Breathing is our bodies’ innate and essential function, allowing us to absorb life-sustaining oxygen. That said, various lung conditions can disrupt this natural process, leading to breathing difficulties and significant challenges to individuals’ overall well-being. This article attempts to shed light on some of the most common culprits behind breathing difficulty, highlighting the importance of understanding these conditions to promote early detection, effective management, and improved quality of life. Common lung conditions that can cause breathing difficulties The respiratory system is a complex network of organs, including the lungs, bronchi, and airways, that exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide. When this intricate system encounters disruptions, breathing difficulties can arise. Here are a few common lung conditions that can contribute to this challenge: Asthma: Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, affects millions worldwide. It causes the airways to become narrow, leading to symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Triggers like allergens, exercise, and stress can provoke asthma attacks, making breathing difficult for those affected. Fortunately, asthma can be effectively managed with proper diagnosis and lifestyle modifications. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): One of the leading causes of breathing difficulty is COPD. COPD is a progressive lung disease encompassing chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The end of a woman’s menstrual cycle, known as menopause, typically occurs in the late 40s or 50s. It is a natural biological process that marks the end of the reproductive years and is typically diagnosed when a woman has gone through 12 consecutive months without having a menstrual period. Women may experience various uncomfortable signs and symptoms leading up to this period, making daily activities challenging. Here are some indications of menopause. Anxiety The menopause period brings a lot of hormonal changes that can have physical and psychological effects. Commonly experienced feelings include stress, anxiety, and depression. Seeking the help of a therapist is usually recommended to manage these emotional changes. Additionally, joining a support group can benefit those going through these changes. Difficulty sleeping It can be challenging for women experiencing menopause symptoms, especially when getting enough sleep. Insomnia is a significant concern for many women due to the various symptoms they may be experiencing, such as anxiety, hot flashes, and night sweats. While treatments are available to help with sleep, it’s important to note that these symptoms can persist for years and won’t go away quickly. Seeking guidance from a healthcare professional can help manage these symptoms.

The brain is the point of control for almost every bodily function, from body movements and balance to the functioning of body organs, heart rate, and breathing. Seizure results from disturbances in the brain’s electrical activity, triggering changes in one’s movements, feelings, and behavior and affecting consciousness. Seizures may have many underlying causes, including brain injury, stroke, or a brain tumor. Some hidden warning signs that usually manifest before a seizure are listed below. Jerky muscle movements A myoclonic seizure is a form of seizure that lasts for a brief while and involves the involuntary jerking of muscles. Jerking of muscles indicates an underlying neurological problem and is a seizure sign to watch out for. Staring Some persons with silent or “absence” seizures at the early stages may stare into nothingness for a few seconds before returning to attention. This symptom is generally prevalent among children from 4 to 14 years of age. Loss of consciousness Individuals with tonic-clonic seizures may experience loss of consciousness during seizure attacks, often accompanied by intense muscle contractions. Sometimes, these patients may bite their tongues or lose bladder control during the seizure attack. Anxiety Several patients with seizures and epilepsy report feeling anxious just before a seizure attack.

The heart is the lifeline of the human body, performing several indispensable functions, from supplying oxygen to other body organs and maintaining blood pressure to pumping carbon dioxide to the lungs for exhalation. Unfortunately, approximately one person dies every 33 seconds in the country due to heart disease. Although heart problems may have various causes, diabetes is among the major triggers of cardiovascular conditions. Here are some diabetes-related heart conditions and their early signs: Heart attack Patients with type-2 diabetes are twice as likely to develop diabetes as those with normal blood sugar levels. Moreover, patients with diabetes are susceptible to silent heart attacks, which involve no apparent signs. Swelling in the legs or ankles, sweating, nausea, fatigue, and chest pain are some common signs of a heart attack. Arrhythmia Arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeat, may develop or aggravate due to diabetes as a result of disruption to the heart’s structure. Increased palpitations, chest pain, shortness of breath, and a fluttering sensation in the chest are some signs of arrhythmia. Atrial fibrillation Studies have shown that diabetes acts as a major risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Diabetes involves structural, autonomic, and electrical changes to the atria, which can contribute to the development of this condition.

Dental problems are a major issue that can affect one’s daily routine. Sometimes, the smallest of cavities or tooth decays can trigger pain and discomfort that are simply unbearable. And most often, daily nutrition and poor lifestyle choices are the primary reasons behind these symptoms. Immediate attention is advisable to prevent these small issues from worsening. Some of the most obvious signs of dental problems that develop due to poor oral hygiene are listed below. Toothache The most obvious sign of dental problems is a persistent toothache. This pain worsens while eating hot foods or drinking cold beverages due to increased sensitivity. In most cases, toothaches are caused due to cavities that burrow deep into healthy molars where the bacteria thrive. But some people also experience toothache triggered by a severe gum infection. Either way, ignoring the pain will only worsen the underlying problem. Sores Mouth sores or ulcers are a symptom of dental conditions. For example, consuming sugar-rich products and beverages feeds the millions of harmful bacteria that grow in the gaps of the teeth. This infection causes cavities to form and weaken the roots of healthy teeth. The same bacteria also spread inside the mouth and causes canker sores or cold sores to develop due to the infection.

The immune system plays a critical role in maintaining our overall health. Its function is to protect the body from cell changes, germs, and substances that may cause harm and lead to health disorders. This is why following healthy food habits, sleep patterns, and exercise routines is recommended to keep the immune system strong. However, having a sweet tooth and eating too many sugary foods and beverages can negatively affect your immune system. Here are the signs of a poor immune system due to excessive sugar: Your body is unable to fight off infections You may feel like reaching out for a packaged snack when midday hunger pangs strike. Since such snacks usually have high amounts of sugar, regularly eating them can affect your body’s ability to fight infections. This happens because the excess sugar you consume affects your body’s white blood cells. These cells are responsible for dealing with viruses, bacteria, and other infection-causing substances. Your wounds don’t heal fast enough Another common sign of a poor immune system due to excessive sugar is the slow healing of wounds. Eating foods with too much sugar inhibits the normal functioning of the white blood cells. The white blood cells work as the body’s defense mechanism whenever you have a cut or a wound.

Sugary foods are a top favorite across age groups. However, most people are unaware of the health issues caused by excess sugar intake, including eye problems such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and even cataracts. In most cases, regularly eating sweet items can cause a spike in blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, adversely affects the eyesight. Thus, here are the top signs of poor eyesight due to excess sugar intake. Signs of poor eyesight caused due to excessive sugar consumption Halos When dealing with eye diseases like glaucoma and cataract, one may notice the appearance of halos around different light sources. In most cases, this is caused to due to the refraction of light rays that enter the eye and can cause difficulties while doing daily activities, such as driving a vehicle. Blurred vision One of the most common signs of poor eyesight caused by excessive consumption of sugar is blurred vision. In the case of glaucoma and cataracts, one may notice sudden changes to vision, making the world seem dimmer or cloudy. On the other hand, diabetic retinopathy patients may experience this symptom due to the blood vessels leaking fluid into a part of the retina.

Foods rich in sugar may help boost energy levels for a short period, however, excessive sugar intake has adverse effects on health. One of the key consequences of having a lot of sugary foods and beverages is diabetes, which affects various parts of the body, like the heart, kidneys, and skin. Further, this can interfere with the natural aging process of the skin. So, here are a few signs of aging associated with sugar intake: Yellow, red, or brown patches One with high blood sugar may experience issues such as small raised bumps on the skin that look like pimples. Eventually, these turn into patches of swollen and hard skin, taking on a yellowish, reddish, or brown color. Other signs include itchy and painful skin, visible blood vessels, and a shiny appearance of the surrounding skin. Hard, thick skin Another common sign of aging brought on by excessive sugar intake is hard, thickened skin on the fingers, toes, or both, known as digital sclerosis. One may notice waxy skin on the back of their hands and find it difficult to move the fingers. This sign may also spread to the forearms and upper arms, back, shoulders, and neck. Blisters Excessive sugar intake may lead to the development of blisters on the skin.

The ears play a vital role in helping individuals perceive their surroundings through hearing. Unfortunately, around 15% of adults nationwide experience some form of hearing difficulty. This health condition can arise from various factors like damage to the inner ear, aging, loud noise, and genetic variations. Unbeknownst to many, several studies have associated excessive sugar intake with the onset and deterioration of hearing problems. Some hearing disorders associated with diabetes are listed below. Sensorineural hearing loss Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) results from damage to the auditory nerve, cochlea, or central nervous system. This type of hearing loss is commonly associated with complications resulting from diabetes. Typically, over time, diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels and nerves present in the inner ear, contributing to the onset of this hearing condition. Sounds seeming excessively loud in one ear, problems with understanding conversations, and difficulty hearing in noisy environments are some early signs of SNHL. Tinnitus Tinnitus refers to persistent ringing in the ears, even without an external source. The condition is more prevalent among individuals with diabetes. Excessive sugar intake can change one’s brain function, posing a challenge for the brain to regulate the activities of the central nervous system. Consequently, one may temporarily experience tinnitus until the brain’s functioning returns to normal levels.

Sugar is one of the most widely and regularly used ingredients in many foods and beverages. It provides a short energy boost that can be quite rewarding. This is why many people indulge in sugary sweets and beverages, to repeatedly mimic the benefit. However, indulgences can turn into addictions, leading to excessive sugar consumption that disrupts the functioning of the central nervous system. Here are some common signs one should look out for. Cognitive issues Excess sugar negatively impacts a person’s memory and learning capabilities. High glucose levels in the blood stream can slow down thinking, affect attention span, and trigger inflammation in the brain. Sugar can also create an imbalance in brain chemicals and affect hormones to cause mood swings. One might experience depression and increased anxiety as blood glucose levels continue to fluctuate. Vision problems Overindulging in sugary foods can trigger focal nerve damage that directly affects one’s vision. Common signs of vision problems in the early stages include trouble with focusing on objects or experiencing double vision. The brain loses its ability to automatically identify and focus on individual objects in the foreground while blurring the background and vice versa. Peripheral vision is also affected due to these reasons.