HB Mag Health Research Team

Growth plates close at different times for different bones, but the general window is between ages 13 and 20. For most people, all growth plates have closed by their early twenties. Growth plates, also called epiphyseal plates, are areas of developing cartilage tissue near the ends of long bones. They are the last parts of … Read more

Late in pregnancy, many women feel a sudden gush or a slow trickle and wonder: Is this amniotic fluid or just urine? The honest answer is that you can check at home with a few simple tests, but the most reliable method is a nitrazine or ferning test done by your healthcare provider. Amniotic fluid … Read more

Your blood carries oxygen to every part of your body. That job belongs to hemoglobin, a protein inside your red blood cells. A hemoglobin test measures how much of this protein you have. For most adults, the normal range is 13.5 to 17.5 grams per deciliter for men and 12.0 to 15.5 grams per deciliter … Read more

Your body is telling you when it needs a rest day. The hard part is learning to listen. Most people ignore the early signals until they crash. The key signs include persistent fatigue that sleep does not fix, a drop in performance during workouts, trouble sleeping despite being tired, and feeling irritable or unmotivated to … Read more

Swallowing semen is generally safe for most people, but it does carry some real risks worth knowing about. The body can digest semen just fine, and it is not toxic or harmful in itself. However, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be passed through oral contact, and some people have allergic reactions to proteins in semen. … Read more

Brown discharge is usually old blood leaving your body slowly. It is not fresh bleeding. The color change happens when blood takes longer to exit the uterus and oxidizes, turning from red to brown. For most women this is normal and happens at the end of a period or with spotting. But when it happens … Read more

Bad breath, or halitosis, affects about 1 in 4 people globally, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology. The good news is you can check for it at home without asking a friend or buying expensive gadgets. The most reliable method is to lick the back of your wrist, wait 5 seconds, … Read more

There is no single carb number that works for everyone. The right amount for you depends on your activity level, your health goals, and how your body handles blood sugar. Most adults need between 225 and 325 grams of carbohydrates per day if they eat a standard 2,000-calorie diet. That range comes straight from the … Read more