Autism is a condition associated with the development of the brain. This condition often exists in a spectrum, implying a range of symptoms and severity of autism. Depending on where a child is in the autism spectrum, it changes how they socialize with others and perceive everything around them. This may cause hindrances in communication and social interactions. To understand this condition better, here are a few causes and early signs of autism in children. Causes of autism The exact causes of autism are not yet known. However, based on ongoing research, experts have concluded that certain genetic or chromosomal conditions can potentially affect infant brain development. In addition, several risk factors increase the probability of autism, such as: A child has the possibility of having autism if a close family member, such as a parent or a sibling is on the spectrum. A child has a 10 percent chance of being autistic if they have another genetic syndrome such as Fragile X or Down syndrome. Some research suggests that children may have autism if parents have conceived them at an advanced age. Certain prescriptions before pregnancy may increase the likelihood of autism in infants. The above risk factors do not necessarily mean a child will have autism.

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third most prevalent cancer in the country. The American Cancer Society reports that about 1 in 25 women and 1 in 23 men may develop colon cancer during their lifetime. It starts in the large intestines and colon, with some instances beginning in the rectum. These organs are part of the digestive system. Read on to learn more about colon cancer, including its symptoms, causes, stages, and treatment. Signs and symptoms of colon cancer Issues with bowel movement Changes in bowel movements can be a sign of colon cancer. Watery stools caused by diarrhea, sudden changes in stool consistency, constipation, or hard, dry stool with fluid leakage are potential indications. Although these symptoms may indicate digestive system problems, it is crucial to seek medical attention if they persist for an extended period. A doctor may recommend undergoing tests to detect cancerous cells in the colon. Bleeding from the rectal area Another common sign of colon cancer is rectal bleeding. The bleeding may occur in the digestive tract. As a result, the stool may appear maroon, crimson red, dark brown, or even tar-like black. But in some cases, the bleeding is not very clear.

To maintain good health, it is important to create a healthy sleep and wake-up schedule. Poor sleep can negatively impact hormonal balance, exercise performance, and even brain function. While many factors can interfere with the quality of your sleep — from responsibilities and stress to illnesses — there are several things you can do before bed for a good night’s sleep. Here are nine secrets and tips to help you sleep better at night. Reduce your blue light exposure in the evening The body has a natural circadian rhythm or a time-keeping clock, which governs the best time to sleep and wake up. Working according to this clock can help improve your productivity and energy levels during the day, as well as sleep quality and duration during the night. Exposure to bright lights in the evening or night can upset this rhythm and affect melatonin levels in the body. Blue light is emitted by several electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and TVs. While avoiding them entirely during the evening may be difficult, the following tips may help: Wear glasses that block blue light Download an app on your phone or laptop that can block blue light Stop watching TV and turn off any bright lights at least two hours before bed Don’t drink any liquids before bed Drinking water or any liquids before bed is likely to increase your chances of waking up in the night to pass urine, thus disturbing your sleep.

Prostate cancer is a condition in which healthy cells in the gland start growing uncontrollably, subsequently forming a tumor. Cancerous tumors may grow and spread to other parts of the body. So, it is important to seek treatment at the earliest. But, as such unusual developments might be associated with other health conditions, one may often overlook the possibility of cancer. So, here are eight signs to help identify the onset of prostate cancer: Pain in the prostate One may experience pain in their prostate due to bacterial infections, bladder stones, prostate stones, UTIs, and even following surgery. But the sudden onset of pain in this gland without any known conditions contributing to it could be a sign of prostate cancer, so it should be examined by a doctor. The pain might indicate the development of cancerous cells. One may notice it more when they sit down. Issues with ejaculation One of the most common symptoms of conditions associated with the prostate is ejaculation issues. While it could be triggered by other complications, one should seek a proper diagnosis. Difficulty ejaculating could also be an indicator of prostate cancer that may require undergoing various treatments and therapies. A few symptoms one may experience include painful ejaculation, reduced volume of ejaculation, and hematospermia (blood in the semen).

Seizures are commonly sudden bursts of electrical energy in the brain. In most cases, these may be uncontrollable, causing the patients to change movements, levels of consciousness, and emotions. Hence it’s essential to look out for the condition’s symptoms and seek treatment. Further, one can change their food habits to manage the condition better. Keep reading to learn about the common symptoms and a few nutrient-rich foods that may help manage seizures. Symptoms Today, there are various types of seizures, and their symptoms can vary depending on their type – Partial or primary generalized seizures. While some patients can have mild symptoms, for others, they can turn out to be severe enough to affect daily activities. Therefore, here are some of the common symptoms of a seizure to keep an eye out for. Emotional changes – Fear, anxiety, or deja vu Uncontrollable jerking movements in both arms and legs Muscle stiffness Blank staring spells Temporary confusion Loss of consciousness Top 7 foods that can help manage seizures Typically, when trying to manage seizures and their accompanying symptoms, one can be suggested certain changes to their meal plans. Generally, these foods are advised to reduce the frequency of seizures, paving the way for better management.

Epilepsy is a kind of brain disorder or illness in which the body experiences unprovoked and recurring seizures. This can be a result of a brain injury, genetic disease, trauma, or even stroke. The doctor can diagnose the seizure as epilepsy if it happens two times unprovoked and also in a short duration of time. Here are some foods and drinks that may trigger or worsen epilepsy and should be avoided for managing the condition. Citrus fruits There is no conclusive study to suggest that there are any specific fruits and vegetables which can trigger epilepsy seizures; however, certain studies are conducted to understand how some foods react with any particular anti-epilepsy treatment methods. This includes citrus fruits like grapefruits and oranges that do not go well together with anti-epilepsy treatments and can trigger seizures. It is studied that these citrus fruits metabolize or help break down the epilepsy treatment products in a way that makes them less effective for the body. When this happens, the body is automatically more susceptible to frequent epilepsy attacks. One must speak to a doctor to understand if there are any specific food groups that they should avoid when undergoing epilepsy treatment. Food additives There are some preservatives and food colorings that may trigger seizures in some people; however, the evidence remains inconclusive and needs more in-depth study.

Usually, most people prefer sugary foods as they give them the needed energy boost. However, this effect is often short-lived. The regular intake of sweets can affect different parts of the human body, like the kidneys, eyes, teeth, and even the skin. This happens due to an increase in blood sugar levels which causes diabetes. Continue reading the article to learn about the signs of aging caused due to high sugar intake. An increase in acne breakouts Typically, when one consumes refined sugar-rich foods and beverages, it causes an increase in blood sugar levels. In most cases, this can trigger inflammation in the body. Besides this, the spike in glucose levels can stimulate the overproduction of sebum – a natural oil-like substance that keeps the skin healthy. If left unchecked, this excess production can cause acne breakouts on the skin. Additionally, if one eats processed and junk food regularly, it can lead to hormonal imbalance. Subsequently, this imbalance can play a huge role in the breakout of hormonal acne on the patient’s skin. Blisters Although rare, diabetic patients can experience the sudden appearance of blisters on the skin. This can either be in the form of one large-sized blister or a collection of small ones in various body parts such as forearms, hands, legs, and feet.

Schizophrenia is a severe and debilitative mental illness that adversely affects a person’s thoughts, behavior, and interaction with their surroundings. In its advanced stages, people with this condition lose touch with reality. While the exact causes of this condition are not yet known, healthcare experts believe that a combination of altered brain chemistry, genetics, and one’s immediate environment are responsible for it. Here are some of the common signs of schizophrenia one should not ignore: Withdrawal People with schizophrenia prefer to stay isolated all the time. Typically, when someone enters a room with a person who has schizophrenia, it can provoke a negative reaction, such as anger, irritation, or fear. Essentially, this condition reduces a person’s capacity to relate to others. In one of its initial stages, known as the prodromal phase, people tend to have an abrupt preference to be left alone. This means that schizophrenic individuals will suddenly, in the middle of social interaction, feel the need to isolate themselves from a crowd. Schizophrenia brings about a feeling of vulnerability in people when they are around others. Many patients mention feeling like an outcast in the middle of a sea of people. Hallucinations This symptom is characterized by schizophrenic people hearing sounds, feeling things, or seeing sights that do not exist.

The International Agency For Research On Cancer (IARC) is responsible for collecting and publishing cancer statistics worldwide, and they have released a list of daily-use carcinogenic substances and activities that lead to an increased risk of cancer. The term carcinogenic describes a substance’s potential to cause cancer. To ensure you’re not using such products and avoid all types of household carcinogenic, here are 14 items and daily activities that may increase the risk of cancer: Arsenic in drinking water Arsenic is a highly toxic chemical that is used in the manufacturing process. Improper treatment of production waste can lead to arsenic dumping in rivers and lakes. This can seep into the groundwater, find its way into our homes, and increase the risk of liver, lung, kidney, and bladder cancer. If you live in an area where this is a concern, consider investing in a reverse osmosis (RO) filter to remove arsenic from drinking water. Chimney sweeping Chimney sweeping is the old practice of cleaning the dust and soot out of the chimneys. This process is now mechanized and does not require human intervention. However, inhalation or accidental ingestion of coal or wood fumes and residue raised the risk of a special form of cancer, now known as ‘chimney sweep cancer’.

The foods one eats may have a direct effect on their overall health. Therefore, when one consumes unhealthy foods, they risk developing or worsening health conditions. One of the most common complications that might worsen due to these foods intake includes cancer. The eatables usually contain carcinogenic compounds that lead to health complications. So here are nine foods that one should exclude from their meals if they are at risk of developing cancer. French fries Who doesn’t love indulging in a pack of french fries at home or a fast food joint? Well, this food is one of the worst options for human health, more so for people with cancer. Starchy food produces a substance known as acrylamide when it is heated at higher temperatures. The property has shown signs of worsening the risk of cancer in patients. The chemical may damage the DNA in healthy cells, leading to their death, which can aggravate the symptoms of cancer. One should note that french fries may increase inflammation and oxidative stress, two common cancer triggers. Individuals should also avoid fried foods such as chicken strips, cheese sticks, and fried fish, as these may also worsen cancer symptoms. Beef and pork Red meats like beef and pork are some of the unhealthiest food sources for people at risk of cancer.

With processed and packaged foods and sedentary lifestyles becoming the norm in today’s fast-paced world, there has been an unprecedented increase in cholesterol levels. About 86 million adults nationwide have total cholesterol levels above 200 mg/dL. High cholesterol can increase one’s risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and peripheral arterial disease. Detecting this condition early on can help curb its symptoms. Here are some signs of high cholesterol and tips to control the levels. 14 signs of high cholesterol High blood pressure Cholesterol plaque and calcium can cause the hardening of one’s arteries, increasing the pressure exerted on the heart to pump blood. Consequently, the blood pressure levels of individuals with high cholesterol are elevated. Type-2 diabetes According to the American Heart Association, diabetes can increase one’s risk of developing a health condition called dyslipidemia, characterized by abnormal levels of lipids, including high LDL or bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels and low levels of HDL or good cholesterol. Thus, the prevalence of type-2 diabetes increases one’s probability of having high cholesterol. Peripheral arterial disease High cholesterol levels can cause the buildup of cholesterol plaque and calcium in the heart, hardening one’s arteries and increasing one’s risk of peripheral arterial disease.