11 early warning signs of age-related macular degeneration

11 early warning signs of age-related macular degeneration
The eyes help one perceive different stimuli. Therefore, promptly diagnosing eye-related conditions is essential to ensure eye health. Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a progressive eye condition involving damage to the macula or a part of the retina situated at the back of the eye. Individuals aged 50 and above are particularly susceptible to this condition. This article discusses a few early warning signs of AMD that one shouldn’t ignore. Early warning signs of age-related macular degeneration In general, age-related macular degeneration is classified as dry and wet. Dry AMD involves gradual thinning of the retina caused by age and is characterized by symptoms like blurred vision and progressive vision loss. Wet AMD, considered a more serious condition than dry AMD, results from irregular growth of blood vessels in the retina, causing accumulation of fluid in the back of the eye. Dry AMD may gradually progress to wet AMD with time, particularly if left untreated. Some early warning signs of AMD are as follows: 1. Blurred vision Since AMD involves blood or fluid leakage from blood vessels into the macula, individuals with this disease may experience blurry vision. 2. Wavy appearance of straight lines Age-related macular degeneration significantly affects one’s central vision, which is indispensable in facilitating the recognition of shapes, lines, colors, etc.

7 popular plants that are dangerous for cats

7 popular plants that are dangerous for cats
Many people decorate their homes with indoor plants. But if you are a cat parent, your plant obsession can inadvertently harm your feline friend. Most plants are safe for cats to play and prod, but a few are dangerous. Eating or coming into contact with them can lead to unexpected consequences, mainly because of their poisonous compounds. Below we have listed seven such toxic plants that you must keep out of your cat’s reach: Azaleas A part of the rhododendron family, Azaleas are one of the most beautiful houseplants that can transform your living space. However, the slightest nibbles out of their leaves can cause serious heart problems in your cat. It can sometimes aggravate into a coma and even be fatal. Milder side effects of rhododendron ingestion include vomiting, weakness, diarrhea, drooling, and a lack of apatite. Hydrangeas Hydrangeas are common in flower arrangements in home gardens. Although the plant is toxic to cats because of its chemical content, it is not as dangerous. Only ingesting a large amount of the plant can cause damage. Nevertheless, they pose a threat, so avoid having them around your pets. If you grow hydrangeas in your garden, ensure your cat never wanders near it and keeps a safe distance.

8 factors to consider before choosing a new garden fence

8 factors to consider before choosing a new garden fence
Many individuals decide to install a garden fence for reasons including privacy and security purposes, such as protecting flowers and crops from animals and complementing the style of their yard. And there is a wide variety of styles that one could choose from across various in-store and online retailers. However, the purchasing process isn’t as simple as it looks. Here are seven key things to consider when choosing a new fence for the garden. Security When selecting a fence for the garden, it is important to determine whether it is needed for security purposes. This could include keeping animals out of the backyard. In this case, one should research the types of animals that may enter the garden in their area and protect the space accordingly. For example, the individual might require a rabbit guard for smaller rodents or a welded-wire fence for larger animals. One may also need to look for fences that can turn the garden into a safe and secure environment for kids and domesticated pets like dogs to play. Privacy Apart from security, it is equally important for one to focus on the privacy of their garden space. If the garden is in the front yard or next to a neighbor’s garden, putting up a fence might come in handy.

7 Common Hotel Booking Mistakes to Avoid

7 Common Hotel Booking Mistakes to Avoid
One of the most important considerations to make while creating travel plans is picking the right hotel for your stay. Cramped hotel rooms, undesirable locations, and bad views are some of the factors that could make your trip miserable. Even if booking a room is an easy process, there are still many factors to consider. Some of the common mistakes that might ruin a person’s travel experience are listed below. Non-refundable hotel reservations Hotels with non-refundable options are frequently less expensive than those with refundable costs. While it may appear that you are saving enough money for the vacation by considering a low-cost hotel room, the hotelier benefits because it ensures the room won’t be vacant. Nobody will want the trip they have been planning to get delayed, canceled, or in any other way interfered with. But one cannot deny the possibility of last-minute cancellations of travel plans due to any issue. Therefore, carefully understand the hotel’s cancellation policy while booking a reservation. It is advised to book refundable stays in anticipation of the worst. Many of the hotels in Vegas offer refundable bookings, so if you plan to stay in Nevada, you can consider those hotels. Not using a credit card While bank transfers and debit cards are acceptable options, credit cards may offer multiple advantages when making travel arrangements.

Foods That are High in Potassium

Foods That are High in Potassium
Potassium is the third most abundantly found mineral in the human body. It is an essential microelement needed to maintain normal fluid levels inside the cells. It plays an important role in the function of the heart, nerves, kidneys, and muscles. Additionally, potassium helps regulate muscle contractions and send nerve signals. Low and high potassium levels can adversely affect an individual’s overall health. As the body does not produce potassium, it can be obtained from foods. Health benefits and recommended intake Potassium has several health benefits, and these include: It is required for managing blood pressure and maintaining good cardiovascular health. It helps in maintaining bone density and muscle mass. It improves kidney function as it prevents the formation of kidney stones. The recommended dietary intake (RDI) of potassium is 3500 mg/day to 4700 mg/day for healthy adults. Potassium-containing foods to include in regular meals Avocados A whole Avocado without its seed and skin can provide you with 16% of the daily RDI of potassium. It contains around 690 mg of the mineral. Avocados are also rich in vitamin K, folate, and healthy fats. They are good for people who have high blood pressure as they are low in sodium.

Foods to be avoided by diabetes patients

Foods to be avoided by diabetes patients
Food gets broken down into glucose by the body to release energy for its functioning. Most meal plans combine fats, proteins, sugars, and other essential carbohydrates vital for healthy growth and organ function. However, people with diabetes should be careful about seemingly healthy foods as it can trigger a spike in their blood glucose levels. Here are different foods that are bad for diabetes and should not be eaten regularly: Various foods that are bad for diabetes patients Fruit juices and other drinks Sugar consumption via beverages can spike insulin levels drastically. Did you know that lots of seemingly healthy store-bought fruit smoothies, sports drinks, bottled juices, and sodas can spike blood sugar levels too? Also, natural fruit juices are not necessarily a healthy option as they are high in fructose. Aside from this, cola, iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored beverages are excessively high in carbs, sugar, and fructose. Their regular consumption can trigger insulin resistance, forcing healthy cells to reject insulin and extract glucose for energy. Another crucial thing to remember is to avoid any type of spirit if you have diabetes. These contain empty calories and can worsen the condition significantly. Cereals, yogurt, and dried fruits Daily breakfast cereals are fortified with essential vitamins and nutrients that make up for a wholesome meal.

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3 tips for diabetes management

3 tips for diabetes management

High blood sugar or hyperglycemia is associated with prediabetes and diabetes. The body generates insulin to manage blood sugar levels. But when the liver produces excessive glucose, and the body makes little insulin or fails to use insulin, it leads to high blood sugar levels. The condition can leave one tired and thirsty, cause blurry vision, and result in the frequent urge to pee. Read on to know some treatment plans for diabetes management: Treatment options for diabetes management Invokana® It is an excellent treatment plan that works in tandem with the proper meal plans and exercise to lower high blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes. Invokana ® also reduces the risk of death from stroke or heart attack. Plus, it helps decrease the risk of end-stage kidney disease and worsening of kidney function. GlucoTrust GlucoTrust promises to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, reduce one’s craving for sugar and unhealthy foods, and support deep sleep. It also claims to have a formula of all-natural ingredients. However, it is strongly advisable to consult your doctor before opting for supplements like GlucoTrust since it may not bring the desired results in all cases. Kerendia® It is an FDA-approved prescription treatment that aids in lowering the risk of complications in people with Type 2 diabetes.
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4 tips for dealing with asthma

4 tips for dealing with asthma

Asthma is a respiratory condition wherein the airways in the lungs swell up, become narrow, and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. People affected can experience breathlessness, coughing, and wheezing. The disease could be a minor issue for some, while others may have to deal with serious long-term symptoms. Although there is no permanent cure for asthma, here are treatment options, foods to have and avoid, and alternative therapies to manage the symptoms: Treatment options Doctors can recommend the right course of treatment based on the severity of asthma symptoms. Here are a few popular options: Tezepelumab: It is a popular treatment option, approved by the FDA as a supplementary maintenance remedy for pediatric patients over 12 and adults with asthma. Tezepelumab is an injectable option and the first and only biologic to significantly and consistently reduce severe asthma symptoms in clinical trials. Fasenra: This is a monoclonal antibody that works on the immune system activity in the body. Fasenra helps control the elevated eosinophil count responsible for severe asthma symptoms. This injection is suitable for children over 12 and adults and can be used with other treatment plans to keep flare-ups in check. Nucala: This is a monoclonal antibody that also reduces the eosinophils in the body.
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