We might be familiar with how important the immune system is and that we need to eat certain types of foods or do certain types of exercises to boost the immune system. But some of us might be unfamiliar with the functioning of the immune system, and how it is linked to immunity. That’s no reason to worry. Given below are some important things to know about the immune system. What is immunity? In simple terms, immunity is the ability of the body to remove foreign objects and to tolerate internal systems. The internal systems and organs can be referred to as “self” whereas external or foreign objects can be called “non-self.” This ability of the body to realize the difference between self and non-self materials is what helps us stay alive. There are two primary systems through which immunity can be achieved — active and passive. Active immunity is the immunity produced by the body. On the other side, passive immunity is introduced to the body in the form of medication or injections. What is the immune system? We know that our body has immunity but how does it implement this to know the difference between healthy tissue and viruses.

Shaped like beans and located towards the back, kidneys are an essential organ responsible for the removal of waste products, among other functions. They are two in number, with the right kidney located slightly below the left one on the opposite side to accommodate the liver. Apart from other obvious information, there are many interesting facts about this organ that will blow your mind! The rise in chronic kidney disease could be related to climate change According to research, the heat brought about by global warming could adversely affect our kidneys, which are vulnerable to extreme conditions. Nephrons in kidneys measure up to five miles long Nephrons, the functional unit of kidneys, is the structure that produces urine during the process of waste removal. There are about 1.15 million nephrons in the body, which, when laid out, measure approximately 5 miles or 8 kilometers. Largest kidney stone recorded was longer than a rugby ball In July 2017, Guinness presented an official certificate to Ahmed Saeed Mohammed Omar, who had a kidney stone that weighed more than 4 kilograms and was longer than a rugby ball! Kidneys filter a whopping 45 gallons of blood per day The two bean-shaped organs, working through the clock every day, treat about 150 quarts or 600 cups’ worth of blood in a matter of 24 hours.

Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of heat that may occur during menopause. While there is no certain cause associated with these sensations, medical professionals suggest changes in blood circulation may trigger these sudden flashes. Often these flashes are accompanied by flushing in the face followed by sweating. Some women also experience chills or rapid heart rate during an episode. The condition is not predominant, but only about 2 in 10 women don’t experience these episodes. It is quite a common symptom of menopause. There is no cure for the condition, and the best way to manage hot flashes associated with menopause is by taking preventive measures. There are simple lifestyle changes you can make to manage the symptoms of hot flashes. These include: Layered clothing When experiencing hot flashes, it is advisable to wear multiple layers so that they can be removed instantaneously. So, when the symptoms develop, you can adjust your layers accordingly and help bring down the body temperature. Do not let heat trap in the clothing, as it can worsen the symptoms. Portable fan Make room for a portable fan in your purse or handbag and always carry one while going outdoors. A portable fan will help cool your flushed face, especially when the temperature is beyond tolerable.

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that is more commonly seen in the elderly. It occurs when the motor never cells in the brain become impaired. Nerve cells or neurons release dopamine, which helps in movement. As the neurons die, the dopamine levels in the body deplete, as a result of which the person may experience symptoms like stiffness, shaking, difficulty walking, and other cognitive dysfunctions. Both men and women can suffer from this condition. However, statistics suggest that Parkinson’s disease affects men more than women. Of all the forms, idiopathic Parkinson’s disease is the most common form of Parkinsonism. Other lesser-known types of Parkinson’s disease include: Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) This form of Parkinson’s disease has the mid-60s as the average age of onset, and it is known as the most common type of atypical Parkinsonism. People suffering from PSP may have a weak motor function and fall very frequently and also face limitations in eye movements. Treatment of PSP mainly focusses on alleviating symptoms. Some people may also from speech impairment and experience difficulty swallowing. Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) This form of Parkinsonism is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. DLB causes abnormal deposits of proteins called alpha-synuclein in multiple parts of the brain.

Multiple studies have shown practicing yoga is one of the best ways of keeping depression at bay. Some yoga poses help improve your blood circulation and stimulates your brain, making you feel happier and relaxed. The best part about yoga is that it is a side-effect-free way of managing depression, unlike medications. However, you must know that practicing any random yoga pose won’t provide relief from depression. Here we have listed a few poses that are effective in bringing stability to your mind and body. Child pose (Balasana) Child pose is a resting pose that deeply calms your mind and alleviates stress and anxiety. The pose gently stretches your hips, thighs, and ankles, which helps your entire body relax. It’s a comfortable and straightforward pose that anyone can try to get some relief from depression. It would help if you tried to stay in the position for a couple of minutes, as it may take a little while for your mind to settle. Bridge pose (Sethu Bandhasana) Bridge pose can help bring stillness to your mind, thereby alleviating stress and depression. It gives a beautiful stretch to your entire spine, chest, and neck, opening your heart, and creating a feeling of comfort and ease throughout your body and mind.

Having a birth plan helps both you and your family deal with everything that comes with giving birth. Right from choosing your primary care provider to what types of pain meds you would want during labor, a birth plan is one of the most crucial steps for influential family and pregnancy planning. The goal is a reassurance of what all things will be in place on the day your baby is due, to make the experience as memorable and comfortable as possible. Here are some of the crucial things that must form part of your pregnancy planning to get you started. Compile a list of services Check with your pregnancy healthcare provider to understand what all is already covered under the policy. This way, you are at liberty to include the essential and compile your list of preferences that will be made available on the day of the labor. List everything from who your wife wants in the labor room to preferences for time and place of breastfeeding, fetal monitoring, the position of giving birth, and more. Plan everything with the doctor who will be delivering the baby. Pain medications This is one of the crucial points of family and pregnancy planning, especially when the due date is close.

Gout is a medical condition caused by the accumulation of uric acid crystals. It is a form of arthritis affecting the joints, especially the ones at the feet, as has been recorded frequently throughout history. Gout affects almost anyone, appearing quite suddenly, followed by incredible pain and swelling around the affected joint. Considering its vast impact on the population, it becomes crucial to understand it from ground level. What are its causes? As alluded to earlier, gout is caused when the concentration of uric acid in the blood is too high. Urate crystals thus form, leading to accumulation and subsequent swelling in the joint. Uric acid is a byproduct released by the body after breaking down purines—a chemical compound found in foods and drinks. In most cases, uric acid dissolves in the bloodstream and is easily excreted by the kidney. However, if that doesn’t happen, uric acid accumulates in the blood and deposits in joints or tissues, developing into sharp, needle-like structures that cause pain and inflammation. Genetics, obesity, chronic decreased kidney function, and a diet rich in red meat and organ meat, among other substances, are also common causes of this condition. What are its symptoms? The most apparent hint of gout is when an individual experiences intense pain in the joint.

With a variety of feature-loaded hearing aids in the market, choosing the best one has undoubtedly become difficult. But before choosing the right product, knowing the nature of hearing loss and its severity may be helpful. One can also take help from his or her audiologist or hearing aid specialist to guide them through all the critical considerations. So, here are some essential features to look for when shopping for a hearing aid. Style Hearing aid comes in many different styles, such as behind-the-ear, in-the-canal, in-the-ear, and others. When buying a particular type, one must consider the ease-of-use, functionality, and budget. It’s also imperative that one selects a hearing aid that fits appropriately. It’s good to speak with a hearing professional, as they can help further understand what more one needs to consider when selecting a specific aid. Directional microphones This is a significant feature to look for in a hearing aid, as it allows to converse correctly in noisy surroundings. Directional microphones amplify people’s voices and diminish the noise from the rear or sides. They work the best when the person with a hearing aid is closer to the sound source. Generally, hearing aids with the mentioned feature come with the ability to switch between directional and omnidirectional settings automatically, depending on the surrounding.