Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive nervous system disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide. The first signs of the disease typically include unintended or uncontrollable movements, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. The exact cause of Parkinson’s isn’t known yet, but low levels of dopamine in the brain may be responsible for its development. Here are some treatment options, meal plans, and lifestyle changes that can help manage Parkinson’s disease: Explore treatment options Doctors typically explore several treatment methods to manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms. These include: Carbidopa-levodopa This combination treatment is one of the most effective remedies for Parkinson’s disease. It can help combat common symptoms such as shakiness, stiffness, and difficulty in moving. While levodopa helps replace the missing dopamine, carbidopa helps prevent levodopa’s side effects—nausea and vomiting. Another function of carbidopa is to prevent levodopa from getting converted into dopamine too early, so more of it can enter the brain. This combination treatment is sold under the brand name Rytary®, among others. Rytary® is an extended-release treatment that reduces the amount of “off” time each day in people with Parkinson’s while improving the performance of motor functions. Some common side effects include nausea, dizziness, headache, and insomnia.

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become weak and brittle with age. Daily activities like bending or coughing can cause minor fractures in the wrist, hip, or spine. The symptoms appear as soon as bones become weak, followed by a noticeable stooped posture, back pain, or even loss of height over time. Here are some healthy meal tips, treatment options, and lifestyle changes that can help manage this condition. Treatment options  Prolia This treatment option is for postmenopausal women who experience physical problems due to weak bones, are at high risk of fracture, and cannot use other osteoporosis treatment methods. Prolia uses targeted therapy that blocks the bone-removing cells from causing any damage to the bone. However, be mindful of taking this treatment if you have low blood calcium, are pregnant, or planning to conceive in the near future. There are certain side effects of this treatment, so consult a health professional and get a detailed report on related steps. Evenity Evenity, a sclerostin inhibitor, helps prevent bone damage by targeting a protein that enables its repair. This treatment option is used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at a high risk of bone fracture. Like Prolia, this treatment option is not viable if one has low calcium levels in the blood.

Can what we eat help prevent serious illnesses like cancer? The link between disease and foods has been extensively studied. For instance, the research findings of the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research have indicated that food choices greatly affect one’s health and well-being. The results also suggest that certain plant-based foods can help lower one’s cancer risk. So, here are some of the best foods to have: Garlic This pungent food item’s benefits outweigh the inconvenience (i.e., bad breath). Its odor is brought on by its sulfur compounds, which are also responsible for stopping the development of cancer-causing substances in the body. Additionally, garlic can help speed up DNA repair and kill cancer cells. Garlic also battles bacteria, especially the kind of bacteria associated with stomach cancer (H. Pylori bacteria). Studies have also indicated that garlic can reduce the risk of pancreatic, colon, esophageal, and breast cancer. To get the most out of garlic, peel and chop the garlic cloves and let them sit for 20–30 minutes before cooking them. This enables the activation of enzymes and the release of sulfur compounds. Adults should have one clove of garlic per day for better health.

Arthritis is a group of bone-related disorders that include gout, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PA), and osteoarthritis. A person with arthritis is susceptible to inflammation, which triggers pain and other associated symptoms. The underlying cause is inflammation which eventually affects the tissues around the joints, leading to chronic conditions like heart diseases and diabetes and worsening the arthritis symptoms. Here are eight foods and beverages to avoid with arthritis:  Salt The sodium content in salt is required for the body to perform innumerable functions. However, over intake of salt calls for a lot of trouble. Several researchers point out that one mostly uses way too much salt than is required. Excess salt intake is associated with greater inflammation levels which can also trigger pain and other symptoms related to arthritis. Make sure you look for foods with no added salt. Use spices or herbs to garnish food.  Omega-6 fatty acids These polyunsaturated fatty acids, when used in excess, cause inflammation. Some common sources of omega-6 fats include sunflower oil, canola oil, nuts, and meat. Opting for olive oil would be a smarter choice as it contains primarily monounsaturated fat. Sweetened beverages Sweetened drinks like fruit juices, soda, and other sweetened drinks contain a high amount of sugar.

Nearly thirty percent of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis later in life. While the former targets the skin, the latter causes the immune system to affect the joints. Both are autoimmune disorders. Psoriatic arthritis causes joint pain, swelling, and inflammation, which can often be debilitating. There is no definitive cure for psoriatic arthritis. However, here are some treatment options, meal plans, and lifestyle tips that can help manage the symptoms: Clinical treatment options While psoriatic arthritis can be managed by making changes in nutrition and home remedies, it is crucial to be aware of clinical options too. This is because natural remedies may not provide immediate relief from worsening symptoms as compared to the clinical treatment options. Otezla® Inflammation is one of the significant and most problematic symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, which can make performing daily tasks difficult. This oral treatment option can help manage symptoms like joint swelling, tenderness, and pain. One of the advantages of using Otezla® is that it does not require initial or routine blood tests. Rinvoq® It is yet another treatment option used for managing various types of arthritis, including psoriatic arthritis. It helps effectively manage symptoms like pain, swelling, and stiffness associated with psoriatic arthritis and also protects from irreversible joint damage.

Rheumatoid arthritis is quite a painful inflammatory condition, generally classified by the presence of stiffness, soreness, and pain in the hands, wrists, and feet. With the help of treatments, one can alleviate physical stress, reduce inflammation, and keep complications under control. Today, we’ll be discussing the various prescription options, foods that patients should include and avoid on a regular basis, and some management tips that can prove effective for relief: Treatment options These prescriptions are known to provide quick action against rheumatoid arthritis symptoms: ACTEMRA® This treatment for rheumatoid arthritis contains tocilizumab and is effective for patients with moderate to severe symptoms. The mode of action is based on the blockage of the IL-6 compound that causes inflammation in the body. Actemra® injections can be used as a weekly treatment. On the other hand, the IV infusion is used once every month or as prescribed by the doctor. Planquenil® Planquenil® is a prescription option used for addressing inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis. The primary component is hydrocholoquine, which is sometimes even on its own for certain conditions. Common side effects of Planquenil® include headache, vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite. Foods to eat and avoid Here are some foods to include in a rheumatoid arthritis meal plan: