Lungs are vital organs responsible for the most basic bodily function required to stay alive: respiration. So, when the lungs are in poor condition, their hindered functions directly affect the individual. Poor health of one’s lungs may be easily noticeable via certain signs and symptoms. An individual must be aware of and recognize the signs of poor lung health, such as the following, to take immediate action for their well-being. 1. Shortness of breath Since the primary function of the lungs is respiration, one of the most telltale signs of poor lung health is experiencing shortness of breath. One may experience breathlessness or panting despite minimal or no physical exertion. 2. Persistent fatigue Due to one’s lungs not being healthy, they may also experience chronic fatigue. They may notice that they feel tired despite being well-rested. This is because when people breathe laboriously, they feel low on energy. 3. Wheezing Wheezing refers to the high-pitched, whistling-like sound that occurs during breathing. However, wheezing is unnatural and occurs due to an obstruction in the body’s airway. As a result, it is usually associated with respiratory ailments. 4. Chronic cough If one has been experiencing chronic coughing for more than two months, it may indicate poor lung health.

Medicare is a federal health insurance program for those aged 65 and above. Others who qualify for this plan include people with disabilities, End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure), or Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS). Given the complexities associated with these plans, some people may find it challenging to navigate the insurance landscape. To simplify this process, this article lists three mistakes people must avoid making when taking Medicare plan coverage. Missing the deadlines Missing the Medicare sign-up deadline is one of the biggest mistakes when taking Medicare plan coverage. Those receiving social benefits over 65 are automatically enrolled in the program. However, others need to enroll for Medicare in the initial enrollment period, which: Starts three months before one’s 65th birthday Includes the month one turns 65, and Ends three months after one turns 65. Failing to enroll in Medicare in this period could result in a coverage gap. It could also lead to a lifetime late enrollment penalty, increasing with age. Assuming spouse coverage Unlike employee insurance programs, Medicare does not automatically cover the entire family. It is meant to provide insurance at an individual level. Those with spouses under 65 may need to opt for alternative insurance plans for their partners, such as an employer-based plan, a COBRA plan, or an individual health insurance policy.

Dark circles under the eyes are quite common. It can be due to stress, allergies, dehydration, prolonged screen time, and hyperpigmentation. While there are no overnight fixes to get rid of dark circles, making certain lifestyle changes can help to manage the problem in the long term. One of these changes is adding certain foods to one’s meal plans. These foods are rich in essential vitamins and nutrients that promote healthy skin under the eyes and prevent dark circles. Tomatoes Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants and are a great source of lycopene, which gives them their red color. Lycopene is known for its ability to protect blood vessels from damage, which helps with blood circulation. Additionally, tomatoes contain quercetin, an anti-inflammatory compound that makes them effective in managing dark circles. Cucumbers Cucumbers are often used as a home remedy to reduce eye puffiness. Sliced cucumbers are placed on the eyes to help the skin relax. However, cucumbers can also be eaten for their eye health benefits. They contain a high percentage of water, which helps to deal with the dark pigmentation under the eyes. Additionally, cucumbers have a high concentration of silica that effectively improves collagen production for healthier skin.

Liver cancer refers to a malignant tumor in the liver. Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of the condition, which begins in the hepatocytes (the main functional liver cells). Liver cancer has emerged as the third leading cause of cancer death worldwide. One must identify its symptoms as early as possible for timely diagnosis and treatment. Here are a few silent signs of the disorder that shouldn’t be ignored. Persistent pain Liver cancer typically causes pain in the upper right abdomen, the back, or the right shoulder. This pain may be characterized as dull and persistent and may be accompanied by swelling in the abdomen. Unexplained fullness and loss of appetite An accumulation of excessive fluid in the abdomen can cause one to feel unusually full, even if they have not eaten well. Such fullness and loss of appetite, accompanied by other signs, may point toward liver cancer. Yellowing of the eyes and skin Yellowing of the eyes and skin indicates the liver is unable to process a substance called bilirubin. It may be a sign of liver cancer and should not be ignored. A hard lump under the right rib A hard lump under the right rib may indicate the presence of a tumor in the liver or a swelling of this organ.

People with specific underlying health conditions experience seizures when there are disturbances in the electrical activity of their brains. Some indicators of a seizure are shaking, twitching, confusion, random pain, blank stares, changes in heart rate and breathing, stiffness throughout the body, repeated or automatic movements, abrupt changes in sensations, and persistent depression and anxiety. One can manage their seizures and even reduce their occurrence by avoiding some of the following foods and allergens: Coffee Caffeine is a common element in energy drinks, coffee, tea, and various beverages. People usually consume caffeine to keep themselves awake and going throughout the day. Caffeine is a stimulant, and it can also trigger seizures in some individuals. This is why doctors advise someone with epilepsy or other seizure-related health conditions to consume moderate to zero amounts of tea or coffee in a day. Salt Salt is made up of sodium, an element that is not healthy for one’s body. An accumulation of sodium in one’s blood causes the water in the cells to transfer into the blood. If this happens frequently, then a person’s blood gets diluted. A build-up of fluids within a person’s blood can trigger seizures. The fluid shift and build-up of water in a person’s blood can also lead to issues like lung disorders, coma, and even death.

Huntington’s disease is a disorder in which the nerve cells of the brain progressively degenerate. Usually, individuals inherit this disorder. Huntington’s disease hampers individuals’ ability to think, move, and react to their environment. When one develops this disorder, its progress cannot be stopped. While there is no definitive cure for this disorder, knowing certain details, like its stages and symptoms, can help improve a patient’s quality of life. Here’s what one needs to know: Huntington’s disease stages and symptoms Here are the five stages and symptoms of Huntington’s disease: 1. Stage 1 (preclinical) In this stage, patients show mild symptoms that indicate that their mental state may be affected. Signs such as anxiety, poor coordination, unusual irritability, perpetual anxiety, difficulty learning new things, and decision-making challenges are common in this stage. Usually, these symptoms go unnoticed; however, those experiencing them must undergo screening or biological tests for an accurate diagnosis. 2. Stage 2 (early) The symptoms seen in the first stage become progressively more pronounced. Some of the additional symptoms of this stage are involuntary twitching in the toes, fingers, and face, extreme difficulty in concentrating, problems making complicated movements, severe depression, and loss of inhibition. It takes multiple years for people to pass from this stage to the next, but they will still be able to do things like driving, bathing, and eating on their own.

Medicare, or federal health insurance, is one of the most essential aspects of healthcare for those who are 65 or older and for those who live with certain health complications. Those enrolled in Medicare A, B, or Medicare Advantage are eligible for certain health benefits that help them save and cover various expenses. However, some things might not fall under the scope of coverage. Here are five things that are not included in a Medicare plan: 1. Overseas care Medicare Advantage and original Medicare offer virtually no coverage for healthcare costs incurred outside the country. Some Medigap policies may cover specific overseas health-related costs. Someone who travels often should consider travel insurance policies for basic healthcare coverage. 2. Opticians and eye exams Original Medicare covers ophthalmologic expenses such as cataract surgery but does not cover routine eye exams, contact lenses, or glasses. Some Medicare Advantage plans may cover routine vision care and glasses. People could buy vision insurance policies for a few hundred dollars a year to help cover the cost of glasses or contact lenses. 3. Hearing aids While Medicare covers ear-related health conditions, the original Medicare and Medigap plans do not pay for routine hearing tests or hearing aids.

People must be careful in public areas. Since respiratory illnesses easily spread via air and contact, there are certain public places where individuals might be at higher risk of catching these infections. By being aware of these common areas, one can be more careful and better equipped to protect themselves from catching any diseases. Here are a few such high-risk public places to be careful around: 1. Public transport Public transport, like buses and subways, can be quite crowded. When traveling in such crowds, one cannot help but be in close quarters with numerous people. This eventually increases their risk of catching infections. Hence, when traveling on public transportation, wearing a mask and using hand sanitizer after touching surfaces such as door knobs and handles is better to reduce the risk of infection. 2. Public pools Public pools can also be breeding grounds for respiratory infections due to shared water and close contact among swimmers. Hence, when using public pools, individuals must practice social distancing and, most importantly, avoid using the pool if feeling unwell. 3. Airports and airplanes Airports and airplanes are potential hotspots for respiratory infections since many travelers travel in enclosed spaces. Moreover, if there are crowded terminals and long queues at security, it only increases the chances of individuals coming into close contact.

Skin cancer is classified as the most common type of cancer nationwide. Some of the prevalent types of skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma, melanoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. The survival rates of patients with skin cancer are typically higher if the cancer is detected before it spreads to the vital organs. Thus, it is essential to diagnose and treat the condition early. Here are some early silent signs of skin cancer: Itchy rashes Although rashes are not uncommon, raised, itchy rashes that persist over prolonged periods may be warning signs of skin cancer, specifically basal skin carcinoma. These patches are typically red and raised; however, in some cases, patients with skin cancer may develop flat, yellow, or pink patches with elevated edges. Dark spots underneath the fingernails and toenails Sometimes, patients with skin cancer may experience the development of dark spots under their fingernails and toenails. Although these symptoms may also indicate a fungal infection, one should consult a dermatologist promptly to detect the presence of skin cancer. Sudden changes in skin moles Sudden, unusual changes in one’s skin moles may be a sign of melanoma and should not be ignored. For example, one part of the mole may not resemble the other, or the mole may have inconsistent edges.

Getting a hearing aid is a big moment for many, especially first-time users. People tend to be delighted to get their new hearing aid as it helps them live with hearing impairment while not compromising their quality of life. Using it is fairly easy, but even then, users can make certain mistakes that reduce the overall effectiveness of the device. Let’s analyze the common mistakes and find a way to avoid them. Not wearing the aids enough Initially, the hearing aids may be uncomfortable to wear, but that should not put users off using them anyway. Essentially, users will take some time getting used to a device that is supposed to stay in their ears all day and most of the night. A common mistake new users make is not wearing the hearing aids enough during this challenging phase. This is a mistake that can thwart their progress while they adapt to the new device. To form good habits, one can wear their hearing aids for eight hours a day, at the very least initially. Users can increase the number of hours progressively until the phase arrives in which wearing the aids will be comfortable. Not cleaning the hearing aids regularly The ears accumulate dirt and wax rapidly.