Air pollution around the world is only increasing, and many health experts now refer to it as a “silent killer.” And the risks involved are not just limited to the respiratory system. A growing body of research shows that air pollution can cause a wide variety of skin health issues, everything from mild acne to skin cancer. Herein, we discuss how some urban air pollutants can affect your skin. 1. Cigarette Smoke Avoiding cigarette smoke in a city can be difficult for non-smokers. This form or air pollution is a complex mixture of numerous chemicals that can affect skon health. A well-known effect of these chemicals is premature facial aging in smokers. Cigarette smoke is also linked to skin conditions like psoriasis, which is characterized by red, scaly, itchy patches. Some studies also show that tobacco smoking can cause more serious problems like cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma. 2. Ultraviolet Radiation We know that wearing sunscreen and having the right covering become essential when going out in the sun. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted by the sun can be considered as a type of environmental pollutant as it can have a detrimental effect on the skin. UV rays accelerate skin aging and contribute to the development of skin cancers like malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.

Major depressive disorder or depression is a common yet serious mental illness that negatively affects how a person feels, thinks, and acts. It is estimated that almost five percent of adults suffer from some degree of depression worldwide. While depression is treatable through medication and counseling, it is important to understand that nutrition is important in managing depression. The following article lists some nutrients that contribute to a person’s mental well-being. 1. Vitamins Vitamins, particularly vitamin B12, play a vital role in managing depression as they aid in producing chemicals that can affect brain function. A poor diet indicates low levels of vitamins and hence poor absorption of nutrients, which can increase the risk of suffering from depression. Vitamin B12 is found in foods like animal meats such as liver and kidneys, clams, sardines, fortified cereal, salmon, trout, and milk. 2. Carbohydrates It has been observed that consumption of refined carbohydrates is directly linked with obesity and diabetes. Foods made from refined carbohydrates such as pizza, pasta, pastries, and other desserts have low glycemic. A low glycemic value indicates that the food will take longer to digest, which increases blood sugar levels and has a detrimental effect on psychological well-being.

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension is a condition in which the oxygen carrying arteries are blocked and constricted. This makes it difficult for the individual to breath properly, causing fainting, nausea, and even dizziness. One of the best ways to manage PAH is to modify your food regimen and include ingredients that would best help manage your symptoms. Before making any changes to what you eat, consult your doctor to ensure it is safe to switch, increase or decrease any particular foods. 1. Salt Usually one of the first things advised by doctors to patients with PAH is to regulate their salt intake. The excess sodium consumed can be extremely harmful to the body in several ways, and it is important to keep a check on it. Most canned goods or junk food will have high levels of sodium to it, so it would be best to have healthier eating habits. 2. Alcohol Stimulants like alcohol or even caffeine do more harm than good to your blood pressure. Some people become completely dependent on caffeine to feel active and energised throughout the day; however, the same ingredient is responsible for creating irregular blood pressure. Stick to non-alcoholic beverages and switch to tea instead of coffee to regulate caffeine intake.

Dry eye is a condition in which the eye remains dry due to less moisture. For example, the condition may occur if the eyes don’t produce enough tears or if they produce poor-quality tears. This tear instability triggers inflammation and damages the eye’s surface. Types of dry eyes There are two types of dry eyes based on what causes them. One is caused when the lacrimal gland, which makes tears, is unable to create enough moisture. Another type is when tears are unable to stick around long enough to hydrate the eye. The latter is called evaporative dry eye. Let’s look at some treatment options to manage dry eyes. 1. Artificial tears Artificial tears are a great way to manage the condition if you have moderate to severe dry eye. There is something called LACRISERT, which is a small eye insert, the size of a grain of rice, which is made of hydroxypropyl cellulose. This is placed between the lower eyelid and the eyeball. This cellulose slowly dissolves in the eyes, producing moisture for the eye. 2. Blood serum drops If you have severe dry eyes and no other treatments are working for you, this method can be tried. Autologous blood serum drops are made out of your blood.

Almost 50 million people living in the country suffer from allergies and other related troubles. And these allergies are caused due to seasonal changes. These changes can vary from state to state and city to city, where some cities can exacerbate allergies and related asthma troubles. In this article, we discuss five cities with maximum allergy troubles and the reasons behind them. 1. Jackson, Mississippi Jackson, Mississippi, has been a top-ranking city for allergies for the past few years. This can be due to the high levels of humidity along with the high pollen count. The city also has rich foliage that alleviates the number of allergens in the environment.  The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, also  commonly known as AAFA, ranks this city to have a pollen count that is worse than average. It notes that the medication use to tackle allergies is also low than average. 2. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City is another common city that features on AAFA’s list of cities that cause asthma and allergies. This place has consistently been on the list for the last couple of years. As of 2021, Oklahoma City ranked ninth on AAFA’s list of Top 10 most challenging places to live with seasonal allergies.