Author: healthtost
Sex can often be a minefield. Negotiating health, emotions and relationships can tax even the most carefree person. Love, indeed, is not for the weak. This minefield can become even more explosive when sex enters the mainstream conversation, introducing the specter of collective judgment about our most intimate actions, thoughts and feelings. Nowhere is this more evident than in the current debate surrounding the idea of ’body measurements’. So what’s going on here? What is a body count and why is everyone talking about it? And how does it relate to STDs? Continue reading to learn more. Worried about STDs?…
Discussions of mental health have become increasingly common in recent years, maybe motivated by prominent athletes and celebrities speaking publicly about their personal struggles and then accelerated by the collective trauma of the COVID-19 pandemicwhich really brought mental health to the foret. People began to openly discuss issues such as isolation, loneliness and depression in a much more honest and open way. The truth is, we don’t need something like a global pandemic to recognize thism how much we need each other on a daily basisas mental health and emotional health is vital ingredientsmall of our overall well-beingalongside physical health.…
In a recent review published on Communication Materialresearchers reviewed recent improvements in wearable systems for newborns, focusing on wearable skin-attached devices for physiological monitoring across multiple disciplines. Study: Skin-interfaced wearable biosensors for intelligent monitoring of infant and newborn health. Image credit: Gorodenkoff/Shutterstock.com Record Health assessments of infant patients in intensive care could be particularly challenging for patients and their caregivers, as testing settings include several catheters, probes, and electrodes that limit patient movement. Health assessments generally require expensive and cumbersome instruments to monitor physiological parameters such as respiration rate, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, temperature, ion concentrations, and blood pressure.…
Reaching the age of 50 marks an important milestone in one’s life, often accompanied by changes that span many aspects, including physical health. As we age, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes even more important to ensure longevity, vitality and overall well-being. Regular exercise can help mitigate some of the challenges associated with aging, such as decreased muscle mass, decreased bone density, and a slower metabolism. This blog post will explore the best exercise for people over 50, aiming to provide a comprehensive guide that includes strength training, flexibility, balance and cardiovascular health. The importance of staying active with exercise after…
Wrinkles are a natural part of aging, but what causes them? Understanding the factors that contribute to wrinkles can help you manage and potentially delay their appearance. Read on to learn the science behind wrinkles and how they develop to learn how you can keep your skin looking young for longer. What are wrinkles? Wrinkles are lines, creases or folds that form on the skin mainly as a result of the natural aging process. They appear when the skin loses its elasticity and firmness, leading to sagging and the formation of permanent wrinkles. The first signs often appear where facial…
At some point in all of our lives, we’ve heard the phrase “third wheel.” You may have used it in the past to signal to a third party that they were unwanted between you and a sexual partner, or perhaps you were that third party signaled to them. Either way, the feelings of being left out and being the envy of others are not pleasant for anyone (Scoats & Anderson, 2018). Despite the negative associations associated with trio crowds, a large number of young adults in Western society have either participated in, or expressed an interest in participating in, a…
Sometimes, hope is all you have left. Louise Warneford, who suffered 18 miscarriages and 16 rounds of expensive IVF treatments in her bid to become a mother, never completely lost hope. And finally, at the age of 48, the UK-based author and her husband, Mark, successfully gave birth to a Miracle baby boy using a donor embryo, which they had tried many times before without success. In her book, Baby DreamsWarneford writes about how she never made it past the 14-week mark in any pregnancy, but how she refused to give up on her dream of becoming a mother. “When…
Hailing from the balsamic regions of Mexico and Central America, avocados, also known as alligator or alligator pears, are botanical wonders. These distinctive fruits house a substantial central seed surrounded by an extremely smooth and creamy green flesh, all encased in a textured outer skin. Despite being technically classified as a berry, avocados deviate significantly from the conventional nutritional profile one associates with typical berries. They stand out as super fruits, with the highest levels of fat, calories and protein of any fruit. In addition, they offer a significant dose of fiber, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins (including folate), vitamin E,…
Scripps Research Professor Emeritus John Johnson, PhD, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences—one of the highest honors bestowed upon scientists. According to the Academy, members are chosen “in recognition of their distinguished and sustained achievements in original research.” John Johnson, PhD. Image credit: Scripps Research “Becoming a member of the Academy is a great honor for me and the 70 graduate students and postdocs who have worked in my lab since 1978, as well as numerous collaborators at Scripps and around the world,” says Johnson, who is also the Eldon R. Strahm Professor of Structural Virology in…
When #TeamRed athlete and Biogen Face of Fitness finalist Gloria Ngcobo isn’t in the gym, you’ll likely find her running the streets around Cape Town, training to complete her second Comrades Marathon. While simply finishing the world’s longest and oldest ultramarathon is a significant feat, Gloria is chasing an even more auspicious distinction this year – the coveted back-to-back medal. Established in 2005, the medal is awarded to novice runners who complete a race in both directions in consecutive years – the race direction alternates between the 87km uphill course starting in Durban and the 90km downhill course starting in…