Science shows a correlation between one’s eyes and posture alignment. Human eyes send signals to the brain via the central nervous system. The brain interprets these signals and sends responses through the spinal cord to the rest of the body. When one does not maintain a good posture with natural erect alignment, this communication is hampered, causing health problems over time. So, here are some ideal postures for reading and sitting to maintain healthy eyesight. Postures for good eye health Straighten up the spine While the natural erect alignment of one’s spine can bring many health benefits, slouching can impact the connection between one’s spinal cord and brain. This, in turn, can weaken blood flow, affect sense response, including that of eyesight, and cause blurry vision problems. Ensure one’s spine is erect while standing, with the head held straight and the chin tucked in. Avoid bending forward while reading It’s easy to spend hours on one’s phone or reading with the head tucked in and body bent forward, but this can strain one’s spine, neck, shoulders, and eyes. To avoid this, one can stretch from time to time and better posture by keeping the computer screen parallel to one’s face.

From finding our way in unknown places to staying connected with loved ones and managing finances, all daily activities are compressed into one smart electronic device—a smartphone. Today, nearly 82% of people in the country own a smartphone. However, studies have shown that excessive use of smartphones can result in several health issues, including sleep deprivation, anxiety, and elevated stress levels. So, here are some adverse effects of smartphone usage: Eye-related issues Excessive use of smartphones can lead to several eye-related complications, including itchy and dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision. This is because the blue light generated by smartphone screens causes eye strain, especially when one is overstimulated. So, it is advisable to view the smartphone from a distance of 20–28 inches and rest the eyes for 15 minutes every two hours. Disrupted circadian rhythm The brain is governed by an internal clock, called circadian rhythm, that governs the sleep and wakefulness cycles. The blue light from smartphones hampers the brain’s production of melatonin, the hormone regulating the sleep schedule. As a result, viewing the phone just before bedtime can severely affect sleep quality and duration and even induce nightmares. The National Sleep Foundation advises that phones should be put away at least half an hour before bedtime.

Science shows a correlation between one’s eyes and posture alignment. Human eyes send signals to the brain via the central nervous system. The brain interprets these signals and sends responses through the spinal cord to the rest of the body. When one does not maintain a good posture with natural erect alignment, this communication is hampered, causing health problems over time. So, here are some ideal postures for reading and sitting to maintain healthy eyesight. Postures for good eye health Straighten up the spine While the natural erect alignment of one’s spine can bring many health benefits, slouching can impact the connection between one’s spinal cord and brain. This, in turn, can weaken blood flow, affect sense response, including that of eyesight, and cause blurry vision problems. Ensure one’s spine is erect while standing, with the head held straight and the chin tucked in. Avoid bending forward while reading It’s easy to spend hours on one’s phone or reading with the head tucked in and body bent forward, but this can strain one’s spine, neck, shoulders, and eyes. To avoid this, one can stretch from time to time and better posture by keeping the computer screen parallel to one’s face.

Arthritis is a term commonly used to describe a group of conditions that affect one’s joints. The bones are cushioned with cartilage, a slippery material that absorbs shocks and enables smooth movement. Arthritis develops when this cartilage wears down due to age or injury and does not function properly, leading to joint inflammation, pain, and stiffness. Here are the types and early warning signs of arthritis that one should be aware of. Types of arthritis The most common types of the condition include: Osteoarthritis It is a type of arthritis that affects the hips, knees, lower back, and other large joints that bear the most body pressure. Rheumatoid arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the joints. It attacks the smaller joints first, including the fingers and toes, and gradually the whole body, making it systemic. Psoriatic arthritis Another autoimmune condition, psoriatic arthritis primarily affects those with psoriasis, characterized by skin inflammation and patchy or scaly skin. Psoriasis commonly affects the tips of the elbows and knees, the navel, and the skin around one’s genitalia. Gout This is a relatively rare type of arthritis that develops when the kidneys cannot process excess uric acid, which accumulates in one’s joints.

Eating nutritious food, getting some exercise every day, and ensuring the correct levels of hormones keep the bones healthy. Health conditions like osteoporosis could weaken bones, making them brittle and leading to frequent fractures. While there are management methods, such as therapies and lifestyle changes, to improve weaker bones, identifying the complication at its earliest is crucial. An early diagnosis is only possible if one takes note of these early warning signs of weakening bones. Problems with holding objects An individual with osteoporosis might have trouble holding objects because of weaker grip strength. This is one of the most common signs of osteoporosis that occurs with age. Patients might have trouble pushing heavy doors, standing up, and rotating door knobs. Those with these symptoms must get themselves checked by a healthcare expert. Gum recession Gum recession is when the gum tissue pulls away from the teeth, exposing the underlying roots. Multiple factors, including aggressive brushing, genetics, and unhealthy lifestyle habits, could lead to this. However, sometimes it could be triggered due to the loss of bone mineral density. Since the teeth and jaw bones are connected, if the jaw starts to lose bone mineral density, it could result in receding gums.

The symptoms of autism spectrum disorder differ significantly depending on various aspects, including the child’s age. The signs could be observed in their behavioral patterns as early as age one. Regardless of whether someone has the condition, all children should be screened for developmental delays and disabilities during regular healthcare appointments when they are 9, 18, and 24 or 30 months old. Here are the common autism signs in children in different age groups. Babies between six months and one year A few developmental differences might become more apparent when a baby becomes a toddler. Parents can identify autism by looking out for specific irregularities during this stage. For instance, the baby might: Not like seeing new faces. Not show any form of affection. Dislike being cuddled. Refrain from pointing their fingers at things. Show no response to their names when called. Make limited or no conversation. Shy away from initiating conversations in the form of “chatter” or “babble.” Avoid asking for help even if needed, and struggle with the activity instead. Rarely smile in social situations. Make limited to no eye contact. Not turn their head to locate sounds, nor react to loud noises. Display a lack of social anticipation (such as not understanding the game of “Peek-a-boo” and not reaching out their arms to be picked up).

Whether it is the first visit to the gynecologist or the tenth, it is natural to feel uncomfortable when discussing vaginal health problems. Such issues can seem extremely private and, occasionally, a little scary. However, it helps to know that nearly everyone experiences hesitation while interacting with their gynecologist. So, here are a few questions to ask a gynecologist that can seem uncomfortable but are important for ensuring optimal health: Does the vagina look normal? This is one of the most common questions one might want to ask during a visit to the OB/GYN but skip due to embarrassment. But, it is perfectly okay to ask this question if one feels like they need to know more about the appearance of the vagina. Most of the time, differences in appearance are not a cause for concern, as there is no normal or standard structure of the vagina. No one vagina is like the other, and they are not meant to look alike. This is because the labia length differs from person to person. Moreover, there are differences in clitoral prominence and skin coloration. Why are there bumps down there? It is normal for bumps to develop in the intimate area.

A gastroenterologist (GI) specializes in diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the digestive system organs, such as the liver, pancreas, stomach, gallbladder, intestines, colon, and esophagus. When experiencing digestive discomfort that does not go away, it might be wise to seek the expertise of a gastroenterologist. Patients should clarify their doubts about their symptoms and overall gastrointestinal health during the visit. Sometimes, it might be awkward, but it is necessary to ask certain uncomfortable questions. Should I worry if I fart too much in a day? Passing gas, a natural bodily function, can result from various factors, such as ongoing treatment, eating specific foods, and even childbirth. Excessive flatulence may point toward conditions like sleep apnea or, in rare cases, colon cancer. If frequent and bothersome farting persists, it is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist for a checkup. The expert can assess a person’s discomfort level and provide necessary guidance to address adverse impacts on their daily life. Should I worry if I urinate too often? How many times an individual pees in a day depends on many factors, such as their water intake and consumption of certain beverages. Since people have different bladder capacities, there is no fixed number of times one should use the bathroom.

Increased stress can be linked to a tendency to fall prey to bad habits. While it sounds mildly incredulous, there can be a link between stress, the resultant bad habits, and eventually damaged teeth. Habits like nail biting, not flossing, or not brushing at night might not seem like a big deal; however, they can lead to numerous adverse effects in time. Essentially, they can significantly impact dental health and the dental bill. 6 bad habits that damage teeth Using teeth as tools The primary activity of teeth is to chew on food and help break it down into smaller pieces, making it easy for digestion. However, that is not all we use our teeth for. On multiple occasions, we use our teeth as tools to get a few other non-eating-related jobs done, like opening a bottle, tearing off plastic packaging, biting nails, and more. All of these activities are potentially harmful to dental health. Chewing ice There are few things as crunchy as frozen water. It is no wonder that people are so fond of chewing ice and treating it as a snack. That said, it is not a good habit, neither for the throat nor the teeth. Regularly chewing ice can damage the teeth, roots, and gums.

Depression is a mental health condition that impacts one’s way of thinking, behavior patterns, and daily functioning. If left untreated, clinical depression may manifest in the body and lead to other health issues like gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular diseases, and more. To manage the condition, a health expert may evaluate a person’s general health to determine whether they are depressed and suggest personalized treatments. Some warning signs of depression that necessitate professional help are listed below. Irritable mood Some milder symptoms of depression include irritability and restlessness, which may worsen and lead to angry outbursts, low tolerance levels, anxiety, or aggressiveness. Fatigue or loss of energy Depression can exhaust a person mentally and physically without any significant lifestyle changes. The condition can also bring feelings of weariness, lack of energy, and inexplicable tiredness. Feeling helpless and unworthy On an emotional front, the disorder might cause a person to assume responsibility for circumstances beyond their control. A depressed individual frequently loses the drive to carry out daily tasks which they otherwise carry out effortlessly. One may also experience low self-esteem, excessive self-blame, and feelings of despair. Mood swings, inability to see one’s capabilities or feeling like the situation may never improve are other common indicators of the condition.