Mental health is one of those things where one would need to help themselves. Others can have very little to no influence on how one feels, leaving them to deal with their own thoughts. That being said, keeping a check on one’s mental health is not difficult. It’s all about realizing what matters most and giving it more time. There are no universal tips that work for everyone. To know what works best for an individual, one must give it a try. So, here are a few tips that can help wade through the difficulties in life with ease. Workout or practice yoga every morning Do not belittle the power of yoga or a heart-pumping physical workout. Some form of physical exercise should always be a part of one’s daily routine since it greatly helps relieve stress and helps one stay calm and balanced when faced with stressful and challenging situations during the day. Bring awareness Practicing meditation will help one become mindful. Bringing mindfulness into the activities performed daily will further help bring more peace and balance. Studies have shown that mindfulness can help cope with depression, substance abuse, anxiety, and eating disorders, among others. Improvement in any of these aspects of life naturally leads to better mental health.

The surest way of knowing whether you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. That being said, there are a few early signs and symptoms that work as near-conclusive indicators of pregnancy. Although they may vary ever-so-slightly from one woman to another, most of the symptoms are consistent and have been noted for decades. Here are some common early symptoms of pregnancy: 1. Missed period The biggest hint of pregnancy for women with a regular monthly menstrual cycle is a missed period. This is also the first sign of pregnancy and a common first-trimester symptom. However, this can be misleading in case of an irregular menstrual cycle, and a pregnancy test would be advised for confirmation. 2. Cramping and spotting Nearly 10 to 14 days after conception, implantation bleeding begins. This happens due to the blastocyst, the embryo in its early stages of its development, sticks to the lining of the uterus. It is marked by bleeding, usually similar to menstrual bleeding, but relatively lesser. Abdominal cramping may also be associated with implantation bleeding, which mostly lasts for less than three days. 3. Nausea Again, this differs from woman to woman but is another classic sign of pregnancy. It usually happens one month into the pregnancy and can strike almost at any time of the day.

Having a sensitive stomach or other stomach conditions can make life quite difficult and painful. One needs to understand the condition and its symptoms to recognize it and seek the right medical assistance at the right time. Here are a few common stomach conditions that affect people across the globe. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) A chronic and long-lasting stomach condition, GERD affects the person’s entire digestive system. It can cause severe throat and mouth swelling, vomiting, and even heartburn. If one is having acid reflux for more than twice a week, there is a chance that they could be suffering from GERD. There are a lot of over-the-counter medications to treat GERD, but it’s best to consult a doctor in case of severe symptoms. If left untreated, GERD can cause various other severe complications. Gastritis Gastritis is another stomach condition where the lining of the stomach is inflamed due to stress, anxiety, or reflux of bile from the small intestine. There are two types of gastritis, acute and chronic. Acute may occur unexpectedly, whereas chronic develops slowly over a period of time. Common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, indigestion, bloating, and in worse cases, excreting black stool caused by the bleeding in the stomach.

We might be familiar with how important the immune system is and that we need to eat certain types of foods or do certain types of exercises to boost the immune system. But some of us might be unfamiliar with the functioning of the immune system, and how it is linked to immunity. That’s no reason to worry. Given below are some important things to know about the immune system. What is immunity? In simple terms, immunity is the ability of the body to remove foreign objects and to tolerate internal systems. The internal systems and organs can be referred to as “self” whereas external or foreign objects can be called “non-self.” This ability of the body to realize the difference between self and non-self materials is what helps us stay alive. There are two primary systems through which immunity can be achieved — active and passive. Active immunity is the immunity produced by the body. On the other side, passive immunity is introduced to the body in the form of medication or injections. What is the immune system? We know that our body has immunity but how does it implement this to know the difference between healthy tissue and viruses.

Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of heat that may occur during menopause. While there is no certain cause associated with these sensations, medical professionals suggest changes in blood circulation may trigger these sudden flashes. Often these flashes are accompanied by flushing in the face followed by sweating. Some women also experience chills or rapid heart rate during an episode. The condition is not predominant, but only about 2 in 10 women don’t experience these episodes. It is quite a common symptom of menopause. There is no cure for the condition, and the best way to manage hot flashes associated with menopause is by taking preventive measures. There are simple lifestyle changes you can make to manage the symptoms of hot flashes. These include: Layered clothing When experiencing hot flashes, it is advisable to wear multiple layers so that they can be removed instantaneously. So, when the symptoms develop, you can adjust your layers accordingly and help bring down the body temperature. Do not let heat trap in the clothing, as it can worsen the symptoms. Portable fan Make room for a portable fan in your purse or handbag and always carry one while going outdoors. A portable fan will help cool your flushed face, especially when the temperature is beyond tolerable.

Multiple studies have shown practicing yoga is one of the best ways of keeping depression at bay. Some yoga poses help improve your blood circulation and stimulates your brain, making you feel happier and relaxed. The best part about yoga is that it is a side-effect-free way of managing depression, unlike medications. However, you must know that practicing any random yoga pose won’t provide relief from depression. Here we have listed a few poses that are effective in bringing stability to your mind and body. Child pose (Balasana) Child pose is a resting pose that deeply calms your mind and alleviates stress and anxiety. The pose gently stretches your hips, thighs, and ankles, which helps your entire body relax. It’s a comfortable and straightforward pose that anyone can try to get some relief from depression. It would help if you tried to stay in the position for a couple of minutes, as it may take a little while for your mind to settle. Bridge pose (Sethu Bandhasana) Bridge pose can help bring stillness to your mind, thereby alleviating stress and depression. It gives a beautiful stretch to your entire spine, chest, and neck, opening your heart, and creating a feeling of comfort and ease throughout your body and mind.

The body loses and replenishes hair regularly. It is a natural cycle that happens without you even noticing the hair fall. A few strands will get replaced by new growth every day. However, some people may experience severe hair fall, and this can be a cause for concern. Causes can range from vitamin deficiencies to more troubling medical conditions for which it is advisable to book an appointment with the doctor. Herein, we shall explore the most common medical conditions that trigger severe hair loss. Androgenetic Alopecia Also known as male or female pattern baldness, Androgenetic Alopecia is one of the most common causes of hair loss. This condition can trigger hair fall right after puberty hits and can worsen over a short period. While men tend to lose hair in more concentrated spots around the temple and the back, women lose hair all over the scalp, gradually leaving a thinner growth. Women may also experience rapid alopecia after experiencing menopause. The body undergoes hormonal changes during the transition and can trigger several uncontrollable chemical responses that can lead to hair loss. Telogen Effluvium Telogen is the body’s natural phase during which shedding happens in a normal growth cycle. Under any circumstances, the old hair falls out to make room for new follicles.

Heart disease can affect people of any age. So, it is essential to understand the underlying conditions and take the requisite steps to improve heart health. However, there are many misconceptions about the triggers of heart diseases and certain myths that need some elucidation before one can seek medical advice. Here are five common myths about heart health decoded to clarify the situation. Myth 1: Leading a sedentary lifestyle Often people would say one must take it easy, especially when suffering from heart disease. The assumption being since the organ is already in a delicate state, any form of exertion increases the risk of heart failure. However, leading a sedentary lifestyle due to fear of effort can do more harm as one’s physical condition deteriorates quickly. Inactivity can result in blood clots at vital points throughout the body. To avoid this, staying active helps strengthen the heart muscle that, in turn, promotes healthy blood circulation as the organ will pump blood more efficiently. Myth 2: Heart disease affects only older people Heart disease or any cardiovascular complication can happen due to several factors. Studies show that lifestyle choices have a significant impact on a person’s overall cardiovascular health, irrespective of age.

A lot of people in the country suffer from GERD, and it’s pretty common to experience heartburn once in a while. But how does one differentiate between the two? And how do you know when it’s time to see the doctor? Learning to identify the difference between the two is of key importance and it goes a long way in getting the right treatment at the right time. So, let’s begin by understanding what GERD and heartburn are. What is GERD? Heartburn and GERD are two completely different medical terms. GERD, or Gastroesophageal reflux disease, is a long-term and long-lasting form of acid reflux. If a person is experiencing acid reflux more than twice a week, chances are that they have GERD. Heartburn is a symptom of this GERD and acid reflux. What are the symptoms of GERD? As we know, GERD is a more chronic form of acid reflux. So, it tends to have similar symptoms, such as Heartburn Regurgitation Pain in the chest Swelling in the mouth Trouble with swallowing food Bad breath Damaged teeth Dry cough Of these, most of the people who suffer from GERD tend to have heartburn and regurgitation compared to other symptoms. What is heartburn?

A blood disorder is a condition that impacts one or more parts of the blood and prevents it from functioning correctly. These parts are red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets. All these cell types form in the bone marrow, a soft tissue located inside one’s bones. There are various types of blood disorders, and their symptoms depend on the type. However, unexplained fatigue and weight loss are the two most common symptoms. Here are all kinds of blood disorders that affect a person’s overall health: Red blood cell disorders As the name indicates, this type of disorder affects one’s body’s red blood cells. These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen from one’s lungs to the rest of one’s body. There are several types of red blood cell disorders; these include: Anemia Anemia is a prevalent blood disorder caused by the lack of mineral iron in the blood. The most common types of anemia include iron deficiency, pernicious, aplastic, autoimmune hemolytic, and sickle cell anemia. Thalassemia It’s a group of inherited blood disorders caused by a genetic mutation, resulting in the interference of the natural hemoglobin production. Without enough hemoglobin, oxygen is not transferred to all areas of the body, which leads to complications.

Approximately one in three Americans suffer from high cholesterol, which is why it is considered a silent killer. The thing about cholesterol is that while it does not kill a person directly, it does increase the chance of one suffering from heart disease and stroke, both of which can be fatal. According to the CDC, these are the leading cause of deaths in the United States of America. So, before we understand how cholesterol leads to these dangerous diseases, let’s take a quick look at what it actually is. What is cholesterol? Cholesterol is an essential fat-like substance found in the cells of your body. It is required to make certain hormones, vitamin D, and other substances that help digestion. The human body or rather, the liver, makes all the cholesterol we need, which is known as blood cholesterol. The cholesterol that comes from food items is what is called dietary cholesterol. This form is found in animal meats, dairy products, seafood, and even poultry and eggs. Dietary cholesterol, when consumed in large quantities, can possibly increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, which can be fatal. Good and bad cholesterol Cholesterol that is either consumed or produced in the liver needs to travel throughout the body.