When an individual sleeps, their body works to restore and repair itself. However, their sleeping position, especially with pillows, could affect this restoration process by influencing the spine’s natural curvature. To improve sleep quality and prevent discomfort, people with problems like back or neck pain, difficulty staying asleep, and waking up feeling unrested should change how they use pillows. Keep reading to find out five sleeping positions to try with pillows and their impact on health. Side sleepers When one sleeps on their side, they should use a medium-soft pillow. They would do well with a lofted pillow that fits between the neck and mattress and is sturdy enough to keep the head from sagging down. One should avoid pillows that are too firm, crane the neck upward, and may cause neck pain. A side sleeper could also put a thick, firm pillow between their legs, with the knees even or the top knee narrowly staggered to keep the hip from pulling forward and straining one’s lower back. Back sleepers Some people may sleep on their backs, which is ideal to prevent neck and back pain. Such individuals must pick a thin pillow with a lower loft to keep the neck in a neutral position.

A stay at the hospital is stressful regardless of the duration of the stay or its reason. While most hospitals strive to provide patients and guardians with adequate comfort, it is difficult to feel at ease away from home. Therefore, putting thought into what to pack is important. One must pack all the essentials and things that can make the stay more comfortable. To get started, here is a quick checklist that can help. Toiletries Always pack these basic necessities first: toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, soap, deodorant, hairbrush, moisturizer, contact lenses, and their solution or eyeglasses. Preferred blankets and pillows from home Hospitals provide pillows, blankets, and bedding to all their patients. Yet one might not always find these comfortable. The blanket might be prickly, or the pillows might be too lumpy. Also, these are often plain in color and pattern, which may seem drab, particularly to young children, teenagers, or the elderly. So always pack in the comfiest pillows, blankets, and bedsheets from home according to the need. Favorite pairs of socks and sweaters Hospitals are usually quite cold due to the air conditioning turned down really low. Bringing along one’s favorite pair of songs and sweaters is, therefore, a good idea.

It is no exaggeration to say that, at least biologically, people are what they eat. Bone health, especially, depends heavily on what one consumes. Certain foods, such as milk, soya beans, walnuts, salmon, broccoli, and spinach, strengthen one’s bones and joints. On the flip side, certain foods are terrible for the bones, making them brittle, porous, and vulnerable to damage. Some of the worst foods for the bones are listed here. Salt As much as salt benefits one’s health as a stabilizer and an antibacterial agent, excessive salt consumption saps the calcium from one’s bones over time. For instance, nutritionists believe that one loses approximately 40 milligrams of calcium for every 2,300 milligrams of sodium consumed. Sodium is one of the worst elements possible in this regard. Hence any foods containing it will be detrimental to one’s bone health. Excessive salt is usually found in canned vegetables, frozen meals, canned soup, store-bought baked goods, and other processed and over-packaged edibles. To counter such an excessive intake of salt, one can avoid processed food entirely, consume home-cooked meals, and control their salt content. Coffee Like sodium, caffeine also takes out calcium from all the bones in the body, making them brittle.

Dry eyes syndrome is a condition in which the tears are unable to provide adequate moisture to the eyes. This leads to red, dry, and inflamed eyes, which can cause discomfort and sensitivity toward light. The condition is particularly common in seniors and women in the postmenopausal phase. Although the condition has treatment options, adding specific types of foods to your daily meals can also help in managing the symptoms. Fish One of the key ingredients that makes fish an ideal food to manage dry eyes is Omega 3. These fatty acids are responsible for keeping the tear film in the eyes hydrated and moisturized, which helps in lubricating the eyes. They also have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce the inflammation caused by dry eyes. One can include fish like mackerel, salmon, herring, cod, and trout in their daily meals. Green vegetables Vegetables like kale, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, carrots, pumpkins, Brussel sprouts, peppers are beneficial for eye health as they contain various vitamins like E, C, B12, B6, B2, along with vitamin A. Deficiency in these vitamins can lead to damage to the surface of the eyes, which can further result in complications. These vitamins are needed for cell repair, proper functioning of the tear film, and for providing lubrication to the eyes.

Asthma is a health condition where the airways swell and narrow and may even secrete extra mucus. It often makes breathing difficult for the patient, triggering episodes of wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. The effects of asthma vary between patients. Some people may experience minor troubles, while the condition may be life-threatening for others. Here are some healthy food choices one can opt for to keep asthma at bay. Foods that help manage asthma symptoms Even though asthma management does not require a specific nutritional plan, adding a few items may prove beneficial to alleviate its symptoms. Furthermore, it can also improve overall health. Oranges and apples Multiple studies have found that citrus fruits like oranges can decrease the risk of asthma attacks. Moreover, eating two servings of fruits such as apples and oranges daily leads to better asthma control. Furthermore, fresh fruits like apples provide the body with much-needed nutrients such as Vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene, which can effectively reduce inflammation and swelling in the lungs. Ginger Ginger is one of the vegetables that have multiple health benefits. It can not only relieve an upset stomach but also ease asthma symptoms. It is due to certain components in ginger that help relax the airways.

Dementia is incredibly common, with more than 10 million new cases registered every year globally. People with this mental health condition suffer from a gradual weakening of brain functionality. This results in a host of issues, such as difficulty memorizing things, struggle with simple movements, and an inability to communicate thoughts. Certain silent signs can help doctors diagnose this condition in its initial stages. Some of these early signs are: Frequent mood shifts Abrupt mood shifts are one of the early signs of dementia. A person with the condition may go from extremely irritated to happy in a matter of minutes. Identifying such mood shifts may be hard for the patient, but those around are likely to notice them. Misplacing things Forgetfulness is another early indicator. Individuals with dementia may misplace their belongings more frequently and in unusual areas. For instance, one may place a spoon inside their wallet, a set of house keys inside a sugar bowl, or an iron inside the refrigerator. Speech and language problems While speaking, it is common for everyone to sometimes struggle to find the right words. However, people with dementia often use incorrect words, or words with a different meaning and context, in any situation.

Dementia is a psychological condition involving the progressive loss of cognitive abilities, including memory, reasoning, concentration, and the ability to carry out daily tasks. Many patients with dementia show behavioral changes and mood swings, hallucinate, and get disorientated and irritable. Besides early diagnosis and timely treatment, constant care, family support, and some lifestyle changes can contribute to healing from dementia. Here are some foods that can help individuals prevent and manage dementia symptoms: Spinach Spinach contains high levels of lutein, an antioxidant that helps prevent loss of cognitive functions. Moreover, several studies have drawn associations between the intake of spinach and other leafy greens and the prevention of cognitive decline. Spinach can be added to stir-fries, gravies, soups, smoothies, etc. Fatty fish Fatty fish varieties like salmon, tuna, and mackerel are packed with Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Studies have demonstrated a decline in DHA levels among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease, a leading cause of dementia. Thus, a meal plan rich in DHA can help reduce one’s susceptibility to these psychological conditions. A daily intake of 200 mg of DHA is recommended for brain health. Broccoli Being a cruciferous vegetable, broccoli is rich in carotenoids and vitamin B. These components can reduce the levels of homocysteine, an amino acid known to contribute to cognitive decline and related psychological conditions in the body.

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) occurs when there is a breakdown in the functioning of the atria or the heart’s upper chambers. Instead of beating at an average rate, the pulse begins to fibrillate, beating at a fast or irregular pace. AFib can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure, which can be fatal. To manage this condition, it is recommended to implement some lifestyle changes in addition to medical therapies. Based on available evidence, avoiding certain foods can help manage AFib better, as these have been shown to affect health and increase the risk of heart complications negatively. They may also lead to other health issues such as diabetes, cognitive decline, and certain cancers. Therefore, common foods to avoid with atrial fibrillation include: Energy drinks Energy drinks contain a large amount of caffeine, excessive sugar, and stimulants, which can negatively affect the cardiovascular system. Observational research has linked the consumption of energy drinks with serious cardiovascular events, including arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths. It is suggested that people with AFib avoid energy drinks. Partially hydrogenated vegetable oils and margarine According to studies, foods high in saturated and trans fats are associated with a high risk of AFib and other cardiovascular conditions.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in our country, with nearly 9,500 people diagnosed every day. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, about one in five of our population is projected to develop the condition by the age of 70. But despite its prevalence, skin cancer is one of the most treatable cancers if caught early. Some subtle and silent signs to keep an eye out for include: Translucent, waxy bumps Skin cancer can show up as a clear or skin-colored bump. According to doctors, a translucent, waxy bump could be a sign of early-stage basal or squamous cell skin cancer. This bump may never bleed, hurt, or cause other symptoms. Scaly patches If a dry patch does not go away even after moisturizing or using other treatments, it could be basal or squamous cell carcinoma. Scaly patches could also indicate seborrheic dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis. Red or purple lesions Common skin lesions or lesions showing up as blue, purple, or red nodules could be a sign of a rare skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma. These bumps grow within a few weeks, often in areas that have received a lot of sun over the years. Another rare cancer, Kaposi sarcoma, may also develop as discolored skin.

Skin cancer is a common condition primarily brought on by excessive sun exposure. It can appear as a variety of symptoms, such as darker speckles, a mole, etc. Although the disease can be treated, there are ways to prevent and avoid it through lifestyle and food changes. Spending less time in the sun and eating certain foods may reduce the risk of developing this condition. Here are some foods that can help with related symptoms. Fatty fish Fatty fish, which are high in good fat and omega-3 fatty acids, can protect against melanoma. This type of fatty acid is beneficial to overall health and does not increase the risk of any other types of cancer. An average of one serving of oily fish, such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, and trout, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, should be consumed every five days. They have anti-inflammatory properties that aid in the prevention of a variety of illnesses. Colorful fruits and vegetables Strong antioxidants in colorful fruits and vegetables, such as polyphenols, carotenoids, and other bioactive compounds, may reduce the risk of melanoma. Include a lot of orange and dark green fruits in your daily meals. Eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale is recommended at least three times per week.

Every parent strives to foster their child’s physical and mental well-being. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a particular mental disorder parents should be aware of. It is a common developmental disability resulting in impaired cognitive, behavioral, affective, and social functioning. Thankfully, a timely diagnosis and expert intervention can help control its symptoms. In children, the early signs of autism appear between 12 to 18 months of age and sometimes prior. Repetitive movements Repetitive movements, including hand flapping, rocking, twirling, and turning switches on and off, can indicate the onset of autism. Some studies suggest that such repetitive behavior displayed by patients is associated with an imbalance of corticostriatal connectivity. Echolalia While repeating words and phrases is a natural part of child development, kids with autism often engage in excessive verbal repetitions, known as echolalia. Such repetitive speech tends to persist beyond three years of age and is particularly prominent among children with autism who are grappling with delayed speech development. Lack of eye contact Researchers believe that a lack of eye contact is one of the primary indicators of the disorder. Since this lack of eye contact stems from the child’s inability to communicate and interact with others, it is typically accompanied by the inability to partake in and sustain social interactions and engage in non-verbal communication.