Eye care is an integral aspect of one’s general health. However, unbeknownst to many, certain unhealthy nutritional and lifestyle habits can trigger damage to this vital organ. It can include staring at the screen for longer periods, constantly rubbing one’s eyes, and more. Such habits can lead to complications such as eye fatigue and damage to the cornea. Awareness of such unhealthy habits might help one manage them and keep such complications at bay. Excessive screen time Most health experts advise patients with vision problems to follow the 20-20-20 rule while using screens. This rule emphasizes that every 20 minutes of looking at a screen should be followed up by focusing on a spot 20 feet away from you for 20 seconds. Excessive screen time can trigger retinal damage and eye fatigue, and this activity helps reduce the strain on your eyes. Blinking is another way of ensuring your eyes are clean and lubricated. Make it a habit to blink when using screens.  Rubbing your eyes Rubbing your eyes can lead to severe complications in the long run. For one, it is impossible to stop rubbing once you have started. Excessively rubbing your eyes can cause microvascular damage to the smaller blood vessels.

Blood clots are gel-like masses that can clog one’s blood vessels. They are made of platelets, proteins, and cells. They can restrict blood flow while moving through the bloodstream or stick to the walls of tiny blood vessels. Clots can affect any part of the body and be life-threatening if they block vitals like the lungs, heart, or brain. Here are some common habits and risk factors that can affect one’s blood circulation over time. Habits to avoid Here are some habits that cause blood clots: Sitting for a prolonged time The modern lifestyle may require one to sit at a desk in front of computers for a long time. Doctors warn that sitting for an extended period can pose a health risk and lead to many health concerns. When one does not move for hours, the blood gets pooled in one place. The flow is also restricted, especially in one’s legs, increasing the risk of blood clotting. Wearing tight clothing and shoes Tight clothes, including jeans or high heels, can make it difficult for blood to flow freely through the body, especially to the legs. Apart from this, tight clothing can also compress the intestines and affect abdominal health, leading to pain or heartburn.

A shower can help to drive any tiredness and other morning blues away. However, there are certain bathing mistakes that can reduce the effectiveness of a shower. When one makes these mistakes, they prevent themselves from enjoying the whole range of health benefits bathing brings with it. Additionally, some of these can cause health issues as well. Having said that, here are six such mistakes to avoid while showering that one must be aware of. Showering for too long Spending hours on end in the shower may seem like a luxury, but long showers are a prime reason for skin dehydration. Dermatologists advise people against indulging in long showers as they can gradually peel away skin layers such as epidermal barriers and lipids. This exposes the skin to health conditions such as eczema. Ideally, one must shower for no longer than 10 to 15 minutes. At most, that time can be extended by a couple of minutes. However, if one spends any longer than that in the shower, they are actively causing harm to their skin. Using products that are harsh on the skin Products that have abrasive components can strip essential oils, moisture, elasticity, and other sensitive and vital components of the skin.

Constipation is a gastrointestinal problem characterized by infrequent bowel movements, which can be less than three times a week. The stool consistency may be hard and dry, and one may find it difficult or painful to pass it. Moreover, chronic constipation may last several weeks and usually affects a person’s quality of life. Constipation is a curable condition and the cause and severity of the condition may vary from person to person. Constipation signs Inability to pass stool The obvious sign of constipation is hard stool that may be painful to pass. Those who are constipated may feel the urge to go to the bathroom but may find it difficult to pass stool. Dry stool consistency The usual stool consistency of a constipated person is hard and dry, and it may require strain to empty the bowel. Additionally, bowel movement is also hampered. Inability to pass gas and bloating An inability to pass gas is a common sign of constipation and this can cause bloating or abdominal discomfort. These symptoms may lead one to feel full quicker than usual after eating regular meals. One may also experience cramping or stomach aches. Sluggishness and loss of appetite Since the waste matter is not pushed out of the system, it may lead one to feel sluggish.

Periods are a part of the monthly menstrual cycle for people with a uterus. It is the shedding of the uterine lining in the form of blood and other fluids and tissue that may last for 3-7 days. Approximately 5 days to 2 weeks before its arrival, 90% of people who menstruate may feel certain symptoms. This is collectively known as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Some of the most common side effects or symptoms of periods include: Abdominal cramps Menstrual cramps, also known as primary dysmenorrhea, cause an achy or cramping feeling in the lower abdomen, lower back, and upper thighs. Their severity may range from dull or mild discomfort to severe pain that interferes with one’s daily activities. People with conditions like endometriosis, cervical stenosis, adenomyosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, and fibroids may experience worse cramps during their menstrual cycle. Gas and bloating Some people also experience a sensation of heaviness in the stomach or may struggle to zip up their pants. This is also known as bloating and is caused due to changing hormone levels which lead to higher retention of water in the body. For most people, the worst bloating occurs on the day their period begins. The body’s hormonal changes also impact bowel functioning and can lead to gas, diarrhea, constipation, or nausea.

Poor blood circulation usually occurs when something interferes with the circulatory system, causing specific body parts to be deprived of blood, nutrients, and oxygen. Some problems that can lead to poor circulation include blockages in the blood vessels and a leaky heart valve that causes the blood to flow backward. In most cases, poor circulation affects people with diabetes, those aged 40 and above, and individuals with minimal physical activity. Warning signs of poor blood circulation If circulation problems are left untreated, it can lead to complications like nerve damage, strokes, heart attacks, and peripheral artery disease. Hence, individuals should identify issues in time and use the right treatment as recommended by a healthcare professional. Here are some warning signs of poor blood circulation to look out for: Cracked or dry skin Those experiencing problems with blood flow may develop cracked or dry skin. In most cases, the skin in the legs and feet is affected, as the lower body suffers the most from circulation issues and receives less blood, oxygen, and nutrients. Furthermore, when there is a lack of proper blood supply in the body, the skin cannot easily create new cells. This may lead to not only dry skin but also slower healing of wounds.

Hearing loss is a common problem that is caused by aging, prolonged exposure to loud noises, certain diseases, and genetic variations. More than half the people in the country over the age of 75 live with age-related hearing loss, also known as presbycusis. Depending on the part of the ear it affects, presbycusis may be of three types – conductive, sensorineural, or mixed. Here are some of the most common warning signs of hearing loss. Difficulty in hearing consonant sounds Those living with presbycusis may lose their ability to hear high-frequency sounds. These normally include consonant sounds like S, F, Th, Sh, K, V, and P. This means one may easily confuse terms like “show” and “throw” or “peep” and “keep”, which can lead to misunderstandings or miscommunication. One may also think that others are mumbling or talking in muffled tones. Straining to listen Hearing is a brain activity and those who suffer from hearing loss need to strain to listen to what others are saying, which takes a lot of effort for the brain to process the sounds and make sense of them. This can cause listening fatigue. Doctors or audiologists may prescribe professional hearing aids to reduce the strain on one’s ears.

Bone cancer is a health condition that involves aggressive cell growth in one’s bones. It is a rare type of cancer. Most cases of stage 1 and a few stage 2 bone cancers are curable, while stage 3 is almost impossible to cure though treatments can relieve symptoms and delay the spread. Therefore, early diagnosis is important in managing the condition. A few common warning signs of bone cancer are discussed below. Swelling and redness of joints Like other kinds of cancer, bone cancer also advances through the uncontrollable multiplying of cells. When the cells aggressively create more copies of themselves, they tend to form a lump in the joints. In many cases, such lumps are clearly visible from the outside. The redness is caused by inflammation and irritation triggered by the rapid cell growth. A lump or swelling emerges after the affected area becomes painful. An example of swelling is when bone cancers form in the neck area. In such cases, a lump is formed in the back of an individual’s throat. It causes trouble in breathing and swallowing food. Movement difficulties When bone cancer metastasizes, it restricts a person’s movement in multiple ways. For example, if the tumor is present in a bone or joint, it weakens that area and makes it prone to injuries and fractures.

The digestive system is made up of vital organs that support functions allowing the body to absorb nutrition from daily foods. The major organs in this system are the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, bile ducts, gallbladder, pancreas, colon, rectum, and liver. And only specialist doctors treat conditions and complications that develop in the digestive system. Here are 5 uncomfortable yet important questions to ask a gastroenterologist before, during, and after treatment. What conditions do they treat? A general physician recommends checking up with a gastroenterologist for severe constipation and diarrhea. But gastroenterologists also advise on the best course of treatment for diseases that affect major abdominal organs. One consults to understand complications like cirrhosis, colon cancer, Crohn’s disease, gallbladder disease, gastrointestinal reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and even colitis. These doctors also specialize in endoscopy and colonoscopy procedures to confirm the development of chronic conditions. What invasive diagnostic tests are necessary? Problems in the abdomen, GI tract, and colon can be diagnosed by performing an endoscopy or colonoscopy. Both tests are invasive and can be a concern for many patients who are unsure about the procedure. So, the only way to overcome the fear of invasive diagnostic tests is by discussing the steps involved and understanding if these procedures are the only way to confirm the existence of a problem.

A pulmonologist, also known as a lung doctor, helps people optimize their breathing and, as a result, keeps lung disorders away. They are doctors who specialize in treating lung conditions, offering consultation and management options to strengthen the respiratory systems. When visiting a pulmonologist, one can ask many respiration-related questions and discuss breathing-related symptoms. Some queries can seem unusual, but one should seek answers to see if their respiratory system works as it should. Why do I feel tired after climbing the stairs? While some people may find it hard to ask their pulmonologist such a simple question, it is a highly valid one, nevertheless. Respiratory health influences aspects such as stamina and endurance while engaging in any kind of physical activity. So, if one feels perpetually tired and weak, even after performing the simplest tasks, such as climbing a few stairs, then it could be a sign of a health condition. A pulmonologist can answer this question without judging the patient. How do I use the inhaler correctly? This is another basic question many people may feel awkward asking their lung doctor. Inhalers are a commonly-used prescription-based solution. It is a handy tool for people with asthma to restore their breathing and open the airways.