Whenever you are going on a family trip, you budget and spend each dollar carefully, right? Once you overspend with no real limit it can derail your plans and affect your trip. It is practically the same with calories. Our body is designed to have a certain amount of calorie intake for its proper functioning. If you are coming up short on your calorie count, your body will not have enough energy, and you will be fatigued and find it difficult to do tasks. And if you consume too much, it may cause you digestive issues and overtime make you gain weight as well.

Your daily calorie needs are influenced by various factors, including age, sex, height, weight, and activity level. For example, a highly active individual requires more calories than a sedentary person. Additionally, men generally need more calories than women due to their higher muscle mass. To maintain a healthy weight, it's essential to balance your calorie intake with your energy expenditure.

What Are Calories And Why Do We Track Them?

According to the National Library of Medicine, a calorie is a unit of energy. A "small calorie" (cal) is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of one gram of water by one degree Celsius. However, the "big calorie" (Cal or kilocalorie), which is 1,000 times larger, is more commonly used to measure the energy content of food. Calories provide the energy our bodies need to function. From the simple task of breathing to complex processes like digestion and growth, every cellular activity requires energy.

Basically, when we consume food, our bodies break down the nutrients into smaller components and release energy. This energy is either used immediately or stored for later use, depending on our body's needs.

How Does One Calculate Their Caloric Intake?

It may seem a cumbersome job but many people these days are conscious about what they eat and how much they eat. When it comes to estimating how much calories you should have, there are many tools that can help you figure it out according to your age, height, weight, sex and activity level. The number of calories you should consume daily depends on your specific goals. To maintain weight, you need to consume the same number of calories as you burn. To lose weight, you need to create a calorie deficit by consuming fewer calories than you burn. However, it's important to avoid extreme calorie restriction, as this can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health issues.

To make it easier to count your calories, Harward Health Publishing says simple method to estimate your daily calorie needs is to multiply your weight in pounds by 15. This provides a rough estimate of the calories required to maintain your current weight, assuming a moderately active lifestyle. For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you'd multiply 150 by 15 to get 2,250 calories. This means you need to consume around 2,250 calories daily to maintain your current weight.

How To Lose Weight?

The first step to losing weight is understanding your body's energy needs. Many people believe that losing weight is as simple as ‘eat less, exercise more. It may be easier to say but takes a lot of effort to get done. Some tips given by Harward health Publishing is as follows,

Creating a Caloric Deficit

To lose weight, you need to consume fewer calories than you burn. Aim to create a calorie deficit of 500 to 1,000 calories per day to lose 1-2 pounds per week. In our example, if you need 2,250 calories to maintain your weight, you'd need to consume between 1,250 and 1,750 calories daily to lose weight at a healthy rate.

Balancing Calories and Activity

While reducing calorie intake is essential, it's equally important to increase physical activity. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week. This combination of reduced calorie intake and increased physical activity can help you achieve your weight loss goals.

Setting Realistic Goals

It's crucial to set realistic and sustainable goals. Avoid extreme calorie restriction, as it can lead to nutrient deficiencies and other health issues. Instead, focus on making gradual changes to your diet and lifestyle.

Tracking Your Intake

To monitor your calorie intake, you can use a food diary or a calorie-tracking app. These tools can help you identify areas where you can make healthier choices and reduce your overall calorie consumption.

A large international study from the University of Cambridge suggests that autism diagnosed early in life is fundamentally different from autism diagnosed later on. The findings, published in Nature, analyzed data from more than 45,000 autistic individuals and showed that the timing of diagnosis often reflects distinct biology and development.

The research team suggests this means that the term "autism" likely describes multiple conditions, not just one.

There are many misconceptions about autism in the media, many believe it can be caused by bad parenting, that it can only affect boys as well as that it can be cured. While these may not be true, can it change overtime or develop into something else?

What is Autism?

According to Mayo Clinic Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition that affects how the brain develops. It changes how people understand and interact with the world around them. This causes challenges in two main areas:

• Social Life and Communication: People with ASD often find it hard to talk with others and socialize.
• Behaviors: The condition also involves having interests or behaviors that are very specific and often repeated.

The word "spectrum" is key because it means ASD affects people in many different ways. Some people have mild symptoms, while others have more severe challenges.

Over time, it can make it hard for a person to manage in social situations, school, or at work. Many children show signs of autism within their first year of life. A few children seem to develop normally at first, but then lose some skills and start showing autism symptoms between 18 and 24 months old.

Early Diagnosis vs. Later Diagnosis: What's the Difference?

The study found two distinct groups based on when a person received their autism diagnosis:

Early Diagnosis (Typically Before Age Six)

These children were more likely to show social and behavioral difficulties from a very young age. Their traits are often easier to spot by parents and doctors, leading to a quicker diagnosis. Their underlying genetic profile is distinct and shares less in common with other mental health conditions.

Later Diagnosis (Late Childhood or Adolescence and Beyond)

These individuals often saw their social and behavioral challenges emerge or become noticeable during adolescence. They have a higher risk of developing mental health conditions like depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Their average genetic profile is surprisingly closer to that of ADHD and depression than it is to the genetic profile of early-diagnosed autism.

What Role Do Genetics Play In Autism?

The findings show that the difference in diagnosis timing is due to more than just how quickly families access care; it's also linked to genetics.

Genetic Overlap

The study found a strong genetic connection between later-diagnosed autism and psychiatric disorders. This suggests that certain genetic factors might make these individuals naturally more prone to mental health issues.

Lack of Early Support

Researchers also stress that not getting support in early childhood likely plays a role. Going undiagnosed makes people more vulnerable to difficulties like bullying, which significantly increases the risk of mental health struggles later on.

The authors hope these findings will change how autism is understood, studied, and supported, allowing for better help for autistic people of all ages.

Flu Shot: With flu season fast approaching, many people wonder when the best time is to get vaccinated. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for most people who only need one dose, September and October are the ideal months to get the flu shot. The agency recommends that everyone be vaccinated by the end of October. Still, a percentage of the population believes flu shots aren’t essential and can be skipped.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot Every Year?

The CDC and major medical organizations advise everyone aged six months and older to get a yearly flu vaccination. Despite misinformation circulating online, these recommendations have not changed.

Certain groups are at higher risk of severe illness, people over 65, pregnant women, young children, and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, heart disease, or weakened immune systems. While about 71% of seniors get their flu shot each year, less than half of other adults do. In children, vaccination rates have declined in recent years, with fewer than 50% receiving the vaccine last year.

Flu Shot: Why Flu Vaccines Matter

Flu vaccines may not prevent every infection, but they are highly effective at reducing severe illness and hospitalizations, says Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Tens of thousands of Americans die from the flu annually. During last year’s severe season, 280 children died from flu-related complications, nearly half of whom had no prior health issues, and most had not been vaccinated.

A rare but serious complication from last season was brain inflammation, which can cause seizures, hallucinations, or even death. Most affected children were unvaccinated.

Flu Shots During Pregnancy Offer Dual Protection

Pregnant women need to be especially cautious. A severe flu infection can lead to hospitalization or even preterm birth. Vaccination protects both mother and baby, since infants too young for their own vaccines benefit from the mother’s antibodies. Research shows flu shots are safe and effective during pregnancy.

Flu Shot: Choosing the Right Vaccine

For adults 65 and older, high-dose flu shots or vaccines with immune boosters are recommended, though a standard flu shot is also effective if those options are not available.

Flu Shot: Cost and Insurance Coverage

Flu shots are generally free under Medicare, Medicaid, and most private insurance plans if administered through in-network providers. Local health departments may also offer low-cost or free vaccines. The at-home FluMist option may require a delivery fee, though insurance should cover the vaccine itself.

Getting a Flu Shot Alongside COVID-19 Vaccine

It is safe to get both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines at the same time. Dr. Philip Huang, director of Dallas Health and Human Services, says this is a convenient way to stay protected. However, availability of COVID-19 vaccines for children may be limited, as federal recommendations have shifted and parents are encouraged to make personal decisions.

Bowel cancer, also called colon or rectal cancer, is one of the most common cancers. It is the fourth most common cancer in the United States, and around 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

The time it's found makes a huge difference in how well a person does. Catching the disease early makes a huge difference in survival.

If the cancer is caught in the very first stage (Stage One), people have a 90% chance of living for five years or more. That's excellent odds. But if it's found much later (Stage Four), the chance of living five years or more drops to only 10%. The lesson is clear: early checking and spotting symptoms can save lives.

Key Early Warning Signs of Colon Cancer

A doctor known as "Dr. Ben", also known as Medicina y Mente online has highlighted four main signs that could point to early bowel cancer. He stressed that if you see these, you should go to your doctor as soon as possible, especially since some of these symptoms only show up when you use the toilet. Here are the four key things to look out for:

Blood in your stool: This is one of the most common early alarms.

Changes in how you go to the toilet: This doesn't mean just one bad day. It means a big difference in your normal habits, such as going from being constipated (having hard, difficult-to-pass stool) to suddenly having diarrhea.

Losing a lot of weight for no reason: If you lose a significant amount of weight without changing how you eat or how much you exercise, it is a concern.

Feeling extremely tired (fatigue): This is tiredness that doesn't go away, even after rest. This is only a worry if there's no other clear reason for the tiredness.

What Are Some Other Symptoms Of Colon Cancer?

It's natural to feel shy, but the NHS strongly advises people to see a doctor if they have been experiencing any symptoms of bowel cancer for three weeks or longer. Doctors and nurses talk about these things all the time, so please don't be embarrassed. Other symptoms of colon cancer that the NHS mentions include:

• Bleeding from your bottom.
• The constant feeling like you need to go to the toilet, even if you just went.
• Pain in your tummy (abdomen).
• Feeling a lump in your tummy.
• Feeling bloated
• Feeling short of breath.

If your stool is very black or dark red, or you have bloody diarrhea, you need to call 111 or get an urgent appointment with your GP. While these symptoms don't always mean cancer, it is very important to get checked to find out what the problem is.

How To Prevent Colon Cancer?

The best defense against bowel cancer is screening. The NHS offers home testing kits for everyone between the ages of 50 and 74.

These home tests can be analyzed to look for tiny signs of cancer even before you feel sick or notice any symptoms. This is the most effective way to catch cancer at the earliest, most treatable stage.