Blog
News, research and guides
755 articles from the VitMode editorial team.
GuidesSemen analysis: how to prepare and how to read the result (WHO 2021)
Semen analysis is the most important test in assessing male fertility, yet its result is easy to misread. The sixth edition of the WHO manual (2021) gives lower reference limits: volume 1.4 ml, concentration 16 million/ml, total sperm number 39 million, total motility 42%, progressive motility 30%, vitality 54% and normal forms 4%. But these are the 5th centile of men who fathered a child within 12 months, not a boundary between fertility and infertility. We explain how to prepare (abstinence of 2–7 days), why a single result is not enough, how large biological variation is and what to do when the result departs from the reference values.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Hormony i endokrynologia13 min
October 26, 2026
GuidesHydrocele and spermatocele (epididymal cyst): differences and when to treat
A swollen scrotum without pain is most often a hydrocele, a spermatocele (epididymal cyst), varicose veins of the spermatic cord or a hernia, and telling them apart needs an examination and an ultrasound. Hydroceles and cysts usually need no treatment if they cause no symptoms, and when a procedure is considered, aspiration with sclerotherapy is compared with surgery: in a meta-analysis of five small randomised trials (335 patients) recurrences were about nine times more common after sclerotherapy (RR 9.43) while clinical cure was similar. We explain the differences, the role of ultrasound, the indications for treatment and the symptoms that call for a search for a tumour.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Hormony i endokrynologia12 min
October 26, 2026
GuidesPhimosis in adults: causes, topical steroid treatment and when circumcision
In an adult man an inability to retract the foreskin is usually pathological phimosis, that is, the result of scarring, most often in lichen sclerosus (BXO), recurrent inflammation of the glans and foreskin, or diabetes. A topical steroid is often the first step, but the evidence is two-sided: in a Cochrane review for boys (14 trials, 1,459 patients) steroids increased complete resolution of phimosis (RR 2.73) with low certainty, while good-quality trials in adults are lacking. We explain how to tell physiological from pathological phimosis, when a biopsy is needed, how preputioplasty differs from circumcision and why paraphimosis is an emergency.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Hormony i endokrynologia13 min
October 26, 2026
GuidesTension Headache: Symptoms, Causes and What Helps (Medication, Habits, Exercise)
Tension-type headache is the most common type of headache: on both sides of the head, dull, pressing, usually without nausea and not made worse by walking. The best-documented acute drugs (ibuprofen 400 mg, paracetamol 1000 mg) help in a real but modest way — in Cochrane reviews only about one patient in 14 to 22 more than with placebo is pain-free at 2 hours. For prevention of the chronic form, amitriptyline performs best, and among non-drug methods resistance exercise, relaxation and work on sleep. We show what the research says, where the evidence ends and when a headache needs urgent investigation.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Sen i neurobiologia13 min
October 26, 2026
GuidesCluster Headache: Symptoms, Attack Treatment and Prevention
Cluster headache is a rare, extremely severe, one-sided pain around the eye, lasting 15 to 180 minutes and returning in series, often at the same time of day. An attack is best aborted by 100% oxygen at a flow of at least 12 L/min and by sumatriptan 6 mg subcutaneously — both have strong recommendations in the European guideline. Prevention is built on verapamil at a dose of at least 240 mg a day, and the newer anti-CGRP antibodies give less here than expected. We describe the symptoms, the triggers (especially alcohol during a cluster period), diagnostic mix-ups and why a first headache of this kind always needs a neurologist's assessment.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Sen i neurobiologia13 min
October 26, 2026
GuidesHeadache After Exercise, Coughing and Sex: Causes and When to Get Tested
A headache brought on by exertion, coughing or sexual activity is most often a benign primary headache that responds well to indomethacin. But this is one of those situations in which benignity must not be assumed: almost half of cough headaches have a secondary cause, usually a type I Chiari malformation, and a sudden 'thunderclap' pain with exertion or sex may mean subarachnoid haemorrhage or reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome. We explain how to tell primary from secondary forms, when a CT scan and MRI are needed and what to do with a first headache of this kind.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Sen i neurobiologia13 min
October 26, 2026
GuidesTrigeminal Neuralgia: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment
Trigeminal neuralgia is an attack-like, one-sided facial pain resembling an electric shock, triggered by touch, chewing or talking and lasting from a fraction of a second to two minutes. It most often results from compression of the nerve by a blood vessel, but it can also be a sign of multiple sclerosis or a tumour, which is why guidelines recommend an MRI scan in every patient. First-choice drugs are carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, and when they fail or are not tolerated — surgery, above all microvascular decompression. We explain the symptoms, the classification, the evidence on drugs and procedures and how to tell this disease from a toothache.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Sen i neurobiologia13 min
October 26, 2026
GuidesMedication-Overuse Headache (Rebound): How to Recognise It and Come Off the Drugs
Medication-overuse headache (MOH, colloquially 'rebound') is a daily or near-daily headache that arises when painkillers or migraine drugs are taken too often: ordinary drugs (paracetamol, ibuprofen, aspirin) on at least 15 days a month, and combination drugs, triptans and opioids on at least 10 days, for more than 3 months. It affects about 0.5–2% of the population, and effective treatment exists: education, prevention and — if necessary — a break from acute drugs. In a Danish randomised trial, withdrawal combined with prevention from the start gave the most cures. We explain how to recognise the problem, how to withdraw safely and why caffeine complicates the picture.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Sen i neurobiologia13 min
October 26, 2026
GuidesCoffee and Cholesterol: Does Unfiltered Coffee (Turkish, French Press) Raise LDL While Filtered Coffee Does Not?
Yes — unfiltered coffee (Turkish, boiled, French press) contains cafestol and kahweol, which raised LDL and ALT in randomized trials, while a paper filter traps most of these compounds. The effect is dose-dependent and reversible, and its size depends on how much of that coffee you drink per day, not on coffee drinking itself. We explain what the studies show, how espresso and office-machine coffee compare, and what it means if your cholesterol is already high.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Żywienie, suplementy i trening13 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesDecaf Coffee: Is It Healthy, and Does It Work the Same as Regular Coffee?
In large cohort studies decaffeinated coffee is linked to a similarly lower risk of death and type 2 diabetes as regular coffee, so part of coffee's health associations does not come from caffeine. There are exceptions, though: a protective link with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease was seen only for caffeinated coffee, and decaf is not completely caffeine-free either. We look at what depends on caffeine and what on the rest of coffee's components, plus the stomach, reflux and the worry about the solvent used for decaffeination.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Sen i neurobiologia12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesCoffee and Blood Pressure: The Acute Spike, Tolerance and How Many Cups Are Safe
Coffee raises blood pressure for a few hours, but in most people regular drinking does not lead to lasting hypertension. In a meta-analysis of studies in people with hypertension, 200-300 mg of caffeine raised systolic pressure by about 8 mm Hg and the effect lasted at least 3 hours; cohort studies, however, found no higher risk of heart disease in regular coffee drinkers. We explain how tolerance works, who reacts most strongly, how many cups do not seem to cause harm and why you should not measure your blood pressure right after coffee.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Serce i układ krążenia13 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesCoffee and Arrhythmias and Heart Palpitations: What the Studies Show, Including the First Randomized Trial
Contrary to popular belief, studies do not show that coffee raises the risk of atrial fibrillation or the number of extra heartbeats in most people. In the randomized DECAF trial in 200 patients after cardioversion, coffee drinking was linked to fewer recurrences of arrhythmia (47% versus 64% with complete abstinence), and a meta-analysis of 10 cohorts showed no rise in risk. These are averages, though: some people are sensitive and clearly get palpitations from coffee. We explain how to recognise it and when to stop drinking coffee and see a doctor.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Serce i układ krążenia13 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesCoffee on an Empty Stomach: Stomach, Heartburn and Cortisol — What We Know and What Is a Myth
Coffee on an empty stomach is not harmful to the stomach in most healthy people, but in patients with reflux disease it can worsen the backflow of acid: in a controlled experiment, drunk fasting it lengthened reflux time, while after a meal it had no effect. The popular rule 'do not drink coffee for 90 minutes after waking or you will disturb your cortisol' has no direct support in studies — and regular coffee drinking clearly blunts the morning cortisol response to caffeine. We separate evidence from myth and suggest how to test your own tolerance.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Badania i biomarkery12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesAlkaline Water (High pH): Does It Have Any Health Effect?
Alkaline water is marketed as a way to “de-acidify” the body, hydrate better, strengthen bones and protect against disease. Physiology is clear that drinking something does not move blood pH, which the body holds in a narrow 7.35–7.45 window. The literature does contain a few narrow, specific signals: pepsin inactivation in a test tube, a randomised trial of bicarbonate-rich water for heartburn, and small shifts in bone-resorption markers. We separate what is documented from what is marketing.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Sen i neurobiologia12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesHydrogen Water: What the Studies Say and Who It Makes Sense For
Hydrogen water is marketed as a powerful, “selective” antioxidant: it is supposed to reduce fatigue, improve athletic results, lower cholesterol and slow ageing. The truth is less spectacular. Randomised trials exist, but they are small, often short, with conflicting results, and some are funded or co-authored by interested parties. Add a problem marketing dislikes: how much hydrogen is actually left in the bottle once you open it. We check what is proven and what is a hypothesis.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Żywienie, suplementy i trening12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesSparkling Water: Teeth, Stomach, Bones and Bloating — Is It Harmful?
Sparkling water has a reputation as a drink ‘almost as bad as cola’: it supposedly destroys enamel, leaches calcium from bones, and causes bloating and heartburn. The data are much more nuanced. Laboratory studies show that mineral water with carbon dioxide dissolves enamel about a hundred times less than soft drinks, a large Framingham cohort tied low bone density to cola and not to other carbonated drinks, and a small RCT even suggests a benefit in dyspepsia. The exceptions are flavoured waters and people with reflux or bloating. We take it apart piece by piece.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Badania i biomarkery12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesTap Water or Bottled Water: Minerals, Microplastics and What to Actually Choose
Choosing between tap and bottled water rarely comes down to which is ‘healthier’. They differ in mineral composition (the calcium, magnesium and sodium content of bottled waters ranges from zero to hundreds of mg/l), in microplastics (estimates point to an order of magnitude more particles in bottled water, but the health significance is unknown), in price and in environmental impact. We review the specific studies and show when the choice has real significance and when it is a matter of taste and convenience.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Hormony i endokrynologia12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesHomemade Isotonic Drink: Composition (Sodium, Sugar, Water), When It Helps and When It Is Unnecessary
A homemade isotonic drink is water with a little sugar and salt, meant to replace fluid, energy and sodium during long exercise. It sounds simple, but two mistakes are easy to make: drinking it at every workout when water would do, or taking it for a substitute for oral rehydration solution in diarrhoea, which it is not. We explain what sports-medicine position stands and studies say, give a recipe with exact amounts (clearly labelled as practice-based, not from a single study), and describe when an isotonic drink is unnecessary or risky.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Żywienie, suplementy i trening12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesWater Flosser or Dental Floss: Which Removes Plaque and Gum Inflammation Better?
A toothbrush cannot reach the spaces between your teeth, so dentists recommend extra cleaning: floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser. Which has the best evidence? The best available Cochrane review (35 trials, 3,929 adults) shows that all of these tools may slightly improve gum health, but the certainty of the evidence is low, and interdental brushes usually perform at least as well as floss. Water flossers have weaker and less consistent data than the marketing suggests — although for some people (braces, implants, bridges) they are simply more practical.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Badania i biomarkery12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesHydroxyapatite or Fluoride Toothpaste: What the Research Says About Enamel Remineralisation
Hydroxyapatite toothpastes are marketed as a 'safe alternative to fluoride' that rebuilds enamel. Fluoride has decades of research behind it and a Cochrane review of 96 clinical trials. Hydroxyapatite has several promising studies, but most are small, short, often laboratory or in situ, and some were funded or co-authored by manufacturers. We check what this means for adults and children, and what cannot honestly be concluded today.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Badania i biomarkery12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesAntibacterial Mouthwash: Oral Microbiome and Blood Pressure
Bacteria in the mouth take part in producing nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels. Several short studies showed that a week of rinsing with an antiseptic mouthwash lowers nitrite production and raises blood pressure by 2–3.5 mmHg. Observational data suggest a link between frequent rinsing and hypertension, but reviews are inconclusive. We check what is well documented, what is a hypothesis, when a mouthwash is justified, and whether the ordinary user has anything to worry about.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Hormony i endokrynologia12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesBleeding Gums: Causes, When It Is Normal and When It Signals Disease
Bleeding gums most often mean gingivitis caused by dental plaque — a reversible condition that settles after a few weeks of regular, gentle cleaning. But gums can also bleed in pregnancy, in people with diabetes, in those taking drugs that affect clotting, and more rarely with blood disorders or severe vitamin C deficiency. We explain how to tell gingivitis from periodontitis, what the research says about each cause, what you can do yourself, and when not to delay seeing a doctor.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Badania i biomarkery12 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesDry Mouth (Xerostomia): Causes and What Helps
According to a 2026 review, dry mouth affects about one in three people over 60, and its most common cause is medication. Add to that diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, mouth breathing at night (also with CPAP), radiotherapy to the head and neck, and dehydration. We explain the difference between the feeling of dryness and genuinely reduced saliva production, what studies say about artificial saliva, chewing gum, pilocarpine and xylitol, and how to protect your teeth when saliva is not doing its job.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Badania i biomarkery13 min
October 24, 2026
GuidesEyelid Twitching (Eye Twitch): Causes and When to Worry
Eyelid twitching, or eyelid myokymia, is the most common type of facial muscle twitching and in the vast majority of cases it is benign: it comes in waves, lasts from seconds to hours, more rarely a few days or weeks, and goes away by itself. It is more often linked to stress, lack of sleep, caffeine and long hours in front of a screen than to any disease. In this article we separate what is well documented (clinical description, data from an eye clinic) from what is only popular advice, such as magnesium supplements, and show how a harmless twitch differs from blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm and which symptoms call for a doctor's visit.
VMRedakcja VitMode — Zdrowie psychiczne12 min
October 24, 2026