hygiene – Page 2 – Hello Doctor

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

Is your child too clean? He may need a helping of germs!

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Our children these days are too clean, say researchers. Rather than it keeping them healthy, over-sterilising them and their environments leave them more vulnerable to illnesses.

Sounds strange – but it’s true.

Author of the book, Dirt is Good: The Advantage of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System, Professor Gilbert explains, “Parents are over-sterilising the environments of their children because they don’t understand why dirt is good for us. Most parents think all germs are bad, that is not true. Most will just stimulate your immune system and make you stronger.”

And so, ironically, when we ensure that our children never touch a speck of dirt, are scrubbed from top to bottom three times a day, and never get to play outdoors – we are really making them weaker. If your child is often sick, it may be because he’s too “clean”.

A child who’s constantly ill with a runny nose, sniffles and fevers, has a weakened immune system, and is often sensitive or allergic to certain allergens. A weakened immune system will allow any dormant allergy to resurface.

Researchers believe that many of these allergies can be minimised by allowing children to go outside and get dirty. Exposure to germs, parasites and bacteria is helpful and necessary in developing your child’s immune system.

Which brings us to the question: how dirty can you get?

5 ways to get dirty

As soon as he heads outside, you cover him with a scarf, a beanie and a puffer jacket. A little exposure to the elements is good for your child! Stop bundling him up. He needs to feel the wind, get some sun and breathe in outdoor air to build up that immune system!
Ease up on the hand sanitiser. It’s become a crutch to many of us, but what you’re really doing is creating superbugs who become immune to the antibacterial soaping agents. Teach your child to wash his hands regularly (after going to the bathroom, before eating, etc) but don’t overdo it with the hand wipes and sanitisers.
Medication is not a one-size-fits-all cure! If you rush off for antiviral medication or antibiotics as soon as your little one gets the sniffles, you’re creating a bigger problem. If the doctor prescribes antibiotics, you can give it to your child. But if you constantly give him over-the-counter medication for every ache and pain, you could be making him sicker in the long run. Unless your child is very sick and needs medical care, look for natural ways to boost his immunity.
Consider getting a pet. Cats and dogs can expose your child to various living organisms. Just make sure they have all their vaccinations and necessary procedures first!
Robust kids can play well with others, that is, they can stand to be in the company of other kids without falling sick all the time. Schedule play dates, let them run around in the garden together and share their toys. This is a healthy type of exposure.

The good bacteria

Probiotics are helpful bacteria found in some foods like live-culture yoghurt and can be used to restore the balance in the gut. They’re also effective in preventing and treating diarrhoea in children. They’re safe to take because they contain bacteria that are found naturally in the digestive tract. Younger children can take probiotics through probiotic drinking straws or chewable tablets while older children can have them in capsule form. Speak to your pharmacist for more information on the right probiotic.

References:

Food to give you a bright smile

April 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Are you really what you eat? Well, your teeth can attest to that. A quick bite of your favourite meal may satisfy your hunger and cravings, but what is it doing to your teeth? It’s important to remember, your milk teeth days are gone. The pearly whites you have today are the only ones you’ll have for your life, so we need to look after them!

As you age, your tooth enamel tends to degrade. Aside from brushing, flossing and regular dental visits, certain foods can strengthen tooth enamel, prevent cavities, ward off gum disease, and even whiten your teeth.

The villains

Nip that butt

Smoking has serious health consequences, and stains your teeth. This is caused by the nicotine and tar in tobacco. Smoking can also cause tooth loss, gum disease, bad breath and diminish your sense of taste.

Guilty pleasure

Foods that contain sugars can contribute to tooth decay. Sweets and fizzy drinks are culprits in causing the hard, outer layer of your teeth to wither away. Bacteria, and bad oral hygiene habits cause more decay, which later leads to tiny holes in the teeth. These acids can cause the tooth enamel to break down and form a cavity.

Nutrition and oral health

If your diet lacks the necessary nutrients, your mouth may have a difficult time fighting off infection. Make an effort to restrict the amount of sugar you eat. Read food labels and choose low-sugar foods and drinks.

Brighten your smile

Strawberries

These berries are packed with malic acid; an enzyme that naturally makes teeth whiter.

Milk, yoghurt and cheese

Dairy products contain lactic acid. These may help protect against decay. Research suggests that the proteins in yoghurt can bind to your teeth and prevent an attack by harmful acids that cause cavities. A study has found that kids who ate yoghurt four times a week had less tooth decay than kids who didn’t.

Pineapples

Pineapple naturally contains bromelain; a compound with anti-inflammatory and cleansing properties. It’s been found to be an effective ingredient in stain-removing toothpastes.

Apples

This fruit may be sweet, but it’s also high in fibre and water. Eating an apple produces saliva in your mouth, which rinses away bacteria and food particles.

Celery

Just like how your toothbrush scrapes away food particles and bacteria from your teeth, the crunch of celery as you chew does the same. It’s also a good source of vitamins A and C and has antioxidants that can boost the health of your gums.

Carrots

Carrots can be your cavity-fighting friend. Sticks of raw and crunchy carrots act as a natural toothbrush. The vegetable contains Vitamin A, which is vital for strengthening delicate tooth enamel. Snack on a carrot as an in-between-meal treat to massage your gums and clean in between teeth.

References:

How to stay healthy during the water crisis

March 7th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Water restrictions are in full effect in Cape Town thanks to the ongoing drought.

Here’s a survival guide for you:

In the bathroom

A two-minute shower is all you need to get a clean a wash. Turn off the shower when soaping and turn it back on to rinse. Keep a bucket in your shower to collect the water.
When you’re finished bathing, keep the water to flush the toilet. When it’s time to flush, fill the tank with water and use the handle on the toilet to flush. This uses less water than dumping water into the bowl.
Instead of using drinking water to wash your hands, opt for a waterless hand sanitiser. Look for one that kills at least 99% of bacteria and viruses.
Only flush when you need to, and close the toilet bowl if urine has not been flushed. Use disinfectants, face masks and gloves where necessary.
Keep the toilet bowl as clean as possible with bleaching and detergent products to minimise odours.
Don’t flush wipes and sanitary pads! This can cause blockage.
Don’t use your toilet as a dustbin‚ and switch to one-ply toilet paper to prevent blockages when choosing to “let it mellow”.

In the kitchen

Fill up a two-litre water bottle for the day and sip from here. Try to eat as many foods as possible that don’t need to be cooked in water.
For your fruit and vegetables, keep a bowl of water for rinsing, and by the end of the day you can use the leftover to water your plants or flushing the toilet.
Instead of boiling your veggies in water, steam them in the microwave.
Stock up paper plates to avoid unnecessarily washing dishes.
Stock up about five to 10 litres of drinking water. Remember to keep some for your pets too.
Store essential water in a cool and dry place, away from light and dust. Make sure all water bottles are clearly labelled “drinking water”. They should be tightly sealed to avoid contamination.
Let your food defrost in the fridge overnight instead of running tap water to defrost.

Laundry

Only wash your clothes when necessary. A washing machine uses a lot of water for just one load. Hand-wash your clothes, and save the water to flush the toilet.
To prevent your towels from smelling, hang them outside to dry. The sun also acts as a germ killer.
Sturdier clothes (like jeans and jackets) don’t need to be washed every time you wear them.

Good to know

Don’t store non-drinking or grey water (water from bathing, showering, laundry and hand basins) for longer than two days.
Don’t use spring, borehole or river water for drinking; it’s not purified.
Don’t use sea water or grey water for drinking. It may contain toxic and harmful substances.
Collect any and all rainwater that you can. This will be useful for flushing and gardening. Invest in dry shampoo so you can go at least a few days without washing your hair.

References:

Natural deodorants that work

March 7th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Let’s face it – no one likes B.O. Especially when it’s emanating from the stranger next to you on the taxi. Although you may not feel particularly positive about it, you would be wise to remind yourself how sophisticated the sweat-response is. It doesn’t just make you feel cool on a warm day, it actually protects your body from overheating – which could actually kill you!

In the bigger scheme of things, body-odour is a very small side-effect, and the good news is that you can combat the smell, naturally.

Antiperspirant or deodorant?

It’s important to know that not everything you swipe under your underarms is referred to as deodorant. Here’s why.

Antiperspirants typically use aluminium in some form and it’s meant to control sweat (or perspiration). Roll-ons commonly have active ingredients with scientific names.

Aluminium zirconium tetrachlorohydrex (roll-ons).
Aluminium chlorohydrate (aerosol antiperspirants).

The aluminium in antiperspirants creates a temporary little plug in your armpit sweat glands, which prevents excessive sweating. Deodorants on the other hand, are made to mask body odour, they don’t contain aluminium, and don’t stop you from sweating. They only reduce body odour, by using fragrance or antibacterial compounds to make your armpits a little less bacteria-friendly.

What really causes that foul odour?

Body scents in general, are caused by 1) the substances secreted from skin glands and 2) skin bacteria. The smell is influenced by your diet, your hormonal cycles, your genetic typing and the type of bacteria living on your skin.

Go au naturel

Mild body odour is common, but when things turn sour, it can damage your self-esteem. Here are some recipes you can try to combat the smell, without exposing yourself to harsh chemicals:

Homemade roll-on:

Baking soda or bicarbonate of soda is a white crystalline compound, loaded with health benefits. It absorbs moisture from the skin and keeps it dry, acts as a natural deodorant agent to prevent body odour, kills bacteria and neutralises the body to prevent excess sweating and odour.
Known to serve its purpose in the kitchen, coconut oil can be useful as a deodorant because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties while also hydrating your skin. It can fight bacteria that causes odour in your underarms after you sweat. It’s perfect for those with sensitive armpits too. Before you use coconut oil as a deodorant, do a skin test to see if there’s a chance of an allergy reaction.

Essential oils

You can choose your oils based on how they smell. It’s also important to include essential oils that kill bacteria.

Witch hazel reduces underarm odour by lowering the skin’s pH (a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of our body’s fluids and tissues) so the bacteria that causes odour can’t survive.
Lavender and tea tree oil are commonly used in natural deodorants. They have antibacterial properties.
Rosemary contains antibacterial properties that fight build-up of bacteria, which causes body odour.
Sage will help reduce activity in your sweat glands, which is one of the main causes of body odour.

Prevent the dreaded whiff

Hair absorbs odours easily, so shave your armpits regularly to reduce bacterial growth, sweat and odour.
Keep your underarms dry. Bacteria thrive in moisture and will struggle to breed in dry areas of the body.
Wear breathable fabrics. Many synthetic fabrics trap sweat and moisture.
Change your diet. Fatty foods and strong-smelling foods like garlic, onions and spicy foods can leak through your skin and cause body odour.

References:

8 ways honey can help your health

March 7th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

Honey is one of the world’s oldest medicines. Its strong antibacterial and healing properties make it a great natural remedy for many common health problems. It was the most used medicine in ancient Egypt, and was deemed so precious that it was traded as a form of currency!

The Roman legions also treated their wounds with honey, and athletes at the ancient Olympic Games ate honey and dried figs to enhance their sports performance.

Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, believed in honey as the golden healer. “Honey cleans sores and ulcers, softens hard ulcers of the lips, and heals carbuncles and running sores,” he wrote. Science has shown us that, in fact, the ancients were not so far from the truth:

Sore throats and coughs

The World Health Organization (WHO) lists honey as a substance that relieves irritation in your mouth or throat by forming a protective film. It has strong antibacterial properties and provides temporary pain relief. Combine a spoonful of honey with some freshly-squeezed lemon juice and drink at regular intervals. Honey also relieves mild coughing (especially night-time coughing in young children). It shouldn’t be given to babies younger than a year old though.

Wounds, cuts and burns

As a natural antiseptic, honey can be used as a first aid remedy. According to research published by the journal, Evidence Based Complementary Alternative Medication, it inhibits the growth of bacteria and helps keep wounds clean from infection. After gently cleaning the wound with warm water and mild soap, apply a layer of honey on a dressing. Change every 24 hours.

Hay fever

Do you suffer from hay fever? Eating honey that’s local to your area can help boost your immune system and reduce your hay fever symptoms. Honey contains very tiny amounts of the pollen found in your area. These bits aren’t enough to trigger an allergic reaction when you ingest honey, but they do help your body build up a tolerance to the pollen.

Digestive health

Honey has a mild laxative effect that can help combat constipation and bloating. It’s also rich in friendly bacteria, which act as a probiotic and keep the digestive and immune system healthy. For a homemade digestion aid, try tea with honey and lemon. Honey may also be effective in the treatment of ulcers – take about two teaspoons of honey on an empty stomach (half an hour before a meal), up to three times a day to provide pain relief.

Hangovers

Too much to drink? Honey is a great way to help the body deal with the toxic effects of a hangover. According to The Royal Society of Chemistry, the fructose in honey is essential to help the body break down alcohol into harmless by-products.

Healthy skin

Honey is great for your skin as it locks in moisture. If you suffer from dry skin, dab some honey on your skin, leave for 20 minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Legend has it that Cleopatra’s great beauty was thanks to baths of milk and honey. If you’d like to give it a try, run a warm bath and add a cup of milk and half a cup of honey to the water.

Mosquito bites

Honey can help reduce the itch and irritation of mosquito bites. Dab a bit of raw honey right on the bite. Honey’s antimicrobial properties will also help prevent infection.

Athletic performance

Honey can boost athletes’ performance, endurance levels and reduce muscle fatigue. It provides an easily absorbed supply of energy, making it ideal for energetic morning starts and as a pre- and post-exercise energy source.

References:

Clean your diet, clear your skin

February 20th, 2018 by The Hello Doctor Team

It is huge! In fact, it doesn’t matter what size it really is – when you spot a pimple on your face, it always feels like it is massive. It would be understandable if you were a teenager, but why do some of us still suffer with this as adults?

Thanks to human biology, hormones and the complex nature of your skin, acne is a global challenge. It is most common among male teenagers as their testosterone levels are usually high, but it can affect men and women of all ages. This pesky skin condition can be persistent, but there are ways to treat it. You can start by changing up your diet.

Skin wreckers

Researchers have found that certain foods spike your blood sugar more quickly than others and cause your body to release insulin. Too much insulin in your blood may cause your oil glands to produce more oil and increases the risk of acne. These are called “high glycaemic” carbohydrates. These foods include pasta, white rice, white bread and sugar.

It was also found that a diet based heavily on dairy, saturated fats and trans fats, are linked to the production of acne. According to research from the Journal of Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, food like these stimulates hormones which can cause excess oil to be released from your oil glands, and inflammation; leading to acne problems.

A plate of health

Just like hyperglycaemic foods can make acne worse or help cause acne, low glycaemic foods may reduce the risk of developing acne. Complex carbohydrates are great acne helpers. These are found in wholegrains, legumes and unprocessed fruit and vegetables.

Foods with zinc (beef, lamb, pumpkin seeds and spinach), Vitamin A (carrots, sweet potato, broccoli), Vitamin E (almonds, avocado and butternut) and antioxidants (cranberries, pecans and kidney beans), helps reduce skin inflammation.

Good to know

Other skin-friendly foods include spinach and other dark green and leafy vegetables, tomatoes, blueberries, wholewheat bread, brown rice, quinoa, beans, peas, and lentils, salmon, and other kinds of fatty fish and nuts.
You don’t have to give up chocolate to have clear skin, just switch to dark chocolate and watch your portions, and stick to chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa. It contains zinc; an acne fighter, so eat up!
Drink your way to better skin by swapping your coffee for green tea. It’s rich in polyphenols which helps increase blood flow and oxygen to your skin, improving its look, health and feel.
Back away from the processed foods as they contain more sugars and fats than you need, which may wreak havoc on your skin. Stock your kitchen with basic cooking ingredients and you’ll find that avoiding processed items will be much easier, healthier and cheaper.
Let’s not forget the foundation of good skin; water. Aim for eight glasses a day to keep your skin hydrated and help flush out toxins.

References:

How to prevent Hand, Foot and Mouth disease

December 8th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a common contagious, viral illness that often affects infants and children, although it’s possible for older children and adults to contract it too. Don’t confuse HFMD with that similar-sounding disease that affects animals though!

What causes HFMD?
HFMD is a viral infection that’s brought on by the Coxsackie A16 virus. Although a different, related virus called Enterovirus 71 can also cause HFMD, it’s highly unlikely that there are other strains of viruses that will cause the same symptoms.

The virus is highly contagious and can spread directly via saliva drops or bodily fluids, or unwashed hands and surfaces contaminated with the virus.

Symptoms
HFMD may cause some of these symptoms, or all of them. These include:

Fever.
Sore throat.
Painful sores on the hands and feet and inside the mouth.
A loss of appetite.
A general feeling of irritability and not being well.
A blistering, red rash on the soles of the feet, the palms of the hands and sometimes the buttock cheeks.

Am I at risk?
HFMD is more common among infants and toddlers younger than 10 and more often, those younger than five, especially in day-care and preschools. This is because the virus is more likely to spread through nappy changes and children putting their hands and feet in their mouths. Older children and adults can also contract HFMD.

How do I treat HFMD?
There’s no specific treatment for HFMD. The symptoms are treated separately to give relief and comfort, and usually clear up after two to seven days. The blisters and sores can last a bit longer. The symptoms often just run their course.

It’s recommended to treat the fever and sore throat by giving your child paracetamol and plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

Avoid acidic foods and drinks as these can be painful on the lesions in your child’s mouth. Ice cubes and fruity ice lollies can relieve those painful sores. Let the blisters on the skin dry out naturally. Monitor the blisters and sores regularly to avoid them getting infected.

How do I protect my family against HFMD?
There’s no immunisation or vaccination against HFMD. The best you can do is to avoid the disease from spreading.

Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap, especially after changing nappies.
Don’t touch your eyes, mouth and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact like hugging, kissing and sharing surfaces and utensils with someone who has HFMD.
If you or your child has HFMD, stay home from school or work until the symptoms clear up to avoid contaminating others.
Make sure your child’s day-care or preschool knows immediately, as other children might have been contaminated with the virus too.
Disinfect commonly shared areas like the bathroom and kitchen regularly.
Disinfect toys, blankets, bottle teats or dummies that might be infected with the virus.
Management at your child’s day-care or preschool should inform the parents when there is a case of HFMD.

Resources:

What exactly is sepsis?

November 13th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Sepsis sounds dangerous – and it is. It’s another word for blood poisoning, when our bodies react to a severe infection. We look at this condition, its symptoms and how to treat it.

What is sepsis?

Not all cuts, scrapes or minor infections need medical attention. But sometimes, a seemingly small infection can be deadly when it spreads to the blood and organs. When your blood reaches a certain level of infection, doctors refer to this as sepsis.

Sepsis is also known as septicaemia or blood poisoning. This doesn’t mean you were poisoned – rather, it’s a serious reaction to any form of infection. It means that there’s an infection in your bloodstream which can spread through the entire body. When left untreated, sepsis can lead to death. You need an early diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible!

What are the causes?

Sepsis can be brought on by an existing infection in any part of the body, in an organ, or your skin. It happens in three stages and the onset can be quick:

It begins when an infection enters your bloodstream.
The infection spreads to your vital organs: the heart, brain and kidneys.
Septic shock happens when your blood pressure drops so low that your organs shut down. This can be fatal.

Who gets sepsis?

Everyone is vulnerable to sepsis or septic shock, but it’s more likely in older people with a weakened immune system, or people suffering from chronic diseases like diabetes or cancer.

Men are more likely than women to suffer from sepsis. Lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking can increase your risk. If you’re in hospital, especially intensive care, where your immune system is already weakened, sepsis is an added risk. This is because hospitals aren’t always as sterile as we think and it’s easy to pick up an infection. Bacteria doesn’t always respond to antibiotics either, and this can cause an infection to worsen and spread to the blood.

Symptoms of sepsis

A combination of these symptoms, following an existing infection, might mean that you have sepsis:

Disorientation and/or dizziness
Fever and/or cold shivers
Clammy skin
Flushing of the skin
Shortness of breath
A fast heartbeat

What do I do if I suspect sepsis?

The onset of sepsis is fast –it’s a medical emergency! If you develop an infection after surgery or hospitalisation, contact your doctor immediately. If you have any of the above symptoms following any sort of skin or organ infection, it’s also imperative to contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Your doctor will do blood tests to check how severe the sepsis is. He will check your blood to determine the platelet count (how well your blood can clot), the function of your kidneys and/or liver, an imbalance in electrolytes and minerals and if any infection is present.

From there, he will advise any additional tests that might be necessary to track further infection, and will run you through a treatment plan, which can either be antibiotics or hospitalisation.

Will I recover?

The faster you act, the quicker your doctor can start treatment. While it’s possible that there might be some permanent damage to your organs or tissues, your recovery depends on factors like your age, illnesses that you might already have, and your condition in general.

Many people die of sepsis and septic shock, but acting quickly will increase your chances of survival.

Can I prevent sepsis?

While we’re all bound to get infections during our lifetime, there are things we can do to prevent the infection from spreading to our blood:

Practise good hygiene, especially when it comes to wound care – disinfect any wounds, apply clean dressings regularly and wash your hands before treating wounds.
The sooner you spot and treat any form of infection, the less likely your chances are of getting sepsis.
Go to your doctor immediately if you have any form of respiratory infection like bronchitis, or a urinary tract infection like bladder infection. Treating these infections will also prevent them from spreading to the blood.
If you have had surgery, follow the post-operative instructions from your doctor to avoid any wounds getting infected.

References:

The woman’s guide to public toilets

November 13th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

It’s Saturday night and you’re out with friends when those last three drinks take their toll. A public bathroom is your only option – and so you do what needs to be done – suspending yourself in mid-air, you try to do your business as carefully as possible. After all, that’s as hygienic as you can get in a public bathroom, right? As long as your skin doesn’t touch the bowl!

Not quite. It turns out that squatting might be the major contributor to dirty toilets in the first place.

The problem with bladder pressure

Squatting means employing exceptional control to avoid urinating all over the seat. And few of us are that perfectly controlled! This means that hovering runs the risk of spraying droplets of pee all over the seat, defeating the so-called hygienic value of squatting in the first place.

Trying to make sure you’re perfectly in control of your pee also means pressure on your pelvic muscles. As you hover, your hip rotators, back and abs tense up to keep your muscles in control, which makes the flow of urine difficult. You may feel you have to “force” out the stream, which leads to messiness and discomfort. Even worse, this forcing style might mean you don’t fully empty out your bladder, which could lead to a bladder infection.

Sitting pretty

So what should you do? You’ve always heard that toilet seats are crawling with every germ alive. Well, most disease-carrying- and causing organisms don’t have a long shelf life, so it would take a lot of doing for the germ to attach itself to your skin, a cut or sore and cause a serious level of damage.

The germs to worry about are viruses like the common cold virus and hepatitis A, which do live in public spaces. But this is where hand-washing becomes vital. Hand-washing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to banish bacteria.

Research also shows that in general, a person’s upper thighs are usually much cleaner than a person’s hands, so it’s probably ickier to shake hands than sit on a toilet seat! “Unless the seat is visibly soiled, it’s usually cleaner than most other things in the bathroom,” says Travis Stork, host of The Doctors. Actually, door handles and taps are the biggest germ-carrying culprits in public bathrooms. They’re both full of bacteria that can cause respiratory and diarrheal illnesses. So if you want to avoid getting ill, “the most effective thing you can do in the bathroom is wash your hands and avoid touching handles on the way out,” says Stock.

Your anti-squatting options:

One way people avoid coming in contact with all the bacteria floating around in cubicles is to coat the seat with toilet paper to make a “protective layer”.
Studies have shown that the least-used bathroom stall is the first closest to the door.
Wipe the seat first and then sit down and do your business. Wash your hands thoroughly and follow up with hand sanitiser for peace of mind.

References:

https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/what-can-you-catch-in-restrooms

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:

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