Fertility issues are common these days, affecting nearly 15% of couples. While conceiving and becoming parents can be physically and emotionally demanding, especially for first-time parents, one can opt for various treatment alternatives to ease the process. Moreover, changes in lifestyle and nutritional habits can help improve fertility. However, remember that severe complications like a blocked fallopian tube necessitate immediate intervention by a health expert. Read on to learn about healthy foods that improve fertility. Top 5 foods that can improve fertility Sunflower seeds This food item is a rich source of vitamin E – a nutrient that has been found to boost sperm count and motility in a few patients. The seeds are also high in selenium and folate, which are crucial for fertility in both genders – male and female. In addition to the above, sunflower seeds contain generous amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that can regulate hormones and improve blood flow to the uterus. Avocados Fruits such as avocados can also prove immensely helpful in increasing the folate count in the body. Moreover, it has been found that this fruit is also rich in potassium and vitamin K, which can regulate blood pressure and hormonal levels. But while eating the fruit, one must remember that it contains high amounts of calories – approximately 150kcal for half an avocado.

The immune system is the primary defense mechanism employed by the body to actively protect against disease and prevent health complications in the long run. Even changes in daily nutrition and certain unhealthy lifestyle choices directly impact immunity. But the more important concern here is to identify the signs of a weak immune system so that immediate treatment and preventive care can be given for recovery. Here are the top indicators of weakened immunity. Elevated stress Stress is often referred to as the silent predator as it causes a high rise in cortisol levels in the body. An excess release of cortisol in the bloodstream lowers the white blood cell (WBC) count, the body’s central disease-fighting cells. Low WBC triggers a hormonal imbalance that directly affects a person’s immunity, leaving the body vulnerable to known diseases. Continuous stress can severely affect organ function and cognitive health. Fever Developing a fever indicates the body’s immune system is working hard to fight off a reaction or infection. There are also multiple autoimmune responses (triggers of the immune system) that directly impact a person’s overall health. With fever, a person also develops fatigue that impacts their daily routine. Frequent sickness An illness that persists or takes longer to recover from is a clear sign of a weak immune system.

For many adults, neck and back pain are common occurrences. The reasons can vary from bad posture, a sedentary lifestyle, or a chronic health disorder. Most often, the culprit is the wrong sleeping position. The position you sleep in can affect your neck and spine health. So it is essential to adopt some of the best sleeping positions for the neck and spine to ensure you do not wake up again with a sore neck or back. Here are a few positions that can help prevent and alleviate neck and spine pain: Recline the back Sleeping on your back in a reclining position can help alleviate and avoid pain caused by isthmic spondylolisthesis. Invest in an adjustable bed since you can’t recline a normal bed. You can align it in a way that gives you the most comfort and support. Reclining can benefit your spine by forming an angle between your trunk and thighs. This will lower the pressure on your back. Keeping a pillow underneath the knees Lay on your back and place a pillow under your knees. The pillow helps to maintain the natural curve of your spine. For extra support, you can place a small, soft towel rolled up right beneath the small of your back.

People enjoy wearing outfits that they come across on social media. It can be quite enjoyable to anticipate upcoming fashion trends. But there might be occasions when you might notice rashes on your skin without any underlying cause. And this could be due to the damaging effects on your well-being due to certain outfits in your wardrobe. Therefore, it is important to be mindful of these six clothes that could harm your health. Skinny jeans Despite their fashion appeal, skinny jeans may compress nerves in the groin and legs, reducing blood flow to the lower legs. The phenomenon could lead to muscle damage, numbness, and swelling. The tight clothing may also damage the skin barrier that protects you from infections. Therefore, you should reduce the time spent in skinny jeans or switch to more comfortable options. Control-top tights Restrictive shapewear like stockings and spandex may lead to pressing against your body. It could result in excessively pushing against your organs, resulting in stomach pain and acid reflux. While you could still wear control-top tights, save them for special occasions and reduce the time you spend wearing them. Leggings The clothing items are usually much closer to the body and rub against the skin.

Excess sugar is linked to multiple health issues, from diabetes to cardiovascular diseases and chronic illnesses. With the increasing availability of packaged foods and baked goods at local stores, it is possible to go overboard with sugar if one is not careful. However, one can keep an eye out for common signs of excessive sugar and limit sweetened food and drink. So, here are a few signs of high sugar intake to recognize: Frequent sugar cravings If one eats too much sugar, they will continue to crave sugary foods and beverages. This is because sugar intake releases dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure in the brain, so one can crave this feeling and indulge in more sweet foods. So, if one notices persistent cravings, it could be a sign that they need to limit sugary foods and find healthier alternatives. Energy crash This is a common and often unnoticed sign of excess sugar intake. Contrary to popular belief, sugar does not lead to constant energy throughout the day. The ingredient is responsible for an instant boost or rush of energy as the body gets busy utilizing this sugar. However, due to a rapid rise in blood glucose, the body produces insulin to balance the excess sugar.

Dementia is a complex neurological condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Recognizing the early signs of dementia is crucial for early intervention and improved quality of life. While memory loss is often associated with dementia, other subtle signs can manifest in the early stages. Increasing awareness and understanding can foster a more supportive and compassionate environment for individuals with dementia and their loved ones. Memory loss and forgetfulness Memory loss is one of the primary warning signs of dementia. It is common for individuals to forget appointments, important dates, or recent conversations. Some patients might have difficulty recollecting information that was shared with them recently. It is common for caregivers or family members to repeat information for these patients. One of the most common early signs of dementia is memory loss. Another sign of memory loss is misplacing objects and facing challenges in retracing steps. While occasional forgetfulness is common, persistent memory difficulties that impact daily life may indicate early-stage dementia. Difficulty with language and communication An individual’s declining ability to effectively communicate and express themselves is another concerning sign of dementia. Dementia, in its early stages, can impact an individual’s ability to express themselves. It might cause them difficulty using familiar words or finding the appropriate words.

Excessive sugar intake could lead to various health complications, including diabetic retinopathy – a condition affecting the retina. The longer an individual has diabetes and excessive sugar in their blood, the more likely they are to develop the eye disorder. While there are treatments for the condition, early diagnosis is important to improve the odds of managing the disease. Here are five signs of diabetic retinopathy to help identify and seek assistance immediately. Blurry vision Blurry vision may stem from several conditions, such as strain on the eyes from sitting in front of a screen for long hours. However, it may also indicate high blood sugar and require an expert’s intervention. The symptom may result from a swelling of the lens, which affects one’s ability to see clearly. Floaters An individual may develop symptoms such as floaters, which are small dark shapes that float across their vision. These could look like threads, spots, squiggly lines, and tiny cobwebs. Most people may experience the symptoms occasionally and don’t require treatments. However, it could also be a sign of excess sugar in the blood and may appear suddenly without going away. In such situations, one must consult an expert immediately. Bleeding in the eye People who notice bleeding in their eyes should consult with a healthcare professional immediately.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that impacts the nervous system. It affects the movement and motor skills of an individual. Sometimes, it also changes behavior, cognitive abilities, memory, and sleep patterns. Since the condition is progressive, the symptoms start gradually. Although Parkinson’s is not curable, some treatments slow down the condition’s progression and help manage the symptoms. Understanding the early warning signs of Parkinson’s disease can help in timely diagnosis and management. Tremors Also called rhythmic shaking, the tremors usually start in the limbs. Even when the hands are at rest, one might experience tremors. The intensity of shaking may come down when the individual is engaged in some activity or task. Some people with Parkinson’s might experience pill-rolling tremors, wherein they try to rub their forefinger and thumb back and forth. Slowed movement This early sign of Parkinson’s is also called bradykinesia and is characterized by slow movement. Also, it makes it harder to perform the simplest of tasks. For example, a person’s steps become slower and shorter while walking. They may tend to shuffle or drag their feet as they walk. They may also find it difficult to stand up after sitting down for a while. In short, it becomes time-consuming to do routine tasks.

Neuroscience is an interesting study field, with never-ending questions and the quest to answer them. If you know a neurologist and would like to strike up a healthy conversation to know more about the field, you can start with some unusual questions. These questions may not just be about the brain’s health but also about understanding how powerful and complex this organ is. Here are some to start you off. Can brain waves be harnessed to generate power to make devices work? While the brain produces electricity of its own through the neuron receptors, the energy generated is too small. However, there is ongoing research to understand how this electricity naturally generated in the body can be used for scientific purposes. The research includes trying to treat wounds in the body, depression, paralysis, and even cancer. One of the best examples of how electric waves are used in treatment is the pacemaker which helps facilitate the beating of the heart at an appropriate pace. How does the brain intercept and process abstract concepts like art and philosophy? A small experiment was done at the Carnegie Mellon University’s Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging to understand how the brain activates neural patterns to understand abstract scientific concepts.