Nearly 33 million people in the country suffer from an overactive bladder condition (OAB). Patients often struggle with a sudden urge to urinate and may experience long-term incontinence. Several risk factors are linked to OAB symptoms, including neurological disorders, diabetes, urinary tract infections, hormonal changes, and even an enlarged prostate. But, it is possible to manage the condition via changes in food habits, lifestyle modifications, the correct prescriptions and treatment methods. Prescriptions to overcome an overactive bladder Mild to moderate overactive symptoms can be managed with prescriptions including Gemtesa®, Myrbetriq®, and Toviaz®. Here is more on the options typically prescribed for OAB treatment: Gemtesa® It belongs to a class of beta 3 adrenergic agonists that help activate beta-3 receptors in the bladder muscles. This allows muscles to relax and hold more urine efficiently.  Myrbetriq® This prescription works in a similar fashion to Gemtesa® by relaxing the detrusor muscles in the bladder, allowing the organ to hold more urine and help overcome problems linked to incontinence.  Toviaz® It is an alternate prescription that belongs to a class of urinary antispasmodics used to control the urge to urinate. It helps block certain receptor signals in the bladder to relax the muscle walls and allows better control over spasms that could trigger incontinence.

Asthma is characterized by respiratory problems that cause narrowing and swelling of the airways, making breathing feel labored. Chest pain, shortness of breath, wheezing, and irregular sleeping patterns are common symptoms. The cold and cough mainly trigger attacks, which cause excess mucus formation. According to the WHO, around 262 million people in 2019 were affected by asthma. This article shares the effective treatment options, meal plans, lifestyle changes, and tips to manage asthma: Treatment options The symptoms of asthma can be managed with the help of effective treatment options, such as Tezepelumab This treatment option is a human monoclonal antibody that blocks the activity of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), a cytokine responsible for the inflammatory response. Tezepelumab is known to reduce annualized asthma exacerbation rate in severe asthmatic patients. FASENRA Severe cases of eosinophilic asthma are treated with this prescribed option. FASENRA targets the eosinophils, which helps patients breathe easier and reduces the frequency of asthma attacks. NUCALA NUCALA contains mepolizumab, an intravenously administered treatment for patients with severe eosinophilic asthma. This prescription targets the eosinophils in the bloodstream that are responsible for causing flare-ups. XOLAIR® This prescription option works against Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is the main culprit of allergic reactions that trigger asthma.

Diseases like asthma affect the lungs, interfering with airflow and causing inflammation. Several treatment options help manage the symptoms like difficulty breathing and cough associated with these conditions. However, doctors and nutrition experts who treat patients also recommend lung-friendly meal plans to complement ongoing treatment. Some foods are bad for the organ and can worsen existing conditions. Below are a few such unhealthy foods that can prove detrimental to lung health: Processed meat Processed meats are the ones preserved by curing, salting, canning, or drying. Makers of such meat add salts, sugar, and synthetic preservatives to increase the product’s shelf life, retain its original color, and ensure the meat cooks faster. The most common chemical additive is nitrites, which can damage the lungs. Processed meat also contains advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs, which can cause inflammation and oxidative stress. Some examples of processed meat are ham, cured bacon, corned beef, beef jerky, sausages, salami, hot dogs, canned meat, and dried meat. Adding a lot of processed meat to the meal plan can lead to poor lung function and an increased risk of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). Carbonated beverages Health experts list carbonated beverages as one of the things to avoid with lung and respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD.

The prostate gland, found below the bladder, helps make and transport semen. Prostate cancer occurs when cells in the gland grow uncontrollably, eventually forming a tumor. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among men in our country. Trouble urinating and blood in the urine are common symptoms, and the condition is curable if detected early. Here are the treatments, meal plans, and lifestyle tips that help prevent and manage prostate cancer: Get the right treatment Treatment is vital to kill harmful cells and stop the disease from spreading. Popular treatment options for prostate cancer are: Xofigo It is an FDA-approved option for treating metastatic prostate cancer in cases where the disease has spread to the bones but not other organs. Xofigo binds with bone minerals, delivering radiation directly to bone tumors. Doing so reduces damage to the nearby normal tissues. Its most common side effects include vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Enzalutamide It helps treat prostate cancer in men, where cancer has spread to other body parts. Enzalutamide is mainly used for those who do not get better with hormone therapy or other surgical treatments for lowering testosterone levels. It works by blocking the effects of a male reproductive hormone called androgen, which, in turn, stops cancer growth and further spread.

Diabetes, also called diabetes mellitus, is characterized by increased blood sugar or blood glucose levels. It is among the most prevalent ailments affecting more than 37 million people in the country. The condition could result from several factors, including age, family history, and genetics. While some might not show symptoms, those experiencing constant urination and thirst should get checked. Here are the treatment options, foods, and lifestyle changes to help manage high blood sugar: Treatment options There is no cure for diabetes. Available treatments only help control blood sugar fluctuations, prevent complications, and slow the condition’s progression. Here are a few options to treat diabetes: INVOKANA® It is an oral treatment to lower blood sugar levels in individuals over 18 years with type 2 diabetes. INVOKANA® is used with changes in foods and an exercise routine for maximum benefit. Besides lowering blood sugar, this treatment option can reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions like heart attacks, strokes, and end-stage kidney disease that can result from the ailment. Note that INVOKANA® should not be used to treat type 1 diabetes as it can increase the risk of ketoacidosis. The severe side effects of this treatment include a high risk of amputations, dehydration, ketoacidosis, vaginal yeast infections, and yeast infections around the penis.

Parkinson’s disease is a chronic progressive nervous system disorder that affects over 10 million people worldwide. The first signs of the disease typically include unintended or uncontrollable movements, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination. The exact cause of Parkinson’s isn’t known yet, but low levels of dopamine in the brain may be responsible for its development. Here are some treatment options, meal plans, and lifestyle changes that can help manage Parkinson’s disease: Explore treatment options Doctors typically explore several treatment methods to manage Parkinson’s disease symptoms. These include: Carbidopa-levodopa This combination treatment is one of the most effective remedies for Parkinson’s disease. It can help combat common symptoms such as shakiness, stiffness, and difficulty in moving. While levodopa helps replace the missing dopamine, carbidopa helps prevent levodopa’s side effects—nausea and vomiting. Another function of carbidopa is to prevent levodopa from getting converted into dopamine too early, so more of it can enter the brain. This combination treatment is sold under the brand name Rytary®, among others. Rytary® is an extended-release treatment that reduces the amount of “off” time each day in people with Parkinson’s while improving the performance of motor functions. Some common side effects include nausea, dizziness, headache, and insomnia.

Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones become weak and brittle with age. Daily activities like bending or coughing can cause minor fractures in the wrist, hip, or spine. The symptoms appear as soon as bones become weak, followed by a noticeable stooped posture, back pain, or even loss of height over time. Here are some healthy meal tips, treatment options, and lifestyle changes that can help manage this condition. Treatment options  Prolia This treatment option is for postmenopausal women who experience physical problems due to weak bones, are at high risk of fracture, and cannot use other osteoporosis treatment methods. Prolia uses targeted therapy that blocks the bone-removing cells from causing any damage to the bone. However, be mindful of taking this treatment if you have low blood calcium, are pregnant, or planning to conceive in the near future. There are certain side effects of this treatment, so consult a health professional and get a detailed report on related steps. Evenity Evenity, a sclerostin inhibitor, helps prevent bone damage by targeting a protein that enables its repair. This treatment option is used to treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women who are at a high risk of bone fracture. Like Prolia, this treatment option is not viable if one has low calcium levels in the blood.

Can what we eat help prevent serious illnesses like cancer? The link between disease and foods has been extensively studied. For instance, the research findings of the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research have indicated that food choices greatly affect one’s health and well-being. The results also suggest that certain plant-based foods can help lower one’s cancer risk. So, here are some of the best foods to have: Garlic This pungent food item’s benefits outweigh the inconvenience (i.e., bad breath). Its odor is brought on by its sulfur compounds, which are also responsible for stopping the development of cancer-causing substances in the body. Additionally, garlic can help speed up DNA repair and kill cancer cells. Garlic also battles bacteria, especially the kind of bacteria associated with stomach cancer (H. Pylori bacteria). Studies have also indicated that garlic can reduce the risk of pancreatic, colon, esophageal, and breast cancer. To get the most out of garlic, peel and chop the garlic cloves and let them sit for 20–30 minutes before cooking them. This enables the activation of enzymes and the release of sulfur compounds. Adults should have one clove of garlic per day for better health.