In the past, girls used to get menstruation or periods mostly when they were around 14 or 15 years of age. These days, with rapid changes in the lifestyle both health and hormones get affected. This has contributed to a rapid decline in the age of physical growth and development in girls and boys. These days, periods or menstruation in girls start very early and the shocking information is that girls of age 9 or 10 also get periods. These girls find it very difficult to come to terms of early puberty as they are not yet prepared for that. Now, the important question is whether it is okay or not to get periods at a young age 9 and 10 etc. It was mentioned by a gynaecologist that many girls attain puberty at the age of 9 or 10 now. This has made the girls feel tough to withstand or put up with severe pain that is associated normally with the periods. There are several reasons why many girls reach puberty at a very young age. The reasons are One main reason for this is eating junk foods etc that have led to girls getting periods at a very young age. Feeling highly stressed could also make a girl get early periods. Moreover, family history and genetics also play a huge role here. Certain health issues like brain tumours, PCOS, thyroid issues etc can result in early periods in girls. How to manage early periods? By eating good food: Eating good food in the right amounts can help the girl to manage her early periods. They must not consume sugary drinks, junk foods etc. By doing physical activity: It would be possible to manage early periods by engaging in some physical activity. Walking or sports based activity would be good. By practising certain yoga poses: Yoga poses especially like bhujangasana, paschimottanasana, balasana etc would be superb to manage early periods. By maintaining good sleep hygiene (of going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time the next day) also managing early periods would be possible.

Are you aware of fruits like mangosteen, rambutan, dragon fruit etc? Want to take your flavours to a different level and give a twist to your regular meals, then nothing can be better than trying exotic fruits!! There are some fruits that are not native to a certain place but grown in other places. These are termed as exotic fruits Consuming these exotic fruits can be superb for your health. Dragon fruit intake: Pitaya fruit is also known as dragon fruit. It is found in places like Central America, southern parts of America and Asia etc. Its shape and colour are superb and attractive. These fruits can be added to smoothies and salads etc. Dragon fruit is full of antioxidants and vitamin C etc and consuming this fruit would boost immunity, improves heart health, boosts digestion etc. Star fruit intake: Star fruit or carambola could be seen growing in south eastern Asia. It is worth mentioning that this fruit has distinctive ridges running down the sides. Star fruit contains minerals like magnesium, potassium, fibre, vitamin C etc. Consuming this fruit would support immunity plus reduce inflammation, boosts digestion etc. We can eat star fruit with savory dishes and sweet eats etc. Rambutan intake: It can be added to desserts and snacks due to its juicy taste. It belongs to south-east Asia and it is a medium sized tropical tree. It is rich in flavonoids, vitamin C etc. Intake of this fruit would protect our skin from oxidative damage. It could be eaten alone or combined with other fruits etc. Mangosteen intake: It is true that mangosteen, which is called the queen of fruits, has got a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. It is usually found growing in islands in south-east Asia from the Malay Peninsula to Borneo. It has got vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibres etc. Intake of mangosteen would fight free radicals and lower inflammation. Passion fruit intake: Known as Krishna phal in India, passion fruit is found in subtropical regions of South America from southern Brazil to northern Argentina. They can be round or oval in shape and have vitamins A,C plus fibres etc. Intake of passion fruit would support heart health, boost the immune system, boost skin health etc. It must be noted that the unique flavour profile o of passion fruit would elevate dishes, sweet to savory.

How would you react if you come to know that certain abnormalities in the hands would reveal hidden or underlying health issues in us? Taken aback right!! It is true that the skin, nails, joints and circulation etc in the hands are closely linked to the cardiovascular system, nervous system etc. Point to be noted is that subtle changes in colour, swelling, or nail shape would show the health conditions like nutrient deficiencies, thyroid disorders etc in us. Even serious liver disease would also be revealed by these subtle changes. Please take care. Various abnormalities in our hands that would suggest a hidden health problem in u are Having cold hands: It must be taken into account that having cold hands always would indicate poor blood circulation, low thyroid function etc.  For some people, hands would be cold even in warmer conditions. They must get checked for BP and thyroid without fail. Having shaky hands: Caffeine or stress can cause mild hand tremors. If the hand tremors are persistent, then it could be due to serious issues like PD or Parkinson Disease. Having clubbed fingertips: Oxygen deprivation in the blood is shown by clubbed finger tips. Here, finger tips swell and the nail curves downward. Lung diseases, heart diseases and liver diseases are revealed by this. Having discoloured nails: If a person has fungal infections, bronchitis etc, then his or her nails would be yellowish in colour. In the same manner, pale coloured nails reveal the presence of anaemia. Lack of oxygen in the blood (due to heart and lung disorders) is shown by bluish nails. Having swollen fingers: Arthritis, hormonal imbalances and kidney disease are shown by swollen fingers. Internal stress would be shown by inflammation and fluid retention etc. Having red, itchy rashes: Eczema or psoriasis can cause persistent rashes on the hands. Autoimmune diseases and allergic reactions to foods etc would also cause red itchy rashes. Please take care. Having skin peeling around finger tips: Vitamin B deficiency or niacin or vitamin B3 deficiency or vitamin B7 deficiency would result in skin peeling around finger tips. Numbness or tingling sensation: Carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes etc would be shown by these kinds of sensations in the hands. Please be careful. Dark lines under nails: Trauma could be shown as dark lines. It is shocking to note that dark lines under the nails could be due to melanoma also. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer is known. Weak grip strength: Muscle wasting or nerve issue or early stage of rheumatoid arthritis is indicated by weak grip strength. Overall decrease in the physical health in the senior persons is also shown by this.