A foot massage can be an incredibly relaxing and calming experience after a long workday. Professional foot massages not only benefit the feet, but they also have many advantages for the body and mind. The feet have several acupressure points connected to different body parts, making the massage even more comforting. Additionally, foot massages improve mental and emotional health. Here are some unexpected health benefits of a foot massage one can experience: Reduced stress and anxiety Stress has become a part of life with increased work pressure and less sleep. Studies suggest that foot massages can lower stress, manage anxiety, and help the body relax. In fact, when patients with a history of stroke were given foot massages, their anxiety levels were reduced. Improved blood circulation The muscles in the feet are not used enough these days because of a lack of physical activity. A good foot massage can compensate and reactivate the feet muscles because it stimulates blood flow, increasing blood circulation in the feet and legs. People with diabetes can particularly benefit from such increased blood circulation. Better sleep quality Disturbed sleep can be caused by many factors, including stress, specific health issues, worrisome thoughts, or even a mentally stimulating day.

One of the largest organs in the body, the liver, performs several essential functions. The liver is responsible for filtering the blood and supporting metabolism, digestion, and protein synthesis. Therefore, prioritizing liver health is crucial. It’s not just about the foods one eats but also certain lifestyle habits that can harm one’s liver. However, some common mistakes can be avoided to maintain a healthy liver. Some of these habits are: Avoid foods that have refined sugar Foods that contain high artificial sweeteners, additives, and refined sugar are not that great for the liver. While one may have an occasional treat, eating such foods can lead to the development of a lot of health problems. For starters, it will affect the health of one’s teeth. The development of insulin resistance and liver diseases often follows this. The liver’s health is adversely affected because the liver converts the fructose in refined sugar to fats, increasing the risk of fatty liver disease. Having excess vitamin A foods Vitamin A is one of the essential nutrients needed by the body. One can easily get this nutrient from foods, especially those yellow, orange, and red—these help maintain eye health, immune system, and reproductive health. In children, vitamin A is important for proper growth and development.

Antidepressants are meant for the management of depressive disorders such as clinical depression, bipolar depression, persistent depressive disorder (PDD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), atypical depression, seasonal affective disorder, bulimia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and social phobia. Healthcare providers generally prescribe these in combination with psychotherapy (talk therapy) to address the root cause of depression. While antidepressants help manage these conditions, there are a few side effects to be aware of. There are a few typical side effects of anti-depressants and some not-so-common side effects. These are mentioned below: 1. Typical side effects Every individual may experience different reactions to antidepressants. Some of the most frequently occurring side effects include nausea, trouble sleeping (insomnia) or sleeping too much, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, decreased alertness, agitation, and anxiety. A few other symptoms also include loss of appetite, loss of libido, headache, diarrhea or constipation, fatigue, tremors, and increased sweating. 2. Bleeding Some antidepressants can affect the blood-clotting process, increasing the risk of bleeding. One may experience this in the form of frequent, easy bruising and nosebleeds. 3. Lower sodium levels Antidepressants may also negatively impact the sodium levels in the body. This is more common among older people.

The body is susceptible to various types of pain triggered by health conditions like arthritis, injuries, and other complications. One way to find relief in such situations is to speak to an expert and consider using pain-relieving gummies. Apart from reducing pain, most of these gummies taste good, have a lovely aroma, and are easy to digest, which makes them significantly more popular than traditional pain relievers. Below are six popular options one could consider. Emergen-C Botanicals Turmeric & Ginger Immune Support Gummies For daily immune system support, one should consider these Emergen-C gummies. Their composition includes natural turmeric and ginger, potent vitamin C, antioxidants, B vitamins, and electrolytes. Apart from boosting the immune system, the gummies may bring down the pain one may experience in various parts of the body. As for its flavor, Emergen-C has a citric-ginger blend that most people will enjoy. Rip Toned Turmeric Gummy As a brand, Rip Toned is well-known for a range of pain-relieving gummies. This turmeric gummy is one among them and may work well for several individuals. As the name suggests, the pain-relieving gummy packs turmeric, which may have multiple implementations. The composition also includes other ingredients, such as ginger and black pepper, which work with turmeric to eliminate harmful properties from the body, complement skin health, ease joint pain, and boost the immune system.

The bones are the structural blocks of the body because they give it its shape and structure. With osteoporosis, the bones become progressively weak and brittle, so much so that even slight movements can result in an injury. Also, mobility is often affected, so moving about even within the home becomes difficult. However, by detecting osteoporosis early, one can control its symptoms with treatment. Here are some early signs of osteoporosis one shouldn’t ignore: 1. Severe back pain Like the other bones, the spine may also weaken as osteoporosis progresses. A collapsed or broken spine can lead to excruciating back pain, which can worsen with activity or even slight movements. 2. Loss of height Many people with osteoporosis develop a hunched back because the bones in the spine become so weak that they begin to crumble. This can make one appear shorter in stature than they are. 3. High susceptibility to fractures Bone brittleness is a common sign of osteoporosis, wherein bones may break even with the slightest movement or activity. In this scenario, injuries are prevalent, and patients may easily develop fractures as a result. So, if one gets frequent fractures, even with the most basic movements, it is time to consult a doctor.

Tardive dyskinesia, or TD, causes the body to deal with involuntary movements of the muscles in the body, including the face, limbs, neck, and jaw. Typically, TD is caused by the long-term intake of certain prescription treatments that are used to combat schizophrenia and other mental health conditions. These are primarily treatments that interfere with the brain’s dopamine receptors. With timely diagnosis and prompt treatment, this neurological condition can be cured over time.  Facial ticks Patients with this condition can experience facial ticks, distortion, and pronounced grimacing of the face. The distortion can be from mild to severe, depending on the condition’s intensity. It can also cause the patient to deal with socially distressing situations and impact their confidence. Facial ticks are one of the most common early warning signs that should be taken care of as soon as one notices it. Dental problems The neurological condition can involuntarily cause dental movements to be prolonged. For example, if the patient puckers their lips, they may have difficulty in undoing the movement, which can lead to dental problems. This complication can cause changes in the patient’s dental alignment and result in malocclusion. Therefore, TD patients should schedule routine dental checkups and adopt preventive measures to manage their dental health effectively.

A migraine is an inflammation-driven headache that differs from normal headaches. It can start at any age due to various causative factors. There are many obvious symptoms of migraine attacks, such as feeling nausea, throbbing pain in the temples, and hearing weird sounds now and again. However, migraines also have many underrated symptoms that people should know. Here are some warning signs of migraine that one must not take lightly: Lack of sleep It is prevalent for people with a history of migraines to have trouble falling asleep during the night. When they do find sleep, they cannot sustain it for longer. Conditions like sleep apnea are also seen in those living with migraine. Insomnia is a common indicator of several diseases. Therefore, people may not even know that they have migraine when they simply cannot find any sleep day after day, week after week, and year after year. Sleep disturbances are some of the most commonly cited triggers of migraine, as reported to healthcare professionals across the country. Anxiety and depression Abrupt mood changes are a classic migraine trait. Like the first symptom on this list, depression, and anxiety, two mental health issues, also begin in the prodrome stage of migraine.

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE or EoE) is an allergic reaction in the esophagus usually triggered by allergens, such as dust, mites, germs, and certain foods. During an episode, the immune system releases white blood cells called eosinophils. These cells cause the esophagus to become inflamed, so it cannot contract properly. Over time, the esophagus becomes narrow, developing abscesses or rings. As this happens, certain warning signs of eosinophilic esophagitis become evident. Warning signs of eosinophilic esophagitis In most cases, the early signs are similar to other health problems like reflux and GERD. The signs start showing up only when the inflammation of the esophagus becomes severe. Often, the symptoms are more severe in children than in adults. Signs in adults The warning signs of eosinophilic esophagitis in adults include: Difficulty swallowing (also known as dysphagia) Impaction or food getting stuck in the esophagus as it becomes narrow Occasional mild to severe pain at the center of the chest that does not go away Frequent regurgitation or backflow of undigested food Signs in children Parents may notice the following signs in children and infants: Trouble feeding infants Difficulty eating among children Frequent instances of vomiting Mild to severe abdominal pain Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing (similar to adults) Impaction or food getting stuck in the esophagus after swallowing The ineffectiveness of GERD treatments Failure to meet growth and developmental milestones When should one consult a doctor?