5 natural ways to manage anxiety

Checking your phone right after waking up, before even brushing your teeth, is probably a normal part of your life. This habit is why smartphones are considered indispensable today, making it important to choose the right gadget and use it well. Doing some research can help you avoid making expensive mistakes and adopting harmful habits that increase your dependence on electronics. So, the next time you buy a smartphone, avoid the following errors:

Mistakes when buying a phone
Choosing form over function
Some smartphones are marketed as the best-looking phones you can find. Such claims can be deceiving, but they can entice you into buying a more expensive phone than you intended. Or you might settle for a smartphone that looks good but does not have the features you need. So, doing your research and checking the features and functionality of the smartphone model before purchasing it is ideal. You can always find a visually appealing phone that also has excellent features.

Choosing curved displays
Another captivating but often misleading feature is a curved display. While some find it attractive, brands can make it seem like smartphones with curved displays have better technology. This claim is only sometimes valid, and curved displays come with their pros and cons. Curved displays are more difficult to grip, and this, along with the flimsier panel, makes the phone likely to slip and get scratched. Accidentally touching the screen becomes more likely here due to the extended display, so if you enjoy gaming, avoid getting a smartphone with a curved display.

Consulting too many people
Family, friends, coworkers, and sales representatives, almost everyone has an opinion on which smartphone is the best and the plans you should buy. When you ask someone for advice, their opinions are likely clouded by their own experiences. You would be the person using your smartphone, so your preferences should guide your decision-making process. You are likely changing your smartphone for multiple reasons, so consider what you like and do not, what you use it for, and why you want a change. Answering all these questions could lead you to the most suitable smartphone for you and avoid letting too many people confuse you. 

Falling for fancy vocabulary
No one understands absolutely everything about technology. Sometimes a technology we believe could be exciting might be ordinary and unnecessary. A phone with vapor cooling chambers is one such example; the feature is a good idea for only a few smartphones. Another misleading factor is the megapixel count. The quality of images captured by the phone camera depends on aspects like the size of the aperture and computational photography algorithms than just the number of megapixels. Similarly, you must have come across the term “peak brightness” of over 1500 nits. It refers to the ability of a small number of pixels that can shine for a short duration. But most modern smartphones, on average, max out at 800 nits. 

Habits to avoid
Using your phone in bed
After the stimulation of the whole day, using the phone in bed can make it harder for your brain to produce melatonin—the sleep hormone that helps you relax. While it can be tempting to lay in bed and scroll through your social media feed, putting your smartphone away at least an hour before bed can help you wind down. This can also reduce eye strain, headaches, and blurred vision, which excessive screentime can trigger. 

Relying on phones to remember key details
Your smartphone, by definition, is brilliant, but it is important not to make yourself completely dependent on the gadget. So, you should use the phone camera for pictures and note apps to remind you about work tasks. But using your phone to prompt family members’ phone numbers, birthdays of loved ones, and even names of coworkers can be a sign of digital amnesia—forgetting information that you expect a gadget to store. This can affect the normal functioning of memory and interfere with your productivity if you cannot access the phone for a while. 

Constantly checking your phone
Texts, alerts, and social media updates constantly grab your attention. Thanks to unlimited phone plans, you are connected to the world throughout the day. However, frequent notifications chip away at your focus. Social media use is directly related to lowering the attention span and tends to erode your attentiveness. Social media can be an excellent outlet, but it can make you feel restless, left out, or envious in the long run. Instead of deleting your account or an app, set aside a few smartphone-free hours every day. Let your family and friends know when you might not be on your phone, and ensure you can still get notifications in emergencies. 

Not cleaning the screen
You probably take a shower every day. If you wear glasses, you might wipe them often. Your home also gets cleaned often. But do you remember when you last cleaned your phone screen? You put it on your face, touch it with your hands, and stow it in a bag or pocket with all sorts of things. This makes your phone the ideal breeding ground for bacteria. The best way to fix this is to use a soft, lint-free fabric and a liquid solution to wipe your smartphone regularly. 

Not choosing the right plans
A good phone can achieve excellence through a perfect phone plan. You can expect a fast connection and unlimited data with a good plan. US Cellular offers some of the best wireless unlimited phone plans with unlimited talk, call, and data, 50GB priority data, full HD streaming, unlimited LTE Data, and 30GB Hotspot access for just $44.99 per connection. US Cellular offers two other plans as part of the Promotional Unlimited—Basic and Everyday—at lower prices and with fewer features. You can also check out US Cellular’s three Unlimited Evolved plans, where the more lines you add, the more you save. So, consider opting for reliable wireless unlimited phone plans to get the most out of your smartphone. 

Eczema is a common skin condition in the country. You may find the symptoms challenging to manage and alleviate without proper knowledge. The common symptoms include thick, scaly patches of raised bumps in the affected area. Understanding eczema triggers may help you handle it better. Therefore, consulting a dermatologist regarding your queries may prove beneficial. So, let’s read further about what exactly eczema is and how it can be managed by resorting to natural home remedies.

What is Eczema?
Eczema is a skin condition causing red, itchy, and long-lasting skin rash. Red patches can appear anywhere on the body during an eczema flare-up, including the feet, hands, ankles, thighs, cheeks, forehead, and neck. As anyone with a skin disease like eczema will attest, the condition is irritating, painful, and itchy. However, if you follow a healthy lifestyle, unpleasant symptoms may typically improve with time.

What eczema looks like on different skin tones
Eczema symptoms may appear different on different skin tones. For example, lighter skin tones may typically experience inflamed, red, and spotted dark pink patches, termed hyperpigmentation.
On the other hand, darker skin tones may experience violet, dark brown, or ashy grey patches. As the skin heals from eczema, it may become lighter, a condition known as hypopigmentation.

Which body parts does eczema affect?
Did you know that the eczema-affected areas of the body may be different at different ages?
Typical locations of eczema in infants and young children include:

• The face
• The exterior portion of the elbows
• Knees

Symptoms in older children and adults are visible in the following locations:

• Fingers and toes
• Arms
• The back of the knees
• Elbow folds

Even though you notice eczema symptoms as an adult, you may have had it since you were an infant or young child. This is because most symptoms emerge during the initial years of childhood. However, it rarely happens that eczema symptoms appear for the first time in adults.

Six easy tips for easing eczema:

Improve your meal plans
Gut health affects your immune system and can deteriorate after consistently consuming excessive carbohydrates, sugar, and processed foods. However, a clear relationship exists between skin diseases like eczema and gut health.
You must note the times you encounter eczema flare-ups and examine the meals you consumed before the outbreak. This will help determine if specific foods trigger skin diseases and conditions like eczema.
Therefore, increase your consumption of anti-inflammatory foods to improve gut health and prevent eczema flare-ups. These foods can include turmeric, cinnamon, leafy green vegetables, seafood, beans, and lentils.

Make simple lifestyle adjustments
Taking a quick cool or warm bath rather than a hot one can significantly reduce eczema flare-ups. For example, a hot bath leads to dry, itchy skin and aggravates skin diseases like eczema.
While washing garments, opt for natural and fragrance-free detergents. These are gentle on the skin and have a soothing effect. This is true for not just clothes but also napkins, sheets, and other accessories like gloves and scarves. Opt for natural cotton clothes instead of synthetic fibers.
Lastly, check your shampoo and soap for harsh substances, like sulfates and parabens, that may worsen the burning, itching, and redness.

Avoid activities leading to heavy perspiration
Do your workouts cause you to itch? People with skin diseases like eczema often feel an itch when they sweat, whether exercising or sleeping under heavy sheets, due to overheating. The body uses sweat as a natural cooling mechanism, but when it evaporates, the remaining dryness and salty residue can make eczema worse. So, if you are experiencing an eczema flare-up, substitute heavy workouts with low-impact exercises or yoga.

Use natural ointments
Herbal ointments can naturally moisturize your skin and alleviate symptoms of skin diseases like eczema. Ointments like comfrey, plantain, and calendula salves benefit people with eczema and related skin diseases since they act as natural moisturizers.
These ointments can be applied once or twice daily on dry skin, during the onset of an outbreak, and to treat active outbreaks. Also, consider applying 2% licorice gel as an eczema remedy.
Lastly, sunflower seed oil has highly beneficial effects on itchy skin, reducing rashes, removing blisters, and enhancing the immune system and skin barrier function.

Control the urge to scratch
Scratching is an instinctual response to an itchy rash for most people. However, people with eczema and related skin conditions should avoid scratching. A technique known as habit reversal may help here. In this technique, you determine when you are most prone to indulge in a habit (in this case, scratching) and distract yourself at those times. If, when watching TV, you find yourself scratching, try engaging your hands with a stress ball, a fidget spinner, or a coloring book.
You may also apply a cold compress or ice, as it will soothe the skin and prevent the itch. Maintaining a moisturizing regimen after washing and before bed is essential to keep the skin hydrated and supple.

Use an apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an effective home cure for many skin diseases, including eczema. However, vinegar can injure soft tissue; therefore, it should be applied to the skin with caution. It is essential to know that vinegar is highly acidic, and so is the skin.
Skin with skin diseases and conditions like eczema is less acidic when compared to normal skin. This weakens the skin’s defenses. Hence, you can dilute apple cider vinegar to neutralize the skin’s acidity.

Wrapping up
Skin conditions like eczema may affect both kids and adults. However, these simple tips may help manage it effectively. Modifying your daily routine and introducing healthy lifestyle changes help alleviate eczema and related skin diseases. Ultimately, maintaining healthy and hydrated skin may easily control eczema symptoms.

Thyroid cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the country. It can occur at any age and affects both men and women. While it is a relatively rare cancer, it is essential to be aware of its signs and symptoms so that it can be diagnosed and treated early. This article will cover the causes, signs, diagnosis, risk factors, treatment options, prevention, and support resources for those dealing with thyroid cancer.

Introduction to thyroid cancer
Thyroid cancer is a kind of cancer that originates in the thyroid gland, a small, butterfly-shaped organ located at the bottom of the neck. The thyroid is a unit of the endocrine system, which produces hormones that regulate several critical bodily functions. In thyroid cancer, abnormal cells in the thyroid rapidly divide and form a tumor.

There are other types of thyroid cancer, including papillary, follicular, medullary, and anaplastic. The most common type is papillary thyroid cancer, which makes up about 80 percent of all thyroid cancers. Follicular thyroid cancer is the other most common type, making up about 10 percent of cases.

Causes of thyroid cancer
There are several risk factors may increase a person’s chances of developing the disease. These include a family history of thyroid cancer, exposure to radiation, specific genetic syndromes, and a food regime high in iodine.

A family history of thyroid cancer increases a person’s risk for the disease. If a person has a parent, sibling, or close relative with thyroid cancer, their risk of developing the disease is higher.

Radiation exposure is also a risk factor for thyroid cancer. People who, in the past, have had radiation therapy to the neck or chest may be at an increased risk, as well as those who have lived in areas with high environmental radiation levels.

Specific genetic syndromes can also increase the risk of thyroid cancer. These include familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), an inherited condition that increases the risk of various cancers, multiple endocrine neoplasias (MEN) syndromes, and genetic disorders that can cause various endocrine tumors.

Finally, regularly eating foods high in iodine can also increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Iodine helps the thyroid produce hormones, and too much can lead to an overproduction of hormones, which can cause tumors to form.

Symptoms of thyroid cancer
The most prevalent symptom of thyroid cancer is a lump or nodule in the neck. These lumps are usually painless and can be felt through the skin. Other symptoms of thyroid cancer include difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, a persistent cough, and voice changes.

In some cases, there may be not be any symptoms at all. This is why knowing the risk factors and getting regular check-ups to screen for the disease is essential.

Diagnosis of thyroid cancer
If a person has symptoms that suggest they may have thyroid cancer, they will usually undergo a physical examination, imaging tests, and a biopsy.

During a physical examination, the doctor will feel for lumps or nodules in the neck. They may also order imaging tests such as an ultrasound or CT scan to get a better look at the thyroid and surrounding tissues. The doctor will usually recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis if a lump or nodule is found. A tissue sample is taken from the thyroid during a biopsy and sent to a lab for testing. This is the only way to diagnose thyroid cancer definitively.

Risk factors for thyroid cancer
As mentioned above, there are several risk factors for thyroid cancer. These include a family history of thyroid cancer, exposure to radiation, specific genetic syndromes, and a food regime high in iodine.

Other risk factors include being female and having a weak immune system. Women have more chances to develop thyroid cancer than men, and those with a weakened immune systems are more likely to develop the disease.

Treatment options for thyroid cancer
The treatment of thyroid cancer depends on the type and stage of the disease. Surgery is recommended as the first line of treatment, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

Surgery is used to remove the cancerous cells from the thyroid gland. Depending on the type of cancer, the entire thyroid may need to be removed or just part of it. Radiation therapy kills any cancerous cells that may remain after surgery. It can also reduce the size of tumors and relieve symptoms.
Chemotherapy kills cancer cells that may have spread to other body parts. It is usually used in combination with other treatments.

Prevention and early detection of thyroid cancer
The best way to prevent thyroid cancer is to know about the risk factors and get regular check-ups to screen for the disease. Those with a genetic history of thyroid cancer should be vigilant and screened regularly.

In addition, limiting exposure to radiation and avoiding iodine-rich foods can help reduce the risk of developing thyroid cancer.

If you experience thyroid cancer symptoms, it is crucial to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Early detection is critical for successful treatment.

Coping with thyroid cancer
Diagnosing and treating thyroid cancer can be a complex process. It is normal to feel overwhelmed and scared. It is very vital to remember that you are not alone, and many resources are available to help you cope.

Speaking to a trusted friend or family member can be a relieving way to express your feelings and get support. You can also join a support group or talk to a mental health professional.

Support resources for thyroid cancer
There are many support resources available for those diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The American Cancer Society (ACS) offers a variety of resources and support groups for those dealing with the disease.

The Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association (ThyCa) is another excellent resource. They offer information, support, and guidance to those with thyroid cancer.

Thyroid cancer is a relatively rare but severe type of cancer. It is very crucial to know about the signs and symptoms and get regular check-ups to screen for the disease. If you are diagnosed with the condition, it is advisable to check out potential support therapies to help deal with the psychological and emotional aspects of the disease.

A dry eye is a condition wherein the tear glands in the eyes do not produce enough tears to keep the eyes wet and comfortable. It is one of the most common eye conditions and can be extremely uncomfortable, with symptoms like stinging, burning, and red eyes. This article lists 9 home remedies to help manage dry eyes and keep them moist and wet. However, it is always best to consult a doctor before trying these home remedies.

Washing lashes
Inflammation is another symptom that needs to be managed for dry eyes, and another trick to know is to wash those crusty eyelashes. Keeping the surrounding skin and hair near the eyes clean ensures the inflammation does not worsen. One can use mild and gentle soap to wash the eyes lids and even the base of the eyelashes.

Eye massage
Gently massaging the areas around the eyes can provide numerous benefits. This simple act can help relieve tension, increase blood circulation, and promote muscle relaxation. Even though not touching the eye, stimulating the surrounding areas can help improve eye sensation and boost tear production. It’s important to ensure that the eye massage is always gentle and not painful. Unless one has experience with massage or acupuncture, it’s best to seek advice from a professional before trying it out.

Using warm compresses
The eyes need a mix of three things to stay moist, and these include water, oil, and mucus. These are produced by the oil glands along the edge of the eyelids. However, there are times when these oil glands can get clogged due to flaky eyelids and inflammation in the eye due to dry eyes, so warm compresses are a remedy that helps with this. Here’s what one can do – wet a clean washcloth with some warm water, wring out the excess water, and then place this warm cloth on the eyelids. Gently press on the eyelids while it is placed there for a minute or so. This can help unclog the oil glands. The heat from the warm cloth is enough to loosen up the clogged oils and provide instant relief. But one may need to continue this remedy on a daily basis to help the eyes feel comfortable.

Eating fish rich in omega-3
According to research, eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids can help keep the skin hydrated. Not only that, but it also helps the oil-making glands in the body with healthy fats to keep functioning properly. This is essential for dry eyes as the oil glands often get clogged or do not produce enough moisture. Fish like salmon, tuna, trout, sardines, and mackerel all have good omega-3 fatty acids that help keep the oil glands healthy.

Apart from fish, other food sources rich in omega-3s include canola oil, soybean oil, walnuts, and flaxseeds.

Drinking enough water
Staying hydrated is another tip to help one deal with dry eye symptoms. Drinking enough water throughout the day, not just when thirsty, ensures that one’s whole body is hydrated, including the eyes, and the irritation may be a little less. Also, focus on including hydrating foods in one’s meals, like cucumbers, watermelons, etc. Some days one can also hydrate by incorporating a lot of soups in one’s meals and juices made out of healthy and hydrating vegetables.

Using humidifier
Keeping a humidifier in the room or all the rooms in the house is an easy trick to ensure the air has some moisture and does not irritate dry eyes. If one does not have a humidifier, keeping a bucket or a pan of water near the radiator or the heater also has the same effect. One can also use an air cleaner as it can help clean the dust particles inside the house, and there will be fewer irritants in the environment to flare up the dry eyes symptoms.

Blinking often
Blinking is a reflex that comes naturally to most people, but for those who struggle with dry eyes, blinking more often can help. People who use screens regularly for their work should also think about doing daily eye exercises to keep their eyes healthy. To promote good eye health, individuals can follow the 20/20 rule, which suggests taking a break from the screen every 20 minutes and resting their eyes by closing them for 20 seconds. This may seem like a small step, but it adds a lot of value and relaxation when practiced regularly. It ensures that the eyes are not overwhelmed by looking at the screen constantly, and we often don’t take breaks for hours. Also, positioning the screen slightly below eye level can prevent the eyes from opening too wide, which can cause dryness and discomfort due to excessive moisture evaporation.

Using wraparound sunglasses
When leaving the house, it’s common to wear sunglasses. However, investing in a pair of wraparound sunglasses can be even more beneficial. These sunglasses not only protect one’s eyes from bright light but also shield them from harmful air pollutants that can cause dryness. Additionally, they can be used indoors while using appliances like hair dryers or sitting in front of air conditioners or fans, which can also be irritating to the eyes. Overall, wraparound sunglasses are a worthwhile investment for anyone who wants to protect their eyes and maintain their comfort in any environment.

Sleeping well
Getting enough sleep is crucial for preventing dry eye symptoms from getting worse. Since dry eye is an immune disorder, sleep plays a vital role in maintaining overall health. It’s important to be well-rested to ensure optimal bodily function.

There are also many eye drop prescriptions available that can be bought easily to help with dry eyes. These drops are available for purchase, but it’s important to consult a doctor before using them. They can provide information on the differences between various brands and recommend which one would work best for an individual. Additionally, some ointments can ease dry eye irritation and inflammation, but it’s important to get a health professional’s perspective to choose the right product.

Hyperkalemia is characterized by increased potassium levels in a person’s bloodstream. For optimal health, maintaining adequate potassium levels is essential. Managing hyperkalemia by following a nutritious meal plan can help with this. As hyperkalemia can be deadly, it must be treated immediately after being diagnosed to prevent its symptoms. Below is a list of some of the nutritious foods that have helped lower potassium levels and some potassium-rich foods to avoid for managing hyperkalemia.

Hyperkalemia
Potassium is an essential nutrient, but excess potassium in the body can lead to conditions like hyperkalemia. It can cause serious heart problems, so it is crucial to be familiar with all the details of the conditions. Hyperkalemia symptoms are typically mild and non-specific and thus easy to miss. Muscle weakness, tingling, nausea, and numbness are the usual symptoms of the condition. When the potassium levels are high, one may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, and heart palpitations. Since sudden hyperkalemia can be life-threatening, it is better to seek immediate medical care if the symptoms arise.

Causes of hyperkalemia
One of the most prevalent reasons for hyperkalemia is kidney disease. The kidneys are tasked with the job of balancing electrolytes, including potassium. The kidney can compensate for high amounts of kalium when its functioning is only moderately impaired. But in the late stages of kidney disease, the kidney may lose this ability. Some drugs may interact with kidney functioning in such a way that it leads to inadequate removal of potassium. Another common cause is eating too many potassium-rich foods like cantaloupe, orange juice, bananas, honeydew melon, or other supplements. Less common causes of hyperkalemia include uncontrolled diabetes, Addison’s disease, and severe injuries or burn that cause the body to release extra potassium. 

The nutritional regime for hyperkalemia
Since one of the most common reasons for hyperkalemia is the excess consumption of potassium, the best way to control it is by following a balanced meal plan. Even when triggered by other reasons like kidney disease or diabetes, modifying the meal plan is the best way to manage this health condition. Bear in mind that it is not possible to have a meal plan free of potassium, and neither is it healthy. A lot of nutritious foods contain potassium. Hence completely eliminating potassium from one’s regular meal plan may cause constipation and deficiency of several other essential nutrients. However, temporarily adopting a low-potassium meal plan is ideal. The following tips can help a person follow this:

Avoid foods with the high potassium content
It is best to avoid canned vegetables since they contain more salts than necessary and hence may increase potassium content in the blood. Fresh fruits like bananas, grapes, kiwis, mangoes, apricots, and dry fruits like plums, papaya, and raisins have high potassium content. Also, avoid spinach, butternut squash, potato, sweet potatoes, avocado, beetroot, eggplant, cereals with bran, and nuts like pistachios. It is important to control the intake of milk, yogurt, nuts, fish, and chicken. Fruit juices tend to contain artificial salt that is rich in potassium. So try not to drink more than 150 ml of fruit juice a day. 

Reducing potassium from food
If one regularly consumes the foods mentioned above, eliminating these entirely may not be possible. So, one must try to reduce the amount of potassium intake. First and foremost, learning about foods and their nutritional values is important. It is helpful to be aware of the potassium content in foods. A person suffering from hyperkalemia should consume only 2,000 milligrams of potassium a day (as opposed to 2,600 to 3,400 milligrams recommended for a healthy adult). Potassium content from canned foods can be reduced by draining the water. In fresh vegetables, leaching is ideal. This process involves soaking vegetables in water and cooking them in 10x more water than vegetables. Wash the leached vegetables in cold water. Avoid large servings of tomato in all its forms (soup, sauce, puree, juice, etc.). Also, avoid foods like licorice, strong coffee, and chocolate.

Foods to manage hyperkalemia
Apart from steering clear of some foods, including foods low in potassium in one’s meal plan is important. Consider lean meats, shrimp, or eggs for proteins. Cauliflower, alfalfa sprouts, asparagus, green beans, broccoli, cabbage, cucumber, white mushroom, zucchini, and carrots are ideal vegetables for people with hyperkalemia. Turn to high-fiber grains instead of those with bran. Blackberry, blueberry, cranberry, peach, grapefruit, apple and apple sauce, cherry, strawberry, tangerine, and pears are fruits that are low in kalium. 

Treatment for hyperkalemia
More often than not, a low-potassium meal plan is an ideal solution for hyperkalemia. But there are other alternative treatments. One’s healthcare provider will also likely modify the prescriptions apart from giving a person a meal plan with low-potassium foods. They might also ask a person to take specific pharmaceutical preparations to help the body eliminate extra potassium efficiently. These could be diuretics that make the kidney produce more urine, through which potassium is typically expelled from the body. Doctors may recommend certain prescription treatments for hyperkalemia. However, the same is not used for children and is usually more commonly prescribed when the potassium build-up is severe. 

Consult with the healthcare provider
One must always make modifications to the meal plan with the help of a nutritionist or a general practitioner. Firstly, if hyperkalemia is comorbid with other conditions, it is important to understand which foods will impact one’s health adversely. It is also possible that food is not a cause of this condition. If the reason is an underlying condition like diabetes, the meal plan must be low in potassium and carbohydrates. But if the cause is kidney disease, one must limit sodium, calcium, and phosphorus. Doctors are better equipped to create a meal plan that will suit a person. But remember, it is important to consult with a doctor before making any changes to the meal plan or if the symptoms aggravate further.