Healthy Lifestyle – Page 17

Are heaters bad for your health?

August 3rd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Can’t imagine life without your heater? If your winter warmer burns fuel, you may have to, after finding out what it’s doing to your health.

How it affects your breathing

While they can do wonders to beat the chill, heaters that run on petroleum, gas, paraffin, oil, or charcoal can produce carbon monoxide. When breathed in, carbon monoxide takes the space of oxygen in the blood. This means that less oxygen is delivered to the heart, brain and other vital organs. Without enough oxygen, you could lose consciousness and eventually suffocate.

If you are exposed to carbon monoxide for a very long time, your have a higher risk for respiratory diseases and damage to your brain and heart. What makes carbon monoxide even more dangerous is that you can’t see, smell or taste it. By the time you notice something’s wrong, it may be too late.

Coal heaters are a major concern in SA. Many households have access to electricity, but choose to use coal because it costs less. While coal may heat your home, it is also one of the top sources of air pollution. According to a study in the Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, as many as 2 000 children die each year because of respiratory infections caused by air pollution. Coal can also irritate your eyes, nose and throat, and aggravate illnesses like TB and asthma.

Risk of injury

Heaters also carry a high risk of fire and injury. Every year, millions of South Africans die in house fires caused by accidents involving heating devices.

Heaters, especially those enclosed in a non-metallic case, become extremely hot if left on for long periods of time. If they are touched by accident, they can cause severe burns. Children and pets are most at risk for this.

So, are electric heaters better than coal, when it comes to fire-hazards? Unfortunately not: they use a lot of electricity and can easily overload circuits. An overloaded circuit can cause power failures, faults and even fire. Electric heaters can also cause accidental electrical shock from faulty wiring, incorrect use, or defects in the manufacturing process.

Warm up safely

Keep the heater at a reasonable temperature so you don’t overheat the room. Read the user manual and follow the instructions.
Never leave your heater unattended. Always switch it off when you go out, and unplug it! Store it when it’s not in use.
Never put anything on top of the heater, even when it’s switched off.
Install the heater out of reach of children and pets.
Place it on a flat, level surface, never on a cabinet, table or carpet!
Plug it directly into a wall outlet. Don’t use extension cords or multi-plugs, which could overheat and start a fire.
Make sure there’s nothing that can catch alight within one metre of the heater. In the case of a fireplace, put up a screen to prevent sparks from setting anything on fire.
Put a bowl of water in the corner of your room while using the heater. This will help keep the moisture levels in the air in check.
Open the doors and windows to get fresh air circulating. This will help get rid of pollutants and clean the room naturally.
Dress appropriately. Don’t depend on the heater to keep out the cold.

References:

How holidays can make you smarter

July 22nd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

There isn’t much debate about whether leaving lectures behind for a few weeks and heading out on holiday feels good. But did you know that this kind of disruption to your regular schedule can change your brain for the better? It’s true!

By constantly living under pressure to problem-solve and plan, your ability to think creatively and strategically starts to dwindle. What’s more, continuous “term time” set off reactions in your body, such as stress, fatigue and negative mood, and they drain focus, strength, and emotional resources. Naturally, these need to be refueled, otherwise it becomes harder to stay on-task, be attentive and solve problems. Indeed, your brain operates more clearly when not rushing from one task to the next.

Other reasons why holidays have brain boosting health benefits:

Lower stress levels. Holidays are important because your brain isn’t equipped to maintain constant levels of stress. When you’re under chronic stress, your body releases the stress hormone, cortisol. High levels of cortisol damage the hippocampus (the area of the brain responsible for learning and memory).
Less technology. Media multitasking, like sending a text while taking notes, doesn’t make you more productive, it does the opposite! Your brain simply isn’t wired to perform two tasks at once. Forcing yourself to switch between tasks fatigues the frontal lobe of your brain, slowing its efficiency and performance.
A change in focus. On holiday your brain can focus on more mundane (but still important) things. When you’re not actively learning something new, the brain consolidates information that you have already learnt, storing it in its memory bank.
More sleep. No early lectures means a later waking time (provided you don’t have later bed times!). When you’re sleep deprived, your cognitive functioning plummets to a less-than-ideal level, making it hard to do anything productive. While the jury is still out on whether you are ever actually able to catch up on lost sleep, getting the right amount of sleep (7-9hrs per night) significantly improves learning, memory and overall brain function.

How to make the most of your holiday to boost your brain

Make a holiday bucket list. As much as you need to take things easy while on holiday, the brain is an organ and needs exercise, so engage in activities to stimulate yourself intellectually (other than studying).
Get up and go outside. Make it a point not to sit in front of your TV all day. Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, bringing with it extra oxygen and nutrients to tired brain cells. Immersing yourself in nature is another great way to avoid brain drain.
Unplug and get more sleep. Aim to go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day to allow your brain to fully rest and recover. Avoid late night Whatsapp chats!
Make fewer decisions. Decision making is a critical part of life, but eliminate them where you can. Have the same meal every Wednesday, or pick out your clothes the night before. By keeping some basic, routine decisions simple (or eliminating them altogether) you’ll be saving all your mental energy.
Choose brain food. Your brain uses more energy than any other of your organs, using up to 20% of your daily energy intake. Feed the beast! Choose nutrient dense options that balance out energy throughout the day. A sugary treat might make you feel great temporarily, but when your sugar levels drop, so does your mental energy.

Downtime replenishes the brain’s stores of attention and motivation, encourages productivity and creativity, and is essential to both your brain’s and body’s performance. Ensure you maximise your holiday and give your brain the break it needs. This way it will be tuned-up for the new semester, and ready to creatively tackle challenging problems with perspective and energy.

References
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mental-downtime/
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/237446
http://www.medicaldaily.com/how-holidays-are-preventive-medicine-study-reveals-medical-benefits-going-vacation-244403
https://www.lifetothefullest.abbott/en/articles/going-on-holiday.html

Skipping lectures? This is what you’re missing out on!

July 21st, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You know you shouldn’t skip your lectures, but you do anyway. You’re your own boss now, so what’s the problem? Life’s too short to spend in boring lectures, and besides, you’ll catch up.

Even though you may think it’s not affecting you, in the long run, it is.

When you miss class, it takes more time to learn what you missed than it would have taken if you went to class in the first place. You’re actually creating more work and unnecessary stress for yourself. On top of that, you probably won’t learn the work as well.

What the research says:

Lectures are great for debates and discussion. Class discussions can encourage students to learn from one another and express the course content in their own words, say researchers from the University of Maryland. This can help you better understand the material.

Not grasping the work properly will in turn affect your academic performance and grades. According to findings in The Review of Research in Education, class attendance is a better predictor of college grades than any other known forecaster of academic performance, including scores on standardised admissions tests, study habits, and study skills.

This may be more apparent if your attendance in class counts towards your grades. If you skip class all the time, chances are you’ll score a low grade. And, to get a lower grade simply because you didn’t show up is just not worth it.

The social benefit

When you miss class, you also miss out on the opportunity to make new friends, which is an integral part of your college experience. Class activities often call for working with partners or in a group. If you never attend class, you’ll never be able to expand your social circle, and you lose out on valuable support when you need it.

The financial benefit

Founder of the site, collegeinfogeek.com, Thomas Frank breaks it down to the bottom line: “Our main focus should be on the value of each class as it applies to your earning potential in the future, because college is a business decision, it is an investment.”

How invested are you in your future? Remember too that the years you spend at university are fertile ground for making long-term connections. You never know who you may work with in the future and if people remember you as someone who regularly ditched class, you could gain a reputation as lazy and unmotivated.

Surviving lectures

Statistics show that 60% of students find at least half of their lectures to be boring. When lectures are boring, you’re more likely to skip them.

Here’s how to banish boredom and make lectures work for you:

Ask questions. Participating in class can help you engage with the subject and speed up lectures. It can also make the lecture more interesting for you and your peers.
Take notes. This will keep you busy and attentive during lectures. It will also help you remember your lecturer’s words, and filter the information to decide what’s noteworthy.
Focus on the topic. A lecturer with a monotonous voice can make lectures tedious. Instead of focusing on the speaker, concentrate on the subject. This may help curb boredom and distraction.
Change your attitude. If you tell yourself a lecture is boring or pointless before it begins, it will be – regardless of its content. Go to class with a purpose and the notion of gaining knowledge to benefit your future.
Catch up the smart way. If you absolutely must miss class due to an emergency, check out similar Ted Talks and other lesson plans online for a different take on the same topic.

So, what are the up-sides?

There aren’t really upsides to missing lectures worth mentioning. So, make the best decision for your future, and hurry off to class!

References:

Shower less. Save water. Stay healthy

July 20th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

How often should you shower? Daily showers have become a norm for many, but aren’t always necessary. In fact, your everyday scrubbing ritual may be doing you more harm than good.

With parts of the country experiencing a drought, where water is more essential than ever: do we really need to shower?

Showering regularly, particularly in scorching hot water, can dry out and irritate your skin, and disrupt your microbiome – the collection of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes that live in and on your body. A healthy microbiome is essential to your health. Without it, your immune system, digestion, and heart wouldn’t function properly. According to the Genetic Science Centre at the University of Utah, even subtle imbalances in your microbiome can cause diseases like acne, obesity, diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.

Scary, right?

Considering the potential health risks of being squeaky clean, you’re probably wondering: how often do we really need to shower? And, are there a “correct” number of showers we need each week to get the perfect balance between a robust microbiome and not being smelly?

The short and sweet answer: there is no ideal shower frequency. You should only shower when you need to, advises Professor Stephen Shumack, President of the Australasian College of Dermatologists.

“It’s only in the last fifty to sixty years that the idea of a daily shower has become commonplace,” says Professor Shumack. “The pressure to do that is actually social pressure and not actual need. It’s become popular because of the social need to smell good.”

As long as you focus on the “right areas” (your face, underarms, under your breasts, genitals, and rear end), showering every other day would do no harm, says John Oxford, Professor of Virology at Queen Mary’s School of Medicine and Dentistry.

Showering less can also help with our current water crisis. The average shower uses about 22 litres of water per minute. That’s a whopping 220 litres, if you had to shower for 10 minutes, which is the global average shower time. Just think about how much water you would save if you cut back on showers to twice or thrice a week.

Stay fresh and clean

So, you want to jump on the no-shower bandwagon, but you’re worried you may cause a stink. Of course, showering can get rid of body odour, but it isn’t the only way to feel fresh and smell good. Keep it clean on non-shower days by:

Wet wiping away. Swipe your face, armpits, and groin with a deodorising, cleansing, moisturising wet wipe. Carry them on you and use when you smell a funk.
Powdering up. Fight unwanted moisture and odour with a sprinkle of body powder. Dust it in your socks and underwear, and repeat when things get a little musky. This will absorb the smell without drying out your skin. You can also dab some on your hair to keep bad hair days at bay.
Changing your clothes. Clothing collects a lot of the dead skin cells and grime your body accumulates, so make sure you change outfits (and underwear) on days you’ve skipped your morning shower. Choose clothes made from breathable fabrics like cotton to stave off odur-producing bacteria and sweat.

Good to know

Showering isn’t your best defence against illness – hand washing is. Research shows that hand washing is the single most effective and inexpensive way to reduce your risk for diarrhoea and respiratory diseases. Washing your hands more than six times a day is the basic hygiene minimum, according to the Global Hygiene Council. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that has at least 60% alcohol to kill disease-causing microorganisms.

References:

5 Deadly conditions without symptoms

July 5th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

No symptoms, no problem? Think again. Some of the most dangerous diseases are symptomless. Beware of these stealthy conditions.

Hypertension

It’s often called the “silent disease” as it has no indicators. “Many people may have hypertension for years without knowing it, which is why it’s so dangerous,” says Dr Stan Moloabi, Executive Healthcare Manager at the Government Employees Medical Scheme.

If your blood pressure is extremely high, you may get severe headaches, chest pain, and dizzy spells. Other symptoms include fatigue, vision problems, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, and frequent nosebleeds.

The only way to know you have hypertension is with a blood pressure test. Even if you don’t have any symptoms or risk factors, you should get tested every one to two years, advises Dr Moloabi. If you have diabetes, heart disease, or kidney problems, you must have your blood pressure checked at least once a year.

Diabetes

According to Diabetes South Africa (DSA), about 90% of all people with diabetes are Type 2. And many of these cases go undiagnosed as there are very few warning signs. Symptoms may include dry mouth, excessive thirst and urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and slow wound healing. As the symptoms can be subtle and develop gradually, many people ignore them.

“It takes on average seven years for a person to get diagnosed with diabetes for the first time,” says Dr Larry Distiller, founder and managing director of the Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Johannesburg. “Sadly, about 30% of people have already developed complications by the time they’re diagnosed.”

This highlights the importance of early diagnosis. Get screened for diabetes every year if you’re aged 35 and over, overweight, have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or a family history of the condition. “A simple finger-prick test at your local pharmacy or clinic can diagnose the strong likelihood that you may have diabetes within a minute,” says DSA.

Cervical cancer

There are no symptoms linked to this type of cancer in its early stage, but once in its advanced stage, you may experience pain in your pelvis, an unpleasant vaginal discharge, and abnormal vaginal bleeding. As the cancer progresses and becomes invasive, you may also experience leg and back pain, blood in your urine, and bleeding from your rectum.

Fortunately, cervical cancer can be prevented with regular Pap smears – a screening designed to pick up cervical changes before they become cancerous. The earlier pre-cancer is found, the higher your chances for successful treatment and survival.

Women aged 21 to 65 should have a Pap smear every three years, advises Cape Town-based fertility specialist, Dr Sascha Edelstein.

Lung cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), one in four people diagnosed with lung cancer show no symptoms of the disease. Symptoms usually only manifest when the cancer has advanced.

Signs to look out for include a chronic dry cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and hoarseness. The trouble is that many of these symptoms are misidentified for other conditions like bronchitis. Lung cancer is often identified incidentally when a chest X-ray is performed for another reason.

There’s no way to prevent lung cancer, but you can reduce your risk by not smoking. If you’re a smoker or former smoker, go for an annual CT lung scan, recommends NCI. This test has been shown to reduce lung cancer deaths by 20%.

Glaucoma

This eye disease causes damage to the optic nerve from an abnormal increase of pressure in the eye. It’s the third leading cause of blindness worldwide, and is often called “the blinding disease” or “thief of sight” as it develops without any obvious symptoms. In fact, 50% of people in the developed world and 90% in developing countries don’t know they have it, according to the South African Glaucoma Society (SAGS).

Glaucoma progresses slowly and silently over the years, so by the time you recognise any symptoms, the damage to the optic nerve may already be very advanced. Symptoms to keep an eye out for, include severe eye pain (usually with nausea and vomitting), headaches, eye redness, blurred or cloudy vision, and seeing halo-like glows around bright lights.

The best way to protect your sight from glaucoma is to go for regular eye tests. This is especially important if someone in your family has glaucoma. “If you’re over 40, you should have your eyes tested every two years, and every year once over the age of 60,” recommends SAGS. It’s also a good idea to get checked out for glaucoma if you’re diabetic. The risk for glaucoma is twice as high in diabetics as in non-diabetics.

References:

Do FitBits and Apple watches really work?

June 23rd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Wearable technology has taken the world by storm. Fitness trackers that monitor the state of your health, and promise to help you become healthier are especially popular. Even former USA President Barack Obama is a fan! With its appeal going far beyond hardcore health and fitness junkies, this begs the question: are wearables really making you fitter?

The hype makes it attractive, but experts aren’t convinced – yet. Recent research published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that fitness trackers don’t really offer an advantage over usual weight loss practices. This particular weight loss clinical trial monitored over 400 young adults for two years and the results didn’t make for the best marketing pitch for wearables.

Six months into the trial, half the group received fitness trackers to monitor and spur on their weight loss. At the end of the experiment, the group that were without wearables had still lost more weight.

Researchers also point out the inconsistency in technology. Different brands of trackers will probably offer different readings. Wear your friend’s walking app today and you’ll probably get a different measurement than with your own. Research into sleep trackers points out the inconsistencies here too; brain waves tell us what stage of sleep we’re in – so how can this be “read” by an app that’s attached to wrist movement?

In another trial in Singapore, 800 people were split into four groups; some were given a Fitbit, others were given cash to exercise, and others had zero incentives. In the last few months, all the incentives were taken away and the participants could choose to keep going on their fitness trackers. By the end, only 10 percent still used their trackers.

Fit for you?
If you’re using wearable tech as a motivational tool, go for it! Remember, the app or tracker isn’t going do the work of weight loss or getting fit for you. It’s there to track your health – and give you invaluable clues and information as to how you can improve your overall wellbeing. Tech that helps you manage your chronic condition is also worth a look-in. There are some apps for instance that collect blood pressure results or monitor your glucose level. Now that’s something worth tracking.

Remember, your app can’t make you run faster – but it can urge you to run faster!

As author, Natasha Schull writes in her book, Keeping Track (which looks at the phenomenon of tracking devices): “There is this dumbing-down, which assumes people do not want the data, they just want the devices to help them. It is not really about self-knowledge anymore. It’s the nurselike application of technology.”

Good to know:

Some wearable technology may not be completely accurate. This is especially dangerous if you have a heart condition and use your wearable to measure your heart rate. A false reading may lead to overexertion and health issues down the line.
Wearable technology tends to have a short battery life. Some devices last for a few days, and others only a couple of hours or so. Removing your device and remembering to charge it can also become a hassle.
Tracking technologies can help you stay on the fitness bandwagon, but may lead to compulsive checking. This can cause anxiety and an unhealthy obsession with your health numbers.

References:

Hair care myth-busting

June 22nd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Is avocado good for your hair? Do egg treatments really make it shine? Before you mix up a hair potion, you need to understand the crown on your head first. Let’s sort fact from fiction. Know your hair type; and what your hair needs before trying old wives’ tales.

Fact or fiction?

Black hair is stronger than blonde hair.

False. Natural blondes have more hair than brunettes. Brunettes have thicker hair strands than of fair hair. This doesn’t mean that darker hair is stronger.

Dandruff is caused by dry hair.

False. Dandruff is caused by a type of fungus called “malassezia” that we all have in our scalp. When the fungus grows out of control, it feeds on the oils that the scalp secretes. The skin becomes more irritated and creates more dead skin cells. The extra skin cells fall off and mix with the oil in the scalp and hair. This forms dandruff.

Wearing a hat causes hair loss.

False. Wearing hats and caps causes no harm! It doesn’t do any damage in comparison to wearing your hair tightly in a bun or to the back. Hats don’t create enough tension to cause hair loss. Balding can only be caused by genetics or products. Still, keep your hats clean to avoid scalp infections.

Using luxury products will make your hair grow longer.

Not necessarily. It all comes down to the ingredients and the type of protein and nourishment that your hair needs. You can get bargain products that work much better than the pricey ones.

Braiding your hair will make it grow quicker.

False. Braiding your hair can protect your hair from harmful substances in the air. However, if braids are too tight, they can break and damage your hair. Take care of your natural hair under the braids to support growth and retain moisture.

Cold water makes hair shinier

This is not possible. Since there are no living cells in hair, your hair will not react to cold or hot water. Rather invest in a good conditioner to create a shiny and smooth look.

Coconut oil is the ultimate solution for your hair

There is no such thing as an ultimate solution. Be careful not to use too much coconut oil, as it can leave your hair greasier. Previously detached hair will fall off from the scalp easily too. If you have fine hair, you may need to avoid using coconut altogether.

Only dry hair needs conditioning

Hair in general is prone to breakage. Conditioning prevents breakage, and every hair type needs to be treated and get good nourishment.

To get really clean hair, you must lather, rinse and repeat.

Nope. One thorough wash is good enough.

Stress causes hair to fall out

Yes. Hair loss can be brought on by stress due to hormonal changes (post-pregnancy, menopause) poor diet or an illness. On average, people lose about 50-150 hairs a day and replace them. If hair loss persists, check with your doctor.

References

Healthy alternatives to your favourite treats

June 8th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Don’t stop it, swap it!

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is one of the cornerstones of healthy living. It helps to maintain your waistline and overall well-being. Yet, for someone who wants to start eating better, it can be hard to commit to. Making extreme changes, going cold turkey and cutting out all the “happiness” that certain foods bring is not only tough, but also sets you up for failure. The good news, however, is that there is a solution, and it’s simple: swap out unhealthy choices for healthy ones. In other words, don’t STOP it, SWAP it. Making small swaps throughout the day all start to add up and provide you with a more sustainable approach to a healthy diet.

Swap chips for…
It’s hard to find ANYONE who doesn’t love a good chip. Sadly, their nutritional profile isn’t quite as popular. Try some of these alternatives to give you more nutrients, and the crunch that you’re looking for:

Popcorn. A delicious, satisfying and nutritional alternative to chips. Popcorn contains many important minerals, while the whole grain nature of popcorn makes it a great source of dietary fibre.
Sweet potato chips. Sometimes sweeter is better! Compared to regular potatoes, sweet potatoes provide 400% of the recommended daily amount for vitamin A!
Raw veggies. Baby carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, sugar snap peas, celery and bell peppers offer up a crisp, crunchy snack. Fresh vegetables are loaded up with disease fighting antioxidants, something that a chip simply can’t deliver! Add in some homemade hummus or guacamole and you may never look at another chip again!
Nuts. Nuts are an excellent source of protein and fibre. They’re also full of magnesium, calcium, iron and vitamin B. Choose raw nuts, and add some salt to them yourself – this way you can control exactly how much you’re eating
Sunflower, pumpkin and sesame seeds. Seeds, just like nuts, are excellent source of fibre and other key nutrients including vitamin E, folate & zinc
Cheese. A good old slice of cheese can satisfy most people. Plus, the nutrient triad of vitamins D, vitamin K & calcium found in cheese is important for reducing the risk of both heart disease and osteoporosis
Gherkins and pickled onions. Since pickling is a form of fermentation, crunchy gherkins are a tasty source of probiotics, important for gut health. They also contain disease fighting antioxidants and put a quick end to the strongest of cravings!

Swap fizzy drinks and fruit juices for…
These drinks can be refreshing but they are also full of sugars and additives. To give you some perspective, a 330ml fruit juice contains 40g of sugar, while a regular chocolate bar contains around 28g… and no, that does not mean that you should rather eat chocolate. Try one of these alternatives instead:

Squeeze your own fruit juice. This gives you the fibre and other goodness that is lost when juices are made
Fizzy water and some slices of fresh fruit. You’ll still get the fizz, without the flavourants!
Dilute your juice with water. Gradually adjust the amount of water up and fruit juice down
Coffee. A much healthier way to get a caffeine fix than soda. Swap out sugar for cinnamon, which helps to control blood sugar spikes, meaning you won’t be craving anything sweet afterwards
A glass of full cream milk. A higher fat content keeps you fuller for longer, meaning you’ll be less likely to snack on unhealthy options throughout the day

Swap sweets and chocolate for…
If you have a sweet tooth, there are much healthier places to turn to than a giant bag of marshmallows. For example:

Fresh fruit. Need we say more? Blueberries and strawberries give you the most bang for your nutrition buck, but a good mix of fruit can be a great way to meet the needs of your sweet tooth without going overboard on sugar
Dark chocolate. Choose chocolate with at least 70% cacao. To satisfy your sweet tooth the healthy way, you need to maximize the amount of actual cocoa bean products, while minimizing or eliminating all the other junk
Seed bars. These are great on-the-go snacks and satisfy your taste buds with some sweetness, mixed in with the goodness of seeds

Swap ice-cream for…
You may think that there isn’t much that could top a big bowl of frozen cream, but trust us, there is!

How about:

Frozen yoghurt. You can make your own at home, by freezing the mini tubs of full cream yoghurt
Homemade fruit ice-cream. Freeze bananas and berries, pop in a blender and mix with full cream yoghurt. Freeze and voila!
Frozen grapes. Not much comes close to these! You can even use them as ice blocks in your fizzy water
Parfait. Top full cream yoghurt with some fresh berries and a sprinkling of nuts

Don’t forget that food isn’t the only place where swapping works to improve your health. Try swapping sitting for moving, stairs for escalators and watching sports for playing sports.

How to avoid getting sick while traveling

May 17th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Love to travel, but afraid you may get sick en route? Don’t be. Enjoy the journey with these tips.

Taking the train

Sit face forward. When you’re seated against the direction of travel, you could have motion sickness. Motion sickness is when one part of your balance-sensing system (your inner ear, eyes, and sensory nerves) sense that your body is moving, but the other parts don’t. This can cause you to feel dizzy or nauseous. If all the forward-facing seats are taken, ask someone to swap with you. You can also ask the train conductor for help.
Look ahead. Try to look forward along the length of the train as much as possible. It may also help if you close your eyes and try to move with the motion of the train. Just be careful you don’t miss your stop!
Stay in your seat. Walking through and between the carriages can bring on nausea. Stay seated until you reach your destination.
Open a window. Fresh air can keep sickness at bay. You can also stand by the train doors at station stops for a bit of fresh air.
Tune out. Plug in your headphones and listen to some soothing music. This may help take your mind off getting sick.

If you become nauseous and can’t bear to stay in your seat, get off at the next station and wait for the next train to arrive. Hopefully you’ll feel better by then.

Boarding a bus

Sit right in front, as close to the driver as possible. Engine fumes are the worst at the back of the bus, and may cause nausea.
Watch your gaze. Stay seated face forward, looking out through the front windshield. Follow the route with your eyes, anticipating any bends and bus stops in the road.
Have a mint. When you feel ill, suck on a mint candy or chew a piece of mint gum. Mint naturally soothes the stomach and helps relieve symptoms of nausea.
Air it out. Open a nearby window, if possible. If the bus has air vents, turn it to direct the air onto your face.
Don’t read. Reading may trigger sickness.

Keep a paper bag handy for when you simply can’t control your nausea and need to vomit.

Flying

Sit near the front. The back of the plane gives the bumpiest ride. Book a seat towards the front. If you couldn’t manage to get a front seat, ask someone to switch or get the airline staff to help.
Drink up. Carry a bottle of water with you at all times, and sip it regularly. Make use of the drinks service. Order cold drinks like ginger ale or tonic water. Ginger can help stop nausea, and tonic water can fight stomach pain, cramps and dizziness. Skip the alcohol and drinks with caffeine as these will just dehydrate you further and make you feel worse.
Wear comfortable clothes. Anything constricting, especially around the throat or waist may make you feel uncomfortable. Go for loose-fitting clothing made from breathable material like cotton.
Rest up. Get enough sleep before and during your flight. Put your head against the headrest and use the footrest to help you settle and relax. Being tired, stressed or anxious can lead to air sickness.
Bring snacks. Airline food isn’t always the best. In case you can’t stand anything the airline serves, bring your own nibbles on board.

If you aren’t feeling well, don’t panic. There should be air waste bags and paper towels on hand for cleaning up. If all else fails, ask the airline staff to help. They are usually obliging and sympathetic.

For more info on why you get motion sickness, see: Why do I get motion sickness?

References:

Five health fads of the rich and famous

April 25th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

When American actress and model Jenny McCarthy went on the Oprah show in 2007 to reveal the flawed link between vaccines and autism, she had the world at her feet. The so-called “warrior-mom” shared the story of her son, Evan, whose autism, she claimed, was caused by vaccinations.

The influence that Jenny McCarthy had across the world was staggering. Women (and men) debated on online forums for ages, the media ran endless stories, opinion pieces flooded every site, talk shows were inundated with callers with their views; basically everyone had something to say or contribute.

The power of celebrity can’t be ignored. Like McCarthy, others like Kim Kardashian and Simon Cowell have spoken out about their health and beauty revelations. From placenta pills to oxygen shots, celebrities have tried and tested it all, and they all have their fair share of followers.

Celebrities often have the luxury to experiment with new trends, but for us normals, it may be better to first distinguish between the facts and the fads before jumping on the same bandwagon.

Here are five popular health crazes that are currently trending among the rich and famous:

Waist training

Waist training involves wearing a corset or waistband for a few hours a day in order to shrink your waistline. Apart from obtaining the desired waistline and waist-hip ratio, people also wear corsets to reduce belly fat and cellulite. This seemingly new fad is actually rooted in the classic corset which was popular in the Victorian era. Women also used the Victorian corset to slim their waistline. Doctors warn though, that this trend can have serious health implications because it restricts the diaphragm and causes digestive problems.

Seen on: Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba, Amber Rose, and Snookie.

Oil pulling

Oil pulling involves swooshing a spoonful of natural coconut oil around in your mouth in the morning for about 20 minutes. This supposedly removes the plaque from your teeth. Celebrities love oil pulling because they claim their teeth feel healthier and whiter. In simple terms, replace your mouthwash with some coconut oil for a brighter smile – but don’t forget to brush twice a day, and floss!

Celebrity approved by: Shailene Woodley, Miranda Kerr, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

Vitamin drips

Vitamin drips have become one of the more popular celebrity fads. It involves injecting vitamins into your body through a drip. Drips, in general, are known to be the fastest way of getting medicine into your body because substances are directly fed into the veins. Therefore, vitamins drips have become trendy because they are quick ways to boost immunity and energy. Vitamin drips that are popular among celebrities include Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and other replenishing minerals. Don’t rush off to emulate your faves though, first check with your doctor if you really need certain vitamins. Experts still agree: get your vitamins first from your diet.

Celebrities who get their V-boost: Rihanna, Kelly Osbourne, Cara Delevigne, Chrissy Teigen, and Ryan Philippe.

Cupping

During cupping, a flammable substance (like alcohol) is set on fire in a cup and placed upside down on a persons’ skin. As the air inside the cup cools, it creates a vacuum. This causes the skin to rise and redden while the cup is left in place for up to three minutes. Cupping is popular, because people believe it can help with pain, inflammation, blood flow and relaxation. Cupping is trending now, but it’s not a new therapy and dates back to as far as ancient Middle Eastern, Egyptian and Chinese cultures.

Celebrity cuppers: Michael Phelps, Madonna, and Frieda Pinto.

Infrared sauna

Infrared saunas use infrared lights within a sauna-like environment to penetrate the body tissue. It’s become popular for lowering blood pressure, increasing core temperature and helping weight loss. Celebrities are fond of this therapeutic sauna because of its alleged anti-ageing benefits. Are they safe? Most of the research says so but if you have a heart condition, check with your doctor first.

Celebrity approved by: Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Anniston, Lady Gaga, and Cindy Crawford.

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Greeting your boss could be making you sick

April 10th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You walk into a meeting and shake hands with your client. At a social event, you introduce yourself by shaking hands. When, how and why did this quirky little greeting originate?

We can’t pinpoint the exact time when humans first shook hands to introduce themselves, but historical findings date back to as far as the 5^th century BC. British historian Dr Robert Hume writes that by shaking hands, kings proved they were comfortable enough in each other’s presence not to bring weapons.

Today, weapons aside, research suggests that our customary greeting may be instinct rather than etiquette since humans, like other animals, use smell when they greet each other. According to some theories, humans subconsciously sniff their hands after greeting someone to pick up pheromones; the odourless scent that most mammals produce in response to their environment. The researchers suggest that there’s much more chemical signalling that goes on between two people who shake hands than meets the eye. Could that mean that shaking hands is perhaps just our primal way of gathering scents?

Whatever the reason, the handshake has evolved into the greeting du jour for most of us. This leaves us open and vulnerable to all kinds of health nasties, unfortunately.

Good hands

Good hygiene starts with hand washing. Many of us get it wrong – and may become seriously sick.

Hand washing gets rid of infection-causing germs before they get a chance to infect us or the people around us. Just this little act protects us from common infections like colds, flu and gastro, and other nasty diseases.

With life-threatening infectious diseases like Ebola and swine flu presenting new global challenges, you should be taking personal hygiene seriously.

Washing your hands may seem relatively simple, but it’s disturbing to note that only one in every 20 people around the world washes their hands properly!

If these survey results are anything to go by, it’s time for a good refresher course . . .

Good, effective hand washing needs a small amount of water and soap:

Lather your wet hands with soap.
Scrub your palms, the back of your hands, between the fingers and under your fingernails.
Rinse your hands well with running water.
Dry your hands on a clean, dry cloth (this further helps to remove microorganisms).

Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. An easy way to gauge the time is to sing “Happy Birthday” twice. This is also a fun way of teaching kids to wash their hands thoroughly.

Not using soap is a common mistake when it comes to hand washing. Water alone isn’t enough to dislodge the germs and dirt that get stuck in the natural oils on the skin of your hands.

Research shows that hand washing with soap and running water reduces the risk of diarrhoea and respiratory diseases, regardless of water quality.

Hand washing more than six times a day is considered the basic hygiene minimum by the Global Hygiene Council.

If that seems like a lot, consider that you should be washing your hands:

Before and after you eat.
After going to the toilet.
After touching commonly used surfaces.
After you’ve worked in the garden or touched animals.
After you’ve taken care of sick people.

You can safely use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60 percent alcohol. It will help kill micro-organisms, but will not remove dirt effectively.

Both antibacterial and regular soap are good for washing. It’s the foam created from rubbing one’s hands together with water that helps remove the dirt and germs.

References

How much you’ll save without sugar and cigarettes

March 30th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

We all have a guilty pleasure; whether it’s that ice-cold Coca-Cola to go with your meal or that long-awaited puff of a cigarette after a long, stressful day at work. As good as it is in the moment, your temporary high be costing you (and your health).

Sugar
The average South African takes in between 12 and 24 teaspoons of sugar each day. Four to eight teaspoons are from sugar-sweetened beverages. A single 330ml soft drink contains about eight teaspoons of sugar and sells for about R10. If you drink one a day, this adds up to R300 a month.

With the sugar tax around the corner, this number is set to rise. The tax involves an extra charge of 2.29 cents per gram of sugar in soft drinks, sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, sports and energy drinks, and sweetened iced teas.

Why pay more just for weight gain, bad health and a lighter purse? Can those soft drinks and enjoy these health perks:

A healthy heart. When you eat too much sugar, the excess forms triglycerides (bad fats in your blood). High triglycerides can increase your risk for heart disease, stroke, and heart attack. Kicking sugar to the curb will lower levels of triglycerides, and keep your heart beating.
Low cancer risk. Sugar feeds every cell in your body, including cancer cells. Nixing your sugar habit will lower your risk for cancer and conditions known to increase your risk for cancer, e.g. obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.
Clearer skin. Sugar is a known inflammatory which can trigger breakouts, and speed up ageing. As you begin to wean yourself off sugar, you will notice suppler and smoother skin.
Less anxiety. Sugary foods can affect your mood, causing anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. It has also been shown to interfere with your body’s ability to cope with stress. Once you ditch the sweet stuff, you’ll feel calmer, less agitated and stressed.
A sharper mind. A diet high in sugar can sap your brain power, and damage communication among your brain cells. Cutting it out will preserve your brain cells and improve your learning and memory.

Smoking
Smoking is an unattractive and expensive habit. A pack of cigarettes can cost you anywhere from R30 to R45. If you smoke one pack a day, smoking can cost you between R800 to R1 300 a month.

Need more motivation? Stub out for:

A glowing complexion.Smoking can leave your skin looking worn-out, and grey. Quitting for good slows down the skin-ageing process, leading to fewer wrinkles and a more youthful appearance.
Whiter, brighter teeth. Nicotine can stain your teeth. Without it, your teeth will have a much better chance of staying white, which will make you look younger and healthier. Your breath will also be fresher and you’ll be less likely to get gum disease or lose your teeth.
More energy. When you stop smoking, your blood circulation improves. This increases the amount of oxygen in your body, and boosts your energy levels. You’ll find that physical activity like walking and running will be much easier.
Less stress. Smoking does not relieve stress. Studies show that smokers are more stressed than non-smokers. When you give up your smokes, your heart and anxiety levels will no longer be artificially raised by nicotine. You’ll also be a lot less worried about your health.
Improved smell and taste. Smoking can dull your senses of smell and taste. Quitting may enhance the smells and tastes of food. You’ll appreciate different flavours and enjoy eating so much more.

One last thing – it’s time to cut the caffeine
Love your cuppa Joe first thing in the morning? Your bank account doesn’t. Takeaway coffee costs about R25. If you indulge in a cup every day, your daily caffeine fix ends up costing you a whopping R750 a month.

Toss out on coffee to save yourself a buck. It can also help you sleep more soundly and feel more refreshed the next day. No more caffeine also means less caffeine withdrawal headaches, anxiety and high blood pressure.

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