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4 cancer symptoms that can worsen due to excessive sugar

4 cancer symptoms that can worsen due to excessive sugar

Our food habits influence our overall health and well-being. While an excess of anything is harmful, sugar is among the worst ingredients to overeat. Consistently devouring sweets in large amounts can lead to high blood glucose, which can, in turn, lead to other health complications. For instance, it can affect the body’s cells and tissues, increasing the risk of cancer in vulnerable groups. Here are some early warning signs of cancer due to excessive sugar.

Fatigue
Cancer reduces the production of red blood cells (RBCs) in the body, causing anemia. Anemia is a condition in which vital organs like the brain and lungs do not get enough oxygen and nutrients to function efficiently. As the organs find it hard to work, patients experience perpetual fatigue. They feel tired even after doing basic tasks, such as walking a few steps or climbing a flight of stairs.

When people enjoy too many sugary treats at once, their blood sugar spikes significantly. When that happens, they immediately experience a boost in energy levels and feel euphoric. However, this effect does not last long. As their blood glucose levels normalize, they feel tired and sleepy. This is how high blood sugar can worsen fatigue in people with cancer. Hence, patients should resist their sweet cravings as far as possible to control their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Headaches
Cancer is known to trigger other health conditions, some of which can cause ear-splitting headaches. For example, patients may develop anemia and dehydration (caused by frequent diarrhea and vomiting). These conditions tend to cause pressure and inflammation in different body parts. When the brain is affected by inflammation, one may experience headaches.

Both high and low blood sugar can worsen headaches in individuals with cancer and migraine. This happens because unsteady blood glucose levels affect the brain’s functionality. Therefore, if one already has cancer or migraine, consuming sugar in moderation or eliminating it from meals is advisable.

Vision problems
Cancer is inextricably linked with vision problems. The condition tends to disrupt circulation to various body parts, due to which the eyes and brain do not receive the blood and nutrients they need to function correctly.

High blood sugar can worsen cancer-induced vision problems by causing diabetic retinopathy and permanent vision impairment. These conditions occur when the eye’s blood vessels become swollen and damaged due to excess glucose. These damaged blood vessels slow down the blood flow to the eyes and brain, causing blurry vision too.

Bowel issues
Cancer affects the digestive system, causing symptoms like stomach pain, gas, and loose bowels. If a person with cancer eats too many sweets, they may experience these symptoms worsening. This is because sugar takes time to digest. When one overeats sugary foods, it puts pressure on the digestive system, resulting in gas and bowel issues. People who enjoy sugar-heavy meals regularly and have cancer will likely have a bad tummy and diarrhea more often. Avoiding sweet foods and eating nutritious meals can ease digestive discomforts.

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Understanding arthritis – A common joint condition

The joints are constantly working while we move our limbs, so, understandably, people may develop certain joint conditions that cause pain and compromise mobility, especially with age. One of the common joint conditions is arthritis, which leads to joint inflammation and mild to severe pain. While there are several types of arthritis, the two most common types are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Stages Rheumatoid arthritis has four stages: Stage 1: At this stage, inflammation occurs inside the joints, and swelling, stiffness, and joint pain are the common symptoms. Stage 2: The inflammation of the joint lining, synovium, aggravates at this stage and results in cartilage damage. The affected joints’ range of motion is also compromised, causing pain and discomfort. Stage 3: At this stage, the severity of the joint condition increases, and it leads to bone damage. This results in more pain, loss of mobility, and weakness of muscles. The bones rubbing against each other can cause bone deformity as well. Stage 4: This is the final stage where the joints stop functioning completely. It leads to more pain, stiffness, and swelling, and the bones may even fuse, which is known as ankylosis. Osteoarthritis also has four stages of progression: Stage 1: Wear and tear may affect the knee joints, and minor spur growths on the affected bone can also be seen, but the condition does not cause too much pain at this stage. Stage 2: The bone spur growths increase and cause pain, and the knee joints become stiffer. Stage 3: This stage is characterized by joint inflammation leading to increased pain and stiffness. Walking can also cause popping sounds in the joints. Stage 4: The space between the bones in the joints becomes very narrow, causing the cartilage to wear down. Also, a chronic inflammatory response caused by the breakdown of cartilage aggravates discomfort and pain. Diagnosis of arthritis These joint conditions can be diagnosed using several tests. A physical examination reveals whether a patient has red, warm, and tender joints, and this test also helps examine the fluid around the joints. A rheumatologist can analyze the level of inflammation in the joints to determine the type of arthritis an individual is affected with. Also, blood tests are undertaken to check for antibodies like anti-CCP, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibody. In addition, X-ray, CT scans, and MRI are also performed to check the condition of the cartilage and bones. Prevention of arthritis A family history of joint conditions like arthritis or aging can increase one’s risk of developing arthritis, but making certain lifestyle changes can also help lower the chances of developing the condition. To start with, one should include more foods with omega-3 fatty acids in their diet as these healthy fats are anti-inflammatory. One should also exercise regularly, keep their weight under check, reduce stress on their joints, and try to avoid injuries. Also, if one notices any symptoms of arthritis, they should consult a doctor immediately as early diagnosis goes a long way in managing the condition effectively through timely treatment.

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6 signs of joint pain due to excessive sugar consumption

Regularly eating sugar-rich foods can cause many health complications, including joint and bone pain. This unhealthy effect of sugar occurs when you eat sugary foods, such as donuts, ice cream, and desserts, and due to the regular consumption of processed foods with hidden sugar. Joint pain typically occurs gradually and can progress if one continues to have sugar-rich foods. Thus, here are a few poor signs of joint pain due to excessive sugar. Excessive swelling When you eat a lot of sugary foods over a long period, your body’s metabolism is affected. The metabolic disorder increases the level of inflammatory mediators in your body and also increases the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the tissues. These cytokines are substances released by the immune system. The high level of inflammation due to these factors affects the joints, leading to swelling and pain. Stiffness of joints Since the high sugar intake causes inflammation in the body, the joints are also inflamed. As a result, the affected joints have reduced mobility. A lack of movement in these joints over time leads to stiffness, exacerbating joint pain. Reduced range of motion Another notable poor sign of joint pain due to excessive sugar is a reduced range of motion. The decreased range of motion and restricted movement occurs due to stiffness and inflammation in the joints. Thus, you may find it difficult to do certain activities, such as bending, stretching, and so on. Increased tenderness in joints When you eat foods containing processed sugars, inflammatory substances are released in the body. This processed sugar is mostly present in pre-packaged meals, packaged snacks, sugary beverages, baked goods, and certain desserts. The inflammatory substances released can irritate the tissues around the joints, resulting in sensitivity or tenderness. So the areas around the joint feel tender to the touch and may also feel warmer than the surrounding areas. Aggravated pain after physical activities Excessive sugar consumption can aggravate joint pain, and pain intensity increases when doing physical activities. For example, you may feel that your joints hurt more while doing certain exercises involving the affected joints. Sometimes, lifting a heavy object may also intensify the pain due to sugar-induced inflammation. Constant fatigue Experiencing joint pain due to sugar overload also causes a reduction in your energy levels. The constant pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion may always make you feel exhausted. Whether you have an active or sedentary lifestyle, the fatigue is persistent. Sometimes, the fatigue doesn’t go away even after resting for a while. How to avoid poor signs of joint pain due to excessive sugar Lowering sugar intake is one way to avoid the effects of joint pain. However, it is not possible to completely eliminate sugar from meals since certain things that you eat contain natural sugars. But you can take a few steps, such as eating healthier and following regular exercise routines to ensure your joint health gets better and not worse with time.

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Chronic fatigue syndrome is a condition that causes extreme tiredness and fatigue that does not go away even after resting. The causes of the condition are yet to be known. However, there are some theories indicate several factors which include: Viral infection Stress Or several factors in unison Once the symptoms are identified and the condition is diagnosed, treatment can be taken to get relief from symptoms. Understanding all aspects of the condition, including its stages, diagnosis, symptoms, and prevention can help in managing it effectively. Different stages and phases of chronic fatigue syndrome The patients of chronic fatigue syndrome undergo four phases of the condition. Their response towards the treatment can also vary greatly depending on the phase that they are going through. These phases are: Phase I: Crisis or trauma Phase II: Stabilization Phase III: Resolution Phase IV: Integration During all the phases, a chronic fatigue syndrome patient undergoes some physical, psychological, and social changes that are easily noticeable. Diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome No one test can diagnose a patient with chronic fatigue syndrome. This is because the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome resemble several other health conditions. Therefore, a lot of patience is required for the diagnosis of the condition.
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What you should know about depression

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Important things you should know about diabetes

The pancreas is an important organ in our body that produces insulin. It is required to help the glucose pass to our cells from the blood. That is how energy is created, which is the fuel we require to function. When the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, the glucose level in one’s blood increases. This can result in diabetes, which can lead to organ damage. Types of diabetes There are mainly three kinds of this disease. Type 1 diabetes It can be most commonly seen in children and adolescents. Having said that, it can occur at any age. The insulin production of one’s body decreases with this condition, and they require daily injections to control their glucose levels. Type 2 diabetes Around 90% of people who have diabetes suffer from this type. It is most commonly seen in adults and results in one’s body failing to properly use the insulin that is produced. It can be kept under control by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but one may also require medicine in the advanced stages. Gestational diabetes This can be seen during pregnancy if the glucose level in one’s blood increases. It can affect both the child and the mother.
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