Health Facts

Health Facts Infographics

The skin is the largest organ in the human body.

Aside from protecting the body from disease and infections, it also regulates body temperature and assists vitamin production.

The core of the spinal disc consists of large volumes of water.

It is also the reason why dehydration is a possible cause of back pain.

Dense breasts are more susceptible to breast cancer.

The disease usually transpires in the glandular tissue, which is present in bigger portions in dense breasts. Unfortunately, a simple feel or sight is not enough to detect it. Only a mammogram can determine it.

Breast cancer has a greater tendency of developing in the left breast instead of the right.

A reason for this breast cancer possibility is the average slightly larger size of the left breast of most women. Hence, more tissue content.

For mothers, breastfeeding could lower breast cancer risks later in life.

Likewise, a study also shows that non-breastfeeding women have heightened endogenous estrogen exposure. It increases the chances of breast cancer occurrence. The same goes for women who do not have children.

Sex during pregnancy is safe.

However, a pregnant woman’s libido is subject to be inconsistent throughout the period. Factors such as morning sickness might affect her mood for having sex.

People with Down Syndrome can still parent children.

Despite having low fertility rates, there are already records of people with Down Syndrome who have had children. The child has around 50% of having the syndrome but, thankfully, modern genetic technology could do some help.

Abortion facts reveal that the process was not always intentional.

As part of pregnancy terminology, the term ‘abortion‘ refers to any pregnancy termination. Hence, it covers both induced abortion and spontaneous occurrence, or as known as a miscarriage.

'Medical abortion' is different from 'emergency contraception.'

Both involve medication use, but medical abortion refers to pregnancy termination. On the other hand, emergency contraception or ‘morning-after pill’ halt the onset of pregnancy before it could even start.

In general, abortion should only be allowed until the 24th week of pregnancy.

Induced abortions operated after the said periods involve severe cases concerning fetal abnormalities or the life of the pregnant woman herself.

There are phobias concerning human body parts.

Chaetophia, for one, is the fear of hair, which involves their own, other people’s, or animals’. Weird phobias can be stemmed from traumatic experiences, such as a bad haircut may lead to this condition, for instance.

People who fear belly buttons or a navel have Omphalophobia.

This neurosis possibly spings from the association of the belly button to the mother’s womb through the umbilical cord.

Viruses make up about half of the original human DNA.

About 100,000 viral DNA is present in a person’s DNA, which would then make around 8% of the total human genome.

Prehistoric viruses may have had a role in human autoimmune diseases.

As per virus facts, human genomes contained a viral relic which is possibly the reason behind certain disease immunities.

A virus could be categorized into 2 types.

It varies whether it contains a single- or double-stranded DNA genetic material. Likewise, others could also carry either single- or double-stranded RNA. The organization of virus genetic information is a straight strand form.

The Coronavirus (CoV) is a large family of viruses with 7 known types to date.

Four types namely the 229E, KHU1, NL63, and OC43 cause common respiratory infections. Another two, the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus or SARS-CoV, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus or the MERS-CoV, cause severe respiratory infections.

The name Coronavirus was derived from the Latin term ‘corona,’ meaning ‘crown’ or ‘halo.’

It got its name from its crown shape appearance under a microscope. As RNA viruses, they are covered and have positive strands in Nidovirales order.

The Coronavirus is a zoonotic virus.

This means that the Coronavirus transmission could occur among people and animals. Investigations revealed that the SARS-CoV came from civet cats, while the MERS-CoV came from Dromedary camels.

Hydration aids in maintaining a good complexion.

As cliche as it seems, drinking ample amounts of water, is good for the skin. It also makes facial skin less prone to wrinkles.

Fitness has 5 main components.

The list includes body composition, endurance, flexibility, muscular strength, and the body’s ability to use oxygen.

Stretching boosts blood flow to muscles.

It also helps in avoiding injuries, which makes it a proper practice prior to and following an exercise session.

High-intensity interval workouts as quickly as 10 minutes are effective for fat removal.

A Journal of Obesity 2011 study discovered that this practice could also lower insulin resistance and improve overall health.

Brisk walking could be as effective as running.

Maintain a pace that keeps the heart elevated, and this activity would do the same in lowering the risks of diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension.

There is a better way of walking outside.

Spending time outdoors especially in green spaces has been proven to improve self-esteem and reduce negative thoughts.

On average, a moderately active person walks around 7,500 steps per day.

A lifetime of this number is equivalent to five rounds of walking the Earth.

Non-exercise activity thermogenesis or NEAT is among the things that influence the weight of a person.

NEAT involves the habits and chores done every day which require physical movement. Some examples are doing yard work and grocery shopping. The more frequently done, the healthier the body gets.

Muscles are not the only body parts that benefit from massages.

It aids scars to fade and could do a much better job than oil or lotion.

Effective handwashing should take at least 20 seconds.

For the practice to be more effective, the handwashing process must include the wrists and forearms which must be lowered to lead the contaminated water downwards. Around 5 milliliters of soap should completely cover the hands in the process.

So-called ‘anti-bacterial soaps’ are not much different from plain soaps.

The University of Oregon School of Public Health discovered in an analysis that they have almost the same effectiveness in minimizing illness instances.

Hand-washing could also serve as protection from respiratory illnesses.

Conditions like the common cold or influenza transfer from one person to another by touch but can be avoided with proper practices. By washing the hands properly, uninfected individuals could lessen the risks.

Reading can divert feelings of stress.

Diving deep into a book lowers levels of unhealthy stress hormones such as cortisol by 67%.

Bullies tend to have inner emotional issues or personality disorders, causing them to act a certain way.

There are various possible motives behind the act of bullying which include hate, anger, anxiety, boredom, envy, arrogance, and revenge. Due to their issues, bullies tend to use violence in reaction to criticism or disrespect.

Suicide has been known to have links to brain activity.

Levels of brain transmitter serotonin show potential abilities in predicting suicide. When a person has lower levels of the brain chemical, it makes them 6 times more susceptible to suicide than those with normal levels.

Antidepressant medication has been proven to help.

Treatment for depression is available. Being the most common cause of suicide, depression having medication options lessens a victim’s suicidal tendencies.

There are more recorded suicides during spring than any of the other seasons.

One of the commonly misconceived suicide facts is that most people take their lives around holidays when they might be affected most by their problems. However, suicide statistics show an increase from March to May.

Good relationship maintenance with family and peers is beneficial for health.

Not only that, but it also boosts memory and longevity.

Exercises like swimming are still safe to do even during pregnancy.

Pregnancy facts even recommend 30-minute exercises, 4 days a week for women during pregnancy. Still, it is highly advisable to take precautionary measures, keep hydrated and avoid being overheated.

In terms of life expectancy, the US comes in 12th place among the wealthiest countries.

It is quite low, considering that they spend on healthcare 3 times more than any other country on the planet.

Orgasm and childbirth have one thing in common - oxytocin.

Also known as the chemical of love, oxytocin only launches through these two love moments. Bonding moments with a newborn child generates the same loving rush as that of a new romantic relationship.

A heartbreak can be deadly in real life.

After a breakup, there is an interval which makes an affected partner 8 times more susceptible to a coronary heart assault, making them vulnerable to death by a damaged coronary heart.

Being physically unhealthy reduces the chances of bearing an offspring.

On the contrary, people who are youthful and symmetrical in shape bear give off the suggestive potential of bearing kids.

Tests are effective aids to help remember things better.

Some kids might groan at this psychology fact, but testing and learning go hand in hand. Research shows that a person could retain information in memory longer when tested for it.

To say that being lonely is bad for health is an understatement.

According to a Harvard study, extreme loneliness has a connection with the same blood-clotting protein levels liable for heart attacks and stroke. This psychology fact says that being friendless is just as deadly as smoking.

The normal level of anxiety has dramatically increased over the decades.

Psychiatric patients from the 1950s manifested the same anxiety levels as that of a modern-day average high school teen.

Excessive display of permissiveness or aggressiveness in child-rearing could lead to bullying.

Fingers often point at parents regarding their children’s misbehavior as they are mainly responsible for shaping their child’s personality. However, bullying facts show that being too strict and too consenting has the same tendency of turning a child into a bully.

If not addressed properly, bullying could cause serious problems for either party.

It could cause severe psychological problems, life-threatening physical injuries, and even death.

Cyberbullying is a serious issue in South Korea.

Cyberbullying is a silent killer over the internet world. It has claimed many lives, including famous Kpop artists who suffered from malicious comments of netizens. In order to prevent more victims, the Korean portal site, Naver, has announced the suspension of the comment section of their entertainment news articles.

Physical abuse is different from sexual abuse.

That the two are the same is a common misconception about child abuse. Physical abuse refers to physical aggression towards a person which often yields injuries or worse. On the other hand, sexual abuse refers to any sort of abuse involving an adult who uses children for sexual stimulation.

Somniphobia refers to the irrational and abnormal fear of sleep.

People who suffer from this state associate the sensation of falling asleep with dying or dread losing time to sleep. Unfortunately, they also suffer from the health risks of sleep deprivation.

During pregnancy, certain conditions have a tendency to increase autism risks.

While the two conditions are separately harmless, autism facts unveil the escalation of unfavorable health conditions. One example is a pregnant woman who acquires a fever which lasts over a week.

Inheritance could influence autism onset.

The development of autism has recorded links to the genes AKT3, PIK3CA, and PIK3R2 among other diseases. Hence, parents who suffer from schizophrenia or bipolar disorder have a greater probability of bearing children with autism.

Physical contact is not a readily open concept for people who suffer from autism.

While they dislike touch or cuddles from strangers, they dearly appreciate physical contact with close relatives and friends.

Contrary to popular belief, hunger stings the mind, not the stomach itself.

In other words, the feeling of being hungry is in the mind and not in the tummy. It also has links to the obesity facts that the brain sometimes fails to transmit signals of overeating due to a developed habit of eating in front of screens.

The term Schizophrenia has origins from the Greek language, having a rough translation meaning ‘split mind.’

Sadly, this has led to a misconception that Schizophrenia means ‘split personality’ when the real meaning is ‘split from reality.’

The formation of the roof of the mouth has the potential to signal schizophrenia risks.

The development of a wider, tougher palate is often an indication of the condition. Such palate features show correlations with the genetic mutations recorded to trigger schizophrenia.

Opposing the common belief, schizophrenia is not a violence-provoking illness.

Among the symptoms of the condition are anxiety, fearfulness, and natural passiveness. Meanwhile, such misconceptions originated from inaccurate depictions in television and films.

The standard American diet has a rate of 11/100.

On a scale of 1-10, it would only equate to 1. The Department of Agriculture calculates about 57% of the calories of Americans come from processed plant foods and 32% comes from animal foods. The remaining 11% comes from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Daily pregnancy diet is highly recommended to involve 400-800 micrograms of folic acid.

The leafy green content could also be found as a common prenatal vitamin nutrient. In addition to this pregnancy fact, vitamin D, calcium, and iron is also an essential part of a healthy pregnancy diet.

The rosemary scent is ideal for improved memory and increased alertness.

It is also the reason why catching a whiff of this is a recommendation prior to a test or a meeting.

Smoking has a few benefits.

As surprising as some smoking facts are, the addiction has shown to lower risks of Parkinson’s disease. Smoking aids the efficiency of ‘clopidogrel,’ a heart drug for inhibiting blood clots in coronary artery disease patients.

Having a healthy lifestyle is not enough compensation for the negative effects of smoking.

While a healthy lifestyle is unquestionably beneficial to overall health, it could not fight or even reduce the negative effects that come alongside smoking.

Those who have quit smoking have shown significant improvements in their sex life.

While this does not invalidate the ability of men with erection problems to father children, it promotes the greater benefit in the overall quality of life. Some of the problems that it could cause are emotional problems and relationship issues.

Marijuana is similar to alcohol in that it could serve either as a depressant or a stimulant.

Marijuana may affect neurotransmitters by decreasing its sensitivity in the same way that it could stimulate the feeling of euphoria. However, the prevalence of either of the sensations depends on the personality of the user, and the frequency of usage, type, and quantity of cannabis.

Heavy marijuana smokers become susceptible to the same health risks as regular tobacco smokers.

Smoking cannabis might be beneficial for health at times, but the excessive frequency is bound to equal the risks of that of tobacco smoking. Smoking and marijuana are similar such that different respiratory illnesses that could develop.

The longevity of marijuana in the body system depends on the user.

It could have associations with THC metabolism levels and other cannabis active ingredients. Occasional users would likely come out positive 1-3 days from consumption, regular users could test positive after 7-10 days, while extreme cases could last up to two months from consumption.

The statement “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is scientifically proven.

Apples have shown abilities in reducing bad cholesterol levels which is essential in keeping a healthy heart.

Water is an effective aid in weight loss.

Aside from its basic hydration roles, water removes fat by-products and could compel a person to feel fuller and eat less once consumed before a meal.

Drinking tea could lower heart attack risks.

If the concoction is not too sweet, it could even alleviate type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and even certain cancers.

Chocolate is good food for the skin.

Its antioxidant content is ideal for improved blood flow and UV damage protection.

Almond is a good sex drive booster and fertility promoter.

Along with avocados and arugula, it is part of the health beneficial three A’s.

Dehydration could do a person’s health worse than they might think.

Drinking enough water especially at optimized times could reverse its negative impact on a person’s mood and energy levels.

There are a lot of health risks that come alongside Down Syndrome.

Some of these health risks of Down Syndrome are cancer, congenital heart disease, leukemia, and obesity. Individuals diagnosed with the condition are also prone to infectious diseases, dementia, diabetes, ear infections, fertility issues, seizures, thyroid gland problems, and vision loss.

While Down Syndrome is incurable, it is treatable.

Treatment options include the removal of physical symptoms via plastic surgery which could help patients become normally working society members by adulthood.

Bulimics tend to get stuck in a cycle of binge-purging.

They could go from uncontrollable binge-eating to feeling guilty and self-conscious. Bulimia facts characterize the condition as immediate purging after binge-eating usually done with forced vomiting.

Corrosion of the teeth is an indicator of bulimia.

A person could get it from the stomach acid that reaches their mouth when vomiting. Hence, the repetitious presence of this strong acid makes their teeth deteriorate, giving off visible signs of bulimia.

While bulimia is basically an eating disorder, it could still cause damage to other bodily functions.

A woman’s reproduction system, for instance, is subject to irregular menstrual cycles. This may also cause conception hindrances and severe baby health risks in cases of pregnancy.

In the USA, obesity holds a yearly mortality rate of about 300,000 people.

This might not be accurate, but scientists could not help but take the approach of the number of people that would still be alive had they not been obese.

Despite the common notion on the physical differences, obesity co-exists with malnourishment.

Being well-fed does not necessarily mean being over-nourished. Numerous obese people are severely malnourished due to their high-calorie diet which often omits any vitamins or fiber.

Tuberculosis can be prevented.

Tuberculosis is contagious, but it is not easily spread. Only someone with close contact with a tuberculosis patient for a long time will contract the disease. Tuberculosis can be spread through bacteria released by the patient when they cough, sneeze or through their saliva. Always be cautious and practice social responsibility, and viruses will not foster easily.

Genetics are responsible for 5-10% of cancers.

This cancer fact points to other more frequent causes of cancer such as smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity.

Cancer has over 100 different types.

It is no secret that the disease could occur in almost every part of the body. While there are over a hundred of them, some of the most common are breast cancer, lung cancer, and colon cancer.

Cancer stages are the main indicators of the size of the tumor.

The different stages in the TNM system correlate to the size and reach of the tumor. Being at stage 0 means there are abnormal cells but no visible cancer yet. Meanwhile, Stage IV is the final stage which indicates the spread of the tumor to distant organs.