Oral contraceptives are the most common contraceptives because they are convenient and very effective. But for some instances, some women are scared of using oral contraceptives because of what they call side effects. But what they don’t know, these what they called side effects were just myths about taking pills. Here are the facts and myths to guide you.

Myth 1: Oral Contraceptive Pills cause weight gain.

Fact:      Recent studies show that the pills do not cause weight gain; it reveals that weight gain was attributed to increasing age, not to pill use.

Myth 2: Oral Contraceptive Pills cause cancer.

Fact:      The pill does not accumulate in the body nor cause cancer. On the contrary, the pill helps protect against ovarian and endometrial cancer, ovarian cyst, and some forms of pelvic inflammatory diseases. The pill is immediately dissolved, absorbed, and eliminated out of the body.

Myth 3: Oral Contraceptive Pills cause headaches.

Fact:      Most headaches are caused primarily by muscle tension, and are unlikely related to oral pills. In rare cases, new pill users may experience headaches but these usually disappear after taking the first three pill cycles.

Summer is about to end, the rainy is soon to come. New season, new diseases. But the common disease that we can get whether its’ summer or rainy season is the common colds. Colds are caused by certain virus that can enter our body in a very short period of time. If we have strong immune system, we can prevent it from worsening.

Here are some tips on how to avoid catching colds.

1. Wash your hands. Some people with a cold can contaminate a surface by touching a doorknob, holding your cell phone or even shaking your hand. If this happens, wash your hands thoroughly to eliminate the cold virus that is already in your hand. Do this before touching any part of your face or risk having a cold yourself.
2. Avoid direct contact. This is the most common way of getting infected. When a person infected sneezes or blows his nose, the particles become airborne and can be inhaled by the people close to him, thus spreading the cold virus.
3. Use disposable tissue and not your handkerchief. If you already have a cold, help by stopping the spread of virus and germs. Using disposable tissues limits the virus to the tissue and the trash can.
4. Get enough rest and drink plenty of water. Water helps loosen congestion and prevent dehydration while resting helps fortify your body’s resistance.
5. Take the proper cold medication. Before you treat your cold, you must know what kind of cold you have. Consult your doctor immediately because knowing the right medication is the first and most important step to full recovery.

Free radicals are harmful molecules that can do harm in our body.  Antioxidants protect the body by neutralizing these free radicals.  Some medical conditions like arthritis, coronary diseases and cancer can be prevented or treated by antioxidants.  Glutathione is a major antioxidant and detoxifier that is produced naturally in the body, thus it is called the master antioxidant.

A 5- year study of more than 1,000 people at high risk for recurring non-melanoma skin cancers such as basal cell and squamous cell will find out if vitamin A cream can prevent the development of new skin cancers.  Previous studies have shown that in people with a genetic predisposition to certain skin cancers, high doses of vitamin A-related drugs taken internally can slow the development of skin cancers.  But side effects such as bone and joint pain are often intolerable says researchers.  The cream under study is tretinoin, which is now used to treat acne and reverse minor skin wrinkles.  Some doctors says tretinoin is thought to interrupt the process that converts sun-damaged skin cells into cancerous cells.  People in the study have already had at least two occurrences of basal or squamous cell cancers in the past 5 years, and they will use the cream in conjunction with sunscreen.

Picky eaters are most children that shows avoidance to food and usually eat only limited number and kind of foods.  Here are some reasons for picky eating behaviors in children:

1.  Poor food quality

2.  Inappropriate eating behaviors of parents or caregivers

3.  Insufficient food variety

4.  Family social climate

Estimated 45% of children are seen by a physician due to parents concern over their child’s eating patterns.  There may be significant health consequences when the rapidly growing child consumes a limited quantity and/or variety of foods.  If the poor feeding behaviors are severe enough to cause growth faltering, long-term growth and development can be negatively affected.  Picky eaters are also at risk for developing nutritional deficiencies that can further contribute to growth faltering, and to increased susceptibility to infection.

An irregular bowel habit that is caused by abnormal contractions of the large intestines is called Irritable Bowel Syndrome. The causes are unknown.  However in some people, it is due to sensitivity to the normal process of digestion. IBS  is diagnosed by excluding other illnesses that mimic IBS.  The symptoms may be troubling at times but it is not known to affect a person’s lifespan or result in organ damage.  Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms are Intermittent diarrhea and constipation; diarrhea may consists of frequent small volume but with extreme urgency and can be explosive; Constipation consists of hard, small, pebble-like stools, its often accompanied by pain; mild to severe abdominal pain, maybe crampy or continuous.  Pain is usually felt in the lower left side of the abdomen and relieved by passing bowel motion.; Belching; Bloating sensation, there’s an occasioanal heartburn, nausea and vomiting.

To prevent IBS take foods that are rich in fiber like fruits, vegetables and whole grains bread.  Foods that have artificial sweeteners, dairy products and caffeine may worsen the case, avoid eating these.  Avoid stress by doing exercise regularly and practicing relaxation techniques.  Consult your doctor to rule out any other causes.  Your doctor may prescribe mild tranquillizers for anxiety and stress, antidiarrheals to treat diarrhea, laxatives for constipation and antispasmodic for spasms.