Between the ages of 13 and 50, most people with a uterus experience a monthly menstrual cycle, which causes 3-7 days of bleeding. This totals approximately 450 periods over their lifetime. One can end up spending upwards of $1000 on period products over time. With the high costs involved, it is best to learn about the various products available for one to manage their periods and make an informed choice. Read this article to learn more about it. Sanitary pads These are the most popularly used sanitary products worldwide and have evolved in the past few decades to become more comfortable and absorbent. Generally made of cotton, rayon, and plastic, pads are stuck to the inner side of one’s underwear to collect blood flow. However, they are disposable and need to be changed every four to six hours, which can make them an environmental burden. Reusable cloth pads These products work like sanitary pads but are washable and reusable, making them cost-effective and eco-friendly. The only drawback with purchasing reusable pads is their initial cost, which may vary between $20 to $30. Tampons Another top-rated sanitary product, tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. They are inserted using an applicator or one’s fingers and can absorb blood flow for 4-8 hours.

Everyone wants a set of bright, healthy teeth, but maintaining them requires more than cleaning and flossing. It’s important to avoid activities that are bad for your teeth’s overall health and condition. Proper oral hygiene is more than avoiding cavities and brushing your teeth twice. Additionally, it’s about guarding your enamel, taking good care of your gums, and lessening bacterial buildup. Below are the top four habits that can damage your teeth profusely. Four bad habits that can damage teeth Brushing excessively Most people need to be made aware they have the undesirable habit of brushing their teeth excessively hard. Since it erodes your enamel, using a lot of pressure while brushing will harm them. Instead, use moderate circular strokes and clean your teeth with a tiny touch using the bristles. Avoid brushing with an old toothbrush, as doing so will only worsen your teeth’s condition. Consuming excess sugar It’s a universal fact that sugar is terrible for the teeth. It turns into acids by the microorganisms in your mouth. Over time, this acid starts eroding and eventually lead to tooth decay. This is why sugary and sticky meals are the worst food items since they cling to your teeth for a long time.

Using a smartphone has multiple benefits, including enjoying content, playing games, and carrying out financial transactions. The device is also useful for work-based tasks, such as answering calls and sending texts and emails in seconds. But on the flip side, using a smart device may have several adverse effects on our health, such as affecting our sleep and eye health. Here are five such complications that may occur due to excessive smartphone use. Circadian rhythm instability Circadian rhythms are physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow a 24-hour cycle. The natural processes respond to light and dark. For example, a normal circadian rhythm involves staying awake during the day and sleeping at night. However, when we use a smartphone at night, our eyes are exposed to blue light emitted from the screen. Such light could affect the internal body clock and disrupt an individual’s circadian rhythm. Difficulty sleeping Studies have shown that exposure to blue light could suppress melatonin and affect one’s sleep-wake cycle. And this could result in insomnia, irritability, and tiredness during the day. Even viewing something entertaining on a smartphone before going to bed could trigger a response that prevents one from falling asleep. The use of the device may also delay REM sleep.

Being aware of your posture while reading is an important aspect. You should be aware of certain things while reading a book or working on your laptop as continuously doing such tasks can affect your eye health. Working on gadgets constantly can have some side effects like text neck, stiff shoulder muscles, and headaches. To prevent any vision issues, here are some things to keep in mind while using devices. Sitting straight up Bending your neck or your back while reading a book, scrolling through your phone, or working on a laptop is a common problem. Especially if you have a desk job that requires you to be working on a computer most part of the day. This can mean slouching down and risking bad posture. You should take appropriate breaks while working to do some mild shoulder and back exercises that can keep the muscles relaxed and stress free. Remind yourself frequently to sit upright and fix your posture. While reading a book, it is recommended that you hold it at a 60-degree angle and 15 inches away from the eyes. Limiting screen time This is important while working on your laptop. Most smartphones today have a feature that shows your average screen time.

The eyes are often the first thing a person notices when looking at someone’s face. Although tiny, they can communicate emotions and express your feelings. For example, a gleam of sparkle in the eyes is often equated with excitement, vitality, and good health. If you are worried about how to make your eyes sparkle and look more bright and vibrant, here are six simple tips and tricks that could help: Avoid dry air When the eyes do not have enough moisture, they become scratchy, irritated, and dry. The problem is more common at high altitudes, in desert climates, and on airplanes, where the air is dryer than usual. It can also result from direct air blowing into your eyes from a blow dryer or car heater vent. Whatever the cause, avoid dry air as often as possible or carry eye drops to keep your eyes hydrated. Use green tea bags on your eyelids Having healthy, hydrated, and relaxed skin around the eyes is also important. Green tea is an excellent source of polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which can help fight inflammation and reduce the appearance of swollen skin. Steep green tea bags in warm water, remove them, allow them to cool, and keep them in the fridge for 15 minutes.

Constipation is a common condition that develops when one has fewer than three bowel movements a week. The stool that remains in the digestive tract hardens over time, making it difficult to pass. Constipation can be a result of health conditions or lifestyle factors. Although it can cause discomfort, it should not be a source of embarrassment. Further, to ease abdominal pain and reduce constipation, one should try the following drinks: Prune juice Prunes or dried plums are known for their laxative properties and for improving gastrointestinal health due to their fiber, sorbitol, magnesium, and potassium content. Certain studies have found that an intake of 80 grams of prunes per day can increase the load and frequency of bowel movements. Prune juice can relieve constipation by easing the movement of food through the digestive system. Lemon juice Lemon juice is a great source of vitamin C that pulls water into the gut. The increased water content helps soften the stool and facilitates digestion to relieve constipation. One can squeeze half a lemon into a glass of warm water and have it twice a day. Apple juice Apples are a great source of water-soluble fiber (pectin) and sorbitol, which can add bulk to the stool and help it move faster through the digestive tract.

Hypertension occurs when one’s blood pressure rises to higher than normal levels. The pressure of blood fluctuates throughout the day based on the activities one indulges in. But when one develops hypertension, they risk suffering from severe health complications like a heart attack, stroke, and even heart disease. Therefore, it is important to learn about the symptoms of high blood pressure so that one may seek treatment at the earliest. Severe headaches A spike in blood pressure may trigger unbearable headaches. Severe headaches might also be accompanied by other symptoms like perspiration, anxiety, confusion, and palpitations. Atrial fibrillation Hypertension may cause the heart to push excessive blood to different organs of the body, including the brain. However, too much force may damage the arteries and cause them to weaken. A weakened artery may become blocked by a clot or plaque buildup, which could increase the risk of atrial fibrillation — an irregular heart rhythm that could lead to blood clots in the heart, and put one at risk of stroke. Breathing difficulties High blood pressure may result in the lack of oxygenated blood moving from the heart to the lungs through the pulmonary arteries. Therefore, an individual may develop pulmonary hypertension and suffer from symptoms like shortness of breath and pain in the chest.

Medical insurance is a crucial investment as it offers individuals and their families financial security and peace of mind. But sadly, many people do not research well and buy a policy in a hurry. As a result, they make several mistakes, which lead to inadequate coverage, denied claims, and unexpected expenses. This article highlights the common mistakes to avoid while buying medical insurance that could prevent you from enjoying its benefits. Failing to understand your healthcare needs A significant mistake people make is not fully understanding their healthcare needs before purchasing insurance. Experts recommend you take the time to assess each family member’s health situation, any ongoing therapies or treatments, frequency of doctor visits, and specialist consultations, and buy a suitable package that covers these costs. Not researching the available options The medical insurance market is vast, with hundreds of plans from different providers. Not researching your options can lead to missed opportunities for better coverage at lower costs. So, take the time to compare plans from different providers, review the coverage details, and evaluate the company’s network of healthcare providers, deductibles, copayments, and premiums. Buying insufficient coverage You may have to bear the burden of expensive medical bills if you neglect the policy’s coverage specifications.

Approximately 60% to 75% of the body is water. It is essential to every bodily function, from blood circulation to digestion. This is why drinking the optimal amount of water is vital for overall health. Most experts recommend drinking about eight glasses of water daily; drinking too little increases the risk of dehydration. On the flip side, drinking too much water is also unhealthy. Here are a few health issues caused by drinking excessive water. Hyponatremia This condition is caused by a drop in the sodium levels in the body. Sodium is one of the essential electrolytes in the body that balances the fluid levels inside and outside the body’s cells—overhydration or drinking too much water cause sodium levels to go down. Headache Drinking too much water may disrupt brain function. The excess water enters the cells, including the brain cells, resulting in their swelling. This exerts pressure on the brain, leading to headaches and dizziness. Some people also experience confusion because of this. Nausea Sometimes the health issues because of drinking excessive water are similar to that of dehydration. While a lack of water puts a strain on the kidneys, so does excess water content in the body. This strain occurs because the kidneys cannot expel the additional water.

As the flu season approaches, it is important to keep yourself healthy and free of infections. There is an increased risk of diseases like respiratory syncytial virus (RSVI), human metapneumovirus (HPMV), adenovirus, parainfluenza, and others, especially when you are regularly out and about. While stepping out is unavoidable, there are several hotspots to be wary of. Here are some traditional hotspots for respiratory illnesses that everyone is likely to encounter. Doorknobs and drawer handles Handles and knobs on doors and drawers happen to be the most frequently touched surfaces around the home. Due to this reason, they have become hotspots for the transmission of diseases. To avoid these, it is vital to regularly wash your hands and wipe these spots with a disinfectant a few times a day. Keyboards and electronic keypads Keyboards and electronic keypads are also touched often but are seldom cleaned. This makes them another hotspot for the transfer of disease and infections. Be sure to wipe down the keyboard/keypad with a disinfectant after each use. Shared cutlery and tableware It is common for people to share their utensils and drinkware at home and in the office. However, this could lead to the transmission of infections from one person to the other.

Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin, can have a significant impact on the quality of life. However, seemingly tiny changes to the daily routine can help one find relief from symptoms. A few daily habits can help people with psoriasis manage their condition and improve overall well-being. From skincare routines to a healthy lifestyle, better choices can help reduce inflammation, soothe the skin, and improve skin health.  Identify and avoid triggers One should identify and avoid psoriasis triggers like skincare products, fragrances, harsh weather conditions, stress, and certain foods. Maintaining a journal can help one identify potential triggers. Choose balanced meals Another daily habit to better manage psoriasis symptoms is following a well-balanced meal plan rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. One should also choose foods with anti-inflammatory properties, like fatty fish, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. Exercise regularly Regular physical activity is not only beneficial for physical and mental health but can also help manage psoriasis. Exercise promotes better blood circulation, reduces inflammation, and boosts mood. Use a gentle cleanser A mild, fragrance-free cleanser is the best option for gently cleansing the skin. Harsh soaps and cleansers can strip the skin of its natural oils and exacerbate psoriasis symptoms.