Allergies and infections can significantly affect one’s quality of life and may be caused by a host of factors. Asthma, a chronic lung disease, is caused by tightening and inflammation of the airways and is characterized by chest tightness, shortness of breath, and wheezing, among other symptoms. Early diagnosis of both these conditions can help with effective symptom management. So, here are some types of asthma and allergies and their possible triggers: Types of asthma Allergic asthma Allergic asthma is triggered when one inhales an allergen, which proceeds to tighten one’s airways and cause asthma symptoms. Pollen, dander, and mold spores are common allergens that may trigger allergic asthma. Occupational asthma Occupational asthma results from exposure to certain chemicals at one’s workplace, causing airways to swell up. Individuals with occupational asthma are advised to stay away from the irritant while they are prescribed a treatment course to heal from the condition. Exercise-induced asthma Exercise-induced asthma occurs when one’s airways narrow during physical activity. It is often prevalent among individuals already susceptible to or grappling with asthma. Besides seeking timely treatment, patients with exercise-induced asthma should engage in warm-ups before working out and take short breaks between workouts to manage the symptoms.

Atrial fibrillation (AFib), also called arrhythmia, is an irregular heart rhythm, which may go unnoticed or feel like the heart is skipping a beat, pounding, fluttering, or beating too hard and fast. AFib can lead to other cardiovascular issues like clots in blood vessels and strokes, so it is important to recognize the factors that contribute to the development of this irregularity. So, here are a few common causes of AFib: 1. Changes in the heart’s electrical activity AFib can be brought on by electrical signaling irregularities in the heart. This issue stems from random trigger impulses that disrupt regular heartbeat. Trigger electrical signals can frequently start a chain or loop of irregular heart rhythm, making the heart contract over and over, leading to a fast, irregular heart rhythm. Such trigger beat is usually brought on by issues with the heart’s physiology and structure, which is closely linked with age, lifestyle, habits, and underlying health conditions. 2. Changes in the heart tissue Factors like aging, infection, heart disorders, and genetic problems can lead to dramatic changes in the heart tissue. Such physiological changes can result in electrical impulse irregularities and, by extension, atrial fibrillation. Here, the heart tissue changes could develop in the form of thinning, thickening, or stretching of the heart walls, inflammation, or changes in blood flow to the heart.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a nervous system disorder that affects the spinal cord and brain nerve cells. It is a degenerative condition that causes the loss of muscle control over time. ALS starts with symptoms that are often not quite noticeable initially. However, knowing these signs can help one seek timely medical assistance. Here are some early warning symptoms of ALS to watch out for. 1. Subtle changes in motor control of arms As ALS progresses, weakness may develop in one of the hands or arms. Over time, patients may experience weakness in the other arm or hand. This may happen over a few weeks or months. Due to the increasing weakness in the arms and hands, it becomes difficult to do seemingly mundane tasks. One may find it harder to unlock a door or button a shirt. Also, they begin to drop stuff frequently. 2. Weakness in the legs Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis can affect the legs as well. In the beginning, only one of the legs may be affected. As a result, a person may frequently fall, stumble, or trip. Over time, as the other leg also becomes weak, it becomes difficult to walk.

The outermost shield safeguarding one’s teeth is known as enamel. Tooth decay happens when this protective layer is compromised, exposing the underlying layers of teeth. Preserving the longevity of enamel requires diligent oral hygiene practices, but a significant contributor to tooth decay is the food one eats. While enamel erosion is a natural part of aging, certain foods can expedite this process. Here are some harmful foods that should be avoided to protect one’s teeth. Sweets There are millions of good and bad bacteria in one’s mouth. Consuming foods rich in sugar, like table sugar, candies, cakes, donuts, sugary breakfast cereals, and the like, provides a feeding ground for harmful bacteria. These bad bacteria convert the sugar into corrosive acids, which slowly strip essential minerals from the teeth and lead to cavities. So, one should avoid excessive intake of sugary snacks and practice good oral hygiene practices to protect one’s teeth. Chips, white bread, and crackers Starchy foods like potato chips, crackers, and white bread may not seem harmful at first glance, but they can pose a threat to dental health. When the starch in these foods breaks down, it converts into sugar that feeds bad oral bacteria. Additionally, starchy foods can become lodged between teeth, promoting bacterial growth and increasing the risk of cavities.

Narcolepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. Someone with the condition might feel rested after waking up in the morning but sleepy throughout the day. This phenomenon may interfere with one’s daily routine, so it must be addressed promptly. Experts believe the lack of a brain chemical hypocretin is responsible for the complication. Here are six factors that may affect the production of this chemical and cause narcolepsy. 1. Hormonal changes Experts believe hormonal changes in women are a potential trigger of narcolepsy. Its symptoms can worsen as women near menopause and have problems with sleep and hormonal fluctuations. The most common signs are extreme drowsiness every three to four hours during the day and a strong urge to sleep, followed by a short, 15-minute nap. 2. Autoimmunity Experts believe autoimmunity might be a potential cause of narcolepsy. Autoimmunity is a phenomenon where one’s immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy tissues. This attack on the healthy cells might disrupt the production of hypocretin, triggering the onset of the sleep condition. 3. Age Narcolepsy usually starts developing between the ages of 15 and 50 and is commonly diagnosed before the age of 30.