nose and gums and heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle 2. Symptoms of chronic lymphocytic leukemia In most cases of this type of leukemia, patients do not have any symptoms at the time of their diagnosis.

Nasal polyps are a noncancerous growth along one’s sinuses or nasal passages. They look like teardrops and occur due to allergies and immune disorders. Since it can happen to anyone, one’s best defense against it is to be thoroughly aware of the condition. This article discusses the symptoms and warning signs of nasal polyps to get a suitable treatment on time. Symptoms 1. Runny nose Nasal polyps are often aggravated due to allergies and asthma, leading to chronic cold-like symptoms, such as a runny nose. It mainly happens due to inflammation in the lining of the nasal passages. Some patients also complain of sneezing and other discomforts when they are suffering from the condition. 2. Blocked or stuffy nose When clusters of large polyps grow in a person’s nasal passage, they experience a persistent nose blockage, making it hard to breathe. In some cases, one may also lose their sense of smell and become susceptible to recurrent infections. Even though nasal polyps can happen to anyone, they are most common in adults. 3. Postnasal drip When a person always feels like the mucus is running down the back of their throat, it is time to get tested. If symptoms persist with loss of smell, it is a sign of nasal polyps and must not be ignored.

If you have an overactive bladder (OAB), then don’t just learn to live with it. Along with medications, there are simple lifestyle changes that can help you lead a quality life without spending most of it in the bathroom! Here are some simple yet effective tips to manage an overactive bladder effectively. 1. Avoid fluids before sleeping Did you know that your body enters healing mode when you go to sleep? This is why you must try to sleep sound and adequately each night. But an overactive bladder may rob you of that opportunity. The best way to have uninterrupted sleep is to start avoiding fluids after 6 pm. This will help you keep your bladder empty when you go to bed. You can also consider eliminating caffeine from your diet to reduce bathroom trips at night. 2. Plan your toileting routine While this might appear to be a stretch, setting a toileting routine can help you stay focused on work rather than being disrupted by a sudden urge to pee. You must voluntarily and regularly empty your bladder. This will help you control OAB symptoms. 3. Practise Kegel exercises You can also do Kegel exercises to strengthen your muscles. They help in minimizing uncontrolled contractions and also refine your posture.