A recent health advice column featured in Greater Kashmir has highlighted numerous health questions readers have about certain ailments and even risks of everyday medications. In each section, the column addresses the questions and provides a solution for readers, but of course, if you are truly concerned about your health, then seeking professional advice is best. Keep reading to learn more.
Tiredness
Get a full eight hours of rest, but still wake up feeling tired? There might be a reason for that, including stress, anemia, thyroid imbalance, or vitamin deficiencies. If you consistently wake up tired, try a more balanced nutrition, hydration, exposure to sunlight, and even blood tests. There may be hidden issues messing with your body and creating fatigue. This stems from various physiological and lifestyle factors.
Headaches
If you struggle with headaches, there may be some hidden risks of everyday medications involved with your pain. Overuse of the medications that help fight against headaches may prompt “rebound headaches,” where the same medication that’s supposed to help you causes more headaches. Several health institutions have come to the same conclusion. These types of overuse headaches arise when pain relievers, such as triptans, ergotamines, opioids, or combination drugs, are used more than two to three days a week. The rebound leads to daily or nearly daily headaches, creating a cycle of using medication to relieve the pain, while also causing more pain in the process.
This pain can also get worse over time, according to experts. Instead of taking painkillers immediately, try identifying headache triggers, such as dehydration, eye strain, or poor sleep. Then you can consult your healthcare provider and get to the root of the problem, decreasing your medication intake and improving your overall health. Headaches may be pointing to an underlying problem, so pay attention to them instead of just immediately taking medication.
Lifestyle Habits
Other advice branches out to other lifestyle habits, like listening to something through earphones. After a long period of time at a high volume, it can cause permanent hearing loss. The best way to listen and protect your health is the 60:60 rule, listening at 60% for no longer than 60 minutes at a time. Switching to drinks, energy drinks may seem to help you get through the day, but they pose significant health risks. This is due to their caffeine and sugar content. Instead, get energy from natural sources like fruit, nuts, and good sleep.
Focusing on the stomach and digestive system, bloating and other issues can be from eating too quickly, carbonated drinks, and lactose intolerance. Avoid these problems by decreasing your amount of processed foods and eating more slowly. To keep that weight in line, skipping dinner can actually hurt your body, as it could slow metabolism and increase the chances of overeating later at night.
Poor eating habits can transfer into mental and emotional well-being, too. This is especially true for teenagers who excessively game and miss meals. Ideally, you will want to balance screen time, outdoor activities, and regular meals to support your mental and physical health.
With a wide range of scents and ingredients, perfumes and deodorants can often cause allergy flare-ups and lots of sneezing. Instead, avoid the respiratory symptoms by switching to hypoallergenic options. If you’re having trouble sleeping, food may be the issue. Make sure to wait 1-2 hours after eating to lie down, as it will decrease acidity issues. Plus, if you’re having problems with being thirsty all the time, it might lead to conditions like diabetes or kidney problems, not just dehydration.
Building a Healthy Foundation
While these tips are not specific medical advice catered to the individual, they can provide a foundation to build upon when addressing your own health issues. It’s important to recognize symptoms that may require medical attention, as it can help keep you in healthier spirits.
All in all, the Q&A serves to blend parental advice with evidence-based tips, providing readers with a baseline when it comes to recurring headaches, stomach problems, sleep issues, and more.