Archives for July 2021

• Eating Too Late: Eating before your bedtime is OK as long as it is done in moderation. If you have any discomfort after eating late, stop eating so late in the evening.
• Bad Sleep Habits: Not getting enough sleep often forms from unintentional poor sleep habits. Avoid having an irregular sleep schedule, taking unneeded naps, or consuming drinks that have caffeine in the evening. Try reading before bed or making non-caffeinated tea before going to bed.
• Sleeping Disorder: Insomnia is often created by sleep disorders like sleep apnea (periodically stop breathing during the night) or restless legs syndrome (legs must constantly be moving while sleeping)
• Over-stressing: Although it’s essential to stay focused on your activities, over-stressing about your family, finances, health, schoolwork, or work may cause you to overthink, leading you to develop Insomnia.
• Work Schedule: Some people work during the night, which will likely affect your circadian rhythm (your body’s natural sleep clock). Disrupting your circadian rhythm may lead to insomnia.

Dandruff is most commonly caused by a lack of blood supply to the scalp. Since there is a lack of oxygen and protein, the scalp becomes dry and flaky. Less commonly, dandruff can be caused by a lack of Vitamin B-6 or an excess Vata Dosha, which makes the skin dry. Dandruff has various causes such as:

• Dry scalp
• Oily and Irritated skin
• Not using enough shampoo
• Adverse reaction to certain hair products
• Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis

In general, people lose somewhere between 50 to 100 strands of hair a day, which is approximately the same rate at which your body replenishes it. However, hair loss occurs when your body’s ability to replenish hair falls below the amount of hair being lost. In Ayurveda, hair loss is a result of body type and improper balance of dosha. Those that are Pitta or have excess Pitta in their system are more likely to experience balding or find that their hair becomes grey before their peers. Here are some causes for baldness:

• Genetic: Hair loss occurs most commonly in those that have received the gene that causes hair loss as a person ages, scientifically known as androgenic alopecia. Hair loss in the form usually occurs in predictable patterns and gradually. In women, it means widening of the part on the scalp. For men, that means bald spots and a receding hairline.
• Medical Conditions and Hormonal Changes: A variety of medical conditions and hormonal changes can cause temporary or permanent hair loss, such as hormonal changes in menopause, thyroid problems, childbirth, or pregnancy. Health conditions such as Alopecia areata occur when the body’s immune system attacks hair follicles. Other health conditions include trichotillomania (hair-pulling disorder), ringworm, and scalp infections.
• Medication Side-Effect: Hair loss can be a side-effect of various medications used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, cancer, depression, arthritis, heart problems, and gout pressure. Consult your healthcare provider if any of your current supplements or medications may lead to hair loss.
• Radiation From Chemotherapy: When enrolled in treatment programs like chemotherapy for cancer, the hair may not grow back because chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cells. The hair follicles are one of the most quickly dividing cells within the body, so it’s very common for chemotherapy patients to lose their hair. If you’re undergoing chemotherapy, consider using a cooling cap, which can reduce your risk of losing hair during chemotherapy. After treatment, the hair typically grows back with no significant repercussions.
• Stressful or Traumatic Events: After an extremely emotional or physical shock, the body may show signs of general thinning or hair loss; however, this type of hair loss is almost always temporary.
• Hairstyles and Treatment: Predominantly in women, those that try hairstyles that pull their hair tight, such as tight pigtails or cornrows, may cause a type of hair loss known as traction alopecia. In addition, hot-oil hair treatments or permanent ones can also cause hair loss. While brushing and combing, use a hair detangler and avoid tugging. Try a wide-toothed comb to get the knots out. Try to limit hair tension from braids, barrettes, and rubber bands. Lastly, avoid permanents, hot-oil treatments, curling irons, or hot rollers because these treatments can be harsh.
• Avoiding Smoking and Ultraviolet Light: While outside, protect your scalp from direct sunlight and ultraviolet light. Avoid smoking because new studies have shown a correlation between smoking tobacco products and damaged hair follicles.

• Viruses: Many viruses cause diarrhea, such as viral Hepatitis, Cytomegalovirus, and Norwalk virus. Children commonly catch Rotavirus, which then leads to diarrhea. Also, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) includes diarrhea as one of the symptoms.
• Parasites and Bacteria: Food or water that is contaminated can bring parasites or bacteria to you. When considering traveling and from developing countries, many tourists may get sick because developing countries often have new bacteria in their food that tend to give the traveler diarrhea. This is commonly called “traveler’s diarrhea.” Diarrhea occurs when bacteria, viruses, parasitic organisms such as Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, Clostridium difficile colitis, and Shigella enter the body.
• Medications: Medications like antibiotics, cancer drugs, and antacids may lead to diarrhea. If this is one of the possible side-effects of consuming the medicine, do not be alarmed. However, if diarrhea is not a side effect, contact your doctor immediately.

  Lactose Intolerance: For those that are Lactose Intolerant or commonly have diarrhea after consuming dairy-rich products like milk, ice cream, and butter, avoid consuming those products because the enzyme helps to break down lactose drops after childhood.

• Fructose: Commonly found in honey, fruits, and sweeteners, some people may struggle to digest fructose, which may lead to diarrhea.
• Surgery: Gallbladder removal or abdominal surgeries can occasionally cause diarrhea.
• Other digestive disorders: Chronic diarrhea can be caused by irritable bowel syndrome, microscopic colitis, celiac disease, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease.

• Food: Leftover food from meals can leave small food particles around your teeth, which often attract bacteria. As a result, you may experience bad breath. In addition, certain foods such as but not limited to, spices, garlic, and onions may cause bad breath. Even after you consumed these bad-smelling foods, your body digests them and they enter the bloodstream, which is carried to the lungs and creating bad breath.
• Tobacco Products: Smoking tobacco products will create a distinct and foul-smelling mouth odor. Oral tobacco users and smokers increase their chances of getting gum disease by smoking, which is another way to have bad breath. Lastly, smoking damages your lungs and leaves a foul smell that can remain for long after one stops smoking.
• Poor Dental Hygiene: Those that don’t brush their teeth or floss regularly are more prone to having bad breath because the food particles stay in your mouth leading to the creation of bacteria, and therefore bad breath. Plaque, a colorless sticky film made of bacteria often forms after consuming sugary items or after periods of not brushing your teeth. If not fully brushed away, it can lead to permanent teeth and gum damage. Additionally, your tongue can house bacteria on the top, so be sure to clean it while brushing your teeth.
• Dry Mouth: Saliva is a vital tool for maintaining oral health and avoiding bad breath. Those that struggle from dry mouth, a condition where one struggles to produce saliva, are more likely to have bad breath because saliva removes the particles and bacteria that create bad breath. Dry mouth, scientifically known as xerostomia, also naturally occurs during rest, leading to some having “morning breath,” which is typically worse for those that sleep with their mouth open. Be sure to brush your teeth every morning to eliminate your “morning breath.” Lastly, some may have a chronic dry mouth which will make long-term saliva production difficult, making bad breath a symptom. Consult your doctor if you think you may have chronic dry mouth.
• Medications: Some medications have a side-effect of dry mouth which can lead to bad breath. Others have chemicals that, once broken down, are carried to the lungs and then create bad breath. Additionally, bad breath can be a result of tooth decay, gum disease, post-oral surgery, or mouth sores.

• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Thyroid problems (like hyperthyroidism)
• Respiratory disorders (like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma)
• Drug misuse or withdrawal
• Withdrawal from alcohol, or anti-anxiety medications, or other medications
• Chronic pain or irritable bowel syndrome
• Rare tumors that produce certain fight-or-flight hormones