Amit Kakkar Healthyway: Your Guide to Wellness and Healthy Living

Did you know your gut is often called your "second brain"? We often think of mental wellness as something that starts and ends in the brain. But growing research shows that your digestive system plays a major role in how you feel—physically and emotionally. This powerful link is called the gut-brain connection , and it's changing how we understand mental health. What Is the Gut-Brain Connection? Your gut and brain are in constant communication through a system called the gut-brain axis . This involves a complex network of nerves, hormones, and your gut microbiome —the trillions of bacteria that live in your digestive tract. One of the most important highways in this system is the vagus nerve , which sends signals from your gut to your brain in real time. This means your gut health can directly influence your mood, focus, and even anxiety levels. How Gut Health Affects Mental Wellness Here’s the mind-blowing part: Up to 90% of serotonin , the “feel-good” neuro...

Headaches are a part of life — but not all headaches are harmless. Some could be warning signs of high blood pressure, especially if they come on suddenly or are more intense than usual. Here’s how to know if your headache is due to high BP and when it’s time to seek help. The Link Between Headaches and High Blood Pressure While high blood pressure (hypertension) typically doesn’t cause symptoms, a sudden spike in BP — known as a hypertensive crisis — can lead to severe headaches and other serious complications. In most cases, common headaches are not directly caused by elevated blood pressure. However, when BP reaches dangerously high levels (typically 180/120 mm Hg or above), the pressure on blood vessels can trigger intense head pain. How High Blood Pressure Headaches Feel Unlike tension or migraine headaches, hypertensive headaches : Often feel like pulsing or pressure on both sides of the head Tend to occur in the early morning Can come with visual disturbances, chest pain , o...