Author name: Kateryna Braitenko
Headache — “pressure”, weakness — “vitamin deficiency”, stomach pain — “stomach”. We are used to quickly explaining symptoms based on personal experience or online searches. However, this kind of self-diagnosis often leads to misdiagnosis and incorrect conclusions about our health. Why Self-Diagnosis Frequently Fails In daily life, symptoms are often interpreted too literally. People quickly […]
Brief summary Painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have long become part of everyday life. They are taken “automatically” — for headaches, back pain, joint pain, or fever. The problem is that frequent or uncontrolled use of NSAIDs can gradually lead to damage of the gastric mucosa, cardiovascular complications, and masking of […]
Pain without a cause can be real even when all tests, MRI, and ultrasound results are normal. If doctors can’t find a cause, it doesn’t mean there is no problem. This pain is not “imaginary,” is not merely psychosomatic, and does not mean that the person is “fine.” Understanding the mechanisms of functional pain helps […]
The idea of “biohacking” is often associated with dozens of supplements and complex protocols. However, the foundation of an effective health approach includes physical activity, adequate nutrition, and a few well-thought-out nutraceutical solutions. Let’s look at how to smartly combine training, diet, and nutraceuticals to support energy, endurance, and recovery. Physical Activity as a Basic […]
In the era of 24/7 lighting, we are increasingly falling asleep without complete darkness. Screens, streetlights, bedroom lighting — all of these alter circadian disruption, melatonin secretion, hunger signals, and even immune system function. In this article, we examine how nighttime light affects sleep, metabolism, and immunity, as well as the role nutrients and nutraceuticals […]
The beginning of the year is traditionally associated with an increase in visits to pharmacies with complaints of fatigue, digestive disturbances, reduced concentration, and frequent cold-like symptoms. Patients often expect “quick solutions,” whereas effective support lies in a rational, moderate approach without excessive medication burden. The goal of a post-holiday pharmacy kit is not to […]
After the holidays, patients often visit the pharmacy complaining of heaviness in the stomach, bloating, and discomfort after meals. The most common question is “Do I need enzymes?”.However, in many cases these symptoms are not related to enzyme deficiency but to disrupted eating patterns and overeating. The pharmacist’s task is to distinguish functional overload from […]
War-related stress is not just “anxiety.” It is a prolonged, systemic impact on all organs and systems. Ukrainians have been living in a state of heightened anxiety for years, which means: altered hormonal balance, exhausted adrenal glands, disrupted sleep, a burdened gut, and increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Nutraceuticals do not replace psychotherapy […]
Microplastics are no longer just an environmental issue — today they are a factor that directly affects human health. Studies show that an average person may ingest between 0.3 and 5 g of microplastics per week — the equivalent of a “credit card.” Particles are found in water, seafood, fruits, vegetables, salt, tea, coffee, and […]
Vitamin D has become a “star” of the media space over the past decade. It is credited with effects on bones, immunity, mood, cancer prevention, and even COVID-19. Some of these claims are exaggerated, but the role of vitamin D in bone-muscle health and immunity is indeed well documented, especially in regions with low sunlight […]
Many patients with the first symptoms of ARVI go not to the doctor but to the pharmacy. It is the pharmacist who becomes the first point of triage: assessing the condition, identifying “red flags,” explaining the principles of symptomatic therapy, and warning about the uselessness of antibiotics for viral infections. This article offers a practical […]
In winter, we more often encounter ARVI, influenza, and exacerbations of chronic diseases. The reason is not the “cold itself,” but a combination of factors: enclosed spaces, dry air, less sunlight, vitamin D deficiency, stress, sleep disturbances. This article examines physiological and behavioral factors of winter morbidity, the role of vaccination, nutrition, physical activity, and […]