Symptoms, Aches & Pains – Page 2

How to prevent and treat early-morning headaches

March 19th, 2019 by The Hello Doctor Team

Waking up with a pounding headache is not a great way to start the day. Headaches are very common. In fact, research shows that tension headaches and migraines are the second and third most prevalent disorders in the world.

But just because they’re common doesn’t mean headaches can’t be incredibly debilitating.

Headaches and sleep disorders

According to the American Migraine Foundation, nearly half of all migraines happen between 4am and 9am. In many cases, these throbbing headaches (often accompanied by nausea and visual disturbances) are caused by sleep disorders.

Doctors know, for example, that there’s a strong relationship between obstructive sleep apnoea, snoring and morning headaches. In fact, it’s estimated that at least 50% of people who wake up with headaches might have sleep apnoea.

This sleep disorder causes breathing to repeatedly stop and start while you sleep. As a result, less oxygen makes its way to your brain, making the blood vessels widen.

“This may present as a migraine, tension-type or other headache,” says the Migraine Foundation. “The key features are the timing of the headache and tendency to come on during, or shortly following sleep. To wake up in the morning often with a headache suggests the need to assess sleep as a cause.”

Apart from sleep apnoea, other possible reasons for morning headaches include:

Insomnia, a sleep disorder, which involves difficulty falling or staying asleep, waking up early and/or not feeling refreshed when you wake up.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), like chronic bronchitis or emphysema. If you have COPD, your headaches may be the result of a build-up of carbon dioxide in the blood from breathing difficulties while you sleep.
Psychiatric disorders like depression and anxiety, which may interfere with your sleep.
Teeth grinding (bruxism). Your jaw muscles tighten when you grind your teeth at night, causing pain in the jaw. This pain can travel to the skull, bringing on a headache when you wake up.
Many medications including antidepressants, corticosteroids and pain killers can interfere with your sleep patterns, leading to a headache or migraine.

Banish morning headaches

Stick to the same sleep and wake times.
Limit electronic devices in the bedroom.
Make sure your bed and pillows are comfortable.
Your bedroom should be quiet, dark and not too cold or too warm.
Exercise most days of the week.
Try to relax close to bedtime (e.g. take a bath and read).
Eat your supper early in the evening.
Limit daytime naps.
Don’t drink caffeinated drinks after 4 pm.
Drink less alcohol.
Quit smoking.

Other important steps include managing day-to-day life stresses as best as you can, using your medication exactly as prescribed, and maintaining a healthy weight. Being overweight is one of the main risk factors for obstructive sleep apnoea.

Beat the pain

If the headaches persist, see your doctor to get a proper diagnosis. The treatment will ultimately depend on the underlying cause. In the meantime, over-the-counter remedies, like paracetamol or Ibuprofen should offer relief. Remember to drink enough fluids throughout the day and to eat regular, balanced meals.

References

Foods that trigger headaches

November 30th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your head has been throbbing the entire day and you have no idea why. Before popping a pill, you should probably check your diet.

Healthy food can boost your health and make you feel good, but certain foods can also cause headaches. What’s more; eating habits like fasting, skipping meals and dehydration could also all be headache culprits.

Here are a few of the most common headache and migraine food triggers.

Cured meats

Deli meats like ham, sausage and hot dogs are convenient lunch and breakfast options but these cured meats contain preservatives called nitrates, which is what helps preserve their colour and flavour. Nitrates can release nitric oxide into your blood which can dilate blood vessels in the brain. This can contribute to migraines and headaches.

Alcohol

Have you ever had a terrible headache after a few glasses of wine? Alcoholic drinks like wine, beer and champagne can make your head pound as certain ingredients in alcohol make the chemicals and blood vessels in your brain act abnormally. Hello, headache! Alcohol can also cause dehydration; another headache offender.

Caffeine

Your morning cuppa gets you going, but it could slow you down with a throbbing pain. If you’re a coffee junkie, too much or too little caffeine can lead to a headache. Caffeine narrows the blood vessels surrounding your brain, so if you stop having it, they expand again and this can cause pain. Quitting cold turkey is likely to give you withdrawal symptoms, so don’t give it up all in one go. Stick to a small cup a day.

Aspartame

Swapping out sugar for sweetener may be the reason for your migraines. Many low-calorie options like diet soft drinks, breakfast cereals, puddings and gelatines contain aspartame, an artificial sweetener. Too much of this can trigger headaches and migraines. If you find that you’re sensitive to aspartame, be sure to check food and drink labels to avoid big doses.

Aged cheeses

Aged cheeses like feta, blue cheese and parmesan contain a substance called tyramine. Tyramine forms during the ageing process where proteins in the cheese are broken down. The longer cheese ages, the higher the amount of tyramine it’ll contain. Tyramine has been linked to migraines and may trigger it in those who are sensitive to it.

Salty foods

Salty foods can be headache culprits. Firstly, many salty foods are processed and may contain harmful preservatives that bring on headaches. Too much salt in your diet may also increase your blood pressure, causing headaches and migraines. Finally, salty foods can dehydrate you, and when you don’t have enough water, you can get a headache.

Pickled and fermented foods

Like matured cheeses, pickled and fermented foods contain high levels of tyramine. These foods include kimchi (fermented cabbage), pickles, pickled jalapenos and kombucha (fermented black tea).

Cold foods

It turns out that “brain freeze” is a real thing. Eating something cold, like ice-cream, too quickly can cause a headache. Anything cold can stimulate nerve pain which happens when the capillaries in your sinuses are cooled down and blood vessels narrowed. This is more likely to happen if you’re overheated from exercise or hot temperatures.

Good to know

Swap out alcoholic and caffeinated drinks for headache soothers like almond milk and water. Almond milk contains magnesium, which helps treat and prevent headaches. Drink lots of water too to stay hydrated.
Eating potassium-rich foods like potatoes and bananas can help relieve headaches
Spinach is packed with heart-healthy nutrients like potassium, magnesium and folate. These nutrients can help lower and maintain your blood pressure levels, which may help prevent headaches.
Keep a food journal to keep track of and identify your food triggers.
Talk to your doctor before drastically changing your diet.

References:

What to do when you get bitten or stung

October 22nd, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Outdoor fun during summer comes with a high risk of insect bites and stings. In most cases, these aren’t serious and get better in no time.

In some cases, however, insect bites can cause an allergic reaction. This can either be a mild reaction causing the affected part to swell and become painful, or a severe reaction that could become life-threatening. With a more severe allergic reaction, you could become dizzy, nauseous, have breathing difficulties, find yourself wheezing, have chest pain, cramps, a swollen face or mouth and a blotchy rash that spreads to other parts of the body.

If you’re bitten or stung, try not to excessively scratch the area. This can cause the skin to break allowing bacteria to enter your body. This can cause the area to become infected.

Treat your bites

Bites can cause pain, redness and swelling around the injury. When you’re bitten or stung, an insect injects venom into your body. You’ll have to clean the site of the bite with antibacterial soap and water. Follow up with a damp cloth filled with ice to relieve the pain.

Learn how to identify a bug bite by how it looks and feels. This will help you know whether to treat the bug bite at home or seek immediate medical care.

When you get bitten or stung:

Move to a safe area to avoid more bites or stings.
Remove the sting or tick if it’s still in the skin.
Apply a cold compress or an ice pack to the swelling for at least 10 minutes.
Raise or elevate the affected area, to help reduce swelling.
Avoid scratching the area!
Get over-the-counter medication that can help, like painkillers, creams for itching and antihistamines (medicines often used to relieve allergy symptoms).

Keep insects away:

Avoid insect-heavy areas.
Don’t eat foods or wear fragrances that attract bugs.
Wear protective clothing and avoid bright coloured clothing.
Use insect repellent.
Use pesticide products in your garden at home.
Understand your own personal risk for having an allergic reaction to a bug bite.
If you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, like camping, make sure you use netting when sleeping.
Avoid wooded, bushy and grassy areas.
If you’re having a picnic, cover your drinks and food.
Check water containers; as these could be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Get treatment

A more serious reaction may need oral antihistamines or painkillers. In more severe cases of swelling, your doctor may prescribe oral steroids (to help reduce the swelling and inflammation of airways).

If you’re using an insect repellent and a sunscreen, apply your sunscreen first. Bites are very common, and you’re always at risk if you spend time outdoors. Check whether the area you’re going to visit has insects and take the necessary safety measures. If you have flu-like symptoms days after an insect bite, see your doctor for tests to check if there aren’t any infections or diseases you may have contracted.

References:

Why do you have cold feet?

October 22nd, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

If your feet are chilly, the simplest reason is a lack of warmth. But if bundling up in thick socks doesn’t help to defrost your feet, there may be another cause.

Poor circulation

One of the most common causes of cold feet is poor circulation (slow blood flow). Poor circulation makes it difficult for enough warm blood to reach your feet regularly. This keeps your feet cooler than the rest of your body.

Circulation problems can stem from a heart condition. If your heart isn’t functioning properly, it struggles to pump blood throughout your body quickly enough. Poor circulation can also be triggered by an inactive lifestyle. For example, a job where you sit at a desk all day.

Anaemia

Anaemia develops if you don’t have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout your body. Other symptoms include fatigue, pale skin and an irregular heartbeat.

Anaemia and specifically, iron-deficiency anaemia, is fairly common. It’s usually treated with adjustments to your diet and taking iron supplements.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes

Diabetes is a disease where the body’s ability to produce or respond to a hormone called insulin becomes abnormal. This can cause large amounts of glucose (sugar) in the blood. Symptoms of diabetes include numbness and tingling in the feet, and cold feet. High levels of blood sugar can cause nerve damage (neuropathy). Nerve damage can bring on the sensation of cold feet that don’t feel cold to the touch. This is usually because the nerves that detect temperature aren’t working properly. The symptoms are usually worse at night.

Hypothyroidism

When your thyroid gland doesn’t make enough thyroid hormone, you can end up with hypothyroidism. This condition messes with your metabolism, which controls your heartbeat and body temperature. When there’s an interference with your body temperature and heartbeat, your body may have poor circulation which then causes cold feet.

Treatment

Cold feet treatment depends on the root of the problem. Generally, your doctor may suggest regular exercise to improve circulation. Exercise can help treat other conditions related to cold feet, like heart condition and blood sugar control. He may write out a prescription for medication or supplements. Your doctor will also usually check for nerve damage and blood tests. He’ll be looking for anaemia, hypothyroidism and diabetes. Don’t try any treatments without talking to your doctor.

See your doctor immediately if you experience cold feet along with:

Fatigue
Joint pain.
Weight changes.
Fever.
Sores on your fingers or toes that takes a long time to heal.
Any changes in your skin.
A cold sensation yet your skin doesn’t feel cold to the touch.
Feeling cold even when you’re in a warm space.

References:

Dry mouth? Here’s what you can do about it

September 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Saliva plays an important role in your health. It has the ability to lubricate which helps to protect the oral tissues in your mouth against sores, ulcers and other movements that come with eating and speaking. It also helps neutralise acids and defend your mouth against conditions like tooth decay and bacteria. Think of saliva as your tasting and digestion friend.

When saliva isn’t produced enough and properly, these functions become impaired and dry mouth happens. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a condition where the salivary glands don’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Dry mouth could be a simple irritation – or something very serious.

Symptoms:

Dry or sticky feeling in your mouth.
Saliva that seems thick and stringy.
Bad breath.
Difficulty chewing, speaking and swallowing.
A dry, or sore throat.
Dry or grooved tongue.
A changed sense of taste.

What causes dry mouth?

There are different reasons why the salivary glands can stop working. This includes:

Medication

Many forms of medication, including over-the-counter drugs can leave you with dry mouth as a side-effect. These may include prescription drugs used to treat anxiety, pain, allergies, colds, obesity, depression, high blood pressure, and some antihistamines, muscle relaxants and sedatives.

Ageing

When you get older, dry mouth can stem from factors like changes in your body’s ability to process medication, poor nutrition and long-term health problems.

Recreational drug use

Stay away from drugs like methamphetamine and marijuana.

Some health conditions

Certain health conditions like diabetes, stroke, HIV/AIDS, thrush and Alzheimer’s disease contribute to dry mouth. Snoring and breathing with your mouth open can also cause it.

Tobacco and alcohol use

Drinking alcohol excessively and smoking or chewing tobacco products could be dry mouth culprits.

Nerve damage

An injury or surgery that causes nerve damage to your neck or head can cause dry mouth.

Dehydration

Sweating, diarrhoea, fever, vomiting, blood loss and burns are conditions that dehydrate your body and may cause dry mouth.

Cancer therapy

Certain cancer therapies like chemotherapy can temporarily reduce the amount of saliva you’re able to produce. Radiation treatments to the neck and head may damage salivary glands, lessening the amount of saliva. Both these may cause dry mouth as the production of saliva changes.

Treating dry mouth

Drink lots of water to keep your mouth moist at all times.
Chew sugar-free sweets or gum.
Breathe through your nose (not your mouth) as far as possible.
Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day and visit your dentist regularly.
Use over-the-counter artificial saliva substitute.
If you think your dry mouth comes from certain medication, talk to your doctor who may suggest that you swap to a different medication.
If your dry mouth continues for a long period, talk to your doctor.

References:

What causes the feeling of pins and needles?

September 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Have you ever felt like your arms, legs or feet have fallen asleep after being in a position for too long, followed by a tingling sensation, as if you were being pricked by tiny needles?

Also known as paraesthesia, this prickly, burning, tingling, numb, itchy sensation is usually harmless. In in some cases, though, it can be a sign of something more serious.

What causes the tingling?

It usually happens if you lean or lay awkwardly on your arm or leg. This can put pressure on a nerve or reduce the blood supply to the area you’re resting on. It usually doesn’t last very long if you change positions but if it persists for a long period, then it may be due to another condition which affects your nerves or blood flow.

Common causes of chronic pins and needles:

A blood sugar condition like diabetes that can damage your nerves over time.
An injury or accident that causes nerve damage.
A stroke or mini stroke. This affects your blood flow which is cut off and doesn’t flow to the brain.
A pinched nerve. This can be caused by an injury or overuse in your neck, shoulder or arm.
Multiple sclerosis. A disease that affects your central nervous system and how your body feels.
Carpal tunnel syndrome. This happens when the small tunnels that go from your wrist to your lower palm become too narrow, and causes pain and numbness in your wrist, hand, fingers and forearm.
Low levels of Vitamin B. A deficiency in this vitamin can cause pins and needles, Vitamin B is important for nerve health.
Certain medication. Some types of antibiotics, anti-seizure medication and chemotherapy can cause nerve irritation.
This condition is where there’s pressure on the sciatic nerve which starts from your lower pelvis and ends by your buttocks and legs. This is a common pregnancy condition that brings on numbness and pain in the legs and back.

Treatment and prevention

Pins and needles usually stop after you change positions and there’s less pressure on your nerves. But, if you regularly get pins and needles which take longer to fade away, you must talk to your doctor immediately.

If your doctor suspects an underlying nerve condition, you may need to get an X-ray, blood test or MRI (a scan that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to take detailed images of areas in your body).

Treatment will depend on the cause of your pins and needles. For example, if you have carpal tunnel syndrome, your doctor may suggest rest, anti-inflammatory medication and splinting. If you have an irritated nerve, you may need physiotherapy or surgery to decrease the pressure and improve your nerve functioning.

To lower your risk of getting pins and needles, try not to sit in awkward positions or lean uncomfortably for too long. This will ensure that you don’t put too much pressure on your nerves.

References:

Why is your jaw hurting?

September 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

We don’t tend to think much of our jaws…until it gives us problems. Your jawbone connects to your skull with two joints; called temporomandibular joints (TMJs). These are found just in front of your ears and allows you to open and close your mouth. Your jaw also holds your teeth and gums.

If you experience jaw pain, you’ll struggle to do everyday things like eating and speaking, and it’s usually due to something that’s gone wrong with your teeth, gums or the TMJ.

Common symptoms of jaw pain include a clicking sound when you open your mouth, pain or aches around your face, ears, or, headaches, dizziness, vision problems and ringing in your ears.

Reasons for jaw pain

Sinus problems

Your sinuses are filled with air and located close to the jaw joint. If they become infected with a virus or bacteria, then excess mucus will be produced. The mucus puts pressure on the jaw joint which causes pain.

Teeth clenching or grinding

Grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw (also known as bruxism) can happen even when you’re not conscious of it, like during sleep. This can lead to both tooth damage and jaw pain. Stress can also cause you to clench your jaw or grind your teeth.

Dental problems

Conditions like gum disease, damaged teeth, abscesses, and tooth gaps can cause jaw pain.

Cluster headaches

This kind of headache is severe, causing pain behind or around your eyes and one side of your face. It can affect your jaw as well.

Arthritis

Some types of arthritic conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoarthrosis can affect both sides of the face, causing swelling, jaw pain, limited movement of the jaw, stiffness and tenderness.

Neuropathic pain

Long-term pain which happens when nerves become damaged. It sends pain signals to the brain which can affect the jaw.

Prevention

Take small bites of food when eating.
Avoid crunchy foods, chewing gum, and biting your fingernails.
Eat soft, liquid foods like pasta and soup.
Avoid yawning widely.
If you’re often stressed you may suffer with frequent jaw pain. Try getting a massage, meditating and aerobic exercise for relief.
Avoid grinding your teeth.
See your dentist regularly to keep your teeth and mouth healthy.
Avoid carrying bags on your shoulders for long periods.

Jaw pain treatment

Heat or ice packs

To relax your jaw, run warm water on a washcloth and apply to your jaw. For jaw pain, put ice into a plastic bag or on a thin cloth. Apply it for 10 minutes. Give your jaw a break and then apply the coldness again. Use at 10-minute intervals for either option.

Over-the-counter pain medication

Ask your pharmacist or doctor about pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help with jaw pain.

Massage your jaw

Press the sore areas of your jaw using your index and middle finger, including the areas near where your jaw joints attach. Rub in a circular motion five to 10 times. Open your mouth, and repeat. To decrease tension, massage the sides of your neck as well.

Antibiotics

If your jaw pain is caused by an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

If you’re not sure what the cause is, why not chat to one of our doctors? They can help you get to the bottom of it!

References:

Nauseous after eating? Here’s why

July 16th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’ve just finished a delicious meal and while it’s hit the spot, you’re starting to feel sick. Urgh. Why are you feeling nauseous?

Your digestive system is a collection of organs that work together to break down what you eat or drink. When you eat, the food is digested and the nutrients are turned into energy. The process begins in your mouth when you chew and the food is broken down to be swallowed. Food travels down your food pipe and then to the stomach and intestines.

Any problems during these processes may cause nausea after eating.

Food poisoning

If you eat food that’s past its expiry date or hasn’t been properly stored or refrigerated, it can attract bacteria and parasites that can make you sick. Besides nausea, food poisoning may also cause vomiting and diarrhoea, usually within a few hours after eating.

Acid reflux

GERD, commonly known as acid reflux, happens when the muscular valve between your oesophagus and stomach breaks down. This causes stomach acid to leak into your oesophagus. The main symptom of acid reflux is heartburn, but it may also bring on nausea.

Stomach virus

Commonly known as the stomach flu, a stomach virus infects your intestines and gives you nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. You can catch the stomach flu by being around someone who has it, or eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Anxiety and stress

Not only does stress mess with your emotions, it can harm your physical health. Negative emotions like stress or anxiety can make you lose your appetite or feel sick after eating. The symptoms should stop once you calm down.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)

Symptoms of IBS include abdominal pain, diarrhoea and constipation. Nausea after eating is one of the most common symptoms of IBS.

Motion sickness

If you’re sensitive to movement, the motion of a moving vehicle can make you feel sick. Eating before or after going for a ride can cause or make nausea worse.

When to see your doctor

Experiencing nausea after eating every now and then isn’t cause for alarm, but if it doesn’t go away within a week you should see your doctor.

See your doctor if you experience more serious symptoms with nausea, like:

Blood in your vomit or stools
Chest pain
Confusion
Diarrhoea that lasts for more than a few days
Extreme thirst, and signs of dehydration like struggling to urinate, weakness, and dizziness
A fever
Intense pain in the abdomen
Rapid heartbeat
Severe vomiting
Trouble keeping food down

Minimise your risk of feeling sick after eating:

Avoid or limit having greasy, fried or spicy foods
Eat smaller meals frequently, rather than three big meals
Suck on ice cubes or crushed ice
Relax and sit still after eating to help your food digest
Eat and drink slowly
Have foods at room temperature or cold if the smell of cooked food makes you feel queasy

References:

What your tongue tells you about your health

June 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your tongue is one of the most powerful organs that you have. It’s made up of a mobile group of muscles that are attached to the floor of the mouth. We use this fleshy pink organ to taste, lick, swallow and speak. The top of the tongue is covered with small bumps called papillae. The majority of our tastebuds are found in these papillae.

Your tongue does more than help you gobble down your food; it assists with digestion and mouth cleaning during the chewing and swallowing process. This muscular organ also holds secrets about your health!

Stick out your tongue

Your tongue can be a reflector of your health by its smell, appearance and texture.

This is what your tongue says about you…

Red or strawberry tongue

You may have a vitamin deficiency. A bright and glossy red tongue says that your body lacks iron or Vitamin B12. Vitamin B12 and iron are needed to mature papillae on the tongue. If you have a deficiency of those vitamins, you lose those papillae, which can make your tongue appear very smooth.
Scarlet fever is a bacterial infection that develops in some people who have strep throat and it can cause the tongue to have a red and bumpy appearance.
Kawasaki Disease, which is often seen in children under the age of five and usually comes with a high fever, can also cause the strawberry-like appearance.

Whites patches, spots or coating

This could be oral thrush; a yeast infection that develops inside the mouth. It appears in the form of white patches that look like cottage cheese. It’s commonly seen in infants, the elderly who wear dentures and people with weak immune systems. Oral thrush is likely to appear after you’ve taken antibiotics for a long time.
Leukoplakia is a condition that causes the cells in the mouth to grow excessively. This leads to white patches on the tongue and inside the mouth. Leukoplakia can develop when the tongue has been irritated but is often seen in people who use tobacco.

Sore or bumpy

Smoking can irritate your tongue and cause soreness.
A lump or sore on your tongue that doesn’t go away within two weeks could be a sign of oral cancer.
Mouth ulcers can be sore and bumpy. These can be caused by stress and may heal within a week or two.
Your tongue may look bumpy after you eat something spicy or hot which can make your tastebuds temporarily inflamed.

Black and hairy tongue

The papillae (home to your tastebuds) on your tongue grow throughout your lifetime. When they become too long, it becomes easier for bacteria to grow and stay there. When these bacteria grow, they may look dark or black, and the overgrown papillae can have a hair-like appearance. This isn’t common or too serious, but it’s likely to happen in people who don’t have good oral hygiene.

Fissures or cracks

A fissured tongue commonly happens to people with Down syndrome, a chromosomal disorder. It’s also associated with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, characterised by facial paralysis, swelling of the face and lips, and the development of folds and furrows in the tongue.

Worried about something on your tongue? Why not chat to one of our doctors? They can help you decide how serious it is. Always check your tongue for any changes when you brush your teeth.

References

5 reasons you’re coughing constantly

June 18th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

It’s annoying to sit next to someone who just keeps coughing. What’s worse, is when that someone is you. The coughing reflex has an important purpose, but what do you do when it doesn’t go away?

When you cough, you bring up mucous and harmful substances from your airways: it keeps your airways clear, so you can get oxygen into your lungs. You could also cough if you’re i’ll, and your lungs secrete mucous to get rid of the germs.

Most coughs only last for a few days or weeks and then you feel better, but when . If your cough lasts for eight weeks or more, we call it a ‘chronic cough’.

A normal cough shouldn’t cause too much discomfort, but a chronic cough can leave you feeling exhausted, cause you to vomit, feel lightheaded and even interrupt your sleep. A chronic cough usually has a hidden trigger and if it’s found, it can be treated.

Other symptoms that can accompany a chronic cough include:

A runny or stuffy nose
Liquid running down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)
Frequent throat clearing and a sore throat
A hoarse throat
Wheezing and shortness of breath
Heartburn or a sour taste in your mouth
In rare cases, coughing up blood

Coughing culprits

There are a few unexpected chronic coughing triggers. These include:

Postnasal drip

If your nose or sinuses make too much mucous, it can drip down the back of your throat. This condition is also called upper airway syndrome (UACS) and may trigger your cough reflex, causing chronic coughing.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Your oesophagus is a tube that connects your stomach and throat. If you have GERD, stomach acid flows back into the tube. This causes a constant irritation which may lead to chronic coughing. This also makes the symptoms of GERD worse.

Asthma

In one type of asthma called cough variant asthma, coughing is the main symptom. Asthma-related coughs usually come and go with seasons and triggers, but because of the condition, the lining of the airway is swollen and inflamed. Air pollution, certain chemicals, being exposed to cold air, dust, pollen and stress are common triggers for asthma symptoms. Other symptoms include wheezing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath.

Heart failure

In some cases, the heart and coughing could be related. With heart failure, blood backs up in the pulmonary veins and fluid leaks into the lungs. The fluid build-up may cause chronic coughing and wheezing. The American Heart Association says that if you have a chronic cough, and symptoms like coughing up white or pink coloured mucous, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, light headedness, and a fast heartbeat, you should see a doctor.

Chronic bronchitis

Smoking-related illnesses are major culprits of chronic coughing. Chronic bronchitis causes inflammation in the major airways. A common symptom of this condition is chronic coughing that brings up colour fluids. Most people with this condition are current or past smokers. Besides chronic bronchitis, smokers can also develop “smoker’s cough” which is chronic, too. There are thousands of harmful chemicals in tobacco and when they’re released into the body, the body tries to remove them which can make you cough.

References

Alternative therapies to manage chronic pain

June 8th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Chronic pain is a common problem. Chronic means when pain lasts for more than several months (usually between three to six months).

Over-the counter-medication isn’t the only way to relieve pain. Take a look at alternative therapies.

Therapies & treatments

Acupuncture is an ancient Chinese medicine that’s rapidly becoming a mainstream treatment for pain. It’s believed to release pain-numbing chemicals in the body and block pain signals coming from the nerves. This works for pain caused by conditions like fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, back injuries, and sports injuries. Acupuncture can treat lower back pain, menstrual cramps, headaches, joint conditions, and the side-effects of chemotherapy and nausea related to pregnancy.

Regular exercise has loads of benefits for people with different painful conditions. Physical activity can help relieve chronic pain, as well as boost energy and mood. Exercising can improve muscle strength and boost endurance. It helps with circulation and gets oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. This will help improve the function of your cardiovascular system. If you have chronic pain, check with your doctor before you start an exercise routine.

Depression and chronic pain often go together. Chronic pain can cause or worsen depression. The condition can lower a person’s tolerance for pain. Give therapy a try to help you talk out and solve problematic behaviours, beliefs and feelings.

The goal with deep breathing exercises and progressive muscle relaxation is to produce the body’s natural relaxation response, which is slower breathing, lower blood pressure and a sense of a good and balanced well-being.

Yoga has been practised for centuries and is said to reduce stress and improve fitness. It can also teach you that your breath is the bridge that links your mind and body. Inhaling and exhaling can help you achieve a deep sense of relaxation, flexibility and strength.

Supplements

Symptoms of bone pain and muscle weakness can be a result of Vitamin D deficiency. Get Vitamin D supplements, while adding plenty of Vitamin D-fortified foods like orange juice, salmon, and tuna to your diet.

Eating Vitamin C-rich foods is a good idea for your general health. Great options include red peppers, strawberries, citrus fruits, and broccoli. Vitamin C is known to reduce inflammation and act as a natural antibiotic and antihistamine (a type of medicine often used to treat allergies).

Supplements of Vitamin B have been shown to be effective in pain management for different conditions. You can get Vitamin B12 from your diet through eggs, milk, fish, meat, and some fortified cereals.

Vitamin E may be able to reduce exercise-related damage to muscles. Boost your Vitamin E intake through foods, and use safflower or sunflower oil when cooking. Snack on sunflower seeds and nuts like almonds, hazelnuts, and peanuts. Talk to your doctor before using any supplement as they’re not a substitute for medication.

References

5 unusual causes for headaches

June 6th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’ve been hit by a sudden storm of pain. Your head is pounding and you have no idea why. What could have triggered your headache?

Headaches are categorised as primary or secondary headaches. The most common types are primary headaches that include tension, muscle and cluster headaches. These are caused by spasms in the neck muscles. Secondary headaches happen when an external factor triggers the sensitive pain nerves in the head. This could a hangover, a concussion, dehydration, blood clots, brain freeze (ice-cream headaches) and the flu.

There are also a few unusual reasons for headaches:

Your hairstyle

Sure, that high ponytail or carefully pinned bun looks great, but it’s not doing your head any favours. The City of London Migraine Clinic found that more than half of all women experience tension headaches from tight hairstyles. This is usually due to the pull on the scalp, which causes pressure.

Avoid it: If you feel a headache coming on and suspect it may be from your hairdo, loosen it and the pain should subside. Alternatively, stick to a looser hairstyle and use softer hair ties.

Your sex life

It’s hard to feel sexy if you’re in pain, but unfortunately, getting it on may cause headaches for some people. A study by the British Journal of Medical Practitioners found that one in 100 people may experience “orgasmic headaches”. It’s described as a slow-building headache during sex. Most headaches may last several minutes and men are more likely to experience it.

Avoid it: Don’t worry, you don’t have to stop having sex forever to avoid headaches. If your headaches are mild, your doctor may suggest a painkiller an hour before sex. If you experience severe headaches or headaches which last for more than a few hours, talk to your doctor. Sex headaches may be linked to other conditions, like a stroke or inflammation.

Your weekend

Catching up on some z’s sounds like bliss, but it may be causing your headaches. There are two reasons why you may experience headaches over the weekend. One could be because you’re waking up and going to bed later than you usually do during the week. This messes with your circadian rhythm (sleep cycle). Another reason could be that you have caffeine withdrawal. Waking up later means getting your coffee fix later, and this upsets your system, which may cause a headache.

Avoid it: The National Headache Foundation suggests waking up at your regular weekday hours. Avoid sleeping in for longer than an hour, too.

Your snoring

Also known as sleep apnoea, snoring causes you to stop breathing repeatedly while you’re sleeping. Dr Vernon Williams, sports neurologist and director of the Kerlan-Jobe Centre for Sports and Neurology and Pain Medicine in America, says that this can cause a lack of oxygen and pressure in your head. The absence of oxygen and pressure in your head may cause painful headaches.

Avoid it: Talk to your doctor about a treatment. Left unchecked, sleep apnoea can cause more problems down the line.

Your cellphone addiction

Scrolling through your social media feeds may seem harmless, but doing it for hours on end can wreck your head. Looking down at your phone, a laptop or computer screen for long periods strains your neck. This can cause headaches at the back of your head and around your temples. Your eyes are strained too, which can intensify the pain.

Avoid it: Try to take breaks while you’re using your phone. When you’re using a laptop or desktop, sit back and upright to support your neck and back. This will help you avoid headaches.

Good to know
The most common way to treat headaches is with over-the-counter medication, but ask your doctor’s advice for specific headaches and for different severities.