Body of evidence
Don't ignore these tell tale signs. Your body is indicating that all is not well
There is more hair in your shower drain than on your head. Your new favourite jeans refuse to button up and your headaches last for days. Desperate to find out what's wrong, you look up the Internet for a quick-fix solution and end up more confused than earlier. With the help of health experts, we demystify a few bothersome symptoms how you ought to deal with them.
Rebound headaches
You experience a headache, pop painkillers, and then end up with another one soon. The main culprit here is the pill. "Overuse of medication makes the body resistant to its effects. When they stop working, people take to stronger doses. This continues to desensitize the body, triggering yet another rebound headache," says Dr Hemant Thacker, Jaslok Hospital.
Doc's tip
Ride out the rebound headache by avoiding all pain medicines. To ensure it doesn't happen again, never take any painkiller for more than two consecutive days. Always consult a doctor if the symptoms persist.
Bloating
It is not that time of the month and you still cannot button up your jeans. In that case, your drinking habits ought to be blamed. Explains Dr Thacker, "Alcohol dehydrates your body and as little as two glasses is risky. When you drink, your kidneys start conserving water and that leads to water retention. Too much tea and coffee can also be the culprit."
Doc's tip
Keep yourself hydrated and drink at least a glass of water every two hours. That will get your kidneys functioning regularly. Stay away from salty and sodium-rich processed foods. They cause you to hold in water for much longer. The bloating should subside within two days.
Delayed (or no) period
You are not pregnant and yet have skipped your periods twice in a row. Says Dr Pratima Chippalakatty of Bombay Hospital, "There can many reasons - stress being the most common culprit. Stress hinder! s ovulat ion." The hormonal changes in your body can also wreck havoc on your menstrual system. However, a delay of eight to 10 days in nothing to worry about.
Doc's tip
Slowing down a little can be helpful. Eat a balanced meal and indulge in some form of exercise and yoga to bring your cycle back on track. If the problem persists, visit your gynaecologist.
Dizziness
It happens when the blood supply to the brain is limited or there's a noticeable change in blood pressure. "Dehydration can make your blood pressure drop, and that brings on a dizzy feeling," says Dr. Thacker.
Doc's tip
Keep yourself hydrated and have a high water content diet filled with soup, salad, and fruit. Should you feel dizzy each time you get up, consult your doctor. It may be due to drop in heaemoglobin and in rare circumstances, it can also be a cardiac issue.
Lumpy breasts
Lately, your breasts have several small movable lumps. This is nothing but a common and benign condition where your breast tissue retains fluids. "These changes are more noticeable in your pre-period week, when hormonal changes cause swelling throughout your body," says Dr Chippalakatty.
Doc's tip
Cut back on caffeine-heavy foods such as coffee, tea and aerated drinks, which causes you to retain fluid and makes the lumps more pronounced. It's better to avoid salty foods since they also cause fluid retention.
Floaters in your eyes
These are dark specks, spots and wormlike lines that are perennially in your field of vision. Though harmless, floaters are distracting.
Doc's tip
While there is no real way to stop the formation of floaters, there are many ways to strengthen one's eyes (which will in turn lessen the creation of new floaters). Having a diet rich in fruits and vegetable is necessary. However, consult a doctor if they turn out to be painful.
Sayoni.Sinha@timesgroup.com
Follow us on Twitter for more stories
There is more hair in your shower drain than on your head. Your new favourite jeans refuse to button up and your headaches last for days. Desperate to find out what's wrong, you look up the Internet for a quick-fix solution and end up more confused than earlier. With the help of health experts, we demystify a few bothersome symptoms how you ought to deal with them.
Rebound headaches
You experience a headache, pop painkillers, and then end up with another one soon. The main culprit here is the pill. "Overuse of medication makes the body resistant to its effects. When they stop working, people take to stronger doses. This continues to desensitize the body, triggering yet another rebound headache," says Dr Hemant Thacker, Jaslok Hospital.
Doc's tip
Ride out the rebound headache by avoiding all pain medicines. To ensure it doesn't happen again, never take any painkiller for more than two consecutive days. Always consult a doctor if the symptoms persist.
Bloating
It is not that time of the month and you still cannot button up your jeans. In that case, your drinking habits ought to be blamed. Explains Dr Thacker, "Alcohol dehydrates your body and as little as two glasses is risky. When you drink, your kidneys start conserving water and that leads to water retention. Too much tea and coffee can also be the culprit."
Doc's tip
Keep yourself hydrated and drink at least a glass of water every two hours. That will get your kidneys functioning regularly. Stay away from salty and sodium-rich processed foods. They cause you to hold in water for much longer. The bloating should subside within two days.
Delayed (or no) period
You are not pregnant and yet have skipped your periods twice in a row. Says Dr Pratima Chippalakatty of Bombay Hospital, "There can many reasons - stress being the most common culprit. Stress hinder! s ovulat ion." The hormonal changes in your body can also wreck havoc on your menstrual system. However, a delay of eight to 10 days in nothing to worry about.
Doc's tip
Slowing down a little can be helpful. Eat a balanced meal and indulge in some form of exercise and yoga to bring your cycle back on track. If the problem persists, visit your gynaecologist.
Dizziness
It happens when the blood supply to the brain is limited or there's a noticeable change in blood pressure. "Dehydration can make your blood pressure drop, and that brings on a dizzy feeling," says Dr. Thacker.
Doc's tip
Keep yourself hydrated and have a high water content diet filled with soup, salad, and fruit. Should you feel dizzy each time you get up, consult your doctor. It may be due to drop in heaemoglobin and in rare circumstances, it can also be a cardiac issue.
Lumpy breasts
Lately, your breasts have several small movable lumps. This is nothing but a common and benign condition where your breast tissue retains fluids. "These changes are more noticeable in your pre-period week, when hormonal changes cause swelling throughout your body," says Dr Chippalakatty.
Doc's tip
Cut back on caffeine-heavy foods such as coffee, tea and aerated drinks, which causes you to retain fluid and makes the lumps more pronounced. It's better to avoid salty foods since they also cause fluid retention.
Floaters in your eyes
These are dark specks, spots and wormlike lines that are perennially in your field of vision. Though harmless, floaters are distracting.
Doc's tip
While there is no real way to stop the formation of floaters, there are many ways to strengthen one's eyes (which will in turn lessen the creation of new floaters). Having a diet rich in fruits and vegetable is necessary. However, consult a doctor if they turn out to be painful.
Sayoni.Sinha@timesgroup.com
Follow us on Twitter for more stories
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