How to Grow & Increase Height?

How to Grow & Increase Height?

Genetics largely determines height, but nutrition, sleep, and exercise can help maximize growth. Growth plates fuse after adolescence, limiting further height increase. However, these exercises can improve posture and flexibility, enhancing overall appearance. JoggingJogging is an effective activity for toning your legs and strengthening your bones. It is especially beneficial during puberty. This exercise involves moderate running at a steady pace for an extended period. Forward Spine StretchThis seated workout helps improve posture and may contribute to height growth. Sit up straight with your legs extended in front of you. Keep them together or maintain a shoulder-width gap. Inhale, stretch your arms forward, and try to touch your toes. Perform 3–4 sets, holding each stretch for 10-15 seconds to enhance spinal flexibility. Jump SquatsJump squats are excellent for strengthening joints and muscles, aiding in height growth. Start by standing upright. Squat down, bringing your knees to your chest while lowering your hips. Push off with your legs as you jump up. Repeat this movement to improve flexibility and strength. Bar HangingHanging from a bar helps stretch the lower torso and reduces vertebral compression, which may aid in height increase. Use a sturdy bar set at least seven feet high. Hang with your arms extended and hold the position for 20 seconds. Perform this exercise 3–4 times daily. For added variation, wrap your legs over the bar while hanging upside down. Cobra StretchAlso known as Bhujangasana in yoga, this stretch helps in cartilage growth between vertebrae. Lie flat on your stomach with your legs extended. Inhale deeply, lift your chest and abdomen, and support your weight on your palms. Hold for 30 seconds before exhaling. Repeat 4–5 times daily. This stretch also promotes better blood circulation and oxygen flow. Wall StretchThis exercise engages the calf muscles and improves flexibility. Place your hands against a wall, keeping your right leg forward with knees slightly bent. Extend your left leg backward and press down on your toes for a deep stretch. Dry Land SwimmingA great alternative to swimming, this exercise mimics freestyle strokes. Alternate moving your arms and legs for about 20 seconds per repetition. This targets the lower back and thigh muscles, stimulating cell growth. Pelvic LiftThis exercise enhances spinal flexibility and strengthens the lower back. Lie flat with bent knees and feet shoulder-width apart. Push down on your feet while raising your hips to form a bridge. Lower your hips slowly and repeat. This exercise is also beneficial for relieving back stiffness from prolonged sitting. Alternate Leg KickAdapted from Tae Kwon Do, this high-intensity exercise mimics a cycling motion. Stand upright, bring one knee to your chest, then kick forward without touching the ground in between movements. It helps balance body mass while strengthening thighs. Pilates Roll OverPilates is excellent for spinal stretching. Lie on your back with arms at your sides and palms facing downward. Lift your legs over your head until they are parallel to the ground. This may feel intense but is effective in stretching vertebrae. Low Lunge ArchThis stretch tones the upper body and improves flexibility. Kneel on one leg while extending the other forward. Raise your hands in a Namaskar position and hold the pose. Switch sides to balance the stretch. This also enhances shoulder and leg flexibility. Side StretchThis exercise strengthens intercostal muscles, contributing to height growth. Stand straight, clasp your hands at your sides, and bend your upper body to the right and then to the left. Hold each stretch for 10 seconds and repeat in sets of 10. Mermaid StretchThis exercise improves posture by strengthening intercostal muscles. Sit with your legs folded to the left, holding your left ankle with your left hand. Raise your right arm overhead and stretch to the left. Hold for 20–30 seconds before switching sides. Puppy PoseThis pose lengthens the spine and strengthens the legs. Start on all fours, keeping your hands shoulder-width apart. Extend your arms forward and stretch your hips back. Hold the position for about 60 seconds. Downward Facing DogThis yoga pose strengthens back muscles and enhances flexibility. Start on all fours, keep your feet hip-width apart, and hands at shoulder-width. Push your tailbone upwards while pressing your hands firmly against the ground for a deep stretch.

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Pope Francis Discharged After Five Weeks in Hospital,

Pope Francis discharged after five weeks in hospital

Pope Francis was discharged from the hospital on Sunday after more than five weeks of treatment for pneumonia. Despite looking visibly tired, the pontiff expressed gratitude to the gathered crowds, waving and thanking them for their unwavering support as he headed home. Seated in a wheelchair on one of the hospital balconies, Francis appeared frail but determined as he acknowledged the hundreds of well-wishers below. It was his first public appearance since February 14, when he was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital with breathing difficulties that escalated into pneumonia. “Thank you, everyone,” Francis said softly into a microphone, his voice weak but steady. He raised his hand in a gentle wave and offered an occasional thumbs-up, sparking cheers from the crowd. Spotting a woman holding yellow flowers, he smiled and said, “I can see that woman with yellow flowers — well done,” prompting laughter and applause. After two minutes on the balcony, the pope was discharged. Francis was driven to his Vatican residence, Santa Marta, waving from the front seat of the car. He could be seen wearing a nasal cannula, a sign that he still requires oxygen support. His first stop, however, was Santa Maria Maggiore — his favorite church in Rome — where he paused to pray, a testament to his resilience and faith. Doctors have confirmed that the pope’s health has improved enough for him to return home. However, they cautioned that the 87-year-old, who lost weight during his hospitalization and had part of one lung removed as a young man, will need at least two months to fully recover. The fragility of Francis’s health has renewed speculation about whether he might follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, and step down from his role. ‘A Period of Rest’During his hospital stay, Francis faced multiple respiratory crises, leading doctors to perform bronchoscopies to clear his lungs and even administer a blood transfusion. “Further recovery will happen at home,” said Dr. Sergio Alfieri, one of Francis’s doctors. “A hospital — even one as well-equipped as Gemelli — isn’t the ideal place for recovery because the risk of infections remains high.” Alfieri also made it clear that the pope’s return to his regular schedule won’t happen overnight. “Convalescence, by definition, is a period of rest. He will need time to regain his strength before resuming his daily responsibilities.” As Pope Francis embarks on this crucial phase of recovery, his quiet strength and humility continue to inspire millions around the world.

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President Tinubu priortises health care -Minister

The Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako has charged health Institutions to remain steadfast to President Bola Ahmed’s vision of ensuring qualitative healthcare for Nigerians. Dr. Salako dropped this hint during his Familiarization visits to agencies and parastatals of the Federal Ministry of Health & Social Welfare. On his entourage were top management staff of the Ministry which included the Director of Hospital Services Department, Dr. Salaudeen Jimoh mni. At the Nigeria Institute for Pharmaceutical & Research Development (NIPRD) at Idu Industrial layout Abuja, the Honourable Minister led by the Director General, Dr. Obi Adigwe took an assessment tour of various departments of the institute. During a round table interactive meeting with the management staff, Dr. Salako stated that the institution is very pivotal to unlocking the health care value chain agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the country. To this end, he admonished the Director General of NIPRD, Dr. Obi Adigwe and his team to consider business venture partnerships that will develop some of its products, with a possibility of assessing USD1bn on the table from the AFREXIM Bank. Dr. Salako further buttressed this innovative proposition by assuring support of the Ministry towards projecting many of NIPRDs products on the table of Physicians. NIPRD, he stated, is considered by the Ministry as a very important agency in its agenda of ensuring universal health coverage for Nigerians and, commitment to reversing the direction of medical tourism. Meanwhile, at the Nigerian Institute for Cancer Research & Treatment NICRAT; the Honourable Minister of State for Health & Social Welfare Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako urged the Director- General, Dr. Usman Malami Aliyu and his team to prioritise research around prevention, services around prevention and, advocacy around prevention as a key element of its agenda. “We know that whether we prevent, people will still come under with the disease. So we must also be prepared to provide qualitative care for people with the disease. To catch them very early through screening services. “This is a very important disease or diseases that we must, all of us, sit down to frontally address. Which means that our efforts, our strategy need to be optimally tailored towards prevention and control, towards increasing awareness, towards improving the health literacy of Nigerians. Because quite a number of these cancers are preventable”; Dr. Salako pointed out. To achieve maximum advocacy and preventable strategy therefore, he strongly urged both the Cancer programme in the Ministry and NICRAT to synergize and collaborate for one World Cancer Day Celebration next month February. On federal government’s initiative for Cancer health fund, the Honourable Minister explained that it is a fund set apart to assist and support people who need cancer care but cannot afford it. “It is currently operating in some centres and, it’s targeted at specific cancers, not all cancers. “So this is an initiative to ensure that care is made available to vulnerable Nigerians who cannot afford it.We are hoping that during this budget cycle, we can expand the Cancer fund and make it more robust. “And then, if there are more resources available, we can bring on board more centres and, more cancer types”; the Minister further stated.

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Low libido and solutions after menopause

During menopause, people may experience a fall in libido or sex drive. Medical treatments, counseling, and lifestyle changes may help increase a person’s sex drive during menopause. The medical name for low libido is hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD). It is a common experience among females, especially around menopause. In 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source identified HSDD as one of 20 high priority diseases that need focused attention. Usually, a decline in estrogen levels begins when a person is in their 40s. Over the next 2–8 years Trusted Source, periods may become less regular and then stop completely. The time before menopause is called perimenopause. Menopause is when a person has had no menstruation for 12 months. Around menopause, a number of symptoms can occur, such as hot flashes. Other changes include a thinning of the vaginal wall, known as vaginal atrophy, and vaginal dryness. These and other factors can contribute to a fall in libido or sex drive and pain during sex. Vaginal atrophy and dryness do not improve over time, but treatment can help manage them. In this article, we look at how menopause might affect someone’s sex drive and some ways to enhance libido. Sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more. Menopause and libido Menopause is when a female stops having her period permanently, but it affects more than the menstrual cycle. Menopause can cause physical and emotional changes that affect a person’s life, including their sex life. Depression can also affect libido. Depression is common among females in mid-life and around menopause, but researchers have not found a direct link between the two. Each of these can affect a person’s quality of life and relationships. Libido refers to sexual interest and sexual enjoyment. Doctors consider a low libido an aspect of sexual dysfunction. Other causes of low libido include issues of arousal, desire, orgasm, and pain. Libido varies among individuals. Links between low libido and its possible causes after menopause are complex. A person should work with a doctor to address what may be causing low libido for them. Why does libido change around menopause? Various changes and lifestyle factors can affectTrusted Source a person’s sex life around and after menopause. Not all of them relate directly to menopause. Experts have not linkedTrusted Source a low libido directly with hormonal changes, but they may contribute to hot flashes and other factors that can play a role. Physical effects on sex organs Physical changes can contribute to a lower sex drive. Vaginal atrophy is the medical name for the vagina becoming drier and its walls thinner. These physical changes may include the following: The tissues of the vagina and labia become thinner and less sensitive to sexual stimulation.Vaginal lubrication decreases, leading to vaginal dryness. Sex may be uncomfortable or painful.Dyspareunia may occur. With dyspareunia, persistent or recurrent genital pain happens before, during, or after intercourse.Reduced blood flow may affect overall arousal. Sex may be less enjoyable, and it may be harder to have an orgasm.Around 27–60%Trusted Source of people report vaginal dryness and pain. Mental health Fluctuating hormone levels can also affect a person’s mental health. In turn, this can affect libido. High levels of stress can occur due to life’s daily needs. A person may be juggling work, parenting, and caring for older parents. The changes in hormone levels can lead to irritability or depression, and dealing with everyday stress may be challenging. Relationship issues and body image can also affect mental well-being and libido. Effect of other symptoms Symptoms associated with menopause may affect a person’s sex drive. Examples include:Hot flashesNight sweats Other factors Other factors that can dampen libido around menopause include: Anyone with concerns about a fall in libido can speak with a doctor. They may be able to offer treatment. Various measures may help increase libido. They include medical treatments, lifestyle tips, and home remedies. Medical treatmentsMedical treatments can help manageTrusted Source factors that contribute to low libido, such as vaginal dryness, night sweats, and anxiety. Some treatments may address libido directly. In trials, around 25% of people who used this drug experienced an increase in sexual desire, compared with 17% who took a placebo. In addition, around 35% noted a reduction in other distress factors relating to sex, compared with 31% after using a placebo. It appears to improve sexual desire and reduce related issues by activating a part of the nervous system known as melancortin receptors. However, experts do not know precisely how it works. A person will need to inject it at least 45 minutes before sexual activity. Individuals can decide when to take it depending on how long they find the effects to last. People should not use more than one dose in 24 hours or more than eight doses per month. Side effects include a rise in blood pressure, and it is not suitable for those with a history of hypertension or cardiovascular disease. Lubricants An over-the-counter lubricant can reduce discomfort during sex. Over-the-counter moisturizers can help reduce dryness. A person will need to use it every few days. Note that non-water-soluble and silicone-based lubricants can break down condoms used to protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Which lubricants are best for menopause dryness?Hormonal and nonhormonal pillsEstrogen pills, creams, or vaginal rings can help address vaginal dryness and vaginal atrophy. They require a prescription. Hormone therapy can help with hot flashes and mood changes. Ospemifene is a nonhormonal treatment for vaginal dryness and atrophy. Counseling Counseling can help manage depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges that occur during menopause. Couples therapy can help people address issues affecting their relationship, whether or not they are directly related to sex. It may also help them speak openly about how they feel. Treatment for other conditions Around the same age as menopause, the risk of various other health issues increases, such…

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