Many of us fall out of exercise routines for one reason or another. Luckily, a few tips can help you jump right back on the fitness wagon!

Everyone experiences it. Life gets too busy, other commitments pull our focus, or an injury stops the trips to the gym. Regardless of the reason, it is extremely common to fall out of a fitness routine, and it can be difficult to get back into the swing of things.

However, while it might take a bit of patience, time, and drive, anybody can increase their activity level once again.
<h2>1. Mentally Prepare and Motivate</h2>
Sometimes just the thought of working out feels overwhelming. Even professional athletes experience burnout, stress, and workout anxiety. [citation href="https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2018/exercise-plan-motivation.html" title="AARP" desc="Need Motivation to Exercise? What Science Says Really Works"]Discovering new motivation[/citation] is a great way to move past these mental blocks.

If you were previously working out just to get in shape, they could shift into workouts or sports focusing more on fun than on pure calorie burning. Enjoying an activity moves it away from feeling like a chore and makes it easier to jump into.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080420" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_160689725.jpg" alt="man diving into the lake" width="1000" height="744" />


<h2>2. Set Times and Commit</h2>
It is way easier to avoid an activity than it is to actually do it — many people have the desire to work out but find reasons that keep them from actually exercising.

Try scheduling exercise times and think of them as no less important than work meetings or appointments. Something as simple as going for a walk can increase fitness levels and act as the first step to [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25851609/" title="Journal of Behavioral Medicine" desc="Exercise habit formation in new gym members: a longitudinal study"]getting back[/citation] into an old fitness routine.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080421" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_579078562.jpg" alt="Exercise written on a calendar, scheduled workout" width="1000" height="679" />


<h2>3. Workout Early to Keep Motivation High</h2>
[citation href="https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2018/exercise-plan-motivation.html" title="AARP" desc="Need Motivation to Exercise? What Science Says Really Works"]Some studies[/citation] indicate that humans really do have a “battery” that slowly drains throughout the day. Many people wake up and have lots of motivation to tackle the day ahead, but that willpower is severely diminished by 5 pm.

Exercising in the morning, when that get-up-and-go feeling is at its peak, makes getting back into a routine that much easier.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080422" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_533151118.jpg" alt="woman going for an early-morning jog" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>4. Ease Into It</h2>
When returning to a fitness program, people often expect to be able to start right where they left off. Unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Surprisingly, more skilled or more active people may notice an even larger drop in their fitness levels.

Doing too much after a long break [citation href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-back-to-exercising-after-a-long-break/" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="How to Get Back to Exercising After a Long Break"]increases the risk of injuries[/citation] and can deal a dramatic blow to motivation levels. Take it slow and steady and ease back into the routine. Start with lighter weights or shorter workout times.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080423" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_1271048443.jpg" alt="older woman sitting on couch lifting light weights" width="1000" height="664" />


<h2>5. Focus on Form</h2>
People often rely on muscle memory when returning to their workout routines, but bodily changes and other factors can cause exercise form to suffer after a long break.

Restarting a routine is the perfect time to focus on form and build good, healthy habits. Doing so also helps [citation href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/avoid-workout-injuries" title="Harvard Health" desc="Avoid workout injuries"]prevent injuries[/citation] that may further delay a return to routine.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080424" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_1046316523.jpg" alt="young woman lifting weights looking at form in mirror" width="1000" height="683" />


<h2>6. Stretch More</h2>
Stretching is an integral part of any workout routine at any fitness level. Primarily, stretching [citation href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-importance-of-stretching" title="Harvard Health" desc="The Importance of Stretching"]helps prevent injuries[/citation].

Beyond that, our muscles and joints are often far stiffer after being sedentary. Stretching allows the body to slowly and naturally regain a healthy range of motion. It also acts as a simple way to ease back into exercising.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080425" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_2030067845.jpg" alt="woman doing dynamic stretches before a workout" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>7. Take Time To Rest</h2>
When trying to get back into a fitness routine, many people tend to overdo it. The motivation to regain what they feel was "lost" often drives them to dangerous levels of exercise.

Resting is just as important as the routine itself. [citation href="https://www.acefitness.org/resources/pros/expert-articles/3565/exercise-and-rest-how-much-rest-you-actually-need/" title="Ace Fitness" desc="Exercise and Rest: How Much Rest You Actually Need"]Take time[/citation] to allow muscles to heal. Make sure to get plenty of sleep. Finding a good post-workout recovery plan is key to a healthy relationship with fitness.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080426" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_1289448838-2.jpg" alt="woman and daughter meditating on the couch" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>8. Exercise With a Buddy</h2>
Exercising alone requires way more motivation than working out with a friend. People are far more likely to stick to a routine if friends are doing it, as well.

Adding some pals into the mix — either working out together or acting as accountability buddies — makes working out more fun. Plus, everyone tends to [citation href="https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2019/exercising-with-a-partner.html" title="AARP" desc="Exercising With a Partner"]push each other[/citation] while also looking out for one another.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080427" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_1374328214-1.jpg" alt="smiling friends going to work out together" width="1000" height="666" />


<h2>9. Pick Up Some New Gear</h2>
A long sedentary period is a great time to pick up some new workout equipment, like running shoes, new weights, or a good exercise outfit. Studies show that [citation href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103112000200" title="Journal of Experimental Social Psychology" desc="Enclothed cognition"]new clothes and looking good inspire confidence[/citation] and provide a source of motivation.

Spending money on new gear can drive you to use it more often, plus there's a good chance the old footwear or sports bra needed replacing anyway. Think of it as a reward for getting back into the swing of things.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080428" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_2091529270.jpg" alt="woman looking at new running shoes" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>10. No Punishments</h2>
Some people feel a sense of guilt or shame if they miss a workout, especially if they are coming out of a long break. Because of this, they may try to add extra exercises to the next workout or skip a meal to make up for not losing the calories.

This mindset is incredibly dangerous and can lead to injuries, disordered eating, [citation href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/26/health/exercise-impulse-control-burnout-wellness/index.html" title="CNN" desc="Too much exercise could lead to bad decisions on what you eat and buy"]and burnout[/citation]. People skip workouts all the time. Just keep trying to stick to the routine and try changing things up if the habit is not sticking. Fitness influencers sometimes point out that you wouldn't give up on showering just because you didn't shower one day. You just have your shower (and your workout) the next day!

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1080429" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_2007321845.jpg" alt="smiling father and daughter doing exercises at home" width="1000" height="667" />

Fitness is a condition that helps people feel and do their best. Fitness helps our bodies perform what we need, whether it is enjoying a walk, doing household tasks or running a marathon. When you set your fitness goals, you should consider your skills, age, fitness level and health. When you start out slowly, you will slowly progress to the higher levels.

&nbsp;
Whether you are new to fitness or a fitness-guru, you should always start with a warm-up and end with a cool-down. A warm-up includes ten to fifteen minutes of low-intensity activity, such as jogging, walking, arm circles, trunk rotations or knee lifts. A cool-down includes ten minutes of low-level exercise, slow walking and stretching. As a rule of thumb, you should try to perform moderate intensity activity most days of the week, for example, do brisk walking.

&nbsp;
Fitness is available to anyone. Everyone can increase their level of fitness if they have motivation and willingness to adjust their lifestyle to their fitness goals.

Lifestyle

Whether you're looking for the finest superfood or you're curious about the benefits of that starfruit you just picked up at the market, Facty has the details. From the best exercises to get fit fast to the real facts on the latest fad diet, we have the answers to your questions.

Fitness

How To Get Back Into a Fitness Routine

The market is full of "wellness" detox drinks and diets. The good news? Most bodies don't need any help detoxing, so you can probably save your money!

The journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle is often long and difficult. Many people wish to find easier ways to lose weight, boost energy levels, or just generally feel healthier. Detox products and services often claim to provide all this and more by removing horrific toxins from the body.

Unfortunately, many of these detoxes are ineffective, and some are downright harmful. While some factors, such as certain health conditions, can prevent natural detoxification, the body can already detox itself — it's actually pretty good at it.
<h2>1. How the Body Detoxes</h2>
Among their other jobs, [citation href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/liver-anatomy-and-functions" title="Johns Hopkins" desc="Liver Anatomy and Functions"]the kidneys and liver[/citation] are the body’s main way of detoxing itself. These organs essentially act as large filters for blood. As the liver processes the blood, it identifies poisonous substances and waste products, renders them harmless, and then sends them back into the blood or excretes them into a fluid product.

This fluid, called bile, enters the intestine and eventually leaves the body in the feces, which removes the toxins. The kidneys perform similar functions but instead excrete waste products into the urine.

[caption id="attachment_1079898" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079898" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1408981167.jpg" alt="woman taking a piece of toilet paper" width="2121" height="1414" /> brizmaker / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. The Myth of the “Detox”</h2>
Originally, the term “detox” referred to a medical procedure that actively removed dangerous levels of poisons, drugs, or alcohol from the body. Medical detoxification usually occurs in a hospital or clinic under the supervision of a medical professional.

The detox programs that most people are familiar with are usually do-it-yourself diets or procedures that are widely available and [citation href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/detoxing-your-liver-fact-versus-fiction" title="Johns Hopkins" desc="Detoxing Your Liver: Fact Versus Fiction"]lack scientific evidence[/citation] supporting their use. Some products claim to detox systems or individual organs, while others are “whole body” cleansers.

[caption id="attachment_1079900" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079900" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1289221014.jpg" alt="woman drinking detox juice" width="2121" height="1414" /> Ridofranz / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. A Look At Detoxes</h2>
The vast majority of detox products are unable to state exactly which toxins they are attempting to remove. Instead, they mention general materials like heavy metals or pesticides that the body already removes without outside assistance. Additionally, detoxes often claim to have general and unprovable abilities, like providing an energy boost, making the skin glow, or causing weight loss.

Sure, weight loss may occur, but it is usually due to resulting diarrhea or simply because many detoxes ask the user to fast for several days. The other benefits, if they occur, are [citation href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/detoxing-your-liver-fact-versus-fiction" title="Johns Hopkins" desc="Detoxing Your Liver: Fact Versus Fiction"]due to healthy ingredients[/citation], not any innate detoxifying powers.

[caption id="attachment_1079901" align="alignnone" width="2123"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079901" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-460453395.jpg" alt="Excited Man Clenching Fist While Using Weight Scale" width="2123" height="1413" /> tetmc / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Common Detox Ingredients</h2>
Most detox products contain some combination of fruits and vegetables, like kale, lemons, ginger, apples, and many others. These ingredients do technically help with detoxing, but only because they are already good for the liver and kidneys. Many fruits contain antioxidants that protect the body from issues like inflammation, which can impact kidney and liver function.

Iron-rich vegetables like kale [citation href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/" title="NIH" desc="Iron"]support the body’s metabolism and cellular functioning[/citation]. In general, it is often healthier and far less expensive to eat the natural ingredients themselves rather than consume them as part of a detox product, especially since these products tend to contain fairly small quantities of them.

[caption id="attachment_1079909" align="alignnone" width="2048"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079909" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1318010385.jpg" alt="detox juice with ingredients on a chopping board" width="2048" height="1463" /> erikreis / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. The Bogus Ingredients</h2>
Beyond the basic fruits and veggies, many detoxes contain “super ingredients” or similar additives that they claim have the biggest effect. Algae, like spirulina, are common targets for this, despite there being [citation href="https://jnutres.com/articles/spirulina-in-combating-protein-energy-malnutrition-pem-and-protein-energy-wasting-pew-a-review" title="Journal of Nutritional Research" desc="Spirulina in combating Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) and Protein Energy Wasting (PEW) - A review"]no substantial evidence[/citation] supporting their use for any condition.

Some algae can [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28245621/" title="Toxins" desc="Detection of Cyanotoxins in Algae Dietary Supplements"]produce toxins[/citation] like cyanotoxins or microcystins that cause issues ranging from gastrointestinal upset to liver damage. Additionally, some of these ingredients have also had histories of heavy metal contamination. Because it views detox products as dietary supplements, the U.S. does not regulate their production or enforce any safety standards.

[caption id="attachment_1079902" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079902" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1296279618.jpg" alt="Spirulina Powder On A Wooden Background" width="2121" height="1414" /> R Franca / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Colon Cleanses Are Unnecessary</h2>
In addition to the wealth of oral products that claim to detox the body, some utilize rectal delivery. Colon hydrotherapy, also called a colon cleanse or colonic, is a common service available at some spas. These services are essentially enemas that supposedly remove toxin accumulations in what many people consider the dirtiest part of the body. In reality, there are no built-up toxins to remove. The water simply flushes out fecal matter that the body would eventually expel anyway.

Colon cleanses can, however, [citation href="https://www.mdedge.com/familymedicine/article/64413/gastroenterology/dangers-colon-cleansing" title="The Journal of Family Practice" desc="The dangers of colon cleansing"]damage the gastrointestinal organs[/citation] while increasing the risk of intestinal parasites and heart failure.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1079903" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/shutterstock_267981476.jpg" alt="woman undergoing colon therapy" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>7. Alkalinity Cleanses Make No Sense</h2>
One of the biggest detox trends is the alkaline cleanse. Alkaline is a term that refers to the high end of the pH scale, meaning extremely basic. This detox recommends eating alkaline-promoting foods like green vegetables, herbal teas, and even alkaline water to make the body more basic on the pH scale.

However, different parts of the body have different acidity levels. Stomach acid is between 2 and 3.5 pH, while the blood is around 7.4. The body goes through [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4670772/" title="Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology" desc="Acid-Base Homeostasis"]a lot of effort[/citation] to regulate its pH balance, meaning it is extremely difficult to adjust the pH levels to any meaningful degree. Technically, diet can temporarily change urine pH level, but this [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7797810/" title="Journal of the American Dietetic Association" desc="Potential renal acid load of foods and its influence on urine pH"]does not provide any benefit[/citation] for the average person. Like most detoxes, the health benefits of the alkaline diet stem from eating healthier foods.

[caption id="attachment_1079904" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079904" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1323504831.jpg" alt="Woman hands taking green peas from table with fresh vegetables" width="2121" height="1414" /> nikkimeel / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Conditions That Require Outside Help</h2>
For the body to need a detox, the body must first contain toxins. This means that either the kidneys and liver are no longer functioning properly or a person absorbed a dangerous level of toxins in a short time. Common conditions that impact organ function are nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, hepatitis C, and various autoimmune diseases.

Certain medications, recreational drug use, alcohol abuse, and severe dehydration can also [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17689-kidney-failure" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Kidney Failure"]impact kidney and liver function.[/citation] Chemical spills or workplace accidents are potential sources of toxin exposure.

[caption id="attachment_1079905" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079905" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1152782476.jpg" alt="woman drinking water" width="2121" height="1414" /> fizkes / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. When to Seek Professional Help</h2>
If the body does require medical detoxification, there will usually be several notable symptoms. [citation href="https://www.kidney.org/kidneydisease/howkidneyswrk" title="National Kidney Foundation" desc="How Your Kidneys Work"]Warning signs[/citation] for a loss of kidney or liver function include high blood pressure, blood in the feces or urine, needing to use the bathroom more often, jaundice, or swelling of the hands and feet.

Excess levels of specific toxins will cause unique symptoms, such as muscle spasms or breathing difficulties.

[caption id="attachment_1079906" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079906" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1226146718.jpg" alt="man taking his blood pressure at home" width="2121" height="1414" /> Boris Jovanovic / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. How to Actually "Detox"</h2>
As with many health issues, the best way to keep filtering out any toxins the body picks up is to keep systems functioning [citation href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/detoxing-your-liver-fact-versus-fiction" title="Johns Hopkins" desc="Detoxing Your Liver: Fact Versus Fiction"]in tip-top shape[/citation].

This means regularly getting plenty of exercise and eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods. Cutting back on alcohol can help keep the liver healthy and maintaining a healthy BMI will lower the risk of conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

[caption id="attachment_1079907" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079907" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-654715772.jpg" alt="woman eating salad after workout" width="2121" height="1414" /> macniak / Getty Images[/caption]

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="847gd" data-offset-key="8t9tm-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8t9tm-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8t9tm-0-0"><span data-text="true">The digestive system turns the food you eat into parts it can use for energy and nutrients. It uses chemical and mechanical processes to break down food. The mechanical component involves chewing, which masticates food between the tongue and teeth. The chemical component involves saliva, gastric acid, and digestive enzymes. After the food's nutrients have </span></span><span class="passivevoice"><span data-offset-key="8t9tm-1-0"><span data-text="true">been absorbed</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="8t9tm-2-0"><span data-text="true">, the resulting waste product gets expelled.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="847gd" data-offset-key="3rc0-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3rc0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3rc0-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="847gd" data-offset-key="21hse-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="21hse-0-0"><span data-offset-key="21hse-0-0"><span data-text="true">We mentioned that saliva is one of the crucial fluids that help to break down food. Did you know that there are between 800 and 1000 minor salivary glands? This number is on top of the three main pairs of salivary glands in the mouth. Saliva does not </span></span><span class="qualifier"><span data-offset-key="21hse-1-0"><span data-text="true">just</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="21hse-2-0"><span data-text="true"> digest food. It also plays a crucial role in the maintenance of dental health. One of the reasons it's important to brush your teeth before bed is our mouths don't produce as much saliva at night. </span></span><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="21hse-3-0"><span data-text="true">This makes your teeth more vulnerable to cavities, as any bacteria left over from dinner have time to cause havoc</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="21hse-4-0"><span data-text="true">.</span></span></div>
</div>

Anatomy

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8v4h4" data-offset-key="1smsj-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1smsj-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1smsj-0-0">Anatomy is a branch of biology. This branch of science in particular deals with organisms and their biological structure. Human anatomy, along with physiology and biochemistry, forms the basis of medicine.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8v4h4" data-offset-key="e054a-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="e054a-0-0"><span data-offset-key="e054a-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="8v4h4" data-offset-key="8jihb-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jihb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-0-0">Some parts that make up the body's structure are </span><span class="adverb"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-1-0">incredibly</span></span><span data-offset-key="8jihb-2-0"> complex. Take the circulatory system, for example, which contains the heart and blood vessels. This system </span><span class="complexword"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-3-0">handles a lot of responsibility.</span></span><span data-offset-key="8jihb-4-0"> many crucial functions. It transports blood, nutrients, waste products, immune cells, and clotting cells. It is also </span><span class="adverb"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-5-0">closely</span></span><span data-offset-key="8jihb-6-0"> tied to the lymphatic system and our immune system. </span></div>
<div data-offset-key="8jihb-0-0"></div>
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8jihb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8jihb-6-0">As you can see, no one part of our anatomy functions completely separate from the others. </span>All the parts of the structure must get along in order for the body to function.</div>
</div>

Digestive System

Skip the Juice! Your Body Can Detox Itself

Skincare has long been directed primarily at women, but more and more people of all genders are embracing healthy skin practices.

More and more men are embracing facial and body care habits in pursuit of healthier, younger-looking skin, and there has never been a better time to learn how to take care of the body’s largest organ.

Skincare does not have to be complex or require a thousand different products. Thanks to modern research and expert opinions, looking after the skin is a simple matter of following the basics.
<h2>1. Understand Skin Types</h2>
Everyone’s skin is different, and using an unsuitable product does more than just not work: it could actually damage your skin. Generally, [citation href="https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-basics/care/skin-care-for-men" title="American Academy of Dermatology Association" desc="Skin Care Tips for Men"]experts recognize[/citation] five skin types.
<ul>
 	<li>Sensitive skin is prone to stinging or burning after using certain skin products.</li>
 	<li>Typical or “normal” skin is clear and not sensitive.</li>
 	<li>Dry skin is rough, often flakes, and feels itchy.</li>
 	<li>Oily skin gets oily and shiny quite quickly.</li>
 	<li>Combination skin is dry in some regions but oily in others.</li>
</ul>
[caption id="attachment_1079863" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079863" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-887267536.jpg" alt="man looking at himself in the mirror" width="2119" height="1414" /> PeopleImages / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Learn About Ingredients and Additives</h2>
Make sure to research brands and their various ingredients. For example, men with acne-prone skin should look for moisturizers or cleansers that are non-comedogenic or oil-free to [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6229554/" title="Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology" desc="Comedogenicity of current therapeutic products, cosmetics, and ingredients in the rabbit ear"]avoid pore clogging[/citation].

Some men may dislike heavily scented skincare products and instead opt for “unscented” options. However, these items often contain masking fragrances that can irritate the skin, so always test any new product on a small area, first.

[caption id="attachment_1079864" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079864" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1390155844.jpg" alt="man holding face cream in the bathroom" width="2120" height="1414" /> miniseries / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Healthy, Safe Shaving</h2>
For many people, shaving is a daily ritual, and like any other skincare, it can dramatically affect skin quality and health. In some cases, multi-blade razors actually work too well. Men prone to razor burns, razor bumps, or ingrown hairs should use a razor with fewer blades and avoid pulling their skin taut while shaving.

Shave in the direction of hair growth and use a moisturizing product to minimize irritation. Rinse the blade after every swipe and change blades regularly. Most men should swap blades after every five to seven shaves, but people with coarse hair may need to change more often. [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27212468/" title="International Journal of Cosmetic Science" desc="Pseudofolliculitis barbae: understanding the condition and the role of facial grooming"]Research suggests[/citation] that rinsing the skin before shaving and moisturizing it afterward is the most effective way to manage razor bumps.

[caption id="attachment_1079865" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079865" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-499806291.jpg" alt="man shaving his facial hair" width="2119" height="1414" /> PeopleImages / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Avoid the Sun</h2>
One of the biggest things a person can do to take care of their skin is to protect it from the sun. Over a lifetime, sun rays can lead to age spots, damage, wrinkles, and skin cancer. [citation href="https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/types/common/melanoma/men-50" title="American Academy of Dematology Association" desc="Melanoma Strikes Men Harder"]According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association[/citation], men and AMAB individuals are far more likely to develop and die from sun-related skin cancers like melanoma.

Generously apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 whenever spending time outdoors. Clothing like hats, long-sleeved shirts, and long pants also add a certain level of protection. If you're seeking healthy skin, skip the tanning bed.

[caption id="attachment_1079866" align="alignnone" width="2122"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079866" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-526746695.jpg" alt="Golf sport man with sunblock lotion spray for spf protection" width="2122" height="1412" /> warrengoldswain / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Moisturize Daily</h2>
Technically speaking, dry skin is not a medical concern. However, it can contribute to itchiness or flaking that cause people to scratch and damage their skin. It can also disrupt the skin’s ability to protect the underlying tissues from dryness, chemicals, infection, and stress.

Moisturizing helps hydrate and limits how much moisture can escape, protecting the skin and [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22913439/" title="Dermatologic Therapy" desc="Moisturizers: reality and the skin benefits"]improving its ability to perform its basic functions[/citation]. Additionally, many moisturizers contain other products that help actively fight wrinkles and other cosmetic skin concerns. Moisturizing daily, especially after showering or shaving, can massively benefit skin health.

[caption id="attachment_1079867" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079867" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-980122828.jpg" alt="man applying moisturizer on his face" width="2120" height="1414" /> diego_cervo / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Take Cooler Showers</h2>
Many men like to take hot showers to help them relax or wake them up. However, research indicates that hot water and long bathing times remove more oils from the skin, leaving it [citation href="https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/shows.php?shows=0_8qzmzdxl" title="University of Utah" desc="HOT SHOWERS CAN DRY OUT YOUR SKIN"]dry and unhealthy[/citation].

Turn the water temp down and try to spend less time under the spray. If this is not possible, use moisturizers shortly after getting out of the shower to keep the skin healthy and hydrated.

[caption id="attachment_1079870" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079870" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1303774341.jpg" alt="man taking a shower" width="2121" height="1414" /> torwai / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Face Wash Regularly, but Not Frequently</h2>
Nearly every skin routine recommends starting with washing the face with lukewarm water. This helps remove sweat, extra oil, as well as dirt and grime to ensure skincare products work properly.

Because an unclean face contributes to [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22773-clogged-pores" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Clogged Pores"]clogged pores and acne[/citation], face washing without using any other products is beneficial in its own right. However, washing too frequently may remove necessary and healthy oils from the skin, leading to dry skin. Try to limit face washing to twice a day or after a period of sweating, such as exercise or working outdoors.

[caption id="attachment_1079871" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079871" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1297094931.jpg" alt="man washing his face with facial cleanser" width="2121" height="1414" /> Maridav / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Eat Well</h2>
It does not matter how many face creams a person uses if their diet is poor. Men who want to take care of their skin should recognize that a healthy diet is a key part of skincare.

Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins. [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26203267/" title="Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigative Dermatology" desc="Linking diet to acne metabolomics, inflammation, and comedogenesis: an update"]Some studies[/citation] indicate that diets rich in fish oil and low in processed carbohydrates promote younger-looking skin. Additionally, drinking plenty of water will keep skin looking youthful.

[caption id="attachment_1079876" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079876" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1004345952.jpg" alt="man eating salad" width="2119" height="1414" /> RossHelen / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Manage Stress</h2>
Stress can harm the body in multiple ways, and some of its most visible effects involve the skin. [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25808947/" title="Clinical and Experimental Dermatology" desc="The impact of psychosocial stress on healthy skin"]According to some research[/citation], stress can make the skin more sensitive and increase the risk of acne breakouts.

Stress can also negatively impact sleep and diet, both of which are integral to healthy skin.

[caption id="attachment_1079873" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079873" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1253833742.jpg" alt="man meditating in the living room" width="2120" height="1414" /> Inside Creative House / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Do Not Smoke</h2>
In the United States, more men than women smoke tobacco in some form. Smoking narrows the blood vessels in the outer layers of the skin. This decreases blood flow, makes the skin paler, and deprives the skin of the oxygen and nutrients it needs.

Smoking also [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin"]damages elastin and collagen[/citation], which are responsible for skin’s strength and elasticity. As a result, common facial motions contribute to wrinkles.

[caption id="attachment_1079874" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079874" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/08/GettyImages-1179532144.jpg" alt="man refusing cigarette offered by his friend" width="2121" height="1414" /> Abood Balbisi / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]

Wellness is associated with your lifestyle. Wellness depends on many factors, such as proper weight control, good nutrition, avoiding risk factors such as alcohol abuse and smoking and exercise. People who manage their lifestyle are more productive, healthier and have fewer workplace absences.

Since lifestyle is the leading factor determining your general health, it is important to set healthy goals and have control over your life. The choices you make have a huge influence on your wellness; therefore consistent self-care is vital. While medicine can cure the disease, the wellness lifestyle encourages you to take responsibility for your life.

Wellness is not an absence of diseases. It is an approach developed to achieve the balance between social and emotional functioning. Wellness is a process through which you start making choices towards a healthier lifestyle.

Wellness is a positive approach to life, which emphasizes the importance of the mind and spirit. A wellness-oriented lifestyle means that everything you feel, say and do has an impact on your health.

Wellness

Top Skincare Tips for Men

Recent research suggests that understanding ageotypes and the different ways our bodies age could improve treatments for older people.

The fight against aging is as old as time itself. While researchers have made significant advancements in this field, so much remains a mystery. Some people age "gracefully," while others look older than they are. Certain individuals are as healthy at 80 as they were 20 years before, while others have serious medical concerns.

Scientists from the Stanford University School of Medicine recently discovered that humans fit into different classes of aging, called ageotypes. These categories are incredibly important for understanding how a person ages on an individual level, which allows them to fight aging on a personal level.
<h2>1. How the Study Worked</h2>
The [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31932806/" title="Nature Medicine" desc="Personal aging markers and ageotypes revealed by deep longitudinal profiling"]researchers behind the study[/citation] used blood, stool, and other biological samples to track levels of biological material such as microbes, proteins, and lipids in participants over two years. By monitoring how the levels changed over time, they discovered several markers of aging.

These markers allow experts to see how people age on the molecular level and even how quickly their tissues age.

[caption id="attachment_1079621" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079621" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-453173535.jpg" alt="Nurse getting blood from on a female donor in a hospital" width="2121" height="1414" /> Wavebreak / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. The Four Ageotypes</h2>
Currently, experts [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31932806/" title="Nature Medicine" desc="Personal aging markers and ageotypes revealed by deep longitudinal profiling"]recognize four ageotypes[/citation]: metabolic, hepatic, immune, and nephrotic. A person who is a metabolic ager might be more prone to conditions like diabetes as they grow older. The immune ageotype indicates a higher risk for immune system issues.

Hepatic aging involves the liver while nephrotic involves the kidneys. It is important to note that the four types are not mutually exclusive. One person might fall into several aging categories —or even all of them. The study’s authors note that the four ageotypes are only a starting point and that larger studies will likely uncover many more categories.

[caption id="attachment_1079622" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079622" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1211390857.jpg" alt="A female doctor sits at her desk and chats to an elderly female patient while looking at her test results" width="2119" height="1415" /> Lordn / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Purpose of Ageotypes</h2>
Some people wonder why a person’s ageotype even matters. Experts, however, feel that this is one of the major breakthroughs in age-related science.

Understanding how a person ages and what conditions they are most prone to developing allows medical professionals to [citation href="https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/01/_ageotypes_-provide-window-into-how-individuals-age--stanford-st.html" title="Stanford Medicine" desc="Ageotypes provide window into how individuals age, Stanford study reports"]plan for their patients’ futures[/citation]. Additionally, it may be possible to change how a person ages for the better.

[caption id="attachment_1079623" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079623" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1156853489.jpg" alt="Doctor in hospital writing medical documentation and using laptop" width="2121" height="1414" /> pcess609 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Changing Aging</h2>
Many participants in the study experienced notable changes in their ageotype markers after changing their behaviors. Some even had marker decreases, meaning they were able to slow their aging for a short period.

In some cases, weight loss or dietary changes were responsible. In others, the cause was unclear. [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32192755/" title="Trends in Pharmacological Sciences" desc="Ageotypes: Distinct Biomolecular Trajectories in Human Aging"]Future studies[/citation] will likely be able to more clearly define what affects aging rates and how to address these factors.

[caption id="attachment_1079624" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079624" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1264839195.jpg" alt="Mature man and senior woman making lunch" width="2119" height="1414" /> 10'000 Hours / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. The Immune Ageotype</h2>
People with the immune ageotype have a much higher risk of inflammatory and immune system issues. As these individuals age, they are far more likely to develop autoimmune problems like psoriasis or rheumatoid arthritis.

Additionally, a wide range of serious illnesses have [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Inflammation"]links to inflammation[/citation] and may develop more often in people who have the immune ageotype. Doctors may increase cancer screenings and similar diagnostic measures to manage this ageotype.

[caption id="attachment_1079625" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079625" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-501737403.jpg" alt="Hands Of Woman Deformed From Rheumatoid Arthritis" width="2121" height="1414" /> Suze777 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. The Metabolic Ageotype</h2>
If a person has the metabolic ageotype, they are at risk of several key issues that lead to conditions like diabetes. Most notably, the metabolic ageotype indicates [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22206-insulin-resistance" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Insulin Resistance"]insulin resistance[/citation].

This, in turn, contributes to the hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure, and higher triglyceride levels. It could also contribute to metabolic syndrome, which is a series of symptoms that link insulin resistance to stroke and cardiovascular disease.

[caption id="attachment_1079626" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079626" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1253816104.jpg" alt="Mature Man Checking Blood Sugar Level With Glucometer" width="2121" height="1414" /> PIKSEL / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. The Hepatic Ageotype</h2>
The hepatic ageotype features markers for liver dysregulation. This means that people in this aging category have a [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/liver-problems/symptoms-causes/syc-20374502" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Liver Problems"]higher risk for liver failure[/citation] and may benefit from limiting drinking and recreational drug use.

Often, many of the effects of liver issues go unnoticed until an unrelated medical test reveals them. As a person with this ageotype ages, they may tire more easily or notice swelling in their arms and legs. If caught early or watched for because of a known ageotype, medical professionals may be able to intervene with medications and suggest certain lifestyle changes, such as limiting fat intake while increasing fiber consumption.

[caption id="attachment_1079628" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079628" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1219868719.jpg" alt="leg pain of senior woman at home" width="2120" height="1414" /> PORNCHAI SODA / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. The Nephrotic Ageotype</h2>
Nephrotic ageotypes are prone to kidney function issues. Researchers identified nephrotic ageotypes by measuring creatinine levels, which is a common muscle waste product. The kidneys are responsible for cleaning waste like creatinine and toxins from the blood, as well as some other important functions.

Some [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21824-kidney" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Kidneys"]common signs of kidney issues[/citation] include trouble sleeping, muscle cramps, and energy and appetite changes. To help people with nephrotic ageotypes, medical professionals can regularly perform blood tests or urinalysis to identify problems early on.

[caption id="attachment_1079627" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079627" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1180231146.jpg" alt="Upset mature woman suffering from backache, rubbing stiff muscles" width="2121" height="1414" /> fizkes / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Where To Test Ageotypes</h2>
This research is extremely new and there is currently no commercial way for a person to discover their ageotype. However, research in this area is ongoing, and until more options become available, it may be possible to participate in a study involving ageotypes.

Additionally, medical professionals are becoming increasingly aware of the [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31932806/" title="Nature Medicine" desc="Personal aging markers and ageotypes revealed by deep longitudinal profiling"]aging markers[/citation] and may begin to test for them on their own. In the future, researchers hope that ageotype testing becomes a common practice.

[caption id="attachment_1079630" align="alignnone" width="2114"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079630" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-585776870.jpg" alt="Two Scientist Looking at the Computer Monitor" width="2114" height="1419" /> sanjeri / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. How to Combat Aging in the Meantime</h2>
While researchers still are not sure of everything that affects aging rates, they did [citation href="https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2020/01/_ageotypes_-provide-window-into-how-individuals-age--stanford-st.html" title="Stanford Medicine" desc="Ageotypes provide window into how individuals age, Stanford study reports"]note several key changes[/citation] that appeared to be beneficial for everyone, regardless of ageotype.

Regular exercise and a healthy diet are paramount to help slow the effects of aging. Weight loss for overweight people and those with obesity also has a major effect. Some of the people with nephrotic ageotypes began taking statins, which decreased creatinine levels, improved kidney function, and slowed aging.

[caption id="attachment_1079631" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079631" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1254996135.jpg" alt="Young woman doing sport exercises indoor at home" width="2120" height="1414" /> Inside Creative House / Getty Images[/caption]

All our bodies age in unique ways, depending on where we grew up, how active we have been through our lives, genetics, and more. But despite these differences, medical research can give us a lot of insight into what to expect as we get older. From study results to which health tests and conditions you should expect, there's no reason to go into older age completely blind. 

Aging

Ageotypes: Can Science Predict How You'll Age?

Nothing compares to waking up in a great mood. Unfortunately, waking up is far from joyful for most people. The blaring alarm, the lack of sleep, or even just the anticipation of the day’s responsibilities make it difficult to get in a positive headspace. Thankfully, there are tons of easy ways to ensure a restful night of sleep that refreshes the body and allows us to wake up happy.
<h2>1. Go to Bed Earlier</h2>
It is not easy to wake up in a good mood after barely sleeping. [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29073412/" title="Sleep Health" desc="National Sleep Foundation's sleep time duration recommendations: methodology and results summary"]According to the National Sleep Foundation[/citation], adults between the ages of 18 and 64 should aim for between seven and nine hours of sleep every night.

While the temptation to stay up to finish a movie or a good book might be powerful, the simplest way to ensure a good night’s sleep is to go to bed a bit earlier.

[caption id="attachment_1079765" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079765" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1077191206.jpg" alt="man sleeping on the bed" width="2120" height="1414" /> Artem Peretiatko / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Stop Looking At Screens Before Bed</h2>
Most people spend [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28709508/" title="Sleep Health" desc="The National Sleep Foundation's Sleep Health Index"]a significant portion[/citation] of their day looking at screens, whether that's the TV, tablet, computer monitor, phone, or another device. Nearly 50% of American adults say that they use technology in bed at least once a week, while almost 30% said they do it daily. Around 20% even reported that they would check their devices before going back to sleep if they happened to wake up in the middle of the night.

If waking up in a better mood is your goal, improve your sleep quality by putting your devices to bed at least an hour before you head there yourself.

[caption id="attachment_1079766" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079766" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1081953568.jpg" alt="woman in bed looking at her phone on the bedside table" width="2121" height="1414" /> Viacheslav Peretiatko / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Wake Up Naturally</h2>
Few things are as universally hated as the morning alarm. While some people can wake up on their own, [citation href="https://eachnight.com/sleep-studies/wake-up-call/" title="Each Night" desc="Wake-Up Call: Analyzing How People’s Wake-Up Methods Affect Their Lifestyle and Work Performance"]one survey[/citation] found that around 55% of people use their phones or a similar device to get going in the morning. People who wake up naturally are 10% more likely to feel rested throughout the day and tend to wake up in a better mood.

The best way to start moving toward waking up naturally is by creating a sleep schedule and following it closely. Sleep experts recommend consistent evening and morning rituals that will help the body recognize when it's time to move through its circadian rhythms.

[caption id="attachment_1079774" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079774" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1155375348.jpg" alt="young man laying in the bed with his hands behind his head" width="2119" height="1414" /> Tassii / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Keep Flowers Nearby</h2>
According to the Society of American Florists and a Harvard Medical School psychology professor, the secret to waking up in a good mood is flowers.

This six-month study found that [citation href="https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2006/10/26/a-bouquet-a-day-a-new/" title="The Harvard Crimson" desc="A Bouquet a Day..."]keeping flowers in the home[/citation] strengthened feelings of compassion and significantly boosted moods. Certain floral arrangements also helped minimize anxiety and stress, two factors that harm sleep quality and will often leave people feeling grouchy in the morning.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1079768" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/shutterstock_1029700945.jpg" alt="tulips on a table and a woman waking up in the background" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>5. Start Exercising</h2>
Everyone should exercise regularly. Not only is it [citation href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/exercising-for-better-sleep" title="Johns Hopkins" desc="Exercising for Better Sleep"]massively beneficial[/citation] to overall physical health, but it also contributes to positive mental health changes.

People who exercise regularly are more likely to report restful sleep. They also tend to wake up with more energy and a positive attitude. The exercise does not need to be particularly strenuous. Even going for a brisk walk is enough to have an effect.

[caption id="attachment_1079769" align="alignnone" width="2165"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079769" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-489192005.jpg" alt="man running outdoors" width="2165" height="1384" /> PeopleImages / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Listen to Nature Sounds</h2>
Over the years, thousands of studies have proven that the great outdoors are capable of improving moods and fighting common mental health issues like depression and anxiety. The kicker is that it does not even need to be real.

In one study, participants recovered from stressful situations far more quickly while [citation href="https://www.nature.com/articles/srep45273" title="Scientific Reports" desc="Mind-wandering and alterations to default mode network connectivity when listening to naturalistic versus artificial sounds"]listening to nature sounds[/citation] because the sounds activated the parts of the nervous system involved in relaxation. To wake up happier and more relaxed in the morning, try turning on some chirping birds or a bubbling river.

[caption id="attachment_1079770" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079770" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-174966454.jpg" alt="woman in bed turning on the radio" width="2121" height="1414" /> buzzanimation / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Breathe in Some Mint</h2>
Mint seems to boast an unending list of benefits. It improves foods, drinks, and candles, and is the only mainstream flavor of toothpaste. Plus, [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18041606/" title="International Journal of Neuroscience" desc="Modulation of cognitive performance and mood by aromas of peppermint and ylang-ylang"]according to some research[/citation], it can help with mood and attention.

Keep a bottle of mint essential oil or a bag of mint tea near the bed and inhale the refreshing scent right after waking up. Evidence also points to chewing gum as a slight mood booster, so combine the two for an instant boost to your morning mood.

[caption id="attachment_1079771" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079771" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1222421038.jpg" alt="Woman Smells Aromatherapy Essential Oil" width="2121" height="1414" /> Boogich / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Smile</h2>
One of the easiest things a person can do to boost their mood is smile! Our brains associate the muscle activity of smiling with happiness. Even a fake or forced smile can trick the brain into thinking that there is a reason to smile, so it provides a mood boost.

A multitude of studies [citation href="https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/smiling-facilitates-stress-recovery.html" title="Association for Psychological Science" desc="Grin and Bear It! Smiling Facilitates Stress Recovery"]associate smiling with less stress[/citation], lower blood pressure, and even improvements in longevity. Try greeting the morning with a smile, even if you don't mean it.

[caption id="attachment_1079772" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079772" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1199391696.jpg" alt="man smiling in bed" width="2121" height="1414" /> stefanamer / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Brew Coffee Before Waking Up</h2>
A huge population of people cannot get going in the morning without a cup of coffee. However, the benefits of coffee do not start with the first sip. Coffee aromas have powerful effects on the brain, eliciting feelings of [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7809118/" title="Scientific Reports" desc="The calming effect of roasted coffee aroma in patients undergoing dental procedures"]relaxation and lowering stress[/citation].

Sleep experts also find that the aroma of coffee will slowly rouse a sleeping person, allowing for a more natural waking process. Newer coffee makers come with timer features that will make waking up in the morning much more pleasant.

[caption id="attachment_1079773" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079773" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1191072703.jpg" alt="woman drinking a cup of coffee in bed" width="2119" height="1414" /> PeopleImages / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Let in the Sunlight</h2>
Our bodies take many cues from lighting. Darkness is important for falling asleep, while bright lights help with waking up. Everyone has slightly different circadian rhythms, but they all respond to sunlight. Natural light building up in the bedroom allows the brain to slowly pull the body out of deep sleep. Because this process is so much less jarring than waking up with an alarm, it often means we feel far more rested and wake up in a much better mood.

As with nature noises, it doesn't even need to be natural light. [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6751071/" title="Somnologie" desc="Effects of light on human circadian rhythms, sleep and mood"]Artificial light[/citation] can provide the same effect if it has the right color and brightness.

[caption id="attachment_1079767" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079767" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-870045286.jpg" alt="man stretching his arms after waking up" width="2000" height="1500" /> Nattakorn Maneerat / Getty Images[/caption]

How to Wake Up Happier

All kinds of tall tales surround pregnancy, and it can be difficult to know what is true and what is a myth. After all, it seems odd that a person’s tan could play a role in their pregnancy, but there is a bit of truth to the statement.

Despite how unusual they sound, several physical traits and factors can affect a person’s pregnancy.
<h2>1. Being Tall</h2>
A common belief is that the taller someone is, the longer their pregnancy lasts. While it may seem like an old folktale, there is some truth to the idea that a person’s height can affect their pregnancy duration.

Studies on women of northern European descent revealed that [citation href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001865" title="PLoS Medicine" desc="Assessing the Causal Relationship of Maternal Height on Birth Size and Gestational Age at Birth..."]taller women had longer pregnancies[/citation] and larger babies. Experts are not sure why this is the case, but it could be due to different metabolic rates or taller people having larger uteruses.

[caption id="attachment_1079465" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079465" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1011452056.jpg" alt="pregnant woman holding her belly" width="2120" height="1415" /> Westend61 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Being Small</h2>
Maternal height does not just increase pregnancy duration. [citation href="https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1001865" title="PLoS Medicine" desc="Assessing the Causal Relationship of Maternal Height on Birth Size and Gestational Age at Birth..."]The same study[/citation] also revealed that shorter women tended to have shorter pregnancy durations.

In fact, the shorter someone was, the higher the chance that they would give birth prematurely. Researchers hope that by uncovering what causes this, they can limit the number of preterm births and save lives.

[caption id="attachment_1079467" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079467" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1302642288.jpg" alt="pregnant woman sitting " width="2120" height="1414" /> Basilico Studio Stock / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. High BMI and Obesity</h2>
One of the most influential physical factors in a person’s pregnancy is their weight. Obesity, in particular, can increase the chance of developing diabetes while pregnant. It can also cause a fetus to [citation href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/releases/111317-obesity-pregnancy" title="National Institutes of Health" desc="News Release: Obesity during pregnancy may lead directly to fetal overgrowth, NIH study suggests"]grow larger than average[/citation], making the birthing process difficult.

Some research indicates that larger adults tend to have more sleeping problems while pregnant and a higher risk for sleep apnea.

[caption id="attachment_1079470" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079470" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-103922641-1.jpg" alt="Overweight woman buttoning up her jeans" width="2000" height="1334" /> Tetra Images / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Low BMI</h2>
Just as being heavier affects pregnancy, so does [citation href="https://www.womenshealth.gov/healthy-weight/weight-fertility-and-pregnancy" title="Office on Women's Health" desc="Weight, fertility, and pregnancy"]being underweight[/citation]. Most notably, low body weight has direct links to preterm births.

Even if the baby is not premature, being underweight during pregnancy may increase the need for cesarean delivery. Experts recommend that underweight adults gain two to five pounds while attempting to become pregnant and about the same amount during the first trimester.

[caption id="attachment_1079469" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079469" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1310784625.jpg" alt="woman touching belly" width="2121" height="1414" /> nikkimeel / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Young Age</h2>
While most people are at least somewhat aware of the risks of being pregnant as an older adult, the health risks of young pregnancies are less widely known.

Pregnant teens are [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4418963/" title="Maternal and Child Health Journal" desc="Maternal age and risk of labor and delivery complications"]far more likely to have issues like high blood pressure and anemia[/citation], which increase the risk of premature birth. Young adults are also more likely to experience problems like poor cervix dilation and seizures.

[caption id="attachment_1079471" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079471" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-979320160.jpg" alt="woman looking at pregnancy test" width="2120" height="1414" /> diego_cervo / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Older Age</h2>
After about 35, age has a dramatic effect on pregnancy, especially for [citation href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/newsroom/releases/caesarean_release_030807" title="National Institutes of Health" desc="Older Mothers More Likely than Younger Mothers to Deliver By Caesarean"]first-time pregnancies[/citation]. While most older adults have healthy babies, the evidence does show that they are more vulnerable to certain issues.

Ectopic pregnancies and loss of pregnancy are more likely, as are delivery complications. As a person ages, their need for a cesarean delivery also increases.

[caption id="attachment_1079472" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079472" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1346721115.jpg" alt="pregnant woman having hot drink" width="2121" height="1414" /> Justin Paget / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Fitness and Strength</h2>
Pregnancy places a lot of stress on many different muscle groups while also actively changing the muscles themselves. Because of this, living an active lifestyle before pregnancy has [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26435533/" title="British Journal of Sports Medicine" desc="Exercise level before pregnancy and engaging in high-impact sports reduce the risk of pelvic girdle pain..."]several notable benefits[/citation].

Common issues like backaches, pelvic pain, bloating, swelling, and constipation can be less frequent and severe. Some evidence also points to strong core muscles lowering the need for cesarean deliveries and shortening labor times.

[caption id="attachment_1079473" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079473" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1283415481.jpg" alt="pregnant woman exercising" width="2121" height="1414" /> Revolu7ion93 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Great Teeth</h2>
Many health experts consider dental health to be one of the largest indicators of the health of a fetus and the potential outcome of pregnancy. This stems from the fact that pregnant people are more prone to gum disease and cavities.

Around [citation href="https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/publications/features/pregnancy-and-oral-health.html" title="CDC" desc="Pregnancy and Oral Health"]60% to 75% of pregnant women have gingivitis[/citation]. People who already have great dental hygiene are less likely to have severe pregnancy-related oral health issues. Additionally, poor dental hygiene has links to preterm birth and low birth weight.

[caption id="attachment_1079474" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079474" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1126528120.jpg" alt="pregnant woman brushing her teeth" width="2121" height="1414" /> bernardbodo / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Ethnicity</h2>
While race and ethnicity do not typically affect pregnancies beyond the potential for certain genetic factors, there is a social factor to consider that can play a role. [citation href="https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2019/p0905-racial-ethnic-disparities-pregnancy-deaths.html" title="CDC" desc="Racial and Ethnic Disparities Continue in Pregnancy-Related Deaths"]Recent research from the CDC[/citation] has confirmed that Black, Asian-American, and Native women are much more likely to have pregnancy-related issues in the United States.

Experts note that this is likely due to poor access to quality care, delayed diagnoses, and a general lack of knowledge among healthcare providers and patients.

[caption id="attachment_1079475" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079475" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1223120167.jpg" alt="girl touching pregnant belly of her mom" width="2121" height="1414" /> digitalskillet / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Tan Skin</h2>
Though it might seem like a stretch, being tan could point towards a healthier pregnancy —if the tan is natural. [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4436962/" title="Revista paulista de pediatrica" desc="Vitamin D deficiency in pregnancy and its impact on the fetus, the newborn and in childhood"]A growing body of evidence[/citation] suggests that many adverse pregnancy outcomes are the result of low vitamin D levels. This includes common problems like low birth weights and gestational diabetes.

Since the sun is a key source of vitamin D, tan skin is one of the few visual indicators of a person with a healthy level of the nutrient. Experts recommend vitamin D tests for all pregnant individuals and supplementation for those who need it.

[caption id="attachment_1079476" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079476" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/07/GettyImages-1210299908-1.jpg" alt="Relaxed pregnant woman sunbathing beside swimming pool" width="2000" height="1125" /> Nando Martinez / Getty Images[/caption]

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="761fa" data-offset-key="cp86s-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cp86s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cp86s-0-0"><span data-text="true">Pregnancy is an exciting time. It's a unique experience that varies woman to woman. Some women have a</span></span><span data-offset-key="cp86s-2-0"><span data-text="true"> positive experience with pregnancy, while others don't. We break pregnancies down into three trimesters. </span></span></div>
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cp86s-0-0"></div>
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cp86s-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cp86s-2-0"><span data-text="true">The first trimester shows how your body is adjusting to its new state. During this trimester, women can experience mood swings, weight gain, cramps, and cravings. Some women even begin to feel morning sickness at this point. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="761fa" data-offset-key="am4pn-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="am4pn-0-0"><span data-offset-key="am4pn-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="761fa" data-offset-key="erh72-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="erh72-0-0"><span data-offset-key="erh72-0-0"><span data-text="true">The second trimester tends to be easier than the first. Nausea and fatigue might vanish as well. During this trimester, women can experience body aches, itchy/patchy skin, and swelling.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="761fa" data-offset-key="2jnpv-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2jnpv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2jnpv-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="761fa" data-offset-key="2aah6-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="2aah6-0-0"><span data-offset-key="2aah6-0-0"><span data-text="true">The third trimester is like a runner's last lap. The baby does its last bit of growing in this stage. In this trimester women may experience labored breathing, heartburn, and contractions. Once contractions begin happening </span></span><span class="adverb"><span data-offset-key="2aah6-1-0"><span data-text="true">frequently</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="2aah6-2-0"><span data-text="true">, the pregnancy's end is in sight!</span></span></div>
</div>

Family

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="92tae" data-offset-key="bilg0-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bilg0-0-0">Family is important. We grow up in them and dream of starting our own. Whether we want two and a half kids and a Golden Retriever or no kids and a condo in Spain, those ideas start brewing early and are bound to change and grow over time.</div>
<div data-offset-key="bilg0-0-0"></div>
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bilg0-0-0">But creating and managing a household, whatever its makeup, is no easy feat! That's why Facty is here — to provide you with some tips and ideas for getting everything out of your family, whether it's big or small, nuclear or unique, biological or hand-selected. From preparing for a new baby to making the most of retirement, we can help!</div>
</div>

Pregnancy

Physical Traits That Could Impact Pregnancy

Pain reprocessing therapy combines mindfulness and other mental health therapies with physical therapy to reduce or even eliminate chronic pain.

Over 25 million people in the United States live with some form of pain that has lasted for more than three months. Existing and common treatments for chronic pain fail to provide relief for many of these individuals.

Pain reprocessing therapy is a new type of therapy that combines mindfulness and other mental health therapies with traditional physical therapy exercises to reduce or even eliminate chronic pain.
<h2>1. Pain Reprocessing Therapy Background</h2>
Pain reprocessing therapy (PRT) originates from the concept that there are [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK32659/" title="National Library of Medicine" desc="Recognition and Alleviation of Pain in Laboratory Animals."]several chronic pain mechanisms[/citation]:
<ul>
 	<li>Neuropathic pain is the result of damage or disease affecting the nervous system</li>
 	<li>Nociceptive pain is the typical sensation of pain with a clear stimulus</li>
 	<li>Nociplastic pain has no clear cause or injury</li>
 	<li>Psychogenic pain comes from or is worsened by mental or behavioral factors</li>
</ul>
The theory behind pain reprocessing therapy is that many conditions are actually nociplastic or psychogenic, meaning that it may be possible to retrain the brain to either stop creating pain or better manage pain signals from the body.

[caption id="attachment_1079273" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079273" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1064312908-1.jpg" alt="Senior woman describes neck pain during doctor's house call" width="2121" height="1414" /> SDI Productions / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. The Theory of PRT</h2>
Some conditions, such as chronic back pain or fibromyalgia, are potentially nociplastic or psychogenic because they have no visible physical cause. [citation href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/retraining-brain-treat-chronic-pain" title="National Institutes of Health" desc="Retraining the brain to treat chronic pain"]Experts believe[/citation] that the pain is the result of brain changes that persist long after an injury has healed.

Following an injury, these changes likely warned the body to restrict movement so as to improve recovery. After recovery, however, the brain may continue to send pain signals, resulting in chronic pain. Therapists help patients perform painful movements while re-evaluating the cause or intensity of the sensations.

[caption id="attachment_1079274" align="alignnone" width="2170"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079274" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1220743006.jpg" alt="woman experiencing back pain" width="2170" height="1381" /> Povozniuk / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Components of PRT</h2>
At its core, [citation href=https://www.painreprocessingtherapy.com/pain-reprocessing-therapy" title="Pain Reprocessing Therapy Center" desc="Pain Reprocessing Therapy"]PRT has five components[/citation].
<ol>
 	<li>The first is to educate participants about the origins of pain, the pain-fear cycle, and how pain is reversible.</li>
 	<li>Second, therapists will help patients understand that their pain is not the result of a physical issue, but a central process. For example, many people experience pain when feeling high levels of stress, even without an injury.</li>
 	<li>Therapists then help guide participants through various exercises to change how they view pain.</li>
 	<li>During this stage, they may also address emotional, behavioral, or other mental triggers of pain sensations.</li>
 	<li>The ultimate goal is to reduce overall pain levels by encouraging positive mentalities and sensations.</li>
</ol>
[caption id="attachment_1079276" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079276" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1133610674.jpg" alt="Shot of a young physiotherapist assisting a senior patient in recovery" width="2119" height="1414" /> Dean Mitchell / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Who Benefits from PRT</h2>
Because PRT is still a relatively new therapy, experts are not yet fully confident in what conditions it can treat. Currently, [citation href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2784694" title="JAMA Psychiatry" desc="Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain"]study results[/citation] indicate that PRT may help with conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, and irritable bowel syndrome.

Beyond these issues, experts think it may help anyone with nonspecific pain or pain that does not respond to other intervention options.

[caption id="attachment_1079277" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079277" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1136089188.jpg" alt="physiotherapist helping man exercise with dumbbell" width="2121" height="1414" /> SARINYAPINNGAM / Getty Imaes[/caption]


<h2>5. Potential Benefits</h2>
One of the [citation href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2784694" title="JAMA Psychiatry" desc="Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain"]highest-quality studies[/citation] investigated the effects of PRT on people with chronic back pain without a physical cause. After four weeks of treatment with PRT, 98% of study participants showed some level of improvement.

Around two-thirds of patients were pain-free or nearly pain-free after the study. After a year, researchers returned to the study and confirmed that all outcomes had remained.

[caption id="attachment_1079278" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079278" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1270066887.jpg" alt="woman with blanket on couch laughing" width="2121" height="1414" /> Ridofranz / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. The Fear of Pain</h2>
[citation href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1526590018307478" title="The Journal of Pain" desc="Pain Neuroscience Education for Adults With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain..."]In studies unrelated to PRT[/citation], researchers found that the first component of PRT, pain neuroscience education, provided an effective way to trigger short-term improvements in pain levels, as well as limit disability, kinesiophobia, and pain catastrophizing.

Essentially, the fear of pain appears to play a large role in the perception of pain. By worrying about hurting themselves, participants were increasing the severity of the pain.

[caption id="attachment_1079280" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079280" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1126492014.jpg" alt="Woman suffering from back pain during medical exam" width="2121" height="1414" /> Albina Gavrilovic / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Other Effects</h2>
While further research is necessary, some evidence supports PRT as a treatment option for osteoarthritis, even after major surgery. These projections [citation href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/09593985.2018.1455120" title="Physiotherapy Theory and Practice" desc="Immediate preoperative outcomes of pain neuroscience education for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty"]come from studies[/citation] of pain neuroscience education and how it affects people with osteoarthritis who will be receiving total knee replacements.

Educating patients about the fear of movement and pain could not only help lower their perceived pain levels but also make them more confident about their upcoming surgeries. Since the first component of PRT is effective, the entire treatment method could provide even greater results.

[caption id="attachment_1079281" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079281" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1149110162.jpg" alt="therapist massaging senior man's knee" width="2121" height="1414" /> Zinkevych / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. What to Expect</h2>
Depending on the participant and therapist’s needs and expectations, PRT can vary from person to person. Generally, the therapy involves hour-long sessions twice a week for four weeks. [citation href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2784694" title="JAMA Psychiatry" desc="Effect of Pain Reprocessing Therapy vs Placebo and Usual Care for Patients With Chronic Back Pain"]During these sessions[/citation], a therapist will teach their patient how to identify the causes of pain and reappraise pain sensations.

As treatment progresses, patients also learn techniques that allow them to address psychogenic issues that could worsen pain and ways to boost positive emotions.

[caption id="attachment_1079286" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079286" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-846633206.jpg" alt="therapist talking to senior woman" width="2121" height="1414" /> SDI Productions / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. The Role of Mindfulness</h2>
One of the core components of PRT involves lessening pain sensations by limiting the fear and anxiety of pain. Essentially, this is a type of mindfulness where a person becomes more aware of the physical and structural reasons for pain —or the lack of such factors. Remaining positive not only lessens the perception of pain but also improves long-term outlooks for PRT.

These concepts are very similar to the key ideas of [citation href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/mindfulness-meditation-to-control-pain" title="Harvard Health" desc="Mindfulness meditation to control pain"]meditation, mindfulness, and yoga[/citation] for pain relief, which therapists have used and recommended to great effect for many years.

[caption id="attachment_1079283" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079283" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1273672525.jpg" alt="woman and physiotherapist" width="2121" height="1414" /> Javier Sánchez Mingorance / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Costs and Other Considerations</h2>
Ultimately, costs will vary depending on location, required services, and many other factors. However, many health insurance plans will cover some of the cost of PRT, despite it being a new treatment option. This is because this therapy is a form of physical and psychotherapy.

Medicare, as one example, [citation href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/physical-therapy" title="Medicare" desc="Physical Therapy"]covers 80%[/citation] of both mental health care and psychical therapy. Many PRT providers will also offer reduced or sliding scale rates.

[caption id="attachment_1079284" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079284" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1074239174.jpg" alt="physiotherapist talking to woman" width="2121" height="1414" /> LSOphoto / Getty Images[/caption]

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="u8s0" data-offset-key="dl2il-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dl2il-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dl2il-0-0">When people think of medical treatment, they might imagine prescriptions, surgeries, and IVs. While these are treatments, medicine is starting to move in a more holistic direction. You may have heard this term thrown around the internet, but what does it mean? </span><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="dl2il-1-0">Holistic medicine recognizes that a person's health is</span></span><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="dl2il-3-0"> more than </span></span><span class="qualifier"><span data-offset-key="dl2il-4-0">just</span></span><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="dl2il-5-0"> their symptoms</span></span><span data-offset-key="dl2il-6-0">. These treatments are beneficial for body, mind, and spirit.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="u8s0" data-offset-key="fjdei-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="fjdei-0-0"><span data-offset-key="fjdei-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="u8s0" data-offset-key="4cuk-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="4cuk-0-0"><span data-offset-key="4cuk-0-0">More and more practitioners see the benefit in treating the whole person. </span><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="4cuk-1-0">For example, if a patient is receiving chemotherapy, they may be undergoing great mental and social distress</span></span><span data-offset-key="4cuk-2-0">. </span><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="4cuk-3-0">Supplementing it with support groups and therapy will ensure that the patient is receiving a balanced treatment</span></span><span data-offset-key="4cuk-4-0">. Supplemental treatments can also be things like acupuncture, Reiki, and aromatherapy. Some people find traditional medicine more effective when supplemented with other types of care.</span></div>
<div data-offset-key="4cuk-0-0"></div>
<div data-offset-key="4cuk-0-0"></div>
</div>

Conditions

"Condition" is a general term for particular abnormal diseases that negatively affect a part or all of the body. Conditions are not due to any external injury. Therefore, a broken bone does not classify as a condition, whereas Herpes, OCD, Shingles, and Ulcers do.

Medical conditions are classified by specific symptoms and signs. While each person's experiences can vary, there are consistent signs and symptoms that doctors will look for when diagnosing their patients. We always recommend that people seek a professional diagnosis. Afterward, supplement medical advice and opinion with accurate and easy to read information.

Most people only spend an average of a couple minutes with their doctor during a checkup. Oftentimes patients don't receive the fullest explanation of their diagnosis. Easily search through the vast amount of articles that Facty Health offers for ones that address your specific needs. From there, allow us to help you with those unanswered questions.

Treatments

What Is Pain Reprocessing Therapy?

More and more studies show that listening to or participating in making music has major positive impacts on mental health.

Music is an integral part of day-to-day life. It is present in all human cultures across people of all ages, races, and economic backgrounds. But beyond its purpose as entertainment, music can serve as self-expression, stress relief, and even therapy.

For years, researchers have attempted to uncover the complex effects of music on the brain. While much remains unknown, they have discovered a few major ways that music impacts mental health.
<h2>1. Music Makes People Happy</h2>
Triggering of the brain's pleasure centers is one of the first events that happens when we hear music. These areas release dopamine, which, among its effects, makes us happier. In fact, the brain responds to music so quickly that it can even predict the most pleasurable moments in familiar songs and release dopamine early.

Many experts advise listening to happy music to help fight issues [citation href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0197455616301071" title="The Arts in Psychotherapy" desc="Musical prescriptions for mood improvement: An experimental study"]like depression[/citation].

[caption id="attachment_1079066" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079066" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1314517126.jpg" alt="woman sitting and dancing while listening to music at home" width="2121" height="1414" /> Westend61 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Alleviate Stress</h2>
Beyond making people happy, music can also calm extreme feelings. Many studies have tested the effects of music participants’ cortisol levels during laboratory stressors.

Cortisol is a steroid that the body releases in response to stress. Under typical circumstances, more cortisol indicates more stress. [citation href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10865-004-0006-9" title="Journal of Behavioral Medicine" desc="Effects of Choir Singing or Listening on Secretory Immunoglobulin A, Cortisol, and Emotional State"]The findings[/citation] overwhelmingly show that listening to music limits cortisol activity and levels.

[caption id="attachment_1079067" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079067" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1347685599.jpg" alt="man listening to music with eyes closed" width="2121" height="1414" /> AsiaVision / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Build A Sense of Identity</h2>
Many people associate genres like heavy metal with violence, disturbing imagery, and a medley of other stereotypes, thanks to their dramatic instrumentals and brash lyrics. However, heavy metal may just be one of the best genres for improving mental well-being.

A survey of hundreds of self-identified metal fans and musicians showed that heavy metal listeners [citation href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15298868.2015.1036918" title="Self and Identity" desc="Three Decades Later: The Life Experiences and Mid-Life Functioning of 1980s Heavy Metal Groupies, Musicians, and Fans"]tended to be happier than people who did not listen to metal[/citation]. Additionally, participants had a strong sense of identity and community thanks to their participation in the metal scene, which experts suggest protected them from common childhood negative outcomes, like low self-esteem.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1079068" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/shutterstock_657546829.jpg" alt="man listening to music outdoors" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>4. Rap Can Fight Depression</h2>
As Drake famously said, “Started from the bottom, now we here.” [citation href="https://www.theguardian.com/music/shortcuts/2014/nov/11/can-listening-to-hip-hop-beat-depression" title="The Guardian" desc="Putting the rap into therapy: can listening to hip-hop beat depression?"]Evidence suggests[/citation] that this mentality, which is incredibly prevalent in rap, actively helps listeners fight issues like depression and anxiety.

Rap songs often tell stories about beating the odds, overcoming adversity, and generally moving up in the world. These positive narratives help fans envision a positive place they would like to reach, which also enables them to progress toward that goal.

[caption id="attachment_1079069" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079069" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1319560552.jpg" alt="woman listening to music and dancing" width="2121" height="1414" /> AsiaVision / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Work Out Harder and Find Motivation</h2>
Hitting shuffle on a workout playlist is a common part of many people’s days, but does it serve a purpose? [citation href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.00948.x" title="Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports" desc="Effects of music tempo upon submaximal cycling performance"]Researchers have found[/citation] that fast-paced music motivated listeners to work out harder.

When testing cyclists, faster music led to more distance, higher pedaling speeds, and more power. This boost also translates to other areas, so fast-paced music may be the best choice when needing a little extra motivation for any project.

[caption id="attachment_1079070" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079070" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1300358572.jpg" alt="man with headphones running in the gym" width="2121" height="1414" /> Prostock-Studio / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Boost Creativity</h2>
Throwing on music in the background while working on a project is one of the best ways to get a noticeable boost in creativity and productivity — as long as it’s at the right volume.

Moderate volume is the [citation href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1086/665048" title="Journal of Consumer Research" desc="Is Noise Always Bad? Exploring the Effects of Ambient Noise on Creative Cognition"]sweet spot for creativity[/citation] because it is the perfect noise level for increasing processing difficulty. The brain is managing sound stimuli on top of everything else, and so we begin to use more abstract processing and receive a notable jump in creativity as a result.

[caption id="attachment_1079071" align="alignnone" width="2058"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079071" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-180440654.jpg" alt="woman in headphones paints on canvas" width="2058" height="1456" /> JackF / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Cope With Grief and Anxiety</h2>
[citation href="https://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2019/06/26/bmjspcare-2018-001642" title="BMJ Supportive and Palliative Care" desc="Group singing in bereavement: effects on mental health, self-efficacy, self-esteem and well-being"]A 2019 study[/citation] focused on people who had lost a loved one in the last five years but had not pursued treatments like medication or therapy.

Researchers had half of the participants join a choir meeting for 90 minutes a week over 12 weeks. After the study, the choir group had more stable depression symptoms and reported feeling more positive about their losses. They also showed increases in self-esteem and self-efficacy.

[caption id="attachment_1079072" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079072" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-707444569.jpg" alt="man lying on the couch listening to music" width="2121" height="1414" /> Westend61 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. See Things More Positively</h2>
Music has tremendous potential as a mental health aid beyond its effects on stress and other issues. [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8566759/" title="Brain Behavior and Immunity Health" desc="Music, mental health, and immunity"]Studies have shown[/citation] that listening to music can impact how we perceive emotions, words, and objects.

Listening to happy, positive music causes a person to view interactions with their environment and other people more positively. For people who regularly have a negative outlook, listening to happy music may allow them to adjust this perspective.

[caption id="attachment_1079073" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079073" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-946923246.jpg" alt="woman listening to music outside" width="2121" height="1414" /> Westend61 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Music Helps Other Treatments</h2>
Music’s effects on conditions like depression are clear. Because of this, many [citation href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2790186" title="Complementary and Alternative Medicine" desc="Association of Music Interventions With Health-Related Quality of Life"]mental health professionals[/citation] have chosen to incorporate music into their treatment plans, alongside more traditional interventions like medications and therapy.

Some of the ways they have done this is with singing, listening to music, and music therapy. Adding these interventions showed dramatic mental health improvements in a range of conditions.

[caption id="attachment_1079074" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079074" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1368961380.jpg" alt="Sick woman in wireless headphones lying on the bed and enjoying the music during musical therapy while being treated" width="2121" height="1414" /> shironosov / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Music Rivals Meditation and Exercise</h2>
Across mental health research, meditation and exercise regularly appear as some of the best ways to improve mental well-being, thanks to effects like lowering cortisol levels and releasing endorphins.

Music achieves a similar result and [citation href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2790186" title="Complementary and Alternative Medicine" desc="Association of Music Interventions With Health-Related Quality of Life"]some studies[/citation] even suggest that the effects are comparable across all three interventions. However, listening to music is often easier to practice and doesn't face the same time and financial barriers as meditation and exercise, so it is far more accessible to people of all demographics.

[caption id="attachment_1079075" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079075" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1223176180.jpg" alt="man listening to music" width="2121" height="1414" /> Westend61 / Getty Images[/caption]

How Music Benefits the Brain

Men and women have different responses to stress. In males, these responses have various health repercussions.

While males and females typically have about the same levels of stress, biological and psychological differences dramatically change how each sex responds. Evidence suggests that males have much stronger stress responses that have a more powerful effect on certain aspects of their health.

Understanding how stress impacts the body can help us recognize and manage high stress levels.
<h2>1. Emotion Recognition and Social Withdrawal</h2>
A study from the [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2948784/" title="Neuroreport" desc="Sex differences in how stress affects brain activity during face viewing"]University of Southern California[/citation] discovered that males with high stress levels tend to withdraw socially. The researchers also revealed that stressed males show less activity in the regions of the brain responsible for understanding other people’s feelings, especially fear and anger.

Findings also indicate that the opposite occurs for females with high stress levels. Rather than losing emotional recognition, they become better at interpreting emotions.

[caption id="attachment_1079510" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079510" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1172964140.jpg" alt="Sad guy sitting alone separately from other mates in cafe" width="2121" height="1414" /> fizkes / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Weaker Immune System</h2>
When the body experiences stress, it releases a hormone called cortisol. This essential hormone regulates the stress response, suppresses inflammation, and controls metabolism, among many other responsibilities. A growing body of evidence suggests that cortisol also limits immune system function, especially in males.

Some researchers attribute this to [citation href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S030105110400170X" title="Biological Psychology" desc="Sex differences in HPA axis responses to stress: a review"]findings that males tend to release more cortisol[/citation] and have higher free cortisol levels than females.

[caption id="attachment_1079511" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079511" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-926365998.jpg" alt="man sick in bed" width="2121" height="1414" /> Koldunova_Anna / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Genetic Expression</h2>
Stress has clear effects on adult males but could also affect their future children. [citation href="https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/news-releases/2013/june/stressed-dads-can-affect-offsp" title="Penn Medicine" desc="Stressed Dads Can Affect Offspring Brain Development, Penn Study Finds"]Animal studies[/citation] have revealed that chronic stress changes gene expression in sperm. Some experts feel that this could result in children having irregular stress reactions and make them vulnerable to stress-related disorders.

Researchers note that this area of study is still new, and there is the potential for many more discoveries in the long-term effects of stress on sperm.

[caption id="attachment_1079512" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079512" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1218165435.jpg" alt="father and son playing board game" width="2119" height="1415" /> SanyaSM / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Early Heart Disease</h2>
Another notable difference between the male and female stress responses involves cardiovascular health. For many years, medical professionals have recognized stress as a major risk factor in heart disease, especially inherited stress.

Males with a family history of both heart disease and high stress levels often develop cardiovascular issues [citation href="https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/871392" title="Henry Ford Health" desc="Stressed-out men may have inherited risk for early heart disease"]12 years earlier[/citation] than people without these inheritable factors.

[caption id="attachment_1079513" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079513" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1267091562.jpg" alt="man holding his chest in pain" width="2121" height="1414" /> krisanapong detraphiphat / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Accelerates Prostate Cancer Development</h2>
One of the biggest issues that males face is prostate cancer. As they age, males become even more likely to develop this disease. In fact, this condition is so common that most older males die with prostate cancer, even if the disease was not responsible.

However, a [citation href="https://www.jci.org/articles/view/63324" title="Journal of Clinical Investigation" desc="Behavioral stress accelerates prostate cancer development in mice"]recent study[/citation] on mice found that stress could accelerate prostate cancer development and progression. This increases the risk of stress for younger males, but also indicates that managing stress could be beneficial when treating prostate cancer.

[caption id="attachment_1079514" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079514" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1188260566.jpg" alt="man holding crotch" width="2121" height="1414" /> bymuratdeniz / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Erectile Dysfunction</h2>
Research indicates that 10 to 20% of all cases of erectile dysfunction stem from psychological factors like anxiety, depression, and stress. Neurologists explain that [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23266-parasympathetic-nervous-system-psns#function" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Parasympathetic Nervous System"]the parasympathetic nervous system is an essential part of arousal[/citation]. Stress causes the body to operate from the sympathetic nervous system and limits the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system.

If a person with ED manages to maintain an erection, stress can also accelerate the transition from parasympathetic to sympathetic, causing premature ejaculation.

[caption id="attachment_1079515" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079515" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1133418670.jpg" alt="Man sad after arguing with his girlfriend in the bed" width="2121" height="1414" /> tommaso79 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Lower Sperm Count</h2>
Among the other notable impacts on the male sex organs, stress may also drop sperm counts. [citation href="https://www.fertstert.org/article/S0015-0282(14)00381-1/fulltext" title="Fertility and Sterility" desc="Effects of work and life stress on semen quality"]Several studies[/citation] have found that males with higher stress levels have fewer ejaculations with much lower sperm counts and concentrations.

Stress also had links to atypical sperm development and poor sperm motility. All of these issues together indicate that males with chronic stress likely have issues with fertility.

[caption id="attachment_1079516" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079516" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-543184258.jpg" alt="sad couple holding pregnancy test" width="2119" height="1414" /> gpointstudio / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Attractiveness</h2>
A small body of evidence suggests that stress can also make males less attractive to heterosexual females. Testosterone has strong connections with immune system function and perceptions of facial attractiveness. [citation href="https://www.cnn.com/2012/02/22/health/living-well/testosterone-women/index.html" title="CNN" desc="Are women turned off by stressed-out men?"]One study[/citation] found that females found males with higher testosterone levels and stronger immune systems more attractive.

This study also noted that the males who received the lowest scores also had much higher cortisol levels, indicating chronic stress.

[caption id="attachment_1079521" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079521" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1193083293.jpg" alt="man looking at the mirror" width="2121" height="1414" /> stefanamer / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Chronic Pain</h2>
Stress, testosterone, and pain have very intricate, complex relationships, which could mean that males may be subject to more severe chronic pain. Testosterone helps mitigate pain sensations, but stress can drop testosterone levels while increasing cortisol.

As a result, while the actual pain may not be more severe, it would [citation href="https://associationofanaesthetists-publications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2044.2012.07267.x" title="Anaesthesia" desc="Modulation of pain sensation by stress-related testosterone and cortisol"]feel far more intense[/citation].

[caption id="attachment_1079518" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079518" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1276586149.jpg" alt="man with back pain" width="2121" height="1414" /> ljubaphoto / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Fight, Flight, or Freeze</h2>
In moments of extreme stress, the body activates the fight, flight, or freeze response. This is essentially an emergency mode to take care of immediate needs and find safety. Due to various differences in brain responses, [citation href="https://doi.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0033-295X.107.3.411" title="American Psychological Association" desc="Biobehavioral responses to stress in females: Tend-and-befriend, not fight-or-flight."]males may be more likely than females[/citation] to activate the fight, flight, or freeze response as a reaction to stress.

As a result, males have more frequent and noticeable stress responses. It may also seem as though males act much more aggressively or stoically than females.

[caption id="attachment_1079519" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1079519" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1300666229-1.jpg" alt="Angry man driver reacts aggressively to other road users" width="2000" height="1333" /> frantic00 / Getty Images[/caption]

Men's health is an important topic. Men experience diseases and conditions that can affect anyone, such as stroke, diabetes, and cancer. They also experience male-specific issues such as prostate and testicular cancer. Men experience hormone imbalances differently than women do. This is because low testosterone presents different signs and symptoms. Additionally, men experience some conditions at a higher rate. The best way to prevent these male-specific conditions is to learn about them and watch for early signs. An early diagnosis is the most effective tool in combating serious health problems.

Facty Health offers informative articles on men's health written in an accessible and easy-to-digest format. Your health is important to you and we know that. For more information about any of these topics, such as testicular cancer, check out our feed. Read about everything from home remedies to exercise tips that can help you stay on top of your game.

Men's Health

The Unique Ways Stress Impacts Men

Poor posture means the joints in the body don't line up properly. This, and other related factors, can lead to many different health problems.

Proper posture is necessary to ensure the body keeps functioning as best it can. Despite popular belief, poor posture is not just a bad habit with aesthetic effects. Weak or inflexible muscles can also be responsible for or be caused by posture disruptions.

When a person sits or stands improperly, regardless of the cause, the joints do not align properly. This increases the stress on the body and can lead to many different health issues.
<h2>1. Leads to Arthritis</h2>
Some muscles, like those in the neck and back, must work significantly harder when a person is slouching or has poor posture in some other way. Overworking these muscles increases the risk of injury and forces the body to frequently heal those areas.

This eventually [citation href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/health-effects-of-poor-posture/" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Health Effects of Poor Posture"]encourages inflammation[/citation], which can then lead to arthritis in nearby joints.

[caption id="attachment_1078924" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078924" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1294436555.jpg" alt="Shot of a businessman suffering from neck pain while working at home" width="2119" height="1414" /> Charday Penn / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Worsens Arthritis</h2>
Poor posture can cause arthritis, but it can also worsen it. Standing or sitting improperly changes how the body’s weight sits on the joints, which causes some joints to carry more stress. Over time, this can dramatically worsen conditions [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350772" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Arthritis"]like osteoarthritis[/citation], which affects the weight-bearing joints of the hip, knee, and back.

Arthritis pain can be severe enough to decrease overall function and affect the quality of life.

[caption id="attachment_1078926" align="alignnone" width="2116"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078926" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1333230386.jpg" alt="Woman in home office suffering from back pain sitting at computer desk" width="2116" height="1417" /> boonchai wedmakawand / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Ineffective Breathing</h2>
The diaphragm must have enough space to fully expand and contract with each breath. Standing or sitting up straight is the best way to provide that space. Bad posture, especially when the torso bends forward, limits the [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3597716/" title="PLoS One" desc="Diaphragm Postural Function Analysis Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging"]diaphragm’s motion[/citation]. This, in turn, lowers breath quality and reduces the available oxygen in the body.

Low oxygen levels can cause dizziness, fatigue, or confusion and may eventually damage organs like the heart and brain.

[caption id="attachment_1078927" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078927" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-503899858.jpg" alt="Businesswoman Bending In Front Of Computer" width="2119" height="1414" /> AndreyPopov / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Circulation Issues</h2>
In addition to breathing trouble, poor posture can cause other cardiovascular problems. [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2222597/" title="Chiropractic and Osteopathy" desc="Effects of body position on autonomic regulation of cardiovascular function in young, healthy adults"]Multiple studies[/citation] have found that different body positions can dramatically affect heart rate and blood pressure.

Chronic improper posture can lead to high blood pressure and low heart rates, which may then develop into complications like artery damage or sudden cardiac arrest.

[caption id="attachment_1078928" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078928" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1176760308.jpg" alt="Woman using medical device to measure blood pressure" width="2120" height="1414" /> Nico De Pasquale Photography / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Permanent Forward Head Posture</h2>
The cervical vertebrae are responsible for supporting the head and neck, providing both mobility and stability. Poor posture results in the head frequently adopting a forward position, placing it out of alignment with the spine. Because of this, the cervical vertebrae experience greater cantilever loads and often suffer damage.

Forward head posture can [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6942109/" title="Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine" desc="The Relationship Between Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis"]eventually become permanent[/citation], which could exacerbate issues like neck pain and dizziness.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078930" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/shutterstock_479952106.jpg" alt="person holding woman's head" width="1000" height="662" />


<h2>6. Pinched Nerves</h2>
Bad posture significantly increases the risk of pinched nerves. [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6481-pinched-nerves" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Pinched Nerves"]A pinched nerve[/citation] occurs when surrounding tissues press on nerve roots, causing numbness, tingling, and pain.

Improper joint alignment speeds up wear and tear, especially in the spine. As the spine and its discs lose water content and flatten, they begin to develop small bone growths that may compress nerves. Alternatively, overworked muscles may tighten and pinch a nerve.

[caption id="attachment_1078931" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078931" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1276586104.jpg" alt="Shot of a young businessman suffering from a backache while working at his desk in his office." width="2121" height="1414" /> ljubaphoto / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Heartburn and Digestion Problems</h2>
While it may seem unlikely, poor posture can also cause a host of stomach and digestive problems. If a person assumes a slouched posture shortly after eating, they can experience [citation href="https://iffgd.org/resources/publication-library/heartburn-nothing-to-do-with-the-heart/" title="International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Disorders" desc="Heartburn: Nothing to Do with the Heart"]heartburn and acid reflux[/citation]. Slouching places pressure on the chest and stomach, forcing stomach acid to travel in the wrong direction.

There is also some evidence that slouching may affect digestion by slowing down the food traveling through the intestines.

[caption id="attachment_1078932" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078932" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-92148829.jpg" alt="man holding stomach in pain after eating" width="2121" height="1414" /> Image Source / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Constipation</h2>
Most people do not think about posture when sitting on a toilet, but toilet posture can play a major role in bowel movements. Sitting in a slouched or hunched-over position with the knees lower than the hips promotes constipation. This position prevents the abdominal muscles from helping push feces out while also somewhat closing the anus.

Some researchers even think that [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6432810/" title="Journal of Education and Health Promotion" desc="Health promotion and prevention of bowel disorders through toilet designs: A myth or reality?"]toilet posture increases the risk[/citation] of conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

[caption id="attachment_1078933" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078933" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1004905988-1.jpg" alt="Midsection Of Woman With Toilet Paper Sitting On Toilet Bowl" width="2121" height="1414" /> Kittisak Jirasittichai / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Incontinence and Sexual Dysfunction</h2>
The increase in abdominal pressure resulting from slouching also impacts the bladder. [citation href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/3-surprising-risks-of-poor-posture" title="Harvard Health" desc="3 Surprising Risks of Poor Posture"]Certain postures[/citation] will increase the stress on the bladder and tighten the pelvic floor muscles. As a result, a person may leak urine when laughing or coughing.

This incontinence may worsen if a person does not adjust their posture. A tight, weak pelvic floor also limits sexual function.

[caption id="attachment_1078934" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078934" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1146125068.jpg" alt="man covering his crotch" width="2121" height="1414" /> Estradaanton / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Bad Mood</h2>
Many of the outcomes of bad posture can combine to affect mood. Improper posture has links to poor self-confidence. It also increases fatigue and irritability, thanks to muscle strain and soreness.

All of these factors together tend to result in a more negative mental state. Meanwhile, [citation href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0005791616301719" title="Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry" desc="Upright posture improves affect and fatigue in people with depressive symptoms"]research shows[/citation] that good posture can increase positive mood while also limiting fatigue and combating depression.

[caption id="attachment_1078935" align="alignnone" width="2181"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078935" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1131960080.jpg" alt="Shot of a young businesswoman looking bored while working at her desk in a modern office" width="2181" height="1374" /> PeopleImages / Getty Images[/caption]

Bad Posture and Its Effects on General Health

Gallbladder pain often begins under the ribs in the upper right belly and radiates to the shoulder and chest. Various problems can cause this pain.

The gallbladder is a pear-shaped organ that sits under the liver, where it stores and concentrates the bile that the liver produces and later releases it to aid in fat digestion. Gallbladder pain often begins under the ribs in the upper right belly and then radiates to the right shoulder and lower chest.

Many people mistake gallbladder pain for a stroke or heart attack. Because of the gallbladder’s role in food digestion, the pain may suddenly worsen after eating.
<h2>1. Gallstones</h2>
In most cases, [citation href="https://healthcare.utah.edu/general-surgery/gallbladder/" title="University of Utah" desc="GALLBLADDER ATTACK &amp; GALLBLADDER SYMPTOMS"]gallstones[/citation] are responsible for gallbladder pain. These hard particles form when the gallbladder cannot properly release bile or when there are imbalances in the bile itself. Gallstone formation is a slow process and it is possible to have gallstones without any symptoms.

Gallstones are usually responsible for biliary colic, which is sudden pain due to a blockage of the biliary tract. The pain can last from 15 minutes to several hours, usually coming on after a meal or while sleeping.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078891" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/shutterstock_739070533.jpg" alt="woman has pain on her side" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>2. Cholecystitis</h2>
Another common source of gallbladder pain is [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cholecystitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20364867" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Cholecystitis"]cholecystitis or gallbladder inflammation[/citation]. Usually, cholecystitis is the result of a gallstone blocking an area of the biliary tract, leading to bile building up and triggering inflammation. Other causes include tumors, infections, and scarring of the bile duct.

When a person has cholecystitis, the pain is often dull and cramp-like. They may also have flu-like symptoms.

[caption id="attachment_1078893" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078893" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1075450426.jpg" alt="View of young woman suffering from stomachache on sofa at home" width="2119" height="1414" /> dragana991 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Gallbladder Rupture</h2>
Rarely, the accumulating bile of cholecystitis causes the gallbladder to rupture. Injuries from sports or motor vehicle accidents can also be responsible for a rupture, but this is even rarer.

When a person’s gallbladder ruptures, the pain develops suddenly and is both severe and persistent. [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8020585/" title="Autopsy Case Reports" desc="Acute hemorrhagic cholecystitis with gallbladder rupture and massive intra-abdominal hemorrhage"]Other symptoms[/citation] vary but may include nausea, vomiting, fever, chills, and jaundice.

[caption id="attachment_1078894" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078894" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1325287418.jpg" alt="man having pain on the side of his stomach" width="2120" height="1414" /> Antonio_Diaz / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Biliary Dyskinesia</h2>
Poor motility of the gallbladder and other parts of the biliary tract can sometimes lead to [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12095476/" title="Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology" desc="Biliary Dyskinesia"]gallbladder pain[/citation]. Essentially, the muscles responsible for squeezing the bile out of the gallbladder are unable to contract properly. This condition, biliary dyskinesia, can cause brief episodes of sharp pain that usually occur right after eating.

The pain of dyskinesia may be severe enough to affect a person’s daily life and limit their activities. Other signs are nausea, vomiting, and bloating. Poor motility often resembles biliary colic.

[caption id="attachment_1078895" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078895" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1325746132.jpg" alt="man experiencing stomachache" width="2119" height="1414" /> elenaleonova / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Cholangitis</h2>
A bacterial infection in the common bile duct that connects to the gallbladder, called [citation href="https://www.wjgnet.com/2150-5330/full/v9/i1/1.htm" title="World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology" desc="Acute cholangitis - an update"]acute cholangitis[/citation], may result from a gallstone or any other cause of biliary colic. The main symptoms of acute cholangitis include gallbladder pain, jaundice, and flu-like symptoms.

Severe cholangitis may lead to sepsis. In these cases, a person may develop confusion and their blood pressure may drop.

[caption id="attachment_1078896" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078896" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1180360359.jpg" alt="woman experiencing stomachache" width="2121" height="1414" /> Deagreez / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Biliary Sludge</h2>
Bile in the gallbladder will [citation href="https://www.dldjournalonline.com/article/S1590-8658(03)00093-8/fulltext" title="Digestive and Liver Disease" desc="Biliary sludge: the sluggish gallbladder"]sometimes thicken[/citation], thanks to poor motility and a variety of small particles. Sediments include materials like calcium bilirubinate, calcium salts, cholesterol crystals, mucin, and many others.

Because biliary sludge is so much thicker than typical bile, it travels much slower and may cause blockages. This causes gallbladder pain, as well as issues like biliary colic, cholecystitis, cholangitis, and pancreatitis.

[caption id="attachment_1078897" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078897" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1363482240.jpg" alt="woman experiencing stomachache" width="2121" height="1414" /> AndreyPopov / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Porcelain Gallbladder</h2>
The gallbladder may experience extreme calcification, [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK518979/" title="StatPearls" desc="Porcelain Gallbladder"]called porcelain gallbladder[/citation], where the wall of the gallbladder becomes hard and brittle. Experts believe this is often a complication of excessive gallstones, but the cause remains unknown.

People with porcelain gallbladder typically have no symptoms, but the condition sometimes triggers severe pain along with jaundice and vomiting.

[caption id="attachment_1078898" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078898" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1023726620.jpg" alt="woman feeling nausea outdoors" width="2121" height="1414" /> klebercordeiro / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Biloma</h2>
Gallbladder pain can sometimes be a sign of bile accumulating in the abdominal cavity, [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32542169/" title="Cureus" desc="Biloma: A Rare Manifestation of Spontaneous Bile Leak"]called biloma[/citation]. This occurs when there is a bile leak due to gallbladder removal, abdominal trauma, or biliary surgery.

The pain may remain localized in the upper right of the abdomen or slowly spread across the body. Some people also experience swelling or inflammation, but these symptoms are less common.

[caption id="attachment_1078899" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078899" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1127608604.jpg" alt="man holding his stomach in pain" width="2121" height="1414" /> Sinenkiy / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Cancer</h2>
Cancer of the gallbladder is uncommon, and when it does develop, it is usually occurring later in life. The glands that line the surface of the gallbladder are the most likely to be affected. Gallbladder cancers regularly cause bouts of pain, as well as jaundice and weight loss.

Experts have found [citation href="https://www.thieme-connect.de/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-2007-1004172" title="Endoscopy" desc="Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Is a Safe Procedure for the Treatment of Porcelain Gallbladder"]links between cancer[/citation] and gallstones, large gallbladder polyps, and porcelain gallbladders.

[caption id="attachment_1078900" align="alignnone" width="2057"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078900" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-88689474.jpg" alt="man holding his stomach in pain" width="2057" height="1457" /> Paul Bradbury / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Congenital Issues</h2>
A person may be born with a unique gallbladder that does not show issues until much later in life. While these events are rare, experts have reported several congenital gallbladder issues, including multiple compartments, atypical shapes, and growths along the walls.

In one case, a man was born with [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8979156/" title="Clinical Case Reports" desc="Septate gallbladder: A rare congenital anomaly"]two separate gallbladder compartments[/citation], which eventually caused intermittent gallbladder pain.

[caption id="attachment_1078901" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078901" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1366934845.jpg" alt="man having stomach pain" width="2120" height="1414" /> supersizer / Getty Images[/caption]

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="660ej" data-offset-key="87abn-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="87abn-0-0"><span data-offset-key="87abn-0-0"><span data-text="true">The gallbladder is a small sac-like organ in the abdomen located right under the liver. It stores and releases bile that it gets from the liver. After a meal, hormones trigger the gallbladder instructing it to release bile. The bile travels to the small intestine and helps to break down fat and amino acids. Although it's not an often thought of organ, it plays a crucial role in helping digestion.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="660ej" data-offset-key="9mff1-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="9mff1-0-0"><span data-offset-key="9mff1-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="660ej" data-offset-key="3beak-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="3beak-0-0"><span data-offset-key="3beak-0-0"><span data-text="true">A common condition that can plague the gallbladder is gallstones. These happen when substances crystallize forming little "stones" in the organ. This condition can be excruciating and can cause nausea and inflammation. When bile becomes too thick, it can create blockages in the ducts. These blockages can lead to infection.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="660ej" data-offset-key="73i45-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="73i45-0-0"><span data-offset-key="73i45-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="660ej" data-offset-key="5g0t5-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5g0t5-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5g0t5-0-0"><span data-text="true">Cholecystectomy is the process of removing the gallbladder. While bile aids in digestion, the organ itself is not essential. Removing it is a safe procedure with no observable problems in the long run. Though the liver will still produce bile, there will be no storage space for the excess.</span></span></div>
</div>

Ailments

An "ailment" is a general term for minor to moderate physical illnesses, diseases, and disorders. In Facty Health, many different diagnoses fall under the ailment category. For example, acid reflux, eye disorders, skin problems, and GI problems, are considered an ailment.

In this category, you can discover natural home remedies for common symptoms. You will find that there is probably a miracle ingredient hiding in your pantry right now. Learn what foods to stay away from and which foods can help ease certain conditions. You can even learn to spot the early warning signs of some of the more severe diseases. Expect to find detailed and interesting information about the types of ailments, their symptoms, causes, and treatments.

If you have questions about a specific ailment or you just have a general curiosity for medicine, this would be a good place to start.

Gallbladder

Causes of Gallbladder Pain

Each new study makes it clearer that a healthy gut affects more than the digestive system; it may be one of the biggest factors in overall health.

Over the last few years, the gut has been at the center of health research and discussion. With each study, it becomes clearer that a healthy gut has effects that reach far beyond the digestive system. In fact, improving gut wellness may be one of the biggest factors in boosting overall health.
<h2>1. Better Digestion</h2>
One of the most notable impacts of a healthy gut is that stomach disturbances become far less common. People who regularly experience bloating, gas, constipation, or even diarrhea may be able to alleviate these problems just by improving their gut health.

A balanced, gut-conscious diet full of pro- and prebiotics improves food processing and waste elimination, even in people with serious conditions like [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18461650/" title="World Journal of Gastoenterology" desc="Meta-analysis of probiotics for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome"]irritable bowel syndrome[/citation].

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078688" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/shutterstock_1562470819.jpg" alt="woman holding stomach while smiling" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>2. Fight Inflammation</h2>
Inflammation has links to some of the most serious conditions humans face, including cancers, neurological disorders, and cardiac issues. [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5199709/" title="Journal of Clinical Investigation" desc="Inflammatory mechanisms linking obesity and metabolic disease"]Studies show[/citation] that unhealthy diets containing too much sugar and fat contribute to higher levels of inflammation.

Reduce the consumption of these products and add anti-inflammatory foods like oily fish and leafy greens. By doing this, you can improve your gut health while fighting inflammation-related problems like insulin resistance, sexual dysfunction, and weight gain.

[caption id="attachment_1078690" align="alignnone" width="2176"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078690" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1151268627.jpg" alt="woman eating salad" width="2176" height="1378" /> Povozniuk / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Limit Unintentional Weight Changes</h2>
Researchers have found that some weight changes have direct links to poor gut health. If a person gains or loses weight without making changes to their diet or activity level, they may have an unhealthy gut.

A healthy gut can absorb nutrients more easily and is better at regulating blood sugar and fat storage. This restricts [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4752653/" title="Gut" desc="The gut microbiota and host health: a new clinical frontier"]contributors to unintentional weight changes[/citation] like bacterial overgrowth, insulin resistance, and poor nutrient absorption.

[caption id="attachment_1078692" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078692" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1352225167.jpg" alt="Female leg stepping on weigh scales with measuring tape" width="2121" height="1414" /> puhimec / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Get More Rest</h2>
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the biggest contributors to overall wellness, alongside good gut health. [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6779243/" title="PLoS One" desc="Gut microbiome diversity is associated with sleep physiology in humans"]Many researchers[/citation] have uncovered the links between these two factors, showing how they can influence each other. People with healthy diets tend to have fewer sleep disturbances like insomnia or poor quality sleep. As a result, these individuals also report feeling more rested after sleeping.

[caption id="attachment_1078693" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078693" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1170519334.jpg" alt="man sleeping in bed" width="2121" height="1414" /> fizkes / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Healthier Skin</h2>
The gut and its microbiome play important roles in many skin conditions. Recent findings show that the skin and gut microbiomes are [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7916842/" title="Microorganisms" desc="Gut–Skin Axis: Current Knowledge of the Interrelationship between Microbial Dysbiosis and Skin Conditions"]intricately linked[/citation]. Maintaining a healthy diet allows their gut to fight dermatological issues like eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, acne, and cancer.

Some experts link this to the prevention of a “leaky gut,” which describes a weakened intestinal barrier that allows certain proteins to “leak” into the body and irritate major systems like the skin.

[caption id="attachment_1078694" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078694" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1027900840.jpg" alt="woman putting cream in her face" width="2119" height="1415" /> YakobchukOlena / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Boost Immune System</h2>
The link between a healthy gut and the immune system has been the focus of a significant amount of scientific study. As a result, [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7927055/" title="Nutrients" desc="Nutritional Components in Western Diet Versus Mediterranean Diet at the Gut Microbiota–Immune System Interplay. Implications for Health and Disease"]experts have uncovered[/citation] many ways the two systems influence each other. Among their findings, one of the clearest is that foods with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects dramatically improve immune system function.

Many researchers suggest nutritional approaches like the Mediterranean diet to promote better health around the world.

[caption id="attachment_1078695" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078695" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1202966610.jpg" alt="man is meditating outdoor in the park" width="2120" height="1414" /> Olezzo / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Enjoy More Food</h2>
Many people have intolerances that limit their ability to digest certain foods. Unlike an allergy, food intolerance is inconvenient but not dangerous. After eating these foods, affected people often experience symptoms like bloating, gas, or diarrhea.

Some research indicates that people with healthier gut microbiomes are less likely to have food intolerances. In fact, [citation href="https://journals.lww.com/co-pediatrics/Abstract/2016/12000/The_role_of_the_gut_microbiota_in_food_allergy.14.aspx" title="Current Opinions in Pediatrics" desc="The role of the gut microbiota in food allergy"]some experts[/citation] think that proper gut health may even limit full-blown food allergies.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078696" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/shutterstock_1756995002.jpg" alt="Woman Eating Breakfast in Bed" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>8. Combat Serious Mental Illnesses</h2>
In the last decade, good gut health has revealed itself as one of the most important factors in improving brain function and behavior. The brain and gut are constantly exchanging signals. As a result, diverse diets full of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy options contribute to improvements in mental well-being.

While the exact mechanisms and full effects require more study, many experts are positive that good gut health can help [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8321864/" title="Advances in Nutrition" desc="Diet and the Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis: Sowing the Seeds of Good Mental Health"]fight illnesses like depression and anxiety[/citation].

[caption id="attachment_1078700" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078700" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1090697048.jpg" alt="man smiling" width="2119" height="1414" /> Westend61 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Repair Heart Damage</h2>
Medical professionals have openly discussed the effect diet has on the heart for many years. Recent research has expanded our knowledge of these effects. A healthy gut not only limits cardiac problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, and heart attacks but may also repair the damage.

A study on lab mice revealed that [citation href="https://www.heart.org/en/news/2018/10/08/gut-bacteria-may-play-role-in-heart-attack-recovery" title="American Heart Association" desc="Gut bacteria may play role in heart attack recovery"]gut microbes[/citation] can regenerate tissue after heart attacks, allowing for better recovery.

[caption id="attachment_1078701" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078701" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1313653342.jpg" alt="hispanic female with closed eyes keep hands to heart" width="2121" height="1414" /> fizkes / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Improving Asthma</h2>
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory conditions, affecting over 300 million people around the world. Thanks to [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7128389/" title="Immunity" desc="The Role of Lung and Gut Microbiota in the Pathology of Asthma"]ongoing studies[/citation], medical professionals have learned the importance of the gut microbiota in many respiratory issues, including asthma.

Their many findings suggest that a healthy gut limits airway inflammation, improves the lung microbiota, and inhibits allergy symptoms that contribute to asthma. By considering the gut microbiome in future treatments, it may be possible to dramatically improve asthma symptoms.

[caption id="attachment_1078702" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078702" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-516281699.jpg" alt="Couple of man and woman breathing deep fresh air" width="2121" height="1414" /> AntonioGuillem / Getty Images[/caption]

How Gut Health Affects Your Whole Body

Two of the biggest influences on a person’s chances of developing health concerns are age and sex. The following conditions affect men at different ages.

Two of the biggest influences on a person’s chances of developing health concerns are age and sex. A 20-year-old does not have the same health concerns as someone who just hit 60, and each sex is at risk of different diseases.

Males are more prone than females, to cancers, cardiac problems, and other diseases, especially at a younger age. Understanding how age and sex affect health can help prepare you for medical issues you may face in the future.
<h2>1. Klinefelter Syndrome (Birth)</h2>
Some males are born with an additional copy of the X chromosome (XXY). This condition, Klinefelter syndrome, affects [citation href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/klinefelter/conditioninfo/risk" title="NIH" desc="How many people are affected by or at risk for Klinefelter syndrome (KS)?"]one to two male children per 1,000 live births[/citation], making it one of the most common chromosomal disorders. Males born with Klinefelter syndrome have small, poorly functioning testicles, which cause low testosterone levels and infertility.

As children, XXY males often have weaker muscles and lower strength, but adults often look similar to males without the condition.

[caption id="attachment_1078670" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078670" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1223040891.jpg" alt="baby laying down in bed" width="2121" height="1414" /> eclipse_images / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Varicoceles (Adolescence)</h2>
[citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/varicocele/symptoms-causes/syc-20378771" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Varicocele"]During puberty[/citation], some males experience an enlargement of the veins within the scrotum. These larger veins, called varicoceles, form when blood pools in them instead of efficiently flowing through the body.

While varicoceles can cause some pain or discomfort, most cases are asymptomatic. Varicoceles occur in 15% to 20% of all males.

[caption id="attachment_1078671" align="alignnone" width="2081"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078671" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1173335872.jpg" alt="man wearing shorts holding genitals" width="2081" height="1441" /> peakSTOCK / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Athlete’s Foot (Older Childhood and Young Adulthood)</h2>
Though athlete’s foot can affect anyone, this common fungal infection occurs more often in males than females. Studies show that it mostly occurs in [citation href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0095454315000731" title="Clinics in Office Practice" desc="Superficial Fungal Infections"]older children and young adults[/citation], likely due to lifestyle factors like increased sweating or spending more time in locker rooms and communal showers.

Athlete’s foot often begins between the toes and presents as an itchy, scaly rash.

[caption id="attachment_1078673" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078673" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1316805597-1.jpg" alt="man with athlete foot" width="2000" height="1054" /> PonyWang / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Gout (30s)</h2>
Gout is a very common form of arthritis that can affect anyone. However, it is most typical in males between the ages of [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gout/symptoms-causes/syc-20372897" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Gout"]30 and 50[/citation]. Gout causes sudden pain, as well as swelling, tenderness, and redness in the joints.

The big toe is the most common location for gout, but it also regularly affects the knees, ankles, fingers, wrists, and elbows. As the condition progresses, it can affect joint mobility and other organs, like the kidneys.

[caption id="attachment_1078674" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078674" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1335850714.jpg" alt="The feet of a man suffering from gout" width="2121" height="1414" /> kazuma seki / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Prostatitis (30s and 40s)</h2>
Males in their [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2576075/" title="Journal of the National Medical Association" desc="Association between past urinary tract infections and current symptoms suggestive of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome."]30s and 40s[/citation] have a higher risk of several different prostate conditions, including inflammation of the prostate or prostatitis. Experts generally recognize four types of prostatitis, each of which varies in severity and duration. Prostatitis symptoms are often felt while urinating and include:
<ul>
 	<li>Difficulty urinating</li>
 	<li>Frequent urination</li>
 	<li>Pain or burning while urinating</li>
 	<li>Cloudy or bloody urine</li>
</ul>
The condition can also cause pain and discomfort in various areas of the groin or abdomen. If the cause is a bacterial infection, prostatitis can cause fever and other flu-like symptoms.

<img class="alignnone wp-image-1078675 size-full" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/shutterstock_383851915.jpg" alt="man holding his crotch in the bathroom toilet" width="1000" height="664" />


<h2>6. Prostate Cancer (50s)</h2>
Another prostate issue, prostate cancer, is most common in males [citation href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/prostate-cancer-symptoms-tests-and-treatments" title="FDA" desc="Prostate Cancer: Symptoms, Tests, and Treatments"]after age 50[/citation]. Prostate cancers often grow slowly and usually remain confined to the prostate gland. However, some forms are more aggressive and are capable of rapidly spreading to other areas of the body.

Experts still aren't certain what causes prostate cancer, but it has links to obesity and certain genetic factors.

[caption id="attachment_1078676" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078676" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-968086632.jpg" alt="man talking to doctor" width="2121" height="1414" /> Chinnapong / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Male-Pattern Baldness (50s)</h2>
Technically speaking, male-pattern baldness can occur at any age, and the condition is usually inherited. However, this form of baldness peaks and affects around [citation href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025712515001200" title="Medical Clinics of North America" desc="Selected Disorders of Skin Appendages—Acne, Alopecia, Hyperhidrosis"]half of males by age 50[/citation], making it the most common type of hair loss.

Male-pattern baldness usually starts just above the temples and leaves a rim of hair at the sides and back of the head. Complete baldness due to male-pattern hair loss is rare.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078677" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/shutterstock_1801740445.jpg" alt="man looking at mirror worried about balding" width="1000" height="668" />


<h2>8. Peyronie’s Disease (50s and 60s)</h2>
Peyronie’s disease is a condition that occurs when noncancerous scar tissue forms on the penis, causing curved and painful erections. This issue can develop at any age but is most common in males [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peyronies-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20353468" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Peyronies Disease"]in their 50s and 60s[/citation].

A small amount of curvature in younger men is typical and unlikely to be Peyronie’s disease. Males who suspect they may have the condition should visit a medical professional as soon as possible to prevent it from worsening.

[caption id="attachment_1078678" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078678" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-1325746804.jpg" alt="man with crossed arms in pain" width="2119" height="1414" /> elenaleonova / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Parkinson’s Disease (60s)</h2>
Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that affects movement. The condition often begins as a small tremor in one hand but can progress to affect many body systems. Issues with walking and talking are normal, as are behavioral changes, sleep problems, and fatigue.

Though Parkinson's can affect anyone, males are more likely than females to develop it. This issue is rare in young adults, primarily affecting [citation href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/parkinsons-disease" title="National Institute on Aging" desc="Parkinson’s Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments"]adults over 60[/citation].

[caption id="attachment_1078680" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078680" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/GettyImages-647711856.jpg" alt="Close Up Of Senior Man Suffering With Parkinsons Diesease" width="2119" height="1414" /> Highwaystarz-Photography / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Melanoma (63+)</h2>
One of the most serious types of skin cancer, melanoma, is far more common in older males than females. Melanoma develops from the melanocytes that produce melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. In males, melanomas most regularly occur on the back, though they can appear on any area of skin.

While the cause of melanomas is not clear, ultraviolet radiation from the sun and tanning lamps likely plays a large role. It is worth noting that while the [citation href="https://www.cancer.org/cancer/melanoma-skin-cancer/about/key-statistics.html" title="American Cancer Society" desc="Key Statistics for Melanoma Skin Cancer"]average age[/citation] of melanoma diagnosis is 63, the condition is becoming more typical in people under 40 and is one of the most common cancers in young adults.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078681" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/06/shutterstock_770576020.jpg" alt="Young female doctor checking skin of senior patient" width="1000" height="668" />

Conditions That Affect Men at Different Ages

Sleep is crucial for a baby's development. In addition to night, daytime naps improve memory and language. Here's what you need to know about naptime.

Research shows that sleep is crucial for an infant’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development. In addition to nighttime sleep, daytime naps improve memory tasks and language learning.

Newborns need sleep after being awake for one to two hours, but older babies less than one year need daily naps, too. Understanding how to fit naps into an effective sleeping schedule may seem difficult in the beginning, but parents soon learn what works best for their baby.
<h2>1. Benefits of Baby Nap Time</h2>
Studies indicate that napping provides the [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5851571/" title="Nature and Science of Sleep" desc="Spotlight on daytime napping during early childhood"]optimal environment[/citation] for consolidating memories and retention, but stops providing the same cognitive benefits beyond the age of two.

As children age and the brain becomes more mature, daytime naps become less important. During a child’s first year, however, naps are an important part of healthy development.

[caption id="attachment_1078530" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078530" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1134998232.jpg" alt="Sleepy toddler boy sleeping on his bed" width="2121" height="1414" /> Melpomenem / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Daylight and Darkness Exposure</h2>
Physiologically, body temperature rhythm and melatonin excretion are functions that let adults know when to sleep. However, these functions do not emerge in babies until they are between [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25245173/" title="Archives of Disease in Childhood" desc="Getting rhythm: how do babies do it?"]eight and eleven weeks[/citation].

Studies show that exposing newborns to light during the day and darkness at night encourages the development of these necessary physiological functions for a healthy circadian rhythm. Babies do not require pitch-black surroundings to nap because they do not produce melatonin during the day.

[caption id="attachment_1078532" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078532" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-903648836.jpg" alt="Mother with her newborn son" width="2121" height="1414" /> Thanasis Zovoilis / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Newborn Napping</h2>
Typically, newborns sleep between 14 and 17 hours per day with hunger being the driving force between waking and sleeping. Infants sleep in stretches of three to four hours in the first few months of life. They usually stay awake for one to two hours before needing to sleep again.

Once the baby reaches two months old, they may begin napping [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14300-sleep-in-your-babys-first-year" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Sleep in Your Baby's First Year"]four times per day[/citation]. Parents may notice that as their child reaches their three-month milestone, naps are getting shorter, with longer periods of awake times in-between.

[caption id="attachment_1078533" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078533" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1296950092.jpg" alt="Father and baby son sleeping" width="2121" height="1414" /> Nikola Stojadinovic / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Napping at Four to Six Months</h2>
By four months old, many babies start sleeping [citation href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14300-sleep-in-your-babys-first-year" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="Sleep in Your Baby's First Year"]longer during the night[/citation] and require fewer naps during the day. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, infants between the ages of four and 12 months require 12 to 16 hours of sleep per 24 hours, including naps.

Babies between four and six months need two to three naps each day.

[caption id="attachment_1078535" align="alignnone" width="2124"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078535" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-936356752.jpg" alt="High Angle View Of Baby Sleeping On Bed At Home" width="2124" height="1411" /> Javier Snchez Mingorance / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Napping from Six to 12 Months</h2>
After five months, [citation href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jsr.12414" title="Journal of Sleep Research" desc="Development of infant and toddler sleep patterns: real-world data from a mobile application"]clearer sleep patterns[/citation] develop and babies start to sleep longer during the night. Studies show that daytime sleep patterns also become more consistent as children age.

Between the ages of six and 12 months, taking two naps of one to two hours each during the day generally provides sufficient rest. If a child is taking a third nap later in the day, it is best to eliminate that nap at around nine months.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078534" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/shutterstock_612271187.jpg" alt="1 year old toddler sleeping" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>6. Nap Time Signs</h2>
Yawning, rubbing their eyes, tugging on their ears, staring off into space, and drowsiness are [citation href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/naps.html" title="Kids' Health" desc="Naps"]visible signs[/citation] that a baby needs a nap.

Crankiness, fussiness, incessant crying, or looking away from their caregiver are also signs that the infant is tired and ready for sleep. Some babies fidget more when tired, while others may refuse to eat.

[caption id="attachment_1078536" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078536" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1279298470.jpg" alt="A 4 month old baby girl yawning" width="2121" height="1414" /> Catherine Delahaye / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Safe Napping</h2>
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends placing babies on their [citation href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/sleep/Pages/Sleep-Soundly-While-Baby-Sleeps-Safe.aspx" title="American Academy of Pediatrics" desc="Help Your Baby Sleep Safely So You Can Sleep Soundly"]backs for sleeping[/citation], both at bedtime and during nap times, until their first birthday. Check the baby during sleep to ensure they have not rolled over onto their stomach.

The infant's sleep surface should be a firm, flat mattress. Remove any pillows, toys, bumpers, or blankets. Additionally, AAP advises that while a baby can sleep in the same room as their parents, they need their own space for sleeping.

[caption id="attachment_1078537" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078537" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1394384262.jpg" alt="father putting his baby in the crib" width="2121" height="1414" /> Liudmila Chernetska / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Things That Prevent Good Naps</h2>
<ul>
 	<li>A flurry of activity, bright light, and noise are examples of things that draw a baby’s attention and prevent sleep.</li>
 	<li>A [citation href="https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/A-Clinical-Guide-to-Pediatric-Sleep%3A-Diagnosis-and-Mindell-Owens/6aa188932c830ade533a1955e13357b06291589a" title="Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics" desc="A Clinical Guide to Pediatric Sleep: Diagnosis and Management of Sleep Problems"]change in routine[/citation] can also disrupt nap times.</li>
 	<li>Developmental milestones such as learning to crawl can impact napping habits.</li>
 	<li>While a short nap in a car seat is fine, longer naps should take place in a crib or on a firm mattress.</li>
</ul>
[caption id="attachment_1078538" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078538" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1207724727.jpg" alt="baby crawling" width="2121" height="1414" /> chinaview / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Improving Nap Time</h2>
A full stomach and a clean diaper will increase comfort levels and help your baby get the most out of nap time. Pacifiers not only offer a temporary distraction, but they also help [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/pacifiers/art-20048140" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Pacifiers"]soothe a fussy or unsettled baby[/citation].

Studies show that providing pacifiers during naps and at bedtime may also reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS. Babies as young as six months can learn to self-soothe. Put the child down for a nap when they are drowsy and allow them to fall asleep on their own.

[caption id="attachment_1078539" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078539" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1216476026.jpg" alt="baby sleeping with a pacifier" width="2121" height="1414" /> hiphotos35 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Sleeping Too Much or Too Little</h2>
If an infant is ill, they may have trouble [citation href="https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=infant-sleep-90-P02237" title="Stanford Childrens' Health" desc="Infant Sleep"]falling or staying asleep[/citation]. Babies who are taking longer naps could be experiencing a growth spurt or may be fighting off a minor illness. In rare cases, sleeping too much can indicate a medical issue.

Do not allow newborns less than four weeks of age to sleep for more than four or five hours without eating. Wake them by brushing a finger along the side of their cheek.

[caption id="attachment_1078540" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078540" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1082288808.jpg" alt="Loving mother touching baby face" width="2121" height="1414" /> Stefka Pavlova / Getty Images[/caption]

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="761fa" data-offset-key="dektf-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="dektf-0-0"><span data-offset-key="dektf-0-0"><span data-text="true">Mothers try their best to live </span></span><span class="adverb"><span data-offset-key="dektf-1-0"><span data-text="true">cleanly</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="dektf-2-0"><span data-text="true"> during a pregnancy. After the nine months and a period of labor, what remains is a beautiful newborn in your arms. Every bundle of joy is sweet and innocent, and you want to give them the world. Your baby's first year will throw a lot of learning curves at you. You will feel like you are busy all the time. At some point, you may lose track of all their "firsts," but the important thing is the time you spend together. Parent-infant bonding is essential and has a significant effect on early development. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="761fa" data-offset-key="1bvaq-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="1bvaq-0-0"><span data-offset-key="1bvaq-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="761fa" data-offset-key="6eqqa-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="6eqqa-0-0"><span data-offset-key="6eqqa-0-0"><span data-text="true">Your baby might feel fragile in your arms, but don't feel intimidated. </span></span><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="6eqqa-1-0"><span data-text="true"> Facty Health can be your safe and accessible space to ask the questions you might be too embarrassed to ask your mom</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="6eqqa-2-0"><span data-text="true">. There is no reason you should feel embarrassed, but sometimes you might not want to call up a friend. We get it. </span></span></div>
</div>

Baby

Napping Hints for Babies, Newborn to One Year

Myocarditis is inflammation of the heart muscle, usually due to a viral infection. It has many symptoms in common with other conditions.

Myocarditis is a rare cardiovascular issue involving inflammation of the heart muscle, usually due to a viral infection. While rare, it can also develop following an adverse drug reaction. In recent years, there has been a minor increase in the number of cases of myocarditis due to reactions to certain COVID-19 vaccines.

Doctors can diagnose myocarditis using imaging tests that reveal the inflammation or by doing a heart biopsy. Treatment is reliant on the type and severity of myocarditis and may involve corticosteroids, heart medications, or breathing therapies.

Myocarditis can vary in severity, causing a range of issues from more minor, like shortness of breath and fatigue, to severe, such as heart failure or even sudden death.
<h2>1. Chest Pain</h2>
Most people with myocarditis experience some level of [citation href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra0800028" title"The New England Journal of Medicine" desc="Myocarditis"]chest pain[/citation], which they often describe as sharp or stabbing in nature. Some individuals also report having pain in the arm, shoulder, upper chest, or jaw.

The pain may initially worsen with exertion or exercise. As the inflammation progresses, flare-ups may occur even while resting.

[caption id="attachment_1078324" align="alignnone" width="2282"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078324" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1220743097.jpg" alt="woman experiencing chest pain" width="2282" height="1314" /> Povozniuk / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Shortness of Breath</h2>
Like many cardiac conditions, myocarditis can cause [citation href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/shortness-of-breath" title="Johns Hopkins" desc="Shortness of Breath"]shortness of breath[/citation]. Depending on the individual and the severity of their condition, shortness of breath causes different levels of distress and discomfort.

Usually, it feels as if breathing takes more effort along with the distinct sensation of not receiving enough air. With myocarditis specifically, shortness of breath worsens when lying down.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078325" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/shutterstock_1998848513.jpg" alt="man lying down experiencing shortness of breath" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>3. Palpitations and Arrhythmias</h2>
Many people with myocarditis become more sensitive to and aware of cardiac muscle contractions in their chests. They often feel as if their heartbeats are too fast, intense, or irregular. Despite how they feel, these palpitations do not necessarily indicate any heartbeat irregularities.

However, in certain circumstances, myocarditis can also affect heartbeats and cause [citation href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra0800028" title"The New England Journal of Medicine" desc="Myocarditis"]arrhythmias[/citation].

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078326" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/shutterstock_2085792511.jpg" alt="A woman who feels palpitations in her chest" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>4. Dizziness or Fainting</h2>
[citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/myocarditis/symptoms-causes/syc-20352539" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Myocarditis"]Children and young adults[/citation] are particularly prone to dizziness and fainting, though it can affect people of any age. In some cases, these symptoms reflect inadequate blood flow to the brain.

If a person with myocarditis faints, they should seek medical attention. Individuals with dizziness will often also experience chest pain, shortness of breath, and palpitations.

[caption id="attachment_1078327" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078327" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1224921525.jpg" alt="man feeling dizzy or headache" width="2121" height="1414" /> Phynart Studio / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Fever</h2>
People with myocarditis sometimes develop fevers, especially when the source is infectious, such as parvovirus B19. A fever may indicate a more serious case of myocarditis that requires more rigorous treatment.

It is worth noting that children usually have [citation href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra0800028" title"The New England Journal of Medicine" desc="Myocarditis"]more severe cases of myocarditis[/citation] and are more likely to have fevers as a result.

[caption id="attachment_1078328" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078328" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1254866783-1.jpg" alt="woman lying in bed with fever" width="2120" height="1414" /> VioletaStoimenova / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Tiredness</h2>
Because it affects so many of the body’s systems and often originates from a viral infection, myocarditis can cause people to tire more easily. They may also have a general feeling of fatigue and lack of energy, which interferes with day-to-day activities.

Because this symptom often occurs alongside others [citation href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMra0800028" title"The New England Journal of Medicine" desc="Myocarditis"]consistent with viral infections[/citation], it can be difficult to diagnose myocarditis without further testing.

[caption id="attachment_1078329" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078329" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1252926543.jpg" alt="employee falls asleep seated on chair at workplace" width="2121" height="1414" /> fizkes / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Swollen Feet and Legs</h2>
Especially if it has a viral origin, myocarditis may present with fluid retention and swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet. Usually, this occurs alongside other signs of an infection, like fever or tiredness. In some cases, ankle swelling indicates a severe case of myocarditis that could lead to [citation href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/myocarditis/" title="National Organization for Rare Disorders" desc="Myocarditis"]heart failure[/citation].

[caption id="attachment_1078330" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078330" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1370455146.jpg" alt="woman's feet swelling" width="2121" height="1414" /> Darya Komarova / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Other Signs of Infection</h2>
Myocarditis may also cause or occur alongside other common signs of an infection, such as sore throat, headache, muscle aches, and diarrhea. These symptoms often appear [citation href="https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/myocarditis/" title="National Organization for Rare Disorders" desc="Myocarditis"]several days[/citation] before other signs and resemble a flu-like illness.

Signs of infection often clear up within a few days, but they may persist until a person receives treatment for their myocarditis.

[caption id="attachment_1078331" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078331" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1166803621.jpg" alt="man suffering a sore throat" width="2119" height="1414" /> Moyo Studio / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Other Breathing Issues</h2>
Later stages of myocarditis often involve more respiratory issues. Difficulty breathing, called respiratory distress, regularly develops. Signs of respiratory distress include nose flaring, skin color changes, sweating, grunting while breathing, and wheezing.

In many cases, doctors initially mistake these for symptoms of [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6352488/" title="Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences" desc="The Diagnostic and Clinical Approach to Pediatric Myocarditis: A Review of the Current Literature"]asthma or pneumonia[/citation].

[caption id="attachment_1078332" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078332" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1326917252-1.jpg" alt="woman wiping her sweat" width="2000" height="1125" /> LENblR / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Dull Heart Sounds</h2>
When listening to the heart of someone with myocarditis, the rhythm may sound dull or “muffled.” This occurs because inflammation of the heart muscle limits the volume of the heartbeat.

The phenomenon is particularly common when myocarditis occurs at the [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2878263/" title="Mayo Clinic Proceedings" desc="Pericardial Disease: Diagnosis and Management"]same time as pericarditis[/citation], a similar condition involving inflammation of the fibrous sac around the heart.

[caption id="attachment_1078333" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078333" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1297604604.jpg" alt="Closeup shot of a doctor examining a patient with a stethoscope" width="2119" height="1414" /> Charday Penn / Getty Images[/caption]

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bc4h6" data-offset-key="84udb-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="84udb-0-0"><span data-offset-key="84udb-0-0"><span data-text="true">The heart is a muscular organ about the size of a fist located in the upper chest between the lungs. Its job is to pump blood throughout the entire body, supplying it with oxygen and nutrients.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bc4h6" data-offset-key="8v22f-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="8v22f-0-0"><span data-offset-key="8v22f-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bc4h6" data-offset-key="80d4k-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="80d4k-0-0"><span class="hardreadability"><span data-offset-key="80d4k-0-0"><span data-text="true">The heart has four chambers: upper left atrium, upper right atrium, lower left ventricle, and lower right ventricle</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="80d4k-1-0"><span data-text="true">. Each chamber plays a major role in ridding the body of waste and supplying it with new oxygen from the lungs. The heart valves allow blood to flow in one direction, through the chambers in the correct order. The left ventricle is the strongest chamber and receives the blood last. From there it pumps it out through the aorta to the rest of the body.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bc4h6" data-offset-key="5fspv-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="5fspv-0-0"><span data-offset-key="5fspv-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bc4h6" data-offset-key="cc6os-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="cc6os-0-0"><span data-offset-key="cc6os-0-0"><span data-text="true">Cardiovascular diseases account for the death of about 30% of the population, globally. Coronary artery disease is the most common cardiovascular disease. This is when cholesterol plaques build up and narrow the blood supply to the heart. </span></span>Smoking, being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes increase your risk. There may be no warning of any heart disease present until a sudden heart attack. Healthy lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of heart disease.</div>
</div>

Heart

Warning Signs and Symptoms of Myocarditis

Most infants wake up through the night for the first couple of years. These tricks can make things a little easier on parents and baby.

As new parents soon learn, if their baby is not sleeping soundly, neither are they. Studies show that up to half of all infants go through night awakenings, which continue throughout the first two years of life. As babies age, these awakenings slowly decrease. However, some tricks in the meantime can help your little one sleep more soundly.
<h2>1. Establish a Bedtime Routine</h2>
Children as young as seven months may benefit from a consistent bedtime routine, according to research. One study showed that sticking to a 30-minute, [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2675894/" title="Sleep" desc="A Nightly Bedtime Routine: Impact on Sleep in Young Children and Maternal Mood"]three-step routine[/citation] resulted in significant sleeping improvements for infants and toddlers between seven and 36 months of age.

Not only did the babies fall asleep more quickly, but they woke up fewer times during the night and slept more soundly.

[caption id="attachment_1078296" align="alignnone" width="2123"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078296" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-84231806.jpg" alt="baby sleeping" width="2123" height="1413" /> Jose Luis Pelaez Inc / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Bedtime Massage</h2>
Another study found that a 15-minute bedtime massage with lotion can lead to fewer nighttime awakenings. Parents also reported that their children, from newborn to toddler, slept for longer.

Researchers of another study assigned a 30-minute massage therapy session beginning when the babies were 10 to 14 days old. By 12 weeks, those infants showed significant increases in [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6587181/" title="Sleep Medicine Reviews" desc="Benefits of a bedtime routine in young children: Sleep, development, and beyond"]nocturnal melatonin[/citation] secretion, which allowed them to adjust their circadian rhythms, or body clocks, at an earlier age.

[caption id="attachment_1078295" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078295" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-609200587.jpg" alt="Mom massaging her baby" width="2120" height="1414" /> Images By Tang Ming Tung / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. A Soothing Bath</h2>
Several studies link a warm bath at bedtime with sleep improvements. For babies, implementing a [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20044438" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Infant and Toddler Health"]soothing bath[/citation] can be an effective part of the bedtime ritual, providing a calming atmosphere to help them fall asleep easier and sleep more soundly.

Bedtime baths can continue as an ongoing part of the child’s nightly routine as they age.

[caption id="attachment_1078297" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078297" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-497947272.jpg" alt="Baby boy laughing in his bubble filled bath" width="2119" height="1414" /> MartinPrescott / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Turn Off the Lights at Night</h2>
A dark or very dim room at night helps a baby develop circadian rhythms, an important step in establishing healthy sleep patterns. A brighter room inhibits the development of the hormone melatonin, which regulates the sleep and wake cycles.

Pediatricians recommend exposing newborns to [citation href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002392.htm" title="Medline Plus" desc="Bedtime habits for infants and children"]light and noise[/citation] during the daytime. As the evening hours approach, dim the lights and create calm, peaceful surroundings. Keep the room dark and quiet during nighttime feedings.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078298" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/shutterstock_629737076.jpg" alt="baby sleeping in blue bassinet with canopy at night." width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>5. Responsive Feeding</h2>
Sticking to a baby’s hunger cues rather than a set feeding schedule can improve sleep patterns. Child health experts recommend baby-led feeding, also called responsive feeding, for both bottle-fed and breastfed infants for a variety of reasons, including the establishment of sleep patterns.

In the first few weeks, infants wake every few hours to feed, which is a part of healthy circadian rhythm development. Create a routine of brief, calm, and quiet feeding sessions. Do not play with or stimulate the baby. Over time, the child will adjust and fall back asleep on their own.

[caption id="attachment_1078299" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078299" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1202450246-1.jpg" alt="baby boy being bottle fed milk by dad" width="2000" height="1019" /> Delmaine Donson / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Lullabies Work</h2>
For a child to feel sleepy, their cortisol levels must decrease. [citation href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-6-best-ways-to-make-your-baby-tired-and-3-things-not-to-do/" title="Cleveland Clinic" desc="The 6 Best Ways to Make Your Baby Tired (and 3 Things NOT to Do)"]Lullabies[/citation] are a proven technique for calming babies.

Pediatricians recommend dimming the lights and playing soft music, tranquil sounds, or using a white noise machine or app to help calm the baby’s senses so that their cortisol levels decrease.

[caption id="attachment_1078302" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078302" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-587876546.jpg" alt="A happy new mother smiles as she craddles her sleeping baby in her arms." width="2121" height="1414" /> SolStock / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Teach Them to Sleep on Their Own</h2>
After the last nighttime feeding, spend some time rocking or cuddling the baby. This should be a relaxed time for parent and child, with no distractions. Once the child is sleepy, but before they’ve fallen into a deep sleep, place them in their bed.

This practice teaches them to fall asleep [citation href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002392.htm" title="Medline Plus" desc="Bedtime habits for infants and children"]on their own[/citation] from an early age, which leads to healthier sleep patterns as they get older.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078303" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/shutterstock_1048143391.jpg" alt="mother breastfeeding her newborn son at night" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>8. The CIO Method</h2>
The Cry It Out (CIO) method can teach a child to soothe themselves to sleep and also stay asleep longer, though it is controversial in some circles. A few studies found [citation href="https://acamh.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jcpp.13223" title="Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health" desc="Parental use of ‘cry it out’ in infants: no adverse effects on attachment and behavioural development at 18 months"]no adverse effects[/citation] for allowing a healthy infant to “cry it out,” while other research was inconclusive.

[citation href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p750.html" title="American Family Physician" desc="Getting an Infant to Sleep: Graduated Extinction and Sleep Fading Are Effective"]Graduated extinction[/citation] is one form of the CIO method, where caretakers increase the intervals between comforting the infant. Doctors warn that the child should never be allowed to cry indefinitely because it could cause severe stress and unhealthy outcomes.

Learn more about this method in our article, <a href="https://facty.com/family/baby/from-no-cry-to-cry-it-out-getting-your-baby-to-sleep/?style=quick&amp;utm_source=facty&amp;tm_medium=article&amp;utm_content=page_8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">From No-Cry to Cry-It-Out: Getting Your Baby to Sleep</a>

[caption id="attachment_1078304" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078304" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-926846478.jpg" alt="Baby girl lying in crib crying" width="2121" height="1414" /> Katie Rollings / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. The Fading Method</h2>
A milder approach to the CIO method, the Fading method takes more time, but the baby cries less. One approach is for parents to delay bedtime by specific increments each night to determine a time when the baby is tired enough to doze off.

Like graduated extinction, this [citation href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2016/1101/p750.html" title="American Family Physician" desc="Getting an Infant to Sleep: Graduated Extinction and Sleep Fading Are Effective"]sleep- training method[/citation] has been found to effectively decrease sleep latency and the number of times a child awakens during the night.

[caption id="attachment_1078305" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078305" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-930505230.jpg" alt="Father putting his baby to sleep" width="2121" height="1414" /> AleksandarNakic / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Do Not Expect 12 Hours of Sleep</h2>
Not every baby needs 12 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Researchers say a combination of [citation href="https://jcsm.aasm.org/doi/10.5664/jcsm.6288" title="Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine" desc="Consensus Statement of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine on the Recommended Amount of Sleep for Healthy Children: Methodology and Discussion"]12 to 16 hours[/citation] of nighttime sleep and daytime naps per 24 hours is appropriate for most infants.

Trying to force a 12-hour nighttime schedule can lead to sleep issues, such as split nights, where the baby wakes up in the middle of the night or extremely early the next morning.

[caption id="attachment_1078306" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1078306" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/05/GettyImages-1213703389.jpg" alt="baby boy smiling" width="2121" height="1414" /> LSOphoto / Getty Images[/caption]

Tips for Helping Your Baby Sleep Better

People of any age can get skin cancer, and symptoms such as moles can develop in unexpected parts of the body.

For decades, medical communities have warned people about the dangers of too much sun exposure. Unfortunately, suntanning and spending extended time outdoors without sunscreen continue to offer that socially acceptable "sun-kissed glow," and doctors still diagnose more than five million new cases of non-melanoma skin cancer each year.

People of any age can get skin cancer, and the signs are more widespread than just a mole or suspicious spot in an obvious place. Skin cancer can develop on the bottoms of the feet, in the genital area, and under the fingernails, too. In addition to monthly self-exams to help keep you aware of any new marks or bumps, understanding the signs and symptoms of the different types of skin cancer, and reaching out to a doctor if you're concerned, help ensure quick diagnosis and early treatment if a condition does develop.
<h2>1. Bumps or Lesions</h2>
A pink, white, or skin-colored bump or lesion that appears on the face, ears, or neck may be a sign of basal cell carcinoma. The lesion can have a waxy appearance or be flat, red, and scaly. Some become irritated, bleed, and then scab over, and they may itch or hurt.

This type of skin cancer begins in the basal cells, which are responsible for creating new skin cells after the old ones die. Less severe than melanoma, basal cell carcinomas seldom spread to vital organs, but they can cause nerve or muscle injury and disfigurement if not treated. About eight out of ten skin cancers are of the basal cell type.

[caption id="attachment_1034096" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/07/690903746-1024x683.jpg" width="1024" height="683" /> CasarsaGuru / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Open Sores and Growths</h2>
A persistent red sore, nodule, or scaly patch on the body might indicate squamous cell carcinoma. The growths have a crusty exterior and often appear in areas that experience frequent sun exposure. They can also develop on top of old scars or ulcers.

Squamous cell carcinoma can develop on any area of the body, including the genitals or inside of the mouth, though the most likely places are those sun-exposed areas: a balding scalp, or the neck, hands, arms, or face. They may also appear on the rim of the ear or the lower lip. Over the last three decades, the number of squamous cell carcinoma diagnoses has increased by more than 200%.

[caption id="attachment_1034097" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/07/995446842-1024x683.jpg" width="1024" height="683" /> eyepark / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Asymmetrical Moles</h2>
Asymetrical moles with irregular borders can be a symptom of melanoma. Though not the most common type of skin cancer, melanoma is the most serious. It not only affects the skin, but can also affect the eyes, the palms of the hands, and the fingernail beds. Women often develop melanomas on the lower legs, while men tend to see them on the chest, back, head, and neck.

Moles that change in size, color, or shape can indicate skin cancer. A mole that bleeds, itches, or changes in any way needs evaluation to rule out melanoma. A normal mole is about a ¼-inch in diameter, the size of a pea. Moles that grow larger warrant medical investigation. Doctors are seeing many more cases of this type of skin cancer in people under 40.

[caption id="attachment_1017497" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/03/157619660-1024x683.jpg" width="1024" height="683" /> tomczykbartek / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. New Moles</h2>
Moles are a concentration of melanocytes or pigment-producing cells on the skin. Most are benign, with colors ranging from dark brown to shades of pink. The average adult has between ten and 45 moles on their body, most of which develop before the age of 50. People who habe more than 100 moles are at greater risk for melanoma.

It is important not to ignore new moles that appear on adult skin because they are more likely to be cancerous. A new growth or lesion that isn't a mole may also be a sign of skin cancer. These types of growths could also be precancerous lesions that have an increased risk of becoming cancerous in time.

[caption id="attachment_1034098" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/07/688899958-1024x684.jpg" width="1024" height="684" /> PeopleImages / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Pigmented Patches, Domes, or Bumps</h2>
The most common sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin. A new patch resembling a mole may not be a mole at all, but a melanoma. The edges of a problematic patch will likely be less defined and appear more ragged. The coloring may be uneven, usually in varying shades of brown, tan, white, black, or blue.

Normal moles are mostly symmetrical, while skin cancer patches are asymmetrical. Check existing moles regularly for changes, especially if you have a skin type more at risk for skin cancer, and do monthly skin exams to look for new marks. While it's not necessary to panic at every new spot, some people find it helpful to record the size and shape of potentially problematic marks so it's easier to track any changes over time.

[caption id="attachment_1034099" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/07/910058028-1024x768.jpg" width="1024" height="768" /> HemantMandot / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Dark Spot on Palms or Soles of Feet</h2>
Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a type of cancer that develops on the palms of the hands, nail beds, and soles of the feet. This melanoma is darker than the skin around it and starts out as a small spot that looks like a bruise or stain. It may be tan, gray, brown, or black. Occasionally, they are red or orange, but the border around the spot is usually clearly defined.

Researchers believe this type of melanoma skin cancer is genetic and not related to sun exposure. Acral lentiginous melanoma is more common in people of African and Asian descent. It often goes unnoticed or misdiagnosed, but ALM is more aggressive than other forms of melanoma, and prompt diagnosis and treatment is essential.

[caption id="attachment_33124" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2018/09/828441266-1024x683.jpg" width="1024" height="683" /> robertprzybysz / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Streaks or Bruises in the Fingernails or Toenails</h2>
ALM can also develop as subungual melanomas under the fingernails or toenails. An early sign of this type of cancer is a dark stripe under the nail, usually the big toe or the thumb. Though this discoloration looks similar to what might appear if you dropped something heavy on the nail or caught it in a door, if it appears without this accident, it's worth speaking to a doctor.

As the streak grows, the nail may crack or break. Doctors may misdiagnose the condition as a fungal infection or a trauma injury, delaying accurate identification. Interestingly, the streaks that appear under the fingernail or toenail of people with darker skin are usually benign but should still be evaluated.

[caption id="attachment_1034100" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/07/1062542180-1024x684.jpg" width="1024" height="684" /> Kotenko_A / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. A Lump or Sore on the Vulva</h2>
The vulva is part of female genitalia. It includes the opening of the vagina, the inner and outer lips, and the clitoris. Two types of melanomas can develop on the vulva: cutaneous, which is usually on the outer labia, and mucosal, which starts in the inner parts of the vulva and its lips, near the vaginal entrance. It also may develop on the clitoris.

Vulva melanomas make up less than two percent of the total number of melanomas in women. They may appear as a lump, but many of them first appear in an existing mole. The melanoma may be a dark brown or black spot on the skin, but some are pink, red, or white. Though this could be the only sign in the early stages, some women also experience pain, itching, or discharge.

[caption id="attachment_1034101" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/07/1064312784-1024x683.jpg" width="1024" height="683" /> asiseeit / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Bumps on the Eyelid</h2>
The eyelid is made up of extremely thin skin and is therefore especially vulnerable to the harmful UV rays of the sun. Between five and ten percent of all skin cancers develop on the eyelids, with the majority occurring on the lower lid. Most are basal cell carcinomas, which are slow-growing. Squamous cell cancers, malignant melanomas, and sebaceous gland carcinomas can also begin in the eye area but are less common.

Smooth, shiny bumps that are firm or red are a symptom of this type of skin cancer and should be investigated by a doctor immediately. Styes, nodules, swelling of the eyelid, or lesions that grow, bleed, or do not heal can also indicate the disease. In some cases, the person will find that their eyelashes begin to fall out.

[caption id="attachment_1034102" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/07/1082691656-1024x683.jpg" width="1024" height="683" /> FangXiaNuo / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Symptoms of Less Common Skin Cancers</h2>
Some forms of skin cancer are rare but no less detrimental. Purple or red patches on the skin or in the mucous membranes may be a symptom of Kaposi sarcoma, a type of cancer that develops in cells that line the blood or lymph vessels. People with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV, are more susceptible to this type of cancer.

Firm, shiny, flesh-colored, or bluish-red nodules that develop at the hair follicles and below the surface of the skin on the neck, head, and body are symptoms of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Physicians diagnose about 2,000 cases each year, most of which are in men over the age of 70.

[caption id="attachment_1034103" align="alignnone" width="1024"]<img src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2019/07/1003986104-1024x683.jpg" width="1024" height="683" /> chokja / Getty Images[/caption]

There are many different types of cancer and it can start in any part of the body. Cancer is when cells start to grow and mutate, therefore, crowding the body and pushing out the normal healthy cells. Cancer can also spread from one part of the body to another, and its severity is referred to in as stages 1 to 4.

&nbsp;

Its hard to pin down specific cancer only symptoms as it goes hand in hand with many ailments such as weight loss, night sweats, a cough, problems going to the toilet, aches and pains and sores that won’t heal. However, if you find a lump under the skin in any area of your body, a doctor should check you immediately.

&nbsp;

Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery are the most common forms of cancer treatment. The type of treatment you will need depends on the type of cancer it is, as it will respond differently if it is in the form of a tumor, or in the blood or bones.

Cancer

10 Signs of Skin Cancer

The variable nature of COVID&#x2d;19 and the massive drain the pandemic placed on healthcare made quick innovation vital, and many organizations delivered.

Medical experts and researchers are constantly innovating, improving, and evolving their technologies and practices. However, the highly variable nature of COVID-19 and the massive drain the pandemic placed on healthcare resources made quick innovation vital.

As a result, the past several years have seen some incredible creations to diagnose and treat COVID-19, many of which are also usable beyond COVID-specific applications.
<h2>1. AI-Designed 3D-Printed Swabs</h2>
Many companies have focused their efforts on addressing the shortage of COVID-19 testing supplies. An artificial intelligence (AI) company, Axial3D, used their technology to design and [citation href="https://www.nadona.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/AXIAL3D-SWAB-for-COVID19.pdf" title="Nadona LTC" desc="Axial 3D Swabs"]3D-print nasal swabs[/citation] for testing. These new swabs are much faster to produce and maintain the samples better than previous swabs.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078029" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_1753344953.jpg" alt="doctor giving patient a covid 19 swab nose test" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>2. Mayo Clinic De-Identified Data</h2>
Before the pandemic, Mayo Clinic had partnered with another AI company, nference, to [citation href="https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-completes-deidentification-of-expansive-medical-dataset/" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Mayo Clinic completes deidentification of expansive medical dataset"]de-identify patient records[/citation]. This would separate all patient-identifying information from their lab values, clinical notes, and vital signs. They accelerated this project once the pandemic arrived, de-identifying over 12 million patient records.

This data allows the Mayo Clinic to make comparisons, find connections, and perform medical research much more quickly than they could before. While they are currently using the records to advance COVID research, the innovative data platform will be incredibly useful for future studies, as well.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078030" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_159015314.jpg" alt="medical lab test with pen and stethoscope" width="1000" height="669" />


<h2>3. Over-the-Counter COVID Tests</h2>
In recent years, CRISPR technology has been making headlines as one of the most impressive emerging medical tools. CRISPR pioneers are creating [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7860143/" title="American Chemical Society" desc="CRISPR Systems for COVID-19 Diagnosis"]over-the-counter COVID-19 tests[/citation] that could provide results within 20 minutes.

These swabs use guide RNA and a programmed sequence to identify the virus, but developers believe that they will soon be capable of providing mass testing for many infections.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078031" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_2096748151.jpg" alt="buying covid tests from the pharmacy" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>4. Smartphone Infection Detection</h2>
Because nearly every person has access to a smartphone, Italy-based SDG group created the mobile app, Docdot. This app uses [citation href="https://content.sdggroup.com/en/sdg-group-docdot" title="SDG Group" desc="Simple and Precise Remote Health Evaluation"]remote photoplethysmography (rPPG)[/citation], allowing smartphone cameras to capture the light reflecting off the blood vessels beneath the skin. An AI then scans and interprets the data.

Essentially, just by staring at the smartphone screen, patients can transmit their heart rate, oxygen saturation, and stress levels to their doctors. While the technology is new, it is reportedly 90% accurate and is in use in many countries.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078032" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_1714069354.jpg" alt="woman checking covid 19 tracker on her smartphone" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>5. Ventilating Through the Cloud</h2>
Resmed, one of the leading developers of ventilation devices, hastened the release of their patient data management software, AirView, to meet growing remote care needs. This [citation href="https://www.resmed.com/en-us/healthcare-professional/products-and-support/monitoring-and-data-management/airview-for-ventilation/" title="ResMed" desc="AirView for Ventilation"]cloud-based system[/citation] uses chips to monitor and transfer data about a user’s ventilation behaviors and health. Remote staff can make changes and manage the individual without either party risking exposure to the virus.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078034" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_1922220023.jpg" alt="woman checking ventilation statistics on her phone" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>6. F1 Racing and Medicine</h2>
At a glance, it may seem like Formula 1 (F1) racing does not have any connection to the medical field. However, a group from [citation href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/healthcare-engineering/covid-19/ucl-ventura-breathing-aids-covid-19-patients" title="UCL Institute of Healthcare Engineering" desc="UCL Ventura breathing aids for COVID-19 patients"]University College London[/citation] teamed up with F1 engineers from Mercedes-AMG to create a non-invasive ventilation device.

This design is less oxygen-hungry than the ventilator designs it uses as a base, and the expertise of the F1 team dramatically improved fluid and airflow. The developers created the breathing aid within a rapid timeframe, with the entire design process taking under 100 hours.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078036" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_2144930991.jpg" alt="ventilation in the door of a sports car" width="1000" height="667" />


<h2>7. Affordable Ventilation</h2>
With so many people needing breathing assistance, there has been a huge push to create accessible, affordable ventilation technology. [citation href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-52530115" title="BBC News" desc="Coronavirus: Imperial College team design 'low-cost' ventilator"]JAMVENT, an innovative ventilator[/citation], forgoes the need for more complex valves in favor of simple on-off valves that are less expensive, easier to install, and are widely available. It also includes a breath-sensing mode to help patients improve their breathing. The basic design is significantly less costly than intensive care.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078038" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_1690069879.jpg" alt="Medical ventilator at a hospital" width="1000" height="612" />


<h2>8. Chatbot Expansion</h2>
Over the course of the pandemic, many healthcare providers have relied on [citation href="https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2020/09/are-medical-chatbots-able-detect-coronavirus" title="HealthTech" desc="Are Medical Chatbots Able to Detect Coronavirus?"]AI-powered chatbots[/citation] to meet telehealth needs and answer basic health questions. Sutter Health added a series of questions to their chatbot symptom checker, allowing its algorithm to determine if a person has a COVID-19 infection.

The bot also checks the patient’s risk factors and medical history to improve its diagnostic accuracy. Since the pandemic began, Sutter’s chatbot use has tripled, with many users accessing it outside of typical office hours.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078039" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_1399145948.jpg" alt="chatbot on phone asking to help" width="1000" height="635" />


<h2>9. Drone Supply Delivery</h2>
Companies across many industries, including the medical field, are testing drone supply lines. North Carolina-based Novant Health paired up with Zipline to create a drone to [citation href="https://www.cnbc.com/2020/05/27/zipline-novant-health-launch-us-drone-service-to-fight-pandemic.html" title="CNBC" desc="Zipline, Novant Health launch the first long-distance emergency drone operation in U.S. to deliver PPE and medical supplies"]deliver COVID supplies[/citation]. The drone can travel up to 80 miles per hour, even in adverse weather conditions, on flights averaging 20 to 30 miles round-trip. It drops packages with parachutes, enabling a complete no-contact delivery.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078040" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_1455647768.jpg" alt="Drone delivering a package to a home" width="1000" height="638" />


<h2>10. VR Training</h2>
While it is common for healthcare practitioners to regularly attend lectures and training to learn new skills, the pandemic has made it clear that it needs to be a priority. Because they cannot meet in person, hospitals have turned to virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) to [citation href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamessomauroo/2020/06/19/virtual-reality-helps-medics-beat-coronavirus/?sh=3d5dc5eb1f07" title="Forbes" desc="Virtual Reality Helps Medics Beat Coronavirus"]train their staff[/citation].

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center uses VR, AR, and AI programs to place doctors, nurses, and technicians in a room with a virtual patient that responds to their actions and changes throughout the simulation. The technology helps workers stay up-to-date and in good form without risking exposure.

<img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-1078042" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/shutterstock_1675333885.jpg" alt="Doctors training using virtual reality headsets" width="1000" height="667" />

Top Medical Innovations Out of the COVID Pandemic

Macrocytosis is the name for atypically large red blood cells. It is not dangerous on its own but is a symptom of other health problems.

Macrocytosis is the name for atypically large red blood cells. The condition has many links to other problems, including alcohol use and nutrition. While macrocytosis itself is usually harmless, the responsible conditions may be life-threatening. Interestingly, modern research suggests that macrocytosis may help doctors make difficult diagnoses.
<h2>1. Causes</h2>
Macrocytosis is not a specific disease but a sign that may result from a [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/macrocytosis/expert-answers/faq-20058234" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Macrocytosis"]variety of conditions and issues[/citation]. Traditionally, it has close ties to anemia. Some of the other common causes include liver disease, vitamin deficiencies, hypothyroidism, and alcoholism.

Macrocytosis may be a side effect of cancer, seizure, and autoimmune disorder medications. Occasionally, it indicates a serious underlying problem, like bone marrow cancer.

[caption id="attachment_1077838" align="alignnone" width="2000"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077838" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-953143308-1.jpg" alt="Directly Above Shot Of Alphabets Making Anemia Text By Stethoscope On Table" width="2000" height="1334" /> Sohel Parvez Haque / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Symptoms of Macrocytosis</h2>
In most cases, macrocytosis causes no symptoms and is completely unnoticeable. While some experts attribute symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath to macrocytosis, others believe it is just one more symptom of the [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28040720/" title="Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network" desc="Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Version 2.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology"]underlying cause[/citation].

Research indicates that macrocytosis could lead to neurological issues, like confusion, depression, and atypical sensations in the arms and legs.

[caption id="attachment_1077833" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077833" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-1252672945.jpg" alt="woman lying in the couch with her hand on her head" width="2121" height="1414" /> Maskot / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Discovery and Definition</h2>
Because macrocytosis is typically asymptomatic, doctors usually discover the condition incidentally on routine blood tests. [citation href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0201/p203.html" title="American Family Physician" desc="Evaluation of Macrocytosis"]Experts define[/citation] macrocytosis as "having a mean corpuscular volume of over 100 femtoliters." Essentially, this means that the average volume of the red blood cells is significantly higher than is typical. These larger-than-average red blood cells are also called macrocytes or megalocytes.

[caption id="attachment_1077834" align="alignnone" width="2119"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077834" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-627290560.jpg" alt="Close up of nurse disinfecting male arm before blood test." width="2119" height="1415" /> YakobchukOlena / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. Diagnostic Process</h2>
While recognizing macrocytosis is simple, it is important for medical experts to rule out other conditions and identify the underlying cause. This typically begins with a medical history that looks for issues like alcohol use disorder or anemia and includes a physical exam.

Because research links macrocytosis to vitamin deficiencies, doctors may also test [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11744340/" title="Nutrition" desc="Vitamin B12 deficiency--need for a new guideline"]B12 serum levels[/citation].

[caption id="attachment_1077835" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077835" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-1250000807.jpg" alt="Midsection Of Doctor Examining Patient In Hospital" width="2121" height="1414" /> Sarinya Pinngam / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Vitamin B12 Deficiency and Macrocytosis</h2>
Newer findings link B12 deficiency-related macrocytosis with [citation href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5689413/" title="Journal of General and Family Medicine" desc="Diagnosis and treatment of macrocytic anemias in adults"]pernicious anemia[/citation], a rare autoimmune condition that prevents the body from absorbing vitamin B12.

People who have a B12 deficiency may feel unusual sensations and experience neurological issues like loss of coordination. Macrocytosis is much less common during pregnancy, due to prenatal vitamins often containing folic acid and B12.

[caption id="attachment_1077836" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077836" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-1296209723.jpg" alt="woman feeling dizzy at home" width="2121" height="1414" /> Pheelings Media / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Folate Deficiency and Macrocytosis</h2>
Folate, or vitamin B9, deficiency with macrocytosis is similar to B12 deficiency in that it often stems from poor intake or absorption. Many medications that treat seizures, cancer, and autoimmune diseases can cause folate deficiency, which contributes to the associations between the drugs and macrocytosis.

Unlike testing for other nutritional issues, measuring serum folate levels is not useful because they [citation href="https://www.amjmed.com/article/S0002-9343(00)00670-7/fulltext" title="American Journal of Medicine" desc="Lack of clinical utility of folate levels in the evaluation of macrocytosis or anemia"]fluctuate rapidly[/citation].

[caption id="attachment_1077837" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077837" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-1135088881.jpg" alt="Cropped shot of a young woman taking medication at home" width="2121" height="1414" /> Jay Yuno / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Alcohol Use and Macrocytosis</h2>
Researchers note that macrocytosis is somewhat common in patients with no history of anemia or other conditions. [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1755522/" title="Alcoholism, Clinical and Experimental Research" desc="Macrocytosis as a consequence of alcohol abuse among patients in general practice"]One study[/citation] found that upwards of 80% of males with the symptom and 34% of the women showed signs of alcohol use disorder.

Some of the people with macrocytosis and alcohol use disorder also had notable folate and vitamin B12 deficiencies, which led to dramatically larger red blood cells. It is unclear what the long-term effects of this might be. Additionally, researchers suggest that macrocytosis, along with other tests, may be an effective way of diagnosing alcohol use disorder.

[caption id="attachment_1077832" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077832" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-180582420.jpg" alt="man holding a glass of beer" width="2121" height="1414" /> Verity E. Milligan / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Treatment</h2>
Doctors will not typically treat macrocytosis itself and will instead focus on discovering and [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/macrocytosis/expert-answers/faq-20058234" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Macrocytosis"]managing the underlying cause[/citation]. In many cases, no treatment is necessary.

When it is, vitamin injections can help with nutritional deficiencies, as can dietary changes. If medications are causing noticeable side effects, experts may weigh the costs and benefits and recommend a different drug where possible. Blood transfusions may be necessary for patients with severe anemia.

[caption id="attachment_1077839" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077839" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-1081205870.jpg" alt="doctor giving injection to patient" width="2121" height="1414" /> Ake Ngiamsanguan / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Prevention</h2>
A person may be able to lower their risk for macrocytosis by making a few lifestyle changes. The [citation href="https://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0201/p203.html" title="American Family Physician" desc="Evaluation of Macrocytosis"]numerous connections[/citation] between low folate and vitamin B12 levels with macrocytosis means that following a well-balanced diet is key. Visit a healthcare professional regularly to ensure that any underlying conditions are discovered before they can worsen.

[caption id="attachment_1077842" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077842" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-1140201754.jpg" alt="Lunchbox with quinoa salad with tomato and cucumber, blue berry and trail mix" width="2121" height="1414" /> Westend61 / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Prognosis</h2>
Because, in most cases, macrocytosis is a sign rather than a condition needing treatment, the prognosis is dependent on the underlying issue. For example, macrocytosis is an expected and common side effect of some medications and typically does not prevent positive outcomes from the treatments.

However, other conditions that cause macrocytosis may lead to long-term neurological issues and symptoms.

[caption id="attachment_1077840" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077840" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/04/GettyImages-1223860172.jpg" alt="woman lying down in bed with hand on her head" width="2121" height="1414" /> Westend61 / Getty Images[/caption]

<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="13kvn" data-offset-key="bilg0-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="bilg0-0-0"><span data-offset-key="bilg0-0-0"><span data-text="true">Blood contains four parts: red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, and platelets. The blood cells and platelets </span></span><span class="passivevoice"><span data-offset-key="bilg0-1-0"><span data-text="true">are suspended</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="bilg0-2-0"><span data-text="true"> in the plasma. Blood comes from</span></span><span data-offset-key="bilg0-4-0"><span data-text="true"> inside your bones. In the bone marrow, to be exact!</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="13kvn" data-offset-key="d4mha-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d4mha-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d4mha-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="13kvn" data-offset-key="et52r-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="et52r-0-0"><span data-offset-key="et52r-0-0"><span data-text="true">It is essential that you always have enough blood in your body. If you lose too much blood you will </span></span><span class="complexword"><span data-offset-key="et52r-1-0"><span data-text="true">require</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="et52r-2-0"><span data-text="true"> a transfusion. It is useful to know what your blood type is. Knowing your type is necessary for receiving or donating blood. </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="13kvn" data-offset-key="d1jmg-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="d1jmg-0-0"><span data-offset-key="d1jmg-0-0"> </span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="13kvn" data-offset-key="daj89-0-0">
<div class="public-DraftStyleDefault-block public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr" data-offset-key="daj89-0-0"><span data-offset-key="daj89-0-0"><span data-text="true">Your circulatory system is susceptible to certain conditions. </span></span><span class="veryhardreadability"><span data-offset-key="daj89-1-0"><span data-text="true">For example, irregular blood pressure, blood clots and blood poisoning all affect the circulatory system</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="daj89-2-0"><span data-text="true">. Low blood pressure and high blood pressure are the most common ones. A healthy diet of high-iron and low-sugar foods can help you avoid these conditions. </span></span><span class="complexword"><span data-offset-key="daj89-3-0"><span data-text="true">In addition</span></span></span><span data-offset-key="daj89-4-0"><span data-text="true"> to this, regular exercise can help regulate your blood pressure.</span></span></div>
</div>

Blood

What Is Macrocytosis?

Breastfeeding is a huge commitment. Using a pump can make all the difference, but pumping breast milk comes with its own set of challenges.

Breast milk is the most nutritious choice for feeding a newborn, but breastfeeding is a huge commitment. Pumping breast milk is an excellent option when work, school, or other responsibilities mean the chestfeeding parent won't be home at feeding time.

However, like most tools that offer convenience, using a pump comes with some disadvantages and requires certain equipment and techniques.
<h2>1. Advantages</h2>
Expressing breast milk with a pump carries advantages over breastfeeding, hand expression, and formula. Natural breast milk is much easier for infants to digest and [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breast-feeding/art-20047898" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Breast Feeding"]offers greater health benefits[/citation], even after weaning.

Pumps provide more freedom than breastfeeding, making it easier to return to work or pursue other activities. It also allows your partner to share feeding duties.

[caption id="attachment_1077437" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077437" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-951017092.jpg" alt="pumping breast milk" width="2120" height="1414" /> blanscape / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>2. Disadvantages</h2>
Breast pump suction may prove too powerful and painful for people with sensitive breasts. Additionally, frequent breast pumping may irritate the breasts and nipples, causing dryness or rashes. While [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31445990/" title="Nursing for Women's Health" desc="Clinician's Guide to Supporting Women With Breast Milk Pumping"]there are solutions[/citation] to these issues — using a different type of pump or applying breast milk to the dry area — some parents may find it simpler to avoid pumps entirely.

[caption id="attachment_1077436" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077436" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-1218753396.jpg" alt="Midsection Of Woman Touching Chest" width="2120" height="1414" /> Ponchai Soda / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>3. Barriers</h2>
[citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25389127/" title="Journal of Human Lactation" desc="Breast milk pumping beliefs, supports, and barriers on a university campus"]Many barriers[/citation] continue to limit the use of breast milk pumps. Pumping milk can take a significant amount of time, which many people — especially those with a newborn — just don't have. Additionally, a lack of storage options like bottles and refrigerators often prevent pumping outside the home.

Workplaces may not support pumping by either failing to provide a safe, hygienic location or outright banning the practice.

[caption id="attachment_1077438" align="alignnone" width="2219"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077438" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-1267751439.jpg" alt="Close-Up Of Hand Holding Breast Milk Bottle In Stock" width="2219" height="1350" /> Sutthiwat Srikhrueadam / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>4. When to Start Pumping</h2>
Pumping can begin at any time after the birth. People who know they'll have to be away from the baby for long periods should plan ahead and start pumping [citation href="https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/InfantandToddlerNutrition/breastfeeding/pumping-breast-milk.html" title="CDC" desc="Pumping Breast Milk"]a few weeks beforehand[/citation]. This allows for plenty of practice and gives the newborn more opportunities to adjust to feeding from a bottle.

[caption id="attachment_1077439" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077439" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-1322761477.jpg" alt="woman holding baby bottle and breast pump pumping milk for her baby" width="2121" height="1414" /> Miljan Živković / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>5. Pumping Frequency</h2>
The more a person pumps, the more milk they produce. Any time the baby would typically feed, start pumping. [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breastfeeding/art-20048312" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Breastfeeding"]For most people[/citation], this means pumping for about 15 minutes every few hours. Doing this ensures milk production stays at a level that can support the infant. If possible, use a double breast pump to reduce pumping time.

[caption id="attachment_1077440" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077440" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-1168928401.jpg" alt="Close-Up Of Milk Bottles Against Baby Girl On Bed At Home" width="2121" height="1414" /> Panithan Pholpanichrassamee / EyeEm / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>6. Stress Levels</h2>
It is important to keep stress levels low while breastfeeding, as stress can limit the body’s ability to [citation href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breastfeeding/art-20048312" title="Mayo Clinic" desc="Breastfeeding"]release breast milk[/citation]. People who are new to breast pumping may find the sensation unpleasant, meaning that they will need to get used to the pump before they can release enough milk.

If it is difficult to pump enough milk, massaging the breasts, using a warm compress, or looking at a photo of the child may help.

[caption id="attachment_1077441" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077441" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-672158881.jpg" alt="woman holding baby son near bottles of breast milk" width="2121" height="1414" /> JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>7. Stay Hydrated</h2>
While breastfeeding and pumping, limit coffee, soda, and other caffeinated drinks. Excess caffeine can interfere with an infant’s sleep and cause irritability. Dehydration can interfere with [citation href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28561446/" title="American Journal of Human Biology" desc="Hydration as a limiting factor in lactation"]breast milk production and release[/citation], too, so stick to hydrating fluids like water, juice, and milk, and make sure to drink regularly throughout the day.

[caption id="attachment_1077442" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077442" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-935356228.jpg" alt="woman drinking pure glass of water" width="2121" height="1414" /> seb_ra / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>8. Pumping-and-Dumping</h2>
Many people believe that they need to express a small amount of breast milk and pour it out before pumping a full bottle. This “pumping-and-dumping” stems from the idea that bacteria from the breast and pump infect the milk and could make the baby sick. In truth, as long as the pump is cleaned regularly, any bacteria from the breast will only [citation href="https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/10.1289/ehp.116-a426" title="Environmental Health Perspectives" desc="Contaminants in Human Milk: Weighing the Risks against the Benefits of Breastfeeding"]boost the baby’s immune system[/citation].

Additionally, some people believe they need to pump-and-dump after drinking alcohol. This is not true, though experts recommend waiting at least two hours before pumping or nursing after drinking alcohol.

[caption id="attachment_1077443" align="alignnone" width="2120"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077443" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-1268683962.jpg" alt="Mother pouring milk into bag" width="2120" height="1414" /> isayildiz / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>9. Breast Engorgement</h2>
Even if the parent is going to be home with the baby, pumping can help those experiencing [citation href="https://www.laleche.org.uk/engorged-breasts-avoiding-and-treating/" title="La Leche League GB" desc="Engorged Breasts – avoiding and treating"]breast engorgement[/citation]. During the nursing period — but especially while weaning — breast milk may accumulate in the tissue around the milk-producing ducts and cells. Engorgement can be extremely painful and may lead to a plugged duct.

Pumping a small amount can relieve pressure and discomfort. While weaning, this can also train the breasts to gradually produce less milk.

[caption id="attachment_1077444" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077444" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-955881900.jpg" alt="mother pumping breast milk" width="2121" height="1414" /> Asawin_Klabma / Getty Images[/caption]


<h2>10. Safely Storing Pumped Breast Milk</h2>
To prevent potential contamination, follow proper [citation href="https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/handling_breastmilk.htm" title="CDC" desc="Handling Breastmilk"]preparation and storage techniques[/citation] for pumped breast milk. Use breast milk storage bags or clean, food-grade containers that are glass or plastic with tight-fitting lids.

Freshly pumped milk is safe at room temperature for about four hours and can last in the refrigerator for up to four days. Frozen milk is safe for up to 12 months, but declines in quality after six months. Never refreeze breast milk after it has thawed.

[caption id="attachment_1077445" align="alignnone" width="2121"]<img class="size-full wp-image-1077445" src="https://facty.mblycdn.com/uploads/fh/2022/03/GettyImages-486333504.jpg" alt="breast milk storage bags for new baby in refrigerator" width="2121" height="1414" /> MonthiraYodtiwong / Getty Images[/caption]

Glenda Taylor

Written By Glenda Taylor