Firstly, what are proteins?
Proteins are extremely essential for the human body. It helps in repairing and building tissues, acts as enzymes, helps in maintaining and boosting the immune system, and keeps you healthy and strong. Proteins are a type of macromolecule. Macromolecules are carbohydrates, lipids, DNA, RNA, and nucleic acids. Basically, macromolecules are large molecules in the body of an organism that has specialized functions, and protein is one such macromolecule.
Benefits of Proteins
Incorporating healthy protein foods in your diet is extremely beneficial. Here’s a list of those benefits:
– Proteins help in improving muscle mass
– Eating enough protein ensures that your muscle mass is well maintained. Proteins take care of your tendons, ligaments and other tissues in your body. It is very important to consume proteins after an exercise session, as proteins provide the necessary strength and helps in repairing any damaged muscle or tissue.
– Proteins help keep your weight in check
– Proteins make you full and provide the adequate nutrients for your body. By consuming a healthy amount of proteins, your body experiences a feeling of satiety, thereby stopping you from overeating.
– Proteins help regulate and stabilize blood sugar levels
– Proteins help in slowing down the absorption of sugar during meals. A diet that is high in proteins can prevent a sudden spike in blood sugar levels.
– Proteins help with brain function, concentration, and learning
– Your brain needs proteins. Having healthy proteins will ensure that your brain gets the protein it needs. In order to make enzymes, hormones, and neurotransmitters, your brain needs proteins. Proteins also contain amino acids. Amino acids help with your focus and other cognitive processes.
– Proteins help with maintaining strong bones
– A protein-rich diet can help prevent any form of bone weakness, heal broken bones and fractures, and is extremely beneficial for people suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis.
Foods That Are Rich In Proteins
The recommended daily intake of proteins for women is about 46 grams and about 56 grams for men. Here’s a list of healthy protein foods that you should include in your diet:
– Chicken breast
– Milk
– Broccoli
– Egg
– Almond
– Lean beef
– Fish
– Shrimp
– Oats
– Cottage cheese
– Greek yogurt
– Sprouts
– Peanuts
– Tuna
– Quinoa
– Whey protein supplements
– Lentils
– Wheat bread
– Pumpkin seeds
– Cheese
– Pork chops
– Turkey breast
– Halibut
– Sardines
– Beans
– Lentils
– Green peas
– Wheat germ
While it is extremely beneficial to consume protein on a daily basis, you need to keep in mind that too much protein can be bad for you too. Excessive protein consumption can result in the following:
– Your kidneys might get affected negatively
– Too much protein can make you feel bloated, constipated, and cause other gastrointestinal issues
– Excessive protein consumption can lead to weight gain
– Dehydration
– Too much protein can cause an abnormal increase in liver enzymes
– Risk of having heart diseases and complication increases
So when you consume your proteins, make sure to keep all the above factors in mind to lead a healthier and happier life.
Chronic migraine is a condition where the affected person experiences at least 15 headache days a month. It is observed that at least 8 out of these 15 days are migraine headaches with severe symptoms, and this pattern of discomfort remains consistent for 3 months. Initially, it may not be a frequently occurring episode, however, with time, the episodes may get regular with chronic headaches. If left untreated, this condition can affect a person’s life.
Causes
Several factors determine the onset of this kind of migraine. One of them includes a steady increase in the frequency of episodic headaches. Over-the-counter treatment options that are used to treat frequent headaches stop affecting over time, leading to side effects that develop into chronic headaches. Some other factors that can put an individual at a high risk of developing this condition include mood disorders like anxiety or depression, snoring, excessive caffeine intake, ongoing disturbed sleep patterns, and a history of stressful life events causing emotional or physical trauma. An unhealthy lifestyle leading to an increase in the body mass index (BMI) can also be a causal factor.
Symptoms
There is no difference between symptoms of chronic migraines and episodic migraines. However, the only thing to notice is the increased frequency of episodic headaches in a month. Some typical symptoms of this illness can be observed for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Transitioning symptoms (episodic to chronic migraines)
Diagnosis
A health professional will take a look at the affected person’s health history. If needed, the doctor may ask questions that help understand the migraine patterns. The questions include how and when the migraines begin, how long they last, are there any notable physical factors or triggers that worsen the condition, and where the location of the pain is.
The professional may also ask for a detailed history of other health conditions like anxiety, depression, lifestyle choices that may trigger these headaches, any treatment options used, and possible side effects that could be factored into the diagnosis. Based on the results, appropriate treatment methods will be advised and implemented.
Treatment options
Most of the treatment methods focus on managing the symptoms, the migraine attacks, and reducing the episodes and pain.
One of the treatment therapies includes focusing on lifestyle changes.
Some other treatment options for managing migraine attacks include:
Other techniques include:
Also, maintain a headache diary and note down the possible triggers and the number of migraine attacks in a month. If there’s a notable increase in the attacks, consult a doctor at the earliest. Knowing the triggers can help the doctor chalk out an effective treatment plan.
Preventive treatments and methods
Apart from treatment options that help manage the symptoms, there are preventive treatment methods that reduce the episodes of these headaches to a certain extent. These include using beta blockers and other therapies. One such treatment method also includes using an Allergan product named BOTOX®, which doctors recommend for those 18 years and older. The intravenous treatment method is administered around the neck or the head, where the migraine pain usually affects the person. This ten-minute procedure is not painful and can prevent headaches for three months. The procedure takes place in a doctor’s clinic under close supervision.
Chronic migraine can be painful and disrupt everyday life activities, so choosing the right treatment plan is crucial. Get all the information from a licensed health professional and seek the best possible treatment plan according to a detailed diagnosis.
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in the cells that produce melanin. The pigment melanin is responsible for giving the skin its color. Advanced melanoma can form inside one’s nose, throat, or digestive tract. Studies show that the risk of melanoma increases in people under 40, especially women. Knowing the early signs of the disease is crucial since melanoma can be treated successfully if detected early.
Stages
There are five stages of melanoma. The cancer cells of Stage 0 melanoma are restricted to the epidermis, the top layer of skin. The epidermis and dermis, the deeper layer of the skin, both contain cancer cells in Stage I melanoma. Stage II melanoma is marked by tumor thickness and ulceration, while Stage III is marked by melanoma deposits in the skin and cancer spreading to nearby lymph nodes. The advanced stage of melanoma, also called metastatic skin cancer, shows the further spread of cancer to distant areas of the body.
Causes of advanced melanoma
The exact cause of melanoma is unknown, although exposure to harsh ultraviolet (UV) radiation, tanning beds, or lamps has been shown to increase one’s risk of getting the disease. One can develop skin disease anywhere in one’s body. Those with a family history of the disease or exposure to radiation or vinyl chloride are also vulnerable to metastatic melanoma.
Signs of advanced melanoma
An early sign of melanoma is the development of an unusual mole. Normal moles are minor and uniform in size and color. But melanoma moles have irregular shapes or borders and can be larger than 6 millimeters. If a mole grows in size, color, and shape and causes itchiness, it’s best to get it checked. Advanced melanoma may lead to chronic fatigue, swollen lymph nodes or liver, loss of appetite, jaundice, skin itchiness, headaches, and even seizures. Depending on where the metastatic melanoma has spread, one may experience chest pain, breathing issues, aching bones, paralysis, sleepiness, and swelling in one’s legs or abdomen.
Melanoma treatment options
The American Cancer Society reports that the five-year survival rate for patients with melanoma that has spread to surrounding lymph nodes is 66%. Surgery is a common way to treat it. Targeted therapy is another method to eliminate the tumor and its metastases selectively. Alternatively, immunotherapy aids a person’s immune system in recognizing and shrinking cancer cells. Other treatments for metastatic skin cancer include chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Conclusion
Opdulag is a standard treatment for advanced melanoma skin cancer. The therapy, given by intravenous (IV) infusions, works with one’s immune system and is used to fight cancer that has spread or cannot be surgically removed. If one experiences any early signs of melanoma skin cancer, it’s recommended to consult a doctor immediately.