Harvard Health Content API

There have been some large epidemiology studies that have suggested both benefits and harms with napping on a population level. That makes it difficult to recommend for or against napping. If you do plan to take a nap during the day, here are some guidelines you can follow to help ensure that it won’t interfere with your nighttime slumber.
•    Time it right. The best time to sleep is the early afternoon, when your body experiences a natural circadian dip.
•    Keep it short. Abbreviated sleeps, around 20 minutes, may be best to avoid grogginess when you wake up. Shorter naps can also help to prevent you from having trouble falling asleep that evening. 
•    Get comfortable. For a high-quality rest, be sure to find a quiet, cozy spot where you won’t be distracted.

The best ways to keep your immune system working like it should are the same strategies that maintain overall health and to get all of the recommended vaccinations. Healthy people are more resistant to infections, and less likely to have severe symptoms. Good health habits helps your immune system operate at its peak. Those habits include regular exercise, good nutrition, consistent, high-quality sleep and managing your stress level.

Rich sources of dietary iron are beef or chicken liver, shellfish and spinach. But most people with iron deficiency anemia cannot get enough iron from food to replenish their iron stores. Taking even one dose of oral iron sulfate or gluconate every other day may be sufficient. It often takes a few months to correct the iron deficiency.

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common problem for women of all ages. The causes of bleeding or spotting between periods (called metrorrhagia) is different, depending on whether a woman previously had normal periods and if she is perimenopausal or already in menopause. Given the long list of possible causes, it’s best to consult with a medical provider.

It is not unusual for a man to notice blood in the semen, the fluid that carries sperm. Doctors call this hematospermia. There are several reasons why this might happen. But quite often, no specific reason is found.

Here are possible sources for blood in the semen:

• Prostate or bladder infection

• An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH)

• Surgical procedures such as a prostate biopsy or cystoscopy (bladder scope procedure)

• Trauma to the testicles or prostate, which might happen after horseback riding or riding a bicycle

• Very frequent masturbation

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Fennel supplements and tea can act like the hormone estrogen. It's best for pregnant women to avoid fennel tea and fennel supplements because there may be toxic contaminants in the products. Eating fennel and fennel seeds in small amounts is generally safe during pregnancy, but talk with your doctor first.

Agonal breathing is a reflex that causes gasping. But it is not true breathing because the brain has stopped sensing low oxygen blood levels and the person cannot consciously restart breathing. It is a sign that death is near, usually within minutes but it can go on for longer than expected. 

An eructation is the medical term for a burp (belch). Belching is a protective mechanism that prevents the stomach from overinflating. Every time you swallow, you take in a little air, and some of it travels down the esophagus and gets into the upper part of the stomach. When the stomach begins to stretch out, sensors in its wall send signals to your esophagus. These signals tell the small ring of muscle (sphincter) at the bottom of the esophagus to open a bit, allowing air that has built up in the stomach to escape.

Dioralyte is a commercial product that contains primarily sodium and potassium salts, water and a bit of sugar. It can be used if someone is very dehydrated from illness, extreme exercise or being outdoors for long periods in the heat. Usually does drinking enough plain water is sufficient for mild to moderate dehydration. Homemade versions can be made that replicate the product to save money.