Tag: Health Issues

What You Should Know About Work-Related Health Problems

When you go to work, you don’t normally expect to get hurt there or have your health damaged in some way. Unfortunately, these things really do happen and they’re often no fun at all to deal with. Whether you’ve experienced these kind of problems before or not, you need to be aware of them and how to get the help you need when you need it. Read on now to find out more about all of this.

Stress and Anxiety Caused by Work is More Common Than You Think

The problem of stress at work is growing massively, and more people are now feeling able to talk about it. That’s a good thing, but what’s not good are the practices that lead people to feeling under pressure and stressed every day of the working week. It’s a common problem, so if it’s something that you’ve been struggling with, there’s no shame in that at all.

The HR Department Might be Able to Help You

If you are having difficulties with things like stress or anxiety caused by your work life, you should head to your company’s HR department and see what they can do for you. They might be able to change your schedules or your workload so that you don’t feel quite so under pressure all the time. That’s got to be a good thing, so it’s worth looking into.

If You’ve Been Exposed to Something Harmful, You Should Seek Justice

There are many damaging and hazardous materials that people work with every day. However, just because you’re aware of the risks, that doesn’t mean your employers can expose you to unsafe materials without the right safety equipment. The risks of asbestos exposure resulting to mesothelioma are very real. And that’s just one example, so you should seek legal justice if you’ve ever been in a situation like that.

Your Employers Have a Duty to Protect You While You Work

No matter what anyone tells you, you should remember that you do have rights at work and your employer has a duty to protect you from threats and harm that might arise in your line of work. So if you feel like basic safety standards are not being met, you should take action and be vocal about it. If it becomes a problem, getting a union involved will be necessary.

Aches and Pains Could be Caused By Repetitive Work

All those little aches and pains you’ve been feeling might not simply be a sign that you’re getting older. They could also be down to the fact that so many of us do jobs that are physically repetitive. Repetitive strain injuries are technically workplace injuries, and they can impact anyone from builders to receptionists.

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There are so many ways in which your health can be damaged when you’re at work. That’s something that you should be aware of because then you can better combat the potential problems you experience in the workplace. That’s got to be a good thing, so don’t ignore this any longer.

Osteoporosis: Understanding The Bear Bones Of This Condition

Many people have heard the term osteoporosis, but do they really understand what it means, and the effect it can have on their health? Probably not, and that is why my post below outlines the basics of the condition, as well as what can be done to prevent and alleviate it. Keep reading to find out more.

What it osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a bone condition. It occurs when the structure of our bones lose density. Something that means the spaces within the bone structure get larger and the actual fibers of bone get smaller. This is often described as them being porous.

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Unfortunately, the symptoms of osteoporosis are often not detectable until the damage has been done. This is because it is a largely silent and gradual disease, and only when it reaches an advanced stage where breaks and fractures become much more likely does it start to be noticeable. That is why it is often associated with older people. Obviously, bone breakage is painful and can be debilitating, meaning it’s something that is best to avoid if at all possible. Especially if it is frequently occurring, as can present with this condition.

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Over time osteoporosis can cause major problems in any of the bones in the body, and especially the spine. This is because individual vertebrae can fracture, something that is known as kyphoscoliosis. This causes pain and a hunched over appearance that makes mobility very difficult.

What causes it

Believe it or not, our bones are not static elements of our body. In fact, old bone is reabsorbed into our system throughout our lives, and new bone is created. However, if there is a disruption or imbalance in this process, it can lead to osteoporosis because not enough new bone is created to support the body.

This imbalance is more common in people with a calcium deficiency as this is an essential nutrient to help develop bone growth. It is also common in women because hormonal changes after the menopause cause a rapid loss of bone density which is often never completely balances out, causing them to more at risk of this disease.

Treatment and prevention

Obviously, if you have developed, or been identified as being at risk of osteoporosis, your doctor will advise you on the best course of treatment to stay well.

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However, there are some things that you can do that will minimise your risk of suffering from this condition in the first place. Ths includes using supplements, calcium in particular, as this can help to increase bone density.

Although some folks do have concerns about the safety of putting nutrients into their body in such high quantities. That is where consulting with your doctors and doing your research comes in as you can find out more about this in the AlgaeCal safety study on Pubmed. There you will find all the facts you will need to help you decide whether calcium is the right supplement to help you in your quest to prevent osteoporosis.

Takeaway: So in summary osteoporosis is a condition where the bones aren’t dense enough. It’s caused by a lack of calcium and an imbalance in bone production and reabsorption. Also in addition to medical treatments, calcium supplements may be helpful in preventing this condition.

 

 

 

 

 

Health Issues: Not Serious, But Seriously Annoying

There are certain health issues that just seem to happen. To an extent, we all see them as part and parcel of being a human. They’re not serious; they won’t compromise your life beyond irritation and mild discomfort; and they’re definitely not life-threatening. They’re just annoyances that most of us will find ourselves experiencing at least once in our lives.

As ‘normal’ as these maladies may be — in terms of the number of people they impact — they might have a genuine cause. Even if an issue is not particularly debilitating, if it happens to you frequently, then you don’t just have to shrug and dismiss it as a standard part of life. If you take the time to figure out what’s really going on with these oh-so-standard problems, you might just be able to cure them once and for all. Fixing aspects of your health that have been bothering you in a low-level-but-still-present way can make a huge difference to your overall health, and give you the confidence that you’re going to wake up feeling well every morning.

So, without further ado…

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEM: Constipation

Okay, so it’s not the nicest subject to have to talk about, but hey, it happens to the best of us! Constipation is a symptom of a range of different health problems, so it’s always worth checking with a doctor if the issue becomes chronic.

For the most part, though, constipation is transitory– though that’s not to say it’s fun to deal with. One common solution is to try a magnesium supplement; a lack of magnesium has long been associated as a potential cause for constipation.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEM: Dry Eyes

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Glance through any pharmacy and you will see myriad options for treating dry eyes. It’s a symptom that many people experience, with too much computer usage and not enough sleep often the cause.

However, there is another potential cause you’re going to want to be aware of; dehydration. If you’ve not been drinking enough water, then you’ll feel the impact throughout your body— but particularly in your eyes and your lips. So if you have persistent problems with dry eyes — or chapped lips for that matter — then increase your water intake rather than reaching for an over-the-counter solution. It could make all the difference.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEM: Daytime Tiredness

Sometimes, excessive daytime tiredness doesn’t have a cause beyond the basic explanation– you didn’t sleep well the night before. However, if you seem to be sleeping well, getting a decent night’s rest, and you still feel tired, then this is worthy of further investigation.

The most common cause is a disorder called sleep apnea, where you temporarily stop breathing at night. Don’t panic; your body recognizes this as an issue and rights itself immediately! You won’t remember these moments or feel any ill-effect from them, apart from tiredness the next day; sleep apnea sleep is not as restful as ‘standard’ sleep. See a doctor if your experience fits this description; sleep apnea is treatable, and you’ll sleep much better in future.

Just because a health complaint isn’t dominant and ruining your life doesn’t mean you just have to put up with it. Explore the possible causes, speak to your doctor, and you stand to improve your life exponentially!

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Healthy For Life: Medical Checks You Need To Be Having as You Age

It is inevitable that we are all going to age. But how well we age will be dependant on a number of things. Some things in our life we have inherited and may or may happen as a result. Other things can happen through incidents in our life, or how we treat our body. But there are some things that can occur as we get older than can be dealt with pretty quickly. We just need to be getting them checked in time. So has never been more important to have regular doctor’s appointments as we age. Throughout our life we should aim for at least a yearly physical unless we have any conditions that need to be seen to. But what are some checks we should be having as we get older? Here are a few suggestions. If you have yet to have one of these and are reaching a certain point in your life, then it might be time to schedule an appointment. I hope this helps!

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Hearing Test

Hearing tests should be done from a young age. But unlike eyesight, it doesn’t need to be done too often. Once every five years or so should suffice, as long as you aren’t noticing any problems in the meantime, of course. But as we get older, our hearing can deteriorate quite quickly. So more often than not is recommended for hearing tests. But don’t worry, if there are any issues, it can be easily dealt with. Just take a look at a site like hearingaidbuyertoday.com, and you’ll see the variety of hearing aids that are available. There are many that look like you’re not even wearing one, so you don’t have to make it obvious, if that is something that you’re worried about.

Eye Tests

Throughout our lives, our eyes should be tested around every two years. Again, this should be done sooner if you are noticing problems with the quality of your vision. The number of people, especially women, that wear glasses later in their lives is quite high. So you might want to consider having eye tests annually, rather than every two years. Having good vision can impact your health and life in general greatly, so it is worth looking into.

Stepping on the Scales

Knowing how much we weigh is important for weight maintenance. As we get older, our metabolism can slow down; we tend to be a little less active than we have been before, so weight gain can be quite likely if we’re not careful. So keep an eye on how much you weigh. Being overweight can lead to many issues later in life, but being a reasonable weight can reduce your chances quite significantly.

Cholesterol Testing

Do you know what levels of cholesterol are in your blood? It isn’t something that we tend to know. But having it checked every so often can be really important for our overall health. If you have high cholesterol, it can lead to problems with your heart, and even problems with your blood pressure. So having it checked regularly is important. This can be done with your doctor, especially if you are concerned about it or are overweight. Then you can adjust your lifestyle accordingly, to help improve the results.

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Blood Pressure

Similar to cholesterol levels, our blood pressure can have a big impact on our health, but it isn’t something that we get checked all that often. Untreated high blood pressure can be a killer, as it can lead to things like heart attacks or stroke. So don’t let it sneak up on you. You could check out symptoms at webmd.com if you’re unsure. Get your blood pressure checked regularly and then you can make some changes, as well as take prescribed medication, to help with it.

Mammogram

For women over a certain age, and some men, a mammogram regularly is a great way to detect something like breast cancer before it happens. As well as an annual check, you should look for changes in your body, especially your breasts, and have any changes checked. Yes, it isn’t ideal and can be uncomfortable. But staying on top of it all will help you to deal with anything that might arise, prolonging your health and your life.

Checking Shots

Things like the flu vaccine are available for many of us, especially when the winter months roll around. So if you think you would like one or want to know about it, then speak to your doctor. It can be a lifesaver in winter months when the flu is doing the rounds!

 

 

Preparing Yourself For The Fight Against Time

Time can be a very negative thing for anything organic. When a plant or animal is first created, it has loads of fresh cells and hardly any problems to deal with, making it easy to function and carry out its jobs. Of course, though, as it gets older, parts of its construct start to become weaker and will fall apart. For humans, this means discomfort, pain, and difficulty living, with a lot of people experiencing problems in their later life.

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Of course, though, problems like this only have to exist if you allow them to. Modern technology and science have reached the point where age doesn’t have to matter, as long as you’re willing to do some work. Along with eating well and doing plenty of exercise, it’s important to monitor certain areas of your body. This will help you to avoid future issues, while also keeping yourself healthy. Below, you can find some examples of these areas, as well as the work you can do to preserve them.

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Compared to other primates, humans have some of the weakest joints out there. Unlike our close ancestors, like Neanderthals, humans have very small joints which are prone to damage over time. Along with this, your bones are also very sensitive. So, it’s important to make sure you look after these parts correctly, making sure to avoid impact-based exercises and the wrong sorts of food. If you ever experience extreme or irregular joint pain, you should see a doctor as soon as you can.

Like a car losing horsepower, your body will become less efficient when it comes to creating the different hormones and chemicals it needs to work as it gets older. The impact of this can be huge, from a little bit of weight gain to mental issues like depression. Thankfully, this sort of issue can be solved with some simple hormone replacement therapy, but you’ll have to keep your eyes open to figure out when it’s right to go. This sort of treatment is perfect for women going through menopause.

Without your eyes, it would be very hard to live, as you wouldn’t be able to rely on your vision to get you around. Along with this, living without your teeth could also be a huge problem. Issues with these parts of your body will be very common but can be solved as quickly as they come. If you notice pain in your mouth, going to a dentist will help to solve the issue. Problems with eyes, though, will have to be dealt with by an optician.

Finally, going back to your body’s similarities to a car, you’re going to need some regular servicing to make sure everything is working into the future. Doctor’s appointments are very important, and you should be having them done regularly to make sure you’re at your peak level of health. Most clinics will allow you to book appointments going into the future, enabling you to make this part of your bi-monthly routine.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start thinking about the future of your body. It’s easy to ignore this part of life, putting it off until you’re just a little bit older. Doing this will only result in difficulty later on, though. So, it’s worth starting as early as you can.

Avoid These Medical Mistakes When Travelling Abroad

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It’s easy to neglect your health when on holiday. Even if you’re not climbing mountains or diving with sharks, you can still pick up a nasty bug or have a drunken accident after a few cocktails by the beach that could result in a need for medical treatment. Preparing for such eventualities could make such a disaster less of a scare – both to your health and your wallet. Here are just a few of the big medical mistakes to avoid when planning your trip and what to do instead.

Not getting insured

Travel insurance is worth taking out to help cover not just medical treatment but events like flight cancellations, baggage loss, delays and personal property damage. Not all travel insurance schemes will cover all these eventualities, so it’s worth always looking into what’s covered. Medical cover can be one of the most important things to look out for as a trip to a hospital abroad could cost thousands in some cases if you’re not insured. Travel insurance is generally cheap and you can sometimes get family deals. Whilst some holiday companies and airlines will try to sell you it as an add-on, shopping around may get you a cheaper price. Print these insurance documents off and take them with you in case a doctor needs proof.

Ignoring vaccination advice

Some areas of the world may be high risk zones for diseases such as malaria or yellow fever. Whilst you don’t have to get vaccinated, you could be putting your health in serious danger by doing so. Vaccinations are costly and can be scary to needle-phobes if they involve jabs, which can lead some people to take a gamble and forgo them. Weigh up the risks and leave yourself enough time to go through the vaccination process.

Not researching local emergency contact details

You should always try and make a record of the local emergency number in case you need to ring an ambulance. If you’re travelling somewhere remote without a local guide – especially if you’re taking part in an extreme sports such as mountaineering or off-piste skiing – it could be worth also researching into medevac services. You don’t want to be in need of medical attention but unable to obtain it simply because you don’t have the contact details.

Forgetting travel meds

Bringing all the right travel meds can also keep you prepared in an emergency. Some may be more important such as insulin, EpiPens for allergies and inhalers for serious asthma. Others may be more of a convenience such as antihistamines for hayfever, Imodium for diarrhoea, tablets for period pains and travel sickness pills. Plasters and bandages can also be handy to have.

Drinking local tap water

In some places in the world, the local tap water may not be as clean as what you’re used to back home. Drinking it may only result in the runs, but in some cases could result in catching more serious diseases. In such locations, always buy bottled water. You should also be wary of buying drinks that contain ice – always ask for drinks without ice cubes just to be safe.

 

How To Stop Those Bad Morning Headaches

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Lots of people wake up with a headache in the morning, and that can often ruin their day. Most folks have no idea why it happens, and so this article will try to shed some light on the matter. Today, readers are going to discover some of the leading causes of the discomfort they feel when sliding out of bed and getting ready for work. With a bit of luck, this information will help more people to deal with the issue and solve their ailment. Sure, people can go to their doctor and get some painkillers. However, that doesn’t address the underlying cause of the problem. So, read this information carefully!

What causes people to wake up with headaches?

Firstly, it’s important to note that people can get pain in their heads in the morning for more reasons than it’s possible to mention in this post. For that reason, the information will focus on the most common causes according to Medical Point and other expert resources. Just take a read through and try to apply the advice.

Lack of sleep

Many people feel unwell in the mornings because they fail to get enough sleep during the night. Doctors recommend that all humans should aim to sleep for around eight hours to recharge their bodies. People who never get enough shut-eye will eventually cause their bodies to feel tired and worn out. The first warning sign is often a morning headache.

Sleep apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition that obstructs the airway when a person is asleep. In some instances, the individual can stop breathing a few times throughout the night. According to the Alaska Sleep Clinic, anyone who thinks they might suffer from that condition should get in touch with their doctor as soon as possible. Some medications and devices can help to combat the problem.

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High blood pressure

Lots of patients with high blood pressure will wake up with head pain in the mornings. However, experts suggest there are thousands of folks out there who don’t realize they have the condition. So, anyone who can’t find the cause of their headaches should ask a doctor to check for that issue.

Drug addictions

When most people think about drug addictions, they picture cocaine, heroin, and lots of other illegal substances. Still, more people are addicted to prescription medications than anything else. So, if the individual wakes up with a headache all the time, it might make sense to reduce their reliance on painkillers. Just ensure there are no medical reasons why that isn’t possible.

How can people stop waking up with headaches?

There are many different techniques people can try to stop morning headaches. The important thing to remember is that painkillers are not the answer. They will reduce the discomfort, but they won’t halt the pain from coming back every morning. People who want to get rid of their headaches could try the following steps.

Behavioral sleep therapy

Most doctors can give information about specialists who focus their efforts on sleep treatments. In some instances, booking an appointment to see someone with that expertise is a wise move. People in that field will often give their patients exercises to perform before climbing under the sheets. They tend to work well in around 40-50% of cases.

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Improved diet and physical exercise

Sometimes eating a healthy meal in the evenings and spending an hour at the gym can do sufferers a world of good. So, consider making a diet plan and sticking with it for at least a couple of weeks. If the individual notices a significant difference in the frequency of their headaches, it makes sense to keep to the program.

Anti-inflammatory medication

Many medical professionals prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to people who wake up with headaches. The drugs tend to work well with those who suffer migraines on a regular basis. So, it makes sense that they should stop other problems too. Just remember that medication only deals with the symptoms.

Now readers know a little more about the causes of their bad morning headaches, it should become easier to deal with the issue. When all’s said and done, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. People just have to try different methods until they find something that works for them. Success lies in avoiding drugs unless there is no alternative on the table. In many instances, it’s the medication people take that causes their discomfort in the first place. With that in mind, feel free to share this article with any friends who suffer from the condition. Headaches are not the best way to start any day. So, deal with them!