Author: Sameed Chaudhary

Overthinking is something most Pakistanis know intimately, even if they describe it as “zyada sochna” rather than a mental health concern. You lie down after a long day in Karachi or Lahore, and instead of resting, your mind replays an awkward conversation from three days ago or starts building worst-case scenarios about tomorrow. The problem is real and common. According to the National Psychiatric Morbidity Survey of Pakistan (2022), roughly 1 in 4 Pakistanis meets criteria for a neurotic or stress-related disorder, a category that includes the excessive worry and rumination that drives chronic overthinking. Yet most people never seek…

Many people in Pakistan feel tired despite eating well, struggle to lose weight even after cutting back on food, or notice their energy dropping through the day. A sluggish metabolism is often part of the reason. Understanding how to increase metabolism can make a real difference to your energy, weight, and overall health. Metabolism is the process your body uses to convert food and drink into energy. Even at rest, your body burns calories to keep vital functions running, such as breathing, circulating blood, and repairing cells. This resting calorie burn is called your basal metabolic rate (BMR), and it…

Waking up to a sudden, tight knot in your calf is one of the more unpleasant things that can happen during sleep. Leg cramps at night, also called nocturnal leg cramps or charley horses, are involuntary muscle contractions that strike without warning and can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes. Most people in Pakistan have experienced this at least once. They’re more common than most people realise. According to a review published in American Family Physician, up to 60% of adults report having had nocturnal leg cramps at some point. The problem gets more frequent with age,…

A thick, full beard is something many Pakistani men want, whether it’s for style, following the Sunnah, or simply looking more mature. The frustrating reality is that beard growth is slower for some men than others, and most advice online either overpromises or ignores the realities of South Asian genetics and lifestyle. The good news: while you can’t change your follicle count, you can create the best possible conditions for the hair follicles you already have. Here’s what actually works. داڑھی بڑھانے کے طریقے داڑھی کی نشوونما بنیادی طور پر جینیات اور ہارمونز پر منحصر ہے، لیکن صحیح خوراک، نیند،…

Loose motions hit fast in Pakistan, especially during the summer months when temperatures in Lahore and Karachi push past 40°C and waterborne infections spread quickly. Before you can get to a pharmacy, or when it’s midnight and the nearest medical store is closed, knowing how to prepare ORS at home can make a real difference. ORS stands for Oral Rehydration Solution, a precisely measured mix of water, sugar, and salt that helps the body absorb fluids back into the bloodstream. It’s not a cure for the underlying infection, but it prevents the dehydration that makes diarrhea and vomiting dangerous. Dehydration…

Discover 10 science-backed green chilli benefits for Pakistani diets. From immunity to blood sugar, learn how hari mirch supports your health. Consult a nutritionist on Marham.

Paon ki sojan, or foot swelling, is something most Pakistanis brush off after a long day. A few hours of rest and it’s gone — so it can’t be serious, right? Not always. During Karachi’s summer months, when temperatures regularly cross 40°C, mild foot swelling from heat alone is genuinely common. But the same symptom can also be the first visible sign of heart failure, kidney disease, or a blood clot. Knowing the difference matters. This guide covers the nine most common swollen feet causes, the warning signs that need prompt attention, and practical steps that actually help in a…

Getting a blood test back with an unfamiliar number next to “Hb” or “Hemoglobin” is one of the most common reasons Pakistani patients search for answers online. Whether your CBC report shows 10.2 g/dL or 16.8 g/dL, the first question is always the same: is this normal for me? Hemoglobin is the iron-containing protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to every tissue in your body. Your level depends on your age, sex, and whether you are pregnant, so a single universal number doesn’t apply to everyone. Understanding where you fall matters because low hemoglobin, a…

Bhutta is one of those foods Pakistanis grow up eating without giving it much thought. A roasted cob from a roadside vendor in Lahore, sprinkled with lemon and chaat masala, is as much a part of summer evenings as load-shedding and mango season. What most people don’t realise is that this humble grain, known as makkai or maize, carries a solid nutritional profile. Corn is grown widely across Punjab and Sindh, making it one of the most affordable and accessible whole grains in Pakistan. According to the USDA, 100g of boiled yellow corn provides roughly 96 calories, 3.4g of dietary…

Gharami — the word most Pakistani households use before they even think of the clinical term — is one of summer’s most reliable visitors. From Karachi’s coastal humidity to Multan’s dry 45°C afternoons, blocked sweat glands are a near-universal experience between May and August. The rash shows up on the neck, chest, and back, stings when sweat touches it, and tends to be worse after load-shedding hours when fans and air conditioners go off. According to the Journal of Pakistan Medical Association (2022), dermatology clinics in Karachi and Lahore report a 40 to 60 percent rise in patient visits during…