A sleep disorder presents difficult struggles in the lives of those who suffer from it. It affects their ability to sleep well and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, sleeping disorders are becoming increasingly common in the United States, owing to various reasons. Research has shown that around 70% of Americans between the ages of 20 and 59 face sleeping complications on a regular basis. Sleeping problems are attributed to a wide range of causes, such as stress, hectic lifestyles, health problems, and more. Some people may not realize they have insomnia or sleep apnea until the symptoms start interfering with their daily lives; the regularity of sleeping problems may indicate a sleeping disorder, but there are certain telltale symptoms as well as foods to avoid to get a good sleep: 1. Symptoms of a sleep disorder Depending on the type of sleep disorder, people may experience agitation, mood swings, difficulty in retaining a proper sleep cycle etc. The lack of sleep aspect itself can have a tremendous negative impact on their concentration levels, ability to think clearly and process things. In some cases, lack of sleep may result from a medical condition and only last temporarily. Such sleep problems are likely to go away once the underlying condition is addressed and properly treated.

Maintaining enough energy throughout the day is important for everyone, but more so for those with chronic health conditions, such as fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is a disorder defined by widespread musculoskeletal pain that is followed with fatigue, memory, and mood issues. It is a condition that is difficult to diagnose due to the similarity in symptoms to other health conditions and once diagnosed it can prove even harder to treat. According to the National Institute of Health, nearly 5 million Americans, mostly women, suffer from fibromyalgia. To help make healthful snack choices, we recommend adding the following fibro-friendly snacks to your daily diet: 1. Eat for energy It is very common for fibromyalgia patients to have low energy days since a prevalent side effect of the disease is fatigue. Instead of reaching for another cup of coffee or eating sweets, hoping for a rush of energy, patients should consider consuming certain foods that are known to increase energy. The temporary energy boost that you get from sugar can leave you feeling even more tired once the sugar crash begins. Instead, opt for foods that give you continuous stamina, like combining protein or fats with complex carbohydrates to slow down their absorption in the body.

Osteoarthritis is one of the main forms of arthritis. It can cause a great deal of discomfort and make everyday activities more difficult. Some of the main symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain and aching in the joints, especially at the end of the day, joint stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Many people with osteoarthritis also hear clicking and cracking in the joint when it moves and has swelling around the joint. Fortunately, there are some foods you can eat to naturally improve the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Here are some of the top foods that can ease your symptoms and reduce your pain: 1. Fatty fish Fatty fish is full of omega 3 fatty acids that are known to help relieve joint pain. Omega 3 fatty acids give your body the nutrients that it needs and can help reduce inflammation and swelling all over the body. When people with osteoarthritis eat fatty fish they are taking in large amounts of these fatty acids, which is essential for reducing swelling and improving your overall joint mobility. 2. Garlic Garlic is another great food to eat if you suffer from osteoarthritis because it includes diallyl disulfide, which is known to have anti-inflammatory effects.

The saying “curiosity killed the cat” exists for many reasons, one of which is pet toxicity. Cats and dogs are curious animals and possess a keener sense of smell than humans. They follow their nose to investigate the source of whatever new smells intrigue them (i.e., Bully stick treats to the foods you and your family are eating). Dogs discriminate less when licking and snacking, so toxicity occurs more often in dogs. The following foods are considered harmful for pets: 1. Onions and garlic Onions, chives, garlic, and all other members of the allium family in any form, damage red blood cells in cats and dogs, causing anemia. These foods also create gastrointestinal problems for a pet. Many soups, seasonings, and broths contain garlic or onions. Pet owners need to read labels carefully before feeding human food to their cats and dogs. 2. Raw eggs, raw meat and bones Raw meat and raw eggs may contain E coli or Salmonella. E coli and Salmonella are as dangerous to cats and dogs as they are to humans. Cooking the meat destroys the toxic bacteria. Parasites such as tapeworms could be living in the raw meat. Raw egg whites contain avidin. Avidin blocks vitamin B from being digested by an animal’s intestinal system, decreasing the animal’s ability to digest protein.

Lung and heart conditions can result in breathing difficulties when triggered by certain foods. Some of the common conditions include asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, pulmonary hypertension, coronary artery disease, and arrhythmias. Some symptoms of asthma and COPD include chest tightness, and wheezing, which need urgent medical care. Eating a healthy diet does not cure these conditions, but avoiding foods that trigger breathing issues may help the body fight infections such as chest infections, as well as minimize symptoms: 1. Milk Consuming milk does not cause conditions such as asthma. However, it triggers asthma-like symptoms, especially if you are allergic to dairy products. Milk can worsen these symptoms. Dairy products such as milk are thought to make the body produce more mucus. Individuals who have asthma can end up getting more mucus in the lungs resulting in shortness of breath 2. Cabbage Since vegetables are known to be important for our health, most people make an effort to add them to their diet. Unfortunately, cruciferous vegetables like cabbages have a lot of fiber. The fiber can be harmful to people who have COPD to bloat and make them have indigestion issues. Bloating then results in breathing difficulties in patients who consume cabbages.