What your nails say about you
Friday, November 25, 2016 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments

Healthy nails indicates that we are in the PINK of health.

Physical beauty is defined by many factors, and one of the common criteria is neat and well-kept nears.

Our nails pay an important role in making an impression as their condition give subtle messages to about us. Poorly-groomed nails suggest that we are perhaps not very meticulous in our work.
Even if you’re donning a neatly pressed outfit, matching shoes and stylish bags, topped off with immaculate make-up, ugly nails can ruin your image, in the same way that brownish teeth of a habitual smoker does.

Unfortunately, we tend to neglect that our nails require daily care. As such, nails get uneven and dry cuticles and dirt accumulate, passing off the message that we’re dirty and untidy, regardless of how gorgeous our outfit can be.

Hence, many women and some men are turning to manicure and pedicure parlours to beautify their hands and feet, or purchasing DIY kits for trimming cuticles and applying nail polish. However, by directly exposing our nails to so many chemicals, our nails weaken over time, breaking, peeling or in the worst case scenario, to dropping off completely!

What exactly makes up a nail? Well, a nail is a hardened form of protein that protects the nail bed and enhances the sensibility of our fingertips.

Physical damage done to our nails through constant usage of nail polish or interaction with strong chemicals like washing detergents can lead to peeling of our nails. Chemicals like washing detergents, nail polish removers, nail polish and nail glue contain acetone that can dry out our nails, leaving them brittle.

More importantly, damaged, discoloured nails suggest heath problems. We must pay attention to our nails to  ensure that we are in the pink of health.
WebMD has some very useful tips on what different appearances of our nails suggest about our body:

Pale nails


The flesh under our nails are by nature pinkish. Very pale nails may be a sign of illness, such as:
• Anaemia
• Congestive heart failure
• Liver disease
• Malnutrition
White nails


If nails are mostly white with darker rims, this can indicate liver problems, such as hepatitis. In this image, the fingers are also yellowish (jaundiced), another sign of liver trouble.


Yellow nails


One of the most common causes of yellow nails is a fungal infection. As the infection worsens, the nail bed may retract, and nails may thicken and crumble. In rare cases, yellow nails can indicate more serious conditions such as severe thyroid disease, lung disease, diabetes or psoriasis.


Bluish nails


Nails with a bluish tint can mean the body isn't getting enough oxygen. This could indicate an infection in the lungs, such as pneumonia. Some heart problems may be associated with bluish nails.


Rippled nails


If the nail surface is rippled or pitted, this may be an early sign of psoriasis or inflammatory arthritis. Discoloration of the nail is common; the skin under the nail can seem reddish-brown.


Cracked or split nails


Dry, brittle nails that frequently crack or split have been linked to thyroid disease. Cracking or splitting combined with a yellowish hue is more likely due to a fungal infection.


Puffy nail fold


If the skin around the nail appears red and puffy, this is known as inflammation of the nail fold. It may be the result of lupus or another connective tissue disorder. Infection can also cause redness and inflammation of the nail fold.


Dark lines beneath the nail


Dark lines beneath the nail should be investigated as soon as possible. They are sometimes caused by melanoma, the most dangerous type of skin cancer.


Gnawed nails


While you may think nothing about habitual nail biting, it could be a sign of persistent anxiety that could benefit from treatment. Nail biting and picking have also been linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder. If you can't stop, you should see a doctor.


Red / Black Nails


Red or black nails may be due to blood clot under the nail because of trauma, such as dropping something heavy on your toe or ingrown toe nails. To solve the ingrown toe nail problem, you should see a doctor. Red or black nails go away when they have grown out. If you do not experience pain or discomfort, in your toe, you can leave it alone.

Greenish nails



Green patches on nails are signs of fungal infection and are common among people whose fingers and toes come frequently into contact with water, such as homemakers and cleaners. This is because the Pseudomonas bacteria that causes this grows well under the nail plate due to moist conditions, and causes the infection.

Women who work most of the time with their hands and feet soaked in water and detergents are more likely to get infected with green nails.While it poses no immediate hazard, it can lead to swelling and pain, and damage to the nail. Fortunately, this isn't hard to get rid of. You can go to the pharmacy to get a precription in the form of creams and solutions to apply over it. A vinegar is also a commonly recommended home remedy for mild infections, which involves you soaking the infected nails in apple cider vinegar for a few minutes daily. However, if you see no improvement in your condition, do seek professional help.

Nail problems should not be ignored.  Many people take to nail polish or manicures to cover up discoloured or cracked nails. This is wrong as you may worsen the problem with the chemicals. Remember, beauty comes from within too. Hiding the problem does not make it go away. See a doctor if you must to set it right.

Written By: Veronica Tay

Sources:
http://www.livestrong.com/peeling-fingernails/
http://skincare.about.com/od/skincarefaqs/f/PeelingNails.htm
http://dermatology.about.com/cs/nailanatomy/a/nailanatomy.htm


Let the kids eat the same meals as you do
Friday, November 18, 2016 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments


The next time you crack your head over a special kid’s meal for your child, think again. You may be doing him or her more harm than good. According to research done by the University of Edinburgh, children are better off having the same meals as adults, and “child-friendly” alternatives to adult food served in restaurants are likely to be nutritionally inferior to their adult counterparts.

The focus isn't on serving portions, but the types of dishes served. Dining options for children in certain restaurants also tend to sacrifice the salads, or reduce the portions drastically, catering to children’s typical instincts to dislike healthy foods. On the other hand, some establishments and parents go to the extreme, giving their children only healthy food like vegetables and little or no meat, which makes the meal extremely unbalanced and unhealthy for a growing child who needs protein and carbohydrates from meat to grow and be active.

Additionally, some children have a larger appetite than others, and eating a small meal designated for children may result in hunger and snacking in between meal times, which is unhealthy and commonly associated with obesity in children.

That is not to say that one should avoid the kid’s menu like plague and order large meals that would result in leftovers or over-eating. However, do remember to order healthy side dishes to ensure that your children are getting a comprehensive healthy meal.

Other ways to ensure that your children eat healthily:

Be a good role model

Children look up to their parents as role models. Your responsibility as a parent is not only to cook or choose healthy food for your children, but also to practise what you preach, and steer away from unhealthy food and eating habits. Yes, that also means choosing apples over potato chips for snack time.

Take the kids grocery shopping with you

Most children enjoy this as it is a chance to interact with their parents, spend time outside the house, and choose what goes into their meals. Take this opportunity to give your children hands-on experience with reading food labels and choosing the right types of food for a healthy meal.

Have regular family meals at home

We all know how home-cooked meals are healthier than food purchased outside. Having everyone sit at the same table for a family meal is a great bonus. It enhances interaction between family members, creates a fun eating environment for your child, and your child is likely to take the cue from the adults at the table and eat up.

Don’t force your child to finish up the meal if he/she is full

Food wastage is undesirable, but making your child over-eat also has undesirable health consequences, and has far-reaching results of encouraging larger diets, and obesity in the long run. Observe your child’s eating habits, and reduce the portion sizes appropriately.

Weight issues in children

If your child has serious weight issues, do consult a paediatrician before taking matters into your own hands. Seek professional health before diagnosing your children’s weight issues by yourself. Certain factors may temporarily affect a child’s weight, such as growth spurts or puberty, and putting them on a diet may have unpleasant consequences.

Other sources:
http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_children_teens.htm
http://life.gaiam.com/article/10-ways-get-kids-eat-healthier



Keeping unemployment blues away
Friday, November 11, 2016 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments

Don't give up hope!

Unemployment without reliable source of alternative income is a state of life that most would dread to find themselves in. Nonetheless, that does not mean that you should sulk and gripe and get all anxious at finding a new job, because you may well worsen your situation.

According to an ongoing health and retirement survey partly sponsored by the National Institute on Aging in the US, joblessness has been linked with heart attacks in older workers. Multiple job losses can be as threatening as smoking, high blood pressure and other related heart problems. The rationale is that the worry and anxiety that comes with the loss of jobs and income creates stress for the heart. With rising health care costs and the world economy still in the doldrums, health problems stemming from unemployment may become a serious and prevalent problem.

Medical bills are the last thing you want to add on to your situation, so chin up! Here are some ideas on keeping your spirits up as the search for a new job goes on.

Continue your usual routine

This means no waking up in the middle of the day or lounging around in smelly pajamas. Do what you did while you had a work schedule to keep to. Get up early in the morning, go for a jog, take a shower and have a hearty breakfast. Consider this as one of the benefits of your current predicament – having the luxury of time to get your life in order, eat healthily and exercise. Then go about with your job hunting. Do also take some time out to do some chores; relief your spouse of some housework and make yourself feel useful. Set aside some time to do something constructive and significant to your field of work to keep abreast with times, such as reading up on relevant issues.

Upgrade your skills

If you have savings, upgrade your skills to boost your value, or even learn new skills to make a career change. WDA has many subsidized schemes, while UniSIM has a variety of post-graduate courses with flexible timings that you may continue with even after you’ve regained employment. You can even head to your nearest community centre to inquire about courses that you always wanted to do but never found time to.

Have fun

Don’t feel guilty because you’re unemployed. Like everyone else, you deserve some entertainment after a day of job seeking. Reward yourself for dutifully writing and rewriting your resume for different employers. Watch television, view some funny youtube videos, play with the children (if you have them), take a walk in the park, go out on a date with the other half to the supermarket… There are lots you can do to keep the depression bug away without spending a lot.

Exercise

Long hours of staying at home can cause you to feel lethargic. Your body also requires sufficient exposure to the morning sun or you will lack Vitamin D. Jog around your estate, go to the gym. Exercise relieves stress and motivates you while keeping you in good shape.

Turn to family and friends for support

Singaporeans, especially the Chinese, tend to associate unemployment with shame and having ‘no face’, which is really an undesirable mentality. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen a drama show a dejected man who just got fired, acting as though everything is savvy in front of his family members and even staying out the whole day. The really wise thing to do is to come clean with your family, and start budgeting and making plans for a tighter wallet. This is also a good chance to instill in your children the importance of saving for a rainy day.

Keep in touch with your friends; they may have job opportunities for you. Consider going online to seek support from local self-help groups. There’s bound to be a suitable Facebook group out there to join. Seek camaraderie. Ask for recommendations. Let off some steam by sharing your problems. But don’t whine continuously about your misfortune. Negative thoughts are a waste of time.

Volunteer

Spend some time helping the less fortunate. This will give you something meaningful to while your time away with. In addition, when you compare their problems to yours, you’ll put things in perspective and feel that unemployment is nothing to get worked up about.

Sell things you don’t need

Give your house a good tidying up. Compile the things you don’t need, and list them for sale on Ebay, or rent a flea market stall to hawk them. There are lots of flea markets held all over Singapore over the weekends that come with affordable rental fees. This may bring in extra income while you do something productive.

Remember, when your mental and physical health are in good shape, you'll be able to tackle those interviews more easily!


Keeping the flu bug at bay
Friday, November 04, 2016 - Posted by SunnyHealth - 0 comments



The year end is rainy and cold, and in low temperatures, it is when the flu bug comes out to play. Influenza isn't caused by the drop in temperatures. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), the flu virus forms an outer coating in cold weather than enables it to fly through air. And as influenza is an air-bourne disease, this propagates the virus to spread more easily and inhaled by people. It is also theorised that people spend more time indoors due to the cold and rain, and that increases human contact with each other and thus, the spread of germs.

These days, perhaps due to poor lifestyle habits that lead to poor immune system, or flu viruses getting more resilient than before, a patient can be plagued by the virus for up to 3 to 4 weeks. Imagine feeling lethargic, having achy muscles and headaches for almost a month! It's certainly not something you want to experience in the upcoming holiday season.

Flu spreads easily through social contact, so one of the key things is to avoid close contact with people who are down with the flu. Sharing food and dining utensils, along with any other actions that could result in the exchange of saliva, are almost sure ways to contract the flu virus.

The virus spreads through air and transitional surface contact as well. Washing your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub after coming into contact with frequently touched surfaces (e.g. canteen table top, door knob, lift button, ATM machine) helps reduce direct exposure to the virus.

If you have to visit the hospital or take someone to the clinic, wear a mask, practise good hygiene habits and change your clothes and take a bath when you get home.

Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth where the virus is able to enter your body directly.

Strengthen your immune system. Get sufficient sleep, drink lots of water, consume healthy food like fruits and vegetables, exercise and manage your stress. People who are prone to stress tend to have a weaker immune system.

If you have to be in close contact with sick people e.g. family member or colleague, encourage to practise good habits, such as wearing a face mask to avoid the spread of saliva. They should cough and sneeze into a tissue, and dispose the tissue properly.

Consider antiviral medication, especially if you generally have a weaker immune system. Tamiflu and Relenza are prescription-only medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza. With school holidays coming up, you definitely want to consider packing some for your trip!