It has become the norm to keep ornamental at home, especially since they beautify the space tremendously. But, if you are a pet parent, you must exercise caution in picking the potted plants you want. While some plants can cause vomiting or dysentery, a few can cause respiratory, digestive, neurological, or cardiac problems, leading to death. If you have become a pet parent recently, here are six plants toxic to dogs to note: 6 plants that dog parents must take note of Sago palm Sago palm is a very popular ornamental plant for indoor and outdoor spaces. It is known by many names like coontie palms or cardboard palms and is part of the Cycads group of plants. It contains multiple toxins, including cycasin and BMAA. Every part of the sago palm is toxic for your dogs, and the seeds can be the most dangerous. If a dog ingests even a small amount of any part of a sago palm plant, it can affect its nervous system, liver, or gastrointestinal system. You may see symptoms within 15 minutes or many hours. The most common reaction is gastrointestinal irritation, with initial symptoms like drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. It can also lead to serious complications like neurological problems, resulting in weakness, seizures, and tremors.

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.

Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects the plasma cells responsible for overall immunity. The mutation triggers an abnormal multiplication of these cells and releases antibodies that affect bone health and compromise bone marrow function. Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer with no cure as yet. However, as given below, changes in daily nutrition and lifestyle can supplement the suggested prescriptions and treatments to improve quality of life: Treatments suggested for various stages of multiple myeloma Orthopedic surgeons, radiation oncologists, oncologists, and bone marrow transplant specialists are the doctors qualified to treat the various stages of multiple myeloma. Approved prescriptions A combination of chemotherapy, corticosteroids, immunomodulating agents, proteasome inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and nuclear export inhibitors are used for treating and managing multiple myeloma. These are various classes of prescriptions suggested based on the severity of the symptoms and stage of myeloma. Each prescription targets and manages a specific symptom to help lower discomforts caused by progressive cancer. Radiation therapy Radiation is one of the commonly suggested treatments to manage the symptoms of multiple myeloma. It is usually the next step for patients who are not responding well to chemotherapy. High-energy rays are focused directly to destroy as many cancer cells as possible to prevent the spread from the localized region.

Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes painful and swollen joints. It is also categorized by the presence of signs like soreness and stiffness of the joints. Feet, hands, wrists, and knees are some of the most commonly affected areas of the body. Treatment options often aim to reduce the inflammation and pain caused by the condition. It has been found that natural remedies, and healthy eating habits, show greater results. Treatment options: TREMFYA® Tremfya® belongs to the class of compounds known as monoclonal antibodies. Its mode of action is based on blocking a compound called interleukin-23. The body naturally produces interleukin-23 and is blocked by guselkumab present in TREMFYA®. It is essential in the prevention of frequent inflammation and the reduction of swelling. These are two of the most common symptoms seen in arthritis patients. It is administered as an injection, preferably by a trained professional. Some common side effects of TREMFYA® include gastroenteritis, skin infections, headaches, and more. ACTEMRA® Actemra® is a rheumatoid arthritis treatment option that contains tocilizumab as its primary ingredient. It is generally prescribed to patients with moderate to severe arthritic symptoms. Actemra® works by blocking the IL-6 compounds responsible for the body’s inflammatory response to triggers.

Bronchitis is an illness brought on by inflamed bronchial tubes—the airways to your lungs. These tubes become swollen, making it harder for air to pass through and causing breathing issues, throat pain, and cough. Along with the doctor’s prescribed treatment, one can make certain lifestyle changes to deal with the condition, such as limiting and avoiding food items that could hurt the health of the lungs. Some foods one should avoid are: 1. Red Meat Red meat is difficult to digest, and when one is affected by respiratory conditions such as asthma or bronchitis, digestion is already slower than usual. So, it could take up to 3–4 times longer to digest this heavy food item. A slow digestive system could result in inflammation and obstruction in the respiratory system, which can cause pain in the throat, persistent cough, and breathing issues. Additionally, a 2017 study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition discovered that the consumption of processed and red meats is connected with inflammatory indicators in both men and women. 2. Excessive salt In people with lung disease, excess sodium induces fluid retention, which can result in breathlessness. Even though table salt is the most popular source of sodium, the majority of our daily sodium intake comes from the food we eat.

Potassium is an integral mineral that keeps your nervous and cardiovascular systems functioning. However, excess of it can result in conditions such as hyperkalemia. If your potassium levels are high, you might need to review your food intake to manage this condition effectively. High potassium levels in the body over a prolonged period can lead to serious health complications. Here is a list of food items to be avoided if you are diagnosed with hyperkalemia. Dried apricots Dried apricots are very high in potassium and must be avoided at all costs. Half a cup of dried apricot contains 755.3 milligrams of potassium. There are other dried fruits too which are rich in this mineral and should also be avoided. Half a cup of prunes has about 700 milligrams of this element, whereas the same quantity of raisins has 618 milligrams of potassium. Beans and lentils Food items such as beans may seem like a good option for energy and minerals but they can likely be harmful for consumption to a person diagnosed with hyperkalemia. For example, just a handful of canned kidney beans might contain about 607 milligrams of potassium and, thus, should be avoided. However, you can reduce the effects of potassium in beans by soaking uncooked beans overnight and rinsing them thoroughly before cooking.

Achieving a youthful glow is a dream for most of us. Even though you might be using the best anti-aging creams, a few small mistakes in your skincare routine could be sabotaging the whole process, leading to premature wrinkles and fine lines. Shocking, right? The key to attaining that smoother, firmer-looking skin is to pay attention to the details. Here are 5 skincare mistakes that you need to stop doing now! 5 skincare mistakes that cause premature aging Stepping out without sunscreen The most overlooked anti-aging skincare procedure is applying sunscreen before you step out of the house. The damage caused by the harsh UV rays of the sun and free radicals is the primary reason for premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and even for every other severe skin disease. So, always slather sunscreen with SPF 30 or above, and reapply it every two hours or more, especially if you engage in swimming and other outdoor activities. In addition, use a hat whenever you step out of the house because it can offer an extra layer of protection against the scorching heat and UV rays. Sleeping with makeup on Sleeping with makeup is a very bad habit as it not only clogs your pores and results in acne breakouts and skin irritation but also expedites the aging process.

Multiple sclerosis is a prevalent health condition that affects the central nervous system. It occurs when the immune system destroys the protective covering of the nerve. Health researchers do not know what exactly causes this to happen, but it is often attributed to immune, genetic, and environmental factors. Nutrition also plays an important role. Some foods are said to trigger or worsen the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and lead to complications. Sugar Too much sugar can lead to lifestyle disorders like diabetes. It can also cause kidney damage, a rapid heartbeat, vision problems, and other issues. Further, high amounts of sugar may contribute to nerve damage, which is already common in those with multiple sclerosis. Therefore, patients must closely watch their sugar intake and reduce its use in meals to prevent complications. Sometimes, extra sugar can lead to frequent ups and downs in blood sugar levels, increasing fatigue. A few sweet items to avoid are chocolates, candy, cookies, and sweetened beverages. It may take some time to put an end to the craving for these foods, but one must make a conscious effort. Saturated fats Foods with saturated fats like beef, pork, palm oil, and full-fat dairy can severely impact neurological health over the years.

The National MS Society describes multiple sclerosis (MS) as an immune-mediated condition in which the body’s immune response targets the central nervous system (CNS). Most of us know that eating some meals can help us stay healthier, while eating others can harm our well-being. The food one eats may matter considerably more if one has multiple sclerosis. The following is a list of things that one may wish to cut out of their daily meals. Dairy products In addition to saturated fat, dairy products also include proteins that could be harmful to some MS patients. It is important to ensure that one is receiving enough calcium, protein, and vitamin D from other nutritional sources if trying to avoid dairy products to see if it improves MS symptoms. Compared to dairy milk, soy, almond, and cashew milk contain more calcium, making them suitable substitutes, particularly if one suspects they may be lactose intolerant. Sugar Simple sugars should be avoided since they can cause a blood sugar imbalance. According to research, MS patients who frequently consume sugar-sweetened foods and beverages experience more severe symptoms and a higher level of disability than MS patients who rarely eat or drink anything with added sugar.

Schizophrenia is a progressive mental illness that often first manifests in adolescence. Its defining characteristics include a wide range of severe psychiatric symptoms, such as hallucinations, delusions, accompanying jumbled ideas, social withdrawal, and paranoia. What one eats affects their mental health, even though hereditary and environmental variables are known to play an undeniable role. Taking precautions to avoid these food items to deal with this mental condition is always worthwhile. Carbohydrate-rich foods Schizophrenia patients have shown some success with symptom relief from a ketogenic meal plan, i.e., low carbs, moderate proteins, and high fats. The “carb flu,” on the other hand, is a regular occurrence for those making the switch to a low-carb meal – symptoms worsen before they improve. Artificial sweeteners Using artificial sweeteners instead of sugar in desserts is not the solution one thinks it is. Artificial sweetener use has been associated with mental health issues, albeit the precise cause remains unknown. Artificial sweeteners have little nutritional value and increase sugar intake rather than decrease it, which might lead to overuse. Therefore, resisting the need to eat sugar without artificial sweeteners may be more advantageous. The natural sugar in fruits might satisfy one’s cravings, but one should only do that occasionally.