There are records of birth control methods being used in ancient civilizations all over the world. The first specialized birth control clinic was established by Dr. Marie Stopes in the UK in 1921. In our country, a team consisting of a biologist and a gynecologist developed the first birth control pill in 1950. Today, there are several safe and convenient birth control options available to both women and men. Birth control methods for women Oral contraceptive The birth control pill is usually taken by women to prevent pregnancy, though it can be taken to regulate menstruation, reduce painful periods, etc. It consists of estrogen and progestin that are hormones connected with reproduction and gender. They prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs, cause the cervical mucus to become thicker and the uterine lining to become thinner, all of which are not conducive to pregnancy. Progestin-only pills prevent the sperm from fusing with the egg. Your gynecologist will advise you on the correct schedule of taking the medication. The risk of getting pregnant is very low. In some women, there may be risks of developing blood-clots in the legs, high cholesterol levels, migraine headaches, cardiovascular issues, and certain types of cancer through long-term use.

Though it’s not a disease, an overactive bladder is a condition that poses challenges to both men and women who suffer from it. It often causes psychological distress, depression, and anxiety, leading to avoidance of social situations, travel, and exercise. It can interfere with you getting a good night’s sleep and can mess with your work schedule. What is an overactive bladder? The urinary bladder stores urine in the body. When it reaches a certain level of fullness, the surrounding nerves signal to the muscles and brain that it’s time to eliminate the urine. However, in OAB, there is a cross-connection in the neural network that keep signaling the urge to urinate even when the bladder is not completely full. If you experience a frequent, sudden, and uncontrollable need to urinate several times during the day and night, it could signal over-activity in your urinary bladder. In some cases, it can also lead to incontinence, as the patient is unable to control urination beyond a point. Overactive bladder can also interfere with your sleep and work activities if you need to visit the washroom frequently. If you need to urinate more than seven or eight times in a day, and you feel that you are losing control, it’s important to speak to your doctor about this.

Statistics released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than 25 million Americans have asthma. This includes 8.4% of children and 7.7% of adults. Every day, 10 Americans die from asthma, and the annual economic cost burden on the economy is about $82 billion. Many people are unaware that they have asthma because they don’t suffer severe symptoms. What is asthma? It is a condition where the respiratory passages become narrowed and swollen, and they produce excessive mucus. This results in severe breathing difficulty, shortness of breath, and coughing. A characteristic wheezing sound is produced while breathing. It is a chronic condition that has no permanent cure, but the symptoms can be managed. The causes are not clearly understood, but they include a combination of genetic, environmental, physiological, and psychological factors. The different types of asthma include: Allergic Exercise-induced Cough-variant Occupational Night-time Non-allergic Persistent/severe Doctors and respiratory disease specialists can help identify the type of asthma you have and provide the appropriate treatment. Typical symptoms Recognizing some of the unmissable signs and symptoms of asthma can help in early diagnosis and management of symptoms. Many of these symptoms may be persistent in some people most of the time.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease that results in the destruction of the myelin or insulating coverings of the nerves in the spinal cord and brain, leaving them exposed to damage and rendering them incapable of transmitting signals to various parts of the body. The body’s immune system attacks the myelin coverings in MS, and the causes are mostly unknown. At present, there is no known cure for this condition, and deterioration is usually progressive. The person has problems with vision, muscle control, body function, mobility, and balance. Some facts about multiple sclerosis: MS is a neurological condition that causes the most disability in young adults Most people are first diagnosed with MS between the ages of 25-40 The rate of deterioration and progress of the disease cannot be predicted More than one million people in the country are living with MS Incidence is higher in colder climates 4-5% of cases are diagnosed in children It is two to three times more common in women 15% of cases have a family member/relative who suffers from MS MS attacks may occur, where symptoms worsen and then subside in some people Treatment options Though there are no common treatment options for MS, the symptoms can be managed so that the person’s quality of life can be improved, and emotional wellness can be maintained.

Though there’s no known super-food that can effectively combat ED (erectile dysfunction), researchers and nutritionists recommend that certain foods do affect and prevent the condition. It is postulated that such a connection between food and ED could be due to vascular (blood-related) changes in the body caused by not consuming enough foods that boost the blood supply to the penis. These foods also contain an adequate balance of minerals, vitamins, and nutrients that help maintain blood health and general emotional and physical wellness. Following are 8 foods to battle ED:  Leafy greens Spinach and dark leafy green vegetables have a higher concentration of nitrates. These compounds help to improve circulation, and they are also known to be highly effective vaso-dilators. This means that they open up clogged blood-vessels and boost blood flow to all parts of the body. Spinach is a good source of folates and folic acid, which are both good to increase blood flow and promote the growth of red blood cells in the body. It also contains magnesium, which helps to release more testosterone hormones into the bloodstream. Watermelon, tomato, grapefruit These are fruits that are high in concentration of lycopene. This is a natural compound found in several fruits such as papaya, guava, grapefruit, blood oranges, apricots, rose-hip, etc.