Health and Welfare

Feeling distracted? Hobbies can help you find ‘flow state’ and save your brain We live in what has been called the “distraction economy”: an environment full of triggers that are engineered to demand our attention at every turn. The result is often fragmented attention, loss of focus and sometimes even increased rumination and anxiety. Committing to a hobby and finding your flow can help you reduce outside noise and your […]

After nearly 100 years of development, treatments that bolster the body's immune system to fight cancer are coming of age – and saving patients' lives. When 71-year-old Maureen Sideris was treated for colon cancer in 2008, she had to go under the knife. Her treatment was successful, but the post-operative recovery process was gruelling. Fourteen years later, Sideris, who lives in New York, was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer – and […]

There is a long list of foods which contain varying amounts of carbohydrates, which are broadly divided into two groups, namely starches and sugars. The different types of carbs have varying effects on your energy (blood sugar) levels, and they all differ in terms of the other nutrients they contribute to a meal (and your health) as well. Eating less-refined carbohydrates and foods lower in carbohydrates are typically associated with a […]

Not just in your head: Here's how stress causes eczema flare-ups  If your eczema gets worse when you’re stressed, you’re not imagining it. A new study explains what likely happens in the body. Research suggests that chronic stress can trigger eczema flare-ups, a common skin condition characterized by severe itching. The mechanisms by which stress causes eczema flare-ups have remained unknown, but now a study by Fudan University in Shanghai, […]

“Come on, little fella – we should get going now.” But my son was not listening. The sand in the playground was just right, so he kept digging with his new toy excavator. As I drifted back to my list of to-dos, however, the laughter was suddenly replaced by sobs. My son was not hurt, just very upset. When I looked at my phone, I saw it was well past […]

Pagophagia is the medical term for compulsively consuming ice or iced drinks. Depending on how frequently a person consumes ice, it may lead to complications. It may also indicate an underlying condition. It is a rare form of an eating disorder called pica.  Many people who want to cool down or feel refreshed chew on ice or add it to a drink. Sucking on ice cubes can also help relieve […]

WHAT IS VERTIGO AND WHAT CAUSES IT? Vertigo vs. Dizziness Vertigo is not the same as dizziness. Feeling dizzy means that you're lightheaded, weak, or unsteady on your feet. Vertigo is a sensation of spinning and feeling off balance and dizzy. The causes also differ. Dizziness can result from a drop in blood pressure, medications you take, a vision problem, or a mental health condition. Vertigo occurs with conditions such as […]

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disease. Besides the joints, it can also affect other parts of the body, including lungs. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) refers to a group of disorders that cause inflammation and scarring of the lung tissue, or pulmonary fibrosis. When someone has both RA and ILD, that is known as rheumatoid arthritis- associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). 8 foods to avoid for arthritis. 1. Inflammatory […]

Tattoos are a powerful form of self-expression, but they also represent lifelong chemical exposure. Growing research highlights important unanswered questions about toxicity, immune effects and long-term health. Tattoos are generally considered safe, but growing scientific evidence suggests tattoo inks are not biologically inert. The key question is no longer whether tattoos introduce foreign substances into the body, but how toxic those substances might be and what that means for long-term […]