Category: Health Conditions
-
Premature Greying of Hair: Causes, Characteristics, and Management
What is Premature Greying of Hair? Premature greying of hair (PHG), medically known as Canities or Achromotrichia, is the loss of natural hair pigment (melanin) at an unusually early age. This process occurs because pigment cells (melanocytes) in the hair follicles produce melanin, which gives hair its colour. When these melanocytes quit producing melanin, the…
-
Understanding the Causes of Body Pain and Simple Ways to Alleviate It
Body pain is a common ailment that can be inconvenient and uncomfortable. Our body’s ability to alert us to injuries or illnesses is invaluable; yet, depending on the type of pain one experiences, understanding its underlying cause can be challenging. There can be several potential sources, ranging from occasional headaches to chronic pain that affects…
-
Anxiety Attack and Panic Attack: Are They Similar or Different?
What are Anxiety and Panic? At some point, each of us might have felt the distinct, yet often confusing, feelings of anxiety or panic. The words and their meaning sound similar, which is why most people use the terms “panic attack” and “anxiety attack” interchangeably. However, they are clinically different experiences. According to the American…
-
Understanding The Basics of Oral Hygiene
According to the Federation Dentaire Internationale (FDI) definition of oral health, ‘Oral health involves the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow, and show emotions through various facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort, or disease of the craniofacial complex (head, face, and oral cavity)’ [1]. Simply put, oral hygiene refers to…
-
Essential Dental Care Tips from Dentists
What does dental care mean? Good oral hygiene, often referred to as dental care, involves the cleaning and maintenance of your teeth, gums, and tongue to prevent issues like tooth decay and gum disease [1]. It primarily includes regular brushing, flossing, and professional dental check-ups. While the term oral care sometimes includes broader concerns like…
-
Psoriasis: 7 Common Triggers and How to Avoid Them
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory condition that primarily affects the skin, and its development is often influenced by a combination of genetics and environmental factors [1]. In this condition, an overactive immune system mistakenly signals skin cells to grow too quickly. This rapid turnover leads to the characteristic signs of psoriasis. Psoriasis symptoms typically include…
-
Chikungunya Virus: What Do You Need To Know?
Chikungunya is a viral infection transmitted to humans by the bite of infected mosquitoes, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus [1]. The name “Chikungunya” means “to become contorted” in the Makonde language, referring to the bent posture resulting from severe joint pain [1]. The disease is caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV), an alphavirus belonging…
-
Dry Skin During Winter: An Overview
Those who spend a lot of time outside in the winter often notice concerns about getting dry skin. Clinically referred to as xerosis, dry skin is characterized by an integument that has a dry, rough, or scaly appearance and can be accompanied by symptoms like reddening, cracking, or itching in some cases [1]. Dry, chapped…
-
Vitamins B Complex Deficiency: Causes And Symptoms
The Vitamin B Complex: An Overview The Vitamin B complex refers to a group of eight essential water-soluble vitamins that support numerous bodily functions. These vitamins include: B1 (Thiamine) B2 (Riboflavin) B3 (Niacin) B5 (Pantothenic acid) B6 (Pyridoxine) B7 (Biotin) B9 (Folate) B12 (Cobalamin) Together, they help: Convert food into energy (metabolism) Maintain healthy skin,…
-
Ways to Stop Nail Biting (Onychophagia)
An Overview of Onychophagia (Nail-Biting) Onychophagia, the clinical term for chronic nail-biting, is a common Body-Focused Repetitive Behavior (BFRB) that often begins in childhood and can persist into adulthood [1]. This habit extends beyond simple grooming; chronic biting causes micro-trauma to the nail plate and the surrounding skin (the cuticle and nail folds), potentially leading…