Thursday, February 1, 2018

Now You Know: 10 Fun Facts About Your Breasts

You already know that your breasts are a pretty wonderful part of your body. They can make a dress fall better on your body, draw attention from across a room, nourish a newborn baby and make you feel good between the sheets. They’re also pretty weird, too.

Ever noticed they seem to change size throughout the month? Or felt them move in different directions when you run? And what’s with the vast variety of different shapes?

Now You Know: 10 Fun Facts About Your Breasts: WikihealthBlog
Now You Know: 10 Fun Facts About Your Breasts: WikihealthBlog
Indeed, there are many bizarre truths about your bust that you may not know. Ready to enlighten yourself? Read on for some fun facts that are bound to make you appreciate your breasts even more.

1. Your set can vary in size

Seem like your breasts aren’t perfectly symmetrical? Don’t stress — the fact is that not all breasts are created equal. An Emory University study of nearly 100 women show that most women's breasts (62 percent) are actually two different sizes.

Read More: How to Increase Breast Size

What’s more, the left one is usually bigger. According to the book “Breasts: A Natural and Unnatural History” by Florence Williams, one breast is typically an average of about a fifth of a cup size larger than the other one.

2. They’re made of much more than fat

While your breasts are mainly made up of adipose tissue (fat cells), they also contain a rather complex combination of ligaments, fibrous connective tissue, nerves, lymph nodes, ducts and glands, with muscle underneath. The adipose tissue begins at your collarbone and extends all the way down to the middle of the ribcage. And the lymph system, which includes a network of lymph nodes and lymph vessels, actually transports disease-fighting fluids, while moving abnormal cells away from healthy tissue, playing a crucial role in your immune system.

3. They make serious moves when you exercise


Now You Know: 10 Fun Facts About Your Breasts
If you’ve ever gone on a jog or participated in a grueling HIIT class and felt like your breasts were bouncing in all different directions, you’re not imagining things. In fact, one study found that when you run, your breasts can move up, down and to the sides in a figure eight motion.

And that movement isn’t slight, either — they can shift by as much as eight inches. That’s why it’s imperative to wear a supportive sports bra that can keep your breasts in place, minimizing any strain or damage and ensuring your comfort during and after physical activity.

4. The largest recorded breasts in the world are...

The current Guinness World Record for largest natural breasts was awarded to a woman in 1999. Around the fullest part of the bust, her chest measured 70 inches — which translates to a whopping 5.83 feet.

5. Size varies across the world

The average size ranges significantly from country to country. The U.S. boasts the largest average cup size (D), while Africa and Asian countries have the smallest, with a majority of women wearing a size A or B cup. Falling in the middle are Australia, South America, France, Italy and the U.K., with size C-cup breasts.

6: A third nipple is more common than you think

Think it’s rare to have more than two nipples? Think again. Polythelia, which refers to having three (or more) nipples, occurs in 2 to 6 percent of females and 1 to 3 percent of males. Pretty wild, huh?

7: It’s normal to have a lot of bras

Now You Know: 10 Fun Facts About Your Breasts

Is your lingerie drawer pretty packed? No surprise there.

The average woman owns about 16 bras at any given time and spends a whopping $4,000 on bras in her lifetime. Let’s be real: Quality bras are worth the investment, and it’s important to have a variety of styles in your arsenal for all your different ensembles.

8: Your size constantly changes.

Your breast size is actually changing all the time due to hormone fluctuations and other factors, such as pregnancy or weight loss/gain. Sometimes these changes are barely noticeable — after all, your bras still fit flawlessly throughout the month.

However, at certain points in your period cycle, your breasts may increase by up to one cup size. For this reason, it’s ideal to have some bras on hand with plenty of stretch, so they can accommodate for these fluctuations.

9: Bras are designed to hold some hefty weight.

As we all know, breast size can range vastly from woman to woman. As a result, bras are typically capable of supporting anywhere from just over half a pound to 20 pounds. This makes sense, given that a pair of D-cup breasts (the average size in the U.S.) weighs somewhere between 15 and 23 pounds.

Of course, it’s best for large-busted women to seek out support bras that are specifically designed to offer uplift and distribute the weight of the breasts so that they can avoid discomfort. In particular, posture bras can help with breast as well as back support.

10: We’re the only ones with permanent breasts.

All primates have breasts, but they exist for the sole purpose of feeding newborns. Humans are, in fact, the only ones who have permanently sizeable breasts throughout their lifetimes — even after menopause.

This phenomenon has had scientists scratching their heads for quite some time, as human women also only need them for a short period of time (breastfeeding). Some scientists believe that sizeable breasts are essentially an evolutionary trick, hinting at a woman's ability to feed children and thus attracting men.
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Posture Priorities - 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Back

Your back is a pretty important part of your body — it boasts the largest muscles, it lends the ability to twist and bend over, and it helps out in a slew of everyday tasks, such as carrying a heavy load of groceries. Unfortunately, back pain is one of the most common ailments, affecting 8 out of 10 Americans in their lifetime. The good news? There are plenty of strategies you can take to care for your back.

Read More: Why should woman exercise after 40?

Follow these tips for improving your posture, alleviating pain and also warding off any potential problems down the line.

Posture Priorities - 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Back: eAskme
Posture Priorities - 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Back: eAskme

Choose supportive shoes

There’s no reason why you have to ditch the pumps completely, but you definitely don’t want to be slipping them on every day. Shoes with a higher heel throw your body off balance, causing your lower back and hips to flex forward. That lean forward takes your spine out of alignment and puts extra strain on your back muscles. So save the stilettos and platforms for special occasions, and for everyday wear, opt for flats, boots and low wedges that provide arch support. When you do wear higher heels, make sure to stretch your calf and leg muscles before and after. And remember that the slope of the footbed matters more than the height of the heel:

Read More: Tips for Maintaining Healthy and Beautiful Hair

A platform is helpful because it lessens the angle between your heel and the ball of your foot, more evenly distributing the weight. Dr. Scholls makes orthotic inserts that you can also apply to any pair of shoes. Each insole boasts three layers of shock-absorbing, feet-supporting cushioning, which helps to minimize back pain.

Prioritize strength training

Posture Priorities - 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Back

Stronger back muscles reduce your chance of injury, poor posture and pain. So, which exercises will help achieve that? Yoga and Pilates are top picks because they target your torso (both your back and core), improving your mobility in that area while stretching the spine. Swimming and rowing machines are also excellent choices for strengthening the muscles in your back. There are back exercises you can do with dumbbells and barbells, such as deadlifts and bent-over rows. If you sit at an office desk all day hunched over at a computer, it’s especially crucial to focus on these kinds of exercises.

Try a posture bra

One of the most common issues that women with large breasts suffer from is poor posture and back pain. And it’s no surprise, given that a pair of D-cups weighs between 15 and 23 pounds. That much weight on your back can lead to slouching, which is why you may need a little extra support. Enter a miracle garment: the posture bra. This particular style is designed with a larger, supportive band that takes more of the weight of your breasts, offering some relief for your back and shoulders.



Read More: Beat the Depression Syndrome During Pregnancy

Look for a posture bra that has separated cups, which can evenly distribute the weight across your chest, as well as one with a center gore (panel) that’s on the taller side, which lends some extra support and lift. Extra wide lined straps are ideal for added comfort on your shoulders as well. Keep in mind that the band is what offers the majority of the support on your bra, so it’s crucial to ensure you’re wearing the correct size to avoid putting unnecessary strain on your back and shoulders.

Sleep smarter

Posture Priorities - 5 Ways to Take Care of Your Back

Did you know that the position you sleep in can have a major impact on your posture and back health? The key is allowing your spine to maintain its natural curve, which means laying on your back or your side. You may find that having a pillow behind your knees will make sleeping on your back more comfortable while having one in between your knees will help when you’re sleeping on your side. Sleeping on your stomach isn’t ideal as it flattens your spine and causes strain on your lower back. If this is the only position you can catch some Z’s in, slip a pillow under your pelvis and lower abs to keep your spine’s curve. Wedged pillows can lend some instant support where you need it. It’s worth noting, too, that medium-firm mattresses are ideal for preventing or alleviating back pain because they provide optimal support while also allowing some give for hips and shoulders to sink a bit.

Read More: Increase Breast Size

Be mindful with mobile devices

All that time staring down at your smartphone, tablet, etc. can cause some serious issues for your back down the line. One study published in Surgical Technology International revealed that the more your head tilts forward, the more your head weighs (thus causing more strain) — at a 45-degree angle, that strain equals a whopping 49 pounds. This excess strain is harmful to the structures in your upper back, spine, and neck. To keep your back safe, try to avoid using these devices for extended periods of time (it’s better to use a laptop or desktop computer whenever possible), and always raise the screen to eye level instead of bending your neck to look down at it.
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