Influenza, commonly called the flu, is an infectious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can spread easily from person to person, especially in crowded places. While patients usually recover without treatment, learning about the traditional hot spots for the flu can minimize the risk of infection in the first place. By focusing on regular cleaning and personal hygiene, individuals can contribute to breaking the chain of flu transmission through these common areas. Shopping malls Shopping malls are significant hot spots for flu transmission. Individuals may come into contact with contaminated surfaces or breathe air shared with infected individuals. Wearing masks and sanitizing hands are two ways to curb the potential spread of the flu in such places. Door knobs Door knobs are among the most common hot spots for the flu virus. An infected person may inadvertently transfer the virus to a door handle while coughing or sneezing. When another individual comes into contact with the contaminated surface and touches their eyes, nose, or mouth, the virus enters their body. Regular cleaning of door knobs with disinfecting wipes or sprays is imperative to disrupt the chain of transmission. Dish sponges and rags Often considered the heart of the home, the kitchen harbors unsuspecting hot spots for flu germs.

Hearing aids help people with hearing difficulties listen to the sounds around them more clearly. Consequently, they improve a person’s productivity in daily tasks and make life much easier. However, using hearing aids for the first time can be challenging. People often make mistakes when buying and using these devices, reducing their efficiency and leading to several challenges. Below are eight common mistakes new hearing aid owners make and how to avoid them. Avoiding a proper fitting session People can buy hearing aids without a prescription, making them more accessible. However, one should still consult an audiologist before purchasing the device. The expert can measure a patient’s ears, assess the nature of their hearing loss, and then suggest the right hearing aid. This approach ensures the device fits one’s ears and is comfortable to wear all day. Skipping the doctor’s visit causes people to be unaware of the nature and extent of their hearing loss. As a result, they are likelier to be unhappy or unsatisfied with their chosen product. Overlooking new technology People must research the technology used in hearing aids before buying them. Many new models feature adaptive hearing programs that help users adjust to loud environments better.

The main symptoms of migraine are known. Symptoms like the occurrence of headaches without warning, pain on one side of the skull, confusion, blurred vision, fatigue, mood changes, and increased sensitivity to light, noise, or sounds, in general, are fairly known signs of the condition. However, certain hidden and lesser-known symptoms can be indicative of migraine development or the impending coming of a migraine attack in individuals. Here are some such signs: 1. Gastrointestinal disturbances Migraines can trigger one’s digestive system more than many may know. This is why specific gastrointestinal issues and disturbances often precede migraine attacks. Some of the common gastrointestinal issues stemming from migraines are diarrhea or constipation. This happens because migraine attacks tend to disrupt a person’s bowel functions, leading to loose motions or constipation. Abdominal pain is also a fairly underrated symptom of migraine. Some medical professionals refer to this condition as abdominal migraines. Apart from these two symptoms, migraine attacks can also be preceded by red flags like nausea and vomiting. Therefore, people facing any instances of headaches accompanied by stomach pain, nausea, constipation, or loose motions need to get themselves checked for migraines as soon as possible. 2. Irregular sleep cycles Sleep disturbances become increasingly commonplace as a person’s insomnia keeps getting worse before reaching a crescendo in a migraine attack.

Many people use fish oil supplements to improve their health. These are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients our bodies benefit from. If someone receives low levels of EPA and DHA (types of omega-3) from their food, they can bridge the gap with these supplements. Fish oil supplements are readily available in many stores, but before using them, one should learn about their eight most popular health benefits. Visual improvements People develop eye diseases for several reasons, an important cause being a lack of omega-3 fatty acids in the body. A person’s vision may also become poor as they start to age, and they may suffer from health complications like age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Here’s where consuming fish oil products could prove useful. Fish oil supplements could introduce omega-3s to the body, which could curb the risk of AMD. Fish oils may also help reduce the occurrence of dry eyes. However, one should speak to an expert before taking the supplement. Support during pregnancy Experts say that women need omega-3 fatty acids to stay healthy through pregnancy, especially during the first trimester and later. Taking fish oil supplements through the phases of pregnancy or nursing may positively impact the infant’s cognitive development.

Often, one may notice some irritation and redness in the eyes, which is typically brought on by an allergic reaction, foreign substances entering the eyes, or excessively rubbing the eyes. In rare cases, it could indicate an underlying condition. For instance, thyroid eye disease is an autoimmune condition responsible for eye inflammation. So, one can watch out for the following common signs of the condition to seek an early diagnosis: 1. Red eyes Thyroid eye disease can cause redness of the eyes, which is also one of the first signs of the condition. It is brought on by inflammation, swelling, and irritation of the thin coating, called conjunctiva, that covers the white portion of the eyes. As eyes can seem to be red due to reasons other than thyroid eye disease, it is common to ignore this symptom and delay medical intervention. However, if one notices persistently red eyes, they should consult a doctor and get a diagnosis.  2. Dry eyes The increase in inflammation levels associated with thyroid eye disease can lead to a number of issues, including dry eyes and the feeling of grittiness in the region. Autoimmune thyroid conditions are known to result in dry eye syndrome at times.

Nasal polyps are benign growths that develop on the inner lining of nasal cavities. Some causative agents of nasal polyps include allergies, repeated sinus infections, and asthma. Although polyps are generally painless, as they grow, the patient may start noticing symptoms and pain. It is important to note that the signs and symptoms of nasal polyps do not resolve on their own and may require medical attention. Additionally, if ignored, nasal polyps may lead to complications. Nasal congestion People with nasal polyps may experience a blocked nose. This can be attributed to the increase in size of the polyps and the resultant inflammation of the blood vessels. It can also cause swelling of the tissues of the nasal lining and the blood vessels in the septum. The swelling can cause severe congestion and uneasiness for the patients. Because of the stuffiness, patients might even find it difficult to breathe, leading them to breathe through the mouth. Therefore, prolonged nasal congestion can be considered a common symptom of nasal polyps. Decreased sense of smell Another common symptom of nasal polyps is the possibility of losing the sense of smell. The polyps inside the nasal cavity cause inflammation and blockage. It also lowers the airflow in the nasal passage.

Macular degeneration is a type of eye disease that is often associated with aging. So, it primarily affects those over the age of 50, interfering with their central vision in one or both eyes. The condition can be managed and slowed down if one gets diagnosed in time. Here, addressing unusual changes in vision and getting regular eye checkups can help. Further, the following signs of macular degeneration should prompt one to seek medical intervention:  1. Blurred vision After the age of 50, one may begin experiencing blurred vision, which could be a sign of age-related macular degeneration. Even though macular degeneration does not always come with warning signs, persistently blurred vision should prompt one to get a complete eye examination. The symptom could be observed in one or both eyes. Here, the damage to the macula—a region in the center of the retina—can make things right in front of the eyes seem blurry as well as far away objects can be difficult to see. 2. Distorted vision Macular degeneration can make objects look disfigured. For instance, straight lines may appear to be curved or wavy. Although this sign is one of the later symptoms of the condition, if one does begin to notice such distortion, they should consult an eye doctor.

While it is common to occasionally feel moody, sad, or apathetic, some people experience these emotions for prolonged periods. Depression can cause these emotions to become quite severe, to the point of affecting their quality of life. Depression is a serious mental health condition that can cause severe physical symptoms, too. It is crucial to be aware of some common signs of the condition and seek help quickly. 1. Feeling hopeless Depression may cause a person to have frequent feelings of hopelessness. This is often accompanied by a persistent feeling of not contributing anything worthwhile to one’s personal, social, or professional life. Although no significant adverse life event may have occurred, the feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness make the person feel like a failure. This is because depression is a complex disorder brought about by faulty mood regulation by the brain, stressful life events, and genetic factors. It is believed that several of these forces are responsible for the onset of depression. Usually, feelings of hopelessness may last for a while and occur repeatedly over time. Sometimes, these can be persistent for more extended periods, too. 2. Experiencing difficulty managing moods Another common sign of depression to look out for is frequent mood swings.

Antidepressants are prescribed treatment options that are used to treat symptoms of depression. However, like any medical treatment, there are some side effects that follow after every use. While some side effects are normal, there could be some serious complications that the doctor may notice, in which case they may need to change the prescription accordingly. Therefore, it is important to be aware of these possible after-effects of antidepressants to ensure there are no adverse health obstacles. Common side effects Commonly observed side effects of antidepressants may include nausea, dry mouth, blurry vision, dizziness, headache, diarrhea or constipation, experiencing anxiety, trouble sleeping, feeling tired, experiencing tremors, increased sweating, and also encountering sexual problems. However, not everyone may experience all of these side effects at once, and some may not experience any at all. It has also been noticed that some of these side effects may disappear within a couple of weeks after beginning the treatment plan. To be on a safer side, it is important to have a detailed conversation with the doctor to understand what to expect when starting antidepressants as part of the daily routine. Less common side effects These are some of the other side effects which are not very common but are triggered due to the intake of certain antidepressants as part of the treatment plan.

Taking care of teeth is critical not only for maintaining dental health but also for enhancing one’s appearance. Moreover, having well-shaped, pearly white teeth can make one’s smile more alluring. To ensure the teeth stay healthy and in good condition, one has to develop good dental habits such as brushing and flossing daily. Additionally, one has to steer clear of certain unhealthy certain unhealthy habits that can damage teeth quickly. Here are some examples of such habits: Biting nails Nails are made from a strong and abrasive material called keratin. Chewing on them for too long and too frequently can cause cracking of teeth and enamel erosion in the long run. Additionally, biting nails frequently can cause one’s jaw to undergo positional issues. If ignored, the habit can cause long-term issues such as jaw dysfunction and temporomandibular joint disorder. Apart from damaging one’s jaw, the nail-biting habit can also introduce harmful bacteria into the mouth, which can cause bad breath and decaying of teeth. Chewing on inedible objects In many instances, people, out of habit, involuntarily chew on objects like pencils, paper, spoon ends, pens, and other objects that are not supposed to be chewed or consumed. Sharp and conical objects can cause damage to one’s teeth and gums.