A spasm or cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. Muscle spasms can happen at any time and are quite painful. It usually goes away on its own, without much treatment. However, if the spasm is extremely painful, and does not resolve by itself or recurs, it is imperative to seek medical care as it may be an indication of a serious underlying medical problem. Typically, muscle spasms involve a whole muscle, a specific part of it, or various muscles in a group. The most common sites for muscle spasms are hands, foot, arms, thighs, calves, abdomen, and sometimes along the ribcage. These spasms vary in intensity ranging from mild twitches to severe and disabling pain. The spastic muscle may become sensitive to touch and in a few cases, appears visibly distorted. These spasms may last for a couple of seconds or up to 20 minutes or longer. Also, they may recur several times a day. Muscle spasms can happen to anyone. Irrespective of whether you are old, young, athletic or sedentary, it can happen to you. Also, it can occur while you are sitting, walking, exercising, or even sleeping. Many people who undertake regular physical exercise experience spasms. Causes of muscle spasms The exact cause of muscle spasm is not known. However, according to some research studies, here are some factors that can lead to muscle spasms: Dehydration Insufficient stretching before exercise Electrolyte depletion Muscle fatigue Exercising in high temperatures Altered neuromuscular control Performing a new activity Out of all the causes mentioned above, exercising in high temperatures is believed to be the most significant one. When you work out in the heat, you sweat a lot, and sweat contains fluids as well as electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, salt, and potassium). When the level of these vital nutrients falls beyond a certain limit, the chance of muscle spasm increases.

Thick and voluminous hair seems like an elusive dream for most of us. Thinning hair and hair fall affect both men and women of all ages. Thinning hair or hair loss can occur due to a variety of reasons. Emotional stress, hormonal changes, unhealthy eating habits, side effects of medication and harsh hair treatment are some of the common reasons for thinning hair. Consultation with a dermatologist can help find the cause of thinning hair and help find the right thinning hair products. Using the most suitable thinning hair products and making appropriate lifestyle changes can help treat thinning hair and hair loss. Causes of thinning hair Before moving on to thinning hair products, it helps in understanding the various causes of thinning hair in order to find the right fit. Hair loss not only affects the scalp but the entire body as well. The common causes of thinning hair are as follows: Family history: People who have a family history of thinning hair are potential candidates for thinning hair or hair fall. Thinning hair usually occurs with aging in men and women. Receding hairline and bald patches in men, and thinning hair in women are very common. Hormonal changes: Pregnancy and menopause in women are phases where hormonal changes occur. During these phases, women are likely to experience thinning hair. Women with thyroid problems are also likely to have thinning hair. Scalp infections: Scalp infections such as dandruff, oily scalp or dermatitis also cause thinning hair and hair loss. Medical conditions: Health conditions like alopecia areata causes hair loss in patches. Scalp infections also cause hair thinning. Medication and supplements: Side effects of certain medication could lead to thinning hair. Consuming health supplements is another reason for hair loss. Radiation and chemotherapy: Radiation and chemotherapy are treatments for cancer.

A toenail infection occurs due to the excess growth of fungi in, under, or on the nail. Fungi that already exist in or on your body can prompt nail infections. Fungi flourish in moist and warm conditions, and hence, this type of environment can trigger them to overpopulate. Fungal infections also spread if you come in contact with someone else who has a fungal infection. These infections develop over time, and there won’t be any immediate difference in the way your nail looks or feels. Therefore, it may be too subtle to notice at first. What causes toenail fungus infections? Various fungal organisms lead to toenail fungus infections. Yeast and molds can also cause this problem. The most common condition is triggered by a type of fungus called dermatophyte. Toenail fungal infection starts from athlete’s foot (foot fungus) and spreads from one nail to another. Even though most of the causes of a fungal nail infection are preventable, some risk factors increase the possibility of its recurrence. More men face the problem of toenail fungus than women, and also it is observed in adults more often than in children. You are more likely to get it if any of your family members gets these types of fungal infections. Because of the poor circulation and slow nail growth, older adults are at the highest risk of getting fungal infections. Also, as the nail ages, it becomes brittle, and the resulting cracks let the fungi enter the nail. The main risk factors for toenail infections are as follows: People with diabetes or who have diseases that cause poor circulation are prone to develop toenail fungus. People over the age of 65 are more likely to develop a nail infection. People who wear artificial nails or wear closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes or boots more often can get toenail infection.

Migraine is a neurological condition that is often accompanied by a host of painful and discomforting symptoms like sensitivity to light, dizziness, and nausea or vomiting. To cope with this, it is important to identify the common triggers of a migraine headache. Studies say that frequently reported migraine triggers are food items, and eliminating these food items, or at least limiting their consumption, is crucial for treatment: Chocolate Chocolate is often considered to be a risky migraine trigger and is among the most common triggers as it is replete with caffeine. Chocolate also contains the amino acid tyramine that adds to the intensity of the headaches. However, chocolates also have dopamine and serotonin, which are beneficial, so consuming chocolate in moderation may prove to be beneficial for the treatment. Caffeine An occasional cup of coffee does not cause a painful migraine attack, but drinking coffee or caffeinated drinks regularly can worsen the frequency and severity of headaches. Due to its vasoconstrictive properties, caffeine restricts blood flow to the brain, causing relief in the case of a painful headache, but it is best to avoid too much of coffee if you experience frequent headaches. Frozen foods Studies show that there is a strong link between frozen foods and migraine headaches. Consumption of frozen foods like ice cream, frozen yogurt, a slush, and such may provoke strong headaches. These items contain substances that affect blood flow to the brain, leading to headaches that develop into migraines. Salty foods Salty foods are the most common triggers as high consumption of salty foods raises the sodium levels in your blood and increases blood pressure, which could increase the risk of migraine. Avoid eating too much salt or salty and processed food to prevent it. Pickled and fermented foods Pickled and fermented foods contain high levels of tyramine, which may trigger migraine headaches.

Our bodies are made up of different kinds of cells. Blood cells are an important type of cell that is further bifurcated into three parts, namely white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Each type of blood cell plays an essential role in the human body. Red blood cells remove carbon dioxide from the body and carry oxygen to the tissues. Platelets prevent bleeding by forming blood clots. While blood cells are an essential part of the immune system and help fight infection and protect the body from foreign substances. There are several types of white blood cells. B lymphocytes are a type of white blood cells that become plasma cells upon identifying antigens in the body. Plasma cells and multiple myeloma Plasma cells produce antibodies that fight antigens, otherwise known as harmful foreign substances. These cells are normally present in the bone marrow in a limited number, but they can turn into a tumor upon abnormal cell multiplication. The tumor can turn cancerous and may cause multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. While scientists do not know the exact cause of multiple myeloma, they have conducted studies on how certain DNA changes can cause the plasma cells to turn cancerous and form a tumor. Multiple myeloma can lead to a loss of red blood cells, causing anemia. It can also decrease the number of platelets in the blood, which causes increased bleeding and bruising. Multiple myeloma even causes a shortage of white blood cells that leads to problems in fighting infections. Medical researchers and doctors who have been studying multiple myeloma are looking for a cure and methods to prevent this disease. Preventing it becomes less challenging when one knows the risk factors and early signs of cancer. Identifying the risk factors and taking the right measures to eliminate the risk can be an effective way to prevent multiple myeloma.

Hepatitis is a condition of the inflammation of the liver, which affects its strength and functions. A relatively unknown factor that can lead to a person contracting hepatitis is through certain medicines. Drug-induced hepatitis is an injury or inflammation of the liver caused by these prescribed medicines, but it is not the only type of liver injury that medication can cause. Other types of drug-induced issues include fatty liver and iron overload. Here’s a detailed look at drug-induced hepatitis. The liver is generally responsible for breaking down any substance that one eats. This process facilitates digestion, which, in turn, keeps the body healthy. The liver is also responsible for breaking down medicines that one may require for various purposes. These medications can include both medicines that one purchases over-the-counter or the ones that their doctor may prescribe for any health issues they face. However, the process of breaking down food or medication through the liver occurs at a slower rate in certain individuals. In such a scenario, the medication should be prescribed and consumed after checking whether they are suitable for the patient. If they fail to do so, the chances of liver damage increase significantly. On the other hand, even small doses of certain medications can lead to hepatitis despite the normal functioning of the liver. Similarly, consuming certain medications in large doses can damage an otherwise healthy liver. Medications contributing to the development of drug-induced hepatitis There is a long list of medications that can lead to hepatitis. Painkillers and fever reducers containing acetaminophen commonly lead to drug-induced hepatitis and other types of liver injury. This is especially likely when these medicines are purchased without a prescription and consumed in higher-than-recommended doses. Additionally, people who consume alcohol have a higher chance of developing the illness. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like naproxen, diclofenac, and ibuprofen can also lead to drug-induced hepatitis.

4 asthma triggers you probably didn’t know about Many know of the external factors that trigger asthma but only a few know that emotional stress can also trigger episodes of asthma. In fact, any extreme emotion may lead to an onset of asthma. These could be emotions of sadness or even excessive joy. This is why people suffering from asthma often try to contain their emotions. Some of the uncommon emotional triggers of asthma include: Emotional events In a single experiment, researchers measured a section of the lung and how it functions after showing people pictures depicting extreme emotions. It was proven that people in the study group who looked at the images of injuries, catastrophes, and sad events found it harder to breathe than others. Later, the people from the same group were asked to rate their moods thrice a day. This experiment continued for three weeks. Here, the lung functioning was measured with the help of a peak flow meter. While the study was significantly small, it reflected that negative emotions could deteriorate the functioning of the lungs. Additionally, it was observed that it was even worse for asthmatic patients to endure over the long run. Stressful events There have been many studies conducted which showed that severe life events were often associated with asthma attacks. Children and adults were admitted for asthma complications around the time they faced serious life issues. Additionally, it was also observed that everybody involved in the study, irrespective of them having asthma or not, reported having aggravated respiratory symptoms. Ongoing depression and panic attacks It has also been observed that both anxiety and depression are a lot more commonly found in people who are affected by asthma. Patients who have a mental health disorder along with asthma may have no to little control over their asthma symptoms and frequent asthma attacks, Moreover, they are more likely to visit the emergency department.

Common myths about birth control debunked The birth control pill was approved in the 1960s. Ever since then, it has become one of the most researched forms of medication in medical history. Although, women have become a lot more aware ever since the pill was introduced, there are still plenty of myths that exist. To that effect, the following article is all about debunking common myths about birth control: Myth 1: Birth control pills aid weight gain This is the first myth you will come across when you talk about birth control. While we do not deny that some women may gain weight while on the pill, there are research studies that have proven that there is no direct connection between the two. The reason behind weight gain is more or less bloating. It is the estrogen in the pill which can cause bloating. However, this goes away with time. Additionally, there is also progestin in the pill which can cause you to eat more than usual. This might lead to slight weight gain but nothing major that cannot be controlled with healthy eating and exercise. Moreover, many women start the pill in their 30s which is a time when they normally gain weight as part of the process of aging. Myth 2: You need to have birth control pills intermittently There is literally no medical reason for a fit woman to use a birth pill intermittently. It is completely alright to take the birth pill for as long as you would like. We would recommend consulting your gynecologist for a proper dosage that would suit you. Additionally, doctors also advise that you should keep reviewing your contraceptive needs and accordingly take the birth pills. Medical experts suggest that you should reconsider your birth control consumption pattern after the age of 35.

4 misconceptions about contraceptives There is a lot of information as well as misinformation on birth control. More often than not, it is hard to distinguish between the two. Here are 4 myths on birth control that need to be debunked immediately. Birth control keeps you safe from sexually transmitted diseases This myth is perhaps one of the most important ones that need to be debunked. Firstly, the only thing that can protect people from sexually transmitted diseases or sexually transmitted infections, including HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is the use of condoms. There is no other form of contraceptive that provides complete protection against sexually transmitted diseases the way a condom does. Hence, as per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, condoms must be used consistently and adequately during active sexual contact, so that you do not suffer from an STI. Using a condom is perhaps the safest way for preventing pregnancy Contrary to popular belief, condoms are only an adequate way to prevent men and women from getting a sexually transmitted infection. Even so, it is not the ideal way to keep pregnancy at bay. A study shows that only 98% efficacy can be achieved with a condom when it comes to prevention of pregnancy. However, in most cases, people do not end up using the condom the right way. Hence, the rate goes down to almost 85%. If you want a better hang of the situation, then here is what you should know. Out of every 100 women who use a condom in birth control, two to fifteen will become pregnant during the first year that they start using it. As per experts, the best way of birth control is adopting a birth control implant or getting an intrauterine contraceptive device. Pulling out is an effective way of birth control A lot of people practice withdrawal or “pulling out”.