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Stomach Virus You may hear your doctor call this viral gastroenteritis. People also call it stomach flu, but it's not caused by the flu virus. There are different types of stomach viruses. Norovirus is the most common in the United States. Since a stomach virus and food poisoning have similar symptoms, like cramps, it’s easy to confuse the two. You get a stomach virus through close contact with someone who has the virus, such as sharing food or kitchen utensils, like a fork or knife. You can also get the virus by eating or drinking unsafe food and water. Unlike food poisoning, the virus can spread easily to other people -- at least for the first few days you have it. Other symptoms include: Watery diarrhea Stomach pain Upset stomach and throwing up Muscle aches or headache Low-grade fever There’s no medical treatment for a stomach virus. There are some things you can do at home to ward off dehydration and make you feel better. Avoid solid foods. Sip plenty of liquids instead -- wat

Functions in your body Vitamin A is essential for your health. It supports cell growth, immune function, fetal development, and vision. Perhaps one of the best-known functions of vitamin A is its role in vision and  eye health . Retinal, the active form of vitamin A, combines with the protein opsin to form rhodopsin, a molecule necessary for color vision and low light vision . It also helps protect and maintain the cornea, which is the outermost layer of your eye, and the conjunctiva, a thin membrane that covers the surface of your eye and the inside of your eyelids. Trusted Sou May protect against certain cancers Due to their antioxidant properties, carotenoid-rich fruits and vegetables may protect against certain types of cancer. For example, a study in more than 10,000 adults found that smokers with the highest blood levels of alpha carotene and beta cryptoxanthin had a 46% and 61% lower risk of dying from lung cancer, respectively, than nonsmokers with the lowest intake of these nu

Antioxidants are substances that prevent or delay cell damage caused by compounds called free radicals. These free radicals are highly reactive compounds that can damage cells and lead to the development of chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and more. Antioxidants counter the damage caused by free radicals. Therefore, they protect your cells and help prevent disease. Cocoa Cocoa is rich in polyphenol antioxidants, such as flavanols. In addition to anti-inflammatory effects, cocoa polyphenols have a positive effect on gut microbes. Cocoa polyphenols enhance the growth of good gut bacteria, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, reduce the number of pathogenic ones, such as Clostridium perfringens, and enhance the body’s immune response. Cruciferous Vegetables Cruciferous vegetables, which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and Brussels sprouts, are rich in antioxidants, including various carotenoids (beta-carotene

Eating smaller portions and choosing minimally processed foods and whole foods may help reduce fatigue. Your body runs off what you feed it. The best way to get the most energy from your food is to make sure you’re giving yourself the best food possible. Besides what you eat, when you eat can also impact your energy. Did you ever notice how you feel sluggish after a big lunch or dinner? That’s because your body is using its energy to digest that big meal instead of powering the rest of your body. The easiest way to avoid the post-meal coma is to eat several smaller-portioned meals throughout the day. This will keep your body fueled regularly and may even help you lose weight. Unprocessed foods While a cheeseburger and fries might be comforting while you’re eating it, it’s nutritional value is low. Processed foods, such as some packaged or canned foods, candy, boxed meals, and precooked meats are typically full of preservatives, additives, sodium, trans fat, and artificial ingredients t

Good nutrition is the key for cancer patients throughout the various phases of treatment and after. The treatment may affect the way your body metabolises certain foods and uses nutrients and this varies for each individual. During the treatment process, your diet must help build up your strength. You must eat high-protein, high-calorie foods which will promote the following- Better health and faster recovery. Enhanced strength and energy. Maintain a healthy body weight. Help you overcome the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Lower your risk of infection. Protein: If you had surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy, you need a lot of protein to feel fit and fight off infections. The body loses substantial immunity in the process of breast cancer (and other cancer) treatment. Fish, poultry, lean meat, eggs, low-fat dairy products, nuts and nut butter, dried beans, peas, lentils and soya foods are all good sources of protein. Grapes: Grapes are a rich source of the an

Eating certain foods, including blackberries, broccoli, and foods containing probiotics, may be helpful against ulcer-causing bacteria. Stomach ulcers are open sores that develop within the lining of your stomach. According to the American College of Gastroenterology, an organization of doctors who specialize in the digestive tract, there is no specific diet a person with ulcers needs to follow. Food choices don’t cause ulcers or make them worse. Current diet recommendations are now based on research that certain foods may have ingredients that fight against the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a main cause of ulcers. Causes and risk factors for ulcers In the majority of all ulcer cases, the cause of ulcers can be linked to an H. pylori infection, as well as to the chronic use of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). What foods are good for stomach ulcers? Since the H. pylori bacteria is now known to be an importa

An invisible illness is a condition that is, well, invisible to the casual observer. These hard-to-diagnose illnesses often go undiagnosed for years and include conditions such as myalgic encephalomyelitis—also known as chronic fatigue—and fibromyalgia . How To Cope With Having Invisible Illnesses Every patient and healthcare provider we spoke to said that women with invisible illnesses must  be their own advocates . If something seems "off," don't ignore it. Record Your Symptoms Saakshi Khattri, MD , a dermatologist and rheumatologist at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, recommended keeping track of symptoms. "Recording specifics in a diary is always a good idea, especially making note of the location of pain if you have it." Duration of symptoms and the circumstances around which they occur is important, too, Dr. Tedeschi added. "For example, if your symptoms flare up when you also have an infection like a cold or UTI, that'