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Tag: fatigue

Why are my eyelids twitching?

May 12th, 2019 by Content Editor

Ever noticed how your eyelid twitches sometimes? Don’t worry, it’s very common.

An eyelid twitch, also known as myokymia, is a repetitive involuntary spasm in the eyelid muscles. The twitch usually occurs in your upper lid, but it can also happen in the lower lids.

For most people, spasms are mild and feel like a gentle tug. These can last for a minute or two, every few seconds. Even though the twitches are bothersome, they are usually painless and don’t need treatment. Some people, however, experience eyelid spasms that are strong enough to force their eyelids to close. This is a condition called blepharospasm and is a more serious problem which needs to be treated.

Conditions that can increase the risk of eye twitching include:

  • Eye irritation.
  • Eyelid strain.
  • Fatigue.
  • Lack of sleep.
  • Physical exertion.
  • Side-effects from medication.
  • Stress.
  • Alcohol, tobacco and caffeine products.

Causes of eye twitching

Allergies


Itchy, swollen eyes is a common allergy symptom. If you rub your eyes for relief, histamine is released into your eyelid tissues and tear film. This may trigger an eyelid twitch.

Remedy it


Over-the-counter eye drops may help reduce your allergy symptoms. Talk to your doctor about an antihistamine and keep in mind it can cause dry eyes.

Nutrition issues


According to research, if you’re skimping on healthy foods in your diet, your body could be lacking in essential nutrients like magnesium. This may lead to eye spasms. 

Remedy it: Talk to your doctor if you suspect your diet may be the cause of your twitching eyelids.

Eye strain


Do you stare at screens all day? Join the club. Digital eye strain is very common as we all use smartphones and laptops almost all day, every day. This puts strain on the eyes and in turn, causes eye twitching.

Remedy it:

Follow the 20-20-20 rule to protect your eyes from strain. Take a break every 20 minutes and look away from your screen. Give your eyes a rest for at least 20 seconds or more. Focus on something at least 20 feet away. This helps with eye fatigue. Computer eye glasses can also help.

Stress


This is the most common eye twitching culprit.

Remedy it:

Take up a relaxing exercise like yoga or breathing exercises. Spend time with friends and family and give yourself time to rest.

Too much caffeine


Everyone needs a cuppa sometimes, but if you have too much, your eyes could start spasming. Caffeine quickens your pulse, and this can also increase involuntary impulses like eye spasms.

Remedy it:

Try drinking fewer cups of coffee per day or choose smaller cups. Alternatively, stick to decaf!

When to see a doctor

In some cases, an eye spasm could be a symptom of a brain or nervous system disorder. See your doctor immediately if:

  • The spasms last for several weeks.
  • The spasm affects parts of your face besides your eyes.
  • Your eyelid closes completely each time you experience the twitching.
  • Your upper eyelid droops.

References:

What exactly is TB? Here are the basics

October 31st, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

In the past, TB was called ‘’consumption”, because of the way it literally consumed infected people from the inside. Luckily for us, today TB is treatable. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What is Tuberculosis?

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by bacteria. While it mostly affects the lungs, it can also affect organs in the central nervous system, lymphatic system, gastro-intestinal system and circulatory system.

TB is classified as being either latent or active. Latent TB occurs when the bacteria are present in the body, but this state is inactive and presents no symptoms. Latent TB is also not contagious. Active TB is contagious, and it’s this type of TB that makes you sick with symptoms.

What Causes TB?

TB is caused by bacteria that are spread from person to person through airborne particles.

While some people have immune systems strong enough to quickly destroy TB bacteria when they enter the body, others will develop latent TB, and a fair number of people will become immediately ill and contagious with active TB. Anyone with a weakened immune system, including people with HIV, are more prone to developing active TB.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch Out for

A lot of people who become infected with the TB bacteria don’t actually show symptoms, but when symptoms are present, they include:

  • Sudden weight loss and loss of appetite
  • Tiredness or fatigue
  • Shortness of breath
  • A cough that lasts for more than 3 weeks
  • Coughing up blood
  • Chest pain
  • Pain when breathing or coughing

Can TB Be Treated?

If you’re at high risk for TB, there are anti-TB drugs that stop it from progressing to active TB.

People with active TB are usually treated with several anti-TB drugs to kill all the bacteria and stop them from becoming drug resistant. This usually means daily oral doses of medication for six months.

What is Diabetes?

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Diabetes is a chronic (lifelong) disease which presents as high levels of sugar in the blood. This is either because there isn’t enough insulin being produced, or because the body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin, or both.

What Causes Diabetes?

Insulin is a hormone which is produced by the pancreas, and which is responsible for controlling blood sugar. People who are diagnosed with diabetes have high blood sugar because their body cannot convert sugar into fat, liver, and muscle cells to be stored for energy. This is due to:

  • The pancreas not making enough insulin
  • The cells not responding normally to insulin
  • Both of the above

There are two major types of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2.
Type 1 diabetes is most often diagnosed in children, teens, or young adults, but it can occur at any age. With type 1 diabetes, the body makes little or no insulin. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is unknown, and daily insulin injections are needed.

Type 2 diabetes occurs most often in adulthood, and makes up the majority of diagnosed cases of diabetes. While it mostly affects adults, more teens and young children are also being diagnosed, due to high obesity rates. Many people with type 2 diabetes don’t even know they have it.

Gestational diabetes only affects pregnant women who don’t already have diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar develops at any time during pregnancy.

What are the Symptoms of Diabetes?

High blood sugar levels can cause several symptoms, including:

  • Excess thirst
  • Fatigue
  • Blurred vision
  • Hunger
  • Urinating often
  • Weight loss

Because type 2 diabetes develops slowly, some people with high blood sugar have no symptoms. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes develop over a short period of time however, and people may already be very sick by the time they’re diagnosed.

How is Diabetes Treated?

If type 2 diabetes is diagnosed early, it’s possible to reverse the disease by making positive lifestyle changes. In some cases, type 2 diabetes can be cured with weight-loss surgery.

With type 1 diabetes there is no cure, but it can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes. Treating both type 1 and type 2 diabetes involves diet, medication, and exercise to control blood sugar levels and prevent symptoms and complications. Getting better control over your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels helps reduce the risk of kidney disease, eye disease, nervous system disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Need to know

For Diabetes advice and support check out Diabetes South Africa  or chat to one of our doctors for advice.

What is Motor Neurone Disease (MND) ?

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Motor neurone disease (MND) makes up a group of severe disorders of the nervous system, and it occurs when motor neurons progressively lose their function. Motor neurones are specialised nerve cells that help regulate many of the body’s automatic processes, such as breathing and swallowing – they also send signals from the brain to the muscles and bones, enabling you to move them.  On 3 November 2014, former Springbok player Tinus Linee died from the disorder, and In February 2017, South African Springbok, Joost van der Westerhuizen passed away after a long struggle with the disease.

Approximately 5% of people with motor neuron disease have a close family relation who also has the condition, or the related condition fronto-temporal dementia. This is called familial motor neuron disease and is more closely linked to a problem with genes.

More usually, a person with motor neurone disease does not have a family history of the condition, and this is known as sporadic motor neurone disease. According to researchers, the cause is probably a combination of genetic and environmental factors that build up throughout life.

Symptoms

The first symptoms of motor neurone disease usually develop slowly and subtly over time.  It can be easy to mistake early symptoms for those of several unrelated conditions that affect the nervous system.   Breathing difficulties usually develop gradually, but they can also occur suddenly. Sometimes, they may even be the first sign of motor neuron disease.

There are three categories of motor neuron disease

  • Limb-onset disease
  • Respiratory-onset disease
  • Bulbar-onset disease

Physical effects of motor neurone disease (MND) can include:

  • Muscle weakness or wasting – in the hands or feet
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Slurred speech
  • Muscle twitching
  • Cramps
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss

Diagnosis

Motor neurone disease is called a clinical diagnosis.  This means it is most often made by a specialist on the basis of a physical examination and the symptoms.  While there is no single way to check for motor neurone disease, various tests may be used to rule out other possible causes of symptoms.

Treatment

There is no cure for motor neurone disease, but treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and relieve symptoms.    If you have pain due to motor neuron disease, the type of painkiller recommended to control symptoms will depend on how severe your pain is. Mild to moderate pain can often be controlled using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. More severe pain can be treated using an opiate-based painkiller, such as morphine.

Other symptoms

As motor neuron disease progresses, swallowing problems, called dysphagia, may become so severe that you won’t be able to eat and drink normally. One widely used treatment for dysphagia is a feeding tube known as a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube. PEG tubes are designed for long-term use and last for up to six months before they need replacing. The tube is surgically implanted into your stomach through a small incision on the surface of the stomach.

What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a mysterious disease that affects nerves in the spinal cord and brain, resulting in loss of muscle control, vision, balance, and sensation. It’s considered an autoimmune condition, which means something goes wrong with the immune system and it mistakenly attacks healthy body tissue. With MS, the myelin (which is the layer of protein that surrounds each nerve fibre in the brain and spinal cord) becomes damaged.

What are the main symptoms of MS?

Damage to the myelin disrupts the transfer of nerve signals in the brain and spinal cord, and this causes symptoms such as:

  • muscle stiffness – which can lead to uncontrolled muscle movements
  • loss of vision – usually only in one eye
  • difficulties with balance and co-ordination
  • fatigue
  • eye pain

Doctors don’t know what causes the immune system to act in this way, but most experts believe it’s a combination of genetic and environmental factors at play.

How is MS diagnosed?

There is no single test to diagnose MS, but there are specific criteria in place to help reach a conclusion. Diagnosing the condition is a process, and your doctor should refer you to a neurologist who specialises in treating MS to evaluate your symptoms and rule out any other possible conditions – for example a brain infection, lupus or stroke. Together with a thorough medical history and physical examination, spinal taps, MRI and blood sample analysis often used to accurately diagnose MS.

Are there different types of MS?

Yes – there are three main types of MS: relapsing/remitting MS; secondary progressive MS, and primary progressive MS.

Relapsing/remitting MS: is when the patient has flare-ups of symptoms, known as relapses, which can persist for days or even months. This is followed by periods where symptoms are mild or disappear altogether. This is known as remission, and it can also last for days or months. Nearly half of all people who suffer with relapsing/remitting MS go on to develop secondary progressive MS.

Secondary progressive MS: develops when symptoms gradually get worse over time. Some people may still have relapses, but don’t make a full recovery from symptoms.

Primary progressive MS: This is a very rare form of MS which develops when symptoms gradually get worse over time (as with secondary progressive MS) – however there are no periods of remission.

What treatments are available for MS?

While there is no cure for MS, there are multiple treatments that can help slow the progression of the condition and relieve symptoms.

Relapsing/remitting MS can be treated with medication which reduce the number of relapses a person has. These drugs can also slow the progression of the condition, but they’re not suitable for everyone. If a person is still experiencing relapses, then some of these drugs can also be used to treat secondary progressive MS.

Steroids can be used to help aid recovery from relapses, and physiotherapy is a popular treatment to help ease symptoms.

Who’s at risk of MS?

The condition is most commonly diagnosed in people between the ages of 20 and 40. And while it can occur at any age, it’s rare for children to get MS. Statistically, more women than men get MS, and the condition is more common in white people than black or Asian people.

MS can be a very challenging condition to live with, however the quality of life for people who are diagnosed with MS has improved a lot over the past 20 years – thanks to new treatments available.

Source: http://www.webmd.com/multiple-sclerosis/default.htm?names-dropdown

The ABC of Stress

October 27th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Medically speaking, stress is the body’s emotional, physical, psychological and behavioural response to certain internal and external influences (stressors.) It’s not just humans that deal with stress, every living organism has a stress response that allows it to survive and evolve. And while small amounts of stress are actually good for us in that they keep us motivated and on our toes, persistent day-to-day stress is linked to a number of serious health conditions. The most common stressors tend to include: stress at work and home, relationship woes, family troubles and financial debt.

Whatever your reason for being stressed out, Dr. Russell from Hello Doctor recommends that you get to the root of what’s causing your stress, and do whatever it takes to reduce or eliminate that stress from your life, before it starts taking a toll on your health.

What are the causes?

Stress is unique to each person, so the same causes don’t apply to everyone. A ‘stressor’ is what causes a person stress, and knowing what your stressor is, is the first step to managing stress. The most common causes of stress are:

  • Traumatic events: a death in the family or losing your job for example
  • Poor eating habits: you’re not eating a balanced diet
  • Financial instability
  • Health concerns: are you always sick, or do you have a chronic health condition
  • Work or home stress: Are you doing too much at work, are there people at work you don’t get along with who are causing you problems? Is your relationship with your spouse or partner taking strain?
  • Children: Children are a blessing, but it can be expensive and challenging bringing up a child, especially if you don’t have family or financial support
  • Phobias

How do you know if you’re under stress?

Symptoms of stress depend on how well a person manages stress, and how long a person has been dealing with it. Remember, stress takes a heavy toll on the body, even if you do think you’re managing it well.

The most common physical symptoms of stress include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Muscle aches and pains
  • Tension headaches
  • Chronic fatigue

The most common mental or emotional symptoms of stress include:

  • Feeling depressed
  • Lacking motivation and enthusiasm

Often, people who are stressed for long periods of time turn to alcohol and drugs as a way cope with it. This is NOT the solution, and it can lead to more serious problems, like addiction, very quickly.

How do you overcome stress?

When it comes to treating and beating stress, it’s not the same as treating other illnesses. The first thing you need to do is find the source of what’s causing you stress, then you need to work on ways to reduce or eliminate that stressor from your life. If you have financial debt, find out how you can pay it off faster – even if you can only pay a few hundred rand more a month it will make a difference.

If you’re struggling with insomnia as a result of stress, exercise more. It might be the last thing you feel like doing, but a bit of exercise every day helps ease stress and helps you sleep better at night. Regular exercise also releases endorphins in your brain, which make you feel good.

Watch what you’re eating – do you eat a healthy, balanced diet most of the time? If not, it’s time to start eating more fresh fruit, vegetables, lean meat, beans and lentils, and LESS processed, fried and fatty foods.

Finally, if these simple lifestyle changes aren’t making any difference to your stress levels, then it’s time to speak to your doctor to see if there are natural supplements or medication you can take to help reduce your stress. Remember though, medication isn’t a permanent solution – it takes permanent, positive lifestyle changes to make the real difference.

Need Help?

SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group)

South Africa Suicide Hotline

 

Feeling anxious often? You could have hyperthyroidism.

October 25th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Despite being one of the smaller organs in the body, the thyroid gland is one of the most powerful. Through the hormones it produces, the thyroid gland influences metabolism, breathing, heart rate, the nervous system, body weight and body temperature! With all that responsibility, what happens if something goes wrong?!

Disorders of the thyroid

The thyroid gland uses iodine from the foods you eat to make two main hormones:

  • Triiodothyronine (T3)
  • Thyroxine (T4)

T3 and T4 travel in your bloodstream to reach almost every cell in the body and are responsible for regulating the speed with which your cells work.

Thyroid problems is one of the most common of all medical conditions, especially in women. The most common thyroid problems involve abnormal production of these thyroid hormones:

  • An underactive thyroid, underproduces hormones and causes a condition called “hypothyroidism”
  • An overactive thyroid overproduces hormones and causes “hyperthyroidism”

Because an overproduction of thyroid hormones essentially speeds up cell activity across your entire body, some of the common symptoms of hyperthyroidism include:

  • fatigue or muscle weakness
  • hand tremors
  • mood swings, nervousness or anxiety
  • rapid heartbeat or heart palpitations
  • trouble sleeping
  • weight loss
  • diarrhoea
  • irregular menstrual cycle

Causes of hyperthyroidism

There are several different causes of hyperthyroidism:

  • The most common cause of an overactive thyroid is Grave’s disease. Grave’s disease is an autoimmune condition where your body produces anti-bodies that cause the cells of the thyroid to go into overdrive and over produce hormones
  • Unusual lumps or bumps that grow on the thyroid may interfere with regular hormone production
  • Inflammation of the thyroid, caused by a virus or a problem with the immune system, can also interrupt hormone regulation
  • In some women, pregnancy can cause changes to the thyroid resulting in an overproduction of hormones

Do you have hyperthyroidism?

Hyperthyroidism is a lot more common in women, and does have a large genetic component. If anyone if your family has Grave’s disease, or another thyroid condition, it’s a good idea to start becoming more aware of any unusual symptoms you may be experiencing.

A diagnosis of an overactive thyroid will be made by your doctor after listening to you describe your symptoms, doing a physical exam and by measuring levels of thyroid hormones in your blood. Depending on your specific symptoms, your doctor may also do a scan of your thyroid to see if you have any growths on the gland or whether it might be inflamed.

Treatment for hyperthyroidism

Since hyperthyroidism has several causes, there are several treatment options. The best treatment method will depend on YOU. Besides the underlying cause, your doctor will also consider your age, your symptoms and any other conditions you may have. Treatment could include:

  • Medications: these could include medications to lower thyroid activity and prevent the overproduction of hormones, or medications (e.g. beta blockers) that help to lower your racing heart rate. These are usually given together to help you feel better while the thyroid medication is doing its job
  • Radioactive iodine: this is absorbed by your thyroid gland, where it causes the gland to shrink and symptoms to subside
  • Surgery: in some cases, for example if you are pregnant, medication is not an option. Surgery can be performed to remove parts of the thyroid that will reduce hormone production

The obvious goal of treatment is to get hormones back in balance. To support your body while this is happening, ensure you do everything you can to keep the rest of you healthy. The best way to do this is by doing 3 things: eat well, sleep more and move!

References

https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/thyroid-nodules/thyroid-gland-controls-bodys-metabolism-how-it-works-symptoms-hyperthyroi
https://medlineplus.gov/hyperthyroidism.html
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hyperthyroidism/basics/definition/con-20020986

How to start the New Year refreshed & ready

October 24th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

The end of the year is slowly creeping up on us. You can’t seem to get everything done quickly enough. Yet, you know that after a whirlwind of festivities and summer holidays, you might not be fully ready for the new year.

We’re here to help! Here’s how to restore your body and mind during the holiday season.

1. Postpone big projects

If you had big plans to redecorate, or finish mountain of admin, it’s time to accept that the holiday season may not be the best time for these big projects. Schedule this for January and ease into the end of the year.

2. Consider a “staycation”

Don’t be bleak if your budget doesn’t stretch to a beach holiday this year. Use this time to relax and unwind, without the stress of traveling. You may just find some amazing activities right in your hometown, and – unless you live in a popular holiday destination – the shops are quieter, traffic is a breeze, and you can wake up at any time of the day and laze around without deadlines. Use this time to explore new places around your city, browse those markets you’ve wanted to check out the whole year, or finally go for a hike. Your home could be your best vacation yet.

3. Do a life audit

Reflect on the past year. Look at the goals you’ve achieved, think back to happy moments and reflect on things you could have done differently. This will give you some energy for the year ahead.

4. Stick to your budget

Many of us go into January knee-deep in debt and spend the whole month waiting for payday. Draw up a budget for the holidays, and do your best to stick to it! Unplanned coffee dates and outings can quickly add up to a ridiculous amount and swiping your credit card can pile on debt.

5. Get enough rest

You might be tempted to fill in your leave days with loads of activities and outings. This is fine, but make time to rest. Enjoy unhurried days of doing little, or just nap on a lazy summer afternoon. You’ve worked the whole year for this bit of rest.

6. Don’t be afraid to get professional help

If the past year has been overwhelming, don’t overlook the value of seeing a psychologist or counsellor to talk things out. You don’t have to be depressed, or mentally ill to benefit- they can give you valuable tips on stress management for the year ahead.

7. Give a little

The holiday season may often feel materialistic. Now is the perfect time to give back. Offer your services as a volunteer for a community project, or collect unused clothes or home items to donate to an organisation in your area.

8. Get a head-start on work

We’re not saying you should start tackling all your work right this moment. But there are some things you can do to ensure that you come back to a fresh start. Tidy up your desk, get rid of clutter, answer urgent emails and tie up loose ends before you leave for the holiday. Make a quick to-do list then prioritise the important jobs for when you get back. That way, you won’t feel aimless or overwhelmed when you get back.

9. Be good to YOU

You might feel obligated to spend as much energy as possible entertaining your children, spending time with your partner or tending to visiting family members. But to ensure that you enter 2018 feeling refreshed, it’s important to create some self-care rituals too. Pamper yourself with a face mask or a manicure, listen to your favourite music, steal some time to read a book and don’t feel guilty if you want to zone out.

10. Let go of grudges

Whether you have unresolved issues with a family member or still feel angry about something unfair, now is the time to let it go. Holding on to grudges will only continue a vicious cycle of negative feelings, which will hold you back from growth during the new year.

11. Laugh from your belly

Whether you’re howling at the antics of your children or pets, or indulging in a marathon watch of your favourite comedy, don’t forget to laugh. Laughter eases stress and is excellent for blood pressure, studies have proven.

12. Hide that laptop

You will never truly switch off if you don’t literally… well… switch off. Don’t talk or think about work and don’t peek at your inbox. You’re on leave, after all!

References:

3 Ways to boost your energy instantly

March 4th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Stay away from the energy drinks and follow these energy boosting ideas!

You’ve pulled another all-nighter, and need to get through a few more chapters before tomorrow’s exam. So you rush into the café and grab 3 cans of energy-drinks. This should get you through right?

BIG Mistake. Energy drinks contain up to 50 grams of sugar (that’s 13 teaspoons worth!) and give you an instant sugar rush, not an energy one. As your blood sugar crashes a few minutes later, you’re left feeling worse off than you did before. You may feel great at the start of the lecture, but by the end of it, you feel like The Walking Dead.

For a healthier (and longer lasting) fix, try one of these energy boosters instead:

1. Chew some gum

People who chew gum regularly enjoy increased levels of alertness, a boost in thinking power and even an increase in reaction time. The act of chewing wakes you up and helps keep you focused on the task at hand. Is one type of gum better than another? Stick with the sugar-free options, and go for mint. Besides keeping your breath smelling good, mint also helps to increase alertness and keeps your yawning at bay.

2. Take a Kareoke study-break

Music is most often used to calm things down or to help you chill out. But mix things up a bit and listen to your favourite tunes when your energy starts to dip. Make sure you tap your toes too (playing air guitar is up to you) as this extra activity, together with the stimulation of the music, increases energy and flattens your fatigue! To take things to the next level, belt out the lyrics too. To be able to sing along, you’ll need to control your breathing to take in extra oxygen, exactly what your tired body needs to get re-energised.

3. Sit up straight and go outside

Your mom was right (probably about more than you’d like to admit): sitting up straight and spending more time outside really is good for you! Did you know that slouching lowers the amount of air your lungs can hold by around 30%? Less oxygen means less energy, less focus and a lot less function! Take the time to check your posture: align your ears over your shoulders, shoulders over hips, and hips over your knees and ankles. Once you’re sitting up straight, take a deep breath. Notice the difference? Next, take a short walk outside. Being exposed to fresh air and the wonders of nature lifts not only your energy but your mood too.

Of course going to bed a bit earlier and avoiding all night cramming sessions will go a long way in keeping your energy levels up too… but you knew that already didn’t you?

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