Autism is a complex neurological and developmental disorder that can affect socialization and range in severity from person to person. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one in 44 children is on the autistic spectrum today. While there is no explained cause for autism yet, experts generally believe that it results from environmental and genetic factors, such as premature birth, low birth weight, delivery complications, geriatric pregnancies, etc. Developmental milestones in children To be able to recognize the early warning signs of autism in children, it is important to know the important developmental milestones they need to achieve by a certain age. According to the CDC, these are the milestones that most children between the age of six months to four years tend to achieve: By 6 months, children generally begin to respond to their own name, respond to people’s emotions, and often seem happy, copy sounds, and enjoy playing with others, especially their parents. By the time children are 12 months old, they are generally able to use simple gestures such as shaking their head “no” or waving at others, saying simple words like “mama” and “dada,” playing games like peek-a-boo, and responding to simple spoken requests.

Children lead an active lifestyle. So naturally, they work up an appetite and crave foods to satiate these hunger pangs. But you wouldn’t want your children to eat too much of foods that are excessive in added sugar, vegetable oil, and preservatives and trigger their allergies. To avoid this, you can pack healthy lunches that include the following wholesome and allergy-free snacks that they will love to enjoy during breaks. Popcorn Kids can munch on this tasty, filling, and allergy-free snack all day long. Popcorn is low in calories and rich in nutrients that are easily absorbed by the body. It is a whole grain, so the corn kernels are filled with fiber that helps curb hunger pangs and keeps kids satiated throughout the day. Baked nachos Baked nachos are gluten-free and contain essential fibers, and are delicious snacks that kids can munch on. You can even make some homemade salsa dips with fresh tomatoes, cilantro, and lime. You can also whip up some fresh guacamole with avocados to pair it with nachos. Homemade fries Instead of potato fries, why not make sweet potato fries that are healthier and allergy-free? You can even use an air fryer or bake the chips in the oven to make them oil-free and retain nutrients.

With increasing numbers of people prioritizing health and wellness, the fitness sector has been booming like never before. Several new as well as traditional fitness and wellness trends have been gaining traction across the globe. This is because there has been a seamless merger between the online and real-world as people pick up routines that use advanced technology while simultaneously taking them outdoors. Here are a few fitness and wellness trends to be explored. Wearable technology Wearable technologies have been trending for quite some time. Now, they are far more advanced and intuitive. From fitness trackers to smartwatches, these devices have become far more capable of storing personalized data to help keep track of fitness goals. Furthermore, these wearable techs can now be connected with several apps to have synchronized and fully connected workout experiences. Strength training using free weights Strength training has steadily become one of the leading fitness trends in recent years. Its popularity is because it is flexible enough to incorporate different routines. These include using weights, elastic bands, dumbbells, and weighted knuckles for full-body workouts to build resistance, strength, and core. Bodyweight training Bodyweight training involves using the body’s entire weight as resistance to perform different types of movements ranging from simple to complex.

Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, occurs when one feels they cannot get enough air into their lungs to breathe normally. It may occur when walking, climbing stairs, engaging in other physical activities, or doing nothing. It may develop suddenly or over some time. Sudden or unexpected breathlessness generally occurs due to health conditions and requires immediate attention from a doctor, especially when accompanied by chest pain, fainting, or nausea. Top causes for shortness of breath Carbon monoxide poisoning When one breathes in carbon monoxide, the chemical replaces the oxygen content in the body. This results in the vital organs being starved of oxygen, causing symptoms like shortness of breath, rapid breathing, chest pain, confusion, convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, and fatigue. Young children, senior adults, people with lung or heart disease, and people at higher altitudes are at a higher risk of suffering from carbon monoxide poisoning. Heart conditions When the heart does not pump enough oxygen-rich blood through the body, the body responds by breathing faster to ensure an uninterrupted supply of oxygen to the vital organs, causing a sensation of shortness of breath. Heart conditions like angina, heart attacks, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and others are common causes behind the interruption of circulation of blood around the body, causing shortness of breath or breathlessness.

Periods tend to be synonymous with menstrual pain, cramps, and other symptoms and are a hassle for almost every individual who menstruates. Approximately 80% of menstruating individuals experience period pain at some point. Period management involves several effective strategies and home remedies to alleviate discomfort and ensure hygiene and safety during this time. In addition, being aware of certain common period mistakes can help ensure a more hassle-free menstrual cycle: Changing pads and tampons infrequently Tampons and pads are a hotbed for the accumulation of bacteria, regardless of the amount of flow. Such bacteria can cause vaginal and urinary infections and emit an unpleasant odor. Individuals with normal blood flow should change their pads or tampons once every 3-4 hours, while those experiencing heavy menstruation should do so more frequently. Being dehydrated The body loses more fluids during menstruation than on other days. Thus, it requires more water to perform various functions, including regulation of body temperature and bowel movements, lubrication of joints, and supply of oxygen and nutrients to cells. Lack of water intake can slow down these functions, increasing weakness and fatigue. It is advisable to have a bottle of water handy throughout the day and set reminders if required to take water breaks frequently during one’s period.

Menstruation is a natural body process where the lining of a woman’s uterus begins to shed and create a discharge of blood and other fluids. It is mainly triggered by hormone changes that occur as part of a monthly period cycle. Women can use several feminine hygiene products as per their preference to prevent the discharge from leaking. Here are the top six period products readily available in the market. Tampons Tampons are the most convenient, readily available, and widely used period products for absorbing menstrual discharge. These small cotton tubes mixed with wool are directly inserted into the vagina to prevent blood from leaking out. Cotton is an excellent absorbent material and does not irritate the organ’s lining. Tampons are use-and-throw products that come with applicators that help insert them correctly so one does not feel pain or discomfort. They are available in different sizes to absorb light, medium, or heavy periods, depending on the intensity of the menstrual cycle. But irrespective of the flow, doctors recommend changing tampons every four to six hours to keep the area clean and avoid the risk of a bacterial infection. If one wears a super-absorbent, heavy-flow tampon overnight, they should remove it and clean the area first thing in the morning.