Connector May 2023

CONNECTOR.AE 36 CONNECTOR.AE 37 Health and Wellness Health and Wellness Screen time: Prolonged hours while staring at a screen, be it a mobile phone or a laptop, can lead to headaches. As many people are constantly looking at screens, it is vital to take the time to look away every half an hour for five minutes to avoid straining eyes. Dr Hoda Makkawi of Euromed Clinic Dubai also added, “Avoid screen time like TV, computers and more before bed.” While staring at a screen right before bed, can lead to restless and disturbed sleep, which in the long run can cause constant headaches as well as fatigue. Staying hydrated: Dehydration is a common cause of headaches and occurs when there is less fluid in the body than required. A crucial way to avoid dehydration is regularly drinking water and using it as a substitute for juice and soft drinks, as they contain copious amounts of sugar, leaving the individual even more dehydrated. Dr Ruhil Badiani at Cornerstone Clinic said, “Headaches caused by dehydration are common and drinking plenty of water every day can help to reduce the headache occurrence, duration and severity.” the headache. Aura phase, during which a group of visual, sensory, or motor symptoms can precede the headache. Examples include vision changes, hallucinations, numbness, changes in speech, and muscle weakness. Headache phase, which is the period during the actual headache with throbbing pain on one or both sides of the head. Sensitivity to light and motion are common, as are depression, fatigue, and anxiety. Resolution phase, where the pain lessens during this phase but may be replaced with fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating. Some people feel refreshed after an attack, others do not.” As headaches can cause hindrances to daily life, there are multiple ways to deal with them and alleviate the pain, including, Getting sleep: Sleep plays a vital role in the overall well-being of a person, and it is crucial to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every day. If suffering from constant headaches, sleep can be a significant contributor to getting respite from it and preventing further headaches. Dr Ruhil Badiani at Cornerstone Clinic said, “Migraines and many of the other types of headaches can be triggered by lack of sleep. Aim to get 7 - 9 hours of good quality sleep per night.” Reduce stress levels: With the daily hustle of life, from work to running errands, and with things constantly running through the mind, it can get difficult to make the time during the day to calm and get into a state of relaxation. A great way to manage stress is by doing activities that boost energy levels, whether running at a park or dancing to favourite tunes. Dr Hoda Makkawi of Euromed Clinic Dubai said, “Practice mindfulness, breathing exercises, meditation and yoga.” Additionally, calming activities like these, once implemented into daily routine, can help in increasing confidence and coping better under stressful situations, leading to a reduction in the headaches experienced. Cold compress: An easy way to relieve headaches and minimise the pain is through cold compress. To create a cold compress, take a dry cloth and place either ice cubes or a frozen bag of vegetables and keep it on the head to alleviate the headache. Dr Ruhil Badiani at Cornerstone Clinic mentioned that, “Applying cold or frozen compresses to your neck or head area decreases inflammation, slows nerve conduction, and constricts blood vessels, all of which could help reduce headache pain.” Headaches are a relatively common problem that causes hindrances to daily life, be it while out with friends and family or working. Though there are various ways to cope with and manage regular headaches without the need to worry, if they are persistent, it is advised to seek medical help.

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