Certain foods that are healthy for us may be beneficial for your cat. As a responsible cat parent, it is essential to be aware of the foods and their sources before slipping a morsel from your plate into your pet’s bowl. Ingestion of toxic foods can adversely affect the cat’s digestive system. Hence, it is advised to consult a vet for recommendations. Here is a list of human foods that are perfectly safe for cats: Meat Cats are carnivores by nature. Most of the commercial cat food in the market contains different meats, an excellent protein source. So, feeding them bits of cooked meats like beef, turkey, or chicken from your lunch plate is entirely alright. Make sure you limit the quantity of the meats. Overeating may cause digestive issues in cats. Salmon Cats love fish, and most vets recommend feeding them fish-based foods. They are a good source of omega-3 and other nutrients. Oily fish like tuna, salmon, or mackerel prove beneficial for their eyesight and joints. However, do not feed your feline straight from the can as they might lick it too aggressively, leading to cuts and bruises on their tongues. It’s best to feed them cooked fish without bones. Cat food brands like Royal Canin, IAMS, and Greenies™ source their ingredients from salmon. Whole grains As grains are loaded with nutrients, they are healthy for humans and cats. Oats have lots of protein, but not many cats like it. Some cats prefer brown rice and coarsely grounded cornmeal too. If you’re not feeding your cat any meat or fish, whole grains can be a good substitute. Smaller grains like wheat berries and millets can also be cooked at home. Cat food brands like IAMS use whole grains like wheat in their products. Eggs Another food item that is safe for cats is eggs.

Probiotics constitute a significant component of a healthy nutritional regime. Hundreds of brands sell probiotics in the market, and several blogs and websites exist exclusively to count probiotics’ never-ending benefits. But do we understand the actual mechanism through which probiotics work? For that, we need to be clear about the definition of probiotics. We need to know what and how they function. Read this article to learn the definition and some key benefits of probiotics: What are probiotics? Your body contains within itself both good and bad bacteria. Probiotics are the good bacteria. When an infection affects your body, the number of harmful bacteria exceeds the number of beneficial bacteria in your body. To destroy these harmful bacteria and restore the balance in your body, you need to get good bacteria from external sources. These external sources include probiotic supplements or fermented foods. Some typical probiotic foods are probiotic yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, and many more, while supplements include refrigerated capsules, shelf-stable capsules, liquid beverages, and powders. Key benefits of probiotics Probiotics are good bacteria and have several benefits, and several scientific studies back these benefits. Here is a list of the 6 most popular probiotics benefits you should know of: Improve nutritional absorption Your gut serves as a home for billions of microbes. These microbes are responsible for disintegrating the food you ingest and absorbing nutrients. Among these microbes, probiotics break down your food to generate B vitamins, which are vital in taking out energy from fats and carbohydrates. Besides that, B vitamins also disintegrate amino acids and transport energy-possessing nutrients and oxygen throughout the body. Furthermore, probiotics have several strains, among which lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium help absorb essential minerals. These minerals include copper, magnesium, iron, and manganese, that is, minerals that are vital for energy production.

Leukemia, or blood cancer, originates in the bone marrow. It is a condition characterized by the uncontrolled growth of white blood cells. It differs from other types of cancer that are marked by the presence of a tumor. There are four types of the condition – acute lymphocytic leukemia, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, and chronic myelogenous leukemia. The condition is incurable, but following these tips can help manage the disease better:   Getting Treated The patient must be put on the right treatment immediately after diagnosing the condition. TASIGNA® (nilotinib) and BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) are two prescribed treatments for leukemia.    TASIGNA ® (nilotinib) This is advised for newly diagnosed adults with Philadelphia chromosome Chronic Myeloid Leukemia or Ph+ CML-CP. It is also recommended for adults who cannot tolerate or are not benefiting from other treatments. Children above 1 year who are newly diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia or those who are not benefiting from other therapies are also advised to try this treatment. It was approved in 2007 and has helped treat about 28,000 people in the US with the condition Ph+ CML-CP.   BLINCYTO ® (blinatumomab) This is advised for adults and kids with B-cell precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. It is also advised for patients in remission with detectable cancer cells or MRD.   Foods that patients should consume and avoid It is vital to eat right when detected with leukemia. This will help the body stay strong and tolerate the treatment better. With well-balanced nutrition, the body can replace the cells and tissues affected by the treatment and its side effects. At the same time, certain food types can harm the treatment procedures and prevent the body from recuperating well. Hence, such foods should be avoided.    Here’s a list of foods to eat and avoid.   Foods to eat Include :

Alopecia, or in colloquial terms,  hair loss, is a condition impacting over 80 million people in the country. Several causes of hair loss may include genetics, excessive stress, hormonal fluctuations caused by menopause or pregnancy, harmful haircare like bleaching or perms, chemotherapy, fungal infections, thyroid disease, and many more. Even though not all types of hair loss  (like cicatricial alopecia) are reversible, here are some key ways to manage them. Consult a health professional without delay Shedding 100 strands per day is expected in humans. With new strands replacing the older ones, the loss of previous strands hardly makes any difference. However, receding lines or thinning regions can be observed on the scalp when little or no hair grows back to replace the lost strands. This is when the patient must consult a health professional to ascertain the cause of their hair loss and seek appropriate treatment. To identify the exact cause of alopecia, the doctor may inquire about the patient’s genetic history, hair care routine, and food habits. Besides that, they may also conduct a physical examination along with tests like a pull test, blood test, light microscopy, and scalp biopsy. Depending on the type of hair loss the patient suffers, the health professional will prescribe specific treatment plans comprising oral prescriptions and surgeries. Some of the most common treatments the doctor may prescribe are: Hair transplant The doctor recommends a hair transplant when the patient experiences a receding hairline due to female or male pattern baldness. This treatment option can reverse the hair loss condition permanently. Corticosteroids These are steroids made up of synthetic versions of hormones generated by the adrenal glands. The doctor prescribes these injections when the patient suffers from patchy alopecia areata. The doses are injected every four to eight weeks into the thinning region of the scalp.

Schizophrenia is not a very common mental illness but is a severe mental disorder. People suffering from this disorder are out of touch with reality, which affects their personal and societal relationships. They are generally delusional; they hallucinate and have a disordered behavioral pattern. This mental illness is incurable and stays for a lifetime. It is estimated that 1.5 million people suffer from the disease in the country. These are three ways to manage schizophrenia:   Choose the best treatment Thankfully, there are various treatment options for this illness. Even though it stays on for the entire course of one’s life, with the right treatment, one can live independently and enjoy a good quality of life. To get oneself treated, it is essential to be honest about the condition, thoughts, and feelings with the medical professional.    The right nutritional choices Nutrient-rich, balanced and healthy eating habits is a prerequisite to keeping schizophrenia and other mental illnesses at bay. If one is already suffering from this mental disorder, taking care of what they eat is even more imperative. Avoid red meat, saturated and trans fats, and simple carbohydrates.   Here’s a list of the foods to consume regularly:   Whole grains Whole grains have antioxidant properties. They stop the beta-amyloid proteins from accumulating in the body. Beta-amyloid proteins are majorly responsible for mental disorders and illnesses.   Flaxseed Omega-3 fatty acids are not naturally made by the body. But it is one of the essential nutrients required by the body. Several studies point out that Omega-3 fruitfully slows this disease’s progression and lessens the effect of symptoms.   Spinach People with this mental disorder should keep their folic acid levels high because it helps manage the symptoms of the disease. Spinach, also known as the king of leafy green veggies, has a high folate content and, therefore, is a must-have component of the nutritional regime.   Brazil nuts Various research has found that selenium is an essential mineral required by the body to activate different types of enzymes.

Breast cancer develops in the breast cells. It may affect either or both breasts and can begin in any part of the organ, such as the lobules, ducts, or nipples. The condition can spread to other body parts when the cancerous cells enter the bloodstream or lymph system. This article lists a few early warning signs of breast cancer individuals should look out for to ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. Beast itchiness Although itchiness of the breasts may not always imply breast cancer, persistent itching is one of the early signs of the disease. Some people may notice crust formation due to itching. In advanced stages, the itching may progress to the breast tissue, leading to the development of a lump. Lump on the breast Most breast lumps are benign and harmless; however, some may indicate cancer and must not be ignored. Breast lumps caused due to cancer are usually hard, painless, and uneven and differ in shape and texture from the surrounding skin. They are typically fixed to underlying tissue, like the chest wall. Changes in breast texture Another early sign of breast cancer is a marked change in the texture of the breasts. The affected breast may feel tender, warm, or hard to touch and swell up. Nipple inversion or retraction An inverted nipple (turning inward) or retracted nipple (lying flat against the breast) are potential signs of the disease. Such changes usually develop when cancer occurs in the skin around the nipple. Nipple retraction is particularly prominent when individuals raise their arms or lean forward. Dimpled appearance of the breasts Inflammatory breast cancer, a rare type of the condition, may cause the breasts to take on a dimpled appearance, with redness and inflammation occurring over the span of some days. One must undergo a breast examination in case of such signs and symptoms, as inflammatory breast cancer can spread rapidly.

There are many alternatives when it comes to managing diabetes. Certain lifestyle changes can help in alleviating the symptoms. Exercise is known to have a significant impact, and has been a constant solution to manage several health conditions. Exercise or even regular physical activity helps burn calories efficiently while significantly increasing one’s endurance and stamina. There are multiple physical activities one can try in order to manage diabetes. Some of these are listed below. Yoga Yoga includes meditative exercises that can calm one’s mind, soothe anxiety, and boost focus and concentration. People with diabetes spend most of their time worrying about their health condition, which can lead to increased stress levels. Therefore, doing yoga makes perfect sense. Additionally, the various exercises and stretches involved in yoga enhance a person’s balance, strength, and flexibility. Multiple studies have found a link between doing yoga and a marked decrease in one’s blood glucose levels. For elderly people who may find it difficult to do some of the more complex yoga exercises, the option of chair yoga is a useful avenue. Walking and running This is the most basic activity to combat diabetes and the likeliest to become a daily habit. Walking may be relatively low-impact in nature, but it is an ideal solution to improve one’s glucose, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels. Healthcare professionals recommend brisk walking, the practice of covering about 100 steps per minute, to achieve reduced blood glucose levels and better breathing over an extended period. People looking for greater intensity in their physical activity can increase the pace of their walking and, gradually, transition to running a good distance daily. As it is much more strenuous than walking, running regularly can show more positive effects on a person’s blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Dancing One can add dancing to their daily physical routine to change up their workout sessions.

Traveling by road to a destination requires a lot of planning to ensure the trip is worth it. It isn’t about simply getting to the destination but also about how convenient and comfortable the journey is. Here’s when purchasing a recreational vehicle (RV) equipped with accommodation facilities, such as a living room and cooking space, comes in handy. But since investing in an RV is a significant decision, here are eight purchasing mistakes to avoid. Buying the wrong size The common belief is that buying a bigger RV is always the best choice. But there’s a lot more to it. Before purchasing an RV, selecting an appropriate size to suit your needs is essential. Remember, larger spaces will require more upkeep and towing power and are usually challenging regarding maneuverability. One of the best ways to avoid buying the wrong size is by consulting with friends and family who have rented or used RVs and asking them to share their experiences. Consulting with an authorized dealer is another way to avoid buying an RV that does not suit your needs. Overlooking pre-owned models While the smell of a brand-new vehicle is something that most people love, there are better options than buying a new automobile. Buying a brand-new RV and driving it out of the lot loses its market value. On the flip side, a preowned RV might help you save a lot of money because they are usually available at a much lower price. Furthermore, several preexisting RV owners take good care of the vehicle, so you might even get one requiring fewer repairs and maintenance. Moreover, instead of buying a new or preowned RV, you could also look for companies that rent it out. This way, you do worry about storing the vehicle and only pay for the time you need it.

Most people love to start their day with a hot, refreshing cup of coffee. Coffee, as everyone knows, is a major source of caffeine in the lives of millions worldwide every day. While caffeine has its positives, one of which is helping people stay awake and refreshed for long hours, daily consumption can be problematic. Healthcare professionals generally discourage people from consuming excessive amounts of caffeine for a whole host of reasons. Anxiety Perhaps the most well-known benefit of caffeine is how it eases exhaustion. This is possible as caffeine inhibits the effectiveness of adenosine, a brain chemical that creates the sensation of exhaustion in individuals. Simultaneously, caffeine also causes the release of a hormone named adrenaline, which brings about increased energy and vigor in caffeine consumers. Unfortunately, when one consumes too much caffeine, these effects are magnified excessively and cause anxiety, rapid breathing, jitteriness, and stress. If an individual consumes caffeine despite developing anxiety, their condition can go from bad to worse. Frequent urges to urinate Consuming too much of any liquid can overwork the bladder and make one visit the restroom more often to urinate, and coffee is no different in that regard. However, caffeine contains chemicals that raise the risk of increased urination. It can stimulate the bladder excessively. In fact, this can cause one of the worst caffeine side effects in the long run: incontinence. Insomnia People mainly use caffeine to stay awake during work or study; however, as with the other side effects on this list, excessive caffeine intake can make it a tall task for people to get enough sleep in a day. Caffeine increases the amount of time one needs to fall asleep. Therefore, people with existing cases of insomnia need to avoid coffee or have as little of it as possible. Caffeine’s effects on a person’s sleep also take a long time to wear off.

Experiencing constant noise in the head, such as ringing in the ears, can be annoying. The noise is continuous or intermittent, pulsating, shrill, and varying in loudness. It can occur due to various causes, from exposure to loud noise to underlying health conditions. Also known as tinnitus, this ringing in the ears affects nearly 50 million people in the country. Here’s all you need to know about tinnitus: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and precautions. Causes of tinnitus Prolonged exposure to loud noises This is one of the most common causes of tinnitus. Nearly 90 percent of the people who experience tinnitus have hearing loss induced by noise. The repeated exposure to loud sounds can cause damage to the sound-sensitive cells of the inner ear. This damage can often be permanent. Pilots, carpenters, street-repair workers, landscapers, rock musicians, and others who have to work in a constantly noisy environment are generally at risk. Sometimes, tinnitus is also caused by a single exposure to a sudden, extremely loud noise. Blockages in the ear If there is any blockage in the ear canal, it can cause tinnitus. The blockage can be due to an ear infection or buildup of wax. Sometimes, the development of a benign tumor of the auditory nerve can also cause ringing in the ears. Natural aging process Tinnitus is quite common among seniors. Aging can cause a deterioration of several parts of the ear, including the cochlea. As a result, there can be hearing loss accompanied by continuous or intermittent ringing in the ears. Health conditions Certain health conditions related to the ear can also cause tinnitus. For example, Meniere’s disease affects the inner parts of the ear, and otosclerosis stiffens the small bones in the middle ear. Underlying health issues Some people experience tinnitus due to underlying health issues such as cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, anemia, circulatory problems, underactive thyroid gland, allergies, diabetes, and autoimmune disease.

Long-term exposure to daily-use cleaners, dishwashing soaps, air fresheners, and other aerosol products harms lung health, mainly because these products contain irritants and volatile organic compounds that cause allergies in the lungs. There is a potential risk of lung disease, asthma, MAC disease, and common chronic obstructive pulmonary disease developing due to long-term exposure. So, it’s crucial to check the label of the following household items before buying them and practice caution while using them. Air fresheners Room and air fresheners are not just used in homes but also in offices, malls, and many other public places, which means one can be continually exposed to the product in and outside their living space. While the purpose of air fresheners is to keep odor at bay, several ingredients in the air freshener can cause harm to health. Fresheners are known to have volatile organic compounds and release harmful gasses in the air that are eventually inhaled by people in the room, increasing their risk of developing respiratory issues. Some of the known chemicals in such products include formaldehyde, benzene, and phthalates which can cause issues like coughing, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing when inhaled. Here is a list of ingredients that one will usually find in air fresheners and a look at how they can potentially harm the lungs: Solvents: They contain chemicals like glycol and ethanol used for diluting the other ingredients in the air freshener can. When these chemicals are inhaled, they cause irritation in the lungs. Aldehydes: This is a compound that develops with the natural chemical process taking place inside the bottle as the ingredients keep mixing together over time. This compound, when inhaled, can also be responsible for causing not just irritation but also cancer. Propellants: The ingredient is responsible for creating the mist when an air freshener is sprayed.

No matter how sophisticated or modern your house is, a little TLC now and then is necessary to maintain the property and ensure all its occupants are safe. You can ideally schedule a thorough home inspection where professionals point out some of the more glaring problems to tackle. But, even without that, some obvious signs of damage in and around the house will likely indicate the urgent need for a full home renovation. Water damage Water damage is a major sign of trouble that you should not ignore. A leak will result in additional problems, including growing mold, rotten materials, and rust. Water damage is common along the sidewalls and the roof, where the materials are constantly exposed to the weather, and major issues like roof leaks can result in costly repairs. If you spot a small leak in any of these areas, call a handyperson to assess its severity. Often, spotting a problem early eliminates the need for expensive repairs. The floor space is compromised The foundation of the house tends to weaken over time due to the weight and pressure on it. If you notice some of your furniture looking out of place or angled, check the floorboard underneath for damage. Also, if there is a basement underneath, you must ensure that the boards don’t cave in by replacing these panels at the earliest. Delaying repairs only increases the pressure on the foundation. Plus, some homes in areas prone to flooding are built on elevated stilts, exposing the foundation boards to more damage. Ensure you schedule regular home safety inspections where an expert checks and certifies the living spaces safe for residential purposes. Old windows and doors Loose window joints or cracked frames are some of the most obvious signs of internal wood damage. As the wooden elements are exposed to the weather outside and temperature changes indoors, these changes force the wood to expand and contract multiple times.