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.

With heaps of information floating around promising to uncover all secrets about skincare and beauty regimes, it can be daunting to find well-grounded sources. Many urban legends and myths are also passed down through generations, and these seem to do more harm than good. To help you make the right decisions for your skin’s health and overall glow, here are some popular myths you must know about and the science behind them! Myth: The order of application of skincare products doesn’t matter! There is a correct way of applying your skincare products, which helps ensure that it is absorbed properly and works effectively. Work with your dermatologist’s recommendation if you are confused about the right order of application, or go from the lightest to the heaviest density of product formulation. The general order is to start with a cleanser, followed by toner or mist, and then serums, moisturizers, facial oils, and sunscreen. Myth: You only need to wear sunscreen on sunny days The sun’s UVA and UVB rays can penetrate through the clouds and many types of glass, which can cause permanent damage to your skin. It is vital to wear sunscreen every day and reapply it every couple of hours, regardless of your exposure to the sun.

We’re often under the impression that toothpaste and other oral hygiene products will keep our teeth healthy. But oral-care products can only help so far in protecting teeth. Most of the time, it is up to us to ensure we follow a healthy lifestyle to improve oral health. One way to do this is by avoiding these five foods that are secretly, but surely ruining the health of our teeth. Potato chips Chips contain lots of starch, which could become sugar and get trapped on and between the teeth. And the sugar feeds bacteria present in the plaque. Since people generally munch on many chips in one go, the acid production might linger for a while and damage the teeth. Therefore, one should ensure they floss after eating to remove any trapped particles. Sour candies Sour candies contain a large number of acids that are hard on the teeth. Furthermore, these candies are chewy and may stick to the teeth for a long time, making them more likely to decay. While the ideal solution is to avoid sweets, if one has cravings, one should munch on a bar of chocolate instead, which can wash away easily. Bread When a person chews on bread, the saliva breaks down starches into sugar.

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.

If “seeing is believing,” what is hearing? Hearing, too, is an important part of communication and plays an indispensable role in helping one perceive the world. Roughly 1.8 million people aged 12 and above in the country are affected by severe hearing loss. Owing to technological advancement, several facilities, including hearing aids and assistive learning devices, have been devised to help individuals who are hard of hearing. Timely detection of hearing problems helps doctors recommend suitable interventions. Here are some warning signs of hearing loss: Inability to understand what others say In the initial stages of losing their hearing, individuals cannot typically understand what others are saying, especially in crowded places. They may ask others to repeat themselves frequently and find it difficult to hold conversations. Difficulty hearing the other person over the phone Phone conversations can be harrowing for those with hearing difficulties, as they often find it difficult to follow the other person over a call. Thus, individuals who are hard of hearing and live alone may experience loneliness because of their inability to communicate over the phone. Tendency to increase TV or radio volume Those who are hard of hearing may find it difficult to hear dialogues or music playing on TV or radio.

Joint pain is a common occurrence in most elderly patients. But some often fail to get it checked and receive a proper diagnosis. Most older patients, and some young ones, who experience joint pain are diagnosed with one or other forms of arthritis. Rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are two of the most common forms of the disease. Inflammation of joints is a primary symptom in all forms of arthritis. An early diagnosis is essential for better treatment and management of the condition. Pain Those with joint pain should get it checked as early as possible. One of the questions your doctor might ask is how suddenly or gradually the pain developed. The persistence of the pain is another factor that needs to be considered. The diagnosis will also determine whether or not the pain worsens with increased activity and decreases when one rests. Tenderness Tenderness and inflammation of joints is a warning sign of rheumatoid arthritis. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage of the joints wears away, which can result in tenderness and pain. Tenderness is often present in combination with other symptoms like joint swelling, pain, and redness. Stiff joints Stiff joints are one of the earliest warning signs of arthritis. It is described as discomfort in the joints after spending some time being inactive.

It is normal for the bones to lose density and become weaker with age. Bone weakness develops gradually in most cases, but the onset can be quicker in people suffering from health issues like osteoporosis. This post lists a few common early warning signs of bone weakening that help identify the problem. Individuals who experience these should visit a healthcare professional to identify the cause and learn about the remedies to strengthen their bones. Lower back pain When a person has osteoporosis, their bone density reduces dramatically. In such a situation, the bones of the vertebrae, which are located one below the other in the spine, can come under increasing pressure. Sometimes, this pressure causes the lower-back bones to collapse or become compressed, resulting in massive discomfort and pain. Chronic back pain is among the earliest signs of osteoporosis. Receding gums The gums and jaw are closely connected to the bone structure in the head and face. So, if a person’s jawbone becomes weak, or, in other words, they lose bone in their jaw, it can cause their gums to recede from their teeth. In such instances, one should visit a dentist to check whether the problem is because of weak bones in the region.

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.

Dental visits, no matter how unpleasant, are essential to maintain good oral hygiene. Most dental appointments may involve routine checkups and cleanings. At times, however, you may have questions regarding procedures or habits, but any feeling of embarrassment or worry over judgment from the dentist may prevent you from asking them. To make it easier for you, here are some of the most common but uncomfortable questions that people are too shy to ask. Where does the saliva go? You may have seen the suction line during any dental procedure. This suction removes the excess saliva and tooth debris from one’s mouth and helps to keep their mouth dry, which can otherwise interfere with the treatment. The device funnels waste materials, including spit, through a filtering system that separates liquids from solids. The waste is then disposed of into the office’s wastewater system. Does the treatment have any side effects? Filings, extractions, and root canals may have potential risk factors. Some common side effects may include pain, swelling, or temporary sensitivity. By asking about the possible side effects of a treatment to your dentist, you can better prepare for any discomfort or complications that may arise after the procedure. What are the potential dental risks I should be aware of?