antihistamine – Hello Doctor

Why do some people get hangry?

October 21st, 2019 by Content Editor

Hanger is when you experience a combination of hunger and anger. In a nutshell, hanger could be compared to the grown-up version of a baby crying for milk. But why do some people become hangry?

Your body’s first instinct is to keep you alive. When you haven’t eaten for a while, the level of sugar (blood glucose) in your blood decreases. When this happens, your blood sugar becomes too low and triggers the stress hormone cortisol and adrenalin (fight-or-flight hormone). These hormones are released to rebalance the blood sugar in your body.

Although these hormones give you some energy, it’s not the good kind. It’s the kind of energy that makes you feel agitated, unfocused and even angry.

If you opt for foods with lots of carbs or sugar to give you energy, you’ll be even worse off. This is because when you eat lots of carbs and sugar, you blood sugar skyrockets, giving you a temporary rush of energy, only to crush soon thereafter.

The crash is caused when insulin tries to use your body’s glucose reserve but it’s too much for your body to handle. This just leaves you with more cravings for food.

Although feeling hangry could affect anyone, people who struggle with controlling their anger could be more likely to experience it.

What to do about your hanger

Sadly, hanger can’t be avoided entirely. The good news is there are ways to lower your chances of experiencing it.

Avoid having too much sugar

Keep sugary treats and carb-heavy foods at a minimum. Besides the usual culprits like pastries, sweets and cake, these include seemingly healthy foods. Watch out for hidden sugar in low-fat yoghurt, sauces, fruit juice, sports drinks, granola, flavoured coffee and cereal.

Eat foods that are digested slowly

Foods that are high in protein and fat digest slowly because they are absorbed by your body in stages. They also slow down the absorption of sugar in your bloodstream.

For snacks with healthy fats choose nuts, avocado slices, cheese sticks, dark chocolate and seeds. For a dose of protein have boiled eggs, peanut butter on celery sticks and grilled chicken breast strips. If you must have carbs, chose vegetables or fruits. The fibre found in fruit slows down the digestion of carbs which means your blood sugar won’t rise drastically.

If you have other carbs like wholegrain crackers for example, pair it with a protein or a healthy fat like avos to slow down digestion.

Catch some Z’s

When you’re exhausted, your stress hormone cortisol overworks itself. This causes your body to crave food. Get at least eight hours of sleep each night and stick to a bedtime. Wind down an hour before bed and switch off all devices.

Good to know

Try these if you often become hungry:
Eat small meals throughout the day.
Avoid junk foods, which can cause a sugar crash. Choose nutritious, high-fibre foods to keep you feeling full.
Exercise regularly to help lower your blood sugar. Don’t overdo it – exercise can contribute to insulin sensitivity. Stick to a 30-minute workout three times a week unless your doctor suggests otherwise.
Stay hydrated.

If you experience hanger more than once or twice a week, talk to your doctor and dietician.

References

Which symptoms are normal after getting a vaccine?

October 21st, 2019 by Content Editor

Your little one has just had his latest vaccines. He seems irritable, is crying and is struggling to sleep. Is this normal?

Vaccines aim to protect your child from serious illnesses like measles, whooping cough and polio. The drugs in vaccines are made from parts of the diseases it protects your child from. They don’t cause the disease, but ‘’tells” your child’s body to make antibodies (blood proteins) which fight diseases.

For example, after a vaccine for measles, if your child’s body comes into contact with measles, their body would fight the disease as they can recognise it.

Unfortunately, like with other medication, vaccines come with side-effects. These side-effects are usually harmless and will clear up. Severe reactions to vaccines are rare because the process to get a vaccine approved is rigorous and involves many safety tests.

To protect your child, it’s important to know which reactions are normal and what’s not. Here are some normal and uncommon reactions to vaccines to get you clued up.

Normal vaccine reactions

A mild reaction after a vaccine means the medicine is working. It’s also a sign that your little one’s body is creating new antibodies to fight infection. Usually, these symptoms go away on their own within a few days.

A slight fever.
Tenderness and redness where the injection was given.
Fussiness.
Trouble sleeping.
A small, hard lump where the injection was given. This may be there for a few weeks but shouldn’t raise concern.

Vomiting, loss of appetite or drowsiness are also normal reactions, but are less common.

How to manage common side effects

If your child is experiencing any side effects, you can ease his discomfort.

Dress him in cool, loose clothes.
Give him fluids to drink.
Put a cold, wet cloth on the injection site to ease pain or swelling.
Ask your doctor and pharmacist for over-the-counter medication for pain and fever. Check the label for dosage instructions or ask your doctor if it isn’t clear.

When is it serious?

In some cases, reactions after a vaccine can be serious. This usually happens if your child has an allergic reaction. Severe reactions are rare, but it’s important to know what they are so you can help your child.

Look out for serious symptoms:

Swelling in the throat or face
A pounding heartbeat
Pale complexion
Weakness
Hoarseness
Dizziness
Breathing problems (e.g. wheezing)
Seizures
Uncontrollable crying for three hours or more

If your child experiences any worrying symptoms, take him to your doctor immediately. If you have any questions before your child gets any vaccination, ask them. Your doctor will be able to put your mind at ease.

References:

How these foods can help prevent eczema

October 21st, 2019 by Content Editor

Eczema is an umbrella term to describe a group of medical conditions that causes red, inflamed and itchy skin. The most common type is known as atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema and is caused by a malfunction in the immune system and problems with the skin barrier. When you have atopic dermatitis you have a higher risk of food sensitivity and may develop asthma and hay fever.

You’re more likely to develop atopic dermatitis if one of your parents has had it.

Symptoms

These can range from mild to severe. Children with eczema usually develop itchy, dry, red skin and small bumps on their cheeks, forehead, or scalp which may spread to the arms, legs and the torso. Red, crusted, or open lesions may appear on any affected areas.

Topical corticosteroids, steroid creams or ointments, are commonly used to treat eczema and are usually applied directly to the affected areas twice a day. However, paying attention to your diet and talking to your doctor if you suspect you’re allergic to certain foods can help with the recommendation of foods you should avoid.

The role of food for eczema

While there’s no cure for eczema, eczema flares are sometimes triggered by an allergic reaction to specific foods. These foods can help ease flare ups and itchy skin.

Ease the itch

Chicken broth
Chicken broth provides skin-repairing amino acid glycine.

Oily fish
Salmon, mackerel and sardines can help lower blood pressure. They’re a good source of Vitamin D, protein and some B vitamins, and are good for the skin.

Bananas
High in potassium, they also contain histamine-lowering nutrients, magnesium and vitamin C.

Foods high in flavonoids
Flavonoids help fight inflammation. Add fruits in your diet like apples and cherries and vegetables like spinach and kale.

Load up on probiotics
Foods high in probiotics are known to promote a healthy gut. Yoghurt with live and active cultures, kefir, tempeh, kombucha and sauerkraut are your best bets.

Avoid these trigger foods if you’re prone to eczema:

Grapes
Oranges
Kiwis
Soy sauce
Tomatoes
Broccoli
Avocados: Gasp! Sorry, but they’re one of the leading sources of amines and salicylates that may trigger a flare up.
Dried fruits
Deli meats
Eggs: 70-90% of people with eczema are allergic or sensitive to them.
Sugar
Dairy products: Over 80% of eczema sufferers are allergic to dairy products.

Elimination diet and foods to avoid

Food-sensitive eczema reactions typically develop about six to 24 hours after you’ve eaten a particular food. Sometimes, these reactions may be delayed even longer.

To determine what foods trigger a reaction, your doctor may recommend an elimination diet, which involves avoiding some of the most common foods known to cause eczema.

Before eliminating any foods, you will need to slowly add each food type into your diet and monitor your eczema for 4 to 6 weeks to determine if you’re sensitive to any food. If your symptoms get worse after adding a certain food, you will have to avoid it in the future.

Your dermatologist can also help you develop a strategy that’s best for you.

References:

Don’t take these medications together!

October 21st, 2019 by Content Editor

If you’re taking two or more medications, say for example for heart disease, chances are the drugs may interact with each other, food or beverages and not perform as expected, or even worse, cause potentially dangerous side effects.

Antihistamines

Over-the-counter antihistamines temporarily relieve a runny nose or reduce sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy watery eyes. If you’re taking sedatives, tranquilisers or a prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression, check with a doctor or pharmacist before you start using antihistamines. Taking antihistamines along with blood pressure medication can cause your blood pressure to shoot up and increase your heart rate.

Bronchodilators

These temporarily relieve shortness of breath, tightness of chest and wheezing due to bronchial asthma. Check with your doctor whether it’s safe to use bronchodilators if you If you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease or diabetes.

Nasal decongestants

Used to help relieve nasal congestion caused by a cold, hay fever or other upper respiratory allergies, nasal decongestants may cause adverse effects if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disease or diabetes. Check with your doctor before using these.

Good to know

Give your doctor a complete list of all medications that you use or have used within the last few weeks. This should include over-the-counter medications, vitamins, food supplements and herbal remedies.

Tell your doctor about treatments and medications that are added or have been discontinued.
Inform him about your lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, alcohol intake.
Ask about the most serious or frequent drug interactions with the medications that you are taking.
Because drug interactions increase regularly with the number of medications, work with your doctor to remove unnecessary medications from your treatment plan.

Take medications safely

Always read drug labels carefully and learn about the warnings for all the medications you take.
Keep medications in their original containers so you can easily identify them.
Ask your doctor what you need to avoid when you are prescribed a new medication. Ask about food, beverages, dietary supplements and other drugs.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking an OTC drug if you are taking any prescription medications.
Use one pharmacy for all your mediation needs.
Keep all your health care professionals informed about everything that you take.
Keep a record of all prescription drugs, OTC drugs and dietary supplements (including herbs) that you take. Always keep this list with you, especially when going for any medical appointment.