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As a culture we always look for the quick fix. Itchy skin? Use a moisturizer. Stomachache? Antacids. Can't
sleep? Take a sleeping pill. The list is as long as the aisles in the drugstore.
Unfortunately, those aches, pains, itches and inconveniences are more often symptoms and not the problem itself. When we address the problem
in a vacuum, we mask a signal our body is giving us to look at the deeper cause.
This article examines ten common things that ail us, with solutions offered by credible medical and scientific sources. Note that persistent
symptoms can often be a sign to seek medical attention and diagnosis. But even if we are under proper medical care, it makes sense to ask
questions and find out if the root cause is being effectively addressed.
1. Dry skin (xerosis)
Skin is dry when its natural fatty oils are stripped away, according to Dr. Barney Kenet, a dermatologist at Weill Cornell Medical Center
and New York-Presbyterian Hospital. He told WebMD that dry heat in winter or dry air from air conditioners is “the most common cause of dry
skin … it draws the moisture right out.”
Other causes include prolonged exposure to hot water (showers and baths), fragrant and harsh soaps, and abrasive sponges. Also, certain
medications can lead to dry skin: diuretics for high blood pressure, antihistamines for allergies and retinoids for acne and other skin
conditions. Medical conditions that themselves contribute to dry skin are diabetes (glucose level fluctuations cause dehydration),
hypothyroidism (hormone imbalance might limit natural skin oil production) and eating disorders.
Solutions: Humidifiers in winter, moisturizers applied to skin when it is wet (not dry) in any season, reduced use of air conditioning or
more frequent exposure to humid air, shorter duration of and lower-temperature water in showers and baths, and lifestyle changes
(better diet, adequate hydration, more physical activity that produces perspiration) to combat diabetes, high blood pressure and eating
disorders.
Note that dry skin often accompanies aging skin. Research published in the October 2007 issue of American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
(Maeve C. Cosgrove et al., “Dietary Nutrient Intakes and Skin-Aging Appearance Among Middle-Aged American Women” [Unilever Colworth Park,
Bedford, UK]) looked at about 4,000 women aged 40 to 74. Their diets were compared with skin-age appearance -- researchers found that higher
vitamin C intake as well as linoleic acid in the diet (from nuts, whole grains, vegetable oils, eggs and poultry) led to younger-looking
skin, while higher intake of saturated fat and carbohydrates increased the likelihood of wrinkled and dry skin.
2. Swollen ankles (edema)
Fluids can build up in the feet, ankles and legs owing to prolonged standing or sitting (airplane and car trips) or from being overweight.
More seriously, it can be a sign of heart or kidney failure, blood clots or leg infections. Or it can be induced by hormone therapy
(estrogen or testosterone) or taking blood pressure medicines (nifedipine, diltiazem), steroids or MAO-inhibitor antidepressants.
Solutions: Lie down with legs elevated, higher than the heart; exercise the legs (circulation can clear the fluid); adopt a low-salt diet
and, if overweight -- here’s a new idea -- increase your physical activity levels while reducing overall caloric intake.
3. No sleep/insomnia
There are all kinds of things that keep us up at night when we know we should be sleeping. Occasional insomnia over stressful factors is almost always a sign that you need to work some things out because your brain is too preoccupied to go into sleep mode. Colorado gynecologist Kenton Bruice, M.D. advises patients through his blog that “sleeplessness may be just a blessing in disguise,” and that reading, writing and beauty treatments are at least a productive use of middle-of-the-night hours when you are wide awake. Still, insomnia can lead to serious midday lethargy and impair one’s ability to work.
Solutions: Dedicate the bedroom to sleeping only, relegating television, snacking and hobbies to other places. Introduce “white noise” or recorded sounds of nature. Meditate to allow unpleasant thoughts to leave while focusing instead on more pleasant things. Try a warm bath before bed and aromatherapy (rose, lavender, marjoram or chamomile). Eat foods rich in calcium, magnesium and B vitamins. Abstention from caffeinated beverages and foods might help as well. Exercise, even if just a walk after dinner, is always recommended.
4. Sleep apnea
Apnea is a cessation of breathing 5 to 30 times each hour while sleeping. Quite often the person with it is unaware that it is the cause of daytime fatigue. Men tend to have apnea more than women, and it can be a sign of congestive heart failure, stroke or brain tumor. Most frequently, the causes are excessive weight; high blood pressure; use of alcohol, sedatives or tranquilizers; and cigarette smoking.
Solutions: After ruling out serious causes, you may find that, again, lifestyle adjustments -- exercise, weight management, reduced intake of alcohol and prescriptive medications/sedatives, and smoking cessation -- can lessen your risk factors.
5. Muscle cramps...
Article Source: www.hairloss.com
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